Tag Archives: Chuck Schumer

This is not a drill. This is an emergency.

Our financial system is being attacked in Congress, and if it collapses again because of reckless greed, working people will bear the brunt. CEO-backed politicians will raid our Social Security, our Medicare and our public services to bail out the fat cats. Take action now.

http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8sLeYVGi1PcO0hsdij8rr2gmjdx9rGEF

Tell your members of Congress: Deregulation leads to financial crises. Don’t deregulate Wall Street and then rob working people to pay for the bailouts that will follow.

In 2008, Big Banks and Wall Street CEOs created the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. As a result, 14 million Americans still are unemployed today.

But even though unemployment is high and our economic recovery is pathetically slow and fragile, corporations are lobbying furiously to undo the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Many parts of this new Wall Street Reform Act—including a requirement that outrageous CEO pay be publicly compared with worker pay—haven’t even gone into effect yet. But already, House Republicans are siding with corporate CEOs, trying to repeal the bill piece by piece.

What’s the Big Bank/CEO/House Republican plan? Deregulate. And if the economy collapses again because of reckless greed, rob working Americans to pay for bailouts while the rich get richer.

http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8sLeYVGi1PcO0hsdij8rr2gmjdx9rGEF

Tell Congress to leave the Wall Street Reform Act alone—and that if deregulation leads to another financial panic, we won’t pay a dime for bailouts.

This is serious. This is the time to take action. As House Republicans pick at pieces and “provisions” of financial reform, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that deregulation brought our economy to the brink of collapse. That didn’t happen all at once, either. It happened in pieces since the 1970s. Little by little, corporations pushed their agenda, and they got away with it.

That’s why working people must push back hard when corporations and greedy CEOs lobby for even a small piece of deregulation.

Tell Congress to leave the Wall Street Reform Act alone—if deregulation leads to another financial crisis, we’ll know exactly whom to blame.

So far, this week Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have proposed repealing several important provisions of Wall Street reform, including CEO-to-worker compensation disclosure—before they even go into effect. They also want to create new loopholes in the law for private equity fund managers, companies that use derivatives, credit rating firms and companies that issue up to $50 million in securities.

The fact is, America deserves to know what CEOs make compared with their workers, and we simply cannot afford to deregulate Wall Street.

But more broadly, we can’t give an inch and allow the deregulators to bankrupt America again.

Efforts at repealing pieces of Wall Street reform are just the beginning of Wall Street thinking it can return to its old ways. We’ve got to put that notion to rest, right now.

Tell your members of Congress you oppose repealing any part of Wall Street reform, that you demand CEO-to-worker pay ratios be made public and that working people can’t afford more financial disasters.

http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=8sLeYVGi1PcO0hsdij8rr2gmjdx9rGEF

In solidarity,

Manny Herrmann

Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

P.S. BREAKING NEWS: A Wisconsin judge just issued a restraining order against the recently passed bill killing public employee bargaining rights. You can read more at the AFL-CIO Now Blog. http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=IWj7usJ61FDarYEuMmAMp2gmjdx9rGEF

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Economy: A Sensible Budget Alternative

03/10/2011 Nativegrl77

Yesterday, the Senate nixed two budget-cutting proposals — the House GOP budget bill and the Senate Democratic alternative — and exposed “the fault lines within the Republican and Democratic parties over fiscal issues.” Three Tea Party Republicans “who want deeper cuts” joined all Democrats in a 44-56 vote against the GOP bill. But 11 Democrats joined all Republicans in a 42-58 vote the Democratic plan, with some arguing it cut too little and others arguing it cut too much. The government is currently funded until March 18, after which most federal services will cease if a new funding bill for the remaining six months isn’t passed. White House budget director Jacob Lew said the rejection of the two bills “made it abundantly clear that we are going to need to work together on a bipartisan basis.” But a look at the GOP’s idea of compromise reveals an aggressive need to balance the budget on the backs of the disadvantaged while simultaneously impairing economic recovery. At the Center for American Progress yesterday, Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) advocated an “all of the above” approach that “incorporate[s] mandatory cuts and revenue raisers into the mix” rather than “continuing the fixation on domestic discretionary cuts” in order to reign in the deficit responsibly. While recognizing there are tough decisions ahead to reach budgetary goals, Americans are signaling support for a progressive proposal that can responsibly avoid stymieing economic growth and hurting middle-class families at the same time.

