Daily Archives: 09/21/2011

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Class Warfare


This morning, the President proposed the “Buffett Rule,” which would require those earning more than $1 million a year to pay the same share of their income in taxes as middle-class families do.

This proposal makes sure millionaires and billionaires share the responsibility for reducing the deficit. It would correct, for example, the fact that Warren Buffett‘s secretary currently pays taxes at a higher rate than he does.

The other side is already saying it’s “class warfare” — that’s their rhetorical smokescreen for providing millionaires and billionaires special treatment.

As the President said this morning, “This is not class warfare — it’s math.”

The wealthiest Americans don’t need further tax cuts and in many cases aren’t even asking for them. Requiring that they pay their fair share is the only practical way forward. The Republican alternative is to drastically slash education, gut Medicare, let roads and bridges crumble, and privatize Social Security. That’s not the America we believe in — but many in the Republican leadership actually prefer those policies, which explains their refusal to act.

That’s why they’ll say “tax increase” over and over again, trying to muddy the waters and trick ordinary Americans into thinking the Buffett Rule will hurt them. And if we don’t speak out right now, they just might get away with it.

WWW.BarackObama.com

Of course, the Buffett Rule won’t really touch most Americans — only 0.3% of households will even be affected.

And without it, the only way to reduce our debt is to savage the programs that seniors and middle-class families rely on.

That’s exactly what the President refuses to do — in fact, he’s said he’ll veto any bill that changes benefits for folks who rely on Medicare but doesn’t raise serious revenue by asking the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations to pay their fair share.

This isn’t just a commonsense approach to cutting the deficit — it’s the only way to make sure we can provide security to people who work hard and play by the rules.

So right now, I’m asking you to say you’ll stand with the President on something that won’t be easy. Get the President’s back today:

WWW.BarackObama.ORG

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate considers HR2832 -trade


the Senate Convened at 9:30am September 21, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning
    business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with
    the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the
    final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of
    H.R.2832, the Generalized System of Preferences Act and the vehicle for Trade
    Adjustment Assistance with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled
    between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At approximately 12:30pm, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the
    following amendments to the Casey amendment #633 to H.R.2832, in the following
    order:

    • Hatch amendment #641 (TAA enactment dependent on FTA enactment)(60-vote
      threshold) and
    • McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension)(60-vote threshold).

10:38amET –

The McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension) is now pending to the Casey amendment #633 (TAA) to H.R.2832, the GSP bill.

  9:36amET –

At approximately 12:30pm today, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments to the Casey amendment #633 (TAA) to H.R.2832, the GSP bill:

Hatch amendment #641 (TAA enactment dependent on FTA enactment) (60-vote threshold) and

McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension) (60-vote threshold).

 

The following amendments are pending to H.R.2832, the Generalized System of
Preferences Act:

  • Casey-Brown (OH)-Baucus amendment #633 (Trade Adjustment Assistance)

The following amendments to H.R.2832 have been considered:

  • McConnell amendment #626 (Trade Promotion Authority), as modified
    (preventing extraneous provisions in free trade agreements) to Casey amendment
    #633; Not Agreed to: 45-55 (60-vote threshold
  • Hatch amendment #641 (Trade Adjustment Assistance enactment dependent upon
    Free Trade Agreements enactment) to Casey amendment #633; Not Agreed to: 44-54
    (60-vote threshold)
  • McCain amendment #625 to Casey amendment #633 (TAA 2-year extension); Not
    Agreed to: 46-53 (60-vote threshold)
  • Hatch amendment #642 (TAA eligibility) to Casey amendment #633; Not Agreed
    to: 40-57 (60-vote threshold)
  • Kyl amendment #645 (repeal TAA for firms) is now pending to the Casey
    amendment #633 (TAA); Not Agreed to: 43-54 (60-vote threshold)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

7:35  P.M. –  The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

6:03  P.M. –  SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:53  P.M. –  ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 2883:
to amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend the child and family services program through fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes 

5:50  P.M. –  Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 – 25(Roll no. 720).

5:44  P.M. –  Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 2608:
to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes 

5:43  P.M. –  Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 195 – 230(Roll No. 719).

5:12  P.M. –  The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:53  P.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 405, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Rogers (KY) motion to agree to the Senate amendment with an amendment toH.R. 2608.

3:52  P.M. –  Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 405, Mr. Rogers (KY) took from the Speaker’s tableH.R. 2608with the Senate amendment thereto, and was recognized for a motion.

S. 846:
to designate the United States courthouse located at 80 Lafayette Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the Christopher S. Bond United States Courthouse 

3:51  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): 407 – 2, 2 Present(Roll no. 718).

3:45  P.M. –  Considered as unfinished business.

S. Con. Res. 28:
authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II 

3:44  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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 – 0(Roll no. 717).

3:37  P.M. –  Considered as unfinished business.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. 399:
providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 79) making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes 

3:36  P.M. –  Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 405,H. Res. 399is laid on the table.

H. Res. 405:
providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2608) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes 

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 185(Roll no. 716).

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

3:29  P.M. –  On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 188(Roll no. 715).

1:52  P.M. –  DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 405.

1:51  P.M. –  Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2883:
to amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend the child and family services program through fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes 

1:50  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.

1:27  P.M. –  DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2883.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 2943:
to extend the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families and related programs through December 31, 2011 

1:26  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.

1:06  P.M. –  DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2943.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 846:
to designate the United States courthouse located at 80 Lafayette Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the Christopher S. Bond United States Courthouse 

1:05  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.

12:56 P.M. –  DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onS. 846.Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

S. Con. Res. 28:
authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II 

12:55 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.

12:37 P.M. –  DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onS. Con. Res. 28.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Harper moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

12:36 P.M. –  The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

12:35 P.M. –  The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism is to continue in effect beyond September 23, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-57).

12:04 P.M. –  ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:02 P.M. –  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. McGovern 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.

12:00 P.M. –  Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Judith Wright, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Northborough, MassachusettsThe House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 21.

10:43 A.M. –  The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. –  MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –  The House convened, starting a new legislative day.