Tell EPA: Take away BP’s billions in federal contracts
BP continues to stonewall the American people about the growing Deep Horizon disaster in the Gulf, even while the company reaps millions of dollars in profits each day from its other federal leases. The White House, the Department of Interior, and Congress are all crying foul, but they are not taking action to hold BP accountable. If the Obama administration is serious about making BP pay, there is a very simple and powerful tool at its disposal: the EPA can take away BP’s billions in federal contracts. The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to bar BP from receiving U.S. government contracts. Suspension of BP contracts would mean the loss of billions of dollars and effectively stop the company from drilling in federally controlled oil fields both on and offshore. This is the strongest possible action that could be taken against BP. Discretionary debarment is among the most serious actions EPA can take. EPA’s own regulations allow the agency to ban BP from future contracts after considering “the frequency and pattern of the incidents, corporate attitude both before and after the incidents, changes in policies, procedures, and practices.” Prior to the current Gulf spill, EPA had linked BP to at least four instances of criminal misconduct and BP has paid tens of millions in fines for environmental crimes. According to the public interest investigative journalists at Pro Publica, the EPA is considering re-evaluating BP and determining whether the company’s actions leading up to and following the Deep Horizon spill are evidence of an institutional problem inside BP that would qualify for debarment action. If BP is hit with discretionary debarment, the company would lose valuable contracts for selling fuel to the military and would be prohibited from obtaining or renewing drilling leases on federal land. It could also cancel BP’s current federal leases. The impact on BP’s bottom line could be in the billions of dollars. Neither Congress, nor President Obama, nor Interior Secretary Salazar have taken steps to truly hold BP accountable. It’s up to EPA to use the regulatory tools at its disposal to make BP pay. The American people are outraged by the politicians’ inaction in the face of an exponentially growing economic and environmental disaster in the Gulf. It’s time for EPA to take immediate and decisive action. Your pressure works. Sign the petition to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson today. Becky Bond, Political Director |
Tag Archives: democrats
ThinkProgress.org
ECONOMIC JUSTICE — 35,000 PEOPLE PROTEST CHRISTIE’S BUDGET CUTS, OUTNUMBERING EARLIER TEA PARTY RALLY 87-TO-1: About 35,000 people rallied outside the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton on Saturday after Gov. Chris Christie (R) vetoed a progressive attempt to fix the state’s budget crisis. New Jersey is facing a projected $10.7 billion budget deficit due to the recession, and to close it, progressive state legislators passed a bill creating a new tax bracket on residents making more than $1 million. The state’s nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services estimates that the new tax would lead a household making $1.2 million annually to pay only $11,598 more a year. Yet Christie vetoed the bill, despite the fact that the state has the “second-highest personal income in the country.” Instead, the governor has proposed massive cuts to public services, like an $820 million reduction in the state’s education budget, and ending millions of dollars of aid to cash-strapped municipalities. On Saturday, 35,000 New Jerseyans, outraged at Christie’s choice to protect the wealthiest citizens of his state rather than its schools and infrastructure, demonstrated outside the statehouse, chanting, “We are not the problem.” It was “one of the largest protests ever in the state.” Christie, meanwhile, was at a bill signing at a racetrack where he simply dismissed the protests. “I’m here. They’re there. Have a nice day,” he said. The massive rally is particularly significant when compared to the right-wing Tea Party protests, which the media have covered obsessively. At a Tea Party rally in Trenton last month, police estimated that, at a maximum, only 400 people attended. Which means that at the very least, the protesters marching against Christie’s budget cuts and for decent investment in public infrastructure outnumbered the anti-government tea party protesters 87-to-1.
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Tuesday talk&votes in Congress …
The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET May 25, 2010
Senate cmte vote on DADT possible on Thursday. Today the President announced he will be going to the Gulf Coast to see the current damage/get updates and he stated: “I’m calling on Congress to pass (the) small business jobs package as soon as possible,” Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery at the White House. “I urge both chambers to act on these proposals as soon as possible. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.”
Resume consideration of HR4899, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations.
Recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus luncheons.
Senator Reid filed cloture on the committee reported substitute amendment and HR4899, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations. As a result of cloture being filed, there is a 1pm tomorrow filing deadline for first degree amendments.
