Set your alarm for 5 p.m. ET!


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Climate Change is real

Tomorrow is the big day!

Senator B.Boxer will be sounding the alarm with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and other climate champions at the Capitol to wake up the Congress on climate change.

 

Will you stand with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, other climate champions, and me by sounding the alarm on climate change?

You and I both know that climate change is already here — and that the consequences for our health, our economy, and our children’s future will be devastating unless we act NOW!

I hope you’ll join me.

In Friendship,

Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator

— Begin forwarded message —

FROM: Barbara Boxer
SUBJECT: Prove the pundits wrong — again

Carmen,

 

What are you doing on We‌dnesday afternoon — M‌ay 2‌1st?

Whatever it is, it cannot be more important than finally waking up Congress to the devastating effects of climate change! Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and I are inviting other climate champions in the House and Senate to sound the alarm on Wed‌nesday at a rally right outside the U.S. Capitol.

At the rally, supporters will be asked to set the alarm on their cell phone, tablet or hand-held device to ring at 5 p.‌m. ET to — literally — sound the alarm on climate change! Even if you cannot attend in person, I hope you’ll show your support online today — and sound the alarm from wherever you are when the clock strikes 5 p‌.m. on We‌dnesday.

Will you join the call and urge Congress to wake up to climate change? Join Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, me, and Americans across the country to sound the alarm for climate change today!

What will it take for Congress to listen? Two months ago, 31 of us pulled an all-nighter on the Senate floor — and more than 200,000 Americans across the country joined our call.

Last week, President Obama released the National Climate Assessment, which made it clear: Climate change isn’t something that will happen at some other time and place. It is here, it is now, and we are already suffering the consequences.

Now, it is time for us to bring the wake-up call right to Congress’ front door!

Will you stand with us by sounding the alarm on climate change?

With the impacts of climate change all around us, this is a fight we must wage now for the sake of our health, our nation’s economy, and our children and grandchildren.

Please join us in waking up Congress before it is too late.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator

Thank a Sheriff


Nice to meet you — I’m Dave Hoover.

As a police officer for over 31 years, I’ve been shot at a number of times. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. It’s a choice and a privilege.

I’m writing to tell you that I support background checks on gun sales because as a police officer, I will do everything I can to make sure that my team of law enforcement officers keeps the public safe without being put at unnecessary risk. They’re my people — I love them, and I’m responsible for them.

I’m also writing to you because my nephew A.J. was doing what teenagers should be doing when he went to the movies in Aurora, Colorado almost two years ago. It’s one thing for an officer like me to be at the wrong end of a firearm, but that night, A.J. was murdered in an act of senseless gun violence — and it only drove home how urgent it is to get firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.

In Colorado, where we’ve implemented background checks, we’ve already stopped 167 people who shouldn’t own firearms from purchasing them.

That’s 167 fewer people putting my officers at risk — and 167 fewer chances that their families will have to feel the devastation of losing a loved one.

It’s National Police Week — and I hope you’ll let your local sheriff know that you are grateful for their service and that you support background checks to keep them and their deputies safe.

Look — I enjoy using firearms safely and responsibly. I’m a hunter who loves to take his family shooting in the mountains. I’m also a Republican — and have been since even before I was eligible to vote. But this isn’t about politics, it’s about common sense. My officers will tell you: Politics don’t mean a thing when you’re in a confrontation with a guy who has multiple felony warrants and a .40 caliber in his waistband.

Thank a sheriff

This is about the men and women in all our police departments, their families, and the safety of all of our families.

When your job is to be in situations like these every day, you know that reducing gun violence is too important to leave to the politicians.

I’m not alone — I know that a lot of your local law enforcement officers feel the same. Please take a moment to tell them thanks, and let them know why you support background checks.

Thanks a lot. As a police officer, an uncle, and a parent I appreciate your support.

Take care,

Dave Hoover, Sergeant

 

Alternative Energy Sources


3 Alternative Energy Innovations Happening in the US

3 Alternative Energy Innovations Happening in the US

This past week President Obama announced that solar panels were installed on the roof of the White House— a sign that alternative energy is more important than ever.

Read More

Department of the Interior needs to investigate ALEC


For decades, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has undermined federal policy and pushed legislation that would destroy our public lands, our forests and our rivers.

Thumbing their nose at the constitution, they’ve enabled extremists like Cliven Bundy to threaten law enforcement and promote dangerous standoffs, endangering the lives of both the police and the public.

Help bring an end to these risky political games by joining our call for the Department of the Interior to investigate ALEC’s attacks on our environment and the officials who protect it.

If we don’t stand together today, we may lose our nation’s most beautiful treasures tomorrow. Imagine uranium mines in the Grand Canyon or fracking for oil in Yellowstone National Park. That is ALEC’s vision for America, not ours.

