the Senate considers S.1569,a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the USgovt CONGRESS 10/12 the House considers, appropriations for the Bureau of Indian Affairs

10/12/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 11:00am on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

The time until noon will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At noon, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014.

By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed Executive Calendar #340, the nomination of Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski, to be Lieutenant General in the Air Force.

12:00 noon The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014;

Not Invoked: 53-45

Senator Reid changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote at a later time.

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the Chair

2:15pm The Senate has reconvened and has resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014, with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014; Not Invoked: 53-46

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Energy Committee and passed S.812, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to take actions to implement the Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.J.Res.76, National Nuclear Security Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.J.Res.79, Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #340, the nomination of Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski, to be Lieutenant General in the Air Force.

************************************************

Last Floor Action:
8:28:20 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on October 12, 2013.

9:30:04 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:30:11 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Jason Chaffetz to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:30:29 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:31:43 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:31:48 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Kaptur to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:32:28 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.
9:42:44 A.M.	H.J. Res. 80	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 371. H.J. Res. 80 — “Making continuing appropriations for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
9:43:20 A.M.	H.J. Res. 80

10:35:12 A.M.	H.J. Res. 80	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, the Chair announced that further proceedings on H.J. Res. 80 had been postponed.
10:35:30 A.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the adoption of H. Res. 378 and the Peterson (MN) motion to instruct conferees which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
10:36:49 A.M.	H. Res. 378	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 378 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding certain provisions of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642 relating to the Secretary of Agriculture’s administration of tariff-rate quotas for raw and refined sugar.”
11:01:00 A.M.	H. Res. 378	On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 545).
11:01:02 A.M.	H. Res. 378	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:01:45 A.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to instruct conferees Roll Call 546 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 80.

11:09:00 A.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 195 – 204, 2 Present (Roll no. 546).
11:09:01 A.M.	H.R. 2642	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:10:41 A.M.	H.R. 2642	The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Agriculture for consideration of the House amendment and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Lucas, King (IA), Neugebauer, Rogers (AL), Conaway, Thompson (PA), Austin Scott (GA), Crawford, Roby, Noem, Denham, Rodney Davis (IL), Peterson, McIntyre, Costa, Walz, Schrader, McGovern, DelBene, Negrete McLeod, and Vela.
11:10:55 A.M.	H.R. 2642	The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration of title III of the House amendment, and title III of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Royce, Marino, and Engel.
11:11:02 A.M.	H.R. 2642	The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Ways and Means for consideration of secs. 1207 and 1301 of the House amendment, and secs. 1301, 1412, 1435, and 4204 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Camp, Sam Johnson (TX) and Levin.
11:12:01 A.M.	H.R. 2642	The Speaker appointed conferees for consideration of the House amendment and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Southerland and Fudge.
11:15:50 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:31:37 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:37:46 P.M.		Mr. Whitfield moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:37:53 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
12:37:54 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on October 14, 2013.

———————————————————————–

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Government Shutdown Pain Spreads

10/11/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

7 Ways the GOP Shutdown is Hurting Americans

House Republican leaders are at the White House right now presenting their plan to give the nation a six-week reprieve from certain economic doom by agreeing that Congress will pay the nation’s bills through November 22.

We’re glad the Republicans recognize that we absolutely cannot risk an economic shutdown by defaulting on our obligations. As President Obama and Democrats have made clear and continue to make clear, it is non-negotiable for Congress to pay the bills Congress itself has already racked up.

Nevertheless, House Republicans are still insisting on prolonging another crisis – the government shutdown – for absolutely no reason. Republicans started this government shutdown in a failed attempt to deny affordable health insurance to millions of Americans but it should not go on a minute longer, whether it’s over Obamacare, hurt feelings, or any other reason.

Here are seven stories of the pain that is rippling across America thanks to the GOP shutdown:

Shutdown Leaves Maine’s Poor Without Heating Assistance As Winter Approaches: Maine has no home heating aid money left from last season as the shutdown wears on the temperatures fall.

Child Care Subsidies Jeopardized By The Shutdown: While many states should be able to cover the costs during the shutdown, some may not have much money to fall back on.

Jobless Claims Spike As Government Shutdown Cripples Thousands Of Contractor Jobs: About 15,000 of last week’s unemployment benefit applications came from laid-off government contractors.

Some Of The Neediest Schools Running Out Of Money As Shutdown Continues: The shutdown is delaying payments that some schools near Native American reservations and military bases need to keep operating.

The Ongoing Government Shutdown Is Preventing The National Institutes of Health (NIH) From Admitting New Patients To Clinical Trials: NIH clinical trials are typically the last resort for people whose illnesses haven’t responded to other types of treatment. Since the shutdown began last week, just a handful of desperately ill patients have managed to get a spot in an experimental trial at the so-called “House of Hope.”

Five Ways The Government Shutdown Is Threatening Our Health And Safety: The government shutdown is compromising everything from workplace safety to food security to public health research.

Republicans Downplay The EPA’s Closure During The Shutdown — Except When It Hurts Their Districts: Some think it’s better when EPA’s not allowed to protect clean air and water. But Rep. Steve King (R-IA) said on Wednesday that he didn’t see why EPA couldn’t just continue writing a biofuels standard he supports.

