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84 Votes

06/13/2013 Nativegrl77

Senate Makes Major Move on Immigration Reform

Immigration reform including a pathway to earned citizenship moved one step closer to reality today as the Senate voted overwhelmingly, 84-15, to began debating and amending the bipartisan bill that passed the Judiciary Committee last month. Unsurprisingly, all of today’s no votes came from Republicans, including those leading the opposition to the bill: Sens. Jeff Sessions (AL), Mike Lee (UT), and Ted Cruz (TX).

While many of those who voted to take up the bill today are expected to oppose it in the end, today’s vote is the latest sign of strong momentum. By contrast, the vote to take up the 2007 immigration reform effort, which ultimately failed, was a much narrower 64-35.

Good news also came from the other side of the Capitol today, with Speaker Boehner (R-OH) predicting that the bill will become law before the end of the year. In another positive sign, Boehner also refused to rule out passing a bill through the House with mostly Democratic votes.

Finally, the president also held an event today with DREAMers and a bipartisan group of others who support reform with a pathway to earned citizenship.

The only unfortunate news on the immigration front today came from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who appears to want to have it both ways once again. Rubio was reportedly asking his Republican colleagues to refrain from coming out in support of the bill so he could use the appearance of a lack support among Republicans as an excuse to drag the bill to the right. Discouraging fellow senators from supporting one’s own legislation is a relatively unheard of move.

A new poll out today shows that 81 percent of Latinos polled reject the notion of the “border-security first” approach that Rubio is inching toward. That includes 76 percent of Latinos who have voted for a GOP candidate in the past. Instead, Latinos want to see the pathway to citizenship and border security implemented concurrently, just as it is in the Gang of 8 bill Rubio himself helped author.

BOTTOM LINE: We are closer than we’ve been in a generation toward achieving real reform to our broken immigration system. Reforming our broken system will allow 11 MILLION undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows, something that will boost our economy by a cumulative $832 BILLION over the next ten years.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Google asks the government to let them reveal how many national security data requests they receive.

Bipartisan group of senators introduces legislation adding transparency to surveillance programs.

The other massive online surveillance program that no one is talking about.

Obama administration ends effort to restrict Plan B.

Nike now has a line of pro-LGBT shoes and sports fashions.

House Republicans launch new battle in war on women: unconstitutional 20-week abortion ban.

Overdraft protection actually hurts consumers, study finds.

Elizabeth Warren already has regulators considering tougher actions against the banks.

Another day, another false and misleading Republican attack on Obamacare.

Black History

the Senate S.744 ~ CONGRESS ~ the House HR2217

06/13/2013 Nativegrl77

Unofficial seal of the United States Congress. The Congress as a whole does not have an official seal (rather, the Senate and House have their own seals)http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/20050701-259-cunningh.html, but this is still a commonly seen symbol. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
The Senate has resumed consideration of S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. Following the remarks of Senator Reid and Senator McConnell, Senator Reid intends to move to table Grassley amendment #1195 (border security). Senators should expect the roll call vote to begin in the 9:45-10:00am range.
Following Senator McConnell’s remarks, there will be 10 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a roll call vote on the Reid motion to table Grassley amendment #1195 (border security). We expect this vote to begin around 10:00am.
10:05am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table the Grassley amendment #1195 (border security)Tabled: 57-43
The Grassley amendment was tabled 57-43. Senator Reid then asked consent that at 11:30am today the Senate vote in relation to a series of amendments, with 60 vote thresholds (consent request can be found below). Senator Grassley objected. Senator Reid then asked consent to make those amendments pending. Senator Grassley asked that the Heller amendment be removed from the list. That was agreed to. As a result of this back and forth, it is in order for the following amendments to be called up:-          Thune #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion);-          Landrieu #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children);-          Vitter #1228 (US-VISIT system); and-          Tester #1198 (modify Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials).Senator Heinrich is now giving his maiden speech.Reid request that Grassley objected to:Leader:            I ask unanimous consent that the following amendments be in order to be called up:-          Thune #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion);-          Landrieu #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children);
–          Vitter #1228 (US-VISIT system);

–          Tester #1198 (modify Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials); and

–          Heller #1227 (Nevada representative on Southern Border Security Commission).

