~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Going Nuclear

07/10/2013 Nativegrl77

Standing Up to Unprecedented GOP Obstructionism

Republican leaders from the House and Senate got together and plotted on the very night President Obama was first inaugurated and agreed that there would be no cooperation, no compromise, no nothing but unceasing obstruction. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen ever since, whether it’s on legislation, judicial nominations, or other executive branch nominations.

After more than four years of unprecedented obstruction, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said enough is enough. He’s previously made two agreements with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to try and get the Senate moving without formally changing the rules, but both times Sen. McConnell failed to keep up his end of the bargain and the Senate remained gridlocked. Some nominees have literally been stalled for years at a time.

Today, Sen. Reid filed cloture on seven Obama nominees, many of whom are to serve in positions that protect workers, consumers, and our clean air and water. If the Republicans still insist on blocking these nominations come Tuesday, Democrats are poised to use the so-called “nuclear option” to eliminate the filibuster on executive branch nominations.

Filibusters would still be allowed on legislation and judicial nominations, but Senate Republicans would no longer be able to paralyze the government by denying the president the ability to fill key vacancies.

This is an important first step toward making the Senate function as our Founding Fathers envisioned it when they specified in the Constitution that only simple majorities were needed to approve both legislation and nominations.

The practical consequences of this decision are huge. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot issue rules in certain areas and do many key tasks unless it has a director. It will be difficult for the president to advance his agenda to combat climate change unless Gina McCarthy is confirmed to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Unless new members are confirmed to the National Labor Relations Board, it will literally cease to function soon — something that will hurt both workers and employers alike.

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans have engaged in years of unprecedented obstructionism and they have only themselves to blame if Democrats are forced to use the “nuclear option” to simply make the Senate function more like the Constitution says it should. Interestingly, many of the Republican Senators decrying this potential rules reform today argued vehemently in favor of it just eight short years ago.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate says health insurance should not cover check-ups or physicals.

House Republicans pass cruel Farm Bill that dropped all funding for food stamps.

Colorado counties want to secede and form a new petro-state with lax environmental rules.

No, the Department of Justice did not organize Trayvon Martin rallies.

As Alabama cuts benefits, desperate man “robs” bank in order to get food, shelter.

Mitch McConnell’s Kentucky.

Brazilian Attorney General challenges constitutionality of World Cup tax exemption.

What do motorcycles and abortion have in common?

Texas women will be forced to turn to “flea market abortions.”

Black History

the Senate considers S.1238,Student loans Congress the House considers HR2609,Energy&Water

07/10/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. The time until 12:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 12:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013.

Senator Burr asked unanimous consent that if cloture is not invoked on the pending motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013 (Reed), that it then be in order to move to proceed to S.1241, Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act (Manchin); further that the cloture motion which will be at the desk be considered filed on the motion to proceed and further, notwithstanding Rule XXII, the Senate then immediately proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the pending motion to proceed to the Manchin bill, S.1241. If the request would have been agreed to it would have resulted in 2 cloture votes on motions to proceed to the two versions of student loan rates at noon today.

Senator Harkin objected.

the motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013;

Not Invoked: 51-49

Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, failed 51-49. Senator Reid changed his vote to no and then entered a motion to reconsider in order to preserve his ability to reconsider the failed vote at a later time.

The motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable, remains the pending business.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013; Not Invoked: 51-49

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.588, the Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgement Act of 2013.

Passed H.R.251, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Federal features of the electric distribution system to the South Utah Valley Electric Service District, and for other purposes.

Passed H.R.254, Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act.

Adopted S.Res.193, honoring the fallen heroes of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

**********************************************

July 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

Last Floor Action:
12:03:58 A.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 10, 2013.

