The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Wednesday, April 9, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2199, the Equal Pay bill with the time until 11:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
At 11:00am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2199.

Additional roll call votes are expected on nominations during Wednesday’s session.

During Tuesday’s session, cloture was filed on the following nominations in the following order:

– Executive Calendar #574, the nomination of Michelle T. Freidland, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit and

– Executive Calendar #613, the nomination of David Weil, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

Under the rule, the cloture vote on the Freidland nomination would occur Thursday morning. If cloture is invoked, there will be up to 30 hours of debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the Friedland nomination, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the Weil nomination. If cloture is invoked on the Weil nomination, there will be up to 8 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

At 11:00am today, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2199, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.

At 11:01am, the Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2199, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex, and for other purposes.

Not Invoked: 53-44

The Senate has reached an agreement that provides for up to 5 roll call votes at 3:30pm on confirmation of the following nominations. Each vote after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration. There will be 2 minutes of debate between the votes.

– Executive Calendar #649, Wanda Felton, of New York, to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2017 (Reappointment).

– Executive Calendar #507, Terrell McSweeny, of the District of Columbia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of seven years from September 26, 2010

– Executive Calendar #506, Debra L. Miller, of Kansas , to be a Member of the Surface Transportation for a term expiring December 31, 2017;

– Executive Calendar #619, Steven Joel Anthony, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2018; and

– Executive Calendar #522, Daniel W. Yohannes, of Colorado, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador.

The details of the agreement are below.

At 2:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #649, Wanda Felton, of New York, to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2017 (Reappointment). There will be 1 hour for debate, with 15 minutes under the control of the Democratic Leader, or his designee, and 45 minutes under the control of the Republican Leader, prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Upon disposition of the Felton nomination, the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #507, Terrell McSweeny, of the District of Columbia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of seven years from September 26, 2010 with 2 minutes of debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Upon disposition of the McSweeny nomination, the Senate will consider the following nominations:

– Executive Calendar #506, Debra L. Miller, of Kansas , to be a Member of the Surface Transportation for a term expiring December 31, 2017;

– Executive Calendar #619, Steven Joel Anthony, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2018; and

There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote prior to each vote.

This afternoon, Senator Landrieu asked unanimous consent the Veterans’ Affairs committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R.3521, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013.

Senator Lee, on Senator Coburn’s behalf, objected to the request and asked Senator Landrieu to modify her request to include a Vitter amendment, which is at the desk.

Senator Sanders objected to Senator Lee’s modification.

The unofficial transcript of the exchange is below.

3:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #649, Wanda Felton, of New York, to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2017 (Reappointment);

75-21

3:58pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #507, Terrell McSweeny, of the District of Columbia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of seven years from September 26, 2010;

Confirmed: 95-1

The Miller, Anthony, and Yohannes nominations were confirmed by voice votes.

No further roll call votes are expected during today’s session of the Senate.

WRAP UP

Wrap Up for Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Roll Call Vote

1) Motion to proceed to S.2199, 113th Congress” href=”http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:S.2199:” target=”_blank”>S.2199, to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex; Not Invoked: 53-44

2) Executive Calendar #649, Wanda Felton, of New York, to be First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2017 (Reappointment); Confirmed: 75-21

3) Executive Calendar #507, Terrell McSweeny, of the District of Columbia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the unexpired term of seven years from September 26, 2010; Confirmed: 95-1

Legislative items

Adopted S.Con.Res.33, 100^th anniversary of Cooperative Extension Service

Adopted S.Con.Res.35, Adjournment Resolution

Addition Executive items

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

– Executive Calendar #506, Debra L. Miller, of Kansas , to be a Member of the Surface Transportation for a term expiring December 31, 2017;

– Executive Calendar #619, Steven Joel Anthony, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2018; and

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by consent:

AIR FORCE

#745 To be Brigadier General

Colonel David P. Baczewski

Colonel Jeffrey W. Burkett

Colonel Conrad C. Caldwell, III

Colonel Jeffrey B. Cashman

Colonel Charles W. Chappuis

Colonel Joel A. Clark

Colonel Patrick J. Cobb

Colonel Thomas B. Cucchi

Colonel John B. Daniel

Colonel George M. Degnon

Colonel William D. DeHaes

Colonel William D. Dockery, Jr.

Colonel Andrew E. Halter

Colonel Timothy J. Harmeson

Colonel Paul G. Havel

Colonel Jill L. Hendra

Colonel Alan K. Hodgdon

Colonel Joseph M. Jabara

Colonel Wendy K. Johnson

Colonel Timothy M. Jones

Colonel Thomas J. Kennett

Colonel Kerry L. Muehlenbeck

Colonel Timothy A. Mullen

Colonel John W. Ogle, III

Colonel Ryan T. Okahara

Colonel Russell A. Rushe

Colonel David P. San Clemente

Colonel Diana M. Shoop

Colonel Jesse T. Simmons, Jr.

