CONGRESS: the Republican led House / the Senate considers S.3369,Disclose Act,Judicial nominees 3.5yrs&4months left?

07/13/2012 Nativegrl77

Convenes: 2:00pmET July 16, 2012

Voters … Tell @MitchMcConnell @SpeakerBoehner to Pass #AmericanJOBsACT & Small Businss ACT S.2237-They say we need JObs JOb JObs & Support Small Biz but they have done nothing to HELP – They are responsible for our stagnant economy Tell Them

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognize
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #662, the nomination of Kevin McNulty, of NJ, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey with up to 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), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the McNulty nomination.
Following disposition of the McNulty nomination, the Senate will resume Legislative Session and there will be 10 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees prior to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #446, S.3369, the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act. As a reminder, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3369 on Thursday, July 12^th.
Therefore, Senators should expect the following beginning at 5:30pm on Monday:

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to table the Reid amendment #2524 (text of H.R.9, Cantor tax bill); Tabled: 73-24

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Landrieu amendment #2521 (Substitute) Not Invoked: 57-41

3) Motion to invoke cloture on of S.2237, the Small Business Jobs bill; Not Invoked: 53-44

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3902, the District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act by voice vote.

Discharged the Banking Committee and passed H.R.2527, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act with a Gillibrand substitute amendment.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.6079, the Repeal of Obamacare Act. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Roll Call Vote on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #662, the nomination of Kevin McNulty, of NJ, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey
10 minutes of debate
Roll Call Vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #446, S.3369, the DISCLOSE Act.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 13, 2012.

10:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:30 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:37 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:42 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:45 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:03:25 A.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 July 12, 2012 at 5:52 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 3902, without amendment.
10:03:49 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 17, 2012.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House / the Senate considers S.2237

07/12/2012 Nativegrl77

Convenes: 9:30amET July 12, 2012
Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
As a reminder, cloture was filed on the Landrieu substitute amendment #2521 and S.2237, the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act on Wednesday. As a result, the filing deadline for first degree amendments the Landrieu substitute amendment and to S.2237 is 1:00pm on Thursday.
Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture votes will be on Friday but Senator Reid announced we hope to come to an agreement to have them tomorrow.

As a reminder, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.2237, the Small Business Jobs bill, is 1pm today.

During his opening remarks this morning, Senator Reid announced he has a general agreement with the Republican Leader that we will try to schedule the cloture votes on the Landrieu substitute amendment #2251 and the underlying Small Business Jobs bill today. If no agreement can be reached, those votes would occur tomorrow. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

This morning Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.3369, a bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities (DISCLOSE Act).

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of 3 roll call votes beginning at 2pm today. Those votes will be in relation to the following items:

– Reid amendment #2524 (text of H.R.9, Cantor tax bill)

– Motion to invoke cloture on Landrieu amendment #2521 (Substitute) (If cloture on the substitute is invoked, all post-cloture debate time would be yielded back and the amendment would be agreed to)

– Motion to invoke cloture on of S.2237, the Small Business Jobs bill

There will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between the votes. All after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

60 votes needed

2:00pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table the Reid amendment #2524 (Cantor – H.R.9); Tabled: 73-24

2:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Landrieu substitute amendment #2521 to S.2237, the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act; Not Invoked: 57-41

2:50pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.2237, the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act; Not Invoked: 53-44

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to table the Reid amendment #2524 (text of H.R.9, Cantor tax bill); Tabled: 73-24

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Landrieu amendment #2521 (Substitute) Not Invoked: 57-41

3) Motion to invoke cloture on of S.2237, the Small Business Jobs bill; Not Invoked: 53-44

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3902, the District of Columbia Special Election Reform Act by voice vote.

Discharged the Banking Committee and passed H.R.2527, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act with a Gillibrand substitute amendment.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.6079, the Repeal of Obamacare Act. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

At 5pm on Monday, there will be 30 minutes for debate on Executive Calendar #662, the nomination of Kevin McNulty, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3369, the DISCLOSE Act. By consent, following the 5:30pm vote on the McNulty nomination, there will be 10 minutes for debate prior to the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.3369.

