Monthly Archives: February 2018

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

FACT CHECK ~ Progress Report


CPAC: Trump spoke for nearly 1.5 hours at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Here’s just a few of the lies he told.
  • Guns: The president wants teachers to be armed to stop gun violence. But armed citizens rarely successfully intervene to stop an active shooter.
  • Economy: Trump claims to be savings thousands of jobs across the U.S. But hundreds of workers continued to get laid off, like at Carrier.
  • Taxes: He told the crowd that everyone was benefiting from the tax bill. But 83 percent of the benefits will ultimately go to the richest 1 percent.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the senate Feb 26 -28th CONGRESS the house 2018


February 28, 2018 Wrap Up for Wednesday, February 28, 2018
February 27, 2018 Wrap Up for Tuesday, February 27, 2018
February 26, 2018 Wrap Up for Monday, February 26, 2018

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House Activity 2/27

10:00:12 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:26 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul Mitchell to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:35 A.M. MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 11:00 a.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:49:55 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess for a period of less than 15 minutes.
11:00:04 A.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.
11:00:18 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Chaplain Robert Vick, American Legion National Chaplain, New Port Richey, FL.
11:02:02 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
11:02:03 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Gianforte to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:02:22 A.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
11:18:12 A.M. Mr. Collins (GA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, it adjourn to meet at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Agreed to without objection.
11:18:14 A.M. Mr. Collins (GA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, March 1, 2018, it adjourn to meet on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. for morning-hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
11:18:47 A.M. H. Res. 748 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 748 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1865) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify that section 230 of such Act does not prohibit the enforcement against providers and users of interactive computer services of Federal and State criminal and civil law relating to sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking, and for other purposes.”
11:20:06 A.M. H. Res. 748 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 748.
11:47:20 A.M. H. Res. 748 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 748, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Slaughter demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.
11:48:01 A.M. H. Res. 747 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 747 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4296) to place requirements on operational risk capital requirements for banking organizations established by an appropriate Federal banking agency, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4607) to amend the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 to ensure that Federal financial regulators perform a comprehensive review of regulations to identify outdated or otherwise unnecessary regulatory requirements imposed on covered persons, and for other purposes.”
11:50:26 A.M. H. Res. 747 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 747.
12:27:02 P.M. H. Res. 747 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 747, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.
12:28:15 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 February 27, 2018 at 9:24 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 103 and H. Con. Res. 104.
12:28:26 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
1:07:29 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.
1:07:34 P.M. PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION – Mr. Thompson (CA) was recognized to offer a privileged resolution subsequent to the foregoing notification.
1:08:00 P.M. A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE – Mr. Thompson (CA) was recognized to be heard on the question of whether his resolution constituted a point of privilege. Subsequently, the Chair ruled that the resolution did not constitute a point of privilege.
1:12:10 P.M. Mr. Thompson (CA) appealed the ruling of the Chair.
1:13:09 P.M. Mr. Burgess moved to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair.
1:38:14 P.M. On Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 184 (Roll no. 83).
1:38:51 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H. Res. 747 and H. Res. 748, both of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
1:39:05 P.M. H. Res. 748 Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 748 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1865) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify that section 230 of such Act does not prohibit the enforcement against providers and users of interactive computer services of Federal and State criminal and civil law relating to sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking, and for other purposes.”
1:46:26 P.M. H. Res. 748 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 184 (Roll no. 84).
1:53:20 P.M. H. Res. 748 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 235 – 175 (Roll no. 85).
1:53:22 P.M. H. Res. 748 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:53:28 P.M. H. Res. 747 Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 747 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4296) to place requirements on operational risk capital requirements for banking organizations established by an appropriate Federal banking agency, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4607) to amend the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 to ensure that Federal financial regulators perform a comprehensive review of regulations to identify outdated or otherwise unnecessary regulatory requirements imposed on covered persons, and for other purposes.”
2:00:18 P.M. H. Res. 747 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 185 (Roll no. 86).
2:06:40 P.M. H. Res. 747 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 230 – 177 (Roll no. 87).
2:06:42 P.M. H. Res. 747 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:06:55 P.M. H. Con. Res. 106 Mr. Harper asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
2:06:58 P.M. H. Con. Res. 106 Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 106 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the members of the Office of Strategic Services.”
2:08:14 P.M. H. Con. Res. 106 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
