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the Senate S.744 ~~ CONGRESS ~~ the House HR1613


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SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, June 27, 2013, as a further mark of respect of the late Senator Hathaway of Maine.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, with the time until 11:30am equally divided and controlled between the two Managers or their designees, and with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 At 11:30am, there will be 3 roll call votes:

–          Confirmation of Confirmation of Executive Calendar #179, the nomination of Anthony Renard Foxx, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of Transportation

–          Adoption of the committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended to S.744 and

–          Motion to invoke cloture on S.744, as amended, if amended.

If cloture is invoked on S.744, post-cloture time will run as if cloture were invoked at 7:00am on Thursday.  We hope to yield back some post-cloture debate time and vote on passage of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill Thursday afternoon.

At 11:30am there will be 3 roll call votes on the following items:

–          Confirmation of Executive Calendar #179, the nomination of Anthony Renard Foxx, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of Transportation (majority vote threshold);

–          Adoption of the committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended to S.744 (majority vote threshold); and

–          Motion to invoke cloture on S.744, as amended, if amended, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill (60-vote threshold).

If cloture is invoked on S.744, the 30 hours of post-cloture time will run as if cloture were invoked at 7:00am this morning. If all time is used, the post-cloture time would expire at 1pm tomorrow; however, we hope to obtain consent to yield back time and vote on passage today.

In his opening statement this morning, Senator Reid asked that senators vote from their desks on passage of the bill, whether the vote be tomorrow or later today. Senator Reid said that if senators are not on the floor prior to the vote we would have a live quorum in order to get people to the floor. Senators will be notified when the vote is scheduled.

Senator Leahy asked unanimous consent the following amendments be called up, en bloc; that the clerks be authorized to modify the instruction lines, where necessary, to match the intended page and line numbers of the committee-reported substitute, as amended; and the Senate then proceed to vote on adoption of the amendments, en bloc:

–          Baucus-Tester #1512;

–          Boxer #1240;

–          Brown #1597;

–          Cardin-Kirk #1286;

–          Carper-McCain #1558, as modified with changes that are at the desk;

–          Carper #1590;

–          Coats #1288;

–          Coats #1373;

–          Coburn #1509;

–          Coons #1715;

–          Flake #1472;

–          Heinrich #1342;

–          Heinrich #1417;

–          Heinrich #1559;

–          Heitkamp #1593;

–          Klobuchar-Landrieu-Coats-Blunt #1261;

–          Klobuchar-Coats-Landrieu-Blunt #1526;

–          Landrieu-Coats #1338;

–          Landrieu-Cochran #1383;

–          Leahy #1454;

–          Leahy #1455;

–          Murphy #1451;

–          Murray-Crapo #1368;

–          Nelson-Wicker #1618;

–          Reed #1223;

–          Reed #1608;

–          Schatz-Kirk #1416;

–          Shaheen-Ayotte #1272;

–          Stabenow-Collins #1405;

–          Toomey #1236;

–          Udall (NM) #1241; and

–          Udall (NM) #1242.

Senator Cornyn objected.

11:36am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #179, the nomination of Anthony Renard Foxx, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of Transportation;

Confirmed: 100-0

The following pending amendments fell on points of order:

–       Reed #1224

–       Cruz #1320

–       Boxer #1240

12:04pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on adoption of the committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended to S.744 (majority vote threshold);

Agreed To: 68-32

12:20 The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.744, as amended, if amended, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill (60-vote threshold);

Invoked: 68-0

Cloture on S.744, as amended, if amended, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, was invoked 68-32.

At 4pm the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of S.744, as amended, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. Senators are asked to vote from their desks.

The time until 4pm will be equally divided between the Chair and Ranking Member, or their designees; with the final 20 minutes equally divided, with the Majority Leader controlling the final ten minutes;

The following Senators have 8 minutes each from the Majority’s time:

–          Senator Flake;

–          Senator Bennet;

–          Senator Rubio;

–          Senator Menendez;

–          Senator Graham;

–          Senator Durbin;

–          Senator McCain; and

–          Senator Schumer.

Senator Landrieu have 5 minutes from the Majority’s time.

4:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act;

Passed: 68-32

Senator Reed (RI) asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, the text of which is at the Desk.

Senator McConnell objected.

Senator McConnell then asked consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of a bill introduced earlier today by Senators Manchin, King, Alexander, Coburn, Burr, and Carper (S.1241), that there be 1 hour for debate equally divided, with no amendments in order, the bill be subject to any applicable points of order, and that following the use or yielding back of time and disposition of any waivers if necessary, the bill be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill.

