Tag Archives: health care

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Monday March mad news …&cspan.org live-stream


It’s Monday and the madness continues on the Hill … NCAA has seeded all the teams and UW from Washington State is number 11 … while The President will be in Ohio at 1pm ET to talk about health care and what it will do for every American.  Robert Gibbs stated on Meet the Press, “This is the week where we will have this important vote,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. “I do think this is the climactic week for health care reform.”

Other News today …

Apparently, various police departments in Tenn are giving guns over to re-sellers to raise funds;in Tenn a gun that was used in the Pentagon murder attempt by a guy who bought a re-sell gun ended up being from the local police.

Senate business included …
has adjourned until 10:15am ET Tuesday
**Speaking  for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the House Message on H.R.2847, the legislative vehicle for the HIRE Act (Jobs I). At 5:30pm ET, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to concur in the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill, HR2847, the legislative vehicle for the HIRE Act.
** HR2847 17.6bil Jobs Bill includes amendment to comply with paygo, a payroll tax relief for new hires, extends highway trust funds, motion was agreed to in bipartisanship of  61yeas-30nays moving the bill forward to a final vote Wednesday morning.

**At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to concur in the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill, HR2847, the legislative vehicle for the HIRE Act.
Votes:
49: Cloture on the motion to concur with respect to the House message to accompany H.R.2847;
Invoked: 61-30
Unanimous Consent:
S.Res.455, a resolution honoring the life, heroism and service of Harriet Tubman.S.Con.Res.53, recognizing & congratulating the city of Colorado Springs, CO, as the new official site of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service and the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial.

S.Con.Res.53, recognizing & congratulating the city of Colorado Springs, CO, as the new official site of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Service and the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial.

The House business…
adjourned at 11pm ET

**House Reconciliation Bill Mark-Up
debating on the reconciliation is now gone to a vote for certain amendments be included …
23 nays-15yeas motion failed…this Mark up goes to House Rules committee for further debate and change this Wednesday

**The House budget committee votes 21-16 to advance health care with reconciliation and is recommending amendments, the committee voted 21no -14yes to instruct reconciliation;the motion failed

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 15, 2010 … below

  • 7:44 P.M. –SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. 7:43 P.M. –Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on March 22: himself for 5 min and Mr. Jones for 5 min.
  • Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL be allowed to address thHouse for 5 minutes on March 18. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL be allowed to address thHouse for 5 minutes on March 17. 7:29 P.M. –ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
  • H. Res. 267:
    recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year7:27 P.M. –On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 – 2 (Roll no. 115).

  • Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. 7:21 P.M. –Considered as unfinished business.
  • H. Res. 1163:
    recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence7:20 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): 389 – 0 (Roll no. 114). 7:13 P.M. –Considered as unfinished business.
  • H. Res. 1170:
    congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program7:12 P.M. –On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 – 0 (Roll no. 113).

  • Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. 7:05 P.M. –Considered as unfinished business.
  • H. Res. 1145:
    recognizing the University of Arizona’s 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education7:04 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 392 – 0 (Roll no. 112).

  • 6:32 P.M. –Considered as unfinished business.
  • 6:31 P.M. –
  • Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, the Speaker postponed, until a time to be announced, the roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4628, which was ordered on Monday, March 15, 2010.
  • H. Res. 267:
  • recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year
  • 3:03 P.M. –
  • At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • 2:56 P.M. –
  • DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 267. Considered under suspension of the rules. Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
    H.R. 4628:
    to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 216 Westwood Avenue in Westwood, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office Building”
  • 2:55 P.M. –
  • At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • 2:42 P.M. –
  • DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4628. Considered under suspension of the rules. Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
    H.R. 2377:
    to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and administer an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees providing services to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education
  • 2:40 P.M. –
  • Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
  • 2:31 P.M. –
  • DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2377. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
    H. Res. 1163:
    recognizing Washington State University Honors College for 50 years of excellence
  • 2:30 P.M. –
  • At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • 2:22 P.M. –
  • DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1163. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
    H. Res. 1170:
    congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy national scholarship program
  • 2:21 P.M. –
  • At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • 2:16 P.M. –
  • DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1170. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
    H. Res. 1145:
    recognizing the University of Arizona’s 125 years of dedication to excellence in higher education
  • 2:15 P.M. –
  • At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • 2:08 P.M. –
  • DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1145. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
  • 2:02 P.M. –
  • ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches. The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 12, 2010 at 2:33 p.m. stating that that body had passed S. 1147.


