Editor’s note: CNN’s John King speaks with Rep. Tom Graves, R-GA, about the debt ceiling, deficits, taxes, and spending. Related: Possible deficit reduction deal emerging, sources say Related on CNNMoney.com: What happens if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling? … Read More
Ten Minutes…Until Evacuation
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Community and neighborhood evacuations are more common than you might think. A wildfire, hurricane, tornado, mudslide, toxic industrial accident or other imminent disaster could force you to leave your home—in some cases, within minutes of the evacuation order.Knowing what to do and what to take with you should the order come can help you preserve your most important possessions.
Plan it out. Prepare a box with essential documents such as birth certificates, insurance records, passports, tax returns, wills and cherished photographs. Be sure to place this box in a secure location, such as a fireproof safe. Create or update a home inventory list to accurately record your possessions and add the list to your essential document box.
Pack it up.
Go to statefarm.com to learn how to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster, and visit the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for a detailed preparedness plan. |
Source: StateFarm
5 Easy Ways to Improve Fuel Mileage |
As prices at the pump continue to tick higher, everyone is looking to stretch each gallon of gas. Being smarter about the way you drive could help you go a lot farther on each tank. Here are five ways to improve your fuel mileage.
Visit statefarm.com to learn more gas mileage tips. |
Congress: the Republican led House & the Senate debate/vote for or against Americans today
the Senate Convenes at 9:00amET July 22, 2011
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act with the time until 10:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
- At 10:00am, the Majority Leader will be recognized. At this time, Senator Reid is expected to make a motion to table the motion to proceed H.R.2560, Cut,Cap and Balance Act. Therefore, Senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 10:00am. To accommodate Senators on both sides, this vote will be longer than usual.
10:05am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table on the motion to proceed to H.R.2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act; Tabled: 51-46
The cap,cut and balance bill – which doesn’t tell us what would be cut capped or balanced was defeated today.
The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Reid announced next roll call vote is expected at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, July 25, 2011.
Prior to adjournment on Friday, at the request of Senator Rockefeller, Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass H.R.2553, the FAA extension with a Rockefeller-Hutchison substitute amendment (which is a clean extension of the program). Senator Hatch then objected to the request.
Senator Hatch then asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2553 (as passed by the House which includes policy riders). Senator Durbin then objected to Senator Hatch’s request on behalf of Senator Rockefeller.
Because the Senate did not agree on HR2553, a bill to extend FAA , 4,000 Federal Workers were put on furlough some parts of travel may feel the impact – fed taxes may be removed
Adopted S.Res.237, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding coming together as a Nation and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001.
Passed S.300, the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2011, with committee-reported amendments
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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 22, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
Republicans do about 4hrs of work ?
1:01 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2011.
On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
11:29 A.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
11:25 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, July 22, 2011, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. for morning-hour debate and 12:00 p.m for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
- H.R. 2551:
- making appropriations for the Legislative Branchfor the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
11:24 A.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 252 – 159 (Roll no. 629).
11:07 A.M. – The 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.
11:06 A.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:05 A.M. – The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2551.On agreeing to the Moran amendment Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 234 (Roll no. 628).
11:01 A.M. – On agreeing to the Holt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 235 (Roll no. 627).
10:56 A.M. – On agreeing to the Thompson (PA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 130 – 283 (Roll no. 626).
10:50 A.M. – On agreeing to the Stutzman amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 – 194 (Roll no. 625).
10:45 A.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 153 – 260 (Roll no. 624).
10:40 A.M. – On agreeing to the Hayworth amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 299 – 112 (Roll no. 623).
10:36 A.M. – On agreeing to the Watt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 102 – 302, 7 Present (Roll no. 622).
10:03 A.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
10:02 A.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.
10:01 A.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 22.
9:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
9:39 A.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 1383amended.
- H.R. 2551:
- making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Crenshaw moved that the committee rise.
9:38 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:27 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment.Amendment offered by Mr. Moran.
- An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-173 to prohibit the use of funds for polystyrene containers in the food service facilities of the House of Representatives.
9:24 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:14 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment.Amendment offered by Mr. Holt.
- An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-173 to provide $2.5 million for the congressional Office of Technology Assessment and reduce funding for the House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund by the same amount.
9:12 A.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.
9:02 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.
9:01 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fitzpatrick 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.
9:00 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
Policing School Districts: The New Separate but Equal
In our last correspondence we received an overwhelming response to the Op-Ed articles about the struggles between traditional public and charter schools being housed in the same facilities. Your responses show that you are fully aware that the issues surrounding barriers to quality education are multifaceted at best. Our current blog discusses problems faced by parents who have attempted to place their children in better neighboring school districts. Share your feedback and respond to other responses posted.
Policing School Districts: The New Separate but Equal
The Black Institute
1st Victory …Rolf Skar, Greenpeace
You have helped us achieve something amazing and I can’t thank you enough. Thanks to you, we have shown a global spotlight on Mattel and exposed Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) for destroying tiger forests. As a result, the toy industry is starting to clean up their act.
There’s no doubt they know you are watching.
Since our campaign kicked off last month, the response has been amazing. More than 60,000 of you sent letters to Mattel urging them to drop APP and adopt policies to protect forests. But Mattel isn’t the only toy company we are holding accountable. In our recent Toying With Extinction report, we showed that Hasbro, Disney and Lego were wrapping toys in rainforest destruction.
I’m happy to say we have our first victory!
Just last week, Lego became the first toy giant to stand up for Indonesian forests. This is big news, and sign that our efforts are working. Lego announced a plan to end business with companies linked to deforestation, reduce its packaging, maximize recycled paper content, and source only certified sustainable wood for any virgin tree fiber it uses. That’s great news for rainforests and the people and wildlife that depend on them.
As for Mattel, they have said publicly they will drop APP and make a new policy to protect forests. But for forests, actions are more important than words. Greenpeace is keeping the pressure on Mattel — the world’s largest toy company — until they back up their statements with real changes.
You might wonder, do toy companies really matter? The answer is: absolutely. Mattel claims to sell three Barbie dolls every second. That’s just one of their toys. And Mattel is just one of the toy companies we’re changing. Add them all up, and the toy industry uses a lot of paper.
Through our high-profile, global campaign, we are sending a clear message to companies around the world that rainforest destruction is bad for business. We couldn’t do that without you.
Our work isn’t done yet, and its critical that we keep up the pressure. I’ll update you as we achieve more together. But for now, it’s also important for us to pause, celebrate our latest victory, and say thanks.
For the forests,
Rolf Skar, Senior Forest Campaigner
Greenpeace
P.S. Our dedicated staff around the world — including those on the ground in Indonesia — are fighting hard to save critically endangered Sumatran tigers. With your help, we can bring them back from the brink of extinction. If you haven’t already please make a donation to Greenpeace today.


Community and neighborhood evacuations are more common than you might think. A wildfire, hurricane, tornado, mudslide, toxic industrial accident or other imminent disaster could force you to leave your home—in some cases, within minutes of the evacuation order.Knowing what to do and what to take with you should the order come can help you preserve your most important possessions.
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