All posts by Nativegrl77

Croatia: Tourism And Ecosystems Fret As Offshore Drilling Rushed


inavukic's avatarCroatia, the War, and the Future

Pristine Croatian Coast Pristine Croatian Coast (Click photo to enlarge)

Millions of tourists visit the beautiful Adriatic coast of Croatia every year and indeed are the ones to whom Croatian economy, no matter how deeply in tatters, owes much gratitude. However, the current government’s increasing acceleration and rush to get going with offshore drilling looking for oil and gas speaks of the government’s path to destroy one successful industry – tourism – in order to gamble with another: oil and gas production. The Croatian government keeps saying that there could be oil and gas deposits in its part of the Adriatic worth billions of Euro and, if so, these could turn Croatia into a major energy heavyweight country that could be crucial in reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian energy imports.

Few weeks ago the Croatian government awarded 10 licences for hydrocarbon exploration and drilling in the Adriatic to three consortia, which together paid…

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the Senate ~~ CONGRESS ~~ the House


redpeacesign

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Friday, February 27, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.240, DHS appropriations.

Prior to adjourning, Senator McConnell yielded back all post-cloture debate time and the motion to proceed to H.R.240, DHS appropriations, was agreed to. Senator McConnell then offered Cochran amendment #255 (clean DHS funding), filled the amendment tree with technical amendments, and filed cloture on the underlying bill. He then moved to proceed to S.534 (Collins immigration bill) and filed cloture on the motion. By consent, notwithstanding Rule 22,  at approximately 10:10am the Senate will proceed to a series of roll call votes including the following:

Approximately 10:10am—4 roll call votes:

  1. Cloture on H.R.240, DHS appropriations
  2. Adoption of  Cochran amendment #255
  3. Passage of H.R.240, Department of Homeland Security appropriations
  4. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.534, a bill to prohibit funds from being used to carry out certain Executive actions related to immigration and for other purposes.

Senator Lee may also move to table one of the tree filler amendments in an effort to offer an amendment.

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Friday, February 27, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.240, DHS appropriations.

Prior to adjourning, Senator McConnell yielded back all post-cloture debate time and the motion to proceed to H.R.240, DHS appropriations, was agreed to. Senator McConnell then offered Cochran amendment #255 (clean DHS funding), filled the amendment tree with technical amendments, and filed cloture on the underlying bill. He then moved to proceed to S.534 (Collins immigration bill) and filed cloture on the motion. By consent, notwithstanding Rule 22,  at approximately 10:10am the Senate will proceed to a series of roll call votes including the following:

Approximately 10:10am—4 roll call votes:

  1. Cloture on H.R.240, DHS appropriations
  2. Adoption of  Cochran amendment #255
  3. Passage of H.R.240, Department of Homeland Security appropriations
  4. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.534, a bill to prohibit funds from being used to carry out certain Executive actions related to immigration and for other purposes.

Senator Lee may also move to table one of the tree filler amendments in an effort to offer an amendment.

10:02am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R.240, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2015;

Invoked: 68-31.

Next:

 

–10 minutes of debate for Lee–

  1. Possible Lee motion to table one of the tree filler amendments
  2. Adoption of  Cochran-Mikulski-Shaheen amendment #255 (clean DHS funding)
  3. Passage of H.R.240, Department of Homeland Security appropriations

–2 minutes for debate equally divided–

  1. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.534, a bill to prohibit funds from being used to carry out certain Executive actions related to immigration and for other purposes.

Cloture was invoked on H.R.240, DHS appropriations, by a vote of 68-31.

 

Senator Lee asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendments so that he can offer amendment #265 (prohibit funding for certain executive memoranda on immigration). Senator Reid objected.

 

Senator Lee moved to table McConnell amendment #258.

10:35am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the Lee motion to table McConnell amendment #258 (date change);

Not Agreed To: 34-65

10:52am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on adoption of the Cochran-Mikulski-Shaheen amendment #255 (clean DHS funding).

Adopted: 66-33

11:10am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Passage of H.R.240, as amended.

Passed: 68-31

11:28am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.534, a bill to prohibit funds from being used to carry out certain Executive actions related to immigration and for other purposes.

Not Agreed To: 57-42

 

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the Chair while we await House action on DHS appropriations.

The Senate passed H.R.33, as amended with a substitute amendment (SA#268) that contains a 7 day CR to fund the Department of Homeland Security through March 6, 2015.