    • Pres. Obama Remarks on Health Care Reform Pres. Obama Remarks on Health Care Reform while in Ohio


    Health-Care Reconciliation Action Begins In Congress

    This afternoon the House Budget Cmte. will begin its markup on a reconciliation bill, the first step toward approving health care legislation. House Rules Cmte. Chair Louise Slaughter said her committee may meet to consider rules for the debate on the bill later this week. Maj. Ldr. Hoyer said that a final vote will take place shortly thereafter on the Senate-passed health care bill and the reconciliation bill.

    watch Live on C-SPAN at 3pm ET

    Senate Continues Work On Jobs Bill

    The Senate continues working on (HR 2847), the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. The bill, now estimated at $17.6 Billion, proposes to create a payroll tax credit for businesses that hire new workers, extends provisions for the Highway Trust fund, extends the “Build America” bond program, and allows certain expense deductions for small businesses.

    Sen. Dodd To Introduce Financial Reform legislation

    Today Senate Banking Cmte. Chairman Dodd (D-CT) is expected to unveil his financial reform proposal. Sen. Dodd said the bill would create a systemic risk council, provide greater transparency in the trading of derivatives and protect consumers from risky or abusive financial actions/practices. Last week, Sen. Corker (R-TN) expressed his disappointment with the decision to release the bill, saying the health care debate forced Sen. Dodd to move forward.
    ~ my 2cents ...

    wild weekend wrap-up … & cspan.org


    <<< Don’t Forget Haiti

    The week ended with a fishy scent if you ask me… i know you didn’t ask … im telling you something ain’t right even if it’s just a feeling. I too was among the news watchers driven crazy by all the he said she said stuff coming out the mouths of various Democratic leaders and or self described leaders.

    I can forget messy Massa; i can see Stupak has backed down off his ledge a bit but i feel more to come.  On Thursday, word came out that Dick Durbin was about to blow HCR out of the water with a few words; then did a swift turnaround to say no, the stories were wrong? well, my heart fell; went to twitter so find out more info; most seemed uninterested, maybe just not as worried even one tweep called the Durbin office, the response was no and the stories were untrue, unlike me who did as directed … i called my representatives and quite frankly they seemed to think it was funny, which made me feel strange but knowing where my directive came from i did my best to make sure my reps were on track.

    lets backtrack … come to find out Senator Dick Durbin had in fact made some comments about whipping against or derailing HCR and while  that was going on Stupak’s group was now waning; he was not voting for HCR… ok fine because the abortion language would not be compromised; get over it and watch your election back man.

    It’s all so confusing, after days and maybe a couple of weeks of hearing Pelosi state HCR would pass, she supported a Public Option. Then on Thursday she came out with an attitude about what the Senate was doing or not doing about a Public Option; that the House had already passed a Bill, that she wasn’t having it which resulted in her Friday afternoon announcement that the Public Option would not be on the table…what? my heart completely fell, i felt like screaming. the ed show was in my ear and you could  hear his disappointment, ed went on several commercials to verify the reports and adam green, who clearly was very disappointed, sad even; commented on the ramifications.  It felt like we all had just been smacked down.

    It’s Sunday and  im definitely still one pissed off voter because by the end of Friday night the journey to HCR seemed almost anti-climatic because it’s clear Politics before the People is now a sad realization in our own Political Party… without a doubt im still a Democrat but one with questions … i would never support a Political Party who practices exclusion as the Republican party does  but … at this moment they seem to be much less than a Political Party and more like cowards; democrats in both Chambers should support and vote for a Public Option; bringing comprehensive health care to all Americans instead of acting like  … children

    Other news …

    end of WEEKEND UPDATES …

    Reports that the President will address the immigration issue after HCR bill passes

    Keith Oberlmann’s dad died … our thoughts and love are with you Keith O

    Apparently, chief  justice Thomas’ wife has launched a new Tea Party group; it is important that this group be watched as it would seem like there could be a conflict of interest … though Experts say Virginia Thomas’ work doesn’t violate ethical rules for judges. But Liberty Central could give rise to conflicts of interest for her husband, they said, as it tests the norms for judicial spouses. The couple have been married since 1987.

