Tag Archives: Jim Inhofe

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/20~~ the House


matthew 25

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour for debate only with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the second half.

 Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act. There will be up to 6 hours for debate only on the issue of sexual assault with the time divided as follows:

  • Senator Gillibrand, or her designee controlling three hours;
  • Senators McCaskill and Ayotte, or their designees, each controlling 75 minutes;
  • Ranking Member Inhofe, or his designee, controlling 20  minutes; and
  • Chairman Levin, or his designee, controlling 10 minutes.

 We hope to reach an agreement to vote on the sexual assault-related amendments during Wednesday’s session.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to vote on the Gillibrand (SA #2099) and McCaskill-Ayotte (SA #2170) sexual assault amendments at 5:30pm tonight.

Senator Inhofe asked to modify the request that following disposition of the McCaskill/Ayotte amendment #2170, all pending amendments be withdrawn and the Republican manager or his designee be recognized to offer the next amendment in order to be followed by an amendment offered by the Majority side and the two sides continue to offer amendments in alternating fashion until all amendments are disposed of.

Senator Reid did not agree to the modification.

Senator Coburn then objected to the original Reid request.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 7:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Roll call votes are unlikely tonight. Senator Reid will be recognized at 7:30pm.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.304, Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the date of the restoration by the Federal Government of Federal recognition to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, November 22, 1983.

Adopted S.Res.305, Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.

Adopted S.Res.306, designating Thursday, November 21, 2013, as “Feed America Day”.

Adopted S.Res.307, a resolution permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

Adopted S.Res.308, Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. (Gillibrand)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1737, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act. (Harkin)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Senator Reid filed cloture on S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act. The filing deadline for germane first degree amendments is 1:00pm, Thursday, November 21.

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Last Floor Action:
7:08:25 P.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 20, 2013.

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Tom Coburn & Spending


By  ThinkProgress War Room

One of the more unfortunate developments in recent years is the new status quo within the GOP of demanding that emergency disaster aid be offset with cuts elsewhere in the budget, something previously only a minority of members of Congress like Sen. Coburn demanded.  This callous new standard led Republicans, including Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe (R), to vote en masse against aid to the victims of Superstorm Sandy.

To justify his vote against Sandy aid in view of the clear need for aid to Oklahoma, Inhofe claimed yesterday that aid to victims of the Oklahoma tornado is somehow “totally different” than the Sandy aid he opposed.

Extending federal aid to victims of disasters like the Oklahoma tornado is obviously just the right thing to do, but it’s troubling that Republicans now hypocritically demand aid for their own states while attempting to withhold help other Americans who are the victims of tragic disasters.

Rep. Peter King (R), for one,  got it right when he called out his fellow Republicans for “hypocrisy” while calling for immediate aid — without offsetting spending cuts — for the victims of the tragedy in Oklahoma:

I think they should get every penny they need. I’ve been through this. We can do the political games later on, the important thing is to get them the aid as quickly as they need it and not to make a political issue out of it.

BOTTOM LINE: Taking care of our fellow citizens when they are in need is what we do in America. Instead of playing politics with tragedies, we need to make sure people get the help they need when disaster strikes.

If you want to help the victims of this week’s tornado in Oklahoma and other disasters, you can make a contribution to the Red Cross HERE.

the Senate debates/votes S.954 Nominees S.Res65 :::::: CONGRES :::::: the House debates


capitolphonelines

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill. We will continue to work through amendments to the Farm bill during Wednesday’s session of the Senate.
  • At 4:00pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #43, S.Res.65, resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.
    • There will be 60 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form.
    • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:00pm), there will be a roll call vote in relation to the resolution. If the resolution is agreed to, the preamble will be agreed to.
  • During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Unless an agreement is reached, Senators should expect that cloture vote on Thursday morning.
  • This morning Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent that the Senate vote on Tuesday, June 4, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, following consultation with the Republican Leader, on confirmation of Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Senator Reid objected and explained some of his frustrations over continued Republican delay on nominations. As a reminder, Senator Reid filed cloture on the Srinivasan nomination last night and the cloture vote will occur tomorrow.Senator McConnell noted that there is another circuit judge on the calendar that was reported prior to the Srinivasan nomination that the Wyoming senators would like to confirm. Senator Reid then suggested we confirm that nomination today and again asked consent to vote today on the Srinivasan today.
  • Senator McConnell objected and said he would continue working on nominations off the floor.
  • The Senate is in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business (approx 11:35am), the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill. Today we will continue to process amendments to the bill. Currently the Leahy amendment #998 (rural broadband) is pending.As a reminder, at 5pm today, the Senate will vote on adoption of S.Res.65, a resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.
  • For the information of senators, there is a chance that when we resume consideration of the Farm bill Senator Inhofe will offer amendment #960 (repeal nutrition entitlements programs and establish nutrition assistance block grants) and we vote in relation to the amendment as early as 12:00 noon.
  • At 12:00 noon the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Inhofe amendment #960 (nutrition block grants);Not Agreed To: 36-60
  • The following amendments to S.954, the Farm bill, were agreed to by unanimous consent:-       Franken #992 (access to grocery delivery for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities); and-       Vitter #1056 (end food stamp eligibility for convicted violent rapists, pedophiles, and murders)
  • Senator Kaine asked unanimous consent to go to conference on the Budget resolution and that 2 motions to instruct conferees relative to the debt limit and taxes/revenue be in order. Senator Rubio asked that the request be modified to prohibit consideration of any conference report that includes reconciliation instructions regarding the debt limit. Senator Kaine objected to modify his request. Senator Rubio objected to the original request. Senator McCain then argued that we go through regular order and go to conference on the budget resolution, with motions to instruct conferees in order, and a debate ensued.

