the Senate Convened at 9:30am September 21, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning
business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with
the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the
final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of
H.R.2832, the Generalized System of Preferences Act and the vehicle for Trade
Adjustment Assistance with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled
between the two Leaders or their designees.
At approximately 12:30pm, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the
following amendments to the Casey amendment #633 to H.R.2832, in the following
order:
- Hatch amendment #641 (TAA enactment dependent on FTA enactment)(60-vote
  threshold) and
- McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension)(60-vote threshold).

10:38amET –

The McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension) is now pending to the Casey amendment #633 (TAA) to H.R.2832, the GSP bill.

9:36amET –

At approximately 12:30pm today, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments to the Casey amendment #633 (TAA) to H.R.2832, the GSP bill:

Hatch amendment #641 (TAA enactment dependent on FTA enactment) (60-vote threshold) and

McCain amendment #625 (TAA 2-year extension) (60-vote threshold).

The following amendments are pending to H.R.2832, the Generalized System of
Preferences Act:

Casey-Brown (OH)-Baucus amendment #633 (Trade Adjustment Assistance)

The following amendments to H.R.2832 have been considered:

McConnell amendment #626 (Trade Promotion Authority), as modified
(preventing extraneous provisions in free trade agreements) to Casey amendment
#633; Not Agreed to: 45-55 (60-vote threshold
Hatch amendment #641 (Trade Adjustment Assistance enactment dependent upon
Free Trade Agreements enactment) to Casey amendment #633; Not Agreed to: 44-54
(60-vote threshold)
McCain amendment #625 to Casey amendment #633 (TAA 2-year extension); Not
Agreed to: 46-53 (60-vote threshold)
Hatch amendment #642 (TAA eligibility) to Casey amendment #633; Not Agreed
to: 40-57 (60-vote threshold)
Kyl amendment #645 (repeal TAA for firms) is now pending to the Casey
amendment #633 (TAA); Not Agreed to: 43-54 (60-vote threshold)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:35 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

6:03 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:53 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 2883:: to amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend the child and family services program through fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes

5:50 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 – 25(Roll no. 720).

5:44 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 2608:: to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes

5:43 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 195 – 230(Roll No. 719).

5:12 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:53 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 405, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Rogers (KY) motion to agree to the Senate amendment with an amendment toH.R. 2608.

3:52 P.M. – Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 405, Mr. Rogers (KY) took from the Speaker’s tableH.R. 2608with the Senate amendment thereto, and was recognized for a motion.

S. 846:: to designate the United States courthouse located at 80 Lafayette Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the Christopher S. Bond United States Courthouse

3:51 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 – 2, 2 Present(Roll no. 718).

3:45 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

S. Con. Res. 28:: authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II

3:44 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 – 0(Roll no. 717).

3:37 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.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.

H. Res. 399:: providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 79) making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes

3:36 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 405,H. Res. 399is laid on the table.

H. Res. 405:: providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2608) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 185(Roll no. 716).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:29 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 188(Roll no. 715).

1:52 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 405.

1:51 P.M. – Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2883:: to amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend the child and family services program through fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes

1:50 P.M. – At 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.

1:27 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2883.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 2943:: to extend the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families and related programs through December 31, 2011

1:26 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

1:06 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2943.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (KY) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 846:: to designate the United States courthouse located at 80 Lafayette Street in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the Christopher S. Bond United States Courthouse

1:05 P.M. – At 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.

12:56 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onS. 846.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. Con. Res. 28:: authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II

12:55 P.M. – At 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.

12:37 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onS. Con. Res. 28.Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Harper moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

12:36 P.M. – The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

12:35 P.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism is to continue in effect beyond September 23, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-57).

12:04 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 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. McGovern to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Judith Wright, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Northborough, MassachusettsThe House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 21.

10:43 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 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.The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Too much doubt to execute Troy Davis …Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org

09/20/2011 Nativegrl77

The state of Georgia will execute Troy Davis on September 21 despite powerful doubts about his guilt.

Please read on to learn how you can help stop this injustice.

The state of Georgia plans to execute Troy Davis this Wednesday, September 21 despite major doubts about his guilt.Killing a man who may be innocent is not justice, and more than 92,000 ColorOfChange members have spoken up to say so. But to save Troy, as many people as possible need to speak out.

