the Senate considers S.1086,ChildCare&Dev Block Grant Prg Bill ~~ CONGRESS 3/13 ~~ the House


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The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, March 13, 2014

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 10:30am with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

 Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization bill.

 Roll call votes are expected throughout the day in an effort to complete action on S.1086.  We are also working on an agreement on the flood insurance bill.  Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.

At 12:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of up to 5 votes. We expect a roll call vote on Coburn #2830, as modified, and voice votes on the remaining amendments in the following list:

12:15pm:

–          Coburn #2830, as modified (no credits for millionaires) (roll call vote)

–          Portman #2827 (language and literacy development) (voice vote)

–          Tester #2834 (Tribal construction/renovation of facilities) (voice vote)

–          Thune #2838 (child care supply) (voice vote)

–          Warren #2842 (financial aid) (voice vote)

–           Bennet amendment #2839, as modified (voice vote)

No second degree amendments are in order to the amendments prior to the vote.

Upon disposition of the Bennet amendment, the Senate will proceed to voice votes on the following nominations:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#634 Puneet Talwar – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs)

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

#625 Joseph Pius Pietrzyk – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2014 (Reappointment)

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#550 Dwight L. Bush, Sr – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco

12:15pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Coburn amendment #2830 (millionaires);

Agreed To: 100-0

The Coburn amendment was agreed to 100-0. The Senate then agreed to the remaining amendments and confirmed the nominations in the series by voice vote.

–          Portman #2827 (language and literacy development)

–          Tester #2834 (Tribal construction/renovation of facilities)

–          Thune #2838 (child care supply)

–          Warren #2842 (financial aid)

–          Bennet #2839 (Federal Buildings)

–          #634 Puneet Talwar – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs)

–          #625 Joseph Pius Pietrzyk – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2014 (Reappointment)

–          #550 Dwight L. Bush, Sr – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco

 The Senate continues to consider S.1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation. We hope to be in a position to vote on any remaining amendments (we don’t expect any additional votes on amendments) and passage of the bill, as amended, after the luncheons.

The following amendments have been considered to S.1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization bill::

  • Enzi amendment #2812 (review of early learning and care programs); Agreed to: 98-0
  • Franken amendment #2822 (Indian tribes and tribal organizations; Agreed to: 93-6
  • Lee amendment #2821, as modified (personally identifiable information); agreed to by voice vote
  • Landrieu amendment #2818 (child care disaster plan); Agreed to: 98-0
  • Landrieu #2813 (foster care – immunizations); agreed to by voice vote
  • Landrieu #2814 (foster care coordination); agreed to by voice vote
  • Bennett-Isakson amendment #2824 (combined funding); agreed to by voice vote
  • Boxer-Burr amendment #2809 (background checks); agreed to by voice vote
  • Scott amendment #2837 (parental rights clarification); agreed to by voice vote
  • Coburn amendment #2830, as modified (no credits for millionaires); Agreed to: 100-0
  • Portman amendment  #2827 (language and literacy development) agreed to by voice vote
  •  Tester amendment #2834 (Tribal construction/renovation of facilities) agreed to by voice vote
  • Thune amendment #2838 (child care supply) agreed to by voice vote
  • Warren amendment #2842 (financial aid) agreed to by voice vote
  • Bennett amendment #2839, as modified (federal buildings) agreed to by voice vote
  • Vitter amendment #2845, as modified (priority requirements) agreed to by voice vote
  • Portman amendment #2847 (child care staff member) agreed to voice vote
  • Sanders amendment #2846 (child poverty) agree to voice vote
  • Harkin amendment #2811 (added “underserved” areas) withdrawn

2:20pm We are close to reaching an agreement to vote at 2:30pm on confirmation of Executive Calendar #686, the nomination of Caroline Diane Krass, of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency. Another message will be sent once the agreement has been entered.

2:27pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #686, the nomination of Caroline Diane Krass, of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency

Confirmed: 95-4

3:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization bill

Passed: 97-1

We are close to reaching an agreement on Flood Insurance that would result in 2 roll call votes this afternoon. Under the agreement, there would be up to 1 hour and 15 minutes (45 minutes for Republicans and 30 minutes for Majority) for debate, prior to a vote on passage of H.R.3375, Flood Insurance, and a vote on passage of a Lee bill regarding second homes. Another message will be sent once the agreement is reached.

There will now be up to 45 minutes for debate prior to a vote on passage of H.R.3370, Flood Insurance, and S.2137, flood insurance for second homes (Lee). We expect some time may be yielded back and the vote could begin around 4:30pm. We expect a roll call vote on H.R.3370 and a voice vote on S.2137. Each bill is subject to a 60-affirmativevote threshold.