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The House is scheduled to meet at 9:15amET July 12, 2012

the House adjourned at 1:55pmET

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9:00:16 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:30 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Shelley Moore Capito to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:44 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:12 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:17 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Hultgren to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:03 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.
9:14:52 A.M.	H.R. 4402	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 726. H.R. 4402 — “To require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to more efficiently develop domestic sources of the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical importance to United States economic and national security and manufacturing competitiveness.”
9:14:57 A.M.	H.R. 4402	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4402 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. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution makes in order as original text for purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-26. All points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived.
9:15:23 A.M.	H.R. 4402	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 726 and Rule XVIII.
9:15:24 A.M.	H.R. 4402	The Speaker designated the Honorable Shelley Moore Capito to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
9:15:55 A.M.	H.R. 4402	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4402.
10:23:21 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Tonko, numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-590 to narrow the scope of the underlying bill to include strategic and critical minerals only.
10:23:26 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tonko amendment No. 1.
10:33:00 A.M.	H.R. 4402	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Tonko amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
10:33:59 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Hastings (FL), numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-590 to give the lead agency, in the event of new or unforeseen information, the authority to extend by two six-month periods the arbitrary 30 month time limit the bill imposes on permit approval.
10:34:02 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment No. 2.
10:42:23 A.M.	H.R. 4402	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
10:43:02 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey, numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-590 to require a royalty payment of 12.5% of the value of hardrock minerals mined on federal lands. Revenue generated by the royalty payment would be dedicated to cleaning up abandoned hardrock mines.
10:43:04 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment No. 3.
10:54:26 A.M.	H.R. 4402	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
10:54:58 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Young (AK), numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-590 to allow the lead agency, as established under this bill, to exempt existing Mineral Prescriptions for strategic and critical materials within federally administered national forests from the procedures detailed at and all rules promulgated under part 294 of title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In addition, the amendment would extend this exemption to areas integral to access of the Mineral Prescriptions, and the construction, operation, maintenance, and restoration of any existing Mineral Prescriptions.
10:55:00 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Young (AK) amendment No. 4.
11:06:39 A.M.	H.R. 4402	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Young (AK) amendment, Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
11:07:27 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cravaack, numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-590 to allow projects that have already applied for a permit access to the new expedited process under the bill.
11:07:55 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cravaack amendment No. 5.
11:17:23 A.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Cravaack amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
11:18:17 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Hastings (FL), numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-590 to create an exception for non-profit entities and individuals from the outright elimination (found in Section 205 of H.R. 4402) of the shifting of attorneys fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act.
11:18:24 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment No. 6.
11:25:07 A.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
11:26:06 A.M.	H.R. 4402	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-590 to exempt from the bill any mineral exploration or mining permit a lead agency determines would diminish opportunities for hunting, fishing, grazing, or recreation on public lands. By protecting the status of hunting, fishing, grazing and other recreational uses on federal lands, the amendment will guarantee that the multiple use mandate for federal lands is not compromised by the underlying bill.
11:26:12 A.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 726, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grijalva amendment No. 7.
11:34:54 A.M.	H.R. 4402	POSTPONED 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.
11:35:05 A.M.	H.R. 4402	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
11:59:15 A.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Tonko amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 162 – 251 (Roll no. 462).
12:04:14 P.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 162 – 252 (Roll no. 463).
12:08:41 P.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Markey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 163 – 253 (Roll no. 464).
12:12:35 P.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 178 (Roll no. 465).
12:15:56 P.M.	H.R. 4402	On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 167 – 248 (Roll no. 466).
12:16:29 P.M.	H.R. 4402	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4402.
12:17:00 P.M.	H.R. 4402	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:17:10 P.M.	H.R. 4402	The 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.
12:18:07 P.M.	H.R. 4402	Ms. Slaughter moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.
12:18:56 P.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Slaughter 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 prohibiting the issuance of permits for mining to persons, corporations or their subsidiaries that have failed to pay any state or federal taxes. The motion also sought to add provisions to Federal mining permits prohibiting the export of strategic and critical minerals to China and Iran, and sought to require, to the extent practicable, that all mining equipment used under mining permits be made in America and to prohibit the holder of the permit from outsourcing American jobs.
12:25:42 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4155 and H.R. 3001.
12:25:43 P.M.	H.R. 4402	DEBATE – The House continued with debate on the Slaughter motion to recommit with instructions.
12:27:39 P.M.	H.R. 4402	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
12:44:51 P.M.	H.R. 4402	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 181 – 231 (Roll no. 467).
12:51:39 P.M.	H.R. 4402	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 256 – 160 (Roll no. 468).
12:51:40 P.M.	H.R. 4402	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:54:25 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON UPCOMING HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging Mr. Cantor in a colloquy on the schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
1:28:21 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on July 13. Agreed to without objection.
1:28:56 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, July 13, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
1:29:33 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded further with one minute speeches.
1:31:46 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:55:00 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:55:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:55:35 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 13, 2012.

