Appropriations Watch - State, Foreign Operations - Senate Version

This post is an update on the previous post about pro-life policy in State, Foreign Operations appropriations bill.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Senate version of the bill on June 28, 2007. This bill makes two significant changes to long-standing pro-life provisions: the Mexico City Policy and the Kemp-Kasten provision.

Mexico City is undermined in the same manner as it is in the House version. (Note: when voted on in the House, the number of votes against the Lowey Amendment and for the Smith Amendment were more than enough needed to sustain a veto.)

Kemp-Kasten provision is rendered entirely ineffective by:

• removing the President's authority to invoke the provision,
• significantly watering down the standard for prohibited activities, and
• setting an impossible standard for it to be invoked by only applying the provision to direct support for coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.

If the Senate language were enacted, U.S. taxpayer funds would flow to the U.N. Population Fund which helps manage China's one-child policy and forced abortion program which even the Chinese don't want.

If these policies pass, the United States would be supporting the management of coercive abortion programs.

Pray these provisions do not make it into law and would be vetoed if necessary.

Appropriations Continue, Agenda Heating Up

Legislative Update

• House: Appropriations Victories, Defeats
• Senate: Energy Completed, Immigration
• S. 5 Veto Override
• Global Warming
• August Recess Pressure

The House of Representatives did not live up to its own expectations for finishing most of the approprations bills in June. When the majority tried to jack up America with it's secret earmark plan, the minority decided to fight back and jack up the majority's plan instead until the problem was fixed.

This has set the appropriations calendar further back from where it was already behind. Once the appropriations bills got moving, there were three losses in the State, Foreign Operations bill, and three wins in the Financial Services bill.

The Senate finished its work on an energy bill, tried again on immigration, and passed a Title V abstinence extension. Praise the Lord the Senate did not go to conference on troublesome legislation such as S. 1, lobbying reform, and S. 4, the 9/11 Commission bill.

Now that Wyoming once again has two senators, upon its return from the Independence Day recess, the Senate is expected to take up the veto override attempt of S. 5, the embryonic stem cell bill.

Given that the House has only completed work on half the appropriations bills, and none of them have been sent to the President, much less signed into law, all these must-pass bills remain high priority prayer targets.

Congress doesn't go on vacation until August, and even that's not a sure thing. The majority also intends to take up global warming legislation of some time this month.

House Votes - H.R. 2829: Financial Services Appropriations

H.Res. 517: Providing for consideration of H.R. 2829

On Ordering the Previous Question
Passed 244-181

Matsui of California Amendment
An amendment to be in order, any rule of the House to the contrary notwithstanding, to consider concurrent resolutions providing for the adjournment of the House and Senate during the month of July.
Passed 225-198

On Agreeing to the Resolution, As Amended
Passed 213-206


H.R. 2829: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Cardoza of California Amendment
An amendment to reduce funding for the General Activites under the General Services Administration by $8 million and increase funding for the Office of Inspector General under the General Services Administration by $6 million.
Passed 281-144

DeFazio of Oregon Amendment No. 8
An amendment numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funds for Selective Service System by $10,000,000 and increase funds for the Small Business Administration by $10,000,000.
Failed 95-320

Price of Georgia Amendment No. 15
An amendment numbered 15 printed in the Congressional Record to strike section 738 regarding requirement for Public-Private Competition.
Failed 158-268

Tom Davis of Virginia Amendment
An amendment to decrease funding (by transfer) regarding the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of Special Counsel by $1 million.
Failed 146-279

Garrett of New Jersey Amendment
An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used by the SEC to enforce the requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Passed 267-154

Souder of Indiana Amendment No. 2
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used for the Prevention Works or Whitman-Walker Clinic needle exchange programs.
Failed 208-216

Flake of Arizona Amendment No.18
An amendment numbered 18 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds for the Grace Johnstown Area Regional Industries Incubator and Workforce Development program.
Failed 87-335

Flake of Arizona Amendment
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used for a project for Barracks Row Main Street, Inc.
Failed 60-361

Flake of Arizona Amendment No. 21
An amendment numbered 21 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, SPUR Urban Center.
Failed 102-317

Flake of Arizona Amendment No. 19
An amendment numbered 19 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used for the Mitchell County Development Foundation, Inc. for the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Project.
Passed 249-174

Flake of Arizona Amendment No. 22
An amendment numbered 22 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for the West Virginia University Research Corporation for renovations of a small business incubator.
Failed 101-325

Campbell of California Amendment No. 1
An amendment to prohibit use of funds for the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Commission.
Failed 107-318

Emanuel of Illinois Amendment
An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill for the Office of the Vice President.
Failed 209-217

Campbell of California Amendment No. 2
An amendment to prohibit use of funds for a list of sundry projects contained in the bill.
Failed 48-372

Wicker of Mississippi Amendment
An amendment to limit the use of funds to implement section 5112 of title 31 United States Code.

Rep. Wicker Speech:

Rep. Roger Wicker [R-MS]: I thank the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, this is a rather straightforward and simple amendment. It would simply restore to the face, or the obverse, of the dollar coin, the new dollar coin that is being minted now, the words "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum."