 

The House Message with respect to H.R.240, Department of Homeland Security appropriations, was laid before the Senate.

 

We expect Senator McConnell to file cloture at 3:30pm on Monday, March 2 on the consolidated motion to go to conference. Under the expedited rule for going to conference, once cloture has been filed, there would be 2 hours for debate equally divided prior to a cloture vote. That would result in a cloture vote at 5:30pm on Monday (60 vote threshold) and, if cloture is invoked, an immediate vote on the motion (majority vote threshold).

 

The consolidated motion to go to conference includes the following motions:

 

  • Motion to insist upon the Senate amendment;
  • Motion to agree to a request by the House for a committee of conferees; and
  • Motion to authorize the Presiding Officer to appoint conferees.

 

The next vote is expected at 5:30pm on Monday, which will be a cloture vote on the motion to agree to the House request to go to a conference on the DHS appropriations bill.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Cloture on H.R.240, DHS appropriations; invoked: 68-31.
  2. Lee motion to table McConnell amendment #258; not agreed to: 34-65.
  3. Adoption of  Cochran-Mikulski-Shaheen amendment #255 (clean DHS funding); adopted: 66-33.
  4. Passage of H.R.240, as amended; passed: 68-31.
  5. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.534, a bill to prohibit funds from being used to carry out certain Executive actions related to immigration and for other purposes; not invoked: 57-42.

Legislative Business

Passed H.R.33, with substitute amendment: DHS CR through Friday, March 6, 2015.

Adopted S.Res.92: designating February 28, 2015, as “Rare Disease Day”.

No Executive Business

===========================================================================

Last Floor Action:
10:04:20 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 2, 2015.

Last Floor Action:
12:51:53 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair

9:00:09 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:14 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:08 A.M. POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) 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. Thompson (PA) 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 a time to be announced.
9:01:42 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Brooks of IN to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:34 A.M. Congressional Budget Office – Pursuant to section 201(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 601), the Speaker and the President pro tempore of the Senate jointly appointed Dr. Homer Keith Hall as Director, effective April 2, 2015, for the term expiring January 3, 2019.
9:02:44 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.
9:19:52 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
9:25:38 A.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.
9:25:43 A.M. H. Res. 129 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 129 — “Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2015, and for other purposes.”
9:26:09 A.M. H. Res. 129 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 129.
10:50:36 A.M. H. Res. 129 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 240 – 183 (Roll no. 100).
10:57:50 A.M. H. Res. 129 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 240 – 183 (Roll no. 101).
10:57:50 A.M. H. Res. 129 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:01:05 A.M. H.J. Res. 35 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 129. H.J. Res. 35 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2015, and for other purposes.”
11:01:10 A.M. H.J. Res. 35 Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 35 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
11:01:51 A.M. H.J. Res. 35 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 35.
11:46:56 A.M. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 240, with an amendment.
11:47:41 A.M. H.J. Res. 35 DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.J. Res. 35.
12:04:50 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:05:13 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, further proceedings on H.J. Res. 35 were postponed.
12:08:02 P.M. H.R. 5 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5 — “To support State and local accountability for public education, protect State and local authority, inform parents of the performance of their children’s schools, and for other purposes.”
12:08:31 P.M. H.R. 5 The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
12:09:26 P.M. H.R. 5 An amendment, offered by Mr. Thompson (MS), numbered 43 printed in Part B of House Report 114-29 to require that the Student Success Act shall not go into effect until the Secretary of Education determines that its enactment will not reduce the college and career readiness of racial or ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, English learners, and low-income students and provides written notification to Congress on such determination.
12:09:28 P.M. H.R. 5 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 125, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (MS) Part B Amendment No. 43.
12:17:16 P.M. H.R. 5 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Thompson (MS) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (MS) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.
12:17:43 P.M. H.R. 5 An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Scott (VA), numbered 44 printed in Part B of House Report 114-29 to repeal H.R. 5 and replace the bill text with a substitute amendment that provides robust funding levels, replaces the outdated, rigid mandates of No Child Left Behind, and maintains civil rights and equity protections that ensure all students graduate from high school college- and career-ready.
12:17:47 P.M. H.R. 5 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 125, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott (VA) Part B Amendment No. 44.
12:50:14 P.M. H.R. 5 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Scott (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.
12:51:08 P.M. H.R. 5 Mr. Kline moved that the Committee now rise.
12:51:24 P.M. H.R. 5 On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.
12:51:34 P.M. H.R. 5 Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5 as unfinished business.
12:51:53 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair. 

