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A message from OFA

05/28/2010 Nativegrl77

This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise.

The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, “I’ll do everything in my power” to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill “a major mistake” — announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster.

We can defeat those who’d stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans — in every state — overwhelmingly support repeal.

Stand with the President and join the pledge to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Stand with the President: Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Add your name.

From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now — if we can overcome Republican obstruction — we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to an end.

As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because “it’s the right thing to do.”

Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn’t just misguided — it’s discrimination.

That’s why President Obama didn’t just campaign on ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; he made it a priority. And it’s why it’s now a matter of how and when — not if — we will repeal this law.

But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President’s promise.

Add your name to the pledge today — and then please pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/RepealDADT

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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Senator Patty Murray

05/28/2010 Nativegrl77

Thank you for contacting me regarding energy exploration off our nation’s coastlines.

Since the passage of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in 1952, the federal government has leased the underwater terrain extending for 200 miles beyond states’ jurisdiction. Due to environmental concerns, Congress limited energy exploitation of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to clearly-defined areas in the Gulf of Mexico and off Alaska’s coast, and affirmed a moratorium on the expansion of drilling outside those areas. In 2008, President George W. Bush removed the moratoria on offshore leasing for most areas of the OCS. In March 2010, President Obama approved new offshore oil and gas drilling in the waters of the mid and south Atlantic, the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico and certain waters surrounding Alaska. The waters that remain restricted to offshore oil and gas development are located off the West Coast and Bristol Bay in Alaska.

As you may know, after the explosion and heartbreaking deaths of 11 crewmembers of the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has temporarily halted all new offshore drilling permits. Additionally, a moratorium on new permits is in effect until a thorough federal investigation of this catastrophic incident can be completed. I believe the companies responsible for atrocities of this nature should be held financially accountable. I recently cosponsored the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Liability Act of 2010 (S. 3305) and the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Trust Fund Act of 2010 (S. 3306) to ensure taxpayers will not pay to clean up spills and oil companies are held accountable for all of the costs resulting from their accidents. Both of these bills are currently pending in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Throughout my Senate tenure, I have opposed efforts to expand offshore drilling. Additionally, I have long championed banning all offshore development along the West Coast. I recently became an original cosponsor of the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2010 (S. 3358). This bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing leases for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California. This bill is currently being considered in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Like you, I am deeply concerned about record-high energy prices and our continuing dependence on foreign oil. I firmly believe that we must move forward with policies that promote alternative energy, energy conservation and efficiency. As Congress continues to deal with energy and natural resource extraction issues, I will be working to ensure that we institute a sensible, comprehensive energy policy that focuses on renewable energy and decreases our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

I appreciate hearing your comments and concerns with offshore oil and gas development. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my weekly updates at http://murray.senate.gov/updates. Thank you for contacting me about this important issue, and please keep in touch.
Sincerely,

Patty Murray
United States Senator

Uncategorized

ThinkProgress.org

05/28/2010 Nativegrl77

RADICAL RIGHT — OHIO RADIO STATION RUNS CONTEST TO ‘SPEND A WEEKEND CHASING ALIENS’ IN PHOENIX: Last week, Columbus, OH, Mayor Michael Coleman announced that he was banning city employees from traveling to Arizona on government business because of the state’s harsh new anti-immigration law. “He agrees with those who want to send a message to the state of Arizona that this is not the American way,” Coleman’s spokesman said. In response, a local radio station launched a contest to send a listener to Phoenix to “spend a weekend chasing aliens.” 610 WTVN, which broadcasts right-wing radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin, told listeners it wanted to “send you where Americans are proud and illegals are scared, sunny Phoenix, Arizona!” “You’ll spend a weekend chasing aliens and spending cash in the desert, just make sure you have your green card!” the promotion continued, noting that winners would get “a few pesos in spending cash.” Specially responding to Coleman, the station added, “City employees [are] encouraged to enter.” A coalition of Central Ohio Latino groups have called on the station to apologize for the promotion, saying the contest is an example of “the chilling effect of what is happening in Arizona with SB 1070.” “The promotion is insensitive and offensive to all Central Ohio communities. Instead of supporting more diversity in the city and better inter-ethnic relations, they are singling out one ethnic group in a degrading fashion,” a statement from the group read. This isn’t the first right-wing vigilante campaign to promote Arizona’s harsh new immigration law. A neo-Nazi group there recently distributed fliers encouraging people to “Report An Illegal” on Cinco de Mayo

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follow Friday &Congress …

05/28/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 10:00am Et

Morning Business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate.

Unanimous Consent:
Confirmed the following Executive Calendar items:
#909-915, military promotions
#918, Gervin Miyamoto, US Marshal, HI
#919, Scott Parker, US Marshal, Eastern District NC
#920, Laura Duffy, US Attorney, Southern District CA
#921, Daryl McPherson, US Marshal, Northern District IL
#922, Stephanie Finley, US Attorney, Western District LA
All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps and Navy

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 28, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

4:25 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

4:20 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H. Res. 407:: expressing support for designation of May as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month”

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

4:19 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 5136:: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes

4:18 P.M. –

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5136.Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 – 186 (Roll no. 336).

