the Senate CONGRESS 1/29 the House

01/29/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in recess until 8:25pm today, Tuesday, January 28^th.

At 8:30pm, the Senate will proceed as a body to the Hall of the House of Representatives for the joint session of Congress where the President will deliver the State of the Union address. Upon dissolution of the joint session, the Senate will adjourn until 10:00am on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.

Schedule for Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Senate will convene at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

Following morning business, all post-cloture time on the motion to proceed to S.1926 will be yielded back and the Senate will begin consideration of the bill. The following amendments will be agreed to: Hagan #2702; Rubio #2704; King #2705; and Blunt #2698.

The following amendments will be the only other amendments in order:

– Reed (RI) #2703 (community based policy study);

– Coburn #2697 (NARAB alternative);

– Merkley #2709 (forced placed insurance);

– Heller-Lee #2700 (state authority – private flood insurance);

– Whitehouse #2706 (fee waiver);

– Toomey #2707 (substitute), (to be modified with the text of the Rubio amendment #2704 and the Hagan amendment #2702);

– and

– Gillibrand #2708 (mitigation guidelines).

It will be in order for Senator Toomey to modify his amendment with the text of the Rubio amendment #2704 and the Hagan amendment #2702. No second degree amendments will be in order to any of these amendments prior to votes in relation to the amendments. There will be 30 minutes of debate equally divided on each amendment or motion to waive a budget point or order, if made. There will also be up to one hour of general debate on the bill equally divided between proponents and opponents. Amendments in this agreement must be offered prior to 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 29^th. It will be in order for Senator Crapo, or his

designee, to raise a budget point of order against the bill; if such a point of order is raised, Senator Menendez, or designee, will be recognized to move to waive the point of order. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to the vote on the motion to waive, if made and if the motion to waive is agreed to, the Senate will proceed to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed. Finally, upon disposition of the amendments, the bill will be read a third time and the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended.

With this agreement, several roll call votes in relation to amendments to the flood insurance bill are expected Wednesday evening.

During his opening statement this morning, Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #297, S.1950, a bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes. Following leader remarks, there will be an hour for morning business. Following morning business (approx. 11:15AM), the Senate will begin consideration of Calendar #294, S.1926, Flood Insurance, as provided for under the previous order. Senators have until 3pm to offer the amendments in the agreement.

The following amendments are pending to S.1926, the Flood Insurance bill:

Gillibrand amendment #2708 (mitigation guidelines)
Heller amendment #2700 (state authority – private flood insurance)
Whitehouse amendment #2706 (fee waiver)
Coburn amendment #2697 (NARAB alternative)
Reed amendment #2703 (community based policy study)
Toomey amendment #2707, as modified (substitute)
Merkley amendment #2709, as modified (forced placed insurance)

The following amendments have been considered to S.1926:

Hagan amendment #2702; agreed to by uc
Rubio amendment #2704; agreed to by uc
King amendment #2705; agreed to by uc
Blunt amendment #2698; agreed to by uc

By consent at 4:45pm today, the Senate will proceed to votes in relation to the following:

– Menendez motion to waive budget points of order against S.1929, Flood Insurance;

– Reed amendment #2703 (community based policy study);

– Whitehouse amendment #2706 (fee waiver); and

– Gillibrand #2708 (mitigation guidelines).

There will be two minutes for debate between the votes, equally divided. We expect a roll call vote on the motion to waive and voice votes on the amendments.

4:45pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Menendez motion to waive budget points of order against S.1929, Flood Insurance;

Waived: 64-35

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, January 30, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.

The time until 11:15am will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The final 10 minutes will be equally divided and controlled between Senators Menendez and Toomey or their designees with Senator Toomey controlling the final five minutes.

At 11:15am, there will be up to 4 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– Toomey amendment #2707, as modified

– Coburn amendment #2697

– Merkley amendment #2709, as modified and

– Heller amendment #2700.

