Tag Archives: Majority Leader

Black History

CONGRESS: Republican led House ::::::CIA,Climate Change, Immigration,PayCheck Fairness::::::Democratic led Senate


capitolsnowclosed

  • The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:45am with time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of S.Res.64, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.
  • The only amendment in order to the resolution is a Paul amendment, striking provisions relative to the National Security Working Group with up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled.
  • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12:15pm), there will be a roll call vote on adoption of the Paul amendment. Upon the disposition of the Paul amendment, the Senate will vote on adoption of S.Res.64, as amended, if amendment (expected voice vote).
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • During Monday’s session, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #13, the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Under the rule, the cloture vote will be on Wednesday morning.

12:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Paul amendment #25 (National Security Working Group) to S.Res.64, a resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period of March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.

The Senate is in Executive Session debating Executive Calendar #13, the nomination of Caitlin Halligan, of New York to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. As a reminder, yesterday Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination. At this point, that vote is expected to occur tomorrow,Wednesday, March 6. Another message will be sent when the vote is scheduled.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Paul amendment #25 (strike funding for National Security Working Group) to S.Res.64, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013; Not Agreed to: 44-55

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.64, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013 by voice vote.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army and Navy

Confirmed the following:

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar  #27

to be Major General-

Brigadier General Arnold W. Bunch, Jr.

Brigadier General Theresa C. Carter

Brigadier General Sandra E. Finan

Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Harrigian

Brigadier General Timothy J. Leahy

Brigadier General Gregory J. Lengyel

Brigadier General Lee K. Levy, II

Brigadier General James F. Martin, Jr.

Brigadier General Jerry P. Martinez

Brigadier General Paul H. McGillicuddy

Brigadier General Robert D. McMurry, Jr.

Brigadier General Edward M. Minahan

Brigadier General Mark C. Nowland

Brigadier General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy

Brigadier General Michael T. Plehn

Brigadier General Margaret B. Poore

Brigadier General James N. Post, III

Brigadier General Steven M. Shepro

Brigadier General David D. Thompson

Brigadier General Scott A. Vander Hamm

Brigadier General Marshall B. Webb

Brigadier General Burke E. Wilson

Brigadier General Scott J. Zobrist

Executive Calendar #28 *with the exception of Colonel Scott C. Long

to be Brigadier General-

Colonel Nina M. Armagno

Colonel Sam C. Barrett

Colonel Steven L. Basham

Colonel Ronald D. Buckley

Colonel Carl A. Buhler

Colonel John A. Cherrey

Colonel James C. Dawkins, Jr.

Colonel Patrick J. Doherty

Colonel Dawn M. Dunlop

Colonel Thomas L. Gibson

Colonel James B. Hecker

Colonel Patrick C. Higby

Colonel Mark K. Johnson

Colonel Brian M. Killough

Colonel Robert D. LaBrutta

Colonel Russell L. Mack

Colonel Patrick X. Mordente

Colonel Shaun Q. Morris

Colonel Paul D. Nelson

Colonel John M. Pletcher

Colonel Duke Z. Richardson

Colonel Brian S. Robinson

Colonel Barre R. Seguin

Colonel John S. Shapland

Colonel Robert J. Skinner

Colonel James C. Slife

Colonel Dirk D. Smith

Colonel Jeffrey B. Taliaferro

Colonel Jon T. Thomas

Colonel Glen D. VanHerck

Colonel Stephen N. Whiting

Colonel John M. Wood

Executive Calendar #29 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Robin Rand

ARMY

Executive Calendar #30 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John M. Bednarek

Executive Calendar #31 to be General – General Lloyd J. Austin, III

Executive Calendar #32 to be Lieutenant General- Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Executive Calendar #33 to be General- Lt. Gen. John F. Campbell

Executive Calendar #34 to be General- Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks

Executive Calendar #35 to be General- Gen. David M. Rodriguez

MARINE CORPS

Executive Calendar #36 to be Major General- Brig. Gen. Paul W. Brier

NAVY

Cal. #37 to be Vice Admiral- Rear Admiral William H. Hilarides

Cal. #38 to be Vice Admiral- Rear Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin

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Last Floor Action:
8:28:20 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 5, 2013.

