Friday-debating/voting in Congress today


The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July 30, 2010

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

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

The next vote will occur around 5:30 and 5:45pm on Monday, August 2. That vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with amendment #4557 (Teacher Funding and FMAP) with respect to HR1586.

Unanimous Consent:

Passed HR5900, Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (60-day extension)

Passed S.3567, H.R.5278, H.R.5395 (Post Office Naming bills)

Adopted S.Res.602, a resolution expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month 2010.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 30, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

6:40 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 308. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2010.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Ms. Woolsey moved that the House do now adjourn.

6:36 P.M. –

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

6:34 P.M. –

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

6:33 P.M. –

Congressional Award Board – the Speaker appointed Mr. Nicholas Scott Cannon, Los Angeles, CA, for the remainder of the term ending September 25, 2011; and, in addition, Mr. Jimmie Lee Solomon, Washington, DC .

H.R. 5982:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes

6:30 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): 241 – 154 (Roll no. 514).

6:23 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 3534:

to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3534.

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

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 – 193, 1 Present (Roll no. 513).

6:16 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 166 – 239, 1 Present (Roll no. 512).

5:59 P.M. –

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

5:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cassidy motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a new section 231 which provides a new termination of moratoria on offshore drilling.

Mr. Cassidy moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.

5:45 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3534.

On agreeing to the Melancon amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 216 – 195, 1 Present (Roll no. 511).

5:40 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Oberstar amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 258 – 149 (Roll no. 510).

5:36 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Teague amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 399 – 8 (Roll no. 509).

5:33 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Kind amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 404 – 1 (Roll no. 508).

5:29 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Rahall amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 – 161, 1 Present (Roll no. 507).

5:12 P.M. –

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

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

5:11 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5851:

to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1574, H.R. 5851 is laid on the table.

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1574, the text of H.R. 5851, as passed by the House, was appended as new matter at the end of H.R. 3534.

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5851.

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

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 315 – 93 (Roll no. 506).

5:04 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 171 – 234 (Roll no. 505).

4:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kline (MN) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to insert a new section in the bill entitled “Whistleblower Protection for Certain Offshore Workers.”

4:28 P.M. –

Mr. Kline (MN) moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor.

Considered as unfinished business.

4:27 P.M. –

INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – Pursuant to section 2(b) of Rule 6, and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader jointly appointed Ms. Theresa M. Grafenstine of Manassas, Virginia .

H.R. 3534:

to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3534 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.

4:26 P.M. –

Mr. Rahall moved that the Committee now rise.

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

4:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Melancon amendment No. 9.

4:15 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Melancon.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to seek to create an additional civil penalty on Gulf Coast Oil Spills of more than 1 million barrels, and would direct those funds toward previously authorized coastal restoration projects.

4:14 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Melancon amendment No. 8, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Melancon amendment No. 8.

Amendment offered by Mr. Melancon.

An amendment numbered 8 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to seek to end the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling. The moratorium would be prohibited from enforcement on those rigs that meet safety requirements set forth in NTL 05 and NTL 06.

On agreeing to the Connolly (VA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:54 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment No. 7.

3:53 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Connolly (VA).

An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part A of House Report 111-582 to prevent oil companies from shifting oil spill cleanup costs onto taxpayers by ensuring that Oil Pollution Act liabilities of an oil subsidiary will be inherited by the parent oil company in the event the subsidiary goes bankrupt and does not sell its assets. The amendment does not alter underlying liability provisions of OPA, and includes technical corrections from the Department of Justice.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Oberstar amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Oberstar amendment No. 6.

Amendment offered by Mr. Oberstar.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to require, following initial clean-up of a spill, that the National Resources Damages Act trustee give equal and full consideration to all statutorily prescribed natural resource damage remedies to ensure that acquisition of non-impacted land is considered an equal remedy and not given lower priority as is currently provided in statute.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Teague amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cummings demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Teague amendment No. 5.

Amendment offered by Mr. Teague.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to allow a group of companies to cooperate to meet financial responsibility requirements by pooling of resources or joint insurance coverage.

