the Senate CONGRESS 9/25 the House

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77

Senator Cruz continues to hold the floor to debate H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution.

If the debate continues until noon the Chair would interrupt debate to begin the new Legislative Day and to allow the Chaplain to deliver the prayer. There would then be up to 1 hour for debate prior to the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the Continuing Resolution.

Senators should expect a roll call vote at 1:00pm on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on adoption of the motion to proceed.

The Senate has begun a new session day (new calendar day, not legislative day). There will now be up to 1 hour for debate prior to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution. At 1pm the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution.

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent to vitiate the 1pm cloture vote and at the end of his remarks the Senate agree to the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution.

Senator Reid objected.

Senator Cruz then asked consent that if a cloture motion is filed on H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution, that the cloture vote occur Friday afternoon.

Senator Reid objected.

12:55pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, Continuing Resolution;

Invoked: 100-0

By unanimous consent, the Senate passed H.R.3092, the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013.

The Senate adopted the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, the Continuing Resolution, by a voice vote. Senator Reid then offered a perfecting substitute amendment #1974 and a second degree amendment #1975 (date change). Senator Reid also moved to recommit the joint resolution and offered amendments to the motion in the first and second degree slots (#1976 and 1977 (date changes)). He then filed cloture on the joint resolution.

If no agreement is reached under Rule 22, the cloture vote on the Continuing Resolution would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Friday. The filing deadline for germane first degree amendments to H.J.Res.59, is 1:00pm tomorrow.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.59, Continuing Resolution: Invoked: 100-0

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3092, the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013

Passed Cal. # 13, 252, PREEMIE Act, by voice vote

Passed S.793, Organization of the American States Reform

The Senate adopted the following resolutions by unanimous consent:

S.Res.255, a resolution welcoming the Prime Minister of India to the United States for meetings to advance the United States-India partnership

S.Res.256, designating the week of September 23, through 29, 2013, as “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week”

S.Res.257, Designating October 3, 2013, as “Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day”

S.Res.258, supporting the goals and ideals of Infant Mortality Awareness Month, 2013

S.Res.259, Designating September 2013 as “Campus Fire Safety Month”

S.Res.260, Recognizing the month of October 2013 as “National Principals Month”

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

Last Floor Action: 9/23
11:03:25 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on September 25, 2013.

12:00:46 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:50 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kerry L. Bentivolio to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:03 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:12:15 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 24, 2013 at 11:48 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 1412 with amendments.
12:12:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:19 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 25.
2:00:21 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

Last Floor Action:
2:11:41 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 P.M. today.

2:01:19 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:26 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.
2:01:55 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:11:41 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 P.M. today.

5:00:20 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 25.
5:00:21 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:01:00 P.M.	H.R. 1961	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1961 — “To amend title 46, United States Code, to extend the exemption from the fire-retardant materials construction requirement for vessels operating within the Boundary Line.”
5:01:04 P.M.	H.R. 1961	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:01:06 P.M.	H.R. 1961	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1961.
5:36:11 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3092.
5:36:12 P.M.	H.R. 1961	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 1961.
5:47:33 P.M.	H.R. 1961	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.
5:48:00 P.M.	H.R. 3095	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3095 — “To ensure that any new or revised requirement providing for the screening, testing, or treatment of individuals operating commercial motor vehicles for sleep disorders is adopted pursuant to a rulemaking proceeding, and for other purposes.”
5:48:12 P.M.	H.R. 3095	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:48:13 P.M.	H.R. 3095	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3095.
5:57:00 P.M.	H.R. 3095	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.
5:57:33 P.M.	H. Res. 354	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 354 — “Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 527, with an amendment.”
5:57:49 P.M.	H. Res. 354	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:57:51 P.M.	H. Res. 354	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 354.
6:17:01 P.M.	H. Res. 354	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.
6:17:03 P.M.	H.R. 2600	Mr. McHenry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2600 — “To amend the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to clarify how the Act applies to condominiums.”
6:17:38 P.M.	H.R. 2600	Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:17:40 P.M.	H.R. 2600	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2600.
6:28:26 P.M.	H.R. 2600	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.
6:28:53 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:29:36 P.M.	H.R. 1961	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1961 — “To amend title 46, United States Code, to extend the exemption from the fire-retardant materials construction requirement for vessels operating within the Boundary Line.”
6:29:47 P.M.	H.R. 1961	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Roll Call 484 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending.

6:56:38 P.M.	H.R. 1961	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 280 – 89 (Roll no. 484).
7:00:41 P.M.	H. Res. 354	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 354 — “Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 527, with an amendment.”
7:10:12 P.M.	H. Res. 354	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 – 0 (Roll no. 485).
7:10:13 P.M.	H.R. 1508	UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST – Ms. Waters asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1508, a measure originally introduced by Representative Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of Rule 12. Agreed to without objection.
7:11:57 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:30:42 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:49:43 P.M.	H.R. 527	House agreed to Senate amendment with an amendment pursuant to H. Res. 354.

7:10:13 P.M.	H.R. 1508	UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST – Ms. Waters asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1508, a measure originally introduced by Representative Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of Rule 12. Agreed to without objection.
7:11:57 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:30:42 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:04:11 P.M.		Mr. Kelly (PA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:04:30 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:04:31 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 26, 2013.

——————————————————————————————————————————

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Causes.com

09/24/2013 Nativegrl77

We bring the Amazon to you on Wednesday

Join us this Wednesday in San Francisco for our 8th Annual Luncheon or watch it live online at Causes.com.

