Monthly Archives: May 2015

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Blue Bell will lay off 1,450 employees


Move follows recall after listeria outbreak

By

David Kesmodel

Ice-cream maker Blue Bell Creameries LP said it would lay off 37% of its 3,900 employees as it works to recover from a sweeping recall of all its products last month because of a listeria outbreak.

The Texas company said on Friday it will lay off 750 full-time and 700 part-time employees, and put another 1,400 on partially paid furlough. Blue Bell also is taking other cost-cutting measures, including salary reductions for remaining staff.

The company said the moves were necessary because cleaning and improving its four production plants will take longer than it initially anticipated, especially at its main plant in Brenham, Texas.

“The agonizing decision to lay off hundreds of our great workers and reduce hours and pay for others was the most difficult one I have had to make in my time as Blue Bell’s CEO and President,” Blue Bell Chief Executive Paul Kruse said in a news release.

Blue Bell, a 108-year-old company that is among the biggest U.S. ice-cream makers, voluntarily recalled all of its frozen desserts in April after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked its ice cream to a listeria outbreak that has resulted in three deaths and additional illnesses.

Blue Bell said Friday there is no firm timeline for when it will begin producing ice cream again. When it does begin, it will be limited “and phased in over time.”

An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com

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Amtrak And Our Infrastructure Crisis


By

In The Wake Of The Amtrak Tragedy, Let’s Refocus On Investing In Our Nation

Eight people have died and 200 were injured when an Amtrak train traveling more than 100 miles per hour in a 50 MPH zone careened off the tracks near Philadelphia on Monday night. Former Congressman and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Patrick Murphy (D-PA), who was a passenger on the train, described the accident as “so fast, it was surreal. But there was a few moments where I thought I was going to die and that was one of them.” While federal officials have confirmed the train was going far too fast around a turn, the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Regardless of the possible causes, tragedies like this often serve as a wake-up call for the public. And when it comes to our country’s funding for Amtrak and for transportation infrastructure more broadly, we need one. Badly.

Amtrak is vastly overburdened. More travelers than ever are taking trains, and yet federal funding continues to decrease. In the Northeast Corridor, already the densest rail route in the United States and responsible for 30 percent of the entire country’s GDP, 11.6 million people ride the Amtrak each year and yet the route has $4.3 billion in backlogged repairs (millions more riders use Amtrak-owned infrastructure in the region on commuter rails). Congressional leaders are not addressing the need; in fact, hours after the crash, a House panel voted to cut Amtrak’s budget by a fifth. Here’s a chart from ThinkProgress to give you a better idea:

amtrak2

CREDIT: Andrew Breiner

In addition, technology exists today that may have prevented the fatal crash. Positive train control (PTC) is a technology that allows railroads to use GPS to slow or stop trains in cases from hijacking to human error. The president of Amtrak called PTC “the most important rail safety advancement of our time,” but parts of the funding-starved Northeast Corridor including where the crash took place still lack the system.

These are serious problems in their own right, but our transportation infrastructure funding shortage goes beyond the issues with Amtrak alone. In the 1950s, we spent nearly 5 percent of GDP on transport and water infrastructure projects. Now, while Europe remains at that level and China and other Asian countries are spending close to twice that, U.S. infrastructure spending has plummeted. We are, simply put, falling behind: Amtrak’s ‘high-speed’ Acela train travels an average of 84 mph; a Japanese bullet train topped out last month at 375 mph.

But it’s not just about speed. As we are reminded after each accident, it’s about saving lives. The United States needs to make the necessary investments to remain the world’s greatest superpower. Instead, we have a Republican Congress hell-bent on slashing infrastructure investment and doubling down on cutting Amtrak’s budget.

Meanwhile, a freight train derailed today outside Pittsburgh (there were no injuries). There were 1,241 derailments across the U.S. in 2014.

BOTTOM LINE: Regardless of who or what is at fault in this case, the tragic Amtrak accident that has killed eight people and hurt hundreds more must be a wake-up call to address our nation’s infrastructure crisis. Smart, pro-growth investment in infrastructure is a critical step America must take to prepare for the 21st century, and conservatives should stop standing in the way.

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 5/15 ~~ the House


Obama Launches DNC Campaign Tour At Illinois State Capitol

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, May 18, 2015.

The Senate will not be in session on Friday, May 15, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3:00pm. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.1314 with the time until 5:30pm equally divided between the managers or their designees. At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote in relation to the Brown SA #1242 and Lankford SA #1237 (60 affirmative-vote threshold).

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Last Floor Action:5/14
1:20:56 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 18, 2015.

