Monthly Archives: July 2015

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 7/13 ~~ the House


2016spending

The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00pm on Monday, July 13, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote in relation to the following amendments:

Hatch SA #2080 (student privacy policy)

Kaine SA #2118 (post-secondary remediation)

We expect one of those amendments to be considered by voice vote.

The following amendments are pending to S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act:

 Alexander-Murray SA #2089 (substitute)

Peters SA #2095 (financial literacy)

Warren SA #2120 (crosstabulation)

Kirk SA #2161 (student resources)

Scott SA #2132 (low-income children)

Hatch-Markey SA #2080 (student privacy)

Franken SA #2093 (student non-discrimination)

Kaine SA #2118 (post-secondary remediation)

Wrap-up for Monday, July 13, 2015

Roll Call Votes:

  1. Hatch SA #2080 (student privacy policy); Agreed to 89-0

 

Legislative Business:

Kaine SA #2118 (post-secondary remediation) was agreed to by voice vote

No Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
 12:14:31 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 13, 2015.

12:00:03 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:13 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom Emmer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:31 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.
12:23:29 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:09 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 13.
2:00:15 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:27 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:31 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. McNerney to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:01:56 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:58 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 July 10, 2015 at 12:53 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2620, S. 143, S. 1180, and S. 1359.
2:11:21 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.
4:00:19 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 13.
4:00:26 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:00:33 P.M. H.R. 1023 Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1023 — “To amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to provide for increased limitations on leverage for multiple licenses under common control.”
4:00:50 P.M. H.R. 1023 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:00:52 P.M. H.R. 1023 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1023.
4:12:10 P.M. H.R. 1023 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:12:12 P.M. H.R. 1023 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:12:41 P.M. H.R. 208 Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 208 — “To require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a program to make loans to certain businesses, homeowners, and renters affected by Superstorm Sandy.”
4:12:50 P.M. H.R. 208 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:12:51 P.M. H.R. 208 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 208.
4:22:31 P.M. H.R. 208 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:22:46 P.M. H.R. 208 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:22:54 P.M. H.R. 208 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
4:23:06 P.M. H.R. 2670 Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2670 — “To amend the Small Business Act to provide for expanded participation in the microloan program, and for other purposes.”
4:23:23 P.M. H.R. 2670 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:23:24 P.M. H.R. 2670 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2670.
4:40:51 P.M. H.R. 2670 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:40:52 P.M. H.R. 2670 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:41:04 P.M. H.R. 2499 Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2499 — “To amend the Small Business Act to increase access to capital for veteran entrepreneurs, to help create jobs, and for other purposes.”
4:41:14 P.M. H.R. 2499 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:41:15 P.M. H.R. 2499 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2499.
4:52:05 P.M. H.R. 2499 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.
4:53:18 P.M. H.R. 387 Mr. Cook moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 387 — “To provide for certain land to be taken into trust for the benefit of Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and for other purposes.”
4:53:35 P.M. H.R. 387 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:53:36 P.M. H.R. 387 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 387.
5:02:35 P.M. H.R. 387 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:02:38 P.M. H.R. 387 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:03:42 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today
6:30:11 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 13.
6:30:26 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:30:41 P.M. H.R. 2499 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2499 — “To amend the Small Business Act to increase access to capital for veteran entrepreneurs, to help create jobs, and for other purposes.”
6:57:06 P.M. H.R. 2499 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 1 (Roll no. 434).
6:57:06 P.M. H.R. 2499 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:57:07 P.M. H.R. 2898 UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO FILE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT – Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be authorized to file a supplemental report on H.R. 2898. Agreed to without objection.
6:57:57 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
6:58:22 P.M. S. 179 Mr. Duncan (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 179 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 3rd Avenue, NW, in Chisholm, Minnesota, as the “James L. Oberstar Memorial Post Office Building”.”
6:58:45 P.M. S. 179 Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:58:46 P.M. S. 179 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 179.
7:26:34 P.M. S. 179 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
7:26:36 P.M. S. 179 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:26:45 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:38:08 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:39:26 P.M. Ms. Kelly (IL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:39:32 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:39:33 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 14, 2015.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Save the Bees — Fight toxic pesticides


Bees are dying at unprecedented rates!
Honey bees are crucial pollinators. (Pakhnyushcha / Shutterstock)

Help us fight back in court with an emergency gift of $5 or more today!
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell your Senators to protect southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon today!


Defenders of Wildlife
Less Than 80 Left

Orca (c) R. Marate

Southern resident orcas have lost 10% of their population since being added to the Endangered Species List.

Take Action
Tell your Senators to protect southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon today!

by Elizabeth Ruther, Defenders of Wildlife

Endangered southern resident orcas could soon be starved to extinction.

Known as the “fish-eating orca,” these whales have relied almost exclusively on Chinook salmon for thousands of years to survive. But increased human activity has disrupted this balance and decimated the Chinook salmon population – and if we don’t act soon, southern resident orcas will be in real danger of running out of food.

ACT NOW: Tell your Senators to save the last of the southern resident orca whales!

Hydroelectric dams, over fishing and habitat destruction have all contributed to the endangered status of Chinook salmon. The Columbia-Snake River basin once produced more salmon than any other river system in the world. But today, less than 5% of the historic number of fish returns to the watershed to spawn. Without a healthy population of Chinook salmon, it is doubtful that the southern resident orca population will ever recover.