THE SLASH AND BURN: Intent on fulfilling their pledge, House Republicans plowed through the federal budget to reach $57 billion in spending cuts in H.R. 1, their continuing resolution to fund the government through 2011. Bypassing pragmatic cuts to outdated programs and subsidies, the House GOP took their ax to vital public investments and our nation’s most vulnerable populations. It would leave 10,000 low-income military veterans and 10,000 long-term disabled people without housing assistance, nearly one million low-income students without academic support, numerous pregnant women and mothers without food and health care assistance, 11 million patients without health care received at Community Health Centers, and at least 5 million children without access to anti-poverty services when the number of children in poverty is at a record high. While leaving the Pentagon’s record-high budget request intact, Republicans still jeopardized national safety by cutting funding to food safety regulators, local law enforcement, and air transportation safety. And despite making job creation their top priority, the House GOP turned H.R. 1 into a job-killer out to kneecap economic competitiveness by drastically reducing investment in public infrastructure, cutting nearly 50 percent of federal job training funding and potentially driving the unemployment rate “up to 9.7-10 percent.” Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and numerous economists have stated that the GOP bill could “cost about 700,000 jobs through 2012.” H.R. 1 ended up being so detrimental to “the drivers of long-term economic growth and job creation” that President Obama promised to veto the bill if passed. “This is a highly politicized slash-and-burn budget,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said after it failed. “This debate is about more than dollars and sense. It’s about real people with real lives.”

THE RESET: The Democratic budget proposal “coalesced around a spending bill that cuts government funding by $6 billion in 2011” — a far less damaging alternative. However, as The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein indicates, the Democratic baseline still fails to “accelerate our economy” because it focuses solely on deficit reduction without offering any spending on economic investments. In a speech at the Center for American Progress yesterday, Schumer called on Congress to “reset” its approach to deficit reduction. “We need to stop falling into the trap of measuring fiscal responsibility in terms of willingness to cut government, and instead focus on what matters — reining in the deficit,” he said and proceeded to offer a more responsible way to do so. First, Schumer revived his proposal from last year to institute a surtax on millionaires and billionaires — a proposal, he noted, that was “the most popular proposal” among Americans in a recent poll. He also advocated for closing the tax gap by going after tax dodging and income sheltering by big corporations, a gap that “has gotten as high as over $300 billion a year this past decade.” Pointing to mandatory spending as “the largest contributor to the deficit,” Schumer also suggested Congress reduce unnecessary subsidies handed out to industries that don’t need them every year. In an interview with ThinkProgress‘s Pat Garofalo, Schumer said oil and gas subsidies “stick[] out like a sore thumb” because “the entire rationale for it is gone.” With the price of oil at $100 a barrel, “the subsidy, in economic terms, doesn’t mean anything other than to make some people wealthy who are already wealthy,” he said. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) agreed, advocating similar millionaire surtaxes and elimination of tax breaks for oil companies to address the deficit. Schumer pushed back hard against cuts to Social Security. “Social Security doesn’t have any problems until 20 years from now,” he said, adding that the deficit needs to be reduced long before then.

