Tag Archives: Business

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Averting catastrophe

10/07/2010 Nativegrl77

Democrats are going to lose Congress and everything will be horrible.*

* That is, unless we all get off our butts, donate, make phone calls, knock on doors, and turn this election around. Can you start today by chipping in $5 (or more!) right now to our big campaign to Stop the Takeover?

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/stopthetakeover.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=23950-17809870-FDuJ1Wx&t=1

Oh, and sorry for shouting. It’s just that this is a really, really serious situation.

Thanks for all you do.

–Michael, Peter, Tim, Duncan, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We’re entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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8 ‘gotchas’ of the Credit CARD Act …as reported by Bankrate.com

10/07/2010 Nativegrl77

By Leslie McFadden • Bankrate.com

Highlights

That great, low interest rate can still increase if you miss payments.
Although you’ll get notice of a rate increase, you can’t reject it.
Interest-rate increases are restricted, but penalty rates are not capped.

Over the past year, the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, or Credit CARD Act, has rolled out in three major stages. The last batch of reforms recently took effect Aug. 22. Among the numerous new protections for consumers: restrictions on interest rate increases, limits on penalty fees and more time to reject changes in terms.

Now that all of the provisions have taken effect, it’s important to understand where the law falls short. The CARD Act doesn’t put controls on every possible adjustment a card issuer might make to increase profitability or reduce risk. Some of the protections leave wiggle room for credit card issuers to raise rates and impose fees, and allow them to make certain changes quietly.

8 limitations of the Credit CARD Act

Certain rate increases allowed during the first year.
Rate hikes on future purchases can take effect quickly.
Not every change in terms requires advance notice.
You can’t opt out of rate increases and certain changes.
No cap on penalty interest rates.
Rate reductions aren’t guaranteed despite required evaluations.
Inactivity can still trigger penalties.
No cap on certain fees.

Certain rate increases allowed during the first year. In general, the CARD Act prohibits rate increases and other “significant changes” in terms during the first year after account opening. It also points to four exceptions where an increase would be allowed during the first year: if the credit card has a variable rate tied to an index and the index has increased, if the account is 60 days delinquent, if a hardship plan has ended or if the promotional rate has expired. Promotional rates must last for a period of at least six months. Translation: That great, low interest rate can still increase if you neglect to make payments on time during the first year or if the promotional period doesn’t span a full 12 months.

Rate hikes on future purchases can take effect quickly. After the first year following an account opening, rate increases can be applied to future transactions with 45 days’ advance notice of the change. The issuer can even apply the higher rate to new purchases charged during the 45-day period.

“After 14 days, the new rate will apply to further transactions. At the end of the 45-day period, the bank can begin charging the new rate for any balances you accrued after the 14th day after the bank sent the notice,” states HelpWithMyBank.gov, a website operated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

In other words, piling on purchases during the 45-day period can prove to be an expensive move.

Not every change in terms requires advance notice. Rate increases on future transactions and changes to fees that are required to be disclosed at account opening in a table, along with increases to the required minimum payment, must be announced to the consumer at least 45 days in advance.

Other changes can take effect quietly. According to HelpWithMyBank.gov, “The bank does not have to provide you notice if it closes your account, suspends future credit privileges or reduces your credit line.” Issuers do have to give a 45-day notice before imposing a penalty for going over a lowered credit limit.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to read all correspondence and carefully inspect your statement for changes.

You can’t opt out of rate increases and certain changes. The CARD Act specifically gives consumers the right to reject a rate increase where the 45-day advance notice requirement is applicable. Unfortunately, the Federal Reserve issued a contradictory regulation in 2010, negating the requirement that issuers inform consumers that they may decline a rate increase.

“You still get 45 days notice of the rate increase — you just can’t reject it,” says Chi Chi Wu, a staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

If you shutter your account, you still aren’t fully protected from subsequent rate hikes. “If you close your account, obviously the rate won’t apply to future (purchases). However, if there’s any other rate change that’s permitted on the existing balance … you can’t reject those changes even if you close your account,” says Wu.

Permitted rate hikes on existing debt would include those triggered by a 60-day delinquency, a change in the index for a variable-rate card, the expiration of a promotional rate or the termination of a hardship plan.

What about other changes in terms? “You can reject changes to the fees that are disclosed in the account-opening table,” says Wu. Consumers can’t reject changes to terms that are not included in the table, and they can’t reject an increase to the minimum payment.

No cap on penalty interest rates. Even though the Credit CARD Act restricts when interest rates can increase, it doesn’t actually cap penalty rates. Falling behind on payments could still mean a steep rate hike after 60 days of nonpayment, not to mention a late fee and a lower credit score. The median penalty interest rate among the 12 largest bank card issuers is 29.9 percent, according to recent research from the Pew Health Group.

Rate reductions aren’t guaranteed despite required evaluations. A provision that took effect Aug. 22 requires issuers to evaluate rate increases that were imposed on or after Jan. 1, 2009, every six months, but they only have to lower the rate if the factors reviewed indicate that a rate reduction is appropriate. The law doesn’t require a specific amount of reduction in rate. The only exception is if the rate increase was triggered by a 60-day delinquency. If the cardholder pays on time for six months following the rate hike, the bank must terminate the rate increase.

