U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

05/21/2013 Nativegrl77

English: Logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2006) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sandoz US Announces Voluntary Nationwide Recall of two lots of Methotrexate Sodium, USP, Injectable Vials, 25mg/mL, 40mL vials

05/20/2013 05:32 PM EDT

Sandoz is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall to the hospital/user level of two lots of its Methotrexate Sodium, USP, 25 mg/mL, 40 mL vial injectable product in the US, due to the discovery of particulate matter in vials during routine quality examination of retention samples at the manufacturer. The product is preservative free.

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Eco-Cuisine Recalls Product Because of Possible Health Risk

05/20/2013 07:02 PM EDT

Eco-Cuisine of Boulder, Colorado is recalling all lots of T3314 Basic Brownie Mix, T3333 Betty Brownie Mix with Vanilla, T3388 Ground Beef Style Quick Mix, T3394 Sausage Style Quick Mix, T3416 Chocolate Cookie Mix, T3417 Lemon Muffin Mix, and T3418 English Scone Mix, CM25COOK Basic Cookie Mix 25 lb. bag, CM25MUFF Basic Muffin Mix 25 lb. bag, CM25SCON Basic Scone Mix 25 lb. Bag, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

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Precautionary Recall Issued For Pre-Packaged Texas Gulf Shrimp

05/20/2013 02:29 PM EDT

Galveston Shrimp Company has issued a precautionary voluntary recall of its pre-packaged Texas Gulf Shrimp due to foreign material found in a bag. The pre-packaged bags are shipped to HEB Stores. Customers who recently purchased pre-packaged Gulf Shrimp are encouraged to check their refrigerators and/or freezers.

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Symbios Medical Products Issues Nationwide Recall of GOPump and GOBlock Kits

05/16/2013 03:49 PM EDT

May 10, 2013 – Symbios Medical Products initiated a voluntary recall of all GoPump Rapid Recovery System kits and GOBlock Kits manufactured with flow control components assembled prior to July 2012. These products have been found to potentially cause excessively high flow rates, which presents a risk of patient toxicity and serious injury (e.g., seizure, dysrhythmia, death) due to the rapid influx of medication particularly in patients with low body mass or advanced age.

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Pentec Health Announces Limited Voluntary Recall of Certain Compounded Prescription Therapies for Renal Patients

05/17/2013 01:19 PM EDT

Pentec Health, Inc. has decided to initiate a limited, voluntary recall of in-date nutritional prescriptions for renal patients due to lack of sterility assurance associated with one of its laminar flow hoods used in compounding. The recall covers renal therapies that were compounded in this hood on or before May 2, 2013.

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Tropical Valley Foods Issues

Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk and Walnuts in Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Bananas

05/17/2013 11:54 AM EDT

Tropical Valley Foods Inc. of Plattsburgh, NY, is recalling next by Nature DARK CHOCOLATE BANANAS, 3 oz. bags, due to undeclared milk and walnuts. People who have an allergy to milk and/or walnuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Brian, Campaign for a Fair Settlement

05/21/2013 Nativegrl77

Invest in standing up to Wall Street criminals!

Real change requires dramatic actions like those going on in Washington today.

Connect with the Campaign for a Fair Settlement

As you read this dozens of Home Defenders are risking arrest fighting for struggling homeowners across the country by demanding an end to “Too Big to Jail” on the steps of the Department of Justice. Hundreds more are rallying in support. We at CFS are incredibly proud of how supporters like you have stepped up to make the Week of Action a success.
No one knows what is going to happen today, but we do know that, without dramatic actions like this, the problems and concerns of average Americans will always be overshadowed by the influence bought by Wall Street bankers. Only through organized and committed actions like the Justice to Justice Week of Action can we combat that influence.
Please invest in ensuring we can continue to fight aggressively for you and millions of others. Invest $25 or whatever you can today.
We’ve accomplished so much already, but we know that we have more to do before we accomplish our goals. As long as people are still in danger of losing their homes and Wall Street continues to press for deregulation, CFS will continue to fight to push the Obama Administration for widespread mortgage reductions and increased scrutiny on Wall Street.
The fight is not over! Invest $25 now to make sure we can keep fighting with the millions of struggling homeowners who need justice.
Your decision to stand up to Wall Street and say “enough is enough.” was a critical first step towards holding Wall Street criminals accountable and preventing future economic disasters from happening. The next step is to take actions powerful enough to force Wall Street and the Administration to do the right thing. That’s why we’re at the DOJ today and that’s why we need to do more in the future.
Invest today and allow us to continue that fight. Please donate $25 or whatever you can.
The hundreds of foreclosure fighters and home defenders fighting for justice in DC wouldn’t be there without you. Let’s take it to the next level.
In solidarity,

Brian Kettenring, Campaign Director, Campaign for a Fair Settlement Executive Director, Action for the Common Good
http://www.campaignforfairsettlement.org/

Black History

the Senate led by Dems :::::::::::: S.954, the Farm bill CONGRESS :::::::::::: the Republican led House

05/21/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 12:00 noon today the Senate will observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tornado in Oklahoma.

Following the moment of silence at noon, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote in relation to Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal participation in soil and water conservation programs).

Following the votes Senator Gillibrand will be recognized and intends to offer amendment #931 (restore SNAP cuts with offset).

The managers of the bill are also working on a Sessions amendment #945, but there may be an additional modification. If that modification is agreeable to both sides, it is their intention to adopt that amendment, as modified, prior to the caucus meetings.

12:01pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal participation in soil and water conservation programs);Agreed To: 87-8

Cantwell amendment #919 was agreed to 87-8.

Senator Gillibrand offered amendment #931 (SNAP funding). The Sessions amendment #945 (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance), as modified, was agreed to.

