the Senate CONGRESS the House

09/26/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.J.Res.59. the Continuing Resolution, with the time from 10:30am controlled in 1 hour increments, with the Majority controlling the first hour and alternating thereafter.

If no agreement is reached under Rule 22, the cloture vote on the Continuing Resolution would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Friday. The filing deadline for germane first degree amendments to H.J.Res.59, is 1:00pm tomorrow.

Yesterday Senator Reid filed cloture on the H.J.Res.59, the continuing resolution. If cloture is invoked, germane first degree amendments must be filed at the desk prior to 1:00pm today to be considered in order, if cloture is invoked.

If no agreement can be reached, the cloture vote on the joint resolution would occur one hour after the Senate convenes tomorrow, Friday, September 27. However, by consent the vote could be moved to another time, perhaps even later today. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment to call up Vitter amendment #1983, to prohibit funds for congressional and certain administration officials’ health insurance contributions.

Senator Tester objected.

Senator Toomey asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up the following amendments:

Toomey #1971 (repeal medical devise excise tax)

Toomey #1972 (delay application of individual health insurance mandate)

Toomey #1973 (rights of conscience with respect to health items or services)

Senator Tester objected.

Senator Coats asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Coats amendment #1979 (delay the application of the individual health insurance mandate, to delay the application of the employer health insurance mandate).

Senator Tester objected.

The Senate concurred in the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R.527, Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. As a result in concurring in the House Amendment, the bill will be sent to the President.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent there be 4 votes this evening around 7:30pm:

– Cloture on H.J.Res.59, the continuing resolution

– Motion to waive budget points of order

– Reid amendment #1974, perfecting substitute

– Passage of H.J.Res.59, as amended

Senator Lee asked to modify the request so that the votes would occur tomorrow. Senator Reid declined to modify. Senators Lee, Corker, and Cruz then engaged in a colloquy discussing the merits of voting today or tomorrow. Below you will find the unofficial transcript of the colloquy (a must read). Senator Lee ultimately objected to voting tonight.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of up to 4 roll call votes at 12:30pm tomorrow, Friday, September 27. Those votes are in relation to the following items:

– Cloture on H.J.Res.59, the continuing resolution

– Motion to waive budget point of order

– Reid amendment #1974, perfecting substitute

– Passage of H.J.Res.59, as amended

All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

– H.J.Res.59, Continuing Appropriations

Reid: I ask unanimous consent that following Leader remarks on Friday, September 27th, the time until 12:10pm be equally divided between proponents and opponents of the motion to invoke cloture on H.J.Res.59; that the time from 12:10pm until 12:30pm be reserved from the two Leaders, with the final 10 minutes under control of the Majority Leader;

that at 12:30pm, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.J.Res.59; that if cloture is invoked, all post-cloture time be yielded back; the pending Reid amendment #1975 be withdrawn; that no other amendments be in order;

that the Majority Leader be recognized to make a motion to waive applicable budget points of order; that if a motion to waive is agreed to, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Reid amendment #1974; that upon disposition of the Reid amendment, the joint resolution be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution, as amended, if amended,

finally, that all after the first vote in this sequence of votes be ten minute votes and there be two minutes equally divided between the votes.

There will be no roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.527, Helium Stewardship Act.

Passed S.1348, a bill to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act with a Carper amendment.

Adopted S.Res.261, designating the week beginning September 23, 2013, as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week”.

Adopted S.Res.262, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of suicide prevention awareness.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

Last Floor Action:
10:01:00 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate.

