the Senate CONGRESS 2/25 the House

02/25/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, February 25, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:05am with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

At 11:05am, the Senate will resume Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #570 James Maxwell Moody, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas, post-cloture with the time until 11:15am equally divided and controlled.

At 11:15am, there will be 5 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Moody nomination

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566 James Donato to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

– Confirmation of the Donato nomination

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567 Beth Labson Freeman to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California and

– Confirmation of the Freeman nomination.

All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

Following disposition of the Freeman nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:15pm, there will be up to one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees prior to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

As a reminder, there will be up to 5 roll call votes at 11:15am. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration and there will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between each vote. Senator Reid encouraged senators to vote within the allotted vote time in order to process the nominations in a timely fashion. Following these votes, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. Then there will be 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

If all time is used, the cloture vote would occur at 3:15pm.

11:15am votes:

– Confirmation of Executive Calednar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Arkansas;

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California;

– Confirmation of the Donato nomination;

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and

– Confirmation of the Freeman nomination.

3:15pm vote:

– Cloture on motion to proceed to S.1982, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

11:16am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Arkansas;

Confirmed: 95-4

At 11:45am, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California;

Invoked: 55-42, with 1 voting present

12:04pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

Confirmed: 90-5

12:21pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

Invoked: 56-42-1 present

12:38pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.

Confirmed: 91-7

At 3:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

3:34pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014;

Invoked: 99-0

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Arkansas; Confirmed: 95-4

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Invoked: 55-42-1 present

3) Confirmation of the Donato nomination; Confirmed: 90-5

4) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Invoked: 56-42-1 present

5) Confirmation of the Freeman nomination; Confirmed: 91-7

6) Cloture on motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014; Invoked: 99-0

Additional Legislative items

Passed H.R.2431, a bill to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System.

No additional Executive items

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Last Floor Action:2/24
12:19:43 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

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

12:00:05 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:22 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:58 P.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.
12:19:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

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

2:00:35 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 25.
2:00:48 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Butterfield to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:19 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:12:49 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice that the national emergency with respect to the Government of Cuba’s destruction of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace on February 24, 1996, is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-92).
2:13:48 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
3:03:07 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 25.
3:03:14 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:03:29 P.M.	H.R. 1211	Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1211 — “To amend section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), to provide for greater public access to information, and for other purposes.”
3:03:43 P.M.	H.R. 1211	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:03:47 P.M.	H.R. 1211	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1211.
3:17:10 P.M.	H.R. 1211	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
3:17:33 P.M.	H.R. 1232	Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1232 — “To amend titles 40, 41, and 44, United States Code, to eliminate duplication and waste in information technology acquisition and management.”
3:17:50 P.M.	H.R. 1232	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:17:52 P.M.	H.R. 1232	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1232.
3:42:41 P.M.	H.R. 1232	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:43:10 P.M.	H.R. 1423	Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1423 — “To provide taxpayers with an annual report disclosing the cost and performance of Government programs and areas of duplication among them, and for other purposes.”
3:43:32 P.M.	H.R. 1423	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:43:35 P.M.	H.R. 1423	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1423.
3:54:34 P.M.	H.R. 1423	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:42 P.M.	H.R. 1123	Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1123 — “To promote consumer choice and wireless competition by permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other purposes.”
3:55:57 P.M.	H.R. 1123	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:55:59 P.M.	H.R. 1123	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1123.
4:36:39 P.M.	H.R. 1123	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:37:00 P.M.	H.R. 1944	Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1944 — “To protect private property rights.”
4:37:04 P.M.	H.R. 1944	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:37:08 P.M.	H.R. 1944	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1944.
4:56:17 P.M.	H.R. 1944	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:57:47 P.M.	H.R. 2530	Mr. Roskam moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2530 — “To improve transparency and efficiency with respect to audits and communications between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service.”
4:57:52 P.M.	H.R. 2530	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:57:55 P.M.	H.R. 2530	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2530.
5:17:17 P.M.	H.R. 2530	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:17:42 P.M.	H.R. 2531	Mr. Roskam moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2531 — “To prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from asking taxpayers questions regarding religious, political, or social beliefs.”
5:17:52 P.M.	H.R. 2531	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:17:53 P.M.	H.R. 2531	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2531.

