Tag Archives: Barbara Boxer

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TBI Gala May 15 Honoring The First Couple of NYC


2014 Annual Celebration & Award Reception

Honoring The Black Institute’s Couple of the Year

Mayor Bill de Blasio & First Lady Chirlane McCray

Also honoring

Ana Castro, Founder L.A.T.I.S.M. (Latinos in Tech Innovation & Social Media)

Cheryl McKissack, President & CEO, McKissack & McKissack

Stephen Hawkins, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA

Community Resources for Justice

Music by Grammy Winner DJ Hex Hector

Host Committee (In-formation): Stuart Appelbaum RWDSU, Rev. A.R. Bernard, Hector Figueroa 32BJ SEIU, George Gresham 1199SEIU, Ed Lynch UFCW, Bob Master CWA District 1, Mike Mulgrew UFT, Peter Patch & Linda Kane, Larry Park NYSTLA, Eugene Schneur & Mo Vaugh OMNI New York and Doug Wigdor

The Black Institute Board: Selvin Bushay, Stephen Chukwumba, James Heyliger, Vince Morgan, Ademola Oyefeso, Martha Stark, Carmen Wallace and Jacquelyn Williams

For more information or to purchase ticktes please click here, call 212 871 6899 or email events@theblackinstitute.org

 

The Black Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

 

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Take the pledge. Reduce your meat consumption!

Looking for a healthy alternative to meat? For every Earth Day Sampler Pack, Paleta will donate a dollar to plant a tree through EDN’s Canopy Project.

earthdaylogoDid you know that the meat industry is responsible for about 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions? That’s more than the entire transportation sector! The production and distribution of meat doesn’t just consume a lot of energy and cause greenhouse gas emissions, it also requires a huge amount of water—up to 2,500 gallons to produce just one pound of beef. Take the pledge to reduce your meat consumption today! And the problem is getting worse. Over the last 10 years alone, global meat consumption has increased by 20%. So what can we do to help solve this problem? It’s simple—eat less meat! In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, eating just one less burger a week for a year is the equivalent of skipping 320 miles of driving. Join us in pledging to not eat meat one day a week. Thanks for your support. -The Earth Day Network Team

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By 

Going Nuclear on GOP Obstruction

On three recent occasions — January 2011, January 2013, and July 2013 — Senate Democrats threatened to make changes to the Senate filibuster rules in order to stop Republicans from obstructing even the most routine business of the Senate and slow-walking or simply blocking the president’s nominees. Each time, Democrats agreed to very modest changes to the rules or even simply a gentleman’s agreement with Republicans and each time Republicans broke their word and went back to their same old obstructionist ways.

In the past few weeks, things have gotten even worse than usual. Senate Republicans have embarked on an unprecedented campaign of obstruction:

  • Republicans blocked the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the agency that oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He is the first African-American nominated to head the agency and the first sitting Member of Congress denied confirmation since the Reconstruction Era.
  • Leading Republicans have already announced their plans to block two more top Obama nominees: Janet Yellen to head the Federal Reserve (the first woman in the world ever selected to lead a central bank) and Jeh Johnson, the first African-American nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Republicans have reveled in this disturbing pattern of partisan obstruction, daring Democrats to change the Senate rules in order to eliminate the filibuster on nominations.

Well, it appears Republicans have made their bed and now they may have to lie in it.

A parade of Democrats, including some who have previously expressed strong opposition to the idea, have come forward in recent days to support changing the Senate rules:

  • Sen. Barbara Boxer ((D-CA): “I am very open to changing the rules for nominees. … I was not before, because I felt we could work with them. But it’s gotten to an extreme situation where really qualified people can’t get an up-or-down vote.”
  • Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA): “If ever there’s evidence for [a rules change], it is now.” Feinstein said she changed her position after a compromise deal reached last year to push through nominees did not stop obstruction from leaving crucial seats vacant. She told the Huffington Post it is “unconscionable” that Senate Republicans are now allowing a vote on Obama’s cabinet and judicial nominees.
  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA): “So far they have shut down the government, they have filibustered people [President Obama] has nominated to fill out his administration and they are now filibustering judges to block him from filling any of the vacancies with highly qualified people: We need to call out these filibusters for what they are: Naked attempts to nullify the results of the last election.” She added, “If Republicans continue to filibuster these highly qualified nominees for no reason other than to nullify the president’s constitutional authority, then senators not only have the right to change the filibuster, senators have a duty to change the filibuster rules. We cannot turn our backs on the Constitution. We cannot abdicate our oath of office.”
  • Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), one of the original proponents of filibuster reform, said recently: “The Senate rules must change … This is a war on the other two branches of government and their ability to do the jobs the American people need them to do.”
  • Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is another longtime supporter of filibuster reform. He said last month: “We keep getting up to the edge of it, and then we make some, quote, gentleman’s agreement … and then you find out the gentleman’s agreement doesn’t hold. … I’ve been so frustrated by it.”
  • Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV): The Senate majority leader holds the ultimate authority on whether Democrats invoke the nuclear option. He said Tuesday he is actively weighing a rules change, and won’t accept a deal to avert the nuclear option that includes anything less than confirmation of all three D.C. Circuit nominees stalled over the past few weeks. In July, Democrats scored a short-term victory with a deal to confirm seven executive branch nominees in exchange for dropping filibuster reform. But just a few months later, they ended up facing the same sort of Republican obstruction.

