Tag Archives: BP

totally Tuesday &some News


Yesterday, we heard reports that Boehner said that if he had to vote only for giving the Middle Class the tax cuts he would and then maybe a few hours later Cantor and Mitch McConnell both stated No way;  they would filibuster the tax cuts unless the Bush tax cuts were extended. Will someone please tell what do folks need to hear to understand that Republicans are not acting in the best interest of their own constituents let alone the Democratic Party!

Today, the President will give a stay in school speech that still has some school districts avoiding the speech and or parents who are just not willing to accept Obama as our President of the United States and for me it comes as a surprise and is definitely offensive. It clearly is wrong how this man …President Obama helped Teachers keep their jobs …he pressed folks to vote for HR1586. I remember the days when such speeches from the President were definitely mandatory…no question no whispers and certainly no group of people linked to school districts put up walls -is this element of discrimination acceptable?

I do not know if the reports that he would not filibuster are true, if he meant he wanted the bush tax cuts temporarily as reported or that he was willing to give up the millionaire tax cuts to help the middle class. I do know just hearing them whine about big government, how the upper 3% creates the jobs and letting the bush tax cuts would be a job killer is almost embarrassing. It is obvious to most Americans …I hope, that Bush gave 2huge tax cuts to the wealthy a long with waging 2Wars and neither one was paid for but the expect the Democratic Party to stick with paygo when it comes to their fellow Americans… Uh what is that about because they want special treatment when it comes to the Bush tax cuts for them? The facts are that everyone will get a tax cut… the rich will get a tax cut on their first 250thousand people. It is beyond offensive that Americans still want a group in office willing to vote against the People they represent? It is not sane behavior. Primaries matter because the change 53% of us voted for will be determined by who gains control. Those more left of center need to vote like this is a national event. The media has already written off the Democratic Party the question is why? My take is that most if not all reporters, host and commentators are getting paid by major corporate players and their futures may change once folks get it…The changes we need means getting more seats in Congress in November.

How often do we all hear how the GOP will be picking up a significant amount of seats in Congress?  The Democratic Party needs to get out in front of any primary election, plan for transportation and do whatever helps to GOTV, which goes without saying but then it was sort of disappointing to hear that money shared by Democrats is not always available for every State and is just the way it is but folks on the local level probably need to get more involved on a year around basis. The reports are that Democrats get involved in major elections but it’s a new day, now everyone should get involved at every level to keep Democrats in office and back on track to getting our broken down system back on track.  We all know what happened and who shoved us toward an enormous ditch; they bet and spent, spent, spent money without enforcing regulations.  While it’s possible a lot of people saw the problem no one did a thing until it was too late and passed it on to the next Administration.

So, what’s my point to Primaries matter? This is not the time to move away from Democratic ideology, move away from getting things done unlike Republicans; it’s not the time to give up. We have to demand action from Congress.  We need to move into the 21st Century; while Republicans fight to keep us from progressing into a country that has health care for all, climate change because we care about our earth, our children.  We need to demand regulations and financial reform for a failed financial system that they took advantage of. Congress needs to make a good faith effort to reform the way people come into the US … immigration is not going away and the Arizona laws definitely are a catalyst for change.

Other News …

**President Obama will again offer a do well in school speech today as schools all over the US begin…while many will not show the speech

**The Middle east talks :core issues are being talked about -settlements and no agreements as of yet

**Hurricanes Igor/Julia are churning and are Cat4 but far from land

**The French passes ban on full Muslim veil

**BP resumes the relief oil drilling

**100 tons of diesel oil was spilled into

**Cuba to lay off over 500 thousand of its workers

**The female hiker of 3hikers was let go w/a 500thousand bond

**There are Primaries in 7 States …be sure to vote today

**

CSPAN …

Senate Impeachment Proceedings for Judge Thomas Porteous - Day 1 Senate Impeachment Proceedings for Judge Thomas Porteous – Day 1

Pres. Obama Back Yard Town Hall on the Economy Pres. Obama Back Yard Town Hall on the Economy

Fmr. Pres. Bill Clinton Presents 2010 Liberty Medal to Fmr. British P.M. Tony Blair Fmr. Pres. Bill Clinton Presents 2010 Liberty Medal to Fmr. British P.M. Tony Blair

Discussion on Islamic Community Center and Mosque Controversy with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf Discussion on Islamic Community Center and Mosque Controversy with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

State Department Press Briefing State Department Press Briefing

NPC Luncheon with Rev. David Beckmann, Pres. of Bread for the World NPC Luncheon with Rev. David Beckmann, Pres. of Bread for the World

Congress:the Senate/House debates & votes today!


