Hi,
I just added my name to a birthday card that the Obamas are giving the President for his 49th birthday on Wednesday, August 4th.
Can you join me?
It’s a great way to help make it a memorable birthday for him, and to show we’re ready to stand alongside him, fighting for change in the year ahead.
http://my.barackobama.com/barackbirthday-inv
Thanks,
Carmen
Now’s our chance to put the brakes on the war in Afghanistan.
Just as the House is about to vote on handing over another $33 billion to the military, new secret documents reveal the government has been covering up civilian casualties and hiding the strength of the Taliban. With our economy in shambles, we can’t keep wasting billions on a war even military insiders think is unwinnable.
The House vote will occur under a special rule, requiring 2/3 approval for the bill to pass.
As a result, we probably need fewer than 30 Democrats in the House to oppose funding. Your representative, Jim McDermott, was one of 21 House Dems who previously voted to only support the war if it came with funding to support jobs here at home. But that funding has now been stripped out — the bill being voted on today would only send money overseas, with nothing left to rebuild our economy at home.
Tell Rep. McDermott to oppose war funding.
Leading Congressional Democrats insisted today they “would intensify congressional scrutiny” after the secret documents were released. But these documents alone aren’t enough — Rep. McDermott needs to hear from you before today’s vote. If thousands of people join our campaign in the next few hours, we can get major media attention and shame key undecided Democrats into voting against the war.
Click here to tell Congress to stop funding the failing war. Then, please tell your friends about our urgent petition.
Thanks for being a bold progressive,
Forrest Brown, senior organizing fellow
Progressive Change Campaign Committee (BoldProgressives.org)
Today, Senate Democrats need to hang in there and force Republicans to filibuster the Disclose Act … Call your member of Congress and tell them to let Republicans Filibuster all legislation from this point forward until the November elections because everything waiting to be voted on will likely get the stall and block treatment. Despite the hot and heavy reporting on the wikileaks, most folks in the news expect the war-funding bill to pass.
The Disclose Act is important to level the campaign field and as Chuck Schumer stated, “It is the right thing to do”. We all know Republicans are big spenders when it comes to big Corporations, Campaigns are no different, and since Justice, Roberts changed the definition of of equality. The Campaign finance reform did not get a lot of discussion in the news and we all know that members on both sides of the aisle would def prefer to have more money to spend to get their word out there. Republicans, the Party of No will continue to treat Americans as a pawn to taking down President Obama. It would be great to not only show Americans just exactly what side these folks are on finally it will and could wear somebody down to then acknowledge their chances to actually make change to the current ruined system. If anyone watched, their member of Congress vote against progress and the obvious decision would be to change Political Parties.
In the News, we are two days away from the implementation of SB1070, the people on the Gulf Coast have been stalled and apparently blocked from getting their money from BP. Americans have important legislation on the table and will continue to as we move into the November election cycle. We need Senate and Democrats in the House to be strong and push though comprehensive legislation we do not seem to be getting there on one vote –we have started getting the change we need but those changes will need to be adjusted as we go into this President’s 2nd term.
The airwaves were heavy with voice of Bernie Sanders this morning calling a spade a spade. Then moved on to talk about the people this President has surrounding him, specifically the larry summers types…etc. The first thing that came to mind was if Senator Sanders remembers that words to matter. Though knowing he definitely is old, enough to know that the saying has all kinds of negative racial connotations it was a comment that had me wondering exactly where he was going with it. He continued on with his personal disappointment then stated he hopes that elizabeth warren will be the consumer agency head to possibly balance the others in that group. It is clear that Senator Sanders and progressives are obviously furious with the President because he has people connected to Wall Street in his circle. My question is do progressives feel what the President has accomplished is small, have they forgotten that progress usually requires everyone to take part in and that is not happening because of the 60 vote rules in the Senate. It is disappointing to hear Senator Sanders make such negative comments, it is hard maybe offensive to hear progressives on TV or the airwaves starting to make threats about the office of President based on one or two issues because that can confuse the viewer. In a time when supporters of this President, not that people don’t understand or know that the progressives you see on TV are pundits and TV personalities that on occasion feel they have power to make comments that can be persuasive and possibly change a vote or two. These pundits, cable heads and talking heads are not there to sway the viewer to vote a certain way they are suppose to deliver the news and it goes without saying they all give their opinions. The fact we all need to remember is fact v opinion. I appreciate challenging the President but hearing them put out threats to this President about the elections because they are not seeing the change they voted for is beyond offensive and should not be completely tolerated by our party. I am a Mom, a Democrat, person of colour and worked my ass off to get this President elected. I don’t hear much News from progressives these days but a smidgen of the News laced with negative comments and how bad this or that will be because as Senator Sanders so offensively put it…Progressives worked the hardest to get this President elected. I am not a progressive, thought i was but I am not of the mind to throw my presidential candidate under the bus because he is not acting the way i want. I believe actions speak louder than words and while the words of Senator Sanders clearly have made me upset his view are important. The Democratic Party has a huge tent of varying views attitudes and votes. It is disappointing that we do not tend to rally around an issue and press hard as the Republicans do because they all agree that they want to be in control and are willing to do whatever they need…even if that means bringing down their constituents down into poverty do get back in control.
