the Senate CONGRESS 1/13 the House

01/13/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, January 13, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1845, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on S.1845 and the Reed amendment #2631. As a result, the filing deadline for all first degree amendments to S.1845 is 3:00pm Monday and the filing deadline for all second degree amendments to the Reed amendment #2631 is 4:30pm Monday.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will resume Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled in the usual form. At 5:30pm, there will be at least 2 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Wilkins nomination and

– Motion to invoke cloture on the Reed amendment #2631 to S.1845.

After the Senate convened, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.1846, Flood Insurance.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate resumed consideration of S.1845, Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act.

Last week Senator Reid filed cloture on the perfecting substitute (perfectitute) amendment #2631 and the underlying bill, S.1845. The filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.1845 is 3pm today and the filing deadline for second degree amendments to Amendment #2631 (perfectitute) is 4:30pm today. If cloture is invoked, germane amendments must be filed at the desk prior to the deadlines to be considered in order post-cloture. If your senator has a germane amendment and would like to preserve the ability to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Colombia. At 5:30pm, there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Wilkins nomination.

Upon disposition of the Wilkins nomination, there is a vote scheduled on the motion to invoke cloture on Reed amendment #2631 (perfectitute). There are discussions happening that may result in an agreement to post-pone the cloture vote and to consider amendments to the bill. If no agreement is reached and cloture is not invoked on Reed amendment #2631, there would be a third vote tonight on cloture on the underlying bill, S.1845. If cloture is invoked on Reed amendment #2631, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on the Reed perfectitute.

Up to 3 roll call votes at 5:30pm today on the following items:

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Colombia;

– Cloture on Reed amendment #2631 (perfectitute) to S.1845, Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act; and

– Cloture on S.1845, Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act.

Another message will be sent if an agreement is reached. If an agreement on S.1845 is reached, we would still have the confirmation vote on the Wilkins nomination at 5:30pm.

By consent, the cloture vote on the Reed amendment #2631 will occur at 2:30pm, Tuesday, January 14^th. The cloture S.1845 would occur following disposition of amendment #2631 or, if cloture is not invoked on the amendment, the Senate will immediately proceed to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1845.

At 5:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia.

5:31pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia;

Confirmed: 55-43

WRAP UP

Roll Call Vote

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia; Confirmed: 55-43

Legislative items

Adopted S.Res.331, congratulating the Florida State University football team for winning the 2014 Bowl Championship Series national championship.

Adopted S.Res.332, congratulating the North Dakota State University football team for winning the 2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision title.

No additional Executive items

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Last Floor Action:
7:26:12 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –
The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded
to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:1/10
12:58:21 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00
p.m. on January 13, 2014.

12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:08 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:48 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative b usiness.
12:05:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:04 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 13.
2:00:45 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:06 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:10 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.
2:01:40 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:07:45 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
5:00:17 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 13.
5:00:22 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:00:34 P.M.	H.R. 1513	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1513 — “To revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station and certain land along Plum Run in Cumberland Township, to limit the means by which property within such revised boundaries may be acquired, and for other purposes.”
5:00:55 P.M.	H.R. 1513	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:00:57 P.M.	H.R. 1513	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1513.
5:08:12 P.M.	H.R. 1513	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.
5:08:53 P.M.	S. 230	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 230 — “To authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes.”
5:09:04 P.M.	S. 230	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:09:06 P.M.	S. 230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 230.
5:23:46 P.M.	S. 230	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.
5:24:18 P.M.	H.R. 841	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 841 — “To amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to make technical corrections, and for other purposes.”
5:24:30 P.M.	H.R. 841	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:24:35 P.M.	H.R. 841	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 841.
5:31:40 P.M.	H.R. 841	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:31:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

