Daily Archives: 03/20/2012

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

His 21st Birthday, in Prison



What’s the Word?                                 

           

For most people, prison is punishment.  For a few, it becomes a badge of honor.

One Member of Congress told me that every few years, he gets arrested.  So that people can see whose side he’s on.

Eugene Debs was sentenced to ten years in prison for protesting against United States involvement in World War I.  Debs ran for President from prison, and he received almost a million votes (3.4% of the total).

And on March 11, 1986, on his 21st birthday, you would have found Jesse Jackson, Jr. in jail, for protesting at the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C., against apartheid in South Africa.

Both before and after that, if you wanted to find Jesse Jackson, Jr. at lunchtime on Thursdays, you wouldn’t go looking for him in a diner or a fast-food joint.  You’d find him at 444 N. Michigan Avenue, in Chicago, in front of the South African Consulate, protesting against apartheid.  Week after week after week.  The protests at the Consulate started in 1977, and they went on for more than a decade.

The protests ended only after Nelson Mandela was released from his 27 years of incarceration – another badge of honor.  On the day of his release, Mandela made a speech that was broadcast around the world.  Mandela called for peace and reconciliation.  On the stage with Mandela that day was Jesse Jackson, Jr.

For the past quarter-century, in one way or another, Jesse Jackson, Jr. has devoted himself to the causes of justice, equality and peace.  He is the kind of Democrat that Democrats always ask for:  tough, fearless, compassionate and unstoppable.

He faces a serious challenge in his primary on Tuesday, from a former Democratic Member of Congress.

He needs our help.  He deserves our help.  Let’s help him.

Remember, we don’t just need more Democrats.  We need more Democrats, and better ones.  We can’t let one who is this good slip away.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

Paid for and Authorized by the Committee to Elect Alan Grayson

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Is your state treasurer a socialist? … Michael Langenmayr, Democracy for America


You’ve seen what Citizens United has done to federal politics. Now, imagine if we let the same thing happen at the state and local level.

Imagine unrelenting attack ads accusing your state treasurer of being a socialist — or accusing your state legislator of being a secret Muslim — or of your city councilor waging a war against religious freedom.

Right-wing groups are dismantling campaign finance laws across the country to allow unlimited corporate spending up and down the ballot in all 50 states.

We’ve got to fight back. Last week, we launched our campaign to get attorneys general across the country to stand up for common sense campaign finance laws.

The response has been amazing. So far, over 75,000 DFA members have joined our campaign.

Can you contribute $4 right now to get your Attorney General to stand up for common sense campaign finance laws?

All you need to do is look at Montana to see how far right-wing groups are willing to go to undo common sense campaign finance laws — and exactly how your Attorney General can stop them.

Montana’s ban on corporate spending in political campaigns was challenged in court — and Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock stood up to defend it. He fought hard to keep it on the books and took his case all the way to the Montana Supreme Court.

He won.

That is the sort of leadership we need from AGs today. Please contribute now to fuel the campaign.

Thank you for everything you do.

– Michael

Michael Langenmayr, Political Director
Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Thank them for their service … Ron Pierce, Democrats.org


Democrats

 

“Welcome home.”

That was President Obama’s message to troops at Fort Bragg in December, marking the end of the war in Iraq.

Today is the nine-year anniversary of the start of that war.

More than 1.5 million men and women served there over the past nine years. Some troops are still stationed overseas, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

I’d like to ask you to take a moment today to reflect on the sacrifices our troops and their families have made — and the sacrifices some are still making — and invite you to leave a message to thank them for their service:

http://my.democrats.org/Thank-our-Veterans

President Obama recently announced one of the largest increases in funding for veterans‘ health care in decades, so they can return to the care they need.

He’s also working to make sure veterans get the jobs they deserve, taking executive actions and signing legislation that provides help for them to re-enter the workforce.

It’s an important part of his promise — not just to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, but to honor our commitment to our service members.

And it all comes down to one simple principle: Because they got our backs, we’ll get theirs.