Other News …
Wisconsin GOP Senate candidate Ron Johnson, an avid drilling proponent, has received scrutiny for retaining over $100,000 in BP stock. Two weeks after he told reporters that he would get rid of the stock, Johnson backtracked yesterday, saying that he hasn’t yet decided what to do.TP
House leaders are “rushing to hold a vote on a critical war-financing bill,” fearing they could lose liberal votes in the wake of the WikiLeaks disclosure. Meanwhile, Gen. James N. Mattis, nominated as the next commander of Central Command, will likely have to answer questions on the matter today during his confirmation hearings in the Senate.TP
The Senate is expected to vote on the DISCLOSE Act today, and President Obama yesterday “pre-emptively” criticized Republicans for opposing the campaign finance measure. He said blocking it would be “nothing less than a vote to allow corporate and special-interest takeovers of our elections.” The Senate is expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster.TP
Yesterday marked the official launch of OutServe, an “organization of gay and lesbian active-duty service members” who will work with the Pentagon to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Starting on Facebook last October, OutServe now has 450 members who help the organization “bring information and statements to the Pentagon while preserving members’ anonymity.”TP
C-SPAN …
White House Briefing
Pres. Obama on Campaign Finance
Briefing & Panels: From Earlier
Tourism today is the region’s second-largest industry, behind only oil and gas exploration and processing. According to one report, about 46 percent of the Gulf economy, or more than $100 billion a year, comes from tourism dollars.
Tourism executives from the region and Kenneth Feinberg, President Obama’s designee to oversee the $20 billion BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill compensation fund are testifying. The Senate Small Business Committee holds a hearing to probe the impact of the temporary federal moratorium on Gulf drilling. Panels will provide a broad economic analysis of the moratorium and will include small business owners discussing its impact on their businesses.
LAT: Spill may cost Gulf $22.7 billion in tourism
AP: Group Seeks $500M for Gulf Tourism
House Energy Hearing: NOW on c-span.org
The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET July 27, 2010
Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the next 30 minutes.
The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
The republican Leader or this designees will control the time from 2:15pm until 2:30pm and the Majority Leader will control the remaining time until 2:45pm. At 2:45pm, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.3628, the DISCLOSE Act.
Votes:
220: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to proceed to the DISCLOSE Act (S.3628)
Not Invoked: 57-41
Unanimous Consent:
Adopted H.Con.Res.304, a concurrent resolution directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to correct the enrollment of H.R.725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010.
Passed H.R.5610, Independent Living Centers Technical Adjustment Act (with Harkin technical amendment)
Passed H.R.4380, the United States Manufacturing Enhancement Act.
Passed H.R.5849, an Act to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act (to September 30, 2010).
Adopted S.Res.595, a resolution designating the week beginning September 12, 2010, as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week”.
On Wednesday July 27, 2010 expect the following – the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.5297, Small Business Jobs bill. Cloture was filed on the substitute amendment #4519 and the underlying bill and expect more votes
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 27, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
41 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
to amend title 11 of the United States Code to include firearms in the types of property allowable under the alternative provision for exempting property from the estate
7:39 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.
7:21 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5827.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to the offense of stalking
7:20 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 voice vote.
7:10 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5662.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to correct and simplify the drafting of section 1752 (relating to restricted buildings or grounds) of title 18, United States Code
7:09 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 voice vote.
7:04 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2780.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify and improve certain provisions relating to the removal of litigation against Federal officers or agencies to Federal courts, and for other purposes
7:03 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 voice vote.
6:55 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5281.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission
6:54 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 voice vote.
6:34 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5143.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to amend title 28, United States Code, to prohibit recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments and certain foreign judgments against the providers of interactive computer services
6:33 P.M. –
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.
6:23 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to supend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2765.
Mr. Cohen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
6:22 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until July 28.
6:21 P.M. –
COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – Pursuant to section 201(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 USC 6431), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Speaker appointed Ms. Nina Shea of Washington DC for a two-year term ending May 14, 2012, to succeed herself.