Passed 295-127

Pence of Indiana Amendment
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Federal Communications Commission to implement the Fairness Doctrine, as repealed in General Fairness Doctrine Obligations of Broadcast Licensees or any other regulations having the same substances.
Passed 309-115

Fairness Doctrine is a Liberal Effort to Shut You Up.
The ‘fairness’ doctrine is an antiquated Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation requiring that all political broadcasts that express opinion on the public airwaves are balanced with equal time for the opposing viewpoint.

Jordan of Ohio Amendment
An amendment numbered 31 printed in the Congressional Record to provide that each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law is reduced by 8.9 percent.
Failed 149-276

Price of Georgia Amendment
An amendment to reduce appropriations in the bill by $214,340,000.
Failed 191-233

Musgrave of Colorado Amendment
An amendment to require that each amount appropriated or othewise made avaiable by this Act is hereby reduced by 0.5 percent.
Failed 205-220

Goode of Virginia Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds to be used to implement or enforce the Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992.
Passed 224-200

The Health Care Benefits Expansion Act of 1992 created a domestic partner registry for unmarried couples and granted many of the same benefits to these domestic partners as legally married spouses.

Stearns of Florida Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds to be used by the Internal Revenue Service to implement a Spanish-language version of the "Where's my Refund?" service.
Failed 165-257


On Motion to Recommit with Instructions
(consideration: CR H7409-7410; text: CR H7409)
Failed 199-222

On Passage
Passed 240-179


RSC Member Amendments Produce Conservative Victories

House Votes - H.R. 2643: Interior, Environment Appropriations

H.Res. 514: Providing for consideration of H.R. 2643

On agreeing to the resolution
Agreed to by voice vote.


H.R. 2643: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

King of Iowa Amendment
An amendment to increase funds by $100,000,000 for the operation of the National Park System. And, reduce funds for the EPA by $163,000,000.
Failed 156-274

Peterson of Pennsylvania Amendment
An amendment number 1 by Peterson(PA) to insert language on page 50, line 3, after the period stating "The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to natural gas offshore preleasing, leasing, and related activities beyond 25 miles from the coastline":.
Failed 196-233

Conaway of Texas Amendment
An amendment to strike sections 104 and 105 regarding the conduct of offshore preleasing, leasing and relative activities and regarding funds to conduct oil and natural gas preleasing, leasing and related activities in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic.
Failed 167-264

Bishop of Utah Amendment
An amendment to increase funding by $13 million for the Forest and Rangeland Research and decrease funding by $31.588 million for Grants and Adminstration under the National Endowment for the Arts.
Failed 156-270

Barton of Texas Amendment
An amendment to strike section 501 expressing the sense of Congress on Global Climate Change.
Failed 153-274

Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas Amendment
An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used to promulgate or implement the Environmental Protection Agency proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2007.
Passed 252-178

Dent of Pennsylvania Amendment
An amendment numbered 13 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement, administer, or enfore section 20(b)(1) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Failed 194-236

Pearce of New Mexico Amendment
An amendment to prohibit use of funds for the continued operation of the Mexican Wolf Recovery program.
Failed 172-258

Hensarling of Texas Amendment No. 34
An amendment numbered 34 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the Clover Bend Historic Site.
Failed 98-331

Hensarling of Texas Amendment No. 44
An amendment numbered 44 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used for the St. Joseph's College Theater.
Failed 97-328

Hensarling of Texas Amendment No. 56
An amendment numbered 56 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the Maverick Concert Hall.
Failed 114-316

Hensarling of Texas Amendment No. 74
An amendment numbered 74 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the Bremerton Public Library.
Failed 98-333

Andrews of New Jersey Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds to be used to plan, design, study, or construct, for the purpose of harvesting timber by private entities or individuals, a forest development road i the Tongass National Forest.
Passed 283-145

Mr. Young (AK) raised a point of order against the Andrews amendment (A035). Mr. Young of Alaska stated that the provisions of the amendment seek to impose new duties and constitute legislating in an appropriations bill. Point of order overruled by the Chair.

Brown-Waite of Florida Amendment
An amendment to reduce funds for the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities (NEA) by $32,000,000.
Failed 137-285

Campbell of California Amendment No. 51
An amendment numbered 51 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for Wetzel County Courthouse, New Martinsville, West Virginia.
Failed 104-323

Campbell of California Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds to be used for the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory.
Failed 97-330

Flake of Arizona Amendment No. 1
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used for W.A. Young & Sons Foundry Greene County Pennsylvania.
Failed 104-328

Flake of Arizona Amendment No. 2
An amendment to prohibit funds to be used for the Columbus Fire Fighters Union in Columbus, Ohio.
Failed 66-364

Flake of Arizona Amendment No. 5
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; the Westsylvania Heritage Corporation in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; and the Progress Fund in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Failed 86-343

Jordan of Ohio Amendment
An amendment numbered 22 printed in the Congressional Record to provide that each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law is reduced by 4.3 percent.
Failed 150-281

Price of Georgia Amendment
An amendment numbered 29 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriations in the bill by $276,330,000 (or 1 percent).
Failed 178-254

