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Monthly Archives: September 2011
Congress: the Republican led House the Senate
the Senate Convenes at 9:30amET September 14, 2011
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning
business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10
minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority
controlling the final half. - Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the
motion to proceed to H.J.Res.66, a joint resolution regarding Burma Sanctions
and the legislative vehicle for additional FEMA funds, post-cloture. - By unanimous consent, all time during adjournment, morning business, and
recess will count post-cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.66. - We expect to begin consideration of H.J.Res.66. We also hope to consider
the FAA and Highway extensions which was received from the House. Senators will
be notified when votes are scheduled.
The motion to proceed to H.J.Res.66, a joint resolution regarding Burma Sanctions and the legislative vehicle for additional FEMA funds was agreed to by unanimous consent and the Senate is now considering H.J.Res.66.
Senator Reid then offered amendment #602 (text of the Burma language and the FEMA language) and filled the amendment tree. Senator Reid then filed cloture on amendment #602 and on H.J.Res.66.
Unless an agreement is reached, the cloture vote on amendment #602 would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Friday, September 16th.
- Adopted S.Res.267, Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and the immense contributions of Latinos to the United States.
Discharged Foreign Relations and confirmed the following:
Mary B. DeRosa, of DC, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Frank E. Loy, of DC, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Kendrick B. Meek, of FL, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
3:05 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
3:02 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:01 P.M. – Mr. Scalise asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, September 14, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Agreed to without objection.
- H.J. Res. 77:
- relating to the disapproval of the President’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit, as submitted under section 3101A of title 31, United States Code, on August 2, 2011
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 – 186, 2 Present(Roll no. 706).
2:36 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the statute.
1:01 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to section 3101A(c)(4) of title 31, United States Code, the joint resolution was considered as read, and the previous question was considered as ordered on the joint resolution without intervening motion except 2 hours of debate equally divided and controlled.
1:00 P.M. – On motion to proceed to consideration of H.J.Res. 77 Agreed to by voice vote.
12:59 P.M. – MOTION TO PROCEED – Pursuant to section 3 of H.Res. 392, Mr. Reed was recognized to offer a motion to proceed to the consideration of H.J.Res. 77. Subsequently the Chair announced that pursuant to section 3101A(c)(3) of title 31, United States Code, the motion was not debatable, and put the question.
12:58 P.M. – Called up under the provisions of ruleH. Res. 392.
- H.R. 2867:
- to reauthorize the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, and for other purposes
12:57 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.
12:34 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2867.Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
12:33 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until tomorrow.
12:03 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 Ms. Tsongas 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.
12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 14.
11:04 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 Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
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Democrats in NYC GOTV for David WePrin …NY09 … VOTE TUESDAY
Watch David Weprin’s latest ad >>
#1. WEPRIN ENDORSED BY NEW YORK TIMES
David Weprin Endorsed by New York Times. In August 2011, the New York Times endorsed David Weprin for Congress, noting that he “promises to work to protect Social Security and Medicare” and would not “cut programs that serve the working and middle classes.” The Times wrote that Weprin has “far more expertise… and fiscal rationality.” [New York Times, Editorial, 8/30/11]
- NYT: Bob Turner Economic Plan “Would Take a Magician.” The Times wrote that Republican Bob Turner’s economic plan “would take a magician” to work, which would mean reducing benefits for those on Medicare and Social Security. [New York Times, Editorial, 8/30/11]
- Turner Willing to Cut Medicare and Social Security, Raise Retirement age, Increase Co-pays. In an August 2011 interview with the New York Post editorial board, Turner pledged to rein in government even if that meant “cutting spending on entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.” He said that “an increase in Medicare co-payments also has to be considered,” and that it would be “easy” to raise the eligibility age on entitlements for people currently under 55 years of age. [NY Post, 8/26/11]
- Turner Wanted to Cut the Budget by 35 percent. In an op/ed published in National Review in June 2011, Bob Turner wrote: “My desire to go to Congress was to fix what’s broken and go home. End subsidies. End government dependencies. Dramatically cut the budget by 30 or 35 percent.” [National Review, 6/08/11]
Republican Bob Turner on Tax Loopholes
Also see: NY-1 VIDEO: Rowdy Debate Shows Intensity In Special Congressional Race >>
#2. WEPRIN CLOSES LOOPHOLES, TURNER LOVES THEM.
David Weprin thinks it’s outrageous that New York City’s small businesses end up paying some of the highest business taxes in the world, while big corporations hire expensive lobbyists so they can get big tax breaks and evade taxes in offshore accounts. Bob Turner is a corporate executive who says he never met a tax loophole he didn’t like
Weprin Supports Small Businesses by Closing Loopholes. In August 2011, Weprin released his small business plan, helping New Yorkers by “closing loopholes and lowering overall rates.” Weprin would also “fight to remove tax incentives for companies that ship jobs overseas and use those savings to reduce tax rates for small business.” [Times-Union, 8/15/11]
- Weprin: An Advocate for Small Businesses. Launching his small business plan, Weprin said that New York’s small businesses pay some of the highest business taxes. “While big corporations are able to hire expensive lawyers and lobbyists to secure special tax breaks, I’ll be an advocate for small businesses in Washington.” [Times-Union, 8/15/11]
Turner: “Never Met a Loophole I Didn’t Like.” “As a Republican, I never met a loophole I didn’t like,” Turner said at a debate. “I really don’t know.” Weprin cited tax breaks for companies moving jobs overseas as a corporate loophole he would like to close. [New York Times, 9/06/11]
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NC may constitutionally ban same-sex marriage
By Estes Gould | The Daily Tar Heel
North Carolina could soon be one step away from becoming the last Southern state to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage.
