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Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


the Senate Convened at  10:00amET July 28, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

Morning business has been extended until 5pm with Senators permitted to speak for up to ten minutes each. At 5pm, Senator Reid will be recognized.

Senator Reid announced the Senate will vote in relation to Speaker Boehner’s bill this evening. The House is expected to vote between 6pm and 7pm. It will take some time for the message to be received in the Senate. Our best guess is that the Senate will conduct this roll call vote between 7pm and 9pm this evening. Timing is subject to change since it is reliant upon House action.

Despite the delay in the House, the Senate still plans on conducting a roll call vote in relation to the Boehner plan during today’s session. Timing of this vote is uncertain but as stated, it is the Leader’s intention to have the vote tonight.

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the Chair. When the Senate reconvenes, another message will be posted. The unofficial transcript of Senator Reid’s remarks is below.

19:42:42 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, WE’RE AWAITING ACTION ON THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THEIR BILL. FOR THAT REASON, I WOULD ASK CONSENT THAT WE RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR AND THAT I’LL MAKE THAT MOTION IN JUST A MINUTE. FOR THE INFORMATION OF ALL SENATORS, I DON’T EXPECT OR ANTICIPATE ANY ACTION HERE BEFORE 9:00 SO I DOUBT WE WOULD RECONVENE BEFORE 9:00 P.M. TONIGHT. SO NOW, MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE SENATE STAND IN RECESS SUBJECT TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR.

Passed H.R.2608, the Small Business Program Extension and Reform Act of 2011 w/ Landrieu substitute amendment

 

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 28, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

 6:50 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

H.R. 2548:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6310 North University Street in Peoria, Illinois, as the “Charles ‘Chip’ Lawrence Chan Post Office Building” 

6:49 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

6:48 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 2149:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4354 Pahoa Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, as the “Cecil L. Heftel Post Office Building” 

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

6:38 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2149.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 2062:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Meetinghouse Lane in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, as the “Matthew A. Pucino Post Office” 

6:37 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

6:32 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2062.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 1843:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 489 Army Drive in Barrigada, Guam, as the “John Pangelinan Gerber Post Office Building” 

6:31 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

6:23 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 1843.Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

H.R. 1975:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 281 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, as the “First Lieutenant Oliver Goodall Post Office Building” 

6:22 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

6:14 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 1975.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 789:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Main Street in Little Ferry, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office” 

6:13 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

6:08 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 789.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 2213:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Eastport Street in Iuka, Mississippi, as the “Sergeant Jason W. Vaughn Post Office” 

6:07 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

6:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2213.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 2244:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 67 Castle Street in Geneva, New York, as the “Corporal Steven Blaine Riccione Post Office” 

5:59 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:52 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2244.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 2548:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6310 North University Street in Peoria, Illinois, as the “Charles ‘Chip’ Lawrence Chan Post Office Building” 

5:51 P.M. – At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lankford objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:44 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2548.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

5:43 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

5:40 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, the Chair postponed further proceedings onS. 627until a time to be announced.

S. 627:
to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays 

3:01 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with two hours of debate onS. 627.Rule provides for consideration ofS. 627with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of the report of the of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, modified by the amendments printed in part B of that report shall be considered as adopted.

3:00 P.M. – Considered under the provisions of ruleH. Res. 375.

H. Res. 377:
electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives 

2:59 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2584:
making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

2:58 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leavingH.R. 2584as unfinished business.On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

2:57 P.M. – Mr. Simpson moved that the committee rise.On agreeing to the Walberg amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 670).

2:50 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 669).

2:44 P.M. – On agreeing to the Lankford amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 668).

2:38 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gosar amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 667).

2:31 P.M. – On agreeing to the Lankford amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 666).

2:25 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 665).

2:19 P.M. – On agreeing to the Blackburn amendment Failed by recorded vote:(Roll No. 664).

2:01 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

2:00 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 375:
providing for consideration of the bill (S. 627) to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays, and for other purposes 

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 186(Roll no. 663).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:35 P.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:33 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 375.

12:28 P.M. – Considered as privileged matter.

12:27 P.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency declared with respect to the actions of certain persons to undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes and institutions is to continue in effect beyond August 1, 2011. – referred to the Committee onForeign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-47).

12:03 P.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.

12:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Lamborn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 28.

