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On Thursday morning, at 7:30 AM PST , President Obama will be making a major speech on immigration. He’ll be outlining what it will take for the federal government to fix our broken system. What do you want to hear the president say tomorrow? Stop by our blog and let us know what you think President Obama should say tomorrow morning. This movement has always been about you – your lives, your families, your hopes and dreams, your personal reasons for working for comprehensive immigration reform. Your voice makes us strong, and your words make this fight matter. We’ll be live-blogging the speech tomorrow morning. Tell us what you want to hear President Obama say when he talks about immigration at 7:30 AM PST tomorrow. Thank you,
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Monthly Archives: June 2010
ETHICS — GAO STUDY FINDS BUSH ADMINISTRATION ‘BURROWED’ POLITICAL APPOINTEES: A recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals “seven instances of improper burrowing — political appointees shifting to career civil servant positions in a given agency — during the Bush Administration.” In several cases, the GAO found that agencies followed improper procedures in personnel practices by hiring “former political appointees who appeared to have limited qualifications and/or experience to the career positions.” One case indicates that the Department of Justice placed a political appointee in a career position “despite unfavorable recommendations from interviewing officials.” The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Treasury both hired political appointees “who lacked the specialized experience for the position.” While none of these seven transitions occurred near the 2008 presidential election, it is not the first time such “eyebrow-raising” career conversions have occurred under the Bush administration. Between March and November, 2008, the Bush administration “burrowed” at least 20 political appointees into career civil service posts, “initially depriving President-elect Obama of the chance to install his appointees in key jobs.” The New York Times previously reported that in the month after the 2008 election, President Bush “made roughly 30 personnel moves…some in nominations that will require Senate approval, and others in direct appointments that will last well into President-elect Barack Obama’s term and beyond.” Critics argue that converting unqualified political appointees to career positions can have an indelible, profound effect on not only an agency’s credibility and quality, but also its forthcoming policy. In a memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) last November, director John Berry announced agencies “must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level.”
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weary Wednesday &some News you might not know about
Today, we are in a We the People moment from now on … choice needs to be made by us; do we let Republicans continue saying No to the things that will help fix what brought us to a near depression … or
Who would you vote for most -a Political Party who has outed themselves as Corporatist or one with the Democratic ideology and belief of the Constitution. The choice is an easy one if you just remind yourself of the events prior to the 2008 Presidential Elections and the choices we had, an old guy who definitely served his country in a great way but seemed out of touch, a little creepy and when our economy was tanking he said,” our system was fundamentally sound” top that off with his VP choice who most sane people on both side of the aisle agree was completely unqualified to be considered our next President if anything happened to the old guy let alone the Vice President.
My take -Republicans are now completely responsible for all negative effects our economy incurs from here on. People may want to ask why? it is because after repeated efforts to pass any jobs bill for homeless Vets, ui benefits, home buyer tax extensions, Republicans have voted them down, now 1.2 or more people will be out on the street. It is my opinion that any jobs numbers announced by Cable heads, The Media, Radio or Newspapers are solely because of the inaction of Republicans to continue to stimulate the economy and help people who are under employed or unemployed due to the financial crash of 2008.
Today, The President will be in Wisconsin for another town meeting, talk about our economic recovery as well as answering questions about recover and hopefully good questions about what he intends to do about Republicans who continue to just say No.
I resent every Republican who has made negative comments about the people out of work people on Social Security, our Homeless Vets as well and their willingness to outsource jobs is just offensive. We need to update, reform and move forward into the 21st Century not go backward, as Republicans obviously want. If the public is listening and or watching now know where Republicans stand and or maybe remind them what has gone on with Republicans, what with all the stalling, blocking and just say no to any and everything needed to put America back on track.