Following disposition of the Heller amendment, the Senate will recess until 2:00pm. At 2:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on passage of S.1926, as amended. There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Vote

1) Menendez motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to S.1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act; Waived: 64-35

Legislative Items

Passed S.1417, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize programs under part A of title XI of such Act with a committee-reported substitute amendment.

Passed H.R.2860, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management may use amounts in the revolving fund of the Office to fund audits, investigations, and oversight activities, and for other purposes.

Discharged the Rules committee and adopted the following joint resolutions, en bloc:

– S.J.Res.28, providing for the appointment of John Fahey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute and

– S.J.Res.29, providing for the appointment of Risa Lavizzo-Mourey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute.

Adopted S.Con.Res.31, designating January 2014 as “National Blood Donor Month”.

No Executive Items

+++++++++++++++

Last Floor Action:
12:31:09 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on January 31, 2014.

9:00:26 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:31 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:45 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:16 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Womack demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Womack objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
9:02:48 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Barletta to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:07 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.
9:15:00 A.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 January 28, 2014 at 6:07 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1302.
9:17:00 A.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas brought up conference report H. Rept. 113-333 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 465.
9:17:21 A.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the Conference report to accompany H.R. 2642.
10:29:10 A.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:01:09 A.M.	H.R. 2642	On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 251 – 166 (Roll no. 31).
11:01:09 A.M.	H.R. 2642	Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:01:42 A.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
11:05:20 A.M.		British- American Interparliamentary Group – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276 and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Mr. McIntyre (NC) and Mr. Delaney (MD).
11:07:41 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded further with one minute speeches.
11:27:06 A.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting the text of a proposed Third Amendment to the Agreement for Co-operation Between the United States of American and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Also, a written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the Amendment, and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Amendment. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-89).
11:29:48 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:31:01 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:31:08 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
12:31:09 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on January 31, 2014.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

free an innocent man … by Liz Ramsey

01/28/2014 Nativegrl77

Mark Woodworth spent nearly 20 years of his life behind bars for a murder he did not commit. He’s free now, but the state of Missouri wants to try him a third time.

Mark was released from prison in February 2013 after the MO Supreme Court overturned his convictions – ruling that state prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense which would likely have resulted in a not guilty verdict. He was convicted not once, but twice in trials which judges deemed not worthy of confidence. But Attorney General Chris Koster has inexplicably decided to move forward on attempting to retry him for a third time.

As a law student researching Mark’s case, I know that the state’s case against Mark has no merit, this travesty persists and Mark’s life is still not his own.

On November 13, 1990, in Chillicothe, MO, Cathy and Lyndel Robertson were shot in their own home. Cathy was killed but Lyndel survived and when asked by authorities who could have killed his wife and attacked him, a hospitalized Lyndel Robertson initially named his daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Brandon.

Only 12 hours after the shooting police found Brandon and his hands tested positive for gunshot residue. He had also stashed a duffel bag in the trunk of a woman’s car while staying at her apartment in the days after the killing. In the trunk, investigators discovered four .22-caliber bullet casings, the same kind used in the Robertson home.

Then attention turned to Mark Woodworth who was 16 at the time and lived with his parents across the road from the Robertsons. Lyndel Robertson and Mark’s father were partners in a farming operation, though they had falling out.

A corrupt private investigator was hired by Roberston who was being sued by Mark’s father at the time. This investigator had previously been forced to resign his position as a detective when the FBI produced information that he was “promoting prostitution.” To build a case against Mark, he conspired with a politically ambitious Deputy to sneak the entire Sheriff’s investigative file from the Sheriff’s office and to keep his involvement a secret from the Sheriff and honest members of the Highway Patrol.

After the Missouri Supreme Court vacated Mark’s convictions last January, the Missouri Attorney General announced that they would seek a 3rd trial, even though the new judge assigned has excluded almost all of their so-called “evidence” based on the bogus investigation and the “especially odious” conduct of the private investigator.

Mark is trying to move on – he is now married and helps run his family company, Woodworth Manufacturing, which makes custom-made trailers of all sizes and allows him to use welding skills he learned in prison. Please sign my petition and ask Attorney General Koster to stop going after an innocent man.

