Category Archives: Black History

Pioneers, Activists, Black People, Black History

What’s going on in the Senate and House …


THE SENATE Calendar for 3/16/2010

The Senate will resume consideration of H.R.1586, the vehicle for the FAA reauthorization bill. Roll call votes in relation to the FAA bill are expected to occur Tuesday afternoon, the following amendments to HR1586 are pending …

– Rockefeller #3452 (Substitute)
– Sessions #3453, as modified (Discretionary Spending)
– Lieberman #3456 (DC School Scholarships)
– Vitter #3458 (Coastal Impact Assistance program)

– DeMint #3454 (Earmark moratorium)

– Feingold #3470 (Rescission of unused transportation earmarks)
– McCain #3472 (bike paths)
– McCain #3475 (ban on congressionally directed funding during deficit years)
– McCain #3527 (Next Generation)
– McCain #3528 (Grand Canyon)

Votes:
50: Motion to Table the DeMint #3454 (earmark moratorium);
Tabled: 68-29Fifteen Republican senators joined almost all Democrats in voting down Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-SC) amendment that would have established “an earmark moratorium for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.” The 68-29 vote rejected a two-year moratorium on spending provisions that include members’ pet projects.

51: Feingold #3470, as modified (Rescission of unused DoT funds);
Agreed To: 87-11

52: Vitter Motion to Waive Vitter #2458, as modified (Coastal Impact);
Not Waived: 41-57

53: Now Voting on Lieberman #3456 (DC Scholarship Program)
Not Agreed To: 42-55
Not Agreed To:

By Unanimous Consent:
Adopted H.Con.Res.249, a concurrent resolution commemorating the 45th anniversary of Blody Sunday and the role that it played in ensuring the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Adopted S.Res.456, a resolution congraulation gRadford University on teh 100th anniversary of the university

Passed S.1782, Federal Judiciary Adminsitration Improvements Act (with a Whitehouse substitute amendment)

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THE HOUSE Calendar for  3/16/2010


Suspensions (12 Bills)

1.       H.Res. 311 – Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of Red Cross Month (Rep. Watson – Foreign Affairs)

2.       H.Res. 605 – Recognizing the continued persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China on the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party campaign to suppress the Falun Gong spiritual movement and calling for an immediate end to the campaign to persecute, intimidate, imprison, and torture Falun Gong practitioners (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen – Foreign Affairs)

3.       H.Res. 1128 – Thanking Vancouver for hosting the world during the 2010 Winter Olympics and honoring the athletes from Team USA (Rep. Davis (CA) – Foreign Affairs)

4.       H.R. 4252 – Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act of 2009 (Rep. Baca – Natural Resources)

5.       H.R. 2788 – Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act (Rep. Calvert – Natural Resources)

6.       H.R. 4003 – Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act (Rep. Hinchey – Natural Resources)

7.       H.R. 3671 – Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act (Rep. Kind – Natural Resources)

8.       H.R. 1769 – Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (Rep. Reichert – Natural Resources)

9.       H.R. 4395 – To revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station (Rep. Platts – Natural Resources)

10.    H.Res. 1089 – Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College (Rep. Hare – Education and Labor)

11.    H.Res. 1167 – Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day (Rep. Shea-Porter – Education and Labor)

12.    H.Res. __ – Congratulating the 2009-2010 University of Maryland Men’s Basketball Team on an outstanding season (Rep. Hoyer – Education and Labor)

Postponed Suspension Vote (1 Bill):

1.       H.R. 4628 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 216 Westwood Avenue in Westwood, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office Building” (Rep. Garrett – Oversight and Government Reform)

* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.

* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.

* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.

time line of House action below …

6:12 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:11 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on March 23: Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Souder be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on March 19. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Souder be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on March 18.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Souder be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on March 17.

H. Res. 1184:

congratulating the 2009-2010 University of Maryland Men’s Basketball Team, Greivis Vasquez, and Coach Gary Williams on an outstanding season

6:09 P.M. –
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.
5:53 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1184. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Shea-Porter moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1167:

expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of Professional Social Work Month and World Social Work Day

5:52 P.M. –
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.
5:47 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1167. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Shea-Porter moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1089:

recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College

5:46 P.M. –
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.
5:40 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1089. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Shea-Porter moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

5:39 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

H. Res. 1128:

thanking Vancouver for hosting the world during the 2010 Winter Olympics and honoring the athletes from Team USA

5:37 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 119).
5:31 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 605:

recognizing the continued persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China on the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party campaign to suppress the Falun Gong spiritual movement and calling for an immediate end to the campaign to persecute, intimidate, imprison, and torture Falun Gong practitioners

5:30 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 1 (Roll no. 118).

