~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

AFL – CIO : BRING JOBs HOME

07/19/2012 Nativegrl77

SENATE TO VOTE ON THE BRING JOBS HOME ACT TOMORROW

The Senate is set to vote on the Bring Jobs Home Act on Thursday. This bill would stop the perks for corporations that outsource American jobs.Call your senators now at 888-659-9401 now and tell them to support the Bring Jobs Home Act.

We’ve got some important news about getting our elected leaders to take the necessary steps to stop the policies of outsourcing.

The Senate will take up the Bring Jobs Home Act tomorrow. This bill—S. 2884—would stop allowing corporations to deduct their moving expenses when they offshore good American jobs to other countries.

Call your senators now at 888-659-9401 and tell them to vote YES on the Bring Jobs Home Act tomorrow. Even if you already have called, your senators need to hear from you again.

The vote on this measure comes as news continues to trickle out about Mitt Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital, when companies it managed outsourced good jobs abroad.^[1]

And this week, a new report showed Romney’s tax plan would create even more incentives for corporations to ship jobs overseas.^[2]

Romney is not the only politician, though, who has been on the wrong side of job creation for working families. Politicians continue to support measures that reward corporate CEOs and leave the rest of us to take the hit.

Now they have a chance to move toward a comprehensive plan to stop outsourcing and create family-sustaining jobs in the United States. This not only must include passing the Bring Jobs Home Act but should also:

Tax U.S. corporations’ overseas income the same way domestic income is taxed, so they do not shift income and jobs overseas just to lower their tax bill;
Make sure trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership are fair and benefit working families—not just multinational corporations;
Stop currency manipulation by our trading partners; and
Bar companies that send call center jobs overseas from receiving federal grants and tax breaks.

Please call your senators today at 888-659-9401 and ask for their support for the Bring Jobs Home Act.

Thank you for your continued support to stop the policies of outsourcing.

In Solidarity,

Nicole Aro
Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO

P.S. After you have made your call, go here to check out the new “Meet Mitt Romney Mr. 1%” website. The website includes shareable infographics, video and ways you can get involved and vote your values.

^[1] www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/07/
14/evidence_mounts_of_mitt_romneys_continuing_ties_to_bain_after_1999
^[2] www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2012/07/hanlon_outsourcing.html

~ Culture & History

Herakles Farms is cutting the heart out of Cameroon’s rainforest – reblog

07/19/2012 Nativegrl77

full story … click on the red link below

H erakles Farms is cutting the heart out of Cameroon’s rainforest

(cameroonwebnews.com)

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress should end the tax cuts for the richest … AAUW

07/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Everyone Should Pay Their Fair Share!	Take Action!


In the next two weeks, the House and Senate will vote on extending the temporary “Bush-era” tax cuts. It’s time for everyone to pay their fair share – Congress should end the tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans and close loopholes that allow large corporations to avoid paying taxes on their profits and ship jobs overseas. AAUW supports public budgets that balance individual rights and responsibility to the community. Americans applaud financial success but when wealthy people and corporations get tax breaks they don’t need and the country can’t afford, the middle class has to make up the difference – and that’s not right. To call Congress, simply click on the “Take Action” link in the upper right corner. Then follow the instructions on the page.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – State Work Period August 6-September 7, 2012 – the Senate considers S.3364,BringJobsBackAct

07/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Motion to invoke Cloture to proceed to S.3364Bring the JObs Home Act – NOT invoked 56-42 Brown,Heller,Snowe and Collins voted with Dems – Kohl (D-WI) NV

Convenes: 9:30am
Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
The first hour of debate will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
As a reminder, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3364, the Bring Jobs Home Act during Tuesday’s session. As a result, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.3364 will be at 2:15pm on Thursday.

At 2:15pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3364, the Bring Jobs Home Act.

2:15pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3364, the Bring Jobs Home Act

2:15pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3364, the Bring Jobs Home Act; NOT invoked 56-42

Senator Reid announced on the floor there will be no further roll call votes today. Senators should expect the next vote to occur at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, July 23 in relation to Executive Calendar #663, the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. Another message will be sent when the vote is scheduled.

Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #663, the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. By consent, the cloture vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, July 23.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3364, the Bring Jobs Home Act; Not Invoked: 56-42

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012. (Lieberman and others)

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012. (Republican request)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3401, the Tax Relief Act of 2012. (Hatch)

Considered the following 2 bills to have been read twice and subsequently placed on the calendar:

– S.3412, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2012. (Reid)

– S.3413, the Tax Hike Prevention Act of 2012. (Hatch)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————————–

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 19, 2012. Click on link below for live stream

www.Houselive.gov

10:00:43 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:59 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:22 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.
11:19:36 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:49 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 19.
12:01:51 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Jeffrey Bayhi, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
12:04:44 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:04:47 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Jenkins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:05:05 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.
12:09:13 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 1627 amended.
12:09:36 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed with one minute speeches.
12:42:07 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5856 — “Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”
12:45:07 P.M.	H.R. 5856	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
12:46:32 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. King (IA), to prohibit the use of funds used in contravention of section 7 of title 1, United States Code.
12:47:24 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Second King (IA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:51:56 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Second King (IA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
12:53:38 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Ms. Lee (CA), to add a new section for operations of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan.
12:53:46 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant the the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Third Lee (CA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:57:19 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Mr. Young (FL) raised a point of order against the Lee (CA) amendment. Mr. Young (FL) stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
12:59:24 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, to prohibit the use of funds to be obligated or expended for assistance for the following entities: 1. The Government of Iran; 2. The Government of Syria; 3. Hamas; 4. Hizbullah; and 5. The Muslim Brotherhood.
1:01:30 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:07:15 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Ms. Lee (CA), to reduce by $19,200,000,000 the total amount of appropriations for this bill.
1:09:32 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant the the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fourth Lee (CA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:16:50 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Fourth Lee (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lee (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
1:17:32 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Brooks, to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Department of Defense or a component thereof to provide the government of the Russian Federation with any information about the missile defense systems of the United States that is classified by the Department or component thereof.
1:19:05 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant the the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Brooks amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:26:11 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Brooks amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:33:53 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Ms. Lee (CA), to reduce by $7,583,000,000 the total amount of appropriations for this bill.
1:34:05 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant the the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fifth Lee (CA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:48:24 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Fifth Lee (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lee (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
1:52:10 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kucinich, to add a new section to prohibit the use of funds for the administration of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for the student (high school) testing programs.
1:53:50 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant the the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Third Kucinich amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:58:49 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Kucinich amendment; Failed by voice vote.
2:15:19 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Moran, to prohibit use of funds to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to Rosoboronexport.
2:15:22 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Moran amendment under the five-minute rule.
2:31:13 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:32:55 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Turner (OH), to prohibit use of funds to (1) reduce the nuclear forces of the United States in contravention of the Arms Control and Disarmament Act; or (2) to implement the Nuclear Posture Review Implementation Study or modify the Secretary of Defense Guidance for Employment of Force, Annex B, or the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, Annex N.
2:32:57 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Turner (OH) amendment under the five-minute rule.
2:47:51 P.M.	H.R. 5856	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 the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
2:50:23 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Tonko, to prohibit use of funds to pay a contractor under a contract with DOD for costs of any amount paid by the contractor or any subcontractor of the contractor to an employee performing work under the contract or any subcontract under the contract for compensation if the compensation of the employee for a fiscal year from the Federal Government for work under Federal contracts exceeds $230,700, except that the Secretary of Defense may establish one or more narrowly targeted exceptions for scientists and engineers upon a determination that such exceptions are needed to ensure that the Department of Defense has continued access to needed skills and capabilities. The prohibition shall apply to contracts entered into during FY 2013.
2:50:26 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tonko amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
2:58:11 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Mr. Young (FL) raised a point of order against the Tonko amendment. Mr. Young (FL) stated that the amendment imposed new duties and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
3:01:06 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Coffman (CO), numbered 18 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds to continue the deployment, beyond FY 2013, of the 170th Infantry Brigade in Baumholder and the 172nd Infantry Brigade in Grafenwohr, except pursuant to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
3:01:25 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Coffman (CO) amendment No. 18.
3:14:28 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Coffman (CO) 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.
3:31:24 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Berg, to prohibit use of funds to reduce the number of the following nuclear weapons delivery vehicles of the United States: (1) Heavy bomber aircraft; (2) Air-launched cruise missiles; (3) Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines; (4) Submarine-launched ballistic missiles; and (5) Intercontinetal ballistic missiles.
3:31:26 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Puruant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Berg amendment under the five-minute rule.
3:49:07 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Berg amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Berg demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:54:47 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores, to prohibit the use of funds to enforce section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
3:54:49 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment.
4:08:58 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:12:54 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Runyan, to prohibit the use of funds to be used in contravention of section 41106 of title 49, United States Code.
4:12:57 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Runyan amendment.
