the Senate CONGRESS 3/19 the House

03/19/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00am on Thursday, March 19, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.178 with the time equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees. At 12:00pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178 and on the underlying bill.

12:00 noon—up to 2 roll call votes

Motion to invoke cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178; And if cloture is not invoked
Motion to invoke cloture on S.178.

12:00 noon The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015;

Not Invoked: 56-42.

Senator McConnell changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider the failed vote at a later time.

Motion to invoke cloture on S.178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.

12:33pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.

Not invoked: 56-42.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Motion to invoke cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178; not invoked: 56-42.
Motion to invoke cloture on S.178; not invoked: 56-42.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.106, designating March 22, 2015, as “National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day”.

Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
1:59:55 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 23, 2015.

9:00:07 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:21 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Scott R. Tipton to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:48 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:11 A.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. Olson 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. Olson objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
9:02:32 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Thompson of PA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:11 A.M.		The House received a communication from Representative Schock wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective on March 31, 2015.
9:03:28 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.
9:14:55 A.M.	H. Res. 152	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 152 — “Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 132) providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 8) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case procedures.”
9:17:10 A.M.	H. Res. 152	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 152.
10:34:27 A.M.	H. Res. 152	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 181 (Roll no. 126).
10:41:45 A.M.	H. Res. 152	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 181 (Roll no. 127).
10:41:45 A.M.	H. Res. 152	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:44:18 A.M.	S.J. Res. 8	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 152 . S.J. Res. 8 — “Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case procedures.”
10:44:23 A.M.	S.J. Res. 8	Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule waives all point of order agains consideration of the resolu tions. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the report shall be adopted, and H. Res. 132, as amended shall be considered as read and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
10:44:27 A.M.	S.J. Res. 8	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S.J. Res. 8.
11:37:36 A.M.	S.J. Res. 8	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:09:32 P.M.	S.J. Res. 8	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 – 186 (Roll no. 128).
12:09:33 P.M.	S.J. Res. 8	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:17:23 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 159, 1 Present (Roll no. 129).
12:17:25 P.M.		Mrs. Miller (MI) asked unanimous consent That it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Agreed to without objection.
12:17:35 P.M.		Mrs. Miller (MI) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on March 24, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on March 25. Agreed to without objection.
12:18:45 P.M.	H. Res. 132	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 152 . H. Res. 132 — “Providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress.”
12:18:50 P.M.	H. Res. 132	Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The rule waives all point of order agains consideration of the resolu tions. The rule provides that the amendment printed in the report shall be adopted, and H. Res. 132, as amended shall be considered as read and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
12:19:15 P.M.	H. Res. 132	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 132.
12:31:29 P.M.	H. Res. 132	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:31:37 P.M.	H. Res. 132	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
12:32:02 P.M.	H. Res. 132	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:32:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:40:34 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:58:00 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, March 19, 2015, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
1:59:45 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:59:45 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:59:55 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 23, 2015.

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2015 State of Black America: Equality Index Rises Slightly, But Racial Gap Remains Wide

03/19/2015 Nativegrl77

Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

By NewsOne Staff, brought to you by National Urban League

Each year the National Urban League releases a snapshot on the State of Black America (SOBA). The report benchmarks racial equality in America across economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice and civic participation. The events of past the year, including highly-publicized killings of unarmed black men by police and setbacks in voting rights, influenced the focus of the 2015 report: “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs + Justice.”

One of the most anticipated portions of the SOBA is the Equality Index of Black America, now in its 11th edition. The good news? This year Black America’s overall Equality Index has risen slightly overall.

In 2015, the index of Black America is 72.2 percent. Or looking at it another way, instead of starting with a whole pie at 100 percent— in this case, which would mean full equity in these areas with whites—African Americans are missing about 28 percent of the pie. That is up from 71.5 percent in 2014.

In a more granular look:

–In the areas of social justice and health and economics, Black America experienced a bump.

The NUL explains:

“The increase in the social justice index was the result of fewer Blacks being victims of violent crimes and fewer Black high school students carrying weapons…. The increase in the health index resulted from increased health care coverage for Blacks since the Affordable Care Act went into effect and a decline in binge drinking among Blacks. The small increase in the economics index was the result of improvements in the income, poverty and home loan denial gaps. The unemployment and homeownership gaps widened.

–In the areas of education and civic engagement, the indexes both declined slightly.

Meanwhile, the 2015 Equality Index of Hispanic America also rose this year. It now stands at 77.7 percent compared to a revised 2014 index of 75.8 percent.

For a more comprehensive look at Equality in America, go to the www.stateofblackamerica.org.

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Amazon Watch …

03/19/2015 Nativegrl77

Occupy Amazonia? Indigenous activists are taking direct action – and it’s working

Industrial projects like mega-dams contribute to climate change in addition to threatening to destroy indigenous peoples’ way of…

Brazil: hundreds of thousands of protesters call for Rouseff impeachment

Amazon Watch is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin. We partner with indigenous and environmental organizations in campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability and the preservation of the Amazon’s ecological systems.

