Tag Archives: Congress

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what’s going on in Congress …


The Senate Convenes: 2:00pET June 21, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 5:15pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each and with no motions in order.At 5:15pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive session and debate concurrently until 6pm, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions or their designees.
At 6pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the below listed nominations:

– Calendar #777, Mark Goldsmith, of Michigan, to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan;
– Calendar #778, Marc Treadwell, of Georgia, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia; and
– Calendar #779, Josephine Tucker, of California, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California.
Votes:
195: Confirmation of Calendar #777, Mark Goldsmith, of Michigan, to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan;
Confirmed: 89-0

196: Confirmation of Calendar #778, Marc Treadwell, of Georgia, to be US District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia;
Confirmed: 89-0

Calendar #779, Josephine Tucker, of California, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California;
Confirmed by Voice Vote
Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.560, a resolution recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their families, especially on Father’s Day.Adopted S.Res.561, a resolution designating June 25th, 2010 as National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 11:00amET on June 21, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

11:03 A.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on June 22, 2010.

11:01 A.M. –
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House 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.

11:00 A.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Doug Tanner, Faith & Politics Institute The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Weekend …&some News


This week ended in calamity…Well, new information this Saturday afternoon to top off all the nonsense of all things BP and associates have said and or done this last week -a real fU moment to Americans … Apparently, BP CEO Tony Hayward was seen sailing in his yacht getting his life back. Though the Media is trying to tie the President’s & Vice President’s Saturday golf game to the BP person out sailing I have to say ish on it. There had to be a lot to talk about and what better place to say exactly what you want without a live mic on and if a deal needs to be made no one else has access to the information … hey- there are the two of them out there .. In addition, the FBI/Body Guards…if anything makes the airwaves -you know the guilty party. People do use golf for meetings why not think something positive is going on not something negative or self-serving…

I do not agree with any so-called journalist’s comments about where the President should be or how he is handling himself. Where was all this talk and or nonsense when Bush took Americans for an 8yr ride and then ruined our economy the double standard is astonishing, offensive and the whole notion of polls having any meaning is just strange… I didn’t get polled …who got polled and what percentage were Republicans how many were white men or women, were minorities included and what percentage  men and women were included in these polls …

If you were listening to American TV and or radio you would have heard that Tony Hayward stepped down… not so. If you were listening to the BBC and or overseas radio, the fact is he is still in CEO mode but I have a feeling this ceo will no longer be taking the witness stand unless forced and we probably will not see him with a mic in his hand. The other strange things heard on British radio are the overwhelming negative complaints edging on disdain feelings toward our President. These feelings and comments are beyond me since reports and evidence that Americans did want this President to go after BP. The People of the USA wanted the President to get funds for the people on the Gulf Coast. The reports are that the British people feel our President is such an actor that it is making them disrespectful of his intent; which was and still is to make the people on the gulf coast completely whole again. In addition, BP cannot fix the damages they inflicted on the Gulf Coast but they can pay until they fix the economy there. However, if you listened to the folks on radio we seem to be making a mountain of a molehill…that I find absurd. In addition, the little people or small people comment from the British radio folks felt the comment was appropriate, because the spill did hurt the little people.

The British compared the people on the Gulf Coast to the people like Congress and or the President and they make their wages from the water and or the things that help their people. I actually think he said exactly what he meant because it was a comparison made between aristocrats vs. the small people -maybe cable heads asked but I don’t remember the exact answers to it; go figure. I knew exactly what that man meant and it was offensive. I also got the impression that getting real answers will be harder than they were if not more because according to British radio the drama the yelling and screaming from the panel was a joke to them. In addition, when pressured about the lives lost. It seemed like they were sorry but that jobs with risk are just that- risky.

The other wacky and or offensive behavior this week was the lack of cooperation going on in Congress. It was just strange that the House and Senate Democrats either didn’t sync up their votes or didn’t care because major miss-communication went on to the point where major and I mean major progress was lost because of scheduling, planning or just plan ole incompetency. There were major votes that went on this last week and while there were miscues in both Chambers the biggest offensive miscues were the vote for Medicare and Veteran coverage. The doc fix was in line to be voted on after Republicans managed to stall and block HR4213 which, would have helped millions of Americans; but Republicans and a couple of Democrats made a deliberate choice to block a jobs bill.

The Senate finally decided under the max Baucus amendment to help doctors and our Vets; but after the final vote, which passed; politicians started claiming victory for progress. Then, within hours of the vote, journalists were stating the doc fix was too late because the House was not in session until June 21. My first thought was: how could this be, how could they not prepare for a special session to get the fix in before claims would be processed at the lower rate and will definitely cost more for tax payers and providers. The Democratic Party needs to make sure they are available so miscue -votes never happen again. The Democratic Party is supposed to be organized and in control, they need to act like it.

Other News …

The students taping the Democratic Congressman was in error and should have id’ himself and got permission to tape before s–there have been instances of violence toward our politicians and no one can blame D. Bob Etheridge apologies should be given by both sides.

