Tag Archives: harry reid

The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET April 6, 2011

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time until 10:40am equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half and and at 10:40am Senator Ayotte be recognized to deliver her maiden speech to the Senate.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.493, the Small Business Jobs bill. Senator Reid or his designee will be recognized to call up the following amendments:

– Baucus #236;

– Stabenow #277;

– Rockefeller #215;

– Coburn #217;

– Coburn #223;

– Coburn #273;

– Inouye #286;

The pending Sanders amendment #207 will be modified with the changes that are at the desk; the Senate will then debate the amendments concurrently until 4pm with the time equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior to votes in relation to the following amendments in the order listed below:

– Baucus #236;

– Stabenow #277;

– Rockefeller #215;

– McConnell #183;

– Coburn #223;

– Inouye #286; and

– Coburn #273;

There will be two minutes equally divided in between the votes; and all after the first vote will 10 minutes in duration; and the amendments will be subject to a 60 vote threshold.

Upon the disposition of the Coburn amendment #273, amendment #s 184 and 217 offered by Senator Coburn will be agreed to.

Therefore, Senators should expect up to 7 roll call votes at approximately 4pm in relation to amendments to the Small Business Jobs bill.

The following amendments are pending to S.493, SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011:

– McConnell amendment #183 (Prohibits the EPA from regulating carbon pollution)

– Vitter amendment #178 (require Federal government to sell unused Federal real property).

– Johanns amendment #161 (1099 repeal)

– Cornyn amendment #186 (bipartisan commission)

– Paul amendment #199 (spending cuts)

– Sanders amendment #207, as modified (Social Security)

– Hutchison amendment #197 (Delay health care reform)

– Coburn amendment #184 (GAO Study)

– Pryor amendment #229 (Patriot Express Loan program)

– Landrieu amendment #244 to amendment #244 (effective date)

– Baucus #236 (EPA)

– Stabenow amendment #277 (EPA)

– Rockefeller amendment #215 (EPA)

– Coburn amendment #217 (covered bridge preservation)

– Coburn amendment #281 (UI for millionaires and billionaires)

– Coburn amendment #273 (duplicative programs)

– Inouye amendment #286 (duplicative programs)

Votes:

51: Baucus amendment #236: (greenhouse gas related exemptions from permitting process); Not Agreed to: 7-93

52: Stabenow amendment #277: (suspension of stationary source greenhouse gas regulations);

Not Agreed to, 7-93

53: Rockefeller amendment #215: (suspend any EPA action with respect to carbon dioxide or methane);

Not Agreed to: 12-88

54: McConnell amendment #183: (prohibits EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions);

Not Agreed to, 50-50

55: Coburn amendment #223: (end federal unemployment payments to jobless millionaires and billionaires);

Agreed To: 100-0

56: Inouye amendment #286: (consolidating unnecessary duplicative and overlapping government programs);

Not Agreed To: 57-42

57: Coburn amendment #273: (consolidating unnecessary duplicative and overlapping government programs);

Agreed To: 64-36.

This is the last vote of the day.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 6, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 6, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:24 P.M. –

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

7:20 P.M. –

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

Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on April 7. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 910:

to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes

7:18 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

7:17 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 910.

7:16 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Kind amendment Failed by recorded vote: 160 – 264 (Roll no. 241).

7:11 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Doyle amendment Failed by recorded vote: 173 – 250 (Roll no. 240).

7:08 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Rush amendment Failed by recorded vote: 165 – 260 (Roll no. 239).

7:04 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Markey amendment Failed by recorded vote: 156 – 266 (Roll no. 238).

7:01 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by recorded vote: 168 – 257 (Roll no. 237).

6:56 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Waxman amendment Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 240 (Roll no. 236).

6:50 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Murphy (CT) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 240 (Roll no. 235).

6:46 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 157 – 266 (Roll no. 234).

6:42 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 161 – 259 (Roll no. 233).

6:17 P.M. –

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

6:15 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kind amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kind demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

6:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kind amendment in the nature of a substitute number 12.

Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Kind.

An amendment in the nature of a substitute numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-54 to codify the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tailoring Rule in order to protect farms, small businesses, and small- and medium-sized stationary sources from greenhouse gas regulation.

6:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Doyle amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Doyle demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:50 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Doyle amendment number 11.

Amendment offered by Mr. Doyle.

