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California Legislature passes $156.4-billion 2014-15 budget


Los Angeles Times | June 15, 2014 | 6:23 PM

The Legislature on Sunday passed a $156.4-billion budget, approving new funding for preschool, the bullet train and welfare payments. The budget includes a plan for eliminating the shortfall in the teacher pension fund.

For the latest information go to www.latimes.com.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Key teacher job protections violate California’s constitution, judge rules


 

An L.A. County Superior Court judge ruled today that key job protections for California teachers violate the state’s constitution.

The ruling came in a lawsuit challenging laws governing the process for laying off, granting tenure and dismissing teachers.

A Silicon Valley-based group called Students Matter brought the lawsuit on behalf of nine students, contending the targeted laws hinder the removal of ineffective teachers and disproportionately hurt low-income and minority students.

For the latest information go to www.latimes.com.

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/16 ~~ the House


capitol21

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, June 16, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes on the following:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington,

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois, and

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, on Tuesday, June 17th at 11:00am, all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above followed by a cloture vote on  Executive Calendar #572 Peter Joseph Kadzik – to be an Assistant Attorney General.

For the information of all Senators, during Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order:

–        Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington,

–        Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois,

–        Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida,

–        Executive Calendar #572 Peter Joseph Kadzik – to be an Assistant Attorney General, and

–        Motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #428, H.R.4660, the Commerce, Science, Justice and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

At 5:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes on the following motions:

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington,
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois, and
  3. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

Under a previous order, at 11:00am tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17, there will be up to 4 roll call votes on the following items:

  1. Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington,
  2. Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois,
  3. Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida,
  4. Executive Calendar #572 Peter Joseph Kadzik – to be an Assistant Attorney General. If cloture is invoked on the Kazik nomination, there would be up to 8 hours for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Last week, Senator Reid also filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #428, H.R.4660, the Commerce, Science, Justice and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which will be the legislative vehicle used for the Commerce, Science, and Justice (CJS); Transportation, HUD (THUD); and the Agriculture appropriations bills. We hope to reach an agreement to begin consideration of the Appropriations bill by consent and to withdraw the cloture motion.

Following the cloture vote on the Gayles nomination tonight (the last roll call vote in the 5:30pm series), there will be a voice vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #788, Alice G. Wells, to be Ambassador to Jordan.

At 5:31pm, the Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr., of Washington, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington.

Invoked: 55-37

At 6:00pm, the Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.

Invoked: 55-37

At 6:18pm, the Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

Invoked: 55-37

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr., of Washington, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington; Invoked: 55-37

2)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois; Invoked: 55-37

3)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida; Invoked: 55-37

 

Legislative items

Began the Rule 14 process of the following items in order to place the bills on the Legislative Calendar:

–          H.R.4453, S Corporation Permanent Tax Relief Act and

–          H.R.4457, America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act.

 

Additional Executive Items

Confirmed Executive Calendar #788, Alice G. Wells, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by voice vote. 

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

Last Floor Action:6/13
11:02:52 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 17, 2014.

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

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/13 ~~ the House


senatedemocrats

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, June 16, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes on the following:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington,

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois, and

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

 

If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, on Tuesday, June 17th at 11:00am, all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above followed by a cloture vote on  Executive Calendar #572 Peter Joseph Kadzik – to be an Assistant Attorney General.

 

For the information of all Senators, during Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order:

–        Executive Calendar #740 Salvador Mendoza, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington,

–        Executive Calendar #741 Staci Michelle Yandle – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois,

–        Executive Calendar #778 Darrin P. Gayles – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida,

–        Executive Calendar #572 Peter Joseph Kadzik – to be an Assistant Attorney General, and

–        Motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #428, H.R.4660, the Commerce, Science, Justice and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

 

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

11:00:00 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:00:19 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:00:49 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
11:01:58 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
11:02:06 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:02:52 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 17, 2014.