6:30:25 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 13.
6:30:40 P.M.		UNFINISHED 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.
6:30:55 P.M.	H.R. 1513	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1513 — “To revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station and certain land along Plum Run in Cumberland Township, to limit the means by which property within such revised boundaries may be acquired, and for other purposes.”
6:55:00 P.M.	H.R. 1513	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 0 (Roll no. 12).
6:55:05 P.M.	S. 230	Considered as unfinished business. S. 230 — “To authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes.”
7:02:09 P.M.	S. 230	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 – 7 (Roll no. 13).
7:06:07 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:26:12 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

8:27:23 P.M.		Mr. Horsford moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:27:43 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:27:44 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 14, 2014.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Truth-Telling About Obamacare ~~ a repost

01/12/2014 Nativegrl77

Whether it’s a CNN anchor bucking the trend on awful Obamacare coverage, an Atlanta anchorwoman explaining how diversity is a core American value, or the President of the United States having enough of one network’s phony scandals, there was a lot to see this week.

John Whitehouse Twitter: @existentialfish

A new report this week indicated that Obamacare would give millions Americans enough flexibility to choose to work less. Many news outlets bought into conservative spin and distorted this important development, but one CNN anchor pushed back, correctly noting that the report was all about choice: http://mm4a.org/1lAX5es Related: On the other hand, the Associated Press White House Correspondent disregarded the facts of what the report actually said while discussing it on Fox News: http://mm4a.org/1iqB11e

Diversity Makes America Great

Some conservatives whined at a Super Bowl commercial featuring a multi-lingual version of ‘America the Beautiful.’ Georgia anchorwoman Brenda Wood took those people to task. Watch for yourself: http://mm4a.org/1fLoLrc Related: Bill O’Reilly’s interview of President Obama before the Super Bowl was dedicated to pushing Fox’s phony scandals. Even Obama had enough of it: http://mm4a.org/1blczg2

Fox Freaks Out At CVS

Multiple Fox News hosts are outraged over CVS’ decision to stop selling tobacco products in their stores, as they pivot towards providing health care. Gretchen Carlson even asked if it was legally permissible for a store to choose to stop selling cigarettes: http://mm4a.org/Mu2rIz Related: Conservative gun advocates are in an uproar after 20/20 demonstrated how accidents can easily occur when guns are within the reach of children. http://mm4a.org/LQzXZk

FEATURED VIDEO

Conservatives are having issues correctly pronouncing the name of President Obama’s nominee for the DOJ Civil Rights Division. We give them a hand: http://youtu.be/xddS5YETB3Y

SERIOUSLY?

Does Laura Ingraham, a leading anti-immigrant voice, know that Puerto Ricans are American citizens? Her baseless attacks on Justice Sonia Sotomayor raise doubts: http://mm4a.org/1ikKnuS

WAR ON WOMEN

Fox News’ idea for a debate on whether Disney should create a plus-size princess centered around the notion that such a princess might encourage obesity. Seriously: http://mm4a.org/1iv1lYe

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

News Broadcasts Almost Completely Ignore The Trans-Pacific Partnership, A Massive New Free Trade Proposal

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This amendment could kill food safety

01/10/2014 Nativegrl77

U.S. Congress: Stop the King Amendment to the 2013 Farm Bill

By Campaign for Safe Food

Los Angeles, California

Right now, a House and Senate conference committee is hashing out the details of the 2013 Farm Bill.

Within the House version of the bill is an amendment offered by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) that has the potential to wipe out states’ rights to label genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The amendment includes sweeping language about states’ rights to regulate food and farming, and could nullify a wide range of state and local measures regarding food safety, labeling, environmental requirements, humane treatment of farm animals, labor standards, and other important issues.

The amendment could also overturn current bans on dangerous agricultural chemicals like methyl iodide, and allow a flood of these pesticides into our food supply.

But there’s still time to keep this dangerous amendment out of the final version of the Farm Bill. Please sign and share our petition today!

To read more about this flawed and potentially disastrous amendment, click here.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

VA punishing veterans in debt?

