Mission, History & Earth Hour 2010 …


About Earth Hour

On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. Learn more about how Earth Hour began, what we’ve accomplished, and what is in store for 2010.
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The Republican BS continues …






GOP candidate for Florida congressional seat calls Obama “Buckwheat”

From WPLG in Miami: “Corey Poitier, who is running for U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek’s seat, delivered a passionate speech against the health care reform bill Monday night to Broward County Republicans. During the speech, Poitier addressed the President by saying ‘Listen up, Buckwheat…’

“I wasn’t meaning him any harm. Maybe it was a little insensitive,” Poitier said. “It’s a term that my brother and I use. It was kind of a way of saying, ‘dummy,’ like when I say to my brother, ‘Hey, Buckwheat, cut that out.’ That’s what it was.”

Buckwheat was a black character on “Our Gang” or the “Little Rascals,” a series of movie shorts in the 1920s and the use of the word is largely considered a slur. The station notes that Poitier, who is black, is the “only Republican so far in the race for District 17, where 57 percent of constituents are black and where nine out of 10 voters cast their votes for Obama.” He’s said to be weighing a call to the White House to
apologize.

ThinkProgress yesterday reported that all of Tuesday’s Senate committee and subcommittee hearings had to stop after 2:00 p.m. because of Republican objections. There is a little-noticed Senate rule that says committees need permission to meet anytime after two hours after the Senate convenes. Without permission, even a committee already in session has to stop meeting. No committee meetings are allowed to occur after 2:00 p.m.

Bracket of Evil: Round 2!


Make your picks in the CREDO Bracket of Evil!It’s time for Round 2 of the Bracket of Evil!

Tens of thousands of votes are in, and the winners have been revealed. There were some amazing upsets — leaving the CREDO political team’s brackets in total disarray. Now that the Sinister Sixteen is over, it’s time to view the results and cast your votes in the Egregious Eight.

Head to BracketOfEvil.com to cast your votes for the next round.

Click here to cast your vote in the second round of the Bracket of Evil!

Happy bracketing!

Ben Benjamin, Senior Evil Response Strategist
CREDO Action from Working Assets

P.S. Click here to share the Bracket of Evil on Facebook.

in the House and Senate … stay informed


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 24, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION


5:26 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. Mr. Moran (KS) requested the following general leaves to address the House on March 26: Mr. Franks of AZ for 5 min.

Mr. Moran (KS) requested the following general leaves to address the House on March 25: Mr. Carter for 5 min and Mr. Wolf for 5 min.

5:24 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

5:23 P.M. –
Ms. Matsui filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1212.

H.R. 3562:

to designate the Federal building under construction at 1220 Echelon Parkway in Jackson, Mississippi, as the “Chaney, Goodman, Schwerner Federal Building”

5:19 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4899:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

5:18 P.M. –
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll No. 186).

5:11 P.M. –
On motion to table the motion to appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll No. 185).

4:43 P.M. –
Mr. Obey moved to table the motion to appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

4:41 P.M. –
Mr. Lewis (CA) appealed the ruling of the Chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the Chair.

4:40 P.M. –
Mr. Obey raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. The provisions of the motion to recommit constitute legislation in an appropriations bill. Sustained by the Chair.

4:38 P.M. –
Mr. Lewis (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:54 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4899.

3:53 P.M. –
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4899 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All point of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1204.

H.R. 1879:

to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 1 (Roll no. 184).

3:46 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4098:

to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on the use of peer-to-peer file sharing software to prohibit the personal use of such software by Government employees, and for other purposes

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 13, 1 Present (Roll no. 183).

3:37 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debate earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 4849:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, extend the Build America Bonds program, provide other infrastructure job creation tax incentives, and for other purposes

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 246 – 178 (Roll no. 182).

3:28 P.M. –
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 184 – 239 (Roll no. 181).

4849:
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, extend the Build America Bonds program, provide other infrastructure job creation tax incentives, and for other purposes

3:28 P.M. –
On passage Roll Call 182 – Recorded vote pending. On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll No. 181).

2:59 P.M. –
The previous question on the motion was ordered pursuant to the rule.

2:32 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Camp motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the point of order was removed. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to put a temporary exclusion of 100 percent of gain on certain small business stock; to put a limitation on penalties for failure to disclose certain information; and to direct the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to submit an annual report on the penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service.

2:19 P.M. –
Mr. Camp moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.