10:00:12 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark E. Amodei to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:54 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.
10:38:08 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:29 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 10.
12:00:51 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:00 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Holding 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. Holding objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:25 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Gabbard to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:42 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.
12:34:30 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2609 — “Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.”
12:34:49 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
12:35:51 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Burgess, numbered 17 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to implement or enforce section 430.32(x), with respect to light bulbs.
12:36:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Burgess amendment No. 17 amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:42:31 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Burgess amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
12:43:01 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Ms. Bass, numbered 29 printed in the Congresssional Record to prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enfore, with respect to hydraulic fracturing operations in the Inglewood Oil Field.
12:43:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bass amendment No. 29 amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:47:49 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Bass amendment No. 29, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Bass demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
12:48:10 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Meadows, to prohibit the use of funds to pay salary of individuals appointed to the current position.
12:48:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Meadows amendment amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:49:31 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Meadows amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
12:56:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, to prohibit the use of funds to implement or enforce the mitigation methodology, referred to as the “Modified Charleston Method”, within the borders of Louisiana.
12:56:57 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:04:52 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:05:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lynch, to increase the Department of Army Corps of Engineers funds by $20,000,000, and decrease the Fossil fuel research program by $20,000,000.
1:05:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lynch amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:14:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS.
1:15:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Blackburn, to prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed ceiling fan rule.
1:15:05 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blackburn amendment under the five-minute rule.

1:25:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Blackburn amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:25:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Higgins, numbered 31 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to relocate or consolidate general resources of the Buffalo and Chicago Districts of the Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division.
1:26:08 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Higgins amendment No. 31 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:35:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Higgins amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:35:53 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Walberg, numbered 32 printed in the Congressional Record.
1:36:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Walberg amendment No. 32 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:38:11 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Walberg amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:38:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grayson, numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to enter into a contract with any offeror or any of it principals if the offeror certifies, as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation.
1:39:08 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grayson amendment No. 14 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:39:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Grayson amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:43:06 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Barrow (GA), numbered 26 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for the purchase or hire of motor vehicles.
1:43:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Barrow amendment No. 26 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:46:21 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Barrow (GA) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
1:47:20 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, to increase coastal restoration construction by $2,000,000 within the Department of Army-Corps of Engineers, and reduce the administration account within the Department of Energy by $2,000,000.
1:47:24 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:59:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:28:12 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 328).
2:34:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 329).
2:40:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 330).
2:47:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 331).
2:54:34 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Quigley amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 332).
3:03:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Heck (NV) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 333).
3:03:32 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen moved that the committee rise.
3:03:51 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:04:05 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2609 as unfinished business.
3:04:15 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