Musgrave of Colorado Amendment
An amendment numbered 27 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce each amount appropriated or otherwise made available in the bill that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available by a provision of law by 0.5 percent.
Failed 193-238

Inslee of Washington Amendment
An amendment numbered 17 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill to issue any permit for, or otherwise approve or allow, importation of any polar bear or polar bear part.
Failed 188-242

Udall of Colorado Amendment No. 2
An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill to prepare or publish final regulations regarding a commercial leasing program for oil shale resources on public lands or to conduct an oil shale lease sale.
Passed 219-215

Lamborn of Colorado Amendment
An amendment to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Failed 97-335

Cannon of Utah Amendment
An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill relating to oil-shale leasing in the States of Utah or Wyoming.
Failed 204-223

Udall of Colorado Amendment No. 2
Mr. Cannon demanded a separate vote on the Udall (CO) amendment (A054). (consideration: CR H7259-7260)
Passed 216-210


On Motion to Recommit with Instructions
(consideration: CR H7269; text: CR H7269)
Failed 186-233

On Passage
Passed 272-155

House Voice Votes

The following passed the House by voice vote:

• H.R. 2286: Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2007
• H.R. 2139: FHA Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2007
• H.R. 1281: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007
• H.R. 1065: Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2007

House Votes - H.R. 2771: Legislative Branch Appropriations

H.Res. 502: Providing for consideration of H.R. 2771

On Ordering the Previous Question
Passed 217-179

On Agreeing to the Resolution
Passed 222-179


H.R. 2771: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Flake of Arizona Amendment
An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 110-201 to reduce funding for the Government Printing Office--Congressional Printing and Binding by $3,200,000.
Passed 218-191

Jordan of Ohio Amendment
An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 110-201 to reduce appropriations in the bill by 4% across the board.
Failed 177-231


On Motion to Recommit with Instructions
(consideration: CR H6997; text: CR H6997)
Failed 181-217

On Passage
Passed 216-176


Capitol to Become 'Greener' as House Passes Legislative Branch Spending Bill
Funding for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s initiative to reduce the Capitol complex’s carbon footprint cleared a key hurdle today when the House passed the $3.1 billion legislative branch spending bill.

House-Passed Legislative Branch Bill Means Capitol Hill Would Become 'Greener'
Funding for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s initiative to reduce the Capitol complex’s carbon emissions cleared a key hurdle June 22 when the House passed the $3.1 billion Legislative Branch spending bill.

House Republicans want to tame Beard
GOP concerned Dems using time-honored majority prerogative to obtain perks.

House Votes - H.R. 2764: State, Foreign Operations Appropriations

See previous Appropriations Watch Life Status Update for details on key amendments highlighted below.


H.Res. 498: Providing for consideration of H.R. 2764

On agreeing to the resolution
Agreed to by voice vote


H.R. 2764: Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida Amendment
An amendment to decrease funding for the Department of State, Administration of Foreign Affairs by $36,700,000, and to increase funding for the Economic Support Fund by the same amount in order to address funding for Cuba Democracy assistance programs.
Passed 254-170

Wolf of Virginia Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for assistance programs for Iraq by $158,000,000.
Failed 205-219

Shays of Connecticut Amendment
An amendment to provide additional funding (by transfer) for the Iraq Study Group in the amount of $1 million.
Passed 355-69

House Votes to Revive Iraq Study Group
The Iraq Study Group, the bipartisan panel that mapped out an alternative U.S. strategy for Iraq last December, may be reconstituted for a sequel.

Garrett of New Jersey Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for anti-terrorism programs by $20 million.
Failed 192-232

Foxx of North Carolina Amendment
An amendment to reduce the appropriation for contributions to international organizations by $203,082,000.
Failed 137-287

Pitts of Pennsylvania Amendment
An amendment to restore the President's emergency plan for AIDS relief authorization provision requiring 33% of HIV/AIDS prevention funding to be spent on abstinence and fidelity promotion program.
Failed 200-226
Pitts Amendment in the 108th Congress
Passed 220-197

Lowey of New York Amendment
An amendment to insert provisions to Section 622 to prevent unintended pregnancies, abortions, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS; and to provide that no contract or grant for exclusive purpose of providing donated contraceptives in developing countries shall be denied to any nongovernmental organization solely on the basis of the policy contained in the President's March 28, 2001, Memorandum to the Administrator of USAID with respect to providing contraceptives in developing countries, or any comparable administration policy regarding the provision of contraceptives.
Passed 223-201

The end result of this amendment will be that instead of giving cash to pro-abortion organizations, USAID will give items of cash value to pro-abortion organizations. Such a scheme still lends the U.S. stamp of approval to the organizations that promote abortion and freeing up other funds for the promotion or provision of abortion.

Democrats Pass Provision for Contraceptives in House Foreign Aid Bill
Move Is First Challenge To Antiabortion Riders
House Democrats narrowly passed a measure yesterday to provide contraceptives to overseas organizations that had been banned from receiving foreign aid because they provided or promoted abortion.