Senator Reed (RI) objected.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The next vote is expected to begin at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, July 8.

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 30 minutes 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.

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.

On Monday, July 8, 2013, at 5:00 pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #90, the nomination of Gregory Alan Phillips, of Wyoming, to be United Sates 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.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #179, the nomination of Anthony Renard Foxx, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of Transportation; Confirmed: 100-0

2)      Committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended to S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act; Agreed to: 68-32

3)      Motion to invoke cloture on S.744, as amended; Invoked: 68-32

4)      Passage of S.744, as amended; Passed: 68-32

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Banking Committee and passed H.R.324, to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.

Passed H.R.2383, to designate the new Interstate Route 70 bridge over the Mississippi River connecting St. Louis, Missouri, and southwestern Illinois as the “Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge”.

Passed H.R.1151, to direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan at the triennial International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Con.Res.19, provided for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and adjournment of the House.

Adopted S.Res.192, commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and the significance of this battle in the history of the United States.

 

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #187 Howard A. Shelanski – to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget by voice vote

Discharged the Commerce committee and confirmed:

PN121 Marietta Robinson, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and

PN500 Ann Marie Buerkle, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Confirmed the following items:

All nominations on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Executive Calendar #145 Sylvia M. Becker – to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for the term expiring September 30, 2013

Executive Calendar #146 Sylvia M. Becker – to be a Member of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States for the term expiring September 30, 2016

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Executive Calendar #177 Brian C. Deese – to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget

COAST GUARD

Executive Calendar #181 Rear Adm. Steven E. Day, USCGR – to be Rear Admiral

FEDERAL RETIREMENT THRIFT INVESTMENT BOARD

Executive Calendar #183 William S. Jasien – to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring October 11, 2015.

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Executive Calendar #188 Daniel M. Tangherlini – to be Administrator of General Services

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Executive Calendar #190 Allison M. Macfarlane – to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2018 (Reappointment)

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #195 Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc – to be General

NAVY

Executive Calendar #196 Rear Adm. Philip S. Davidson – to be Vice Admiral

ARMY

Executive Calendar #197 Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington – to be Lieutenant General

NAVY

Executive Calendar #198 Capt. Stephen M. Pachuta – to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

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June 2013
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Last Floor Action:
12:04:15 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.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

David Simas, The White House


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The carbon pollution that causes climate change isn’t a distant threat, the risk to public health isn’t a hypothetical, and it’s clear we have a moral obligation to act.

The 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15 years, and 2012 was the hottest one we’ve ever recorded. When carbon pollutes the air, the risk of asthma attacks increases. When the Earth’s atmosphere fundamentally changes, we see more heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and floods.

These events also create an economic imperative to act. When farms wash away and crops wilt, food prices go up. Last year, we saw 11 different weather disasters that each cost the United States more than $1 billion.

And confronting this challenge isn’t just about preventing disaster — it’s also about moving America forward in a way that creates hundreds of thousands of good, new, clean energy jobs. It’s about wasting less energy, which saves money for every business and every family in America.

So the debate’s over. It’s time for action. 

Here’s what President Obama is announcing today. Check it out, then help to spread the word.

First, he’s laying out a plan to cut carbon pollution in America — by working to cut pollution from power plants, protect the health of our kids, boost clean energy, and revamp our transportation sector for the 21st century. Second, he’s preparing the United States for the impacts of these changes — by building stronger, safer communities and developing resources to make our country more resilient. And finally, he’s leading international efforts to combat global climate change.

We’ve put together a graphic that breaks this all down — from the effects we’re already seeing to the specific actions we’re going to take to lead this fight.

No single step can reverse the effects of climate change, but that’s no excuse for inaction. We have a moral obligation to leave our kids a planet that’s not broken and polluted.

So here’s what we’re going to do:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-action-plan

Share President Obama’s plan to make sure people in your community understand why we’re taking these steps and what comes next.

Thanks!