6:20 P.M. –
COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – Pursuant to section 201(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 USC 6431), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Speaker appointed Mr. Ted Van Der Meid of Rochester, NY for a two-year term ending May 14, 2012, to succeed Ms. Felice Gaer.
to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes
6:18 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): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 475).
6:11 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes
6:10 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and recede and concur in the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 308 – 114 (Roll no. 474).
6:00 P.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinshed business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 38 – 372, 4 Present (Roll no. 473).
5:32 P.M. –
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:22 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Con. Res. 301.
Rule provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 301 with 1 hour of general debate. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1556.
recognizing and honoring the freight rail industry
4:19 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
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): 411 – 0, 2 Present (Roll no. 472).
4:12 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
to rescind earmarks for certain surface transportation projects
4:11 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): 394 – 23 (Roll no. 471).
4:05 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 301) directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 196 (Roll no. 470).
3:32 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.Res. 1556 and motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:31 P.M. –
Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1559.
providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 301) directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan
3:30 P.M. –
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
2:44 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1556
Considered as privileged matter.
to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes
2:43 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.
2:33 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4748.
2:32 P.M. –
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to prevent mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud targeting seniors in the United States, to promote efforts to increase public awareness of the enormous impact that mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud have on seniors, to educate the public, seniors, their families, and their caregivers about how to identify and combat fraudulent activity, and for other purposes
2:31 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.
2:16 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3040.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes
2:11 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 voice vote.
2:02 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5810.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to provide Capitol-flown flags to the immediate family of fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers who are killed in the line of duty
1:55 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.
1:52 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 415.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Brady (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
to improve the operation of certain facilities and programs of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes
1:51 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 voice vote.
1:49 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5682.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Brady (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to improve certain administrative operations of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes
1:48 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 voice vote.
1:45 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5681.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Brady (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes
1:44 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.
1:39 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5849.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
to protect children from sexual exploitation by mandating reporting requirements for convicted sex traffickers and other registered sex offenders against minors intending to engage in international travel, providing advance notice of intended travel by high interest registered sex offenders outside the United States to the government of the country of destination, requesting foreign governments to notify the United States when a known child sex offender is seeking to enter the United States, and for other purposes
1:38 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 voice vote.
1:15 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House continued with further debate on H.R. 5138.
The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 304 and passed H.R. 5610 amended.
to protect children from sexual exploitation by mandating reporting requirements for convicted sex traffickers and other registered sex offenders against minors intending to engage in international travel, providing advance notice of intended travel by high interest registered sex offenders outside the United States to the government of the country of destination, requesting foreign governments to notify the United States when a known child sex offender is seeking to enter the United States, and for other purposes
1:12 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5138.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Berkley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
condemning the July 11, 2010, terrorist attacks in Kampala, Uganda
1:11 P.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 voice vote.
1:01 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1538.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Berkley moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
expressing the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
1:00 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Berkley 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.
12:40 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 266.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Berkley moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
to review, update, and revise the factors to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster and to evaluate the need for assistance to individuals and households
12:39 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.
12:27 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5825.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
recognizing and honoring the freight rail industry
12:26 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.
12:16 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1366.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
expressing gratitude for the contributions that the air traffic controllers of the United States make to keep the traveling public safe and the airspace of the United States running efficiently, and for other purposes
12:15 P.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 voice vote.
11:58 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1401.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
congratulating the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy and its staff for 100 years of operation of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, and for other purposes
11:57 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 voice vote.
11:35 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 258.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Cummings moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
to rescind earmarks for certain surface transportation projects
11:34 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.
11:20 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5730.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
11:19 A.M. –
Ms. Markey (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes
11:18 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.
10:42 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to recede and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4899.
Mr. Obey moved that the House suspend the rules and recede and concur in the Senate amendment.
10:41 A.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
10:03 A.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
10:02 A.M. –
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX 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.
10:00 A.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 27.
9:13 A.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. today.
9:02 A.M. –
MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 10:00 a.m. for the start of legislative business.
9:01 A.M. –
The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul Tonko to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00 A.M. –
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
Over the weekend, news broke that three months after his oil company’s rig set off the largest oil spill in American history, BP CEO Tony Hayward would be stepping down. Dispatched to a non-executive position at BP’s Russian venture, the embattled CEO will be replaced by BP managing director Robert Dudley, an American who grew up in Mississippi. BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg explained on MSNBC this morning that Dudley is simply a fresh face to help BP rebuild “our brand.” The oil giant is, no doubt, hoping that replacing Hayward will convince the public that the company is getting its act together in response to the Gulf oil spill. Yet the fact remains that Hayward’s replacement is little more than a new face on the same old ideology that places profits over safety.
