what is Congress doing …for Americans 12/02

12/01/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30aET December 2, 2010

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

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 3:30pm to allow for the Democratic caucus meeting.

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00amET December 2, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 2, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

6:09 P.M. –

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

6:08 P.M. –

The House received a communication from the Honorable James Oberstar.

6:07 P.M. –

The House received a communication from the Honorable James Oberstar.

6:05 P.M. –

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 9: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Serrano asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, December 3, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Serrano asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, December 2, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2010. Agreed to without objection.

H. Con. Res. 325:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

6:02 P.M. –

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

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

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 528:

commending the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia

6:01 P.M. –

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

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

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 527:

commending the NATO School for its critical support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts to promote global peace, stability, and security

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

S. 2847:

to regulate the volume of audio on commercials

6:00 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.

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1690:

supporting the observance of American Diabetes Month

5:59 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.

Considered as unfinished business.

5:53 P.M. –

CENSURE PRONOUNCEMENT – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1737 Mr. Rangel of New York presented himself in the well of the House for the purpose of administration of censure by the Speaker of the House.

H. Res. 1737:

in the matter of Representative Charles B. Rangel

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 333 – 79 (Roll no. 607).

5:35 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Butterfield amendment Failed by recorded vote: 146 – 267 (Roll no. 606).

5:11 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered on the amendment and on the resolution.

5:10 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Butterfield.

An amendment to change the recommendation of censure contained in the resoluttion to that of reprimand.

4:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1737

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1313:

expressing support for designation of May as “Child Advocacy Center Month” and commending the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on their 25th anniversary in 2010

4:05 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 recorded vote (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 605).

3:55 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4853:

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

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

On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 234 – 188 (Roll no. 604).

3:36 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

S. 3307:

to reauthorize child nutrition programs, and for other purposes

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 264 – 157 (Roll no. 603).

3:25 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 200 – 221 (Roll no. 602).

3:07 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 6469:

to amend section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to include a condition of receipt of funds under the child and adult care food program

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): 416 – 3 (Roll no. 601).

2:37 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4853:

2:36 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment with an amendment to H.R 4853, the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

1:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4853.

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1745, the House moved to agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.

H.R. 6469:

to amend section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to include a condition of receipt of funds under the child and adult care food program

1:09 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.

12:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6469.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Miller, George moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6473:

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 the airport improvement program, and for other purposes

12:41 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.

12:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6473.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

12:21 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1576:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Day of Recognition for Parents of Special Needs Children should be established

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 recorded vote (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 600).

12:12 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1598:

expressing support for the designation of the month of October as National Work and Family Month

12:11 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 412 – 0 (Roll no. 599).

12:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1638:

supporting the goals and ideals of National GEAR UP Day

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 405 – 0 (Roll no. 598).

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

11:56 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

11:55 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.

H. Res. 1745:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 4853) 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, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules

11:54 A.M. –

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 213 – 203 (Roll no. 597).

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

11:44 A.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 186 (Roll no. 596).

10:32 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1745

Considered as privileged matter.

10:15 A.M. –

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

10:12 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3998, S. 987, H.R. 4387, H.R. 5651, H.R. 5706, and H.R. 5773.

10:10 A.M. –

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

10:07 A.M. –

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

10:03 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Doug Tanner, Faith and Politics Institute, Washington, DC.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

PFAW- NEWSLETTER

12/01/2010 Nativegrl77

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

November 2010


	In This Issue

SPOTLIGHT: Putting the “Lame” in Lame Duck

Citizens Blindsided: Secret Corporate Money in the 2010 Elections and America’s New Shadow Democracy

Tell Advertisers: Drop Fox

Big Victories for Young Progressives

Fund Young People For Simply By Voting! Time is Running Out.

