Tag Archives: Democratic Party (United States)

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Congress -what is going on in the Senate 2/2, 2/3 & 2/4


 The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET Friday 4, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate.

By unanimous consent, the Senate locked in the agreement outlined below with respect to Executive nominations. As a result of this agreement, there will be 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm on Monday.

On Monday, February 7, 2011, at 4:30 pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

– Calendar #3 Paul Holmes, of AR, to be US District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas;

– Calendar #6 Diana Saldana, of TX, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas;

– Calendar #8 Marco Hernandez, of OR, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon.

There will be one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, Calendar #8 will be confirmed and the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of Calendar #3 and Calendar #6 in that order.

As a result of this agreement, at 5:30pm on Monday, February 7, there will be 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

– Calendar #3 Paul Holmes, of AR, to be US District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas; and

– Calendar #6 Diana Saldana, of TX, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas;

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The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET February 3, 2011

Morning business until 10:30am.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the FAA Authorization bill.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Whitehouse amendment #8 (laser pointers)

– Wicker amendment #14 (Excludes TSA from collective bargaining)

– Blunt amendment #5 (private screening company)

– Nelson (FL) #34 (NASA)

– Paul #21 (reduce authorization for FAA to FY2008 levels)

– Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

– Paul #19 (Davis Bacon)

Other Senators are waiting to offer their amendments. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

1-3pm morning business for the purpose of giving remarks relative to the upcoming centennial of the birth of President Ronald Reagan.

3:00pm Senator Manchin will give his maiden speech to the Senate.

The Senate has entered into an agreement that provides for 2 roll call votes around 5:20pm, if all time is used. Please note that some time may be yielded back and the votes could begin earlier.

Under the agreement, Senator Paul will call up amendment #19 (Davis Bacon). There will then be up to 30 minutes for debate equally divided between Senators Paul and Rockefeller, or their designees. There will then be up to 10 minutes for debate equally divided on the Whitehouse amendment #8 (laser pointers) between Senators Whitehouse and Hutchison, or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the following amendments:

– Whitehouse #8 (laser pointers)

– Paul #19 (Davis Bacon)

There will be no amendments or points of order in order prior to the votes.

Votes:

10: Whitehouse amendment #8: (laser pointers);

Agreed To: 96-1

11: Rockefeller motion to table the Paul amendment #19: (Davis Bacon);

Tabled: 55-42

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.42, a resolution making Majority Party committee appointments.

Adopted S.Res.43, a resolution making Minority Party committee appointments.

Adopted S.Res.44, a resolution supporting democracy, universal rights, and the peaceful transition to a representative government in Egypt.

Adopted S.Res.45, a resolution congratulating the Eastern Washington University Football team for winning the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision title.

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 the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET Wednesday

Following any Leader remarks, Senator Paul will be recognized for up to 20 minutes in morning business to deliver his maiden speech.

Following his remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration bill.

The following amendments are pending to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Stabenow #9 (1099 Reporting)

– McConnell #13 (Health Care Repeal)

– Levin #28 (1099 repeal)

This morning in his opening statement, Senator Reid announced to his colleagues that he spoke to Senator McConnell and they agreed to work towards having up to 3 roll call votes in the 5-6pm range this evening.

Those votes would be in relation to the following amendments to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Possible Democratic amendment (1099 Reporting);

– Stabenow amendment #9 (1099 Reporting); and

– McConnell amendment #13 (Health Care Law Repeal).

At 5:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Levin amendment #28 (repeal of 1099 with oil and gas offset);

– Stabenow amendment #9 (repeal of 1099 with unspent discretionary funds offset, exempts DoD, VA and Social Security Administration); and

– McConnell amendment #13 (repeal of health care reform).

The Levin amendment is subject to an affirmative 60-vote threshold for its adoption. No other amendments, points of order or motions are in order to these amendments prior to the votes except a Budge point of order, if applicable.

There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote. The first vote will be 15 minutes in duration and the remaining 2 votes will be 10 minutes in duration.

Votes:

7: Levin amendment #28: (repeal of 1099 with oil and gas offset) (60-vote threshold);

Not Agreed To: 44-54

8: Stabenow motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to Stabenow amendment #9: (repeal of 1099 with unspent discretionary funds offset, exempts DoD, VA and Social Security Administration);

Waived: 81-17 (subsequently agreed to by consent)

9: McConnell motion to waive Budget Act with respect to McConnell amendment #13: (repeal of health care reform);

Not Agreed To: 47-51

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.30, a resolution celebrating February 2, 2011, as the 25th anniversary of ‘National Women and Girls in Sports Day’.

Adopted S.Res.36, a resolution raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2011 as “National Stalking Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.37, a resolution recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week.

Adopted S.Res.38, a resolution congratulating Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on its 100th anniversary.

