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This is health reform


Organizing for America

After a century of struggle and a year of debate, health insurance reform became law six months ago today — and this week, key provisions of the Affordable Care Act take effect.

This is possible only because you — and millions of Organizing for America supporters and volunteers — stood up and said, enough. Even when the fight seemed all but lost, we continued to organize, call Congress, knock on doors, and do everything we could to keep reform alive.

But behind these historic changes are real people and real families. Their stories are important reminders that health reform couldn’t wait — and we can’t give up on moving this country forward. Too much is at stake.

Meet Patrick, Kay, and Kristin:

Patrick (Enable images to view the full content of this email) Patrick is a single dad in Rockport, Maine. When he lost his job as a boat builder, he lost his health coverage, and paid out of pocket when his 14-year-old daughter required surgery for scoliosis. Pat has since found a new job, and because insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to children on the basis of pre-existing conditions, his daughter Katie is now insured. “If it wasn’t for proper medical insurance, we never would have had the doctors she had. I feel like President Obama did it just for us.” Now, Pat can take Katie to the doctor without worrying about falling deeper into debt. “It’s about time someone, anyone, stood up for the things that mattered.”
Kay (Enable images to view the full content of this email) Kay is a small business owner in Evansville, Indiana. Every year she sees premiums soar and searches for more affordable options. “Even with us paying half the premiums, we have employees who cannot afford the health insurance and go without. They feel like they are constantly living on the edge — hoping that neither they nor their children will face an illness or injury that will bankrupt them.” The small business tax credit in the Affordable Care Act will help Kay continue to ensure her employees can get the coverage they need.
Kristin (Enable images to view the full content of this email) Kristin is a recent grad living in Scottsdale, Arizona. Last year, she was told that the cost of staying on her parents’ plan after graduating would skyrocket to $500 a month. “Staying on my mother’s plan would have been a great option now! But that was in the spring of last year, before any health reform had passed.” Now, young people like Kristin will be able to remain on their parents’ insurance at the same rate until finding work or turning 26 — eliminating what can be a costly gap in coverage.

Today, we also celebrate an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses, like rescinding coverage when someone needs it most. Those previously considered uninsurable because of a pre-existing condition — 400,000 Americans — now have access to insurance through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. And all new health plans must now provide free preventive care, like mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, and pre-natal care.

Millions will see expanded benefits — and more control over the care they receive.

This is real change. And there are stories like these all over America. Check out a few more — including a video of one woman’s surprise call from the President — at the White House‘s site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

0 children dead from preventable causes


Change.org

Take action to reduce the number of preventable child deaths to zero.

Sign the Petition

Big news: UNICEF just announced that the number of children under the age of five dying each day has significantly dropped over the past year: from 24,000 to 22,000.

We’re asking you to take action today and help make that number ZERO.

We know you believe that 22,000 children dying from preventable causes each day is 22,000 too many. They die from causes most of us will never have to worry about – such as starvation, unsanitary living conditions, no access to clean drinking water, or lack of a five-cent vaccine.

We are making remarkable progress toward a world in which no child dies from preventable causes, and can see a light at the end of the tunnel. But without a strong commitment by the U.S. government, we will never reach zero. Please urge Congress to fully fund our committment to UNICEF this year to help save millions of children’s lives and protect their futures.

From measles campaigns in Pakistan to emergency food in Ethiopia; from hurricane relief in Haiti to anti-malarial bed net distribution in Nigeria – UNICEF’s work is having a huge impact. And with this latest announcement comes more hope – we can see that the drop in child mortality is actually accelerating.

In a very concrete way, the news about a drop in child mortality demonstrates that global investment and strategic partnerships are putting comprehensive child survival strategies in place that get results. Over the last 50 years, UNICEF and its partners have helped reduce the worldwide child mortality rate by more than 50%. This pace of improvement is increasing, and we are getting closer to a day when zero children die from preventable causes.

Please write Congress today and urge continued strong support of UNICEF so that we can continue to reduce the number of preventable child deaths around the world.

Thanks for all that you do,

– The Change.org Team

Saturday in Washington


Early Voter Action Fund: 24 Hours Left
$122,646 TO GO: Contribute Today >>
40 Days Until the Election

Saturday is another critical make-or-break day for our campaigns nationwide.

Local Washington organizers are ready to go door-to-door this Saturday to make sure voters know the truth about Democrats fighting for the middle-class and tea party Republicans attempting to hide their radical ideas — but we can’t do it without your help.

We need 17 supporters from Seattle to help equip local organizers for this Saturday’s massive Voter Outreach Day of Action.

Almost every pundit agrees it’s all going to come down to turnout and who can get their supporters to the polls. That means voter contact NOW when early voting is starting will be critical to our success in November. We are short $122,646 before our deadline in just 24 hours to get the money to our campaigns in time.

Will you contribute before tomorrow’s midnight deadline to help power our National Day of Action? Your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of committed Democrats.

“Boehner for Speaker” Republicans and their corporate-funded front groups just launched a barrage of new ads attacking House Democrats who stood strong against the special interests. With early voting starting this week in battleground states, we can’t sit back and let their lies take hold.

The right-wing shadow groups may have millions in right-wing special interest cash but they can’t hide the fact that their Republican candidates support unpopular ideas like privatizing Social Security and tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

With your support, we’re going to give voters the facts they need to fight the right-wing spin.

Help us make sure voters have the facts on tea party Republicans’ radical ideas by contributing to our Early Voter Action Fund today. Your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of committed Democrats.

Onward to victory!

Chris Van Hollen
Chris Van Hollen
DCCC Chairman

P.S. We are short $122,646 before our deadline in just 24 hours to get the money to our campaigns in time. Will you contribute before tomorrow’s midnight deadline to help power our National Day of Action? Your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of committed Democrats.

Pledging Allegiance To Failed Policies


Today, House Republicans are unveiling the “Pledge to America” — a pre-election document styled after 1994’s Contract with America — at a hardware store in Sterling, VA. The plan sorts policy items into “five broad categories” — jobs, government reform, federal spending, national security, and health care — and is part of “an effort to respond to the allegation that the GOP is the ‘party of no.'” “It’s important to show what Republicans are for,” said one House Republican involved in the drafting. The document only includes two items regarding social issues — defending “traditional marriage” and preventing taxpayer funding of abortion in line with the current Hyde amendment — and Republican aides have “cautioned against comparing the new proposal with the party’s original Contract With America.” In fact, only incumbent lawmakers were involved in its drafting, and they won’t even be signing it. “The new agenda is not a political platform, aides said, but rather an outline of the party’s targets in the final weeks of the legislative session,” the New York Times reported. If that’s the case, then, the document makes it abundantly clear that House Republicans are ready to double down on the failed policies of the Bush administration, on everything from taxes and federal spending to national security, and want to undo some of the strong progressive policies enacted by the current Congress.

REVIVING BUSH’S DEFICITS AND TAX CUTS: First and foremost, the Pledge calls for retaining the entirety of the Bush tax cuts — rejecting President Obama’s plan to save $830 billion by letting the tax cuts for the richest two percent of Americans expire on schedule — and cutting overall government spending back to the 2008 level next year, thus literally embracing Bush’s tax and spending policies. As the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has pointed out, cutting the budget back to 2008 levels across-the-board means 21 percent reductions in discretionary programs, including more than $8 billion in cuts to K-12 education. But the cuts don’t come close to eliminating the deficit, particularly considering the GOP plans to pass $4 trillion more in tax cuts, plus an additional small business tax cut. Of course, endorsing an across-the-board cut, instead of laying out specific areas of the budget that can be pared back alongside responsible revenue increases, epitomizes the Republican approach to budgeting. In fact, when directly asked, many House Republicans, including House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (VA), can’t name a single program they’d like to cut. And already, some Republicans are saying that the Pledge isn’t even radical enough when it comes to cutting spending. “It’s not taking us where we ultimately have to go as a country, dealing with entitlements and permanent tax changes,” said Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) who has reportedly “advocated for a plan that dealt specifically with Social Security.” Notably, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) — the Republican budget chief who has released a full plan for privatizing Social Security and Medicare — was not scheduled to appear at the Pledge unveiling, confirming that many in the Republican leadership are hesitant to publicly tie themselves to his proposals.

REPEALING HEALTH CARE REFORM: The Republican pledge also dedicates an entire section to repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with some of the same solutions that the GOP promoted during the health care reform debate, such as medical malpractice reform (which won’t do much to bring down health care costs) and allowing insurance to be sold across state lines (which would lead to a regulatory race to the bottom). However, repealing the ACA will add $143 billion to the deficit over ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office, as the cost containment measures and revenue increases in the bill also disappear. Interestingly, the Pledge also says that Republican health care reform will prevent health insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions, but without including an individual mandate that everyone purchase health insurance. Of course, as Newsweek’s Ben Adler explains, “Such a prohibition is economically infeasible without the individual mandate that health-care reform included,” as people wouldn’t buy health insurance until after they get sick. Forcing insurance companies to cover those with pre-existing conditions also puts House Republicans at odds with conservatives like former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), who has likened the prohibition to automobile insurers being forced to insure already wrecked cars.

BRING ON THE SHUTDOWN: One of the most notorious episodes of the Congress that was sworn in after the original Contract with America was the government shutdown of 1995. For three weeks, then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) shuttered the government after Congress was unable to approve a budget. And House Republicans are already saying that they’re game for a repeat performance. “If government shuts down, we want you with us,” said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA). “It’s going to take some pain for us to do the things that we need to do to right the ship.” Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has demanded a “blood oath” from House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to include a repeal of health care reform in every appropriations bill next year, even if a government shutdown results. “We must not blink,” he said. “If the House says no, it’s no.” Boehner, for his part, has disavowed the notion, saying, “Our goal is not to shut down the government.” “It’s absurd,” added Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH). “That’s not our goal at all.” But Gingrich himself seems to think that another government shutdown would be productive, even though it means, among other things, that Social Security payments and veterans’ benefits are not disbursed. “When we win control of the House and Senate this fall, Stage One of the end of Obamaism will be a new Republican Congress in January that simply refuses to fund any of the radical efforts,” Gingrich said. Such talk has earned the GOP a scolding from President Clinton. “You see what happened last time: It didn’t work out very well for them,” Clinton said.

What’s going on in Congress debates/Votes -S.3628


The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET September 23,2010

morning business until 10:30am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.J.Res.30, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding the National Mediation Board with up to 2 hours of debate with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Harkin and Isakson.

At approximately 12:30pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.30

Upon disposition of S.J.Res.30, the Senate will proceed to consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3628, the DISCLOSE Act with the time until 2:15pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. At approximately 2:15pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3628.

There will be no further roll call votes on Thursday.

Votes:
239: Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.30, a joint resolution of disapproval of the rule submitted by the National Mediation Board relating to representation election procedures,
Not Agreed to: 43-56

240: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3628, the DISCLOSE Act,
Not Invoked: 59-41

Unanimous Consent:
H.R.4853, Airport and Airway Extension Act (w/ substitute amendment – extends existing authorities until 12/31/10)

S.Res.583, World Veterinary Year

S.Res.640, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding United States engagement with ASEAN and its member-states

S.Res.641, a resolution observing the 5th anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Rita devastated the coasts of Louisiana and Texas

S.Res.642, a resolution congratulating the National Institute of Nursing Research on the occasion of its 25th anniversary

S.Res.643, a resolution designating the week beginning October 3, 2010, as “National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week”

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

The next meeting scheduled in the House is for 10:00amET September 23,2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:44 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

7:43 P.M. –

Ms. Foxx requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 30: Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Ms. Foxx requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 24: herself for 5 min and Mr. Dent for 5 min.

7:20 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

Mr. Ellison asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, September 24, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, for morning-hour debate. Agreed to without objection.

6:59 P.M. –

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

6:55 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1618:

urging the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe National Preparedness Month, and for other purposes

6:54 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.

6:43 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1618.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Hastings (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 1517:

to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service

6:42 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.

6:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1517.

Mr. Thompson (MS) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

S. 846:

to award a congressional gold medal to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in recognition of his contributions to the fight against global poverty

6:34 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.

6:09 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 846.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Carson (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 1055:

to grant the congressional gold medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II

6:08 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.

5:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1055.

5:23 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Carson (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 3717:

to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide for certain disclosures under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes

5:21 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.

4:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3717.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Frank (MA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 3814:

to extend the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2011

4:55 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.

4:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3814.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Waters moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1545:

expressing support for designation of the week beginning on the third Monday in September as “National Postdoc Appreciation Week”

4:47 P.M. –

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

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

4:41 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1545.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1582:

honoring and saluting Americans for the Arts on its 50th anniversary

4:40 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.

4:25 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.Res. 1582.

H.R. 5875:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

4:23 P.M. –

Senate amendment and accompanying papers returned to Senate pursuant to H.Res. 1653.

S. 3187:

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 authorizations for the airport improvement program, and for other purposes

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1653, papers are returned to the Senate.

S. 3162:

to clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1653, papers are returned to the Senate.

S. 2799:

to expand the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, to provide for the divestment of assets in Iran by State and local governments and other entities, to identify locations of concern with respect to transshipment, reexportation, or diversion of certain sensitive items to Iran, and for other purposes

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1653, papers are returned to the Senate.

S. 1023:

to establish a non-profit corporation to communicate United States entry policies and otherwise promote leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United States

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1653, papers are returned to the Senate.

S. 951:

to authorize the President, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the historic and first lunar landing by humans in 1969, to award gold medals on behalf of the United States Congress to Neil A. Armstrong, the first human to walk on the moon; Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin Jr., the pilot of the lunar module and second person to walk on the moon; Michael Collins, the pilot of their Apollo 11 mission’s command module; and, the first American to orbit the Earth, John Herschel Glenn Jr

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1653, papers are returned to the Senate.

H. Res. 1582:

honoring and saluting Americans for the Arts on its 50th anniversary

4:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1582.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1560:

supporting the increased understanding of, and interest in, computer science and computing careers among the public and in schools, and to ensure an ample and diverse future technology workforce through the designation of National Computer Science Education Week

4:18 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.

4:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1560.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6190:

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

4:04 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.

3:52 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 6190.

3:51 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4853 amended.

H.R. 6190:

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

3:46 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6190.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lewis (GA) 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

3:43 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): 384 – 32 (Roll no. 544).

3:36 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

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): 417 – 1 (Roll no. 543).

3:28 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 5 (Roll no. 542).

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

3:20 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

3:19 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 pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 – 24 (Roll no. 541).

3:11 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5307:

to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to include ultralight aircraft under the definition of aircraft for purposes of the aviation smuggling provisions under that Act

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 pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 3 (Roll no. 540).

3:03 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.R. 5297:

to create the Small Business Lending Fund Program to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make capital investments in eligible institutions in order to increase the availability of credit for small businesses, and for other purposes

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 187 (Roll no. 539).

2:33 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1640, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 5297.

1:32 P.M. –

Ms. Bean moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1653:

returning several measures to the Senate

1:26 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 4823:

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

1:24 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 258 – 160 (Roll no. 538).

1:15 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5110:

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 244 – 174 (Roll no. 537).

1:08 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1640:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 5297) to create the Small Business Lending Fund Program to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make capital investments in eligible institutions in order to increase the availability of credit for small businesses, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, and for other purposes

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 186 (Roll no. 536).

12:59 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 181 (Roll no. 535).

12:51 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question, adoption of H.Res. 1640, and on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

12:50 P.M. –

On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 172 (Roll no. 534).

12:23 P.M. –

Mr. Hastings (FL) moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

The Chair announced that the pending question is will the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the House?

Mr. Price (GA) moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair.

12:09 P.M. –

Pursuant to a previous special order, Mr. Price (GA) rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. The Clerk completed the reading of the submitted resolution and upon examination of the resolution, the Chair announced that the resolution did not constitute a question of the privileges of the House.

H.R. 5307:

to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to include ultralight aircraft under the definition of aircraft for purposes of the aviation smuggling provisions under that Act

12:08 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.

11:54 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5307.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 6156:

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

11:50 A.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.

11:42 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6156.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

S. 1674:

to provide for an exclusion under the Supplemental Security Income program and the Medicaid program for compensation provided to individuals who participate in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions

11:41 A.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.

11:16 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1674.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

11:15 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until the conclusion of general debate on all suspensions.

11:14 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3980 amended, H.R. 4667, H.R. 5682, S. 3828, S. 2906, and S. 1448.

H. Res. 1640:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 5297) to create the Small Business Lending Fund Program to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make capital investments in eligible institutions in order to increase the availability of credit for small businesses, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, and for other purposes

11:13 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1640, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

10:26 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1640

Considered as privileged matter.

10:06 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 10 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Dahlkemper 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.

10:05 A.M. –

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

The House convened, starting a new legislative day