5:36:35 P.M.	H.R. 2531	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:36:49 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:30 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 25.
6:30:31 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:30:40 P.M.	H.R. 1211	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1211 — “To amend section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), to provide for greater public access to information, and for other purposes.”
7:01:57 P.M.	H.R. 1211	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 63).
7:02:08 P.M.	H.R. 1123	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1123 — “To promote consumer choice and wireless competition by permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other purposes.”
7:10:53 P.M.	H.R. 1123	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 295 – 114 (Roll no. 64).
7:11:00 P.M.		Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 487.
7:12:34 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:25:28 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A simple way to save lives

02/24/2014 Nativegrl77


	My name is Rory Graves, and I am from Bothell. I know more than most how gun violence can affect families and the communities they live in. I know, because my mom’s husband of more than 20 years shot her in 2012. Thankfully she survived, but far too many women in Washington — and far too many women in the rest of America — aren’t so lucky. But there’s something we can do THIS YEAR to help reduce the number of people murdered by their intimate partners, and that is to pass House Bill 1840. The Washington state Senate will be holding committee hearings Wednesday — click here now to tell your senator to support this lifesaving bill. As a young mother, I had hoped to look to my mom for support and advice raising my kids. Instead, I spent more than a year helping her recover and lived in fear that her attacker would show up at my door to finish what he’d started — or, even worse, kill me and the rest of my family. We know that the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500 percent — that’s right, 500 percent. And House Bill 1840 would make it illegal for anyone subject to an order of protection to own a firearm. Given the dysfunction in our state legislature, I figured there was no way this could pass — but the state House passed it unanimously last week. Now we have an incredible opportunity to make a simple change in the law — and save a lot of lives. My mom and I are going to Olympia to demand they support this legislation. Will you raise your voice with us? Speak out now, and tell your state senator to support House Bill 1840. We need to give police officers the tools they need to keep guns out of the hands of known domestic abusers. Thank you for your support. Rory Graves

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

17 seats, and we stop this:

02/24/2014 Nativegrl77

to shelve major legislation for the rest of the year.

That means they're not going to do their jobs

so they can hang onto their party's House majority.

https://my.democrats.org/Nine-Months

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A life sentence for marijuana …

02/24/2014 Nativegrl77

My dad is serving life without parole for marijuana

By Chris Mizanskey

Sedalia, Missouri

My father Jeff Mizanskey has been in prison for 20 years and has no possibility of parole. For non-violent, marijuana-only offenses, my father has been sentenced to die in prison because of a “three strikes” mandatory sentencing policy in the State of Missouri.

Dad’s first offense was in 1984 when he sold an ounce to an undercover informant, and then was found to possess a half pound of marijuana when police raided his house the next day. His next offense occurred in 1991, when he was caught in possession of a couple of ounces. But for my father’s final strike in 1993, he became an easy fall guy in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. My dad was driving a friend to a deal that turned out to be a sting operation. All of the other convicted men involved were set free years ago, but my dad was given a virtual death sentence.

My dad is, and always has been, a good man. He taught my brother and I all about construction and a good work ethic. He has never been violent and he is a model prisoner. And over the 20 years he has been in that little cell, he has watched as violent criminals, rapists, and murderers have “paid their debts” and left – sometimes just to return a few months later.

My father is 61 years old, and has been in prison since he was 41. His parents – my grandparents – have since passed. While my dad has been trapped behind bars, generations of kids and grandkids have been born into our family who have never even met the man. The State of Missouri spends roughly $22,000/year to keep him locked up. Meanwhile all my dad wants to do is be a productive part of society, work and pay taxes, be with his family. And I want my dad back.

Governor Jay Nixon is the only person who has the power to bring my dad home by granting clemency to Jeff and calling 20 years punishment enough. Please help us reach a just and reasonable end to his prison sentence by signing and sharing this petition.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

One Cent More

02/24/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

A Higher Minimum Wage Would Hardly Impact Wal-Mart At All

Read the whole story here.

BONUS: Today, our President & CEO Tom Perriello bids adieu to us here at CAP Action as he heads to the State Department and its Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (click here to learn what that complicated-sounding project actually does). Thanks for your leadership, Tom, and good luck!