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Children need help

01/16/2014 Nativegrl77

TELL US WHAT INSPIRES YOU

Photo: Cassandra Nelson / Mercy Corps

Have you thought about how far your kindness can travel?
In recent months, the kindness of Mercy Corps supporters has traveled to the world’s toughest places. In the Philippines, they are helping families rebuild houses that Typhoon Haiyan swept away. In Syrian refugee camps, they are providing warm clothes and blankets for children who are facing the winter cold. And in South Sudan, they are delivering lifesaving aid and supplies to families fleeing violence.
Your kindness can go to places where you may never set foot — but where you’ll have a lasting impact.
Dear friend, you’ve been a dedicated partner and friend. Your opinion matters. That’s why I hope you’ll take a few minutes to answer our short survey — just 5 questions — to let us know what you think.
Isn’t it amazing to realize that compassion can have global reach? Whether it’s helping women and children in the Central African Republic get medical attention and legal protection after assault, or ensuring that a starving baby in Ethiopia gets the food and health care she needs to survive, our donors are there.
We haven’t heard from you in a while, and we want to know what you think. Please take our short 5-question survey now ▸
Sincerely,
Dan O'Neill, Mercy Corps Founder
Dan O’Neill Mercy Corps Founder

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 1/16 the House

01/16/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, January 16, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R.3547, the legislative vehicle for the omnibus appropriations bill.

During Wednesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the House message to accompany H.R.3547. The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the message to accompany H.R.3547 is 1:00pm on Thursday. Under the rule, the cloture vote would occur Friday morning. Senator Reid announced his hope to have the vote sooner.

After the Senate convened this morning, Senator Reid moved to proceed to the consideration of S.1926, Flood Insurance. Negotiations continue on an agreement to consider the Flood Insurance bill.

Upon completion of the Leaders’ remarks, the Senate resumed consideration of the House Message to accompany H.R.3547, the Omnibus Appropriations bill. Yesterday, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3547. We will continue to work towards an agreement to vote on cloture and then on the motion to concur (passage of the bill) earlier than tomorrow, which is when cloture would ripen under Rule 22. Without an agreement and if cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on the motion to concur (passage). The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the message to accompany H.R.3547 is 1:00pm today, Thursday, January 16.

Another message will be sent when agreements are reached or votes scheduled.

The Senate has reached an agreement to vote on cloture and passage of the Omnibus appropriations bill beginning at 5:30pm tonight.

Under the agreement, the time until 4:45pm will be equally divided between Senators Reed (RI) and Durbin. The Republicans will control the time from 4:45pm until 5:15pm.

At 5:15pm, there will be 15 minutes equally divided between Senators Mikulski and Shelby, or their designees.

At 5:30pm today, the mandatory quorum required under rule 22 will be waived and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur. If cloture is invoked, the motion to concur with an amendment will be withdrawn; all post-cloture time yielded back; and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to concur. If the motion to concur is agreed to, the Senate will agree to H.Con.Res.74 (to amend the title)

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and adopt the following amendments to the House Message on H.R.3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Omnibus)):

– Cruz amendment #2685 (prohibit funding of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act so long as the Act is harming the healthcare of Americans)

– Cruz amendment #2686 (prohibit funding of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and fulfill our nation’s promise to our military retirees)

Senator Mikulski objected to both requests.

5:27pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3547, the Omnibus Appropriations bill;

Invoked: 72-26

The next vote will be on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3547, the Omnibus Appropriations bill (passage).

5:54pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (passage of the Omnibus Appropriations bill);

Agreed to: 72-26

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1926, Flood Insurance. The cloture vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, January 27^th.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014; Invoked: 72-26

2) Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3547, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014; Agreed to: 72-26

Legislative items

Adopted S.Res.335, designating January 2014 as “National Mentoring Month”.

Adopted S.Res.336, designating the first week of April 2014 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1950, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014. (Sanders)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1931, the Responsible Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. (Heller)

No Executive items

============================================================

Last Floor Action:
10:02:27 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

10:00:16 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:21 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:42 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:04 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:08 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kilmer to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:27 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