The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET September 14, 2010

Resume consideration of H.R.5297, the Small Business Jobs bill with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on Johanns amendment #4596 (1099 reporting). If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would proceed to a cloture vote on the Nelson (FL) amendment #4595 (1099 reporting). If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate. If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would proceed to a cloture vote on the substitute amendment #4594 to HR5297, Small Business Jobs.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm – 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

By unanimous consent, the filing deadline for second degree amendments to the substitute amendment #4594 and HR5297 is 12:00 noon today, Tuesday. September 14.

Votes:
231: Cloture on Johanns #4596 (1099 reporting);
Not Invoked: 46-52

232: Cloture on Nelson (FL) #4595 (1099 reporting);
Not Invoked: 56-42

233: Cloture on Substitute amendment #4594: to H.R.5297, Small Business Jobs bill;
Invoked: 61-37 <<- this means that HR5297 will now move forward to a final vote this week; Reid tweets dadt may get a vote as well this week

There will be no further roll call votes.

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.597, a resolution designating September 2010 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”

Adopted S.Res.603, a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and designating February 16, 2011, as “Citizen Diplomacy Day”

Adopted S.Res.607, a resolution recognizing the month of October 2011 as “National Principals Month”

Adopted S.Res.620, a resolution to designate September 12, 2010, as “National Day of Encouragement”

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00pmET September 14, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:00 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:59 P.M. –

Mr. McClintock requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 21: Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Mr. McClintock requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 16: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, and Mr. Bishop of UT for 5 min.

6:57 P.M. –

Mr. McClintock requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 15: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Gohmert for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min.

6:45 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House continued with further one minute speeches.

H. Res. 1571:

acknowledging and congratulating Miami Dade College on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and residents of the State of Florida

6:43 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 – 0 (Roll no. 520).

6:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1052:

honoring the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States since September 11, 2001

6:31 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): 378 – 0 (Roll no. 519).

6:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 14.

3:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H. Res. 1611:

expressing support for designation of the week beginning September 19, 2010, as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week”

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 voice vote.

3:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1611.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1480:

commending the University of Southern California Trojan men’s tennis team for its victory in the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Tennis Championship

3:39 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 voice vote.

3:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1480.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1564:

commending and congratulating Michigan Technological University on the occasion of its 125th anniversary

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 voice vote.

3:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1564.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1571:

acknowledging and congratulating Miami Dade College on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and residents of the State of Florida

3:17 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.

3:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1571.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H.R. 6102:

to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to extend the authority of the Secretary of the Navy to enter into multiyear contracts for F/A-18E, F/A-18F, and EA-18G aircraft

3:03 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.

2:53 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6102.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1251:

recognizing and honoring the United States troops who gave their lives on D-Day at the Battle of Normandy

2:52 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1251.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1052:

honoring the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States since September 11, 2001

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.

2:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1052.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1610:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001

2:37 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.

2:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1610.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Connolly (VA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:12 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:00 p.m. today.

2:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:03 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 House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 14, 2010 at 9:21 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H.Con.Res. 292, without amendment.

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 House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 12, 2010 at 12:04 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to S.Res. 617.

2:02 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 House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 12, 2010 at 10:37 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 6080, without amendment.

2:01 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX 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.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Laura Richardson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Congress in Session -9/13/10


The Senate Convenes today at 2:30pmET

following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 3:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 3:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Jane Stranch, of Tennessee, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. There will be 2 hours for debate with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions, or their designees.

