Tag Archives: Chuck Hagel

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House :::::: Do the People’s Business :::::: the Senate led by Democrats

02/26/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel with the time until 12:00pm equally divided and controlled.
At 12:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Hagel nomination, upon reconsideration. (Cloture was not invoked on February 14, 2013 and Senator Reid entered a motion to reconsider.)
Following the vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
If cloture is invoked on the Hagel nomination, all time during recess, morning business and adjournment will count post-cloture on the Hagel nomination.
12:00 noon The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on
Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy
Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense;
Upon reconsideration, cloture on the Hagel nomination was invoked by a vote of 71-27.The Senate then reached an agreement to yield back remaining post-cloture debate time and at 4:30pm today vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense.
4:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense;
Hagel confirmed 58 – 41

The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to
speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call
votes during today’s session of the Senate.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 71-272) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense; Confirmed: 58-41
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.56, recognizing the significance of the 100^th anniversary of the death of Harriet Ross Tubman.

Adopted S.Res.57, designating February 28, 2013, as “Rare Disease Day”.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

This evening Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #18, S.388, American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013 and filed cloture on the motion. Senators should expect the cloture vote to occur on Thursday.The Senate also reached an agreement that the order with respect to the sequester legislation be modified to permit the Republican Leader to introduce a bill on Wednesday, February 27^th, consistent with the language that is at the desk and that all other provisions of the previous order remain in effect

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 2/25
9:18:53 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 26, 2013.

10:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:38 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:02:04 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 298.
10:02:10 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:09:52 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
11:59:59 A.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 26.
12:00:32 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:14 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Rogers (AL) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rogers (AL) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
12:01:54 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Higgins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:15 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.
12:29:47 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:29:58 P.M.	H. Res. 77	Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 77 — “Establishing an academic competition in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among students in Congressional districts.”
12:30:17 P.M.	H. Res. 77	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:30:19 P.M.	H. Res. 77	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 77.

12:56:31 P.M.	H. Res. 77	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.
12:56:50 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

3:00:50 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 26.

3:00:56 P.M.

Mr. Massie moved that the House do now adjourn.

3:27:50 P.M.

On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 1 – 415 (Roll no. 48).

3:28:15 P.M.

HOUSE DECORUM – The Speaker assumed the Chair and addressed the Members on matters of decorum in the House. At the conclusion of his remarks, the Speaker announced that five-minute voting would resume without objection.

3:32:35 P.M.

H. Res. 77

Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 77 — “Establishing an academic competition in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among students in Congressional districts.”

3:42:08 P.M.

H. Res. 77

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 3 (Roll no. 49).

3:42:09 P.M.

H. Res. 77

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

3:49:22 P.M.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 290 – 118, 1 Present (Roll no. 50).

3:50:05 P.M.

The House received a communication from the Honorable James B. Renacci. Mr. Renacci submitted his resignation from the Committees on the Budget and Financial Services. The resignation was accepted without objection.

3:50:05 P.M.

The House received a communication from the Honorable Andy Harris. Mr. Harris submitted his resignation from the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology. The resignation was accepted without objection.

3:50:05 P.M.

The House received a communication from the Honorable Steve Southerland II. Mr. Southerland submitted his resignation from the Committee on Agriculture. The resignation was accepted without objection.

3:52:24 P.M.

UNANIMOUS CONSENT – Mr. Jeff Miller (FL) asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.J. Res. 19, a measure originally introduced by Representative Emerson of Missouri, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of Rule 12.

3:52:56 P.M.

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

4:08:58 P.M.

H. Res. 82

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 82 — “Electing certain Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”

4:09:11 P.M.

H. Res. 82

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

4:09:16 P.M.

H. Res. 82

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

4:09:47 P.M.

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

4:47:58 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

7:13:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 26.
7:13:10 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 83.
7:14:00 P.M.		Mr. Nugent moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:14:03 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:14:10 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 27, 2013.

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Drone medal outranks Purple Heart?

02/22/2013 Nativegrl77

Have you heard about the Pentagon‘s new Distinguished Warfare Medal?It ranks above the Purple Heart and is awarded to drone operators and cyberwar practitioners for “extraordinary achievement” in a post 9/11military operation.

A number of VoteVets members have expressed their opinions about the distinction, but we want to hear from you, as well.

Do you think the medal should rank above the Purple Heart? Let us know here:

http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal

Here’s a few of the comments we received on our Facebook page:

Christopher C. No problem with the medal itself. Serious problem with its hierarchy ranking: It should not be above medals awarded for combat actions. I am seriously surprised that anyone would think it is reasonable to giving it that level of precedence.

Ethan C. I think their service should be recognized with some kind of award but combat valor medals recognize real life and death situations on the actual battlefield. Combat awards should be given the highest placement.

Let us know what you think and we’ll be sure to share your thoughts with Senator Hagel after he’s confirmed as our next Secretary of Defense.

http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal

There’s been a lot of conversation about the new medal in the traditional media and online. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, as well.

Best,

Jon Soltz Iraq War Veteran Chairman, VoteVets.org

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Jobs V Loopholes

02/21/2013 Nativegrl77

By ThinkProgress War Room

7 Tax Loopholes the GOP Loves to Love

In less than two weeks the very damaging across the board “sequester” cuts will kick in unless Republicans agree to a replacement that is a balanced compromise including both new revenues from closing tax loopholes and smarter, more targeted spending cuts.

When it was convenient for them to do so, Republicans including Speaker Boehner and Mitt Romney argued vociferously for closing loopholes and ending wasteful giveaways in the tax code. But now that push is coming to shove, these Republicans are refusing to help protect the economy and jobs by replacing the sequester cuts with new revenues from closing loopholes.