2:16:49 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.
2:16:55 P.M. The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 27, 2015 at 12:59 p.m. stating that that body had passed S. 527 and appointment: National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
2:17:52 P.M. H.R. 240 Mr. Carter (TX) moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.
2:18:33 P.M. H.R. 240 The previous question was ordered without objection.
2:44:38 P.M. H.R. 240 On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 191 (Roll no. 102).
2:44:39 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business is the question on agreeing the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:57:14 P.M. H.R. 240 Ms. Roybal-Allard moved that the House instruct conferees.
2:57:40 P.M. On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 186, 1 Present ) (Roll no. 103).
2:58:14 P.M. H.R. 240 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Roybal-Allard motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 240. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to recede from disagreement with the Senate amendment.
4:11:59 P.M. H.R. 240 The previous question was ordered without objection.
4:12:38 P.M. H.R. 240 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Roybal-Allard motion to instruct conferees, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Roybal-Allard demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.
4:13:49 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 Considered as unfinished business. H.J. Res. 35 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2015, and for other purposes.”
4:14:18 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 Ms. Roybal-Allard moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Appropriations.
4:14:44 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Roybal-Allard motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the joint resolution to be reported back to the House with provisions which include funding for the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2015, in line with the bill that passed the Senate instead of the three week extension in the underlying joint resolution.
4:22:41 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 Mr. Rogers (KY) raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Rogers stated that the provisions in the amendment violated the Congressional Budget Act by providing new budget authority. Sustained by the Chair.
4:22:41 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.
5:14:45 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 – 224 (Roll no. 104).
5:14:46 P.M. H.J. Res. 35 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:14:47 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on the motion to instruct conferees to H.R. 240 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:25:05 P.M. H.R. 240 On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 201 – 218 (Roll no. 105).
5:25:06 P.M. H.R. 240 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:25:46 P.M. Committee on Ethics for the 114th Congress – Pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A) of rule X, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015 to serve on investigative subcommittees the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Committee on Ethics for the 114th Congress: Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Collins of GA, Mrs. Comstock, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Katko, Mr. Latta, Mr. Olson, Mr. Ratcliffe and Mrs. Roby.
5:26:25 P.M. Committee on Ethics for the 114th Congress – Pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A) of Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to serve on an investigative subcommittee the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the Committee on Ethics for the 114th Congress: Mr. Carney, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Keating, Mr. Perlmutter, Ms. Sewell of AL, Ms. Speier and Ms. Titus.
5:26:26 P.M. Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress – Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2702, the Minority Leader appointed Mr. John A. Lawrence of Washington, D.C.
5:27:34 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
9:30:16 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 27.
9:31:35 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 received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 27, 2015 at 8:47 p.m.: That the Senate passed with an amendment H.R. 33; and that appointments had been made to the Senate National Security Working Group for the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress.
9:32:24 P.M. H.R. 33 Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
9:32:47 P.M. H.R. 33 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 33.
10:01:00 P.M. H.R. 33 On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 357 – 60 (Roll no. 106).
10:01:01 P.M. H.R. 33 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:03:19 P.M. Mr. LaMalfa asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, February 27, 2015, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, March 2, 2015, for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
10:04:07 P.M. Mr. LaMalfa moved that the House do now adjourn.
10:04:19 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
10:04:20 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 2, 2015.

CPAC: Rhetoric vs. Reality


By

On Inequality, Republicans’ Rhetoric Doesn’t Match Reality

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) kicks off today. CPAC, organized by the American Conservative Union, gives conservative politicians and pundits a platform to push their extreme agenda. This year, as Republicans are establishing their 2016 messaging and trying to distinguish themselves in the crowded GOP primary field, many expected candidates are feigning concern about the country’s working and middle class.

But the same GOP leaders who are now expressing concern about economic inequality have consistently voted against policies aimed at helping our country’s working and middle class. To kick off CPAC, we took a look at five potential candidates for the 2016 GOP primary and compared the rhetoric to the record.

