~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

VoteVets.org is supporting Seth Moulton


VoteVets.org

As a U.S. Marine, Seth Moulton served four tours in Iraq over five years — leading an infantry platoon that was one of the first to enter Baghdad.

Now he’s running in a toss-up race for a first term in Congress, and VoteVets is proud to stand with him.

Seth has an important campaign finance deadline this month and your contribution of $10 will give him the resources he needs to win.

http://action.votevets.org/seth-moulton

Seth is running as the progressive candidate in a Democratic Primary against corrupt Congressman John Tierney.

In 2012, plagued by ethical problems that involved unreported gifts from owners of an illegal offshore gambling business, Tierney barely hung on with 48% of the vote… in a district Obama carried by double digits.

This race is our best chance to elect a progressive veteran to Congress in 2014 while simultaneously restoring some integrity and trust in our nation’s capital.

Let’s do it.

Help VoteVets support Seth Moulton by making a $10 contribution to his campaign before the critical end of quarter deadline.

http://action.votevets.org/seth-moulton

We have a lot of important campaigns to support in 2014 — but Seth’s race is near the top of the list. It’s important.

All the best,

Jon Soltz
@JonSoltz
Iraq War Veteran and Chairman
VoteVets.org

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Gov Inslee


In 1994, I faced a difficult decision: do the right thing and cast the deciding vote for the Federal Assault Weapons Ban — likely losing my congressional re-election in the process — or take the politically easy route and vote against it.

I voted for it. And to this day I stand by my position supporting commonsense, responsible gun safety legislation.

Now in the state of Washington, we all have a chance to do the right thing by supporting I-594, an initiative requiring criminal background checks for gun purchases in our state.

Passing I-594 won’t be easy. Our opponents are rallying to try to stop us, even going so far as to declare December 15 — one year and one day after the Sandy Hook massacre that left 20 people dead — “Guns Save Lives Day” in an effort to build opposition to sensible gun reform laws.

Don’t let the gun lobby and the gun makers profit off the anniversary of one of the worst tragedies our nation has ever known. Sign the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s open letter today, and demand the gun lobbyists cancel their outrageous “Guns Save Lives Day.”

Look, we have plenty of responsible gun owners in Washington, and an overwhelming majority of them support criminal background checks because they’re responsible gun owners.

Not the sponsors of “Guns Save Lives Day.” There is nothing responsible about exploiting the death of innocent little children — even worse when it’s done to stop reforms that could prevent future tragedies. They should cancel this horrific excuse to celebrate guns, and stop spreading misinformation about responsible, reasonable reforms like I-594.

Join me and tell the gun lobby this is completely unacceptable. Sign the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s open letter now, and demand the gun lobbyists cancel “Guns Save Lives Day” now.

Responsible gun owners know there are sensible things we can do to keep guns out of the hands of people like Adam Lanza, and they’re eager to stop the next tragedy — not exploit the last one.

Thankfully, the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility is leading the charge to fight back against “Guns Save Lives Day” — spearheading efforts to educate Washingtonians about I-594 and why it’s the right thing to do for Washington and our kids. I’m proud to join them, and I hope you’ll help out, too.

Sign the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s open letter today, and help them fight back against “Guns Save Lives Day.” now.

Thanks for your support.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ThinkProgress ~~ the GOP


By 

Today’s GOP, In Two Numbers

Last week, President Obama laid out a sweeping agenda to combat income inequality, strengthen the middle class, and extend ladders of opportunity to those striving to enter it. He also challenged the GOP to put forward their own ideas instead of just rejecting whatever he proposes. We have yet to see any new ideas from the Republicans but their opposition to the president’s agenda of economic empowerment is still going strong.

Two numbers perfectly illustrate the almost cruel indifference shown by today’s GOP toward the concerns of the millions of Americans who are struggling to get by:

  • 4,831,590: That is the number of low-income Americans who will not receive health coverage through Medicaid simply because Republican governors and legislatures are refusing to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act. Because the expansion is almost entirely paid for by the federal government, states refusing to expand the program will forego billions in tax dollars, even as providers remain on the hook for uncompensated care provided to the uninsured. Texas will lose out on more than $9 BILLION, while Florida is leaving more than $5 BILLION on the table.

real_victims-53

  • 1,300,000: That is the number of unemployed Americans who will immediately lose their benefits come January if Republicans in Congress refuse to extend long-term unemployment benefits, which would be an unprecedented move during a period of persistently high unemployment.  The number who stand to lose their benefits would climb to 3.6 MILLION by the end of 2014. In addition to unnecessarily causing added misery for millions of struggling families, letting the extended benefits lapse would also deal a blow to the economy to the tune of 240,000 lost jobs as well as reduced growth. Over the weekend, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tried to justify the GOP’s intransigence by making the bizarre argument that extended benefits are somehow harmful to the unemployed and do them a “disservice.”