This intransigence has real consequences. As the president laid out yesterday, these cuts will cause pain:

So these cuts are not smart. They are not fair. They will hurt our economy. They will add hundreds of thousands of Americans to the unemployment rolls. This is not an abstraction — people will lose their jobs. The unemployment rate might tick up again.

Here’s a look at the top seven loopholes and giveaways that Republicans think are more important than protecting our economy, jobs, the middle class, and the most vulnerable among us:

Extra tax breaks enjoyed by the wealthiest Americans — $520 BILLION
Tax break for companies that ship jobs overseas — $168 BILLION
Special tax breaks for the largest oil companies — $25 BILLION
The loophole that allow people like Mitt Romney to pay a lower tax rate than middle-class workers — $21 BILLION
Tax deductions for vacation homes and yachts — $10 BILLION
The corporate jet loophole — $3 BILLION
Special write-offs for horse breeders (aka the Bluegrass Boondoggle) — $126 MILLION

BOTTOM LINE: The Republicans are choosing to protect millionaires and special interests like Big Oil and Wall Street instead of funding our military and programs vital for the middle class and the health of our economy.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Annals right-wing media failure: how a joke became an attack against Chuck Hagel.

Florida’s GOP governor will expand Medicaid under Obamacare.

Marco Rubio is no savior for women.

800.000 defense workers to be furloughed because of the sequester.

Fox News: Al Jazeera America is a plot to activate Muslim sleeper cells in Detroit.

Supporters of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline outspend opponents 35 to 1.

The latest sneak attack on unions.

The science of addictive junk food.

How the sequester cuts hurt the long-term unemployed.

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: Republican led House :::::: Senate led by Democrats

02/14/2013 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 10:00amET February 14,2013

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume Executive Session and the consideration of Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense.
During Wednesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the Hagel nomination.

The cloture vote is expected on Friday, February 15, 2013

The Senate has reached an agreement to have the cloture vote on the Hagel nomination at 4:15pm today.

The time until 4:15pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. At 4:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense.

4:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense; Not Invoked: 58-40, 1 voting present

Cloture on the Hagel nomination failed 58-40, 1 voting present (Hatch). The vote would have been 59-39, 1-present, but for procedural reasons Senator Reid changed his vote to no in order to enter the motion to reconsider.

Senators should expect to reconsider the failed cloture vote to occur Tuesday morning, February 26, and a vote on a judge around 5:30pm on Monday, February 25.

There will be no further roll call votes this week.

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the Bacharach nomination.

At 5:00pm on Monday, February 25, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Robert E. Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Bacharach nomination.

The Senate reached an agreement that on either Monday, February 25^th or Tuesday, February 26^th, the Majority Leader and the Republican Leader each be permitted to introduce a bill to replace the sequester required under the Budget Control Act. Further, if a Leader introduces such legislation, his bill would be placed directly on the Legislative Calendar. Finally, motions to proceed to these bills would be in order the day they are introduced.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense; Not Invoked: 58-40-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.21, designating February 14, 2013, as “National Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care” with a Lautenberg amendment.

Adopted S.Res.35, Congratulating the Baltimore Ravens for winning Super Bowl XLVII.

Adopted S.Res.36, Recognizing February 19, 2013 as the centennial of Mosaic, a faith based organization that was founded in Nebraska.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————–

Last Floor Action:
11:03:00 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day. 2/14/2013
10:01:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Collins to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:42 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:03:00 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

« Previous Day

12:00:14 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 14.
12:00:34 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:37 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:50 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Gardner to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:36 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.
12:22:54 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:30 P.M. today.
1:30:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 14.
1:31:01 P.M.	H. Res. 66	By direction of the Committee on Rules, Mr. Woodall called up H. Res. 66 and asked for its immediate consideration.
1:33:00 P.M.	H. Res. 66	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Polis raised a point of order against the provisions of H. Res. 66 because it violates the Congressional Budget Act. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H. Res. 66. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order, at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.
1:51:09 P.M.	H. Res. 66	On motion that the House consider the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
1:51:16 P.M.	H. Res. 66	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 66 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 273) to eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees, and for other purposes.”
1:55:17 P.M.	H. Res. 66	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 66.
3:25:35 P.M.	H. Res. 66	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 194 (Roll no. 41).
3:32:41 P.M.	H. Res. 66	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 192 (Roll no. 42).
3:32:41 P.M.	H. Res. 66	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:32:43 P.M.		Joint Economic Committee – Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1024(a), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Joint Economic Committee: Mr. Campbell, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Amash, Mr. Paulsen, Mr. Hanna, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of,Mr. Cummings and Mr. Delaney .
3:35:27 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:41:19 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
5:44:33 P.M.		Mr. Polis moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:44:45 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:44:46 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 15, 2013.

« Previous Day

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Jon Soltz, VoteVets.org

02/13/2013 Nativegrl77

Did you watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address last night?

From reforming immigration and education to a focus on job creation and an overdue drawdown in Afghanistan, the president laid out a vision for the next four years that we can all be proud of.

But if the divided ovations were any indication, the work ahead won’t be easy.

There is one issue, however, that has overwhelming public support among Democrats and Republicans: taking common sense action to reduce gun violence in America.

If you’re ready to stand with VoteVets.org in this fight, make a $5 contribution today and help us organize veterans in support of legislation to prevent gun violence in the United States.

Veterans make extremely powerful messengers on this issue, and the president needs us if he’s going to sign a bill.

Veterans have seen, first hand, the carnage that assault weapons cause. We’ve had to go through background checks to get into the military and handle a weapon.

Our troops in combat aren’t even authorized to attach magazines with more than 30 rounds to their semi-automatic weapons. There’s no reason we should authorize it for anyone here at home.

We’re going to engage on this one, and I’m thankful that we’ll be in it together.

Thanks for your support.

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org

PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS ACTION FUND