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mid-week in Congress


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

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Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 6:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

We expect to begin a series of 2 roll call votes at approximately 6pm.

Those votes would be on the following motions:

– Motion to table the DeMint motion to refer the House Message to accompany H.R.4213 (Tax Extenders) to the Committee on Finance with instructions to report the same back to the Senate with changes to include a permanent extension of the 15 percent income tax rate on capital gains and dividends under section 1(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and to include provisions which decrease spending or increase net revenues as appropriate to offset such permanent extension.
– Motion to table Baucus motion to concur with an amendment (Baucus II substitute).

Following the votes, we expect to recess subject to the call of the Chair. When the Senate reconvenes, Senator Reid will be recognized to make a motion to concur with an amendment.

This evening Senator Reid moved to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR4213, Tax Extenders, with an amendment (Baucus #4386, which is the new (III) substitute amendment). Senator Reid then filled the tree and filed cloture on the motion to concur with an amendment. The cloture vote would occur on Friday, June 25, 2010, unless an agreement can be reached to vote earlier.
Votes:
197: Reid Motion to table the DeMint motion to refer the House Message to accompany H.R.4213 (Tax Extenders) to the Committee on Finance with instructions to report the same back to the Senate with changes to include a permanent extension of the 15 percent income tax rate on capital gains and dividends under section 1(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and to include provisions which decrease spending or increase net revenues as appropriate to offset such permanent extension;
Tabled: 57-40

198: Reid Motion to Table Baucus Motion to Concur with an amendment (Baucus II substitute);
Tabled: 56-40

Unanimous Consent:
Passed H.R.725, Indian Arts and Crafts, with Dorgan substitute amendment, which is the text of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010

Passed S.1508, Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2009

Adopted S. Res541, a resolution designating June 27, 2010, as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day”, with Conrad amendment to the preamble.

Adopted S.Res.552, a resolution designating June 23, 2010, as “Olympic Day”.

The Senate confirmed the following Executive nominations

#782, Michael Huerta to be Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

#953 Malcolm D. Jackson to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

#954 Christopher A. Masingill to be Federal Cochairperson, Delta Regional Authority.

#955 Rafael Moure-Eraso to be Chairperson of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

#956 Mark A. Griffon to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

#957 Rafael Moure-Eraso to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

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

5:20 P.M. –

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

5:19 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 30: Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Moran of KS be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 29.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Moran of KS be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 25.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Paulsen be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 24.

5:12 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1467:

requesting return of official papers on H.R. 5136

5:11 P.M. –

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

5:10 P.M. –

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

5:09 P.M. –

Mr. Owens asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.

Considered by unanimous consent.

H. Res. 1388:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week

5:08 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 419 – 0 (Roll no. 384).

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

5:00 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 3993:

to require accurate and reasonable disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling cards and services

4:59 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 381 – 41 (Roll no. 383).

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

4:52 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

4:50 P.M. –

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

H.R. 5481:

to give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling

4:48 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 382).

4:19 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

4:17 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 23.

3:25 P.M. –

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

3:24 P.M. –

Mr. Rahall filed a report from the Committee on Natural Resources on H. Res. 1406.

H.R. 5481:

to give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling

3:23 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:44 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5481.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1457:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the one-year anniversary of the Government of Iran’s fraudulent manipulation of Iranian elections, the Government of Iran’s continued denial of human rights and democracy to the people of Iran, and the Government of Iran’s continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability

2:43 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Costa objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

2:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1457.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Costa moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1359:

calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit held captive by Hamas, and for other purposes

2:14 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Ackerman objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

1:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1359.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Ackerman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1465:

reaffirming the longstanding friendship and alliance between the United States and Colombia

1:57 P.M. –

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

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

1:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1465.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1464:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and expressing appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for enhancing peace, prosperity, and security in the Asia-Pacific region

1:37 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

1:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1464.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S.J. Res. 32:

recognizing the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and reaffirming the United States-Korea alliance

1:26 P.M. –

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

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

1:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S.J. Res. 32.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.