10:13:11 A.M.	H.R. 3362	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 455. H.R. 3362 — “To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require transparency in the operation of American Health Benefit Exchanges.”
10:13:16 A.M.	H.R. 3362	The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2279, H.R. 3362, and H.R. 3811. In each case, general debate shall be confined to one hour and one motion to recommit is allowed. The resolution specifies certain amendments are in order for H.R. 2279. Further amendments to H.R. 3362 and H.R. 3811 are not in order.
10:13:53 A.M.	H.R. 3362	Amendment reported by the House Committee on Rules, Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 455, the amendment printed in Part B of House Report 113-322 is considered as adopted.
10:13:55 A.M.	H.R. 3362	On agreeing to the Rules amendment; Agreed to without objection.
10:14:06 A.M.	H.R. 3362	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3362.
11:17:08 A.M.	H.R. 3362	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:17:26 A.M.	H.R. 3362	Ms. Clark (MA) moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.
11:17:55 A.M.	H.R. 3362	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Clark(MA) motion to recommit with instructions pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a new section on Disclosure of Lower Costs and Additional Health Benefits Provided to Individuals and Families. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.
11:25:33 A.M.	H.R. 3362	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:52:58 A.M.	H.R. 3362	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 186 – 226 (Roll no. 22).
12:01:40 P.M.	H.R. 3362	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 259 – 154 (Roll no. 23).
12:01:40 P.M.	H.R. 3362	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:02:11 P.M.		BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY – Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 6968(a), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY: Mr. Rogers of MI.
12:03:12 P.M.	H. Res. 460	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 460 — “Electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives.”
12:03:22 P.M.	H. Res. 460	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
12:03:32 P.M.	H. Res. 460	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:04:00 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 75	Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 75 — “Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.”
12:04:10 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 75	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
12:04:16 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 75	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:04:28 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 1:00 p.m. on January 17. Agreed to without objection.
12:04:52 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:20:53 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

1:44:25 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:44:38 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:44:39 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on January 17, 2014.

===========================================

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rights Versus Resources in the Amazon

01/15/2014 Nativegrl77

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Rights Versus Resources in the Amazon

Tar sands, hydraulic fracking, deep water drilling. All are examples that we are living in the age of extreme oil. With most major reserves of traditional crude found or tapped, the industry is encroaching into some of the most geologically-complicated, environmentally-risky and socially-conflictive terrain than ever before. As the price of crude hovers at $100, companies are eager to get at what was once impossible crude, much to the peril of people and the planet.

In some cases, this means pursuing non-conventional sources of oil, once technologically or financially out of reach, but now lucrative, despite being more energy intensive to extract than the final crude produced. In other cases, this means attempting to access “shut in” reserves – oil fields trapped by local resistance or above-ground ecological importance.

There is no greater example of this clash than what is playing out in the forests of Ecuador’s Amazon. There is a new oil boom underway, fuelled by the country’s rising debt, China’s energy demands, Ecuador’s leftist government’s plans to finance its “citizen’s revolution”, and the massive increase in public spending with expanded drilling.

Read the rest on Eye on the Amazon »

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

9 Million Covered

01/15/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

The Latest Numbers Are In

According to the latest official figures, about 9 MILLION Americans have received health coverage through various provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including:

2.2 MILLION who purchased private health plans through the federal and state marketplaces between October 1 and December 31

3.9 MILLION Americans who were found to be eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

3 MILLION or so young people who have been able to stay on their parents’ health plans until their 26th birthdays

Other Americans have also purchased plans directly from insurers, but the government doesn’t yet have data on those individuals. It’s also worth remembering that another 4.8 MILLION low-income Americans who could have received Medicaid coverage won’t receive any coverage at all because Republican governors and state legislators are refusing to expand Medicaid.

The other important information we received yesterday was the breakdown of those buying private insurance by age. In order for the system to work properly, the influx of older and sicker people who are now flocking to the system after finding it difficult or impossible to find or afford coverage before need to be balanced out by younger, healthier people.

Right now about 24 percent of the new pool of enrollees is part of the latter group, which is right about where experts believe it has to be in order to avoid sizable premium increases as a result of an unbalanced pool. The nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation called the figures “encouraging” and the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein declared the end of fears that a so-called “death spiral” would occur in the new marketplaces:

The risk of a “death spiral” is over. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that if the market’s age distribution freezes at its current level — an extremely unlikely scenario — “overall costs in individual market plans would be about 2.4% higher than premium revenues.” So, in theory, premiums costs might rise by a few percentage points. That’s a problem, but it’s nothing even in the neighborhood of a death spiral.

Here are a few reasons to be encouraged by how enrollment is proceeding:

The pace of enrollment in the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces is looking very similar to what happened during Massachusetts’ successful rollout in 2007.

The problems with HealthCare.gov prevented or deterred many people from enrolling during October and November, but now that the website is working enrollment is surging, particularly among young people.

Campaigns to drive enrollment among young people and others had to be put on hold when HealthCare.gov was not working, but now those efforts are getting underway in earnest.

By their very nature, young people are procrastinators and are more likely to wait until closer to the March 31 deadline to enroll.

It’s also worth noting that the Affordable Care Act includes built-in mechanisms to stabilize premiums over the first few years if the mix of new enrollees isn’t exactly what insurers anticipate it will be. Naturally, Republicans in Congress are specifically trying to repeal those provisions, which could conveniently result in premium increases that would be announced just before this year’s elections.

