[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 102 (Thursday, July 9, 2009)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D812-D815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 30 public bills, H.R. 3137-
3166; and 3 resolutions, H.J. Res. 59; and H. Res. 621, 623, were 
introduced.                                              
  Pages H7945-46
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages H7946-48
Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:
  H. Res. 622, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3082) 
making appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2010 (H. Rept. 111-195).                       
Page H7945
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed 
Representative Pastor to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. 
                                                             Page H7839
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the Guest Chaplain, Reverend 
Anthony L. Bennett, Mount Aery Baptist Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
                                                             Page H7839
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the McMorris Rodgers motion to adjourn by a 
yea-and-nay vote of 31 yeas to 385 nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll 
No. 497.                                                     
  Page H7842
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: The House passed H.R. 2997, 
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2010, by a yea-and-nay vote of 266 yeas to 160 
nays, Roll No. 510. Consideration of the measure began on Wednesday, 
July 8th.                                                
  Pages H7843-55
  Agreed to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair on a point of 
order sustained against the Kingston motion to recommit the bill to the 
Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back 
forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 246 ayes to 179 
noes, Roll No. 509.                                      
Pages H7852-54
  A second Kingston motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on 
Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House 
forthwith with an amendment was withdrawn.                   
Page H7854
Agreed to:
  DeLauro manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in part A of H. Rept. 111-
191) that was debated on July 8th that increases funding for the 
Agricultural Research Service salaries and expenses account by $2 
million to go toward Colony Collapse Disorder and pollinator decline 
research, offset by a $1 million reduction in the Office of the Chief 
Information Officer and a $1 million reduction in Departmental 
Administration. Increases funding for the National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture competitive grants by $3,000,000 to be used for Colony 
Collapse Disorder (CCD) and pollinator decline research, and offsets 
the increase by a reduction in funding for the Departmental 
Administration. Increases funding for

[[Page D813]]