C-SPAN …

In his weekly address, President Obama criticizes congressional Republicans for blocking legislation on a variety of issues including the extension of unemployment benefits, tax credits for first-time homebuyers, and over 100 nominations for federal positions.

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address

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Declare your Independence


Declare Your Independence from Big Banks -- Organize a RallyOK, let’s just say what everyone already knows: the Wall Street reform bill in Congress right now does NOT go far enough.

It’s a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t address the biggest threat to our economy and the cause of the financial meltdown — banks that are “too big to fail.”

Here’s the thing: we’re not waiting for Congress to break up the “too big to fail” banks. We’re already taking action to break up the big banks and we’ll support candidates that follow our lead. To succeed, we need to make our joint campaign with the Huffington Post keep growing. So, this 4th of July weekend, DFA members nationwide will host rallies “Declaring Our Independence from the Big Banks.”

Can we count on you to help organize a rally in YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Organize an Independence Day Rally near you

In just two weeks, 7,503 DFA members across the country have pledged to move $464,063,714 from big banks into community banks and credit unions this year. And progressive leaders are talking about our campaign:

“I am very excited to see DFA add their grassroots organizing power to ‘Move Your Money.’ DFA members aren’t waiting for Congress. They have the power to break up the big banks starting now.”
– Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post

“Move Your Money before some ‘too big to fail’ bank moves it for you — into their pockets. If our elected officials won’t punish the banks that took our money, here’s a way to do it yourself. Starve the big banks.”
– Michael Moore, activist filmmaker

It’s up to us to make sure this campaign is growing every single day. That means, we need to get out in our community, expose the too big to fail banks, and highlight the power of keeping your money in a local community bank or credit union. Congress doesn’t have the backbone to do it, so we’ll show them the way and support candidates who follow our lead.

Organize a rally in YOUR COMMUNITY to get the word out, because the power to break up the big banks is in our hands.

DemocracyForAmerica.com/IndependenceDay

I’ll be helping organize a rally here in Burlington, Vermont — where I live. Help grow this campaign and sign up today to organize a rally where you live.

Working together, we’re making an impact and there’s nothing Wall Street lobbyists can do to stop us.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Nick

Nick Passanante, Deputy Field Director
Democracy for America

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Rep. Joe Barton …


It’s hard to believe, but Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) just apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward.

Worse, this senior member of Congress called the real tragedy of the Gulf oil disaster not the hundreds of thousands of livelihoods destroyed, but that BP can be subjected to a “shakedown” — referring to the funds BP has promised to pay back Gulf Coast victims.

“I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown.”

This is a jaw-dropping reminder that some in Congress are still willing to carry water for even the worst of the worst offenders, despite the fact that their actions threaten our way of life and a livable environment.

You have to see the video yourself — and please make sure that your friends and family watch as well.

Watch this video

Rep. Barton’s apology came as BP’s Hayward was testifying for the first time in Congress. And even while the CEO’s testimony was evasive and at time infuriating, we can expect that of the company responsible for the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.

What is completely unacceptable is elected officials putting the interests of the fossil fuel industry ahead of the public’s health and welfare, and in particular, ahead of the interests of those most affected by the Gulf disaster.

As we push forward and fight to solve the climate crisis and transition to a clean energy future, let’s continue to be vigilant. Let’s get the word out about any fossil fuel-backed member of Congress who feels it is okay to apologize to big oil in front of the American public.

Watch the video and please share it with everyone you know.

Thanks,

Dave Boundy
Campaign Manager
Repower America

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Why immigration reform matters: Liz’s story


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Reform Immigration FOR America

We know that you’re committed to this fight. And the hard work you’ve done is what’s gotten our movement this far. The events you’ve attended, the faxes you’ve sent, the phone calls you’ve made, and everything else you’ve done for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in America today have made a difference.

But this issue is even bigger than all of us put together. All of us know people who haven’t taken a side in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform. Maybe they’re friends or coworkers. Maybe they’re neighbors. They might even be family members. Showing them why this fight matters is vital to our movement’s success.

All summer long, we’ll be sharing stories with you of people all across the country who need comprehensive immigration reform for themselves, their families, their businesses, and their communities. And we want to hear about your story, and why you’re in this fight.

Let me tell you about Liz, a woman who grew up in California whose story shows why we need to fix our broken system:

My dad [was] a permanent U.S. resident. But what he didn’t know was that under a new 1996 immigration law passed in Congress, an immigrant could be deported regardless of when [a] crime was committed, what type of crime was committed, and if time was served. In the wee hours of the morning my dad was handcuffed in front of my brother and taken away by agents leaving my brother alone, crying, and confused…

You can read the rest of Liz’s story on our blog. You can also use her story, and the other stories we’ll be sharing with you in the weeks and months to come, to start conversations with the people you know. Let them know that there are millions of people just like Liz, who suffer every day under our broken system. We’re fighting for immigration reform because we know that those families and those people need justice.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America