THE MAIN STREET VIEW: While House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) might think “Americans don’t have a clue” about the problems facing our economy, the perspective from outside the beltway is pretty clear. Most Americans want to see a compromise on the federal budget to avoid a government shutdown, but 56 percent of Americans chose creating jobs over cutting spending as the more important government priority. Fifty-nine percent of Americans favored repealing the Bush tax cuts, and 49 percent thought defense spending should be a top priority for cuts, “even if it means eliminating programs that bring jobs to your state.” However, Americans “across all ages groups and ideologies said by large margins that it was ‘unacceptable’ to make significant cuts to entitlement programs in order to reduce the federal deficit.” What’s more, a sizable majority supported making wealthier Americans share more of the sacrifice — be it through reduced Social Security and Medicare payments or, the most popular option, a surtax on millionaires. Overall, Americans overwhelmingly rejected cuts to social programs. The progressive plan outlined by the Center For American Progress’s Michael Ettlinger, Michael Linden, and Reece Rushing “brings the budget into primary balance by 2015 and brings our deficits to sustainable levels” through pragmatic cuts in 2015, including “eliminating roughly $35 billion in corporate subsidies” and “targeting $60 billion in specific defense cuts for a 7 percent overall reduction.” Coupling responsible cuts at a more economically viable time while raising revenues — such as “applying a new 2 percent surtax to adjusted gross income above $1 million” — will help achieve important budget goals “while protecting middle-class families, continuing vital economic investments, and adequately funding other national priorities.” While tough choices must be made, “proposing to balance the budget only on tax increases or only on spending cuts” while the economy is still fragile “is both unrealistic and bad public policy.” Any feasible deficit reduction plan will balance both the budget and the sacrifice to avoid crippling the economy and hurting struggling middle-class families.

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Tell Democratic leadership: Don’t cave to Republican budget extremists

02/28/2011 Nativegrl77

Tell Democratic Leadership: Don’t cave to Republican extremists on the budget.

No more weak backroom deals!

Clicking here will add your name to this petition: http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7198&id=17174-2591629-s_o9PNx&t=9

“Democratic Leadership: Don’t cave and cut a backroom deal with Republican extremists on the budget.”

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7198&id=17174-2591629-s_o9PNx&t=10 << sign the petition

It’s breathtaking to think that the Republicans would risk a government shutdown because Democrats won’t unilaterally capitulate to their demands for concessions in some of the most intractable ideological wars of our time.

But last week the House passed and sent to the Senate for consideration an extremist’s wish list under the guise of the “Continuing Resolution.” The Continuing Resolution is a must-pass bill that is necessary to maintain funding for the federal government while Congress debates the 2011 budget.

Even worse, the Huffington Post reports that Democratic leadership and key Appropriations Committee staffers met yesterday to identify cuts in social spending drastic enough to appease Republican demands for devastating spending reductions.1

Tell Democratic Leadership: Stand your ground against Republican extremism. Don’t cave and cut a backroom deal on the budget. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Democrats must stand their ground. But progressive champions in the Senate won’t be able to fight if their leadership preemptively cuts a deal with Republicans. Unfortunately, such a deal may already be underway.

If a Continuing Resolution isn’t passed by March 4, the government will shut down. Yet the Republicans have shown no willingness to compromise on any of their extreme demands including devastating cuts to Planned Parenthood, NPR, and the EPA.

Democrats now have two choices: Stand their ground or cave to this extremism to avoid the government shutdown that Republicans are forcing.

Tell Democratic Leadership: Stand your ground against Republican extremism. Don’t cave and cut a backroom deal with Republican extremists on the budget. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

If Democrats continue to cave to Republican extremists, it will only embolden the rightwing to launch even more radical attacks against progressives, because Republicans have learned, when they don’t compromise, they win.

We’ve seen it in Wisconsin where the Republican governor turned a budget surplus into a deficit with giveaways to corporations and millionaires, and then used the completely predictable budget deficit that resulted to bludgeon the public employee unions and diminish the power of the progressive base in his state. And when Unions offered to take benefit cuts, Walker said no, because his attack isn’t really about balancing budgets, it’s about breaking the public employee unions.

And now we’re hurtling towards total disaster in Washington D.C., because Republicans are practicing the same tactics, holding the needs of everyday Americans hostage with their threats of forcing a government shutdown. Intoxicated with power and propelled by a Tea Party base, they are willing let the American people twist in the wind if Senate Democrats don’t agree to their increasingly extreme wish list of demands.

It’s the logical result of a history of caving by Democrats. Time and time again, Republicans have practiced brinkmanship and the Democrats have been the first ones to blink — preemptively caving on a range of issues from climate to the public option to Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Not surprisingly, that behavior has only emboldened the Republicans to raise the stakes even more.