The N.C. House of Representatives passed the controversial Defense of Marriage amendment on Monday, which would make heterosexual marriage the only union recognized by the state.
The 75 to 42 vote in favor of the legislation came after more than three hours of debate, and it could be put to a vote in the Senate today. If it follows expectations and passes, the measure will be on the first primary ballot in the 2012 elections.
“It’s for the citizens to decide how they want to define their institution, the institution of marriage,” said N.C. Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake.
Supporters of the amendment agree with Dollar.
“The citizens of this state really want the opportunity to vote on this, and now they’re one step closer to getting that,” said Tami Fitzgerald, the executive director of NC Values Coalition.
But Seth Keel, a gay teenager in Dollar’s jurisdiction, called the legislation “shameful” when he addressed some Republican legislators after the vote.
“No one is voting on their marriages,” Keel said. “So why does the public have a right to vote on whether or not I can get married?”
N.C. Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange, said the amendment would interfere with child custody arrangements and prevent same-sex couples, and unmarried heterosexual couples, from receiving treatment or counseling for domestic violence.
“This proposed constitutional amendment runs against the tide of history,” he said. “I think that’s why it’s being brought here today, in a last gasp to forestall that tide of history.”
Hackney, and other Democrats, said the procedure for the legislation was unfair and calculated — originally, the bill was to be considered in the Senate Judiciary committee on Monday. Instead, it was considered in the House Rules committee, passed, then pushed for “immediate consideration.”
Rep. Susan Fisher, D-Buncombe, said amendments are rarely ever considered immediately by the legislature, and Hackney said the procedure minimized debate about the language of the amendment.
But Rep. Paul Stam, R-Wake, the House majority leader, said the procedure was not unusual.
Republican legislators said the amendment would prevent judges from overturning current law, which bans same-sex marriages.
But Democratic representatives said it was unnecessary and unjust.
“Putting the rights of the minority population up for a vote by the majority is a terrible notion and a terrible precedent,” said Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, who emotionally defended same-sex marriage on behalf of her sister, a lesbian.
More TarHeels New …
Proposed Jobs Act could help NC colleges
Contact the State & National Editor at state@dailytarheel.com.
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Help Protect Consumers Against Wall Street Greed …Ben Betz, People For the American Way
At the first Richard Cordray confirmation hearing last week, the two Republican senators (out of ten on the committee) who showed up indicated that their party had every intention of obstructing Cordray’s confirmation to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Many Republicans are insisting on structural changes to CFPB, which would render the bureau ineffective and allow greed and corruption to prevail over consumer protection, before they say they’ll even consider confirming a nominee for director.
One way or another, the corporate Right is determined to stop the CFPB from doing the important job it was created to do. We need to break through this obstruction!
Please join the nearly 20,000 activists who have already signed our petition urging the the confirmation of Richard Cordray!
www.pfaw.org
— Ben
Original Message:
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Dear PFAW supporter,
Today, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs is holding a hearing on the nomination of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). It’s the beginning of what will be a very big fight.
Wall Street and Republicans don’t want CFPB oversight and have made clear their intentions to sabotage this important agency in any way to prevent it from protecting consumers. Since the CFPB requires a permanent director in order to operate with full authority, Senate Republicans see defeating the nomination of Richard Cordray as priority #1 in crippling the Bureau.
Please sign our emergency petition to CONFIRM RICHARD CORDRAY now.
We need to keep significant pressure on Senate Democrats to stand unified and use every tool they can to confirm Cordray. And we need to keep grassroots pressure on Republicans to challenge the financial industry’s iron grip on their party and do the right thing for American consumers.
Cordray was picked by Professor Elizabeth Warren to be one of her top deputies in setting up the CFPB. As Ohio’s attorney general, Cordray earned a reputation of being tough on the financial industry. He was among the first attorneys general to take action in the nationwide foreclosure investigation into the mishandling of paperwork and successfully sued AIG, exposing banks’ use of hidden fees and other consumer exploitations.
Urge your senators to stand up for consumers and CONFIRM RICHARD CORDRAY.
After you sign the petition, please call your senators’ office to back up the message.
This will be a sustained campaign that could call for various actions and constituent contacts, but the petition is the way we want to register support for Cordray first and foremost. If we can get enough Americans to sign, we’ll be able to make a splash on Capitol Hill when we deliver the signatures to the Senate.
Help us get the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau working! Help to confirm Richard Cordray as its director. www.pfaw.org
— Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager
Be a Seed for Change 
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