In addition, General Patreus is being confirmed and taking over the military effort in Afghanistan, while Elena Kagan is getting abused, I mean questioned for the third day, the Supreme Court confirmation and hearing process has been an eye opener given the things Republicans have said about Thurgood Marshall, the activist Judge label they gave her and Judge Marshall has been offensive and was meant as a bad thing. I would have to say my response would be to ask Senator Sessions tell everyone who Citizens United is and what exactly they do for your party.
More recently, sadly after Senator Byrd died the reform bill was pulled because a Republican named Scott Brown put up a fuss so Democrats agreed to pull it and hopefully adjust it adequately enough to be voted into law and major financial reform finally happening for Americans today.
My 2nd rant today is this…
Pundits, the Media the GOP will say the President numbers are due to not being able to get the employment numbers down the GOP thinks people will blame our Democratic Party and or our President. It is a time to stop being fooled, any and all negative numbers coming in from now can be attributed to Republicans just say no attitude though Congress leaders are required to do the peoples business. It is clear Republicans are not doing the peoples business but trying to make this President fail but are Republicans just unable to understand that if this President fails all of America fails, our economy goes back to how it was before January 20, 2008. As Americans, we voted them into office but apparently, the GOP decided after the 2008 elections that the only way to move Democrats out of office is to crucify, target and ruin the President whenever possible. In my opinion, this President has accomplished much more than the last guy did and it was for the rich or We the People not for a select few. The Democratic Party with the exception of a couple of Conservadems has tried and is still trying to move Americans into the 21st Century. The constant votes of no regarding any and all legislation that should help all Americans including Health care reform, Climate and Clean Energy and now the Jobs Bill, which according to many in Congress has let other important legislation stack up. Unfortunately, even our own Democratic Party seemed to have felt it is time to move on, we all know they are tired, have done what they can to get the extensions needed to keep stimulating our economy but it is obvious that is what Republicans want, it’s a great move because they have made our Democrats in the Senate tired. Again, I ask the public to not be fooled if the extensions are voted down again and the people that need to be held accountable is Republicans please do not allow media heads, other politicians, fox news, msnbc anyone make you believe this is the President’s fault.
The day Congress announced they had to move on was the day Republicans became the sole group responsible for any and all negative effects their No Votes will have on homeless Vets, Outsourcing jobs away from America. In addition, there will be 1.2 million people who will no longer be stimulating the economy because they have nothing coming in from anywhere because there are no jobs out there. I ask everyone to think about the domino effect that is coming if the UI benefits extensions continue to be voted down by Republicans. I feel what will happen is the creation of the new poor consisting of not just the real poor but also the middle class, those of us that work all their lives who have a certain amount taken out of their checks in order to live on at the end of their work lives. These are the people Jon Boehner, Bachmann and mostly all Republicans talk about, those who receive entitlements should be slashed and used to pay for wars, raise the retirement age to 70 and those that are wealthy should not get benefits at all as reported in a Pittsburgh Newspaper interview, though Boehner people deny the statements, there is a video. In response to Boehner, House Democratic Whip James Clyburn stated, “Boehner and the GOP want to raise the retirement age to pay for Bush’s war and their failed policies of the past.” Fortunately, for us Mr. Clyburn said, “Democrats will not stand for this.” Moreover, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has a fact sheet to go to for information.
The bottom line is this … our population is getting older but living longer and learning to say healthier. The idea of raising the retirement age appears to be something no one can avoid and it is a bipartisan issue, which led to a bipartisan commission appointed by President Obama to find ways to reduce the debt and deficit are considering raising the age to 70. Currently, you have options to retire and receive partial payback or stay in the workforce until your reach full retirement age, which btw is different for everyone or continue until age 70 and get even more money. It is something that might be inevitable and in these times of, we just might have to accept the changes but the suggestion to slash it or end Social Security is not an option that should be considered. I think if the options to stay in at three different levels as they have now people will accept and go on with life. The problems we are having with our economy is because the last guy did nothing to update adjust or change our system with reforms, now most people do need to work longer to recoup money lost from bets made with worker investments in stocks that seemed to be meant to fail. I can accept raising the retirement age but I do not agree with anything that is even close to privatizing it; who can trust Republican ideas -they believe in Corporations not providing for the people who pay their salaries.