Inactivity can still trigger penalties. The final set of rules that took effect Aug. 22 bans issuers from assessing a fee for not using the card. It doesn’t prohibit issuers from assessing an annual fee in general. It also doesn’t prevent issuers from closing the account or lowering the limit due to infrequent use. As our recent study of credit card fees shows, a number of card issuers may shutter accounts if they go unused for too long.

No caps on certain fees. The Credit CARD Act limits penalty fees, imposed for violations such as late payments or exceeding the limit, and prevents the total amount of nonpenalty fees that can be charged on a card in the first year to no more than 25 percent of the initial credit limit. For example, if the credit limit upon signup is $1,000, setup fees can’t total more $250 for the first year.

Yet, the amount of any nonpenalty fee, such as a balance transfer fee or foreign transaction fee, isn’t restricted. You can merely reject increases to fees that were disclosed at account opening in a summary table when you receive the notification letter. Rejecting an increase could result in account closure.

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What the Small Biz Jobs Act will do for you!!!

09/28/2010 Nativegrl77

President Obama just signed the Small Business Jobs Act into law — providing immediate incentives for businesses to make new investments, expand, and hire new employees.

Starting today, millions of small business owners will be eligible for up to eight new tax cuts, and within weeks, thousands of businesses will finally have access to the credit they desperately need.

The bill also includes key provisions the President has fought for since the beginning of this year:

— Small businesses receive a tax write-off on the first $500,000 of new equipment investments;
— More than a million eligible small businesses will be able to make key long-term investments that are subject to zero capital gains taxes;
— Entrepreneurs who take a chance on a new idea can deduct the first $10,000 of start-up costs; and
— The self-employed can deduct 100 percent of the cost of health insurance for themselves and their families from self-employment taxes.

This legislation is an important part of President Obama’s and the Democrats’ plan to move our economy forward — and it reinforces the crucial choice facing voters in the upcoming election.

Will you forward this email to the small business owners you know to help spread the word about the change we’re making?

Last week, Republicans chose to unveil their “Pledge to America” at the site of the small business Tart Lumber Company in Sterling, Virginia.

Although their pledge mentions small businesses 18 times, it took less than five hours for congressional Republicans to return to the Capitol to vote against this relief for small businesses.

During this difficult time, it’s critical that we continue to fight for every American job, every American small business, and every chance to boost America’s economy.

Instead, Republicans have shown they’re comfortable putting partisan politics ahead of hard-working families and businesses — even those, like Tart Lumber, that they happily use for political grandstanding.

It’s wrong. But we’re proving once again that, together, we can defeat partisan obstructionism, and today we celebrate a great victory for America’s small businesses.

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

P.S. — Have questions about the bill? This Wednesday, September 29th, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the White House and OPEN Forum are holding a live Q&A on the impact of this and similar legislation on small businesses. Tune in Wednesday at this link: http://www.openforum.com/whitehouse

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what’s going on in Congress …update 9/27

09/27/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 2pmET on this September 27, 2010

Morning business until 3pm with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar #578, S.3816, a bill to create American jobs and to prevent the offshoring of such jobs.

Senators should expect a live quorum at approximately 7pm on Monday.

Votes:
241: The motion to instruct the Sergeant At Arms to request the presence of absent senators; Agreed to: 48-25

Unanimous Consent:
Passed H.R.553, the Reducing Over-Classification Act, with Lieberman amendment.

Passed H.R.946, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 w/ an Akaka amendment

Passed H.R.3553, the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.2092, the Kingman and Heritage Islands Act of 2009 w/ committee-reported amendments.

Passed S.1510, US Secret Service Uniformed Division Modernization Act w/ substitute amendment

Concurred in the House Message to accompany S.2868, the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.3808, the Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.2701, Intelligence Authorization w/ Feinstein-Bond substitute amendment.

Passed S.1338, a bill to require the accreditation of English language training programs and for other purposes.

Passed S.3802, Mount Stevens and Ted Stevens Icefield Designation Act w/ a Murkowski substitute amendment.

Passed S.3847, a bill to implement certain defense trade cooperation treaties and for other purposes.

Passed H.R.2923, the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act.

Adopted S.Res.618, designating October 2010 as “National Work and Family Month.”

Adopted S.Res.649, supporting the goals and ideals of “National Save for Retirement Week.”

Adopted S.Res.650, designating the week of October 24-October 31, 2010, as “National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.”

Adopted S.Res.651, recognizing the 20th anniversary of the designation of the month of September 1991 as “National Rice Month.”

********************************************

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:30amET September 28, 2010

Black History

Congress -the House & Senate …

09/22/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET September 22, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 4:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Following Leader remarks, the time until 10:00am will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The time from 10:00am to 4:00pm will be controlled in 30-minute alternating blocks of time.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3454, the Department of Defense Authorization bill.

Unanimous Consent:
S.3828, a bill to make technical corrections in the 21st century communications and accessibility act of 2010 and the amendments made by that Act.