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Spread the Word: The Health Care Law is Working for Women

07/11/2012 Nativegrl77

When the Supreme Court took up the Affordable Care Act last week, opponents asked the Court to overturn the new health care law entirely. But if that were to happen, women would lose vital protections — including coverage of women’s preventive services with no co-pays — that the law now guarantees.

Please help spread the word about what the new health care law is doing for women — share our new video, “I Will NOT Be Denied,” and help people understand what we’ll all lose if the Court strikes the law down.

Because of the new health care law, just in the past year:Over 20 million women with private insurance have received at least one preventive health care service without a co-pay or deductible. Over 39 million women no longer face lifetime limits on coverage, so they can get the health care they need. About 2.5 million young adults gained health coverage because they could stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. And these provisions are just the beginning. Will you please help tell the world what the law is doing for women? Please share our new video and help us tell opponents of affordable care “I Will NOT Be Denied.”™

Thank for all that you do on behalf of women and their families.

Sincerely,

Dania Palanker, Senior Health Policy Advisor

National Women’s Law Center

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Cargill needs to come clean … Ashley Schaeffer, Rainforest Action Network

07/11/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

With palm oil in half of all products for sale in US grocery stores, we have the right to know the true cost of its production.

Cargill is the #1 importer of palm oil into the US, but the company refuses to be transparent about who it does business with. For instance: Is Cargill still sourcing from the notorious palm oil company Duta Palma even though this company is embroiled in severe social conflicts with communities near its destructive palm plantations?

Dozens of people are gathering outside Cargill’s offices today in Minneapolis to ask the company to come clean about its operations.

Will you help us amplify their voices by writing to Cargill now and demanding transparency around its “no-trade list”?

In the past, Cargill has said Duta Palma was on its “no-trade list,” but the company has never made this list public and RAN has reason to believe Cargill’s policy of sourcing from any company that pays membership dues to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil allows it to get palm oil from Duta Palma.

Please email Cargill CEO Greg Page now and ask him to come clean.

In 2009, Rainforest Action Network released a case study documenting illegal rainforest burning by Duta Palma on community lands used by the people of Semunying Jaya in Borneo. Duta Palma doesn’t have permits to operate these plantations and police refuse to do anything about this blatant land theft and environmental destruction.

So community members took action themselves.

A few weeks ago, members of the Semunying Jaya community seized several pieces of machinery, trucks, bulldozers and chainsaws, then barricaded the doors of Duta Palma’s palm nursery, shutting down operations. The community members are now facing possible criminal charges for standing up for the health and safety of their home.

We have the right to know: Is Cargill profiting from the oppression of the people of Semunying Jaya by buying palm oil from Duta Palma? Please demand transparency now.

For the forests,

Ashley Schaeffer

Rainforest Agribusiness Campaigner