A Healthy Dose of Comics


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If you still need to get health coverage in 2015, February 15 is your last day to sign up at HealthCare.gov.

Under the Affordable Care Act, 10 million people have gotten quality, affordable health insurance. In a new series of shareable comics, one artist highlights what so many of these diverse Americans have in common.

Check out the comics here — and if any of the comics remind you of someone you know, make sure to share it with them.

Email: “Still Want to Enter?”

Yesterday, White House Video Director Adam Garber sent an email spreading the word about the 2015 White House Student Film Festival. Any K-12 U.S. student can submit a film that’s three minutes or shorter — and if the film is selected, the student might even get a chance to attend the film festival at the White House. The deadline is February 2, so submit your video today!

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The Highlights of President Obama’s Visit to India

The President and First Lady traveled to India this week, for the first time since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in last May. The United States and India are true global partners, both in strengthening economies and strong democracies. From a beautiful parade to a pledge on fighting climate change, the trip was full of important moments.

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Map: Here’s How the President’s Actions on Immigration Will Impact Your State

The President is taking steps to fix our broken immigration system. Check out our interactive map to see exactly how his actions will improve the economy in your state.

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Google Fiber is coming to Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville and Raleigh-Durham


GOOGLePosted: 27 Jan 2015 10:05 AM PST

It’s been nearly five years since we offered to build a fiber-optic network in one U.S. city as an experiment — and were met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Now, Google Fiber is live in Kansas City, Provo and Austin, and we’ve started to see how gigabit Internet, with speeds up to 100 times faster than today’s basic broadband, can transform cities. It can give them new platforms for economic development and new ways of using technology to improve life for their citizens. And, around the country, it seems to be catching on.Check out the Kansas City Startup Village and Provo learn-how-to-code hub DevMountain. Take a look at the work of a geneticist whose speedy connection could one day help newborns in intensive care, or how one city’s network is connecting a high school classroom to an underwater microscope so students can study oceanic life in the Pacific… from Chattanooga, Tenn. There are many more stories like this—stories about how people are using gigabit internet to spark innovation, inspire creativity, and collaborate in ways they simply couldn’t before. And we want to see even more.So, today, we’re happy to announce that Google Fiber is coming to 18 cities across four new metro areas: Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham. We can’t wait to see what people and businesses across the Southeast U.S. do with gigabit speeds.

Bringing Google Fiber to these cities is a long-term investment. We’ve been working closely with city leaders over the past year on a joint planning process to get their communities ready for Google Fiber—and now the really hard work begins. Our next step is to work with cities to create a detailed map of where we can put our thousands of miles of fiber, using existing infrastructure such as utility poles and underground conduit, and making sure to avoid things like gas and water lines. Then a team of surveyors and engineers will hit the streets to fill in missing details. Once we’re done designing the network (which we expect to wrap up in a few months), we’ll start construction.

We’re also continuing to explore bringing fiber to five additional metro areas—Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Antonio and San Jose, and will have updates on these potential Fiber cities later this year.

Today, we aren’t the only ones talking about gigabit broadband. From the White House to main street, a chorus of new voices is standing up for speed. Just last week during the State of the Union, the President called for faster networks so that innovators and entrepreneurs can build the next big idea. New research from the Fiber to the Home Council shows gigabit networks are contributing billions of dollars in economic growth. Communities across America are demanding more speed for their own homes and businesses, and we’re going to keep doing our part to help.

Posted by Dennis Kish, Vice President, Google Fiber

For Veronika …


My niece Veronika was a freshman at the University of California Santa Barbara with a bright future.

But last May, the unthinkable happened. A deeply disturbed young man went on a rampage. He killed six people, including Veronika, and injured 13 others before turning his gun on himself.

It was a tragedy that I never could have imagined. But the young man’s parents knew something was wrong. They saw the warning signs and tried to stop him from acting on his threats. Yet the law kept them from taking action to get him the help that he needed and to protect the community. California’s law changed, but that came too late for Veronika and so many others.

It doesn’t have to be that way here in Washington.

