Starting this past Sunday the Federal Aviation Administration was forced to start furloughing air traffic controllers. What happens when there’s not enough air traffic controllers working? Not as many planes can be in the air. What happens when fewer planes can be in the air? Your flight gets delayed.
After yesterday, we know the impact of the furloughs isn’t just theoretical. Overall on-time performance dropped by more than 10 percent compared to the previous Monday. Delays were particularly bad in the Northeast, where delays at some airports stretched past 2 hours. Yesterday, it was actually faster to take the train from New York to Washington D.C.
Things are only going to get worse the next time there’s another big storm or other event causing mass delays. With fewer flights and planes flying at near-capacity as it is, it will be all the more difficult to get things back on track if there aren’t enough air traffic controllers working to help clear some of the backlog of flights.
Let’s also take a minute to review why this is happening in the first place: we had to create the sequester because Republicans took the entire economy hostage in 2011. Republicans then refused for nearly two years now to accept a balanced approach that asks the wealthy and corporations to pay their fair share. Thus we are stuck with the sequester until Republicans stop being intransigent and start being reasonable. In fact, now House Republicans won’t even appoint negotiators to finalize a budget for next year — after complaining for years that the Senate refused to pass a budget.
BOTTOM LINE: If your flight is delayed because of the sequester cuts, you should remember who is to blame: Republicans who refuse to accept a balanced approach to deficit reduction and instead prefer sticking Americans with the sequester and all of its negative consequences.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed
I don’t know maybe its spring sweeps or maybe they just love to shock folks, some seem to be preoccupied with ratings, a lot just don’t care and all are exploiting a whole lot of entertainment personalities. There was a time when so-called celebs were protected… now the whole idea of being a public figure means your kids, though minors are up for grabs…
I have a problem with it … what about their children or their lives loves and living arrangements
Yes, I admit that I tune into reality TV or gossip shows sometimes to hear whom is dating whom, who the next sexiest guy is. I even watched j and k+8 until the media exposed too much info and quit, but watching entertainers act out or the pap’s be disrespectful and engage in dangerous behavior while boating, walking, drinking or driving was bad enough now reality TV is engaged in some sort of contest … fighting to keep their numbers up … it’s disgusting. We have TV interviews that can potentially or do hurt the families of reckless celebs and then there is the digging to get the story… usually personal and will definitely hurt not only the celeb but also family, friends and the fallout great…
Reality TV and gossip shows are big moneymakers … and it’s sad
We all might want to know … some so-called reporters dive in headfirst to say… “You know, I got to ask this question”…
The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:
There will be 90 minutes of debate, with time from 10:30 until 11:00am on the Kelly nomination and the time from 11:00am until 12:00 noon on the Burwell nomination. At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed. The first vote will be a 15 minute vote and the second vote will be a 10 minute vote.
Following the votes, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013, and immediately vote on adoption of the motion.
At 10:00am the Senate turned to a period of morning business until 10:30am, with the time equally divided. At 10:30am, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to debate the Kelly (30 minutes of debate) and Burwell (60 minutes of debate) nominations.
At 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to a series of up to 3 roll call votes in relation to the following items:
– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #60, the nomination of Jane Kelly, of Iowa, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit;
– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #64, the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and
– Adoption of the motion to proceed to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act.
12:05pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #60, the nomination of Jane Kelly, of Iowa, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit
Confirmed: 96-0
12:29pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #64, the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget (10 minute roll call vote)
The motion to proceed to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act, was adopted 75-22. Senator Reid then offered the Enzi-Durbin perfecting amendment #741 (Manager’s technical amendment) and filed cloture on the bill. Under the rule, the cloture vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Friday.
Senator Donnelly is now giving his maiden speech. We will resume consideration of the Marketplace Fairness Act following his remarks.
Senator Durbin offered a second degree amendment #745 (date change) to Enzi amendment #741. Senator Durbin has urged senators with amendments to the bill to come to the floor to talk to the managers about their amendments. He, along with Senator Reid, would like to complete action on the bill before we leave this week.
