English: US Congresswoman Jay Inslee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
by Govenor Jay Inslee
This is it. On Monday, the legislature reconvened for a special session. My priority is to ensure it passes a budget that reflects our values.
The budget touches everything that happens in Washington State — schools for our kids, health care for our seniors, and infrastructure for our businesses. Passing a budget that reflects my priorities — our priorities — by putting our obligation to students ahead of tax breaks is one of my most important goals as governor.
I’m honored that thousands of Washingtonians have already stood with me to endorse my Working Washington budget priorities and send the message that Washingtonians are insisting on a responsible budget that supports our kids and moves our state forward. But we haven’t heard from you yet.
I will continue to be engaged in productive discussions with legislators as we work to find consensus on a budget that reflects our values.
All of our work has been building to this. We need to pass a responsible, sustainable budget that rebuilds our economy, protects our critical services, and meets our responsibility to our children.
NWLC supporters have already sent nearly 15,000 letters to Senators asking them to support the Peace Corps Equity Act. Can you help us get to 20,000 letters?
Take action now and tell your Senators today to end the extreme policy that prohibits women in the Peace Corps who become pregnant due to rape or whose life is at risk because of a pregnancy from getting an abortion. As always — thanks for your help. Sincerely, Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive RightsNational Women’s Law Center
End the Extreme Policy
Tell your Senators to support the Peace Corps Equity Act and end the extreme abortion coverage ban for Peace Corps volunteers in the case of rape, incest and life endangerment.
No woman should ever be denied an abortion, especially in the cases of rape, incest, or when the woman’s life is at risk. Period. And yet extreme policies currently exist that deny certain women coverage for abortion services in these difficult and, sometimes, life-threatening situations. It’s time to end the unconscionable ban on abortion coverage for Peace Corps volunteers in the cases of rape, incest and life endangerment to the woman. Tell your Senators to support the Peace Corps Equity Act to end this extreme policy.
The Peace Corps is a federal program that sends over 8,000 American volunteers abroad each year to promote world peace and friendship. Women make up more than 60 percent of these volunteers. And though other women who receive health care coverage through the federal government have coverage of abortion in cases of rape, incest, and to protect the life of the woman, Peace Corps volunteers are prohibited from receiving the same coverage as federal employees. The Peace Corps Equity Act will end this extreme policy by expanding access to reproductive health care in cases of rape, incest and life endangerment. Tell your Senators to support this legislation today.
Just last year, National Women’s Law Center supporters sent over 70,000 messages successfully urging lawmakers to give U.S. military women the same reproductive health coverage as their civilian counterparts. We’ve shown that, together, we can end such unconscionable and harmful policies.
Thank you for everything you do to protect women’s reproductive health.
Sincerely,
Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center
There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be up to 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the Chappell and McShane nominations.
The following amendments are pending to S.954, the Farm bill:
Cantwell amendment #919 (Indian tribes – land and soil conservation programs)
The following amendments have been considered to S.954, the Farm bill:
The Senate has begun consideration of S.954, the Farm bill. Senator Stabenow called up Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal soil and water conservation programs).At 5pm, the Senate will turn to Executive session with 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the below listed nominations.- Executive Calendar #45, the nomination of Sheri Polster Chappell, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida; and- Executive Calendar #46, the nomination of Michael J. McShane, of Oregon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon.We may be able to consider one of the nominations by voice vote, but we don’t know which one yet.
Senator McCain asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up the Feinstein-McCain amendment #923 (tobacco crop insurance). Senator Stabenow objected in order to give the committee time to group additional crop insurance amendments together, but assured Senator McCain a vote on the amendment.
5:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #45, the nomination of Sheri Polster Chappell, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida;Confirmed: 90-0
Executive Calendar #46, the nomination of Michael J. McShane, of Oregon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon, was confirmed by voice vote.
The Senate is in a period of morning business until 7pm, with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes today.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTE1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #45, the nomination of Sheri Polster Chappell, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida; Confirmed: 90-0LEGISLATIVE ITEMSDischarged the Banking Committee and passed S.309, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol with a Harkin amendment.
Adopted S.Res.149, Designating the week of May 19 through May 25, 2013 as “National Public Works Week.”
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Confirmed Executive Calendar #46, the nomination of Michael J. McShane, of Oregon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon by voice vote.
At 4pm on Wednesday, May 22, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #43, S.Res.65, resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.There will be 60 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the resolution. If the resolution is agreed to, the preamble will be agreed to. The motions to reconsider will be considered made and laid upon the table, all with no intervening action or debate.
The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 20, 2013.
12:00:08 P.M.
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:12 P.M.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:00 P.M.
MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:01:36 P.M.
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:00 P.M.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 20.
2:00:09 P.M.
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:24 P.M.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Brooks (AL) 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. Brooks (AL) made a point of no quorum 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.
2:02:17 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:55 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:12:44 P.M.
The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 May 20, 2013 at 11:33 a.m. stating that that body had passed S. 982 and made appointments to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
2:13:30 P.M.
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
5:03:16 P.M.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 20.
5:03:31 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 20, 2013 at 1:42 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 16.
5:04:00 P.M.
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
5:04:15 P.M.
H.R. 258
Mr. Collins (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 258 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraudulent representations about having received military declarations or medals.”
5:04:45 P.M.
H.R. 258
<Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:04:47 P.M.
H.R. 258
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 258.
5:16:52 P.M.
H.R. 258
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.
5:17:06 P.M.
H.R. 1073
Mr. Collins (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1073 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for protection of maritime navigation and prevention of nuclear terrorism, and for other purposes.”
5:17:24 P.M.
H.R. 1073
Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:17:26 P.M.
H.R. 1073
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1073.
5:30:32 P.M.
H.R. 1073
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.
5:31:05 P.M.
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:23 P.M.
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 20.
6:31:30 P.M.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules and on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, all of which had been postponed from earlier in the day.
6:31:43 P.M.
H.R. 258
Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 258 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraudulent representations about having received military declarations or medals.”
6:59:32 P.M.
H.R. 258
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 161).
6:59:33 P.M.
H.R. 258
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:59:59 P.M.
H.R. 258
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
7:00:43 P.M.
H.R. 1073
Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1073 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for protection of maritime navigation and prevention of nuclear terrorism, and for other purposes.”
7:07:32 P.M.
H.R. 1073
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 162).
7:07:35 P.M.
H.R. 1073
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:15:54 P.M.
On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 163).
7:18:55 P.M.
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Mr. Grayson notified the House of his intent to rise to a question of the privileges of the House and to offer a resolution. Mr. Grayson was recognized to notice the form of his proposed resolution. The Chair subsequently announced that under rule IX, a resolution offered from the floor by a Member other than the majority leader or the minority leader as a question of the privileges of the House has immediate precedence only at a time designated by the Chair within 2 legislative days after the resolution is properly noticed. The Chair announced that it would not, at that point, make the determination required by the rule, but that the form of the resolution would appear in the Congressional Record.
7:20:55 P.M.
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:34:55 P.M.
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:27:30 P.M.
Mr. Horsford moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:27:42 P.M.
On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:27:43 P.M.
The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 21, 2013.
Be a Seed for Change 
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