H.R.985 - Federal Government

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Rule H. Res. 239 passed House.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 239. (consideration: CR H2517-2543 text of measure as reported in House: CR H2527-2530)

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 239 and Rule XVIII.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Chairman of the Committee.

H.AMDT.41 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Stupak. (consideration: CR H2530-2532, H2537-2538, H2539-2540 text: CR H2530) Amendment enhances whistleblower protection by including in the list of reportable actions any attempt to suppress the right of government scientists to publish or announce their findings in peer reviewed journals or public meetings with their fellow scientists.

H.AMDT.42 Amendment (A002) offered by Mr. Platts. (consideration: CR H2532-2533, H2537 text: CR H2532) Amendment requires that the Merit Systems Protection Board rely on a consistent standard for "clear and convincing evidence" as the burden of proof that must be met to sustain an agency's affirmative defense (that it would have taken the same personnel action independent of an employee's protected conduct).

H.AMDT.43 Amendment (A003) offered by Mr. Platts. (consideration: CR H2533-2534 text: CR H2533-2534) Amendment clarifies that a protected disclosure cannot be disqualified because of the forum in which it is made establishes more realistic burdens of proof and extends due process rights to certain whistleblowers.

H.AMDT.43 On agreeing to the Platts amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

H.AMDT.44 Amendment (A004) offered by Mr. Sali. (consideration: CR H2534-2536, H2538-2539 text: CR H2534) Amendment sought to strike section 13 of the bill which is a clarification of whistleblower rights relating to scientific and other research.

H.AMDT.45 Amendment (A005) offered by Mr. Tierney. (consideration: CR H2536-2537 text: CR H2536-2537) Amendment clarifies the process by which national security whistleblower information, that is, information which may evidence a violation of law, rule or regulation of gross mismanagement, fraud, waste, or abuse is shared with executive branch officials and Members of Congress.

H.AMDT.45 On agreeing to the Tierney amendment (A005) Agreed to by voice vote.

H.AMDT.42 On agreeing to the Platts amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

H.AMDT.41 On agreeing to the Stupak amendment (A001) Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 - 178 (Roll no. 149).

H.AMDT.44 On agreeing to the Sali amendment (A004) Failed by recorded vote: 159 - 271 (Roll no. 150).

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 985.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H2539)

H.AMDT.41 Mr. Price (GA) demanded a separate vote on the Stupak amendment (A001).