Cost Estimates for the 112th Congress


H.R. 1002, Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 14, 2011

H.R. 2076, Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2011
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 21, 2011

H.R. 258, Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2011
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 20, 2011

S. 201, A bill to clarify the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resoruces on Juily 14, 2011

S. 535, Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

S. 683, Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

S. 684, A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Alta, Utah
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

H.R. 1258, Box Elder Utah Land Converyance Act
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 20, 2011

S. 1067, Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act of 2011
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

H.R. 241, A bill to authorize the conveyance of certain National Forest System lands in the Los Padres National Forest in California
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 20, 2011

H.R. 1059, A bill to protect the safety of judges by extending the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact sensitive information contained in their financial disclosure reports, and for other purposes
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 20, 2011

H.R. 2056, a bil to instruct the Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance corporation to study the impact of insured depository institution failures, and for other purposes
July 26, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on July 20, 2011

S. 292, Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act
July 26, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

Get Elastic : Bloggers Digest July 2011


Bloggers Digest July 2011

Posted under General on July 29th, 2011 by Linda Bustos / No Comments
 
Bloggers Digest is our monthly ritual that highlight posts from other blogs that are of value and interest to online retailers and Internet marketers.

  • Confused by your PPC metrics and reports? The Rimm-Kaufman Group demystifies 24 of the top paid search metrics.

Highest honors, no respect Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org


18-year-old Kymberly Wimberly did everything right. She challenged herself with honors and Advanced Placement courses, leading the pack as the highest achieving student in this year’s graduating class at McGehee High School.

But when her principal agreed with other school staff that Kymberly’s status as valedictorian would cause a “big mess,” he demanded that a White student with a lower GPA be appointed co-valedictorian.1

Please join us in telling the McGehee district’s superintendent and school board to acknowledge Kymberly as her class’s sole valedictorian and explain what they intend to do to ensure all students have equal opportunities at McGehee High School. When you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/valedictorian

What’s unfolding in McGehee is an outrage, and it sends the wrong message to Black students everywhere. The implication is clear: “No matter how hard you work, we won’t give you full credit for your achievements.” School leaders in this small Arkansas town have denied a student an honor she deserves because of their own racial prejudice and narrow-minded ideas about who is worthy of success and praise.

Arkansas is ground zero in the history of efforts to desegregate our nation’s schools. It’s where nine Black students faced down state troopers, angry mobs, and a governor intent on keeping them from integrating Little Rock Central High School more than 50 years ago.

Today, in nearby McGehee, Kymberly’s situation has exposed another brand of racial segregation. Principal Darrell Thompson’s decision to appoint a co-valedictorian this year is just the latest example of an ongoing pattern to undermine and derail the academic efforts of Black students. According to the equal protection lawsuit Kymberly’s family has filed, administrators and teachers routinely discouraged Black students — who made up nearly half of the high school’s enrollment this year — from taking honors and AP classes.2 They would use school-wide assemblies to make the course work sound daunting, then pull individual White students aside to encourage them to sign up for the more rigorous classes. As a result, Kymberly was the only Black student in her AP literature class and one of two in her calculus class.3

A problem nationwide

McGehee and other school districts around the country should be encouraging all prepared students to challenge themselves academically. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Last year, Black students made up 15% of graduating seniors, but accounted for just 9% of students taking AP exams.4 Black students trail far behind White, Asian and Latino students in terms of participation in AP classes, and educators have a responsibility to provide equal access to and preparation for college-level coursework.

Kymberly is the rare example of the student whose family believed she could excel in high-level classes, despite what some adults at school told her and students who look like her. Her case reveals why the school establishment consistently counsels half the student body into a lower academic track. It appears that they fear the eventual success of Black students and choose to limit Black students’ ability to compete in the classroom and, by extension, in life.

Hiding the truth

The district should be celebrating Kymberly’s story, and holding her up as an example of what’s possible. She is a young mother whose report cards throughout high school were filled with straight As until her junior year, when she had her baby and received a B in a class. Determined to hold onto her position at the top of the class, Kymberly took as many honors and AP classes as she could her senior year. Her plan worked, and in early May the high school counselor approached Kymberly’s mother, who worked at the high school, with news that Kymberly had the top GPA. But district officials soon started backtracking. The school’s principal told Kymberly’s mother that he had decided to appoint a co-valedictorian. The district sent out a press release amending a public announcement the counselor had already released. The superintendent even kept Kymberly’s mother from appealing the decision to the school board by claiming she had filled out the wrong participation form.5 District officials don’t deny Kymberly had the highest GPA but have explained their actions by saying that the co-valedictorian had half a credit more6,7— a balancing act Kymberly and her family say would never have been considered necessary had the top student been White.