A Government That Works: Americans Want a Functioning Government; That Means Voting on Judicial Nominees

The Ten Scariest Republicans Heading to Congress

ALSO:
–Featured Video
–Blogs

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter


	TELL A FRIEND


	MAKE A DONATION


	JOIN OUR COMMUNITY


	ACTION CENTER: PASS THE DISCLOSE ACT NOW!

We must do all we can to see that the DISCLOSE Act gets brought up in the Senate ands passed before the New Year. That means we need to apply pressure where its needed: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to get him to call up the bill, and a handful of holdout Republican Senators who have indicated they would support a streamlined version of the DISCLOSE Act (exactly what they’re being offered).

Please call these Senators’ offices now and urge them to support passage of the DISCLOSE Act before the holidays:

Harry Reid (NV):
202-224-3542

Scott Brown (MA):
202-224-4543

Mark Kirk (IL):
202-224-2854

Olympia Snowe (ME):
202-224-5344

Susan Collins (ME):
202-224-2523


	Young Elected Officials Network Thrives in the Face of ‘the Wave’

Members of PFAW Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network had some big wins this past Election Day. Despite progressives suffering big losses across the country, the well-equipped YEOs fared pretty well with most of them winning their races for reelection, some advancing to hire office, and some new young electeds who will be joining the network winning election to office for the first time.


	Read More >

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bankrate.com

12/01/2010 Nativegrl77

Here are stories published today

Holiday happiness — get it all but pay less | 2010-12-01

Can’t afford a holiday blowout? Here’s how to have a great festive season for less.

Bankruptcy demands full asset disclosure | 2010-12-01

Bankruptcy won’t let you keep preferred assets while dumping others onto your creditors.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

MILITARY: Asked And Answered

12/01/2010 Nativegrl77

Yesterday, after an exhaustive and at times controversial ten-month review of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen announced that the purported risk of repealing the discriminatory policy is quite low. The 274-page report was released one day early after Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) pressured Gates to give the Senate as much time as possible to review the results and lift the ban during the lame duck session. (The House passed the measure in May.) On MSNBC this morning, Lieberman said, “I believe we have more than 60 Senators, including a good solid handful of Republicans, who are prepared to vote to take up the Armed Services bill, which already has within it the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Gates himself endorsed the review and called on Congress to pass repeal before another court decision found the ban unconstitutional and compelled the armed forces to stop enforcing the policy. “Now that we have completed this review, I strongly urge the Senate to pass this legislation and send it to the president for signature before the end of this year,” he said. “It is only a matter of time before the federal courts are drawn once more into the fray, with the very real possibility that this change would be imposed immediately by judicial fiat — by far the most disruptive and damaging scenario I can imagine, and the one most hazardous to military morale, readiness and battlefield performance.” Defense Department General Counsel Jeh C. Johnson and Army Gen. Carter F. Ham — the co-chairs of the Working Group that conducted the review — also reiterated that the study represented “the largest, most comprehensive review of a personnel policy matter which which the Department of Defense has ever undertaken.” The study is far more comprehensive, for example, than efforts taken to prepare the force for the integration of African Americans and women.

LITTLE RISK FROM REPEAL: The Working Group’s extensive survey of 400,000 servicemembers and 150,000 military spouses found that 70 percent of servicemembers said they would be able to “work together to get the job done” with a gay servicemember in their immediate units. Sixty-nine percent admitted to working in a unit with a co-worker that they believed to be gay and, of those who did, 92 percent said that their unit’s “ability to work together” with a gay person was “very good,” “good” or “neither good nor poor” (89 percent for those in Army combat arms units; 84 percent for those in Marine combat arms units.) What’s more, 74 percent of spouses of military servicemembers said repeal of DADT would not have a negative “impact on their view of whether their husbands or wives should continue to serve.” The highest rate of resistance to lifting the ban came from the Marine Corps, where servicemembers said they were least likely to encounter gay troops. Whereas approximately 30 percent of servicemembers across all branches expressed “negative views or concerns” about lifting the ban, between 40 and 60 percent of Marines in various combat arms specialties offered a negative opinion. As Johnson explained, that resistance “is driven by misperceptions and stereotypes.” The Marine Corps respondents also indicated ” a lower percentage who had actual experience of serving in a unit alongside someone who was gay or lesbian,” Ham added. “We did find, for example, in Marine Corps and Army combat arms units who had — in combat environments when those were — when they were asked about their experience with gay servicemembers in their unit reported actually quite favorably on the unit’s performance. So I think — again, I think it’s a largely — there is a differential in actual experience.” U.S. allies with experience in repealing similar bans, notably Canada and the United Kingdom, also saw indicators of opposition in pre-repeal surveys. Once the bans were dropped, however, repeal proved to be a non-event.

