Tag Archives: McCain
Cord Blood: What you need to know
07/30/2014 09:45 AM EDT
July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month and is the perfect time to start learning about cord blood—a biological product regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Because cord blood is typically collected after the baby is delivered and the cord is cut, the procedure is generally safe for the mother and baby,” explains Keith Wonnacott, Ph.D., Chief of the Cellular Therapies Branch in FDA’s Office of Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies.
Cord blood contains blood-forming stem cells that can treat patients with blood cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, as well as certain disorders of the blood and immune systems.
That said, cord blood isn’t a cure-all.
A Nearly Impossible Task
8 Challenges People Faced Trying To Live On a Minimum Wage Budget For A Week
Members of Congress and thousands of paycheck fairness advocates across the country wrapped up the “Live The Wage” challenge yesterday, after working to live on a minimum wage budget for a week. On just $77, these leaders hoped to gain just a small understanding of the challenges and decisions faced by minimum wage workers every day. Earning just $7.25 an hour, the average full time minimum wage worker struggles to survive on only $77 a week after paying taxes and housing expenses.
We’ve rounded up 8 examples of the challenges they faced. While they pale in comparison to the challenges that low-wage workers face every day, they provide a glimpse of why we need to raise the minimum wage so that hardworking Americans can make ends meet.
1. Everything needs to be planned. There’s absolutely no room for spontaneity on a minimum wage budget.



2. Transportation really cuts into a budget. The price of gas and even public transportation quickly adds up.


3. Medical costs can easily destroy a budget.



4. There’s little to no room for any other expenses. Standard expenses like home costs and school supplies just don’t fit in.


5. It’s pretty much impossible to save on just $77 per week. And the understanding that having savings is key in case of an emergency.

6. It’s hard to eat healthy on a minimum wage budget. The fast food dollar menu is sometimes a more affordable alternative to fresh fruits and vegetables.


7. This is a reality everyday for millions of people. Women and families have it especially hard.


8. An appreciation for the challenges low-wage workers face. And, accompanying that, a desire to see more elected officials share the experience and vote to raise the minimum wage.