Senator Stabenow has called up Shaheen amendment #925 (Sugar programs ). We are working towards an agreement to vote in relation to the amendment this afternoon, perhaps around the vote on the Iran Sanctions resolution.

At 3:45pm the Senate will begin consideration of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions. There will be up to 50 minutes for debate, with the Majority controlling 20 minutes and the Republicans controlling 30 minutes. At approximately 4:35pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the resolution. There will then be 2 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to the Shaheen amendment #925 (sugar programs). No second degree amendments are in order to the Shaheen amendment prior to the vote.

4:35pm votes

–       Adoption of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions

–       Shaheen amendment #925 (sugar programs)

The Senate has reached an agreement that tomorrow, following the cloture vote on the Srinivasan nomination and notwithstanding cloture having been invoked, if invoked, the Senate resume legislative session and consideration of S.954, the Farm bill, and the Senate then proceed to vote in relation to the pending Sanders amendment #965 (GMO food labels). No second degree amendments are in order prior to the vote. the amendment is subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. The time consumed during consideration of the Farm bill will count post-cloture.

There will be 2 roll call votes at 10:30am:

–          motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia; and

–          Sanders amendment #965 (GMO foods)(60 affirmative-vote threshold).

4:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions.

Adopted: 99-0

:04pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Shaheen amendment #925 (sugar programs);

Not Agreed To: 44-54

The managers of the bill will continue to work on amendments,  however, there will be no further roll call votes today.

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

The following amendments are pending to S.954, the Farm bill:

The following amendments have been considered to S.954, the Farm bill:

  • Cantwell amendment #919 (Indian tribes – land and soil conservation programs) Agreed to: 87-8
  • Sessions amendment #945, as modified (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance) Agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP) Not Agreed to: 40-58
  • Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP funding) Not Agreed to: 26-70
  • Inhofe amendment #960 (repeal SNAP and establish nutrition assistance block program) Not Agreed to: 36-60
  • Franken amendment #992 (access to grocery delivery for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities) Agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Vitter amendment #1056 (end food stamp eligibility for convicted violent rapists, pedophiles, and murderers) Agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Shaheen amendment #925 (Federal sugar program) Not Agreed to: 45-54

Senator Sanders called up amendment #965 (GMO food labels). We are working on an agreement to vote in relation to the his amendment tomorrow. As a reminder, the cloture vote on the Srinavasan will occur tomorrow, potentially in the 10:30am range. Stay tuned for a final decision on the vote time.

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

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Inhofe amendment #960 (nutrition assistance block grants) to S.954, the Farm bill; Not Agreed to: 36-60

2)      Adoption of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions; Adopted: 99-0

3)      Shaheen amendment #965 (federal sugar program reform) to S.954; Not Agreed to: 45-54

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.258, the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.45, the Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1003, the Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act. (Coburn)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1004, the Anti-Trust Freedom Act. (Paul)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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May 2013
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Last Floor Action:
5:05:58 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 22, 2013.

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Tell Congress: Don’t cut off our clean air …Union of Concerned Scientists


Union of Concerned Scientists

Tell Congress: Don’t Cut Off Our Clean Air
As you know, last December, the Obama administration finalized historic standards to limit the amount of mercury and other toxic pollutants that power plants can spew into the environment. And now the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on the verge of releasing draft standards that will reduce global warming emissions from power plants.

Both of these standards, which will protect our health and the environment, wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the life-saving Clean Air Act.


Unfortunately, this landmark piece of legislation and its health standards are under attack. Fossil fuel lobbyists and their allies in Congress are spreading false claims about the impacts of these standards on our economy. But protecting our health and the environment is the fiscally responsible thing to do.
The total value of the net benefits provided to Americans by the Clean Air Act since its inception is a staggering $51 trillion and counting.

Nevertheless, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) has introduced legislation that will revoke the historic mercury and air toxics standard, and other members of Congress have announced their plans to block the EPA from reducing global warming emissions under the Clean Air Act.


The Clean Air Act has a 40-year track record of cutting dangerous pollution—all while providing a net economic benefit to the country. The historic mercury and air toxics standard and soon to be released draft standards that will reduce carbon from power plants will save lives and contribute to a much-needed transition to a clean energy economy.
Tell your members of Congress to stop attacking mercury and carbon standards—and stop cutting off our clean air.


Take Action Now!
Sincerely, Chrissy Elles Chrissy Elles Outreach Associate UCS Climate & Energy Program
P.S. Want to expose and challenge attacks on science, help reduce global warming emissions, and advance smart, practical clean energy and transportation solutions?

Become a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists today and help us meet our goal of 1,000 new members by February 29.

The True Cost of Coal Delivered …Kyle Ash, Greenpeace


I recently delivered your petition signature along with a copy of the latest Harvard study that shows the true cost of coal to both of your Senators.

You and 50,000 other activists signed our petition urging the Senate to defend the EPA’s ability under the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from the true cost of coal. The Senate got your message.

During our delivery, we made sure to prioritize the offices of Senators whose states have been devastated by coal mining such as John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Also, those who take their cues from the polluter companies that paid for their election campaigns such as Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK).

We then dropped off the petition and the Harvard study to Senators like Sherrod Brown (D-OH) who have been on the fence about whether carbon pollution from coal is dangerous enough to restrict now.

Thank you for your support. With these petitions, you and activists across the country made it clear to the Senate that the 34,000 Americans who die each year from coal and the extra half a trillion dollars it costs our economy is a price too high.

The fight for clean energy continues. In Washington, coal industry lobbyists are pressuring lawmakers to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its power to regulate the dirty emissions of coal fired power plants. Our campaign is just getting started and we are going to need you every step of the way. Thanks for taking action and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you,

Kyle Ash

Greenpeace Senior Legislative Representative