Tell Sens. Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durban and Pres. Obama: It’s time to stop preemptively caving without a fight. Don’t cut a backroom deal with Republican extremists who are threatening to shut down the government. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

As you may have noticed, things aren’t working out quite as Governor Walker planned in Wisconsin. And now the politicians in Washington DC should take a page from Wisconsin’s playbook. Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied behind nurses, teachers and other public employees. And the politicians are following the people’s lead with 14 Democrats in the state senate fleeing the state to deny the governor the quorum he needs to pass his radical agenda.

This is the kind of leadership we need in the U.S. Senate. But according to the Huffington Post, Democratic leadership is already busy caving to Republicans behind closed doors.

The Continuing Resolution passed by the House is not a serious attempt to address our budget. Republicans have hijacked a bill to fund the operation of government and attached their extremist wish list of cuts meant to serve their personal ideology, not address the real needs of the American people. For example, the Republicans sought to defund Planned Parenthood by denying Title X funding that currently enables millions of women to obtain birth control, cancer screenings, HIV tests, and other lifesaving care.

And that is just one of any number of deeply unpopular items that the Republicans could never force through the Senate or overcome a presidential veto of without being attached to “must pass” legislation like the Continuing Resolution.

This is not the end game, it’s just the beginning. The Republicans will have multiple opportunities to hold the budget hostage to their extremist demands. After the Continuing Resolution comes the fight over the debt ceiling and then 2011 budget process starts. Republicans are refusing to negotiate in good faith because they are confident that their utter intransigence will pay off — as it has in practically every single significant fight during the Obama administration. If we don’t draw the line now, Republican demands will only become more radical in these successive fights.

The time is now to draw the line. We can’t continue to let the Republicans hold the needs of the American people hostage to their increasingly extreme rightwing wish list. Wisconsin has shown us what can happen when Democrats fight back. Join us in putting Democratic leadership in the Senate — Sens. Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin — and President Obama on notice: Don’t sell us out before we have get the chance to fight.

Becky Bond, Political Director

CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. “Senate Democrats Meet To Find More Cuts For Long-Term Funding Deal With GOP,” The Huffington Post, February 24th, 2011

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Congress: in Session in both Chambers -the Senate -the Republican led House

02/17/2011 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 9:30amET 2/17/2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, FAA Authorization. There will be 2 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents prior to a cloture vote on the Inhofe amendment #7, as modified. Senators should expect the cloture vote on the Inhofe amendment to begin around 12:10pm.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.223 is up until the cloture vote.

Additional roll call votes are expected to occur throughout the day.

By unanimous consent, the cloture vote on the Inhofe amendment was vitiated. The Hutchison amendment #93, as further further modified, was agreed to by voice vote. Then the Inhofe amendment #7, as amended, was agreed to by voice vote.

By unanimous consent at 2:00pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.223, FAA Authorization.

The Senate has reached an agreement to wrap up consideration of the FAA bill tonight. Under the agreement, there will now be up to 14 minutes for debate prior to a series of votes in relation to amendments to FAA and on passage of the bill. Senator Coburn controls 10 minutes, Senator Schumer controls 2 minutes, and Senator Brown (OH) controls 2 minutes.

The Senate would then proceed to vote in relation to the following items:

– Coburn amendment #64 (Rescind unused earmarks);

– Brown-Portman second degree amendment #105 (unmanned aerial systems) to Ensign amendment #32;

– Ensign amendment #32, as amended, (remotely piloted aerial systems);

– Reid amendment #54, as modified (noise buffering);

– Udall (NM) amendment #49, as modified (Dona Ana County airport);

– Udall (NM) amendment #51, as modified (advanced imaging technology);

– Coburn amendment #8o, as modified, (limit essential air service to locations that are 100 or more miles away from the nearest medium or large hub airport);

– Coburn amendment #81 (limit essential air service to locations that average 10 or more enplanements per day);

– Coburn amendment #91 (repeal decrease federal share of project costs);

– Schumer amendment #71 (helicopter noise pollution in residential areas);

–10 minutes for debate—

– Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots) (60-vote threshold)

– Passage of S.223, FAA Authorization, as amended.