That the time until 11:30am be equally divided, between the two managers, or their designees, for debate on these amendments; that at 11:30am, the Senate proceed to vote on the five amendments in this agreement in the order listed; that there be no second degree amendments in order prior to the votes; that all the amendments be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that there be two minutes equally divided in between the votes; and all after the first vote be ten minute votes.
At 11:30am, we will execute the previous order to consider the Alejandro and Schmehl nominations. At 11:30am, there will be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations.If all time is used, at approximately 12:00 noon the Senate will vote on confirmation of the following nominations:- Executive Calendar #47, Nitza I Quinones Alejandro, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Pennsylvania; (voice vote expected) and- Executive Calendar #49, Jeffrey L. Schmehl, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (roll call vote expected).On the Immigration bill, Senator Reid reiterated his intent to complete action on the bill before the July Fourth state work period. There is a lot we have to finish. There are meetings off the hill today to discuss how to proceed with the bill. Senator Reid hopes people to continue to work on an agreement on the bill. In order to facilitate these discussions, there will be no roll call votes in relation to immigration amendments for the remainder of this week.
Executive Calendar #47, Nitza I Quinones Alejandro, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Pennsylvania, was confirmed by voice vote.
12:04pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #49, Jeffrey L. Schmehl, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania;Confirmed: 100-0
The Schmehl nomination was confirmed 100-0. There will be no further roll call votes this week.The Senate has resumed consideration of S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.The following amendments are pending to S.744:- Leahy #1183 (international performing arts)- Thune #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion)- Landrieu #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children);- Tester #1198 (modify Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials)- Vitter #1228 (US-VISIT system)
Senator Vitter talked about a point of order he intends to make as early as early next week against the emergency designation provision contained in the bill in section D-1 and it’s pursuant to section 403-E of the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget resolution. He noted that when this same point of order was raised against other measures, the Republican side of the aisle has upheld it. It would take 60-affirmative votes to waive such a point of order
The following amendment are pending to S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act:
- Leahy amendment #1183 (international participation in the performing arts)
- Thune amendment #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion)
- Landrieu amendment #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children)
- Tester amendment #1198 (modify Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials)
- Vitter amendment #1228 (US-VISIT system)
The following amendments have been considered to S.744:
- Grassley amendment #1195 (prohibit the granting of registered provisional immigrant status until the Secretary has maintained effective control of the borders for 6 months) Tabled: 57-43
The Senate will recess from 2:30 until 3:30pm today in order to accommodate an Intelligence briefing on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act matters.
Senator Warren asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined the Senate proceed to vote on passage of S.953, the Student Loan Affordability Act. Senator Burr objected.Senator Burr then asked consent to take up and pass a bill, which is what he describes as the President’s proposal.
Senator Warren objected.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to table the Grassley amendment #1195 (border security) to S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act; Tabled: 57-432) Confirmation of Executive Calendar ##49, Jeffrey L. Schmehl, of Pennsylvania to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Confirmed: 100-0
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Foreign Relations committee and adopted S.Res.154, Calling for free and fair elections in Iran, with a Hoeven substitute amendment and a Hoeven amendment to the preamble.

Adopted S.Res.171, designating June 15, 2013, as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”.

No ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action:6/12/13
3:01:54 A.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 13, 2013.

10:00:48 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:16 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul Cook to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:24 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:07:46 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:22 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 13.
12:00:44 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Ron Dunn, Revolution Church of God, Harrison, Michigan
12:01:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:17 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Mullin to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:58 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 13, 2013, at 9:32 a.m., stating that that body agreed to return H.R. 2217 to the House.
12:04:23 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.

