Monthly Archives: October 2011

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate considers HR2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:


The Senate Convenes: 3pm October 31, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #249, Stephen A. Higginson, of LA, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit with one hour equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
  • The first roll call vote of the week will be at approximately 5:30pm today on confirmation of the Higginson nomination.
  • On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, when the Senate resumes consideration of H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill (at approximately 11:10am), there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the following:
  • Coburn #800 (rural development agency);
  • Paul #821 (TIGER grants ) (60-vote threshold);
  • DeMint #763 (epinephrine);
  • Crapo #814 (Dodd-Frank WSR – derivatives) (60-vote threshold);
  • Lee Motion to Recommit (FY11 levels);
  • Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air Service Development Program);
  • Passage of H.R.2112, as amended.
  • Senators should be aware the Senate will recess at 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings and the series of votes listed above will be interrupted to accommodate the caucus meetings.  The Senate will resume voting on the items above, which are not completed prior to 12:15pm, at a time to be determined Tuesday afternoon.

10:AM The following amendments are pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:

  • Crapo amendment #814 (derivatives – Dodd-Frank)
  • Lee motion to recommit H.R.2112 (FY11 levels)
  • DeMint amendment #763 (epinephrine)
  • DeMint amendment #764 (eliminate increase in funding)
  • Coburn amendment #794 (government programs annual report)
  • Coburn amendment #795 (collect more than $500M from deadbeat developers)
  • Coburn amendment #797 (Federal buildings construction/purchase/lease/renovation)
  • Coburn amendment #799 (Rural Energy for America Program)
  • Coburn amendment #800 (Rural Development Agency)
  • Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air Service Development Program)
  • Coburn amendment #833 (end direct payment program)

The following amendments have been considered:

  • Cornyn amendment #775, as modified (Operation Fast and Furious); Agreed to: 99-0
  • McCain amendment #740 (eliminate TAA funding for firms); Not Agreed to: 44-55
  • Collins amendment #804 (vegetables in school meal programs); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • McCain amendment #739 (critical surface transportation); Tabled: 59-39
  • McCain amendment #741 (ethanol blender pumps and storage facilities); withdrawn
  • Sanders amendment #816 (energy efficiency programs for small businesses); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Coburn amendment #793 (transparency in federally attended and funded conferences); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Coburn amendment #798, as modified (prohibit funds for purchase of new passenger motor vehicles); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Murray amendment #772 (reconstruction of highway facilities damaged by natural disasters or emergencies); Withdrawn
  • Vitter amendment #769, as modified (drug reimportation) Not Agreed To: 45-55 (60-vote threshold)
  • Webb amendment #750, as modified (National Criminal Justice Commission)  Not Agreed To: 57-43 (60-vote threshold)
  • Merkley amendment #879 (freight and rail products made in the US) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 55-44
  • Brown (OH) amendment #874, as modified (Fair Housing Initiatives Program); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Moran amendment #815, as modified (spending levels for Watershed Protection); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Grassley amendment #860 (DOJ Federal Grants)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 46-54
  • Landrieu amendment #781 (farmer program loans); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Kohl amendment #755 (spending plan); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Vitter amendment #917 to Menendez #857 (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 41-57-1(present)
  • Menendez amendment #857 (extend loan limits for FHA, VA and others) (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 60-38-1 present
  • Gillibrand amendment #869 (increase funding for emergency conservation/emergency watershed protection programs); Agreed to: 58-41
  • Lautenberg amendment #836 (Economic Development Assistance Program); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Bingaman amendment #771, as modified (funds to investigate trade violations); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Sessions amendment #810 (prohibit funds to allow categorical eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 41-58
  • Coburn amendment #791 (prohibit funds for direct payments to individuals with income over $1M); Agreed to: 84-15
  • Coburn amendment #792, as modified (end payments to slumlords) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 59-40
  • Coburn amendment #796 (end lending schemes) (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 73-26
  • Ayotte amendment #753 (prohibit funds for prosecutions of enemy combatants in Article III Courts) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 47-52
  • Portman amendment #859 (beam rail elements and terminal sections); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • McCain amendment #892 (Rural Development offices); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Cantwell amendment #893, as modified (infectious salmon); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Cochran amendment #805, as modified (Fossil-fueled electric generating plants); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Burr amendment #890 (transparency of FDA); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Inouye amendment #918 (strike provisions re: Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Kyl amendment #912, as modified (US Marshals Service & courthouse security upgrades); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Rubio amendment #898 (Evaluation of Gulf Coast Claims Facility); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Thune amendment #809 (reimbursement for expenditures made in reliance of a grant erroneously awarded); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Hutchison amendment #806; Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Brown (MA)-Kerry amendment #889 (Audits of Fisheries Enforcement Asset Forfeiture Fund); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Inouye substitute amendment #738 (text of the 3 appropriations bills); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent

5:33pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Stephen A. Higginson, of Louisiana, to be a United States Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit; Confirmed: 88-0

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.1637, Appeal Time Clarification Act of 2011

Passed H.R.368, Removal Clarification Act of 2011

Passed H.R.394, Federal Courts Jurisdiction and Venue Clarification Act of 2011 with committee-reported amendments

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

#103 Eric L. Hirschhorn – to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

#416 Cyrus Amir-Mokri – to be an Assistant Secretary for the Treasury

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

#420 David S. Johanson – to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring December 16, 2018

There will be no roll call votes on Monday, November 14, 2011.

***************************************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF OCTOBER 31, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION 

 -The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 1, 2011.1:03:07 P.M. –PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.1:02:56 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.1:01:52 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.1:01:44 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas J. Rooney to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.1:00:59 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on October 31, 2011.

~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NMAAHC Brings “Treasures​” to Houston on October 29 …National Museum of African American History and Culture


National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of
African American History and Culture
Brings “Treasures” to Houston October 29
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Houston Public Library will co-host a program to help Houston-area residents identify and preserve items of historical and cultural significance tucked away in the attics, closets and basements of their homes. The freeevent will feature presentations, hands-on activities and preservation tips.The program will take place Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Houston Public Library Central Library, 500 McKinney Street, Houston. Free and open to the public, the event is the 11th in a series from the museum’s signature program “Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation.” All are welcome.

Save Our African American Treasures in Indianola, MS
National Museum of African American History and Culture’s
“Save Our African American Treasures” program in
Indianola, MS in September 2011.
Photo Credit: Michael Barnes, Smithsonian Institution.

Participants may bring up to three personal items for a 20-minute, one-on-one professional consultation with experts on how to care for them. The specialists will serve as reviewers, not appraisers, and will not determine an item’s monetary value. Objects such as books, paper and textiles that are no larger than a shopping bag can be reviewed. No furniture, carpets, firearms or paintings are allowed. Additional information is available at nmaahc.si.edu, by emailing treasures@si.edu or by calling (877) 733-9599.

The “Treasures” program also includes the following activities throughout the day:

  • The Gregory School: The African American Library at the Gregory School is the newest special collections unit operated by the Houston Public Library. Learn how it developed and about the unique collections and services it provides.
  • Preservation Presentations: Informal basic preservation sessions will take place during the day. The sessions will provide information on preserving clothing and textiles, family photographs and papers, digital memories and explain the process to establish an object’s provenance. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
  • Hands-on Preservation: In this hands-on activity, participants are invited to learn how to store letters properly, pack garments and prepare photographs for preservation storage and presentation.

As a companion to the series, the museum has produced African American Treasures: A Preservation Guide, a 30-page guidebook that is distributed free to attendees to highlight the importance of proper preservation techniques. The guidebook is part of the “Treasures” kit. Also distributed will be white cotton gloves, archival tissue papers and archival documents sleeves to help people keep their personal treasures safe.

Save Our African American Treasures in Dalllas, TX
National Museum of African American History and Culture’s
“Save Our African American Treasures” program in
Dallas, TX in June 2011.
Photo Credit: Michael Barnes, Smithsonian Institution.