BOTTOM LINE: If some elected officials do not believe hardworking Americans deserve a raise, then we challenge them to do what leaders and advocates around the country did last week and live the wage. American need leaders who take the side of working people, not just the wealthy. A higher minimum wage would help working families and help the economy.
the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 8/1 ~~ the do NOTHING House, led by Republicans goes home?
So, will the do NOTHING House, led by Republicans go home without doing SOMETHING good for Americans?
The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00am on Friday, August 1, 2014.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 2:00pm.
There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate. The next roll call vote will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, September 8, 2014.
The Senate passed J.R.Res.76, as amended with th e Reid-McConnell-Mikulski amendment making emergency supplemental appropriations to provide funding for the Israeli Iron Dome defense.
Reid: I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #220, H.J.Res.76; that a Reid-McConnell-Mikulski substitute amendment at the desk providing emergency appropriations for the Iron Dome defense system in Israel be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read a third time and passed; the Reid-McConnell-Mikulski amendment to the title be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
H.J.Res.76, making continuing appropriations for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
The Senate passed J.R.Res.76, as amended with the Reid-McConnell-Mikulski amendment making emergency supplemental appropriations to provide funding for the Israeli Iron Dome defense.
Reid: I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #220, H.J.Res.76; that a Reid-McConnell-Mikulski substitute amendment at the desk providing emergency appropriations for the Iron Dome defense system in Israel be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, be read a third time and passed; the Reid-McConnell-Mikulski amendment to the title be agreed to; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
H.J.Res.76, making continuing appropriations for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Reid-McConnell-Mikulski substitute amendment making emergency supplemental appropriations to provide funding for the Israeli Iron Dome defense.
Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.J.Res.19, a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections. The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during today’s sessions of the Senate.
Reid-McConnell-Mikulski substitute amendment making emergency supplemental appropriations to provide funding for the Israeli Iron Dome defense.
Senator Boxer asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #492, S.2673, a bill to enhance the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel.
Senator Sessions objected.
WRAP UP
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes were conducted during Friday’s session of the Senate.
Legislative Business
Passed H.J.Res.76, as amended with the Reid-McConnell-Mikulski amendment, making emergency supplemental appropriations to provide funding for the Israeli Iron Dome defense
Passed the following Post Office Naming bills, en bloc:
- H.R.606 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 815 County Road 23 in Tyrone, New York, as the “Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building”.
- H.R.1671 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 815 County Road 23 in Tyrone, New York, as the “Specialist Christopher Scott Post Office Building.”
- H.R.2291 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 450 Lexington Avenue in New York, New York, as the “Vincent R. Sombrotto Post Office”.
- H.R.3472 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13127 Broadway Street in Alden, New York, as the “Sergeant Brett E. Gornewicz Memorial Post Office”.
- H.R.3765 would designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 198 Baker Street in Corning, New York, as the “Specialist Ryan P. Jayne Post Office Building”.
Passed H.R.4386, Money Remittances
Passed H.R.5195, Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
Adopted S.Res.536, National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2772, Supplemental Appropriations for FY2014 (Flake)
Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2773, Supplemental Appropriations for FY2014 (Cornyn-Grassley-McConnell)
Executive Business
No Executive Business conducted.
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Last Floor Action:
11:56:03 A.M. -H. Res. 700
On agreeing to the resolution Roll Call 475 – Recorded vote pending.
Last Floor Action:
6:23:08 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 1, 2014.
| 10:00:07 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 10:00:21 A.M. | The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. | |
| 10:00:40 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
| 10:01:39 A.M. | Pursuant to section 3(a) of House Resolution 694, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved. | |
| 10:01:59 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Garcia to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 10:02:30 A.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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 1, 2014 at 9:08 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to the conference report to H.R. 3230, agreed to H. Con. Res. 111, and receded from its amendment to H.R. 5021. The Senate also made appointments to the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board, the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board, and the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board. | |
| 10:03:59 A.M. | H. Res. 700 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 700 — “Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.” |
| 10:04:10 A.M. | H. Res. 700 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 700. |
| 10:52:41 A.M. | The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4838, H.R. 4631, H.R. 4360, H.R. 3548, S.J. Res. 36, and S. 231. | |
| 10:52:58 A.M. | H. Res. 700 | DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 700. |
| 11:56:02 A.M. | H. Res. 700 | On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 474). |
| 11:56:03 A.M. | H. Res. 700 | On agreeing to the resolution Roll Call 475 – Recorded vote pending. |
| 12:03:03 P.M. | H. Res. 700 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 219 – 190 (Roll no. 475). |
| 12:03:31 P.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair. |
| 5:35:26 P.M. | The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of August 1. | |
| 5:35:34 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 1, 2014 at 12:13 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.J. Res. 76 with amendments. | |
| 5:37:53 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 1, 2014 at 4:17 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4386, H.R. 5195, H.R. 606, H.R. 1671, H.R. 2291, H.R. 3472, H.R. 3765. | |
| 5:38:21 P.M. | H.J. Res. 76 | ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. Sessions asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to take from the Speaker’s table H.J. Res. 76, with the Senate amendments thereto, and to consider in the House, without intervention of any point of order, a single motion offered by the Chair of the Committee on Appropriations or his designee that the House concur in the Senate amendments; the Senate amendments be considered as read; the previous question be considered as ordered on the motion to adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question; and the Chair may postpone the question of adoption of the motion as though under clause 8 of rule 20. |
| 5:38:50 P.M. | H.J. Res. 76 | Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the House agree to the Senate amendments. |