11:47 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

11:07 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House continued with further Morning-Hour Debate.The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passedH.R. 2608amended.

10:03 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:02 A.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passedS. 1188and agreed toS. Con. Res. 26.

10:01 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Death for Profit: Demand An Investigat​ion!


DEATH FOR PROFIT                         

Roberto Martinez-Medina died in CCA’s Stewart Detention Center in Georgia in 2009. Medina had been arrested a month earlier for not having a driver’s license.

CCA whistleblower Brian Holcomb spoke with us exclusively to expose how the company repeatedly ignored Medina’s pleas for care of his heart ailment while he was imprisoned. Their negligence contributed to Medina’s death.

Watch our video and sign the petition to demand an investigation into Medina’s death!
CCA profited off of Medina’s incarceration, and ensured a greater profit by denying him critical health care.  The inhumane conditions at CCA facilities are directly related to their obsession in cutting costs for profit.

CCA has gone to great lengths to hush Medina’s death.

Demand an investigation today. Nobody should die for a corporation to make profit.

Yours,
Axel Caballero and the Cuéntame team

The World is watching …Steve Israel


President Obama is right: We cannot allow Republicans’ political game-playing to jeopardize the full faith and credit of America’s economy.

Time is nearly up. We must send an immediate, forceful message to Speaker Boehner and Tea Party Republicans — we stand with President Obama and against Republicans’ childish games.

Can we count on your support?

Contribute $3 or more right now to show your support for President Obama and to hold Speaker Boehner and the Republicans accountable >>

Today, Speaker Boehner was caught groveling to Rush Limbaugh in private, asking for permission to try his latest political scheme before even telling his own Republican caucus about it.

The fact is, right-wing special interests, radio hosts, and Tea Party extremists have taken over the Republican Party. And these radical Republicans are just days away from plunging our economy off a cliff in order to slash Social Security and Medicare while protecting tax breaks for billionaires and big oil.

Now, with our entire economy at stake, it’s critical that we stand strong and united against Republicans’ all-out assault on the middle class.

Contribute $3 or more today to show your support for President Obama and to hold Speaker Boehner and the Republicans accountable for pushing our economy to the brink in order to score points with the Tea Party >>

Thanks for your immediate support.

Rep. Steve Israel
DCCC Chairman

P.S. Your dollars are being put to work immediately. Our “We Don’t Quit” campaign is launching in 60 Republican districts but we need your support to keep up the pressure. Contribute today.

Your voice and the debt ceiling …Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org


Since Sunday, more than 36,000 ColorOfChange.org members have called on Congress not to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and working class without asking the wealthy to pay their fair share. Will you help us get to 50,000 signatures? Click here to sign the petition:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/debt

The good news is that it looks like the bill that Sen. Harry Reid proposed on Monday won’t include cuts to Social Security or Medicare. But the details of the plan are still unclear — we don’t yet know what important programs it would cut. And just as important as what’s in the bill is what’s not in it: Reid’s bill doesn’t ask anything from the wealthiest Americans, who are paying lower taxes than they have for decades.

Congress and the White House need to hear from us, loud and clear. Please help us send them a powerful message, and ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/debt

For more background, you can read the email we sent you on Sunday (attached below).

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
    July 26th, 2011

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Medicare, Social Security and college financial aid are on the cutting block.
 Tell Congress and the White House: “Don’t balance the budget on the back of the poor and working class.”

 Republicans are trying to push forward a plan that would gut America’s social safety net — and unless we act now, they may get their way.

Congress needs to raise the debt ceiling before August 2nd so that the government doesn’t default on its debts, which would wreak havoc on the economy. But Republicans are refusing to vote to raise the debt ceiling unless they can also pass massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, student aid, and other important programs that create opportunity and protect the most vulnerable among us.

Democrats in Congress are holding the line, saying that they won’t accept any cuts to these programs without asking huge corporations, millionaires and billionaires to contribute their fair share.

But as the deadline approaches, Congressional Democrats will be under immense pressure to compromise their principles, even if it means giveaways for the rich while most Americans suffer.

