Marissa Graciosa, Reform Immigration FOR America


One year later, the DREAM lives on
One year ago today, we received the bitter news that the U.S. Senate would not take the DREAM Act to a vote. Callous Senators sought to punish immigrant youth, and overwhelmed those Senators who stood with us in our fight for the vote. You made over 80,000 calls, sent thousands of faxes, and brought countless new individuals into the struggle by convincing them of a simple truth, the truth that lit the fire within us all: the hard work of young people deserves the recognition and reward of our entire country, no matter their status. Without the federal legislation, what has become of the DREAM? Immigrant youth continue to lead and continue to fight — winning major victories this year in Illinois, Maryland and California.But as long as our leaders continue to support a broken system, these breakthroughs will remain fragile. One year ago, I wrote asking you to remember where our legislators stood on this vote. We have a lot of work ahead in 2012, and we won’t be forgetting who stood with us and against us one year ago today.I know you won’t either.

Thanks for all that you do,
Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America

Congress: the Republican led House – ——- the Senate : in pro forma session


The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23rd at 2:00pm.  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.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17th.  By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 20, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.4:54:30 P.M. -The House received a communication from Michael Nielsen, Casework Supervisor/Office Manager for the Honorable Xavier Becerra. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Nielsen notified the House that he was served with a subpoena issued by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles for witness testimony. Mr. Nielsen informed the house that prior to his required appearance, the defendant in the case pled no contest to a lesser charge, thereby alleviating any need for his testimony and that after consultation with the office of General Counsel and as a result of developments in the case, no determination regarding compliance with the subpoena is required.4:18:29 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.4:18:16 P.M. -H.R. 515Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:18:15 P.M. -H.R. 515On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.4:17:46 P.M. -H.R. 1059Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:17:45 P.M. -H.R. 1059On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.4:17:26 P.M. -H.R. 1801Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:17:25 P.M. -H.R. 1801On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.4:17:03 P.M. -H.R. 2056Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:17:02 P.M. -H.R. 2056On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.4:15:30 P.M. -On motion of Mr. Roskam, by voice vote, Ordered, that when the House adjourns on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.4:15:09 P.M. -H.R. 3630The Speaker appointed conferees: Camp, Upton, Brady (TX), Walden, Price (GA), Reed, Ellmers, and Hayworth.4:14:46 P.M. -H. Res. 501Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:14:44 P.M. -H. Res. 501On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 185 (Roll no. 949).4:08:26 P.M. -H. Res. 501Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 501 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding any final measure to extend the payroll tax holiday, extend Federally funded unemployment insurance benefits, or prevent decreases in reimbursement for physicians who provide care to Medicare beneficiaries.”4:08:08 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of H. Res. 501 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.3:58:00 P.M. -COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.3:57:44 P.M. -H.R. 3630Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.3:57:43 P.M. -H.R. 3630On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 183 – 238 (Roll no. 948).3:51:14 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630 which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.3:51:13 P.M. -H. Res. 504On motion to table the measure Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 188 (Roll no. 947).3:30:07 P.M. -H. Res. 504Mr. Price (GA) moved to table the measure.3:29:31 P.M. -H. Res. 504Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 504 — “Raising a question of the privileges of the House.”3:25:00 P.M. -A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE – Ms. Edwards rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution qualified.3:24:33 P.M. -H. Res. 501POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 501, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote determined that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Clyburn demanded the yeas and nays and further proceedings were postponed.3:24:26 P.M. -H. Res. 501The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.2:12:41 P.M. -H. Res. 501DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 501.2:12:33 P.M. -H. Res. 501Resolution provides for the consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3630 and for the consideration of H. Res. 501.2:12:28 P.M. -H. Res. 501Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 502. H. Res. 501 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding any final measure to extend the payroll tax holiday, extend Federally funded unemployment insurance benefits, or prevent decreases in reimbursement for physicians who provide care to Medicare beneficiaries.”2:08:22 P.M. -NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Ms. Edwards notified the House of her intent to rise to a question of the privileges of the House and to offer a resolution. Ms. Edwards was recognized to notice the form of her proposed resolution. The Chair subsequently announced that under rule IX, a resolution offered from the floor by a Member other than the majority leader or the minority leader as a question of the privileges of the House has immediate precedence only at a time designated by the Chair within 2 legislative days after the resolution is properly noticed. The Chair further announced that it would not, at that point, make the determination required by the rule.2:06:48 P.M. -H.R. 3630POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion to instruct conferees and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Crowley demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question on adoption of the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630 until a time to be announced.2:06:24 P.M. -H.R. 3630The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.12:58:55 P.M. -H.R. 3630DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 502, the House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the Hoyer motion to instruct conferees. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to recede from disagreement to the Senate amendments.12:58:00 P.M. -H.R. 3630Mr. Hoyer moved that the House instruct conferees.12:54:49 P.M. -H.R. 3630On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 193 (Roll no. 946).12:32:40 P.M. -H.R. 3630The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:13:27 A.M. -H.R. 3630DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 502, the House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the motion offered by Mr. Camp to disagree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3630 and request a conference.11:12:24 A.M. -H.R. 3630Mr. Camp moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference.11:09:24 A.M. -H. Res. 502Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:09:23 A.M. -H. Res. 502On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 187, 1 Present (Roll no. 945).11:02:09 A.M. -H. Res. 502On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 187, 1 Present (Roll no. 944).9:18:00 A.M. -H. Res. 502DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 502.9:17:40 A.M. -H. Res. 502Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 502 — “Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 3630) to provide incentives for the creation of jobs, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 501) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding any final measure to extend the payroll tax holiday, extend Federally funded unemployment insurance benefits, or prevent decreases in reimbursement for physicians who provide care to Medicare beneficiaries; and for other purposes.”9:02:43 A.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.9:02:30 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Carter to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:27 A.M. -JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 493, the Journal of the last days’s proceedings was approved.9:01:01 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:50 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.9:00:31 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Congress: the Republican led House – pro forma sessions -the Senate