12:44:27 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to the actions and polices of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons to undermine Belarus’s democratic processes or institutions – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-36).
12:46:38 P.M.	H. Res. 260	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 260 — “Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1960) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”
12:50:00 P.M.	H. Res. 260	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 260.
2:24:30 P.M.	H. Res. 260	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 195 (Roll no. 220).
2:33:18 P.M.	H. Res. 260	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 189 (Roll no. 221).
2:33:18 P.M.	H. Res. 260	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:34:00 P.M.	H.R. 1960	ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. McKeon asked unanimouse consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1960 pursuant to H. Res. 260, amendments 18, 19, and 20 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 may be considered out of sequence. Agreed to without objection.
2:35:01 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 260. H.R. 1960 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”
2:35:06 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1960. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in part B of this report and amendments en bloc described in Section 3 of this resolution.
2:36:43 P.M.	H.R. 1960	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 260 and Rule XVIII.
2:36:44 P.M.	H.R. 1960	The Speaker designated the Honorable Lee Terry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2:37:00 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. McKeon, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to makes technical and conforming changes in the bill.
2:38:03 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McKeon Part B amendment No. 1.
2:41:02 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:41:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Blumenauer, numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to reduce from 11 to 10 the statutory requirement for the number of operational carriers that the U.S. Navy must have.
2:41:42 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Blumenauer Part B amendment No. 2.
2:54:44 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Blumenauer amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Blumenauer demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:55:14 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Lummis, numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to require DOD to preserve current active ICBM silos in warm status.
2:55:18 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lummis Part B amendment No. 3.
3:07:19 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lummis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:07:53 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Pearce, numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to provide the Department of Defense with final approval over any new land use project that utilizes covered research, development, test and evaluation lands within the continuous United States.
3:07:58 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pearce Part B amendment No. 4.
3:15:40 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Pearce amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:16:15 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Coffman, numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to cut $250 million from the Defense Rapid Innovation Program (DRIP), and move the money to alleviate training and readiness shortfalls.
3:16:41 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Coffman (CO) Part B amendment No. 5.
3:29:34 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Coffman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Coffman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:30:51 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon, An En bloc consisting of amendments printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 numbered 7, 8, 16, 17, 24, 26, 30, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 48, 62, 94, 111, 113, 130, 154, and 159.
3:30:53 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon En bloc amendments No. 1.
3:41:59 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:42:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Turner, numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to establishe mandatory minimum sentences of discharge or dismissal, and confinement required for certain sexrelated offenses committed by members of the Armed Forces.
3:42:29 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Turner Part B amendment No. 6.
3:54:45 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Turner amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:11 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Rigell, numbered 9 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to modify the temporary suspension of public-private competitions for conversion of Department of Defense functions to contractor performance and permit the Secretary of Defense to exempt existing public-private partnerships from the OMB Budget Circular A-76 process.
3:55:41 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rigell Part B amendment No. 9.
4:07:38 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rigell amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rigell demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:07:59 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. McGovern, numbered 10 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to require the President to complete the accelerated transition of combat operations from U.S. Armed Forces to the Government of Afghanistan no later than by the end of 2013; the accelerated transition of military and security operations by the end of 2014, including the redeployment of U.S. troops; and to pursue robust negotiations to address Afghanistan’s and the region’s security and stability. The amendment establishes the sense of Congress that should the President determine the necessity for post 2014 deployment of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the Congress should vote to authorize such a presence and mission by no later than June 2014.
4:08:02 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McGovern amendment No. 10.
4:19:06 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McGovern amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:19:36 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Goodlatte, numbered 11 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to require the government, in habeas proceedings for United States citizens apprehended in the United States pursuant to the AUMF, to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the citizen is an unprivileged enemy combatant and there is not presumption that the government’s evidence is accurate and authentic.
4:19:38 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Goodlatte amendment No. 11.
4:32:12 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Goodlatte amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:33:00 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Radel, numbered 12 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to require the Department of Defense to submit to the Congress a report every year containing: (1) the names of any U.S. citizens subject to military detention, (2) the legal justification for their continued detention, and (3) the steps the Executive Branch is taking to either provide them some judicial process, or release them. Requires that an unclassified version of the report be made available, and in addition, that the report must be made available to all members of Congress.
4:33:03 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Radel amendment No. 12.
4:39:00 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Radel amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:39:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Smith (WA), numbered 12 printed in House Report 113-108 to amend Section 1021 of the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act to eliminate indefinite military detention of any person detained under AUMF authority in the United States, territories or possessions by providing immediate transfer to trial and proceedings by a court established under Article III of the Constitution or by an appropriate state court. Strikes section 1022 of the same Act (which provided for mandatory military custody of covered parties).
4:39:28 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (WA) amendment No. 13.
4:52:04 P.M.	H.R. 1960	adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:53:16 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon.
4:53:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon En bloc amendments No. 2.

