Daily Archives: 11/20/2014

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pregnant and pink-slipp​ed?

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NWLCHands-Circle-180Emily J. Martin, National Women’s Law CenterWe get calls all the time.

 
Calls from pregnant workers whose employers have given them an impossible choice: They can either lose their jobs or endanger their pregnancies.
Why is this still happening? Well, when it comes to pregnant workers, employers and courts are misunderstanding the law.
Enough is enough. Tell the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to issue strong and clear guidance on reasonable job accommodations for the pregnant workers who need them.
Without clear guidance, pregnant workers who need a temporary change on the job are often treated worse than employees with similar limitations arising out of disability or injury. For example, many workplaces give a worker with a back injury a temporary reprieve from having to lift heavy objects — but if a pregnant worker asks for the same accommodation, she could be fired.
The consequences for pregnant workers can be devastating. Here are just three examples of women featured in a new report issued today by NWLC and A Better Balance:

  • A pregnant fast-food worker in Washington, D.C., was fired after her employer refused to let her drink water on the job.
  • A pregnant cashier at a Dollar Tree store wasn’t allowed to sit on a stool, even though workers in other Dollar Tree stores did. Instead, she was required to stand for 8 to 10 hours at a stretch — which landed her in the emergency room.
  • When a pregnant truck driver in Maryland asked for help with occasional heavy lifting, she was forced onto unpaid leave — and she lost her health insurance.

These stories didn’t have to have a bad ending. These women just needed temporary adjustments to their jobs to continue working — the same sorts of adjustments their employers routinely provided to co-workers with disabilities or injuries.
Pregnant workers can’t wait. It’s time for the EEOC to issue strong and clear guidance on employers’ legal obligation to accommodate pregnant workers.
Send your message now.
Thanks again for all of your support.
Sincerely,
Emily J. Martin Emily J. Martin Vice President and General Counsel National Women’s Law Center    

P.S. Want to read more? Check out NWLC and A Better Balance’s new report featuring personal accounts of women who lost their jobs, health insurance and more — and women who had no choice but to keep working and risk their health.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

On this Day … Corita Kent


Corita Kent, also known as Sister Mary Corita, gained international fame for her vibrant serigraphs during the 1960s and 1970s.
A Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, she ran the Art Department at Immaculate Heart College until 1968 when she left the Order
and moved to Boston. Corita’s art reflects her spirituality, her commitment to social justice, her hope for peace, and her delight in the world
that takes place all around us

 Corita.org

Black History

The Senate ~~~ CONGRESS 11/20 ~~~ The House


obamacapitol_300

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, December 1, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm. At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on cloture on the Mamet and Bel nominations.

If cloture is invoked on either of the nominations, on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at 10:30am, all post cloture time will be expired, and the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations.

5:30pm—Up to 2 roll call votes:

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #892 Noah Bryson Mamet – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Argentine Republic
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #631 Colleen Bradley Bell – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Hungary

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, November 20, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 2:00pm. At 2:00pm, the Senate will proceed to up to 5 roll call votes on confirmation of district judicial nominations and a series of voice votes.

2:00pm—Up to 5 roll call votes, 11 voice votes expected:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut.
  6. 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 (voice vote expected);
  7. 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 (voice vote expected);
  8. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #639, Tamara Wenda Ashford, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years (voice vote expected);
  9. 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) (voice vote expected);
  10. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #999, Cary Douglas Pugh, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years (voice vote expected);
  11. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #998, Ramin Toloui, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury (voice vote expected);
  12. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1028, Lisa Afua Serwah Mensah, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development (voice vote expected);
  13. 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 (voice vote expected);
  14. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #696, Luis G. Moreno, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica (voice vote expected);
  15. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #540, Donald Lu, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania (voice vote expected); and
  16. 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 (voice vote expected).

 

Following the last vote in the 2pm vote series, the Senate will also vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1008 Robert M. Speer – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army.

 

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

Likely Roll Call Votes:

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

 

Likely Voice Votes:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #639 Tamara Wenda Ashford – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
  4. 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)
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #999 Cary Douglas Pugh – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
  6. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #998 Ramin Toloui – to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury
  7. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1028 Lisa Afua Serwah Mensah – to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
  8. 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
  9. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #696 Luis G. Moreno – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica
  10. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #540 Donald Lu – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania
  11. 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
  12. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1008 Robert M. Speer – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army

2:03pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin;

Confirmed: 95-0

2:29pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York;

Confirmed: 96-0

Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Confirmed by voice vote

Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Confirmed by voice vote

2:48pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut;

Confirmed: 49-46

The Following nominations were confirmed by voice votes:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #639 Tamara Wenda Ashford – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
  4. 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)
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #999 Cary Douglas Pugh – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
  6. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #998 Ramin Toloui – to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury
  7. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1028 Lisa Afua Serwah Mensah – to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
  8. 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
  9. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #696 Luis G. Moreno – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica
  10. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #540 Donald Lu – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania
  11. 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
  12. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1008 Robert M. Speer – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #928, Pamela Pepper, of Wisconsin, to be a US district judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin; Confirmed: 95-0.
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #930, Brenda K. Sannes, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York; Confirmed: 96-0.
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1034, Victor Allen Bolden, of Connecticut, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut; Confirmed: 49-46.

