CONGRESS

07/08/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, July 8, 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.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #90, the nomination of Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Phillips nomination.
After the senate convened today, Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #124, S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013 (Reed (RI)). A vote on the motion to proceed to the student loan bill has not been scheduled at this time.The Senate is in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Scott is currently delivering his maiden speech.At 5:00pm, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #90, the nomination of Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. If all time is used, the vote would begin at approximately 5:30pm today.Before the recess we were able to lock in agreements to consider the Dorsey (Nevada District Judge) and West (Associate Attorney General) nominations. We could vote on confirmation of those nominations tomorrow.Order to consider Dorsey nominationAt a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #97 Jennifer A. Dorsey, of Nevada, to be United States District for the District of Nevada. There will be 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination.Order to consider West nomination
At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #186 Derek Anthony West, of California, to be Associate Attorney General. There will be one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination.
After the senate convened today, Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #124, S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013 (Reed (RI)). A vote on the motion to proceed to the student loan bill has not been scheduled at this time.The Senate is in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Scott is currently delivering his maiden speech.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #90, the nomination of Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. If all time is used, the vote would begin at approximately 5:30pm today.

Before the recess we were able to lock in agreements to consider the Dorsey (Nevada District Judge) and West (Associate Attorney General) nominations. We could vote on confirmation of those nominations tomorrow.

Order to consider Dorsey nomination

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #97 Jennifer A. Dorsey, of Nevada, to be United States District for the District of Nevada. There will be 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Order to consider West nomination

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #186 Derek Anthony West, of California, to be Associate Attorney General. There will be one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination.
5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #90, the nomination of Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit;Confirmed: 88-0
Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #124, S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. Under Rule XXII, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Wednesday. Senators will be notified when the vote is scheduled.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTE1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #90, the nomination of Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit; Confirmed: 88-0
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.793, a bill to support revitalization and reform of the Organization of American States, and for other purposes.

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 8, 2013.

2:00:08 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:23 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:41 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:59 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Israel to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:10 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:13:10 P.M.		The House received a communication from Chandra Harris, District Director, Office of Representative David Scott. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Harris notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena issued by the Superior Court of Clayton County, Georgia for testimony in a civil case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
2:14:38 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. today.

2:14:38 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. today.
5:30:14 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 8.
5:30:22 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:30:29 P.M.	H.R. 1341	Mr. Fincher moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1341 — “To require the Financial Stability Oversight Council to conduct a study of the likely effects of the differences between the United States and other jurisdictions in implementing the derivatives credit valuation adjustment capital requirement.”
5:30:57 P.M.	H.R. 1341	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:30:58 P.M.	H.R. 1341	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1341.
5:40:22 P.M.	H.R. 1341	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:40:33 P.M.	H.R. 1564	Mr. Hurt moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1564 — “To amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to prohibit the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board from requiring public companies to use specific auditors or require the use of different auditors on a rotating basis.”
5:40:56 P.M.	H.R. 1564	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:40:58 P.M.	H.R. 1564	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1564.
5:57:49 P.M.	H.R. 1564	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:58:11 P.M.	H.R. 1171	Mr. DeSantis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1171 — “To amend title 40, United States Code, to improve veterans service organizations access to Federal surplus personal property.”
5:58:38 P.M.	H.R. 1171	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:58:39 P.M.	H.R. 1171	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1171.
6:05:33 P.M.	H.R. 1171	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
6:06:26 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today

6:06:26 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today
6:30:55 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 8.
6:31:00 P.M.		Mr. Burgess filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 288.
6:32:43 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:32:59 P.M.	H.R. 1341	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1341 — “To require the Financial Stability Oversight Council to conduct a study of the likely effects of the differences between the United States and other jurisdictions in implementing the derivatives credit valuation adjustment capital requirement.”
6:55:57 P.M.	H.R. 1341	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 353 – 24 (Roll no. 305).
6:55:58 P.M.	H.R. 1341	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:56:01 P.M.	H.R. 1564	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1564 — “To amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to prohibit the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board from requiring public companies to use specific auditors or require the use of different auditors on a rotating basis.”
7:03:01 P.M.	H.R. 1564	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 321 – 62 (Roll no. 306).
7:03:02 P.M.	H.R. 1564	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:03:38 P.M.	H.R. 1171	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1171 — “To amend title 40, United States Code, to improve veterans service organizations access to Federal surplus personal property.”
7:09:48 P.M.	H.R. 1171	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 – 1 (Roll no. 307).
7:09:49 P.M.	H.R. 1171	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:10:56 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

10:00:11 P.M.		Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
10:00:22 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
10:00:23 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 9, 2013.

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~ Bills & Hearings in the House

