New Jersey is trying to bulldoze my family’s Atlantic City home as part of a development plan for an already bankrupt casino. I’m fighting back.

Sign Charlie’s petition

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Ali Lapp, House Majority PAC

11/19/2014 Nativegrl77

Tuesday night was hard for Democrats to stomach. there were some big successes. Thanks to you were were able to win some of the closest races around. Of the races we invested in, we won sixteen races — two of those were pick-ups for Democrats. The Cook Political Report said it best when they talked about why Democrats were able to win these tight races:“As bad as Election Night seemed, it really could have been worse, and the DCCC and House Majority PAC deserve plenty of credit for shifting their resources to defense early and saving those who could be saved.” Bottom line iswecouldn’t of done it without you. So THANK YOU!!

Now we’re turning our focus to 2016. We’ve got a historic opportunity to roll back these giant Republican gains – and put an end to the GOP’s majority.

We can only keep making history with your support.

Can you click here to say you are in for 2016?

Thank you so much for all you did for us in 2014. Now let’s focus on the future and ensuring that all Americans have representatives that fight for them not the ultra-wealthy.

Ali

Ali Lapp | Executive Director
House Majority PAC

House Majority PAC is the only super PAC dedicated to electing a Democratic Majority. We’re fueled by you, and we’re the people’s PAC. Click here to chip in and help fuel our efforts.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Overtime

11/19/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

The Right To Overtime Pay No Longer Exists For The Middle Class

Here’s a story we all know: Americans are working hard but earning less. But there’s a policy we don’t often talk about that has had a substantial effect on this trend: overtime pay. In 1975, more than 65 percent of salaried workers earned time-and-a-half pay for every hour worked over 40 hours per week. Today, just 11 percent do.

Overtime is still the law, but it has been allowed to erode for decades. Now, by definition, it no longer covers the middle class. Only workers earning less than $23,660 per year — below the poverty line for a family of four — qualify for mandatory overtime pay.

We would describe why that hurts middle class families and hurts the economy overall, but we think billionaire venture capitalist and champion for middle-out economic policies Nick Hanauer says it better in a new piece for Politico Magazine:

In the absence of a law requiring me to pay you overtime if you earn under a certain amount, you end up working harder—and the harder you work, the fewer employees I need. The fewer employees I need, the higher the unemployment rate. The higher the unemployment rate, the more leverage I have to “encourage” you to “do what it takes” to keep your job. And so you work even more hours, pushing unemployment up and wages down. And that, my friends, is one of the little tricks that keeps you poor and me rich.

There’s a solution to this problem — and it’s something that President Obama can do with or without help from Republicans in Congress. The President has the power to raise the income threshold for overtime on his own. If he restored federal overtime standards to where they were at their 1975 peak, that would cover workers earning up to $69,000. That comes out to 10.4 million more working Americans who would have more money in their pockets or more time to spend with friends and family.

BOTTOM LINE: Americans are working harder and longer to stretch their earnings just to keep up with the cost of living. Meanwhile, overtime pay has been allowed to erode to the point where it no longer covers anyone in the middle class. President Obama has the power to change that by strengthening overtime protections and giving the middle class and our economy a boost it needs and deserves.

Black History

the Senate ~ CONGRESS 11/19 ~ the House

11/19/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business. The time from 1:00-2:00pm will be under control of the Republicans and from 2:00—3:00pm will be under control of the Majority.

During Tuesday’s session, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following 5 district court nominations:

Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

We hope to reach an agreement Wednesday morning to move the cloture votes to Wednesday afternoon (possibly 3pm) and, if cloture is invoked, conduct the confirmation votes on Thursday. If no agreement can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday, November 20. Senators will be notified when the next vote is scheduled.

This evening, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following 5 district court nominations:

Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

We hope to reach an agreement tomorrow morning to move the cloture votes tomorrow afternoon (possibly 3pm) and, if cloture is invoked, conduct the confirmation votes on Thursday. If no agreement can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday, November 20. Senators will be notified when the next vote is scheduled.

Last night Senator Reid filed cloture on 5 district judge nominations. This morning, we were able to reach an agreement to hold those cloture votes at 3:00pm today, and to vote on confirmation of 6 additional nominations following those cloture votes.

If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, on Thursday, November 20, at 2:00 pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order upon which cloture was invoked.

There will be two minutes for debate prior to each vote and all roll call votes after the first vote in each sequence will be 10 minutes in length.