Other News …
“The recession has directly hit more than half of the nation’s working adults, pushing them into unemployment, pay cuts, reduced hours at work or part-time jobs, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.” Nearly half of the survey’s respondents said “they are in worse financial shape as a result of the downturn, which destroyed 20 percent of Americans’ wealth.”TP
House Democrats have attached $10 billion to the long-stalled war funding bill “to help local school districts avoid teacher layoffs when schools reopen.” The $70 billion bill “is anchored by President Barack Obama’s $30 billion request for the troop surge in Afghanistan and contains money for disaster aid accounts, foreign aid and disability benefits for Vietnam veterans.”TP
Foreclosed homes accounted for nearly a third of all home sales in the first three months of 2010, according to new data from foreclosed property marketer RealtyTrac, Inc. During 2009 alone, 1.2 million property sales dealt with foreclosures. “That number boggled my mind,” said RealtyTrac spokesman Rick Sharga, referring to the jump in foreclosures. “A 2,500% increase over a four-year period surprised even us.”TP
Although nearly every GOP lawmaker has vowed to repeal health care reform, only 30 House Republicans have “actually signed the discharge petition calling for such a repeal.” The petition, if signed by 218 members, would force a vote on repeal. But so far, the measure introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and pushed by the Heritage Foundation’s new political group has fallen very short.TP
C-SPAN …
Senate Confirmation Hearing: Part One Senate Confirmation Hearing: Part Two
Kagan: People Need to trust the Court as Non-Political
The confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan continues today with more questions from Senate Judiciary Committee members. Beginning with a line of questioning by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ms. Kagan defined the relationship of politics to the Supreme Court. She stated, “the people need to trust the court as a non-political body.” Read More »
The nominee then answered questions from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on legal judgment at the Supreme Court level as “not a robotic quality with no judgment in the process.”
Outside witness testimony was scheduled for Thursday, but due to events surrounding the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, the committee schedule is uncertain. The committee hopes to vote out her nomination in July with a Senate floor vote in late July. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens who served his last day on the Supreme Court yesterday.
Commission Questions the Extent of AIG and Goldman Sachs Contribution to the Financial Crisis
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission has begun a two-day hearing on “The Role of Derivatives in the Financial Crisis,”. They will hear testimony from current and former executives from AIG and Goldman Sachs including former AIG executive Joseph Cassano and Goldman Sachs President Gary Cohn.
The congressionally appointed panel is looking into the ties between the two companies and how their derivatives transactions may have contributed to the financial crisis.
Panel Hearing: NOW on c-span.org 
FCIC website
NYTimes: In U.S. Bailout of A.I.G. Reuters: Cassano emerges to defend role NY Post: Goldman Makes Nice With PanelCBO Presents Budget Outlook to President’s Debt Commission
The Presidential Commission charged with finding bipartisan solutions to lowering the nation’s trillion-dollar budget deficit met for the third time since April.
The group heard from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Elmendorf who presented CBO’s 2010 long term budget outlook which was released earlier today. In remarks, Dir. Elmendorf said that if no changes took place, federal spending on health related programs will grow from 5% of GDP today to 10% of GDP in 2035 which at current rates is an increase of spending of $700B dollars.
The commission is co-chaired by former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Its non-binding recommendations are due in December.