Adopted S.Res.39, a resolution congratulating the Auburn University football team for winning the 2010 Bowl Championship Series National Championship.

Adopted S.Res.40, a resolution congratulating the University of Akron men’s soccer team on winning the National Collegiate Athletic Associate Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.

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Obama spoke, make sure they listen

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 Say no to raids and criminalizing babies

Hold the new leadership responsible

Today, the House Judiciary committee will hold a hearing on worksite enforcement. This is the first in a series of hearings that will set up the Republican-controlled House’s immigration agenda: and it’s not pretty.

Heading up the committee is Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) whose strategy on immigration can be summed up as follows: target workers & target families. We are facing a leader who wants to take our country back to the days of the Postville Raid>> http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1158?akid=619.164689.Nz6RMQ&t=6  that destroyed a Midwestern community and will criminalize newborn babies in order to push his “deport them all” agenda.

Now, more than ever, we have to be sure that our voices are heard in the halls of Congress.

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1156?akid=619.164689.Nz6RMQ&t=7

Make sure that Lamar Smith knows we’re watching him.

Like President Obama said in last night’s State of the Union: http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1157?akid=619.164689.Nz6RMQ&t=8  “I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that debate will be difficult and take time. But tonight, let’s agree to make that effort”. Tell Lamar Smith & his committee that we’re ready to hold them accountable to making an effort.

Thank you,

Marissa Graciosa

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Congress … The Senate -in Session today 2pmET


The Senate Convenes at 2:00pm 1/31/2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate. However, the Majority Leader hopes to reach an agreement to begin consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration Act.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.22, a resolution condemning the New Year’s Day attack on the Coptic Christian community in Alexandria, Egypt and urging the Government of Egypt to fully investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous act.

AdoptedS.res. 34, a resolution designating the week of February 7 through 11, 2011, as “National School Counseling Week.”

Adopted S.Res.35, a resolution expressing support for the designation of January 28, 2011 as National Data Privacy Day.

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Defend Health Care Victory


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

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Stop the new attack on choice


 

 

    Tell Nancy Pelosi: Lead the fight against the anti-choice agenda

A woman’s right to choose is under attack!

 

Clicking on link below will automatically add your name to this petition to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: 

 

  

 

 

On Thursday, Representative Chris Smith introduced the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” — a chilling bill that will greatly reduce access to safe, legal abortions for women in this country.

This bill is undoubtedly only the first of many attempts by the anti-choice majority in the new Congress to restrict access to health care for women.

And while Republican control makes it likely that this bill will pass the House, weak or fragmented opposition from Democrats will only invite more extreme attacks on women’s rights.

As House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi has the ability to bring Democrats together against this radical expansion of abortion restrictions. But she needs to know that we have her back as she goes up against the extreme anti-choice members of Congress, including members of her own caucus.

Tell Nancy Pelosi that we need her leadership to bring Democrats together against this anti-choice bill. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Supporters of Rep. Smith’s bill say it simply codifies the current “Hyde amendment” into law, which prohibits federal funds from being used for abortion services.

That is a lie.

We heard the same lie from supporters of the notorious Stupak amendment during the health care fight, and we saw how that lie was effectively wielded to minimize opposition to what were in fact major attacks on reproductive choice. Rep. Smith’s bill not only includes the provisions in the Stupak amendment, it takes the attacks further.

Currently, 86% of private insurance plans cover abortion as part of a woman’s health care. If signed into law, the bill could be used to effectively end private insurance coverage for abortion for most women in the United States, even those who pay for private insurance themselves.

Among other provisions, the bill would deny tax credits to businesses or institutions that pay for or provide abortion services, even if no federal money is used for abortion procedures. It would also eliminate tax deductions for businesses that pay for insurance that covers abortions.1

It would also prevent someone from taking income tax deductions for medical expenses for any health plan that covered abortions. And if a woman who was risking blindness due to pregnancy paid for an abortion out of a tax-exempt health savings account, the money would be treated as income for tax purposes.2

In a number of ways, this bill is heir to the Stupak amendment, which showed how readily even some nominally pro-choice Democrats would stand aside in the face of significant attacks on choice.

In the wake of Stupak fight, we need Leader Pelosi to put up a fight against this bill and show the Republicans and anti-choice Democrats that women cannot be thrown under the bus again when it comes to reproductive health care.

Tell Nancy Pelosi that it is imperative that she bring Democrats together against this anti-choice bill and that we will have her back as she goes against the Republican leadership to secure women’s rights. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Your support will go a long way in rallying support against this extremist, anti-woman and anti-choice bill.

Thank you for protecting women’s health.

Becky Bond, Political Director
CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. “A quick note on the ‘No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,’” Nick Baumann, Mother Jones, 01-20-2011.

2. “Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced,” Jessica Arons, Center for American Progress, 01-20-2011.