We did it!
HCAN Supporter,
After a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for progressives to run a grassroots-powered, $60 million successful push for health reform, HCAN is bringing its five-and-a-half year campaign to a close at the end of 2013.
We want to thank all of HCAN’s partner organizations, allies and activists who led the fight to pass and implement the Affordable Care Act. Hundreds of thousands of people like you demonstrated the grassroots support needed to end the insurance industry’s stranglehold on our health care.
You sent hundreds of thousands of letters to your senators and representatives, gathered millions of petition signatures telling them to do the right thing, and made a remarkable number of phone calls to Capitol Hill. Without you, our coalition wouldn’t have won the biggest expansion of access health care in the last half century.
You did this. Your actions made this possible. You told Congress that America needed health care reform now. Thanks to you, we got it.
Online enrollment is back on track and millions are signing up for quality, affordable health care – many for the first time. There is still work to be done, and we need to keep fighting. We don’t imagine that Republicans and the tea party are going to stop attacking the law any time soon. We hope you will remain involved in the fight to support health care reform and build a strong middle class. To learn more, please visit HCAN’s leadership organizations in the links listed below.
Best wishes from all of us at Health Care for America Now.
American Federation of Teachers
Communications Workers of America
Leadership Center for the Common Good
National Education Association
United Food and Commercial Workers
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Petition: Stop voter suppression in Florida
Rick Scott’s administration has just made their next move in the attempt to suppress voting rights in Florida.
The Secretary of State issued a directive — without much (if any) input from regional election supervisors — that limits the locations at which Floridians can drop off absentee ballots to elections offices only, instead of remote drop off sites that are more convenient for voters.
Put simply: Rick Scott’s administration once again has just made it harder for folks in Florida to vote.
The next big election in Florida is coming up on January 14th — a special election primary to fill the vacant seat in Florida’s 13th congressional district. We have a great candidate in Alex Sink and it’s another prime pickup opportunity for Democrats.
Every Floridian in that district should be able to make their voice heard without worrying about these new restrictions. These limitations are unnecessary and can have a dramatic impact in suppressing the vote. For instance, in 2012, 42% of all ballots were dropped off at these remote sites closer to where voters live.
The right to vote in this country is non-negotiable. Any changes we make to our election structure should make it easier for people to vote, not harder.
Thank you for standing with me against these new restrictions.
Debbie
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the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 12/19 ~~ the House
The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, December 19, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act, post-cloture.
All time during adjournment will count post-cloture on the motion to concur with respect to NDAA. Roll call votes are possible throughout the day. Senators will be notified when they are scheduled.
Senator Reid asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1859, submitted earlier today by Senator Reid. The bill includes the following provisions:
– an extension of a provision to exclude mortgage debt forgiveness from taxable income;
– deductions for state and local sales taxes, qualified tuition expenses for students, and classroom expenses that teachers pay for out of their own pockets;
– a commuter benefit that helps workers who take mass transit to their jobs every day;
– the New Markets Tax Credit and the Low Income Housing Credit;
– tax benefits to encourage investment in our nation’s infrastructure, such as the Short Line Rail Tax Credit; provisions that encourage the development of renewable energy technology, including the production tax credit for wind, as well as credits to promote the development of biofuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and energy-efficient buildings; and
– tax incentives for small and large businesses, including Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation and the R&D credit;
Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified and that the pending cloture motions on Executive nominations be withdrawn; and that following disposition of the Defense Authorization bill, the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.R.2668, and that the text of S.1859 be the first amendment in order, and that the Majority and Minority sides then be recognized to offer amendments in an alternating fashion.
Senator Reid objected and Senator McConnell objected to the original request.
The Senate has resumed consideration of the House Message on H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act, post-cloture. If all time is used, at approximately 11:14pm tonight the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to H.R.3304, NDAA (passage).
As a reminder, on Monday Senator Reid filed cloture on several Executive nominations. Upon disposition of the Defense bill, there will be a live quorum prior to a cloture vote on the Mayorkas nominations. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the Mayorkas nomination, there will be a mandatory live quorum prior to a cloture vote on the Koskinen nomination. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.