An amendment numbered 11 printed in House Report 112-54 to include a study to determine whether regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act to address climate change, if not repealed or otherwise made unauthorized by section 2 of the bill, would cause greenhouse gas leakage and reduce the international competitiveness of United States producers of energy-intensive products.

5:49 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment number 10.

Amendment offered by Mr. Rush.

An amendment numbered 10 printed in House Report 112-54 to prevent the provisions of this act from going into effect until the EPA Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, certifies that the consequences of not regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and its subsequent impact on climate change, including the potential to create sustained natural and humanitarian disasters and the ability to likely foster political instability where societal demands exceed the capacity of governments to cope, do not jeopardize American security interests at home or abroad.

5:36 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment number 9.

Amendment offered by Mr. Markey.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-54 to ensure that any prohibition on or limitation to EPA’s Clean Air Act authority contained in the bill would not apply to any action EPA could take to reduce demand for oil.

5:23 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Polis (CO) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Polis (CO) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis (CO) amendment number 8.

Amendment offered by Mr. Polis.

An amendment numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-54 to ensure the EPA Administrator can protect the public health in case of public health emergency.

5:09 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Quigley amendment Failed by voice vote.

5:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Quigley amendment number 7.

Amendment offered by Mr. Quigley.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-54 to require GAO to report to Congress the results of a study of health care costs in the U.S. as affected by the elimination of EPA regulation under this Act, as compared to health care costs in the U.S. as would be affected by the EPA proceeding under their regulating authority as determined in Massachusetts v. EPA.

4:59 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waxman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:49 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Waxman.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-54 to add a new section with respect to Congressional Acceptance of Scientific Findings: Congress accepts the scientific findings of the Environmental Protection Agency that climate changes is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for public health and welfare.

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waxman amendment number 6.

4:48 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Murphy (CT) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Murphy (CT) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:45 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Upton asked unanimous consent to extend debate time by 1 minute on each side on the amendment. Agreed to without objection.

4:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Murphy (CT) amendment number 5.

Amendment offered by Mr. Murphy (CT).

An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-54 to clarify that the Agency can continue to provide technical assistance to states taking action to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

4:31 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Cuellar amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cuellar amendment number 4.

Amendment offered by Mr. Cuellar.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-54 to amend the definition of greenhouse gas, to remove water vapor as a part of the definition, amend the act by striking the removal of existing EPA findings and rules, and exempt all auto standards from the legislation.

4:21 P.M. –

On agreeing to the McNerney amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:20 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney amendment number 3.

Amendment offered by Mr. McNerney.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-54 to clarify that voluntary programs addressing climate change classify as exceptions to the bill’s prohibitions.

4:19 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:07 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment number 2.

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-54 to insert a new section to provide considerations and procedures in finalizing greenhouse gas regulations.

4:06 P.M. –

3:54 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 203, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment number 1.

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-54 to require an EPA study to determine the long term impact of a complete ban on their authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

2:40 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 910.

2:39 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 203 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 910 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. All points of order againist the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 203.

2:38 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 321 – 98, 1 Present (Roll no. 232).

2:31 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Res. 203:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 910) to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit to Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes

2:30 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 – 172 (Roll no. 231).

2:22 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 266 – 158 (Roll no. 230).

12:56 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 203.

12:54 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:53 P.M. –

On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 36 – 367 (Roll no. 229).

12:29 P.M. –

Mr. Jackson (IL) moved that the House do now adjourn.

12:04 P.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.

12:03 P.M. –

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

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Poe demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Poe objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

12:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Bishop Henry Fernandez, The Faith Center, Sunrise, Florida

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 6.

10:50 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATES – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Renee L. Ellmers to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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What’s going on in Congress -the Republican led House:eliminated FHA prg (debating&voting) -the Senate dealing with budgets both were voted down

03/09/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET March 9,2011

Morning business until 10:40am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each equally divided and controlled with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

At 10:40am, the Senate will recess until 12:00pm for a Joint Meeting of Congress with the Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia.

At 12pm, the Senate will proceed to H.R.1, the House-passed funding bill with 3 hours of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, at approximately 3pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes:

– Passage of H.R.1 (60-vote threshold)

– Adoption of the Inouye amendment #149, the Democratic alternative to H.R.1 (60-vote threshold)

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during today’s session.