5:08:00 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
5:08:26 P.M.	H.R. 1960	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:36:23 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 222).
5:41:25 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Lummis amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 223).
5:48:35 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Coffman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 224).
5:52:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Rigell amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 225).
5:56:18 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McGovern amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 226).
5:59:51 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Goodlatte amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 227).
6:05:09 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Smith (WA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 228).
6:06:40 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Mr. McKeon moved that the Committee rise.
6:07:17 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
6:07:27 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1960 as unfinished business.
6:08:00 P.M.	H.R. 1960	ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. McKeon asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1960 pursuant to H. Res. 260, amendments 14 and 23 printed in part B of House Report 113-108 may be considered out of sequence. Agreed to without objection.
6:09:40 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1960 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”
6:09:54 P.M.	H.R. 1960	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
6:10:33 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Denham, numbered 15 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to authorize enlistment in the Armed Forces of certain undocumented immigrants who are otherwise qualified for enlistment, and provide a way for the undocumented immigrants to be lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence by reason of their honorable service and sacrifice in the U.S. military.
6:10:36 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Denham amendment No. 15.
6:23:52 P.M.	H.R. 1960	By unanimous consent, the Denham amendment was withdrawn.
6:24:27 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Turner, numbered 21 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to require the President of the United States to convey to Congress the details of any proposed deals with the Russian Federation concerning the missile defense or nuclear arms of the United States.
6:24:30 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Turner (OH) amendment No. 21.
6:33:59 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Turner (OH) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
6:34:45 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon, consisting of amendments printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 numbered 29, as modified, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65, 66, 68, 71, 75, 80, and 160.
6:35:20 P.M.	H.R. 1960	McKeon amendment; modified by unanimous consent.
6:35:31 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon En Bloc amendments No. 3.
6:55:09 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; as modified Agreed to by voice vote.
6:55:49 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Holt, numbered 22 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to strike all of subtitle C of title II except section 237 (Iron Dome program).
6:55:51 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 22.

7:06:27 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
7:06:52 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Ms. McCollum, numbered 25 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to prohibit any funds authorized in the bill from being used to sponsor Army National Guard professional wrestling sports sponsorships or motor sports sponsorships. The amendment does not prohibit recruiters from making direct, personal contact with secondary school students and other prospective recruits.
7:06:54 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCollum amendment No. 25.
7:18:58 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McCollum amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. McCollum demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
7:19:56 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nolan, numbered 32 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to reduce total funds authorized in this Act by $60 Billion.
7:19:58 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nolan amendment No. 32.
7:31:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nolan amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nolan demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
7:32:28 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Thornberry, comprised of Part B amendments Nos. 64, 67, 69, 70, 72, 74, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83, 102, 107 and 126 printed in House Report 113-108.
7:32:52 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Thornberry (TX) en bloc amendments No. 4.
7:40:29 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the Thornberry amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:41:29 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Larsen (WA), numbered 33 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to reinstate the New START funding.
7:41:59 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Larsen (WA) amendment No. 33.

7:54:15 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Larsen (WA) amendment No. 33, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Larsen (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
7:55:11 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Gibson, numbered 36 printed in House Report 113-108 to strike section 1251 which expresses the Sense of Congress on the conflict in Syria.
7:55:53 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gibson amendment No. 36.
8:05:19 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gibson amendment No. 36, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gibson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
8:06:01 P.M.	H.R. 1960	An amendment, offered by Mr. Coffman, numbered 37 printed in Part B of House Report 113-108 to direct the President to end the permanent basing of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) in Vilseck, Germany and return the Brigade Combat Team currently stationed in Europe to the United States without permanent replacement.
8:06:44 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Coffman (CO) amendment No. 37.
8:18:42 P.M.	H.R. 1960	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Coffman (CO) amendment No. 37, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Coffman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
8:20:03 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon, comprised of Part B amendments Nos. 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 104, 105, 109, 112, 115, 119, 121 and 142 printed in House Report 113-108.
8:20:14 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc amendments #5.
8:25:26 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:26:12 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon, comprised of Part B amendments Nos. 106, 108, 110, 116, 117, 118, 120, 127, 128, 129, 132, 133, 134, 136, 138, 139, 140 and 145 printed in House Report 113-108.
8:26:22 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc amendments #6.
8:35:33 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:36:24 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. McKeon, comprised of Part B amendments Nos. 76, 92, 93, 122, 124, 125, 131, 135, 141, 144, 147, 148, 151, 155, 162, 167, 168 and 169 printed in House Report 113-108.
8:36:46 P.M.	H.R. 1960	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 260, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon en bloc amendments #7.
8:37:40 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:37:56 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Mr. McKeon moved that the Committee rise.
8:38:16 P.M.	H.R. 1960	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
8:38:27 P.M.	H.R. 1960	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1960 as unfinished business.
8:39:03 P.M.		Mr. McKeon moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:39:16 P.M.		<action_description>On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:39:17 P.M.		<action_description>The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on June 14, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

