Tag Archives: civil rights

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/9 ~~ the House


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The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, June 9, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes on the following:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

 

If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, on Tuesday, June 10th at 10:00am, all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above.

 

For the information of all Senators, during Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the following order:

–        Executive Calendar #734, M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

–        Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts;

–        Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada;

–        Executive Calendar #769, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (8 hours of post-cloture debate);

–        Executive Calendar #771, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be  Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (8 hours of post-cloture debate); and

–        Executive Calendar #767, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors (8 hours of post-cloture debate).

After the Senate convened today, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans. The Senate is now in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm today, there will be a series of 3 roll call votes on the following motions:

 

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans. The cloture vote is expected to occur on Wednesday, June 11. Another message will be sent once the vote time is scheduled.

5:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia;

Invoked: 52-32

 

Next:

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and

–        Cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

6:04pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts;

Invoked: 52-33

 

Next:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada (10 minute vote)

At 6:20, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada

Invoked: 53-34

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in several series of votes tomorrow and Thursday, June 12. As a reminder, cloture was also filed on the motion to proceed to the College Affordability bill and that vote will occur at a time to be determined on Wednesday.  Additional votes are possible this week, but the current schedule is as follows:

 

Tuesday, June 10:

10:00am—1 roll call vote:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia

 

12:00noon — 2 roll call votes:

 

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada

 

2:30pm,–3 roll call votes:

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #769, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #771, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be  Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #767, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors

 

Wednesday, June 11:

TBD-cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, College Affordability

 

Thursday, June 12:

1:45pm—3 roll call votes—(if cloture is invoked on the Federal Reserve nominations on Tuesday)

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #769, Lael Brainard, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #771, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be  Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #767, Stanley Fischer, of New York, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, with the concurrence of the Republican Leader, there will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #523, Crystal Nix-Hines, of California, for the rank of Ambassador during her tenure of service as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

 

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #734, the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck, of Virginia, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia; invoked: 52-32

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #736, Leo T. Sorokin, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Invoked: 52-33

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #739, Richard Franklin Boulware II, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada; Invoked: 53-34

 

No Legislative items

The Senate began the Rule 14 process to place S.2450, Veterans’ Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (Sanders and McCain), on the Legislative Calendar of Business.

 

No additional Executive items       

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2432, a bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of certain Federal student loans

=========================================================

Last Floor Action:
11:15:15 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 10, 2014.

Last Floor Action:6/5
3:04:46 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 9, 2014.

============================================

Rape … in India


 

Two young girls were hanged from a tree after being gang raped in the fields outside their home in India and a high ranking government official just responded by saying that rape “is a social crime … sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong.” Let’s make sure India’s leader knows that this is unacceptable and demand he acts now to stop the rape epidemic. Sign now:

SIGN THE PETITION

Two young girls were hanged from a tree after being gang raped in the fields outside their home in India and a high ranking government official just responded by saying that rape “is a social crime … sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong.”

That is the government’s response! It’s disgusting and we can change it.

India’s new leader was just elected on a pro-business platform with increased tourism as one of his top economic growth goals. If two million of us, right now, pledge not go to India until something is done about the rape epidemic across the country, we could get his attention and force him to prioritise urgent action.

Sign now and at two million signers, Avaaz will bring our call to the major Indian tourist companies that have Prime Minister Modi’s ear and lobby for travel advisories until something is done to protect this generation of girls and women:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/womanifesto_modi_21/?biEWLbb&v=40655

When the 14 and 15 year old girls went missing, one girl’s dad went to the police and fell in front of them on his hands and knees pleading for them to do something. They laughed at him and told him to go home. This appalling inaction happens to countless families across India that face this horror. The police, the judiciary, and even ministers are failing them! It’s a culture of acceptance of rape!

Before the elections there was a massive movement building to get urgent action to stop violence against women. Experts drafted a Womanifesto — a common sense plan for urgently needed reforms to stop the rape epidemic. It covers law, policing, medical and psychological support, and crucially — public education. Other major parties signed up to it, but Modi ignored it focusing on economics, and it is still languishing on his desk.

Even Modi’s staff agree with the plan. Now we just need Modi to put it into action.

If millions pledge to not visit India now until action is taken, and that call is bolstered by targeted calls to the mega travel businesses that support Modi and calls to our own governments to issue travel warnings, we could force Modi to act to save his political future. Click below to sign now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/womanifesto_modi_21/?biEWLbb&v=40655

The shock and horror of opening the newspaper and reading this story can sit with us, or it can spur us into action. This is our chance to come together as a global community and use our power and our hope to help and entire nation set out on the journey towards equality and safety for all.

