The Senate will convene on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 3:45pm and on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 11am for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted.

Following the pro forma session on Thursday, October 27^th, the Senate will adjourn until 3:00pm on Monday, October 31, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm 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 #249, Stephen A. Higginson, of LA, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 5^th Circuit with one hour equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

The next roll call vote will be at approximately 5:30pm on confirmation of the Higginson nomination.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF OCTOBER 25, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.3:40:53 P.M.

-ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.3:39:07 P.M.

-H.R. 2447Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.3:39:06 P.M.

-H.R. 2447On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 – 0 (Roll no. 804).3:31:38 P.M.

-H.R. 2447Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2447 — “To grant the congressional gold medal to the Montford Point Marines.”3:30:00 P.M.

-UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.3:28:18 P.M.

-H. Res. 444Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.3:28:15 P.M.

-H. Res. 444On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 245 – 178 (Roll no. 803).3:00:59 P.M.

-H. Res. 444The previous question was ordered without objection.2:10:56 P.M.

-H. Res. 444DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 444.2:10:39 P.M.

-H. Res. 444Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 444 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1904) to facilitate the efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land, and for other purposes.”2:01:14 P.M.

-H.R. 2042Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:01:09 P.M.

-H.R. 2042On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.1:48:00 P.M.

-H.R. 2042DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2042.1:47:58 P.M.

-H.R. 2042Considered under suspension of the rules.1:47:30 P.M. -H.R. 2042Mr. Turner (NY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2042 — “To require the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to establish a program to issue Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards, and for other purposes.”1:46:13 P.M. -H.R. 2527At 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.1:23:39 P.M. -H.R. 2527DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2527.1:23:38 P.M. -H.R. 2527Considered under suspension of the rules.1:23:26 P.M. -H.R. 2527Mr. Pearce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2527 — “To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.”1:22:42 P.M. -H.R. 2447At 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.12:42:54 P.M. -H.R. 2447DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2447.12:42:52 P.M. -H.R. 2447Considered under suspension of the rules.12:42:41 P.M. -H.R. 2447Mr. Jones moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2447 — “To grant the congressional gold medal to the Montford Point Marines.”12:42:32 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.12:40:59 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice continuing the emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to theconflict in that country are to continue in effect beyond October 27, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-67).12:03:04 P.M. -The House received a communication from the Honorable Charles J. “Chuck” Fleischmann Mr. Fleischmann submitted his resignation from the Committee on Natural Resources. The resignation was accepted without objection.12:03:04 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.12:02:21 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Olson to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:17 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:14 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Morris Matthis, Christ United Methodist Church, Sugarland, Texas12:00:57 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 25.11:12:00 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:01:51 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.10:01:42 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael G. Fitzpatrick to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:21 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Tweet at your Republicans in Congress as well… #PASSTHEBILL #theAmericansJOBSACT

10/24/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Democrats in the Senate tried to pass a simple piece of President Obama’s jobs plan that shouldn’t be controversial: provide money to prevent further layoffs of teachers, cops, and firefighters at the local level, and pay for it by taxing the income of millionaires an extra 0.5%.

This morning a lot of media outlets reported that the Senate “rejected” or “voted down” this proposal.

But that’s not what happened. The measure didn’t come to an actual vote.

That’s because every single Republican senator filibustered the bill — meaning they wouldn’t even let an up-or-down vote happen. Republicans have unilaterally decided not to allow even that simple majority vote on anything that might help the economy before the next election.

To be clear: This bill would have created jobs, and both parties have supported similar measures in the past.

But, sadly, some in the Congress do not feel any responsibility to act. As someone who has spent a lot of time working in and with the Senate, I can tell you that it’s a particularly low moment for the legislative branch of our government.

It doesn’t need to be this way. That’s why the President and our campaign are focused on fixing what’s broken in Washington. Right now, that means we’re going to keep the pressure on Congress to act, until every single piece of the President’s jobs plan — the parts to help veterans find jobs and get small businesses hiring more people — gets a vote.