Colonel David A. Simon

Colonel Mark C. Snyder

Colonel John G. Sotos

Colonel Ronald C. Stamps

Colonel Randolph J. Staudenraus

Colonel Scott A. Studer

Colonel Michael R. Taheri

Colonel Ronald B. Turk

Colonel Steven C. Warren

Colonel Roger E. Williams, Jr.

Colonel Ronald W. Wilson

Colonel Bryan F. Witeof

Colonel Brett A. Wyrick

Colonel Ricky G. Yoder

#746 Lt. Gen. John E. Hyten – to be General

#747 Maj. Gen. Wendy M. Masiello – to be Lieutenant General

#748 Rear Adm. (lh) Margaret G. Kibben – to be Rear Admiral

#749 Capt. Brent W. Scott – to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

#750 Vice Adm. Sean A. Pybus – to be Vice Admiral

MARINE CORPS

#751 Col. John R. Ewers, Jr. – to be Major General

And all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Marine Corps.

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

Last Floor Action:
5:46:47 P.M. -H.R. 4414
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Roll Call 174 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending.

10:00:30 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:34 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan Jr. to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:00 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.
10:31:27 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:31 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 9.
12:00:37 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Darius Pridgen, True Bethel Baptist Church, Buffalo, New York.
12:01:39 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:43 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pittenger to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:03 P.M.		The Speaker recognized Mr. Higgins for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain.
12:03:12 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.
12:33:01 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on April 9, 2014 at 9:48 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 90.
12:34:06 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:34:12 P.M.	H.R. 4414	Mr. Nunes moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4414 — “To clarify the treatment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of health plans in which expatriates are the primary enrollees, and for other purposes.”
12:34:28 P.M.	H.R. 4414	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:34:30 P.M.	H.R. 4414	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4414.
1:02:33 P.M.	H.R. 4414	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.
1:03:09 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 96 — “Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2015 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2016 through 2024.”
1:04:33 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
1:05:24 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded the remaining 1 hour of debate on H. Con. Res. 96.
3:22:17 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Mulvaney, numbered 1 printed in House Report 113-405 to insert President Obama’s budget proposal.
3:24:08 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 544, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Mulvaney amendment in the nature of a substitute no. 1.
3:43:56 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Mulvaney substitute amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes prevailed. Mr. Mulvaney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:44:28 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Ms. Moore, numbered 2 printed in House Report 113-405 to make significant investments in education, job training, transportation and infrastructure, and advanced research and development programs that will accelerate our economic recovery. Includes funding for a comprehensive jobs bill and targeted investments to reduce and eradicate poverty in America. Protects the social safety net without cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP and makes tough but responsible decisions to raise new revenue by making our tax system fairer, saving more than $1.7 trillion on the deficit over the next decade. Puts our nation on a sustainable fiscal path by reducing our annual budget deficit to 2.5% of GDP by FY 2024.
3:45:07 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 544, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Moore amendment in the nature of a substitute no. 2.
4:20:22 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moore substitute amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes prevailed. Ms. Moore demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:20:45 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 3 printed in House Report 113-405 to restore economic health by creating 8.8 million jobs by 2017 through investments in education, infrastructure and research and to reduce deficits by $4 trillion by 2024.
4:21:34 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 544, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Grijalva amendment in the nature of a substitute no. 3.
4:58:16 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva substitute amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes prevailed. Mr. Grijalva demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:59:00 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:25:30 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	On agreeing to the Mulvaney amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 171).
5:32:57 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	On agreeing to the Moore amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 172).
5:44:55 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 173).
5:45:06 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	Mr. Price (GA) moved that the Committee now rise.
5:45:29 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.
5:45:41 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 96	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H. Con. Res. 96 as unfinished business.
5:46:32 P.M.	H.R. 4414	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4414 — “To clarify the treatment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of health plans in which expatriates are the primary enrollees, and for other purposes.”
5:46:47 P.M.	H.R. 4414	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Roll Call 174 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending.

5:54:10 P.M.	H.R. 4414	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 257 – 159 (Roll no. 174).
5:55:00 P.M.		Mr. Neugebauer asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on April 10. Agreed to without objection.
5:56:00 P.M.		BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION – Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 2004(b), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: Mr. Dent.
5:57:26 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:11:47 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:11:04 P.M.		Mr. Collins (GA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:11:17 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:11:18 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on April 10, 2014.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

It’s time to start clicking clean

04/09/2014 Nativegrl77

Together, with the help of the tech industry, we can turn the Internet green.

The Internet is how we connect, learn new things, and share what we love. But right now much of our Internet is also dirty, no matter how we use it.