Further, the Senate will then vote (expect voice votes) on confirmation of the following nominations:

–        Exec. Cal. #647, Arun Madhavan Kumar, of CA, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service; and

–        Exec. Cal. #551, Timothy M. Broas, of MD, to be Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Flood Insurance agreement

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #317, H.R.3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act; that there be up to 75 minutes of debate prior to a vote on passage of the bill, with the Majority controlling 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling 15 minutes; further, that upon disposition of H.R.3370, the Senate proceed to the consideration of S.2137, introduced earlier today by Senator Lee; that the bill be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill; that each bill be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; with all of the above occurring with no intervening action or debate; finally, there be two minutes equally divided in between the votes; and Senator Coburn be recognized for up to 30 minutes following the votes for his remarks relative to the flood insurance bill.

4:34pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of H.R.3370, Flood Insurance;

Passed: 72-22

The Senate passed H.R.3370, Flood Insurance, 72-22. The Senate passed S.2137 by voice vote.

The Senate then confirmed the Kumar and Broas nominations.

–        Exec. Cal. #647, Arun Madhavan Kumar, of CA, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service; and

–        Exec. Cal. #551, Timothy M. Broas, of MD, to be Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the motion to proceed to S.2124, a bill to support sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine, be agreed to; that there be one hour of debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the bill be read a third time and passed; with all of the above occurring with no intervening action or debate.

Senator Barrasso objected.

Senator Barrasso then asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.R.4152, an act to provide for the costs of loan guarantees for Ukraine.

Senator Reid objected to Senator Barrasso’s request.

On Thursday, March 13, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2124, a bill to support sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine. The cloture vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, March 24.

–          Calendar #581, Christopher Reid Cooper, of D.C., to be U.S. District Judge for D.C.;

–          Calendar #582, M. Douglas Harpool, of Missouri, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri;

–          Calendar #583, Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr., of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;

–          Calendar #584, Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Coburn amendment #2830, as modified (no credits for millionaires) to S.1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act; Agreed to: 100-0

2)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #686, the nomination of Caroline Diane Krass, of the District of Columbia, to be General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency; Confirmed: 95-4

3)     Passage of S.1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act, as amended; Passed: 96-2

4)     Passage of H.R.3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013; Passed: 72-22

Additional Legislative items

Passed S.2137, To ensure that holders of flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program do not receive premium refunds for coverage of second homes by voice vote.

 Discharged the Banking committee and passed S.1456, a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Shimon Peres with a Bennet amendment.

 Passed S.2147, a bill to amend Public Law 112-59 to provide for the display of the congressional gold medal awarded to the Montford Point Marines, United States Marine Corps, by the Smithsonian Institution and at other appropriate locations.

Passed H.R.4076, Home Heating Emergency Assistance Through Transportation Act of 2014.

Discharged the Indian Affairs committee and passed H.R.2650, a bill to allow the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in the State of Minnesota to lease or transfer certain land.

 Adopted S.Res.375, concerning the crisis in the Central African Republic and supporting United States and international efforts to end the violence, protect civilians, and address root causes of the conflict with committee-reported amendments to the resolution and the preamble.

 Adopted S.Res.376, Supporting the goals of International Women’s Day with a Shaheen-Kirk-Lee amendment to the preamble.

 Adopted S.Res.377, a resolution recognizing the 193rd anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece and the United States.

 Adopted S.Res.388, designating March 22, 2014, as “National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day.”

 Adopted S.Res.389, designating the week of March 9, 2014 through March 15, 2014, as “National Youth Synthetic Drug Awareness Week”.

 Adopted S.Res.390, designating March 11, 2014, as “World Plumbing Day”.

 Adopted S.Res.391, a resolution designating Jean M. Manning as Chief Counsel for Employment Emeritus of U.S. Senate.

 Adopted S.Res.392, a resolution to authorize document production and representation in Care One Management LLC, et al. v. United Healthcare Workers East, SEIU 1199, et al.

Adopted S.Con.Res.93, providing for technical corrections in the enrollment of H.R.3370.

Began the Rule 14 process of the following item in order to place the bills on the Legislative Calendar:

–        H.R.3474, the Hire More Heroes Act

–        H.R.3979, Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responder Act and

–        S.2148, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014 (Reed-Heller and others)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2122, the Responsible Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Improvement Act (Hatch) in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

Additional Executive items

Confirmed the following by voice vote:

–        Executive Calendar #634 Puneet Talwar – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs)

–        Executive Calendar #625 Joseph Pius Pietrzyk – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2014 (Reappointment)

–        Executive Calendar #550 Dwight L. Bush, Sr – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco

–        Executive Calendar #647 Arun Madhavan Kumar – to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service

–        Executive Calendar #551 Timothy M. Broas – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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Last Floor Action:
4:16:38 P.M. -H.R. 3973
On agreeing to
the Ellison amendment (A002) Roll Call 127 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

Last Floor Action:3/12
10:01:40 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.

