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Thursday, June 28, 2012 | ||
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Monthly Archives: June 2012
What cartoons can do for your country … Union of Concerned Scientists
Reminder: 2012 UCS Science and Democracy Editorial Cartoon Contest Deadline is Sunday, July 1
Want to start celebrating America‘s birthday early?
If so, be sure that you’ve submitted your entries for the 2012 UCS Science and Democracy Editorial Cartoon Contest before the Sunday, July 1, deadline passes by and it’s too late!
Your creative insights can help ensure that science continues to support our democracy for another 236 years.
Not convinced yet? Check out the top ten reasons that you or your friends should try your hand at becoming one of our 12 finalists (such as having U.S. senators not only see your work, but tweet it).
If you haven’t entered yet, you can get all the information you need on our contest web page, including details about submitting your cartoons, guidance on relevant topic areas, and a selection of some of the best entries from our previous contests.
And if you are not the best artist in your circle, please spread the word.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Sincerely,
Michael Halpern Program Manager UCS Scientific Integrity Program
Congress: Republicans / the Senate : Transportation & Student Loan
State Work Period July 2-6, 2012
17 Dems voted with Republicans on AG Holder #Contempt Charge
– Peterson, Owens(NY), Altmire, Barrow, Donnelly(IN)
– Critz(PA), Matheson(UT), McIntyre,(NC) Walz, Ross, Rahall
– Boswell, Chandler, Kissell(NC), Hochul(NY), Kind(WI), Boren
the Senate Convenes: 10:00amET June 29, 2012
- Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
- The transportation conference report was filed in the House on Thursday evening. We hope to get consent to consider it Friday morning
The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (Transportation/Flood Insurance/Student Loan Interest Rate package) notwithstanding lack of receipt of the papers. As a result of this agreement, senators should expect a series of up to 4 roll call votes beginning at 12:55pm today.
Under the agreement the only points of order in order prior to adoption are:
– Budget points of order;
– Rule 28 (scope of conference); and
– Rule 28, paragraph 9 (48 hour availability).
If any points of order are raised and a motion or motions to waive are made, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to waive in the order the points of order are made. If the motions to waive are successful, the Senate would proceed to vote on adoption of the conference report. Adoption of the conference report is subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold.
There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. Each vote after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.
If the conference report is adopted, the title amendment will be agreed to.
12:53pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to waive McConnell for Paul points of order that the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (Surface Transportation/Floor Insurance/Student Loans) violates Rule 28, paragraph 9 (48 hour availability); Waived: 72-20
1:22pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to waive all Rule 28 (scope of conference) points of order; Waived: 66-28
1:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Reid motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4345, Surface Transportation (63-30, 1 voting present)
1:54pm The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.4348, Surface Transportation/Flood Insurance/Student Loans; Adopted: 74-19, 1 voting present
The motion to proceed to S.2237, Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act, is pending.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Motion to waive Rule 28 (availability) with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (60-vote threshold); Waived: 72-22
2) Motion to waive Rule 28 (scope of conference) with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (60-vote threshold); Waived: 66-28
3) Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the conference report to accompany H.R.4348 (60-vote threshold); Waived: 63-30-1
4) Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act (60-vote threshold); Adopted: 74-19-1
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Discharged the Commerce Committee and passed S.1335, the Pilots’ bill of rights with a Hutchison-Inhofe substitute amendment.
Adopted S.Con.Res.51, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and adjournment of the House of Representatives.
Passed H.R.6064, the Temporary Surface Transportation Extension Act (extends to July 6, 2012).
Passed S.2165, United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 with a committee-reported substitute amendment by voice vote.
Discharged the Veterans Affairs Committee and passed S.3238, A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Mansfield, Ohio, as the David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic and for other purposes.
Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.376, a resolution commemorating the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States and recognizing the contributions of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Passed S.3363, to provide for the use of National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin surcharges, and for other purposes.
Passed S.2239, to direct the head of each agency to treat relevant military training as sufficient to satisfy training or certification requirements for Federal licenses with a committee-reported substitute amendment.
Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4018, Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2012. (Democratic request)
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and confirmed:
PN1680 – Derek J. Mitchell, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador to the Union of Burma.