| 5:38:51 P.M. | H.J. Res. 76 | The previous question was ordered without objection. |
| 5:39:46 P.M. | H.J. Res. 76 | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rogers (KY) motion to agree in the Senate amendments to H.J. Res. 76, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Senate amendments and by voice vote, announced that the ayes prevailed. Mr. Rogers (KY) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day. |
| 5:40:28 P.M. | Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 710. | |
| 5:41:36 P.M. | H. Res. 710 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 710 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5230) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5272) to prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action for aliens not lawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.” |
| 5:42:47 P.M. | H. Res. 710 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 710. |
| 6:59:48 P.M. | H. Res. 710 | On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 183 (Roll no. 476). |
| 7:08:37 P.M. | H. Res. 710 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 218 – 191 (Roll no. 477). |
| 7:09:14 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule XIX, the Speaker announced that further proceedings were resumed on H.R. 5230. |
| 7:09:16 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5230 — “Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.” |
| 7:11:51 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 710 the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5230. |
| 8:13:55 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 8:14:23 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | On passage Roll Call 478 – Yea and Nay vote pending. |
| 8:38:36 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 223 – 189 (Roll no. 478). |
| 8:38:37 P.M. | H.R. 5230 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection. |
| 8:41:51 P.M. | H.R. 5272 | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 710. H.R. 5272 — “To prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action for aliens not lawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes.” |
| 8:41:56 P.M. | H.R. 5272 | Provides for further consideration of H.R. 5230 and for consideration of H.R. 5272. Both bills are debatable for 1 hour. The amendments to H.R. 5230printed in part A of the report shall be considered as adopted. The amendment to H.R. 5272 printed in Part B of the report shall be considered as adopted. The rule provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions for each measure. The rule amends section 2 of H. Res. 700 to allow for motions to suspend the rules with respect to a measure addressing missile defense of Israel. |
| 8:42:02 P.M. | H.R. 5272 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5272. |
| 9:32:31 P.M. | H.R. 5272 | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 9:56:16 P.M. | H.R. 5272 | On passage Passed by recorded vote: 216 – 192, 1 Present (Roll no. 479). |
| 9:56:30 P.M. | UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to concur in the Senate amendments to H.J. Res. 76. | |
| 10:04:05 P.M. | H.J. Res. 76 | On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 395 – 8 (Roll no. 480). |
| 10:04:06 P.M. | H.J. Res. 76 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:04:28 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider. |
| 10:07:57 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 683 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the current situation in Iraq and the urgent need to protect religious minorities from persecution from the Sunni Islamist insurgent and terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) as it expands its control over areas in northwestern Iraq.” |
| 10:08:30 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Royce, to strike the text after the resolving clause and replace it with an entirely new text. |
| 10:09:00 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:09:15 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Royce, to srike the preable and insert new language. |
| 10:09:47 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:09:59 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:10:00 P.M. | H. Res. 683 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:10:08 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider. |
| 10:10:17 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 699 — “Welcoming African leaders to the first United States-Africa Leaders’ Summit and African trade ministers to the 13th Forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).” |
| 10:10:50 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Royce, to strike the text after the resolving clause and instert an entirely new text. |
| 10:10:59 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:11:13 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Royce, to strike the preamble and insert new language. |
| 10:11:16 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:11:47 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:11:48 P.M. | H. Res. 699 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection. |
| 10:14:29 P.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 694. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 4, 2014. |
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a message from Petra Falcon, Promise Arizona
Call a key Democrat and tell them to protect the children from deportation!
My name is Petra. I am an immigrant rights activist in Arizona, as well as a mom, a grandmother and a human being. A few weeks ago I visited a border patrol holding facility in Nogales, Arizona, that housed 800 unaccompanied children under 18-years-old, including some children as young as five or six, without an adult family member. What I saw that day will stay with me forever.
It was disturbing. I saw the faces of children with fear and desperation in their eyes. Children locked behind cages with barbed wire that reminded me of dog kennels. I will never forget the pain in their eyes. Something must be done to help them.
In the last few months we have witnessed an unprecedented number of unaccompanied refugee children arriving at our southern border from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Thousands of children have made the perilous journey in order to escape crime, gang violence, sexual abuse, and other dangers in their home countries. How we respond to these children in the coming weeks will define us as a nation and our legacy for years to come.
We have seen the response from House and Senate Republicans, who want the children to be stripped of their rights and immediately deported. Deporting children back to the countries they are fleeing from puts their lives at risk and is unacceptable. This kind of response is shameful! Even from a party with a long history of callousness towards vulnerable populations, this is a new low.
We need real leadership from Congressional Democrats to stop Republican’s shameful attacks. We need Democrats to stand up now for the rights of refugee children at the border. Take action now to tell Democrats in Congress to stand up and protect the rights of the children!
Right now members of Congress are hearing from both sides. As we speak, anti-immigration groups are organizing and calling on Congress to speed up deportations and strip refugee children of some of their most basic legal rights, which exist to ensure that they get a fair hearing and to protect them from being sent back to violence in their home country. We need to make sure that our message is louder. With your help we can drown out messages of hate and replace them with messages of compassion and tolerance.
Which message do you want to send? Take action now by making a call!
In solidarity,
Petra Falcon
Executive Director, Promise Arizona





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