Tag Archives: MJ

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Shop at Target?


Target just gave a huge contribution to a anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-progressive candidate for governor in Minnesota. Will you send a message to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel that you won’t shop at Target unless they stop trying to buy elections? Click here:

Sign the petition


Get this: Target, the retail giant, just became one of the very first companies to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate cash in elections.1

Target has spent over $150,000 in the Minnesota Governor’s race backing state Rep. Tom Emmer, a far-right Republican who supports Arizona’s draconian immigration law, wants to abolish the minimum wage and even gave money to a fringe group that condoned the execution of gay people. 2

Target must think customers won’t care. They’re wrong: We do care, and we need to let them know that we want Target—and all corporations—out of our elections.

Will you send a message to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel telling him that you’re not going to shop at Target unless they stop trying to buy elections? Click here to add your name to the petition:


Once we get 150,000 signatures, MoveOn members in Minnesota will hand deliver the petition to Target headquarters.

The stakes are much higher than one candidate and one company. Other CEOs are in “wait-and-see” mode following the Citizens United decision, according to a former Federal Trade Commission counsel quoted on NPR.3 If we don’t push back hard, this will just be the tip of the iceberg. Other corporations will learn that they can pour money into elections to buy the outcome they want—without paying a price with their customers or shareholders.

We all knew Citizens United would benefit candidates who stand up for corporate CEOs instead of everyday people. But you wouldn’t expect a company like Target to jump in and try to buy an election so quickly. After all, Target made its name by being thought of as the more progressive store in the wake of numerous WalMart scandals.

That’s why MoveOn members are following up on actions of groups like Human Rights Campaign and the Alliance for a Better Minnesota by telling Target that we won’t shop there unless they stop trying to buy elections. Please add your voice now:


Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Robin, Anna, Mari, and the rest of the team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mashup Monday &some News …


Democrats are reforming their own members when will Republicans actually drain the swamp they have of corrupt, immoral folks in their own party?


Progress for ALL AMERICANS

If not now …when

The President will speak at a convention for the Disabled Vets of America in Atlanta and while Congress or at least the House  is out on break we, the people will hear and see some outrageous things coming from the right and Republican politicians will be leading the train of crazy talk about all things reform and repeal. For months, our opponents have spread lies about reform to scare voters away. But the simple truth about what reform would actually do — save jobs, guarantee all Americans affordable, stable coverage, and significantly reduce the deficit — is something most Americans strongly support.  We all know that watching the change we all need taking place or trying to take place in both Chambers of Congress has been difficult but when HCR came up who knew that the health insurance reform that Romney helped pass and signed while Governor of Massachusetts is very similar to the bill passed by the Democrats of the Obama Administration. It was apparent after a few interviews that the people of Massachusetts hated the way their health care was created but ask one just one if they would be willing to give up their socialized health care they have now.

Progress for ALL Americans not just a select few … VOTE Democrats

The question is, come November, will the voters know and or accept the facts? Will they seek the truth or will they accept the noise nonsense and lies given by Republicans on a daily basis.

Republicans continue to disrespect the office of President, blocking his efforts to live up to his campaign promise and the 53% who voted him into office. We the People cannot afford to vote politicians who put Political Party over doing the Peoples business; though Republicans would have the public believe it is in our best interest. We need people to make the effort to listen to Republicans talk, make comments about repealing everything, and going back to the way the house of Bush governed, we need and must move into the 21st Century if we plan to get back on track, be the number one in the Nation.

The November elections are important and democrats must be out in droves to vote Democrats into office for each and every State ; stay informed and vote to keep democrats in to complete the fixes our economy needs so badly because they definitely were avoided by the house of Bush.

Democrats are reforming their own members when will Republicans actually drain the swamp they have of corrupt, immoral folks in their own party?

Other News …

The Financial Times’ Ed Luce documents the “crisis of middle-class America.” Noting the “median wage stagnation” that has afflicted most American families, Luce writes, “the annual incomes of the bottom 90 per cent of US families have been essentially flat since 1973 — having risen by only 10 per cent in real terms over the past 37 years. That means most Americans have been treading water for more than a generation.”Tprogress

**Lindsey Lohan was released from jail

The passage of the Affordable Care Act will save the Medicare program about $8 billion by the end of the year, “and $575 billion over the rest of the decade,” according to the Obama administration. The savings are anticipated to add “12 years of solvency” to Medicare’s trust fund for inpatient care.TPprgress

