the Senate ~ CONGRESS ~ the House

04/15/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour with the time equally divided, and with the Democrats controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

Following morning business, we expect the Republicans will move to go to conference on the Senate budget resolution. Once the compound motion to go to conference is made, there would be 1 hour for debate on the motion. We expect a roll call vote on the compound motion to go to conference on the budget resolution in the 11:45am range. There would then be up to an additional 9 hours for debate equally divided (1 of the 10 statutory hours would have been used prior to the vote). Upon the use or yielding back of time, motions to instruct conferees would be in order. Therefore, we expect a mini vote-a-rama (hopefully only in the 9 to low double digit vote range) in the late afternoon or early evening (depending on how much debate time is required—maybe in the 5pm range).

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:00pm for the bipartisan luncheon. At 2:49pm, the Senate will observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

As a reminder, this evening, following passage of H.R.2, the Senate resumed consideration of S.178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. Senator Portman withdrew his pending amendments (SA #271 and SA #270) and the Vitter second degree SA #284 fell. Senator McConnell then offered Cornyn amendment #1120 (Hyde) and filed cloture on the Cornyn amendment. The Cornyn amendment #1120 is now the only pending amendment to the bill. Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday, April 16. The filing deadline for second degree amendments to the Cornyn amendment is 1 hour prior to the cloture vote.

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

Last Floor Action:
3:27:20 P.M. -H.R. 1563
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1563.

10:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:31 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable David W. Jolly to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:50 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.
10:32:19 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:22 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 15.
12:00:58 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Kenny Gooden, Union Grove Baptist Church, Yadkinville, North Carolina.
12:02:35 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:50 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Costa to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:33 P.M.		INTRODUCTION OF THE GUEST CHAPLAIN – The Chair recognized Representative Foxx for the purpose of introducing today’s Guest Chaplain.
12:04:50 P.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 April 15, 2015 at 8:34 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2 without amendment.
12:05:08 P.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 April 15, 2015 at 11:46 a.m.: That the Senate had agreed to H. Con. Res. 9 without amendment.
12:05:22 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.
12:41:04 P.M.	H. Res. 200	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 200 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 622) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the deduction of State and local general sales taxes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1105) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1195) to amend the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to establish advisory boards, and for other purposes.”
12:45:10 P.M.	H. Res. 200	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 200.
1:40:46 P.M.	H. Res. 200	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 200, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until a time to be announced.
1:42:23 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
1:43:30 P.M.	H.R. 1058	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1058 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that a duty of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue is to ensure that Internal Revenue Service employees are familiar with and act in accord with certain taxpayer rights.”
1:43:51 P.M.	H.R. 1058	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:43:53 P.M.	H.R. 1058	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1058.
1:56:49 P.M.	H.R. 1058	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:56:53 P.M.	H.R. 1058	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:57:22 P.M.	H.R. 1152	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1152 — “To prohibit officers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service from using personal email accounts to conduct official business.”
1:57:41 P.M.	H.R. 1152	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:57:46 P.M.	H.R. 1152	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1152.
2:06:54 P.M.	H.R. 1152	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:06:56 P.M.	H.R. 1152	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:07:11 P.M.	H.R. 1026	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1026 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the release of information regarding the status of certain investigations.”
2:07:23 P.M.	H.R. 1026	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:07:25 P.M.	H.R. 1026	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1026.
2:23:12 P.M.	H.R. 1026	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:23:14 P.M.	H.R. 1026	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:23:25 P.M.	H.R. 1314	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1314 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations.”
2:23:41 P.M.	H.R. 1314	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:23:42 P.M.	H.R. 1314	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1314.
2:32:58 P.M.	H.R. 1314	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:32:59 P.M.	H.R. 1314	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:33:29 P.M.	H.R. 1295	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1295 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the process for making determinations with respect to whether organizations are exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of such Code.”
2:33:42 P.M.	H.R. 1295	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:33:43 P.M.	H.R. 1295	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1295.
2:43:28 P.M.	H.R. 1295	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:43:29 P.M.	H.R. 1295	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:43:40 P.M.	H.R. 709	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 709 — “To provide for the termination of employment of employees of the Internal Revenue Service who take certain official actions for political purposes.”
2:43:51 P.M.	H.R. 709	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:43:52 P.M.	H.R. 709	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 709.
3:00:07 P.M.	H.R. 709	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:00:08 P.M.	H.R. 709	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:00:22 P.M.	H.R. 1104	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1104 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction from the gift tax for gifts made to certain exempt organizations.”
3:00:36 P.M.	H.R. 1104	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:00:37 P.M.	H.R. 1104	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1104.
3:13:57 P.M.	H.R. 1104	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:14:04 P.M.	H.R. 1104	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:14:35 P.M.	H.R. 1562	Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1562 — “To prohibit the awarding of a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has no seriously delinquent tax debts, and for other purposes.”
3:14:48 P.M.	H.R. 1562	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:14:49 P.M.	H.R. 1562	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1562.
3:26:41 P.M.	H.R. 1562	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
3:27:07 P.M.	H.R. 1563	Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1563 — “To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that individuals having seriously delinquent tax debts shall be ineligible for Federal employment, and for other purposes.”
3:27:18 P.M.	H.R. 1563	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:27:20 P.M.	H.R. 1563	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1563.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Indiegogo removed ALL the fundraisers