Smith of New Jersey Amendment
An amendment to strike the last proviso in section 622 of the bill regarding the Mexico City policy on family planning assistance.
Failed 205-218

Boustany of Louisiana Amendment
An amendment to strike section 699 from the bill. Section 699 relates to assistance for Egypt.
Failed 74-343

McGovern of Massachussetts
An amendment to prohibit use of funds for programs at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Failed 203-214

Jordan of Ohio Amendment
An amendment numbered 26 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriations in the bill by $2,956,000,000.
Failed 152-268

Price of Georgia Amendment
An amendment to reduce appropriations in the bill by $342,430,000 across-the-board.
Failed 168-252

Musgrave of Colorado Amendment
An amendment to reduce the total appropriation in the bill (other than for assistance for Israel) by 0.5 percent across-the-board.
Failed 179-241

Pence of Indiana Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds to provide direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, except as otherwise provided by existing law.
Passed 390-30

King of Iowa Amendment
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for travel by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to countries that are State sponsors of terrorism.
Failed 84-337


On Passage
Passed 241-178


Contraceptive Language in Spending Bill Could Be Flash Point for Veto Threat
A House panel approved a fiscal 2008 State-Foreign Operations spending bill that President Bush might veto because under the bill, contraceptives would be provided to family planning groups that had been denied U.S. funding.

House Votes - H.R. 2641: Energy and Water Appropriations

H.Res. 481: Providing for consideration of H.R. 2641

On agreeing to the resolution
Agreed to by voice vote


H.R. 2641: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Westmoreland of Georgia Amendment
An amendment to reduce funding for Investigations including recession of funds by $30 million.
Failed 84-341

Westmoreland of Georgia Amendment No. 26
An amendment numbered 26 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriation for construction including recession of funds by $481,186,000.
Failed 76-351

Westmoreland of Georgia Amendment No. 24
An amendment numbered 24 printed in the Congressional Record to reduced funds for the Mississippi River and Tributaries by $18 million.
Failed 111-315

Westmoreland of Georgia Amendment No. 25
An amendment numbered 25 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funds for the Operation and Maintenance by $184,241,000.
Failed 77-350

Sessions of Texas Amendment
An amendment numbered 23 printed in the Congressionl Record to striking the prohibition of funds under the OMB Circular A-76 or any other administrative regulation, directive, or policy for the Corps of Engineers program, project or activity.
Failed 164-259

Hensarling of Texas Amendment
An amendment numbered 22 printed in the Congressional Record to reduced funds for the Water and Related Resources Account by $55 million.
Failed 121-305

Lamborn of Colorado Amendment
An amendment to reduce funds of the Bureau of Reclamation under the Policy and Administration section by $1,236,000.
Failed 151-274

Campbell of California Amendment
An amendment numbered 21 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the appropriation in the bill for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by $101,550,000.
Failed 107-320

Stearns of Florida Amendment
An amendment to redirect $20 million in funding within the Nuclear Energy account.
Failed 158-269

Kline of Minnesota Amendment
An amendment numbered 19 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding in the Fossil Energy Research and Development account by $142 million.
Failed 123-303

Porter of Nevada Amendment
An amendment to strike the provisions in the bill for nuclear waste disposal activities.
Failed 80-351

Foxx of North Carolina Amendment
An amendment numbered 18 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for Departmental Administration account by $27,950,000.
Failed 134-293

Udall of New Mexico Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for the National Nuclear Security Administration by $192.123 million.
Failed 121-312

Neugebauer of Texas Amendment
An amendment numbered 17 printed in the Congressional Record to strike the $35 million appropriation for the Appalchain Regional Commission.
Failed 133-298

Musgrave of Colorado Amendment
An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the appropriation in the bill by 0.5 percent across-the-board.
Failed 166-267

Bishop of New York Amendment
An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to add a paragraph prohibiting use of funds for review of the application for the Broadwater Energy Proposal.
Failed 146-285

Jordan of Ohio Amendment
An amendment numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce total amounts appropriated in the bill by $1.305 million.
Failed 129-301

Shadegg of Arizona Amendment
An amendment to limit the use of funds to breach or remove hydropower dams.
Failed 157-274

Price of Georgia Amendment
An amendment numbered 12 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce amounts appropriated in the bill by 1 percent across-the-board.
Failed 158-275

Wilson of South Carolina Amendment
An amendment numbered 15 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce total amounts appropriated in the bill by $1,130,000,000.
Failed 138-295

Hinchey of New York Amendment
An amendment to assure that no funds be made available to designate any geographic area as a national interest electric transmission corridor under the Federal Power Act by the Secretary of Energy.
Failed 174-257


House Vote Stops Appropriation for New Generation of Nuclear Weapons

The House yesterday approved plans to halt funding for the development of a new generation of nuclear warheads as House leaders called on the Bush administration to provide a post-Cold War nuclear strategy that would detail the future size of the U.S. nuclear stockpile.

While approving most portions of the $32 billion fiscal 2008 appropriations bill for energy and water development, the House put off final passage until later this summer while it works out details of funding for local Army Corps of Engineers flood-control projects.