2:18 P.M. –
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
R. 4849:
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, extend the Build America Bonds program, provide other infrastructure job creation tax incentives, and for other purposes

1:07 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4849.

1:06 P.M. –
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4849 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1205.

H. Res. 917:

recognizing the Florida Keys Scenic Highway on the occasion of its designation as an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation

1:04 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 2 (Roll no. 180).

12:56 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1204:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4899) making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

12:55 P.M. –
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 191 (Roll no. 179).

12:46 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.Res. 1204 and on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 917, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Con. Res. 257:

providing for an adjournment or recess of the two Houses

12:45 P.M. –
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 175 (Roll no. 178).

12:16 P.M. –
Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1204:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4899) making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

H. Res. 1204:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4899) making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

11:20 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1204

11:19 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 4915:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, and for other purposes

11:18 A.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

10:42 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4915. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 4360:

to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs blind rehabilitation center in Long Beach, California, as the “Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Department of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation Center”

10:41 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

10:31 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4360. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

10:30 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

The Senate resumes consideration of HR4872, Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.

The following amendments are pending to HR4872:
Gregg #4567, as modified (Medicare)
McCain #3570 (Cuts State specific provisions)
Crapo Motion to Commit (tax liability)
Enzi Motion to Commit (employer mandate)
Barrasso #3582 (Premiums)Grassley #3564 (Federal participation in health exchanges)Alexander Motion to Commit (Student loan interest rates)(Student loan interest rates)Lemieux #3586 (Medicaid)Hatch motion to Commit (Medicare Advantage)
Coburn #3556 (Viagra)
Hutchison #3608 (State opt out)
Collins #3638 (employer penalties)
Thune #3639 (SAFRA)
Thune #3640 (repeal CLASS Act)
Cornyn Motion to Commit (net investment income)Roberts #3579 (medical device tax)
Inhofe #3588 (pediatric device tax)
Hatch #3644 (wounded warriors)- Gregg #3651 (Doc Fix)
– Burr #3652 (Veterans and Military Benefits)
– Vitter #3553 (Repeal PPACA)
– Roberts amendment #3577 (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute)
(Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute)
– Roberts Motion to Commit (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute)

Votes:
64: Baucus motion to table Gregg #3567, as modified (Medicare);
Tabled: 56-42

65: Baucus motion to table McCain #3570 (Cuts State specific provisions);
Tabled: 54-43

66: Baucus Motion to Table Crapo Motion to Commit (tax liability);
Tabled: 56-43

67: Baucus motion to table the Enzi Motion to Commit (employer mandate); tabled: 58-41

68: Baucus motion to table the Barrasso amendment #3582: (Premiums);Tabled: 57-41

69: Grassley Motion to Waive Budget with respect to Grassley #3564 (Federal participation in health exchanges);
Not Waive 43-56

70: Harkin motion to table Alexander Motion to Commit (Student loan interest rates)
Tabled: 58-41

71: LeMieux motion to waive Budget with respect to LeMieux #3586 (Medicaid)
Not Waived: 40-59

72: Baucus motion to table Hatch motion to Commit (Medicare Advantage);
Tabled: 56-42

73: Baucus motion to table Coburn #3556 (Viagra);
Tabled: Tabled: 57-42

74: Baucus motion to table Hutchison #3608 (State opt out);
Tabled: 58-41

75: Baucus motion to table Collins #3638 (employer penalties);
Tabled: 58-41

76: on Harkin motion to table Thune #3639 (SAFRA);
Tabled: 55-43

77: On the Thune motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Thune amendment #3640: (repeal CLASS Act);
Not Waived: 43-55

78: On the Baucus motion to table the Cornyn Motion to Commit (net investment income);
Tabled: 52-46

79: Now Voting: Baucus motion to table the Roberts amendment #3579: (medical device tax)

80: Motion to table Inhofe #3588 (pediatric device tax);
Tabled: 57-41

81: Motion to table Hatch #3644 (wounded warriors);
Tabled: 54-44

82: Gregg motion to waive Budget with respect to Gregg #3651 (Doc Fix);
Not Waived: 42-56

83: Motion to table Burr #3652 (Veterans and Military Benefits);
Tabled: 54-44

84: Motion to table Vitter #3553 (Repeal PPACA);
Tabled: 58-39

85: Roberts motion to waive Budget Act with respect to Roberts amendment #3577: (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute)
42-54

86: Baucus motion to table Roberts Motion to Commit (Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute);
Tabled: 59-37