Global Commission Offers Bold Prescriptions To Address Inequality and Grow Middle Class

For the last 18 months, a group of 17 international experts from 5 countries has met to discuss the transnational trends of globalization, technology and declining worker power. These trends—all exacerbated by the financial crisis—have placed downward pressure on wages and incomes, and exacerbated economic inequality. This group, called the Inclusive Prosperity Commission, or IPC, and convened by the Center for American Progress, today released a robust report aimed at establishing sustainable and inclusive prosperity over the long term in developed economies, with a specific focus on raising wages, expanding job growth, and ensuring broadly shared economic growth.

The IPC identifies five key policy areas that can deliver more inclusive prosperity on a global scale: rewarding and encouraging work; promoting educational opportunity for all; improved measures to support innovation and regional clusters; a move toward greater long-termism in the private sector; and international cooperation on global demand, trade, financial stability, and corporate tax avoidance. Beyond that, the report details a number of policy proposals to achieve inclusive prosperity in the United States. Below are some of the highlights, and click here to read the whole report.

Increasing workers’ share of the economic pie, raise wages and incomes

Create tax incentives for companies to share profits with their workers.
Modernize employment laws around overtime pay, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, and other protections to recognize the changing nature of work and to provide basic economic security to workers.
Raise the minimum wage to a level that is at least high enough to prevent full-time workers from living in poverty, and index the minimum wage to the consumer price index in order to reduce the share of workers trapped in low-wage work.

Eliminating financial barriers to higher education

Guarantee financial support for a college education at a public four-year college or community college so that every high school graduate and their family know that they can afford college.

Structuring tax policy to promote fairness and support aggregate demand

Provide middle-class tax relief—until income stagnation is overcome—by crafting a tax credit that provides relief for Americans who do not benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC.
Make the tax code more progressive and fairer over the long term by eliminating the decades-long accumulation of tax exemptions, deductions, and exclusions that have helped reduce effective tax rates on high-income households and corporations.

Increasing labor-force participation and growth

Use family-friendly labor-market policies to increase female labor-force participation and income by enacting policies including paid parental leave, paid caregiving leave, paid sick days, paid vacation, protections for part-time workers, and workplace flexibility.

Targeting public investment to create jobs and raise long-run economic potential

Expand infrastructure investment by $100 billion annually over 10 years to bring our infrastructure to a competitive level and sustain demand.

This list has just some of many recommendations included in the bold, comprehensive report. But even though the list is long, there is also momentum in some areas. Today, President Obama announced that he will sign a memorandum ensuring federal employees get at least six weeks of paid sick leave for the arrival of a new child and proposed that Congress pass legislation to give them six weeks of paid administrative leave (the United States is the only developed country that doesn’t have a national requirement that workers get access to paid sick leave). Also today, a new poll was released showing that 75 percent of 2016 voters support raising the minimum wage to $12.50 by 2020.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite the economic recovery, global trends are creating a toxic combination to suppress incomes and wages for middle-class families. Change won’t come with more trickle-down economics. But fatalism is not an option–the future of industrial democracies depend the growth of middle class living standards. Today’s report from progressive leaders across the globe is an important roadmap containing new, innovative ideas to spur quality job growth and tackle increasing economic inequality head on.

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Cops Point Loaded Gun At 11-Year-Old Girl

02/03/2015 Nativegrl77

OK, Fine.

According to RawStory, two Florida police officers are accused of forcing an 11-year-old girl to the ground at gunpoint after responding to a burglary call at her home.

The burglary alarm was accidentally activated, reported WFTV-TV, and the child was watching television in bed when the officers let themselves into her family’s Groveland home with their weapons drawn.

The girl said one of the officers pushed her to the ground and held here there with his knee while the other officer pointed his gun at her.

TYT Network

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Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 2/3 the House

02/03/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, February 3, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with the time equally divided with the Democrats controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

Following morning business the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #6, H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, until 12:00 noon with the time equally divided and controlled in the usual form. At 12:00pm, the Senate will vote on passage of H.R.203.

Last week, Senator McConnell moved to proceed to Calendar #5, H.R.240, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and filed cloture on the motion. By consent, the cloture vote will occur at 2:30pm. The time from 2:15 until 2:30pm will be equally divided. If cloture is invoked, all post-cloture time will be yielded back and the Senate would proceed to a vote on the motion to proceed to the bill.

The Senate will recess following the vote on H.R.203 (approximately 12:30pm) until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015—12:00pm:

Passage of H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015—2:30pm:

Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.240, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015; and, if cloture is invoked,
Motion to proceed to H.R.240.

12:01pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of H.R.203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act;

Passed: 99-0

Senator Shaheen made 3 parliamentary inquiries regarding H.R.240, the DHS Appropriations bill.

Shaheen: CONGRESS NEEDS TO PASS A CLEAN FULL-YEAR FUNDING BILL

WITHOUT ANY CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION RIDERS THAT ARE NOT GOING

TO BE ABLE TO GAIN SUPPORT THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS ALREADY SAID

HE’S GOING TO VETO. IT’S THAT SIMPLE. THERE IS TOO MUCH AT

STAKE FOR THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION TO PLAY POLITICS WITH THIS

BILL. BEFORE I CONCLUDE, MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD NOTE THAT THE

[ram]{14:19:46} (MRS. SHAHEEN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

— AGAIN BE THAT THE HOUSE-PASSED DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND

SECURITY FUNDING BILL INCLUDES SEVERAL IMMIGRATION-RELATED

PROVISIONS THAT DRAW BUDGET POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST THE BILL.