Unanimous Consent:
– S.2874, “Roy Rondeno, Sr. Post Office Building,” in New Orleans, LA
– S.3200, “Zachary Smith Post Office Building,” in Hornell, NY
– H.R.3250, “Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building,” in Riverhead, NY
– H.R.3634, “George Kell Post Office,” in Swifton, AR
– H.R.3892, “E.V. Wilkins Post Office,” in Roper, NC
– H.R.4017, “Ann Marie Blute Post Office,” in Shrewbury, MA
– H.R.4095, “Congresswoman Jan Meyers Post Office Building,” in Overland Park, KS
– H.R.4139, “Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office,” in Hickory, MS
– H.R.4214, “Roy Wilson Post Office,” in Palm Desert, CA
– H.R.4238, “W.D. Farr Post Office Building,” in Greeley, CO
– H.R.4425, “Martin G. ‘Marty’ Mahar Post Office,” in North Troy, NY
– H.R.4547, “Captain Luther H. Smith, U.S. Army Air Forces Post Office,” in Cheyney, PA
– H.R.4628, “Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office Building,” in Westwood, NJ
– HR4840, “Clarence D. Lumpkin Post Office,” in Columbus, OH, with an amendment and an amendment to the title
– Passed H.R.5128, a bill to designate the US Department of Interior Building in Washington, DC, as the “Stewart Lee Udall Department of Interior Building”
– Adopted S.Con.Res.211, a concurrent resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the East Bay Regional Park District of California
The Senate confirmed the following nominations:
#894 Kerry Joseph Forestal to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana for a term of four years.
#895 John Dale Foster to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years.
#896 Gary Michael Gaskins to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia for the term of four years.
#897 Dallas Stephen Neville to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Wisconsin for the term of four years.
#898 R. Booth Goodwin II, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years.
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The next meeting in the House: 10:30amET May 25, 2010
An anti-fraud bill to protect Seniors, currently voting on care for Veterans (413 yea – 2 nay)
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 25, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
- 6:33 P.M. –
- SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
- 6:32 P.M. –
- Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Moran of KS be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on May 29. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Moran of KS be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on May 28.
Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Moran of KS be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on May 27.
- 6:26 P.M. –
- ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
- H. Res. 1172:
- recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg
- H. Res. 1172:
- 6:25 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 recorded vote (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 301).
- 6:17 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- H. Res. 1189:
- commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
- H. Res. 1189:
- 6:16 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): 411 – 0, 3 Present (Roll no. 300).
- 6:09 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- H.R. 2711:
- to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the transportation of the dependents, remains, and effects of certain Federal employees who die while performing official duties or as a result of the performance of official duties
- H.R. 2711:
- 6:08 P.M. –
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0 (Roll no. 299).
- H.R. 3885:
- to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy
- H.R. 3885:
- 6:00 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 – 4 (Roll no. 298).
- 5:32 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- 5:31 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.
- 5:30 P.M. –
- National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity – the Speaker appointed (upon the recommendation of the Majority Leader): Dr. Carolyn Williams, Bronx, NY; Dr. William “Brit” Kirwan, Adelphi, MD; and Dr. Benjamin J. Allen, Cedar Falls, IA; (and upon the recommendation of the Minority Leader): Dr. Art Keiser, Parkland, FL; Mr. Arthur Rothkopf, Washington, DC;and Dr. William Pepicello, Phoenix, AZ .
- H. Res. 407:
- expressing support for designation of May as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month”
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Castor (FL) 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.
- H. Res. 407:
- 5:16 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 407. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Ms. Castor (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
- H. Res. 1372:
- honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial
- H. Res. 1372:
- 5:15 P.M. –
- At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (NY) 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.
- 5:08 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1372. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- H. Res. 1161:
- honoring the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University, the first Catholic university in the world to offer co-education as part of its regular undergraduate program
- H. Res. 1161:
- 5:07 P.M. –
- At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (NY) 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.
- 4:56 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1161. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- H. Res. 1169:
- honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College
- H. Res. 1169:
- 4:55 P.M. –
- At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (NY) 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.
- 4:48 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1169. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
- H. Res. 1353:
- supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid
- H. Res. 1353:
- 4:47 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.
- 4:41 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1353. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
- H. Res. 1385:
- recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes
- H. Res. 1385:
- 4:40 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.
- 4:20 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1385. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Skelton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- H. Res. 1316:
- celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
- H. Res. 1316:
- 4:18 P.M. –
- At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lynch 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.
- 4:09 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1316. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
- H. Res. 1189:
- commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
- H. Res. 1189:
- 4:08 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.
- 4:05 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1189. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- H. Res. 1172:
- recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg
- H. Res. 1172:
- 4:04 P.M. –
- At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lynch 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.
- 3:52 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1172. Considered under suspension of the rules.
Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- H.R. 2711:
- to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the transportation of the dependents, remains, and effects of certain Federal employees who die while performing official duties or as a result of the performance of official duties
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.
- H.R. 2711:
- 3:50 P.M. –
- The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3200, S. 2874, H.R. 4840 amended, H.R. 4547, H.R. 4425, H.R. 4238, H.R. 4214, H.R. 4139, H.R. 4095, H.R. 4017, H.R. 3892, H.R. 3634, H.R. 3250, and H.R. 4628.
- H.R. 2711:
- to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the transportation of the dependents, remains, and effects of certain Federal employees who die while performing official duties or as a result of the performance of official duties
- H.R. 2711:
- 3:43 P.M. –
- DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2711.