Earlier today, legislation to create Extreme Risk Protection Orders was introduced.  Extreme Risk Protection Orders will give families and law enforcement a court hearing to temporarily remove someone’s access to firearms when there is documented evidence that they are a threat to themselves and others. These Protection Orders will empower families and police to prevent tragedies and protect Second Amendment rights by requiring a judge to review sworn evidence.

This is a smart tool that will save lives. I’m signed on to be a citizen co-sponsor. Will you join me? Sign on now to be a citizen co-sponsor of this important legislation.

There are almost always warning signs before these tragedies, just as there were in the shooting that claimed my niece’s life. Extreme Risk Protection Orders will give the people best equipped to help a chance to act. But before that can happen, I need you to take action today to make sure these Protection Orders become law.

Please join me as a citizen co-sponsor. Together, our voices can make the difference.

I’ve seen how we can make a difference that save lives when we work together. Please stand with me in supporting Extreme Risk Protection Orders and help keep the momentum for smart gun policies.

Thank you for all of your support,

Jane Weiss
Aunt of Isla Vista Shooting Victim

My niece Veronika was a freshman at the University of California Santa Barbara with a bright future.

But last May, the unthinkable happened. A deeply disturbed young man went on a rampage. He killed six people, including Veronika, and injured 13 others before turning his gun on himself.

It was a tragedy that I never could have imagined. But the young man’s parents knew something was wrong. They saw the warning signs and tried to stop him from acting on his threats. Yet the law kept them from taking action to get him the help that he needed and to protect the community. California’s law changed, but that came too late for Veronika and so many others.

It doesn’t have to be that way here in Washington.

Earlier today, legislation to create Extreme Risk Protection Orders was introduced.  Extreme Risk Protection Orders will give families and law enforcement a court hearing to temporarily remove someone’s access to firearms when there is documented evidence that they are a threat to themselves and others. These Protection Orders will empower families and police to prevent tragedies and protect Second Amendment rights by requiring a judge to review sworn evidence.

This is a smart tool that will save lives. I’m signed on to be a citizen co-sponsor. Will you join me? Sign on now to be a citizen co-sponsor of this important legislation.

There are almost always warning signs before these tragedies, just as there were in the shooting that claimed my niece’s life. Extreme Risk Protection Orders will give the people best equipped to help a chance to act. But before that can happen, I need you to take action today to make sure these Protection Orders become law.

Please join me as a citizen co-sponsor. Together, our voices can make the difference.

I’ve seen how we can make a difference that save lives when we work together. Please stand with me in supporting Extreme Risk Protection Orders and help keep the momentum for smart gun policies.

Thank you for all of your support,

Jane Weiss
Aunt of Isla Vista Shooting Victim

Too toxic for Wall Street, but not the U.S. government… Amanda Starbuck, Rainforest Action Network


EXIM_reef_fb_v2.png

the Senate ~~~~ CONGRESS 1/29 ~~~~ the House


redpeacesignThe Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, January 29, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour, with the Democrats controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. There will be up to 15 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form. The Senate will then proceed to up to 6 roll call votes on amendments and on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1, upon reconsideration.

If cloture is invoked, all post-cloture debate time will be considered expired at 2:30pm and the Senate will proceed to up to 6 roll call votes. We expect points of order to be raised against pending amendments that are not in order post-cloture. The Senate would then dispose of the remaining pending and germane amendments and on passage of the bill, as amended.

Approx: 11:00am—up to 7 roll call votes:

  1. Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
  2. Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
  3. Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund) –side by side to Burr amendment #92
  4. Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)
  5. Vitter amendment amendment #80, as further modified (OCS)
  6. Udall #77 (renewable electricity standards)
  7. Cloture on S.1, Keystone

2:30pm—up to 6 roll call votes:

  1. Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances)
  2. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date)
  3. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  4. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  5. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  6. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

 

During leader remarks, Senator McConnell announced the Senate will be in session tomorrow, but there will be no roll call votes. The first vote of next week will be at 5:30pm on Monday, February 2. We expect to vote on passage of H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, on Monday.

 

The Senate is in a period of morning business for 1 hour. The Democrats control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans control the final 30 minutes. Following morning business (10:50am), there will be 15 minutes for debate on S.1, Keystone, prior to a series of up to 7 roll call votes. We expect the first vote series to begin at approximately 11:05am. If cloture is invoked at the end of this series, there will be approximately 6 roll call votes at 2:30pm.