The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23rd at 2:00pm.  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.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17th.  By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 19, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.5:31:45 P.M. -H. Res. 497Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:31:15 P.M. -H. Res. 497On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.5:07:24 P.M. -H. Res. 497DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 497.5:07:22 P.M. -H. Res. 497Considered under suspension of the rules.5:07:09 P.M. -H. Res. 497Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 497 — “To provide for the placement of a statue or bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the United States Capitol.”5:05:47 P.M. -H.R. 515At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:48:20 P.M. -H.R. 515DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 515.4:47:45 P.M. -H.R. 515Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.4:47:19 P.M. -H.R. 1059At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Smith (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:39:42 P.M. -H.R. 1059DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1059.4:39:16 P.M. -H.R. 1059Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.4:38:40 P.M. -H.R. 1801At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cravaack objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:27:01 P.M. -H.R. 1801DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1801.4:26:39 P.M. -H.R. 1801Mr. Cravaack moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.4:25:53 P.M. -H.R. 2056At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Westmoreland objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:12:31 P.M. -H.R. 2056DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2056.4:12:07 P.M. -H.R. 2056Mr. Westmoreland moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.4:11:31 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.4:00:39 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.4:00:09 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 19.10:05:36 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.10:05:01 A.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 U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011, at 2:37 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.J. Res. 95.10:04:44 A.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 U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011, at 12:56 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3672.10:04:22 A.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 U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011, at 11:23 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to the conference report accompanying H.R. 2055 and had passed H.R. 3630 with amendments. The message also stated that H. Con. Res. 94 failed of passage in the Senate.10:03:59 A.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 U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011 at 4:19 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 789, H.R. 1264, H.R. 2422, S. 1874, S. 1710, and S. 1959. The message also stated that the Senate had concurred in the House amendment to S. 278.10:03:54 A.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 U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 16, 2011 at 8:28 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.J. Res. 94.10:02:33 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.10:02:27 A.M. -JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 493, the Journal of the last days’s proceedings was approved.10:00:48 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.10:00:35 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Lowe’s Kowtows to Right-Wing Bigots – Speak Out


This issue is getting a ton of attention. Please make sure you are on record as speaking out against Lowe’s capitulation to religious bigotry.
Join the 30,000 PFAW supporters who have already added their name to the petition to Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock — add your name now. WWW.PFAW.ORG
— Ben


Original Message from 12/14/11:

all american muslim
lowe's
Lowe’s claims it’s committed to diversity — it’s time to prove it!
Tell Lowe’s to reverse course on its decision to pull its advertising from “All-American Muslim in response to a Religious Right hate group.

