Congress: the Republican led House – – the Senate considers S.2343,Stop Student Loan Rate Hike Act&Judicial nominees 3.5yrs later

05/07/2012 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment under the provisions of S.Con.Res.43, the adjournment resolution.

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, May 7, 2012.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:

– Executive Calendar #508 Jacqueline H. Nguyen, of CA, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit

– Executive Calendar #568 Kristine Gerhard Baker, of AR, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas

– Executive Calendar #569 John Z. Lee, IL, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

with 60 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct up to 3 roll call votes on the Nguyen, Baker and Lee nominations. It is possible the Baker and Lee nominations will be confirmed by voice vote.

As a reminder to all Senators, on Thursday, April 26^th, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act. By consent, the roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2343 will be at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 8^th.

If the Senate does not receive a message from the House that it has adopted S.Con.Res.43, the Senate will convene on the following dates at the following times for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted:

– Monday, April 30, at 10:30am

– Thursday, May 3, at 8:30am

—- The Senate confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent during today’s session:

– Executive Calendar #512, Ajit Varadaraj Pai, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of 5 years from July 1, 2011 and

– Executive Calendar #513, Jessica Rosenworcel, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of 5 years from July 1, 2010.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #508, Jacqueline H. Nguyen, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Confirmed: 91-3

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2050, Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act (Republican request)

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2240, Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act (Republican request)

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4849, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Backcountry Access Act (Republican request)

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act (Republican request)

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

– Executive Calendar #512, Ajit Varadaraj Pai, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of 5 years from July 1, 2011

– Executive Calendar #513, Jessica Rosenworcel, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of 5 years from July 1, 2010

– Executive Calendar #568, Kristine Gerhard Baker, of AR, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas by voice vote

– Executive Calendar #569, John Z. Lee, of IL, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois by voice vote

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 7, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:11:44 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:11:13 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:11:12 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 – 0 (Roll no. 198).7:05:02 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 118 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.”7:04:28 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:04:27 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 377 – 0 (Roll no. 197).6:57:02 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 117 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.”6:56:44 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:56:43 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 0 (Roll no. 196).6:32:30 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 105 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha.”6:31:07 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:30:27 P.M. -Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 643.6:30:20 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 7.5:04:33 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.5:03:40 P.M. -S. 1302Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:03:37 P.M. -S. 1302On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:55:37 P.M. -S. 1302DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1302.4:55:36 P.M. -S. 1302Considered under suspension of the rules.4:55:28 P.M. -S. 1302Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1302 — “To authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in Tracy, California, to the City of Tracy.”4:54:58 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:50:34 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 118.4:50:32 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118Considered under suspension of the rules.4:50:21 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 118Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 118 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.”4:49:41 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:44:44 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 117.4:44:42 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117Considered under suspension of the rules.4:44:26 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 117Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 117 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.”4:44:01 P.M. -H.R. 4097Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:43:59 P.M. -H.R. 4097On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:31:18 P.M. -H.R. 4097DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4097.4:31:15 P.M. -H.R. 4097Considered under suspension of the rules.4:31:02 P.M. -H.R. 4097Mr. Mica moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4097 — “To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and for other purposes.”4:30:25 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 106Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:30:22 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 106On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.4:21:29 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 106DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 106.4:21:26 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 106Considered under suspension of the rules.4:20:34 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 106Ms. Herrera Beutler moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 106 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.”4:20:32 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:02:05 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 105.4:02:03 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105Considered under suspension of the rules.4:01:51 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 105Mr. Harper moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 105 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha.”4:01:31 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 7.2:10:09 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.2:08:15 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House continued with one minute speeches.2:07:31 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Representative Cummings notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena for documents and testimony issued by the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore County, in connection with civil litigation currently pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.2:06:53 P.M. -The House received a communication from Harry T. Spikes II, Special Assistant, Office of Representative Elijah E. Cummings. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Spikes notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena for documents and testimony issued by the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore County, in connection with civil litigation currently pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.2:06:23 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Pete Sessions. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Representative Sessions notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas for deposition testimony and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.2:05:51 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Kay Granger. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Representative Granger notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas for deposition testimony and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.2:02:42 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:18 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:11 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:01:07 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:32 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Adrian Smith to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.2:00:24 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

House Hearings for Today

8:30 am

Hearing: Field hearing entitled “An Examination of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Real Estate Owned (REO) Pilot Program”Committee on Financial Services: Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises

2:00 pm

Markup: H.R. 4966, The Sequester Replacement Act of 2012 and The Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012Committee On The Budget: Full Committee

