The Senate stands adjourned to convene for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times: Friday, August 4th at 9:45am; Tuesday, August 8th at 12:30pm; Friday, August 11th at 3:30pm; Tuesday, August 15th at 4:30pm; Friday, August 18th at 10:00am MORE

Friday, August 25^th at 11:30am;

Tuesday, August 29^th at 2:30pm; and

Friday, September 1^st 3:00pm.

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, it will next convene at 3:00pm on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

*********************************************************************

Last Floor Action:
11:02:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on August 29, 2017.

House Activity 8/25/2014

11:00:45 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:00:52 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Billy Long to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:01:08 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Vincent De Rosa St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Washington, D.C.
11:02:06 A.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
11:02:29 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:02:41 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on August 29, 2017.

House Activity 8/22/2017

9:00:08 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:21 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Bob Goodlatte to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:44 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. William Gurnee, St. Josephs on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.
9:01:43 A.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
9:01:55 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:40 A.M.		Health Information Technology Advisory Committee – Pursuant to section 4003(e) of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), the Democratic Leader appointed Mr. Arien Malec of Oakland, CA.
9:02:55 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on August 25, 2017.

House Activity 8/18/2017

10:00:01 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:14 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Jim Banks to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:33 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, Retired Chaplain, U.S. Navy, Washington, D.C.
10:02:13 A.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
10:02:23 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:47 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on August 22, 2017.

House Activity 8/15/2017

9:30:06 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:30:27 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael C. Burgess to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:30:42 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
9:31:11 A.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
9:31:48 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:32:41 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 18, 2017.

House Activity convenes 8/11/2017

9:00:33 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:49 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Scott Perry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:02 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Alisa Lasater Wailoo, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Washington, DC
9:01:40 A.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
9:03:20 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Comstock to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:04:09 A.M.	H.R. 2288	Mrs. Comstock asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s Table and agree to the Senate amendment.
9:04:38 A.M.	H.R. 2288	On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
9:04:39 A.M.	H.R. 2288	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:04:58 A.M.	H.R. 339	Mrs. Comstock asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s Table and agree to the Senate amendment.
9:05:21 A.M.	H.R. 339	On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
9:05:22 A.M.	H.R. 339	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:07:59 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on August 15, 2017.

House Activity 8/8/2017

11:00:43 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:00:48 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Billy Long to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:00:49 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Scott W. Wilson, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC
11:00:50 A.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
11:01:26 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:01:36 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 August 4, 2017, at 3:15 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.J. Res. 76.
11:02:55 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on August 11, 2017.

House Activity 8/4/2017

1:00:02 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
1:00:21 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
1:00:51 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Roger L. Story, National Childrens Prayer Congress, Washington, DC.
1:02:23 P.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – Pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 481, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
1:02:39 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1:03:41 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 August 1, 2017, at 1:37 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to return the papers to the House at their request, H.J. Res. 76.
1:04:43 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 August 2, 2017, at 12:40 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 860, S. 190, S. 178, concurred in the House amendments to S. 114, and passed S. 582, S. 717, H.R. 2210, without amendment, H.R. 510, without amendment, H.R. 2288, with an amendment, H.R. 339, with an amendment, and H.R. 601, with amendments.
1:04:57 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 August 3, 2017, at 9:22 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 829, S. 81, S. 1282, and H.R. 3218, without amendment. Appointments: Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.
1:05:15 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 August 3, 2017, at 2:02 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 581, S. 1052, S. 204, and H.R. 2430, without amendment.
1:06:20 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 August 3, 2017, at 4:23 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 765.
1:06:23 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 August 3, 2017, at 4:54 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1616.
1:07:26 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 August 4, 2017, at 9:53 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 19, S. 96, S. 174, S. 134, S. 123, S. 88, S. 1182, S. 756, S. 1617, and agreed to S. Con. Res. 15, and passed S. 1141, S. 810, H.R. 374, without amendment, and H.R. 873, without amendment.
1:07:51 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 August 4, 2017, at 12:13 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1099.
1:08:56 P.M.	H.J. Res. 76	ENGROSSMENT CORRECTION – Unanimous consent was granted for the Clerk to make changes in the engrossment of H.J. Res. 76 that was placed at the desk. Agreed to without objection.
1:09:26 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 481. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on August 8, 2017.

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[Apply Now] Be a Part of the Movement. Join Us in Pittsburgh.

08/14/2017 Nativegrl77

Watch a special panel with Vice President Gore and four Climate Reality Leaders.

My new film, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, was recently released in theaters across the United States. For two years, camera crews accompanied me around the world to visit areas greatly impacted by the climate crisis. From the melting ice sheets of Greenland to the flooded streets of Miami Beach, I saw time and time again how Mother Nature is calling out to remind us what will happen if we don’t take climate action now. And in places like the city of Georgetown, TX, which is moving to 100 percent renewable electricity, I also saw that so many have the will to step up and fight.

That’s why it’s imperative that we all do our part to protect our shared home. I’ve had the great privilege of personally training over 12,000 climate activists as part of our Climate Reality Leadership Corps program, which I’m happy to say is showcased in An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. These activists have shown me what can happen when citizens take a stand, and every day, I’m amazed at their commitment and courage in educating their communities about the climate crisis and empowering them to take action.