Wielding corporate influence and buying crooked politicians, they’ve repeatedly torn down critical health, safety and environmental rules – all so they can sell our country to the highest bidder. What’s more, ALEC has done all this while hiding in the shadows, never disclosing its role or the groups who fund its extreme agenda.

Sign our petition today and tell the Bureau of Land Management that we’ve had enough of ALEC’s political games!

Thanks for all that you do,

Marisol

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 5/21 ~~ the House


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The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, May 21.

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 12:15pm, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. At 12:15pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #768, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.

Following the Fischer vote, the Senate will recess until 2:00pm to allow for the Republican caucus meeting.

At 2:00pm, there will be up to 10 minutes for debate equally divided.

At 2:10pm, there will be a series of up to 5 roll call votes in relation to the following nominations:

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #773 Elisebeth Collins Cook – to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2020
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #774 Deirdre M. Daly – to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for the term of four years
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #775 James Walter Frazer Green – to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana for the term of four years
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #743 Damon Paul Martinez – to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico for the term of four years

There will be a roll call vote on cloture on the Barron nomination and we expect to confirmed the Cook, Daly, Green, and Martinez nominations by voice votes. Therefore, senators should expect one roll call vote at 12:15pm and another roll call vote at 2:10pm.

Senator Paul asked unanimous consent that the cloture motion on Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit, be delayed.

Senator Markey objected.

12:16pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #768, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve;

Confirmed: 68-27

2:14pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit;

Invoked:52-43

 

 

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #773 Elisebeth Collins Cook, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2020
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #774 Deirdre M. Daly, of Connecticut, to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for the term of four years
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #775 James Walter Frazer Green, Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana for the term of four years
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #743 Damon Paul Martinez, of New Mexico, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico for the term of four years

Cloture was invoked on the Barron nomination by a vote of 52-43.Under the previous order, the vote on confirmation of the Barron nomination will occur at approximately 2:00pm tomorrow, Thursday, May 22.  There will be no further roll call votes today

Senator Klobuchar asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #88, S.394, a bill to prohibit and deter the theft of metal. Senator Lee objected.

By voice vote, the Senate confirmed the following nominations:

  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #773 Elisebeth Collins Cook, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2020
  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #774 Deirdre M. Daly, of Connecticut, to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for the term of four years
  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #775 James Walter Frazer Green, Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana for the term of four years
  • Confirmation of Executive Calendar #743 Damon Paul Martinez, of New Mexico, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico for the term of four years

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Confirmation of Executive Calendar #768, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve; Confirmed: 68-27

2)     Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar 576, David Jeremiah Barron, of Massachusetts, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Invoked: 52-43

 

Legislative items

Passed S.2086, the Reliable Home Heating Act with a committee-reported substitute amendment.

 

Passed the following postal naming bills, en bloc:

–        Calendar #385, H.R.1036, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 Center Street West in Eatonville, Washington, as the “National Park Ranger Margaret  Anderson Post Office”.

–        Calendar #386, H.R.1228, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 123 South 9th Street in De Pere, Wisconsin, as the “Corporal Justin D. Ross Post Office Building”.

–        Calendar #387, H.R.1451, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 Main Street in Brockport, New York, as the “Staff Sergeant Nicholas H. Reid Post Office Building”.

–        Calendar #388, H.R.2391, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri as the “Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge Post Office”.

–        Calendar #389, H.R.3060, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 232 Southwest Johnson Avenue in Burleson, Texas, as the “Sergeant William Moody Post Office Building”.

 

Adopted S.Res.421, Expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of heroism and military achievement by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending them for leadership and valor in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II.

 

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.445, recognizing the importance of cancer research and the contributions of scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates across the United States who are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer, and designating May 2014, as “National Cancer Research Month”.

 

Adopted S.Res.454, Recognizing that cardiovascular disease continues to be overwhelming threat to women’s health and the importance of providing basic, preventive heart screenings to women wherever they seek primary care.

 

Completed the Rule 14 process to place S.2363, Bipartisan Sportsman’s Act, on the Legislative Calendar of Business.

 

Additional Executive items

Confirmed the following by voice vote

–        Executive Calendar #773 Elisebeth Collins Cook, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2020

–        Executive Calendar #774 Deirdre M. Daly, of Connecticut, to be United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for the term of four years

–        Executive Calendar #775 James Walter Frazer Green, Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana for the term of four years

–        Executive Calendar #743 Damon Paul Martinez, of New Mexico, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico for the term of four years

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Last Floor Action:5/20 1:45:15 A.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 21, 2014.

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