28 | April | 2015 | Be a Seed for Change

Dear MoveOn member,

It’s Ben and Jerry—the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream—and we need your help.

We want to pay our fair share of taxes, but Republicans in Congress are trying to pass an unnecessary tax giveaway to America’s wealthiest citizens. We don’t want, need, or deserve this tax cut—which is why we’re asking you to sign our petition to Senate Democrats that states:

If Senate and House Republicans have their way, they will eliminate the estate tax, which affects only the wealthiest 0.2% of taxpayers. Repealing the estate tax would hurt our economy and be fundamentally unfair. Senate Democrats: Stand with us—and stay united against the repeal. Sign Ben & Jerry’s petition

Here’s the truth: We don’t need this stupid tax cut.

As we recently wrote in an op-ed in USA Today, we’re wealthy thanks to the good fortune of our efforts—but also because of many other societal factors that contributed to our wealth.¹ The estate tax is one of the ways that the wealthy pay forward so the next generation has the opportunities we had.

The estate tax, which the U.S. has had for more than a century, currently affects Americans with estates worth at least $5.4 million, or $10.8 million for a couple—only 1 out of every 500 taxpayers.² And yet, it’s been a target of right-wing lawmakers, working on behalf of their wealthy donors.

Click here to sign our petition calling on Senate Democrats to stand united and stop this Republican giveaway to the superrich.

Congress has shrunk the estate tax in recent years—and now the Senate and House, in advisory votes largely along party lines, have voted to repeal it entirely.³ The votes are only advisory, for now, but when the Republicans press this issue again, Senate Democrats will need to be ready to beat back the repeal and block this latest Republican giveaway to the superrich.

We know this may not be as fun as helping us choose names for ice cream flavors—but it’s critical to send a message that Congress shouldn’t be working on behalf of only the wealthiest Americans but should get back to the people’s business. Wages have been stagnant for decades.⁴ Young people are carrying around anvils on their backs called student debt.⁵ Our public infrastructure is falling apart.⁶

Good grief, Congress. With all this going on, are you really going to give another tax break to those of us who need it least?

Sign our petition—tell Senate Democrats to stand united and ensure that Republicans don’t give multimillionaires and billionaires even more tax breaks.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ben and Jerry

Sources:

1. “Ben & Jerry: We don’t need this stupid tax cut,” USA Today, April 16, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304167&id=113354-17809870-mjOdMOx&t=3

2. Ibid.

3. “House votes to repeal estate tax,” The Hill, April 16, 2015
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304169&id=113354-17809870-mjOdMOx&t=4

4. “For most workers, real wages have barely budged for decades,” Pew Research Center, October 9, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=303882&id=113354-17809870-mjOdMOx&t=5

5. “Average Student Loan Debt Approaches $30,000,” U.S. News & World Report, November 13, 2014
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/11/13/average-student-loan-debt-hits-30-000

6. “Falling apart: America’s neglected infrastructure,” CBS, November 23, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=304172&id=113354-17809870-mjOdMOx&t=8

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.1191, the Iran Congressional Review Act. Under the previous order, Senator Corker or his designee will then be recognized to offer an amendment.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Johnson amendment #1150 (treaty treatment)[60 vote threshold]; not agreed to: 39-57.

Legislative Business

Passed Calendar #36, S.304: to improve motor vehicle safety by encouraging the sharing of certain information.

Adopted S.Res.153, recognizing the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship to safeguarding global security, prosperity, and human rights.

Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
7:10:09 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

Last Floor Action: 4/27
12:21:15 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:00:11 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:15 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark Walker to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:32 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:21:15 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:02 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 28.
2:00:28 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Jim Birchfield, First Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas.
2:01:46 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:49 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Lowenthal to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:11 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:13:00 P.M.		The House received a communication from Porter Goss wherein he resigns as the CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBER OF THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS (OCE) effective immediately.
2:14:05 P.M.		ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE RECORDS OF CONGRESS – Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2702 and the order of the House of January 6, 2015 , the Speaker reappointed Mr. Jeffrey W. Thomas, Columbus, Ohio.
2:14:53 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.
4:00:03 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 28.
4:00:09 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:00:22 P.M.	H.R. 1075	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1075 — “To designate the United States Customs and Border Protection Port of Entry located at First Street and Pan American Avenue in Douglas, Arizona, as the “Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry”.”
4:00:32 P.M.	H.R. 1075	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:00:33 P.M.	H.R. 1075	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1075.
4:11:42 P.M.	H.R. 1075	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:11:43 P.M.	H.R. 1075	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:12:21 P.M.	H.R. 651	Mr. Hice, Jody B. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 651 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 820 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island, as the “Sister Ann Keefe Post Office”.”
4:12:36 P.M.	H.R. 651	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:12:39 P.M.	H.R. 651	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 651.
4:18:22 P.M.	H.R. 651	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.
4:23:27 P.M.	H.R. 1690	Mr. Barletta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1690 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 700 Grant Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the “Joseph F. Weis Jr. United States Courthouse”.”
4:23:55 P.M.	H.R. 1690	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:24:01 P.M.	H.R. 1690	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1690.
4:30:42 P.M.	H.R. 1690	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:30:45 P.M.	H.R. 1690	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:31:04 P.M.	H.R. 172	Mr. Barletta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 172 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the “R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse”.”
4:31:18 P.M.	H.R. 172	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:31:22 P.M.	H.R. 172	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 172.
4:35:03 P.M.	H.R. 172	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:35:16 P.M.	H.R. 172	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:37:24 P.M.	H.R. 373	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 373 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.”
4:37:36 P.M.	H.R. 373	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:37:39 P.M.	H.R. 373	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 373.
4:47:42 P.M.	H.R. 373	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.
4:48:09 P.M.	H.R. 984	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 984 — “To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail, and for other purposes.”
4:48:21 P.M.	H.R. 984	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:48:22 P.M.	H.R. 984	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 984.
4:56:27 P.M.	H.R. 984	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:56:31 P.M.	H.R. 984	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:57:42 P.M.	H.R. 1324	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1324 — “To adjust the boundary of the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado, and for other purposes.”
4:58:03 P.M.	H.R. 1324	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:58:08 P.M.	H.R. 1324	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1324.
5:03:16 P.M.	H.R. 1324	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.
5:04:02 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:59 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 28.
6:31:24 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:49 P.M.	H.R. 373	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 373 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to expedite access to certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of each Secretary for good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and for other purposes.”
6:59:10 P.M.	H.R. 373	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 174).
6:59:10 P.M.	H.R. 373	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:59:35 P.M.	H.R. 1324	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1324 — “To adjust the boundary of the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado, and for other purposes.”
7:08:49 P.M.	H.R. 1324	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 175).
7:08:49 P.M.	H.R. 1324	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:10:09 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:36:13 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:59:14 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
8:54:37 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 28.
8:54:45 P.M.		Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 223.
8:55:10 P.M.		Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:55:15 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:55:18 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on April 29, 2015.