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Daily Archives: 03/12/2015
Plannned Parenthood Votes Northwest
| We have breaking news out of Olympia – today is an important legislative deadline, and the State Senate may be using this last chance to hold a vote on mandating parental notification for minors seeking abortions. Tell your Senator to vote against this bill. We need sensible policies that help teens in Washington, not hurt them. |  |
Parental notification for minors is a solution in search of a problem. Most teens already involve their parents in their pregnancy decisions, but some just can’t. In the real world, some teens are from homes with abuse or addiction, and forcing those teens to notify their parents could put them in danger. Instead of looking for ways to legislate family communication, our lawmakers should be addressing the real reproductive health issues facing Washington women and families, like access to highly effective birth control.
Thank you for your activism – together we can defeat this bill!
Treasure Mackley
Political & Organizing Director
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest
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ALS
Sneak Attack
The Latest Ploy in The Ongoing Attack on Women’s Health
Women’s access to basic health care continues to be under attack at both the state and federal level. The most recent threat came this week when Republican lawmakers in the Senate snuck anti-choice provisions into a bipartisan bill aimed at helping victims of human trafficking. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which would establish a fund for victims of human trafficking, wasn’t supposed to be controversial. In fact, it enjoyed wide bipartisan support until Senate Democrats discovered that Republicans added language that would restrict federal funding for abortion–even forcing underage victims of rape to carry their pregnancies to term. Democrats have now vowed to hold the entire bill until the anti-choice language is removed.
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act is just the latest attempt to restrict women’s reproductive rights on the national level. Unfortunately, actions on the state level are even worse. Last week, West Virginia Republicans overrode a gubernatorial veto and passed a 20-week abortion ban. With the veto override, West Virginia became the 11th state to prohibit abortions past 20-weeks, despite the fact that over the last few years courts have blocked several 20-week abortion bans for violating protections offered under Roe v. Wade. Montana and New Mexico are among other states considering 20-week bans under the guise of “fetal pain,” which scientists agree does not exist. And earlier this month, Wisconsin Governor and likely 2016 presidential candidate Scott Walker also said he would sign a 20-week ban.
While Democrats have been able to prevent anti-choice language from creeping into federal law thus far, these state-based corrosive efforts are working. A ThinkProgress investigation found that the maze of state abortion restrictions, usually framed as legal regulations, is driving the price of abortion services up so high that lower-income women are effectively priced out of the market. The attack on women’s healthcare has gone so far that a Texas Republican legislator has protested her colleagues’ proposal to cut funding for cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics, saying that without that “provider network, women cannot be served. And they will die.”
BOTTOM LINE: From trying to shut down the Department of Homeland Security, to undermining international agreements with Iran, to voting 56 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Republican Party has proven it is unfit to govern. These recent threats to women’s health are just another example of how out-of-touch and dangerous GOP policies can be.
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the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 3/12 ~3/13 ~~ the House
The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, March 12, 2015.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour, with the Republicans controlling the first half and Democrats controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.178, a bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking.
At 1:30pm, the Senate will enter Executive Session for up to 30 minutes equally divided on Executive Calendar #20 and #16.
Approximately 2:00pm—1 roll call vote, 1 voice vote expected:
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #20, Christopher A. Hart, of Colorado, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term of two years;
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #16, Tho Dinh-Zarr, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for the remainder of the term expiring December 31, 2018 (voice vote expected).
Amendments pending to S.178:
- Portman amendment #270 (identification and assessment of child victims of sex trafficking)
- Portman amendment #271 (definition of “homeless person”)
- Vitter second degree amendment #284 (citizenship) to Portman #271
Senator McConnell asked the following unanimous consent request with respect to S.178, justice for the victims of trafficking:
“I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate resumes consideration of S.178 that it be in order for Senator Leahy, or his designee, to offer an amendment to strike the limitations language; that there be up to one hour of debate on the amendment equally divided between the managers, or their designees, and that following the use or yielding back of the time, the Senate vote on the amendment. Further, that following disposition of this amendment, the managers, or their designees, be allowed to offer amendments in an alternating fashion.”