Discharged the Commerce Committee and confirmed the following:
PN1442 – a list of 7 Coast Guard nominees beginning with RDML Daniel B. Abel and ending with RDML Christopher J. Tomney to be Rear Admiral Upper Half,
PN1461 – Coast Guard RDML John S. Welch to be Rear Admiral Upper Half,
PN1462 – a list of 5 Coast Guard nominees beginning with LT Jason A. Boyer and ending with LT Matthew A. Pickard to be Lieutenant Commander,
PN1671 – a list of 3 Coast Guard nominees beginning with Russell E. Bowman and ending with Meghan K. Steinhaus to be Members of the Coast Guard Permanent Commissioned Teaching Staff,
PN1377 – a list of 20 NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps nominees beginning with Lucas D. Johnson and ending with Theresa A. Madsen to be Ensign, and
PN1734 – a list of 11 NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps nominees beginning with ENS Kyle S. Salling and ending with ENS Shannon K. Hefferan to be Lieutenant Junior Grade;
Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and confirmed:
PN1121 – Deborah J. Jeffrey to be Inspector General of the Corporation for National And Community Service.
Confirmed the following:
AIR FORCE
Executive Calendar #726 to be General: Lt. Gen. Herbert J. Carlisle
NATIONAL BOARD FOR EDUCATION SCIENCES
Executive Calendar #764 Larry V. Hedges, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2015
Executive Calendar #765 Susanna Loeb, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring March 15, 2016
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
Executive Calendar #766 Kamilah Oni Martin-Proctor, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 2014.
Executive Calendar #767 Sara A. Gelser, of Oregon, to be a Member of the National Council on Disability for a term expiring September 17, 2014. (Reappointment)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Executive Calendar #768 Edward M. Alford, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of The Gambia.
Executive Calendar #769 Peter William Bodde, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Executive Calendar #770 Piper Anne Wind Campbell, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to Mongolia.
Executive Calendar #771 Dorothea-Maria Rosen, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia.
Executive Calendar #772 Mark L. Asquino, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
Executive Calendar #773 Michele Jeanne Sison, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Maldives.
Executive Calendar #774 Douglas M. Griffiths, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique.
Executive Calendar #775 Jay Nicholas Anania, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname.
Executive Calendar #776 Susan Marsh Elliott, of Florida, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan.
Executive Calendar #778 Richard L. Morningstar, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Executive Calendar #819 Patrick A. Miles – to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #820 John S. Leonardo – to be United States Attorney for the District of Arizona for the term of four years
Executive Calendar #821 Jamie A. Hainsworth – to be United States Marshal for the District of Rhode Island for the term of four years
COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE
Executive Calendar #822 Grande Lum – to be Director, Community Relations Service, for a term of four years
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Executive Calendar #823 Kristine L. Svinicki – to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2017 (reappointment)
Executive Calendar #824 Allison M. Macfarlane – to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2013.
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The House adjourns after passing Conference Report 373 – 52
http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.aspx
9:00:50 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
9:01:23 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
9:04:18 A.M. | The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. | |
9:04:25 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Heck to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
9:04:34 A.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle. | |
9:16:59 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 717 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5856) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6020) making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 4348) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs, and for other purposes.” |
9:22:42 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 717. |
10:07:59 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | The previous question was ordered without objection. |
10:08:21 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 717, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (FL) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the resolution until a time to be announced |
10:08:31 A.M. | H. Res. 718 | A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE – Ms. Jackson Lee rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution qualified. |
10:09:22 A.M. | H. Res. 718 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 718 — “Raising a question of the privileges of the House.” |
10:12:02 A.M. | H. Res. 718 | Mr. Webster moved to table the measure. |
10:36:31 A.M. | H. Res. 718 | On motion to table the measure Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 259 – 161 (Roll no. 443). |
10:36:48 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 717 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5856) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6020) making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 4348) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs, and for other purposes.” |
10:44:30 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 244 – 176 (Roll no. 444). |
10:44:31 A.M. | H. Res. 717 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
10:46:55 A.M. | H.R. 4348 | Mr. Mica brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-557 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 717. |
10:47:07 A.M. | H.R. 4348 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4348. |
11:48:43 A.M. | H.R. 4348 | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
11:48:55 A.M. | H.R. 4348 | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, futher consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 4348 is postponed. |
11:49:44 A.M. | H.R. 5972 | Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5972 — “Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.” |
11:49:55 A.M. | H.R. 5972 | The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration. |
11:50:11 A.M. | H.R. 5972 | UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. |