Sen. Reid reportedly may move to end the GOP’s partisan obstructionism as soon as this week. We’ll be sure and bring you the latest updates.

BOTTOM LINE: We simply cannot allow a minority in Congress to retroactively veto laws and the results of elections. This is unfair, makes a mockery of our constitutional system, and represents the worst kind of partisan gridlock that the American people are sick and tired of. It’s time for the GOP’s unprecedented campaign of obstruction to end.

Black History

CONGRESS


The Senate's side of the Capitol Building in DC.
The Senate’s side of the Capitol Building in DC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
  • The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00am with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.601, the Water Resources Development Act with the time until noon equally divided and controlled between Senators Boxer and Vitter or their designees.
  • At noon, there will be a cloture vote on S.601, WRDA. The managers of the bill continue to work on a finite list of amendments; Senators will be notified if an agreement is reached.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

As a reminder, the filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, is 11:15am today. Please send a signed copy of any germane second degree amendments to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

The managers of the bill continue to negotiate an agreement to complete action on the WRDA bill. Last night we hotlined a list of amendments that could either be agreed to or would require a vote. We believe we are close to being able to lock in an agreement to limit amendments and vitiate cloture, but, as always, that takes consent and we’re not quite there yet. Another message will be sent if and when an agreement is reached.

If no agreement can be reached, at approximately 12:00 noon the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.601, WRDA.

In an effort to give the managers additional time to work on an agreement to limit amendments to S.601, the cloture vote has been postponed and will now occur at 2:30pm.

If we are unable to reach an agreement, we will proceed to the cloture vote at 2:30pm. If cloture is invoked, it will be considered as having been invoked at 12:00 noon.

It appears that we are very close reaching an agreement on a finite list of amendments to S.601, WRDA. We are currently in a quorum call to finalize the details. If we are able to reach an agreement, cloture would be vitiated and we could see some votes on amendments in the 5:30pm range tonight. Again, if no deal is reached, we would proceed with the cloture vote.

The following amendments are pending to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act:

The following amendments have been considered to S.601:

Senator Boxer asked consent to consider a finite list of amendments including Johnson (SD) #891 (flood insurance) and Landrieu #888 (flood insurance). Senator Toomey reserved his right to object and stated his opposition to Landrieu’s amendment #888 and objected to the request.

After some debate between Senators Landrieu and Toomey, Senator Boxer asked the same consent without the Landrieu and Johnson (SD) amendments.

Senator Rubio reserved his right to object and asked that the Rubio amendment #892 (IRS) be in order. Senator Boxer reminded the Senate that this is a water resources bill and did not agree to include the Rubio amendment in the agreement. Senator Rubio did not object to the overall agreement on the WRDA bill and the request was agreed to.

As a result of this agreement, we will not have a cloture vote on the bill. We expect a series of 2 votes beginning at 5:00pm tonight. Most likely candidates for roll call votes tonight are Barrasso #868 and Sanders #889. Inhofe #797 will likely be a voice vote. We expect to resume voting in relation to the remaining amendments and passage at a time to be determined tomorrow.

The following amendments will be considered and agreed to, en bloc:

–          Baucus #847;

–          Boxer-Vitter #899, as modified;

–          Inhofe #895;

–          Wicker #894;

–          Inhofe #867;

–          Boozman #872;

–          Thune #912;

–          Cornyn #880;

–          Murkowski #904;

–          Klobuchar #884;

–          Wyden #870, as modified;

–          Cochran #911, as modified;

–          Carper #882;

–          Murkowski #903, as modified;

–          Durbin #906, as modified;

–          Levin #893;

–          Collins #898;

–          Cardin #861, as modified;

–          Brown-Graham #907; and

–          Wyden #896.

Further, that the only remaining amendments in order to the bill be the following:

–          Inhofe #797;

–          Barrasso #868 (60 affirmative vote threshold);;

–          Sanders #889 (60 affirmative vote threshold);

–          Coburn #815;

–          Coburn #816;

–          Merkley #866;

–          Udall(NM) #853;

–          Hoeven #909; and

–          Boozeman #822

No second degree amendments are in order to any of the amendments prior to votes in relation to the amendments. The time until 5:00pm will be equally divided between the two Leaders, or designees, for debate on the amendments. At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed. All after the first vote will be ten minute votes. There will be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote. The following amendments are subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold:  Sanders #889; Barrasso #868.