4:16:04 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Runyan amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:16:22 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi, to reduce the appropriations made in title IX by $12,670,355,000. The reduction does not apply to the following accounts: 1) Afghanistan Security Forces Fund; 2) Defense Health Program; 3) Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense; 4) Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund; and 5) Office of the Inspector General.
4:16:25 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garamendi amendment.
4:32:47 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garamendi amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Frelinghuysen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:33:04 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Mulvaney, numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the amount appropriated by $1,072,581,000. The reduction does not apply to the following accounts: 1) Accounts in title I; 2) “Other Department of Defense Programs-Defense Health Program”; and 3) accounts title IX.
4:33:06 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Mulvaney amendment No. 1.
4:52:35 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Mulvaney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Mulvaney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:57:38 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Engel, to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Deparment of Defense or any other Federal agency to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles, for any executive fleet, or for any agency’s fleet inventory, except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum-Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.
4:57:42 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Engel amendment.
4:59:12 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Engel amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:59:23 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Mulvaney, numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the amount made available for “Military Personnel, Army”, by increasing such amount, by reducing the amount made available for “Military Personnel, Marine Corps”, and by increasing such amount, by $4,359,624,000, $4,359,624,000, $1,197,682,000, and $1,197,682,000, respectively.
4:59:26 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Mulvaney amendment No. 9.
5:00:51 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Mulvaney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Mulvaney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
5:01:06 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Ellison, to require disclosure, by contractors receiving funds in this bill, of all electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or contributions made in the most recent election cycle supporting or opposing a Federal political candidate, political party, or political committee, and contributions made to a third-party entity with the intention or reasonable expectation that such entity would use the contribution to make independent expenditures or electioneering communications in Federal elections.
5:01:14 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Ellison amendment, pending reservation of a point of order.
5:05:32 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Ellison amendment. Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment proposed to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
5:10:28 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Stearns, to prohibit the use of funds to implement an enrollment fee for the TRICARE for Life program.
5:10:41 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Stearns amendment.
5:16:24 P.M.	H.R. 5856	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Stearns amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
5:16:46 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Fitzpatrick, to prohibit the use of funds to enter into a contract using procedures that do not give to small business concerns owned by veterans that are included in the database under section 8127(f) of title 38, United States Code, any preference available with respect to such contract, except for a preference given to small business concerns owned by service-disabled veterans.
5:16:48 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment, pending reservation of a point of order.
5:22:53 P.M.	H.R. 5856	By unanimous consent, the Fitzpatrick amendment was withdrawn.
5:23:12 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kucinich, to prohibit the use of funds to enter into a contract with any person or other entity listed in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) as having been convicted of fraud against the Federal Government.
5:23:15 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fourth Kucinich amendment.
5:27:28 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Kucinich amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
5:28:00 P.M.	H.R. 5856	An amendment, offered by Mr. Jones, numbered 17 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to negotiate or implement any agreement with the Government of Afghanistan that includes security assurances for mutual defense.
5:28:03 P.M.	H.R. 5856	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 717, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jones amendment No. 17, pending reservation of a point of order.
5:35:57 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Mr. Young (FL) raised a point of order against the Jones amendment. Mr. Young of Florida stated that the amendment proposed to change existing law and therefore constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
5:46:20 P.M.	H.R. 5856	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.
6:16:18 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 247 – 166 (Roll no. 487).
6:19:59 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Lee (CA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 87 – 326 (Roll no. 488).
6:24:21 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Lee (CA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 243 (Roll no. 489).
6:27:11 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Moran amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 407 – 5 (Roll no. 490).
6:30:05 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Turner (OH) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 235 – 178 (Roll no. 491).
6:33:42 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Coffman (CO) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 123 – 292 (Roll no. 492).
6:36:51 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Berg amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 183 (Roll no. 493).
6:41:37 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 137 – 278 (Roll no. 494).
6:45:28 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Mulvaney amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 247 – 167 (Roll no. 495).
6:48:52 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Mulvaney amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 178 (Roll no. 496).
6:53:18 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On agreeing to the Stearns amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 399 – 17 (Roll no. 497).
6:53:36 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Mr. Young (FL) moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.
6:53:57 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.
6:54:03 P.M.	H.R. 5856	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5856.
6:54:40 P.M.	H.R. 5856	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
6:54:59 P.M.	H.R. 5856	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
7:12:27 P.M.	H.R. 5856	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 326 – 90 (Roll no. 498).
7:12:28 P.M.	H.R. 5856	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:12:49 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 133	Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
7:12:56 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 133	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 133 — “Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Arnold Palmer, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.”
7:13:18 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 133	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
7:13:21 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 133	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:13:40 P.M.	H.R. 2527	Mr. Huizenga (MI) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.
7:14:25 P.M.	H.R. 2527	On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
7:14:26 P.M.	H.R. 2527	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:29:29 P.M.	H.R. 5856	The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5856 .
7:29:34 P.M.	H.R. 4078	Mr. Jordan asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government have until midnight on July 20 to file a report on H.R. 4078. Agreed to without objection.
7:29:35 P.M.		Mr. Wittman asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, July 19, 2012, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday, July 23, 2012, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
7:30:41 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:37:12 P.M.		Mr. Wittman moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:37:33 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:37:34 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 23, 2012.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Legal to murder gay people? Michael Whitney, Change.org

