Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Markup meeting minutes
Subject to a notice sent to all Members, the Committee met in the President’s Room, off the Senate Floor, on June 29, 2011 at 11:21 a.m. The following member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee were present: Mr. Tester, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Scott Brown, Mr. Moran, Ranking Member Burr, and Chairman Murray.
Madame Chairman: Seeing that we now have a quorum, let’s move to the six agenda items. Before we begin, I want to comment that we are using technology to be a truly paperless committee. Instead of creating a bunch of paper, we estimate that just this markup has saved $500 in paper and ink costs alone. I also want every Member of this Committee to know that we have CBO Estimates for every agenda item, and views from stakeholders and the administration. Moreover, all mandatory spending is fully offset or assumed in the baseline, and all new discretionary programs are paid for.
The Committee’s practice is to report pending legislation en bloc, subject to amendments, and technical and conforming changes. With the Ranking Member’s concurrence we will do this for items 1,3,4,5, and 6. We’ll then vote on S. 572. Senator Burr, do you have the motion?
Mr. Burr: Madame Chairman, in accordance with the Committee’s longstanding practice to vote on agenda items as soon as a quorum of eight is present, I move that the Committee order favorably reported to the Senate the five legislative items on today’s agenda, Items 1,3,4,5, and 6. I further move that the reporting or approval of each of these items be subject to any amendments or motions subsequently adopted. Finally I move that the Committee staff be directed to prepare the Committee Reports on these items and make necessary clerical, technical, and conforming changes necessary to conform with the budget act.
Madame Chairman: Is there a second? [A chorus of seconds were heard.]
The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion on the motion before we act?
Seeing none, the vote is on the motion that the Committee approve the five agenda items, en bloc.
All those in favor, say ‘aye.’ [A chorus of Ayes was heard]
All those opposed, say ‘no.’ [No Nays were heard]
The ‘ayes’ have it. The motion is agreed to and the five agenda items are ordered reported to the Senate.
Moving now to agenda item #2 – S. 572, is there any discussion on this bill before I call the vote? Seeing none, the Clerk will call the roll.
Mr. Akaka – Aye
Mr. Tester – Aye
Mr. Burr – Nay
Mr. Isakson -- Nay
Mr. Wicker – Nay by proxy (voted by Mr. Burr)
Mr. Johanns – Nay by proxy (voted by Mr. Burr)
Mr. Scott Brown – Nay
Mr. Moran – Nay
Mr. Boozman – Nay
Madame Chairman – Aye
The following proxy’s were voted by the Chairman:
Mr. Rockefeller-- Aye by Proxy
Mr. Sanders -- Aye by Proxy
Mr Sherrod Brown – Aye by Proxy
Mr. Begich – Aye by Proxy
Mr. Webb – Aye by Proxy
.
Clerk: They Ayes are 8, the Nays are 7, the measure prevails.
Chairman: Thank you all, we are adjourned.
11:26 a.m.
Chart on Roll Call of Agenda Item II, S. 572.
Ayes | Senator | Nays |
X by proxy | Mr. Rockefeller | |
X | Mr. Akaka | |
X by proxy | Mr. Sanders | |
X by proxy | Mr. Brown | |
X by proxy | Mr. Webb | |
X | Mr. Tester | |
X proxy | Mr. Begich | |
Mr. Burr | X | |
Mr. Isakson | X | |
Mr. Wicker | X by proxy | |
Mr. Johanns | X by proxy | |
Mr. Brown | X | |
Mr. Moran | X | |
Mr. Boozman | X | |
X | Madame Chairman | |
8 | TALLY | 7 |
NOTICE
Click on the link on Veterans Affairs Markup hearing that was posted today. It will show that our bill S 396 was not placed on the agenda for a markup. What does this mean to us? It means that our bill in the Senate will not be discussed at all at today's meeting.
According to Dave Hanke, Assistant to Senator John Cornyn on Military and Veterans Affairs, this does not mean that the bill is dead. It means that right now the Committee does not want to deal with it. It was more or less expected but it was necessary that it at least was discussed at the June 8 hearing on bills before the Committee. He urges veterans to continue with the letter writing campaign. He also suggests of trying to bring Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen. Eric Shinseki to the valley. This is a tall order, but you never know if set our mind to it.
We have been told in the past that our bills were just filed and placed on a committee to gather dust. The only reason for filing was to appease the veterans. Well this Session the bills are moving. So we must say, "Never say Never".
If any one has any suggestions please feel free to let us know. You can call me at 226.9176.
According to Dave Hanke, Assistant to Senator John Cornyn on Military and Veterans Affairs, this does not mean that the bill is dead. It means that right now the Committee does not want to deal with it. It was more or less expected but it was necessary that it at least was discussed at the June 8 hearing on bills before the Committee. He urges veterans to continue with the letter writing campaign. He also suggests of trying to bring Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen. Eric Shinseki to the valley. This is a tall order, but you never know if set our mind to it.