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Humanity threatened – along with all life on Earth

03/19/2015 Nativegrl77

Join us in our shared commitment to the web of life
by making an investment in life itself with a
contribution for World Environment Day

“It is reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be diminished indefinitely
without threatening humanity itself.”
– Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson, the “Father of Biodiversity”

We talk about biodiversity a lot, – but what does it really mean? Should we care?

All living beings in an ecosystem are part of the web of life, including us. Together there are an estimated 8.7 million species of plants, animals, and insects on Earth, each interacting to create a resilient environment upon which we all depend for survival. When the web is weakened, our future is threatened. Maintaining diversity of species in our ecosystem – including the 2.2 million marine species and the 6.5 million terrestrial species –is of critical importance.

In honor of World Environment Day, Amazon Watch asks you to make a commitment to protect the biodiversity of the Amazon by supporting our efforts. From protecting Yasuní National Park in Ecuador to preventing destructive mega dams, Amazon Watch is confronting threats to our precious biodiversity where it is richest and densest, in the Amazon.

When we talk about biodiversity in the Amazon, we’re talking about the greatest repository of life on Earth. The Amazon is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and 2,000 birds and mammals. To date, at least 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fish, 1,294 birds, 427 mammals, 428 amphibians, and 378 reptiles have been scientifically classified in the region. And there are thousands more discovered that have yet to be documented. One in five of all the bird species in the world live in the rainforests of the Amazon, and one in five of global fish species live in Amazonian rivers and streams.

A 2001 study finding that a quarter square kilometer (62 acres) of Ecuadorian rainforest supports more than 1,100 tree species, meaning that the biodiversity of plant species there is the highest on Earth. In the Amazon alone we find almost four hundred billion trees!

Among those trees live scarlet macaws, woolly monkeys, three-striped poison dart tree frogs, sloths, monkey frogs, capybaras, red howler monkeys, ocelots, harpy eagles, squirrel monkeys, green iguanas, jaguars…and hundreds more. Those are just the animals!

The Amazon is our richest repository of biodiversity, and it is under great threat. Maintaining the integrity of the Amazon means protecting one of the densest sections of our planetary web of life.

By supporting Amazon Watch you support this web of life that we all depend upon. Through our efforts to protect the Amazon and advance the rights of indigenous peoples – the traditional and best stewards of this natural world – you, too, are making a tangible difference.

This World Environment Day, please support Amazon Watch. We’re working for you and for all life.

For the Amazon,

Branden Barber
Director of Engagement

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A Tale of Two Visions

03/19/2015 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

A Day In The Life Of Progressive And Conservative Priorities

Today we saw snapshots of two very different visions for our country — two very different sets of priorities on how to help it get ahead.

On the one hand, this afternoon the Center for American Progress hosted Attorney General Eric Holder at an event recognizing the one year anniversary of the White House’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative. On the other, details of the anti-working families proposals in the House GOP budget continue to emerge. These two cases exemplify the stark contrast between the progressive vision for strengthening America and giving everyone an opportunity to succeed, and the conservative vision in which the wealthiest and corporations benefit, low- and middle-income families lose, and inequality gets even worse.

My Brother’s Keeper is an initiative launched by the White House in conjunction with cities, towns, businesses and foundations to address opportunity gaps faced by young men of color. “The fundamental idea behind this initiative,” Attorney General Holder said today, “is that every child in America should have the opportunity to grow, to succeed, and to contribute to their community and their country.” My Brother’s Keeper cuts across a diverse and complex set of of issues: education, poverty, health, the criminal justice system, racial bias, and more. But at it’s core, it is an example of a bold, inclusive initiative working to expand economic opportunity for some of the Americans that need it the most.

In contrast to this, we have the House GOP budget: a road map of what conservatives want to accomplish. Despite claims that the GOP is focusing on middle and working class Americans, House Republicans include major cuts to programs like Medicaid and nutrition assistance that are essential in helping people escape poverty. Their budget would double the number of uninsured Americans by promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act yet again — even while they offer empty promises to come up with a “fix”. All this while giving tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and corporations; a choice that we know only makes rich even richer and increases inequality.

The Senate GOP Budget, released today, offers little different; it balances the budget on the backs of working class Americans, and uses sneaky accounting gimmicks to do so. Check out a more detailed analysis of the budgets from CAP here.

BOTTOM LINE: Through My Brother’s Keeper, community leaders around the country are taking steps to help some of our most vulnerable citizens escape hardship and injustice, and discover an opportunity to get ahead. And at the same time, Congressional Republicans, while rhetorically trying to address inequality, continue to push the same old policies that we know in reality only increase it.