01 | November | 2011 | Be a Seed for Change

National Women's Law Center - Don't Discount Women: Demand Fair Change Not Spare Change


	Tell Senator Murray: No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid



	If you want to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, now is the time to act, and Senator Murray is the one to call.

	Call 1-866-251-4044 today!

Senator Patty Murray is the co-chair of a very powerful 12-member super-committee in Congress charged with deciding how to cut the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over ten years.

Just yesterday we learned that the super-committee is negotiating about cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These program provide income security or health care to more than 1 out of 7 Washington residents — mostly women.

Your phone call today can make a difference! A handful of members of Congress serving on the super-committee will decide the fate of these programs. Your senator — Patty Murray — is one of them.

Please call 1-866-251-4044 today to tell Senator Murray:

I want Senator Murray to oppose cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in the super-committee.
That includes no Social Security COLA cut.
No raising the Medicare eligibility age.
No slash in Medicaid funds.
It’s time to make millionaires and corporations contribute to deficit reduction by paying their fair share of taxes.

Women in Washington can’t afford cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The average Social Security benefit for older women in Washington is just $12,400 per year. Even with Medicare, women face higher out-of-pocket health care costs that strain their smaller incomes. And over 307,000 low-income women with disabilities, pregnant women, and mothers in Washington relied on Medicaid for health care coverage, and over 60,000 elderly women relied on Medicaid for help with long-term care and certain other health expenses.

Programs for women and their families have already been cut, in Washington State and across the country — but so far, tax breaks for millionaires and corporations haven’t been touched. It’s time to stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of women and their families, and to demand that those with the greatest ability to pay contribute their fair share.

Please call 1-866-251-4044 today to tell Senator Murray: No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The super-committee is meeting now to develop its plan. If seven members agree, their plan will be voted on in Congress before the end of the year: no amendments, no filibusters. If you want to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, now is the time to act, and Senator Murray is the one to call.

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Have friends in Washington state? Please forward them this email. Every call makes a difference.

the Senate Convened at 10AM ET November 1, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill.
At approximately 10:15am, 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.
Following disposition of H.R.2112, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

ROLL CALL

10:16am The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #800 (Rural Development Agency) Not Agreed To: 13-85

10:45am The Senate began a Roll Call Vote on Paul amendment #821 (TIGER Grants); Not Agreed to: 38-60

11:04am The Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #763 (epinephrine); Not Agreed to: 44-54

11:25am The Crapo amendment #814 (WSR-derivatives) was withdrawn

11:27am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air service Development Program) Not Agreed To: 41-57

11:45am The Senate began a Roll Call Vote on the Lee motion to recommit (FY11 levels) Not Agreed To: 39-60

12:00 noon The Senate began a Roll Call Vote on passage of HR 2112, as amended (Agriculture/Commerce, Justice, Science/Transportation-HUD) Passed: 69-30

12:20pm LONG VERSION of HR2112 -votes

The following amendments have been considered to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:

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
Coburn amendment #800 (Rural Development Agency); Not Agreed to: 13-85
Paul amendment #821 (TIGER grants) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 38-60
DeMint amendment #763 (epinephrine); Not Agreed to: 44-54
Crapo amendment #814 (derivatives – Dodd-Frank); withdrawn
Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air Service Development Program); Not Agreed to: 41-57
Lee motion to recommit H.R.2112 (FY11 levels); Not Agreed to: 39-60
DeMint amendment #764 (eliminate increase in funding); fell on point of order
Coburn amendment #794 (government programs annual report); withdrawn
Coburn amendment #795 (collect more than $500M from deadbeat developers); withdrawn
Coburn amendment #797 (Federal buildings construction/purchase/lease/renovation); withdrawn
Coburn amendment #799 (Rural Energy for America Program); withdrawn
Coburn amendment #833 (end direct payment program); withdrawn

The Senate will recess from 3:30-4:30pm for a members only briefing on national security issues.

2012 Calendar – 112^th Congress, Second Session

Convene – January 23, 2012 (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday January 16)

4 weeks

February 20 – 24 State Work Period (Presidents’ Day February 20)

5 weeks

March 5- NO VOTE (Monday)

March 12 – NO VOTE (Monday)

March 19 – NO VOTE (Monday)

April 2 – April 13 State Work Period (Passover April 6-7; Good Friday April 6; Easter April 8)

2 weeks

April 30 – May 4 State Work Period

3 weeks

May 28 – June 1 State Work Period (Memorial Day May 28)

4 weeks

July 2 – July 6 State Work Period (Independence Day July 4)

4 weeks

August 6 – September 7 State Work Period (Labor Day September 3)

Target adjournment – TBD

During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.1769, the Rebuild America Jobs Act. Unless an agreement is reached, this vote will occur Thursday morning.

WRAP UP

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.308, designating November 27, 2011 as “Drive Safer Sunday”.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES

#412 Patricia M. Loui – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2015

#414 Larry W. Walther – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2013

———————————————–

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 1, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 1, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:05:57 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:00:51 P.M. -S. 1280Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:00:50 P.M. -S. 1280On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 – 0 (Roll no. 817).6:54:23 P.M. -S. 1280Considered as unfinished business. S. 1280 — “To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault risk-reduction and response training, the development of sexual assault protocol and guidelines, the establishment of victims advocates, the establishment of a Sexual Assault Advisory Council, and for other purposes.”6:54:10 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:54:10 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 9, 2 Present (Roll no. 816).6:30:45 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 13 — “Reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.”6:30:35 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.6:30:22 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 1.6:06:24 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.6:05:54 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:05:39 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.6:05:30 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31Considered by unanimous consent. S. Con. Res. 31 — “Directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a correction in the enrollment of S. 1280.”6:05:29 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.6:05:09 P.M. -S. 1280At 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.5:41:18 P.M. -S. 1280DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1280.5:41:16 P.M. -S. 1280Considered under suspension of the rules.5:41:01 P.M. -S. 1280Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1280 — “To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault risk-reduction and response training, the development of sexual assault protocol and guidelines, the establishment of victims advocates, the establishment of a Sexual Assault Advisory Council, and for other purposes.”5:40:37 P.M. -H.R. 1002Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:40:33 P.M. -H.R. 1002On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.5:25:34 P.M. -H.R. 1002DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1002.5:25:32 P.M. -H.R. 1002Considered under suspension of the rules.5:25:14 P.M. -H.R. 1002Mr. Franks (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1002 — “To restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell phone services, providers, or property.”5:24:33 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13At 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.4:48:52 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 13.4:48:50 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Considered under suspension of the rules.4:48:07 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Mr. Forbes moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 13 — “Reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.”4:47:54 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:47:48 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 1.2:12:28 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximatley 4:45 p.m. today.2:11:50 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 Sudan – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-69).2:10:41 P.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a sealed envelope from the White House on November 1, 2011, at 12:19 p.m., and said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits a copy of the notice filed earlier with the Federal Register on the national emergency with respect to Sudan.2:09:00 P.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on November 1, 2011, at 9:44 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 394, with amendments, H.R. 368 and S. 1637.2:02:44 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:16 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Schilling to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:12 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:00:40 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:26 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 1.12:02:37 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.12:01:50 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.12:01:37 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Campbell to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:26 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.