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

10:00:45 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:39 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Ron DeSantis to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:58 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.
10:16:24 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
Black History

CONGRESS: the House: Republican led ::::::: the Senate: Democrat led


capitol30the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET December 19,2012

  • The Senate will convene at 9:30am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of 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 H.R.1, the legislative vehicle for the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.
  • At 11:30am, Senator Hutchison will be recognized for up to 30 minutes and at 2:00pm, Senator Kyl will be recognized for up to 30 minutes, each for the purposes of delivering retirement speech.

The following amendments are pending to H.R.1, the legislative vehicle for the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill:

Senator Bingaman has called up amendment #3344 (Approval of 2010 U.S.-Palau Agreement in response to Super Typhoon Bopha).

 

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the chair. We expect to reconvene around 8:30pm.

 

Prior to the recess, Senator Coburn modified his pending amendment #3371 and then divided his amendment. The divisions are as follows:

 

Division I (per capita damage indicator)

Division II (seriously delinquent tax debt)

Division III (return of unused emergency funds)

Division IV(competitively awarded contracts use of funds)

Division V (public notification and website posting of grant funds)

Division VI (cost sharing)

Division VII (Stafford Disaster Relief Assistance Act)

Division VIII (strike transfer of unused funds)

Division IX (flood hazards)recess subject to the call–Coburn amendment modified and divided

This evening Senator Leahy withdrew the Leahy substitute amendment #3338 (Emergency Supplemental Appropriations), and, as a result, the pending first degree amendments fell along with it. Then Senate Reid offered a new substitute amendment #3395 (Emergency Supplemental Appropriations), filled the amendment tree with date change amendments, and filed cloture on the substitute amendment #3395 and underlying bill, H.R.1. The text of the new substitute can be found at http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=994105ef-bcde-483d-8d87-0ca155ff43cf

 

We hope to reach an agreement to consider amendments and complete action on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill tomorrow. If no agreement can be reached, the cloture vote on the substitute would occur on Friday, December 21.

 

Before we leave we need to consider the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, FISA reauthorization, and 3 district court nominations

 

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged Veterans’ Affairs and passed H.R.4057, the Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2012 with a Murray substitute amendment.

 

Passed H.R.6029, the Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act with a Kohl-Lee substitute amendment.

 

Discharged Homeland Security and Government Affairs and passed the following Postal Naming bills:

H.R.3477, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 133 Hare Road in Crosby, Texas, as the Army First Sergeant David McNerney Post Office Building.

H.R.3870, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6083 Highway 36 West in Rose Bud, Arkansas, as the “Nicky ‘Nick’ Daniel Bacon Post Office”.

H.R.3912, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 Mastic Road in Mastic Beach, New York, as the “Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull Post Office Building”.

H.R.5738, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15285 Samohin Drive in Macomb, Michigan, as the “Lance Cpl. Anthony A. DiLisio Clinton-Macomb Carrier Annex”.

H.R.5837, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 26 East Genesee Street in Baldwinsville, New York, as the “Corporal Kyle Schneider Post Office Building”.

H.R.5954, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 7th Street in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the “Sergeant Leslie H. Sabo, Jr. Post Office Building”.

S.3630, A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 218 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, Wisconsin, as the “Captain Rhett W. Schiller Post Office”.

S.3662, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6 Nichols Street in Westminster, Massachusetts, as the `Lieutenant Ryan Patrick Jones Post Office Building’.

 

Passed S.2318, the Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012 with a committee-reported substitute amendment by voice vote.

 

Discharged and passed Veterans’ Affairs and passed S.3202, the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 with a Murray substitute amendment.

 

Passed S.3698, to amend Title 40, United States Code to improve veterans service organizations access to Federal surplus personal property.

 

Discharged Judiciary and adopted S.Res.618, observing the 100th birthday of civil rights icon Rosa Parks and commemorating her legacy.

Adopted S.Res.625, recognizing the January 12, 2013, opening of the United States Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, and supporting the plans for other educational pavilions and initiatives.

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House hearings

10:00 am Hearing: CLOSED: Ongoing Intelligence ActivitiesHouse Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Full Committee
10:00 am Markup: H.R. 6654, To provide for the exchange of information related to trade enforcement, and for other purposes.Committee on the Judiciary: Full Committee
10:00 am Hearing: “Challenges Facing Multiemployer Pension Plans: Evaluating PBGC’s Insurance Program and Financial Outlook”Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
10:00 am Hearing: Update on the Evolving Security Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Implications for U.S. National SecurityCommittee on Armed Services: Full Committee

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2012.