ACCORDING TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, THE

IMMIGRATION-RELATED PROVISIONS WOULD INCREASE THE DEFICIT BY

$7.5 BILLION OVER TEN YEARS. IN ADDITION, THE BILL INCLUDES

LANGUAGE RELATING TO THE BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF THESE

PROVISIONS. THE RESULT IS MULTIPLE POINTS OF ORDER THAT WOULD

NOT APPLY TO THE BILL IF THE IMMIGRATION PROVISIONS HAD NOT

[ram]{14:20:18} (MRS. SHAHEEN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

BEEN ADDED. SO, MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY.

DOES THE BUDGET POINT OF ORDER LIE AGAINST H.R.240 PURSUANT TO

SECTION 311(A)2(B)OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974.

[ram]{14:20:38 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR WILL BE ADVISED THAT THE

POINT OF ORDER LIES.

[ram]{14:20:47 NSP} (MRS. SHAHEEN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MRS. SHAHEEN: DOES THE BUDGET LIE AGAINST —

[ram]{14:20:49 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CHAIR ADVISED THAT THE POINT OF

ORDER DOES LIEVMENT HURRICANE KATRINA DOES THE BUDGET POINT OF

ORDER LIE AGAINST THE BILL PURR SANTS TO SECTION 306 OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974?

[ram]{14:21:01 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE CHAIR ADVISED THAT THE BUDGET POINT

OF ORDER DOES LIE.

[ram]{14:21:18 NSP} (MRS. SHAHEEN) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MRS. SHAHEEN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PRESIDENT.

2:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.240, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for FY 2015;

Not Invoked: 51-48

Senator McConnell changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote so that the Senate can reconsider the failed cloture vote at a later time.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Passage of H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act; passed: 99-0.

Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.240, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for FY2015; not invoked: 51-48.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.64, National School Counseling Week

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.338, Reauthorize Land and Water Conservation Fund (Burr)

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.339, ObamaCare Repeal Act (Cruz)

Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action:
4:33:41 P.M. -H.R. 596
On motion to recommit with instructions Roll Call 57 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

Last Floor Action:
2:38:49 P.M. – The House resumed debate on H.R. 596.

Last Floor Action:2/2
8:45:07 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 3, 2015.

10:00:44 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:03 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles J. “Chuck” Fleischmann to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:20 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.
10:29:43 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:24 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 3.
12:00:28 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:57 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Himes demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Himes demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
12:02:23 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cartwright to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:42 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.
12:26:48 P.M.	H. Res. 70	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 70 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 596) to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and for other purposes.”
12:28:00 P.M.	H. Res. 70	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 70.
2:06:20 P.M.	H. Res. 70	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 242 – 176 (Roll no. 54).
2:14:40 P.M.	H. Res. 70	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 242 – 178 (Roll no. 55).
2:14:40 P.M.	H. Res. 70	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:21:49 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 267 – 148, 1 Present (Roll no. 56).
2:22:21 P.M.	H.R. 596	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 70. H.R. 596 — “To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and for other purposes.”
2:22:26 P.M.	H.R. 596	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 596 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted.
2:22:41 P.M.	H.R. 596	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 596.
2:38:17 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 203 without amendment.
2:38:49 P.M.		The House resumed debate on H.R. 596.

4:22:53 P.M.	H.R. 596	Mr. DeSaulnier moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means.
4:23:24 P.M.	H.R. 596	DEBATE – The House proceeded with up to 10 minutes of debate on the DeSaulnier motion to recommit with instructions pending reservation of a point order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to ensure that the Affordable Care Act cannot be repealed if: (1) insurance companies are once again allowed to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions or gender; (2) premiums or out-of-pocket costs increase for Medicare part D patients; or (3) middle class families are forced to pay a tax increase due to the loss of premium tax credits. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was withdrawn.
4:33:36 P.M.	H.R. 596	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
4:33:41 P.M.	H.R. 596	On motion to recommit with instructions Roll Call 57 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

4:59:07 P.M.	H.R. 596	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 179 – 241 (Roll no. 57).
5:06:40 P.M.	H.R. 596	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 239 – 186 (Roll no. 58).
5:06:41 P.M.	H.R. 596	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:09:08 P.M.	H. Res. 77	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 77 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
5:09:22 P.M.	H. Res. 77	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
5:09:27 P.M.	H. Res. 77	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:09:28 P.M.		House Democracy Partnership – Pursuant to section 4(b) of H. Res. 5, 114th Congress, and the order of the House of Jan. 6, 2015 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the House Democracy Partnership: Mr. Roskam, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Crenshaw, Mrs. Brooks of IN, Mrs. Black, Mr. Ribble, Mrs. Walorski and Mr. Zeldin.
5:12:47 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:11:07 P.M.		Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 78.
6:14:09 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
7:10:07 P.M.		Mr. Franks (AZ) moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:10:13 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:10:14 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 4, 2015.