We expect voice votes on Coburn #64, Brown-Portman #105, Ensign #32, Reid #54, Udall (NM) #49, Udall (NM) #51 and Schumer #71 and roll call votes on the 3 Coburn amendments (80-81, and 91), Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50, and passage of S.223. As a result, senators should expect a series of 5 roll call votes to begin at approximately 7:20pm.

Text of the agreement can be found below.

Leader: I ask unanimous consent the pending amendments be set aside and Senator Coburn be recognized to offer his amendment #64; that after the amendment is reported, the Senate proceed to a vote in relation to the Coburn amendment; and that no amendments be in order to the Coburn amendment prior to the vote.

Upon disposition of the Coburn amendment #64, the pending amendments be set aside and Senator Coburn be recognized for up to 10 minutes to offer amendments #80, with a modification which is at the desk, #81 and #91; and Senator Schumer be recognized for up to two minutes to offer amendment #71; Senator Brown (OH) be recognized for up to two minutes to call up the Brown-Portman amendment #105 to the Ensign amendment #32 and the Reid amendment #54 and the Udall amendment #51 be modified with the changes that are at the desk; the Wyden amendment #27 be withdrawn; and the Senate then proceed to votes in relation to the following amendments in the order listed:

Brown-Portman amendment #105;

Ensign #32, as amended;

Reid #54, as modified;

Udall #49, as modified;

Udall#51, as further modified;

Coburn #80, as modified;

Coburn #81;

Coburn #91; and

Schumer #71.

Further, there be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote listed above; that notwithstanding rule 22, the Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50 remain in order and that upon disposition of the Schumer #71, there be 10 minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to a vote in relation to the Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50; that the Leahy-Inhofe amendment be subject to a 60 vote threshold for passage; that if it does not achieve 60 affirmative votes, the amendment not be agreed to; and that there be no amendments in order to any of the amendments listed in this agreement prior to the votes;

Further, upon disposition of the Leahy-Inhofe amendment, there be no further amendments or motions in order to the bill, except for a managers’ package, to be agreed to if it has the concurrence of the Majority and Republican Leaders; the bill then be read a third time and the Senate proceed to a vote on passage of the bill, as amended; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; and if the bill is passed, it be held at the desk.

Finally, that when the Senate receives the House companion to S.223, as determined by the two Leaders, it be in order for the Majority Leader to proceed to its immediate consideration; strike all after the enacting clause and insert the text of S.223, as passed by the Senate, in lieu thereof; that the companion bill, as amended, be read a third time, the statutory PAYGO statement be read and the bill be passed; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that upon passage, the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate with a ratio of 5-4; all with no intervening action or debate.

Votes:

Hutchison amendment #93: as further further modified was agreed to by voice vote.

Inhofe amendment #7: , as amended was agreed to by voice vote.

20: Motion to invoke cloture on S.223, FAA Authorization;

Invoked: 96-2

21: Rockefeller motion to table the McCain amendment #4: (Strikes Essential Air Service); Tabled: 61-38

22: Motion to table the Paul amendment #18: (FAA/OSHA memorandum of understanding); Tabled: 52-47

23: Rockefeller motion to table Coburn amendment #80: , as modified, (limit essential air service to locations that are 100 or more miles away from the nearest medium or large hub airport);

Not Tabled: 34-65, subsequently agreed to by consent.

Coburn amendment #81: (limit essential air service to locations that average 10 or more enplanements per day);

Passed by voice vote

24: Rockefeller motion to table Coburn amendment #91: (repeal decrease federal share of project costs);

Tabled: 59-40

Schumer amendment #71: (helicopter noise pollution in residential areas) agreed to by voice vote;

–10 minutes for debate—

Leahy-Inhofe amendment #50: (liability protection for volunteer pilots);

Agreed to by voice vote

25: Passage of S.223, FAA Authorization, as amended; Passed: 87-8

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.60, a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the date of enactment of the law that created real estate investment trusts (REITS).