    How upsetting it is to know that House Democrats would push the people’s business aside because they don’t trust their own party to do what’s right instead of meeting and signing some sort of contract or something;

    UW Huskies beat Cali 79-75 and clinched an NCAA … they will find out Sunday what seed they are … around 3:30

    Washington State legislature goes into a Special Session Monday to complete the budget and figure out a tax plan … which will cost $18thou a day

    Washington State news …Swapping out old appliances for rebates starts Monday



    **The House voted to impeach the judge from Louisiana

    **The promise of better Education from the President with proposals to include higher expectations from not just the student but the teacher as well, which means updating old rules or laws from the previous administrations.  At issue is the rewrite he intends to send Congress on Monday of the No Child Left Behind law that Bush signed in 2002. That law focused on accountability in the classroom, but has fallen short of its original goals.

    **The Senate/President conflicts over the earmarks in the HCR bill continue;the President is requesting these goodies be deleted and the Senate seems to be dragging their feet.

    **Senate_GOPs Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts delivers the this week’s Republican address on #hcr. Watch here! http://bit.ly/suPXn #tcot

    ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

    We can’t wait 41 can’t wait


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    • 41 — that’s the number of leading economists — including three Nobel Prize winners — who sent a letter to President Obama and Congress yesterday urging the swift passage of comprehensive health insurance reform to curb skyrocketing health care costs. [Source]
    • 41 —  is also the percentage of adults under the age of 65 who accumulated medical debt, had difficulty paying medical bills, or struggled with both during a recent one year period. [Source]
    ~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

    TGIF … & cspan.org


    UPDATE on the mis-information by Cable,  Republicans and or FoxNews… Yesterday, it was reported that the Parliamentarian stated that President Obama had to sign for the Senate HCR bill first before it could be reconciled or fixed  but …         The   Senate parliamentarian is telling hill staff that GOP aides misinterpreted his opinion on health care + reconciliation process.

    The week may be over but …         the talk about reconciliation, HCR and what it will do to Democratic Senators  is just heating up  on the Hill.  Call your Senators and tell them we are not the Clinton voters; We want HCR with a Public Option through Reconciliation.

    The President has delayed his trip to Asia in order to see the health care bill through and while the Speaker was quite happy she also decided that she would not put the Public Option on the table first, that they had done this unlike the Senate and when or if they do things could change; well im no journalist but im definitely a pissed off voter. and wonder just what has happened and can this be corrected before the vote happens next weekend.   The Black and Latino Caucuses  have made an attempt to be heard, Stupak and his group of maybe five want to change how Americans deal with abortions and thank goodness someone saw this and has put a halt to it, and last Democratic Blue Dogs have quietly decided to put their future elections ahead of the American people at this moment.

    The vote is out on how this whole HCR will play itself out but im leaving room for Blue Dogs to  rear  what some in the  Party think is an ugly head.  It was quite a strange feeling to be let down, very  disappointing to hear the Speaker back off  the Public Option after Senator Durbin stated he would whip Senate Dems; unfortunately, it would be after the House voted yes to the Senate bill; i totally get how Pelosi and her fellow House Dems don’t trust Senate Dems …

    Politics before the People   … i get it

    All this time those for Health Care Reform in general even without  a Public Option through reconciliation assumed that the Senate would be a problem, that Conserva-dems might vote against HCR for all Americans; though 53% who voted for Barack Obama in 2008  knew exactly what we voted for …  including health care & insurance reform, DADT, immigration with purpose, full throttle regulations for the banks and any or all big banks or AIG type agencies; now we hear at least for HCR the official vote counter stated the votes aren’t there … unbelievable; is this evidence of what’s to come ?

    While i still completely support President Obama and the Democratic Party;  voters are beginning to see that any vote is a heavy lift as Speaker Pelosi stated; question is what are the ramifications …

    I would say we all need to call the White House  …why not Public Option    202 456 1111

    Other news …

    Washington State legislators will be in session this weekend, they are about 200mil  apart on a spending and tax plan

    The push for Democrats in both chambers begins on Monday with a possible procedural vote after the congressional budget office scores the bill.

    A motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended ..the appointment of Bankruptcy Judge vote was postponed

    The Senate is not in Session today, next week the Senate will resume consideration of the House Message on H.R.2847, the legislative vehicle for the HIRE Act (Jobs I). At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to concur in the House amendments to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill, HR2847, HIRE Act.

    and the House schedule is below … and will be updated after the chamber adjourns

    CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
    LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 12, 2010
    111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

    H.R. 3650:to establish a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program, to develop and coordinate a comprehensive and integrated strategy to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and to provide for the development and implementation of comprehensive regional action plans to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia

    10:37 A.M. –On passage Roll Call 109 – Yea and Nay vote pending.
    10:36 A.M. –The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. 10:05 A.M. –DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3650.
    10:04 A.M. –Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3650 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. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 111-439 shall be considered as adopted. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1168. H. Res. 1168:providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3650) to establish a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program, to develop and coordinate a comprehensive and integrated strategy to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and to provide for the development and implementation of comprehensive regional action plans to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia

    10:03 A.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.