IMPLEMENTING REPEAL: During the press conference yesterday, the military leadership stressed the importance of lifting the ban in a deliberate yet timely manner. The study itself offers several recommendations. For instance, the Working Group assumes that implementation of repeal will depend upon “strong leadership, a clear message, and proactive education.” The report recommends equipping commanders in the field with the education and training tools to educate the force on what is expected of them in a post repeal environment. The group also rules out the need for special regulations governing the conduct of gay servicemembers or the establishment of separate facilities and argues that the Department “should issue guidance that all standards of conduct apply uniformly, without regard to sexual orientation.” On the delicate issue of providing benefits to the same-sex partners of servicemembers, the report notes that while the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents same-sex partners from accessing many benefits, there are some benefits that are available to anyone of a Service member’s choosing. “Department of Defense and the Services should inform servicemember about these types of benefits, if the policy is repealed,” Johnson noted during the press conference, arguing that another set of benefits, which are not statutorily prohibited, but do not extend to same-sex partners under current regulation, “should be revised and redefined to include same-sex partners.” The Working Group does not, however, recommend that the DoD “revise their regulations to specifically add same-sex committed relationships to the definition of ‘dependent,’ ‘family members,’ or other similar terms in those regulations, for purposes of extending benefits eligibility.” As legal analyst Andrew Cohen points out, for gay or lesbian service members who choose to come out after the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, “this means no financial breaks on housing allowances or health care benefits that are available to married couples.” The Working Group also recommends that “service members who have been previously separated under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be permitted to apply for reentry into the military.”

SENATE MUST ACT: On Thursday and Friday the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold two days of hearings with Gates, Mullen, the co-chairmen of the Working Group, and the four Service Chiefs. In a preview of the hearings, Gates was asked about Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) recent argument that the study would not provide the military or Congress with sufficient information about the effects of military readiness and unit cohesion. Gates said McCain “is mistaken” before adding, “This report does provide a sound basis for making decisions on this law.” “It’s hard for me to imagine that you can come up with a more comprehensive approach,” he said. President Obama, who discussed the results of the study with Service Chiefs on Monday, also issued a statement endorsing the report’s findings and calling on the Senate to “act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally.” Still, with a busy calendar full of economic concerns and urgency surrounding the new START treaty, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has yet to announce his floor plan for the National Defense Authorization Act – the bill which includes the DADT repeal amendment. Earlier this week, Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), long considered a swing vote on the issue, said that he considered homosexuality a “sin” and would be voting against the measure. Newly-sworn in Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) – who voted against repeal in the House but supported the underlining National Defense Authorization Act – also hinted that he would not support taking up the bill in the lame duck Congress. At least eight undecided senators promised to consider the results of the Pentagon’s Review before deciding how to vote on the measure.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Daily Show Takes on North Korea — Watch Now!

12/01/2010 Nativegrl77

Samantha Bee – Il Communication

After the leak of the U.S. government‘s Perez Hilton-like conversations, the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot war between North and South Korea escalated. Senior War Analyst Kim Sam Bee analyzes the hostility-based economy of North Korea.

Pit the President against paper and/or scissors in the new Indecision Mobile game “Barack Paper Scissors.” Play it now or text BARACK to 44686 for the link.

Watch Now!