Monthly Archives: November 2011

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate ..will resume consideration of S. 1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act & debating the Udall amendment #1107 to S.1867, the DoD Authorization bill.


the Senate Convened 10:00am November 29, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the final 30 minutes.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act. When the Senate resumes the DoD Authorization bill, Senator Udall (CO) will be recognized to speak.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the Department of Defense Authorization Act is 2:30pm on Tuesday.

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to S.1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act is 2:30pm today. If your Senator has a germane first degree amendment to the bill, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

The Senate is now debating the Udall amendment #1107 to S.1867, the DoD Authorization bill. The time until 12:15pm will be equally divided between the proponents and opponents of the amendment. Additional debate on the amendment is possible beyond 12:15pm

2:34pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Udall (CO) amendment #1107 (detainees); Not Agreed To: 37-61

Senator Levin announced on the floor that he is currently working on an agreement that would result in 2 votes both with 60-vote thresholds. Those votes would be in relation to the Paul amendment #1064 (Iraq) and the Landrieu amendment #1115 (SBIR). The managers are also working on clearing a package of approximately 40 amendments.

Further, prior to the caucus recess, the McCain amendment #1230 (TRICARE) was modified further. The McCain amendment #1281 (transfer arms to Georgia) was modified.

By unanimous consent, the Levin-McCain amendment #1092 (contracting) was agreed to. The Senate is now considering the Paul amendment #1064, with 30 minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will resume consideration of the Landrieu amendment #1115 with up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate will proceed to votes in relation to the two amendments in the following order:

– Paul #1064 (Iraq)

– Landrieu #1115 (SBIR)

There will be two minutes equally divided in between the votes with no amendments in order to either amendment prior to the votes. Both amendments are subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold.

As a result of this agreement, senators should expect a series of 2 roll call votes at approximately 6:20pm, if all time is used.

The Landrieu amendment #1115 (SBIR), as modified, was agreed to by voice vote. There will be no further roll call votes tonight. The next vote will occur around 11am tomorrow. That vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1867, DoD Authorization bill.

At approximately 11:00am on Wednesday, November 30th, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act.

 The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to S.1867 is 10:30am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. If your Senator has a germane 2nd degree amendment and would like to preserve his or her right to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Udall (CO) amendment #1107 to S.1867, the DoD Authorization Act; Not Agreed to: 37-61

2) Paul amendment #1064; Not Agreed to: 30-67(60-vote threshold)

 LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.337, designating December 10, 2011, as “Wreaths Across America Day”.

Adopted S.Res.338, a resolution to authorize the production of records by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Adopted S.Res.339, a resolution to authorize the production of records by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1917, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 29, 2011

 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 30, 2011.8:21:33 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.8:21:22 P.M. -Mr. Tonko moved that the House do now adjourn.7:33:21 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.7:32:30 P.M. -Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 477.7:20:22 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:14:03 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:11:03 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.7:10:42 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.7:10:25 P.M. -H.R. 1801Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:10:24 P.M. -H.R. 1801On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 – 0 (Roll no. 862).7:03:25 P.M. -H.R. 1801Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1801 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for expedited security screenings for members of the Armed Forces.”7:02:35 P.M. -H.R. 2192Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:02:25 P.M. -H.R. 2192On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 407 – 1 (Roll no. 861).6:55:34 P.M. -H.R. 2192Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2192 — “To exempt for an additional 4-year period, from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days.”6:54:27 P.M. -H.R. 3012Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:54:26 P.M. -H.R. 3012On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 – 15 (Roll no. 860).6:31:02 P.M. -H.R. 3012Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3012 — “To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.”6:30:47 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:30:37 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 29.5:03:54 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.5:03:39 P.M. -H.R. 2465Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:03:34 P.M. -H.R. 2465On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.4:47:16 P.M. -H.R. 2465DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2465.4:47:13 P.M. -H.R. 2465Considered under suspension of the rules.4:46:56 P.M. -H.R. 2465Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2465 — “To amend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.”4:45:45 P.M. -H.R. 1801At 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.4:35:05 P.M. -H.R. 1801DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1801.4:35:02 P.M. -H.R. 1801Considered under suspension of the rules.4:34:18 P.M. -H.R. 1801Mr. Cravaack moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1801 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for expedited security screenings for members of the Armed Forces.”4:33:47 P.M. -H.R. 2192At 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.4:25:01 P.M. -H.R. 2192DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2192.4:24:59 P.M. -H.R. 2192Considered under suspension of the rules.4:24:39 P.M. -H.R. 2192Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2192 — “To exempt for an additional 4-year period, from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days.”4:23:18 P.M. -H.R. 3012At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cohen objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:07:19 P.M. -H.R. 3012DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3012.4:07:17 P.M. -H.R. 3012Considered under suspension of the rules.4:07:03 P.M. -H.R. 3012 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3012 — “To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.”4:06:36 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:05:30 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 29.2:13:43 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.2:03:09 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:41 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kucinich to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:01:11 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Kucinich demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Kucinich objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.2:00:50 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:42 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.2:00:24 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

AFL-CIO America’s Union Movement … a repost from 1/2011


Here in Washington, we live in an Alice-in-Wonderland political climate. Politicians of both parties tell us we can—and should—do nothing to address our jobs crisis. The new Republican leaders in the House—who campaigned on the promise of jobs—are squandering their first days of legislative business on a vote to take away health care gains from 30 million Americans.