9:00:11 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:28 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:33 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. Wilson (SC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Wilson (SC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
9:02:17 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Dold to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:22 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.
9:06:24 A.M. H.R. 1735 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1735 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”
9:12:08 A.M. H.R. 1735 The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
9:13:27 A.M. H.R. 1735 Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Thornberry, comprised of the following amendments offered as en bloc No.6: 90, 91, 96, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118 printed in House Report 114-112.
9:13:49 A.M. H.R. 1735 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 6.
9:28:14 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Thornberry amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:28:50 A.M. H.R. 1735 Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Thornberry, comprised of the following amendments offered as en bloc No.7: 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 119, 120, 121, 125, 126, and 127 printed in House Report 114-112.
9:28:56 A.M. H.R. 1735 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 7.
9:40:06 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Thornberry amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:41:43 A.M. H.R. 1735 Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Thornberry, comprised of the following amendments offered as en bloc No.8: 122, 123, 124, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134 and 135 printed in House Report 114-112.
9:41:51 A.M. H.R. 1735 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Thornberry en bloc amendment No. 8.
9:54:12 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Thornberry amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:20:49 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Rohrabacher amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 413 – 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 233).
10:25:05 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Lamborn amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 235 – 182 (Roll no. 234).
10:28:14 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 43 – 375 (Roll no. 235).
10:32:00 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Lucas amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 229 – 190 (Roll no. 236).
10:36:16 A.M. H.R. 1735 On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 242 (Roll no. 237).
10:36:22 A.M. H.R. 1735 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1735.
10:36:41 A.M. H.R. 1735 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:36:50 A.M. H.R. 1735 The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:37:24 A.M. H.R. 1735 Mr. Gallego moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Armed Services.
10:37:44 A.M. H.R. 1735 Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gallego motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to provide a 2.3% pay increase for fiscal year 2016 for members of the uniformed services. Additionally, the motion would ensure that the Secretary of Defense guarantee members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps continue to receive compensation for their service in defense of the United States despite any government shutdown after September 30, 2015.
10:48:47 A.M. H.R. 1735 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:55:43 A.M. H.R. 1735 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 234 (Roll no. 238).
11:02:13 A.M. H.R. 1735 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 269 – 151 (Roll no. 239).
11:02:14 A.M. H.R. 1735 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:02:16 A.M. H.R. 1735 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
11:02:58 A.M. On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
11:02:59 A.M. H.R. 1735 The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1735.
11:03:54 A.M. Mr. Thornberry asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Friday, May 15, 2015, it adjourn to meet on Monday, May 18, 2015 at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
11:04:56 A.M. Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 6913, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Republic of China: Mr. Franks of AZ, Mr. Pittenger and Mr. Hultgren.
11:05:31 A.M. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 3003, and the order of the House on January 6, 2015 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Hultgren and Mr. Burgess.
11:06:10 A.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:21:59 A.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:20:47 P.M. Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:20:55 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:20:56 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 18, 2015.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

More from 1600 Penn


What You Need to Know About the New Contraception Guidance:

This week, the Obama administration took important steps to eliminate any ambiguity around the reforms that the Affordable Care Act calls for. Under the law, most insurers must now cover at least one form of birth control with no out-of-pocket expenses in each identified category.

READ MORE

In Case You Missed It: The First Lady’s Powerful Remarks to Tuskegee University’s Class of 2015

This past Saturday, First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2015 at Tuskegee University — a historically black university in Tuskegee, Alabama. Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee is the only university in America to be designated as a National Historic Site.

READ MORE

The White House Celebrates Entrepreneurs Around the World

President welcomed emerging entrepreneurs from across the country and around the world to the White House to honor their achievements in their fields of business. He also announced new commitments in support of the Spark Global Entrepreneurship Initiative — a bold goal of generating $1 billion in new investment for emerging entrepreneurs worldwide by 2017.

READ MORE

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“I am a black man who grew up without a father, and I know the costs that I paid for that.”

— President Obama at yesterday’s discussion on poverty at Georgetown University

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Poverty and Opportunity in Your Community: What Are You Seeing?

This week, we want to hear from you about some of the pressing issues in your own community related to poverty and opportunity.

President Obama sat down with Harvard professor Robert Putnam and American Enterprise Institute president Arthur Brooks for a discussion on poverty, moderated by Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne. Now we want to hear from you on this important topic.

Share with us how these issues are playing out in your community, and how you think we can continue expanding opportunity for more Americans.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Don’t Get Fooled Again


By

Jeb Bush Is Poised to Follow In His Brother’s Foreign Policy Footsteps

In case you had forgotten that expected presidential candidate Jeb Bush would promote many of the same failed policies that his brother George W. Bush did, Jeb did a good job of reminded us of that this week. In an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly on Monday night, Jeb said he would have authorized the Iraq War knowing what we know now.

Soon after the interview, Bush tried to walk back the comment to Kelly saying he had misinterpreted the question, “I thought we were talking about ‘given what people knew then, would you have done it?’.” The next day, he dodged the question again on Sean Hannity’s radio show, blaming faulty intelligence and praising his brother’s leadership. Just today, he said hypothetical questions about the Iraq war are a “disservice” to troops. (Actually, if there had been more questions leading into the Iraq War, we may have been able to save thousands of lives.)

However, the issue is not solely whether Jeb Bush misunderstood the question. The oft-forgotten fact is that the Iraq War was not dictated by intelligence. Rather, as ThinkProgress Editor-in-Chief Judd Legum writes, “the [Bush] administration cherry-picked, manipulated and ignored intelligence to support their predetermined outcome.” A bipartisan report of the Senate Intelligence Committee concluded as much.

Later in his interview with Megyn Kelly, Jeb Bush said, “News flash to the world, if they’re trying to find places where there’s big space between me and my brother, this might not be one of those.” That shouldn’t be too much of a news flash for anyone who has been paying attention to Jeb’s position on foreign policy. Here are a few facts to prove there is little to no space between the Bush brothers:

  • Of Jeb’s campaign’s 21 foreign policy advisors, 17 came from George W.’s administration. His circle of foreign policy advisers has been drawn almost entirely from his brother’s team.
  • Jeb called the 2007 Iraq troop surge “hugely successful.” In the first major foreign policy speech of his campaign, Jeb praised the 2007 troop surge saying, “It was one of the most heroic acts of courage politically that any president’s done because there was no support for this. It was hugely successful and it created a stability that when a new president came in, he could’ve built on.”


BOTTOM LINE: Despite the fact that Jeb Bush has tried to distance himself from his name, he seems poised to stumble along in his brother’s foreign policy footsteps. So the next time you hear his rhetoric leading you in a different direction, don’t get fooled again.