Senator Reid objected to the request.
2:11pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #20, Christopher A. Hart, of Colorado, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Confirmed: 97-0.
Next, voice vote expected:
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #16, Tho Dinh-Zarr, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
The Hart nomination was confirmed by a vote of 97-0. The Senate then confirmed the Dinh-Zarr nomination by voice vote.
Senator McConnell filed cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178 and on the underlying bill. The filing deadline for all first-degree amendments to the substitute and the underlying bill is set for 5:00pm on Monday, March 16. We expect the cloture vote on the substitute to occur Tuesday morning (could be in the 11:00am range).The filing deadline for second degree amendments will be around 10:00am on Tuesday, March 17.
The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
No further roll call votes are expected this week.
At 5:00pm on Monday, March 16th, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the following nominations:
- Executive Calendar #17 Carlos Monje, of Kouisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation, and
- Executive Calendar #18, Manson K. Brown, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
There will be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed. If all time is used, the first vote would begin at approximately 5:30pm. We expect a voice vote on the Brown nomination.
WRAP UP
Roll Call Votes
- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #20, Christopher A. Hart, of Colorado, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term of two years; Confirmed: 97-0.
Legislative Business
Adopted S.Res.85, honoring the life and legacy of Georgia Jones-Ayers.
Agreed to S.Con.Res.7, authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.
Executive Business
Confirmed the following nomination by voice vote:
- Executive Calendar #16, Tho Dinh-Zarr, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for the remainder of the term expiring December 31, 2018.
Confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent:
- Executive Calendar #3, Michael Greco, of New York, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York for the term of four years
- Executive Calendar #4, Ronald Lee Miller, of Kansas, to be United States Marshal for the District of Kansas for the term of four years
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Last Floor Action:
11:06:29 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 134.
The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 16, 2015.
Last Floor Action: 3/10
12:02:21 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 134.
The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on March 13, 2015.
| 11:00:34 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 11:00:38 A.M. | The Speaker designated the Honorable Barbara Comstock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. | |
| 11:01:03 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Peter Frank, Church of the Epiphany, Herndon, Virginia. | |
| 11:02:10 A.M. | Pursuant to section 2(a) of H. Res. 134, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved. | |
| 11:02:21 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 11:02:51 A.M. | The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rul of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 11, 2015 at 11:20 a.m.: That the Senate made appointments to the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress. | |
| 11:04:12 A.M. | The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 10, 2015 at 9:12 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1213; appointments to the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress and the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation. | |
| 11:04:13 A.M. | Congressional Award Board – Pursuant to section 803(a) of the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education Act (2 U.S.C. 803(a)), the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Romero Brown, Acworth, Georgia. | |
| 11:05:20 A.M. | The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to section 4(d) of H. Res. 5, 114th Congress, and section 1(k) of H. Res. 895, 110th Congress, the Clerk notified the House that Porter J. Gross, David E. Skaggs, Judy Biggert, Jay Eagen, Karan L. English, Allison Hayward, Belinda Pinckney, Michael D. Barnes, Omar Ashmawy, Kelly Brewington, William H. Cable, Helen Eisner, Mary K. Flanagan, Scott Gast, Bryson Baird Morgan, Paul Solis, and Nate Wright, each have signed an agreement not to be a candidate for the off of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for purpose of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least 3 years after he or she is no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of Congressional Ethics. The message further stated that copies of the signed agreements shall be retained by the Office of the Clerk as part of the records of the House. | |
| 11:06:09 A.M. | The House received a communication from The Honorable Adam B. Schiff, Member of Congress. Mr. Schiff notified the House that he would be taking a leave of absence from the house Appropriations Committee for the remainder of the 114th Congress. | |
| 11:06:29 A.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 134.
The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 16, 2015. |
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Be a Seed for Change 
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