We’ll repeat the general sequence of a live quorum (unless we obtain consent to waive the quorum), a cloture vote, some debate time, and then confirmation vote until we’ve worked through the nominations listed below.
Senators will be notified if an agreement can be reached and the schedule changes, but at this time senators should be prepared for 2 votes at approximately 11:14pm. Additional procedural votes are possible today and during the voting sequence. Senators are encouraged to be on the floor for the live quorums so that a quorum can be established quickly.
11:14pm votes:
1) Adoption of the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to H.R.3304, NDAA (passage)
Live quorum
2) Cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
(up to 8 hours equally divided)
3) Confirmation of Mayorkas nomination
Live quorum
4) Cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Andrew Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service.
(8 hours equally divided)
5) Confirmation of Koskinen nomination
Live quorum
6) Cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian J. Davis, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the District of Florida
(2 hours equally divided)
7) Confirmation of Davis nomination
Live quorum
8) Cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet L. Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
(30 hours)
9) Confirmation of Yellen nomination
Live quorum
10) Cloture on Executive Calendar #455, Sloan D. Gibson, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
(8 hours equally divided)
11) Confirmation of Gibson nomination
Live quorum
12) Cloture on Executive Calendar #445, Sarah Sewall, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civility Security, Democracy, and Human Rights)
(8 hours equally divided)
13) Confirmation of Sewall nomination
Live quorum
14) Cloture on Executive Calendar #371, Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior
(8 hours equally divided)
15) Confirmation of Connor nomination
Live quorum
16) Cloture on Executive Calendar #457, Sarah Bloom Raskin, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
(8 hours equally divided)
17) Confirmation of Raskin nomination
Live quorum
18) Cloture on Executive Calendar #356, Jessica Garfola Wright, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
(8 hours equally divided)
19) Confirmation of Wright nomination
Live quorum
20) Cloture on Executive Calendar #189, Richard Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
(8 hours equally divided)
21) Confirmation of Engler nomination
The Senate will recess from 12:45pm until 2:15pm. The time will count against post-cloture debate on NDAA.
The time from 2:15 until 2:35pm will be controlled by the Majority Leader, or his designee, and the time from 2:35pm until 3:15pm will be controlled by the Republican Leader, or his designee.
At 3:15pm, we expect Senator Cornyn to make a motion to table with respect to the Defense bill in order to offer an amendment.
Expected 3:15pm vote:
– Cornyn motion to table the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3304, with Reid amendment #2552.
Senator Reed (RI) asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #265, S.1845, a bill to extend unemployment insurance benefits for 3 months.
Senator Cornyn asked that the request be modified that that all pending cloture motions on Executive nominations be withdrawn, and that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S.1845, and that the Majority Leader and Minority Leader be recognized to offer amendments in an alternating fashion.
Senator Reed declined to modify his request and Senator Cornyn objected to the original request.
Senator Cornyn asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending motion to concur with Reid #2552 amendment in order to make a motion to concur with Cornyn amendment #2606 (to provide for the award of medals for members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense who were killed or wounded in an attack perpetrated by a homegrown violent extremist who was inspired or motivated by a foreign terrorist organization.
Senator Levin objected.
Cornyn parliamentary inquiry #1: is it correct that no senator is permitted to offer an amendment to the House passed Defense bill while the Majority Leader’s motion to concur with a further amendment is pending?
Chair: The senator is correct
Cornyn parliamentary inquiry #2: If a motion to table the Reid motion to concur with a further amendment is successful, would there be an opportunity to offer my amendment #2602?
Chair: The senator is correct.
Senator Cornyn then moved to table the pending Reid motion to concur with a further amendment.
3:29pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Cornyn motion to table the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3304, National Defense Authorization Act;
Not Tabled: 45-55
The News
Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today:
“Republicans owe an apology to the more than one million Americans whose unemployment insurance will expire due to Republican gridlock and obstruction. In the past, Democrats and Republicans have worked together to extend unemployment insurance for those still looking for work. Sadly, Republicans have now decided that they would rather let this program expire than cooperate with Democrats.
