The federal government is hurtling toward two critical deadlines where a failure to act will be extraordinarily damaging to the US economy. But Republicans think it’s okay to play political games even if it means sabotaging our economy.

Deadline 1: To avoid government shutdown, Congress needs to pass a spending bill to fund the federal government by September 30. Republicans have been engaged in a civil war for weeks over how best to use this deadline to manufacture a crisis. Those on the far right, led by Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, insist they shut down the government unless the budget fully defunds Obamacare, even touring the country to promote a shutdown. And now there are reports that House Republican leadership is following their lead in allowing such a bill to come to a vote.

The consequences of a government shutdown are severe: social security checks might not go out, our troops might not get paid, and the economy would take a huge hit. Indeed, some fearful Republicans have warned their constituents as much.

A majority of Americans will blame Republicans if the government shuts down. But Republicans are still unable to let go of their obsession with repealing Obamacare, and are now barreling towards shutdown. That’s just dumb.

Deadline 2: The U.S. government will default on its obligations sometime in mid-to-late October unless Congress extends its borrowing limit. This would have catastrophic consequences for not just the United States economy; it could cause a worldwide crash even worse than we faced in 2008. But House Republican leadership — that’s right, not just some of their crazier members — want to use the debt limit to force Congress to delay Obamacare for one year. Speaker John Boehner, who previously insisted he would not use the debt ceiling for political leverage, has promised “a whale of a fight.”

We’ve been down this road before. Paying our bills on time is non-negotiable. Congress needs to pay the bills Congress itself racked up. Period.

Even among those that oppose the health care law, more than half want their elected officials to make it work as well as possible. So if Republicans truly think the American people support their threats of default instead of doing the hard work of governing, well…that’s dumber.

BOTTOM LINE: Americans are tired of the fighting and of having their economic security put on the line time and time again. Harming the economy to refight old political battles won’t help middle class families.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Christian belief or a great deception

09/19/2013 Nativegrl77

Today, maybe this week certainly before the end of the month, Republicans in Congress will take votes that could possibly ruin our democracy as we know it by holding Americans hostage again. The debt deficit, immigration , Snap, XL pipeline, VRA and maybe reproductive rights among many other things are being held hostage for the extortion of the Affordable Care Act. I am assuming most if not all know or should know that SCOTUS made a decision on ACA and that judgment has been ignored, disrespected and denied by folks like Senator Ted Cruz, who I believe is completely incompetent and unqualified to hold what we used to call a position of Public Service or Servant, though he and those voting to take away or demand stipulations for what used be considered Social Services to those in need. Not very Christian or Public Servant like

This morning, i turned my TuneIn Radio on to bill press …. his guest was Rev Wallace , who discussed among many things the misuse or misinterpretation of Matthew 25 and the need for folks to read learn and understand what Matthew 25:34- 40 really means … I am paraphrasing. If you do go to town halls etc. with Republican Politicians or their surrogates … take some time and consider

“As you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40)

Have you heard about Republicans using or in my opinion misusing Matthew 25:34-40 from the New Testament?

Stop … and think about that. Ask yourself why and how could Republican members of Congress use the Bible for NO votes against the Farm Bill, food stamps or those in need due to the recession and our financial collapse that has NOT fully recovered yet … Ask yourself what part has the Republican Party of No misused Religion to make points against voting for improving the status of their fellow man lest we include President Barack Obama

Matthew 25:34-40 of the New Testament has always been interpreted by: Providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, affordable shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to prisoners.

How Christian is it to misuse abuse or misinterpret Matthew 25 to mean provide advice help but with some qualifiers beyond what is already asked for by HHS agencies all over the country…. People need help … a hand up not free stuff nor are they trying to get over like most if not all Republicans imply or state outright

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Syria: Close Up ~~ {Event} a Crisis

09/19/2013 Nativegrl77

Mercy Corps

Syria: Close-Up of a Crisis

Syria: Close-Up of a Crisis Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Doors: 6:00 pm Event: 6:30 — 8:00 pm
Buy tickets ▸ mercycorps.org/oct16 206.547.5212

Mercy Corps, along with the World Affairs Council, invites you to join us for a panel discussion on the ongoing crisis in Syria. The two-year conflict has claimed over 100,000 lives and forced 2 million to flee to neighboring countries. Inside Syria, an estimated 6.8 million people are in desperate need of assistance and the humanitarian situation is only getting worse, inside and outside the country. This evening will provide insight into the historical context of the current Syrian refugee crisis, perspectives from a humanitarian aid worker on what it’s like on the ground and the implications of the conflict for the region and the United States.
The panel will include:

	Cassandra Nelson Mercy Corps Director of Syria Response Communications
	Resat Kasaba Director of the Jackson School at the University of Washington
	Cengiz Çandar Well-known Turkish journalist and former war correspondent

Buy tickets for this event ▸

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS the House

09/18/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1392, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent that the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.Res.225, a resolution to express the sense of the Senate that Congress should establish a joint select committee to investigate and report on the attack on the United States diplomatic facility and American personnel in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012.

Senator Boxer objected and she and Senator Menendez spoke on the issue.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.240, designating the week of beginning September 15, 2013, as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week”.

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.164, designating October 30, 2013, as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program works.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.2775, the No Subsidies without Verification Act.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.2009, the Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1513, the High Technology Jobs Preservation Act of 2013. (Wyden/Murkowski)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1514, the Saving Coal Jobs Act of 2013. (McConnell)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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

Last Floor Action:
3:14:42 P.M. -H.R. 761
DEBATE –
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded
with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (Fl) amendment.

10:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:34 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug LaMalfa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:01 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.
10:55:28 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:03 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 18.
12:00:55 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dale Ribble, Oak Lake Church, Lincoln, Nebraska.
12:01:36 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:39 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Walberg to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:06 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.
12:27:50 P.M.	H. Res. 347	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 347 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 761) to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to more efficiently develop domestic sources of the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical importance to United States economic and national security and manufacturing competitiveness.”
12:27:55 P.M.	H. Res. 347	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 347.
1:39:36 P.M.	H. Res. 347	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 192 (Roll no. 463).
1:46:57 P.M.	H. Res. 347	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 – 190 (Roll no. 464).
1:46:57 P.M.	H. Res. 347	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:47:00 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
1:47:00 P.M.	H.R. 301	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 301 — “To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.”
1:54:25 P.M.	H.R. 301	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 22 (Roll no. 465).
1:55:14 P.M.	H.R. 761	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 347. H.R. 761 — “To require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to more efficiently develop domestic sources of the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical importance to United States economic and national security and manufacturing competitiveness.”
1:55:19 P.M.	H.R. 761	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 761 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
1:55:55 P.M.	H.R. 761	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 347 and Rule XVIII.
1:55:56 P.M.	H.R. 761	The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Fortenberry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
1:56:06 P.M.	H.R. 761	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 761.
2:24:08 P.M.	H.R. 761	The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the President.
2:24:52 P.M.	H.R. 761	Subsequently, the Committee resumed its sitting.
2:40:05 P.M.	H.R. 761	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lowenthal, numbered 1 printed in House Report 113-214 to clarify that the definition of `Strategic and Critical Minerals’ only includes the minerals identified by the National Research Council (NRC) as strategic and critical minerals (and any additional minerals added by the Secretary that meet the NRC’s criteria). Also clarifies that the definition of `Mineral Exploration or Mine Permit’ in this underlying legislation only refers to mineral exploration or mine permit for strategic and critical minerals.
2:40:30 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lowenthal amendment.
2:51:27 P.M.	H.R. 761	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lowenthal amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lowenthal demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:52:00 P.M.	H.R. 761	An amendment, offered by Mr. Veasey, numbered 2 printed in House Report 113-214 to designate the Secretary of Interior to publish no later than 60 days after enactment of the bill a list of `Strategic and Critical Minerals’ for the purpose of the bill. The Secretary must update the list every 5 years.
2:52:21 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Veasey amendment.
3:00:47 P.M.	H.R. 761	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Veasey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Veasey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:01:09 P.M.	H.R. 761	An amendment, offered by Mr. Connolly, numbered 3 printed in House Report 113-214 to require mineral exploration and mining projects to be subjected to an Environmental Impact Statement review prior to approval. Removes the arbitrary limit on the time frame for such reviews.
3:01:26 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly amendment.
3:13:12 P.M.	H.R. 761	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:13:48 P.M.	H.R. 761	An amendment, offered by Mr. Hastings (FL), numbered 4 printed in House Report 113-214 to require that the cost of cleanup be included in financial assurance and that financial insurance instruments shall be in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit or other instrument that would routinely be accepted in commerce.
3:14:42 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (Fl) amendment.

3:14:42 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (Fl) amendment.
3:22:07 P.M.	H.R. 761	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:22:42 P.M.	H.R. 761	An amendment, offered by Mr. Pearce, numbered 5 printed in House Report 113-214 to clarify the intention of the bill that it will not impact Secretarial Order 3324, as it relates to oil/gas and potash.
3:23:29 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 347, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pearce amendment.
3:29:18 P.M.	H.R. 761	On agreeing to the Pearce amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:29:48 P.M.	H.R. 761	Mr. Lamborn moved that the committee rise.
3:30:03 P.M.	H.R. 761	On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:30:39 P.M.	H.R. 761	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 761 as unfinished business.
3:31:23 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
4:31:11 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 18.
4:31:19 P.M.	H.R. 761	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 761 — “To require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to more efficiently develop domestic sources of the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical importance to United States economic and national security and manufacturing competitiveness.”
4:31:35 P.M.	H.R. 761	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
4:31:44 P.M.	H.R. 761	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:00:58 P.M.	H.R. 761	On agreeing to the Lowenthal amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 241 (Roll no. 466).
5:07:59 P.M.	H.R. 761	On agreeing to the Veasey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 237 (Roll no. 467).
5:13:26 P.M.	H.R. 761	On agreeing to the Connolly amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 240 (Roll no. 468).
5:19:17 P.M.	H.R. 761	On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 191 – 235 (Roll no. 469).
5:19:37 P.M.	H.R. 761	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 761.
5:20:32 P.M.	H.R. 761	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:20:44 P.M.	H.R. 761	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
5:21:25 P.M.	H.R. 761	Mr. Cicilline moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.
5:21:45 P.M.	H.R. 761	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cicilline motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the House to report the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a section to the bill containing prohibitions regarding China and Iran.
5:29:54 P.M.	H.R. 761	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:37:26 P.M.	H.R. 761	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 197 – 229 (Roll no. 470).
5:44:14 P.M.	H.R. 761	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 246 – 178 (Roll no. 471).
5:44:15 P.M.	H.R. 761	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:45:02 P.M.	H. Res. 349	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 349 — “The title of this measure is not available.”
5:45:07 P.M.	H. Res. 349	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
5:45:10 P.M.	H. Res. 349	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:46:42 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.