Legislative Business

Passed H.R.669: Sudden Unexpected Death Data Enhancement and Awareness Act, with Harkin substitute amendment

Passed H.R.4067: Rural Hospitals

Passed H.R.5441: to amend the Federal charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to reflect the service of women in the Armed Forces of the United States

Passed H.R.5728: STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014

Adopted S.Res.580: National Adoption Day

Adopted S.Res.583: Drive Safer Sunday

Passed H.J.Res.129: Convening Date – 114th Congress

Adopted H.Con.Res.119: Adjournment Resolution

Adopted S.Res.588: Rural Hospitals

Adopted S.Res.589: Honoring the hlife of Thomas M. Menino

Adopted S.Res.590: National Native American Heritage Month

 

Executive Business

The following nominations were confirmed by voice vote:

  1. Executive Calendar #1032, Madeline Cox Arleo, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey;
  2. Executive Calendar #1033, Wendy Beetlestone, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and
  3. Executive Calendar #955 James D. Pettit – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova
  4. Executive Calendar #1054 Pamela Leora Spratlen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Uzbekistan
  5. Executive Calendar #639 Tamara Wenda Ashford – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
  6. Executive Calendar #641 L. Paige Marvel – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years (Reappointment)
  7. Executive Calendar #999 Cary Douglas Pugh – to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years
  8. Executive Calendar #998 Ramin Toloui – to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury
  9. Executive Calendar #1028 Lisa Afua Serwah Mensah – to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development
  10. Executive Calendar #953 George Albert Krol – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kazakhstan
  11. Executive Calendar #696 Luis G. Moreno – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Jamaica
  12. Executive Calendar #540 Donald Lu – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania
  13. Executive Calendar #962 Brent Robert Hartley – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Slovenia
  14. Executive Calendar #1008 Robert M. Speer – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Army

The following nominations were confirmed by unanimous consent:

  1. Executive Calendar #663 Brigadier General Jon K. Kelk – to be Major General
  2. Executive Calendar #671 Col. Nathaniel S. Reddicks – to be Brigadier General
  3. Executive Calendar #672 Brig. Gen. James C. Witham – to be Major General
  4. Executive Calendar #923 to be Lieutenant Commander: Angela R. Holbrook; Martha A. Rodriguez
  5. All nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Foreign Service

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, December 1, 2014.

 

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Last Floor Action:
1:05:33 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to pursuant to the order of the House of today.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 24, 2014.

Last Floor Action:
9:15:29 A.M. -H.R. 4795
GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4795.

9:00:21 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:28 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug Collins to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:40 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:55 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:23 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Bilirakis to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:31 A.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:15:04 A.M. H.R. 4795 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 756. H.R. 4795 — “To promote new manufacturing in the United States by providing for greater transparency and timeliness in obtaining necessary permits, and for other purposes.”
9:15:09 A.M. H.R. 4795 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012 and H.R. 4795. The resolution 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.
9:15:17 A.M. H.R. 4795 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 756 and Rule XVIII.
9:15:18 A.M. H.R. 4795 The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:15:29 A.M. H.R. 4795 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4795.

:46:13 A.M. H.R. 4795 An amendment, offered by Mr. Waxman, numbered 1 printed in Part C of House Report 113-626 to state that outdated air quality standards do not apply toward a preconstruction permit if the applicable federal, state, or local permitting agency determines that applying it would likely increase air pollution, slow permitting, or increase regulatory uncertainty.
9:46:16 A.M. H.R. 4795 Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waxman Part C amendment No. 1.
9:53:41 A.M. H.R. 4795 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waxman Part C amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote and the chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
9:54:12 A.M. H.R. 4795 An amendment, offered by Mr. Whitfield, numbered 2 printed in Part C of House Report 113-626 to clarify that Section 3(b) of the bill does not prohibit States from imposing new or revised federal air quality standards under state or local law.
9:54:15 A.M. H.R. 4795 Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Whitfield Part C amendment No. 2.
10:00:17 A.M. H.R. 4795 On agreeing to the Whitfield amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:00:30 A.M. H.R. 4795 UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of an amendment which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
10:31:38 A.M. H.R. 4795 On agreeing to the Waxman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 529).
10:31:46 A.M. H.R. 4795 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4795.
10:32:28 A.M. H.R. 4795 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:32:41 A.M. H.R. 4795 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.
10:34:06 A.M. H.R. 4795 Ms. Kuster moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
10:34:50 A.M. H.R. 4795 Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to ensure that nothing in the underlying legislation would affect the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) require compliance with a new ambient air quality standard in a preconstruction permit if doing so would protect children and seniors from dangerous air pollutants, including cancer-causing pollutants, located within 5 miles of a school, day care facility, hospital or nursing home or (2) require small businesses to comply with an outdated ambient air quality standard if doing so would result in higher costs or job losses for that small business.
10:42:58 A.M. H.R. 4795 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:51:33 A.M. H.R. 4795 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 530).
10:59:58 A.M. H.R. 4795 On passage Passed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 531).
11:00:00 A.M. H.R. 4795 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

11:00:59 A.M. MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the tragic shooting in which four students died, and one student was wounded at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington.
11:03:33 A.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:18:44 A.M. H. Con. Res. 119 Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 119 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate.”
11:21:06 A.M. H. Con. Res. 119 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
11:21:12 A.M. H. Con. Res. 119 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:21:27 A.M. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, November 20, 2014, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, November 24, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in H. Con. Res. 119, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.
11:22:00 A.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:05:14 P.M. Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:05:31 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:05:33 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to pursuant to the order of the House of today. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 24, 2014.

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