[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 191 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1355-D1356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

Committee Meetings
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 
Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 1823, the ``Criminal Code 
Modernization and Simplification Act of 2011.'' Testimony was heard 
from public witnesses.
COSTS AND BURDENS OF CIVIL DISCOVERY
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Constitution held a 
hearing entitled ``The Costs and Burdens of Civil Discovery.'' 
Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources held a hearing on the following: H.R. 2512, the ``Three Kids 
Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act''; and H.R. 3479, the ``Natural 
Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011''. Testimony was heard from David 
Applegate, Associate Director for Natural Hazards, Geological Survey; 
John Anderson, Seismological Society of America; Mike Pool, Deputy 
Director, Bureau of Land Management; Andy Hafen, Mayor, Henderson, 
Nevada; and public witnesses.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on H.R. 1540, the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The Committee 
granted, by a record vote of 8 to 4, a rule waiving all points of order 
against the conference report and its consideration. The rule provides 
that the conference report shall be considered as read. The rule 
provides that the previous question shall be considered as ordered 
without intervention of any motion except one hour of debate and one 
motion to recommit if applicable. The rule provides that debate on the 
conference report is divided pursuant to clause 8(d) of rule XXII.
  Section 2 of the resolution provides that it shall be in order at any 
time through the remainder of the first session of the 112th Congress 
for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules, 
as though under clause 1(c) of rule XV, if the text of the measure 
proposed in a motion is made available on the calendar day before 
consideration.
  Section 3 provides that on any legislative day of the first session 
of the 112th Congress after December 16, 2011: (1) the Journal of the 
proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; (2) 
the Chair may at any time declare the House adjourned to meet at a date 
and time, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the 
Constitution, to be announced by the Chair in declaring the 
adjournment; and (3) bills and resolutions introduced during the period 
addressed by this section shall be numbered, listed in the 
Congressional Record, and when printed shall bear the date of 
introduction, but may be referred by the Speaker at a later time.
  Section 4 provides that on any legislative day of the second session 
of the 112th Congress before January 17, 2012: (1) the Speaker may 
dispense with organizational and legislative business; (2) the Journal 
of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved 
if applicable; and (3) the

[[Page D1356]]

Chair at any time may declare the House adjourned to meet at a date and 
time, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the 
Constitution, to be announced by the Chair in declaring the 
adjournment.
  Finally, Section 5 authorizes the Speaker to appoint Members to 
perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period 
addressed by sections 3 and 4 as though under clause 8(a) of rule I.
  Testimony was heard from Chairman McKeon and Rep. Smith of 
Washington.
PUBLIC ALERT SYSTEM
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on 
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a 
hearing entitled ``The Effectiveness of Our Nation's Public Alert 
System.'' Testimony was heard from Damon Penn, Assistant Administrator, 
National Continuity Programs Directorate, Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; James Arden Barnett, Jr., Rear Admiral (Ret.), Chief, Public 
Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission; 
and public witnesses.

Joint Meetings
  No joint committee meetings were held.