“With just a little cooperation, we could complete all of the work before us and vote to extend unemployment benefits before Christmas Eve. Without Republican cooperation, we cannot. I hope my Republican colleagues will change course, and put the millions of Americans who are struggling this holiday season ahead of partisan gridlock. If Republicans choose to continue their obstruction, I will ensure that extending unemployment insurance is the first thing we vote on after the holiday.
“Congress is finishing this year less popular than a cockroach, and this kind of mindless, knee-jerk obstruction from Republicans is exactly why.”
The Senate has reached an agreement with respect to several nominations. Under the unanimous consent agreement, there will be 2 roll call votes at 11:14pm this evening, 6 roll call votes at 10:00am Friday and one roll call vote at a time to be determined on Monday, January 6th. The details of the agreement are below.
Today, Thursday, December 19th at 11:15pm, 2 Roll Call Votes:
– Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act and
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Following the cloture vote on the Mayorkas nomination, the Senate will be in period of morning business for debate only with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
When the Senate convenes on Friday, December 20th, all but one hour of post-cloture debate will be expired with the one remaining hour equally divided and controlled between Senators Carper and Coburn.
Friday at approximately 10:15am, 6 roll call votes:
– Confirmation of the Mayorkas nomination,
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue
– Confirmation of the Koskinen nomination
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
– Confirmation of the Davis nomination and
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Monday, January 6th at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader:
– Confirmation of the Yellen nomination.
The cloture motions on the following nominations were withdrawn:
– Executive Calendar #455, Sloan D. Gibson, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
– Executive Calendar #445, Sarah Sewall, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civility Security, Democracy, and Human Rights)
– Executive Calendar #371, Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior
– Executive Calendar #457, Sarah Bloom Raskin, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
– Executive Calendar #356, Jessica Garfola Wright, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
– Executive Calendar #189, Richard Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
11:14pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act.
Agreed to: 84-15
11:38pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Invoked: 55-45
The Senate has reached an agreement with respect to several nominations. Under the unanimous consent agreement, there will be 2 roll call votes at 11:14pm this evening, 6 roll call votes at 10:00am Friday and one roll call vote at a time to be determined on Monday, January 6th. The details of the agreement are below.
Today, Thursday, December 19th at 11:15pm, 2 Roll Call Votes:
– Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act and
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Following the cloture vote on the Mayorkas nomination, the Senate will be in period of morning business for debate only with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
When the Senate convenes on Friday, December 20th, all but one hour of post-cloture debate will be expired with the one remaining hour equally divided and controlled between Senators Carper and Coburn.
Friday at approximately 10:15am, 6 roll call votes:
– Confirmation of the Mayorkas nomination,
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #459, John Koskinen, of the District of Columbia, to be Commissioner of Internal Revenue
– Confirmation of the Koskinen nomination
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #382, Brian Davis, of FL, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
– Confirmation of the Davis nomination and
– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #452, Janet Yellen, of California, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Monday, January 6th at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader:
– Confirmation of the Yellen nomination.
The cloture motions on the following nominations were withdrawn:
– Executive Calendar #455, Sloan D. Gibson, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
– Executive Calendar #445, Sarah Sewall, of Massachusetts, to be an Under Secretary of State (Civility Security, Democracy, and Human Rights)
– Executive Calendar #371, Michael L. Connor, of New Mexico, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior
– Executive Calendar #457, Sarah Bloom Raskin, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
– Executive Calendar #356, Jessica Garfola Wright, of Pennsylvania, to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
– Executive Calendar #189, Richard Engler, of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
11:14pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, the National Defense Authorization Act.
Agreed to: 84-15
11:38pm The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Invoked: 55-45
WRAP UP
Roll Call Votes
1) Cornyn motion to table the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, NDAA, with an amendment; Not Tabled: 45-55
2) Motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.3304, NDAA; Agreed to: 84-15
3) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #456, Alejandro Mayorkas, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; Invoked: 55-45
Legislative items
Passed H.Con.Res.71, providing for corrections to the enrollment of the bill H.R.3304.
Passed H.R.2319, to clarify certain provisions of the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act of 1994.