the Office of Inspector General at USDA by $500,000 to determine 
whether the USDA Organic certification program ensures that the most 
rigorous standards for certification are honored, and to investigate 
whether non-organic substances inappropriately remain allowed in small 
amounts in USDA certified products after organic alternatives have been 
discovered. The increase is offset by a decrease of the same amount in 
funding for the Agriculture Buildings and Facilities, General Services 
Administration account. Seeks to increase the appropriation for the 
Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program by $519,000 to a total 
of $1.5 million. The amount is offset by decreasing appropriations for 
``administrative expenses necessary to carry out direct and guaranteed 
loan programs'' within the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program 
Account. Seeks to appropriate tobacco product user fees authorized 
under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Public Law 
111-31). Funds the Methamphetamine Inhibitor Grant Program created in 
the 2008 Farm Bill at $2,000,000. Offsets the increase in spending by 
reducing spending on Rural Development Salaries and Expenses. Prohibits 
the use of funds for first class travel for employees of agencies 
funded by the bill, in contravention of Federal regulations (by a 
recorded vote of 266 ayes to 161 noes, Roll No. 498);    
Pages H7843-44
  Brady (TX) amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-191) 
that was debated on July 8th that transfers $50,000 from the Chief 
Economist to the Economic Research Service (by a recorded vote of 404 
ayes to 27 noes, Roll No. 499); and                      
Pages H7844-45
  Capito amendment (No. 4 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-191) that 
was debated on July 8th that transfers $10,038,000 in the bill from the 
USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to the Rural 
Utilities Service Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program (restoring the 
latter to FY09 appropriation levels) (by a recorded vote of 426 ayes to 
3 noes, Roll No. 500).                                   
Pages H7845-46
Rejected:
  Broun (GA) amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-191) 
that was debated on July 8th that sought to reduce FDA funding by $373 
million to equal the FY09 level (by a recorded vote of 135 ayes to 292 
noes, Roll No. 501);                                         
Page H7846
  Blackburn amendment (No. 1 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-191) 
that was debated on July 8th that sought to make an across-the-board 
cut of 5 percent to all discretionary funding accounts in the bill (by 
a recorded vote of 185 ayes to 248 noes, Roll No. 502);      
Page H7847
  Hensarling amendment (No. 6 printed in part E of H. Rept. 111-191) 
that was debated on July 8th that sought to prohibit certain funds in 
the bill from being used for the National Biodiversity Conservation 
Strategy project, Kiski Basin, PA and seeks to reduce funds under the 
heading ``Agricultural Research Service--Salaries and Expenses'' by the 
amount that was to have been spent on the National Biodiversity 
Conservation Strategy project, Kiski Basin, PA (by a recorded vote of 
122 ayes to 307 noes, Roll No. 503);                     
Pages H7847-48
  Campbell amendment (No. 2 printed in part C of H. Rept. 111-191) that 
was debated on July 8th that sought to prohibit certain funds in the 
bill from being used for Specialty Crops in Indiana and to reduce funds 
under the heading ``National Institute of Food and Agriculture--
Research and Education Activities'' by the amount that was to have been 
spent on Specialty Crops in Indiana (by a recorded vote of 111 ayes to 
320 noes, Roll No. 504);                                 
Pages H7848-49
  Flake amendment (No. 9 printed in part D of H. Rept. 111-191) that 
was debated on July 8th that sought to prohibit certain funds in the 
bill from being used for the Foundry Sand By-Products Utilization 
project in Beltsville, MD and to reduce funds under the heading 
``Agricultural Research Service--Salaries and Expenses'' by the amount 
that was to have been spent on the Foundry Sand By-Products Utilization 
project in Beltsville, MD (by a recorded vote of 115 ayes to 319 noes, 
Roll No. 505);                                               
Page H7849
  Flake amendment (No. 4 printed in part D of H. Rept. 111-191) that 
was debated on July 8th that sought to prohibit certain funds in the 
bill from being used for the Agriculture Energy Innovation Center in 
Georgia and to reduce funds under the heading ``National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture--Research and Education Activities'' by the amount 
that was to have been spent on the Agriculture Energy Innovation Center 
in Georgia (by a recorded vote of 103 ayes to 328 noes, Roll No. 506); 
                                                         Pages H7849-50
  Flake amendment (No. 12 printed in part D of H. Rept. 111-191) that 
was debated on July 8th that sought to prohibit certain funds in the 
bill from being used for Potato Research in Idaho, Oregon and 
Washington and to reduce funds under the heading ``National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture--Research and Education Activities'' by the 
amount that was to have been spent on Potato Research in Idaho, Oregon 
and Washington (by a recorded vote of 97 ayes to 333 noes, Roll No. 
507); and                                                
Pages H7850-51
  Kingston amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-191) that 
was debated on July 8th that sought to prohibit funds from being used 
to administer or pay the salary of personnel who administer any 
broadband loans or loan guarantees on or

[[Page D814]]