These whales are struggling against pollution, marine noise, vessel traffic and a shortage of food. With their population in jeopardy, southern resident orcas were finally added to the Endangered Species List in 2005 – since then, they’ve lost close to 10% of their population with fewer than 80 of these whales left in the wild.

That’s why it’s so important that we defend the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for animals like the southern resident orca and the Chinook salmon. Because of human activity, these two species are now forced to rely on ESA protections to survive.

Tell your Senators to take action before it’s too late!

Scientists agree that restoring abundant populations of wild Columbia and Snake River Chinook salmon must be our top priority to help save and recover the southern resident orca.

Orcas are culturally and economically important to Washington State. Southern resident orcas attract between $60-$75 million dollars per year in tourism, and healthy population levels have been linked to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Yet despite their significance, not enough is being done to ensure the survival of the remaining population.

It’s up to Washingtonians like you, who care so much for our wildlife, to stand up for these amazing creatures.

Ask your Senators to step up and fight for our southern resident orcas!

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Ruther Elizabeth Ruther
Northwest Program Representative
Defenders of Wildlife
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Days to save whales


 Avaazpix

Icelandic whalers are about to start harpooning over 150 endangered fin whales. But if we can get a tiny Caribbean nation to remove their flag from a ship that’s carrying millions of dollars worth of fin whale meat to Japan, we can hit them where it hurts. Stopping this sale could turn the tide. The ship could leave in six days. Add your voice and share this urgently:

Sign the petition

Dear friends,The Icelandic whaling fleet is about to leave port to hunt and kill 150 endangered fin whales. We’ve come close to shutting down this barbaric operation before and now we have a chance to end it for good.

As the whalers sharpen their harpoons for this year’s hunt, their boss is trying to ship last year’s whale meat to Japan right now. Over 1,700 tonnes are about to be sent through the icy passage between Russia and the North Pole. But if the tiny Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis simply removes their flag from the vessel it can’t leave port! Tourism is the main pillar of their country’s economy and we can put their reputation on the line by throwing them into our giant global spotlight.

We have just six days before the boat could set sail.

Our community already helped push European countries to shun this shameful trade. Let’s now get St. Kitts to stop helping the whalers! Sign now and share with everyone urgently — Avaaz will deliver our voices straight to the new Prime Minister, and if he doesn’t respond quickly, Avaaz’ll target his biggest tourist market – the US – and show how St. Kitts is supporting the slaughter of these majestic beings:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/days_to_save_whales_loc/?biEWLbb&v=61050

Dear friends,The Icelandic whaling fleet is about to leave port to hunt and kill 150 endangered fin whales. We’ve come close to shutting down this barbaric operation before and now we have a chance to end it for good.

As the whalers sharpen their harpoons for this year’s hunt, their boss is trying to ship last year’s whale meat to Japan right now. Over 1,700 tonnes are about to be sent through the icy passage between Russia and the North Pole. But if the tiny Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis simply removes their flag from the vessel it can’t leave port! Tourism is the main pillar of their country’s economy and we can put their reputation on the line by throwing them into our giant global spotlight.

We have just six days before the boat could set sail.

Our community already helped push European countries to shun this shameful trade. Let’s now get St. Kitts to stop helping the whalers! Sign now and share with everyone urgently — Avaaz will deliver our voices straight to the new Prime Minister, and if he doesn’t respond quickly, Avaaz’ll target his biggest tourist market – the US – and show how St. Kitts is supporting the slaughter of these majestic beings:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/days_to_save_whales_loc/?biEWLbb&v=61050

Iceland’s entire fin whaling industry is run by one man, Kristjan Loftsson, but his business is barely breaking even, so if we stop the whale meat from reaching Japan we can sink his profits! Other nations have removed their flag from vessels in response to public pressure over other environmental concerns so we know this can work for the whales. All we need to do is create a scandal and get a delay to make the crossing to Japan impossible.

Japanese whalers plan to resume “scientific” whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary despite widespread opposition, and St. Kitts and Nevis votes in support of Japan’s “research” at the International Whaling Commission. If we take them out of the equation now we can strike a deadly blow to both Icelandic and Japanese whaling at the same time!

Pressure has been mounting globally and nationally to stop the Icelandic whalers. This could be a turning point for the whales. Together we have the power to turn the International Whaling Commission into the International Whale Conservation Commission. And we can get started by stopping this year’s harpooning and this whale meat shipment! Sign the urgent petition now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/days_to_save_whales_loc/?biEWLbb&v=61050

We know our voices work! Following our 1 million strong petition in 2013, the Dutch government blocked Iceland’s whale meat shipments docking in the Netherlands. And together with Greenpeace, our community managed to get fin whale meat sent back to Iceland from Germany. Since then major shipping companies announced they would never ship whale meat again. We’re making it harder and harder for this industry to make a profit. Let’s shut it down for good!With hope,

Lisa, Danny, Alice, Ricken, Mel, Nick, Rewan and the whole Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Iceland sends shipment of 1,700 tonnes of whale meat to Japan (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/05/iceland-sends-shipment-of-1700-tonnes-of-whale-meat-to-japan.

Desperate whalers go north (Greenpeace)
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/whale-meat-iceland/blog/53241/

The Winter Bay (Vessel Fider – shows where the ship carrying the whale meat is and which country is registering it)
https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/WINTER-BAY-IMO-8601680-MMSI-341433000

Japan to resume whaling hunt despite IWC warning (AFP)
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/japan-resume-whaling-hunt-despite-iwc-warning-105354478.html#ohHmAJ1