The Senate Convenes at 10amET April 7, 2011

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 30 minutes.

Senator Hoeven will be recognized at noon for up to 25 minutes to deliver his maiden speech to the Senate.

We continue to work to complete action on the small business bill. We also hope to deal with the

CR by the end of the week.

There will be no roll call votes this evening.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.136, United States v. Douglas D. Hampton

Adopted S.Res.137, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of take our daughters and sons to work day.

Passed HR658, as amended with the text of S.223 as a substitute amendment (FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011). Appointed the following conferees: Rockefeller, Boxer, Nelson (FL), Cantwell, Baucus, Hutchison, Ensign, DeMint, and Hatch.

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 7, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 7, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:54 P.M. –

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 8, 2011.

Mr. Jackson (IL) moved that the House do now adjourn.

4:19 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order Speeches.

4:18 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13536 of April 12, 2010, with respect to Somalia, is to continue in effect beyond April 12, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-16).

3:09 P.M. –

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

3:08 P.M. –

Mr. McHenry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, April 7, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 910:

to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes

3:07 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by voice vote.

Amendment offered by Mr. Polis.

An amendment to change the title of the bill.

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

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 255 – 172 (Roll No. 249).

3:00 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 251 (Roll No. 248).

2:43 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

2:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney 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 to prohibit the underlying bill from limiting EPA’s Clean Air Act authority to protect the health of children, seniors, and those with asthma and lung diseases from the effects of air pollution emitted by large sources (those that emit 75,000 tons or more of carbon pollution annually).

2:34 P.M. –

Mr. McNerney moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.

2:33 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.R. 910 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 1363:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

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

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 – 181 (Roll no. 247).

2:26 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 191 – 236 (Roll no. 246).

2:10 P.M. –

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

2:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Owens 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 to add a new section to the end of title VIII of division A which provides that salaries to members of the armed forces would not be interrupted in the event of a federal government shutdown.

Mr. Owens moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

2:02 P.M. –

On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 187 (Roll no. 245).

1:39 P.M. –

Mr. Rogers (KY) moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair

Mr. Hoyer appealed the ruling of the chair.

1:37 P.M. –

Mr. Rogers (KY) raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Rogers (KY) stated that the provisions of the motion to recommit propose a net increase in budget authority in the bill. Sustained by the Chair.

1:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions, pending the reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment that strikes all after the enacting clause and inserts the following: “That the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law 111-242) is further amended by striking the date specified in section 106(3) and inserting April 15, 2011”.

1:30 P.M. –

Mr. Hoyer moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

1:29 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

12:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1363.

12:09 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1363 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill and the provisions of the bill are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 206.

12:08 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 307 – 113, 2 Present (Roll no. 244).

12:02 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Res. 206:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1363) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules

11:51 A.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 189 (Roll no. 243).

11:44 A.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 185 (Roll no. 242).

10:16 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 206.

Considered as privileged matter.

10:04 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. Barrow to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:03 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) objected to the voice vote based upon the absenceof a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

10:01 A.M. –

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

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Emergencies in Libya and Ivory Coast … help Helene Gayle,President &CEO, Care

04/06/2011 Nativegrl77

The fighting in Libya continues to force people to flee in droves. The surge of Libyan refugees into neighboring countries is putting increased pressure on some of the poorest countries — and families — in the world. Many of the refugees were in Libya to work and now have returned to their native countries, where their families already are suffering from poverty, hunger, disease and drought. Others are Libyans on the run for fear of what may happen to them and their families. The humanitarian crisis is increasing by the minute.

In fact, more than 405,000 people have already left Libya for bordering countries, including Egypt, Niger and Tunisia. If the fighting continues, many more are expected to flee. The influx of people may overwhelm already-fragile economies and create additional human suffering.

You can support our work around the world by giving a generous gift now.

The situation is changing day by day, even hour by hour. That’s why, right now, CARE staff is coordinating with the United Nations, government agencies and local partner organizations to carry out an effective humanitarian response to this and other refugee crises, such as the one sparked by

post-election conflict in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

Today, CARE is reaching tens of thousands of people with basic survival supplies: the distribution of clean water, food, hygiene kits, blankets and more. Should needs increase, we’ll be able to ramp up our response thanks to the support of generous donors like you.

Please help ensure CARE is prepared to respond to humanitarian crises and crushing poverty with your gift today.

Your ongoing financial support makes it possible for CARE to help in emergencies like Libya and Cote d’Ivoire, and supports our poverty-fighting programs and advocacy efforts to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. Thank you for your unwavering support.

Sincerely,

Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH

President and CEO, CARE

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Paycheck Fairness Returning to Congress: Act Now

04/06/2011 Nativegrl77

Next Tuesday is Equal Pay Day, the day when an average woman’s wages will catch up to those of her male counterparts in 2010. That’s right — the wage gap equates to over THREE MONTHS’ worth of women’s work. A steep discount, and it’s outrageous!