 

Approx: 11:05am—up to 7 roll call votes:

  1. Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
  2. Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
  3. Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund) –side by side to Burr amendment #92
  4. Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)
  5. Vitter amendment amendment #80, as further modified (OCS)
  6. Udall #77 (renewable electricity standards)
  7. Cloture on S.1, Keystone

 

2:30pm—up to 6 roll call votes:

 

  1. Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances)
  2. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date)
  3. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  4. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  5. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  6. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

At 11:29am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund);

Not Agreed To: 47-51

 

Next:

  1. Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)
  2. Udall #77 (renewable electricity standards)
  3. Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
  4. Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
  5. Cloture on S.1, Keystone

 

2:30pm—up to 6 roll call votes (post-cloture amendments are subject to a majority affirmative vote threshold):

  1. Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances)
  2. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date)
  3. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  4. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  5. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  6. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

At 11:29am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund);

Not Agreed To: 47-51

 

Next:

  1. Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund)
  2. Udall #77 (renewable electricity standards)
  3. Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
  4. Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
  5. Cloture on S.1, Keystone

 

2:30pm—up to 6 roll call votes (post-cloture amendments are subject to a majority affirmative vote threshold):

  1. Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances)
  2. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date)
  3. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  4. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  5. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  6. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

11:59am, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund);

Not Agreed To: 59-39

12:24pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Udall amendment #77 (renewable electricity standards);

Not Agreed To: 45-53

 

Next:

  1. Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties)
  2. Cardin amendment #124 (tribal treaty requirements)
  3. Cloture on S.1, Keystone

The following amendments are pending to S.1, Keystone XL Pipeline:

Markey amendment #178 (tar sands)

Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)

12:46pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on cloture on S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline;

Invoked: 62-35.

The following amendments were withdrawn:

 

Sullivan #67

Murkowski #98

Flake #103

Merkley #174

Tillis #102

Peters #55

 

2:30pm—up to 6 roll call votes (post-cloture amendments are subject to a majority affirmative vote threshold):

  1. Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances)
  2. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date)
  3. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  4. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  5. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  6. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

At 4:30pm on Monday, February 2, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #6, H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided in the usual form. At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill.

2:36pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances);

Not Agreed To: 41-56

The remaining votes in this series will be 10 minute votes. There will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between each vote.

 

Next:

  1. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date)
  2. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  3. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  4. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  5. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

The Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause) was not agreed to by voice vote.

3:10pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date);

Not Agreed To:36-62

Next:

  1. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)
  2. Cantwell amendment #131 (U.S. environmental laws)
  3. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause)
  4. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

3:30pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund)

Not agreed to: 44-54

Next:

  1. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline

3:47pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on passage of S.1, as amended, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. This will be the last vote of the week. the next roll call vote will be at 5:30pm on Monday, February 2, on Calendar #6, H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act.

Passage of S.1 will be the last vote of the week. the next roll call vote will be at 5:30pm on Monday, February 2, on Calendar #6, H.R.203, Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Barrasso amendment #245 (tribal treaties); agreed to by voice vote.
  2. Daines amendment #246 (SoS Land and Water Conservation Fund); not agreed to: 47-51.
  3. Burr amendment #92, as modified (Land and Water Conservation Fund); not agreed to: 59-39.
  4. Udall amendment #77 (renewable electricity standards); not agreed to: 45-53.
  5. Cloture on S.1, Keystone; invoked: 62-35.
  6. Booker amendment #155 (new circumstances); not agreed to: 41-56.
  7. Boxer amendment #130 (permit savings clause); not agreed to by voice vote.
  8. Markey amendment #141 (delay effective date); not agreed to: 36-62.
  9. Markey amendment #178 (oil spill liability trust fund); not agreed to: 44-54.
  10. Passage of S.1, as amended, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline; passed: 62-36.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.58, Recognizing January 2015 as “National Mentoring Month”

Executive Business

The following nominations were confirmed by unanimous consent

  • Calendar #5 and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk

———————————————————————————————–

Last Floor Action:
12:08:14 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on January 30, 2015.

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