Monthly Archives: December 2014

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A Better Balance


A Better Balance The Work and Family Legal Center
Support #GivingTuesday Donate Now to A Better Balance
Dear Friend,
Today is Giving Tuesday–a day dedicated to giving back. Charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity during the holiday season.We hope you’ll join us for this special day of giving back. Your generous support helps us make a difference for workers like:
Sonica Smith

Sonica Smith
  • Sonica Smith, whom we helped to get the water and bathroom breaks she needed to stay healthy while pregnant and working the retail floor.
  • A security guard, who called us when his employer failed to pay him for a sick day under the New York City Earned Sick Time Act.  Armed with our advice about his rights and backed by our promise of legal assistance, he went back to his employer and got paid what he was owed.
  • And millions of others who no longer have to make impossible choices between their jobs and their families, thanks to new laws we helped to enact guaranteeing paid sick leave, pregnancy accommodations and paid family leave in states and cities across the nation.
As one of our clients recently wrote:
“Knowing that organizations like ABB exist, I feel more confident in my role as a pregnant worker and a soon-to-be working mother. I am proud and relieved that I will able to excel in my growing career and also provide for my son who will be here in just a few months. I thank ABB for their incredible work and hope to help them to advocate for the rights of working parents long into the future.”
#UNselfie
You can also help A Better Balance advocate for families by posting an #UNSelfie to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter saying why these issues are important to you and tagging @ABetterBalance.
Thank you as always for your support!
The A Better Balance Team,
Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Risha, Morenike, Rachel, Jake, Molly & Lynn
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Not Again


By

Grand Jury Won’t Charge Officer Who Killed Eric Garner With Illegal Chokehold

This afternoon, a grand jury voted not to file any charges against David Pantaleo, the New York Police Department officer who took the life of Eric Garner. The decision comes just a few weeks after a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri voted not to indict officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.

Here are some of the facts of the case. The fatal encounter started with allegations that Garner had committed the very minor offense of selling untaxed cigarettes. Garner died after Pantaleo put him in an chokehold — a maneuver banned by the police department. The medical examiner ruled Garner’s death as a homicide. The entire encounter was recorded on video by a witness. Garner’s last words were “I can’t breathe,” which he repeated 11 times.

Still, that was apparently not enough for the grand jury to find evidence of a crime. Now, Pantaleo may never face a public trial unless he is charged by federal or other authorities later. The Department of Justice is opening up a criminal civil rights investigation into the case.

We’ve put together a round up of some key stories to read on the topic:

BOTTOM LINE: Eric Garner’s case highlights a troubling reality. Too often equal justice under the law has a different meaning in communities of color. We need to do more to ensure that we have a country in which everyone, no matter what the color of their skin or whether they are in position of authority, is treated equally by the criminal justice system. Only then can we strengthen the trust between our communities and law enforcement.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Iran … it’s working


VoteVets.org

Last week, the United States agreed to extend nuclear talks with Iran for an additional seven months.

Congress should support that decision and refrain from passing any new sanctions that would encourage Iran to resume its uranium enrichment program.

The initial deal reached last November resulted in the dilution of Iran’s stockpile of uranium that could be easily converted into weapons-grade fuel, and an agreement that they would not install any new centrifuges.

Last week’s extension is proof that the process is working. To give into the John McCain’s of the U.S. Senate now would be a grave mistake.

Send a message to the U.S. Senate telling your senators that you support a diplomatic approach to disabusing Iran of their nuclear ambitions.

The purpose of sanctions was always to open the door to negotiations with Iran — now that we’re making progress it would be counterproductive to ratchet up the punitive measures even further.

And if it turns out that Iran is not serious about the talks, there’s always time to revisit sanctions.

During President Obama’s first campaign, he pledged to enter into a dialogue with Iran about halting their nuclear ambitions.

He’s done that … and it’s working.

Thanks for making your voice heard,

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran & Chairman
VoteVets.org

Black History

the senate ~~~~ CONGRESS 12/4 ~~~~ the house: Did they just VOTE against Immigrants?


UScapitoltakenfromkenschramstory

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, December 4, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to executive session with the time until 10:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

10:00am – Up to 5 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #555 Franklin M. Orr, Jr., to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #660 Joseph S. Hezir, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy;
  3. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1039 Gregory N. Stivers, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky;
  4. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1040 Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;
  5. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #835 Lydia Kay Griggsby, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.