5:23 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 311:

expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of Red Cross Month

5:22 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 – 0 (Roll no. 117).
5:14 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4628:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 216 Westwood Avenue in Westwood, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office Building”

5:13 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0 (Roll no. 116).
4:45 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.
4:44 P.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 1128:

thanking Vancouver for hosting the world during the 2010 Winter Olympics and honoring the athletes from Team USA

4:43 P.M. –
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.
4:21 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1128. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 605:

recognizing the continued persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China on the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party campaign to suppress the Falun Gong spiritual movement and calling for an immediate end to the campaign to persecute, intimidate, imprison, and torture Falun Gong practitioners

4:20 P.M. –
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.
4:07 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 605. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 311:

expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of Red Cross Month

4:06 P.M. –
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.
3:55 P.M. –DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 311.
Considered under suspension of the rulesMs. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

3:49 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced. 3:46 P.M. –
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Mr. Flake notified the House of his intent to rise to a question of the privileges of the House and to offer a resolution. Mr. Flake was recognized to notice the form of his proposed resolution.

12:02 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches regarding health care. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 53.

Capitol Hill … 2/10/2010


Snow Delays Legislation On Capitol Hill

Today

Most of the agenda in Washington has been postponed due to the inclement weather. The House has adjourned until Feb. 22. The Senate will next meet on Thursday and Sen. Majority Ldr. Harry Reid (D-NV) hopes to begin debate on a jobs-related bill. The weather also caused the House Oversight Cmte. to postpone a hearing looking into the Toyota gas pedal problems.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The House of Representatives on Tuesday postponed further action on legislation until later this month as the capital city braced for a second major snowstorm in less than a week.

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However, The President is suppose to Meet today with Black business men, leaders and politicians to discuss unemployment and its impact on African-Americans.

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Back-to-back snow storms put Congress on ice

U.S.

Reuters

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said flight cancellations made it difficult for House members to get into the snowbound city and leaders decided to put off scheduled votes until the week of February 22 when Congress returns from a week-long break for the Presidents’ Day holiday.

“Members are unable to get here because the airlines are reluctant to fly here, they are reluctant to get their planes on the ground and get caught here,” Hoyer told reporters.

Weather forecasters are predicting the area could get another 12 inches of snow just days after a blizzard dumped up to 3 feet in some areas.

The House had been scheduled to vote this week on legislation that would repeal the antitrust exemption for health insurers. Hoyer said that vote will now take place the week lawmakers return from their break.

Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid held out hope that the Senate would complete work on a major jobs-creation bill before leaving for the week-long Presidents Day break.

But Reid said the Senate may not be in session on Wednesday when the latest snow storm is expected to be in full fury.

Many people in the region are still trying to dig out from the weekend storm and many streets are still covered with snow.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Vicki Allen

Congress VOTES and UPDATES …


UPDATES: 12/05/09 the House passes HR 3590 patient protection/affordable care act

House Democrats added 5 amendments to HR 3590:

Senator Kerry’s (A2926) passed 96-0 to preserve home health benefits

Sen. Stabenow (A2899) passed 97 ayes 1 nay

Sen. Thune (A2901) passed 51 ayes 41 nays

Sen. Whitehouse (A2870) pasesd 98 ayes 0 nays

Sen. Bennett (A2826) passed 100 ayes 0 nays

(R)Senator johanns amendment to eliminate cuts to Medicare home health services  was voted down  53 nays  41 ayes; it also would have sent the Bill back to the CFO  to remove all cuts in the bill before getting back on the floor for further consideration.

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H/S action on 12/03/09

The House makes its way to voting on extending the Estate Tax Cuts, the bill, sponsored by Blue Dog Earl Pomeroy, would make permanent the lower estate tax rate that was enacted by President Bush. /H.R. 4145 — Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009

UPDATE: HR 4145 Passes: 225 ayes   200 nays… 26Democrats and 174Republicans voted nay …6Democrats and 3Republicans abstained

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Senator McCain’s amendment and his attempt to send the entire 2074 page bill back to the Senate Finance Committee was rejected by a vote of 58-42

Democrats stated no guaranteed benefits to Seniors will be cut.  The bill “does not take away any seniors’ guaranteed Medicare benefits,” Bennet said on the Senate floor. “We know that the bill extends Medicare solvency for five additional years.”  Passed 100-0.

The Senate also voted on 2 Women’s Health Amendments proposed by Senator Mikulski and Senator Murkowski

The Mikulski amendment was Approved by a vote of 61-39. Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME] and Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME] joined Democrats to vote in favor the amendment. Sen. Russell Feingold [D, WI] and Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE] voted with Republicans against it.

The Murkowski amendment was Rejected by a vote of 41-59. Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE] was the only Democrat to vote in favor of the Murkowski amendment along with all Republicans.

Senator Mary Landrieu offered up another Public Option…option, called the competitive community option, that reads like the trigger that Senator Snowe proposed but  is calling it a fallback.

opencongress.org / Donny Shaw

and Point/Counterpoint