House Votes - H.R. 2642: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations

H.Res. 480: Providing for consideration of H.R. 2642


H.R. 2642: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Hayes of North Carolina Amendment
An amendment to reduce appropriation for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program by $30,000,000, and increase the Department of Defense Base Closure Account by $30,000,000.
Failed 110-304

Blumenauer of Oregon Amendment
An amendment regarding funding for BRAC 1990.
Failed 68-347

Price of Georgia Amendment
An amendment numbered 17 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriation for BRAC by $50,000,000, and increase the Veterans Health Administration medical services by $22,000,000.
Failed 154-260

Moran of Kansas Amendment
An amendment to increase (by transfer) for the Medical Administration by $125 million.
Passed 264-152

Garrett of New Jersey Amendment
An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to increase (by transfer) for grants for construction of State Extended Care Facilities by $10 million.
Failed 206-211

Musgrave of Colorado Amendment
An amendment to add a new section prohibiting the use of funds for any action that is related to or promotes the expansion of the boundaries or size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado.
Passed 383-34


On Passage
Passed 409-2

House Voice Vote - Earmark Reform

H.Res. 491: Providing for earmark reform

Resolved, That during the remainder of the 110th Congress it shall not be in order to consider a conference report to accompany a regular general appropriation bill unless the joint explanatory statement prepared by the managers on the part of the House and the managers on the part of the Senate includes a list of congressional earmarks (as that term is used in clause 9(d) of rule XXI) in the conference report or joint statement (and the name of any Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator who submitted a request to the respective House or Senate committee for each respective item included on such list) that were not committed to the conference committee by either House, not in a report on such bill, and not in a report of a committee of the Senate on a companion measure.

Sec. 2. It shall not be in order to consider a rule or order that waives the application of the first section of this resolution.

Sec. 3. A point of order under this resolution shall be disposed of by the question of consideration under the same terms as specified in clause 9(b) of rule XXI.

Passed House without objection.


Leaders Ask for Trust in House Earmarks Deal
House leaders reached an uneasy truce Thursday night on how to move forward on spending bills, ending Republican delaying tactics that had blocked substantive progress on appropriations bills for three days.

House Adopts Rules Giving Earmark Foes Tools for Fighting Member Projects
The House gave earmark foes a new tool Monday, adopting rules that allow members to challenge last-minute spending mandates.

Earmark Dispute Puts a Dent in Democrats' Calendar on Spending Bill Work
The House will take up appropriations bills again this week, but on a delayed schedule resulting from the earmarks clash that engulfed the chamber last week.

House Appropriators Find Different Ways to Spread Earmarks Around
House appropriators released their first lists of earmarks Thursday for two spending bills and so far are sticking to a pledge by the chamber’s chief appropriator to reduce earmarks by half in the fiscal 2008 bills.

Boehner Previews Phase II of House GOP Earmark Reform Effort
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today outlined the next phase of the House Republican campaign to force the House Democratic leadership to keep its promise to make the congressional earmark process transparent and accountable to taxpayers.

House Votes - H.R. 2638: Homeland Security Appropriations, Part 2

House H.R. 2638 Votes Part 1


H.R. 2638: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

McHenry (NC) Amendment to the Foxx (NC) Amendment
An amendment to replace the dollar amount proposed in the Foxx amendment for the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management with "$8,961,000".
Failed 108-300

Foxx of North Carolina Amendment
An amendment numbered 33 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriation for the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management by $1,241.000.
Passed 216-198

Fallin of Oklahoma Amendment
An amendment numbered 31 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriation for the Office of Secretary and Executive Management by $138,000.
Passed 248-168

Drake of Virginia Amendment
An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce appropriation for the Office of the Under Secretary for Management by $10,400,000, and increase appropriation for the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $9,100,000.
Passed 286-127

King of New York Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for the domestic nuclear detection office management and administration account by $40 million.
Passed 282-137

Brown-Waite of Florida Amendment
An amendment numbered 13 printed in the Congressional Record to increase funding (by transfer) for the border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology account by $89.125 million.
Passed 241-179

Burgess of Texas Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for the transportation threat assessment and credentialing.
Passed 251-171

Ferguson of New Jersey Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) buffer zone protection under the State and local programs account by $50 million.
Passed 239-183

McHenry of North Carolina Amendment
An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services by $30 million.
Failed 207-214

Pearce of New Mexico Amendment
An amendment numbered 128 printed in the Congressional Record to increase funds (by transfer) to the United States Customs and Border Protection Salaries and Expenses by $125 million.
Failed 96-327

Carter of Texas Amendment
An amendment to strike the proviso regarding border fencing requirements under the Border Security, Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology heading.
Failed 190-233

McCaul of Texas Amendment
An amendment numbered 98 printed in the Congressional Record to strike the proviso for the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection heading.
Failed 192-232

King of Iowa Amendment #105
An amendment numbered 105 printed in the Congressional Record to increase and decrease the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement salaries and expenses account by $5,000,000.
Passed 228-195

Bilbray of California Amendment
An amendment to reduce appropriation for the Coast Gaurd construction by $150,000,000, and increase the State and local terrorism prevention activities by $150,000,000.
Failed 155-268

McCaul of Texas Amendment #99
An amendment to strike section 531 from the bill. Section 531 prohibits use of funds for the MAX HR project.
Failed 184-238

