~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Jobs Report In 5 Charts


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A Remarkably Positive Jobs Report, With A Reminder That There’s More To Do

The November jobs report was released today, and it brought a lot of good news. The U.S. economy added 321,000 jobs in November, well exceeding analysts’ expectations of 230,000. The unemployment rate remained at 5.8 percent. But the report also offers a reminder of the struggles that many working Americans continue to feel in the sluggish recovery.

The monthly jobs report doesn’t provide a comprehensive view of how our economy is doing, but it does offer an important glimpse into some of the macro employment and wage trends that reflect whether the economy is growing, and who is sharing in that growth. Here are five charts that show what to be happy about, and why we need to continue to work so that everyone has a chance for economic opportunity and prosperity.

1. A first for the U.S. economy: 50 straight months of job growth

jobs3

CREDIT: DPCC

There have now been 50 straight months of payroll job growth — which has never happened before in the U.S. economy. 2014 will have them most job growth of any year since 1999.

2. Job growth is coming from full-time employment, not part-time.

jobs4

Not all jobs are created equal. The good news, over the last few years, is that employment growth is coming from full-time, not part-time work.

3. Involuntary part-time work is decreasing — but still high.

jobs5

CREDIT: Vox

The number of people working part-time for economic reasons declined by 177,000 from October to November. But years into the economic recovery, the number remains persistently high.

4. Wage growth continues to be sluggish.

jobs6

Average weekly earnings rose faster than they have in a year, by 2.4 percent. But this economic expansion has brought slower wage growth than previous ones have: comparing this recover to the past three, it is doing 5 percent worse.

5. The share of Americans in the labor force is still historically low.

jobs7

The unemployment rate measures those who are out of work–but are still looking. The percentage of able-bodied adults of working age who are not looking for work remains high and clues us into some of the economic pessimism still being felt.

BOTTOM LINE: The November jobs report brought lots of good news that we hope can continue in the months to come. But this isn’t the time to declare victory: this is the foundation we need to jump start growth that benefits everyone, not just the wealthy few.

 

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Jon Soltz, VoteVets.org


VoteVets.org

Every year during the holiday season, volunteers lay wreaths in front of the headstones of fallen heroes laid to rest at Arlington National and cemeteries across the country.

The effort is traditionally funded by individual contributions — each wreath cost about $15 to make and ship to its final destination before volunteers place them.

Last year, VoteVets’ supporters stepped up and helped us write a $15,000 check to Wreaths Across America when we heard they were about 35,000 wreaths short.

This year, we’d like to double that gift.

Contribute $15 today — the cost of a single wreath — and we will write a check to Wreaths Across America from the entire VoteVets community.

There’s a story of sacrifice and loss beneath each headstone in Arlington and veterans’ cemeteries across the country. Let’s remind the families visiting them this holiday season that their loved ones will never be forgotten.

All the best,

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran & Chairman
VoteVets.org

Black History

the Senate ~~~ CONGRESS 12/08 ~~~ the House


capitolsnowclosed

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, December 8, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only until 5:30pm.

5:30pm—Up to 3 roll call votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018;
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; and
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy.

Senator Tester asked unanimous consent to take up and pass Calendar #334, S.1352, Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act. Senator Lee asked that an amendment to strike Hawaiian Homes Commission reauthorization (section 503) be agreed to. Senator Tester objected to the modification and Senator Lee objected to the original request.

5:32pm The Senate began a 15minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018

Confirmed: 52-40

Next:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; and
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy. (likely voice vote)

5:58pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019. The will be the last vote of the day. The Williams nomination will be confirmed by voice vote.

Wrap up for Monday, December 8, 2014

Roll Call Votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1082, Jeffery Martin Baran, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 30, 2018; Confirmed: 52-40.
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1083, Lauren McGarity McFerran, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019; Confirmed: 54-40.

 

Legislative Business

Passed Calendar #605, S.2520, Freedom Of Information Act

Passed Calendar #564, S.2521, Federal Information Security Modernization Act, with Carper-Coburn substitute amendment

Passed the following postal naming bills, en bloc:

  • R. 4939, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2551 Galena Avenue in Simi Valley, California, as the “Neil Havens Post Office
  • R. 1707, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 302 East Green Street in Champaign, Illinois, as the “James R. Burgess Jr. Post Office Building”
  • R. 78 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4110 Almeda Road in Houston, Texas, as the “George Thomas ‘Mickey’ Leland Post Office Building”.
  • R. 2112 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the “National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office”.
  • R. 2223 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 Elm Avenue in Munising, Michigan, as the “Elizabeth L. Kinnunen Post Office Building”.
  • R. 2678 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10360 Southwest 186th Street in Miami, Florida, as the “Larcenia J. Bullard Post Office Building”.
  • R. 3534 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 113 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson, Michigan, as the “Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office”.
  • R. 5030 – To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13500 SW 250 Street in Princeton, Florida, as the “Corporal Christian A. Guzman Rivera Post Office Building”.

Passed Calendar #401, S.2142, Venezuela Sanctions

Passed H.R.1281, Newborn Screenings Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2013, with Paul amendment

Began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business H.R.5759 and H.R.5771.

 

Executive Business

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

  1. Executive Calendar #552, Ellen Dudley Williams – to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy

 

 

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Last Floor Action:
5:56:51 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2014.

Last Floor Action:
12:32:54 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action:
5:34:51 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 8, 2014.

