Employment Security layoffs

Woman gets life for Northwest crime rampage

I-90 closures ahead: Eastside drivers might want to just stay home

Senate GOP blocks Patty Murray’s contraception coverage bill

It’s hot, it’s dry, so keep your butts in your car add to reading list

Analysts predict Microsoft layoffs by July 22nd add to reading list

Casey Kasem’s body still in Wash. morgue add to reading list

Start time for Huskies’ opener at Hawaii pushed back

Raise for City Light CEO zapped

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a message from Governor Inslee … FCC

07/25/2014 Nativegrl77

Imagine driving down the highway from Seattle to Spokane when every other exit suddenly became blocked off, and the speed limit dropped by half.

That’s what the Internet would look like for the average citizen if the Federal Communications Commission proceeds with a plan to kill net neutrality this December — and it’s exactly what some are demanding right now.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the cable industry, is pushing for new rules that would allow big telecommunications companies to create Internet fast lanes for those willing to pay a premium — and slow lanes for everyone else. That means you could be denied access to many major websites that simply can’t afford to keep up with the wealthiest tech companies.

I’m not willing to stand by and watch that happen. That’s why I’ve joined with friends from across the Northwest to demand the FCC protect our free and open Internet — and why I’m asking you to join us.

Click here to tell the FCC to reject “fast and slow lanes” on the Internet and protect innovation. Sign the petition now.

Some of the biggest tech companies in the world call our state home — but so do local up-and-comers that can compete globally thanks to the Internet. This incredible access has leveled the playing field and ensures that Washington remains a hotbed of innovation.

But if our local startups are forced to pay big bucks to have the same access as Silicon Valley behemoths, this innovation could dry up. The effect on our economy — and our future — would be devastating.

I’m not willing to let that happen — and neither is my friend Suzan DelBene. We’ve joined together with leaders like Senator Ron Wyden to demand the FCC preserve the free and open Internet you and I rely on to connect with the world.

Will you join us in demanding the FCC preserve the Internet as we know it? Click here to sign the petition now.

Thanks for your support.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 7/25 the House

07/25/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until Monday, July 28, 2014, at 2:00pm.

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, to be United States District Judge for the Fourth Circuit, post cloture, with the time until 5:30pm equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees. At 5:30pm, all post-cloture time will be deemed expired and the Senate will proceed to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Immediately upon disposition of the Harris nomination, the Senate will execute the previous order with respect to Executive Calendar #’S.915, 916, 913, and 744.

5:30pm—Up to 5 roll call votes. We expect several to be confirmed by voice.

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States District Judge for the Fourth District (roll call vote)
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #915, Elliot F. Kaye, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2013
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #916, Elliot F. Kaye, of New York, to be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #913, Joseph P. Mohorovic, of Illinois, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2012
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #744, Brian P. McKeon, of New York, to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

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Last Floor Action:
2:13:29 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:
1:01:56 P.M. -S. 517
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Last Floor Action:7/24
8:51:37 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2014.