HAYWARD’S CATASTROPHIC TENURE: Hayward’s departure will mark the end of a disastrous legacy that was spent botching the company’s response to its oil spill in the Gulf. Almost a month after the gusher released 32 million gallons of toxic oil into the surrounding ocean, Hayward told Sky News that “the environmental impact of this disaster is likely to be very, very modest.” Since that time, an additional 60 million gallons of oil have poured into the Gulf of Mexico. Yet the executive hinted that he feels most sorry for himself. In May, Hayward told a reporter who asked him about the victims of his company’s oil spill, “We’re sorry for the massive disruption it’s caused their lives. There’s no one who wants this over more than I do. I would like my life back.” Unfortunately, as thousands have been put out of work by the oil spill, Hayward will continue to rake in a hefty amount of cash from his company. He is slated to “receive an immediate £600,000-a-year ($930,000) pension when he leaves the firm in October.” Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, sent a letter to BP’s chairman decrying Hayward’s oversized compensation. “BP should be dedicating its resources to compensating the residents of the Gulf Coast who are victims of this tragedy, not handing out multi-million dollar golden parachutes. BP has an obligation to the residents of the Gulf that it must meet. Therefore, BP’s board of directors should not approve any compensation package for Mr. Hayward until every resident of the Gulf Coast has been fully compensated,” he wrote.
MORE OF THE SAME: Hayward will be replaced by Dudley on Oct. 1. Dudley, a “chemical engineer by training,” is “now in charge of BP’s Gulf Coast response.” While BP is likely hoping that replacing Hayward with Dudley will boost the company’s image with the public, the Wonk Room’s Brad Johnson writes, “There is little reason to expect that the incoming BP CEO will change anything other than the accent.” In his public appearances, Dudley has defended Hayward, minimized the toxic threat from BP’s dispersant Corexit, and greenwashed BP’s awful environmental record. During an appearance on PBS’s Newshour last May, Dudley described Corexit as “essentially like soap. It’s like dish soap.” In July, he once again returned to Newshour to say Corexit’s toxicity is “not far off of the toxicity levels of dish soap.” Additionally, he downplayed the threat of oil to the Gulf Coast, telling host Judy Woodruff that “we’re not seeing anything like what you see in Louisiana in any of the other states. … I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Dudley also praised Hayward’s stewardship of the company, saying, “I think he’s done a great job of leading a company to stand up and do the right thing. … I think Tony’s doing a fantastic job.” When pressed about BP’s enormous profits and why it should continue to make them despite the devastation in the Gulf, he compared the oil giant to a dog gratefully returning a bone to its owner: “I think I would look at some of the process today as just making sure that through that sentiment we don’t actually shoot the dog who is trying to bring home the bone.”
BP’S CONTINUED MALFEASANCE: By replacing its CEO, BP is simply putting a different face on the same old corporate malfeasance. Alabama’s Mobile Press-Register finds that BP has hired scientists from Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, and Texas A&M to “work on behalf in their Natural Resources Damage Assessment process” that determines how much ecological damage the Gulf of Mexico region is suffering from BP’s toxic black tide. Alarmingly, the contract the scientists are signing “prohibits [them] from publishing their research, sharing it with other scientists or speaking about the data that they collect for at least the next three years.” “It makes me feel they were more interested in making sure we couldn’t testify against them than in having us testify for them,” said George Crozier, head of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, who was approached by BP. Despite the commitments it made in a deal struck last month with President Obama, BP has so far failed to deposit any money into the $20 billion escrow fund it promised to create, despite the fact that its profits are up $2.9 billion from the same period last year. Ken Feinberg, who is in charge of administering oil spill claims, told reporters that he would like to start paying out claims from the fund, but he doesn’t “want the checks to bounce.” To add insult to injury, BP “plans to offset the entire cost of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill against its tax bill, reducing future contributions to U.S. tax coffers by almost $10 billion.” Unfortunately, the oil giant’s malfeasance doesn’t end at the Gulf Coast. Evidence has surfaced that BP lobbied the British government to release Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of terrorism, to Libya in order to win lucrative oil contracts. Additionally, BP has paid a million dollars per quarter to the American Petroleum Institute, which is actively involved in lobbying the government to limit the liability from current and future oil spills. While one would imagine that the disastrous result of the drilling at the Deepwater Horizon would make BP think twice about the benefits of offshore drilling, the company continues to drill all over the world. It is readying or commencing deepwater drilling off the coast of Libya, just three miles away from the environmentally fragile coast of Alaska, and extracting oil from Canadian tar sands, which produces four times the amount of carbon dioxide as conventional drilling and has been called “the biggest environmental crime on the planet” by representatives from the indigenous Cree population.
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