The vote schedule is as follows:

3:00pm on Wednesday, November 19—5 roll call votes and 6 voice votes:

Roll Call Votes:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

Voice votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #596 Jon M. Holladay – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #699 Maureen Elizabeth Cormack – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #957 Allan P. Mustard – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1044 Earl Robert Miller – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1045 Judith Beth Cefkin – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Fiji, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1056 Robert T. Yamate – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of the Comoros

2:00pm on Thursday, November 20-up to 5 roll call votes (if cloture is invoked on the nominations):

Roll Call Votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of

Following the vote on confirmation of the Yamate nomination (the last voice vote in the 3pm series), there will be 2 additional voice votes on confirmation of Executive Calendar #s 966 and 967, the nominations of Michele Jeanne Sison (UN).

The updated vote schedule is as follows:

3:00pm on Wednesday, November 19—5 roll call votes and 6 voice votes:

Roll Call Votes:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

Voice votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #596 Jon M. Holladay – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #699 Maureen Elizabeth Cormack – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #957 Allan P. Mustard – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1044 Earl Robert Miller – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1045 Judith Beth Cefkin – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Fiji, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1056 Robert T. Yamate – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of the Comoros
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #966 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #967 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations

2:00pm on Thursday, November 20-up to 5 roll call votes (if cloture is invoked on the nominations):

Roll Call Votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

3:04pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The remaining votes in this series will be 10 minute votes.

Cloture on Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

Voice votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #596 Jon M. Holladay – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #699 Maureen Elizabeth Cormack – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #957 Allan P. Mustard – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1044 Earl Robert Miller – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1045 Judith Beth Cefkin – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Fiji, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1056 Robert T. Yamate – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of the Comoros
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #966 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #967 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations

3:33pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;

Invoked: 55-42

Cloture on Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

Voice votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #596 Jon M. Holladay – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #699 Maureen Elizabeth Cormack – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #957 Allan P. Mustard – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1044 Earl Robert Miller – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1045 Judith Beth Cefkin – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Fiji, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1056 Robert T. Yamate – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of the Comoros
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #966 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #967 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations

3:49pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;

Invoked: 56-40

Cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

4:10pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of PA, to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of PA;

Invoked: 58-38

Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

4:29pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut. This will be the last roll call vote of the day. Following this vote, the Senate will recess subject to the call of the chair in order to allow senators to attend a members-only briefing on ISIL. Following the recess, the Senate will voice vote the remaining nomination in the order.

Invoked: 51-44.

Voice votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #596 Jon M. Holladay – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #699 Maureen Elizabeth Cormack – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #957 Allan P. Mustard – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1044 Earl Robert Miller – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1045 Judith Beth Cefkin – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Fiji, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1056 Robert T. Yamate – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of the Comoros
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #966 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #967 Michele Jeanne Sison – to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations

Under the previous order, there will be a series of 5 votes (likely roll calls) on confirmation of the Pepper, Sannes, Arleo, Beetlestone and Bolden nominations. This evening, we were able to reach an agreement to add 11 additional nominations to the list of votes. Those votes will be on confirmation of the Pettit, Spratlen, Ashford, Marvel, Pugh, Toloui, Mensah, Krol, Moreno, Lu and Hartley nominations. We expect these additional nominations to be confirmed by voice votes.

2:00pm on Thursday, November 20— 5 roll call votes expected and 11 voice votes

Likely Roll Call Votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.

Likely Voice Votes:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #955 James D. Pettit – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1054 Pamela Leora Spratlen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Uzbekistan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #639 Tamara Wenda Ashford – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #641 L. Paige Marvel – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years (Reappointment)
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #999 Cary Douglas Pugh – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #998 Ramin Toloui – to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1028 Lisa Afua Serwah Mensah – to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #953 George Albert Krol – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kazakhstan
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #696 Luis G. Moreno – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #540 Donald Lu – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #962 Brent Robert Hartley – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Slovenia

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin; Invoked: 58-39.
Cloture on Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York; Invoked: 55-42.
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Invoked: 56-40.
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Invoked 58-38.
Cloture on Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut; Invoked: 51-44.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.584: a resolution commending Jerald D. Linnell on his service to the U.S. Senate.

Executive Business

The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote:

Executive Calendar #596, Jon M. Holladay, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture
Executive Calendar #699, Maureen Elizabeth Cormack, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Executive Calendar #957, Allan P. Mustard, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan
Executive Calendar #1044, Earl Robert Miller, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana
Executive Calendar #1045, Judith Beth Cefkin, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Fiji, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu
Executive Calendar #1056, Robert T. Yamate, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Union of the Comoros
Executive Calendar #966, Michele Jeanne Sison, to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations
Executive Calendar #967, Michele Jeanne Sison, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during her tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations

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

Last Floor Action:
4:44:10 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:
2:24:46 P.M. -H.R. 4012
On agreeing to the Kennedy amendment (A002) Roll Call 526 – Recorded vote pending.