« Previous Day

Black History

CONGRESS: the House : : : : : the Senate


capitol21the Senate Convenes: 10:00amET December 11,2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3637, the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) extension legislation with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3637.
  • If cloture is invoked, the motion to proceed will be agreed t0

2:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3637, a bill to temporarily extend the transaction account guarantee program (TAG program);

Invoked: 76-20

Under the previous order, the motion to proceed to S.3637, TAG bill, was agreed to. Senator Reid then filled the “amendment tree” with technical amendments and filed cloture on the bill. The cloture vote is expected to occur on Thursday.

For the information of senators, at 4:00pm today, the Senate will execute the order with respect to the Dowdell and Bernal nominations. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations. We expect a roll call vote on confirmation of the Dowdell nomination and a voice vote on confirmation of the Bernal nomination. As a result, senators should expect one roll call vote at approximately 4:30pm today.

At 4:00pm today, the Senate will execute the order with respect to the Dowdell and Bernal nominations. There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations. We expect a roll call vote on confirmation of the Dowdell nomination and a voice vote on confirmation of the Bernal nomination. As a result, senators should expect one roll call vote at approximately 4:30pm today.

4:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #762 John E. Dowdell, of Oklahoma, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma;

Confirmed: 95-0

The Bernal nomination was confirmed by voice vote. There will be no further roll call votes during today’s sessions of the Senate.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3637, the transaction account guarantee (TAG) extension legislation; Invoked: 76-20

2) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #762 John E. Dowdell, of Oklahoma, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma; Confirmed: 95-0

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.4014, to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

Passed H.R.4367, to amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to limit the fee disclosure requirement for an automatic teller machine to the screen of that machine.

Passed H.R.2467, a bill to take certain Federal lands in Mono County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Bridgeport Indian Colony.

Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee and passed S.3564, a bill to extend the Public Interest Declassification Act of 2000 until 2014 and for other purposes with a Lieberman substitute amendment and a Lieberman title amendment.

Discharged the Indian Affairs committee and passed H.R.3319, a bill to allow the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to determine the requirements for membership in that tribe.

Passed H.R.6328, the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act with a Gillibrand amendment.

Star printed the report to accompany S.76, the Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities From Disease Clusters Act.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #829, Jesus G. Bernal, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California by voice vote.

—————————————————————————–

House Hearings …

3:00 pm Hearing: The Devastating Crisis in Eastern CongoCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights
5:00 pm Hearing: CLOSED: Ongoing Intelligence ActivitiesHouse Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Full Committee
5:00 pm Hearing: H. Res. – Providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.Committee on Rules:

 The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 11, 2012.

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

12:00:19 P.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:01:36 P.M.   MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:31:28 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:45 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 11.
2:00:49 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:20 P.M.   <SPEAKER’S class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Dold 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. Dold 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.
2:02:54 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.
2:03:21 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:05:22 P.M.   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 December 11, 2012, at 11:08 a.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3187, without amendment and agreed to S. Res. 612
2:08:17 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
6:30:34 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 11.
6:30:45 P.M.   Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 827.
6:31:21 P.M.   UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed from earlier in the day.
6:31:36 P.M.   On approving the Journal Roll Call 620 – Yea and Nay vote pending.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from .. Lindsey Twombly


Human Rights Campaign

Thank you for all you did to secure marriage equality in Washington

Planning on getting married? Or know someone who’s getting ready to walk down the aisle?

This past election, people across the county watched as you made history in Washington. Washingtonians voted to approved Referendum 74, which allows loving same-sex couples to legally marry in the state. This law will take effect tomorrow, Thursday, December 6, 2012. We wanted to make sure you have access to this information about implementation of marriage equality in Washington.

How do I obtain a marriage license in Washington?
Once licenses are made available to same-sex couples, the procedures will be the same as the existing ones for other married couples. They are issued at the county level and procedures/fees may vary slightly; links to information from individual counties is available online. Marriage licenses will be available starting Thursday, December 6. Don’t forget about the three-day waiting period – marriages will begin to take place on Sunday, December 9.

What rights and responsibilities do same-sex couples who legally marry receive in Washington?
Same-sex spouses receive the same rights and responsibilities provided to different-sex spouses under Washington law, including health care decision-making, property and inheritance rights. Married same-sex couples do not receive access to the more than 1,100 federal rights and responsibilities based on marriage because of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and the new law in Washington does not change that.