Finally, upon disposition of the Hoeven amendment #909, the cloture motion be withdrawn and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of S.601, as amended.

At 5pm today, the Senate will vote in relation to the Barrasso amendment #868 (water rights) and Sanders #889 (restoration of certain properties impacted by natural disasters). Both amendments are subject to 60-affirmative vote threshold. Following the votes, the Senate will turn to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. When the Senate resumes consideration of S.601, WRDA, tomorrow (expect around 11:15am), we will resume the voting sequence in the previous order. The first vote in each series will be 15 minute votes and the subsequent votes will be 10 minutes in duration.

5pm votes

–          Inhofe amendment #797 (land exchange) **expect voice vote

–          Barrasso amendment #868 (water rights)

–          Sanders #889 (restoration of certain properties impacted by natural disasters)

Tomorrow’s roll call votes (approx. 11:15am)

–          Coburn #815 (beach renourishment);

–          Coburn #816 (Infrastructure Deathourization Commission projects);

–          Merkley #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);

–          Udall(NM) #853 (pilot program);

–          Hoeven #909 (surplus water charges);

–          Boozeman #822 (recreational lands pass programs);

–          Passage of S.601, as amended.

The Senate agreed to the Inhofe amendment #797 (land exchange) by voice vote.

At 5:06pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Barrasso amendment #868 (water rights) (60-vote threshold);

Not Agreed To: 52-44

Next Vote:

Sanders #889 (restoration of certain properties impacted by natural disasters)

5:34pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Sanders #889 (restoration of certain properties impacted by natural disasters);

Not Agreed To: 56-40

Senator Warner asked unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution.

Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling.

Senator Warner objected to modifying the request.

Senator McConnell then objected to the original request.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Barrasso amendment #868 (water rights) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-44 (60-vote threshold)

2)      Sanders #889 (restoration of certain properties impacted by natural disasters); Not Agreed To: 56-40 (60-vote threshold)

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.140, Commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifices made by the Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.

Adopted S.Res.141, A resolution recognizing the goals of National Travel and Tourism Week and honoring the valuable contributions of travel and tourism to the United States.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.953, the Student Loan Affordability Act. (Reed)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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May 2013
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Last Floor Action:
2:03:49 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 14, 2013.

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

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The Senate Ignored Us


ThinkProgress War Room

Why Popular Policies Die in the Senate

The problems with the current Senate rules — namely the abuse of the filibuster by Republicans — are well known. Less well understood is how the Senate by design empowers the residents of small states at the expense of residents of larger states. This fact explains why a policy like background checks that enjoys the support of over 90 percent of Americans can still be killed in the Senate through a combination of filibuster abuse and the Senate’s bias toward small states.

ThinkProgress’ Ian Millhiser explains how this worked in the case of last night’s shameful Senate vote against expanded background checks:

To put this in perspective, Wyoming Sens. Mike Enzi (R) and John Barrasso (R) both voted against the gun safety provision. Together, they represent a little more than half a million people. California Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D) and Barbara Boxer (D) both voted for gun safety. They represent over 38 million Americans. In other words, a voter in Wyoming enjoys 66 times as much representation in the Senate as a voter in California.

As the least populous state, Wyoming makes out like bandits when it comes to Senate representation, but they are far from alone in enjoying such a windfall. A voter in Idaho (population 1,595,728) counts as almost 24 Californians. A voter in Nebraska (population 1,845,525) counts as nearly 21 Californians. And a voter in North Dakota (population 699,628) counts as more than 54 Californians. Indeed, if you add up the combined populations of Wyoming, North Dakota, Alaska, Idaho, Nebraska, Utah, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Alabama, that still adds up to over 3 million fewer people than live in the state of California. That also adds up to 26 senators, all of whom opposed background checks.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

The Texas fertilizer plant that exploded last night hadn’t been inspected in five years.

Gun violence victims detained, put through background checks for yelling “shame on you” at senators.

Morning Joe host shames senators for voting against background checks.

Gabby Giffords writes scathing op-ed directed at cowardly senators who voted against background checks.

Keystone XL tar sands pipeline will create only 35 permanent jobs, emit as much carbon pollution as 51 coal plants.

Regal Cinemas is latest company to face backlash after trying to dodge Obamacare rules by cutting workers’ hours.

Oklahoma’s Republican House majority leader and his colleagues have a laugh over his use of anti-Semitic slur.

No, rail transport won’t be able to replace the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline if it isn’t built.

Racist hate group seeks to use right-wing talk radio to kill immigration reform bill.