“Save our African American Treasures” is made possible with support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The grants also support the pre-design and construction of the museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., scheduled to open in 2015.

For more information about The National Museum of African American History and Culture, visit nmaahc.si.edu or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

For further information about the Houston Public Library please visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Student loan reform can’t wait


2012

James Kvaal is the Policy Director for Obama for America.

Friend —

President Obama just took two serious steps to make life a lot easier
for folks with student loans — and there’s a good chance you or someone
you know will benefit from these changes very soon.

Here’s how:

— Effective this January, if you’re someone who has different kinds
of loans — guaranteed and direct — you’ll be able to roll them both
into one direct loan and bring down your interest rate. You’ll only have
to write one check a month, and you’ll see a discount. This switch adds
no cost to taxpayers across the board.

— You might remember that, as part of last year’s student loan
reform, borrowers’ loan payments could be no higher than 10 percent of
their disposable income. This is a big deal — but it wasn’t going to
help anyone enrolling before 2014. Today, the President announced that
he’s speeding up this program so it will affect students next year —
helping over 1 million students. This will have huge consequences for
people struggling to make their student loan payments.

Sometimes, it can be hard to see how policy changes will actually affect your day-to-day life.

Not the case with this one. These changes will make a real difference in helping millions of Americans get by month to month.

We put together a video explaining how these changes will help Americans. Watch
it to learn a little more about what today’s steps would do, and then
make sure everyone you know who should hear about it does.

Learn how student loan reforms help you.

President Obama isn’t waiting on Congress to take action. He’s doing
everything in his power, right now, to help bolster our economy and get
folks back on their feet.

On Monday, he laid out new rules on federal mortgages to help make sure more families don’t lose their homes to foreclosure.

On Tuesday, the administration announced two new initiatives to help veterans find work.

Today, it means making changes that make student loans a lot easier to manage.

These are actions that can’t wait on the next vote or the next election.
So long as people are struggling, this President and this
administration will do everything in their power to help them when and
where they can. It’s just that simple.

Now, let’s make sure that the millions of people who stand to benefit from today’s steps know about it.

Watch the video to learn more about today’s student loan changes — and then help get the word out:

http://my.barackobama.com/Student-Loan-Reforms

Thanks,

James

James Kvaal

Policy Director

Obama for America

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Tell Congress: No cuts to Medicare benefits



Democrats on the so-called Super Committee are caving to Republican demands and pushing a plan that would make drastic cuts to Medicare.

This is bad policy and bad politics. Cuts like these are the worst possible way to reduce the deficit. They protect the status quo for the richest 1 percent while the 99 percent are expected to sacrifice vital healthcare that they need to survive in tough economic times like these — and they’ll hamstring Democrats running for reelection in 2012.

We’ve been down this road before. Republicans and some Democrats have been pushing plans to destroy Medicare and Social Security for months. We beat them then and we can beat them now with an overwhelming show of grassroots opposition to any plan that cuts Medicare.

Join me and tell Washington that this deal is Dead On Arrival.

Pledge to oppose any candidate — Republican or Democrat – who votes for a plan that cuts Medicare and Medicaid benefits for the 99 percent.

The facts are simple: The average income of Medicare beneficiaries is about $22,000 a year. Our nation’s seniors can’t afford to have their benefits cut and hard-working Americans can’t afford to have their eligibility for Medicare raised to 67.

As more and more people lose employer-provided health insurance, the last thing the nation’s seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income children who depend on Medicaid need is for the federal government to slash these vital programs.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid did not cause the run-up in federal deficits. We have President Bush’s huge tax cuts for the top 1 percent, the unpaid costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the Great Recession caused by reckless, un-American, and potentially criminal behavior on Wall Street to thank for the mess we’re in.

Washington needs to make sure those who caused this mess pay to clean it up — not seniors, not Americans with disabilities, and certainly not low-income children who depend on Medicaid to survive.

Send a message to Washington now — Stand against cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security or stand alone for reelection.

This is a fight we will win, if we stand up and fight. Because when we work together, we’re unstoppable.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America