2:08:16 P.M. H. Con. Res. 106 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:09:06 P.M. H.R. 1865 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 748. H.R. 1865 — “To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify that section 230 of such Act does not prohibit the enforcement against providers and users of interactive computer services of Federal and State criminal and civil law relating to sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking, and for other purposes.”
2:09:11 P.M. H.R. 1865 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1865. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1865 under a structured rule with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary printed in the bill. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
2:09:27 P.M. H.R. 1865 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 748 and Rule XVIII.
2:09:28 P.M. H.R. 1865 The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2:10:09 P.M. H.R. 1865 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1865.
3:06:54 P.M. H.R. 1865 An amendment, offered by Mr. Goodlatte, numbered 1 printed in House Report 115-583 to make technical changes to the bill, add ‘attempt’ language that had been inadvertently omitted, clarify that only sex trafficking victims may recover restitution, and permit the existing affirmative defense to be raised in cases where a defendant is being prosecuted under subsection 2421A(b)(1).
3:08:15 P.M. H.R. 1865 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 748, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Goodlatte amendment No. 1.
3:10:25 P.M. H.R. 1865 On agreeing to the Goodlatte amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:10:43 P.M. H.R. 1865 An amendment, offered by Mrs. Walters, Mimi, numbered 2 printed in House Report 115-583 to allow enforcement of criminal and civil sex trafficking laws against websites that knowingly facilitate online sex trafficking.
3:11:20 P.M. H.R. 1865 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 748, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mrs. Mimi Walters (CA) amendment No. 2.
3:23:00 P.M. H.R. 1865 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Mimi Walters amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Lofgren demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3:23:27 P.M. H.R. 1865 An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee, numbered 3 printed in House Report 115-583 to request a GAO study of: (1) civil damages claimed and awarded in civil actions where the claimant alleges the defendant promoted or facilitated the prostitution of five or more people, or acted in reckless disregard of the fact that their conduct contributed to sex trafficking, filed pursuant to 18 USC 2421A(c); and (2) mandatory restitution requested and orders imposed by courts where a defendant is convicted of using or operating a facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce with intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another, promoted or facilitated the prostitution of five or more people, or acted in reckless disregard of the fact that their conduct contributed to sex trafficking, pursuant to 18 USC 2421A(d).
3:23:32 P.M. H.R. 1865 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 748, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 3.
3:33:12 P.M. H.R. 1865 On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:33:22 P.M. H.R. 1865 Mrs. Roby moved that the Committee rise.
3:33:33 P.M. H.R. 1865 On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:33:42 P.M. H.R. 1865 Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1865 as unfinished business.
3:34:41 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:35:55 P.M. H.R. 5078 Mr. Hill moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5078 — “To amend the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to modify requirements related to mortgage disclosures, and for other purposes.”
3:36:02 P.M. H.R. 5078 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:36:03 P.M. H.R. 5078 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5078.
3:50:43 P.M. H.R. 5078 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:50:45 P.M. H.R. 5078 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:51:52 P.M. H.R. 4296 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 747. H.R. 4296 — “To place requirements on operational risk capital requirements for banking organizations established by an appropriate Federal banking agency.”
3:51:57 P.M. H.R. 4296 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4296 and H.R. 4607. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4296 and H.R. 4607 under closed rules with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services for each measure.
3:53:41 P.M. H.R. 4296 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4296.
4:53:49 P.M. H.R. 4296 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:54:23 P.M. H.R. 4296 Ms. Waters, Maxine moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Financial Services.
4:54:46 P.M. H.R. 4296 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waters(CA) 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 add an exemption to the underlying bill for any global systematically important bank holding company or subsidiary that has engaged in a pattern or practice of unsafe or unsound banking practices related to consumer harm.
5:02:22 P.M. H.R. 4296 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:30:00 P.M. H.R. 4296 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 185 – 228 (Roll no. 88).
5:38:52 P.M. H.R. 4296 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 – 169 (Roll no. 89).
5:38:53 P.M. H.R. 4296 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:38:57 P.M. H.R. 1865 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1865 — “To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify that section 230 of such Act does not prohibit the enforcement against providers and users of interactive computer services of Federal and State criminal and civil law relating to sexual exploitation of children or sex trafficking, and for other purposes.”
5:39:07 P.M. H.R. 1865 The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
5:39:11 P.M. H.R. 1865 UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of an amendment which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:47:19 P.M. H.R. 1865 On agreeing to the Walters, Mimi amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 308 – 107 (Roll no. 90).
5:47:50 P.M. H.R. 1865 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1865.
5:48:00 P.M. H.R. 1865 The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
5:48:26 P.M. H.R. 1865 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
6:00:15 P.M. H.R. 1865 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 388 – 25 (Roll no. 91).
6:00:16 P.M. H.R. 1865 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:00:55 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:26:40 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:02:07 P.M. Mr. Green, Al moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:02:22 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:02:23 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on March 1, 2018.