Yet the attacks on working families are even worse in many states. Too many governors are launching attacks on workers—fueled by the enthusiasm and the financial support of people like Lloyd Blankfein, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, and Rupert Murdoch, the billionaire publisher behind Fox News.

When I say an attack on workers’ rights, I am not talking about demands for concessions in tough times by employers. I am talking about the campaigns in state after state, funded by shadowy front groups, aimed at depriving all workers—public and private sector—of the basic human right to form strong unions and bargain collectively to lift their lives. These attacks on workers ultimately are attacks on our children—and their ability to have the kind of life we wish for them. Make no mistake: attacking workers is a choice—a choice to tear down our whole country, rather than building us up.

It’s inexcusable that many of our leaders still don’t realize our country rises and falls as one nation, and that a good-wage growth path is essential to our survival. That’s why I gave a speech this morning at the National Press Club that laid out our vision for moving forward.

Many governors and state legislatures across the country are using the politics of misery and anger to lay the burden of budget problems on working families. Their proposals would destroy our public institutions, deprive our children of quality schooling and care, and crush working people’s rights and living standards, while failing to invest in building a stronger nation and middle class.

>> Then, please sign our petition to federal and state leaders. It says: “I reject the politics of misery and anger. We need to build a future that lives up to our children’s expectations.”   at … http://www.aflcio.org/

After three years, our jobs crisis still is raging. Families are more squeezed than ever. Our poorest communities are totally devastated. And young adults are struggling to find their footing more than at any time in our history since the Great Depression.

Yet many of our newest governors are willing to make things worse. Last Friday in Cincinnati, Ella Hopkins and a group of her co-workers went out on a frigid night to stand in front of City Hall. Ella is a child care worker. She cares for children when parents are at work. At the end of her week, the state of Ohio pays her about $350 after taxes. She stood out in the cold to ask her new governor, John Kasich, to respect her freedom to form a union to improve her life and those of her co-workers. Kasich had said state workers like her are “toast.”

In the same week Gov. Kasich made cracking down on home care and child care workers his first priority, he increased the salaries of his senior staff by more than 30 percent. Outrageous.

In some state capitals, things have gotten so bad we see not just an attack on the middle class, but an attack on economic rationality itself. Govs. Mitch Daniels of Indiana and Scott Walker of Wisconsin both rejected high-speed rail through in their states. They turned their backs on jobs and their own state’s future. They’re betting on misery and anger, rather than hope and progress and common sense.

Newly elected governors and state legislatures need to stop doing the exact opposite of what works. They need to stop destroying our public institutions, stop depriving our children of quality schooling and care, and stop crushing working people’s rights and living standards. Instead, they need to invest in building a strong future and a solid middle class.

Tell our state leaders: “I reject the politics of misery and anger. We need to build a future that lives up to our children’s expectations.”

And watch the speech I gave at the National Press Club.

The fact is, we are a nation that still has choices—and we don’t need to settle for stagnation and ever-spiraling inequality. We don’t need to hunker down, dial back our expectations and surrender our children’s hope for a great education, our parents’ right to a comfortable retirement, or our own health and economic security. We don’t need to sacrifice our nation’s aspiration to make things again—or our human right to advance our situation by forming a union if we want one. All these things are within the reach of the great country in which we live. But building a better nation starts at the bottom up—with us and with our state leaders.

Tell our state leaders: “I reject the politics of misery and anger. We need to build a future that lives up to our children’s expectations.”

Then, watch my speech.

http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=bBJrrxY7XeEYNyyNx386e2qA2ystVlt3

Last week in Tucson, President Obama called upon us to build a future that “lives up to our children’s expectations.” We cannot build such a future as isolated individuals—either morally or economically. Working people know we can build that future, but only if we come together and agree to invest in it.

The labor movement hasn’t given up on America—and we don’t expect our leaders to, either.

In solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka

President, AFL-CIO

P.S. We can and should be building up the American middle class—not tearing it down. We need to educate our children, build a clean energy future and invest in 21st century American infrastructure that makes us competitive in the world. It’s time to act like the wealthy, compassionate, imaginative country we are—not turn ourselves into a third-rate, impoverished “has-been.”

