The Senate Convened at 10:00amET January 24, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Following any Leader remarks on Thursday, January 26th, the Republican Leader, or his designee, will be recognized to move to proceed to the consideration of Calendar #294, H.J.Res.98, a joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the President’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit with the time until noon for debate on the motion to proceed, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees.

At noon on Thursday, January 26^th, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the adoption of the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.98 (majority threshold). If the motion is successful, then the time for debate with respect to the joint resolution will be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the joint resolution will be read a third time and the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution.

WRAP UP …

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.353, congratulating the North Dakota State University football team for winning the 2011 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee from further consideration of H.R.1791, to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse” and referred the bill to the Committee on Environmental and Public Works.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 24, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

HR3630 expires Feb.29th

-The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on January 25, 2012.10:24:55 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.10:24:50 P.M. -Mr. Cantor moved that the House do now adjourn.10:23:30 P.M. -REFERRAL OF PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE – Mr. Cantor moved that the message of the President the United States be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed as a House Document (H. Doc. 112-76). The motion was agreed to.10:23:00 P.M. -JOINT SESSION DISSOLVED – The Speaker declared the Joint Session of the two Houses dissolved.8:40:05 P.M. -JOINT SESSION – The House convened in Joint Session with the Senate for the purpose of receiving an address from the President of the United States on the subject of the state of the Union.8:40:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 24.4:58:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 8:35 P.M. today at which time the House will meet in Joint Session with the Senate to receive a communication from the President of the United States.4:56:00 P.M. -Mr. Carter asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Agreed to without objection.4:55:08 P.M. -H.R. 3630Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:55:07 P.M. -H.R. 3630On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 397 – 16 (Roll no. 9).4:48:29 P.M. -H.R. 2070Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:48:29 P.M. -H.R. 2070On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 – 26 (Roll no. 8).4:41:04 P.M. -H.R. 2070Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2070 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior to install in the area of the World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque or an inscription with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the nation on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day.”4:40:41 P.M. -H. Res. 516Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:40:39 P.M. -H. Res. 516On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 1, 1 Present (Roll no. 7).4:16:59 P.M. -H. Res. 516Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 516 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the passage of a fiscal year 2013 Federal budget is of national importance.”4:16:36 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules, and the Capps Motion to Instruct Conferees to H.R. 3630, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.4:15:59 P.M. -Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 522.4:15:53 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 24.3:06:59 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.3:06:13 P.M. -H. Res. 516At 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.2:19:33 P.M. -H. Res. 516DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 516.2:19:32 P.M. -H. Res. 516Considered under suspension of the rules.2:19:18 P.M. -H. Res. 516Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 516 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the passage of a fiscal year 2013 Federal budget is of national importance.”2:17:03 P.M. -H.R. 3630POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Capps demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.1:21:25 P.M. -H.R. 3630DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour debate on the Capps motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 be instructed to file a conference report not later than February, 17, 2012.1:20:59 P.M. -H.R. 3630Mrs. Capps moved that the House instruct conferees.1:20:03 P.M. -H.R. 3800Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:19:58 P.M. -H.R. 3800On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.1:05:14 P.M. -H.R. 3800DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3800.1:05:13 P.M. -H.R. 3800Considered under suspension of the rules.1:05:00 P.M. -H.R. 3800Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3800 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, and for other purposes.”1:03:38 P.M. -H.R. 1022At 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.12:57:56 P.M. -H.R. 1022DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1022.12:57:55 P.M. -H.R. 1022Considered under suspension of the rules.12:57:40 P.M. -H.R. 1022Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1022 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and for other purposes.”12:57:37 P.M. -H.R. 290Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.12:57:34 P.M. -H.R. 290On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.12:46:15 P.M. -H.R. 290DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 290.12:46:13 P.M. -H.R. 290Considered under suspension of the rules.12:46:03 P.M. -H.R. 290Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 290 — “To amend title 36, United States Code, to ensure that memorials commemorating the service of the United States Armed Forces may contain religious symbols, and for other purposes.”12:45:48 P.M. -H.R. 2070At 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.12:35:03 P.M. -H.R. 2070DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2070.12:35:01 P.M. -H.R. 2070Considered under suspension of the rules.12:35:00 P.M. -H.R. 2070Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2070 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior to install in the area of the World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque or an inscription with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the nation on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day.”12:34:34 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until the conclusion of general debate on all suspensions.12:04:59 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.12:04:38 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hayworth to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:04:36 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:55 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Kate Braestrup, Maine Warden Service, Lincolnville, Maine12:00:55 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 24.11:36:12 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:02:23 A.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House continued with further Morning-Hour Debate.10:02:05 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1134, and H.R. 3237. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 96.10:01:05 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.10:00:55 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Erik Paulsen to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:28 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Urge congress to support wind power …Union of Concerned Scientists