Discharged the Indian Affairs committee and passed H.R.623, to provide for the conveyance of certain property located in Anchorage, Alaska, from the United States to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
Discharged the Energy Committee and passed H.R.767, a bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.
Discharged the Judiciary committee and passed S.1614, the Accuracy for Adoptees Act.
Began the Rule 14 process of:
– S.1859, a bill to amend the internal revenue code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions and for other purposes. (Reid)
– S.1881, a bill to expand sanctions imposed with respect to Iran and to impose additional sanctions with respect to Iran and for other purposes. (Menendez)
No additional Executive items
=======================================================
Last Floor Action:12/19
11:05:00 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438. The next meeting is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2013.
Last Floor Action:12/16
11:03:15 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438.
The next meeting is
scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on December 19, 2013.
| 11:00:00 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 11:00:15 A.M. | The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. | |
| 11:00:37 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Andrew Walton, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC | |
| 11:01:57 A.M. | The Chair announced that pursuant to section 6(a) of H. Res. 438, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved. | |
| 11:02:22 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 11:02:23 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 December 19, 2013, at 9:28 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 1402 without amendment. | |
| 11:02:24 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 December 18, 2013, at 11:02 a.m. stating that that body had passed without amendment the following bills: H.R. 3588, H.R. 185, H.R. 2251, S. 1847 and S. 947. | |
| 11:03:00 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 December 17, 2013, at 12:17 p.m. with the following appointment: United States-China Economic Security Review Commission. | |
| 11:05:00 A.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to H. Res. 438.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2013. |
====================================================
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Reminder: Is your Republican representative reacting irrationally
It’s 2019 but have Republicans changed?
The GOP’s Most Extreme Reactions to Obama’s Commonsense Gun Safety Plan
It’s not just NRA lobbyists that are reacting completely irrationally to the president’s commonsense proposals to prevent gun violence. Matt Drudge likened President Obama to both Hitler and Stalin. But some Republicans are now even going so far as to suggest impeaching the president. Unfortunately, some of them are members of the House and actually have the power to introduce articles of impeachment.
Just some examples of republicans in 2013 and impeaching a potus
Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX)
Stockman plans to introduce articles of impeachment, calling Obama’s anti-gun violence efforts “an existential threat to this nation.”
Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL)
Following Stockman’s lead is Florida Congressman Trey Radel, who said impeachment “should be on the table” and falsely claimed that Obama wants an executive order to “ban guns.”
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Gohmert, a Tea Party favorite who recently claimed an assault weapons ban would have to include hammers, charged that the president’s action is “illegal” and grounds for impeachment. “The American Revolution was all about fighting such a monarchy — and that is not what the Constitution anticipates. It’s not something a Constitutional president would do,” Gohmert lamented.
Former Attorney General Edwin Meese (R)
Edwin Meese, former Reagan Attorney General and current Heritage Foundation official, is also taking up the call for impeachment. In an interview with Newsmax, Meese claimed Obama may have “really tried to override the Constitution itself.” Congress, he said, would have to take action, “perhaps even to the point of impeachment.”
Larry Pratt
The head of Gun Owners for America urged Republican lawmakers to stop being “spectators while the country is being torn apart” and impeach Obama. Pratt also attacked all gun safety laws as “the most pagan of paganism” because they assume guns and other “inanimate objects as possessing their own will.”
BOTTOM LINE: A majority of Americans — and gun owners — support sensible gun violence prevention measures. Instead of overheated rhetoric, it’s time for Congress to have a real debate about how we can protect our children and our communities from senseless acts of gun violence.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed
More than 90 percent of gun owners and non-gun owners alike support universal background checks.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) isn’t really a reformer.
Feckless House Republicans refuse to vote for bills that they actually want to pass.
Republicans’ latest attempt to take the economy hostage isn’t going very well.
House Republicans hold panel discussion about minority outreach in a room named after a slave-owning plantation.
Poll finds that 64 percent of Republicans are birthers.
Ten things on energy and the environment the president can do during his second term.
The NRA tries to re-write the history of its long opposition to background checks.
Republicans brag about winning the House through gerrymandering
Be a Seed for Change 
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