The VP has the white board marker:


Over the past couple years, administration officials have picked up a marker and taken to our “White House white board” to explain how to fix our immigration system, break down how health reform helps your day-to-day life, and outline exactly what our budget’s paying for.

Today, Vice President Joe Biden is taking the pen, and he’s talking about something he knows like the back of his hand:

The current state of our country’s crumbling roads and bridges — and exactly why it’s so important to invest in them right now.

You’re going to want to watch this one. Take a look, and pass it on:

Watch the VP discuss our nation's infrastructure.

Our roads and bridges do far more than get people and goods from Point A to Point B.

A high-quality transportation system keeps jobs here in America, allows our businesses to grow, and keeps down the prices of household goods.

Our country’s infrastructure crisis isn’t a far-off problem: 65% of our major roads are rated in less than good condition. 25% of our bridges require significant repair or can’t handle today’s traffic.

It looks like Congress is going to act soon to pass a short-term resolution that would continue to fund the projects fixing our roads and bridges — but we need to solve the problem, not just kick the can down the road.

Watch the Vice President explain the need for a long-term investment, and break down exactly what our plan looks like.

Then, be sure to pass this one on.

Stay Connected

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You and your friends can save the Amazon!
Here’s how.
We have huge news! We’re kicking off a $50,000crowdfunding campaign to help our work in the Amazon rainforest.Crowdfunding campaigns rely onindividual supporters like you. Creating a global team of fundraisers ­is part of our commitment to increasing our capacity to meet the challenges faced in the Amazon.Take the first steps towards becoming a fundraiser. Check out our campaign page, watch our video, and create your personal profile. Then share it with your friends.

If we all come together, we’ll smash our goal. Do something meaningful this summer: Share your passion for the rainforest. Become an active Amazon ambassador by signing up and promoting this worthy cause. Will you join us?

Thank you!

Branden Barber
Branden Barber
Director of Engagement

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 7/24 ~~ the House


rockthevote

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, July 24, 2014.

 

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to calendar #453, S.2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act.

 

At 1:45pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the motion to proceed. We expect this to be a voice vote. There will then be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #929, the nomination of Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. If cloture is invoked ,there would be up to 30 hours of post cloture debate on the nomination. However, the Senate reached an agreement that notwithstanding Rule 22 (the cloture rule), there would be 2 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #777, Lisa S. Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.

 

1:45pm—up to 3 votes  (1 roll call and 2 voice votes):

  1. Adoption of the motion to proceed to calendar #453, S.2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act (voice vote expected)
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit (Roll Call Vote)
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #777 Lisa S. Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (voice vote expected)

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the McDonald nomination. At time to be determined by the Majority Leader, with the concurrence of the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #952 Robert Alan McDonald, of Ohio, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. There will be up to 4 hours for debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination.

At 3:40pm today, the Senate conduct a moment of silence in memory of the 1998 Capitol shooting that resulted in the deaths of Special Agent John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut.

The Senate has reached an agreement to vote on confirmation of the Mendez, Rogoff, and Andrews nominations today and on the Kaye, Mohorovic, and McKeon nominations on Monday.

 

Today at 1:45pm there will be up to 6 votes  (1 roll call and 5 voice votes):

  1. Adoption of the motion to proceed to calendar #453, S.2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act (voice vote expected)
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit (Roll Call Vote)
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #777, Lisa S. Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (voice vote expected)
  4. #919 Victor M. Mendez, of Arizona, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation (voice vote expected)
  5. #920 Peter M. Rogoff, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy (voice vote expected)
  6. #921 Bruce H. Andrews, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce (voice vote expected)

 

Monday, July 28 at a time to be determined:

  1. If cloture is invoked on Harris today, then confirmation of Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #913 Joseph P. Mohorovic, of Illinois, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2012
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #915 Elliot F. Kaye, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2013
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #916 Elliot F. Kaye, of New York, to be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #744 Brian P. McKeon, of New York, to be a Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

 

There will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees prior to each vote.

 

The Senate adopted the motion to proceed to calendar #453, S.2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act, by voice vote.

At 1:48pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

Invoked: 54-41

2:31pm The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes.

Executive Calendar #777, Lisa S. Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force;

Executive Calendar #919, Victor M. Mendez, of Arizona, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation;

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #920, Peter M. Rogoff, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy;

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #921, Bruce H. Andrews, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #929, Pamela Harris, of Maryland, to be United States District Judge for the Fourth District; Invoked 54-41.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.462: Recognizing the Khmer and Lao/Hmong Freedom Fighters of Cambodia and Laos for continued support and defense of the United States, with a Rubio amendment.

Adopted S.Res.519: Designating August 16, 2014, as “National Airborne Day”.