**2 killers from AZ are still on the loose

**High Court trims Miranda warning rights

**Spirit Airlines will charge for walk-on luggage from now on

**Ahmadinegad offers to speak to President Obama one on one

**Obama states there is a shift commitment to the iraq war

**BP is going to try and plug up the well for good -Static Kill


C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

listen Adm. Thad Allen (Ret.) Conference Call (8/1)

Health Care Discussion on “50 Ways to Implement Health Reform”

C‑SPAN’s Washington Journal will begin a month long series looking at issues in the news, from health care to financial reform and politics. This morning, Tracy Watts a senior health care consultant for Mercer discussed how employers are working to implement the heath care law that was passed earlier this year. Later, the Alliance for Health Reform hosts a discussion titled “50 Ways to Implement Health Reform: State Challenges and Federal Assistance.” Health care administrators will give an overview of how states and the federal government will begin implementing provisions of the new health care law President Obama signed on March 23rd. Speakers include representatives from the Health and Human Services Department, insurance companies and the states.

watch Tracy Watts on WJ: Available Shortly
watch AHR-Health Reform: C-SPAN at 12:15pm ET
read AP: A Struggle To Fix New Law
visit Alliance for Health Reform

Senate this Week: Jobs, Energy, Kagan Vote

The Senate will begin its final week of work before the August recess at 2pm (ET) today. They will first resume work on H.R. 1586, a substitute amendment to a House-passed FAA reauthorization bill. The substance of the Senate amendment to this measure is $10 billion in education funding for teacher salaries and $16.1 billion in aid to the states from the stimulus fund for state Medicaid costs. The vote on the motion to proceed to the bill is expected at 5:45pm.

The Senate may also take up Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) energy package (S.3663) later in the week. This package would eliminate the $75 million cap on economic damages from offshore oil spills; it also would provide full funding for up to five years for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is mostly paid for by offshore drilling revenues. Sen. Reid will likely set up a cloture vote on this energy package.

Before the recess, the Senate will take up the nomination of Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female Justice in the Supreme Court’s history.

visit Bloomberg: First Democrat to Oppose Kagan

watch Senate Floor: C-SPAN2 at 2pm ET
visit WSJ: Reid’s Energy Bill Delayed Until Tuesday

Allen Defends Oil Dispersant Oversight, Says Static Kill Possible on Monday

During Sunday’s conference call on oil spill recovery efforts, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen responded to charges made by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) that the Coast Guard has “rubber stamped” BP’s use of oil dispersants. Adm. Allen said he and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson agree on guidelines calling for a 75% reduction in use of chemicals which breakdown oil in the Gulf.

However, incident commanders are authorizing additional dispersant use on a case-by-case basis, he pointed out.

On Saturday, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter demanding that government officials provide his office with records documenting the amount of dispersants used.

Also during the call, Adm. Allen said that the hydrostatic or “static kill” could begin as soon as Monday evening. A sequence of tests must first be performed before mud can be pumped into the wellhead.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Speaker Nancy Pelosi


Midnight tonight is your last chance to contribute to the DCCC before one of the most critical FEC deadlines of this election and the first since Republicans have experienced a surge in their fundraising.

It’s critical that House Democrats have a strong showing this month. The media and Washington pundits will view our fundraising totals as an indication of our strength to take on Republicans and their powerful special interest supporters in November.

Republicans have been claiming to have the momentum. We know that’s not true, and if you stand with me at this decisive moment in our campaign, we will make this clear to the world. We are just $35,919 away from our goal and are so committed to making this goal that all gifts today will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of generous Democratic donors.

Contribute $5, $10 or more before the FEC deadline at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT and your contribution will be matched 2-to-1 by a group of committed Democrats.

This election comes down to a choice between going forward or going back to Republican rule and the same exact failed policies of the Bush agenda.

I hope I can count on your continuing generosity and support.

Thank you,
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Target/Best Buy …Make it right!


Human Rights Campaign


$250,000 in donations to a rabidly anti-LGBT candidate?

Tell Target and Best Buy: You need to make this right.

One candidate for Governor of Minnesota has promised to veto marriage equality legislation and has ties to a Christian rock band that advocates death to gays.

Target and Best Buy, both based in Minneapolis, have donated $250,000 to a political committee supporting his campaign.

But they still have a chance to make it right. We’ve drafted an open letter calling on the companies to donate an equal amount to support fair-minded candidates. We’ll publish it in a full-page ad in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Will you help us ratchet up the pressure by adding your name?

By signing on, you’ll help make it clear that Target and Best Buy are risking the business of millions of pro-equality customers – and show the rest of corporate America, which is watching this situation very closely, that support for hateful and intolerant candidates won’t go unnoticed.