04/15/2015 Nativegrl77

Indiegogo took down all Officer Slager fundraisers from their platform!

Now urge the company to take the next step and change its policy.

After 54,000 ColorOfChange members raised their voices, Indiegogo met our demand and took down all Officer Slager pages from their crowdfunding platform. In short: we won.

Quick wins like this are rare, but they happen when a community is able to come together at a moment’s notice and put strategic pressure on a company or politician. Collectively, we tweeted @Indiegogo thousands of times and flooded their Facebook wall. Everywhere Indiegogo employees and executives looked, they saw our message: that they shouldn’t enable Michael Slager to profit in the aftermath of murdering Walter Scott. And that they shouldn’t perpetuate a toxic culture that roots for and supports illegal police conduct while criminalizing Black victims, and justifying their killings.

We’re currently in talks with Indiegogo and will be meeting CEO Slava Rubin soon to discuss the company’s policies. We want to ensure that the next time a hurtful and hateful fundraiser like this is started on their platform, that it’s taken down immediately without any hesitation or delay. That’s why we need you to speak up.

Tell Indiegogo to officially change its policy. No one should ever be able to use their platform to profit from such horrendous actions.

We’ll take your signatures and comments into the meeting with the CEO. We’ll bring the voices and power of the ColorOfChange community into the room with us. Add your name.

Thanks and peace,

—Arisha, Rashad, Matt, and Bhavik for the ColorOfChange team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Explaining The Gender Pay Gap

04/15/2015 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Today is Equal Pay Day, the symbolic day marking the point at which women’s earnings have finally caught up to what to men earned in 2014. According to the latest data, full-time year-round working women earn 78 cents for every dollar a full-time year-round working man earns. The pay gap is even worse for Latina and African American women: African American women earn just 64 cents for every dollar a white man makes, and Latina women earn just 54 cents.

There’s a lot of confusion about these numbers. What do they mean? Where do they come from? To answer these questions, the Center for American Progress has an excellent 3-minute explainer video on the pay gap: click here to watch!

In addition, CAP has put together social media graphics that share some key facts and drive home the importance of why we need to demand equal pay for equal work. Take a minute to share them with your networks!

Unfortunately, the slate of current Republican presidential hopefuls has a terrible record on equal pay. All of the current or prospective GOP candidates have taken steps to undermine laws requiring equal pay for equal work.

Be sure to check out these other important resources on equal pay:

BOTTOM LINE: Women earn 78 cents to the dollar, and it’s even less for Latina and African American women. Systemic issues lead to this gap, and policies we support, including paid maternal leave and other measures that support women and families, can help close it. It’s long past time for equal pay for equal work.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: Don’t screw this up

04/15/2015 Nativegrl77

The world’s major powers just agreed to a historic framework nuclear deal with Iran, but today, Congress will vote on a bill that could destroy it. Let’s send a clear message to Congressional leadership: don’t screw this up for the rest of us! Make a call to key senators, then let us know how it went:

How’d it go?

Dear friends,The world’s major powers just agreed to a historic framework nuclear deal with Iran. It’s great news for all of us who believe in non-proliferation, peace, and the power of diplomacy. But today, Congress will vote on a bill that could blow the deal apart.

It’s crazy and dangerous — and the best way to stop this recklessness is to show key members of Congress that we are united behind the deal.

To stop this bill in its tracks, we need 4 key senators who are still undecided to block it. If they hear from hundreds of us today, we can tip the balance and ensure Congress doesn’t screw this up for us!

Call the senators below, and then click to tell us how the call went. Below are some talking points to help you.

Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland): (202) 224-4524(202) 224-4524
Senator Christopher Coons (Delaware): (202) 224-5042(202) 224-5042
Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut): (202) 224-4041(202) 224-4041
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire): (202) 224-2841(202) 224-2841

Some talking points:

I urge Senator x to reject the Corker-Menendez bill, which improperly hampers the President’s ability to negotiate a strong nuclear deal with Iran.
A bill like this could make a final deal impossible to achieve, and opens the door to war with Iran — something most Americans, including myself, reject.
Congress should not disrupt diplomacy while the world’s most powerful governments work to advance peace and stability.

Of course, be respectful to Congressional staff at all times. After you call, click below to let us know how the call went!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/us_iran_deal_call_in/?biEWLbb&v=56940

It’s crazy and dangerous — and the best way to stop this recklessness is to show key members of Congress that we are united behind the deal.

Call the senators below, and then click to tell us how the call went. Below are some talking points to help you.

Some talking points:

I urge Senator x to reject the Corker-Menendez bill, which improperly hampers the President’s ability to negotiate a strong nuclear deal with Iran.
A bill like this could make a final deal impossible to achieve, and opens the door to war with Iran — something most Americans, including myself, reject.
Congress should not disrupt diplomacy while the world’s most powerful governments work to advance peace and stability.

Of course, be respectful to Congressional staff at all times. After you call, click below to let us know how the call went!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/us_iran_deal_call_in/?biEWLbb&v=56940

The world has come remarkably close to war over Iran’s nuclear program. In 2012, the US was so worried that Israel would bomb Iran that US Central Command tracked the moon and weather patterns to guess which night the strike would happen. Now, remarkably, years of negotiations between the US and Iran are on the cusp of finishing an historic agreement to prevent war and nuclear proliferation.

Republicans in the US congress already sent a reckless letter directly to Iran in an attempt to destroy any deal. But despite their fierce criticism they have offered no alternative except more sanctions and war. Now Congress is considering a law that would enable meddling directly in the President’s negotiations — to undermine even a strong nuclear non-proliferation deal.

Make a call to Congress now to show your support for the nuclear deal, then let us know how the call went:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/us_iran_deal_call_in/?biEWLbb&v=56940

A million of us came together, two years ago, calling on the US and Iran to start negotiations on key regional crises like the conflict in Syria. Now that these longtime foes are negotiating in good faith, we can help them bring greater security to the region and world. It would be a tremendous victory for peace.In determination,

John, Nick, Rewan, Emma and the rest of the Avaaz team

SOURCES:
Bob Corker may move on Iran nuclear bill next week
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/bob-corker-may-move-on-iran-nuclear-bill-next-week-116119.html

Iran Bill One Vote Away From Veto-Proof Majority
http://www.rollcall.com/news/iran_bill_one_vote_away_from_veto_proof_majority-241073-1.html _

Iran Agrees to Framework of Nuclear Deal (The New York Times)
www.nytimes.com/2015/04/03/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-talks.html

The Iran nuclear deal, translated into plain English (Vox)
http://www.vox.com/2015/4/2/8336219/iran-nuclear-deal-plain-english

Republicans trash Iran deal (Politico)
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/bob-corker-iran-bill-116629.html

The Crisis in U.S.-Israel Relations Is Officially Here (The Atlantic)
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/the-crisis-in-us-israel-relations-is-officially-here/382031/

Avaaz.org is a 41-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decision-making. (“Avaaz” means “voice” or “song” in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz’s biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Day Of Action: No Campus Carry

04/15/2015 Nativegrl77

Brave New Films

Brave New Films

Guns are a public health crisis in America; we deserve to live in a country where lives and safety are not endangered by the NRA, gun companies, and politicians putting profits over people.

Just yesterday there was another college campus shooting. A campus employee was shot and killed at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

And yet, in both Florida and Texas, Campus Carry bills are moving through state legislatures. As the nationwide debate continues and more students, teachers, and college employees are losing their lives, we asked students what they thought about guns on campus.

Screen_Shot_2015-03-31_at_1.09.21_PM.png

Today marks our official #NoCampusCarry Day of Action.

You can make an impact on this now by joining the debate on Countable.us and voicing your opinion on campus carry directly to legislators.

We have partnered with Generation Progress, Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, and others to preserve the safety of college campuses and stop legislation allowing guns on campus. Together, we have been using this film to educate, engage, and organize college students in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Nevada to stop the increase of guns on campus.

In solidarity with students organizing for safe and gun free campuses share this film using the hashtag #NoCampusCarry.

We are partnering with Countable.us to promote action on issues you care about. Please support Brave New Films by creating a profile, following our profile and voting with us on our priority bills using your online account. Make your voice heard on Countable!

Onward.

Vanessa Baden Kelly, Campaigns Coordinator
Brave New Films