Daily Archives: 06/11/2012

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… Nicole Haber, Climate Reality

2 Comments

Thank you for supporting the historic limit on carbon pollution in the United States. This landmark rule is essential to ending carbon pollution in the U.S.

 We know solutions to the climate crisis can seem out of reach. But with this new rule, we can do something right away to move a step closer to solving the climate crisis.

 I wanted to share something with you as a small token of our appreciation. We made this short video that shows the reality of climate change, how the new Carbon Pollution Standard works, and how you can get involved.

http://youtu.be/qxeg2Qiv7QM

 Share this video with your friends and family. Put it on your Facebook page. Tweet it. With your help, we can ensure that everyone knows about this essential step towards reducing the pollution that’s warming our planet.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/push-button-save-planet

 Thanks again,

 Nicole Haber
 Digital Director
 The Climate Reality Project

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture, ~ Recent Post

How You Can Tell When the Deficit is a Problem



A Lot More Important Than the Federal Deficit.

A few days ago, I was stuck in the car for a long drive. Because of the complete absence of progressive talk from Orlando’s airwaves, I had no real choice but to listen to the nasal maundering of Mark Levin on the radio. Levin was very upset about the federal deficit.

Interestingly, Levin was a high-level appointee in the Reagan Administration. Dick Cheney, who was Reagan’s Defense Secretary and later the Vice President, said 10 years ago that “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”

I must concede that it is rather difficult to reconcile the conflicting statements of these two gentlemen, Messrs. Levin and Cheney. Evidently, they believe deficits are a terrible tragedy when a Democrat is President, and a wonderful gift when a Republican is President.

There has got to be a more objective standard than that.

Here’s one: the federal deficit is a problem when long-term interest rates are high, and not much of a problem when long-term interest rates are low. The Federal Reserve dictates short-term interest rates, but long-term rates still are, pretty much, set by the market, in its usual ruthless fashion. (Which is why James Carville said that after he dies, he “want[s] to come back as the bond market. You can intimidate everybody.”)

When long-term interest rates are high, a federal deficit competes against and “crowds out” private borrowing and investment. When long-term interest rates are low, the federal deficit is not taking away from borrowing by the private sector. On the contrary, the federal deficit is acting as a needed boost to aggregate demand in the economy, an action also known as “fiscal policy.” When the economy is slack, every dollar of reduction in federal spending takes three or four dollars off of our gross national product.

So, by that test, where are we? Well, as I explained last week, long-term U.S. interest rates are at their lowest in history. So what does that tell you about the deficit?

Sorry – I didn’t mention that there was going to be a quiz.

When Ronald Reagan was President, long-term interest rates sometimes exceeded 15% – ten times as high as long-term interest rates today. The market was screaming at the top of its lungs that the Reagan deficit was too high. And today? Silence.

Look around the world. The ten-year note in Greece yields a little less than 30%. Pakistan, 13%. Portugal and Venezuela, 12%. In those countries, the bond market is shouting, “Cut that out!”

Not here.

Thanks to all the deficit-mongering by Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, Fox “News,” etc., a lot of Americans are scared by the federal deficit. The advice from Democratic pollsters is to go along with this hand-wringing. But there is an alternative: Explain to the American people when a federal deficit is bad, and when it is not.

Like I just did.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate considers S.3240,Farm bill,Judicial nominees


the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET June 11, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3240, the Farm bill, post-cloture. We continue to work on an agreement for amendments to the bill.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of Andrew David Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Hurwitz nomination.

At approximately 5:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of Andrew David Hurwitz, of Arizona, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of David Hurwitz, of Arizona, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Invoked: 60-31

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #607, Andrew Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit; Invoked: 60-31

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.436, an act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 8, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