Votes:

36: Passage of H.R.1 (60-vote threshold)

Not Passed: 44-56

37: Adoption of the Inouye amendment #149: , the Democratic alternative to H.R.1 (60-vote threshold);

Not Agreed To: 42-58

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.63 is a resolution designating the first week of April 2011 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.

Adopted S.Res.97, a resolution affirming the importance of exercise and physical activity as key components of a healthy lifestyle, including in combating obesity, reducing chronic disease, and lowering health care costs.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 9, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:43 P.M. –

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

2:36 P.M. –

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

2:35 P.M. –

The House received a communication from John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker notified the House that he has appointed the Honorable Jerry Lewis, the Honorable Fred Upton, the Honorable Andy Harris, and the Honorable Frank R. Wolf to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the remainder of the One Hundred Twelfth Congress.

JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE – Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1024(a), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE: Mr. Hinchey, Mrs. Maloney, Ms. Sanchez Loretta of and Mr. Cummings.

2:34 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: 326 – 91, 1 Present (Roll no. 167).

2:26 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair annouced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed earlier in the legislative day.

H. Res. 150:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 830) to rescind the unobligated funding for the FHA Refinance Program and to terminate the program

2:25 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 240 – 180 (Roll no. 166).

2:18 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 186 (Roll no. 165).

1:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 150.

1:16 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 151:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 836) to rescind the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and to terminate the program

1:15 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 151.

12:25 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:04 P.M. –

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

PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS IN RECORD – Mr. Hensarling asked unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Congressional Record of today. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 155:

electing a Member to a Standing Committee of the House of Representatives

12:03 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 9.

11:42 A.M. –

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

JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED – The Speaker announced that the Joint Meeting was dissolved and that the House would recess subject to the call of the Chair.

10:50 A.M. –

JOINT MEETING – The House has reconvened in Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive an address by the Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 9.

10:04 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House would recess and would reconvene in a Joint Meeting with the Senate for the purpose of receiving the Honorable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

10:03 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 23.

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

10:02 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Womack demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Womack objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Tell Democratic leadership: Don’t cave to Republican budget extremists

02/28/2011 Nativegrl77

Tell Democratic Leadership: Don’t cave to Republican extremists on the budget.

No more weak backroom deals!

Clicking here will add your name to this petition: http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7198&id=17174-2591629-s_o9PNx&t=9

“Democratic Leadership: Don’t cave and cut a backroom deal with Republican extremists on the budget.”

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7198&id=17174-2591629-s_o9PNx&t=10 << sign the petition

It’s breathtaking to think that the Republicans would risk a government shutdown because Democrats won’t unilaterally capitulate to their demands for concessions in some of the most intractable ideological wars of our time.

But last week the House passed and sent to the Senate for consideration an extremist’s wish list under the guise of the “Continuing Resolution.” The Continuing Resolution is a must-pass bill that is necessary to maintain funding for the federal government while Congress debates the 2011 budget.

Even worse, the Huffington Post reports that Democratic leadership and key Appropriations Committee staffers met yesterday to identify cuts in social spending drastic enough to appease Republican demands for devastating spending reductions.1

Tell Democratic Leadership: Stand your ground against Republican extremism. Don’t cave and cut a backroom deal on the budget. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Democrats must stand their ground. But progressive champions in the Senate won’t be able to fight if their leadership preemptively cuts a deal with Republicans. Unfortunately, such a deal may already be underway.

If a Continuing Resolution isn’t passed by March 4, the government will shut down. Yet the Republicans have shown no willingness to compromise on any of their extreme demands including devastating cuts to Planned Parenthood, NPR, and the EPA.

Democrats now have two choices: Stand their ground or cave to this extremism to avoid the government shutdown that Republicans are forcing.

Tell Democratic Leadership: Stand your ground against Republican extremism. Don’t cave and cut a backroom deal with Republican extremists on the budget. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

If Democrats continue to cave to Republican extremists, it will only embolden the rightwing to launch even more radical attacks against progressives, because Republicans have learned, when they don’t compromise, they win.

We’ve seen it in Wisconsin where the Republican governor turned a budget surplus into a deficit with giveaways to corporations and millionaires, and then used the completely predictable budget deficit that resulted to bludgeon the public employee unions and diminish the power of the progressive base in his state. And when Unions offered to take benefit cuts, Walker said no, because his attack isn’t really about balancing budgets, it’s about breaking the public employee unions.

