:::::: CONGRESS ::::::

03/14/2013 Nativegrl77

March 2013
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The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.

There will be up to one hour of debate equally divided between Senators Mikulski and Shelby or their designees for debate on the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS).
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 11:15am), there will be a roll call vote in relation to the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS)(60 affirmative-vote threshold).
We will continue to work through amendments to the bill during Thursday’s session. During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 and on H.R.933. Under the rule, the first cloture vote would be on Friday. We hope to reach an agreement to complete action on the bill on Thursday.
The Senate has resumed consideration of H.R.933, the Continuing Resolution. There will be 1 hour to debate concurrently the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) and Coburn amendment #66 (temporary hiring freeze on Non Essential Federal Employees), prior to votes in relation to the amendments.
The debate time will be equally divided in the usual form.
Each amendment will be subject to 60-affirmative vote thresholds.
No amendments to the amendments are in order prior to the votes.
The following amendments are pending to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill:
- Mikulski-Shelby amendment #26, as modified (substitute)
- Toomey amendment #115 (cut biofuel funding/DoD)
The following amendments have been considered to H.R.933:
- Cruz amendment #30 (defund Obamacare) Not Agreed to: 45-52
- McCain amendment #33 (Guam) Not Tabled: 48-50; agreed to by voice vote
- Harkin amendment #53 (Labor HHS flexibility)(60 affirmative-vote threshold) Not Agreed to: 54-45
- Coburn amendment #66 (temporary freeze on non-essential federal employees) (60 affirmative-vote threshold) Not Agreed to: 45-54
- Inhofe amendment #29, as modified (Farms-EPA oil spill and prevention rule) Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
There is a good chance that we vote tonight (sooner rather than later) in
relation to the Coburn amendment #65, as modified (political
science funding at NSF). Another message will be sent once an agreement is
reached.
- WRAP UP
- ROLL CALL VOTES1) Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill; Not Agreed to: 54-45 (60 affirmative-vote threshold)2) Coburn amendment #66 (hiring freeze for federal employees) to H.R.933; Not Agreed to: 45-54 (60 affirmative-vote threshold)
  LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
  
  Began the Rule 14 process of S.582, the Keystone Pipeline Act. (Hoeven)
  
  Began the Rule 14 process of S.583, the Life at Conception Act. (Paul)
  
  Completed the Rule 14 process of S.558, To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from awarding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other financial assistance under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity outside the United States. (Paul)
  
  No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
- Well, folks, we were unable to reach an agreement to vote in relation to the Coburn or Toomey amendments tonight. Senator Coburn wouldn’t agree to vote in relation to his amendment, as modified.Senator Reid has asked the managers of the bill to work over the weekend on a small, finite list of amendments and we could complete action of the bill on Monday. If they are unable to come to an agreement, there would be a cloture vote at approximately 5:30pm on Monday. Next week the Senate will consider the Budget resolution.The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes this week.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 3/14
7:24:35 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 14, 2013.

10:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:22 A.M.		McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:37 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.
10:15:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.
12:01:00 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Ezekiel Pipher, Heartland Evangelical Free Church, Central City, Nebraska.
12:02:00 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Ellison demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
12:03:58 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Ellison to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:19 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.
12:34:24 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

3:45:40 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.

3:45:59 P.M.

Investigative Subcommittees of the Committtee on Ethics – Pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A)of Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives the Democratic Leader appointed the following members of the House to the Investigative Subcommittees of the Committtee on Ethics: Mr. Carney, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Keating, Mr. Perlmutter, Ms. Sewell of AL, Ms. Speier and Ms. Titus.

3:46:42 P.M.

H. Res. 113

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 113 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 803) to reform and strengthen the workforce investment system of the Nation to put Americans back to work and make the United States more competitive in the 21st century.”

3:50:07 P.M.

H. Res. 113

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 113.

5:12:17 P.M.

H. Res. 113

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 70).

5:19:50 P.M.

H. Res. 113

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 71).

5:19:52 P.M.