10:00:11 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:28 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:42 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:09 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:13 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:27 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speechesh which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
10:18:10 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	Consideration initiated pursuant to a previous order.
10:18:42 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	Considered pursuant to a previous order. H. Con. Res. 105 — “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces, other than Armed Forces required to protect United States diplomatic facilities and personnel, from Iraq.”
10:18:48 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House of Wednesday, July 23, 2014, the amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record is considered adopted. The House proceeded with one hour debate on H. Con. Res. 105.
11:04:09 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
11:04:50 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Con. Res. 105, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote announced the ayes prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the resolution until later in the legislative day.
11:05:24 A.M.	H.R. 4935	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 680. H.R. 4935 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make improvements to the child tax credit.”
11:05:29 A.M.	H.R. 4935	The rule provides for the consideration of H.R. 3393 and H.R. 4935 under a closed rule.
11:06:19 A.M.	H.R. 4935	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4935.
12:10:34 P.M.	H.R. 4935	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:38:24 P.M.	H.R. 4935	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 451).
12:38:26 P.M.	H.R. 4935	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:38:38 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on H. Con. Res. 105, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:38:47 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 105 — “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces, other than Armed Forces required to protect United States diplomatic facilities and personnel, from Iraq.”
12:44:54 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	On agreeing to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 452).
12:44:58 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:45:01 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 105	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
12:45:13 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Brownley (CA) motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3230, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:52:37 P.M.	H.R. 3230	On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 453).
12:52:38 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:52:42 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to suspend the rules with regard to H.R. 5081 which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:52:50 P.M.	H.R. 5081	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5081 — “To amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to enable State child protective services systems to improve the identification and assessment of child victims of sex trafficking, and for other purposes.”
12:59:55 P.M.	H.R. 5081	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 454).
1:00:56 P.M.	H.R. 4935	Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 680, H.R. 4935 is laid on the table.
1:01:16 P.M.	S. 517	Mr. Chaffetz asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
1:01:49 P.M.	S. 517	Considered by unanimous consent. S. 517 — “To promote consumer choice and wireless competition by permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other purposes.”
1:01:52 P.M.	S. 517	On passage Passed by voice vote.
1:01:56 P.M.	S. 517	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:01:57 P.M.	H. Res. 562	Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
1:02:21 P.M.	H. Res. 562	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 562 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to enhanced relations with the Republic of Moldova and support for Moldova’s territorial integrity.”
1:02:37 P.M.	H. Res. 562	An amendment, offered by Mr. Smith (NJ), to strike the text of the bill after the enacting clause and replace it with a completely new text.
1:02:51 P.M.	H. Res. 562	On agreeing to the Smith (NJ) amendment; Agreed to without objection.
1:03:17 P.M.	H. Res. 562	An amendment, offered by Mr. Smith (NJ), to insert a new preamble.
1:03:39 P.M.	H. Res. 562	On agreeing to the Smith (NJ) amendment; Agreed to without objection.
1:03:54 P.M.	H. Res. 562	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
1:03:58 P.M.	H. Res. 562	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:58 P.M.	S. 653	Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
1:04:14 P.M.	S. 653	Considered by unanimous consent. S. 653 — “To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.”
1:04:17 P.M.	S. 653	On passage Passed without objection.
1:04:23 P.M.	S. 653	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:04:24 P.M.	S. 1104	Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
1:04:37 P.M.	S. 1104	Considered by unanimous consent. S. 1104 — “To measure the progress of recovery and development efforts in Haiti following the earthquake of January 12, 2010, and for other purposes.”
1:04:47 P.M.	S. 1104	On passage Passed without objection.
1:04:56 P.M.	S. 1104	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:05:35 P.M.	H.R. 3212	Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and agree to the Senate amendment.
1:05:58 P.M.	H.R. 3212	On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
1:05:59 P.M.	H.R. 3212	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:06:03 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 106	Mr. Harper asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
1:06:14 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 106	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 106 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to award Congressional Gold Medals in honor of the men and women who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.”
1:06:19 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 106	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
1:06:36 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 106	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:06:37 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 103	Mr. Barletta asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
1:06:55 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 103	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 103 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.”
1:07:16 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 103	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
1:07:20 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 103	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:08:52 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. McCarthy(CA) on expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
1:40:35 P.M.		Mr. McCarthy (CA) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, July 25, 2014, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 28, 2014 at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
1:42:36 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Rahall moved that the House instruct conferees.
1:42:50 P.M.	H.R. 3230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Rahall motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3230. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to (1) recede from disagreement with section 203 of the Senate amendment (relating to the use of unobligated amounts to hire additional healthcare providers for the Veterans Health Administration; and (2) recede from the House amendment and concur in the Senate amendment in all other instances.
2:11:45 P.M.	H.R. 3230	The previous question was ordered without objection.
2:11:53 P.M.	H.R. 3230	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rahall motion to instruct conferees, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rahall demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the motion to instruct until a time to be announced.
2:12:45 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
2:13:29 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

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

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New Commitments in Support of My Brother’s Keeper

07/24/2014 Nativegrl77

Earlier this week, President Obama visited the Walker Jones Education Campus in Washington, D.C. to participate in a town hall with youth, and to announce new commitments in support of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

Find out more about the new commitments here.

As the President said during the town hall, “We want fewer young men in jail; we want more of them in college. We want fewer young men on the streets; we want more in the boardrooms. We want everybody to have a chance to succeed in America. And it’s possible if we’ve got the kind of team that we set up today.”

In February, as part of his plan to make 2014 a year of action focused on expanding opportunity for all Americans, the President unveiled the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.

The Administration is doing its part by identifying programs and policies that work, and recommending action that will help all our young people succeed. Since the launch of My Brother’s Keeper, the President’s Task Force has met with and heard from thousands of Americans, through online and in-person listening sessions, who are already taking action.

Learn more at WhiteHouse.gov/My-Brothers-Keeper.

And if you haven’t already, commit to making a difference by pledging to mentor a young person in your community.

Stay Connected

Watch President Obama answer questions during this week’s town hall:

Watch the President in this week's town hall.

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The VP has the white board marker:

07/24/2014 Nativegrl77

Over the past couple years, administration officials have picked up a marker and taken to our “White House white board” to explain how to fix our immigration system, break down how health reform helps your day-to-day life, and outline exactly what our budget’s paying for.

Today, Vice President Joe Biden is taking the pen, and he’s talking about something he knows like the back of his hand:

The current state of our country’s crumbling roads and bridges — and exactly why it’s so important to invest in them right now.

You’re going to want to watch this one. Take a look, and pass it on:

Our roads and bridges do far more than get people and goods from Point A to Point B.

A high-quality transportation system keeps jobs here in America, allows our businesses to grow, and keeps down the prices of household goods.

Our country’s infrastructure crisis isn’t a far-off problem: 65% of our major roads are rated in less than good condition. 25% of our bridges require significant repair or can’t handle today’s traffic.

It looks like Congress is going to act soon to pass a short-term resolution that would continue to fund the projects fixing our roads and bridges — but we need to solve the problem, not just kick the can down the road.

Watch the Vice President explain the need for a long-term investment, and break down exactly what our plan looks like.

Then, be sure to pass this one on.

Stay Connected