Senator Toomey asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass a bill to provide for sequester replacement. Senator Durbin objected. Senator Durbin then asked consent to take up and pass Calendar #64, S.788, a bill to suspend the fiscal year 2013 sequestration and offset with funds from Overseas Contingency Operations. Senator Toomey objected.
As a result of cloture being filed, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act, is 1pm tomorrow, Thursday, April 25. If cloture is invoked, amendments must be germane and timely filed to be considered in order post-cloture.
ROLL CALL VOTES
1) Executive Calendar #60, the nomination of Jane Kelly, of Iowa, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit; Confirmed: 96-0
2) Executive Calendar #64, the nomination of Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget; Confirmed: 96-0
3) Adoption of the motion to proceed to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act; Adopted: 75-22
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Adopted S.Res.111, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.
Adopted S.Res.112, Commending employees of the Senate Post Office, employees of the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, members of the Capitol Police, and members of the Capitol Hill community for their courage and professionalism following the biochemical attack against the Senate on April 16, 2013.
Adopted S.Res.113, designating April 23, 2013 as “National Adopt a Library Day”.
Adopted S.Res.114, a legal counsel resolution regarding U.S. v. Renzi.
Began the Rule 14 process of S.799, to provide for a sequester replacement. (Inhofe/Toomey)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.788, to suspend FY2013 sequestration. (Reid)
Last Floor Action:
9:31:34 P.M. – The House adjourned. 4/23/13
The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 24, 2013.
10:00:24 A.M.
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:39 A.M.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Rodney Davis 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.
10:40:09 A.M.
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:25 P.M.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.
12:00:32 P.M.
Today’s prayer was offered by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Armenian Apostolic Church of America, New York, NY
12:02:33 P.M.
The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:35 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Valadao to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:25 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.
12:30:35 P.M.
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:30:56 P.M.
H.R. 1071
Mr. Bachus moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1071 — “To specify the size of the precious-metal blanks that will be used in the production of the National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins.”
12:31:13 P.M.
H.R. 1071
Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:31:19 P.M.
H.R. 1071
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1071.
12:40:13 P.M.
H.R. 1071
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
12:40:16 P.M.
H.R. 1071
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:40:32 P.M.
H.R. 360
Mr. Bachus moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 360 — “To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, in recognition of the 50th commemoration of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where the 4 little Black girls lost their lives, which served as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.”
12:40:47 P.M.
H.R. 360
Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:41:07 P.M.
H.R. 360
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 360.
1:40:33 P.M.
H.R. 360
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:41:47 P.M.
H. Res. 175
Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 175 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1549) to amend Public Law 111-148 to transfer fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2016 funds from the Prevention and Public Health Fund to carry out the temporary high risk health insurance pool program for individuals with preexisting conditions, and to extend access to such program to such individuals who have had creditable coverage during the 6 months prior to application for coverage through such program.”
1:44:43 P.M.
H. Res. 175
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 175.
2:59:02 P.M.
H. Res. 175
On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 192 (Roll no. 121).
3:05:37 P.M.
H. Res. 175
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 189 (Roll no. 122).
3:05:38 P.M.
H. Res. 175
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:05:57 P.M.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:06:14 P.M.
H.R. 360
Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 360 — “To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, in recognition of the 50th commemoration of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where the 4 little Black girls lost their lives, which served as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.”
3:14:08 P.M.
H.R. 360
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 123).
3:14:09 P.M.
H.R. 360
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:14:35 P.M.
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent That it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in Joint Meeting Her Excellency Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea. Agreed to without objection.
3:15:08 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:23:01 P.M.
The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the 2013 National Drug Control Strategy – referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and the Workforce, Veterans’ Affairs, Armed Services, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Intelligence (Permanent Select) and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-20).
3:25:10 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed with further one minute speeches.
3:27:30 P.M.
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:27:31 P.M.
RE-REFERRAL of H.R. 763 – Mr. Gardner asked unanimous consent that H.R. 763 be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
4:27:32 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
4:28:00 P.M.
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
5:02:59 P.M.
Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 178.
5:03:40 P.M.
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
6:26:50 P.M.
Mr. Rokita moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:26:54 P.M.
On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:26:58 P.M.
The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 25, 2013.
Be a Seed for Change 