BOTTOM LINE: If Republicans want to appeal to a broader group of Americans, they should stop putting politics ahead of people. The policies Republicans are pursuing will needlessly punish millions of Americans who can least afford it.

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 12/10 ~~ the House


matthew 25

What side of History will your member of Congress be remembered for ?

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. All post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will immediately vote on confirmation of the Millet nomination (approximately 10:15am).

Following the vote on confirmation of the Millett nomination, Senators should expect up to 3 additional roll call votes with respect to the reconsideration of the cloture vote on Executive Calendar #209, the nomination of Melvin Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency:

–          Motion to proceed to Executive Session for the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination;

–          Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; and

–          Motion to invoke cloture on the Watt nomination, upon reconsideration.

During Monday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order.  Under the rule, the first cloture vote will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday, December 11th.  If cloture is invoked on a nominee, the number of post-cloture hours is in parentheses next to each nomination. Upon disposition of a nomination, the Senate will immediately vote on cloture on the next nomination.

1)      Executive Calendar #378, Chai Rachel Feldblum, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (8 hours);

2)      Executive Calendar #330, Elizabeth A. Wolford, of New York, to be US District Judge for the Western District of New York (2 hours);

3)      Executive Calendar #347, Landya B. McCafferty, of New Hampshire, to be US District Judge for the District of New Hampshire (2 hours);

4)      Executive Calendar #361, Patricia M. Wald, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (8 hours);

5)      Executive Calendar #348, Brian Morris, of Montana, to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana (2 hours);

6)      Executive Calendar #349, Susan P. Watters, of Montana, to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana (2 hours);

7)      Executive Calendar #358, Deborah Lee James, of Virginia, to be Secretary of the Air Force (8 hours);

8)      Executive Calendar #444, Heather Anne Higginbottom, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources (8 hours);

9)      Executive Calendar #406, Anne W. Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Ambassador, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs) (8 hours);

10)  Executive Calendar #450, Jeh Charles Johnson, of New Jersey, to be Secretary of Homeland Security (30 hours).

10:14am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #327,

the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

Confirmed: 56-38

Next votes:

– Motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination;

– Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration.

10:45am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reid motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination.

Agreed to: 54-42

Next votes: – Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226,

the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration.

11:07am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination

Agreed to: 54-42

Next Votes

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration.

Senator McConnell made a point of order that nominations are fully debatable under the rules of the Senate unless 3/5 of senators have voted to bring debate to a close. The Chair ruled that a majority vote for cloture is required to confirm all nominations (except Supreme Court nominees).

11:29am The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the question: SHALL THE RULING OF THE CHAIR STAND?

Ruling of the Chair:

Majority vote for cloture required to confirm all nominations (except Supreme Court nominees)

Position stands: 51-45

11:50am The Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Mel Watt to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration

Invoked: 57-40

Upon reconsideration, cloture on the Watt nomination (FHFA) was invoked 57-40.

There will now be up to 8 hours for debate equally divided. The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm in order to allow for the weekly caucus meetings, with the time charged equally to both sides. Another message will be sent when the next vote is scheduled.

5:23pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #226,

the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency;

Confirmed:57-41

5:51pm The Senate began a 15 minute vote on the motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #233, the nomination of Cornelia T. L. Pillard, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia;

Agreed To: 54-44

6:09pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reid motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Pillard nomination;

Agreed to: 54-44

6:28pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote the motion to invoke cloture on Pillard nomination, upon reconsideration;

Invoked: 56-42

Senator Reed asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1797, Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013, which was submitted earlier today. Senator Hoeven objected.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES 

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Confirmed: 56-38

2)      Motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; Agreed to: 54-42

3)      Motion to reconsider of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Watt nomination; Agreed to: 54-42

4)      Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate (cloture on nominations (other than Supreme Court nominees) is a majority vote) (McConnell appeal of the chair); the decision of the Chair was sustained: 51-45

5)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 57-40

6)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #226, the nomination of Melvin L. Watt, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency; Confirmed: 57-41

7)      Motion to proceed to the reconsideration of the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #233, the nomination of Cornelia T. L. Pillard, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia; Agreed to: 54-44

8)      Motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the Pillard nomination; Agreed to: 54-44

9)      Motion to invoke cloture on the Pillard nomination, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 56-42

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.2992, an Act To extend the authority of the Supreme Court Police to protect court officials away from the Supreme Court grounds.

Passed H.R.2871, To amend title 28, United States Code, to modify the composition of the southern judicial district of Mississippi to improve judicial efficiency, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Res.315, a resolution to authorize production of records by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The Senate began the Rule 14 process on S.1797, Unemployment Insurance Benefits Extension Act of 2013

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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

Last Floor Action:12/10
12:22:27 P.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now recess.

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

Last Floor Action:12/10
5:19:28 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00
p.m. on December 10, 2013.

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

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