01/24/2012 Nativegrl77 3 Comments

Show Your Support for Wind Energy!
Let Congress know that a strong production tax creditfor wind power is good for America and good for our economy.

Urge Congress to Support Wind Power!

Dear Carmen,

Using more clean, renewable electricity from sources such as the sun and wind will increase our energy independence, save consumers money, and reduce our global warming emissions. One of the primary drivers of the growth in wind energy in the United States is the federal production tax credit (PTC), which gives developers tax incentives for generating energy from renewable sources.

Despite the PTC being a driving force of wind development, the federal government has allowed it to expire on three separate occasions since 1999. These lapses in the PTC led to a boom-bust cycle that drastically slowed the wind power industry for many months at a time, costing jobs and economic development opportunities.

The current PTC for wind power is set to expire at the end of 2012. The expiration of the PTC threatens one of the country’s fastest growing clean energy industries and could put tens of thousands of Americans out of work.

Please ask Congress to extend the PTC today.
WWW.UCSUSA.ORG
Extending the production tax credit will help maintain the wind industry’s access to financing, allow developers to begin planning installations for 2013, and ensure that the best and most cost-effective projects are built. Wind power is a clean, homegrown energy source that improves public health and poses little threat to the environment while creating jobs and boosting local economies.

Urge Congress to extend the PTC. The continued growth of the industry can support 54,000 American wind jobs through 2016.

Take Action Today! WWW.UCSUSA.ORG

Thank you for your continued work to promote the transition to a clean energy economy.

Sincerely,

Megan Rising
National Field Organizer
UCS Climate & Energy Program

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Big news in our fight against hunger … MercyCorps

01/24/2012 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

		There’s a hero in all of us. Give now.

At Mercy Corps, we believe there’s a hero in all of us.

That’s why we’ve joined forces with the Justice League and DC Entertainment to bring lifesaving aid and long-term solutions to hungry families in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.

Your gift today to the Horn of Africa Hunger Crisis Fund will be matched dollar for dollar as part of DC Entertainment’s commitment to match 100 percent of the first $1 million in donations to the “We Can Be Heroes” campaign.

We’re partnering with the team behind Batman, Superman and the rest of the Justice League to raise awareness and money for a crisis that’s fallen out of the spotlight.

Our first priority is to support our mobile medical clinics in Ethiopia, which offer lifesaving aid to mothers and children under 5. These clinics visit the most remote, drought-stricken communities and provide malnourished infants with immunizations, antibiotics, vitamins, medicine and therapeutic food to help them gain weight.

Your generous gift today — doubled by DC Entertainment — will support the lifesaving work of these mobile medical clinics in Ethiopia.

Life remains grim throughout the Horn of Africa. Every night, 13 million people in the region go hungry. Last year’s worst drought in generations dried up drinking water sources, decimated crops and livestock and left families destitute and unable to make enough to even feed themselves.

Scattered rains brought some relief but also flooding and disease. Conflict and lasting effects of drought has left millions of families struggling to escape hunger’s grip.

One small act can make you a hero. Please join our fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Victory … by Robin Averbeck, Rainforest Action Network

01/24/2012 Nativegrl77

Levi Strauss & Co. Takes a Stand for Rainforests and Excludes Asia Pulp & Paper

Today, we have an exciting victory to announce. And we didn’t even have to climb a building to get it.

Rainforest Action Network is known by most for our flashy banner drops and other creative ways of confronting corporations through non-violent direct action. What few people know is that RAN also spends countless hours behind the scenes in delicate negotiations with Fortune 500 companies.

