Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

Use the drop down menu to view Floor proceedings
for the last 7 legislative days.

Watch Session Online

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 18, 2009
111TH CONGRESS - FIRST SESSION

8:30 P.M. -

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2009.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

6:39 P.M. -

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES - The House resumed Special Order speeches.

6:37 P.M. -

The House received a communication from James L. Oberstar, Member of Congress. Chairman Oberstar notified the House that on November 5, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider 20 resolutions to authorize appropriations for the General Services Administration's (GSA) FY 2010 Capital Investment and Leasing Program, including 5 construction resolutions (authorizing $221.4 million) and 15 lease resolutions (authorizing $121.4 million). The Committee adopted the resolutions by voice vote with a quorum present. Referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

3:56 P.M. -

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES - The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 3791:: to amend sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, and for other purposes

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 395 - 31 (Roll no. 901).

3:39 P.M. -

The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

3:38 P.M. -

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3791.

3:37 P.M. -

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 371 - 63 (Roll no. 900).

3:29 P.M. -

On agreeing to the Perlmutter amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 358 - 75 (Roll no. 899).

3:00 P.M. -

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

2:59 P.M. -

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Con. Res. 212:: expressing the sense of Congress on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of historic events in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and the Slovak and Czech Republics

2:58 P.M. -

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:30 P.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 212.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Ackerman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 890:: welcoming the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States

2:29 P.M. -

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:16 P.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 890.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Ackerman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:15 P.M. -

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

H.R. 3791:: to amend sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, and for other purposes

2:14 P.M. -

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3791 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.

2:13 P.M. -

Mr. Gordon (TN) moved that the Committee now rise.

On agreeing to the Cardoza amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:07 P.M. -

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 909, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cardoza amendment.

2:06 P.M. -

Amendment offered by Mr. Cardoza.

: An amendment printed in Part B of House Report 111-340 to require the Director to consider unemployment rates when awarding grants.

On agreeing to the Holden amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:03 P.M. -

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 909, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holden amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Holden.

: An amendment printed in Part B of House Report 111-340 to make river rescue organizations eligible for funding under the definition of a rescue organization.

2:02 P.M. -

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gordon demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

1:59 P.M. -

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 909, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

: An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 111-340 to prohibit earmarking of funds appropriated under the Act.

1:58 P.M. -

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Perlmutter amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (NE) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

1:50 P.M. -

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 909, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perlmutter amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Perlmutter.

: An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 111-340 to authorize a nationwide survey to assess compliance of fire departments with certain best practices on firefighter safety. The amendment establishes a task force of fire service industry to make recommendations to Congress on ways to increase compliance with those firefighter safety standards.

1:49 P.M. -

On agreeing to the Titus amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

1:45 P.M. -

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 909, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Titus amendment.

1:44 P.M. -

Amendment offered by Ms. Titus.

: An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 111-340 to expand the scope of the Assistance to Firefighter Grants program to allow the purchase of equipment that reduces the use of water in fighting fires and training firefighters.

12:54 P.M. -

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3791.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 909 and Rule XVIII.

12:53 P.M. -

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3791 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill modified by the amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 909.

12:51 P.M. -

Mr. Conyers filed a report from the Committee on Judiciary on H. Res. 871.

H. Res. 909:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3791) to amend sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, and for other purposes

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 173 (Roll no. 898).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

12:44 P.M. -

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 242 - 174 (Roll no. 897).

12:37 P.M. -

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question for H. Res. 909 and adoption of the resolution, if ordered, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Con. Res. 214:: providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses

12:36 P.M. -

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 - 166 (Roll no. 896).

12:09 P.M. -

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 909:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3791) to amend sections 33 and 34 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, and for other purposes

12:08 P.M. -

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 909, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 909 until a time to be announced.

11:40 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 909.

11:37 A.M. -

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 3014:: to amend the Small Business Act to provide loan guarantees for the acquisition of health information technology by eligible professionals in solo and small group practices, and for other purposes

11:36 A.M. -

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

11:25 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3014.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 3738:: to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to establish a program for the Small Business Administration to provide financing to support early-stage small businesses in targeted industries, and for other purposes

11:24 A.M. -

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

11:16 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 3738.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3082 amended. Senate requests a conference with the House and appointed conferees.

H.R. 3738:: to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to establish a program for the Small Business Administration to provide financing to support early-stage small businesses in targeted industries, and for other purposes

11:08 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3738.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1842:: to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial development programs, and for other purposes

11:07 A.M. -

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

10:59 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1842.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1834:: to amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, and for other purposes

10:58 A.M. -

10:51 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1834.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1839:: to amend the Small Business Act to improve SCORE, and for other purposes

10:50 A.M. -

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

10:42 A.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1839.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

10:41 A.M. -

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:08 A.M. -

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES - The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

10:06 A.M. -

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Chair designated Mrs. Christensen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:05 A.M. -

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:01 A.M. -

Today's prayer was offered by Reverend Matthew Southall Brown, Sr., St. John Baptist Church, Savannah, Georgia

10:00 A.M. -

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.