BOTTOM LINE: Enough is enough. The longer the GOP keeps the government closed, the more Americans and our economy will suffer. It’s time for Speaker Boehner to allow a vote on a clean funding bill to end this shutdown crisis and re-open the entire government.

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Ultimate Adventure Bucket List, Photo Tips, and More! National Geographic

10/11/2013 Nativegrl77

Ultimate Adventure Bucket List

Twenty of the world’s top adventurers share the dazzling new frontiers they’ve discovered, as well as their all-time classic trips to add to your list. Plus: Don’t miss the must-have gear they take on every trip.

• See All 40 Trips

IncludingOK

• Surf, Snowboard New Zealand

• Sail, Kayak Around the World

• Climb in Patagonia, Chile

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by John Whitehouse

10/11/2013 Nativegrl77

“[J]ournalists have been suckered into embracing ‘balance’ and ‘neutrality’ at all costs, and the consequences of their choice in an era of political extremism will only get worse and worse.” – Dan Froomkin on coverage of the government shutdown.

John Whitehouse
Twitter: @existentialfish

The False Equivalency Reporting

Tired of the false equivalency reporting about the government shutdown and looming sovereign debt crisis? So are we. Here are just some of the worst examples of this type of reporting: http://mm4a.org/1bI9RTO
Related: Time‘s entertainment writer James Poniewozik explains succinctly why false equivalence matters during this crisis: http://ti.me/16z3v50 While her colleagues honestly report on the severe consequences of default, CNN’s Erin Burnett pushes the GOP line: http://mm4a.org/1a9ePCi

Even 60 Minutes Fell For This

It was disappointing when NPR fell for a right-wing attack on the Social Security disability program. Now, even the venerable 60 Minutes has fallen for it — causing disability rights groups to condemn the report. Hannah Groch-Begley explains: http://mm4a.org/199FcLi
Related: As expected, Fox News pounced on this immediately, without noting the falling number of such claims: http://mm4a.org/GLMQAF

Fox Changes Its Tune

Fox News pushed Republicans to shut down the government, with Sean Hannity even telling them to “hold the line.” But now that the shutdown is unpopular, Hannity is trying to shift blame to President Obama: http://mm4a.org/19jlE5u
Related: “I want to punish these people.” That’s how Fox’s Stuart Varney talks about federal employees currently furloughed. http://mm4a.org/175tiOM Laura Ingraham joined in, saying that she is “just beginning to enjoy” the shutdown because of how it is punishing federal employees: http://bit.ly/16z73nX

FEATURED VIDEO

Yes, Fox News actually pushed a satirical story that Barack Obama was personally funding a Muslim museum during the government shutdown: http://mm4a.org/1fQXFBP

WEEKLY WTF

Fox News had Zeeda Andrews on to promote her truck rally in DC. Fox didn’t mention that she believes Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden are the same person: http://mm4a.org/1amKLV1

INSIDE THE GUN LOBBY

Alex Zaitchik attended Alan Gottlieb’s Gun Rights Policy Conference. He found what the gun lobby is secretly afraid of, and what they’re planning next: http://mm4a.org/15k1RTO

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

5 Things To Know About The Next Citizens United

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Fracking, superstorms, and science: What you don’t know can hurt you

10/11/2013 Nativegrl77

How will my city hold up against the next superstorm? What’s the truth about the effect of fracking on my drinking water? These days our communities are faced with more and more complex issues. To make smart decisions that protect the health, welfare, and environment of our communities, we need access to current, accurate scientific information. With tools like our recently-released fracking information toolkit that helps citizens and policy makers make informed decisions on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and our upcoming webcasted forum on how communities can improve prediction, response, and recovery in the face of extreme weather events—UCS is working to integrate science into community decision making so we can better plan for a healthier and safer future. —Karla


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Ask a Scientist

Gretchen Goldman
Analyst
Scientific Integrity Initiative

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“With all the polarized discussion about fracking in the news lately, what does the evidence and data actually tell us about the risks associated with this extraction process for oil and natural gas?”—P. Simon, Oscoda, MI Technological advances such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as “fracking”) have resulted in the rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas extraction from shale and other tight rock formations that had been previously deemed inaccessible or too costly to tap. Fracking for oil and natural gas has now expanded into some 28 U.S. states, creating new risks in new places including drinking-water contamination, air pollution, and earthquake risks. MORE

This Just In

Join us: What can your community learn from New Jersey?
One year after Hurricane Sandy devastated communities on the east coast, UCS invites you to join us for a forum to learn from New Jersey’s circumstances and experience. Discover strategies that can help coastal states throughout the country use the latest available research to make smart planning decisions as we brace for more damaging storms in the future. MORE

Science in Action

$Join the conversation about fracking$

Fracking: You can help separate fact from fiction
When it comes to air and water quality, we can’t play around with the facts. Join UCS experts on October 17 to explore the pressing questions on people’s minds about fracking and its impact on communities. Using our new report findings, we’ll discuss the barriers that people face in trying to find this information, and offer some needed steps to overcome these obstacles. Join our web-based conversation today.