CONGRESS : the Republican led House :::::: VAWA,PAYCHECK Fairness,Immigration and S.388 :::::: the Senate led by Dems

02/27/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
The nomination of Jacob Lew to be Treasury Secretary was reported out of the Finance committee on Tuesday. We hope to reach an agreement to consider the Lew nomination on Wednesday.
Also during Tuesday’s session, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.388, the American Family Economic Protection Act (introduced by Senators Mikulski, Murray and Reid). Under the rule, that cloture vote will occur on Thursday.

The Senate has turned to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #26, the nomination of Jacob Lew, of
New York, to be Secretary of the Treasury. There will now be up to 8 hours for
debate equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees. Upon the use
or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the
nomination.

There will now be 10 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the
Lew nomination. If all times is used, the vote would begin at approximately
5:37pm.

5:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #26, the nomination of Jacob J. Lew, of New York, to be Secretary of the Treasury;

Confirmed: 71-26

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #26, Jacob J. Lew, of New York, to be Secretary of the Treasury; Confirmed: 71-26

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.307, a bill to reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response, and for other purposes with a Committee-reported substitute amendment.

Adopted S.Res.58, authorizing the reporting of committee funding resolutions for the period of March 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013.

Adopted S.Res.61, designating March 1, 2013, as “Read Across America Day”.

Adopted S.Res.62, a resolution to authorize the production of records by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action:
7:14:10 P.M. – The House adjourned. 2/26/13

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 27, 2013.

10:00:22 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:27 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:02 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.

11:19:14 A.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

12:00:50 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.

12:00:55 P.M.

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Ronald Derrick, American Legion National Chaplain, Rigby, Idaho.

12:01:00 P.M.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Joyce demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Joyce demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

12:02:25 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Roskam to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02:54 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.

12:38:13 P.M.

H. Res. 83

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 83 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 47) To reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.”

12:38:34 P.M.

H. Res. 83

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 83.

1:28:00 P.M.

H. Res. 83

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 83, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Slaughter demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

1:28:20 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

3:14:15 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.

3:15:33 P.M.

Mr. Nugent asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on February 28. Agreed to without objection.

3:15:34 P.M.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 83, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

3:16:13 P.M.

H. Res. 83

Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 83 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (S. 47) To reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.”

3:47:08 P.M.

H. Res. 83

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 196 (Roll no. 51).

3:54:31 P.M.

H. Res. 83

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 414 – 9 (Roll no. 52).

3:54:32 P.M.

H. Res. 83

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:54:41 P.M.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed from earlier in the day.

4:01:42 P.M.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 293 – 119, 1 Present (Roll no. 53).

4:02:34 P.M.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

4:32:17 P.M.

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:05:56 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 27, 2013 at 1:57 p.m. containing appointments that body had made to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
6:06:39 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House continued with further Special Order speeches.
6:30:00 P.M.		Ms. Speier moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:30:06 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:30:10 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 28, 2013.

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The First Lady and Dr. Biden Speak to the National Governors Association.

02/26/2013 Nativegrl77

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden speak to governors about the importance of offering more assistance for military spouses seeking to transfer their professional licenses or certifications when they move from state to state. February 25, 2013.

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Working Together to Reignite America’s Economic Engine

02/26/2013 Nativegrl77

In a meeting with governors from across the country today at the White House, President Obama stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation, and pressed the leaders in attendance to work together with their partners in Washington to put the focus back on the next generation, rather than the next election.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks and participates in a Q&A during a meeting with the National Governors Association (NGA) in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 25, 2013 (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) … recalls

02/26/2013 Nativegrl77

Olaax Corp. Issues a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of All Lots of Maxiloss Weight Advanced Softgels Dietary Supplement

02/25/2013 10:17 AM EST

Olaax Corp announced today that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of the company’s dietary supplement sold under the brand name MAXILOSS WEIGHT ADVANCED softgels to the user level because they contain undeclared Sibutramine. Olaax Corp. is conducting a voluntary recall after being notified by the US FDA that testing found the MAXILOSS WEIGHT ADVANCED product, to contain Sibutramine

Affymax and Takeda Announce a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of All Lots of OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection

02/23/2013 10:30 PM EST

Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) today have decided to voluntarily recall all lots of OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection to the user level as a result of new postmarketing reports regarding serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening or fatal. The companies have been working actively with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which has indicated its agreement with this decision.

