Monthly Archives: May 2013

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launch


I just left the official launch of our Off the Sidelines campaign. I am amazed by how far this movement has come – and excited about how far it can go.

As much as we have accomplished together, I know we can achieve so much more.

Thank you for all you do,

Kirsten

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HCAN


The Republicans in Congress need to know that you’re furious over their refusal to do their jobs. Write to your congressperson and tell them to repeal the sequester today.

Last week, Congress took rapid action to end furloughs of government air-traffic controllers that had inconvenienced air travelers.

That’s fine. But they didn’t do a single thing to end the sequester’s across-the-board cuts that are hurting more and more people every day. Nope. The GOP won’t budge unless it helps them and the wealthy special interests.

The Senate Just Fixed The (part of the) Sequester (that affects rich people)

Let’s be honest: The only reason these Senators and Representatives acted so quickly is they didn’t want to be inconvenienced on the tarmac as they flew home for the weekend. They don’t care about the workers at the Federal Aviation Administration – just folks who can afford air travel.

What about the poor and elderly? Kids who can’t go to Head Start? Doctors and cancer patients who rely on Medicare? With the Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, they’re out of luck.

Health Care for America Now is joining the Campaign for America’s Future to tell Congress to repeal the sequester – all of it, not just the parts that affect the wealthy.

Members of Congress have heard from their campaign contributors who like to fly. Now they need to hear from Medicare recipients, from seniors who have lost Meals on Wheels, from parents whose kids can’t go to Head Start anymore and from health care supporters who want the Affordable Care Act to continue moving forward.

Write to your congressperson today and tell them to repeal the whole sequester.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill Health Care for America Now

Black History

CONGRESS


Capitol DC
Capitol DC (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, May 6, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • At 5:30pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013, post-cloture. The filing deadline for 2nd degree amendments to S.743 is 4:00pm.
  • At 5:30pm, all post-cloture time will be yielded back, the Durbin amendment #745 will be withdrawn, no other 2nd degree amendments will be in order and the Senate will proceed to 2 roll call votes in relation to the following:
  • Upon the disposition of S.743, there will be a 3rd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013.

The cloture motion on the motion to proceed to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, was withdrawn. At 2:15pm tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7, the motion to proceed to S.601 will be agreed to, and the Senate will begin consideration of the bill.

We may be able to consider the Enzi-Durbin amendment #741 (perfecting substitute) to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act, without a roll call vote. If so, there would only be 1 vote at 5:30pm on passage of S.743, as amended. If a roll call vote is requested, there would be 2 votes.

5:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Enzi-Durbin amendment #741 (perfecting substitute) to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act;

Agreed To: 70-24

6:12pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act.

Prior to the vote on passage of Marketplace Fairness Act, Senator Reid asked consent to go to conference on the Budget resolution. Senator Cruz objected.

Request to go to conference on H.Con.Res.25 – Budget Resolution – FY2014

 

Leader:            I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #33, H.Con.Res.25; that all after the enacting clause be stricken; that the amendment which is at the desk, the text of S.Con.Res.8, the budget resolution passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; that H.Con.Res.25, as amended be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate, all with no intervening action or debate.

Chair:              Is there an objection to the request?

Cruz:                Reserved his right to object and asked that the Leader modify his request so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or to raise the debt limit.

Senator Reid:  Declined to modify his request

Senator Cruz:  I object

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Enzi-Durbin amendment #741 (perfecting amendment) to S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act; Agreed to: 70-24

2)      Passage of S.743, as amended; Passed: 69-27

No additional LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 6, 2013 for Morning Hour Debate.

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

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Weekly Address: Fixing our Immigratio​n System and Expanding Trade in Latin America


President Obama describes the incredible opportunities to create middle-class jobs in America by deepening our economic ties and expanding trade in Latin America and discusses recent Senate bill that takes commonsense steps to fix our broken immigration system.