At 5:30pm on Monday, September 13, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination of Jane Stranch to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.

As a reminder, Senator Reid filed 4 cloture motions with respect to the Small Business Jobs bill (HR5297). The filing deadline for first degree amendments to HR5297 and the Reid for Baucus-Landrieu amendment #4594 (Substitute) is 3:00pm on Monday, September 13.
Votes:
230: Confirmation of Jane Stranch to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; Confirmed: 71-21

The next meeting in the House will be on September 14, 2010 at 2:30

The Tiniest Tiger in the World


Rainforest Action Network
Read Tiki’s story.
Tiki the Tiger with Sign
Be Tiki’s friend.

Deep in the beautiful Sumatran rainforests of Indonesia lives the tiniest tiger in the world. His name is Tiki.

Sumatran tigers are now the smallest tiger species in existence, ever since their relatives, the Javan tigers, went extinct. There are currently less than 500 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and Tiki is their new super cute superhero spokestiger.

Please help Tiki save the tiny tigers!

Start by reading Tiki’s story and sharing it with the children in your life.

Tiki’s home is in great danger. Every day, wood pulp and paper companies threaten the survival of these majestic felines by clear-cutting their precious rainforest habitat, draining wildlife rich (carbon-filled) peatlands, and turning these lands into plantations.

Tiki is calling on kids, parents, teachers, families and you to help him defend his rainforest home.

Be Tiki’s friend so he can keep you in the know about actions to save the tiny tigers of Sumatra.

Before Sumatran tigers like Tiki become just another extinct species for the history books or a special “last remaining” exhibit at the zoo, we must stop destructive paper companies from tearing down Indonesia’s precious rainforests.

Stay tuned for upcoming actions in your community and GET READY TO ROAR!

For the tigers,

Hillary Lehr
Grassroots Organizer

CLEAN ENERGY: California’s Fight Against Polluters


ThinkProgress.org

In 2006, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, known as Assembly Bill 32, was passed, and called for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. It was a bipartisan, significant effort that has already yielded green jobs in California, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and served as a model for other legislative efforts. As one might expect, however, the legislation is under a furious and well-funded assault by Big Oil and those ideologically opposed to addressing climate change. This fall, voters in California will pull the lever for or against Proposition 23, which if passed, would immediately suspend AB 32‘s effects. The usual conspirators — including Koch Industries — have been funding the opposition, and the debate is looming larger over the tightly-contested gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections there. California voters have a choice between continuing progress on climate change, or helping already-wealthy and powerful industrial interests protect their bottom line.

AB32’S IMPACT: Assembly Bill 32 was passed to address a real threat in California — sea levels along California’s coast have been steadily rising and are projected to climb nearly 5 feet by 2100, threatening $100 billion in property and infrastructure like homes, office buildings, roads, and power plants. Addressing climate change in California would not only help residents, but also the world — as the eighth-largest economy on the planet, California could contribute significantly to the reduction of overall greenhouse gases. AB 32 is also serving as a useful trial balloon for climate change legislation in other states and at the federal level. As ClimateProgress has detailed, AB 32 is a model of bipartisan action on clean energy. A Democratic-controlled legislature passed the measure with support from business, labor, environmental and health organizations and Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed it into law. AB 32’s approach mirrors the legislation recently passed in the House — though the version sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) is has been delayed in the Senate. Aside from positively affecting global climate change and legislative efforts elsewhere, AB 32 has already had a positive economic impact on California. More than 100 economists with expertise in California energy and climate issues signed an open letter in July opposing any change to AB 32. “Delaying action now and waiting for the future before initiating accelerated action to reduce global warming gases will be more costly than initiating action now,” the letter states. As CAP has written, doing away with AB 32 would damage California’s clean-energy economy and exacerbate the unemployment problem crippling the emerging clean energy industries. According to the California Employment Development Department, hundreds of thousands of employees already work part- or full-time manufacturing, construction or other green jobs. Over $9 billion in venture capital since 2005 — 60 percent of all venture capital invested across the U.S. during that period —  has been invested in California clean energy initiatives. A study released yesterday by the University of California Berkely found that “Passage of Proposition 23 would result in direct job losses.”