1:45pm – Up to 6 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1039 Gregory N. Stivers, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1040 Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #835 Lydia Kay Griggsby, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years;
  4. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1082 Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018;
  5. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1083 Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; and
  6. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #552 Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy.

At 10:00am, we expect to voice vote confirmation of the Orr nomination and then have up to 4 roll call votes on confirmation of the Hezir nomination and cloture votes on the Stivers, Leeson, and Griggsby nominations.

 

10:00am—up to 5 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #555 Franklin M. Orr, Jr. – to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy (voice vote expected)
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #660 Joseph S. Hezir – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy
  3. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1039 Gregory N. Stivers – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky
  4. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1040 Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  5. Cloture on Executive Calendar #835 Lydia Kay Griggsby – to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years

The Senate confirmed the Orr nomination by voice vote.

At 10:02am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #660 Joseph S. Hezir – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy;

Confirmed: 89-3

10:31am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1039 Gregory N. Stivers – to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.

Invoked: 70-23

 

Next:

 

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1040 Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #835 Lydia Kay Griggsby – to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years

10:54am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1040 Joseph F. Leeson, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Invoked: 66-26

11:12am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #835 Lydia Kay Griggsby – to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years.

Invoked: 53-36

Next: 1:45pm, up to 6 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1039, Gregory N. Stivers, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1040, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #835, Lydia Kay Griggsby, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years;
  4. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018;
  5. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; and
  6. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy.

1:47pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1040, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Confirmed: 76-16

Next:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #835, Lydia Kay Griggsby, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years (potential voice vote);
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018;
  3. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; and
  4. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy.

The Griggsby nomination was confirmed by voice vote.  At 2:–pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018.

Invoked: 53-40.

2:35pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019.

Invoked:51-42.

2:54pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams, to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy;

Invoked: 57-34

This will be the final vote of the week. The next roll call votes will be at 5:30pm on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Monday, December 8, 2014

5:30pm—up to 3 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1082 Jeffery Martin Baran – to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1083 Lauren McGarity McFerran – to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #552 Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #660, Joseph S. Hezir, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy; Confirmed: 89-3.
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1039, Gregory N. Stivers, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky; Invoked: 70-23.
  3. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1040, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Invoked 66-26.
  4. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #835, Lydia Kay Griggsby, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years; Invoked: 53-36.
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1040, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Confirmed 76-16.
  6. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018; Invoked: 53-40.
  7. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; Invoked: 51-42.
  8. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy; Invoked: 57-34.

Legislative Business

Passed H.R.2366 – World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

Passed H.R.4812 – Honor Flight Act

Passed H.R.5108 – Patent Trademark Office – Students

Passed H.R.5462 – Fees Charged to Passengers of Air Carriers

Passed H.R.5739 – No Social Security for Nazis

Passed S.1683 – Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2013

Passed Calendar #536, S.1447 – Native American Water Settlements Technical Corrections Act

Passed S.J.Res.45 – Smithsonian Citizen Regent

Passed H.J.Res.105 – Bernardo de Galvez

Agreed To H.Con.Res.120 – Civil Air Patrol Ceremony-CVC Emancipation Hall

Adopted S.Res.569 – Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Adopted S.Res.594 – Centennial Year of the Birth of Jan Karski

Executive Business

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

  1. Executive Calendar #555, Franklin M. Orr, Jr., to be Under Secretary for Science, Department of Energy
  2. Executive Calendar #1039, Gregory N. Stivers, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky
  3. Executive Calendar #835, Lydia Kay Griggsby, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims for a term of fifteen years

 

 

 

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Last Floor Action:
3:09:45 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:
12:25:54 P.M. -H.R. 5759
DEBATE – The House resumed with debate on H.R. 5759.

Last Floor Action:12/3
9:19:48 A.M. -H. Res. 770
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 770.

9:00:09 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:14 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:33 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:48 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:52 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.
9:02:03 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.
9:16:32 A.M. H. Res. 770 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 770 — “Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3979) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5759) to establish a rule of construction clarifying the limitations on executive authority to provide certain forms of immigration relief; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5781) to provide short-term water supplies to drought-stricken California.”
9:19:48 A.M. H. Res. 770 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 770.