5:00 pm

Hearing: H.R. 5326 – Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposesCommittee on Rules: Full Committee

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Truth to Power … just the facts from Stephanie

05/05/2012 Nativegrl77

I think the first item in this week’s tipsheet — The Life of Julia — lays out the impact this election will have on millions of American women more clearly than anything this campaign has done so far.
It’s a great tool for the Truth Team and our goal of making sure everyone gets the facts they need. So let’s get to it:
#1 The Life of Julia The Life of Julia is an interactive online tool that looks at how President Obama’s policies help one woman over her lifetime compared to Mitt Romney‘s plans. Whether it’s allowing young people to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26, expanding access to Pell Grants, or passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that allows women to stand up for their right to equal pay for equal work, President Obama has fought to help women of all ages. Under a Romney administration, Julia’s story would look a lot different: Romney would reverse many of President Obama’s accomplishments to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. Take a lookat how the policies the President has put in place would affect a woman at each stage of her life, then share it with others:

#2 Romney: Too extreme for women Romney’s right-wing positions — like promising to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood, refusing to say whether he would have signed or vetoed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and his over-the-top praise for controversial public figures like Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell — make it clear just how out of touch he is when it comes to women’s issues. We put together a videohighlighting some of Romney’s most extreme stances. Check it out, and make sure others see it, too:

#3 Romney: “It’s not worth moving heaven and earth” On Tuesday, our nation marked the first anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death. Romney and his allies spent the day claiming that anyone would have made the same call President Obama did. Of course, with the benefit of hindsight, it’s easy for Romney to boast that he would’ve ordered the bin Laden mission. But his own past statements on the issue simply don’t back him up. We chronicled some of these statements— take a look and let others know how Romney felt about things in 2007:

#4 Standing up to the Koch brothers In case you missed my email earlier this week, I recorded a video responding to the Koch brothers’ latest dishonest attempt to smear the President’s energy record. We’re going to call this sort of BS when we see it. If you haven’t already, please pass the videoalong and help set the record straight:

As we saw this week, our opponents are ready to throw anything at us in the hopes that something sticks. You’re an important part of how we’re going to fight these attacks and put the facts in the hands of voters this November. So I want to thank you for all that you do for the President, and all that you’ll continue to do this year.
Until next time,
Stephanie

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all who donated helped … Match Rove

05/05/2012 Nativegrl77

Democratic Activists Match Rove’s billionaires; DSCC Airs First Ad

Thanks to the tremendous support of our grassroots donors, we were able to meet our $1.2 million goal, matching Karl Rove’s group’s most recent multi-state ad buy. It was an absolutely remarkable feat, but one only made possible because of the support of our grassroots donors. As Republicans come to rely more than ever on unlimited outside spending from SuperPACs and other organizations to fund their attacks, grassroots support has become more important than ever.
And because of grassroots support, we were able to air the first (of many) rapid response ads that will help defend our Democratic candidates when they are under attack. You can watch the ad here.

Democrats Have Changed The Map

A recent Salon article examines how “a Senate map that looked bleak a year ago (for Democrats) is now littered with surprise pick-up opportunities.” Thanks to strong Democratic recruiting and Republican missteps, Democrats have put Senate seats in Massachusetts, Maine, North Dakota, Arizona and Indiana in play.

This could not be true without the strong support we have from an energized base of grassroots supporters, who make 97% of contributions to the DSCC.

Top Action

Help Keep Student Loan Interest Rates Low

If Congress doesn’t act soon, interest rates on many types of student loans will double.
President Obama’s plan would keep today’s rates in place, but Republicans are determined to sabotage his efforts.
Join the DSCC and tell Republicans to pass President Obama’s student loan proposal before it’s too late!
Add your name »

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Picture This: Health Care Law Saves Women’s Lives … Judy Waxman, National Women’s Law Center

05/04/2012 Nativegrl77

National Women's Law Center - I Will Not Be Denied: Protect Women's Health Care

Death by a million cuts. That’s the plan of some members of Congress who have held hearings and votes to cut programs in the health care law. And some of these cuts go to the heart of women’s health.
They just don’t get it. We need to show — literally show — them why the health care law is important to women and their families. Join our photo blog and tell our leaders — I Will NOT Be Denied™!

I Will Not Be Denied: Protect Women's Health Care Photo Blog

From the over 20 million women who have been able to get preventive health care without a co-pay to the nearly 40 million women who no longer face a lifetime limit on their coverage, women everywhere are already benefiting from the health care law. And in just a few months, women will start getting access to birth control and wellness visits without co-pays or deductibles. We can’t let some members of Congress play politics with women’s health and stop this progress.
As they say — a picture is worth a thousand words. Join our photo blog and make sure your leaders know we will not go back: women will not be denied.
Sincerely,

Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center

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a message from Alan Grayson

05/04/2012 Nativegrl77

He Even Was a Failure at Pizza.