What do I have to do if I’m a Washington resident who is legally married in another jurisdiction?
You do not have to get married in Washington or otherwise register your marriage in Washington. Washington’s marriage equality law recognizes as valid lawful marriages between same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.

What does the law mean if I have entered into a domestic partnership with my partner in Washington?
In 2007, Washington enacted statewide domestic partnerships, and expanded them in 2009 to grant all the rights and benefits of marriage to registered domestic partners. A couple who is currently in a registered domestic partnership can marry and their domestic partnership will dissolve. On June 30, 2014, the remaining domestic partnerships will automatically convert to marriages unless they are dissolved. Domestic partnerships will continue, however, for couples (gay and straight) where at least one partner is at least 62.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Twombly

Lindsey Twombly
Associate Director, Online Mobilization
And soon-to-be married Seattle, WA resident

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Workers Under Attack — Again


By ThinkProgress War Room

Last Minute Attack on Unions in Michigan

After sweeping into complete control of state government for the first time in almost a decade following the 2010 election, Michigan Republicans wasted little time before pursuing numerous pieces of right-wing legislation, including

*The emergency manager law was repealed via referendum by Michigan voters last month; however, the Michigan legislature is rushing to pass a new version as we speak.

Despite pursuing this extreme agenda and other anti-union measures, Republicans had chosen to set aside one of the right’s favorite goals: a so-called “right to work” anti-union law. Indiana Republicans passed such a law in 2011 and well-known fights over anti-union measures occurred in numerous other states including Ohio and Wisconsin. For his part, Snyder even went so far as to say that right to work legislation was “divisive” and not “appropriate for Michigan in 2012.”

Mere months after making those comments, Snyder has flip-flopped and endorsed a last-minute, lame duck effort by Republicans in the legislature to push through a right to work bill. Worse yet, Republicans are including a provision in the bill that will make it impossible for voters to repeal the measure via referendum.

ThinkProgress’ Travis Waldron explains why such laws are accurately referred to as “right to work for less” by unions and pro-worker groups:

Though Snyder refers to his agenda as “pro-worker,” a quick glance at studies of “right-to-work” legislation paints a different picture. According to the Economic Policy Institute, right-to-work laws have virtually no impact on job growth and have a negative impact on both union and nonunion workers, reducing wages by up to $1,500 a year. A Ball State University study conducted during Indiana’s push to pass right-to-work found that “no impact is likely” for job growth or wages in the manufacturing sector. Another EPI study suggests that right-to-work laws had a negative impact on Oklahoma’s economy and that right-to-work is “is ineffective as a strategy for increasing a state’s employment.”

The right-to-work experiment failed miserably the last time it was tried in the Midwest. Indiana originally passed right-to-work laws in 1957, but workers hated the new laws so much that they were repealed just eight years later.

Check out this recent Center for American Progress report for more on why right to work is wrong.

It should come as no surprise that the Koch Brothers and their Americans for Prosperity front group are heavily involved in this anti-union push, just as they have been in other states like Wisconsin, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Ohio.

Unfortunately, it appears that the measure could become law within the next few days. A bill narrowly cleared the Michigan House just within the past hour. Since several Republicans opposed the measure and Democrats actually picked up seats in the Michigan House in last month’s elections, it’s clear why Republicans are rushing this and other controversial measures through at the last minute during a lame duck session.

The situation on the ground is evolving very quickly and the state capitol in Lansing has been the site of large protests today. Earlier today, the doors of the capitol were locked in order to prevent demonstrators from entering; however, an injunction ordering the capitol to be re-opened. A few demonstrators able to make it inside were arrested and pepper-sprayed after they attempted to enter the senate chamber.

Stay tuned to ThinkProgress for the latest updates.

BOTTOM LINE:Stronger unions mean a stronger middle class, so right-wing attacks on unions are really just attacks on all working and middle-class Americans.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

11 reason why you should be glad Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is resigning in order to head the Heritage Foundation.

5 Republicans who could replace Jim DeMint.

As of today, you can legally get same-sex married and smoke pot (at least under state law) in Washington State.

Former Bush press secretary: female domestic abuse victims should “make better decisions.”

Extending emergency unemployment benefits will support far more jobs than extending the Bush tax cuts would.

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell filibustered his own bill to lift the debt ceiling.

The GOP’s bad fiscal cliff hand, by the numbers.

GOP Rep. says there is a growing sense President Obama has won on tax rates for the wealthy.

7 upcoming television dramas to get excited about.