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Ensuring 2014 is a Year of Action to Grow the Economy

01/14/2014 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Promise Zones: The President announced on Thursday the first five “Promise Zone” locations, an initiative to partners with local communities and businesses to create jobs, expand access to educational opportunities and spur economic mobility.

President Obama was joined in the East Room by students from Harlem Children’s Zone, an educational undertaking that inspired the Promise Zones, where he spoke about the importance of making sure a child’s path isn’t determined by their zip code, but rather by their hard work and determination. In his speech, the President mentioned how he wasn’t so different from one of the students who has benefitted from the Harlem Children’s Zone.

“If you want to know why I care about this stuff so much, it’s because I’m not that different from Roger,” President Obama said.

There was a period of time in my life where I was goofing off. I was raised by a single mom. I didn’t know my dad. The only difference between me and Roger was my environment was more forgiving than his. That’s the only difference. If I screwed up, the consequences weren’t quite as great. So if Roger can make it, and if I can make it, if Kiara can make it, every kid in this country can make it.

The Promise Zones, located in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, are the first of 20 being launched over the next three years.

Extending Emergency Unemployment Insurance: On Tuesday, President Obama called on Congress to extend emergency unemployment insurance. Two weeks ago, Congress failed to renew the vital lifeline that temporarily extends insurance for 1.3 million Americans who are currently looking for work. “Now, I’ve heard the argument that says extending unemployment insurance will somehow hurt the unemployed because it zaps their motivation to get a new job,” the President said.

I really want to go at this for a second. That really sells the American people short…I can’t name a time where I met an American who would rather have an unemployment check than the pride of having a job. The long-term unemployed are not lazy. They’re not lacking in motivation. They’re coping with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis in generations.

The President noted that this insurance is not an abstraction but rather a way to provide a bit of extra security, so that losing your job doesn’t mean you lose everything you’ve worked to build.

Affordable Care Act: This week, a new report showed that the growth of health care spending is continuing to slow, and Dr. Biden shared her personal connection to the fight against breast cancer to help highlight a new announcement about no-cost chemoprevention medication for women at high risk of the disease.

Since January 1, Americans across the country who signed up for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces have new access to quality and affordable health coverage. Read one man’s story as well as stories from 10 others who have received coverage and what it means to them.

We the Geeks: It was a big week for “We the Geeks,” which hosted two Google+ hangouts, one on the future of computing and the other on the polar vortex. Scientists and tech experts answered your pressing questions on computing advancements and climate change. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out this video that explains the polar vortex in two minutes and why climate change means more extreme weather is likely in the future. Want to know about future “We the Geeks” hangouts? Make sure to sign up for email updates here.

Strengthening our Nation’s Energy Infrastructure: On Thursday, the President signed a memorandum that established the first federal government Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) process. Throughout the next four years, the QER will provide a review of federal energy policies and make sure they are keeping up with the changing energy landscape.

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Jon Soltz, VoteVets.org … New TV ad on the big oil giveaway

01/14/2014 Nativegrl77

So far, over 60,000 people have signed their name to our petition calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to save the Renewable Fuel Standard.
It looks like yours is missing.
As General Clark wrote a few weeks ago, “As veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters, we have a unique understanding about the cost of our dependence on foreign oil. It’s not just measured in the price at the pump, or a changing climate, but also in the lives lost and changed through deployments to protect the flow of oil in the Middle East.”
The RFS ensures that a minimum amount of renewable fuels are used for transportation in the United States — and it’s important.
We’ve decided to run a television in ad in several key states about this issue. Watch our spot and sign-on to our petition before we deliver it later this month.
http://action.votevets.org/rfs_ad

Thanks for standing with veterans and military family members on this important issue. We’ll be in touch.
Jon Soltz @JonSoltz Iraq War Veteran and Chairman VoteVets.org

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 1/14 the House

01/14/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. The time until 12:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.

The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to S.1845 is 11:00am Tuesday.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The time from 2:15pm until 2:30pm will also be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 2:30pm, there will be up to 2 roll call votes. The first vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reed substitute amendment #2631 and if cloture is not invoked on the substitute amendment, there will be a second vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1845, the Unemployment Insurance Extension.

At 2:30pm, there will be up to 2 roll call votes. The first vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reed amendment #2631 (perfecting substitute). If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on the amendment. If cloture is not invoked on the Reed amendment, there will be a second vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act

At 3:22pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the McConnell motion to table the Reid motion to commit with instructions;

Tabled: 45-55

Prior to the vote, Senator Reid asked consent to vitiate cloture and consider the bill under certain parameters including the consideration of a new Reed substitute, 5 additional amendments on each side, and passage of H.R.2009, as amended by the Unemployment Insurance Extension language. Senator McConnell objected and asked that it be in order to consider amendments in an alternating fashion indefinitely. Senator Reid objected to McConnell’s request.