House Activity 2/26

12:00:00 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:08 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Dan Newhouse to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:02:10 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.
12:20:44 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 February 26.
2:00:07 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Vincent DeRosa, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Washington, DC
2:01:15 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:17 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. McCollum to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:01:39 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:17 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 4:45 p.m. today.
4:47:51 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 26.
4:48:02 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:48:16 P.M. S. 772 Mr. Biggs moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. S. 772 — “To amend the PROTECT Act to make Indian tribes eligible for AMBER Alert grants.”
4:48:35 P.M. S. 772 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:48:37 P.M. S. 772 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 772.
4:58:57 P.M. S. 772 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:58:59 P.M. S. 772 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:00:00 P.M. H.R. 767 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 767 — “To establish the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training pilot program to address human trafficking in the health care system.”
5:00:15 P.M. H.R. 767 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:00:18 P.M. H.R. 767 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 767.
5:09:29 P.M. H.R. 767 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:09:31 P.M. H.R. 767 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:10:01 P.M. H.R. 880 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 880 — “To amend the Public Health Service Act to facilitate assignment of military trauma care providers to civilian trauma centers in order to maintain military trauma readiness and to support such centers, and for other purposes.”
5:10:05 P.M. H.R. 880 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:10:06 P.M. H.R. 880 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 880.
5:21:23 P.M. H.R. 880 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:21:30 P.M. H.R. 880 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:21:33 P.M. H.R. 1222 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1222— “To amend the Public Health Service Act to coordinate Federal congenital heart disease research efforts and to improve public education and awareness of congenital heart disease, and for other purposes.”
5:21:48 P.M. H.R. 1222 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:21:51 P.M. H.R. 1222 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1222.
5:35:19 P.M. H.R. 1222 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.
5:35:35 P.M. H.R. 2410 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2410 — “To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a sickle cell disease prevention and treatment demonstration program and to provide for sickle cell disease research, surveillance, prevention, and treatment.”
5:35:50 P.M. H.R. 2410 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:35:52 P.M. H.R. 2410 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2410.
5:48:09 P.M. H.R. 2410 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:48:11 P.M. H.R. 2410 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:48:15 P.M. H.R. 2422 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2422— “To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve essential oral health care for low-income and other underserved individuals by breaking down barriers to care, and for other purposes.”
5:48:27 P.M. H.R. 2422 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:48:28 P.M. H.R. 2422 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2422.
5:56:12 P.M. H.R. 2422 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.
5:56:35 P.M. H. Res. 443 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Res. 443 — “Recognizing the importance and effectiveness of trauma-informed care.”
5:56:48 P.M. H. Res. 443 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:56:52 P.M. H. Res. 443 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 443.
6:07:45 P.M. H. Res. 443 On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
6:07:51 P.M. H. Res. 443 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:07:58 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:31:11 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 26.
6:31:16 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on motions to suspend the rules, which were debate earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:35 P.M. H.R. 1222 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1222 — “To amend the Public Health Service Act to coordinate Federal congenital heart disease research efforts and to improve public education and awareness of congenital heart disease, and for other purposes.”
6:56:36 P.M. H.R. 1222 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 – 7 (Roll no. 81).
6:56:37 P.M. H.R. 1222 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:58:06 P.M. MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the attack in Parkland, FL.
7:00:49 P.M. NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Mr. Thompson (CA) was recognized to give notice of his intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House and proceeded to present the form of a resolution. Subsequently, under rule IX, the Chair announced that a resolution offered from the floor by a Member other than the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader as a question of the privileges of the House has immediate precedence only at a time designated by the Chair within two legislative days after the resolution is properly noticed.
7:05:22 P.M. H.R. 2422 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2422 — “To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve essential oral health care for low-income and other underserved individuals by breaking down barriers to care, and for other purposes.”
7:14:08 P.M. H.R. 2422 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 – 13 (Roll no. 82).
7:14:09 P.M. H.R. 2422 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:14:20 P.M. Mr. Collins (GA) filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 747 and H. Res. 748.
7:15:51 P.M. Mr. Collins (GA) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Monday, February 26, 2018, it adjourn to meet on February 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. for morning-hour debate and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
7:16:52 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:36:37 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:59:41 P.M. Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:59:53 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:59:54 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 27, 2018.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

that surcharge doesn’t belong on your check!