Please take a moment to honor our troops’ service on this anniversary, and if you’d like, send a message to thank them:

http://my.democrats.org/Thank-our-Veterans

Thanks,

Ron

Major Ron Pierce (Ret.)
Director of Outreach for Veterans and Military Families
Democratic National Committee

Black History

Congress:the Republican led House-rolls out the Ryan scam /budget And a fake JobsAct! — the Senate resumes HR3606,the Capital Formation/IPO bill


the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET March 20, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #334, H.R.3606, the IPO bill with the time until 11:30am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • The filing deadline for 2nd degree amendment to the Reed amendment #1833, the Cantwell amendment #1836 and H.R.3606 is 11:00am on Tuesday.
  • At approximately 11:30am, there will be as many as 3 roll call votes on the following:
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed-Landrieu-Levin, et al substitute amendment #1833
  • If cloture is not invoked on the Reed amendment #1833, there will be a 2nd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Cantwell-Johnson, et al amendment #1836
  • And if cloture is not invoked on the Cantwell amendment #1836, there will be a 3rd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3606.
  • The Senate will recess subject to the call of the Chair at 12:30pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings and the official photograph of the 112th Congress.

WRAP UP

 The roll call vote(s) previously scheduled for 11:30am will now occur at 4:00pm today. If cloture is invoked on either amendment or bill, it will be as if it were invoked at 12:00pm.

Additionally, Senator Reid announced the official photograph of the 112th Congress may be rescheduled for later today. When/if another time is set, a message will be sent.

At approximately 4:00pm today, there will be as many as 3 roll call votes in relation to the following:

  • Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed-Landrieu-Levin, et al substitute amendment #1833
  • If cloture is not invoked on the Reed amendment #1833, there will be a 2nd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Cantwell-Johnson, et al amendment #1836
  • And if cloture is not invoked on the Cantwell amendment #1836, there will be a 3rd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3606.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to the Reed (RI) substitute amendment #1833, the Cantwell amendment #1836 (Export-Import reauthorization), and H.R.3606, the IPO bill, is 11:00am today. If your Senator has a germane second degree amendment and your boss you like to preserve his or her ability to offer, please send a signed copy of the bill to the cloakroom so that we may file it at the desk for you.

Senator Reid has filed cloture on the motion concur in the House amendment to S.2038, the STOCK Act. He also filled the amendment tree. The cloture vote would occur on Thursday or upon disposition of the IPO bill (H.R.3606), depending on the outcome of the upcoming cloture votes. Senators will be notified when the vote is scheduled.

4:06pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown(OH) et al amendment #1833 (substitute); Not Invoked: 54-45

4:40pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Cantwell amendment #1836(Export-Import Bank Reauthorization); Not Invoked: 55-44

There will be no further roll call votes this evening.

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown (OH) and others substitute amendment #1833 to H.R.3606, the IPO bill; Not Invoked: 54-45

2) Motion to invoke cloture on the Cantwell-Johnson(SD)-Graham-Shelby and others amendment #1836 (Export Import Bank) to H.R.3606; Not Invoked: 55-44

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2204, the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act. (Menendez)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————————————————————————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 20, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION 