Cmsn. Meeting: From Earlier First Cmsn. Meeting (4/27) Second Cmsn. Meeting (5/26) Fiscal Commission Website CBO website USA Today: Obama on deficit & debt critics The Hill: CBO says debt will reach 62% of GDP Share this:
An Ant Hurts An Elephant … ThinkProgress.org
With millions of Americans unemployed, the nation struggling to recover from the greatest financial crisis in decades, and “job creation and economic growth” top priorities for the public, President Obama is poised to sign landmark financial regulatory reform meant to ensure the country won’t ever face these same dire problems in the future. MSNBC points to the legislation as a “reminder about how much the White House and the Democratic-controlled Congress have done in the past year and a half. … You can’t say this is a Do-Nothing Congress.” As the Center for American Progress’ Pat Garofalo explains, “There were many reasons for the economic collapse of 2008…but chief among them was a financial system that worked in the interests of Wall Street and too-big-to-fail financial institutions, and against the interests of consumers.” While not perfect, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act would work to improve disclosure, protect consumers, reform the derivatives market, and regulate the riskiest practices of the nation’s biggest banks. Now that final passage is near, however, many Republicans — spouting rhetoric about wanting reform but unwilling to help pass anything that Obama has made a priority — are getting cold feet about voting against the interests of Wall Street.
LOOKING OUT FOR WALL STREET: On Friday, the conference committee reconciling the House and Senate versions of financial regulatory reform legislation approved final language (along a party-line vote) after a marathon 20-hour negotiating session. Lawmakers made a flurry of changes, including the addition of an exemption to the Volcker rule — a ban on banks trading for their own benefit with federally insured dollars — added at the behest of Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), and a weakening of Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s (D-AR) provision requiring banks to spin-off their derivatives trading desks. However, the final bill retained Lincoln’s language requiring exchanges and clearinghouses for derivatives, as well as a provision that compels banks to hold more capital against losses. Unfortunately, Republicans decided they were not yet done making changes. Yesterday, negotiators had to briefly reopen conference proceedings “after Senate Republicans who had supported an earlier version of the measure threatened to block final approval unless Democrats removed a proposed tax on big banks and hedge funds.” Maine GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe had announced that they would be joining Brown — whose campaign received heavy support from Wall Street — in voting against the reform bill because it imposes a $19 billion fee on the biggest financial firms to cover the cost of the law’s implementation. But as Mother Jones’ Kevin Drum noted, the bank fee is “not there to punish banks or to create a slush fund for new spending. It’s there solely to make the bill deficit neutral.” Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) challenged the Republican hold-outs to find some other way to pay for the bill. “Do they want to add to the deficit?” he asked, calling these peacocks out on their deficit hypocrisy. “Is there another way? What’s their other way?” To appease these Republicans, the conference committee yesterday agreed to eliminate the bank tax and “bring an early end to the Troubled Asset Relief Program,” which would free up about $11 billion to pay for the bill. Every single Republican on the committee voted against this measure, instead opting to add to the deficit and put taxpayers on the hook for the legislation.
COMPARING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS TO A POOR LITTLE ‘ANT’: Brown, Collins, and Snowe haven’t been Wall Street’s only defenders on Capitol Hill in recent days. Perhaps the industry’s greatest ally has been House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH). In a recent interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Boehner blasted Democrats for everything from health care reform and the BP oil spill response to financial reform. “They’re snuffing out the America that I grew up in,” Boehner said, adding, “There’s a political rebellion brewing, and I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it since 1776.” Taking up the GOP agenda of defending big business at all costs, he even compared the financial crisis to a poor little “ant.” Speaking of the financial reform bill, he said, “This is killing an ant with a nuclear weapon.” “An ant, Mr. Boehner? It was the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression — Americans lost 8 million jobs and $17 trillion in retirement savings and net worth,” responded a staffer to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “The irresponsible fiscal policies of George W. Bush and Congressional Republicans were much bigger than an ant to American workers, their families and small businesses.” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called Boehner “completely out of touch with America.” The Progress Report caught up with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and asked him about Boehner’s comments. He said that he “basically agree[d]” with his GOP colleague.
BLOCKING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Senate Democrats tried and failed on three separate occasions this month to pass a tax extenders bill that included an extension of expired unemployment benefits. Republicans, along with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), killed it by threatening a filibuster, potentially forcing states to cut 200,000 jobs, putting in jeopardy health and education programs, and denying benefits to 1.2 million out-of-work Americans. As a result, as Garofalo notes, Senate Democrats whittled the bill down to appease the GOP and “subjected more and more of the bill to spending offsets, ultimately leaving just the jobless benefits extension unpaid for.” While Republicans still refused to budge, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) — who joined the filibuster threat all three times — is now advocating for a benefits-only bill, even if it adds to the deficit. “Of course, passing a stand-alone bill neglects all the other important provisions that were in the extenders bill, including COBRA subsidies to help laid-off workers purchase health insurance and aid to states to help them with their Medicaid bills,” adds Garofalo. “Failing to pass such measures is only going to add to the economic misery that Snowe at least seems aware is occurring.” There are currently 15 million Americans unemployed, and almost half of them have been out of work for at least six months — a post-World War II record. The House plans to vote on extending unemployment benefits again today, after an attempt to do so was blocked by 139 Republicans and 16 Democrats yesterday.
With millions of Americans unemployed, the nation struggling to recover from the greatest financial crisis in decades, and “job creation and economic growth” top priorities for the public, President Obama is poised to sign landmark financial regulatory reform meant to ensure the country won’t ever face these same dire problems in the future. MSNBC points to the legislation as a “reminder about how much the White House and the Democratic-controlled Congress have done in the past year and a half. … You can’t say this is a Do-Nothing Congress.” As the Center for American Progress’ Pat Garofalo explains, “There were many reasons for the economic collapse of 2008…but chief among them was a financial system that worked in the interests of Wall Street and too-big-to-fail financial institutions, and against the interests of consumers.” While not perfect, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act would work to improve disclosure, protect consumers, reform the derivatives market, and regulate the riskiest practices of the nation’s biggest banks. Now that final passage is near, however, many Republicans — spouting rhetoric about wanting reform but unwilling to help pass anything that Obama has made a priority — are getting cold feet about voting against the interests of Wall Street.
LOOKING OUT FOR WALL STREET: On Friday, the conference committee reconciling the House and Senate versions of financial regulatory reform legislation approved final language (along a party-line vote) after a marathon 20-hour negotiating session. Lawmakers made a flurry of changes, including the addition of an exemption to the Volcker rule — a ban on banks trading for their own benefit with federally insured dollars — added at the behest of Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), and a weakening of Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s (D-AR) provision requiring banks to spin-off their derivatives trading desks. However, the final bill retained Lincoln’s language requiring exchanges and clearinghouses for derivatives, as well as a provision that compels banks to hold more capital against losses. Unfortunately, Republicans decided they were not yet done making changes. Yesterday, negotiators had to briefly reopen conference proceedings “after Senate Republicans who had supported an earlier version of the measure threatened to block final approval unless Democrats removed a proposed tax on big banks and hedge funds.” Maine GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe had announced that they would be joining Brown — whose campaign received heavy support from Wall Street — in voting against the reform bill because it imposes a $19 billion fee on the biggest financial firms to cover the cost of the law’s implementation. But as Mother Jones’ Kevin Drum noted, the bank fee is “not there to punish banks or to create a slush fund for new spending. It’s there solely to make the bill deficit neutral.” Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) challenged the Republican hold-outs to find some other way to pay for the bill. “Do they want to add to the deficit?” he asked, calling these peacocks out on their deficit hypocrisy. “Is there another way? What’s their other way?” To appease these Republicans, the conference committee yesterday agreed to eliminate the bank tax and “bring an early end to the Troubled Asset Relief Program,” which would free up about $11 billion to pay for the bill. Every single Republican on the committee voted against this measure, instead opting to add to the deficit and put taxpayers on the hook for the legislation.