10:26:14 A.M. H. Res. 770 An amendment, offered by Mr. Nugent, to add a section to the resolution amending the amendment referred to in the first section by striking section 3096 and inserting language appropriating funds to the Secretary of the Interior.
10:54:20 A.M. H. Res. 770 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 191 (Roll no. 546).
10:54:31 A.M. H. Res. 770 On agreeing to the Nugent amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
11:02:50 A.M. H. Res. 770 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 191 (Roll no. 547).
11:02:50 A.M. H. Res. 770 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:02:59 A.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 758, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
11:03:33 A.M. H. Res. 758 Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 758 — “Strongly condemning the actions of the Russian Federation, under President Vladimir Putin, which has carried out a policy of aggression against neighboring countries aimed at political and economic domination.”
11:11:53 A.M. H. Res. 758 On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 10 (Roll no. 548).
11:13:25 A.M. H.R. 3979 ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. McKeon asked unanimous consent that the question of adopting a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979 with an amendment may be subject to postponement as though under clause 8 of rule 20. Agreed to without objection.
11:13:35 A.M. H.R. 3979 Mr. McKeon moved that the House concur with an amendment in the Senate amendment.
11:14:06 A.M. H.R. 3979 Pursuant to H. Res. 770, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979 with an amendment consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-58 modified by the amendments printed in part A of House Report 113-646 and the amendment specified in section 5 of House Resolution 770.
12:22:06 P.M. H.R. 3979 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:22:30 P.M. H.R. 3979 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3979, the Chair put the question on the House concurring in the Senate amendment with an amendment to H.R. 3979 and by voice vote, announced that the ayes prevailed. Mr. McKeon demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.
12:25:05 P.M. H.R. 5759 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 770. H.R. 5759 — “To establish a rule of construction clarifying the limitations on executive authority to provide certain forms of immigration relief.”
12:25:10 P.M. H.R. 5759 Resolution provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979; consideration of the bill H.R. 5759; and consideration of the bill H.R. 5781.
12:25:38 P.M. H.R. 5759 Amendment in the nature of a substitute reported by the House Committee on Rules, Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 770, the amendment printed in part B of House Report 113-646 is considered as adopted.
12:25:52 P.M. H.R. 5759 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5759.
12:25:53 P.M. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 2759, S. 2921, S. 229, S. 2523, H.R. 5681, H.R. 3682, H.R. 3375, H.R. 43, H.R. 451, H.R. 1391, H.R. 3085, H.R. 3957, H.R. 4189, H.R. 4443, H.R. 4919, and H.R. 5106.
12:25:54 P.M. H.R. 5759 DEBATE – The House resumed with debate on H.R. 5759.

1:46:08 P.M. H.R. 5759 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
1:46:47 P.M. H.R. 5759 Mr. Murphy (FL) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary.
1:47:33 P.M. H.R. 5759 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Murphy (FL) motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. 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 impact the relief provided to parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens who are current members or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or who seek to enlist in the Armed Forces, which is consistent with current law, but will be halted by the underlying legislation. Additionally, the motion would protect victims of domestic violence who have successfully petitioned for relief under the Violence Against Women Act; and victims of crimes and serious forms of human trafficking from further abuse. Lastly, the motion would protect Cuban nationals or any persons of any other nationality deserving of such protections, already in the U.S. or in tran sit to the U.S.. Sebse
1:54:18 P.M. H.R. 5759 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
2:20:30 P.M. H.R. 5759 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 194 – 225 (Roll no. 549).
2:29:19 P.M. H.R. 5759 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 – 197, 3 Present (Roll no. 550).
2:29:20 P.M. H.R. 5759 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:29:30 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on the motion to concur in the senate amendment with an amendment to H.R. 3979, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:38:45 P.M. H.R. 3979 On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 300 – 119 (Roll no. 551).
2:38:46 P.M. H.R. 3979 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:39:00 P.M. H. Con. Res. 121 Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 121 — “Providing for a correction in the enrollment of the bill H.R. 3979.”
2:39:12 P.M. H. Con. Res. 121 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
2:39:26 P.M. H. Con. Res. 121 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:54:00 P.M. Mr. McCarthy (CA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, December 4, 2014, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, December 8, 2014, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
2:55:59 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:09:45 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:34:19 P.M. Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:34:27 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:34:51 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 8, 2014.

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