Rogers of Kentucky Amendment
An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit that none of the funds in this Act be used to recruit or hire more than 45,000 full-time equivalent airport screeners.
Failed 168-255

Poe of Texas Amendment
An amendment numbered 28 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used by the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan that permits travel into the United States from foreign countries using any document other than a passport.
Failed 89-331

LaTourette of Ohio Amendment
An amendment numbered 113 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used by the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop any plan under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 before June 1, 2009.
Passed 379-45

Tancredo of Colorado Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds of this Act to carry out the visa waiver program.
Failed 76-347

Tancredo of Colorado Amendment #7
An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used in contravention of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Passed 234-189

Royce of California Amendment
An amendment to prohibit funds made available for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology from being used for anything but at least two layers of reinforced fencing and roads.
Failed 149-272

Forbes of Virginia Amendment
An amendment to prohibits funds to be used to extend the designation of any foreign state under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Failed 123-298

Rogers of Kentucky Amendment
An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill to implement section 536 relating to Davis-Bacon provisions.
Failed 145-277

Rogers of Kentucky Amendment #1
An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the Department of Homeland Security by 5.7 percent over the next year.
Failed 178-243


On Motion to Recommit with Instructions
(consideration: CR H6516-6517; text: CR H6516)
Failed 200-217

On Passage
Passed 268-150


House Passes Homeland Security Spending After Earmarks Deal Ends GOP Protest
The House today passed the fiscal 2008 Homeland Security spending bill after three days of delay while leaders bickered over the handling of earmarks. The bill still faces a potential White House veto over funding levels and wages for federal contractors.

House Suspension Votes

H.Con.Res. 151: Noting the disturbing pattern of killings of numerous independent journalists in Russia since 2000, and urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to authorize cooperation with outside investigators in solving those murders.
Passed 388-1

H.R. 923: Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act
Passed 422-2

House Passes Bill to Examine Unsolved Civil Rights Cases
More than five decades after his murder, a small measure of justice came to Emmett Till when the House passed legislation today to authorize funding to examine unsolved cases from the civil rights era.

H.Con.Res. 21: Calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United Nations Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel
Passed 411-2

H.R. 2359: SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007
Passed 405-18

H.R. 2284: To amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Passed 351-73

Senate Democrats Negotiating Vacation for Agenda

Senate Republicans Block Conference on Lobbying Overhaul Legislation

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has blocked appointment of Senate conferees on the stalled lobbying bill, casting doubt on the future of the biggest overhaul of ethics and lobbying legislation in a dozen years.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., tried to name conferees Tuesday afternoon, but Republicans objected at McConnell’s request, saying they would allow action on the measure only if promised a vote on a separate bill (S 223) that would require electronic filing of campaign finance reports.

McConnell’s move injects a dose of partisanship into a lobbying overhaul (S 1) that the Senate passed in January on a 96-2 vote. The House passed its version of the bill (HR 2316) in May, and aides from both chambers have been negotiating a final bill for weeks in preconference meetings.

On Eve of July Recess, Reid Threatens to Cancel August Break

Stymied by Republicans on the Sept. 11 commission bill and a lobbying overhaul, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., today threatened to take away senators’ August vacation time.

Senate Voice Votes - including abstinence extension

The Senate passed the following by voice vote:

• S. 1612: International Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act
• S. 1701: A bill to provide for the extension of transitional medical assistance (TMA) and the abstinence education program through the end of fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes.
• S. 966: Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007

Senate Voice Vote - S. Res. 249: Honoring Ruth Bell Graham

S. Res. 249: A resolution honoring the life of Ruth Bell Graham

June 22, 2007

Mrs. DOLE (for herself, Mr. BURR, Mr. STEVENS, and Mr. MCCONNELL) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

---

RESOLUTION

Honoring the life of Ruth Bell Graham.

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham was born on June 10, 1920 in Qingjiang, China, the daughter of Presbyterian medical missionaries;

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham returned to the United States to attend Wheaton College, where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Billy Graham, who would become one of the most acclaimed evangelists in the world;

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham married Billy Graham on August 13, 1943 at Montreat Presbyterian Church in her beloved Western North Carolina;

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham was the devoted mother of five children (Virginia, Anne, Ruth, Franklin, and Nelson Edman) and the grandmother of 19 grandchildren;

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham was a renowned author and poet who penned 14 books that have moved and inspired people around the globe;

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham and Billy Graham were recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996 for their `outstanding and lasting contributions to morality, racial equality, family, philanthropy, and religion'; and

Whereas Ruth Bell Graham touched countless lives worldwide by sharing her tremendous faith, her deep compassion for the less fortunate, her great talents and her lighthearted wit: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate honors the life, work, and legacy of Ruth Bell Graham, a loyal companion who shined with grace and courage beside her husband Billy Graham, and a dedicated mother who fostered individuality and humility in her five children.

Passed by Senate Judiciary Committee

The following have been reported out of committee in the Senate and could be brought to the floor at any time:

• S. 185: Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007
• S. 1257: District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007

Senate Voice Vote - H.R. 556: Foreign Investment

House Votes on H.R. 556


H.R. 556: National Security Foreign Investment Reform and Strengthened Transparency Act of 2007

Debate

All Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)


Senate Votes to Overhaul Security Reviews of Foreign Investments

Legislation that would overhaul the way the federal government assesses national security threats posed by foreign investments was passed by the Senate Friday by voice vote.