Passed S.365, a bill to make a technical amendment to the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002.

Passed S.307, a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the “W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse”.

Passed S.266, a bill to redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the “Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge”.

Adopted S.Res.72, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater;

Adopted S.Res.73, Democracy in Iran;

Adopted S.Res.74, designating February 28, 2011 as “Rare Disease Day;

Adopted S.Res.75, National March 25, 2011 as “National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day”; and

Adopted S.Res.76, 14th Quartermaster Detachment of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Passed H.Con.Res.17, adjournment resolution.

Confirmed Stephanie O’Sullivan, of Virginia, to be Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence.

Amendments to S.223 agreed to:

Coburn amendment #64 (Rescind unused earmarks);

Brown-Portman second degree amendment #105 (unmanned aerial systems) to

Ensign amendment #32;

Ensign amendment #32, as amended, (remotely piloted aerial systems);

Reid amendment #54, as modified (noise buffering);

Udall (NM) amendment #49, as modified (Dona Ana County airport);

Udall (NM) amendment #51, as modified (advanced imaging technology);

Lautenberg #10, as modified (change date for noise level)

Pryor #22 (cap local cost share)

Klobuchar #37, as modified (public use airport projects)

Cantwell #46, as modified (airline carrier bankruptcy)

Murkowski #53 (emergency locator transmitter)

Hutchison #57 (airport maintenance)

Cochran #59 (explosive pest control devices)

Cantwell #65 (navigation performance procedures)

Inhofe #86 (model aircraft)

Boxer #94 (child safety seats)

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 17, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

1:10 A.M. –

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 18, 2011.

Mr. Carter moved that the House do now adjourn.

1:08 A.M. –

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe – the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Mr. Hastings of FL, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. McIntyre and Mr. Cohen .

United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly – the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the United States Group of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Mr. Ross of AR, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Austin Scott and Ms. Schwartz .

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Carter moved that the Committee rise.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Poe amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Poe demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:42 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Poe amendment number 466.

Amendment offered by Mr. Poe (TX).

An amendment numbered 466 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds by EPA to implement, administer, or enforce any statutory or regulatory requirement pertaining to emissions of greenhouse gases.

12:41 A.M. –

By unanimous consent, the Fortenberry amendment was withdrawn.

12:40 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fortenberry amendment number 483 pending reservation of a point of order.

12:39 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Fortenberry.

An amendment numbered 483 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds for or in sterilization campaigns.

12:38 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

12:33 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment number 23.

Amendment offered by Mr. Hastings (FL).

An amendment numbered 23 printed in the Congressional Record to eliminate reductions in funds for NIH, CDC and HRSA.

12:31 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Fortenberry amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

12:26 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fortenberry amendment number 424.

Amendment offered by Mr. Fortenberry.

An amendment numbered 424 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds to provide assistance to Chad in the form of IMET, FMF, provision of excess defense articles, foreign military forces capacity assistance and direct commercial sales of military equipment.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:17 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler amendment number 524.

Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler.

An amendment numbered 524 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds for making application under FISA for an order requiring the production of library circulation records, library patron lists, book sales records, or book customer lists.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Young (AK) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:05 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous order of the House, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Young (AK) amendment number 533.

Amendment offered by Mr. Young (AK).

An amendment numbered 533 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds by the Environmental Appeals Board to consider, review, reject, remand, or otherwise invalidate any permit issued for Outer Continental Shelf sources located offshore of the States along the Arctic Coast under the Clean Air Act.

12:04 A.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

12:03 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:01 A.M. –

Pursuant to the provisions of the unanimous consent agreement adopted just prior to midnight, the House proceeded with further consideration of H.R. 1.

11:59 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Rogers of Kentucky asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 1 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to House Resolution 92, no further amendment to the bill may be offered except: (1) pro forma amendments offered at any point in the reading by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations for the purpose of debate; (2) amendments printed in the Congressional Record and contained on a list submitted to the desk. Upon removal of reservations of objection, the unanimous consent request was subsequently agreed to.