The fact is, no physical evidence connected Davis to the murder. Seven of the original nine witnesses have recanted, with many saying their testimony was a result of law enforcement pressure. Of the remaining witnesses, one is highly suspect and the other could be the actual culprit in the officer’s murder.

No one should be executed when so much doubt remains about his guilt. You can help us stop Troy Davis’ execution in five ways:

Sign the petition asking Chatham County District Attorney Larry Chisolm to oppose Troy’s execution: http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/chisolm
Send a message to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole asking them to spare Troy’s life: http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/troy
Help us tell Troy’s story to thousands of Georgia residents by making a contribution to the effort to buy ads in Georgia media: https://act.colorofchange.org/donate/troydavis
Write a letter to the editor of local and national newspapers: http://action.firedoglake.com/page/speakout/troydavis
Spread the word to others. Forward this email to your friends and family, and share the links to the petition and donation pages on Facebook and Twitter.

Since Troy Davis’ 1991 conviction, numerous facts have emerged that introduce significant doubt as to his guilt. These facts include:

All but two of the original witnesses against Troy Davis have signed affidavits recanting their earlier testimony. Most claim that their testimony was coerced by police officers.¹
Multiple witnesses say that another man — one of the original witnesses against Davis — has claimed to have slain the fallen officer.²
The weapon used in the murder was never found. The only physical evidence connecting Davis to the crime was circumstantial — and new testimony disputes Davis’s connection to that evidence.³

In light of this evidence, the Supreme Court granted Davis another chance. But instead of an actual new trial before a jury, which would mean the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt is on the prosecutor, he got an evidentiary hearing before a single federal judge where Davis’ lawyers had the burden to meet an impossibly high and undefined legal standard.

Under these difficult circumstances, the judge rejected the new evidence and cleared the way for Troy’s execution. But even he acknowledged lingering doubt, noting that the case against Davis was not “ironclad.”

But “ironclad” is exactly what the evidence should be in order to put someone to death. When the case isn’t ironclad, the process is prone to human error, and innocent people may die. That’s what evidence suggests happened to Cameron Todd Willingham, a Texas man who was executed after being convicted of setting the fire that killed his children. A new review of the case used to convict him shows that Willingham was killed even though there’s no evidence he set the fire. But now it’s too late to do anything about it.⁴

It will take all of our combined efforts to make sure Troy Davis isn’t the next Cameron Willingham. Please join me and my friends at ColorOfChange.org in asking Georgia officials to save Troy Davis’ life by commuting his sentence to life in prison. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 17th, 2011

Help support our work.ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References:

1. “Troy Davis – Finality over Fairness,” Amnesty International USA
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/970?akid=2228.1174326.Cllb_a&t=7

2. See Reference 1

3. See Reference 1

4. “The Haunting of Rick Perry,” The New York Times, 6-23-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/958?akid=2228.1174326.Cllb_a&t=9

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Committee Hearings …In the House of Representatives

09/20/2011 Nativegrl77

3:00 pm

Hearing: Panel on Business Challenges within the Defense IndustryCommittee on Armed Services: Full Committee

3:00 pm

Hearing: Human Rights in North Korea: Challenges and OpportunitiesCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights

3:30 pm

Hearing: The Proposed Merger between Express Scripts and MedcoCommittee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet

4:30 pm

Markup: H.R. 2250, EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011,H.R. 2681,H.R. 2937Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee

5:00 pm

Hearing: H.R. 2401 – Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011Committee on Rules: Full Committee

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama is right …Robby Mook

09/20/2011 Nativegrl77

President Obama just threw down the gauntlet.

In case you just missed the President’s speech from the White House Rose Garden this morning, I wanted to make sure you saw this key quote:

“It is wrong that in the United States of America a teacher or a nurse or a construction worker who earns $50,000 should pay higher tax rates than somebody pulling in $50 million.

Anybody who says we can’t change the tax code to correct that, anyone who has signed some pledge to protect every single tax loophole so long as they live, they should be called out.”

That’s where you come in

Contribute $3 or more right now to help us call out Republicans who are putting millionaire tax breaks before middle class jobs. House Democrats will match your gift dollar-for-dollar.

WWW.DCCC.ORG

The next 24 hours are critical.

Moments after President Obama’s speech, Speaker Boehner resorted to his same old Tea Party talking points mischaracterizing the President’s plan to create jobs and ensure that billionaires and Big Oil companies pay their fair share.