The Senate passed the bill (HR 556) after substituting the text of its own version (S 1610) — essentially the measure approved May 16 by the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, plus a technical amendment.

Senate Votes - S. 1639: Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Previous Senate Immigration Votes


S. 1639: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes

On the Cloture Motion
Passed 64-35

Senate Revisits Immigration Bill
Legislation to overhaul the nation's immigration laws cleared a key hurdle yesterday when the Senate voted 64 to 35 to take up the measure again after a nearly three-week break. But opponents of the proposal insisted they would scuttle it by week's end.

Senate Revives Immigration Bill But Outlook Still Clouded
The Senate took a significant step today toward advancing a fragile immigration overhaul, agreeing to resume debate on legislation that had fizzled earlier this month.

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)

Decisive Immigration Votes Lined Up
Senate backers of an immigration overhaul kept the bill alive Tuesday, setting up debate and votes likely to determine the fate of the legislation in the 110th Congress.

Amdt. No. 1934 as Modified; Of a perfecting nature.

Motion to Table Div. I
Passed 53-45

Motion to Table Div. II
Passed 79-18

Motion to Table Div. III
Passed 57-40

Motion to Table Div. IV
Passed 56-41

Motion to Table Div. VI
Passed 55-40

Motion to Table Div. VII
Failed 45-52

Immigration Measure Appears Imperiled Again
The Senate yesterday turned back a series of amendments from both parties aimed at substantially altering controversial immigration legislation, but the bill shed supporters as it became mired in procedural problems that left backers concerned about its prospects.

On the Cloture Motion
Failed 46-53


Immigration Bill Dies in Senate
The most dramatic overhaul of the nation's immigration laws in a generation was crushed yesterday in the Senate, with the forces of the political right and left overwhelming a bipartisan compromise on one of the most difficult issues facing the country.

Immigration Bill Appears Doomed As Cloture Vote Fails in Senate
Comprehensive immigration legislation, President Bush’s top domestic priority this year, suffered a devastating blow in the Senate today that may prove to be the death knell for the bill in the 110th Congress.

Immigration Overhaul Founders
After six weeks of negotiations, parliamentary maneuvering and White House entreaties, the Senate rejected President Bush’s vision of an immigration overhaul, likely killing the legislation until after the 2008 elections.

Senate Vote - H.R. 800: Eliminating Secret Union Ballots

House Votes on H.R. 800


H.R. 800: Employee Free Choice Act

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)


On the Cloture Motion
Failed 51-48


Union Organizing Bill Fails Senate Procedural Test
Senate Republicans today derailed Democratic efforts to call up House-passed legislation that would make union organizing as simple as circulating a petition.

Senate Votes - H.R. 6: CLEAN Energy Act

Previous H.R. 6 Post


H.R. 6: Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act of 2007

Debate

Amendments (GovTrack, Thomas)


Inhofe Amdt. No. 1505; To improve domestic fuels security.
Failed 43-52

Senate Rejects Measure to Promote New Refineries
Democrats shot down today a Republican amendment to the energy bill intended to encourage new refineries and other alternatives for producing transportation fuels.

Domenici Amdt. No. 1538; To provide for the establishment of a Federal clean portfolio standard.
Motion to Table Passed 56-39

Dispute Stalls Senate Consideration of Energy Measure
Senate Democrats closed ranks today to table a GOP proposal intended to ward off a federal renewable electricity mandate, but Republicans say they plan to force a 60-vote threshold to end debate on the issue.

Warner Amdt. No. 1566, As Modified; To authorize the State of Virginia to petition for authorization to conduct natural gas exploration and drilling activities in the coastal zone of the State.
Failed 43-44

Senate Rejects Va. Offshore Drilling
Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) failed to win approval yesterday for a proposal to allow exploration for natural gas off the Virginia coast, as procedural maneuvering and partisan divisions held up key parts of the Senate's energy package.

Bunning Amdt. No. 1628; To provide standards for clean coal-derived fuels.
Failed 39-55

Tester Amdt. No. 1614; To establish a program to provide loans for projects to produce syngas from coal and other feedstocks while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance of the United States on petroleum and natural gas.
Failed 33-61

Coal-to-Liquid Provision Stalls
The Senate yesterday rejected two additions to an energy bill that would have pumped billions of federal dollars into efforts to ramp up production of a coal-based fuel for cars and trucks, which proponents had called an important alternative to petroleum.

Kohl Amdt. No. 1519; To amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal.
Passed 70-23

Cardin Amdt. No. 1610; To provide for the siting, construction, expansion, and operation of liquefied natural gas terminals.
Failed 37-56

DeMint Amdt. No. 1546; To provide that legislation that would increase the national average fuel prices for automobiles is subject to a point of order in the Senate.
Motion to Waive C.B.A. Failed 37-55

Gregg Amdt. No. 1718; To strike the provision extending the additional duty on ethanol and for other purposes.
Motion to Waive C.B.A. Failed 36-56

Bid to Repeal Ethanol Tariff Fails in Senate
The Senate today rejected an amendment to repeal the 54-cent-per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol.