11:49 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1 as unfinished business.

11:48 P.M. –

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the Committee rise.

11:47 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pence amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pence demanded a recorded vote and the Chai r postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced

9:56 P.M. –

The Committee resumed its sitting and continued with debate on the Pence amendment.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 17.

9:55 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

8:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pence amendment number 11 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Pence.

An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.

8:56 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kline amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Kline demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:01 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kline amendment number 214 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Kline.

An amendment numbered 214 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds for the use of the “Program Integrity: Gainful Employment-New Programs” section of the bill.

7:56 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nadler amendment number 232 under the five-minute rule.

7:28 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler.

An amendment numbered 232 printed in the Congressional Record to limit the use of funds for the United States military operations in Afghanistan to no more than $10,000,000,000.

7:27 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McCollum amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. McCollum demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McCollum amendment number 50 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Ms. McCollum.

An amendment numbered 50 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the Department of Defense sponsorship of NASCAR race cars.

7:07 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Holt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 163 – 265 (Roll no. 89).

7:03 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Frank (MA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 160 – 270 (Roll no. 88).

7:00 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Scalise amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 249 – 179, 1 Present (Roll no. 87).

6:56 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Carter amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 – 177 (Roll no. 86).

6:53 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Lummis amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 197 (Roll no. 85).

6:50 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Camp amendment Failed by recorded vote: 137 – 292, 1 Present (Roll no. 84).

6:45 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Walden amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 181 (Roll no. 83).

6:42 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Price (NC) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 267 – 159, 1 Present (Roll no. 82).

6:38 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Cole amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 247 – 175 (Roll no. 81).

6:34 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Woolsey amendment Failed by recorded vote: 91 – 339 (Roll no. 80).

6:10 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Holt amendment number 506 under the five-minute rule.

5:21 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Holt.

An amendment numbered 506 printed in the Congressional Record to revise by reducing the amount made available for “Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Enforcement”, and increasing the amounts provided in section 1517(a) for transfer from the Federal Reserve to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection for activities authorized to carried out by such Bureau under title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Consumer Protection Act.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Frank(MA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Frank (MA) amendment number 458 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Frank (MA).

An amendment numbered 458 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the amount made available to the “Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue” and the “General Services Administration” and increase the amount made available to the “Independent Agencies, Securities and Exchange Commission, Salaries and Expenses” by $131,000,000.

4:32 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scalise amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Carter demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment number 204 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Scalise.

An amendment numbered 204 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to pay the salaries and expenses for specified federal agency positions and their offices.

3:54 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Carter amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Carter amendment number 165 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Carter.

An amendment numbered 165 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement, administer, or enforce the rule entitled “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants” published by the Environmental Protection Agency on September 9, 2010.

3:09 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Wasserman Schultz amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:07 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Wasserman Schultz amendment number 211 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

An amendment numbered 211 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the amount made available to the “Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Justice Assistance” for carrying out title I of the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 by $30,000,000.

3:05 P.M. –

Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Lee (CA) amendment Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

3:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lee (CA) amendment number 222 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Lee (CA).

An amendment numbered 222 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for any account of the Department of Defense (except Military personnel, reserve personnel, National Guard personnel, and the Defense Health Program account) in excess of the amount made available for such account for fiscal year 2010, unless the financial statements of the Department for fiscal year 2010 are validated as ready for audit within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

2:59 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lummis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Moran (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:30 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis amendment number 195 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.

An amendment numbered 195 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the payment of fees and other expenses under section 504 of title 5, United States Code, or section 2412(d) of title 28, United States Code.

2:29 P.M. –

Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Eshoo amendment Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:50 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Eshoo amendment number 576 under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Eshoo.

An amendment numbered 576 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to enter into any contract with a corporation or other business entity that does not disclose its political contributions.

1:49 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Camp amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Camp demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Camp amendment number 516 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Camp.