4:10 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Skelton amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:09 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Skelton.

: An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by recorded vote: 282 – 131 (Roll no. 335).

3:53 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

3:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Forbes motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to prohibit the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

3:46 P.M. –

Mr. Forbes moved to recommit with instructions to Armed Services.

3:45 P.M. –

On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 183 (Roll no. 334).

3:28 P.M. –

Mr. Skelton moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chairMrs. Bachmann appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.

3:22 P.M. –

Mr. Skelton raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr.Skelton stated that the motion was not germane to the bill Sustained by the Chair.Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.

3:21 P.M. –

Mrs. Bachmann moved to recommit with instructions to Armed Services.

3:20 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5136.

On agreeing to the Skelton amendments Agreed to by recorded vote: 416 – 1 (Roll no. 333).

3:03 P.M. –

Mr. Skelton asked unanimous consent that the demand for a recorded vote on the Shea-Porter amendment numbered 81 be withdrawn.

3:02 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of the Skelton en bloc amendment numbered 9 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

3:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 5330, without amendment, and agreed to H.Con.Res. 282, without amendment. And, the Senate passed H.R. 4899, with amendments, and ask for a conference with the House and appointed conferees.

H.R. 5116:: to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 – 150 (Roll no. 332).Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2:54 P.M. –

On agreeing to ninth portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 706 Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 234 (Roll no. 331).

2:48 P.M. –

On agreeing to eighth portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 705 Agreed to by recorded vote: 348 – 68 (Roll no. 330).

2:41 P.M. –

On agreeing to seventh portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 704 Agreed to by recorded vote: 409 – 0 (Roll no. 329).

2:35 P.M. –

On agreeing to sixth portion of the divided question, proposing to amend section 702 Failed by recorded vote: 197 – 215 (Roll no. 328).

2:29 P.M. –

On agreeing to fifth portion of the divided question, proposing to strike subtitle C of title VI Failed by voice vote.On agreeing to fourth portion of the divided question, proposing to strike section 503 Failed by voice vote.

2:28 P.M. –

On agreeing to third portion of the diveded question, proposing to strike section 502 Failed by voice vote.

2:27 P.M. –

On agreeing to second portion of the divided question, proposing to strike sections 406(b) and (c) Failed by recorded vote: 163 – 244 (Roll no. 327).

2:20 P.M. –

On agreeing to the first portion of the divided question, proposing to strike section 228 Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 243 (Roll no. 326).

1:55 P.M. –

Mr. Gordon of Tennessee demanded the question of adoption on the amendment be divided into each 9 of its components. The Chair announced that the question would be divided and began putting the question of adoption on each portion.Amendment offered by Mr. Gordon (TN).

1:54 P.M. –

The Chair announced the unfinished business was the resumption of proceedings on H.R. 5116. At the time when proceedings had been postponed on May 13, 2010, the motion to recommit with instructions had been adopted and pursuant to the instructions contained in the motion, the amendment required to be reported back to the House had not yet been submitted. Pursuant to the instructions contained in the motion, the Chair recognized Mr. Gordon for the purpose of offering the amendment.

1:53 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4213:: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes

1:52 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:51 P.M. –

On concurring in Senate amendment with portion of amendment comprising section 523 Agreed to by recorded vote: 245 – 171 (Roll no. 325).

1:38 P.M. –

On concurring in Senate amendment with amendment (except portion comprising section 523) Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 – 204 (Roll no. 324).

1:09 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

11:41 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1403, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 4213 with an amendment. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1403 and at the conclusion of debate on the motion, the Chair will put the question in divided portions.

11:40 A.M. –

Mr. Levin moved that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.The Chair put the question on consideration of the motion to concur in Senate amendment with an amendment. Agreed to by voice vote.

H. Res. 1415:: electing minority members to certain standing committees

11:37 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

11:36 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1392:: waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules

11:35 A.M. –

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1403, H. Res. 1392 is laid on the table.

H. Res. 1403:: providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 4213) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 199 (Roll no. 323).

11:27 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Slaughter amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 215 – 206 (Roll no. 322).

11:17 A.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 182 (Roll no. 321).

11:09 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1391:: congratulating Israel for its accession to membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 0 (Roll no. 320).

10:59 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 182, 1 Present (Roll no. 319).

10:33 A.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and on motions to suspend the rules which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

H. Res. 1403:: providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 4213) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes

10:32 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 860, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

10:28 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Slaughter.

9:21 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1403

9:19 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

9:06 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

9:05 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Walz to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Ms. Tsongas demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Tsongas demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

9:02 A.M. –