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CALL Main Office (360) 753-6200
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Rob McKenna today issued the following statement about joining a multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the recently-approved federal health care measure, once it is signed into law.
“I believe this new federal health care measure unconstitutionally imposes new requirements on our state and on its citizens. This unprecedented federal mandate, requiring all Washingtonians to purchase health insurance, violates the Commerce Clause and the 10th amendment of the US Constitution.
“I’m concerned that the measure unconstitutionally requires all Washingtonians to purchase health insurance and places an extraordinary burden on our state budget by requiring Washington to expand its Medicaid eligibility standards in violation of our state’s rights guaranteed under the10th amendment.”
–30 —
Contacts:
Janelle Guthrie, AGO Communications Director, (360) 586-0725
Dan Sytman, AGO Media Relations Manager, (360) 586-7842
360) 753-6200
the Senate Convened at 9:30amET December 1, 2011
The following amendments are pending to S.1867, the DoD Authorization Act:
There will now be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form on the Feinstein amendment #1125 (applicability requirements for detainees) prior to a vote. Senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 2pm in relation to the Feinstein amendment #1125.
2:00pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Feinstein amendment #1125 (detainees); Not Agreed To: 45-55
5:58pm By unanimous consent at 6pm, all post-cloture debate time on S.1867 will expire. At 6pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on the following amendments:
#1126 Feinstein (limitation military authority to detain citizens); and
#1456 Feinstein (modification of Feinstein amendment #1126).
The amendments listed below are still pending and are germane. We anticipate voting in relation to these amendments following the Feinstein votes, not necessarily in the order listed.
#1414 Menendez-Kirk (Central Bank of Iran sanctions)
#1209 Nelson (FL) (Survivor Benefit plan);
#1080 Leahy (applicability requirements – military custody – detainees);
#1274 Sessions (clarification – disposition of detainees by the military);
#1087, (expect a modification) Leahy (FOIA); and
#1202, (expect a modification) Udall (NM) (Buy America – solar devices).
6:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Feinstein amendment #1126
6:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Feinstein amendment #1456 (detainees); Agreed to: 99-1
6:54pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Menendez-Kirk amendment #1414 (Iran Sanctions); Agreed to: 100-0
The Senate has reached an agreement to have additional votes regarding the Majority and Republican versions of the payroll tax bills.
Below is order of the remaining votes this evening. There are 2 minutes prior to each vote and all votes will be 10 minutes in duration.
Up to 8 (4 expected)Roll Call Votes
#1209 Nelson (FL) (Survivor Benefit plan) (expect a voice vote/unanimous consent)
#1080 Leahy (applicability requirements – military custody – detainees) (expect to be withdrawn)
1) #1274 Sessions (clarification – disposition of detainees by the military);
#1087, Leahy (FOIA) (expect a modification – expect a voice vote/unanimous consent)
#1202, Udall (NM) (Buy America – solar devices) (expect a modification – expect a voice vote/unanimous consent)
2) Passage of S.1867, DoD Authorization bill, as amended
3) Motion to proceed to S.1917, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act (Casey) (60-vote threshold)
4) Motion to proceed to S.1931, the Temporary Tax Holiday and Government Reduction Act (Heller) (60-vote threshold)
7:24pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Sessions amendment #1274; Not Agreed to: 41-59
8:02pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.1867, the DoD Authorization Act, as amended; Passed: 93-7
8:45pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the McConnell motion to proceed to S.1931, the Temporary Tax Holiday and Government Reduction Act; Not Agreed To: 20-78
SENATE FLOOR WRAP UP FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed H.R.2192, the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act of 2011
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.J.Res.30, Extending the cooling-off period under section 10 of the Railway Labor Act with respect to the dispute referred to in Executive Order No. 13586 of October 6, 2011. (Reid)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.J.Res.31, Applying certain conditions to the dispute referred to in Executive Order 13586 of October 6, 2011, between the enumerated freight rail carriers, common carriers by rail in interstate commerce, and certain of their employees represented by labor organizations that have not agreed to extend the cooling-off period under section 10 of the Railway Labor Act beyond 12:01 a.m. on December 6, 2011. (Reid)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.J.Res.32, To provide for the resolution of the outstanding issues in the current railway labor-management dispute. (Enzi)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1930, the Earmark Elimination Act of 2011. (Toomey)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1931, to provide payroll tax relief, to reduce the Federal Budget deficit and for other purposes (Heller)
Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1932, To require the Secretary of State to act on a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. (Lugar)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. By unanimous consent, at 11am on Tuesday, December 6, there will be 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Halligan nomination.