For their part, Republicans are once again declaring the law a failure because of the number of young people who have signed up so far. As Kevin Drum of Mother Jones wrote today, the law is doing just fine and it’s probably best just to start ignoring their neverending series of false and misleading attacks:

Republicans are trying to make hay with this, but that’s just Republicans being Republicans. You can safely ignore them. There’s really nothing much to worry about here.

BOTTOM LINE: The Affordable Care Act is here, here to stay and it’s working. While much work remains to be done over the next few months (and years) to fully implement the law, its partisan critics are wrong — as the millions of Americans who now have quality, affordable health coverage thanks to the law can attest.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 1/15 the House

01/15/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 10:00am.

We expect Senator Reid to move to proceed to S.1846, Flood Insurance, during Leader remarks. Following Leader remarks, the time until 12:00 noon 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 12:00 noon, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.J.Res.106, the short term continuing resolution. There will be up to 15 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a roll call vote on passage of the joint resolution.

We also expect to begin consideration of the Omnibus Appropriations a bill once it is received from the House.

This morning Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.1846, Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013.

After Leader remarks, Senator Toomey attempted to offer the Coburn amendment #2606 (prohibit unemployment compensation for those whose adjusted gross income is greater than $1 million in the preceding year) to S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Benefits Act. The Chair ruled that offering an amendment to S.1845 was not in order because the motion to proceed to S.1846 was the pending business.

Senator Toomey then moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair that the amendment is not in order. The motion to appeal is a debatable motion. No vote is scheduled at this time.

Under the previous order, at 12:00 noon, the Senate will turn to the consideration of H.J.Res.106, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014 (CR). At approximately 12:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on passage of H.J.Res.106.

At 12:17pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of H.J.Res.106, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014 (3-day CR);

Passed: 86-14

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the Chair. We expect to receive a message from the House to accompany H.R.3547, the Omnibus Appropriations bill, this evening and begin its consideration.

This evening, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3547 and filled the amendment tree.

The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the message to accompany H.R.3547 is 1:00pm on Thursday. Under the rule, the cloture vote would occur Friday morning. Senator Reid announced his hope to have the vote sooner.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Passage of H.J.Res.106, making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes (3-day continuing resolution); Passed: 86-14

Legislative items

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1931, the Responsible Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. (Heller)

Completed the Rule 14 process of:

– S.1917, Victims Protection Act of 2014. (McCaskill)

– S.1926, Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. (Menendez)

No Executive items

============================================================

Last Floor Action:
7:50:08 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 15, 2014.

10:00:07 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:22 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Blake Farenthold to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:44 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.
11:26:00 A.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 January 15, 2014 at 9:47 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 3527 and S. 1434.
11:26:44 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:22 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 15.
12:00:31 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Gary Grogan, Stone Creek Church, Urbana, Illinois
12:02:18 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Wilson (SC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Wilson (SC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:56 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Mullin to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:57 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.

12:41:39 P.M.	H. Res. 458	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 458 — “Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 3547) to extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014; providing for proceedings during the period from January 17, 2014, through January 24, 2014; and for other purposes.”
12:44:52 P.M.	H. Res. 458	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 458.

1:31:42 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.J. Res. 106.
1:31:43 P.M.	H. Res. 458	DEBATE – The House resumed with debate on H. Res. 458.
1:55:22 P.M.	H. Res. 458	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cole, to add a Section at the end of H. Res. 458 which makes a modification to Rules Committee Print 113-32.
1:55:23 P.M.	H. Res. 458	The Chair announced that the question was on ordering the previous on the amendment and the resolution.
2:21:34 P.M.	H. Res. 458	On ordering the previous question on the amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 195 (Roll no. 19).
2:21:37 P.M.	H. Res. 458	On agreeing to the Cole amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:30:50 P.M.	H. Res. 458	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 230 – 191 (Roll no. 20).
2:30:50 P.M.	H. Res. 458	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:34:27 P.M.	H.R. 3547	Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendments.
2:35:03 P.M.	H.R. 3547	DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 458, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on agreeing in the Senate amendment to the title of H.R. 3547 and agreeing in the Senate amendment to the text of H.R. 3547 with an amendment inserting the text of Rules Committee Print 113-32, as modified by section 6 of H. Res. 458, in lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate.
3:51:25 P.M.	H.R. 3547	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:20:03 P.M.	H.R. 3547	On motion to concur in the Senate amendments with an amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 359 – 67 (Roll no. 21).
4:20:04 P.M.	H.R. 3547	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:20:05 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:20:33 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
4:20:54 P.M.		Mr. Roskam asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on January 16. Agreed to without objection.
4:25:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
4:40:15 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:30:19 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:30:31 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:30:32 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 16, 2014.