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Tuesday in Congress …BP

06/29/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET June 29, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the next 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume the motion to proceed to HR5297, the Small Business Jobs bill.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.

At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Small Business Jobs bill.

The Senate is considering HR5297, the Small Business Jobs bill. The following amendments are pending to the bill:
– Baucus amendment #4402 (substitute)
– Reid #s 4403-4409 (technical amendments)

Votes:
202: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to HR5297, Small Business Jobs bill;
Invoked: 66-33

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted H.Con.Res.285, Year of the Father.

Adopted S.Res.554, National Day of the Cowboy.

Adopted S.Res.564, Japan.

Adopted S.Con.Res. a concurrent resolution providing for the use of the catafalque situated in the Exhibition Hall of the CVC in connection with memorial services to be conducted in the U.S. Senate Chamber for the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, late a Senator from the State of West Virginia.

Adopted S.Res.574, a resolution relative to the memorial observances of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, late a Senator from the State of West Virginia.

*********************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 29, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

2/3 votes needed to pass – but the House REJECTS continuing federal benefits 261-155 HR5618

4:43 P.M. –

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

4:42 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Moran of KS be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on July 2.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on July 1: Mr. Paul for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Paul be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 30.

4:35 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1484:

expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, 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 by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

3:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1484

3:46 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 5623:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the homebuyer tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence before October 1, 2010, in the case of a written binding contract entered into with respect to such principal residence before May 1, 2010, and for other purposes

3:45 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): 409 – 5 (Roll no. 401).

3:38 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5552:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that the payment of the manufacturers’ excise tax on recreational equipment be paid quarterly and to provide for the assessment by the Secretary of the Treasury of certain criminal restitution

3:37 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 6 (Roll no. 400).

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

3:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

3:23 P.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Honorable Marvin Esch.

H. Res. 1244:

recognizing the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for its now five-year effort to promote cyber security curriculum in institutions of higher learning

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): 412 – 2 (Roll no. 399).

3:16 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5618:

to continue Federal unemployment programs

3:15 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 261 – 155 (Roll no. 398).

2:48 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

2:47 P.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.

H. Res. 1153:

recognizing the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and local responders for their work rescuing 17 individuals from a downed military helicopter on a rugged, snow-covered mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line

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.

2:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1153.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Critz moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5623:

2:32 P.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.

2:14 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5623.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Levin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5552:

2:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5552.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Kind moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5611:

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

1:59 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.

1:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5611.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lewis (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1460:

recognizing the important role pollinators play in supporting the ecosystem and supporting the goals and ideals of National Pollinator Week

1:47 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cardoza 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.

1:36 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1460.

Mr. Cardoza moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

H.R. 2340:

to resolve the claims of the Bering Straits Native Corporation and the State of Alaska to land adjacent to Salmon Lake in the State of Alaska and to provide for the conveyance to the Bering Straits Native Corporation of certain other public land in partial satisfaction of the land entitlement of the Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

1:35 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Heinrich 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.

1:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2340.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Heinrich moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 4445:

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

1:31 P.M. –

1:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4445.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Heinrich moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1554:

to take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and for other purposes

1:26 P.M. –

1:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1554.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Boren moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

S.J. Res. 33:

to provide for the reconsideration and revision of the proposed constitution of the United States Virgin Islands to correct provisions inconsistent with the Constitution and Federal law

1:20 P.M. –

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

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

1:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S.J. Res. 33.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.

H.R. 5618:

to continue Federal unemployment programs

1:11 P.M. –

12:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5618.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 4307:

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”

12:37 P.M. –

12:30 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4307.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1228:

honoring the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three and their families

12:29 P.M. –

12:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1228.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1446:

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

12:21 P.M. –

12:17 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1446.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 4505:

to enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents any of whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces

12:16 P.M. –

12:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4505.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

12:09 P.M. –

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

11:29 A.M. –

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

11:28 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Johnson, Eddie Bernice of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

11:27 A.M. –

On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 23 – 379 (Roll no. 397).

11:11 A.M. –

Mr. Broun (GA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

H. Res. 1439:

congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship

11:10 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): 395 – 5, 1 Present (Roll no. 396).

11:03 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

11:02 A.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.

11:00 A.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 219 – 175, 1 Present (Roll no. 395).

10:33 A.M. –

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Melancon demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Melancon demanded the yeas and nays.

10:32 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3249. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 286 with an amendment and S. Res. 572.

10:31 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Powell, First Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas.

10:30 A.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 29.

9:35 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today.