- 3:42 P.M. –
- Mr. Lynch moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
- 3:41 P.M. –
- The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
- H. Res. 584:
- recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States
- H. Res. 584:
- 3:40 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): 408 – 4, 1 Present (Roll no. 297).
- 3:32 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- H. Res. 1382:
- expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident
- H. Res. 1382:
- 3:31 P.M. –
- On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 411 – 3 (Roll no. 296). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 3:23 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- 3:20 P.M. –
- ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE NUMBER OF HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentleman from Hawaii, the whole number of the House is 432.
- 3:08 P.M. –
- OATH OF OFFICE – Representative-Elect Charles Djou, First District, State of Hawaii, presented himself in the well of the House for the purpose of taking the Oath of Office which was administered by the Speaker of the House. The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the House a facsimile copy of a letter received from Mr. Scott T. Nago, Chief Election Officer, Office of Elections, State of Hawaii, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held May 22, 2010, the Honorable Charles Djou was elected representative to Congress of the First Congressional District, State of Hawaii.
- H. Res. 1258:
- expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 – 1 (Roll no. 295). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- H. Res. 1258:
- 3:02 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- H.R. 5145:
- to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the continuing professional education reimbursement provided to health professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs
- H.R. 5145:
- 3:01 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): 413 – 2 (Roll no. 294).
- 2:30 P.M. –
- Considered as unfinished business.
- 2:29 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.
- 12:11 P.M. –
- The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 707, S. 2868, and H.R. 4173 amended.
- 12:04 P.M. –
- ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
- 12:03 P.M. –
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC 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.
- 12:01 P.M. –
- Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.
- 12:00 P.M. –
- The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 25.
- 10:40 A.M. –
- The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
- 10:31 A.M. –
- MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
- 10:30 A.M. –
- The Speaker designated the Honorable John A. Yarmuth to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
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ThinkProgress…
RADICAL RIGHT — ARIZONA SENATOR WHO PUSHED RADICAL IMMIGRATION LAW PLANS ON GOING AFTER ‘ANCHOR BABIES’ NEXT: Arizona news station KPHO is reporting that the state senator behind Arizona’s new radical immigration law, Russell Pierce (R), intends to push for an “anchor baby” bill that would essentially overturn the 14th Amendment by no longer granting citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants born on U.S. soil. According to e-mails obtained by KPHO, Pierce writes that he intends “to push for an Arizona bill that would refuse to accept or issue a birth certificate that recognizes citizenship to those born to illegal aliens, unless one parent is a citizen.” However, Pierce’s legislation is simply outright unconstitutional. As the Center for American Progress report “Immigration Nation: Reversing Birthright Citizenship Would Reverse A Unique American Achievement” writes, “Eleven years and a bloody Civil War later, when the framers of the 14th Amendment composed its text, they explicitly rejected the notion that America is a country club.” The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that anyone born in the United States would be a citizen regardless of his or her parents’ nationality. “This is why the hard right’s assault on birthright citizenship — claiming that the Constitution does not in fact grant citizenship to the children of immigrants to the United States — does not survive the text of the Constitution itself,” write the CAP authors. Unfortunately, Pierce isn’t the first lawmaker to go after the children of immigrants. Since taking office, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA) has tried and failed to pass seven pieces of legislation that would either repeal or reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s definition of citizenship.
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Monday …Congress debates&votes
The Senate Convenes: May 24, 2010 2:00pmET . There will be a period of morning business until 3:00pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
At 3:00pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.4899,
The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/ passed the House without amendment…HR4899 is for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes like small business; it also rescinds certain amounts of funds from the accounts of programs and social services and possible debate on DADT
The following amendments are pending to HR4899:
Reid #4147 (text of S.3194, Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act)
Session #4173 (discretionary spending caps)
At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes. Those votes will be in relation to the Brownback and Hutchison motions to instruct conferees with respect to Wall Street Reform.
Votes:
163: Brownback Motion to Instruct Conferees (auto dealers);
Agreed to: 60-30
164: Hutchison Motion to Instruct Conferees (proprietary trading);
Agreed To: 87-4
Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.707, the Telework Enhancement Act (with committee-reported amendments).
Passed S.2868, the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act
Adopted S.Res.538, a resolution affirming the support of the United States for a strong and vital alliance with Thailand.
Adopted S.Res.539, a resolution designating May 24, 2010, as “Priscription Drug Disposal Awareness Day”.
***************************************************
The next meeting in the House is May 24, 2010 12:30pmET
Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m;Suspensions (13 Bills)
stay tuned the rest of the weeks focus could be Jobs, national defense,science/technology and spending in Elections Act/Subject to a Rule;possible debates on DADT
The House to vote on raising the oil tax
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 24, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
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