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President Obama Speaks on Attacks in Boston –

04/17/2013 Nativegrl77

President Obama says that the FBI is investigating the two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon as acts of terror. April 16, 2013.

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832 Billion Reasons for Immigration Reform

04/17/2013 Nativegrl77

By ThinkProgress War Room

The Economic Case for Immigration Reform

After months of negotiations, 8 key senators today proposed a sweeping and historic reform of our nation’s broken immigration system. The plan, which was previewed today in news reports, will be officially unveiled soon by the so-called “Gang of 8″ Republican and Democratic senators.

The proposal comes on the same day as a new poll that found that an overwhelming 84 percent of Americans — including 79 percent of Republicans — favor the kind of pathway to earned citizenship detailed in the proposal.

Nevertheless, some of the most anti-immigrant conservatives are already trying to kill the plan. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who has a troubled past on race issues, said today that he was unhappy with the proposal because it will allow immigrants to improve the quality of their lives. FAIR, a racist hate group, is bringing activists to Washington this week to lobby against the bill and the Tea Party Patriots are also mobilizing against it. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) even tried to take advantage of the Boston bomb attacks to argue against reform.

Reforming our broken system and bringing 11 MILLION people out of the shadows is the morally correct thing to do, but it’s also the economically smart thing to do:

BOTTOM LINE: No matter how much spin and vitriol conservatives throw at the immigration reform bill over the next few months, it’s still the right thing to do for our country and for our economy.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

OOPS: The central intellectual argument for global austerity was based on an Excel error.

Everything you need to know about the Senate immigration reform bill.

The GOP’s misguided attack on the president’s nominee for Labor Secretary.

Texas Attorney General: Democrats bigger threat to Texas than North Korea.

The 8 worst responses to the Boston bombings.

What you need to know about the conservative freak out over Gosnell.

No, there is no Saudi national being held as a suspect or person of interest.

U.S. engaged in torture after 9/11, review finds.

Federal judge stops Mississippi from shutting down the state’s last abortion clinic.

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Support American Diabetes Association

04/17/2013 Nativegrl77

Millions of people with diabetes are counting on you.

We simply can’t reach our goal to raise $50,000 in matching funds by May 15th without your help.

It’s all thanks to the maker of Domino® Light and C&H® Light all natural sugar and stevia blend sweetener, which is offering to help us raise $100,000 by matching every gift we receive, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000!

Diabetes is growing at alarming rates in both children and adults, and we must find new ways to provide better diabetes management and deliver educational support and resources.

With your help, people with diabetes can live fuller and happier lives without serious diabetes complications like blindness, kidney disease and heart disease.

With federal funding for national diabetes research and prevention programs at risk, your financial support has never been more critical.

Don’t delay! Act now so your gift can go twice as far to Stop Diabetes®.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Larry Hausner
Chief Executive Officer
American Diabetes Association

P.S. Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes, and diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Why not double the impact of your support by taking advantage of this matching gift opportunity right now?

This special matching gift offer is brought to you by our new strategic partner, Domino Foods, Inc., maker of Domino® Light and C&H® Light all natural sugar and stevia blends.