At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:00:10 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:39 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug LaMalfa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:00 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:40:01 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 252 and Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 793
10:52:15 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:14 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 26.
12:00:25 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:49 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Wilson (SC) 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. Wilson (SC) 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 approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:05 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Fudge to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:50 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.
12:38:49 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:39:55 P.M.	H.R. 3095	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3095 — “To ensure that any new or revised requirement providing for the screening, testing, or treatment of individuals operating commercial motor vehicles for sleep disorders is adopted pursuant to a rulemaking proceeding, and for other purposes.”
1:12:26 P.M.	H.R. 3095	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 – 0 (Roll no. 486).
1:12:30 P.M.	H.R. 2600	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2600 — “To amend the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to clarify how the Act applies to condominiums.”
1:25:09 P.M.	H.R. 2600	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 487).
1:25:21 P.M.		UNFINISHED 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.
1:32:29 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 260 – 137, 2 Present (Roll no. 488).
1:32:38 P.M.	H.R. 687	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 351. H.R. 687 — “To facilitate the efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land, and for other purposes.”
1:32:43 P.M.	H.R. 687	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 687, H.R. 1526 and H.R. 3102. Measures will be considered read.
1:33:42 P.M.	H.R. 687	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 351 and Rule XVIII.
1:34:29 P.M.	H.R. 687	The Speaker designated the Honorable Lee Terry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
1:34:44 P.M.	H.R. 687	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 687.
2:26:33 P.M.	H.R. 687	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 113-215 to guarantee the jobs this mine does create benefit the local community by requirin g that the Remote Operating Center be located in the town of Superior, Arizona or an adjacent mining community.
2:27:29 P.M.	H.R. 687	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 351, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grijalva Part A amendment No. 1.
2:35:10 P.M.	H.R. 687	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Grijalva demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:36:15 P.M.	H.R. 687	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lujan, Ben Ray (NM), numbered 2 printed in Part A of House Report 113-215 to require the Secretary to remove Native American sacred and cultural sites from the conveyance in consultation with affected Indian Tribes.
2:36:20 P.M.	H.R. 687	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 351, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ben Ray Lujan (NM) Part A amendment No. 2.
2:48:14 P.M.	H.R. 687	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ben Ray Lujan (NM) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ben Ray Lujan (NM) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:49:09 P.M.	H.R. 687	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Napolitano, numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 113-215 to protect water quality and water quantity for the people living and working near this proposed mine, given estimates that mining operations will consume the equivalent of the annual water supply for 20,000 homes.
2:49:12 P.M.	H.R. 687	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 351, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Napolitano Part A amendment No. 3.
2:57:38 P.M.	H.R. 687	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Napolitano amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Napolitano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:58:58 P.M.	H.R. 687	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:26:02 P.M.	H.R. 687	On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 489).
3:35:01 P.M.	H.R. 687	On agreeing to the Napolitano amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 490).
3:35:14 P.M.	H.R. 687	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved the the Committee now rise.
3:35:40 P.M.	H.R. 687	On motion the the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:35:50 P.M.	H.R. 687	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 687 as unfinished business.

3:38:31 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:56:35 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:52:59 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 527.
4:53:35 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.
6:58:51 P.M.		Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 361.
6:59:39 P.M.		Mr. Sessions moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:59:46 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:59:47 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on September 27, 2013.

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Obamacare, Obamacare, Obamacare

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Health Care and the ACA ~~ Originally posted on 8/22/13

the Progress Report

In less than 6 weeks, millions of Americans will have the chance to sign up for quality, affordable health coverage for the very first time. Progressives are doing everything possible to educate Americans about the law and push back on the never-ending conservative misinformation campaign against Obamacare. Conservatives are, well, trying anything and everything in order to try and derail the law at the very last minute.

(Things are not going very well for conservatives.)

Here’s a roundup of the very latest Obamacare news:

Pro-Obamacare protesters confront Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) at town hall: Multiple pro-Obamacare protesters confronted the Tea Party senator at the Dallas stop of Heritage Action’s tour promoting a government shutdown over Obamacare. The town hall slid further downhill from there when Cruz’s father took the stage, railed against Socialism, said “Sarah Palin was right,” and warned of the dangers of death panels. Even Republicans have called this strategy and tour “political suicide” for the GOP.Meanwhile, Texas Governor Rick Perry is quietly lobbying the Obama administration for $100 MILLION in Obamacare funding.

Tea Party group calls on Congressional staffers to “burn their Obamacare cards: FreedomWorks, a right-wing group that has helped fuel opposition to health reform and other progressive policies since the earliest days of the Obama presidency, is currently engaged in a cynical effort to dissuade young people and others of securing affordable coverage under Obamacare, which it is offensively likening to Vietnam war opponents who burned their draft cards.A GOP amendment to Obamacare requires Congressional staffers to receive their health coverage through the Obamacare marketplaces starting next year and now FreedomWorks says it hopes they forego their health coverage and instead pay a fine, though the group concedes “everyone should do whatever’s best for them and their families.” We assume most Hill staffers (including Republicans), like most Americans, will prefer the security of health coverage.

More GOP congressmen concede they will help their constituents enroll in Obamacare: While Republicans remain united in their irrational opposition to Obamacare, even some vocal conservatives are now conceding that they will help their constituents find out about their rights, responsibilities, and new benefits under the law.

Two more states announce affordable premiums: Colorado and Montana became just the latest states to announce that their residents will find affordable premiums when they go to sign up for coverage offered through the new marketplaces that will be opening on October 1. Indeed, the growth in overall health care costs has slowed remarkably since Obamacare passed, contrary to fearmongering from many of the law’s opponents.

GOP civil war escalates: Republicans are locked in an all-out civil war over whether or not to shut down the government over Obamacare (which even Republicans concede won’t actually stop the law but will harm millions of Americans and the economy).Heritage Action is currently on a national tour to fan the shutdown flames, with former Tea Party Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), now the president of the Heritage Foundation, going so far as to tell a town hall audience that any Republicans who are afraid of shutting down the government ought to be “replaced.” To that end, his group and others are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads going after Republicans.

For the latest news, be sure and check out ThinkProgress health.

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What’s an UNGA?