Dear Carmen,
Maybe you’ve heard about a recent controversy whipped up by the extremist Florida Family Association over TLC‘s reality show “All-American Muslim” and the subsequent decision by Lowe’s Home Improvement to pull its advertising from the show.
Lowe’s speedy capitulation to a small right-wing hate group sets a dangerous precedent and emboldens bigots.
Please sign our petition to Lowe’s Chairman and CEO Robert Niblock now, urging the company to reverse course and reject bigotry.    WWW.PFAW.ORG

TLC launched a popular reality show called “All-American Muslim” about everyday Americans, who happen to be Muslim, going about their lives. They play sports, they go school, they go to work and pay their taxes. This was too much for the anti-Muslim fear mongers at the Florida Family Association, who were outraged that the show was depicting Muslims as “ordinary folks just like you and me.” An article on the organization’s web site suggests that the show instead depict “one of its secular, attractive nominal Muslims as he decided to get more serious about his faith, and ended up participating in jihad activity or Islamic supremacist efforts.”
Lowe’s should have ignored the Right’s bigoted pleas and gone about its business. Instead it caved to a group of bigoted extremists.
Sign our petition to Lowe’s chairman and CEO Robert Niblock right now urging the company to reject extremism and reinstate its advertising on “All-American Muslim.”    WWW.PFAW.ORG

The company claims it is committed to diversity — it’s time to prove it.

— Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager
P.S. You can also speak out with your decisions as a consumer. People For the American Way encourages all Americans who value religious liberty and reject hate to spend their money elsewhere this holiday season, until Lowe’s Home Improvemen

Republicans are introducing and passing laws that make voting more difficult for everyone — especially for minorities, young voters,&seniors


DemocratsFriend —

Dorothy Cooper was born before women or African Americans in our country could exercise the right to vote. She grew up in a Jim Crow-divided South, and saw the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

Dorothy is 96 years old. In 70 years, she’s missed just one election. And she’s never had a problem voting — until this year.

Why? Because in more than 40 states, including Tennessee, where Dorothy lives, Republicans are introducing and passing laws that make voting more difficult for everyone — especially for minorities, young voters, and seniors.
We’re fighting back — and you can help. Please donate whatever you can to support Democrats and help fund the work we’re doing to beat back voter suppression efforts — one state legislature at a time.

I head up our voter protection team, and we have folks digging in on these suppression efforts every day. We’re spreading the word when new laws are introduced so we can be in a better position to fight them — and for those areas where laws have already been passed, we’re arming people with the information they need to make sure they can still vote on Election Day.

And we can win these fights:

Earlier this fall, thousands of folks in Ohio fought a GOP-led initiative to severely restrict early voting. They collected hundreds of thousands of signatures to enact a “citizens’ veto” and prevent the law from going into effect. As a result, more than 500,000 people were able to cast a ballot in the elections there this past November, and Ohio voters will be able to vote early in the 2012 election.
That’s not a victory for Democrats: It’s a victory for our democracy. Help support Democrats and our team’s work to beat back voter suppression.

GOP leaders have actually said themselves: They do better when fewer people show up to vote.

That’s why these efforts are no coincidence. They’re making voting more difficult, on purpose, and if enough people don’t step up, they’ll keep getting away with it.

Republicans’ suppression efforts go beyond the standard Democrat-versus-Republican back and forth. They are an affront to our democracy — plain and simple.

It is absolutely ridiculous that in Texas you can now vote with a gun license but not a student ID. Or that many of these GOP mandates exclude government-issued veterans ID cards, making it more difficult for our vets to vote.

Or that someone like Dorothy Cooper can show up at her local DMV with her birth certificate, voter registration card, and numerous other residency and identity documents and still be denied the state ID card that Republicans have said she needs in order to vote in her state.

But that is what is happening right now.

If that infuriates you, as it does so many other Americans who are learning more about these laws every day, there’s something you can do right now.
Help us keep up the fight by donating to support Democrats and the work we’re doing to push back on laws that keep people out, and double down on efforts to bring more people in:
http://my.democrats.org/Fight-Voter-Suppression

Thanks,

Will

Will Crossley
Counsel and Voter Protection Director
Democratic National Committee

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