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

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

04/17/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 and the time until 4:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees for concurrent debate on amendments to the bill.
At approximately 4:00pm, there will be a series of up to 9 roll call votes in the order listed below. All amendments will be subject to a 60 affirmative-vote threshold. No other amendments are in order to any of these amendments. There will be 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.
- Manchin-Toomey amendment #715
- Grassley substitute amendment consistent with the summary which is at the desk;
- Leahy-Collins amendment #713 (trafficking);
- Cornyn amendment #719 (conceal carry);
- Feinstein amendment #711 (assault weapons/clip bans);
- Burr amendment #720 (veterans/guns);
- Lautenberg-Blumenthal amendment #714 (high capacity clip ban)
- Barrasso amendment #717 (privacy) and
- Harkin-Alexander amendment relative to mental health, the text of which is at the desk.
The Senate adopted S.Res.101, a resolution condemning the horrific attacks in Boston, Massachusetts, and expressing support, sympathy, and prayers for those impacted by this tragedy.
4:04pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Manchin-Toomey amendment #715 (background checks) (60-vote threshold);
Not Agreed To: 54-46Senator Reid changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider
4:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Grassley amendment #725 (substitute)Not Agreed To: 52-48 (60-vote threshold)
4:47pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Leahy-Collins amendment #713 (trafficking);Not Agreed To: 58-42 (60-vote threshold)
5:06pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Cornyn amendment #719 (conceal carry);Not Agreed To: 57-42 (60-vote threshold)
5:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Feinstein amendment #711 (assault weapons ban/clips ban)Not Agreed to: 40-60
5:42pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Burr amendment #720 (veterans/guns)Not Agreed to: 56-44
The Lautenberg-Blumenthal amendment was not agreed to 46-54. There will be no further roll call votes today.At 12:00 noon tomorrow, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the Barrasso and Harkin amendments.
– Barrasso amendment #717 (privacy) and

– Harkin-Alexander amendment #730 (mental health).

Senator Reid intends to execute the previous orders to consider the Torres and Watson nominations tomorrow. At 2:00pm, there will be 15 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form prior to votes on the nominations.

At 2:15pm, there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #22, the nomination of Analisa Torres, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. We expect a voice vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #23, the nomination of Derrick Kahala Watson, of Hawaii, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES1)      Manchin-Toomey amendment #715 (background checks); Not agreed to: 54-46 (60 affirmative vote threshold)
2)      Grassley amendment #725 (substitute); Not Agreed to: 52-48 (60 affirmative vote threshold)

3)      Leahy-Collins amendment #713 (trafficking); Not Agreed to: 58-42 (60 affirmative vote threshold)

4)      Cornyn amendment #719 (conceal carry); Not Agreed to: 57-43 (60 affirmative vote threshold)

5)      Feinstein amendment #711 (assault weapons/clip ban); Not Agreed to: 40-60 (60 affirmative vote threshold)

6)      Burr amendment #720 (veterans/guns); Not Agreed to: 56-44 (60 affirmative vote threshold)

7)      Lautenberg-Blumenthal amendment #714 (high capacity clip ban); Not Agreed to:46-54 (60 affirmative vote threshold)

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.101, condemning the horrific attacks in Boston, Massachusetts, and expressing support, sympathy, and prayers for those impacted by this tragedy.

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Con.Res.5, expressing the sense of Congress that John Arthur “Jack” Johnson should receive a posthumous pardon for the racially motivated conviction in 1913 that diminished the athletic, cultural and historic significance of Jack Johnson and unduly tarnished his reputation.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act. (Enzi)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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April 2013
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7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30

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US House of Representatives

Last Floor Action:
10:01:14 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.

Watch Live

10:00:55 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:14 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.

10:37:56 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:10 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 17.
12:00:19 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rabbi Robert Silvers, Congregation B’Nai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida.
12:02:28 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:37 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Lankford to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:01 P.M.		The Chair recognized Mr. Deutch for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain.
12:04:05 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.
12:42:43 P.M.	H. Res. 164	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 164 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 624) to provide for the sharing of certain cyber threat intelligence and cyber threat information between the intelligence community and cybersecurity entities, and for other purposes.”
12:45:06 P.M.	H. Res. 164	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 164.
1:38:57 P.M.	H. Res. 164	An amendment, offered by Mr. Woodall, to include the text of an amendment offered by Representative McCaul of Texas in House Report 113-41 and provide for the offering of the amendment by Representative McCaul or his designee.
1:53:51 P.M.	H. Res. 164	The previous question was ordered on the amendment and on the resolution without objection.
1:54:09 P.M.	H. Res. 164	On agreeing to the Woodall amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:54:23 P.M.	H. Res. 164	On agreeing to the resolution Roll Call 109 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