    9:16 A.M. –DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1168

    and what’s on CSPAN.org

    Sen. Reid Supports Reconciliation, House Preps For Mark Up

    In a letter sent to Sen. Republican Ldr. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Maj. Ldr. Harry Reid (D-NV) said he will use reconciliation to pass part of the health care reform bill. Leaders in the House want to mark up a bill early next week, but are waiting for the CBO cost estimate on their planned revisions.

    Overhaul Bill Moves Forward Without Bipartisan agreement

    Senate Banking Cmte. Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT) is expected to unveil his legislation for new financial regulations on Monday. Yesterday, Sen. Dodd said the Banking Cmte. will schedule a markup on the bill in Mid-March. Sen. Corker (R-TN) stated on Thursday the health care debate has forced Sen. Dodd to push forward with the legislation and expressed his disappointment with the decision. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) Remarks watch Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) Press Conference

    Senate Filibusters debated at think tank forums

    Two Washington, D.C. think tanks examine the Congressional usage of filibusters. An AEI Politics Watch panel analyzed how filibusters have affected modern U.S. Senate procedures and mechanics. Also, the Center for American Progress Action Fund is taking a look at how filibusters have become a tactical tool available to the minority.  A filibuster is the term used for an extended debate in the Senate which has the effect of preventing a vote.

    ~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

    The Washington Post has gone too far …


    The Washington Post

    The op-ed pages of The Washington Post should be a place for serious debate about the direction of our country.

    But by hiring former Bush administration speechwriter Marc Thiessen — the second former Bush speechwriter to whom it has given a regular column — The Washington Post has crossed the line. Thiessen is a serial misinformer. And he shouldn’t be rewarded with the audience or credibility that a regular column provides.

    In his latest column, Thiessen attacks lawyers who have represented detainees, warning that these lawyers may hold “radical and dangerous views” and that by giving detainees representation, lawyers are “using the federal courts as a tool to undermine our military’s ability to keep dangerous enemy combatants off the battlefield in a time of war.” These outrageous claims have been refuted by lawyers from across the political spectrum, including former Bush administration attorneys — yet the Post gives Thiessen free rein to engage in baseless smears. He’s even used misleading statements in support of torture.

    You stepped up to demand the accountability the Post needs. Nearly 7,000 people have signed our petition to tell The Washington Post to say no to promoting torture. Will you help us spread the message?

    Ask your friends to tell The Washington Post: Stop promoting torture.

    Thiessen is a proponent of torture, and in his quest to advocate for torture and attack torture opponents, he has resorted to misinformation and smears that have no place in the debate over national security policy.

    Thiessen’s willingness to distort the truth and engage in hysterical attacks doesn’t just undermine his own credibility — it undermines the ability of readers to trust The Washington Post as a source of honest analysis.

    The Post has offered Thiessen a platform to promote his views, despite the fact that he:

    • …said in his book that lawyers who represented Guantanamo detainees were “aiding and abetting America’s enemies.”
    • … falsely claimed in his most recent book that, since CIA interrogation of terror suspects began after 9-11, there were no attacks on U.S. interests at home or abroad.
    • … falsely claimed in a Post op-ed that Bush oversaw “2,688 days without a terrorist attack on [American] soil,” ignoring the anthrax mail attacks, the El Al shooting in Los Angeles and other domestic terrorist attacks.
    • … misleadingly compared waterboarding of detainees with the training of U.S. troops.
    • … called President Obama’s decision to release Bush administration torture memos “irresponsible” and claimed that “Americans may die as a result.”

    Ask your friends to tell The Washington Post: Stop promoting torture.

    The editors of The Washington Post need to hear from you that falsehoods and outrageous smears in support of torture are not acceptable. We need more voices to join the nearly 7,000 who have already confronted the Post. Let’s tell them: You’ve gone too far. Stop promoting torture.

    Ask your friends to tell The Washington Post: Stop promoting torture.

    Thank you for your continued help in holding the Post accountable.

    Eric Burns
    President,
    Media Matters for America