3:30 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Shea-Porter amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Shea-Porter amendment No. 4.

3:22 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Shea-Porter.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to ensure that the ethics guidelines required for certain Department of Interior employees are updated at least every three years. The amendment would also ensure that the best available technology for oil spill response and mitigation, and the availability and accessibility of that technology is part of the Offshore Technology Research and Risk Assessment Program. Finally, the amendment would require that operators annually certify that their response and exploration plans include the best available technology and its availability.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kind amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Kind demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kind amendment No. 3.

Amendment offered by Mr. Kind.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to require that no less than 1.5 percent of the Land and Water Conservation Fund each year go toward securing recreational public access to Federal Lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.

3:12 P.M. –

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

3:09 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castle amendment No. 2.

Amendment offered by Mr. Castle.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to ensure there is no delay in the development of ocean renewable energy resources, including offshore wind, in the establishment of the new Bureau of Energy and Resource Management.

3:08 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rahall amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Rahall amendment No. 1.

Amendment offered by Mr. Rahall.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to clarify certain provisisons in the bill and add various requirements.

2:04 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole rose informally and subsequently resumed its sitting.

1:13 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3534.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1574 and Rule XVIII.

1:12 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3534 and H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 3534 shall be one hour. After general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. And, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in Part B of the report of the Committee on Rules. The rule also makes in order H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 5851 shall be limited to one hour and the bill is closed to amendments, with the exception of the amendment printed in part C of the report which is considered adopted.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1574.

1:11 P.M. –

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT FILED – The Chair announced a supplemental report to H.R. 3534 has been filed pursuant to the authority granted by clause 3(a)(2) of rule 13. The supplemental report contains a statement regarding congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits in satisfaction of clause 9 or rule 21.

1:10 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Hastings (WA) stated that the bill and committee report violated the provisions of clause 9(a) rule XXI and was not in order for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:09 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Rahall asked unanimous consent that, during proceedings today in the House and in the Committee of the Whole, the Chair be authorized to reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on any question that otherwise could be subjected to five-minute voting under clause 8 or 9 or rule 20 or under clause 6 of rule 18.

H.R. 5851:

to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

1:06 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 2c of rule 19, the Chair postponed further proccedings on H.R. 5851 until a time to be announced.

1:05 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

12:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5851.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3534 and H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 3534 shall be one hour. After general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. And, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in Part B of the report of the Committee on Rules. The rule also makes in order H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 5851 shall be limited to one hour and the bill is closed to amendments, with the exception of the amendment printed in part C of the report which is considered adopted.

12:23 P.M. –

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1574.

H.R. 5414:

to provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina, and for other purposes

12:22 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): 408 – 0 (Roll no. 504).

12:16 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1566:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the pioneering of college students whose determination and nonviolent resistance led to the desegregation of lunch counters and places of public accommodation over a 5-year period

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 Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 503).

12:09 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5901:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain stock of real estate investment trusts from the tax on foreign investment in United States real property interests, and for other purposes

12:08 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): 402 – 11 (Roll no. 502).

11:59 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1558:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that fruit and vegetable and commodity producers are encouraged to display the American flag on labels of products grown in the United States, reminding us all to take pride in the healthy bounty produced by American farmers and workers

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): 403 – 1 (Roll no. 501).

11:53 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

11:52 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 House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3567, H.R. 5900, H.R. 5278, and H.R. 5395.

H. Res. 1574:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3534) to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5851) to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

11:51 A.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 – 194 (Roll no. 500).

11:21 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5982:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes

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.

10:29 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5982.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 258, H.R. 5874, and H.R. 1454 amended. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 308.

H.R. 5981:

to increase the flexibility of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with respect to the amount of premiums charged for FHA single family housing mortgage insurance, and for other purposes

10:07 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 voice vote.