Herman Cain came to Orlando to campaign against me last week. And yes, it’s still more than six months before the November election. But as the Republicans see it, I am what the military refers to as a “high value target.” So they bring out the big guns early, and the bombardment begins.

I’ve told people that I was secretly hoping that Herman Cain would win the Republican nomination. Because if both parties nominated an African-American for President, then every racist in America would feel like committing suicide.

Nevertheless, I was surprised to see Herman Cain leading in the Republican polls both in Iowa and nationwide, last October and November. I understand the Republican’s desperation to nominate someone other than Mitt Romney, but Herman Cain for President? Seriously?

What were his qualifications? Cain ran a pizza chain for ten years, during the last century. What Cain was very good at was paying people only $10 an hour, to deliver $20 pizzas. (Or the Herman Cain Special, two pizzas for $40.) After Cain took over, the chain quickly slipped nationwide from third to fifth. By the time Cain left, in 1996, he had wiped out thousands of jobs. Sort of like Mitt Romney, but with toppings.

Then Cain was a lobbyist for three years, with the National Restaurant Association. He shamelessly lobbied against the minimum wage, against health coverage, against smoking regulations and in favor of drunk driving (actually, against lowering the blood-alcohol limit). And when I say “shamelessly,” I mean it; did you ever hear Cain apologize for any of that?

Cain’s business career ended more than a decade ago. But rather than call himself “unemployed,” Cain called himself “running for office.” He ran for the Senate in Georgia in 2005. Johnny Isakson beat him like a drum, winning the Republican primary by more than two-to-one.

Then Cain sponged off of the Koch Brothers for a while. He became a paid public speaker for “Americans for Prosperity” (which, by the way, ran $2 million of lying TV ads against me in the last election). Cain was particularly adept at mouthing free-market pieties, like any failed businessman would be.

Which brings us to 2011. And me scratching my head, wondering why someone who had demonstrated a lifelong ability to help no one but himself was leading in the Republican polls. Was it actually because Cain had demonstrated a lifelong ability to help no one but himself? Was that what Republican voters found so attractive about him?

Then five women stepped forward and said that Cain had sexually harassed them. Cain’s defense: there were lots of women whom he had not harassed. Yet Republican voters apparently were OK with Cain’s history of sexual harassment, because Cain remained on top in the Republican polls.

But then . . . it came out that Cain had had a lengthy, apparently affectionate and supportive relationship with a woman who was not his wife! Whoa! Unlike sexual harassment, that is something that those sanctimonious right-wingers simply would not stand for, and Cain was done, done, done. (Maybe Cain should have tried BB King’s excuse: “When love comes to town I’m gonna jump that train. When love comes to town I’m gonna catch that flame. Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down, but I did what I did before love came to town.”)

So here is Herman Cain, a failure as a businessman, a failure as a Senate candidate, a failure as a Presidential candidate, and even a failure as the devout Christian he claimed to be (take a look at the Seventh Commandment), coming to Orlando to campaign against me. And right-wingers welcome him here as though he is some kind of hero.

Apparently . . . some people . . . have lost sight of the difference between notoriety and fame. By every rational consideration, Herman Cain is notorious, not famous. Why would any decent human being think that Herman Cain would be a wonderful headliner at a fundraiser for my Republican opponent? Charles Manson is quite notorious, yet you don’t see Manson welcomed as the guest of honor at political fundraisers, do you? (Although, to be fair, it would be hard for Manson to attend.)

But it worked. My opponent raised a ton of money, simply because Herman Cain came to town. It’s a pretty big year for predators, it seems.

I look at the ugly spectacle of the right-wing treating Herman Cain as though he were some kind of hero, and I say to myself, “we’ve got to win. We’ve really got to win.”

Maybe you feel that way, too.

Courage,

Alan Grayson For Congress

It was a pretty big year for predators.
The marketplace was on a roll.
And the land of opportunity,
Spawned a whole new breed of men without souls.
This year, notoriety got all confused with fame.
And the devil is downhearted,
Because there’s nothing left for him to claim.
He said, “it’s just like home,
“It’s so low-down, I can’t stand it,
“I guess my work around here has all been done.”
And the fruit is rotten,
The serpent’s eyes shine,
As he wraps around the vine.
In the Garden of Allah.

– Don Henley, “The Garden of Allah” (1995).