 – The House adjourned 1:09pm … doing about 4hrs of the People’s Business

9:00:57 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:01:07 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:11 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:15 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Barrow to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:02 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.
9:14:47 A.M. H.R. 5882 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 679. H.R. 5882 — “Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”
9:14:52 A.M. H.R. 5882 Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 436 and H.R. 5882. General debate on H.R. 5882 will continue for not to exceed one hour, equally divided and controlled. Specified amendments to H.R. 5882 are in order.
9:15:19 A.M. H.R. 5882 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 679 and Rule XVIII.
9:15:20 A.M. H.R. 5882 The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles F. Bass to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:15:52 A.M. H.R. 5882 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5882.
9:41:12 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce the budget for the Botanic Garden by $1,235,000 for Fiscal Year 2013, so that it is appropriated resources at 2009 levels.
9:41:14 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar amendment No. 1.
9:49:00 A.M. H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:52:51 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce funding for the Congressional Research Service by $878,000 (FY 2012 Level) and transfer $878,000 to the Spending Reduction Account.
9:52:54 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 2.
9:58:56 A.M. H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Honda demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:59:11 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Holt, numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-518 to adjust funding for Congressional Printing and Binding under the GPO to address the availability of pocket versions of the United States Constitution for members of the House. Currently the House has no additional pocket constitutions for members to disburse to their constituents.
9:59:13 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3.
10:07:58 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Holt amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:08:20 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce by $1,000,000 the amount provided for the Open World Leadership Center and directs that $1,000,000 to the Spending Reduction Account.
10:08:22 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Scalise amendment No. 4.
10:19:39 A.M. H.R. 5882 POSPTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scalise amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Scalise demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:20:01 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Moran, numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-518 to prohibit the use of polystyrene products in food service facilities in the House of Representatives.
10:20:04 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment No. 5.
10:30:28 A.M. H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dan Lungren (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:31:44 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Harper, numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-518 to limit the print copies of the U.S. Code for the House of Representatives to 50 copies.
10:31:48 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Harper amendment No. 6.
10:34:57 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Harper amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:35:33 A.M. H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Flake, numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-518 to prohibit funding for the purchase of paid online advertisements by Members, committees, and leadership offices.
10:35:36 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment No. 7.
10:46:45 A.M. H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair post poned further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:46:46 A.M. H.R. 5882 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.
11:13:38 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 – 193 (Roll no. 371).
11:18:31 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 214 – 189 (Roll no. 372).
11:22:27 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 204 – 203 (Roll no. 373).
11:26:05 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Moran amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 229 (Roll no. 374).
11:30:12 A.M. H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Flake amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 148 – 261 (Roll no. 375).
11:30:30 A.M. H.R. 5882 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5882.
11:31:05 A.M. H.R. 5882 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:31:44 A.M. H.R. 5882 The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
11:33:11 A.M. H.R. 5882 Ms. Pingree (ME) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
11:33:24 A.M. H.R. 5882 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pingree motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to reduce funds available for the Members’ Representational Allowances, including Members’ clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail, by $3,099,244.
11:38:22 A.M. H.R. 5882 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:54:48 A.M. H.R. 5882 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 101 – 309 (Roll no. 376).
12:01:28 P.M. H.R. 5882 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 307 – 102 (Roll no. 377).
12:01:30 P.M. H.R. 5882 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:01:31 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on the Broun motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4348, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:07:41 P.M. H.R. 4348 On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 82 – 323 (Roll no. 378).
12:08:15 P.M. S. 3261 Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
12:08:17 P.M. S. 3261 Considered by unanimous consent. S. 3261 — “To allow the Chief of the Forest Service to award certain contracts for large air tankers.”
12:09:22 P.M. S. 3261 On passage Passed without objection.
12:09:24 P.M. S. 3261 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:09:25 P.M. Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, June 8, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:26 P.M. Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:58 P.M. Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, June 15, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:10:00 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:24:22 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:09:23 P.M. Mr. Garamendi moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:09:53 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:09:54 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 12, 2012.
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Pelosi – House Dems and Congress in the Newsroom JUNE 2012


During LGBT Pride Month, we celebrate how far we’ve come in the fight for civil rights, we pledge to keep working to ensure our nation lives up to the American ideal of equality, our heritage and our hope.

Since the dark days of the Stonewall riots more than four decades ago, millions of Americans have joined the struggle for equal protection under the law; the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; respect and dignity for all Americans.

Despite setbacks and obstacles along the way, we have made progress.

Just in recent years, in Congress we passed a fully-inclusive hate crimes law and made historic investments in HIV/AIDS treatment, research, and prevention. The discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy took its rightful place in the dustbin of history. President Obama made it the policy of his administration to no longer defend the shameful Defense of Marriage Act in court.

And we all witnessed history just last month when the President of the United States spoke out in favor of marriage rights for LGBT couples. We look forward to the day when all American families are treated equally in the eyes of the law.

But more must be done. We must keep up the charge for an end to discrimination in all its forms — in the workplace, in schools, in government, and in our laws. We must protect and preserve the rights of all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.

This LGBT Pride Month, let’s recommit to building a future of freedom, liberty, and progress for LGBT Americans and all Americans.

Thank you.

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 May 17, 2012 by

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor today in opposition to House Republican’s obstruction of consideration of the McGovern Amendment in the Defense Authorization bill which simply adopts the withdrawal timeline signed by President Obama and Afghan President Karzai earlier this month.

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May 16, 2012 by

Leader Pelosi on the House floor speaking strongly against H.R. 4970, the House GOP version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization. The GOP bill is a partisan bill that provides far fewer protections for domestic violence victims than the strong, bipartisan Senate-passed bill.

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May 10, 2012 by

Leader Pelosi floor speech against House Republican bill to begin implementing their out-of-touch budget for special interests. This GOP reconciliation bill slashes vital services — and the middle class, seniors, women and children will pay the price.

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Apr 27, 2012 by

Leader Pelosi urging House Republicans to act to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling by ending subsidies to Big Oil rather than furthering their assault on women’s health.