12:00:15 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:22 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Bradley Byrne to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:46 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.
12:32:13 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 December 8, 2014 at 10:37 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2366, H.R. 4812, H.R. 5108, H.R. 5462, H.R. 5739, H. Con. Res. 120, H.J. Res. 105, S. 1447, S. 1683, and S.J. Res. 45. Appointments: Katherine Tobin of VA, United States-China Economic Security Review Commission; Tom Girardi of CA, Library of Congress Trust Fund Board.
12:32:54 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:29 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 8.
2:00:34 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Burns, Chaplain, United States Navy Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Plantation, Florida.
2:01:47 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:51 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Napolitano to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:18 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:07:00 P.M. H.R. 3979 ENGROSSMENT CORRECTION – Mr. Hastings (WA) asked unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979 pursuant to H. Res. 770, the Clerk be directed to make a correction as follows: In sec. 3050 of the House amendment, strike “2013” and insert “2014”. Agreed to without objection.
2:08:03 P.M. H.R. 5781 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 770. H.R. 5781 — “To provide short-term water supplies to drought-stricken California.”
2:08:08 P.M. H.R. 5781 Resolution provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979; consideration of the bill H.R. 5759; and consideration of the bill H.R. 5781.
2:08:19 P.M. H.R. 5781 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 770, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5781.
3:12:48 P.M. H.R. 5781 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:13:23 P.M. H.R. 5781 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that, pursuant to clause 1(c), rule XIX, further proceedings on H.R. 5781 would be postponed.
3:14:01 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:14:07 P.M. H.R. 5385 Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5385 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 55 Grasso Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson Post Office”.”
3:14:17 P.M. H.R. 5385 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:14:20 P.M. H.R. 5385 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5385.
3:21:50 P.M. H.R. 5385 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:21:52 P.M. H.R. 5385 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:22:19 P.M. H.R. 5794 Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5794 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16105 Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the “Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher Post Office”.”
3:22:37 P.M. H.R. 5794 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:22:39 P.M. H.R. 5794 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5794.
3:29:18 P.M. H.R. 5794 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:29:20 P.M. H.R. 5794 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:30:01 P.M. H.R. 4030 Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4030 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18640 NW 2nd Avenue in Miami, Florida, as the “Father Richard Marquess-Barry Post Office Building”.”
3:30:04 P.M. H.R. 4030 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:30:06 P.M. H.R. 4030 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4030.
3:35:41 P.M. H.R. 4030 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:35:43 P.M. H.R. 4030 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:36:08 P.M. H.R. 5562 Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5562 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Ocean Avenue in Lompoc, California, as the “Federal Correctional Officer Scott J. Williams Memorial Post Office Building”.”
3:36:24 P.M. H.R. 5562 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:36:26 P.M. H.R. 5562 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5562.
3:41:27 P.M. H.R. 5562 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:41:29 P.M. H.R. 5562 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:42:02 P.M. H.R. 5687 Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5687 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 East Market Street in Long Beach, California, as the “Juanita Millender-McDonald Post Office”.”
3:42:12 P.M. H.R. 5687 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:42:24 P.M. H.R. 5687 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5687.
3:48:32 P.M. H.R. 5687 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:48:34 P.M. H.R. 5687 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:49:30 P.M. H.R. 579 Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 579 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the “R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse”.”
3:49:44 P.M. H.R. 579 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:49:47 P.M. H.R. 579 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 579.
3:58:45 P.M. H.R. 579 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:58:47 P.M. H.R. 579 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:59:24 P.M. H.R. 4926 Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4926 — “To designate the “James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway” and the “James L. Oberstar National Scenic Byway” in the State of Minnesota.”
3:59:43 P.M. H.R. 4926 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:59:46 P.M. H.R. 4926 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4926.
4:16:53 P.M. H.R. 4926 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:16:56 P.M. H.R. 4926 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:16:59 P.M. H.R. 4926 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
4:17:20 P.M. H.R. 5146 Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5146 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 700 Grant Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the “Joseph F. Weis Jr. United States Courthouse”.”
4:17:50 P.M. H.R. 5146 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:17:54 P.M. H.R. 5146 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5146.
4:24:10 P.M. H.R. 5146 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:24:13 P.M. H.R. 5146 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:25:02 P.M. H.R. 2901 Mr. Poe (TX) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
4:25:09 P.M. H.R. 2901 Considered by unanimous consent. H.R. 2901 — “To strengthen implementation of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 by improving the capacity of the United States Government to implement, leverage, and monitor and evaluate programs to provide first-time or improved access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene to the world’s poorest on an equitable and sustainable basis, and for other purposes.”
4:25:29 P.M. H.R. 2901 An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Poe (TX), Amendment inserts a complete new text.
4:25:39 P.M. H.R. 2901 On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment; Agreed to without objection.
4:25:51 P.M. H.R. 2901 On passage Passed without objection.
4:25:57 P.M. H.R. 2901 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:25:59 P.M. H.R. 2901 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
4:26:35 P.M. S. 1434 Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1434 — “To designate the Junction City Community-Based Outpatient Clinic located at 715 Southwind Drive, Junction City, Kansas, as the Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.”
4:26:48 P.M. S. 1434 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:26:51 P.M. S. 1434 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1434.
4:32:07 P.M. S. 1434 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:32:10 P.M. S. 1434 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:33:11 P.M. S. 229 Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 229 — “To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 3900 Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the “Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center”.”
4:33:48 P.M. S. 229 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:33:54 P.M. S. 229 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 229.
4:44:44 P.M. S. 229 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:44:47 P.M. S. 229 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:45:05 P.M. S. 2921 Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 2921 — “To designate the community based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 310 Home Boulevard in Galesburg, Illinois, as the “Lane A. Evans VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic”.”
4:45:17 P.M. S. 2921 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:45:19 P.M. S. 2921 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2921.

4:55:04 P.M. S. 2921 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:55:07 P.M. S. 2921 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:57:55 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
5:56:31 P.M. Mr. Rohrabacher moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:56:50 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:56:51 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2014

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