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77

President Obama delivered a speech at UNGA — the United Nations General Assembly — in New York City. The President expressed optimism at the prospects for diplomacy in solving a range of long-simmering conflicts across the globe:

“For decades, the United Nations has in fact made a difference — from helping to eradicate disease, to educating children, to brokering peace,” he said. “But like every generation of leaders, we face new and profound challenges, and this body continues to be tested. The question is whether we possess the wisdom and the courage, as nation-states and members of an international community, to squarely meet those challenges; whether the United Nations can meet the tests of our time.”

Find out more about President Obama’s UNGA trip.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

Speaker Boehner Has a Choice to Make

Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer writes about the fiscal debate and why it’s time for GOP lawmakers to pass a simple budget resolution that doesn’t defund Obamacare and focuses on keeping the goverment open and our economy moving forward.

Valerie Jarrett celebrates the anniversary of the Equal Futures Partnership, a coalition of countries who have committed to take action to remove barriers to opportunity and promote equality for women and girls in our countries.

READ MORE

Countdown to Affordable Health Care

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius discusses another milestone on the road to affordable health care — less than 100 days until coverage.

TransCanada’s US location and Keystone XL tar sands pipeline (Texas)

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77

Yesterday, a group of courageous people just like you were arrested in the belly of the beast: TransCanada’s U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas. These were mothers, fathers, grandfathers, great grandmothers, scientists, and teachers who staged a peaceful sit-in with a clear message: No Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

At RAN we have a policy never to ask you to take an action, online or offline, that we don’t believe will make a strategic difference and have an impact that is worth your time. What I’m about to ask you to do might be one of the most important political acts you take this year.

Right now President Obama and his State Department are weighing their decision on whether this disastrous dirty energy pipeline is in our national interest. Our job must be to show enough opposition to the pipeline to ensure the president stands on the right side of this historical moment. That’s why we need you to join those standing up against Keystone XL in protest.

Will you join more than 75,000 people saying No to Keystone XL? Sign up for an action near you TODAY!

More than 75,000 people, including many of you, have signed RAN, Other 98% and CREDO’s Pledge of Resistance to the Keystone XL pipeline—pledging to participate in peaceful civil disobedience, to risk arrest if necessary, to stop this dangerous tar sands pipeline.

This is our next big step in the Pledge of Resistance together. This summer, after months of hard work and organizing, more than 400 volunteers have stepped up to lead acts of dignified protest in towns and cities across the country.

Will you join them by signing up today to participate in a local protest in your hometown?

To be clear, this is a serious request of your time, your passion and, potentially, your liberty. We’re asking now because it’s critical.

These actions are coming together because of months of work by literally hundreds of people. A group of seasoned direct action organizers built a training curriculum and traveled to cities around the country to teach people like you how to plan and lead a safe, strategic sit-in. Hundreds of activists stepped up to attend these rigorous two-day weekend trainings, and then went home to put that training into action. Now we’re asking: Will you join them?

The dates for these local actions have not been set, but the dates of action trainings have. We’re asking everyone to get in touch with local action leaders so we can prepare for action now and are ready to respond if President Obama signals his intention to approve the pipeline. That is our most strategic window to have the biggest impact.

Find your nearest Pledge of Resistance action and sign up to be a part of it!

Soon after you sign up for an action, you’ll be contacted by your local action leader, who will send out a time for your group to meet in person, get trained up, and move forward to put together everything you will need for a local sit-in action. There will be roles for everyone: those risking arrest and those not risking arrest.

The location for these actions will be relevant to your town. Likely locations will be: Administration buildings like State Department, EPA and Federal offices, oil industry contractor offices, and branches of TD Bank, a major investor in tar sands development.

All that’s missing is you.

		In Solidarity,
		Scott Parkin Senior Energy and Finance Campaigner Twitter:@dirtyenergy

P.S. Got questions? Check out http://nokxl.org/why-pledge-resistance/.

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Child and Adolescent Labour Abolition bill

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77

Days ago, the Indian Parliament closed its doors on what is being called “the most productive session in years”, having passed a landmark number of bills – including one on the improvement of highways – 11 in total.

But one is missing: The Child and Adolescent Labour Abolition Bill. This bill would help end the enslavement of millions of Indian children and has once again been left off the agenda.

Just before the session ended, we personally delivered your signature and 1,010,917 others to the Indian Parliament asking them to make the passage of this legislation a priority. Unfortunately, they have once again passed up the chance to vote on legislation that would help put an end to child labour.

We’re regrouping with our partners in India to make sure Parliament hears from us when they resume session this November. The “winter session” will be the last chance to put this bill to a vote before the general elections next year.

Thank you again for your support – we’ll keep you posted on the next steps on this campaign.

In solidarity,

Debra, Nick, Jessica, Kate, Mich, Kamini, Amy, Sarah, Jayde, Mika, Kyle and the Walk Free Team