9:31 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 10:30 a.m. for the start of the legislative day.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Donna F. Edwards to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

9:30 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Call Senators Cantwell/202-224-3441 and Feingold 202-224-5323 -Tell them to vote for Financial REFORM =Final Vote

06/28/2010 Nativegrl77

Is it possible that Senators Cantwell and Feingold will continue to vote No to Financial Reform for the final vote?

Last week a bill that could have made sweeping changes to how business is done on Wall Street, in big Banks possibly in all things financial may now be in trouble today. Even Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln contributed to the reform bill but had to water down her strong derivative trading rule because of all the complaints coming from Republicans and Democrats.

The President stated that this bill will be finalized yet, no one expected the worst, and that was the death of Senator Byrd. Because of the unfortunate death of Senator Byrd and the 60 vote rule, the financial reform bill however watered down it is may not make it through the final vote. The problem is that democrats feel the bill could be stronger then its current form and with Cantwell stating she is now focused on aerospace jobs. Houston we now have a problem with the democratic party of two maybe more. Senator Cantwell, of Seattle, and Wisconsin Senator, Russ Feingold voted no during the conferees meetings; has not shown any efforts to vote the bill into law and have stated they may continue to say no. This attitude has now moved across the aisle as Republican Scott Brown, who voted for reform in May, and four other Republicans have stated they may vote no for the final vote.

We are at a moment that requires all of us to participate in getting this bill across the finish line. Congress works for We the People and though the bill has been watered down, it is definitely a start to getting America back on track in ways that obviously the last guy did not try or seem interested in doing. People on the right have said they want less government, unless and until their states need it. It is obvious every state needs financial reform, this being the biggest since the depression and explains how and why our economy was in such a vulnerable state. In addition, because Congress and previous Presidents failed to make the adjustments need to stave off such an incredible economic crisis we have to temper back Wall Street and reform the bad behavior that comes along with taking risks with other peoples money.

Again, the 27-16 vote for financial reform is a start but Congress has shown us that anything to do with reform will be treated like an ugly vegetable making Congress all but freeze up. If you listen to radio you will know why democrats just cannot get on the same page or vote as one Political Party and while it is true that any reform could have ill effects on the rest of the world we do need reform and even if it’s watered down.

This is a call to action for democrats, actually anyone who finally wants reform to call Senators Cantwell and Feingold because without the vote of Senator Byrd the needed vote of 60 is now one vote further away from passing.

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Should we add your name in support of Wall St. reform?

06/28/2010 Nativegrl77

Organizing for America

After more than seven months of work and a prolonged effort by Organizing for America supporters, House and Senate leaders just agreed on a final Wall Street reform bill. They’re moving fast toward final votes.

This is the final hurdle to enacting the toughest financial reforms since the Great Depression — and delivering another historic accomplishment for the American people.

These votes in the House and Senate will come down to the wire. Lobbyists for the big banks will be knocking down the doors on Capitol Hill this week, so we’re going all-in over the next few days to fight back — and that starts with a massive public display of support for the bill.

Many in Congress are fighting hard alongside President Obama for Wall Street reform — they need to hear our support. Others are standing with the special interests — and it’s even more important that they hear from us too.

Add your name now to the growing list of OFA supporters who are standing with the President on Wall Street reform.

Stand with the President for Wall Street reform. Add your name.

Reform doesn’t just help create a more stable economy, it greatly improves the daily lives of all American families. Here are five of the most important benefits of the bill:

1) Reform forces credit card and mortgage companies to play by the rules. No more hidden fees or pages of fine print.

2) Families who are hoping to buy a home or pay for college are put on a level playing field with lenders. Reform ensures they’ll get the information they need presented clearly and concisely so they can make good decisions. The same goes for small businesses and community banks who play fair and deserve to see their businesses grow.

3) The legislation cracks down on predatory lenders looking to mislead people into taking on irresponsible debt.

4) Wall Street reform establishes an independent agency — the Consumer Financial Protection Agency — whose sole job is to protect consumers and enforce the new consumer financial protections, which would be the strongest ever enacted.

5) Finally, American taxpayers will never again be asked to bail out the big banks that are “too big to fail.” Let’s be absolutely clear about this, no matter what our opponents in Congress say.

But these changes will only happen if the President can sign it into law. We need to get the bill to him.

Stand with the President in support of this crucial reform:

http://my.barackobama.com/WSRFinalSignOn

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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Take the Texas GOP to task!

06/28/2010 Nativegrl77

Unbelievable. Since we sent the email below on Thursday, 53,438 people like you have spoken out against the Texas GOP’s vile anti-LGBT platform.

Despite the huge outcry – and the coast-to-coast media attention – the national Republican Party hasn’t said a word. And we’re not going to give up until they reject this extremism.