07/07/2013 Nativegrl77

7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: Legislative Hearing on ‘Draft Legislation, the Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act’; H.R. 1443; H.R. 1612; H.R. 1702; H.R. 2065 Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Health
7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: Oversight Hearing on “Public Impact of Closing Amenities at Yosemite National Park.” Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation
7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: “Keeping College Within Reach: Improving Higher Education through Innovation” Committee on Education and the Workforce: Full Committee
7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: Subcommittee Markup – FY 2014 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill Committee on Appropriations: Legislative Branch
7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: The Role of Innovative Finance in Intercity Passenger Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: Hearing entitled “Examining How the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Collects and Uses Consumer Data” Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
7/9 10:00 am	Hearing: Emergency MGMT 2.0: How SocialMedia and New Tech are Transforming Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Disasters Part2 Govt-NGOs Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications
7/9 1:00 pm	Hearing: American Competitiveness Worldwide: Impacts on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Committee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access
7/9 2:00 pm	Hearing: Hearing entitled “Examining Constitutional Deficiencies and Legal Uncertainties in the Dodd-Frank Act” Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
7/9 2:00 pm	Hearing: Threat to the Homeland: Iran’s Extending Influence in the Western Hemisphere Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
7/9 2:00 pm	Hearing: RESCHEDULED: Oversight Hearing on “Mining in America: Powder River Basin Coal Mining the Benefits and Challenges” Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
7/10 9:30 am	Hearing: Subcommittee Markup – FY 2014 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill Committee on Appropriations: Financial Services and General Government
7/10 10:00 am	Hearing: DOD and VA Collaboration to Assist Service Members Returning to Civilian Life Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Full Committee
7/10 10:00 am	Hearing: “Examining the Labor Department’s Proposed Reforms to the FECA Program” Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
7/10 10:00 am	Hearing: Hearing entitled “Reducing Barriers to Capital Formation, Part II” Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises
7/10 11:00 am	Hearing: Subcommittee Markup – FY 2014 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill Committee on Appropriations: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
7/10 1:00 pm	Hearing: Beyond the Beltway: Successful State Strategies for Small Business Growth Committee on Small Business: Full Committee
7/11 9:30 am	Hearing: Oversight Hearing on “America’s Helium Supply: Options for Producing more Helium from Federal Lands.” Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
7/11 10:00 am	Hearing: Oversight Hearing on “Wildfire and Forest Management.” Committee on Natural Resources:
7/17 10:00 am	Hearing: Causes of Delays to the FAA’s NextGen Program Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation
7/17 10:15 am	Hearing: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 813; H.R. 806; and a discussion draft bill “To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and a quadrennial veterans review, to establis Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Full Committee
7/19 10:00 am	Hearing: Safety for Survivors: Care and Treatment for Military Sexual Trauma Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Health
7/23 10:00 am	Hearing: Oversight Hearing on “War on Jobs: Examining the Operations of the Office of Surface Mining and the Status of the Stream Buffer Zone Rule” Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Beautiful 45-second video of belugas. Please help save them.

07/07/2013 Nativegrl77

There are only 312 Beluga Whales left in Alaska’s Cook Island left

www.savebiogems.org

NRDC – Frances Beinecke

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Greenpeace and Paul McCartney

07/05/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Want to win a trip to meet Paul McCartney at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco and help save the Arctic at the same time?

Start taking action right now for your chance to win.

“It seems madness that we are willing to go to the ends of the earth to find the last drops of oil when our best scientific minds are telling us we need to get off fossil fuels to give our children a future. At some time, in some place, we need to take a stand. I believe that time is now, and that place is the Arctic.”

– Sir Paul McCartney

Greenpeace and Paul McCartney are joining up to raise awareness about the Arctic through an innovative new website called the Urgency Network.
Our hope is to reach people who may not already know about the risks facing the Arctic. And we have an exciting plan to kick things off this summer that just might do the trick.
Carmen, this is your chance to win a trip to meet Paul McCartney and to help save the Arctic in the process. All you have to do is take action online and share our campaign with your friends. That’s seriously it.
Take action on the Urgency Network today and start spreading the word about our campaign to save the Arctic for your chance to meet Paul McCartney.
It’s simple. One lucky person (you?) will win two VIP passes to this year’s Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco to watch the former Beatle perform and to meet him personally. Together we hope the opportunity to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience will help raise awareness about the Arctic.
The more you support the campaign, the better your chances of winning become and the more people who take stand for the Arctic. Everybody wins.
We’ll continue adding prizes to the site. So stay tuned for information on more exciting experiences. We just figured we’d kick things off in style.
Millions of people have already signed on to save the Arctic from around the world. We’re hoping that with the help of Paul McCartney, the Urgency Network and supporters like you that millions more will follow this summer.
Sign up today… and good luck!
Coming together for the Arctic,
Dan Howells Greenpeace USA Deputy Campaigns Director
P.S. Don’t miss your chance meet Paul McCartney at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. Sign up today. The more you spread the word about saving the Arctic the better your chances of winning.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Shame!

07/05/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Sneak Attack on Abortion Rights in North Carolina

The GOP’s outrageous attacks on abortion rights and women’s health are spreading — and fast. After the dramatic showdown in Texas, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) signed a budget that included nearly two dozen new restrictions on abortion rights. Then Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) announced that he would become the lead sponsor of the unconstitutional 20-week abortion ban that passed the House of Representatives last month.

Abortion rights activists rallying in Texas on Monday.

The most devious attack, however, just came out of nowhere in North Carolina. As we’ve observed before, the state government has been taken over by right-wing extremists. One of the many extreme bills to emerge from the North Carolina House was an offensive and unnecessary ban on Sharia law in the state. (Unfortunately, these Republican anti-Sharia law bills have become something of a trend in recent years.) At the very last minute before a holiday weekend, the North Carolina Senate took this bill up, added sweeping restrictions on abortion that would probably shutter all but one of the state’s clinics, and sent the bill back to the House. Protesters shouted “shame!” as the legislation was pushed through the Senate.

Abortion rights activists protesting today in North Carolina as the GOP rushed through a draconian anti-abortion law.

In Texas, the GOP tried to change the rules in the middle of the game but they did so in front of thousands of activists in the state capitol and more than 100,000 people watching online. In North Carolina, the sneak attack on abortion rights prompted even the state’s Republican governor to rebuke legislators for trying to rush the abortion restrictions through.

This latest controversy comes after weeks of Moral Monday protests against other measures before the legislature, which now include a shocking attack on voting rights following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.

BOTTOM LINE: The GOP has shown that it will resort to nearly any tactic, no matter how sneaky or unfair, in order to attack women and deny them the choice to exercise their constitutionally-protected right to have an abortion.