Monthly Archives: June 2011

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Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 21, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION


 8:03 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. 

7:58 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 672:
to terminate the Election Assistance Commission, 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.

7:13 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 672.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Harper moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

7:12 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced. 

7:10 P.M. – Mr. Harper asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate, thereafter to resume its session at 11:30 a.m. Agreed to without objection.

S. 349:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4865 Tallmadge Road in Rootstown, Ohio, as the “Marine Sgt. Jeremy E. Murray Post Office” 

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): 397 – 0 (Roll no. 462).

7:02 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 771:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1081 Elbel Road in Schertz, Texas, as the “Schertz Veterans Post Office” 

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 – 0 (Roll no. 461).

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

6:55 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1632:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5014 Gary Avenue in Lubbock, Texas, as the “Sergeant Chris Davis Post Office” 

6:53 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): 396 – 0 (Roll no. 460).

6:31 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business. 

6:30 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 21.

6:05 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

S. 655:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 95 Dogwood Street in Cary, Mississippi, as the “Spencer Byrd Powers, Jr. Post Office” 

6:04 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.

6:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 655.Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 771:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1081 Elbel Road in Schertz, Texas, as the “Schertz Veterans Post Office” 

5:59 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. 

5:48 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 771.Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

S. 349:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4865 Tallmadge Road in Rootstown, Ohio, as the “Marine Sgt. Jeremy E. Murray Post Office” 

5:47 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. 

5:42 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 349.Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 1632:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5014 Gary Avenue in Lubbock, Texas, as the “Sergeant Chris Davis Post Office” 

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.

5:32 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1632.Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

5:31 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 21.

2:07 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 P.M. today. 

2:02 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches. 

2:01 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fleischmann 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.

2:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 21.

12:32 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today. 

12:01 P.M. – MORNING HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business. 

12:00 P.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

 
 

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Senate Floor Schedule for Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Convenes: 10:00am Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the …

  • Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #34, the nomination of Michael H. Simon, of Oregon, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon with one hour for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Simon nomination.
  • The filing deadline for 2nddegree amendments to S.782, the Economic Development Act is 11:00am on Tuesday.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party conferences.
  • At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #183, Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defense with 2 hours for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 4:15pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Panetta nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 782, the Economic Development Act with 10 minutes for debate only equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees and the Senate then conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.
  • If cloture is not invoked, the Senate will immediately conduct an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.
  • Therefore, Senators should expect up to 4 roll call votes on Tuesday, June 21st:
    • at approximately 12:20pm: Confirmation of the Simon nomination
    • at approximately 4:15pm: Confirmation of the Panetta nomination and,
    • Motion to invoke cloture on S.782, the Economic Development Act and,
    • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act
  • By unanimous consent, the cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act has been postponed until Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader. If cloture is invoked, time post-cloture will be counted as if cloture was invoked at 6pm on Tuesday, June 21st.
  • The Senate is now in a period of morning business until 6:30pm with Senators permitted to speak for up 10 minutes each.
    • Discharged Judiciary and Adopted S.Res.202, A resolution designating June 27, 2011, as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day”. w/ Conrad amendment
    • Adopted S.Res.212, congratulating the people and Government of the Republic of Slovenia on the twentieth anniversary of the country’s independence.
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mashup Monday &some News


The featured picture is of the I-5 Peace Arch.

  I needed some feeling of peace today. Actually, we probably will all feel the need for some peaceful thoughts as we watch members of Congress play politics with American lives. Congress might have until August to raise the debt ceiling but the evidence is becoming quite clear that Republicans have absolutely no intention of helping their Fellow Americans and or the Economy move toward that path of progress let alone the 21st Century, so the picture on the left is of our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border.

 In 2010, right around this time a vote was taken and while the Democratic Party was trying to get Americans back to work by introducing legislation to be passed Republicans acted and continue to act as if Corporate America is the only people, they trust and the following was what happened.  Last night, June/2010 the following comments were made after the jobs/tax extenders bill failed in the Senate again 56-40 -”Tonight, every single Republican voted to deny states critical aid that would keep firefighters, police offices and teachers employed,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “And tonight, every single Republican voted to tell the one in ten Americans who have lost their jobs that they are on their own.” Please call your representative in Congress.  The American people are about tired of the BS offered up by both sides of the aisle but after watching  listening to TV and or radio the sad sad reality is that people are willing to vote against their best interest.