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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 1, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.6:08:35 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.6:07:29 P.M. -Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 479.6:07:16 P.M. -H. Res. 364Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:07:15 P.M. -H. Res. 364On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 – 0 (Roll no. 881).6:01:23 P.M. -H. Res. 364Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 364 — “Designating room HVC 215 of the Capitol Visitor Center as the “Gabriel Zimmerman Meeting Room”.”6:00:27 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 364.6:00:21 P.M. -H.R. 527Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:00:20 P.M. -H.R. 527On passage Passed by recorded vote: 263 – 159 (Roll no. 880).5:53:51 P.M. -H.R. 527On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 188 – 233 (Roll no. 879).5:36:30 P.M. -H.R. 527The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.5:26:40 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Loretta Sanchez motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to insert a provision designed to prohibit additional rules that would hinder the hiring of veterans.5:25:13 P.M. -H.R. 527Ms. Sanchez, Loretta moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.5:24:39 P.M. -H.R. 527The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.5:24:21 P.M. -H.R. 527The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.5:23:31 P.M. -H.R. 527The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 527.5:23:20 P.M. -H.R. 527On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 250 (Roll no. 878).5:18:35 P.M. -H.R. 527On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 172 – 250 (Roll no. 877).5:14:58 P.M. -H.R. 527On agreeing to the Peters amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 243 (Roll no. 876).5:10:48 P.M. -H.R. 527On agreeing to the Cohen amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 248 (Roll no. 875).5:06:11 P.M. -H.R. 527On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 173 – 244 (Roll no. 874).4:40:04 P.M. -H.R. 527UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.4:39:25 P.M. -H.R. 527POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:32:26 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment.4:32:24 P.M. -H.R. 527An amendment, offered by Mr. Johnson (GA), numbered 6 printed in Part A of House Report 112-296 to create an exception for any rule making to carry out the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.4:31:49 P.M. -H.R. 527POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:24:36 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 5.4:24:34 P.M. -H.R. 527An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX), numbered 5 printed in Part A of House Report 112-296 to require a GAO report to determine the cost of carrying out the Act and the effect it will have on federal agency rule making. In addition, the report would need to contain information on the impact of repealing the ability of an agency to waive provisions in the Regulatory Flexibility Act when responding to an emergency.4:23:28 P.M. -H.R. 527POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Peters amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Peters demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:18:21 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters amendment.4:18:18 P.M. -H.R. 527An amendment, offered by Mr. Peters, numbered 4 printed in Part A of House Report 112-296 to exempt from the bill all rules that OMB determines would result in net job creation.4:17:25 P.M. -H.R. 527POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cohen amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:11:41 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cohen amendment.4:11:39 P.M. -H.R. 527An amendment, offered by Mr. Cohen, numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 112-296 to exempt from the bill any rule that relates to food safety, workplace safety, consumer products safety, air or water quality.4:10:45 P.M. -H.R. 527POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:03:26 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 2.4:03:24 P.M. -H.R. 527An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX), numbered 2 printed in Part A of House Report 112-296 to exempt all rules promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security.4:02:52 P.M. -H.R. 527On agreeing to the Critz amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:59:28 P.M. -H.R. 527DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Critz amendment.3:58:33 P.M. -H.R. 527An amendment, offered by Mr. Critz, numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 112-296 to require the estimated cumulative impact on small businesses of any other rule stemming from the implementation of the Free Trade Agreements.2:51:00 P.M. -H.R. 527GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 527.2:50:52 P.M. -H.R. 527The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Chairman of the Committee.2:50:51 P.M. -H.R. 527House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 477 and Rule XVIII.2:49:14 P.M. -H.R. 527Measure provides for consideration of H.R. 3463 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; bill is closed to amendments. Provides for consideration of H.R. 527 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; specified amendments are in order. Provides for consideration of H.R. 3010 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; specified amendments are in order.2:49:09 P.M. -H.R. 527Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 477. H.R. 527 — “To amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Regulatory Flexibility Act), to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes.”2:48:45 P.M. -H.R. 3463Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:48:44 P.M. -H.R. 3463On passage Passed by recorded vote: 235 – 190 (Roll no. 873).2:41:03 P.M. -H.R. 3463On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 190 – 236 (Roll no. 872).2:14:57 P.M. -H.R. 3463The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.2:06:11 