FORMER GOVERNOR JEB BUSH:

GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER:

SENATOR TED CRUZ:

SENATOR MARCO RUBIO:

SENATOR RAND PAUL

BOTTOM LINE: CPAC will give conservative leaders ample opportunity to try to appeal to middle class voters through rhetoric, but their records show clearly that they are less committed to helping create an economy that works for all Americans, and more committed to protecting the interests of the wealthy few.

Progressive Breakfast: A Voice for Workers at the Federal Reserve


 


 

MORNING MESSAGE

Robert Borosage

A Voice for Workers at the Federal ReserveThe Federal Reserve’s Chairwoman Janet Yellen is intimating that it might begin to lift interest rates in the middle of this year. If so, its decisions over the next year could well lock millions of Americans out of the workforce, and insure that wages generally continue to stagnate. That is why it is vital that President Obama act now to nominate someone with a clue about the real conditions of working people in this economy … Progressives should be rallying support for the nomination of a leader like Larry Cohen, the dynamic retiring president of the Communications Workers of America…

Pressure On House GOP To Avert DHS Shutdown

Senate could pass bill to fund Homeland Security today, House prospects unclear. W. Post:“…Boehner repeatedly declined to say Wednesday whether he would take up the Senate’s ‘clean’ bill … Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.), a moderate Republican, defended McConnell and laid blame at the feet of House Republicans … Democrats were happy to twist the knife. ‘There’s trouble in paradise. I don’t understand it,’ said a chuckling Sen. Richard J. Durbin…”

“Boehner and his leadership team are mulling several different options” reports Politico:“One is to approve a one- to two-week stopgap funding bill, alongside a request for a formal negotiation between [House and Senate] … Another alternative House leaders are weighing is to tie DHS funding to the outcome of [the] court fight …”

“Disgruntled right wing keeps Boehner coup talk alive” says The Hill:“While there’s not a coordinated effort yet, chatter of another coup attempt has grown louder now that the Senate is moving to pass a funding bill to avert a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without the immigration riders.”

Obama expects to prevail in court on immigration. AP:“‘People should be gathering up their papers, make sure you can show you are a long standing resident of the United States,’ Obama said at a town hall meeting hosted by the Spanish-language TV network Telemundo. He said immigrants should make sure that by the time the legal issues are sorted out, ‘you are ready to go.’”

Warren Intensifies Fight Against TPP

Sen. Elizabeth Warren takes on TPP in W. Post oped:“Who will benefit from the TPP? … One strong hint is buried in the fine print of the closely guarded draft. The provision, an increasingly common feature of trade agreements, is called ‘Investor-State Dispute Settlement,’ or ISDS. The name may sound mild, but don’t be fooled. Agreeing to ISDS in this enormous new treaty would tilt the playing field in the United States further in favor of big multinational corporations. Worse, it would undermine U.S. sovereignty.”

Politico Magazine’s Zachary Karabell frets Germany will “crash the world economy”:“Instead of easing the language and giving the new Greek government some room to claim that it has honored its election pledges to remove the more onerous conditions of the bailout and attend to the needs of the average Greek citizen, the German-led champions of austerity are seizing on the moment to stand on their antiquated principles, even if those principles result in a Greek exit and untold economic damage.”

Walker Closer To Kneecapping Private Sector Unions

Wisconsin closer to passing anti-union law. NYT:“[Gov.] Walker is now preparing to sign a measure … that would bar unions from requiring workers to pay the equivalent of dues … The State Senate passed the bill, 17 to 15, mostly along party lines, Wednesday night after about eight hours of debate … The State Assembly is expected to take up the measure next week. Where Mr. Walker’s earlier high-profile strike against labor cut collective bargaining rights for most public-sector unions, this one is aimed at workers in the private sector.”

Gov. Christie backtracks from claims of a pension deal with the teachers’ union. USA Today:“He blamed the media for butchering his message, though [union] leaders who attended the speech Tuesday blasted the Republican governor for jumping the gun, saying there are negotiations but no deal.”

Progressive movement rallies around Chuy Garcia in Chicago mayoral runoff. Politico:“García’s chances of winning the April 7 run-off are, as even his supporters admit, pretty slim. He got 34 percent to Emanuel’s 45 in a five-way race, and the mayor can now likely consolidate support, money and attention … Even if García doesn’t catch fire in the run-off, some progressive groups are hoping that just having Emanuel go through the next two months of campaigning will be humbling enough to get him to shift more in their direction.”