We have been told in the past that our bills were just filed and placed on a committee to gather dust. The only reason for filing was to appease the veterans. Well this Session the bills are moving. So we must say, "Never say Never".
If any one has any suggestions please feel free to let us know. You can call me at 226.9176.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Hearing on Senate Markup
Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison send a letter to the Veterans Affairs requesting that S 396 be placed up for discussion at their June 29th markup session. If S 396 gets markup, then it will be send to the Full House for a vote. RGV Valley Vets have been writing to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair and to Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) ranking member. According to Cornyn's staff the letter was hand delivered.
Hidalgo County Judge has also send a similar letter in support of S 396. Judge Garcia's office has informed us that his email was send via fax with confirmation of receipt.
Also, some veterans have been emailing Senator Murray's Chief of Staff, Mike Spahn, to inform the Senator of S 396. This was done fairly recently because slow mail would not get there before the meeting's agenda. Emails were also sent to Jennifer McCarthy, clerk at the Vet/Aff Comm.
The committee has announced its schedule but an agenda was not listed in announcement. It will he held at the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. If you have a chance tune it via their web page.
Hidalgo County Judge has also send a similar letter in support of S 396. Judge Garcia's office has informed us that his email was send via fax with confirmation of receipt.
Also, some veterans have been emailing Senator Murray's Chief of Staff, Mike Spahn, to inform the Senator of S 396. This was done fairly recently because slow mail would not get there before the meeting's agenda. Emails were also sent to Jennifer McCarthy, clerk at the Vet/Aff Comm.
The committee has announced its schedule but an agenda was not listed in announcement. It will he held at the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. If you have a chance tune it via their web page.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Veterans meet with Senator Cornyn' Staff
Harlingen, TX
Senator John Cornyn's Regional Office
June 21, 2011
Valley veterans met with Dave Hanke, Military and Veterans Affairs asssitant to Senator John Cornyn, Lt. Maxwell Keith, assistant to Hanke and Ana Maria Garcia, regional coordinator for Senator John Cornyn via satellite phone confernce. The issues discussed were SB 396 which is pending before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill was discussed at the Committee on June 8th and is scheduled to be discussed again on June 29th. Hanke provided information to the veterans as to where to direct their letter writing campaign. Also, he mentioned that he needed up to date fact and figures from the local VA on the services of veterans.
There was a good question and anwere discussion and veterans were glad that Hanke provided truthful and sound answers to their questions. He told them that we still had a fight on our hands and that the VA was not necessarily on our side. We needed to conquer that belief and change their mind as to the need of a VA hospital for south Texass.
HB 2055 as it relates to the ammendment of Congressman Cuellar's HB 1318 was also discussed, But Hanke stated that Cuellar or his staff would be the ones to ask. He commanded Cuellar for his actions and movement of his bill.
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Pablo Flores, Rey Molano, Leo Hinojosa, Treto Garza, Adelarido Cantu, Joe Ibarra, Pedro Juarez, Antonio Carmona, Tony Arenas, Rey Oropez, Mike Escobedo.
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Pablo Flores, Adelaido Cantu, Joe ibarra, Antonio Carmona, Mike Escobedo, Rey Oropez, Rey Molano, Manuel Pena, Hortencia Pena Maria Carmona, Treto
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Treto Garza, Ruben Cantu, Adelaido Cantu, Pedro Juarez, Georgios Moros, Antonio Cantu, Tony Arenas Rey Oropez and Mike Escobedo
Senator John Cornyn's Regional Office
June 21, 2011
Valley veterans met with Dave Hanke, Military and Veterans Affairs asssitant to Senator John Cornyn, Lt. Maxwell Keith, assistant to Hanke and Ana Maria Garcia, regional coordinator for Senator John Cornyn via satellite phone confernce. The issues discussed were SB 396 which is pending before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill was discussed at the Committee on June 8th and is scheduled to be discussed again on June 29th. Hanke provided information to the veterans as to where to direct their letter writing campaign. Also, he mentioned that he needed up to date fact and figures from the local VA on the services of veterans.
There was a good question and anwere discussion and veterans were glad that Hanke provided truthful and sound answers to their questions. He told them that we still had a fight on our hands and that the VA was not necessarily on our side. We needed to conquer that belief and change their mind as to the need of a VA hospital for south Texass.
HB 2055 as it relates to the ammendment of Congressman Cuellar's HB 1318 was also discussed, But Hanke stated that Cuellar or his staff would be the ones to ask. He commanded Cuellar for his actions and movement of his bill.
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