 

 

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

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/11 ~~ the House


embassy attcksThe Senate stands adjourned until 9:15am on Wednesday, June 11, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans.  The time until 10:00am will be divided as follows: Senator Alexander will control up to 15 minutes and the remaining time will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

 

At 10:00am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432.

10:00am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans;

Not Invoked: 56-38

 

For procedural reasons, Senator Reid changed his vote and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote at a later time. The Senate continues consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2432.

 

S.Con.Res.37, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol in commemoration of the Shimon Peres Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.

The Senate has reached an agreement to vote at 4pm today on a motion to waive the budget, if a budget point of order is made, and on passage of Calendar #206, H.R.3230, as amended with the text of the Sanders-McCain veterans bill, S.2450, Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014. No amendments, other than the veterans substitute amendment, are in order to the bill.

4:00pm –up to 2 roll call votes

–        Motion to waive the budget act points of order (if point of order is made); and, (if made and waived then)

–        Passage of H.R.3230, as amended with the text of the Sanders-McCain veterans bill.

Senator Sessions made a point of order against the emergency designation provision contained in section 802(b) of H.R.3230, the vehicle for S.2450, the Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014; and Senator Sanders moved to waive the applicable points of order.

 

At approximately 4:00pm, there will be up to 2 roll call votes on the following items:

 

  1. Sanders motion to waive applicable points of order with respect to H.R.3230, the vehicle for S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014; and, if waived then,
  2. Passage of H.S.3230, as amended with the text of S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014.

4:06pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Sanders motion to waive applicable points of order with respect to H.R.3230, the vehicle for S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014;

Waived: 75-19

 

Next:

  1. Passage of H.S.3230, as amended with the text of S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014.

4:34pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Passage of H.R.3230, as amended with the text of S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014;

Passed: 93-3

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

On Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 11:30 am, the Senate will execute the previous order to consider the Nix-Hines nomination. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate will proceed to and vote on confirmation of the McCord, Chu, and Batta nominations.

 

As a result, we expect 1 roll call and 3 voice votes at 12:00 noon tomorrow on confirmation of the following nominations:

 

  1. Executive Calendar #523 Crystal Nix-Hines, of California, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization;
  2. Executive Calendar #710  Michael J. McCord, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) (voice vote expected);
  3. Executive Calendar #782 R. Jane Chu, Missouri, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts for a term of four years (voice vote expected); and
  4. Executive Calendar #776 Todd A. Batta, of Iowa, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture (voice vote expected).

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans; Not Invoked: 56-38

2)     Sanders motion to waive applicable points of order with respect to H.R.3230, the vehicle for S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, as amended; Waived: 75-19

3)     Passage of H.R.3230, as amended with the text of S.2450, Veterans’ Access to care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, as amended; Passed: 93-3

 

Additional Legislative items

Passed S.1681, An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes with a Feinstein substitute amendment by voice vote.

 

Placed the following resolution on the Legislative Calendar and ordered the Senate to adopt the resolution upon the enactment into law of S.1681:

–        S.Res.470, Amending Senate Resolution 400 (94th Congress) to clarify the responsibility of committees of the Senate in the provision of the advice and consent of the Senate to nominations to positions in the intelligence community.

 

Adopted S.Con.Res.37, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol in commemoration of the Shimon Peres Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.

 

Adopted S.Res.471, Honoring former President George H.W. Bush on the occasion of his 90th birthday and Barbara Bush on the occasion of Her.89th birthday and extending the best wishes of the Senate to former President Bush and Mrs. Bush.

 

Adopted S.Res.472, Honoring Dr. James Schlesinger, former Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, and Director of Central Intelligence.