KOCH INFLUENCE: Unsurprisingly, the fossil fuel industry is vigorously opposed to AB 32, and is pumping considerable resources into passing Proposition 23. Contributions to the Yes on 23 campaign are now over $8 million — and 97 percent comes from oil companies, and 89 percent comes from out of state. Among the most active companies are two Texas firms: Valero Energy and Tesoro Corp. Valero, Tesoro and Koch Industries alone have funded more than $6.5 million of the opposition. The Wonk Room recently obtained a PowerPoint file that a Tesoro executive presented at a large oil conference — attended by giants like BP, Exxon Mobile, and Shell Pipeline — urging fellow companies to fund the AB 32 opposition because Tesoro determined it would have a negative “impact on business.” While Tesoro’s presentation did yield almost immediate donations from a handful of companies, the big-name groups like BP and Exxon Mobile did not donate — at least publicly. However, the Adam Smith Foundation, a Missouri-based nonprofit, is mysteriously funding much of the opposition to AB 32. The foundation is not required to disclose its finances, but many suspect that it is spending the oil industry‘s money. And the now-notorious Koch family  has gotten involved in trying to stop this progressive policy initiative. Koch Industries is already the largest funder of climate change denial and anti-environmental regulation fronts worldwide, and not incidentally, is also the 10th-worst air polluter in America. The Wonk Room learned in August that Koch Industries is also a serious participant in blocking AB 32. In its corporate newsletter, Koch Industries explicitly stated that the low fuel standards set forth in AB 32 would harm the companies’ bottom line and would “be very bad news for our industry.” Koch has been funding the Pacific Institute, the main think tank producing junk studies that smear AB 32, and on Sept. 2, a Koch Industries subsidiary made a $1 million donation to the campaign for Proposition 23. A spokeswoman said the company “may consider additional support.” Leading Proposition 23 proponent Assemblyman Dan Logue (R-Linda) told the Wonk Room he expected a whopping $50 million to be raised in support of the campaign to overturn AB 32, dishonestly dubbed the “California Jobs Initiative.” In order to appeal further to moderates who may not have an ideological opposition to addressing climate change, the campaign is simply calling for a “suspension” of AB 32 until California’s unemployment rate drops below 5.5 percent for four consecutive quarters — something that has only happened three times since 1976.

THE POLITICAL GAME: This November, the other candidates on the ballot along with Proposition 23 cannot avoid taking a position — try as some of them might. California GOP Senate nominee Carly Fiorina was repeatedly asked during a debate with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) if she supported Proposition 23, and she repeatedly deferred offering an opinion. Two days later, however, she issued a statement in support of Proposition 23 and advanced the phony jobs claim: “AB 32 is undoubtedly a job killer, and it should be suspended,” the statement read. Meg Whitman, the GOP nominee for governor, is still wavering on Proposition 23 and will neither endorse nor condemn it. As the Los Angeles Times describes, Proposition 23 is “lose-lose” for GOP candidates, who must “appeas[e] members of their party who want to suspend the global warming bill while wooing environmentally-conscious independent voters who could carry them to victory in November.” The Obama administration, however, has weighed in opposition to Proposition 23: Energy Secretary Steven Chu calls the measure a “terrible setback” and EPA regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld has said Proposition 23 would send a “terrible and false message” to the rest of the country. GOP-aligned business interests favor Proposition 23, though they are doing it softly. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposed AB 32 when it was passed, and has recently been criticizing AB 32 on phony job-killing claims. It has endorsed Fiorina, but stopped short of outwardly supporting Proposition 23. The California Chamber of Commerce has also said it will remain neutral. But some local business groups are opposing Proposition 23, as many did when it was passed — for example, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce came out against the initiative, saying only that it “needs to be implemented carefully and that consideration of impacts on the state economy should be taken into account as part of that process.” Ultimately, however, the voters of California — not the politicians or business interests — will decide whether to allow AB 32 to continue creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas pollution.