Please join us in calling on the White House and Congress to say NO to any deal that asks people who are already struggling in this economy to sacrifice even more, without asking corporations and the rich to pay their fair share. And please ask your friends and family to join us as well:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/debt

The moral line is clear: the budget must not be balanced on the backs of poor and working folks while millionaires and billionaires pay lower taxes than ever. Americans oppose cuts to Medicare and Social Security by a 2-to-1 margin, and a large majority thinks that keeping benefit levels the same is a bigger priority than short-term deficit reduction.1 And an amazing 72% of Americans are united behind the idea of asking the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes.2

By speaking out, we can help give the President and Congressional Democrats the political space they need to stand strong against the GOP‘s dangerous demands. It’s especially important that we deliver this message to the House of Representatives, because it’s likely that any budget deal will have to happen with the blessing of Democrats there. If they stand strong, we can avoid the worst of the cuts.

Why do we need to raise the debt ceiling?

Congress sets the maximum amount the federal government can borrow to pay its bills on time. If our debt rises above the limit, the government will begin to default on its commitments. And when that happens, there will be far-reaching consequences for everyone, but especially poor and working folks.

If the government doesn’t pay its bills, it’s a lot like when you or I don’t pay our bills — it ruins our credit, and makes buying goods and services more expensive. Worse, it makes even having debt more expensive, which means that money the government will have to pay higher interest rates — money that won’t go to economic stimulus or preserving the social safety net.

Most reputable economists say that a government default would wreck the nation’s economy, halting the already-weak recovery and possibly taking the world’s economy down with it.3

That fact hardly matters to most Republicans in Washington, who are treating the prospect of default like a high-stakes game of chicken. Many see an opportunity to gut programs that they never could otherwise, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. It’s a disgusting, cynical strategy.

If enough of us speak out, we can help save the social safety net and force corporations and the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. Please join us now:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/debt

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
    July 24th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/205?akid=2076.1174326.2KTTPr&t=7

1. GOP Divided Over Benefit Reductions: Public Wants Changes in Entitlements, Not Changes in Benefit,” Pew Research Center for People and the Press, 7-7-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/908?akid=2076.1174326.2KTTPr&t=9

2. “Poll: Taxing the rich favored over Medicare cuts,” Politico, 4-20-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/909?akid=2076.1174326.2KTTPr&t=11

3. “To the limit,” New York Times, 7-1-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/910?akid=2076.1174326.2KTTPr&t=13

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Patty Murray … Working for Washington State … and more


Time for Slogans to End, Work to Begin on Safeguarding Our Economic Future

Murray to Republicans: Stop Playing Political Games with Economic Future

As we continue to work to forge compromise and avoid a default on our nation’s debts, I was deeply upset that Republicans continued to waste the little time we have left by introducing a plan that balances the budget on the backs of the people who can least afford it. The clock is ticking for families across America. It is time for Republicans to step up and join us in the job of governing. Too much is on the line for average families to allow partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C. to once again endanger the livelihoods of millions.

That is why I gave a speech on the Senate Floor this week urging Republicans to stop playing political games with this country’s economic future. With less than two weeks to go before the August 2 nd deadline, Democrats and Republicans need to come to the table for serious negotiations that involve shared sacrifices.

Read more


Preserving Benefits for Veterans Suffering from Agent Orange Exposure

Speaking Out Against Amendment to Block Compensation for Agent Orange Exposure

On Thursday, I helped defeat an amendment introduced by Senator Tom Coburn that would have created a nearly impossible standard for Vietnam Veterans to receive compensation for certain types of exposure to Agent Orange. Before the vote on Coburn’s amendment, I went to the Senate Floor and called out the amendment for what it was: another hurdle Vietnam veterans would have to overcome in their 40 plus year struggle for compensation and care. The amendment ultimately failed to be included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill after I successfully asked that the amendment be tabled – which it was – by a vote of 69-30. Soon after the tabling of the amendment, the Senate passed the Military Constructions and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill which will ensure that veterans across the country get the support they deserve.

Read more

“Military Construction-VA Spending Bill Easily Passes Senate” – CQ

“Military funding bill clears Senate” – The Hill


Supporting Women’s Health

On Wednesday, the Institute of Medicine released their recommendation that critical preventive health care services for women and girls, including a full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods, be fully covered by insurance companies at no additional cost. I believe that implementing these recommendations is the right thing to do and will end unnecessary and burdensome costs for millions of American women who currently struggle to afford the contraceptive coverage and other preventive health care services they need and deserve.

Read more