07/18/2012 Nativegrl77

“Yeah, I killed him, but he did worse to me.”

In 1997, a man in Queensland, Australia killed a gay man who he claimed flirted with him by bashing his head into a wall and stabbing him to death. Today, “gay panic” is still a legal defense for murder in Queensland that can result in lesser charges.

In fact, just two years ago, a man was brutally killed in a Queensland churchyard, and his killer used the “gay panic” defense in court. He was subsequently acquitted of murder.

Father Paul Kelly is a priest in the parish where that man was killed, and he started a petition on Change.org demanding that Queensland abolish the gay panic defense. It looked like Father Kelly’s petition was headed for victory, but now there’s a new Premier in Queensland, Campbell Newman, and he won’t say whether he will abolish the gay panic loophole.

Father Kelly thinks it’s crucial to build quick international pressure on Premier Newman, particularly from important Australian allies like the US — click here to add your name to Father Kelly’s petition demanding that Queensland abolish the gay panic defense.

A recent study named Queensland as Australia’s most homophobic state — 73% of gay and lesbian Queenslanders are subjected to verbal abuse or physical violence for their sexuality. Father Kelly believes that if the gay panic defense stands, Queensland’s gay community will be forced to live in terror knowing that the law is on their tormentors’ side.

“The support from people in Australia for my petition has been wonderful,” Father Kelly says, “but we need help from our friends in the US. We need to send Premier Newman a message that he is being watched, and we will not tolerate this despicable gay panic loophole.”

Click here to sign Father Kelly’s petition demanding that Queensland abolish the legal loophole that justifies the murder of gay people.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

– Michael and the Change.org team