13 ~~ the House

03/12/2015 Nativegrl77

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 16^th, 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

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

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.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Will You Help Us End Global Poverty By 2030?

03/11/2015 Nativegrl77

Right now, there are 1.2 billion people around the world who are deprived of basic rights and opportunities to achieve their potential.

We’re a community, hundreds of thousands of people strong, who just aren’t willing to accept that–and we’re doing something about it. Global Citizen is movement that will amplify your voice, use your passion, and take meaningful action.

Become a Global Citizen and provide a voice to the 1.2 billion people who live in extreme poverty.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We support the USW unfair labor practices strike against big oil companies

03/11/2015 Nativegrl77

Dear Washington member,

I’m James P. Thompson, a MoveOn member in Houston, TX, and I started a petition to Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company , which says:

We support the unfair labor practice strike by Steel Workers at the refineries in Texas City, Texas and across the country. Their struggle is the struggle of working people in this country and around the world. We all want safe refineries and safe communities. Sign James’s petition

We don’t want any more workers to die. That’s why the United Steel Workers union is taking on the richest, most powerful industry in the world by fighting to secure a fair contract that will protect the health and safety of workers and communities. The oil industry’s greed and bad faith bargaining has stalled efforts to improve conditions in their workplaces. The industry has refused to address serious health and safety issues that have already killed thousands of workers over the years.< /p>

We support the efforts of the USW union to improve the working conditions of the striking refinery workers. Jobs in refineries are dangerous and require a high level of skill. As we know from the BP disasters, mistakes can cause catastrophes for the surrounding communities and the environment< /p>

These workers deserve to be treated fairly. Failure to bargain fairly in these negotiations will only reflect the oil industry’s lack of regard for the workers and the communities in which their enterprises are located.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–James P. Thompson

This petition was created on MoveOn’s online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. James P. Thompson didn’t pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Richard Martinez, Everytown for Gun Safety

03/11/2015 Nativegrl77

We surprised Florida lawmakers on Monday by dropping off 12,000 postcards at their doorstep with a powerful message: No guns in our schools — period.

I flew to Tallahassee for this event because this fight is personal for me. My son, Christopher, was shot and killed near UC Santa Barbara last year. I was honored to stand with dozens of other parents this week and ask lawmakers to keep our schools and campus communities safe.

I wanted to share these photos from the advocacy day and thank you for everything you’ve done to support this fight. If you would like to continue fueling this important work to keep guns out of our schools, please consider making a gift to help Stop Crazytown now.

A staffer in the state legislature accepts postcards signed by constituents.

Moms, survivors, law enforcement, educators, and students all gather in front of the capitol.

Florida A&M University Police Chief Terence Calloway: “Forcing colleges and universities to allow concealed handguns on campus is a perfect way to … turn our communities into dangerous, risky places to be.”

More than a dozen TV stations and newspapers covered the TV ad we’re airing across Florida.

In total, the NRA is pushing bills in 24 states that would allow guns on college and university campuses and in K-12 schools. It’s part of their “guns everywhere, for anyone” vision for our country and frankly, it’s Crazytown.

These bills put the safety of our kids and communities at risk — so Everytown and Moms Demand Action are wasting no time fighting back.

If you want to help fight the NRA’s dangerous agenda in states all across the country, please consider making a gift now:

https://donate.everytown.org/donate/Stop-Crazytown-Guns-in-Schools/

At the end of the day, we’re trying to keep our families and communities safe. Your gift — like your energy and activism — will help win this fight.

Thanks for helping to drive this work forward,

Richard Martinez
Santa Barbara, CA

Black History

the Senate CONGRES 3/11 the House

03/11/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

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

Amendments pending to S.178:

Portman amendment #270 (identification and assessment of child victims of sex trafficking)
Portman amendment #271 (definition of “homeless person”)

The Senate has resumed consideration of S.178, a bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking. Currently 2 Portman amendments are pending to the bill. Discussions on a path forward are ongoing; however, no votes are scheduled at this time.

Senator Toomey asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Toomey amendment #285 (school employee background checks). Senator Brown objected.

Senator Vitter proposed (a second degree) amendment #284 (citizenship) to Portman #271.

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

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

The Senate will recess from 4-5pm to allow for a Republican conference meeting.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 1:30pm tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

Executive Calendar #20, Christopher A. Hart, of Colorado, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (roll call vote).
Executive Calendar #16, Tho Dinh-Zarr, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (voice vote)

There will be 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed. We expect a roll call vote on the Hart nomination and a voice vote on the Dinh-Zarr nomination. If all time is used, the first vote would begin at approximately 2:00pm.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Legislative Business

Executive Business

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

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.

12:00:08 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:18 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:35 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Scott Sina, St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, McLean, VA
12:00:36 P.M.		Pursuant to section 2(a) of H. Res. 134, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
12:01:16 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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.