Chris Koster, Missouri Attorney General: Chris Koster: Drop the charges against Mark Woodworth

By Liz Ramsey

St Louis, Missouri

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What Americans Believe

01/28/2014 Nativegrl77

CAP Action War Room

Time for An Economy That Works for Everyone

Ahead of tomorrow’s State of the Union address, public polling finds strong support for creating an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few – and that means the creation of more good jobs, more opportunity for those who work hard, and everyone having an opportunity to succeed. Americans understand that income inequality is real – and a real problem.

Here’s what we know Americans believe:

Americans believe both the economy and the government are working for the wealthiest few and not everyone else.

Americans believe we can and should pursue policies to create an economy that works for everyone.

Americans support progressive economic policies that build a strong economy:

Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour enjoys widespread, bipartisan support: 73 percent, including more than half of Republicans.

Extending emergency unemployment benefits also enjoys widespread, bipartisan support: 65 percent, including 65 percent of Independents.

54 percent believe we should increase taxes on the wealthy and corporation specifically to expand programs for the poor. By contrast, only 35 percent believe that “lowering taxes on wealthy people to encourage more investment and economic growth” would do more to reduce poverty.

Americans believe that that we must take action to combat poverty and extend ladders of opportunity to those striving to enter the middle class.

Americans reject conservative arguments of the nature of wealth and poverty in America, namely that the poor are poor because they are lazy or make bad decisions. A majority of Americans also believe that the rich are rich are because of advantages they had, not hard work.

President Obama spoke about these issues last month at the Center for American Progress, calling them the “defining challenge of our time,” and we expect him to address them tomorrow night as well.

For more on what Americans really think about the economy, you can check out our full roundup of recent polling HERE.

BOTTOM LINE: Americans understand that the economy is not working for everyone, support action to increase opportunities for everyone to get ahead, and support the concrete policy proposals that progressives are advocating.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 1/28 the House

01/28/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, post-cloture.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly party caucus meetings.

By consent, time during the adjournment and recess will count post-cloture.

At 9:00pm, the President will deliver the State of the Union Address. All senators are invited to attend the joint session. The Senate will begin gathering in the Senate Chamber at 8:20pm and depart from the Senate Chamber at 8:30pm to proceed as a body to the Hall of the House.

The Senate has passed Calendar #230, S.1302, Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act, as amended by the Harkin-Roberts substitute amendment #2701. By consent, if the Senate receives a bill from the House of Representatives that is identical to the text of S.1302, as passed by the Senate, then the House bill will be read three times and passed, with no intervening action or debate.

WRAP UP

No Roll Call Votes

Legislative Items

Passed S.1302, the Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act with a Committee-reported substitute amendment and a Harkin-Roberts substitute amendment. Additionally, if the Senate receives a bill from the House that is identical to the text of S.1302, the House bill be read three times and passed.

Discharged the HELP committee and adopted S.Res.334, recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1963, a bill to repeal section 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

No Executive Items

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

Last Floor Action:
10:01:06 A.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.

10:00:19 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:51 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:06 A.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.

10:29:52 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 75 and passed S. 1901.
10:30:25 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with Morning-Hour Debate.
10:50:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:59 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 28.
12:01:03 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:02:25 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Holding demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Holding demaned the yeas and nays and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:53 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Higgins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:06 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:37:12 P.M.	H. Res. 465	By direction of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Foxx called up H. Res. 465 and asked for its immediate consideration.
12:39:16 P.M.	H. Res. 465	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. McGovern raised a point of order against the provisions of H. Res. 465 because it violates the Congressional Budget Act. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H. Res. 465. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the quesiton on consideration.
12:52:42 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On question of consideration of the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
12:53:29 P.M.	H. Res. 465	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. McGovern raised a point of order againist the provisions of H. Res. 465 because it waived all points of order against H.R. 7 and the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H. Res. 465. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.
1:06:11 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On question of consideration of the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
1:06:18 P.M.	H. Res. 465	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 465.