COMPARING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS TO A POOR LITTLE ‘ANT’: Brown, Collins, and Snowe haven’t been Wall Street’s only defenders on Capitol Hill in recent days. Perhaps the industry’s greatest ally has been House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH). In a recent interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Boehner blasted Democrats for everything from health care reform and the BP oil spill response to financial reform. “They’re snuffing out the America that I grew up in,” Boehner said, adding, “There’s a political rebellion brewing, and I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it since 1776.” Taking up the GOP agenda of defending big business at all costs, he even compared the financial crisis to a poor little “ant.” Speaking of the financial reform bill, he said, “This is killing an ant with a nuclear weapon.” “An ant, Mr. Boehner? It was the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression — Americans lost 8 million jobs and $17 trillion in retirement savings and net worth,” responded a staffer to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “The irresponsible fiscal policies of George W. Bush and Congressional Republicans were much bigger than an ant to American workers, their families and small businesses.” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called Boehner “completely out of touch with America.” The Progress Report caught up with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and asked him about Boehner’s comments. He said that he “basically agree[d]” with his GOP colleague.
BLOCKING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Senate Democrats tried and failed on three separate occasions this month to pass a tax extenders bill that included an extension of expired unemployment benefits. Republicans, along with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), killed it by threatening a filibuster, potentially forcing states to cut 200,000 jobs, putting in jeopardy health and education programs, and denying benefits to 1.2 million out-of-work Americans. As a result, as Garofalo notes, Senate Democrats whittled the bill down to appease the GOP and “subjected more and more of the bill to spending offsets, ultimately leaving just the jobless benefits extension unpaid for.” While Republicans still refused to budge, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) — who joined the filibuster threat all three times — is now advocating for a benefits-only bill, even if it adds to the deficit. “Of course, passing a stand-alone bill neglects all the other important provisions that were in the extenders bill, including COBRA subsidies to help laid-off workers purchase health insurance and aid to states to help them with their Medicaid bills,” adds Garofalo. “Failing to pass such measures is only going to add to the economic misery that Snowe at least seems aware is occurring.” There are currently 15 million Americans unemployed, and almost half of them have been out of work for at least six months — a post-World War II record. The House plans to vote on extending unemployment benefits again today, after an attempt to do so was blocked by 139 Republicans and 16 Democrats yesterday.
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what’s going on in Congress Wednesday -debates/votes on employment,home buyer tax credit extensions
Updates when needed
The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 30, 2010
Following any Leader remarks, there will be 2 hours of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senators will be permitted to pay tribute to Senator Byrd during this period of morning business.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of David Patreaus to be General. There will be up to 20 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Levin and McCain or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the Patreaus nomination (around 12:00 noon).
Upon disposition of the nomination, we hope to resume consideration of HR5297, Small Business Jobs bill.
Additional roll call votes are expected to occur throughout the afternoon and evening in relation to the Small Business Jobs bill and/or Unemployment Insurance/Home Buyer Tax credit extension (House Message on HR4213, Tax Extenders), if an agreement can be reached.
Votes:
203: Confirmation of the nomination of David Petreaus to be General;
Confirmed: 99-0
204: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR4213, with amendment #4425: (UI/Homebuyer Tax Credit);
Not Invoked: 58-38
Unanimous Consent:
– HR5623, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act; and
– HR5569, to extend the authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010.
Passed HR5611, FAA Extension (through August 31, 2010)
Adopted S.Con.Res.67, celebrating 130 years of US-Romanian diplomatic relations.
Adopted S.Res.576, National ESIGN Day 2010.
Adopted S.Res.577, Chaplian Henry Vinton Plummer.
Adopted S.Res.578, Summer Food Service Program Awareness Month.
Adopted H.Con.Res.293, Adjournment resolution.
The Senate confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent:
to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors
– Michael P. Meehan
– Dana M. Perino
– Walter Isaacson
– Victor H. Ashe
– Michael Lynton
– Susan McCue
– Dennis Mulhaupt
– S. Enders Wimbush
Theodore Sedgwick to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Slovak Republic
S. Leslie Ireland to be Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of the Treasury
and calendar #964-992 all military promotions and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk.
————————————————————————-
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 30, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
9:09P.M.
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:05 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
to provide a technical adjustment with respect to funding for independent living centers under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in order to ensure stability for such centers
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
8:59 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5610.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Chu moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
expressing support for designation of June 30 as “National ESIGN Day”
8:58 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. McDermott objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
8:49 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 290.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. McDermott moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
expressing support for the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador as they persevere through the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which swept across Central America causing deadly floods and mudslides
8:47 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
8:39 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1462.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
to permanently authorize Radio Free Asia, and for other purposes
8:38 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
8:20 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3104.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
congratulating the Government of South Africa upon its first two successful convictions for human trafficking
8:19 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
7:58 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1412.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
congratulating the people of the 17 African nations that in 2010 are marking the 50th year of their national independence
7:56 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
7:42 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1405.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the political situation in Thailand be solved peacefully and through democratic means
7:40 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
7:27 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1321.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a technical correction in the enrollment of H.R. 3360
7:26 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
7:24 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 289.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
7:23 P.M. –
Mr. Cummings moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
to amend title 46, United States Code, to establish requirements to ensure the security and safety of passengers and crew on cruise vessels, and for other purposes
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
7:06 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3360.
Mr. Cummings moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
7:05 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
7:03 P.M. –
Ms. Hirono filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 1495 and H. Res. 1496.
to amend Public Law 95-232 to repeal a restriction on treating as Indian country certain lands held in trust for Indian pueblos in New Mexico
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:02 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 414).
6:54 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, and for other purposes
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 192 (Roll no. 413).
Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:45 P.M. –
On motion to recommit the conference report with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 198 – 229 (Roll no. 412).
6:17 P.M. –
The previous question on the motion was ordered without objection.
Mr. Bachus moved to recommit with instructions to the conference committee.
6:16 P.M. –
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:34 P.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1490, the House proceeded with 2 hours of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4173.
Mr. Frank (MA) brought up conference report H. Rept. 111-517 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1490.
to take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and for other purposes
3:33 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 – 1 (Roll no. 411).
3:24 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill ( H.R. 4173) to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, and for other purposes
3:23 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 234 – 189 (Roll no. 410).
3:15 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of agreeing to H.Res. 1490, and a motion to suspend the rules, both of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 186 (Roll no. 409).
2:47 P.M. –
Considered as privileged matter.
providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill ( H.R. 4173) to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, and for other purposes
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1490, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.
2:46 P.M. –
The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:37 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1490
1:36 P.M. –
Considered as privileged matter.
to enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents any of whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces
1:35 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 408).
1:28 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
1:27 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.
waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and for other purposes
1:23 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 237 – 189 (Roll no. 407).
1:13 P.M. –
On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 182 (Roll no. 406).
11:51 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.Res. 1487.
The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 285 and S. Res. 574 .
waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and for other purposes
11:37 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1487
Considered as privileged matter.
11:35 A.M. –
Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1490.
to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Artesia, New Mexico, as the “Alejandro Renteria Ruiz Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic”
11:34 A.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 – 0 (Roll no. 405).
11:28 A.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
recognizing the residents of the City of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the United States
11:27 A.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 – 0 (Roll no. 404).
11:18 A.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 151 North Maitland Avenue in Maitland, Florida, as the “Paula Hawkins Post Office Building”
11:17 A.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 – 0 (Roll no. 403).
11:12 A.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
recognizing the work and importance of special education teachers
11:11 A.M. –
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): 415 – 0 (Roll no. 402).
10:44 A.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
10:43 A.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
providing for the use of the catafalque situated in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center in connection with memorial services to be conducted in the United States Senate Chamber for the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, late a Senator from the State of West Virginia
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
10:42 A.M. –
Mr. Boccieri asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
Considered by unanimous consent.
10:11 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.
10:09 A.M. –
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:08 A.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Robert Henderson, First Baptist Church, Lincoln, Illinois
The House convened, starting a new legislative day
Be a Seed for Change 
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