Following Senator Gillibrand’s statement, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm. After the lunch we will continue to process amendments to the Farm bill.

Senator Sanders asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up amendments #963 (CFTC investigation on energy futures and swaps markets) and #964 (CFTC regulation of energy markets). Senator Stabenow said there is an objection to setting aside the pending amendment.

Senator Roberts has called up amendment #948 (SNAP). We are working on an agreement to have a couple votes this afternoon in relation to the Gillibrand and Roberts amendments. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to S.954, the Farm bill:

Leahy amendment #998 (gigabit Internet pilot program)

The following amendments have been considered to S.954, the Farm bill:

Cantwell amendment #919 (Indian tribes – land and soil conservation programs) Agreed to: 87-8
Sessions amendment #945, as modified (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance) Agreed to by unanimous consent
Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP) Not Agreed to: 40-58
Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP funding) Not Agreed to: 26-70

4:07pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP);

Not Agreed To: 40-58

4:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP);

Not Agreed To: 26-70

Senator Murray asked unanimous consent to proceed to H.Con.Res.25, 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 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. This is the long way of saying she asked to go to conference on the Budget resolution.

Senator Paul asked that Murray modify her request to make it not in order to consider any conference report that includes reconciliation instructions to raise the debt limit. Senator McCain objected to Paul’s request.

Senator McCain then asked that the original Murray request be modified so that 2 motions to instruct conferees be in order, one related to the debt limit and the other related to taxes. Senator Paul objected to the modification. Senator Paul then objected to Murray’s original request.

Following the period of morning business, the Senate resumed consideration of the Farm bill and Senator Stabenow called up Leahy amendment #998 (rural broadband).

The Senate is now in a period of morning business until 6:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Tomorrow the Senate will resume consideration of the Farm bill and continue to process amendments.

As a reminder, 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 a roll call 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.

This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES1) Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP) to S.954, the Farm bill; Not Agreed to: 40-58
2) Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP funding); Not Agreed to: 26-70

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.45, the Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1003, the Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act. (Coburn)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1004, the Anti-Trust Freedom Act. (Paul)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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May 2013
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

Last Floor Action: 5/20
10:42:42 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now recess.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 P.M.
today.

10:00:12 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:42 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.
10:42:42 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

12:00:52 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 21.
12:01:12 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Mark Turner, South Valley Community Church, Gilroy, California.
12:02:59 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cartwright to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:23 P.M.		The Speaker recognized Ms. Zoe Lofgren for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain.
12:04:30 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.
12:34:13 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 21, 2013 at 9:45 a.m. stating that that body had passed S. 309.
12:35:28 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1412 — “To improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
12:35:46 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:35:48 P.M.	H.R. 1412	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1412.
12:48:22 P.M.	H.R. 1412	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.
12:49:03 P.M.	H.R. 570	Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 570 — “To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans.”
12:49:06 P.M.	H.R. 570	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:49:09 P.M.	H.R. 570	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 570.
1:03:27 P.M.	H.R. 570	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:03:31 P.M.	H.R. 570	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:34 P.M.	H.R. 570	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
1:04:29 P.M.	H.R. 324	Mr. Cotton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 324 — “To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.”
1:04:56 P.M.	H.R. 324	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:04:58 P.M.	H.R. 324	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 324.
1:17:35 P.M.	H.R. 324	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.
1:18:28 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1344 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled members of the Armed Forces and severely injured or disabled veterans, and for other purposes.”
1:19:00 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:19:03 P.M.	H.R. 1344	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1344.
1:48:53 P.M.	H.R. 1344	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.
1:50:01 P.M.	S. 982	Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 982 — “To prohibit the Corps of Engineers from taking certain actions to establish a restricted area prohibiting public access to waters downstream of a dam, and for other purposes.”
1:50:16 P.M.	S. 982	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:50:18 P.M.	S. 982	<DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 982.
2:10:51 P.M.	S. 982	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:10:54 P.M.	S. 982	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:12:25 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. S. Con. Res. 16 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for the unveiling of a statue of Frederick Douglass.”
2:12:29 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:12:34 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. Con. Res. 16.
2:22:19 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
2:22:21 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:23:47 P.M.		Mr. Grayson was recognized by the Chair to offer a resolution.
2:24:41 P.M.		The resolution was reported and the Chair recognized Mr. Grayson for the purpose of presenting argument to support the privileged status of the resolution.
2:24:42 P.M.		Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution offered by Mr. Grayson does not qualify as a question of the privileges of the House.
2:33:30 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1412 — “To improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
2:59:37 P.M.	H.R. 1412	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0 (Roll no. 164).
2:59:38 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:59:51 P.M.	H.R. 324	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 324 — “To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.”
3:07:50 P.M.	H.R. 324	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 – 0 (Roll no. 165).
3:07:51 P.M.	H.R. 324	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:08:03 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1344 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled members of the Armed Forces and severely injured or disabled veterans, and for other purposes.”
3:14:46 P.M.	H.R. 1344	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 166).
3:14:47 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:16:25 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:24:04 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
3:55:56 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
5:03:56 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 21.
5:04:20 P.M.		Mr. Webster (FL) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 228.
5:04:21 P.M.		The House received a communication from Jim Costa, Member of Congress. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congressman Costa notified the House that he had been served a subpoena for documents issued by the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, regarding a third-party workers’ compensation matter. After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he has determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
5:05:55 P.M.		Mr. Webster (FL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:05:57 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:05:58 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 22, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Raped and Then Denied the Care They Need – Not on Our Watch

05/20/2013 Nativegrl77

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 Rights National 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

P.S. Your support allows us to continue to fight for women’s health, as well as work on many other critical issues. Please consider making a generous donation today.