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Orangutan graveyards


Orangutans are being driven from their homes to make way for palm oil production. 
Baby orangutan and mother Please make a gift today to help us protect animals and natural places.

greenpeaceJoao Talocchi, Greenpeace

Shocking news out of Indonesia: Greenpeace investigators, working with the Friends of National Parks Foundation, have found something sinister on a palm oil plantation: an orangutan graveyard.
While we don’t yet know how or why the orangutan remains came to be buried in the dirt on a palm oil plantation, we know that orangutans do not bury their dead: this was done by human hands.
You can make sure Greenpeace can continue to uncover, expose and fight against the impacts of environmental devastation, by making a donation today.
Deforestation has led to a 50% decline in the orangutan population of Borneo, where the buried orangutan remains were found. And we know that palm oil production is the single biggest cause of deforestation in Indonesia. Even worse, we’ve learned that an American company, Procter & Gamble, buys palm oil from suppliers who are linked to the very plantation where we found the orangutan remains.
This is why we’re part of a global movement demanding that Procter & Gamble commit to a No Deforestation Policy immediately in its products like Head & Shoulders shampoo. Already, over half a million people have joined with Greenpeace to bring this demand to P&G. But so far, P&G refuses to budge. 
We need to turn up the heat on P&G and other companies linked to the destruction of key habitat for orangutans and other animals. Help us make this possible by donating today. Your donation will also support our work to fight global warming, protect our oceans, and other campaigns to protect our environment.
Real change is already happening, thanks to the support of people like you. More and more companies — like Hershey, L’Oreal, and Unilever — are committing to deforestation-free practices. And just yesterday, we learned that Mars has committed to a No Deforestation policy. 
Indonesian rainforest habitats are disappearing so quickly, we have to act now. We won’t just sit and wait for holdouts like P&G to come around.  We must ensure that the palm oil industry changes quickly enough to save animals like the orangutan.
Please make a gift now to support our work to protect natural places around the globe. To have a healthy, diverse planet, we must end deforestation. This won’t be easy, but I know we can do it with you at our side.
For the forests,
Joao Talocchi Greenpeace Palm Oil Campaigner
P.S. Please stand up for animals like orangutans and make a donation today. Your support will make a huge difference in the fight to protect their forest home.

Official Google blog …


On the 25th anniversary of the web, let’s keep it free and open

On the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web, we’re pleased to share this guest post from Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the web. In this post he reflects on the past, present and future of the web—and encourages the rest of us to fight to keep it free and open. -Ed.
Today is the web’s 25th birthday.

On March 12, 1989, I distributed a proposal to improve information flows: “a ‘web’ of notes with links between them.”
Though CERN, as a physics lab, couldn’t justify such a general software project, my boss Mike Sendall allowed me to work on it on the side. In 1990, I wrote the first browser and editor. In 1993, after much urging, CERN declared that WWW technology would be available to all, without paying royalties, forever.

The first web server, used by Tim Berners-Lee. Photo via Wikipedia

This decision enabled tens of thousands to start working together to build the web. Now, about 40 percent of us are connected and creating online. The web has generated trillions of dollars of economic value, transformed education and healthcare and activated many new movements for democracy around the world. And we’re just getting started.
How has this happened? By design, the underlying Internet and the WWW are non-hierarchical, decentralized and radically open. The web can be made to work with any type of information, on any device, with any software, in any language. You can link to any piece of information. You don’t need to ask for permission. What you create is limited only by your imagination.
So today is a day to celebrate. But it’s also an occasion to think, discuss—and do. Key decisions on the governance and future of the Internet are looming, and it’s vital for all of us to speak up for the web’s future. How can we ensure that the other 60 percent around the world who are not connected get online fast? How can we make sure that the web supports all languages and cultures, not just the dominant ones? How do we build consensus around open standards to link the coming Internet of Things? Will we allow others to package and restrict our online experience, or will we protect the magic of the open web and the power it gives us to say, discover, and create anything? How can we build systems of checks and balances to hold the groups that  can spy on the net accountable to the public? These are some of my questions—what are yours?
On the 25th birthday of the web, I ask you to join in—to help us imagine and build the future standards for the web, and to press for every country to develop a digital bill of rights to advance a free and open web for everyone. Learn more at webat25.org, and speak up for the sort of web we really want with #web25.
Posted by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Inventor of the World Wide Web

Watch iTunes Festival at SXSW every night this week! live


VEVO Originals
iTUNES FESTIVAL AT SXSW

Coldplay, Pitbull, Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons, Keith Urban, Soundgarden and many other artists play iTunes Festival at SXSW this week.

From Tuesday, 3/11 – Saturday, 3/15, Vevo iOS and Apple TV viewers, as well as Mac Safari users, can watch the shows on Vevo. Find out more!

iTunes FESTIVAL AT SXSW