[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 179 (Friday, December 4, 2009)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1403-D1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                           Friday, December 4, 2009

[[Page D1403]]

                              Daily Digest

                                 Senate


Chamber Action
Routine Proceedings, pages S12355-S12460
Measures Introduced: Five bills and one resolution were introduced, as 
follows: S. 2836-2840, and S. Res. 370.                     
  Page S12413
Measures Passed:
  Supporting Civilians Affected by Conflict in Yemen: Senate agreed to 
S. Res. 341, supporting peace, security, and innocent civilians 
affected by conflict in Yemen.                          
  Pages S12459-60
  Honoring Former Senator Paula F. Hawkins: Senate agreed to S. Res. 
370, relative to the death of Paula F. Hawkins, former United States 
Senator for the State of Florida.                           
  Page S12460
Measures Considered:
Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act--Agreement: Senate continued 
consideration of H.R. 3590, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of 
the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, taking action on 
the following amendments proposed thereto:          
  Pages S12356-S12408
Adopted:
  By a unanimous vote of 98 yeas (Vote No. 359), Whitehouse Amendment 
No. 2870 (to Amendment No. 2786), to promote fiscal responsibility by 
protecting the Social Security surplus and CLASS program savings in 
this Act. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the 
amendment, having achieved 60 affirmatives votes, be agreed to). 
                                                   Pages S12356, S12395
  By 97 yeas to 1 nay (Vote No. 361), Stabenow Amendment No. 2899 (to 
Amendment No. 2786), to ensure that there is no reduction or 
elimination of any benefits guaranteed by law to participants in 
Medicare Advantage plans. (A unanimous-consent agreement was reached 
providing that the amendment, having achieved 60 affirmatives votes, be 
agreed to).                                     
Pages S12391-95, S12396
Withdrawn:
  By 51 yeas to 47 nays (Vote No. 360), Thune Amendment No. 2901 (to 
Amendment No. 2786), to eliminate new entitlement programs and limit 
the government control over the health care of American families. (A 
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the amendment, 
having failed to achieve 60 affirmative votes, the amendment be 
withdrawn).                                                 
Page S12395
  By 41 yeas to 57 nays (Vote No. 362), Hatch motion to commit the bill 
to the Committee on Finance, with instructions. (A unanimous-consent 
agreement was reached providing that the amendment, having failed to 
achieve 60 affirmative votes, the motion be withdrawn). 
                                                Pages S12356, S12396-97
Pending:
  Reid Amendment No. 2786, in the nature of a substitute. 
                                                    Pages S12356-S12408
  Lincoln Amendment No. 2905 (to Amendment No. 2786), to modify the 
limit on excessive remuneration paid by certain health insurance 
providers to set the limit at the same level as the salary of the 
President of the United States.                             
Page S12397
  Johanns motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Finance, with 
instructions.                                       
Pages S12397-S12408
  A unanimous-consent-time agreement was reached providing for further 
consideration of the bill at approximately 10 a.m., on Saturday, 
December 5, 2009, with the first three hours following any Leader 
remarks equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, 
and controlled in 45 minute alternating blocks of time, with the 
Majority controlling the first block, and with no other motions or 
amendments in order during the controlled time.             
Page S12460
National Women's History Museum Act--Referral Agreement: A unanimous-
consent agreement was reached providing that the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further 
consideration of S. 2129, to authorize the Administrator of General 
Services to convey a parcel of real property in the District of 
Columbia to provide for the establishment of a National Women's History 
Museum, and the bill then be referred to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works.                                           
  Page S12459

[[Page D1404]]

Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations:
  David L. Strickland, of Georgia, to be Administrator of the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  William B. Sansom, of Tennessee, to be a Member of the Board of 
Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 
2014.
  Judith Ann Stewart Stock, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary 
of State (Educational and Cultural Affairs).
  3 Army nominations in the rank of general.                
Page S12460
Executive Communications:                               
  Pages S12412-13
Additional Cosponsors:                                  
  Pages S12413-14
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:             
  Pages S12414-15
Additional Statements:                                  
  Pages S12411-12
Amendments Submitted                                    
  Pages S12415-59
Privileges of the Floor:                                    
  Page S12459
Record Votes: Four record votes were taken today. (Total--362) 
                                        Pages S12395, S12396, S12396-97
Adjournment: Senate convened at 9:31 a.m. and adjourned, in accordance 
with S. Res. 370, at 6:50 p.m., until 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 5, 
2009. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Acting Majority 
Leader in today's Record on page S12460.)