Apparently, folks have forgotten that it has been a Republican mission to vote against their fellow Americans calling it unnecessary spending though if anyone recalls that these are the same folks who voted against stimulus money while  taking the stimulus money, shoot every state was going to get it whether they said no because it was an emergency. It was slightly amusing though shortly lived and definitely offensive now that the number of Politicians with negative comments about the stimulus funds even though they held elaborate ceremonies with ribbon cutting, offering huge checks, took responsibility for the effort and some even asked for more money.  I am not sure how anyone else feels but knowing that the number of Governors that took the stimulus money to balance their budgets was disturbing enough. It was not just disturbing but hearing how Republican Governors made a choice of Profits over the People in their states by giving money  to private sector who turned out to be friends like the Koch brothers is felonious at best . It is also quite possible some of those very Republican Governors have businesses that received direct or non- direct advantages sort of like those drug testing clinics that belong to the governor who has decided that all state employees be tested for drug use. I may be wrong but reports are he is the only one with those clinics and this past weekend there were reports that rep. Paul Ryan stands to make a lot of money if his plan is implemented. If all that we have heard about our so-called Public Servants is correct, the stimulus money was obviously misused and some folks in office abused their positions.  We have Governors saying their states are broke though some had surpluses while the private sector being a Republicans best friend is still unwilling to open up the purse strings or stop sending jobs offshore until Americans accept lower wages and or compete for  what used to be Public Service jobs turned private and fee based . The current attitudes coming from Republicans will only drive unemployment up.  The obvious choice would be to place a Public Jobs Works bill on the table that would create jobs that will take care of our crumbling infrastructure, accept that at this moment in time we need everyone to participate. The idea that people are actually against fair share is beyond me but that Republican view currently being forced upon our fellow Americans in some states right this very moment is a reality.  It’s the 21st Century people. We need members of Congress to walk through a feature like our Arch to bring peace over them and maybe they will all come to the same conclusion two and a half years later. That all members of Congress need to participate in fair share as well as vote yes to Jobs bills that include county, state, or federal workers. Since when do we have  to tell companies like BP or other big Corporations that they should be held completely accountable for their errors; let us hope all Americans heard the Barton, Bachmann; cable heads and Boehner comments about a year ago because those- Corporatist-Republicans are still at it. The escrow was for We the People and was not a Chicago style take down as suggested. Republican Congressmen like Barton came out in support and the protection of a company that has ruined not only the Gulf Coast, the livelihoods, the environment the Marshes, Estuaries and now the beaches in Louisiana are suffering, which may affect every aspect of their economy for decades. Barton pulled those comments back but as I have said, those comments cannot be put back into any bottle and hopefully Americans will not forget or forgive.

If you just cannot enjoy our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border try breathing deeply in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth … repeat as needed

Other News ….

Your tributes to the Big Man, Clarence Clemons

Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense case continues after dramatic beginning

Protesters take to streets in Syria after Assad speech

Euro, Stocks Recover as Debt Concern Eases

Tunisia’s Ousted President Says He Was Tricked Into Leaving

Is Rick Perry Going to Run for President?

Inappropriate Jokes

CSPAN

Governors Discuss Job Creation

Study released on states and job growth

A Look at “Mystery Phone Fees”

Huntsman announcement, Panetta Vote, Clinton on Capitol Hill

Senate to vote Tuesday on Panetta as SecDef
Issue for Jon Huntsman: His family’s Iran Business

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This video really moved me …a message from Michelle Obama


As families around the country get together to celebrate fathers today, I’m thinking about dads like Alex.

 Alex is the father of two boys and two girls, ages six to 13. During the week, he works the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift as a front-desk supervisor at a Seattle hotel. After work and on the weekends, he devotes his time to a summer organizing program that’s giving more than 1,500 first-time organizers the training they need to help build this movement in their communities.

   He says he hopes this organizing work will help teach his kids the power one person can have — that if “they see something that needs to be changed, they know they can make a difference.”

 I wanted to share a video of Alex explaining what prompted him to join this program and devote his summer to this work.