Following this tabling, we expect 2 additional votes:

– Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed amendment #2631 (perfecting substitute). If cloture is not invoked, then:

– Motion to invoke cloture on S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act.

Reid: I ask unanimous consent that the cloture motions with respect to the Reed amendment #2631 and S.1845 be vitiated; that the motion to commit and amendment #2631 be withdrawn; that a substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be made pending; that there be up to five amendments related to the bill from each side in order to the substitute amendment; further, that each of these amendments be subject to a side-by-side amendment if the opposing side chooses to offer one; amendments under this agreement, must be offered no later than 4pm, Wednesday, January 15^th; that no other amendments or motions to commit be in order; that no points of order be in order to the substitute or the underlying bill; that each amendment have up to one hour of debate equally divided; that upon the use or yielding back of time on each of the amendments offered, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the amendments to the substitute in the order offered with any side-by-side amendment vote occurring prior to the amendment to which it was offered; that all of the amendments to the substitute be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that upon disposition of the amendments, the bill be read a third time, as amended, if amended, and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill; that if the bill is passed, the Senate immediately proceed to the consideration of Calendar #192, H.R.2009; that all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of S.1845, as passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; that an amendment to the title be considered and agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Senator McConnell then asked consent that the next amendment in order be a Heller-Collins amendment. That following disposition of that amendment, it be in order for the majority leader or his designee to offer an amendment and it be in order for the leaders or their designees to continue to offer amendments in an alternating fashion.

Senator Reid declined to modify his request and Senator McConnell objected to the original request.

Senator McConnell then asked unanimous consent to call up the Heller amendment #2651 and the Coburn amendment #2606.

Senator Reid objected to both requests.

Senator McConnell made a parliamentary inquiry and asked if it is correct that no senator is permitted to offer an amendment to the unemployment insurance bill while the majority leader’s motion to commit with instructions with further amendments is pending?

Chair: the senator is correct.

Senator McConnell made a further parliamentary inquiry and asked if a motion to table the Reid motion to commit with a further amendment is successful, would there still be Reid amendments pending that would prevent anyone from offering an amendment.

Chair: the senator is correct.

Senator McConnell stated that he would like to consider the Coburn amendment #2606 then, by consent, moved to table the pending Reid motion to commit with instructions and asked for the yeas and nays.

3:46pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Reed amendment #2631. The next vote will also be a 10 minute vote.

Not Invoked: 52-48

4:05pm The Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act

Not Invoked: 55-45

Senator Reid changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes:

McConnell motion to table the Reid motion to commit with instructions; Tabled: 45-55

Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed amendment #2631; Not Invoked: 52-48

Motion to invoke cloture on S.1845, 113th Congress” href=”http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:S.1845:” target=”_blank”>S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act; Not Invoked: 55-45

Legislative Business:

Passed H.R.3527: to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the poison center national toll-free number, national media campaign, and grant program, and for other purposes.

Passed S.1434, to designate the Junction City Community-Based Outpatient Clinic located at 715 Southwind Drive, Junction City, Kansas, as the Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.

The Senate began the Rule 14 process to place the following bills on the Calendar of Business:

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

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

NO Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action:
5:50:06 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –
The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded
to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:
12:03:25 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.

10:00:20 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:28 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Stewart to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:50 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.
10:22:30 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 14.
12:01:20 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:02:30 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker 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 Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Holding demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
12:03:06 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kennedy to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:25 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.