 

No Additional Executive items

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

House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of June 11, 2014

9:00:37 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:42 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:14 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Cross Church, Springdale, Arkansas.
9:03:09 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:03:12 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Barrow of GA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:05:06 A.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:15:54 A.M. H. Res. 617 ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. Holding asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time on the legislative day of June 12, 2014 to consider in the House, H. Res. 617; that the resolution be considered as read; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the preamble and the resolution to final adoption without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.
9:15:57 A.M. H. Res. 617 Considered pursuant to the order of the House of June 12, 2014. H. Res. 617 — “Condemning the abduction of female students by armed militants from the terrorist group known as Boko Haram in northeastern provinces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
9:15:58 A.M. H. Res. 617 The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
9:16:35 A.M. H. Res. 617 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to the order of the House of June 12, 2014, the Chair put the question on agreeing to H. Res. 617, and by voice vote, announced that the yeas had prevailed. Ms. Wilson (FL) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
9:16:57 A.M. Mr. Holding asked unanimous consent that the Chair may postpone further proceedings today on a motion to recommit as though under clause 8 of rule 20. Agreed to without objection.
9:17:38 A.M. H.R. 4453 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 616. H.R. 4453 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the reduced recognition period for built-in gains of S corporations.”
9:18:37 A.M. H.R. 4453 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4453.
10:08:36 A.M. H.R. 4453 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:08:45 A.M. H.R. 4453 Mr. Neal moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means.
10:09:47 A.M. H.R. 4453 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions, pending the reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to extend the built-in gains of S Corporations recognition period and the charitable contribution adjusted basis for two additional years. The point of order was subsequently withdrawn.
10:16:39 A.M. H.R. 4453 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:16:46 A.M. H.R. 4453 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit with instructions, and by voice vote, announced that the nays had prevailed. Mr. Neal demanded the yeas and nays, and pursuant to the order of the House of June 12, 2014, the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
10:17:10 A.M. H.R. 4457 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 616. H.R. 4457 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased expensing limitations, and for other purposes.”
10:18:06 A.M. H.R. 4457 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4457.
10:32:29 A.M. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1681.
10:33:09 A.M. H.R. 4457 DEBATE – The House continued with debate on H.R. 4457.
11:15:28 A.M. H.R. 4457 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:15:43 A.M. H.R. 4457 Mr. Neal moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means.
11:16:09 A.M. H.R. 4457 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions, pending the reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to extend small business expensing for two years. The point of order was subsequently withdrawn.
11:24:42 A.M. H.R. 4457 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:51:09 A.M. H.R. 4457 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 180 – 232 (Roll no. 308).
11:58:36 A.M. H.R. 4457 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 272 – 144 (Roll no. 309).
11:58:38 A.M. H.R. 4457 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:58:42 A.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to recommit on H.R. 4453, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
11:58:52 A.M. H.R. 4453 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4453 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the reduced recognition period for built-in gains of S corporations.”
12:04:33 P.M. H.R. 4453 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 188 – 229 (Roll no. 310).
12:10:31 P.M. H.R. 4453 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 – 155 (Roll no. 311).
12:10:32 P.M. H.R. 4453 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:10:35 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of H. Res. 617, which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:10:43 P.M. H. Res. 617 Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 617 — “Condemning the abduction of female students by armed militants from the terrorist group known as Boko Haram in northeastern provinces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
12:16:42 P.M. H. Res. 617 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 411 – 2 (Roll no. 312).
12:16:43 P.M. H. Res. 617 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:17:45 P.M. Mr. Frelinghuysen asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations have until 5:00 p.m. on June 13 to file a report on a bill making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes. Agreed to without objection.
12:17:50 P.M. Mr. Frelinghuysen asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on June 13. Agreed to without objection.
12:18:04 P.M. Mr. Frelinghuysen asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, June 13, 2014, it adjourn to meet at noon on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
12:18:22 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:26:35 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:20:43 P.M. Commission on International Religious Freedom – Pursuant to section 201(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 USC 6431) and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Ms. Hannah Rosenthal, Milwaukee, WI.
1:22:00 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.
3:21:34 P.M. Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.
3:21:45 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
3:21:46 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on June 13, 2014.

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