David

David Simas Deputy Senior Advisor White House

Visit WhiteHouse.gov
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75 years later

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NWLCHands-Circle-180“A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”—that was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s goal when he signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 75 years ago today, establishing a federal minimum wage. It was a wonderful start—and now it’s time to make sure the minimum wage works for the 21st century.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your Senators and Representative to support the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013.
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 will provide a much-needed update to the minimum wage. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour for almost four years — and at that rate, a woman working full time, year round earns just $14,500: nearly $4,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. The bill will gradually raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, and index it to inflation in order to keep up with the rising cost of living. It will also increase the minimum cash wage for tipped workers to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage — because right now the federal minimum cash wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 per hour.
ACT NOW: Tell your Members of Congress that it’s time for minimum-wage workers to get a raise!
Need a reason to act? How about five:

  1. Women represent nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers and workers in tipped occupations.
  2. Women are the majority in the 10 largest occupations that pay less than $10.10 per hour (and seven of these occupations have two-thirds or more women workers).
  3. Increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 would boost annual earnings by $5,700—enough to pull a family of three out of poverty.
  4. Raising the minimum wage will boost earnings for more than 30 million workers—generating additional economic activity and creating jobs as workers spend this income quickly to make ends meet.
  5. Raising the minimum wage would help close the gender wage gap, and would be especially helpful to women of color, who are disproportionately represented among female minimum-wage workers.

Minimum-wage workers across the country can’t afford to wait for a raise any longer. Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the minimum wage by taking action!
Thank you for all you do for women and families.
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher  Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center    

P.S. States can set a higher minimum wage — and some states have done so just this year! Find out how your state is doing by checking out our interactive map.
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the Fight for Climate Change

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Today, President Obama announced his plan to combat climate change. The plan isn’t perfect (nuclear power isn’t part of a responsible solution, and “clean coal” is a myth), but it contains many important steps.

Most importantly, the plan calls for the regulation of carbon emissions from U.S. power plants and an end to U.S. support for new coal plants overseas. These are monumental steps in the right direction.

 

 

CLICK HERE TO TELL THE PRESIDENT YOU SUPPORT THESE  STEPS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

With the president’s leadership—and our support—we can continue to develop solutions that will protect our health, create jobs, cut energy costs for families and businesses, and give us cleaner, safer energy.

So, we need your help. Send a letter to the  president today!

-The Earth Day Network Team

CLICK HERE TO TELL THE PRESIDENT YOU SUPPORT THESE  STEPS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

With the president’s leadership—and our support—we can continue to develop solutions that will protect our health, create jobs, cut energy costs for families and businesses, and give us cleaner, safer energy.

So, we need your help. Send a letter to the  president today!

-The Earth Day Network Team

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We ~~~ have a moral obligation to deal with climate change:


Republicans (and a few Democrats) may have killed the president’s plan for a comprehensive climate change bill in 2010, but he made clear during his second inaugural speech that we have a moral obligation to deal with climate change:

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

During a long and wide-ranging speech today, the president laid out the moral, economic, and scientific case for tackling the problem and the latest steps his administration is taking to address it.

(You can watch the entire speech HERE.)

The major elements of the president’s plan include carbon pollution limits for new and existing power plants, an increase in renewable energy generated on public lands, enhanced fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles, a variety of energy efficiency measures, and both domestic and global cuts in super pollutants like HFCs, and an expanded commitment to international leadership on a wide variety of climate-change related issues.

(You can read the entire plan HERE.)

The president took climate deniers and other opponents of action to task:

We don’t have time for a meeting of the Flat Earth Society.  Sticking your head in the sand might make you feel safer, but it’s not going to protect you from the coming storm.

As it turns outs, even the Flat Earth Society, which actually believes the Earth is flat, thinks climate change is caused by human activity. This puts the Flat Earth Society ahead of many conservatives when it comes to acknowledging the reality of our warming planet.

The speech concluded with a call to action to all Americans:

What we need in this fight are citizens who will stand up, and speak up, and compel us to do what this moment demands.

Understand this is not just a job for politicians.  So I’m going to need all of you to educate your classmates, your colleagues, your parents, your friends.  Tell them what’s at stake.  Speak up at town halls, church groups, PTA meetings.  Push back on misinformation.  Speak up for the facts.  Broaden the circle of those who are willing to stand up for our future.

Convince those in power to reduce our carbon pollution.  Push your own communities to adopt smarter practices.  Invest.  Divest.  Remind folks there’s no contradiction between a sound environment and strong economic growth.  And remind everyone who represents you at every level of government that sheltering future generations against the ravages of climate change is a prerequisite for your vote.  Make yourself heard on this issue. 

BOTTOM LINE: We have an obligation to our children and future generations to tackle climate change and the additional steps the president announced today will put the U.S. in a position of global leadership to solve the climate crisis.

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