Today, I’m excited to announce that we’ll be training our next group of activists at our 36th Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from October 17-19, with support from the Heinz Endowments.

We’re at a critical moment in our movement’s history. In An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, you’ll also see what was happening behind the scenes at the UNFCCC’s COP 21, where 195 countries and parties agreed to the Paris Agreement. While nearly every other nation on Earth has committed to ending the climate crisis, the White House recently submitted its intention to withdraw the United States from the historic accord. This decision undermines America’s standing as a leader in the world and threatens to damage humanity’s ability to solve the climate crisis in time.

Make no mistake: if President Trump won’t lead, the American people will. We see this at every one of our Climate Reality Leadership Corps trainings – and we’ll see it again in Pittsburgh – where everyday activists commit to creating a better tomorrow for our planet.

Friends, learn how you can make a difference in your community and apply to join us at our next Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Pittsburgh from October 17-19.

My friends, it’s time to be inconvenient – our world depends on it.

With hope and gratitude,

Al Gore
Founder and Chairman
The Climate Reality Project

PS. Click here for your chance to take home a signed copy of my new companion book to An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

WA farmworkers fired for striking after coworker’s death

08/13/2017 Nativegrl77

We are Working Washington

We often write you about the big issues facing workers across Washington. Today, I’m writing to make sure you heard this important story about a group of workers who are often overlooked: the thousands of farmworkers who pick berries and harvest vegetables all over our state.

Honesto Silva Ibarra was a 28-year-old father of three from Mexico who was working as a blueberry picker in Sumas, Washington — a small town in Whatcom County, just south of the Canadian border.

Honesto died on Sunday at Harborview Medical Center. According to his coworkers, before he was hospitalized, his supervisor at Sarbanand Farms ignored his complaints about headaches, telling him to return to work in the fields rather than providing him with medical care.

Honesto was one of about 15,000 farmworkers in Washington state on a temporary work visa this year — the H-2A visa, which allows workers to stay in the U.S. for short periods of time while performing seasonal farm work.

Dozens of Honesto’s coworkers went on strike last Friday, protesting his treatment as well as the alleged lack of healthy food, cold water, and fair working conditions on the farm. But when they returned to work on Saturday, they say they were immediately fired — and not only that, they were kicked out of their legally mandated farmworker housing. Left without homes or valid work visas to transfer elsewhere, more than 70 farmworkers are now sleeping in tents on a community member’s lawn while they decide what to do next.

Click here to share the story on Facebook or Twitter, and then donate what you can so we can send supplies the farmworkers have requested to the encampment.

This week, farmworkers have been coordinating with local organizations Community to Community Development and Familias Unidas por La Justicia to get food, tents, and other supplies for the encampment from community members, and to set up marches to fight back against Sarbanand’s unfair treatment of workers.

Honesto’s story reveals a lot more than a single injustice against a single worker. Other workers at Sarbanand report being threatened with being sent back to Mexico if they complain about their conditions, and being discouraged from taking sick days. Farmworkers are frequently the target of inhumane employers, and many immigrant workers fear the consequences of raising health and safety concerns with employers.

That’s why it’s vital that we in Washington support all workers across our state — including temporary agricultural workers like Honesto and his coworkers.

Share the Sumas farmworkers’ story on Facebook and Twitter to make sure your friends & family hear this important story from some of our state’s most targeted workers.

And if you want to support the encampment of Sarbanand farmworkers who were fired, click here to donate so we can send them supplies like tents, sleeping bags, and food.

Thank you,
Emily, Working Washington

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Trump dishonors vets who died fighting Nazis and Confederacy

08/13/2017 Nativegrl77

I am a Marine, an Iraq War Veteran, and most importantly, an American. And I reject and condemn any and all forms of white supremacy, Nazism, and fascism.

With the exception of the parts about serving his country, I can’t for the life of me understand why that is so difficult for Donald Trump to say.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans gave their lives fighting the hateful ideologies that fueled yesterday’s protests and subsequent violence in Virginia. The president dishonors their memories with his “many sides” response to yesterday’s domestic terrorist attack.

We are going to fight this president tooth and nail. We are going to elevate the voices of veterans who are willing to speak out against his domestic policies, his foreign policy, and his hateful ideology. But we can’t do it alone:

Chip in $3 to VoteVets today to help us continue to lead the fight against Donald Trump and his policies that move our nation backward and put American lives at risk.

I watched in horror as people were walking around Virginia yesterday wearing MAGA hats, waving Nazi flags, and carrying assaults weapons. In broad daylight. We have to be better than this, but as long as Donald Trump is president, I fear we will not be.

If Trump really wanted to Make America Great Again, he’d take the first and most important step toward that goal: he’d resign today.

Will Fischer
Iraq War Veteran and Director of Government Relations
VoteVets

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4 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults

08/13/2017 Nativegrl77

FDA Consumer Health Information

As you age, you can be more at risk for drug interactions. And the way your body handles medicines can change. So if you (or your loved ones) are taking prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations, or supplements, consider these four safety tips.