10:01 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5981.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Frank (MA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

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

H. Res. 1574:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3534) to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5851) to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

9:57 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1574, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of H.Res. 1574 until later in the legislative day.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

9:18 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1574

9:13 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

9:02 A.M. –

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kratovil to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

9:01 A.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day

TGIF …&some News


Tell Republicans to STOP obstructing legislation that will help ALL Americans!!!

SAY NO to Republicans in NOVEMBER!!!

Today, The President will be in Detroit to talk about cars.

It is with great pride to know that his efforts to help the auto industry is giving GM and other auto companies the opportunity to move into the 21st Century and make profits. He will explain more while in Detroit how saving the automobile industry saved probably millions of jobs despite Republicans and strangely enough some people of other industries wanted the industry to fail. It was not only surprising but  disturbing to hear so many say let them fail because it seems people did not really understand the need to help the auto industry The other thing that did not make a lot of sense is that there are a lot of Republicans located in the Mid-west and the South where most  auto-plants, drivers,  auto-parts and the list goes on of businesses that are connected to the industry. This opportunity also helped save their jobs or small businesses too.

Republicans in both Chambers of Congress said No to legislation that would help Americans…fellow citizens, constituents get back on track and create jobs… It is offensive and embarrassing to see people of American vote against Small Business/Jobs Bill/said No to helping first responders.

If you were watching cspan last night our beloved Anthony Weiner stood up and got fired up …We need more Democrats in both Chambers of Congress to stand up and show the public what is going on. The passion Wiener showed goes far and is important for the public to finally get the Political Party of No -the obstructionist behavior and the yes we want but we will not vote for the People, are on the side of Chamber of Commerce and Corporate entities… Shame on the four Democrats that voted against this legislation …against first responders

The rants are obvious and they are many but first … voted for Patty Murray, Jim McDermott, and Frank Chopp and sending it back today…Primaries Matter!

The Mid-term elections are coming up and it is obvious to me that we Voters need to Stop listening to the likes of Mitch McConnell and John Boehner. We keep hearing and seeing the same people continue to use fear as the only way to break the Presidents progress. I have to say after watching Republicans decide to act in their own best interest and not in the interest of the people of the United States or their own constituents, it is hard to hear sane people still planning to vote for politicians who obviously are not willing to be a part of the solutions.

The Political Party of No continues to put fear into people now they not only are against the people they are against doing what is right for even the people they supposedly represent. We the People voted for change, voted to get Americans back on track and though change is happening, it is slow but it is steady despite Republicans

We also need the public to know that Congress creates and or passes laws. The President needs Congress to do their jobs for the People of the United States. As an American and a voter the question we all have to ask ourselves daily are the Republicans that hateful that they would try to break Obama. A Republicans stated that HealthCare would be his water-loo … such comments by the old guys such as McConnell, Boehner , Shelby, King, Hatch, Newt, r Limbaugh is an example of self-interested people and politicians who are possibly still upset the American People voted for a man of colour. Which includes the Birther people… are afraid … lou dobbs, liz cheney, demint, john campbell, mike castle  …are these the kind of Politicians you want for America?

It would be great to have another Question-Time like the one held on 1/29/2010. It was one of the best national political debates in many years and citizens who watched the event were impressed, by many accounts. Journalists and commentators immediately responded by continuing the conversation of the ideas put forward by the president and his opponents — even the cable news cycle was disrupted for a day. America could use more of this — an unfettered and public airing of political differences by our elected representatives. Therefore, we call on President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader John Boehner to hold these sessions regularly — and allow them to be broadcast and webcast live and without commercial interruption, sponsorship, or intermediaries.

Other News …

C-SPAN …

President Visits Detroit to Support Auto Industry’s Progress

President Obama travels to Detroit today to visit GM and Chrysler plants and to discuss the auto industry’s progress since the federal bailout last year. He is expected to express confidence in the industry and reassure taxpayers that “we are going to get back all the money that we invested in those car companies.” The White House indicated in a report yesterday that a failure to rescue GM and Chrysler would have led to the loss of nearly 1.1 million jobs. In the strongest year of industry job growth since 1999, they have added 55,000 jobs since the bankruptcies. David Welch of Bloomberg Businessweek joined the Washington Journal this morning to discuss the federal government’s assistance of select U.S. automakers.