But don’t stop there. Print out our letter, take it to the manager of your local Target and Best Buy, and let them know how disappointed you are.

Here’s the backstory: Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Target had donated $150,000 to the political committee MN Forward. Best Buy pitched in another $100,000.

MN Forward’s mission? Elect as governor an anti-LGBT state representative with a long history of attacks on LGBT Americans. This representative’s campaign even donated to a controversial “punk-rock Christian ministry” whose leader has advocated executing gays and lesbians!

After all these two companies have done to build a fair and equitable workplace, it’s a slap in the face. In years past, Target and Best Buy consistently received 100 percent ratings on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.

They need to make this right – by donating an equal amount to support candidates who will fight for equality. But they won’t do it just because we ask. They need to see that hundreds of thousands of customers across the country are upset and disappointed.

I hope Target and Best Buy will do the right thing. But it’s up to us to show that fair-minded consumers are paying close attention to what they do next.

Let’s make this happen,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Friday-debating/voting in Congress today


The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July 30, 2010

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate.

The next vote will occur around 5:30 and 5:45pm on Monday, August 2. That vote will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur with amendment #4557 (Teacher Funding and FMAP) with respect to HR1586.

Unanimous Consent:

Passed HR5900, Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (60-day extension)

Passed S.3567, H.R.5278, H.R.5395 (Post Office Naming bills)

Adopted S.Res.602, a resolution expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month 2010.

*************************************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 30, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

6:40 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 308. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2010.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Ms. Woolsey moved that the House do now adjourn.

6:36 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:34 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

6:33 P.M. –

Congressional Award Board – the Speaker appointed Mr. Nicholas Scott Cannon, Los Angeles, CA, for the remainder of the term ending September 25, 2011; and, in addition, Mr. Jimmie Lee Solomon, Washington, DC .

H.R. 5982:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes

6:30 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 241 – 154 (Roll no. 514).

6:23 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 3534:

to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3534.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 – 193, 1 Present (Roll no. 513).

6:16 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 166 – 239, 1 Present (Roll no. 512).

5:59 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

5:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cassidy motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a new section 231 which provides a new termination of moratoria on offshore drilling.

Mr. Cassidy moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.

5:45 P.M. –

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3534.

On agreeing to the Melancon amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 216 – 195, 1 Present (Roll no. 511).

5:40 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Oberstar amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 258 – 149 (Roll no. 510).

5:36 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Teague amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 399 – 8 (Roll no. 509).

5:33 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Kind amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 404 – 1 (Roll no. 508).

5:29 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Rahall amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 – 161, 1 Present (Roll no. 507).

5:12 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

5:11 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5851:

to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1574, H.R. 5851 is laid on the table.

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1574, the text of H.R. 5851, as passed by the House, was appended as new matter at the end of H.R. 3534.

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5851.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 315 – 93 (Roll no. 506).

5:04 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 171 – 234 (Roll no. 505).

4:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kline (MN) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to insert a new section in the bill entitled “Whistleblower Protection for Certain Offshore Workers.”

4:28 P.M. –

Mr. Kline (MN) moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor.

Considered as unfinished business.

4:27 P.M. –

INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – Pursuant to section 2(b) of Rule 6, and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader jointly appointed Ms. Theresa M. Grafenstine of Manassas, Virginia .

H.R. 3534:

to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3534 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.

4:26 P.M. –

Mr. Rahall moved that the Committee now rise.

On agreeing to the Melancon amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Melancon amendment No. 9.

4:15 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Melancon.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to seek to create an additional civil penalty on Gulf Coast Oil Spills of more than 1 million barrels, and would direct those funds toward previously authorized coastal restoration projects.

4:14 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Melancon amendment No. 8, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Melancon amendment No. 8.

Amendment offered by Mr. Melancon.

An amendment numbered 8 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to seek to end the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling. The moratorium would be prohibited from enforcement on those rigs that meet safety requirements set forth in NTL 05 and NTL 06.

On agreeing to the Connolly (VA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:54 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment No. 7.

3:53 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Connolly (VA).

An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part A of House Report 111-582 to prevent oil companies from shifting oil spill cleanup costs onto taxpayers by ensuring that Oil Pollution Act liabilities of an oil subsidiary will be inherited by the parent oil company in the event the subsidiary goes bankrupt and does not sell its assets. The amendment does not alter underlying liability provisions of OPA, and includes technical corrections from the Department of Justice.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Oberstar amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Oberstar amendment No. 6.