Please join us in demanding that Kymberly’s superintendent and school board publicly acknowledge that she is her class’s sole valedictorian and explain how they plan to make sure that students have equal opportunities at McGehee High School. When you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/valedictorian

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
    July 28th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

1. “Valedictorian sues school: Was she snubbed because of race?” CNN, 7-26-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/916?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=7

2. “Kymberly L. Wimberly v. McGehee School District,” Complaint, 7-21-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/917?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=9

3. See reference 1

4. “Seventh Annual AP Report to the Nation,” College Board, 2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/918?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=11

5. See reference 2

6. See reference 1

7. “High school student alleges racial bias in valedictorian choice,” Reuters, 7-27-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/919?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=13

Breaking news: Major step forward for cleaner cars


July 29, 2011

UCS Applauds Obama Administration Agreement on Fuel Efficiency & Auto Pollution Standards

Statement by Michelle Robinson, Director, Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program

WASHINGTON (July 29, 2011) –The Obama administration today unveiled an agreement with major automakers and the state of California on a framework to strengthen the nation’s fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards for new cars and light trucks. This proposal, which will apply to vehicles sold in model years 2017 to 2025, will set a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams per mile by 2025, the equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) if met exclusively with fuel efficiency improvements, or a Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 48-49 mpg assuming full use of air conditioning improvements. That would translate to a 2030 window sticker of about 36 mpg, up from 21 mpg today.

These standards build on the successful National Program for model years 2012 to 2016, which allows automakers to build a single national fleet to comply with Clean Air Act standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The following is a statement from Michelle Robinson, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles program:

“These standards will give our cars and trucks a technology makeover. We will still see the same types of vehicles on the road, but they will be dramatically more fuel efficient, cost less to operate, and produce less pollution. For the second time, President Obama has brought together the auto industry, the states, and other stakeholders to support strong standards that will protect consumers from high gas prices, curb global warming pollution, cut our oil dependence, and create innovative jobs in the American auto industry. We applaud the Obama administration and California for moving forward with these important standards.

“The technology exists to make any car, truck or SUV cleaner and more fuel efficient, and these standards will unleash innovation in the auto industry.

“This agreement is an important step forward, but there are still parts of the plan that need to be resolved. If they aren’t implemented correctly, they could turn into loopholes. If automakers can meet the standards with accounting tricks instead of using better technology, the program’s overall benefits would be eroded. We look forward to working with the administration and different stakeholders to evaluate and revise these standards so they produce the best vehicles possible for consumers, the auto industry, the country and the planet.”

Based on UCS’s current understanding of the proposal and assuming no loopholes, UCS experts anticipate that the standards for model years 2017 to 2025 will deliver the following benefits in 2030 in addition to the benefits from the first round of standards:

  • Cut oil consumption by as much as 1.5 million barrels per day — 23 billion gallons of gasoline annually — by 2030. That is equivalent to U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq in 2010.
  • Cut carbon pollution by as much as 280 million metric tons (MMT) in 2030, which is equivalent to shutting down 72 coal-fired power plants.
  • Lower fuel expenditures at the pump by over $80 billion in 2030 — even after paying for the cost of the necessary technology, consumers will still clear $50 billion in savings that year alone.

 

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Congress: debates & votes on the Debt Ceiling


the Senate Convened at 9:30amET July 29, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will recess until 11:00am.
  • At 11:00am, the Senate will be in morning business until 12:00pm 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.
  • At 12:00pm, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Democratic Senators are reminded there is a caucus at 10:00am on Friday.

Morning business has been extended until 6:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 29, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

 6:52 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:47 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 789:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Main Street in Little Ferry, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office” 

6:39 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.R. 2213:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Eastport Street in Iuka, Mississippi, as the “Sergeant Jason W. Vaughn Post Office” 

6:38 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 recorded vote (2/3 required): 420 – 0(Roll no. 678).

6:25 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.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.

S. 627:
to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays 

6:24 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On passage Passed by recorded vote: 218 – 210(Roll no. 677).

6:08 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 244(Roll no. 676).

5:52 P.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

5:44 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hochul motion to recommit with instructions, pending 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 to require the joint committee on deficit reduction to consider the elimination of oil and gas subsidies for the major integrated oil companies and the elimination of subsidies for corporate jets before cutting essential education programs. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.Ms. Hochul moved to recommit with instructions to Rules.

5:43 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:35 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, further proceedings resumed onS. 627.Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 383:
providing for further consideration of the bill (S. 627) to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays 

5:34 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 187(Roll no. 675).

5:11 P.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.

4:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 383.Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2244:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 67 Castle Street in Geneva, New York, as the “Corporal Steven Blaine Riccione Post Office” 

3:52 P.M. – On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 1, 1 Present(Roll no. 674).Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:46 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 440:
to provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia 

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

3:45 P.M. – On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 20(Roll no. 673).

3:40 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.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.

H. Res. 382:
waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules 

3:39 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 186(Roll no. 672).

3:32 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 185(Roll no. 671).

2:02 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 382.Considered as privileged matter.

2:01 P.M. – Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules onH. Res. 383.

2:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 29.

9:15 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

9:03 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to five per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline 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.

9:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Neugebauer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

9:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.