With hope,

Alice, Alaphia, Dalia, Laura, Shreya, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team

More Information:

India State Minister on rape: ‘Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong’
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/india-state-minister-rape-crimes-comment

Another girl found hanging in Uttar Pradesh. Rape attempt on judge
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-another-girl-found-hanging-in-uttar-pradesh-rape-attempt-on-judge-1993315

Modi unveils ‘Five Ts’: BJP’s PM candidate says Talent, Tourism, Tech, Trade and Tradition are the watchwords for India’s future
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2542285/Modi-unveils-Five-Ts-BJPs-PM-candidate-says-Talent-Tourism-Tech-Trade-Tradition-watchwords-Indias-future.html

Horrified at reports of violence against women in India: US on Badaun Rape case
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/horrified-at-reports-of-violence-against-women-in-india-us-on-badaun-rape-case-535671

UN condemns gang rape and murder of teenage girls in Uttar Pradesh and calls for justice
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_73685.html

CONGRESS: Pass Restoring Veterans’ Trust Act


VoteVets.org

Like many veterans, when I returned home from Iraq, I sought care at a VA facility near my home.

So you can imagine why the politicization of the disclosures at the VA facility in Phoenix has gotten me down. The truth is, we’ve all known for some time that the veterans’ health system needs real reform.

And while President Obama and Secretary Shinseki have done admirable work to reduce the backlog, we’ve long needed solutions that get to the root of the problems.

This week, the U.S. Senate has a chance to take meaningful action to improve veterans’ health care, and I hope they take it this time.

Join VoteVets and Campaign for Americans Future and tell your Senators to vote for Bernie Sanders’ Restoring Veterans’ Trust Act of 2014.

Here’s what the bill does:

1. Authorizes the VA to hire new doctors and nurses, closing the gap between a growing number of veterans returning home to seek care and the number of health care professionals able to deliver it.

2. Allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of locations delivering care by leasing twenty-seven new health facilities in eighteen states.

3. To address long-term needs, the legislation awards scholarships and forgives student debt for health care professionals willing to accept positions at the VA.

These are important steps Congress should take right now in order to improve short and long-term care for our nation’s veterans.

Tell the Senate to support the Restoring Veterans’ Trust Act of 2014.

http://action.votevets.org/va-reform

In late February, right-wing Senators led a filibuster against similar legislation that would have struck at the root of problems within the VA system.

It’s time to end the talk and take some action.

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran and Chairman
VoteVets.org

I’m a mother of six Marines ~~ Loraine Tackett, VoteVets.org


My name is Loraine Tackett from Billings, Montana. I’m a mother to nine children … six of whom are United States Marines.

It can be difficult at times, as you can imagine, but I am grateful that U.S. Senator, and Iraq War veteran, John Walsh is on our side. He recognizes that the cost of war doesn’t end after the troops come home, and is committed to making sure all veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, receive the care they deserve.

Representative Steve Daines is running for Walsh’s Senate seat, but he’s consistently aligned himself with the Tea Party Caucus and voted against improving care at the VA and increasing the pensions of disabled vets.

Montanans deserve to know about their records, and I am proud to share my story in a VoteVets ad with one of my sons. Contribute $5 to help keep it on the air.

 

As veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters, you know that Tea Party Representatives like Steve Daines have politicized the VA crisis while consistently voting against legislation that would get to the root of the problem and improve care.

VoteVets has pledged to share that story across the country, in many states.

I’m happy to help them in Montana.

Loraine Tackett
Mother to six U.S. Marines

Meet the Bay Area Impact Challenge winners


 

Ten days ago, voting opened for Google’s first Bay Area Impact Challenge, and now the tally is in. On the ballot? Ten amazing nonprofit proposals tomake a difference in our community.Between May 22 and June 2, nearly 200,000 votes poured in (191,504to be exact)—adjusted for population, that makes it the highest voter turnout we’ve had in a Challenge to date. Now we’re unveiling the winners. Each will receive $500,000 in funding and support from Google:

  • Hack the Hood will address digital equity by training low-income youth to build websites for local small businesses, actively supporting them to launch their own tech careers.
  • Center for Employment Opportunities will develop a tech platform to prepare formerly incarcerated people for employment in a digital world.
  • The Health Trust will create new distribution channels for people to get affordable produce, expanding options for street vendors, corner stores, and farmers’ markets for underserved areas.
  • Bring me a book will give kids access to digital books, in multiple languages, while creating a supportive online community for parents and caregivers.
Hack the Hood celebrates their win with community advisor Reverend Cecil Williams

But everyone wins in this competition: The six remaining finalists will each receive $250,000, and we also gave an additional 15 nonprofits around the Bay Area $100,000 each.

Finally, all 25 Google Impact Challenge nonprofits will receive one year of accelerator support at our first-ever impact lab, a co-working space launched in partnership with Impact Hub SF, a shared workspace for entrepreneurs committed to positive social and environmental change.

Nonprofits will have access to networking events, meeting space, and development workshops in the Impact Hub SF, as well as membership to all U.S. Hub locations. We also plan to host community events for the Bay Area nonprofit community throughout the year—so check out our website or follow us on Google+ to stay in the loop.

Now the work really begins, and we’re excited to continue to build on our ongoing efforts to give back to the community.

Posted by Jacquelline Fuller, Director of Google.org