5:15:05 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 10.
5:15:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2609 — “Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.”
5:16:10 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
5:16:11 P.M.	H.R. 2609	VACATING PROCEEDINGS – Ms. Bass asked unanimous consent to withdraw her request for a recorded vote on the Bass (CA) amendment to the end that the amendment stand disposed of by voice vote. Agreed to without objection.
5:17:07 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Bass amendment; Failed by voice vote.
5:46:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Polis amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 334).
5:53:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Burgess amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 335).
6:01:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Burgess amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 336).
6:07:31 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Titus amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 337).
6:14:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Lynch amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 338).
6:16:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, to prohibit use of funds in the bill for activities proposed in the memorandum from Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy, to the Power Marketing Administrators with the subject line “Power Marketing Administrations’ Role” and dated March 16, 2012.
6:16:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:22:00 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:23:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Whitfield, to prohibit use of funds in the bill by the Department of Energy for wind energy programs.
6:23:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Whitfield amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:36:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Whitfield amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Whitfield demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
6:41:57 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Turner, to prohibit use of funds in the bill to reduce the nuclear forces of the United States in contravention of the Arms Control and Disarmament Act.
6:41:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Turner amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:47:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Turner amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:48:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lujan, Ben Ray (NM), to revise funding levels in the bill by reducing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Expenses”, and increasing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Construction”, by $15 million.
6:48:33 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Ben Ray Lujan amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:51:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Lujan, Ben Ray (NM) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
6:52:37 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nugent, to prohibit use of funds in the bill to bring an action against the United States.
6:52:40 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nugent amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:55:34 P.M.	H.R. 2609	By unanimous consent, the Nugent amendment was withdrawn.
6:56:50 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Engel, to prohibit use of funds to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles for any executive fleet, or for an agency’s fleet inventory, except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum–Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.
6:56:58 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Engel amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:00:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Engel amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:01:30 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garcia, to revise funding levels by reducing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Expenses”, and by increasing the amount made available for “Corp of Engineers-Civil–Construction”, by $1 million.
7:01:33 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 2609, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garcia amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:03:03 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Garcia amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:04:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Fleming, to prohibit use of funds to pay the salary of any officer or employee to carry out section 301 of the Hoover Power Plant act of 1984 added by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
7:04:50 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fleming amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:11:54 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Fleming amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Fleming demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
7:12:41 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi, numbered 28 printed in the Congressional Record to revise funding levels by reducing the amount made available for “Atomic Energy Defense Activities–National Nuclear Security Administration–Weapons Activities”, and increasing the amount made available by “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Construction”, by $100 million.
7:12:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garamendi amendment No. 28 under the five-minute rule.
7:22:56 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garamendi amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garamendi demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
7:23:11 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer, to prohibit use of funds for the study of the Missouri River Projects authorized in section 108 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 (division C of Public Law 111-8).
7:23:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Luetkemeyer amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:26:32 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Luetkemeyer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:31:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer, to prohibit use of funds to continue the study conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to section 5018(a)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.
7:31:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Leutkemeyer amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:37:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Luetkemeyer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:42:39 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Noem, to prohibit use of funds to issue rules or regulations to establish a fee for surplus water from Missouri River reservoirs.
7:42:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Noem amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:48:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Noem amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:49:34 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Ms. Speier, to provide that the amount otherwise made available for “Department of Energy–Energy Programs–Fossil Energy Research and Development” is reduced by $30 million.
7:49:40 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Speier amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:53:14 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Speier amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Speier demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
7:58:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grayson, to revise funding levels by reducing the amount made available for “Energy Programs–Fossil Energy Research and Development” and increasing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies”, by $10 million.
7:58:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grayson amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:02:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Grayson amendment; Failed by voice vote.
8:06:52 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Chabot, to reduce the funding levels for “Appalachian Regional Commi ssion”, “Delta Regional Authority”, “Denali Commission”, “Northern Border Regional Commission”, and “Southeast Crescent Regional Commission” to $0.
8:06:55 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Chabot amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:22:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Chabot amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Chabot demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
8:23:00 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Butterfield, to express the sense of Congress that the Army Corps of Engineers should take into consideration and prioritize emergency operations, repairs, mitigation activities, and other activities in response to or in anticipation of any flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster when evaluating construction projects.
8:23:06 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Butterfield amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point order.
8:27:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Butterfield amendment. Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment proposed to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
8:29:38 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kelly (PA), numbered 20 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds to develop or submit a proposal to expand the authorized uses of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
8:29:56 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kelly (PA) amendment under the five-minute rule.