before September 15, 2010 (by a recorded vote of 140 ayes to 292 noes, 
Roll No. 508).                                               
Page H7851
  H. Res. 609, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to on Wednesday, July 8th.
Motion to Adjourn: Rejected the Mica motion to adjourn by voice vote. 
                                                             Page H7855
Question of Privilege: The Chair ruled that the resolution offered by 
Representative Price (GA) did not constitute a question of the 
privileges of the House. Agreed to the motion to table the appeal of 
the ruling of the Chair by a recorded vote of 240 ayes to 179 noes, 
Roll No. 511.                                            
  Pages H7862-65
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and agree to the following measures which were debated on Tuesday, July 
7th:
  Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage 
Month: H. Con. Res. 127, to recognize the significance of National 
Caribbean-American Heritage Month, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 423 
yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 514 and          
  Pages H7866-67
  Directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of 
Allegiance to the Flag and the National Motto of ``In God We Trust'' in 
the Capitol Visitor Center: H. Con. Res. 131, to direct the Architect 
of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the 
National Motto of ``In God We Trust'' in the Capitol Visitor Center, by 
a 2/3 recorded vote of 410 ayes to 8 noes with 2 voting ``present'', 
Roll No. 515.                                            
  Pages H7867-68
Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, 
and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010: The 
House passed H.R. 3081, making appropriations for the Department of 
State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2010, by a yea-and-nay vote of 318 yeas to 106 
nays, Roll No. 525.                                   
  Pages H7868-H7919
  Agreed to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair on a point of 
order sustained against the Kirk motion to recommit the bill to the 
Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back 
forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 238 ayes to 180 
noes, Roll No. 523.                                      
Pages H7914-16
  Rejected the second Kirk motion to recommit the bill to the Committee 
on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the 
House forthwith with an amendment, by a recorded vote of 192 ayes to 
233 noes, Roll No. 524.                                  
Pages H7916-18
Agreed to:
  Lowey manager's amendment (No. 1 printed in part A of H. Rept. 111-
193) that increases funding for safe water and sanitation programs 
($25M); democracy programs ($10M); implementation of the U.S.-Brazil 
Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and 
Promote Equality ($300,000); maternal health programs ($10M); and 
oversight of Department of State and USAID programs ($8M). These 
additions are offset by reductions to the Department of State Capital 
Investment Fund and USAID's Capital Investment Fund. The amendment also 
restricts Foreign Military Financing Program funding for Sri Lanka and 
restricts first-class travel by employees of agencies funded by this 
Act (by a recorded vote of 261 ayes to 168 noes, Roll No. 516); 
                                               Pages H7877-78, H7909-10
  Weiner amendment (No. 7 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-193) that 
strikes Presidential waiver authority on the blocking of aid to Saudi 
Arabia (by a recorded vote of 297 ayes to 135 noes, Roll No. 519); and 
                                               Pages H7896-97, H7911-12
  Kirk amendment (No. 4 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-193) that 
prohibits funds in the bill from being used by the Secretary of the 
Treasury to negotiate an agreement in contravention of certain 
provisions of law (by a recorded vote of 429 ayes to 2 noes, Roll No. 
521).                                             
Pages H7907-08, H7913
Rejected:
  Buyer amendment (No. 2 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-193) that 
sought to reduce funding for: Diplomatic and Consular Programs by $1.2 
billion; Operating Expenses for USAID by $330 million; and Global 
Health by $670 million. This would reflect FY2009 enacted funding 
levels (by a recorded vote of 156 ayes to 271 noes, Roll No. 517); 
                                               Pages H7878-79, H7910-11
  Stearns amendment (No. 6 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-193) that 
sought to reduce the amount appropriated to the Peace Corps 
(Independent Agencies) by $76,560,000 to match the President's request 
of $373,440,000 (by a recorded vote of 172 ayes to 259 noes, Roll No. 
518);                                             
Pages H7884-86, H7911
  Culberson amendment (No. 5 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-193) 
that sought to reduce the total amount of Title V funding in the bill, 
Multilateral Assistance, by $505,896,000 (by a recorded vote of 174 
ayes to 256 noes, Roll No. 520); and           
Pages H7905-07, H7912-13
  Flake amendment (No. 3 printed in part B of H. Rept. 111-193) that 
sought to prohibit funds in the bill from being made available for the 
one-time special educational, professional, and cultural exchange 
grants program, reducing the cost of the bill by $8 million (by a 
recorded vote of 164 ayes to 268 noes, Roll No. 522). 
                                               Pages H7908-09, H7913-14
  H. Res. 617, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of

[[Page D815]]

223 yeas to 200 nays, Roll No. 513, after agreeing to order the 
previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 217 yeas to 187 nays, Roll 
No. 512.                                       
Pages H7855-62, H7865-66
Moment of Silence: The House observed a moment of silence in honor of 
James McNulty, former Member of Congress.                    
  Page H7910
Quorum Calls--Votes: Six yea-and-nay votes and 23 recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H7842-43, 
H7844, H7845, H7845-46, H7846, H7847, H7847-48, H7848-49, H7849, H7849-
50, H7850-51, H7851, H7853-54, H7854-55, H7864-65, H7865, H7866, H7867, 
H7867-68, H7909-10, H7910-11, H7911, H7912, H7912-13, H7913, H7914, 
H7916, H7918, and H7918-19. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:50 p.m.