2nd quarter GDP is 2.4%, Growth in U.S. economy slowing

The Commerce Dept. released its report on the second quarter gross domestic product — the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S. In the previous three months the economy grew at 2.4%. In the first three months of the year the economy grew by 3.7%, which was an upward revision from previous estimates of 2.7%. This report is comparable to the monthly unemployment figures because it shows where the economy is headed and how much growth took place the last 3 months.Last week, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economic outlook was “unusually uncertain,” but was unlikely to go through another recession in the near future. Meanwhile, economists are uncertain themselves over whether the loss of movement in the second quarter will be prolonged.

House and Senate finalize work Before August Recess

As the Congressional August recess approaches, the House and Senate finalize work on their legislative agendas. First, House members deal with two bills in response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The bills seek to overhaul offshore drilling regulations and extends whistleblower protections to oil and gas workers on the outer continental shelf. Once the House completes its work, members will recess until September 14th.Before the Senate adjourns for break, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has scheduled debate on U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female Justice in the Supreme Court’s history. The Senate is expected to be in session until the end of next week.

Senate Democrats V Senate Republicans …reality v mis-information


Prior to a vote on the small business jobs bill, Senator Olympia Snowe, who eventually voted no, described her frustration with the countless delays this legislation has encountered, by her Republican colleagues nonetheless.

Tonight on the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell claimed that the small business jobs bill was “all snarled up.” This is the same Senator who complained about taking a vote on the DISCLOSE Act just a day before because it was taking away time from small business legislation. Well, you can’t have it both ways Senator McConnell. Republicans need to stop holding up this job-creating legislation and join Democrats in standing up for small businesses. ..

Following a failed cloture vote on the DISCLOSE Act, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Chuck Schumer, and his colleagues Senators Ron Wyden and Al Franken held a press conference to explain that they won’t give up this fight. “We will keep fighting and fighting until this passes, until we get that one courageous Republican,” said Schumer.

Washington State …Tell WA Senators to Support Kagan


NWLC Header

Tell Your Senator(s) to Confirm Elena Kagan

Take Action

Tell your Senator(s) to declare their support of Elena Kagan’s nomination to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

Take Action

We haven’t heard from your Senator yet.

The Senate will soon be voting on Solicitor General Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Many Senators have come out in support of her nomination, but your Senator(s) has not announced his or her position.

It is time for the Senate to take swift action on this outstanding nominee. The Senate may leave Washington for the August recess as soon as the end of next week. Urge your Senator(s) to declare their support and to act quickly to confirm the nomination of Elena Kagan before the Senate adjourns.

Elena Kagan’s sterling credentials, outstanding accomplishments, exceptional legal abilities, and testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee inspire great confidence that her approach to legal questions will be open-minded and scrupulously fair. Moreover, her record demonstrates that she will respect the intent of the law and understands the impact of the law, including the constitutional and legal rights upon which women rely, upon all Americans.

With Elena Kagan’s confirmation, three women will serve together on the Supreme Court for the first time in 221 years. In addition, she will be just the fourth woman to ever serve on the highest court in the land.

Many Senators have announced their support of Elena Kagan’s nomination, but there are still some Senators who have not indicated where they stand on her nomination.

Tell your Senator(s) to support the confirmation of Elena Kagan today.

As always, thank you for all you do to advance the rights of women and girls.

Marcia GreenbergerSincerely,

Marcia Greenberger
Co-President
National Women’s Law Center

Friday in Congress …debating/voting


The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July 30, 2010

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate. The next vote will occur around 5:30 and 5:45pm on Monday, August 2. That vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with amendment #4557 (Teacher Funding and FMAP) with respect to HR1586.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 30, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

H. Res. 1574:
providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3534) to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5851) to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

9:18 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1574

9:13 A.M. –
Considered as privileged matter.

9:02 A.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kratovil to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

9:01 A.M. –
The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:00 A.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.