8:44:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Kelly (PA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:48:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. LaMalfa, to prohibit use of funds to regulate activities identified in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 404(f)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(1)(A),(C)).
8:48:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaMalfa amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:54:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:55:26 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. King (IA), to prohibit use of funds by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for sediment or soil dumping into the Missouri River.
8:55:28 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the King (IA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:01:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:02:07 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores, to prohibit use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce the National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No. 13547 of July 19, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 43023, relating to the stewardship of oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes).
9:02:10 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:09:14 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:10:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores, to prohibit use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140; 42 U.S.C. 17142).
9:10:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:13:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:14:12 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Bridenstine, to prohibit use of funds by the Corps of Engineers to set water storage prices for municipal use for a nonhydropower lake constructed by the Corps above the price that was set at the time of the completion of that lake.
9:14:14 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bridenstine amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
9:17:23 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Bridenstine amendment. Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the provisions of the Bridenstine amendment result in a net increase in budget authority and violate H. Res. 5, 113th Congress. The Chair sustained the point of order.
9:21:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
9:53:24 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Whitfield amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 94 – 329 (Roll no. 339).
9:58:20 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Fleming amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 230 – 194 (Roll no. 340).
10:02:20 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 253 (Roll no. 341).
10:05:54 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Speier amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 250 (Roll no. 342).
10:09:05 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Chabot amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 147 – 273 (Roll no. 343).
10:09:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.
10:09:37 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.
10:09:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2609.
10:10:35 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:10:51 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:11:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Schneider moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
10:12:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Schneider motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with amendments which would increase the Corps of Engineers Investigations and Construction accounts by a total of $3.65 million (intended to combat invasive species in the Great Lakes and across the nation); increase the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account by $7 million (intended to deal with upcoming hurricanes); increase the Renewable Energy, Energy Reliability, and Efficiency account by $2 million (intended for the US-Israel Energy Cooperation Program); and decrease the Departmental Administration account by $12.65 million.
10:18:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:25:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 195 – 230 (Roll no. 344).
10:32:41 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 198 (Roll no. 345).
10:32:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:32:52 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal on which further proceedings had been postponed.
10:33:03 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
10:33:53 P.M.		Mr. Latham asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on July 11. Agreed to without objection.
10:34:44 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

*******************************************************

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Diabetes

07/09/2013 Nativegrl77

Your Senator will be taking an important vote this week. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on funding for important diabetes programs in the FY 2014 LHHS Appropriations bill for the upcoming budget. The votes will come in the next few days.
The result of this vote will set the stage for funding of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, the Division of Diabetes Translation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Diabetes Prevention Program, also at the CDC, for the next year.
Tell your Senator to take action to support increased diabetes funding in FY 2014!
The diabetes epidemic in our country is growing. A recent report by the American Diabetes Association found the annual cost of diagnosed diabetes has skyrocketed by an astonishing 41% over the last five years – from $174 billion per year in 2007 to $245 billion in 2012. Our country cannot afford the consequences of failing to adequately fight this growing epidemic. As Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee vote on the FY 2014 LHHS Appropriation bill, they can take steps to Stop Diabetes® by providing increased funding to prevent, manage and cure diabetes. Contact your Senator to urge support for increased funding for these important programs!
Thank you for your help in the fight to Stop Diabetes.

Sincerely,

Gina Gavlak National Advocacy Committee Chair American Diabetes Association

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rich Hunter via Change.org

07/09/2013 Nativegrl77

My son Nixon “Wildcard” Hunter is truly a miracle. After a premature birth he’s faced serious health challenges, including a most recent death defying hospital stay — the doctors say he’s lucky to be alive. But our medical provider, United Healthcare, didn’t cover the cost of everything, including his cochlear implant surgery.

I started a petition asking UHC to cover my newborn son’s cochlear implant surgery and it quickly grew to over 45,000 signatures, including yours. Less than a month later UHC called to tell me that his cochlear implant surgery would be covered!

As a parent, I was scared that I didn’t know how my wife and I were going to afford all of the procedures Nixon needed. Seeing the outpour of support on our petition from people across the country who had gone through the same thing inspired us to keep fighting — without those stories and signatures of support, we couldn’t have won.

My wife and I are excited to move forward from this uncertain chapter of our lives and be a family again with our new son. Thank you so much for all your help.

Rich Hunter

Tustin, California

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Shouldn’t Government Be Easy to Use?

07/09/2013 Nativegrl77

Watch live to find out how a new management agenda is improving government.

Shouldn’t Government Be Easy to Use?

President Obama is devoted to making government smarter — improving disaster response, reducing waste, and opening up government data. We’ve made some big progress, but there’s more to do to make government user-friendly for Americans.

That’s why, today, President Obama is highlighting a new management agenda — directing his cabinet to continue to bring this government into the 21st century, and make it easier than ever for Americans to get the services they need from government.

Watch live at 11:50 AM ET to find out how a new management agenda is improving government.