An amendment numbered 516 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funds to be used for the opening of the locks at the Thomas J. O’Brien Lock and Dam or the Chicago River Controlling Works.

1:22 P.M. –

Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Woolsey amendment Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Woolsey amendment number 413 under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Woolsey.

An amendment numbered 413 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds in the Department of Defens overseas contingency operations budget for military operations in Afghanistan unless the President seeks to negotiate and enter into a bilateral status of forces agreement with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

On agreeing to the Lowey amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

1:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lowey amendment number 334 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Lowey.

An amendment numbered 334 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to provide grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative under section 2003 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 604).

1:15 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Walden amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walden demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Wadlen amendment under the five-minute rule.

12:20 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Walden.

An amendment numbered 404 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds used to implement the Report and Order of the Federal Communications Commission relating to the matter of preserving the open Internet and broadband industry practices (FCC 10-201, adopted by the Commission on December 21, 2010.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Price (NC) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Aderholt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Price (NC) amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Price (NC).

An amendment numbered 514 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to enforce the requirements in – 1. section 34(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974.

12:11 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cole amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Serrano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cole amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Cole.

An amendment numbered 208 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds used to carry out chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

11:38 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Woolsey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Woolsey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:32 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Woolsey amendment under the five-minute rule pending a reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.

Amendment offered by Ms. Woolsey.

An amendment numbered 189 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds available by division A of this Act may not be used to research, develop, test, evaluate, or procure any the following: 1) Expeditionary Fighting Vechile; 2) V-22 Osprey aircraft

11:14 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Sessions amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 250 (Roll no. 79).

11:10 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Heller amendment Failed by recorded vote: 190 – 241 (Roll no. 78).

11:06 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Canseco amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 274 – 155 (Roll no. 77).

11:03 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Weiner amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 268 – 163 (Roll no. 76).

10:59 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Price (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 250 (Roll no. 75).

10:57 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 313 – 117 (Roll no. 74).

10:54 A.M. –

On agreeing to the McMorris Rodgers amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 249 – 179 (Roll no. 73).

10:50 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 115 – 316 (Roll no. 72).

10:47 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Bass (NH) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 104 – 322, 2 Present (Roll no. 71).

10:43 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Reed amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 239 – 186 (Roll no. 70).

10:40 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Canseco amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 248 – 177 (Roll no. 69).

10:36 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Walberg amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 217 – 209 (Roll no. 68).

10:29 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 256 (Roll no. 67).

10:11 A.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

10:10 A.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

10:09 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 6.

H.R. 514:

to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

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: 279 – 143 (Roll no. 66).

9:42 A.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

9:16 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 514.

Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

9:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Carnahan 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.

9:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Mark Williamson, Federal Intercessors, Houston, Texas

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Defend Health Care Victory

01/25/2011 Nativegrl77

On the House Floor Tuesday, I described a new drinking game. Every time the Republicans say something that’s just not true, take a swig.

The problem is, we’d all end up in the hospital in about 15 minutes.

All kidding aside, Republicans made good on their promise to repeal health care, but in the process they laid bare a political strategy that is frankly insulting to you and all Americans.

Make stuff up.

The “We Don’t Mean It” strategy: defending parts of the bill they are repealing.

Boogeymen: “Socialized medicine! Government takeover!”

This is the best they can do?

Nearly every Dem voted against the cynical Republican stunt, but that won’t stop them from trying again.

I need your immediate support to preserve our health care victory. Republicans depend on the corporate special interests, but I depend on you.

Click here http://www.anthonyweiner.com/ to rush $5 or more to my campaign. It’s the only way I can stay in this fight to defend our health care.

A majority of Americans support the bill, and even more will come to our side when they understand the facts, find out the “We don’t mean it” strategy is a lie, and discover the Republican health care boogeyman isn’t real.

What Americans really want is to implement and improve this law. I’m relying on you to give me the resources I need to lead that charge.

Click here http://www.anthonyweiner.com/ to rush $5 or more to my campaign. It’s the only way I can stay in this fight to defend our health care.

Anthony