Began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2666, Protect Children and Families Through Rule of Law Act (Cruz)

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2648, A bill making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014

Executive Business

The following nominations were confirmed by voice votes:

  1. Executive Calendar #777, Lisa S. Disbrow, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
  2. Executive Calendar #919, Victor M. Mendez, of Arizona, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation
  3. Executive Calendar #920, Peter M. Rogoff, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy
  4. Executive Calendar #921, Bruce H. Andrews, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Commerce

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

Last Floor Action:7/24
10:39:43 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action:7/24
9:41:52 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 24, 2014.

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

a message from VP Joe Biden


The White House, Washington

Hey, everyone —

During his State of the Union address, the President asked me to lead an across-the-board review of our nation’s job-training programs.

It’s a top priority for the President, and it is absolutely critical to our economy’s success.

So earlier today, I put forward a roadmap for how the United States can keep and maintain the highest-skilled workforce in the world.

I’ve met with business leaders, community college presidents, governors and mayors, and most importantly, hard-working Americans who were hit hard by the Great Recession, but who are doing everything they can to learn new skills to find a decent, good-paying middle-class job.

And there was a clear consensus: We must rethink how we train today’s workers so that our programs are job-driven, teaching real skills that employers need.

We’ve heard from businesses that many jobs in today’s brightest sectors go unfilled because there simply aren’t enough people with the skills to do them. That’s not good for businesses, it’s not good for workers, and it’s not good for this country.

Some of our country’s businesses, community colleges, and state and local training programs — often supported with federal dollars — have found ways to successfully prepare Americans for these jobs. We need to make sure our entire system is learning from them.

Find out why training programs matter for middle-class Americans — and which ones around the country are working best.

We’re taking steps to improve that training, directing federal agencies to make current programs that serve more than 21 million Americans smarter, and holding training programs that use public funds accountable for making a difference.

This isn’t the only step we’re taking to make sure Americans have the skills they need, either. Today, I joined President Obama as he signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act into law. It connects more ready-to-work Americans with ready-to-be-filled jobs. And it builds on bipartisan efforts in Congress to improve business engagement and accountability. While there’s still more to do, it’s another important step in getting Americans working.

Thanks,

Vice President Joe Biden

SBA Admin ~~ Maria Contreras -Sweet


SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet

SBA Administrator: My 100-Day Progress Report

SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet has been on the job for 100 days! Check out her progress report to learn about the work she’s done and the insights she’s gained since being sworn in this April.

> Read more

 

Free Affordable Care Act 101 webinar covering healthcare reform and your small business hosted by SBA and Small Business Majority. Click to RSVP today

Affordable Care Act 101 Webinars

SBA and Small Business Majority will continue to host free Affordable Care Act 101 weekly webinars so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance marketplaces.

In addition, Spanish-speaking small employers throughout the country can join representatives from SBA, HHS and Small Business Majority for ACA 101 webinars in Spanish. Below are the registration links for the upcoming Spanish-language webinars, which will be held every other Tuesday throughout the summer and fall. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet will kick off the first webinar on July 22.

SBA & AARP Webinar: Q&A Session to Help You Start Your Business—Ask the Experts!

This is your chance to get your small business questions answered by those in the know! Join AARP and SBA on Tuesday, August 12 at 2pm ET to ask about developing your business plan, securing financing, accounting, marketing, bookkeeping and more.

> Submit questions and register now

 

Employee Fraud: What You Can Do About It

Employees are one of your biggest assets, even though they don’t appear on your balance sheet. They help you operate your business and are the faces of your company brand. But employees can also be a big liability if they steal from you. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.

> Read more

2014 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference

Register now for the nation’s premier event for minority businesses, taking place July 31-August 1 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC. Join America’s most diverse entrepreneurs, business owners and executives to capitalize on actionable opportunities for business growth by:

  • Networking with decision makers from multinational corporations, government representatives and leading entrepreneurs.
  • Accessing information from industry experts about business expansion through capital, contracts, and new markets.
  • Engaging in one-on-one meetings at our business-to-business matchmaking sessions with agency representatives to expand your network and identify opportunities.

> Read more and register

 

Webinar: Overview of the 8(a) Business Development Program

Interested in the 8(a) Business Development Program? Join our webinar and knowledgeable panelists to make sure you are getting the most out of the benefits of the program. Ask questions and learn how to take your business to the next level on July 23 at 2pm ET.

> Click to register

8(a) Graphic

ChallengeHer — Opportunities & Access to Federal Contracts for Women-Owned Small Businesses

If you’re a woman-owned small business looking to contract with the federal government and seeking assistance on how to navigate in the federal procurement arena, we have good news that can help!

> Read more

Upcoming ChallengeHER Events:

politics,pollution,petitions,pop culture & purses