Please also watch my speech, calling on our leaders to make choices that move America forward. http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=VjsMLiqmMCabMDEoI7%2Fs%2FGqA2ystVlt3

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mostly Monday &some News


    just another rant …

  This week is big … debates & votes on payroll tax cuts – unemployment – jobs act – education – medicare – If you belong to believe in the notion that the Middle and Lower Class have rights … It is time to #OccupyCongress

We all know that progress of our Nation is slowing down even more given Congress is unable to work in a bipartisan way. Teapublicans, though in the minority have managed to do their best to stop most efforts to create or pass laws that will help ALL Americans and while the vote to support jobs for Vets was, sort of a No Brainer the vote count was not so much. If you are like me for the last two years of the Obama Admin, you probably flinched every time a Teapublican spoke now days i no longer cringe, or say I told you so. Why? Because we must, all go into Survival mode decide flight or fight to keep the Middle and Lower Class in play. It’s on!  It is important that we remind ourselves why and what some of our Republican members of Congress said about the November Midterm elections and not let this happen again. Yes, we are all suffering on some level because folks decided to sit out, vote right of center … whatever. Yep, I was worried then, many people were, and now we are all living with a daily barrage of crap on any given platform confirming the worry with good reason. The week before the midterms, I stated … What worries me, is the possibility that people who have no experience, no common sense, or clarity may get on the floor of Congress and ruin our Democracy. The fact is this group of Republicans is not our parent’s right of center Political counterparts. The Party of No have not only proved themselves to be more concerned about those top 2% by repeatedly holding legislation hostage in the name of those job creators and financial backers even before the midterms elections. It is more than obvious they do not care about reducing the deficit, climate change, Jobs, fair share or the middle or lower classes whatsoever  and race religion and guns keep cropping up.

Teapublicans like Norquist continue to state that giving them control of the House of Representative is what Americans wanted but they have failed to listen or accept the buyer’s remorse screamed at them at town halls, meet-ups, and or calls from their own constituents. While voters on both sides of the aisle want Congress to put people back to work not to touch Medicare, Planned Parenthood, NPR, or anything else related to a social program that is best run by the Government; like that new earthquake monitor Georgia will be getting , a definite move into the 21st Century contrary to Gov. Jindal’s attitude.

Teapublicans still chant, “Take back their country”, on all levels of government. In October 2010 I said, I guess you can plug in whatever that means for you though it sounded like an awful way to live if you are a minority on any level. Now, it is obvious that it means a vote against all of your best interests. If you live on the Gulf Coast or a State with a Republican Mayor or Governor, it is likely you have been asking yourself not only why you were so easily conned but what have Teapublicans really done for you lately.  One can only wish this were happening. If you have family, friends and or co-workers who are Teachers, Cops, Mets, Firefighters or any type of Rescue worker you probably are feeling as if your vote to take back your country was one of the last nails that will or could ruin this country as you know it. Yes, that is my opinion but come on, if you have been paying attention or living under a rock, Republican members of Congress, and some blue dogs worked and have voted against their fellow Americans since President Obama Admin took office. The main mission as stated by the likes of  McConnell and  Bachmann is making President Obama a one term President by voting against all of his policies which will invariably take us all down.

The midterm elections have  negatively affected children, friends, families … All of our lives, and if we give Teapublicans our country, they will ruin our futures.

Other News

President Obama to Meet with EU Leaders in Washington

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) Discusses His Time on the “Super Committee”

Congress Returns to Focus on FY 2012 Spending

Military Readiness Amidst Defense Budget Cuts

Newsmakers with Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

Lessons Learned From Japan Nuclear Accident

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: Republican led House – the Senate … resume consideration of S.1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act.


The Senate will convene at 1:00pm on Monday, November 28, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #270, the nomination of Christopher Droney, of Connecticut, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Droney nomination.

Additional roll call votes in relation to amendments to the DoD Authorization act are possible Monday evening.

Following Leader remarks this afternoon, Senator Reid filed cloture on S.1867, Department of Defense Authorization. The Senate is now considering the DoD Authorization bill for debate only until 5:00pm.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Christopher Droney, of Connecticut, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

As a result, at approximately 5:30pm today the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Droney nomination.

5:33pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Christopher Droney, of CT, to be US Circuit Judge for the 2nd Circuit; Confirmed: 88-0

By unanimous consent, the McConnell for Kirk amendment #1084 (Iran Sanctions) and the Menendez amendment #1292 (Iran Sanctions) were withdrawn and the Menendez-Kirk amendment #1414 (Iran Sanctions) was called up. Further, notwithstanding cloture being invoked, if invoked, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, and prior to passage of the Defense Authorization bill, there will be up to 1 hour of debate equally divided in the usual form on the Menendez-Kirk amendment, prior to a vote in relation to the amendment. No amendments, motions or points of order are in order to the amendment prior to the vote other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive.

The Leahy amendment #1072 (National Guard) was passed by voice vote.

WRAP UP …

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, November 29. Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the final 30 minutes. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1867, the Department of Defense Authorization Act. When the Senate resumes the DoD Authorization bill, Senator Udall (CO) will be recognized to speak.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the Department of Defense Authorization Act is 2:30pm on Tuesday.

Wrap Up

Legislative:

The Senate began the Rule 14 process on S.1817, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 (Casey)

Executive:

Confirmed the nomination of Christopher Droney, of CT, to be US Circuit Judge for the 2nd Circuit; Confirmed: 88-0

————————————————————————-

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on November 29, 2011.