2:18:13 P.M.	H. Res. 164	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 109).
2:18:14 P.M.	H. Res. 164	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:19:12 P.M.		BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY – Pursuant to 14 U.S.C. 194, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY: Mr. Coble and Mr. Courtney.
2:21:33 P.M.	H.R. 624	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 164. H.R. 624 — “To provide for the sharing of certain cyber threat intelligence and cyber threat information between the intelligence community and cybersecurity entities, and for other purposes.”
2:21:38 P.M.	H.R. 624	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 624 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.
2:22:56 P.M.	H.R. 624	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 164 and Rule XVIII.
2:22:58 P.M.	H.R. 624	The Speaker designated the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
2:23:10 P.M.	H.R. 624	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 624.

3:32:21 P.M.	H.R. 624	An amendment, offered by Mr. Rogers (MI), numbered 1 printed in House Report 113-41 to correct reported language concerning a reference in subsection (c)(4) to the procedures created in (c)(7).
3:32:24 P.M.	H.R. 624	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 164, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rogers (MI) amendment No. 1.
3:34:35 P.M.	H.R. 624	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rogers (MI) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rogers (MI) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:34:49 P.M.	H.R. 624	An amendment, offered by Mr. Connolly, numbered 2 printed in House Report 113-41 to further define how classified cyber threat intelligence may be shared and used, and adds an additional provision stipulating that classified threat intelligence may only be used, retained, or further disclosed by a certified entity only for cybersecurity purposes.
3:34:52 P.M.	H.R. 624	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 164, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly amendment No. 2.
3:42:40 P.M.	H.R. 624	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rogers (MI) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:43:22 P.M.	H.R. 624	An amendment, offered by Mr. Schneider, numbered 3 printed in House Report 113-41 to clarify that independent contractors are eligible for security clearances for purposes of employment to handle cyber threat intelligence and cyber threat information.
3:43:25 P.M.	H.R. 624	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 164, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schneider amendment No. 3.
3:51:45 P.M.	H.R. 624	On agreeing to the Schneider amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:52:24 P.M.	H.R. 624	An amendment, offered by Mr. Langevin, numbered 4 printed in House Report 113-41 to replace the term “local” with “political subdivision”, which allows the inclusion of utility “districts” that would not otherwise be covered but that are intended to be covered in the bill.
3:52:27 P.M.	H.R. 624	<DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 164, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Langevin amendment No. 4.
3:59:33 P.M.	H.R. 624	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Langevin amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rogers (MI) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:00:33 P.M.	H.R. 624	Mr. Rogers (MI) moved that the Committee rise.
4:00:52 P.M.	H.R. 624	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
4:01:04 P.M.	H.R. 624	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 624 as unfinished business.
4:01:50 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
4:30:16 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 17.
4:30:18 P.M.	H.R. 624	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 624 — “To provide for the sharing of certain cyber threat intelligence and cyber threat information between the intelligence community and cybersecurity entities, and for other purposes.”
4:30:42 P.M.	H.R. 624	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
4:30:49 P.M.	H.R. 624	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:32:27 P.M.	H.R. 624	On agreeing to the Rogers (MI) amendment Roll Call 110 – Recorded vote pending.

5:01:53 P.M.	H.R. 624	On agreeing to the Connolly amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 418 – 0 (Roll no. 111).
5:07:42 P.M.	H.R. 624	On agreeing to the Langevin amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 411 – 3 (Roll no. 112).
5:08:59 P.M.	H.R. 624	Mr. Sessions moved that the Committee rise.
5:09:12 P.M.	H.R. 624	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
5:09:48 P.M.	H.R. 624	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 624 as unfinished business.
5:11:00 P.M.		Mr. Collins (GA) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Agreed to without objection.
5:11:26 P.M.		<World War I Centennial Commission – Pursuant to section 4(b) of the World War I Centennial Commission Act (Public Law 112-272), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Colonel Thomas N. Moe, Retired, Lancaster, OH.
5:13:59 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
5:30:22 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:58:12 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:58:23 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:58:24 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 18, 2013.