February | 2017 | Be a Seed for Change

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Wrap Up for Friday, February 3, 2017

Feb 3, ’17 1:30 PM

Roll Call Votes Passage of H.J.Res.41, SEC Resource Extraction Resolution of Disapproval; adopted: 52-47. Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education; invoked: 52-48. Legislative Business Passed S.305: to amend title 4, United States Code, to encourage the display of the flag of the United States on…

Wrap Up for Thursday, February 2, 2017

Feb 2, ’17 8:06 PM

Roll Call Votes Passage of H.J.Res.38 (Stream Protection Rule Resolution of Disapproval); agreed to: 54-45. Motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General; agreed to: 53-45. Motion to proceed to Legislative Session; agreed to: 51-47. Motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider Thomas Price to be Secretary of…

Wrap Up for Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Feb 1, ’17 9:26 PM

Roll Call Votes Confirmation of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State; confirmed: 56-43. Motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote on confirmation of the Tillerson nomination; agreed to: 55-43. Motion to proceed to Legislative Session; agreed to: 53-44. Shall the Journal stand approved to date; agreed to: 54-44. Motion to proceed to…

9:00:16 A.M.	House Activity Feb. 3, 2017	The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:20 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:50 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. Hultgren 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. Hultgren objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day. The point of no quorum was considered withdrawn.
9:02:15 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Garamendi to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:16 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 February 3, 2017 at 8:11 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.J. Res. 41.
9:03:03 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.
9:17:31 A.M.	H.J. Res. 36	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 74. H.J. Res. 36 — “Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to “Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation”.”
9:17:36 A.M.	H.J. Res. 36	Both resolutions are closed to amendments. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on each resolution, and provides for one motion to recommit on each resolution.
9:18:18 A.M.	H.J. Res. 36	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 36.
10:10:42 A.M.	H.J. Res. 36	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:35:27 A.M.	H.J. Res. 36	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 – 191 (Roll no. 78).
10:35:29 A.M.	H.J. Res. 36	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:35:35 A.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and the question was put de novo.
10:35:48 A.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
10:43:48 A.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in colloquy on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
11:19:09 A.M.		Mr. McCarthy asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, February 3, 2017, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, February 6, 2017 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
11:19:48 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:39:24 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:36:55 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:36:57 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
12:36:59 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on February 6, 2017.

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Every worker’s dream is to enjoy a secure retirement. Social Security is here to secure today and tomorrow. Part of that commitment is ensuring you have the most up-to-date information when you make your retirement decisions.

As the bells ring in the New Year, they also bring changes for new Social Security retirement beneficiaries. Full retirement age is 66 and two months for people born 01/02/1955 through 01/01/1956. They are eligible to receive permanently reduced retirement benefits when they turn 62 in 2017.

Full retirement age is the age at which a person first becomes entitled to full (unreduced) retirement benefits. It had been 65 for many years. However, beginning with people born in 1938 that age has been gradually increasing until it reaches 67 for people born in 1960 and later.

As the full retirement age continues to increase, there are greater reductions in benefits if you claim them before you reach full retirement age. For example, if you apply for benefits in 2017 at age 62, your monthly benefit amount will be reduced nearly 26 percent.

You can find your full retirement age, along with other important information, on our website.

Some things you must remember when you’re thinking about retirement:

You may start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be.
Your monthly benefits are reduced permanently if you start them any time before full retirement age.
If you die, your retirement date can affect the payment to your surviving widow or widower. If you started receiving retirement benefits before full retirement age, we cannot pay your surviving spouse their full retirement age benefit amount. We base their benefit on the amount of your reduced benefits.
If you elect to receive benefits before you reach full retirement age, you should understand how continuing to work affects your benefits.

You can learn more by reading our publication, When to Start Receiving Benefits or visiting our Retirement Planner.