 I was really moved by what he had to say. Take a look, and share it with a dad you’re thinking about today:

 

Today, I’m also proud of my husband, the man who drove our first daughter and me home from the hospital 13 years ago next month, determined to be the kind of father he hadn’t had for himself.

 Barack often says he decided that day that if he could be anything in life, he’d be a good dad, and he dedicated himself then and there to making sure our daughter had every opportunity he could provide.

  When it comes down to it, that’s why we’re all here — Barack, Alex, myself, and everyone who’s part of this campaign. We’re all working to make sure we leave our kids with a country that’s fairer and more full of opportunity — just as our parents did for us.

 Thank you for being part of that work, and part of this campaign.

  Wishing you a happy Father’s Day,

   Michelle
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We aren’t funded by Washington lobbyists or corporate interests. We rely on donations from people like you. You should donate today.

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When you give now, every $ will be matched by Democratic Senators


Republicans steamrolled into the House with empty promises of economic renewal. But instead they’ve chosen Big Oil over Medicare, health care companies over women’s rights, the rich over the middle class.
                                
                                We’ve been able to stop them with our Democratic majority in the Senate. But if they capture just four of the 23 Democratic seats up for grabs in 2012, anything they dream up will sail through Congress while no progressive ideas survive.
                                
                                Two years ago, we averted that nightmare scenario. We can do it again now, but only if Democrats pull together and rise up to make a difference. Please give whatever you can to the DSCC today and help them raise $683,000 by their crucial June 30 end-of-quarter deadline. Democratic senators will match every dollar you give, because falling short of this goal could mean the Senate slips from our grasp.
 

 
The GOP is playing politics with serious issues. One day they’re threatening to shut down the government, putting people out of work and delaying benefits seniors and veterans depend upon. The next, they’re willing to let the economy go into default while spending billions of tax dollars on Big Oil subsidies.
                                
                                As they perform these political stunts, Republicans seem to have no problem turning a blind eye to the struggles of hardworking Americans, pressing forward with a reckless budget that so clearly hurts working families who struggle to survive from paycheck to paycheck.
                                
                                So how can they possibly win? The GOP is a master of the old bait and switch. They did it in 2010, and they’ll surely try it in 2012. So it’s up to us to make sure they don’t get away with it.
                                
Give now to the DSCC so we can fight for our Democratic majority in the Senate. Republicans will have 23 opportunities to take away four of our seats next year, so we’ve got to start working now to protect our senators who are up for re-election and support our great Democratic challengers.
                                 

                                 
                                There’s no question about it—the math is daunting. We’ve got 23 seats up for grabs; they’ve got only 10. All they need to do is grab four to win the Senate. But if we do everything we can right now, I know we can win.
                                
                                Sincerely,
                                
                                Kirsten Gillibrand

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from … Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader


For more than five months, House Republicans have tried to impose their radical, right-wing agenda on the American people. Just a few weeks ago they introduced a bill to dismantle Social Security just after they voted to end Medicare.

Now is our chance to respond. For the actions you make today can directly impact Democrats‘ chances in 2012.

On June 30th, we’ll face the first Federal Election Commission (FEC) quarterly filing deadline since the Republicans’ shameful vote to end Medicare while protecting tax breaks for the wealthy and Big Oil. The political world will use the grassroots fundraising numbers we report as a measure of Democrats and President Obama’s momentum for 2012.

A contribution today will not only help us to have a strong showing — it can also be put to work immediately to help us expose Republican congressmen and congresswomen back in their districts. This deadline is so important that if you give a gift today, my House colleagues will match it with a gift of their own dollar-for-dollar.

Contribute $3 or more today and my fellow House Democrats will match every dollar you give with one of their own, doubling your impact.

We cannot get distracted by Republican attacks. We must stay focused on recapturing the Majority in the House and electing President Obama in 2012. That’s why I’ve set a goal of raising $1 Million to show the world that we have the grassroots strength to take on the Tea Party Republican fringe and their secret donor-funded attack groups.

Together we can win and show the world Democrats are united behind President Obama’s agenda and have the strength to win the House Majority. Please contribute today.

Thank you. Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader

P.S. Shady right-wing outside groups are already gearing up with their secret money to wage misleading attacks against Democrats. We have just 12 days to exceed our $1 Million grassroots goal to show the world that Democrats are strong, united and on the path to winning the Majority. Contribute Now.