H. Res. 1350:

recognizing June 20, 2010, as World Refugee Day

1:12 P.M. –

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

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

1:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1350.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 1660:

to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the emissions of formaldehyde from composite wood products, and for other purposes

1:02 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

12:50 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1660.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 3993:

to require accurate and reasonable disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling cards and services

12:48 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

12:36 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3993.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Matsui moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

12:34 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

H. Res. 1369:

recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

12:33 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 381).

12:27 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1434:

recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States

12:26 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 – 6 (Roll no. 380).

12:18 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:16 P.M. –

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

H.R. 5551:

to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make a certification when making purchases under the Small Business Lending Fund Program

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 379).

11:50 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1373:

expressing support for designation of the week beginning May 2, 2010, as “National Physical Education and Sport Week”

11:48 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Payne objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

11:39 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1373.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Payne moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1034:

expressing support for designation of July 2010 as “Braille Literacy Month”

11:38 A.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

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

11:29 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1034.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Payne moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 285:

recognizing the important role that fathers play in the lives of their children and families and supporting the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the Father

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

11:23 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 285.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Payne moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S. 2865:

to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), and for other purposes

11:22 A.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

11:16 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2865.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 5569:

to extend the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

10:58 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5569.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1434:

recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States

10:57 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

10:46 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1434.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Kosmas moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5551:

to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make a certification when making purchases under the Small Business Lending Fund Program

10:45 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

10:28 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5551.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Kosmas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

10:27 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:04 A.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.

10:01 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Welch to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Steven Boes, National Executive Director, Boys Town, Nebraska.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Tell the President and Senate Leaders to Stand up for Clean Energy!


Hi —

On Wednesday, June 23, President Obama is meeting with a bipartisan group of Senate energy leaders to decide what kind of legislation to pursue in response to the Deepwater Oil Disaster. I just co-signed a letter to President Obama and Senate leaders, urging them to pass comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation.

Could you please join me?

http://cpaf.repoweramerica.org/obamaletter-thanks

Please help build public pressure for our leaders to do the right thing.

Thanks!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stand against unconstitutional attacks

Last September, in the midst of a stunning attack on an organization dedicated to organizing working people to act on their own behalf, the US Congress approved the Defund ACORN Act. It did this without investigating the charges leveled against us and in response to what was, above all, an enormous propaganda campaign. Congress’ move, singling out one organization for sanctions without investigation, is called a “bill of attainder” and it is expressly prohibited by the Constitution of the United States.

We have fought this miscarriage of justice from the beginning and from the beginning we’ve had success, including winning a preliminary injunction against it. Now our appeal is speeding through the courts, with the next hearing scheduled for this Thursday, June 24th. This fight is no longer about ACORN – as you know, we’ve ceased all field operations – it is about the Constitution itself. If this attack is allowed to stand, then any other organization that displeases those with power in the United States can be similarly attacked and, potentially, destroyed.

That’s why I’m asking you to stand up for justice, for the Constitution, and against Congress’ action by sending your members of Congress an email demanding they go on record opposing the defund ACORN act and the continuing efforts of the Administration to defend it in court.

ACORN has been investigated by four separate, independent, sources – former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the California Attorney General, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – and each of them has cleared ACORN of any wrongdoing. Three investigations reviewing the videos used to attack ACORN determined that they were “splice jobs” in which “the truth is on the cutting room floor”. The fourth, from the GAO, concluded that ACORN had not misused any of the Federal funds it had received. In other words, the entire set of attacks was a witch hunt driven using modern propaganda techniques and with millions of dollars in dedicated air time on a “news” channel and talk radio.

And you know why. We were simply too good at what we did – engaging low- and moderate-income families and families of color in America’s democratic system. If we hadn’t helped 860,000 new voters get on the voter rolls since 2004 (we believe this is the largest non-partisan voter registration effort ever carried out by a single non-profit organization), if we hadn’t helped raise the minimum wage in seven states, if we hadn’t blown the whistle about predatory lending in the sub-prime market back in 1999, and if we hadn’t brought in over $15 billion in direct benefits to America’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods from 1994 – 2004, then we wouldn’t have been the targets of smears and attacks going back to the 2004 election. Smears that were exposed during the height of the scandal surrounding the firing of US Attorneys like David Iglesias in New Mexico, who refused to trump up phony voter fraud charges against ACORN.