Mexico & Costa Rica Trip: On Thursday, President Obama started a three-day trip to Mexico and Costa Rica for his first visit to Latin America of the second term. During the trip, the President hopes to reinforce the deep cultural, familial, and economic ties we share with Mexico and Central America.

Yesterday, the President had a bilateral meeting with Mexican President Peña Nieto at Palacio National in Mexico City. The bulk of his discussions in Mexico will cover the economy, and in Costa Rica, the President will meet with Central American leaders, who are important partners in improving foreign policy and the economy.

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, previewed the trip before leaving Washington. Check out the video on YouTube.

Transportation Secretary Nominated: On Tuesday, the President nominated the Mayor of Charlotte, Anthony Foxx, for Transportation Secretary. As mayor, Foxx modernized the electric train service to Charlotte’s downtown area, expanded the international airport, and extended the city’s light rail system. The President hopes cities can mimic the work done in Charlotte to attract more business, create more jobs, and stay competitive in the global economy.

Our top priority as a nation right now is doing everything we can to grow our economy and create good jobs and rebuild opportunity for the middle class. And one of the best ways we can do that is to put more Americans back to work rebuilding our infrastructure.

New FHFA and FCC Heads Picked: On Wednesday, the President announced the nominations of Representative Melvin Watt, as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and Tom Wheeler, as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Watt served for 20 years as a member of the congressional committee that oversees housing policy and will be responsible for looking over mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The President will look for Wheeler to head the FCC to ensure American businesses and workers have “the tools they need to compete in the 21st century economy.”

Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative Tapped: On Thursday, the President announced his nominations of Penny Pritzker as Secretary of Commerce and Mike Froman as U.S. Trade Representative.

Pritzker is one of “our country’s most distinguished business leaders” with more than 25 years of management experience in real estate, finance, and hospitality.

If confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative, Froman, will bring with him over two decades in both the public and private sectors.  The President described him as “one of the world’s foremost experts on our global economy” who pushes until “he’s delivered the best possible deal for American businesses and American works.”

Hiring More Veterans: On Wednesday, President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden participated in a Joining Forces employment event announcing new hiring commitments for veterans and military spouses. Two years ago, the President challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 unemployed veterans or their spouses by the end of 2013. The First Lady announced American companies achieved this goal eight months ahead of schedule. To date, 290,000 veterans or military spouses have been hired by the private sector, almost triple the original goal.

At the event, the First Lady continued the call to action and said American companies have committed to hire or train 435,000 veterans or military spouses over the next five years.

Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to serve our service members and their families. Check out Joining Forces to find simple ways you can help veterans and military families.

Open for Questions: On Wednesday, President Obama held a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room covering a range of issues. The President responded to questions pertaining to Syria and our national security, the Boston Marathon bombing, gun legislation, health care, and immigration reform.  Watch the full press conference here and read the President’s full remarks here.

Correspondents’ Dinner: On Saturday, President Obama poked fun at himself at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. The President was joined by host Conan O’Brien, First Lady Michelle Obama, members of the media, and a collection of celebrities. During his remarks, he shared a promo for Steven Spielberg’s follow-up to “Lincoln” called “Obama.”

You can watch the President’s full remarks on YouTube and read his remarks here.

150th Anniversary of National Academy of Sciences: On Monday, the President delivered remarks at the National Academy of Sciences on its 150th anniversary. The President thanked the Academy for its contributions and for helping create a strong economy, improving our health, and protecting our environment.

For 150 years, you’ve strived to answer big questions, solve tough problems, not for yourselves but for the benefit of the nation.  And that legacy has endured from the Academy’s founding days.  And when you look at our history, you’ve stepped up at times of enormous need and, in some cases, great peril.

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Backstage at the White House: Memphis Soul


Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite talk about the music known as “Memphis Soul” and give a special acoustic performance at the White House in the hours leading up to the “In Performance: Memphis Soul” event, held on April 9th in the East Room