We are Working Washington

min wage service charge

There is no such thing as the “Seattle Fair Wage Act.” There is no such thing as a “WA Min Wage Fee.” And yet so-called “minimum wage surcharges” with misleading names like this are showing up on receipts across the state.

We can bring this practice to an end — with your support. We recently sent a letter to the state Department of Labor & Industries asking them to use their authority to make these misleading surcharges a thing of the past. More than 1,300 people have already added their names & their comments to back us up. If you haven’t signed on yet, you can do it here:

ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR LETTER TO L&I

In our letter, we’re asking L&I to clarify that:

  • Service charges can never pose as taxes or government-mandated fees.
  • Any surcharges that include the word “wage” or similar language are forbidden, because they will invariably be interpreted as intended to count towards employees’ wages, and that would be illegal under state law.
  • Workers must be made whole for service charges which inappropriately were counted towards wage obligations, as this is effectively wage theft.

Taken together, these three rules would effectively eliminate misleading minimum wage surcharges.

And that’s the way it should be, because paying the minimum wage is a basic cost of doing business, not an extra add-on to be counted separately. If there’s no line item for the rent and no napkin-laundering charge called out, then there’s no good reason to tack on an extra few percent and attribute it to the minimum wage. It just might violate state law too, which clearly states that this kind of charge cannot be counted towards an employee’s wage.

ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR LETTER!

After you add your name, we’ll deliver your signatures to L&I — and we’ll let you know how they respond.

Thanks — let’s do this!

— Working Washington

 

P.S. You can read our complete letter to L&I here.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Doughnut holes, prescription drugs, and C


Prescription pills and money

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, you might have heard of the “doughnut hole” – the coverage gap in Medicare that pushes higher prescription drug payments onto seniors. Luckily, February’s budget deal closes that gap in 2019, earlier than expected, but pharmaceutical companies are still raking in the profits on high-cost prescription drugs.

AARP needs your help to motivate Congress to take action.  

Friends,  share your story – How do prescription drug costs impact you and your loved ones?

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Keep fracked gas out of Washington State today!


Washington Chapter
Dear Friends,

Stop the World’s Largest Methanol Refinery! Keep Fracked Gas Out of Washington!
No Methanol Bellevue March- small for emails
Take Action

Fossil fuel companies are still trying to build the world’s largest fracked gas to methanol refinery, right here in Washington state. The refinery, proposed for the banks of the Columbia River in Kalama, would produce more than 6 million tons of greenhouse gases, equivalent to 1.3 million cars. Its enormous demand for fracked gas would create the rationale to build even more dangerous gas pipeline capacity up and down the I-5 corridor, allowing more fracked gas projects in our communities.

Permitting agencies are accepting public comments until March 1st. Submit yours now! 

This single refinery would use more gas than all power plants in Washington combined, rationalizing gas pipeline expansions down the I-5 Corridor, which would endanger our communities with air pollution, potential explosions and eminent domain. It would take fracked gas from Canada, refine it to methanol and ship it to China to either manufacture plastics or be used as fuel. The refinery itself bears high risk of explosion and chemical spillage in the Columbia River, endangering our already dwindling salmon populations.  

Don’t let the evergreen state contribute to fracking across the continent! Submit your comment today!

Last year, this project came dangerously close to becoming fully permitted, until the Sierra Club and our partners won a major legal victory, forcing project backers to complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) that includes the impacts of fracking, gas transportation, and consumption. Permitting agencies are currently accepting public comment to determine the breadth and depth of this SEIS.

This methanol refinery- by requiring new gas pipeline infrastructure- will open the floodgates for fracked gas usage and refining in Washington. Submit your comment and stop this refinery today!

Over the past decade Washington state has been flooded with proposals for new fossil fuel infrastructure, and with your help, none of them have been built. Let’s make sure this one fails too!

Thank you for all you do to protect Washington’s environment!
Sincerely,
Cecile Gernez
Conservation Organizer
Sierra Club Washington State Chapter
PS: Be sure to take action today and share this petition on  Facebook! 

To learn more about the work of the Sierra Club Washington Chapter, visit our website and our Facebook page.