Bingaman Amdt. No. 1693; To ensure that the renewable fuel standard does not harm the environment.
Passed 58-34

Inhofe Amdt. No. 1666; To ensure agricultural equity with respect to the renewable fuels standard.
Motion to Waive C.B.A. Failed 31-63

Kyl Amdt. No. 1800; To disallow the credit for renewable diesel for fuel that is coprocessed with petroleum.
Failed 45-49

Kyl Amdt. No. 1733 as Modified; To provide a condition precedent for the effective date of the revenue raisers.
Motion to Waive CBA Failed 38-55

Baucus Amdt. No. 1704; To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for energy advancement and investment, and for other purposes.
Motion to Invoke Cloture Failed 57-36

Reid Amdt. No. 1502; In the nature of a substitute.
Motion to Invoke Cloture Passed 61-32

Senate Energy Legislation Advances as Tax Package Stalls
A comprehensive Senate energy bill suffered a blow today when the chamber refused to limit debate on a $32.1 billion tax package proposed by the Finance Committee.

On the Cloture Motion
Passed 62-32

On Passage of the Bill
Passed 65-27


Senate Passes Energy Bill
The Senate passed a sweeping energy legislation package last night that would mandate the first substantial change in the nation's vehicle fuel-efficiency law since 1975 despite opposition from auto companies and their Senate supporters.

Senate Passes Slimmer Energy Bill
The Senate approved comprehensive energy legislation late Thursday, after adopting a bipartisan compromise that would boost automobile fuel economy standards.

A Greater Problem Than Immigration

Congressional Record
June 27, 2007

Sen. Thomas Coburn [R-OK]: Madam President, I appreciate the distinguished Senator from Nevada allowing me the time.

I think it is really important for us to ask ourselves what the test is before us today in the Senate.

As many of you know, I spent the last 2 weeks recuperating from a surgical illness, and I got to see--from a perspective of watching television on all the different channels, reading all the different papers--there was a recurring theme that I noticed that came through from all across this country. It did not matter what part of the country. It did not matter who was saying it, no matter whether they tend to lean liberal or they tend to lean conservative. That theme is this: We have failed to instill the confidence in the American people in the Congress that we are about doing what is in the best long-term interest of our country.

It is not about being against immigration or for immigration. It is not about being against an ethnic group or for an ethnic group. It is not about being liberal. It is not about being conservative. It is about the worry that the American people have for this concept called liberty. They are worried about that concept right now. They are worried about whether we have the mettle to stand up to the test, to put us back on a road that will give them the confidence that what we do will be done in the best interests of them and their children. There is worry that the thing that gives us liberty, which is the rule of law, is somehow now being tinkered with in a way that undermines their confidence and security in what this American dream is all about.

So we have had a very interesting experience today, but it is really not about the immigration bill. It is about something much greater that we should be paying attention to. It is about the right to govern with the confidence the people of this country give us and the responsibility that comes with us to have the integrity to do that in a way which builds that confidence, which rebuilds the strength, rebuilds the positive attitude, rebuilds the "I can do" America has been known for.

I asked for this time to speak not as a Republican but as a citizen of this country with children and grandchildren, like everybody else out there who wants the best for our country. We can debate about the details.

I had this wonderful experience about a year ago traveling with members of the opposite party to China. We met with students at Chinese Harvard. What we found was 95 percent of the things we agree on, we were solid in our bond.

The very thing that makes this country great is what Democrats and Republicans agree on: the idea of the rule of law; the idea of freedom; the idea that we have a Constitution that has to be supported, nurtured, and maintained. The only way that happens is if we rebuild the confidence of the American people in our abilities to do that.

We are in the midst of a debate on immigration that is a very wildly moving, emotional issue for all sides. But it should be a signal to us that when it is this wildly emotional and wildly divided, it should temper our thoughts to say the most important thing is not to finish the bill, the most important thing is to reestablish credibility in what we do for the American people.

I happen to believe if we do the right things that the American people in their gut know are right, ultimately, we will go from the 17-percent approval rating the country has of this body today back to where we should be--a healthy, vibrant confidence that the people who are elected to represent them in the Senate will, in fact, have the confidence of the American people to do and carry out this wonderful, creative experiment our Founders started over 200 years ago.

My question for the body and my challenge to the body is that we have a greater problem than immigration. The problem is the test: Do we meet the test that is before us of regaining the confidence of the American people? I think that is the biggest test we have today. I think all 100 of us need to redouble our efforts to assure that No. 1, we listen; No. 2, the Constitution is our guide; that the oath we took said nothing about Republican, said nothing about Democrat, said nothing about an individual State, but said we have an oath to uphold the Constitution of these United States without regard to party, without regard to locale.

So I would beg my fellow Senators, over the next few weeks, as we go on break in a week and we come back here, that the No. 1 goal that ought to be in front of us is, how do we change that approval rating? How do we restore the fact that we are listening, that we are hearing, that our action is based on what we know to be right, what we know to be good, and what we know is in the best interests long term for our country?

With that, I yield the floor.