You can stand up to these smears and for justice for working people by telling Congress to finally do the right thing. Frankly, if the attacks leveled against ACORN had really been about misusing taxpayer dollars, you can bet that defense contractors like Xe (formerly Blackwater), Halliburton, and Kaman Dayron, all of whom have been found guilty of either committing actual crimes or of collectively defrauding the American people of hundreds of millions of dollars, would have been the subject of their own Defund Corporate Criminals Act.

But, of course, they aren’t. Because, unlike ACORN’s low- and moderate-income membership, these corporations can buy influence in the highest levels of political power in the United States. So, our lawsuit against the unconstitutional Defund ACORN Act is not about ACORN and its past federal funding. It is about justice for all organizations that fight for the interests of regular folks against the most powerful interests in America. You can remind Congress that people expect them to tackle the difficult issues facing our country and its working families, not engage in political grandstanding at the expense of constitutional guarantees.

Thank you for all your past support and for taking a stand to make America a fairer and more equitable place for all of us.

In solidarity and strength,

Bertha Lewis
ACORN CEO and Chief Organizer

PS. For those of you living in New York City, we’re inviting you to attend the Thursday hearing with me and other allies. Click here for more information about the hearing and the entire ACORN v USA case prepared by the Center for Constitutional Rights.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Cardin, Casey, Hagan Join Education Advocates And Firefighters To Discuss Why FMAP Funding Is Important For Our Communities And Schools


June 22, 2010

Washington, DC— Senators Ben Cardin, Bob Casey and Kay Hagan joined Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Kevin O’Connor of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) at a press conference this morning to call on Republicans to stop blocking critical state funding. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, actions needed to close state budget deficits could cost the national economy 900,000 public- and private-sector jobs, including teachers, police officers and firefighters.  In recent weeks, Republicans have blocked several efforts by Senate Democrats to pass this legislation, leaving our communities vulnerable and depriving our schools of much-needed resources to educate our children.

“If we do not extend these funds, the states like Maryland will hit a fiscal wall that will have an immediate impact on our most vulnerable citizens. It also will cost us jobs as local governments are forced to make painful cuts just at the very time we were beginning to feel the positive results of our recovery,” said Senator Cardin. “This is critically important for our nation as a whole and should not be a partisan issue.”

“Continued obstruction in the Senate could lead to 20,000 layoffs in Pennsylvania alone and poses a threat to public safety and schools,” said Senator Casey.  “Despite majority support, states around the country are facing harmful real world consequences because a minority of senators are blocking funding.”

“Extending this Medicaid funding is the key to helping North Carolina and all of our states navigate these difficult economic times,” said Senator Hagan.  “Our children’s education and the safety of our communities are at risk.  This is an issue too important to fall victim to partisan bickering.”

“Children don’t decide to be born during good times or bad. But we, the adults, decide whether we are going to take care of our children and give them the care and education they deserve,” said Randi Weingarten of the AFT.  “By funding FMAP, we can meet that obligation to our children, and continue the terrific progress we’re making in school districts across the county.”

“It’s time for Congress to stop talking and start acting. It’s time to put our communities and the safety of our citizens first,” said Kevin O’Connor of the IAFF. The price of Congressional inaction will force cities and towns to lay off thousands of fire fighters and jeopardize public safety. Stop the delays, pass the FMAP funding extension immediately.”

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Oil rig worker warned of BP danger


As Americans heard Judge Martin Feldman rule against the President’s moratorium today,  one has to wonder why people on the Gulf Coast cannot wait while safety checks are done, possibly demand relief wells be dug and or any 500thouand dollar safety feature be on all questionable wells… why wouldn’t a Judge want these wells checked and or adjusted before letting the lives of workers be at any more risk

the BP whistle blower talks about his experience  … we all need to ask ourselves is it possible that  Corporations like BP are willing to risk life and the environment against Profits; does this include Judge feldman