25 | June | 2012 | Be a Seed for Change

If you’re looking for a progressive take on the current political news, ThinkProgress has you covered. Catch up on the biggest stories from the past week that you may have missed:

  – Massive Crowd Gathers For Reading Of Vagina Monologues At Michigan Capitol

When two female legislators were banned from the Michigan House floor last week after saying the word “vagina” during a debate about an anti-abortion measure, people across the country spoke out for the right to discuss and defend women’s health.

–   Romney To Republican Governor: Discussing The Economic Recovery Will Hurt My Election Chances

Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) is touting his state’s increasing economic growth and stability, but Mitt Romney doesn’t want to hear it.

–   Over Two Decades, Abortion Rate Dropped For Women In Their 20s Because Of Contraception Access

The growing accessibility of birth control is having a hugely positive effect on women’s health, contributing to a significant drop in unplanned pregnancy and abortion rates for women in their 20s.

–   The 7 Major Issues Mitt Romney Won’t Take A Position On

Immigration isn’t the only issue Mitt Romney is evading.

–   Members Who Supported Massive Giveaway To Big Oil Have Received $38.6 Million From The Industry

The House of Representatives just passed legislation catering to oil and gas interests at the expense of environmental concerns – and the members who voted for the bill are lining their pockets with oil and gas money.

Thanks for supporting ThinkProgress as we do this work!

Igor Volsky Deputy Editor, ThinkProgress

the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET June 25, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1940, the Flood Insurance bill, post-cloture.
At a time to be determined but prior to 5:30pm on Monday, the motion to proceed to S.1940 will be adopted.
As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.3187, the FDA bill on Thursday, June 21^st. As a result, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.3187 at 5:30pm on Monday.

At 5:30pm today the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House Amendment to S.3187, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act.

The Senate has adopted the motion to proceed to S.1940, Flood Insurance, and Senator Reid filled the amendment tree with the Johnson (SD)-Shelby substitute amendment #2468, Pryor amendment #2469 (residual risk), and the rest of the tree with date changes.

Senator Reid then moved to proceed to Calendar #341, S.2237, Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House Amendment to S.3187, the FDA Safety and Innovation; Invoked: 89-3

No more Votes today

Republicans object to confirming Donna Murphy (Superior Court)

Senator Lieberman asked unanimous that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with Republican Leader, the Senate consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #231, Donna Mary Murphy, of the District of Columbia, to be Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. That there be 2 hours for debate equally divided in the usual form and that following the use or yielding back of time the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.3187; Invoked: 89-3

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.503, designating June 2012 as “National Aphasia Awareness Month” and supporting efforts to increase awareness of aphasia.

Adopted S.Res.504, expressing support for the International Olympic Committee to recognize with a minute of silence at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony the athletes and others killed at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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NEXT SESSION in the House 2:00 p.m. on June 25, 2012

http://houselive.gov/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=14

http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.aspx -Current House floor activities provided by the Office of the Clerk

2:00:18 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:29 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:53 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Aaron Damiani, Church of the Resurrection, Washington, DC.
2:01:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:03 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:30 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 21, 2012 at 5:46 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 33.
2:03:28 P.M.		The House received a communication from C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Member of Congress. Mr. Ruppersberger notified the House that he had taken a leave of absence from the House Armed Services Committee, effective immediately. The Chair accepted the resignation without objection.
2:03:42 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 26, 2012.