12:37:15 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:37:22 P.M.	H.R. 2274	Mr. Garrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2274 — “To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for a notice-filing registration procedure for brokers performing services in connection with the transfer of ownership of smaller privately held companies and to provide for regulation appropriate to the limited scope of the activities of such brokers.”
12:37:41 P.M.	H.R. 2274	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:37:43 P.M.	H.R. 2274	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2274.
1:01:53 P.M.	H.R. 2274	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:02:20 P.M.	H.R. 801	Mr. Garrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 801 — “To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to make the shareholder threshold for registration of savings and loan holding companies the same as for bank holding companies.”
1:02:36 P.M.	H.R. 801	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:02:38 P.M.	H.R. 801	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 801.
1:19:15 P.M.	H.R. 801	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:20:29 P.M.	H.J. Res. 106	Mr. Rogers (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution. H.J. Res. 106 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
1:20:47 P.M.	H.J. Res. 106	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:20:49 P.M.	H.J. Res. 106	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 106.
1:25:21 P.M.	H.J. Res. 106	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
1:25:50 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
1:26:11 P.M.	H.R. 2274	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2274 — “To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for a notice-filing registration procedure for brokers performing services in connection with the transfer of ownership of smaller privately held companies and to provide for regulation appropriate to the limited scope of the activities of such brokers.”
1:59:44 P.M.	H.R. 2274	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 – 0 (Roll no. 14).
1:59:48 P.M.	H.R. 2274	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
1:59:49 P.M.	H.R. 801	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 801 — “To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to make the shareholder threshold for registration of savings and loan holding companies the same as for bank holding companies.”
2:09:36 P.M.	H.R. 801	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 – 4 (Roll no. 15).
2:09:43 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, on which the Yeas and Nays were ordered and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:16:15 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 274 – 138, 3 Present (Roll no. 16).
2:17:50 P.M.	H.R. 2860	Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2860 — “To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management may use amounts in the revolving fund of the Office to fund audits, investigations, and oversight activities, and for other purposes.”
2:18:06 P.M.	H.R. 2860	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:18:08 P.M.	H.R. 2860	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2860.
2:34:27 P.M.	H.R. 2860	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.
2:34:37 P.M.	H.R. 1233	Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1233 — “To amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records, and for other purposes.”
2:34:47 P.M.	H.R. 1233	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:34:50 P.M.	H.R. 1233	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1233.
2:43:13 P.M.	H.R. 1233	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.
2:43:47 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
5:00:12 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 14.
5:00:14 P.M.		UNFINSHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:01:02 P.M.	H.R. 2860	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2860 — “To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management may use amounts in the revolving fund of the Office to fund audits, investigations, and oversight activities, and for other purposes.”
5:29:10 P.M.	H.R. 2860	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 0 (Roll no. 17).
5:29:17 P.M.	H.R. 1233	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1233 — “To amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records, and for other purposes.”
5:37:14 P.M.	H.R. 1233	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 18).
5:40:41 P.M.		Mr. Cole filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 458.
5:41:34 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
5:50:06 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

———————————————————————————————————-

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All Faces All Races Immigration Forum

01/13/2014 Nativegrl77

Immigration reform is fundamentally important not only to our families but to all New Yorkers, whose neighborhoods are filled with vibrant culture and diversity. We value your commitment to equality and your influence in your community and therefore request your participation at this important forum where we will discuss immigration policies, reform efforts, and impacting legislation in an effort to achieve equality for all.

During this Forum we will also launch the “G Project” (The Generation Project), which identifies 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th generation black immigrants.

Space is limited, so please RSVP right away: (212) 871-6899 or cminier@theblackinstitute.org
Christian Cultural Center please RSVP to Keith White at keith@freeintegrated.com

The Black Institute http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

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Republicans don’t know my sister

01/13/2014 Nativegrl77

My sister Angel and I do not have a lot in common. But we have a bond strengthened by shared experiences and her three perfect daughters. Angel was the sole provider for her family until she was injured. That injury and subsequent unemployment put her family in a scary situation. Since then, she has used food stamps to fill in the gaps that temporary employment and family cannot fill. She has done more with less than anyone I have ever seen. And she isn’t alone. Republicans point to the hysterical caricatures of “lazy, surfer dude, moochers” as the typical food stamp recipient. But you’ve met a few of the 4,000 DFA members that shared their experiences of food stamps already — Sharon, Dan and Tesha. We know that this can happen to anyone. Busting the myth behind Republican stereotypes about food stamps is central to flipping the frame around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (which administers food stamps) before Congress votes on potentially devastating cuts to SNAP. One way to do that is by sharing stories from our friends, family, neighbors and others over social media. We need to change the conversation about food stamps in America. That’s why several DFA members who have been on food stamps have courageously shared their experiences and photos with us. Please click here to read and share their stories with your friends on Facebook. So many of the stories shared with us expressed shame for using the program. There is no shame is receiving help and there is no honor in suffering. Millions of families face food insecurity everyday. Folks like David I., a son and brother from Palmyra, Tennessee, who shared his experience with us, along with more than 4,000 other DFA members who sent us their survival stories:

“My father passed away in 2005 and my older brother got laid off from a very good job he had held for 6 years. He had to take a minimum wage job when he had been making 60k. I also had a minimum wage job and was taking care of my disabled mother. We needed food stamps until my brother and I got better jobs several years later.”

People like David and their families are why this program matters. Let’s make sure they don’t get caught up in Republican hysterics. Click here to read the stories of these courageous food stamp recipients and share their stories on Facebook to help beat back the stereotypes used to justify cuts to the SNAP program. Even though their family is struggling now, thanks to a determined mother and SNAP, I know my nieces have bright futures ahead. As I watched my eldest niece practice her signature, I couldn’t help but think that she could one day be signing bills in the Oval Office. Whether she becomes President, an electrician or something else entirely, her future shouldn’t be jeopardized by Republican hysterics and ignorance. By changing the narrative, we’ll make sure it won’t. Thank you for all you do. — Monique
Monique Teal, Campaign Manager Democracy for America