Amendment offered by Mr. Oberstar.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to require, following initial clean-up of a spill, that the National Resources Damages Act trustee give equal and full consideration to all statutorily prescribed natural resource damage remedies to ensure that acquisition of non-impacted land is considered an equal remedy and not given lower priority as is currently provided in statute.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Teague amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cummings demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Teague amendment No. 5.

Amendment offered by Mr. Teague.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to allow a group of companies to cooperate to meet financial responsibility requirements by pooling of resources or joint insurance coverage.

3:30 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Shea-Porter amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Shea-Porter amendment No. 4.

3:22 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Shea-Porter.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to ensure that the ethics guidelines required for certain Department of Interior employees are updated at least every three years. The amendment would also ensure that the best available technology for oil spill response and mitigation, and the availability and accessibility of that technology is part of the Offshore Technology Research and Risk Assessment Program. Finally, the amendment would require that operators annually certify that their response and exploration plans include the best available technology and its availability.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kind amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Kind demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kind amendment No. 3.

Amendment offered by Mr. Kind.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to require that no less than 1.5 percent of the Land and Water Conservation Fund each year go toward securing recreational public access to Federal Lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.

3:12 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Castle amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

3:09 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castle amendment No. 2.

Amendment offered by Mr. Castle.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to ensure there is no delay in the development of ocean renewable energy resources, including offshore wind, in the establishment of the new Bureau of Energy and Resource Management.

3:08 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rahall amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1574, the Committee on the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Rahall amendment No. 1.

Amendment offered by Mr. Rahall.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 111-582 to clarify certain provisisons in the bill and add various requirements.

2:04 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole rose informally and subsequently resumed its sitting.

1:13 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3534.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1574 and Rule XVIII.

1:12 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3534 and H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 3534 shall be one hour. After general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. And, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in Part B of the report of the Committee on Rules. The rule also makes in order H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 5851 shall be limited to one hour and the bill is closed to amendments, with the exception of the amendment printed in part C of the report which is considered adopted.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1574.

1:11 P.M. –

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT FILED – The Chair announced a supplemental report to H.R. 3534 has been filed pursuant to the authority granted by clause 3(a)(2) of rule 13. The supplemental report contains a statement regarding congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits in satisfaction of clause 9 or rule 21.

1:10 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Hastings (WA) stated that the bill and committee report violated the provisions of clause 9(a) rule XXI and was not in order for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.

1:09 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Rahall asked unanimous consent that, during proceedings today in the House and in the Committee of the Whole, the Chair be authorized to reduce to two minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on any question that otherwise could be subjected to five-minute voting under clause 8 or 9 or rule 20 or under clause 6 of rule 18.

H.R. 5851:

to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

1:06 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 2c of rule 19, the Chair postponed further proccedings on H.R. 5851 until a time to be announced.

1:05 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

12:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5851.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3534 and H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 3534 shall be one hour. After general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. And, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in Part B of the report of the Committee on Rules. The rule also makes in order H.R. 5851. General debate for H.R. 5851 shall be limited to one hour and the bill is closed to amendments, with the exception of the amendment printed in part C of the report which is considered adopted.

12:23 P.M. –

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1574.

H.R. 5414:

to provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina, and for other purposes

12:22 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 0 (Roll no. 504).

12:16 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1566:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the pioneering of college students whose determination and nonviolent resistance led to the desegregation of lunch counters and places of public accommodation over a 5-year period

12:15 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): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 503).

12:09 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5901:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain stock of real estate investment trusts from the tax on foreign investment in United States real property interests, and for other purposes

12:08 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 11 (Roll no. 502).

11:59 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1558:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that fruit and vegetable and commodity producers are encouraged to display the American flag on labels of products grown in the United States, reminding us all to take pride in the healthy bounty produced by American farmers and workers

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): 403 – 1 (Roll no. 501).

11:53 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

11:52 A.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3567, H.R. 5900, H.R. 5278, and H.R. 5395.

H. Res. 1574:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3534) to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5851) to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

11:51 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 – 194 (Roll no. 500).

11:21 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5982:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes

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.

10:29 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5982.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Levin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 258, H.R. 5874, and H.R. 1454 amended. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 308.

H.R. 5981:

to increase the flexibility of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with respect to the amount of premiums charged for FHA single family housing mortgage insurance, and for other purposes

10:07 A.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.

10:01 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5981.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Frank (MA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

H. Res. 1574:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 3534) to provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5851) to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry

9:57 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1574, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of H.Res. 1574 until later in the legislative day.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

9:18 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1574

9:13 A.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

9:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kratovil to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

9:01 A.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day