11:50:12 A.M. | H.R. 5972 | VACATING PROCEEDINGS – Mr. Latham asked unanimous consent to vacate the request for a recorded vote on the Landry amendment to the end that the Chair put the question de novo. Agreed to without objection. |
11:51:22 A.M. | H.R. 5972 | On agreeing to the Landry amendment; Agreed to by voice vote. |
12:18:29 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On agreeing to the Blackburn amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 166 – 254 (Roll no. 445). |
12:22:56 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On agreeing to the McClintock amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 235 – 186 (Roll no. 446). |
12:32:33 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On agreeing to the Lankford amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 234 – 191 (Roll no. 447). |
12:36:09 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On agreeing to the Denham amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 239 – 185 (Roll no. 448). |
12:36:34 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | Mr. Latham moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report. |
12:36:47 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote. |
12:36:53 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5972. |
12:37:29 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
12:37:44 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. |
12:39:12 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | Mr. Barber moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations. |
12:39:35 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barber motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to increase funding for veteran rental voucher assistance by $75 million and reduce HUD Management and Administration and Program Office Salaries & Expenses accounts by $86,100,000. The Motion would also reduce the deficit by $11,100,000. |
12:46:07 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. |
1:02:46 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 188 – 233 (Roll no. 449). |
1:10:52 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 261 – 163 (Roll no. 450). |
1:10:53 P.M. | H.R. 5972 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
1:11:13 P.M. | H.R. 4348 | The House proceeded to consider the conference report H. Rept. 112-557 as unfinished business. |
1:22:53 P.M. | H.R. 4348 | On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 373 – 52 (Roll no. 451). |
1:22:53 P.M. | H.R. 4348 | Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
1:23:44 P.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches. | |
1:34:07 P.M. | H.R. 6064 | Mr. Shuster asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider. |
1:34:09 P.M. | H.R. 6064 | Considered by unanimous consent. H.R. 6064 — “The title of this measure is not available.” |
1:35:47 P.M. | H.R. 6064 | On passage Passed without objection. |
1:35:48 P.M. | H.R. 6064 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
1:36:10 P.M. | SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. |
$9 for Title IX …Fatima Goss Graves, National Women’s Law Center
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A message from Alan Grayson … “Fight Corporate Smears” Moneybomb
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E-mails actually cost money. If you don’t want to hear from us, we’re happy not to send them. No hard feelings.If you do like to hear from us, but you’re sure that you don’t want to contribute today, that’s OK, too – just click this button, and you’ll stay on our list: | |||
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If you want to stay with us, but not contribute, then all we ask is that you just click on that button – that’s not asking so much, is it? But if you think that you might want to contribute, or at least hear what we have to say today, then read on:People have asked why we are doing a “Fight Corporate Smears” Moneybomb this week.
The answer is that we have to. There is no alternative. Right in front of our eyes, the right wing in America is strip-mining the political landscape, polluting it with wave after wave of hateful propaganda and lies. First the radio, then the newspapers, and now TV are virtually all right-wing, virtually all the time. And that’s just the “news” coverage; the paid ads are even worse. In 2010, I was the target of more than $5 million in “sewer money” smears. A few weeks before the election, the newspaper Politico calculated that almost 20% of all of the “independent expenditures” in House races in the entire country had been spent against me. And no cavalry came to my rescue – certainly not the imaginary “liberal media.” All of the big money is on one side – the side of Big Money. After the 2010 election, the Center for Media and Democracy reported that spending by outside groups had risen by “at least 500 percent.” Pro-Republican groups had outspent pro-Democratic groups by 7 to 1. Public Citizen calculated that in the 53 House competitive districts where Karl Rove and his allies outspent Democratic groups, the Republicans won 51. The right-wing has only one tool, and it needs only one tool – the slanderous attack ad. I don’t know what’s worse: the fact that Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers dictate what voters see and hear in September and October of each election year, or the fact that it’s all lies, lies, lies. Completely unconstrained by reality. And now it has started again. Already, the typical voter in Orlando has seen another one of those vicious, malicious anti-Grayson ads ten times during the month of May alone. Politifact and Factcheck.org both proclaimed the ads outrageous lies. The other side couldn’t care less. So what are we going to do about it? Unlike the Republicans, I can’t auction off tax breaks, bailouts, subsidies, regulatory exemptions, government contracts and other goodies to the highest bidder. I can’t, and I won’t. We have to find some other way to fight back. And that involves you. The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision unleashed the dogs of this one-sided war. I was in the courtroom during the decision. That night, on national TV, I said, “If we do nothing, you can kiss this country goodbye.” When I said “we,” I meant you. The only way that we can fight back against corporate smears, and win, is if you contribute to this campaign. There is no alternative. We need your help, and we need it now. OK, so now we will offer you the same choices: |
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Or do nothing, and you will not hear from us again.You decide your future. And everyone else’s too.
Truly Yours, Alan Grayson P.S. We’re serious about this. Please click on one button, or the other. Either way, we’re happy to have your support. |
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