And sometimes, these comparatively mundane boardroom tactics lead to forest protections by some of the most influential companies in the world—like denim giant Levi Strauss & Co.

In the fall of 2009, Levi’s received a letter from RAN asking it to cut any ties with notorious Indonesian rainforest destroyer Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) and its affiliates. This was one of a hundred letters in RAN’s campaign to convince global fashion companies to stop buying from APP and choose responsible alternatives like recycled paper instead.

The Levi’s team called us and immediately began working with us to create a comprehensive paper policy that maximized recycled fiber and barred paper suppliers connected to rainforest destruction, like Asia Pulp & Paper.

We are pleased to announce today that Levi Strauss & Co. has implemented its new paper policy in its operations around the globe. This makes Levi’s the latest company in an ever-growing list of major corporate customers to exclude Asia Pulp & Paper for its human rights abuses and blatant rainforest destruction, and to take a stand to protect forests and the rights of communities that depend on them.

Kudos to Levi Strauss & Co. for adding its powerful voice to the growing chorus of companies telling Asia Pulp and Paper, and logging companies like it, that rainforest destruction will not be tolerated. And thanks to all of you who support all of our work—from the thrilling direct actions to the tedious negotiations—we can’t do any of it without you.

		For the forests,
		Robin Averbeck Rainforest Free Paper Campaigner Twitter: @therightpaper

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House … the Senate considers the President’s Nominations often stalled by Republicans & S.968

01/23/2012 Nativegrl77

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.1326407570.html

The Senate Convened at 2pmET January 23, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #438, John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska with up to 90 minutes of debate, 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees and 30 minutes under the control of Senator Sessions or his designee.
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gerrard nomination.

By unanimous consent, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to S.968, Protect IP Act, was vitiated.

As a reminder, at 5:30pm today, Monday, January 23 the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of John Gerard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska.

5:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of John Gerrard, of NE, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of John M. Gerrard, of NE, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska; Confirmed: 74-16

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and passed H.R.3237, the SOAR Technical Corrections Act.

Passed S.1134, the St. Croix River Crossing Project Authorization Act with a Klobuchar-Johnson(WI)-Franken amendment.

Adopted H.Con.Res.96, a concurrent resolution providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.440, To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.3012, Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2011

******************************************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 23, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 23, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:11:23 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.7:09:09 P.M. -H.R. 3630NOTICE OF INTENT TO OFFER MOTION – Mrs. Capps notified the House of her intent to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630.7:07:27 P.M. -H.R. 1141Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:07:26 P.M. -H.R. 1141On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 278 – 100 (Roll no. 6).6:59:00 P.M. -H.R. 1141Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1141 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park System.”6:56:48 P.M. -HOUSE DECORUM – The Speaker assumed the Chair and addressed the Members on matters of decorum in the House. At the conclusion of his remarks, the Speaker announced that five-minute voting would resume without objection.6:54:47 P.M. -H.R. 3117Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:54:46 P.M. -H.R. 3117On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 373 – 1 (Roll no. 5).6:32:27 P.M. -H.R. 3117Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3117 — “To grant the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize States to issue electronic duck stamps, and for other purposes.”6:31:31 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.6:31:24 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 23.4:16:42 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.4:15:55 P.M. -H.R. 3117At 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.4:10:08 P.M. -H.R. 3117DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3117.4:10:05 P.M. -H.R. 3117Considered under suspension of the rules.4:09:55 P.M. -H.R. 3117Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3117 — “To grant the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize States to issue electronic duck stamps, and for other purposes.”4:09:31 P.M. -H.R. 1141At 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.4:02:16 P.M. -H.R. 1141DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1141.4:02:12 P.M. -H.R. 1141Considered under suspension of the rules.4:01:54 P.M. -H.R. 1141Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1141 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park System.”4:01:36 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 January 23.2:14:35 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 4:00 p.m. today.2:03:32 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:03:07 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Johnson of OH to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:03:04 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:01:06 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:55 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 23.12:20:40 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.12:01:30 P.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.12:01:06 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:40 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.