We’ve set a goal of raising $1 million from grassroots Democrats before the FEC deadline to show we have what it takes to fight for President Obama’s jobs plan and take on Republicans who put special tax breaks for the wealthy before their constituents back home.

Contribute $3 or more right now to help us call out Republicans who are putting millionaire tax breaks before middle class jobs >> WWW.DCCC.ORG

Enough with the Tea Party games. If Republicans want to stick to their “my way or the highway” strategy, then it’s up to us to show them the off-ramp.

Robby

Robby Mook
DCCC Executive Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Will you Join US?

09/20/2011 Nativegrl77

Will you join me and President Obama in insisting that Congress get busy fixing our jobs crisis—and pay for it by asking millionaires and billionaires like Warren Buffett to pay their fair share?

Tell your lawmakers to start fixing America’s jobs crisis—and let them know you’ll hold them accountable if they won’t.

WWW.AFLCIO.ORG

Jobs are the crisis in America. Our economy will not recover until people get work.

America wants to work. But how hard are you willing to work to create jobs? If you’re willing to go all-out, let your lawmakers know right now.

President Obama understands the severity of America’s jobs crisis. This morning, he called on Congress to get moving on solutions—and to pay for his American Jobs Act by restoring tax fairness. He hit the nail on the head when he said, “Warren Buffett’s secretary shouldn’t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett.”

Thanks to President Obama, our national conversation is moving in the right direction. With the release of the American Jobs Act—and today’s speech—he has come forward with important steps to start addressing our jobs crisis. Now, it’s our job to demand action.

Let Congress know you’re ready to go to the mat in pushing our leaders to create jobs.

Over the coming days and weeks, as part of our America Wants to Work campaign, we’ll be asking for your help to advance a job creation agenda that will:

Rebuild America for the 21st century by investing in the schools, roads, bridges, transit, ports, rail, communications and energy jobs and systems we need to succeed.
Revive U.S. manufacturing and reform our trade policies, so we can export American-made goods and services—and stop exporting good jobs.
Help our cities and states—and the federal government—avoid layoffs that drag down our economy and threaten essential services to communities.
Directly create millions of jobs in local communities, especially hard-hit communities of color. These jobs must pay competitive wages and target distressed communities and must not replace existing jobs.
Solve the massive shortfall of consumer demand by extending unemployment benefits and keeping homeowners in their homes.
Reform Wall Street so it helps Main Street create jobs.

Tell your lawmakers: America wants to work. It’s time to end the distractions and political brinksmanship that have left working families out in the cold and take bold action to create jobs. WWW.AFLCIO.ORG

We will not reduce our demands or accept failure. And we will not accept any schemes to cut Medicaid or Social Security or Medicare benefits in exchange for getting Americans back to work.

To make our case for jobs, we will flood Congress with calls and e-mails. We will take our demands to the streets—and to the front doors of congressional offices. And we will make it clear to corporations, to elected officials and to the press just how many this crisis hurts in our communities, just how much pain is caused by inaction and just how tireless our pursuit of good jobs will be.

Get started today: Let Congress know you’ll be fighting for jobs, and it’s time for members of Congress to join you. WWW.AFLCIO.ORG

Our campaign to get America back to work will not stop—it will only grow stronger. We will start by ratcheting up the pressure now. And we will make sure leaders who fail to put jobs first are held accountable in 2012. Because what happens in the coming days and months—and during the next year—will determine the future of America’s working middle class.

Will we work hard enough, starting now and through the next election, to preserve America’s middle class? Or will we fail? It’s up to us.

If you’re ready to work for working people, start by letting Congress know. WWW.AFLCIO.ORG

This morning, President Obama outlined the choices our country faces:

“Either we ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share in taxes or we ask seniors to pay more for Medicare. We can’t afford to do both. Either we gut education and medical research or we’ve got to reform the tax code so that most profitable corporations have to give up tax loopholes that other companies don’t get. We can’t afford to do both. This is not class warfare; it’s math.”

With your help, we can create jobs in a fair way. And we can pay for it—as President Obama proposed—by requiring millionaires, billionaires and profitable corporations to pay their fair share to get America back on track.

Thank you for standing with us.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

P.S. Your action today is only the beginning. Because you know as well as I do that getting Congress to take real action to tackle America’s jobs crisis won’t be easy—it will be supremely difficult to overcome the partisanship and political games.

That’s why I need you to stay with us. We’ll ask you to follow up with more actions—and harder actions—and to rise to the challenge for America’s working middle class.