H.R.4667, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2010

S.1448, a bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to authorize the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, the Klamath Tribes, and the Burns Paiute Tribe to obtain 99-year lease authority for trust land.

S.2906, a bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to modify a provision relating to leases involving certain Indian tribes.

H.R.3908, Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act

H.R.5682, a bill to improve the operation of certain facilities and programs of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.

S.Res.623, A resolution commending the encouragement of interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by the entertainment industry, and for other purposes.

S.Res.638, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Small Business Development Center Network

****************************************************************

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00pmET September 22, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

6:55 P.M. –

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

6:54 P.M. –

Mr. Tiahrt requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 29: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and Mr. Jones for 5 min. Mr. Tiahrt requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 28: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Mr. Tiahrt requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on September 24.

Mr. Tiahrt requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 23: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, Mr. Thompson of PA for 5 min, and Mr. Coffman of CO for 5 min.

6:44 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches. Mr. Perlmutter filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1640.

H.R. 3470:

to authorize funding for the creation and implementation of infant mortality pilot programs in standard metropolitan statistical areas with high rates of infant mortality, and for other purposes

6:43 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): 324 – 64 (Roll no. 533).

6:34 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5131:

to establish Coltsville National Historical Park in the State of Connecticut, and for other purposes

6:33 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 215 – 174 (Roll no. 532).

6:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:00 P.M. –

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.R. 5809:

to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for take-back disposal of controlled substances in certain instances, and for other purposes

5:58 P.M. –

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

5:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5809. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1433:

expressing support for designation of September 2010 as Blood Cancer Awareness Month

5:47 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 voice vote.

5:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1433. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

S. 2781:

to change references in Federal law to mental retardation to references to an intellectual disability, and to change references to a mentally retarded individual to references to an individual with an intellectual disability

5:41 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.

5:36 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2781. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 5710:

to amend and reauthorize the controlled substance monitoring program under section 399O of the Public Health Service Act

5:35 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.

5:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5710. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1745:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide liability protections for volunteer practitioners at health centers under section 330 of such Act

5:23 P.M. –

5:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1745. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 2923:

to enhance the ability to combat methamphetamine

5:12 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 voice vote.

5:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2923. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5756:

to amend title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to provide for grants and technical assistance to improve services rendered to children and adults with autism, and their families, and to expand the number of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disablities Education, Research, and Service

5:05 P.M. –

4:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5756. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 3470:

to authorize funding for the creation and implementation of infant mortality pilot programs in standard metropolitan statistical areas with high rates of infant mortality, and for other purposes

4:50 P.M. –

4:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3470. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 3199:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to State emergency medical service departments to provide for the expedited training and licensing of veterans with prior medical training, and for other purposes

4:39 P.M. –

4:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3199. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 6130:

to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to expand the permissive exclusion from participation in Federal health care programs to individuals and entities affiliated with sanctioned entities

4:21 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 voice vote.

4:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6130. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5131:

to establish Coltsville National Historical Park in the State of Connecticut, and for other purposes

4:03 P.M. –

3:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5131. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 1454:

to provide for the issuance of a Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp

3:41 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1454. Mrs. Christensen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1508:

celebrating the 200th Anniversary of John James Audubon in Henderson, Kentucky

3:33 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.

3:28 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1508. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1503:

expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Estuaries Day, and for other purposes

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.

3:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1503. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Con. Res. 294:

commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway

3:21 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.

3:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 294. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5194:

to designate Mt. Andrea Lawrence, and for other purposes

3:18 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.

3:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5194. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5152:

to adjust the boundary of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to include the Wallis House and Harriston Hill, and for other purposes

3:15 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.

3:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5152. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 4195:

to authorize the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes

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 voice vote.

3:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4195. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5494:

to direct the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain properties to the District of Columbia

3:03 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:02 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

3:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5494. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 4823:

to establish the Sedona-Red Rock National Scenic Area in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona, and for other purposes

2:59 P.M. –

2:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4823. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5110:

to modify the boundary of the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, and for other purposes

2:47 P.M. –

2:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5110. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5811:

to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for membership in that tribe

2:34 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.

2:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5811. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 4347:

to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to provide further self-governance by Indian tribes, and for other purposes

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

2:30 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4347. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Christensen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

2:26 P.M. –

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

2:24 P.M. –

Mrs. Christensen asked unanimous consent That, the Speaker be authorized to entertain motions to suspend the rules on the legislative day of Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, relating to the following measures: S. 1674; H.R. 5307; H. Res. 1545; H. Res. 1560; H. Res. 1582; a bill to renew the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve demonstration projects designed to test innovative strategies in state child welfare programs; and a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport improvement program, and for other purposes. Agreed to without objection.

2:23 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 22, 2010, at 12:25p.m. stating that that body had passed S. 3814 and S. 3717

2:05 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. 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 21, 2010, at 2:40p.m. stating that that body had passed without amendment H.R. 4505 and S. 624.

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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 16, 2010, at 4:39p.m. stating that that body had passed without amendment H.R. 6102.

2:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wamp 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.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Douglas Fisher, Grace Church, Millbrook, New York The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Cuellar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day