How thirty 11 year-olds changed the world

06/12/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Dear friends,

Thirty 11 year-olds in Hamburg just saved their classmate — all it took was a petition and a few thousand signatures. It all started with a simple step that took 2 minutes. Click below to start the next great campaign to change someone’s life or the world:

A 5th grade class in Hamburg just saved their classmate Gleb from deportation — all it took was a petition and a few thousand signatures.
Gleb fled to Germany to get treatment for Leukaemia. He got an operation that saved his life, started to attend school and quickly became top of his class, but then the government tried to send him back to Russia. His classmates started a petition on the community petition site to their local government officials to stop the deportation.
When the petition took off, their council member started paying attention. And in weeks, Gleb was saved, able to continue the treatment he so desperately needed. His friends saved his future, and it all started with a simple step — click below to start a campaign on an issue you care about or send this email to a friend. You never know who might start the next great campaign to change someone’s life or change the world!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?cl=2929208333&v=25689
With just a few focused minutes, Gleb’s classmates kick-started an amazing campaign that led to an impressive victory. Imagine if all of us committed a little time to start a campaign – there’s no limit to what we can achieve!
Starting a campaign only takes a few minutes, but the impact of success can last for years. Plus, if the petition gets enough support on its own, the staff at Avaaz could pick up the campaign, add strategic advice, media help, and even send it to a wider list of members. We’ve got tonnes of tips and advice to help you along the way — all it takes is to get started, share your passion and you can be on your way to winning on any issue – local, national or global.
Send this email to the people you know who have great ideas about how to make the world a better place or click on the link to be a part of it:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?cl=2929208333&v=25689
Many Avaaz campaigns have been started by Avaaz members, from bringing hundreds of workers in Bahrain safely home to India, to allowing partners stay in touch with imprisoned love ones in New Mexico. All these took just a few minutes to get started. Let’s become world-changers together and multiply our impact by the thousands.
With hope and excitement for all we can achieve together,
Emma, Oli, Dalia, Patri, Laura, Ricken, Luis, Chris and all of the Avaaz team

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Animals deserve love and respect too

06/12/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Zoo Elephants in the U.S. are So Obese, They Might Go Extinct

Apparently, you can learn a lot about elephants by studying the ‘junk in their trunk’. The one in the back, that is.
read more

Activist Murdered for Protecting Sea Turtles

Last Friday morning, the bound and beaten body of Jairo Mora Sandoval, a 26-year-old sea turtle activist in Costa Rica, was found onMoín Beach on the…
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59 Supermarkets Say No to Frankenfish

Just as Monsanto announces that it has given up trying to spread genetically modified seeds and plants throughout Europe (which is a huge win for…
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Bloodiest Week for Rhinos Ever?

Seven rhinos, their heads bloodied and their horns cut off, were found dead in the last week of May in five wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in…
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Whales Say: We Don’t Like Oil Dispersants!

When oil spills, responders rush to the scene with a huge toolbox and try to contain, clean up and disperse the oil so it will break down as quickly as…
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Don’t Let Wall Street Offshore Its Recklessness

06/12/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Dogs Dealing Securities at JP Morgan, after Ca... — Dogs Dealing Securities at JP Morgan, after Cassius Marcellus Coolidge (Photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com)

by James Lardner

Much of the reckless gambling that caused the financial meltdown of 2008 took place outside U.S. borders. AIG received a $160 billion taxpayer bailouts for derivatives trades made in London. Bear Stearns was brought down by the failure of hedge funds based in the Cayman Islands. And more recently, JP Morgan’s “London Whale” lost billions on derivatives trades.

This is why the Dodd-Frank Act called for regulation of all derivatives trades that have “a direct and significant connection with” U.S. commerce. And it’s why the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has followed the law by drafting rules that cover all derivatives transactions, wherever they occur, with the potential to damage our financial security.

But now Wall Street is leaning on Congress to limit enforcement to derivatives traders physically based in this country. HR 1256, the “Swaps Jurisdiction Certainty Act,” would open a major escape hatch in financial reform. This bill would make it much easier for our biggest banks, which routinely channel their transactions through foreign markets, to escape U.S. oversight.

HR 1256 is set for a vote tomorrow – Wednesday, June 12. So there’s no time to waste.

Tell your representative to Vote No on HR 1256, a bill that would inevitably lead to a new surge of Wall Street recklessness.

Click here to find the name and phone number of your House member. Or dial the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121.
You can report back here.