And now we’re hurtling towards total disaster in Washington D.C., because Republicans are practicing the same tactics, holding the needs of everyday Americans hostage with their threats of forcing a government shutdown. Intoxicated with power and propelled by a Tea Party base, they are willing let the American people twist in the wind if Senate Democrats don’t agree to their increasingly extreme wish list of demands.

It’s the logical result of a history of caving by Democrats. Time and time again, Republicans have practiced brinkmanship and the Democrats have been the first ones to blink — preemptively caving on a range of issues from climate to the public option to Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Not surprisingly, that behavior has only emboldened the Republicans to raise the stakes even more.

Tell Sens. Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durban and Pres. Obama: It’s time to stop preemptively caving without a fight. Don’t cut a backroom deal with Republican extremists who are threatening to shut down the government. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

As you may have noticed, things aren’t working out quite as Governor Walker planned in Wisconsin. And now the politicians in Washington DC should take a page from Wisconsin’s playbook. Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied behind nurses, teachers and other public employees. And the politicians are following the people’s lead with 14 Democrats in the state senate fleeing the state to deny the governor the quorum he needs to pass his radical agenda.

This is the kind of leadership we need in the U.S. Senate. But according to the Huffington Post, Democratic leadership is already busy caving to Republicans behind closed doors.

The Continuing Resolution passed by the House is not a serious attempt to address our budget. Republicans have hijacked a bill to fund the operation of government and attached their extremist wish list of cuts meant to serve their personal ideology, not address the real needs of the American people. For example, the Republicans sought to defund Planned Parenthood by denying Title X funding that currently enables millions of women to obtain birth control, cancer screenings, HIV tests, and other lifesaving care.

And that is just one of any number of deeply unpopular items that the Republicans could never force through the Senate or overcome a presidential veto of without being attached to “must pass” legislation like the Continuing Resolution.

This is not the end game, it’s just the beginning. The Republicans will have multiple opportunities to hold the budget hostage to their extremist demands. After the Continuing Resolution comes the fight over the debt ceiling and then 2011 budget process starts. Republicans are refusing to negotiate in good faith because they are confident that their utter intransigence will pay off — as it has in practically every single significant fight during the Obama administration. If we don’t draw the line now, Republican demands will only become more radical in these successive fights.

The time is now to draw the line. We can’t continue to let the Republicans hold the needs of the American people hostage to their increasingly extreme rightwing wish list. Wisconsin has shown us what can happen when Democrats fight back. Join us in putting Democratic leadership in the Senate — Sens. Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin — and President Obama on notice: Don’t sell us out before we have get the chance to fight.

Becky Bond, Political Director

CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. “Senate Democrats Meet To Find More Cuts For Long-Term Funding Deal With GOP,” The Huffington Post, February 24th, 2011

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From Wisconsin to Washington D.C.

02/24/2011 Nativegrl77

I don’t know about you, but I am getting sick of this crap. People are really hurting. Jobs are not coming back fast enough, people are still losing their homes, and what are Republicans doing? The GOP is using the budget crisis to wage a war on working people.

Join our DFA Live call on Tues., March 1 at 8PM EST with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to talk about what Republicans are planning to do and what you can do to stop them.

From Wisconsin to Washington D.C., Republicans are taking advantage of a crisis they created when they gave away tax cuts to the rich.

Seriously, Speaker Boehner is threatening to shut down the government by March 4th if they can’t cut funding of groceries for low-income pregnant women and children, but two months ago he insisted upon tax cuts for people making more than a quarter of a million dollars a year.

That’s not all, Republicans in Congress are insisting on cutting many vital programs to support police, fire fighters, teachers, nurses, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention the fact that even though Social Security does not contribute to the deficit, Republicans are insisting that cuts to Social Security should be on the table.

This DFA Live will also feature Nancy Altman, Co-Director of Social Security Works. She will explain how the budget, Social Security and jobs are linked and what we can do to protect the vital programs that keep our communities strong.

Cuts to Social Security and other vital programs are job killers. Speaker Boehner says that if the Republicans kill jobs, then “So be it.”

We believe Americans deserve a budget that creates jobs and protects vital programs with no cuts to Social Security.

Join our DFA Live on Tues., March 1 at 8PM to learn more about the issues and find out what you can do before March 4th to stop the Republicans.

Thanks for everything you do,

-Levana

Levana Layendecker, Communication Director

Democracy for America

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

02/01/2011 Nativegrl77

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.