Tag Archives: Michigan Senate

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/14 ~~ the House


obamacapitol_300

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, November 14, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for two hours with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

 Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the motion to proceed to H.R.3402, the Pharmaceutical Drug Compounding bill. A voice vote is expected on the motion to proceed to the bill.

 The Senate will recess from 1:00pm until 2:15pm to allow for caucus meetings.

Following morning business, the Senate adopted the motion to H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act, and Senator Reid filled the amendment tree with date change amendments.

Senator Reid then filed cloture motions on the following items:

–       Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

–       H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act; and

–       Motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm. When the Senate resumes session, it will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent that the only amendment in order to H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act, be the Vitter amendment #2024 (Show Your Exemption Act) and a Democratic alternative; that there be 2 hours for debate prior to votes on the amendments; the amendments be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold; and that upon disposition of the Vitter and Democratic amendment, the bill, as amended, if amended, be read a third time and passed.

Senator Reid objected.

Senator Vitter then asked consent that the Senate pass H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act; that the Senate then proceed to the consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act; the Vitter amendment, which is at the desk, and a Democratic alternative, be called up and notwithstanding Rule 22, the Vitter and Democratic amendments remain in order, with no second degree amendments in order, and the amendments be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold for passage.

Senator Reid objected.

Senator Vitter then asked consent that the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.1629, Show Your Exemption Act. There be 60 minutes for debate equally divided, prior to a vote on passage of the bill. Finally, that the bill be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold.

Senator Reid objected.

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

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Concurred in the House amendments to S.252, Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act’ or the “PREEMIE Reauthorization Act”; National Pediatric Research Network; and Care for NIH chimpanzees.

Adopted S.Res.295, expressing support for the designation of October 20, 2013, as the “National Day on Writing”.

Adopted S.Res.296, designating the week beginning on October 13, 2013, as “National Wildlife Refuge Week”.

Adopted S.Res.297, congratulating the Minnesota Lynx women’s basketball team on winning the 2013 Women’s National Basketball Association Championship.

Adopted S.Res.292, Expressing support for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines and the surrounding region.

Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and adopted S.Res.284, calling on the Government of Iran to immediately release Saeed Abedini and all other individuals detained on account of their religious beliefs.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed all nominations on the Secretary’s desk in the Coast Guard and the following items:

DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD

Executive Calendar #389 Kenneth L. Mossman – to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2016

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Executive Calendar #392 Michael D. Lumpkin – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Executive Calendar #405 Gregory B. Starr – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Diplomatic Security)

Executive Calendar #411 James Walter Brewster, Jr. – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Dominican Republic

Executive Calendar #421 Philip S. Goldberg – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines

==========================================================

Last Floor Action: 11/13
8:14:58 P.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 14, 2013.

=============================

Stop Michigan’s “license to bully” bill … Eden James, Change.org


         

       Stop Michigan‘s “license to bully” bill             

 
 

When Katy Butler was in junior high, bullies who called her a “dyke” slammed a locker door on her hand. Katy never reported the assault because she was afraid her school wouldn’t do anything to help.

If the Michigan state Senate has its way, Katy’s school won’t have to help students bullied in the future, either.

Last week, the Michigan state Senate passed an anti-bullying bill. But minutes before they voted, Republican lawmakers inserted special language into the bill to create a huge loophole: Bullying done because of a “sincerely held religious or moral conviction” isn’t covered by the law.

Rather than protecting students, the new law actually provides a road map that teaches kids how to bully — and how to get away with it.

Katy and her friend Carson Borbely know what it’s like to be bullied for who they are. They started a Change.org petition demanding that the state legislature enact a strong anti-bullying law with no exceptions. Click here to sign their petition.http://www.change.org/petitions/help-michigan-students-stop-the-license-to-bully-bill?

The Michigan House of Representatives will consider the Senate’s weak anti-bullying bill soon. Katy and Carson want them to strengthen the bill and eliminate the religious exemption inserted by the state Senate, and Change.org members are rallying around their demand.

Some legislators are wavering in the face of public outrage, and Republican Speaker of the House Jase Bolger is now said to be considering a stronger, more comprehensive version of the bill. But Katy and Carson need your help to keep up the pressure.

Please sign Katy and Carson’s petition demanding the Michigan House of Representatives pass an anti-bullying law that will actually protect students:

http://www.change.org/petitions/help-michigan-students-stop-the-license-to-bully-bill

Thanks for being a change-maker,

– Eden and the Change.org team