We need your help to turn up the heat in the media, hold the RNC’s feet to the fire, continue to educate the public, put pressure on policymakers, and send the message that this kind of hateful ideology won’t stand. Can you chip in $5 right now?

The Texas GOP doesn’t want gay people to have custody of children. We can make sure bigots like them don’t have custody of our democracy. Chip in $5 right now.

– Joe

P.S. Here’s last week’s message:

Sign the petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele:

“Mr. Steele, I urge you to publicly reject the anti-LGBT language in the Texas GOP Platform.”

Sign now.

What you are about to read is shocking but true.

The 2010 Texas Republican Party Platform says gay people shouldn’t have custody of children.¹

It says issuing a marriage license or performing a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple should be punishable by jail time.²

It wants to restore 19th-century Texas statutes outlawing sex between men.³

It’s one thing for extremist groups to spout this type of bigotry. But one of the nation’s two main political parties? That’s taking it WAY too far.

The Republican National Committee is trying to avoid the issue, but a huge public outcry can force them to take sides. Is this really what they want voters to think the GOP stands for as the 2010 elections approach?

Sign our petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele: “Chairman Steele, I urge you to publicly reject the anti-LGBT language in the Texas GOP Platform.”

At a time when Americans are looking for real solutions to the challenges we face, the Texas GOP decided to focus on propaganda, not policy:

“Homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases.”

“Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable ‘alternative’ lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should ‘family’ be redefined to include homosexual ‘couples.'”

“We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married.”

They’re not just against marriage equality; they’re against basic equal rights. They think it should be 100% legal to fire someone for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Even their word choice shows a possible anti-transgender bias, using the phrases “natural man” and “natural woman.” The list goes on – far beyond the usual Republican talking points on “traditional family values” and even the GOP platforms in other conservative states.

And they don’t stop with attacking LGBT citizens. They also call for evicting the United Nations from the U.S., requiring drivers’ licenses to indicate citizenship, opposing legislation to allow stem cell research, rescinding no-fault divorce laws, reversing Roe v. Wade, and shutting down the U.S. Department of Education.

I want to be clear: HRC is a bipartisan organization. We’ve endorsed Republican candidates for election. So this isn’t about party politics – it’s about deep intolerance that deserves to be rejected.

Sign our petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele – tell him to repudiate this outrageous platform.

After you’ve signed, please spread the word to your friends – LGBT and straight, Republican and Democrat – and help us get the word out.

Let’s not allow the national Republican Party to hem and haw their way out of this one.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese
President

P.S. The full platform is available here (PDF).

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White House meeting -clean energy Summit

06/28/2010 Nativegrl77

This is a big week. Tomorrow, President Obama is bringing a bipartisan group of Senate energy leaders to the White House to craft a clean energy bill in response to the Gulf oil disaster. And afterward, on Thursday, the Senate Democratic Caucus will meet again to decide its course of action.

But in the face of pressure from corporate lobbyists, there’s a very real chance that the Senate will wind up with a bill of half-measures, slapping a band-aid over the approximately 3 million barrels spilled into the Gulf so far, while ignoring the untold damage we cause by consuming over 2,000 times as much oil every year. We have to address the underlying causes of our addiction to dirty energy, not just the symptoms — and as President Obama said earlier this month, “The only way the transition to clean energy will ultimately succeed … is by finally putting a price on carbon pollution.”

Join Repower America and 17 other organizations in signing an urgent letter to President Obama and Senate energy leaders demanding they make comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation a reality — and we will deliver your signatures directly to the White House.

Nearly one full year after the House of Representatives passed comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, the President is calling on the Senate to find consensus and pass a bill that addresses America’s addiction to fossil fuels.

But time is running out to pass this legislation before Capitol Hill grinds to a halt in August so lawmakers can campaign for the November midterm elections — even as oil may still be still pouring into the Gulf. To adequately address the disaster on our hands, this legislation must accomplish four essential goals:

Respond directly to the Gulf oil disaster to begin to remedy the damage and hold BP accountable
Reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels
Set limits on carbon pollution
Improve energy efficiency and expand renewable energy production

Our letter to the President and Senate leaders emphasizes these essential points and stresses the need to include them in a comprehensive climate and clean energy bill, and pass this bill as soon as possible. Seventeen partner organizations have already signed on, but that’s not enough: We also need as many citizen co-signers as possible to demonstrate to our leaders in Washington that Americans all across the country demand a comprehensive solution.

Read the letter and add your name before the White House clean energy meeting tomorrow.

Thanks for your work to help America get the strong bill we deserve,

Maggie L. Fox
Chief Executive Officer
The Climate Protection Action Fund