– -The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 21, 2012.6:16:48 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.6:16:39 P.M. -Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.5:54:01 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.5:54:00 P.M. -Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 591.5:31:00 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.5:25:17 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.5:24:51 P.M. -Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: Mr. Boehner, Mr. Cantor and Ms. Pelosi .5:24:05 P.M. -H.R. 2087Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:24:04 P.M. -H.R. 2087On passage Passed by recorded vote: 240 – 164 (Roll no. 117).5:15:16 P.M. -H.R. 2087On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 226 (Roll no. 116).4:58:25 P.M. -H.R. 2087The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.4:51:10 P.M. -H.R. 2087DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sanchez, Loretta motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prohibit the sale or use of land for adult entertainment or by foreign governments.4:50:11 P.M. -H.R. 2087Ms. Sanchez, Loretta moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.4:49:33 P.M. -H.R. 2087The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.4:49:22 P.M. -H.R. 2087The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.4:48:40 P.M. -H.R. 2087The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2087.4:48:19 P.M. -H.R. 2087On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 226 (Roll no. 115).4:20:32 P.M. -H.R. 2087UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished question was on the adoption of amendments which had previously been debated and on which further proceedings were postponed.4:19:57 P.M. -H.R. 2087On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment; Failed by voice vote.4:11:09 P.M. -H.R. 2087DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 587, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hastings (FL) No. 2 amendment under the five-minute rule.4:11:07 P.M. -H.R. 2087An amendment, offered by Mr. Hastings (FL), numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to require independent valuation of the land prior to any restrictions being removed. The amendment requires valuations of the land for the years 1776, 1865, 2013, 2017, 2032, and 2212.4:10:49 P.M. -H.R. 2087POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Grijalva demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:06:09 P.M. -H.R. 2087DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 587, the Committee of the Whole proceeded debate on the Grijalva amendment No. 1 under the five-minute rule.4:06:06 P.M. -H.R. 2087An amendment, offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to require Accomack County, VA to pay fair market value for the land and require an appraisal of the land prior to sale.3:28:09 P.M. -H.R. 2087GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2087.3:28:01 P.M. -H.R. 2087The Speaker designated the Honorable Cory Gardner to act as Chairman of the Committee.3:28:00 P.M. -H.R. 2087House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 587 and Rule XVIII.3:27:14 P.M. -H.R. 2087Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2087 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution makes in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill as original text for the purpose of amendment. The resolution makes in order only those amendments that are submitted for printing in the Congressional Record dated March 19, 2012, or pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.3:27:09 P.M. -H.R. 2087Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 587. H.R. 2087 — “To remove restrictions from a parcel of land situated in the Atlantic District, Accomack County, Virginia.”3:27:00 P.M. -H. Res. 590Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.3:26:56 P.M. -H. Res. 590On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.3:26:24 P.M. -H. Res. 590Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 590 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”3:25:24 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Marcia L. Fudge. Ms. Fudge submitted her resignation from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The resignation was accepted without objection.3:25:24 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable John P. Sarbanes. Mr. Sarbanes submitted his resignation from the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Natural Resources. The resignation was accepted without objection.3:25:09 P.M. -H.R. 665Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.3:25:09 P.M. -H.R. 665On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 – 0 (Roll no. 114).3:17:10 P.M. -H.R. 665Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 665 — “To establish a pilot program for the expedited disposal of Federal real property.”3:16:45 P.M. -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.3:16:15 P.M. -H. Res. 587Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.3:16:14 P.M. -H. Res. 587On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 232 – 170 (Roll no. 113).2:48:53 P.M. -H. Res. 587The previous question was ordered without objection.2:30:51 P.M. -H. Res. 587DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 587.2:30:45 P.M. -H. Res. 587Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 587 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2087) to remove restrictions from a parcel of land situated in the Atlantic District, Accomack County, Virginia.”2:30:30 P.M. -H. Res. 587On consideration of the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 172 (Roll no. 112).1:50:50 P.M. -H. Res. 587POINT OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION – Mr. Grijalva stated that the provisions of H. Res. 587 violate clause 9(b) of rule XXI of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives and made a point of order against the consideration of the resolution. Subsequently, the Chair noted that the required threshold of identifying the specific language in question had been met, and the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the question of consideration. At the conclusion of debate on the question of consideration, the Chair will put the question to wit: Will the House now consider the resolution?1:47:49 P.M. -H. Res. 587By direction of the Committee on Rules, Mr. Bishop (UT) called up the resolution H. Res. 587, and asked for its immediate consideration.1:47:47 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 20.12:34:15 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.12:33:40 P.M. -H.R. 665At 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.12:25:05 P.M. -H.R. 665DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 665.12:25:03 P.M. -H.R. 665Considered under suspension of the rules.12:24:48 P.M. -H.R. 665Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 665 — “To establish a pilot program for the expedited disposal of Federal real property.”12:24:28 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.12:03:49 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.12:03:32 P.M. -ADJUSTED WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Inslee, the whole number of the House is 432.12:02:44 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:36 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:00:30 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Andrew Walton, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC.12:00:10 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 20.10:44:59 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:01:01 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.10:00:24 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Scott Tipton to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:23 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.