Data centers are where Internet companies store our photos, messages, and music, and many are powered by coal and dirty energy sources that pollute our environment and harm our climate.

What’s worse — the Internet’s demand for energy is only growing bigger. If the Internet were a country, its electricity use would already rank sixth in the world.

Take action for a greener Internet today.

With your help, we’ve already gotten Facebook and Apple to power their corner of the internet with renewable energy. But other companies are still using coal and other dirty energy.

That’s why we’re launching this campaign starting with the CEOs of major social media companies like Twitter and Pinterest to commit to 100 percent renewable energy and make a real impact on stopping climate change. But for our request to stick and for other companies to follow, it’s critical that their users — YOU! — demand this change.

Add your name to a growing movement of Internet users demanding a clean, renewable answer from companies like Twitter and Pinterest to this dirty data problem. Sign now to tell big tech companies that you want a green internet!

We’re confident that we can turn these companies and several others into leaders in the clean energy revolution — because we’ve done it before. Just last year — after hearing from supporters like you — tech giants Facebook and Apple committed to powering up with renewable energy like wind and solar.

Since then, our team has spent months and months researching and ranking companies on their online energy footprint. Yesterday, we revealed who’s leading the charge and who’s falling behind. This will mark the first time several of these companies have ever heard from Greenpeace so they need to hear our collective voices, loud and clear.

To truly combat global warming in the next decade, we need the tech industry to lead the charge in renewable energy investment.

Sign today and we’ll be one step closer to powering the Internet with clean, renewable energy. Together, we can create a greener online so we can enjoy a greener offline!

The tech industry is in a powerful position to make a real impact on stopping global warming if companies switch to abundant clean energy available like wind and solar.

If we gather together now, we’ll have the power to flip dozens of online companies from dirty to clean. Join with us today.

For a greener offline,

Nicky Davies
Greenpeace USA Campaigns Director

P.S. Don’t worry — this email was sent on a clean server. We now need your voice to make social media companies like Twitter and Pinterest to commit to 100 percent renewable energy too. Join the green Internet movement today and be part of something big.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

No Mad Men Pay

04/09/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Like CAP Action on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

It’s Long Past Time To Close The Gender Wage Gap

Tuesday was Equal Pay Day, the day that marks how much longer the average woman has to work into 2014 to make the same amount as a man made in 2013. Because women make 77 cents for every dollar a man makes, that amounts to almost 60 extra workdays and 100 extra days in total.

77cents

Women are the sole or co-breadwinners in the great majority of families, yet women working at all income levels tend to be paid less. It should not be more difficult for women and their families to get ahead. It’s illegal to pay women less, but gender discrimination in pay exists. It’s time to make equal pay for equal work a reality.

President Obama marking the day by signing two new executive orders that remove barriers to ensure equal pay for equal work. This issue has been a priority for Obama ever since the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first bill he signed into law. But pay secrecy stands in the way to enforcing equal pay laws since a woman who doesn’t know she is underpaid can’t take action to close the gap. That’s where the new executive orders come in:

1. Prohibit Federal Contractors From Retaliating Against Employees Who Discuss Compensation. Employees who chose to discuss their pay should not be put at risk of losing their job, being demoted, or denied a job opportunity. Too often, rules prohibiting discussions about pay are used to protect discriminatory practices from coming to light and create a culture of secrecy that has no place in the 21st century American workplace.

2. Require Federal Contractors To Report Data on Pay by Sex and Race. For years, federal enforcement agencies have been limited in their ability to combat pay discrimination because they do not have regular information about how much all federal contractors pay their employees. Having accurate information about an employer’s pay practices is essential in enforcing the law effectively and vigorously.

These executive actions send a clear signal that the administration wants to end pay discrimination. More than two-thirds of voters agree. But it is up to Congress to pass a law to ensure that these rules apply to all businesses, not just those who receive taxpayer dollars. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which the Senate is voting on this week, would do just that. Unfortunately, only 54 Senators are signed onto the bill and numerous members of the GOP seem to think that equal pay just isn’t that important or even that pay discrimination doesn’t exist at all. Mitch McConnell (the Senate’s top Republican!) called it a “bizarre obsession.”

That is just not true. Women earn less when they get the same education, they earn less when they balance children and careers, and they earn less because of discrimination. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women earn less in virtually every job category. So enough about that.

But equal pay is not only an important equity issue, it is also vital economic concern. If women earned equal pay for equal work, our economy would boost GDP by 2.9 percent or almost $450 billion and cut the poverty rate in half for working women.

BOTTOM LINE: Times have changed since the Mad Men era, but our workplaces have failed to keep up. President Obama has taken an important step today in ending pay secrecy for federal contractors, but it is time for Congress to act to bring workplace policies for all into the 21st century. That means passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, and doing everything it can to make sure that women and their families have a fair shot to succeed.