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Two really important lines crossed last month:

11/15/2013 Nativegrl77

For the first time in nearly two decades, we're importing less foreign oil than we're producing domestically, and we're using less overall. That's a really big deal. Get the facts below, and pass them on.

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The world’s poorest communities need trees.

11/15/2013 Nativegrl77

Every time we do a tree-planting, I hear back from local residents, who tell us how the trees we’ve planted have helped them provide for their families and have allowed them to live happier and healthier lives.

They’re really thanking YOU, our generous supporters. But our work is not done yet.

For every dollar you donate, we’ll plant one more tree.

Trees provide food, energy and income, helping communities to achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability. Trees also filter the air and help stave off the effects of climate change.

With your generous donation, you can improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable citizens.

Last year, Earth Day Network made an important commitment to the Global Poverty Project to plant 10 million trees in impoverished areas around the world over the next five years.

We need your help to meet our goal. Please consider contributing to this critical effort today.

John Maleri
Associate Director of Earth Day, Earth Day Network

P.S. Thanks to our partners at WeWood, there’s a special new opportunity to support The Canopy Project. You’ll receive a gift you’ll love!

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 11/15 the House

11/15/2013 Nativegrl77

Check out to see if your member of Congress voted with Republicans

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll587.xml

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, November 18, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

For the information of all Senators, cloture was filed on the following items on Thursday, November 14^th:

– Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

– H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act; and

– Motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to H.R.3204,the Drug Quality and Security Act is 3:00pm on Monday. The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to H.R.3204 is 4:00pm on Monday.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Robert Wilkins to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

At 5:30pm, there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Wilkins nomination

If cloture is not invoked on the Wilkins nomination,

2) Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act

If cloture is invoked on H.R.3204,

3) Passage of H.R.3204

Upon disposition of H.R.3204,

4) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act.

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

Last Floor Action:
1:36:42 P.M. – On approving the Journal
Agreed to by voice vote.

Last Floor Action:
9:15:32 A.M. -H. Res. 413
DEBATE – The
House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 413.

Final vote on RepFredUpton’s bill http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll587.xml

9:00:06 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:43 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:52 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Oran Warder, St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia
9:02:39 A.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 objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum 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.
9:02:55 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. McClintock to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:11 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.
9:15:20 A.M.	H. Res. 413	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 413 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3350) to authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current individual health insurance coverage in satisfaction of the minimum essential health insurance coverage requirement, and for other purposes.”
9:15:32 A.M.	H. Res. 413	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 413.

10:59:19 A.M.	H. Res. 413	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 193 (Roll no. 583).
11:07:22 A.M.	H. Res. 413	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 189 (Roll no. 584).
11:07:22 A.M.	H. Res. 413	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:07:52 A.M.	H.R. 3350	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 413. H.R. 3350 — “To authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current individual health insurance coverage in satisfaction of the minimum essential health insurance coverage requirement, and for other purposes.”
11:07:57 A.M.	H.R. 3350	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3350 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
11:08:57 A.M.	H.R. 3350	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3350.
12:31:06 P.M.	H.R. 3350	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:31:50 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Mr. Andrews moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.
12:33:02 P.M.	H.R. 3350	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Andrews 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 replace the underlying bill with an entire new text.
12:39:30 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Mr. Upton raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Upton stated that the amendment was not germane to the underlying bill. Sustained by the Chair.
12:39:30 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.
12:42:49 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Mr. Andrews appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
12:43:04 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Mr. Upton moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
1:08:32 P.M.	H.R. 3350	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 585).
1:08:41 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Mr. Andrews moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.
1:13:13 P.M.	H.R. 3350	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Andrews 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 give insurance companies the option to continue offering non-Affordable Care Act compliant plans through 2014 to current enrollees only, as long as those plans were in effect as of October 1, 2013. The motion also requires insurance companies to notify consumers of the differences between these extended plans and the options, credits, and subsidies available through the Affordable Care Acts exchanges, as well as instructions on how to receive them. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was withdrawn.
1:21:20 P.M.	H.R. 3350	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
1:28:38 P.M.	H.R. 3350	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 586).
1:35:48 P.M.	H.R. 3350	On passage Passed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 587).
1:35:50 P.M.	H.R. 3350	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:36:25 P.M.		UNFINSHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question on agreeing to the Journal de novo.
1:36:42 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.

1:41:05 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
2:18:08 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, November 15, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 12 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2013, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
2:19:10 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
2:26:39 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
2:34:50 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:34:54 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:34:57 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 18, 2013.

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

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Here’s an update on the economy, in three charts:

Image 11/14/2013 Nativegrl77

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a message from dir. Branden

11/14/2013 Nativegrl77

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For the past two weeks we have brought you the courageous and heartbreaking story of Servio Curipoma and his ongoing struggle for clean water, a healthy environment and remediation of the toxic wasteland that Chevron left in his rainforest homeland. Speaking with him at his farm in Ecuador just last week, it was clear that he seeks only to be able to work his land and leave something for his children – to afford a peaceful and productive life – something that Chevron continues to deliberately deny him.

Servio’s fight is only going to get tougher as Chevron’s multibillion dollar legal defense continues to pour money into lambasting those seeking justice, those who have already won. The story is an endless circus of lies, vilification and a callousness that defies rationality.

We need your support to keep the pressure up. We are doing everything we can to make sure Chevron doesn’t get away with the most blatant environmental crime in history.

Amazon Watch will continue to work with the broad coalition of institutional shareholders, NGOs, affected peoples and individuals to pressure Chevron until they accept responsibility for their horrendous crime and do the right thing. After a 20-year legal battle, this is a case that is simply too big to fail. With your help we’ll continue to pressure Chevron, demand enforcement of the judgment and bear witness to its ridiculous countersuit alleging that the plaintiffs sued Chevron in an attempt to defraud them (Really?!).

Please support Amazon Watch and our Clean Up Ecuador campaign today. Your contribution will help us continue to stand with Servio and the 30,000 other Ecuadorians who have suffered for too long. We will not allow Chevron to drown out their voices – to drown out the truth about what happened in Ecuador.

For justice – for the opportunity to set an international precedent for the rights of indigenous peoples to defend their homes from companies seeking profits over people – please add your support.

For the Amazon,

Branden Barber
Engagement Director