King Arthur Flour Voluntarily Recalls Flour

02/22/2013 06:06 PM EST

February 22, 2013 – Norwich, Vt. – King Arthur Flour has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of its bags of flour due to the possible presence of small (7-9 mm) blue polyurethane balls that are used in the sifting process. The balls have a smooth surface and no sharp edges and are made from food grade material.

Hy-Vee Issues VoluntaryRecall of Certain Dog Food Products

02/23/2013 09:22 AM EST

Hy-Vee, Inc. today issued a voluntary recall of certain bags of Hy-Vee dog food due to elevated levels of a chemical contaminant commonly found in corn. Routine random tests conducted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture indicated higher-than-normal levels of aflatoxin in some samples of Hy-Vee dog food produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet, LLC.

Bruce Foods Corporation Expands Recall to Indiana of Food Club Red Enchilada Sauce Because of Possible Health Risk

02/23/2013 01:22 PM EST

Bruce Foods Corporation of New Iberia, LA is recalling mislabeled cans of 10 oz Food Club Red Enchilada Sauce with code GES 462449, Best Before Date: 12/3/2016 that could contain Green Enchilada Sauce instead of Red Enchilada Sauce. Only the Food Club Green Enchilada contains wheat and soy.

Herbalife Issues Allergy Alert due to Undeclared Milk Allergen in Instant Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix Packets

02/22/2013 10:21 PM EST

Herbalife International of America announced the voluntary recall of certain lots of its niche Instant Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix packets because the label identifies the product as dairy-free, when it may in fact contain trace amounts of milk proteins. Individuals with severe allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-

Voluntary Recall of Dakota Specialty Milling Select Flours and Grain Blends

02/22/2013 08:30 PM EST

Dakota Specialty Milling has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of its specialty flours and grain blends in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration due to the possible presence of fragments of thin metal wire from a defective screen on one of its manufacturing lines at a milling facility. This recall was initiated as a precaution to ensure consumer product safety.

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Grand Theft Election II: Keystone State Stories

02/26/2013 Nativegrl77

By ThinkProgress War Room

GOP Plan to the Steal the White House is Back

Earlier this year, Republicans in several swing states unveiled sore loser plans to allocate their electoral college votes by congressional district or in some other proportional manner rather than the current winner-take-all system in place in 48 states. This would result in votes that would likely go to the Democratic nominee being pushed over into the GOP column. Tellingly, the GOP is not proposing to split the electoral votes of red states.

Had such a plan been in place in every swing state last year, Mitt Romney would most likely be president right now despite having lost the popular vote by nearly 5 MILLION votes.

Fortunately, massive outcry quickly killed this plan in Virginia, Florida, and other states where it reared its head.

Unfortunately, this GOP plan to steal the White House is now back in two key swing states:

Pennsylvania: 13 GOP state senators, including the senate majority leader, have formally introduced their electoral college rigging bill. Republicans need a total of 26 votes to pass the bill. They currently control the chamber and hold 27 seats total. As they also control the state house in Pennsylvania, the GOP could theoretically ram the bill through in as little as 4 days as soon as they have the votes to pass it.Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of recent efforts to rig the electoral college, with Republicans from Gov. Tom Corbett on down first considering this scheme way back in 2011.
Michigan: On Saturday, Republicans gathered for their state convention voted overwhelmingly (1370-132) to back a scheme to divide their state’s electoral votes by congressional district. For his part, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has opposed the scheme, saying it’s not the “appropriate time” to consider it. This, however, is cold comfort, as Snyder once said the exact same thing about an anti-union bill that he later signed after it was rammed through the legislature with little debate.

BOTTOM LINE: If the GOP wants to win elections the old fashioned way — by winning more votes — then they should change their unpopular policies instead of trying to change the rules in the middle of the game.