Monthly Archives: December 2010

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Time to Focus on Middle Class Tax Relief


National Women's Law Center
Tell the Senate: Pass a Middle Class Tax Relief Package
Struggling families and the vulnerable U.S. economy need strong, progressive tax policies. The Senate must act now!
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These days, every newspaper, television, and radio show seems fixated on one thing: taxes. But after so much talk and speculation, tax packages are finally moving in Congress and we need to cut through the media buzz. It’s time to focus on what’s important: tax relief for struggling families.

At long last, the House voted for a middle class tax relief package, and we must urge the Senate to do the same.

Just yesterday, the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes essential tax cuts for middle class families. Even more importantly, the package includes valuable refundable tax credits that help working families — like the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit. The package also allows tax cuts benefiting only the wealthiest 2% of Americans to expire as scheduled, ensuring that help is directed to those who need it most.

The House set a good precedent and now we need the Senate to act. E-mail your Senator and ask them to pass a middle class tax relief package!

Time is running out. These provisions, unless extended, will expire at the end of this month, leaving families out in the cold.

Please take action today! We expect a vote in the Senate as soon as tomorrow and we need them to focus on the needs of the middle class and struggling families, not the very wealthy.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,
Reggie Oldak Reggie Oldak
Senior Counsel
National Women’s Law Center
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It’s time to pass the DREAM Act


Organizing for America

A House vote on the DREAM Act may be coming soon — but the vote will be close.

And in the coming days, lawmakers will be looking to their constituents to decide where they stand.

It’s a vitally important measure. Providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth who serve in the military or work toward a college degree is rooted in the American principles of hard work and fairness.

OFA supporters have made calls to key senators in preparation for the Senate vote. Now, your representative needs to hear that you support the DREAM Act — and why. Theirs could be the deciding vote.

Will you write a letter to your representative today?

If they’ve already been fighting for the DREAM Act, it’s important they know you have their back — and if they aren’t yet supporting it, let them know where you stand. It’ll only take a minute, and it could make all the difference.

We’ve worked hard for this moment. For years, immigration reform advocates have fought to give undocumented youth a chance to earn their citizenship through hard work and sacrifice — and this current push for the DREAM Act represents the culmination of those efforts.

And with the support of the President and 70 percent of Americans, the time to finish the job is now.

With this vote, we have a chance to make sure that these youth have a shot at the American dream.

Please write your representative now:

http://my.barackobama.com/DreamLetters

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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Nigeria to Charge Dick Cheney in Pipeline Bribery Case


Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) — Nigeria will file charges against former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and officials from five foreign companies including Halliburton Co. over a $180 million bribery scandal, a prosecutor at the anti-graft agency said.

Full report here: http://bit.ly/f8JJos

More info here: http://halliburtonwatch.org/about_hal/nigeria_timeline.html

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Saturday …The Senate will be in Session

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The Senate Convenes: 8:15aET

By unanimous consent, at 10:30am Saturday, December 4, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to concur with the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.4853, with the Baucus amendment #4727 (tax cut extension for those making up to $250,000, plus several additional items such as UI extension, AMT relief, estate tax, 1099 repeal, making work pay credit, and others).

If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would immediately proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Schumer amendment #4728 (tax cut extension for those making up to $1 million, plus several additional items such as UI extension, AMT relief, estate tax, 1099 repeal, making work pay credit, and others).

The time from 8:30am until 10:30am will be equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their designees.).

Votes:
258: Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid motion to concur with the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.4853, with the Baucus amendment #4727: (tax cut extension for those making up to $250,000, plus several additional items such as UI extension, AMT relief, estate tax, 1099 repeal, making work pay credit, and others); Not Invoked: 53-36

259: Motion to invoke cloture on the Schumer amendment #4728: (tax cut extension for those making up to $1 million, plus several additional items such as UI extension, AMT relief, estate tax, 1099 repeal, making work pay credit, and others); Not invoked: 53-37 Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3860, a bill to require reports on the management of Arlington National Cemetary (with McConnell-Brown-McCaskill (MA) amendment).

Passed HR6399, an Act to improve certain adminsitrative operations of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol.

Below is the Roll Call from today’s Congressional Session -Yeas and Nays in your face

U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote shar.es/Xg1Ky Amdt. No. 4727 to H.R. 4853 )

Roll Call shar.es/Xg1DX (Motion to Invoke Cloture on Motion to Concur in the House Amdt.Senate Amdt.w/Amdt. No.4727 to H.R. 4853 )

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Congress -in Session on Friday 12/3


The SenateConvenes: 9:30amET December 3, 2010

Morning Business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each

Unanimous Consent:
H.R.3237, a bill to enact certain laws relatnig to national and commercial spece programs as title 51, US Code, “National and Commercial Space Programs”

S.3817, CAPTA Reauthorization Act

H.R.5281, the Removal Classification Act with a Leahy amendment

S.1774, a bill for the relief of Hotaru Nakama Ferschke with a Webb amendment

S.124, a bill for the relief of Shigaru Yamada

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 3, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

4:06 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on December 7, 2010.

4:05 P.M. –

National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs- Pursuant to Section 1002 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2003,as amended by Section 701(a)(3) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2010, and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair appointed Dr. Shriley Ann Jackson, Bridgewater, NJ .

4:04 P.M. –

Library of Congress Trust Fund Board – Pursuant to Section 1 of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board Act and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair appointed Mr. J. Richard Fredericks, San Francisco, CA; Ms. Barbara Guggenheim, Los Angeles, CA; Mr. James Kimsey, McLean, VA for a five year term .

4:03 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 3, 2010 at 9:48 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 5758, H.R. 6118, H.R. 6387, H.R. 6237, and S. 3784; passed H.R. 1107 with amendments; and agreed to H.J.Res. 101.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

4:02 P.M. –

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

4:01 P.M. –

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

4:00 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Eliot L. Engel to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.