Fortunately, some of our allies in Congress think that the wage gap is as outrageous as we do. So in honor of Equal Pay Day, they are reintroducing the Paycheck Fairness Act on Tuesday!

Ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act today! www.nwlc.org/fairpay

Women Are Not WorthLess

Ask your Member of Congress to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act and Stop Discounting Women today!

As you probably remember, and with the help of thousands of activists like you, the Paycheck Fairness Act passed the House and fell just a few votes short of moving forward in the Senate in the last Congress. It was close — the closest we’ve ever been.

Take action — ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act now!

Let’s make sure that this year, on Equal Pay Day, Congress knows that Women are Not WorthLess! Thank you for all of your support in the past, and let’s get geared up to see Paycheck Fairness through to the end in the 112th Congress!

Sincerely,

Fatima Goss Graves

Vice President for Education and Employment

National Women’s Law Center

P.S. The women of Wal-Mart took their fight for fair pay all the way to the Supreme Court last week! Did you see our Wal-Mart Manager Madness bracket? Pick your “favorites” today as we whittle down the Egregious Eight to the Foul Four. The Sexist Slam-Dunk will be unveiled next week on Equal Pay Day, so stay tuned!

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Assault on the EPA …Kathleen Rogers, Earth Day Network

04/06/2011 Nativegrl77

The Environmental Protection Agency is under attack. As early as today, the House is scheduled to vote on a bill that would strip the EPA of its life-saving ability to regulate the greenhouse gases that are cooking our planet.

Sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton, this bill is a free pass for polluters and would allow them to fill our skies with limitless carbon emissions. Upton’s bill poses a serious danger to public health and to our economy. Yet, amazingly this legislation is almost certain to pass in the House.

We need to act now before this bill hits the floor tomorrow. Join us today and let Congress know we stand united against this radical legislation.

URGENT: tell your member of Congress to reject Rep. Upton’s bill and VOTE NO on HR 910! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BpGLHXyxRgWd6V4loTjGQaVCDO5Dx%2BX0

The EPA’s stance on greenhouse gases is critical to improving our economy, safeguarding national security and maintaining public health. Undercutting the EPA’s regulatory power is not the way forward. Our future lies in a new green economy, powered by clean energy innovation.

Please contact your member of Congress today to oppose any efforts to restrict the EPA’s ability to regulate pollution, protect the health of the American people and build a new green economy. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3H4q9tUxVISnQ1QV%2F%2FuD%2FaVCDO5Dx%2BX0

Thank you for taking action,

Kathleen Rogers

President, Earth Day Network

P.S. There are only two weeks until Earth Day! We hope you can take part – visit www.EarthDay.org/events.

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Goodbye Medicare, Hello More Corporate Welfare? a word from pfaw.org

04/06/2011 Nativegrl77

Government shutdown looms … and instead of offering real solutions so that Congress and the White House can pass a budget that works for real Americans, the GOP is going off the deep end, proposing plans to shift even more of our nation’s money into the pockets of their corporate donors.

The latest: a proposal by House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI) that guts Medicare. The Republican’s new blueprint shifts costs for health care for seniors and the poor to beneficiaries and the states, but does NOTHING to close tax loopholes and subsidies which allow mega corporations like G.E. to pay zero in U.S. taxes.

Republicans actually have the gall to pretend that this proposal is somehow courageous, because of its massive scope and the supposedly “tough” decisions it includes. But taking medicine from seniors is not courageous, it’s cowardly. Courage is standing up to big corporations and making them pay their fair share.

Speak Up! Tell Congress to LEAVE MEDICARE ALONE. If they’re serious about deficits, they will end corporate welfare before gutting the vital programs on which Americans depend for survival.

Medicare will go away, but subsidies to Exxon will be untouched? There is something seriously wrong with that picture.

Americans have already paid for their Medicare benefits. Taking that money to pay for tax cuts for corporate special interests, and billionaires like the Koch brothers and Donald Trump — who incredibly pays the same tax rate as one of his mid-level managers — amounts to theft, plain and simple, even if members of Congress are using the law to do it.

We can address the deficit and still protect necessities like Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits and education assistance. Those on the Right who say otherwise are lying to you and every other American — right to your faces — and they’re offering a false choice. Billions in subsidies for oil companies (which Republicans voted to extend last month) … tax loopholes that allow corporations like G.E. and several of Wall Street’s largest banks to get a free ride … that’s are where Congress needs to put its focus.

Tell Congress: Hands off Medicare; Stop Corporate Welfare.

Thank you as always for your activism and your commitment to the American Way.

Sincerely,

Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager

P.S. Under Rep. Ryan’s plan, 90% of Americans would have their taxes increased but the richest would get another tax cut. Perversely, as a share of income, the poorest 20% would have by far the biggest increase and richest 1% would get the bulk of the cuts — a massive 15%.

This assault on the poor and middle class is NOT the American Way. Speak out now.