2:53:34 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 194 (Roll no. 26).
3:03:12 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 192 (Roll no. 27).
3:03:13 P.M.	H. Res. 465	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:03:28 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, on which the Yeas and Nays were ordered and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:11:11 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 260 – 142, 3 Present (Roll no. 28).
3:12:45 P.M.	H.R. 7	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 465. H.R. 7 — “To prohibit taxpayer funded abortions.”
3:12:50 P.M.	H.R. 7	The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7, under a closed rule with one hour of debate on the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-33 shall be considered as adopted. Also the rule provides for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642.
3:13:45 P.M.	H.R. 7	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7.
4:29:30 P.M.	H.R. 7	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:30:10 P.M.	H.R. 7	Ms. Moore moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
4:30:29 P.M.	H.R. 7	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moore 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 add language to the bill prohibiting authorization of any party to violate the medical privacy of any woman with respect to her choice of or use of comprehensive health insurance coverage. The reservation of a point of order was subsequently withdrawn.
4:39:14 P.M.	H.R. 7	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:05:32 P.M.	H.R. 7	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 192 – 221, 1 Present (Roll no. 29).
5:13:42 P.M.	H.R. 7	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 188, 1 Present (Roll no. 30).
5:13:43 P.M.	H.R. 7	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:14:24 P.M.	S. 1901	Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
5:14:24 P.M.	S. 1901	Considered by unanimous consent. S. 1901 — “To authorize the President to extend the term of the nuclear energy agreement with the Republic of Korea until March 19, 2016.”
5:14:50 P.M.	S. 1901	On passage Passed without objection.
5:14:52 P.M.	S. 1901	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:15:14 P.M.		Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Agreed to without objection.
5:15:40 P.M.		House Democracy Partnership – Pursuant to Section 4(b) of H. Res. 5, 113th Congress, the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the House Democracy Partnership: Mr. Price of NC, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Farr, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mrs. Davis of CA, Ms. Moore, Mr. McDermott and Ms. Titus.
5:18:36 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 8:35 P.M. today at which time the House will meet in Joint Session with the Senate to receive a communication from the President of the United States on the subject of the state of the Union.

8:41:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 28.
8:41:30 P.M.		JOINT SESSION – The House convened in Joint Session with the Senate for the purpose of receiving an address from the President of the United States on the subject of the state of the Union.
10:25:00 P.M.		JOINT SESSION DISSOLVED – The Speaker declared the Joint Session of the two Houses dissolved.
10:26:00 P.M.		Mr. Cantor moved that the President’s message be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered printed as a House document (H.Doc. 113-82). Agreed to without objection.
10:27:00 P.M.		Mr. Cantor moved that the House do now adjourn.
10:27:10 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
10:27:15 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on January 29, 2014.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What if every president did this?

01/27/2014 Nativegrl77

FEATURED

What if every president did this?

On Tuesday we’re offering a special, enhanced version of President Obama’s State of the Union address that you won’t find anywhere else. Featuring graphics and charts that’ll lay out the case for making 2014 a year of action, it’s the best way for you to get the smartest take.

Which got us thinking: What if other presidents had an enhanced version of their State of the Union address?

Here’s what we think that might look like — watch, then RSVP to watch on Tuesday for the real deal:

HERE’S WHAT ELSE YOU MISSED THIS WEEK

A Big Block of Cheese

In an homage — or fromage — to President Andrew Jackson’s 1837 open house, which featured a 1,400 lb. block of cheese, White House officials are answering your questions on social media. Make sure you take part this Wednesday, following the State of the Union:

Join a Virtual Road Trip

President Obama’s taking a virtual road trip this Friday to answer questions from across the country, and we want you to come along for the ride. Find out how to join us on Google+.

Taking Over Instagram

All this week, White House officials have been taking over our Instagram feed to take you #InsideSOTU. Check out some of the photos below, and follow us on Instagram to see what’s in store for the week ahead: