Tag Archives: Chuck Grassley

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Do the Math


You Don’t Have to Be an Economist…

If Congress fails to act before the end of the year, every family in the country will see their income taxes automatically go up at the beginning of 2013.

A typical middle class family of four will see their income taxes rise by $2,200.

We can’t let that happen. Our families can’t afford it, and neither can our economy. The thing is, you don’t have to be an economist or economic expert to understand why that’s the case.

Watch this video to see what $2,000 means to a typical middle-class family.

You Don't Have to Be an Economist to Understand What $2,000 Means to Middle-Class Families

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Continuing the Progress in Tribal Communitie​s


The White House

Continuing the Progress in Tribal Communities

Over the past four years, through tribal consultation and the White House Tribal Nations Conferences, President Obama and his Administration have worked to ensure that tribal leaders are directly involved in setting policy priorities. Today, President Obama is hosting the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of Interior.

This conference continues to build upon the President’s commitment to strengthen the government to government relationship with Indian Country, by providing invited leaders from the 566 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration. In conjunction with today’s event, the White House released a report, “Continuing the Progress in Tribal Communities,” that examines the President’s agenda and how this Administration, by working together with tribes, has made a difference for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

The report highlights:

The Administration’s commitment to tribal consultation and collaboration is reflected in each of the above areas of progress. But we know there is still much more work to do, and we look forward to the continued partnership with tribal governments in the months and years ahead.

Download here: Continuing the Progress in Tribal Communities

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CONGRESS :


Obama Launches DNC Campaign Tour At Illinois State Capitol

the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET December 5, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for up to 4 hours with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each (except where noted below) and the time divided as follows:
  • Majority for up to 30 minutes
  • Republicans for up to 30 minutes
  • Senator Grassley for up to 45 minutes
  • Majority for up to 45 minutes
  • Republicans for up to 45 minutes
  • And the Majority for up to 45 minutes.
  • Following morning business (at approximately 2pm), the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.6156, the Russia Trade bill. We expect to complete action on the Russia Trade bill during Wednesday’s session.

Senator Cornyn asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.R.6429, the STEM Jobs Act. Senator Schumer objected and then asked consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.3553, and the Senate take up and pass S.3553, the BRAINS Act. Senator Cornyn objected to the Schumer request.

H.R.6429, To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote innovation, investment, and research in the United States, to eliminate the diversity immigrant program, and for other purposes.

S.3553, A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to enhance national security, combat illegal immigration, and promote job creation, innovation, investment, and research in the United States, and for other purposes.

At 5pm today the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #676, the nomination ofMichael P. Shea, of Connecticut, to be US District Judge for the District of Connecticut. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the Russia-Moldova PNTR bill with no amendments in order. There will now be up to 5 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Tomorrow, Thursday, December 6, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 10 minutes for debate, equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill, H.R.6156: Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.

5:28pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Executive Calendar #676 Michael Shae, of CT, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut;

Confirmed: 72-23

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #676, Michael P. Shea, of CT, to be United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut; Confirmed: 72-23

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.3331, Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 with a Kerry amendment by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.609, a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Alan Phillip Gross from detention in Cuba by voice vote.

Discharged and adopted S.Res.573, designating the third week of January 2013 as “Teen Cancer Awareness Week.”

Discharged and adopted S.Res.595, expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

Adopted S.Res.610, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation.

 

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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« Previous Day

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate


the Senate Convened 9:30amET August 1, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • On Tuesday, cloture was filed on S.3414, the Cybersecurity bill.  As a result, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.3414 is 1:00pm on Wednesday. We continue to work on an agreement on amendments to the bill.  If no agreement is reached, the cloture vote will occur on Thursday.

Senator Murray asked unanimous consent to discharge the Finance Committee from further consideration of H.R.9 and the Senate proceed to its consideration, strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the text of S.1925, the  Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, as passed by the Senate on April 26th by a vote of 68-31, and the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed.

Senator Grassley objected.

Senator Grassley then asked consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #406, H.R.4970, the House-passed Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act; that all after the enacting clause be stricken, the text of the Senate-passed VAWA bill, S.1925, with a modification that strikes sections 805 and 810 related to the immigration provisions; that the bill be read three times and passed; and the Senate request a conference with the House and the Chair authorized to appoint conferees on part of the Senate with a ratio agreed to by both Leaders.

Senator Murray objected.

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider S.3326, AGAO/CAFTADR/Burma Sanctions. Under the agreement, there will be 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote in relation to a Coburn amendment, which is at the desk and a copy is attached. If the amendment is not agreed to, which is the outcome we expect, the Senate would pass the bill by consent. Further, that when the Senate receives H.R.5986 and if the text is identical to S.3326, the Senate would pass H.R.5986. We expect to execute this agreement tomorrow morning.

If the Coburn amendment is agreed to, we would do some fancy parliamentary maneuvering to split the bill into 2 sections, AGOA and CAFTADR/Burma Sanctions, and pass them in two separate House bills.

Below you will find the text of the agreement.

S.3326, African Trade/CAFTADR/Burma Sanctions

Leader:       Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #459, S.3326; that the only amendment in order be a Coburn amendment which is at the desk, that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the amendment; that if the amendment is not agreed to, the bill be read a third time and passed, without further action or debate; that when the Senate receives H.R.5986 and if its text is identical to S.3326, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R.5986, the bill be read a third time and passed, without further debate, with no amendments in order prior to passage;

Further that if the Coburn amendment is agreed to, the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R.9 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, that all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of S.3326, as amended, be inserted in lieu thereof, the bill be read a third time and passed, without further debate; that when the Senate receives H.R.5986, the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, and all after the enacting clause be stricken and the text of Sections 2 and 3 of S.3326, as reported, be inserted in lieu thereof, the bill be read a third time and passed, without further debate, as amended; and S.3326 be returned to the Calendar of Business;

Finally, that no motions be in order other than motions to waive or motions to table; and that the motions to reconsider be made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.3414, Cybersecurity Act of 2012, is 10:00am, Thursday, August 2. If your senator has a germane second degree amendment and would like to preserve their ability to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment 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 refile.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Con.Res.55, directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R.1627 (the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012).

Concurred in the House message to H.R.1905, the Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Human Rights Act of 2012 by voice vote.

Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and passed the following post office naming bills:

–          H.R.1369, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1021 Pennsylvania Avenue in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, as the “Warren Lindley Post Office”.

–          H.R.3276, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2810 East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida, as the “Reverend Abe Brown Post Office Building”.

–          H.R.3412, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, as the “Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building”.

–          H.R.3501, o designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the “SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office”.

–          H.R.3772, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the “First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building”.

Passed H.R.1560, 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.

Passed S.1409, the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 with a committee-reported substitute amendment and a Carper amendment.

Adopted S.J.Res.49, providing for the appointment of Barbara Barrett as a citizen regent to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.519, designating October 30, 2012, as a national day of remembrance for nuclear weapons program workers.

Adopted S.Res.536, designating September 9, 2012 as “National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day”.

Adopted S.Res.537, supporting the goals and ideals of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Adopted S.Res.538, designating September 2012 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.539, designating October 13, 2012, as “National Chess Day”.

Adopted S.Res.540, designating the week of August 6th through August 10, 2012, as “National Convenient Care Clinic Week”.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:

10:02:50 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with Morning-Hour Debate.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – back 7/30 – the Senate will consider S.3414,CyberSecurity Act : Judicial nominee


the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET July 30, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #759, the nomination of Robert E. Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit with one hour equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Bacharach nomination.  As a reminder, cloture was filed on the Bacharach nomination on Thursday, July 26th.
  • If cloture is not invoked on the Bacharach nomination, the Senate will resume Legislative Session and adopt the motion to proceed to S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012.
  • If cloture is invoked on the Bacharach nomination, upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate will resume Legislative Session and adopt the motion to proceed to S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012.

At approximately 5:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #759, the nomination of Robert E. Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit.

5:33pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar 759, the nomination of Robert E. Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit; Not Invoked: 56-34, 3 voted present

The Senate has adopted the motion to proceed to S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, with debate only until 2:15pm on Tuesday, July 31. Senator Reid will be recognized at 2:15pm.

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #759, the nomination of Robert E. Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit; Not Invoked: 56-34-3(present)

WRAP UP

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.533, designating October 2012 as “National Work and Family Month”.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. (Nelson FL)

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.4078, the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act. (Republican request)

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.6082, the Congressional Replacement of President Obama’s Energy-Restricting and Job-Limiting Offshore Drilling Plan. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 30, 2012.

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