Our special guest, Mayalú Txucarramãe, Kayapó and Waura youth leader, representing indigenous partners working to stop dams in the Brazilian Amazon, will give us her perspective and share her experience of living this struggle for as long as she can remember. Granddaughter of legendary Chief Raoni, daughter of Chief Megaron, Mayalú brings the story of fighting for the people and region of the Xingu to life.

We’re thrilled to announce that every donation you make online between now and the luncheon will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000 by the Kindle Project Fund of the Common Counsel Foundation. Please donate today and share this news with your friends. Together we can double our impact!

No matter where you are you can experience this unique opportunity.

If you can join us in person please send your RSVP today.
Find out more here.

For the Amazon,

Paul Paz y Miño
Online & Operations Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Affordable Care Act & small business

09/24/2013 Nativegrl77

Image representing U.S. Small Business Adminis... — Image via CrunchBase

When it comes to the Affordable Care Act, our nation’s leaders maintain a dialogue with the country’s businesses, large and small. The work is ongoing, but the Administration has responded to your concerns by making changes to simplify the reporting process and giving businesses more time to comply.

$#!^@#%!

09/24/2013 Nativegrl77

CAP Action War Room

GOP Takes Obamacare Meltdown To A Whole New Level

A mere seven days remain for Congress to pass a spending bill in order to avoid a government shutdown. But Republicans are farther away than ever from agreeing to a reasonable plan that would keep the government open.

On Friday, the House GOP continued its march toward shutdown by passing a bill that ties keeping the government open to–surprise!–fully defunding Obamacare. Once again, Republicans refuse to do the hard work of actual governing in favor of playing political games that threaten to sabotage the economy. But while the vote only solidified the GOP’s ideological and dangerous strategy, it opened the floodgates for more infighting among its owns members. Here is what a number of key GOP players and establishment thinkers have to say about the “defund at all costs” plan:

GOP Sen. John McCain (AZ): “I can tell you that in the U.S. Senate, we will not repeal or defund Obamacare. We will not. And to think we can is not rational.”
GOP Strategist Karl Rove: The GOP defunding strategy is “self-defeating…It is an ill-conceived tactic, and Republicans should reject it.”
Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly: Defunding Obamacare is “fanaticism on the right,” O’Reilly says. “There’s no way Obamacare is going to be defunded. It’s not gonna happen.”
GOP Sen. Tom Coburn (OK): “Tactics and strategies ought to be based on what the real world is, and we do not have the political power to do this.”
GOP Sen. Rand Paul (KY): “I’m acknowledging we can’t probably defeat or get rid of Obamacare.”
GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte (NH): “I don’t believe they should shut down the government to [defund Obamacare], and I don’t think that is a strategy that is good for America.”
GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA): “It’s total atrophy. We’re earning our 11 percent popularity. It’s easier to talk about Obamacare than the major sources of our problems.”
Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: “Kamikaze missions rarely turn out well, least of all for the pilots… The kamikazes could end up ensuring the return of all-Democratic rule.”

Now, they all may just be trying to protect their party’s interests. But they seem to know what most Americans already do: the extreme demands by the GOP to push a narrow ideological agenda are out of touch. A new bipartisan CNBC poll released today proves that point. Almost six in ten Americans oppose defunding the health care law if it means a government shutdown, while just 19 percent support. A poll released last week found that only 23 percent of Americans want to make the health care law fail.

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans’ political games are threatening our nation’s economic recovery. Americans don’t want to shut down the government and want an end to the hostage-taking political tactics that place ideology over practical solutions for stability and growth.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Great News for Alaska’s Bristol Bay —

09/24/2013 Nativegrl77

September 2013

Anglo American Quits the Proposed Pebble Mine

In a surprise decision that brought new hope to Alaska’s Bristol Bay, British mining giant Anglo American — the lead company behind the Pebble Mine — announced that it is abandoning the project. The announcement dealt a heavy blow to the proposed gold and copper operation, which would produce some 10 billion tons of contaminated waste and threaten the greatest wild salmon runs on the planet. NRDC Members helped make this victory possible by deluging Anglo American with nearly one million messages of protest. The fight is not over yet — we’ll need new funding to ratchet up the pressure on the remaining companies behind the mine and win EPA action to protect Bristol Bay from large-scale mining.

Navy Refuses to Protect Marine Mammals from Deadly Sonar

The U.S. Navy says it will ignore a unanimous recommendation by the California Coastal Commission to reduce the harmful effects of naval sonar on the state’s marine mammals, which would violate California law. The Navy is planning to dramatically increase its use of dangerous sonar and high-powered explosives off the coast of Southern California during training and testing. It predicts that such operations will kill hundreds of marine mammals — and injure thousands of others — over the next five years. New research shows that the Navy’s California training is already putting entire whale populations at risk, including endangered blue whales, the largest animal on Earth.

Nobel Laureates Denounce Keystone XL

NRDC and our partners ran a full-page ad in The Washington Post that featured a letter from ten Nobel Peace Prize winners, calling on President Obama to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and lead the way beyond dirty oil.

U.S. Blocks Import
of Wild-Caught Belugas

The National Marine Fisheries Service has denied a permit — opposed by NRDC — that would have allowed the Georgia Aquarium to import 18 wild-caught belugas from Russia for public display purposes at aquaria around the country. We applaud the decision since Russia’s wild beluga population is still recovering after being hunted nearly to extinction in the 1960s. Read more.

CA County Cracks Down
on Fracking

In July, NRDC’s Community Fracking Defense Campaign scored a big victory when California’s San Benito County approved an ordinance imposing new safeguards on this dangerous form of oil and gas extraction, including a greater setback from homes and disclosure of the chemicals used during drilling or fracking. Read more.