P.M. -H.R. 3463DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop(GA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to insert provisions designed to continue protection of elderly, disabled and military voters, notwithstanding the termination of the Election Assistance Commission.2:05:50 P.M. -H.R. 3463Mr. Bishop (GA) moved to recommit with instructions to House Administration.2:05:36 P.M. -H.R. 3463Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3463 — “To reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions and by terminating the Election Assistance Commission.”2:05:35 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 1.1:56:45 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.1:56:02 P.M. -H.R. 3463POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, further proceedings on H.R. 3463 were postponed1:55:44 P.M. -H.R. 3463The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.12:45:10 P.M. -H.R. 3463DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3463.12:44:38 P.M. -H.R. 3463Measure provides for consideration of H.R. 3463 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; bill is closed to amendments. Provides for consideration of H.R. 527 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; specified amendments are in order. Provides for consideration of H.R. 3010 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; specified amendments are in order.12:44:33 P.M. -H.R. 3463Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 477. H.R. 3463 — “To reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions and by terminating the Election Assistance Commission.”12:05:57 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.12:05:12 P.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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 1, 2011 at 9:51 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 394.12:04:01 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pascrell to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:03:57 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:59 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Cathy Jones, Parkwood Institutional CME Church, Charlotte, North Carolina.12:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 1.11:28:00 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:01:26 A.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – he 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.10:00:54 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Allen B. West to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:36 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Dear Carmen,
There’s nothing worse than a verbose fundraising email, so I’ll get right to the point: We’re $12,342 away from our November fundraising goal — can you click here to contribute $5 or $10 and help us reach it?
Please?
Thanks,

Al
P.S.: Okay, in case you felt shortchanged by that fairly brusque email, let me reassure you that, in fact, your support really does mean an awful lot to me. Every time I ask my staff how we’re doing and hear about all the $25 contributions people are sending in and all the nice notes that come along with the contributions, it lifts my spirits and makes me even more committed to doing the good work you worked so hard to send me to the Senate to do. It’s just that, when I asked the team how we were doing today, they told me about being $12,342 short of our monthly goal. And I know there are only 13 hours left, but I really, really want to get there. Not just for the satisfaction of reaching a goal, but because we need that money to fund our grassroots, people-powered campaign. And it really does make a difference when you send in a few dollars — in fact, if everyone who read this email sent in a few dollars, we’d blow through that goal. Actually, if only the people who read all the way through to this ridiculously long P.S. sent in a few dollars, we’d be all set for the month. Anyway.
P.P.S.: Please click here to contribute.

By msnbc.com news services
Private employers added 206,000 jobs in November, according to a new report released Wednesday from payrolls processor ADP.
The monthly number was better than expected. Analysts had expected a smaller gain in November. October’s monthly gain in private-sector hiring was revised up to 130,000 from a previously reported gain of 110,000.
Each month, ADP releases a report on whether private employers added any jobs in the prior month. The report is often used as a gauge heading into the government’s monthly employment report, which is due out Friday.
Earlier, consultants Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported the number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms edged down marginally in November, though job cuts for the year have surpassed 2010’s total.
Employers announced 42,474 planned job cuts this month, down 0.7 percent from 42,759 in October, according to the report.
November’s job cuts were down 12.8 percent from the same time a year ago when 48,711 layoffs were announced. But with just one month left in the year, employers have announced 564,297 cuts for 2011, exceeding 2010’s total of 529,973.
Cuts in the government sector accounted for 44 percent of November’s layoffs, the eighth time this year the sector has led all others in monthly job cuts.
Of the 18,508 government job cuts announced this month, 13,500 were the result of civilian workforce cuts made by the United States Air Force.
“Over the past six months, we definitely have seen a shift away from the heavy government job cuts at the state and local level toward increased job cuts at the federal level,” John Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement. “The worst may be yet to come, as cutbacks spread from the military to every other agency in Washington.”
Hiring plans fell sharply to 63,527 from 159,177 the month before. Most of November’s gains were from seasonal workers being hired by UPS.
The report comes two days ahead of the key U.S. jobs report, which is forecast to show the economy added 122,000 in November.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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