Last Floor Action:11/18
7:13:18 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2014.

10:00:02 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Diane Black to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:39 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.
10:33:39 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:25 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 19.
12:00:31 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:46 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:05 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Honda to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:11 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.
12:31:29 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:32:03 P.M.	H.R. 5448	Mr. Mica moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5448 — “To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.”
12:32:04 P.M.	H.R. 5448	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:32:05 P.M.	H.R. 5448	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5448.
12:40:24 P.M.	H.R. 5448	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
12:40:27 P.M.	H.R. 5448	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:41:04 P.M.	H.R. 5728	Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5728 — “To amend the Communications Act of 1934 and title 17, United States Code, to extend expiring provisions relating to the retransmission of signals of television broadcast stations, and for other purposes.”
12:41:19 P.M.	H.R. 5728	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:41:21 P.M.	H.R. 5728	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5728.
1:03:08 P.M.	H.R. 5728	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:03:11 P.M.	H.R. 5728	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:09:33 P.M.	H.R. 4012	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 756. H.R. 4012 — “To prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent or reproducible.”
1:09:38 P.M.	H.R. 4012	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012 and H.R. 4795. General debate is limited to 1 hour for each bill. The resolution specifies certain amendments are in order for H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012, and H.R. 4795. One motion to recommit with instructions is permitted for each bill.
1:10:15 P.M.	H.R. 4012	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 756 and Rule XVIII.
1:10:16 P.M.	H.R. 4012	The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.
1:10:31 P.M.	H.R. 4012	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4012.
2:07:34 P.M.	H.R. 4012	An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 113-626 to mandate that the EPA make all scientific and technical information relied upon for rulemaking available online before proposing or finalizing new regulations.
2:07:39 P.M.	H.R. 4012	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar Part B amendment No. 1.
2:15:29 P.M.	H.R. 4012	On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:15:40 P.M.	H.R. 4012	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kennedy, numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 113-626 to allow the EPA to use all peer-reviewed scientific publications.
2:15:43 P.M.	H.R. 4012	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kennedy Part B amendment No. 2.
2:24:46 P.M.	H.R. 4012	On agreeing to the Kennedy amendment (A002) Roll Call 526 – Recorded vote pending.

2:54:17 P.M.	H.R. 4012	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2:54:33 P.M.	H.R. 4012	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
2:55:53 P.M.	H.R. 4012	Ms. Johnson, E. B. moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
2:56:21 P.M.	H.R. 4012	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the E. B. Johnson (TX) motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to exempt any Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation that protects communities in an emergency, including an Ebola or pandemic flu outbreak, the release of toxic chemicals, or a nuclear, biological, or terrorist attack. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was removed.
3:05:33 P.M.	H.R. 4012	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
3:15:00 P.M.	H.R. 4012	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 196 – 230 (Roll no. 527).
3:22:37 P.M.	H.R. 4012	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 – 190 (Roll no. 528).
3:22:38 P.M.	H.R. 4012	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:23:27 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:25:00 P.M.	H.R. 5681	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5681 — “To provide for the approval of the Amendment to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes.”
3:25:04 P.M.	H.R. 5681	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:25:07 P.M.	H.R. 5681	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5681.
3:33:09 P.M.	H.R. 5681	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:33:11 P.M.	H.R. 5681	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:33:17 P.M.	H.R. 3398	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3398 — “To authorize the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to provide assistance to support the rights of women and girls in developing countries, and for other purposes.”
3:33:32 P.M.	H.R. 3398	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:33:34 P.M.	H.R. 3398	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3398.
3:49:06 P.M.	H.R. 3398	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:49:09 P.M.	H.R. 3398	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:49:13 P.M.	H. Res. 754	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 754 — “Condemning the Government of Iran for its gross human rights violations.”
3:49:33 P.M.	H. Res. 754	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:49:36 P.M.	H. Res. 754	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 754.
4:20:54 P.M.	H. Res. 754	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
4:20:59 P.M.	H. Res. 754	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:21:27 P.M.	H.R. 3583	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3583 — “To expand the number of scholarships available to Pakistani women under the Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Program.”
4:21:38 P.M.	H.R. 3583	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:21:39 P.M.	H.R. 3583	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3583.
4:37:30 P.M.	H.R. 3583	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:37:32 P.M.	H.R. 3583	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:38:02 P.M.		Mr. Perry asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on November 20. Agreed to without objection.
4:38:16 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
4:44:10 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:08:46 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:08:55 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:08:56 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on November 20, 2014.