So please, reach out and keep reaching out to Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, and ask him to give each piece of the American Jobs Act a fair vote.

You can reach his office at (202) 224-2541.

Call now — then let us know how it went.

If you’re on Twitter, be sure to tweet at your Republicans in Congress as well.

We’ll have more on this soon.

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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Shocking moment at GOP debate — fight back!

10/24/2011 Nativegrl77

When audience members booed an openly gay soldier at last month’s GOP presidential debate, my heart dropped to my feet.

It was offensive enough that the audience would jeer one of our service members. But that none of the presidential hopefuls on stage stood up for this brave young man? Unconscionable.

And they say they want to be Commander-in-Chief.

These candidates lend a megaphone to a shared platform of hateful attacks on equality. We see them every day from leaders of the religious right all the way down to a New Jersey schoolteacher’s ugly Facebook tirade earlier this month. But there’s no slur too small for us to call out – and no lie too large for us to tear down.

And that’s where you come in, Carmen. You and I and all straight allies can stand up to these right-wing attacks and create a safer world for the LGBT community. Help us fight back by becoming a first-time HRC member before MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.

With less than 48 hours left to our deadline, we’re still 142 new members short of our goal – and we need your support now. Don’t wait any longer – please join today.

There’s a groundswell of support for equality lighting up our country, but dangerous, hateful talking points are still far too commonplace. GOP contenders are pledging to reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and fight for a constitutional ban on marriage equality.

Every statement from the National Organization for Marriage and every speech by the head of the American Family Association drips in anti-LGBT anger – from calling equality supporters “anti-marriage goons” to labeling homosexuality a “threat to public health.”

Hurtful, bigoted words like these get beamed into living rooms across the country and plastered across Facebook.

School administrators, teachers, and students take them as license to discriminate and to bully. Athletes take them as a sign that it’s okay to use anti-gay slurs. And Republican leaders in the House of Representatives use them as reasoning behind their multi-million dollar, taxpayer-funded court case in support of the Defense of Marriage Act. We can put an end to the hate, but not without your help. Will you fight back with us now?

We want you with us. Become an HRC member today to help defend our victories and build a world free of right-wing discrimination.

Time and time again, HRC has relied on a simple belief: equality is a right that should be afforded to all. It’s why you and I are part of this cause – and it’s what propels us through victories and setbacks. Thank you for everything you do to support this simple yet profound purpose.

For our future,

Joe Solmonese
President

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Run For Coverage!

10/24/2011 Nativegrl77

How New Health-Care Laws Affect You … from Marie Claire

It’s health plan enrollment season again. And those who actually take the time to read the literature may save a heap of cash next our. Why? The benefits mandated by the

Affordable Care Act, a law requiring private plans to cover an array of preventative services and treatments at zero out-of-pocket cost. Women, especially,stand to gain, so read on.

__ What’s Covered Now: Mammograms and cervical cancer screenings;depression screening and counseling;obesity screening and counseling;folic acid supplementation;smoking interventions and counseling;breast-feeding support; chlamydia and gonorrhea screening

__ Coming Soon! Additional coverage for women,effective August 2012 -most significantly,100% covered FDA-approved prescription contraceptives. Also added were a doctor’s visit to determine which preventive services are recommended;rental of breast-feeding supplies;domestic violence screening;HPV DNA testing;sexually transmitted infection counseling; and HIV screening and counseling

__The Fine Print: Many plans(specifically,those created before March 23,2010)are grandfathered from providing such coverage. And coverage may not apply if you go out of network. Plus, some plans may choose not to cover brand-name contraceptives if a generic is available(unless the brand-name is doctor-recommended).

__Get What You’re Entitled to: Not sure if your insurance is up to par? Ask your benefits dept, or check out www.healthcare.gov/prevention