01/10/2014 Nativegrl77

The Department of Veterans Affairs: Change Medical Debt Policies; Stop Punishing Veterans with Debt

By Bob Gardner

W. Warwick, Rhode Island

The way that the Department of Veterans Affairs collects medical debts from veterans is unacceptable. As a disabled veteran trying to pay my medical bills and get treatment, I struggle every day to navigate a backwards system that creates unnecessary stress for veterans, produces significant paper waste, and punishes veterans trying to pay off their debt.

Here’s how the current system works: When a veteran like me makes a payment, it is applied to the oldest invoice on record, instead of being applied to the most current invoice. The vast majority of healthcare companies in America do the opposite – they pay off new invoices first and use any remainder to pay down debt. Paying new invoices first allows patients to pay down debt without going into more. But the Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ backward system makes it really hard for vets to ever catch up on payments.

When veterans have debt, they must submit a complete 3+ page paper financial statement every 90 days for every facility they go to, otherwise the Department of Veterans Affairs seizes the veteran’s total disability payment as well as 20% of any other federal income that the veteran is receiving, like Social Security Disability Insurance payments.

Filling out these forms every 90 days puts an unnecessary burden on our veterans, violates the intent of the Paperwork Reduction Act, and means that if a veteran misses getting his/her financial statements in on time just once, the government can seize that person’s income.

The VA needs to fix this broken system so that veterans can pay off their medical debt like other Americans and keep the income they need to live.

I propose that payments made on a veteran’s debt be applied to the newest invoices first, with the excess going to older debt, so that the new debt doesn’t age past the 90 day limit every 90 days. This is how most healthcare companies in America address debt. Also, a website should be set up so that the veteran can update just the information that has changed since his/her last financial statement once per year.

These changes would improve financial freedom, reduce stress for veterans who have served their country, comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, reduce waste, and save filing space in the Department of Veterans Affairs offices. Join me in asking the Department of Veteran’s affairs to change their medical debt collection policies.

“Any nation that does not honor its heros will not long endure” – Abraham Lincoln

“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A Traffic Study?

01/10/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

10 Must-Read Stories On The Christie Bridge Scandal

Here are ten items on the developing controversy directly implicating New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s senior staff to a petty case of political retribution.

Timeline of Port Authority’s George Washington Bridge controversy: A detailed timeline of the scandal dating back to August 2013.
Bridge Closures Led To Emergency Response Delays, Disrupted Treatment For 91-Year-Old Woman Who Died: Of the four medical situations that emergency personnel reportedly had difficulty responding to due to the unannounced bridge closures, one involved an unconscious elderly woman who later died at the hospital.
The Four Key Questions Chris Christie Didn’t Answer at His Press Conference: The New Jersey Governor certainly talked a lot at his 115 minute press conference this morning. But there are still unanswered questions that won’t make this controversy just go away.
Stories Add Up as Bully Image Trails Christie: The bridge scandal isn’t the first time that Christie has been dogged by reports of bullying and political retribution.
Christie Appointee Pleads The Fifth Before State Committee In Bridge Fiasco: After losing a bid in court to avoid testifying earlier in the day, David Wildstein, the former Port Authority director of interstate capital projects, refused to answer any questions about the bridge controversy.
Why Conservatives Aren’t Rushing To Chris Christie’s Defense: Christie has been at odds with his party’s right wing since the final days of the 2012 campaign, and now conservatives are delighting in the political scandal.
Here’s Proof That Governor Christie Is Still Misleading The Public On Bridge Scandal: What’s that again about this being a traffic study?
Christie Administration May Have Violated Public Records Law: Emails disclosed Wednesday raise questions about whether the Christie administration complied with a public-records request filed by The Bergen Record last month.
After Christie Firing, Schundler Fires Back: In 2010, Christie fired his Education Commissioner, Bret Schundler, for supposedly lying to him. Schundler says he had told Christie exactly what Christie said the commissioner had not. Was Christie himself lying? “It’s hard to understand how when you gave the correct information you end up being asked to resign,” said Schundler.
Christie’s Carefully Devised, No-Nonsense Image in Peril: Christie’s brand in Republican politics to this point has been driven by a desire to transcend partisan rancor and petty politics in the service of the public good.