H. Res. 113

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

5:26:20 P.M.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 72).

5:27:33 P.M.

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

5:48:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:48:10 P.M.		Mr. Fortenberry moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:48:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:48:40 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 15, 2013.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama Speaks at President’s Export Council Meeting.

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Senate leaders : the time is NOW !

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

Donna De La Cruz, Reform Immigration FOR America

Our Senators leading the work on immigration reform in the Gang of Eight have been debating for weeks — but have yet to put forward a bill. Every day that they delay, more families are torn apart and more chances at the American dream are denied.

Our communities cannot wait any longer! So this week, immigrant rights activists across the country are making calls, sending messages, visiting their legislators’ offices and taking action to urge our leaders to support immigration reform for 11 million undocumented Americans.

Send your message to the Gang of Eight and other Senate leaders and tell them that the time is NOW for real reform that keeps families together and creates a roadmap to citizenship!

Send a message for families like Jennifer’s. Jennifer lost her husband, father of their four young children, when he was deported without any criminal record. She now has to balance working two jobs and raising her children alone. Instead of asking for toys, Jennifer’s kids ask if they can have their dad back.

If we can deliver a flood of messages to Senate leadership now, we can fix our broken system and save millions of other immigrant families from separation.

Together, the power of our community is undeniable. Take part in this national week of action and send your message now.

With hope,

Donna De La Cruz Reform Immigration FOR America

PS: Every message makes a difference! Click here to send a fax with your message to Senate leaders today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pour une agriculture durable

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

The Nicolas Hulot Foundation has launched a petition on Change.org to support a reform of the CAP, which goes in the direction of sustainable agriculture for the future. CAP stand for : Common Agricultural Policy

La Politique Agricole Commune de l’Union européenne est en cours de réforme. C’est l’occasion de demander à nos dirigeants de défendre une agriculture durable, juste et solidaire.

Signez la pétition

Chaque année, vous donnez, souvent sans le savoir, 100 euros pour soutenir majoritairement une agriculture gourmande en énergie et en pesticides.

En tant que citoyens européens, vous financez par vos impôts la PAC : la Politique Agricole Commune des États membres de l’Union européenne. Un budget annuel colossal de 50 milliards d’euros par an, qui ne sert qu’en minorité une agriculture durable, et qui n’encourage pas les agriculteurs qui optent pour des pratiques plus écologiques, pourvoyeuses d’emploi, justes et solidaires. Il faut que cette tendance s’inverse.

Nous avons une occasion d’agir sans précédent : la PAC est actuellement en cours de réforme et cela ne se produit que tous les 7 ans. La Fondation Nicolas Hulot a donc lancé une pétition sur Change.org afin de soutenir une réforme de la PAC qui va dans le sens d’une agriculture d’avenir.

Cliquez ici pour signer notre pétition.

Nous demandons que cette réforme soit organisée autour de quatre principes : favoriser l’installation de nouveaux agriculteurs, accorder plus d’aides aux systèmes agricoles les plus respectueux de notre environnement, répartir de manière plus équilibrée les aides entre les types d’agricultures et les différents pays, et ne plus pénaliser les agricultures du Sud.

À la Fondation Nicolas Hulot, nous avons toujours eu à cœur de créer des passerelles entre les citoyens et les décideurs politiques. Cette réforme de la PAC est une opportunité sans précédent d’agir sur un sujet qui vous concerne.

Aujourd’hui même, les députés européens sont invités à voter un premier texte, avant que les discussions entre le Parlement européen, la Commission européenne et les représentants des états membres ne s’engage. En cette date symbolique, vous avez la possibilité de faire entendre votre voix sur la manière dont cet argent est utilisé. Plus vous serez nombreux à soutenir ces principes, plus la portée de notre action sera importante.

Cliquez ici pour signer notre pétition pour une agriculture d’avenir, écologique, juste et solidaire.

En espérant compter sur votre soutien,

Nicolas Hulot,

Président de la Fondation Nicolas Hulot pour la Nature et l’Homme