Tag Archives: National Labor Relations Board

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ThinkProgress

07/17/2013 Nativegrl77

GOP Blockade of Nominees Collapses

Today was supposed to be D-Day when it came to the so-called nuclear option in the Senate — a relatively minor change in the Senate rules to stop a minority of senators from using the filibuster as a means of nullifying democratically created government agencies and functions that they object to purely for ideological reasons.

After a three and a half hour meeting last night and ongoing negotiations through this morning, senators announced a deal to avert changing the Senate rules. Nevertheless, the deal represents a huge victory for Democrats and an almost unconditional surrender on the part of Senate Republicans.

Here’s the main elements of the deal:

The president’s nominees to head the Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Export-Import Bank, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will be confirmed without delay.
Two of the president’s current nominees to the National Labor Relations Board will be withdrawn; however, Republicans agree in advance to confirm any two nominees of the president’s choosing before the Senate recesses in August.
Democrats retain the right to revisit changing the filibuster rules on executive branch nominees at any time should Republicans once again begin a blockade.

Interestingly, Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) had offered a deal last night that would have also confirmed the current group of seven nominees, but would’ve required Democrats to promise to never again threaten to change the rules. Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) wisely rejected this offer in favor of the offer outlined above made by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and a group of breakaway Republicans.

Real progress has already been made as a result of this deal. CFPB nominee Richard Cordray had been prevented from receiving an up-or-down vote by Senate Republicans for 730 days. Following today’s deal, a cloture motion on his nomination passed 71-29 and a final confirmation vote is expected later today.

Hopefully this new spirit of cooperation from Senate Republicans will also extend to other areas. The president deserves up-or-down votes on his judicial nominations, which have also faced unprecedented levels of obstruction and delay from some Senate Republicans. In particular, we look forward to timely votes on the president’s three nominations to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

BOTTOM LINE: Today’s deal does not fix all of the problems with the Senate, but it represents a huge victory for consumers, workers, and anyone who cares about clean air and water. In addition, the deal underscores that a unified Democrat caucus can stand up to unprecedented Republican obstructionism and get results.

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Reuters exposed: wire service is openly hostile to climate reporting, top editor doubts climate science.

The mundane, yet potent weapons of today’s anti-abortion movement.

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Stevie Wonder to stop performing in Florida and other states with shoot first Stand Your Ground laws.

Black History

the Senate considers Executive Calendar CONGRESS the House considers HR2289

07/16/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in recess until 10:00am on Tuesday, July 16, 2013.

Senator-elect Markey will be sworn into office at 10:00am on Tuesday.
As a reminder to all Senators, during Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
We anticipate the first cloture vote to begin at 11:00am. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.

11:02am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of Ohio, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;

Invoked: 71-29

The Senate invoked cloture on the Cordray nomination by a vote of 71-29.

There will now be up to 8 hours for debate, with the time equally divided, prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. By consent, the Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. The time during the recess will count post-cloture. Senators will be notified when the next vote is scheduled.

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Last Floor Action:
10:03:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on
July 16, 2013.

12:00:08 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:26 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kerry L. Bentivolio to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:45 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.
12:11:01 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:21 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 16.
2:00:41 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:55 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:22 P.M.		ADJUSTMENT OF THE WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Markey, the whole number of the House is 434.
2:02:31 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:25 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 July 16, 2013 at 1:25 p.m.: Appointments: World War I Centennial Commission.
2:10:50 P.M.		HIT Policy Committee – Pursuant to section 13101 of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act (Public Law 111-5), the Democratic Leader reappointed Mr. Paul Egerman of Weston, Massachusetts for a term of three years.
2:11:35 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
5:00:20 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 16.
5:01:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:03:10 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1848 — “To ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration advances the safety of small airplanes, and the continued development of the general aviation industry, and for other purposes.”
5:03:16 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:03:18 P.M.	H.R. 1848	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1848.

5:19:56 P.M.	H.R. 1848	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.
5:20:07 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2611 — “To designate the headquarters building of the Coast Guard on the campus located at 2701 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue Southeast in the District of Columbia as the “Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building”, and for other purposes.”
5:20:37 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:20:39 P.M.	H.R. 2611	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2611.
5:28:31 P.M.	H.R. 2611	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.
5:28:43 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2576 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify requirements relating to the availability of pipeline safety regulatory documents, and for other purposes.”
5:28:58 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:28:59 P.M.	H.R. 2576	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2576.
5:36:59 P.M.	H.R. 2576	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.
5:37:34 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today.

6:30:10 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 16.
6:30:14 P.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.
6:31:15 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2576 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify requirements relating to the availability of pipeline safety regulatory documents, and for other purposes.”
6:59:52 P.M.	H.R. 2576	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 – 2 (Roll no. 354).
6:59:52 P.M.	H.R. 2576	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:00:09 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1848 — “To ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration advances the safety of small airplanes, and the continued development of the general aviation industry, and for other purposes.”
7:07:31 P.M.	H.R. 1848	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 355).
7:07:32 P.M.	H.R. 1848	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:08:03 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2611 — “To designate the headquarters building of the Coast Guard on the campus located at 2701 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue Southeast in the District of Columbia as the “Douglas A. Munro Coast Guard Headquarters Building”, and for other purposes.”
7:16:01 P.M.	H.R. 2611	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 356).
7:16:05 P.M.	H.R. 2611	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:18:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:31:45 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:11:11 P.M.		Mr. Burgess filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 300.
8:12:36 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.

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the Senate considers S.1238 CONGRESS the House HR2289

07/15/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 15, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Majority Leader will be recognized at 5:30pm. A live quorum and subsequent roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators is expected at 5:30pm.
Additionally, there will be a joint-special caucus for all Senators at 6:00pm on Monday.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
If no agreement on the nominations can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur early Tuesday morning. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTE1) Motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators; Agreed to: 69-28; Quorum was present
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.195, a resolution to authorize testimony and representation In the Matter of the Proposed Discipline of Laura Block Lower

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
5:39pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent senators.Motion is agreed to: 69-28; Quorum is present

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Last Floor Action:
10:03:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on
July 16, 2013.

10:00:10 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:42 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:01:59 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:04 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:36 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 2289 and agreed to H. Con. Res. 43.
10:03:22 A.M.		The House received a communication from The Honorable Edward J. Markey. Mr. Markey notified the House that he will resign his seat in the United States House of Representatives in order to serve in the United States Senate as a Senator from Massachusetts. His resignation from the United States House of Representatives is effective at the close of business on Monday, July 15, 2013.
10:03:41 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 16, 2013.

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CONGRESS breaks until 7/15

07/12/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 15, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Majority Leader will be recognized at 5:30pm. A live quorum and subsequent roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators is expected at 5:30pm.
Additionally, there will be a joint-special caucus for all Senators at 6:00pm on Monday.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
If no agreement on the nominations can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur early Tuesday morning. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.

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9:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:39 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark Meadows to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:01 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Binion II, Westside Church of God, Fresno, California.
9:03:08 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) 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. Thompson (PA) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
9:03:20 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wittman to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:05:44 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.
9:19:35 A.M.		Ms. Sewell (AL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:47:08 A.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 125 – 260 (Roll no. 346).
9:47:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 295 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2642) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
9:48:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:26 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate to H.R. 588, and passed H.R. 251 and H.R. 254.
10:02:27 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:28 A.M.	H. Res. 295	During the course of debate on H. Res. 295, the Chair stated that it was not in order to embellish a unanimous consent request with additional remarks in the form of debate.
10:49:32 A.M.	H. Res. 295	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Hoyer raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
10:51:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	<action_description>Mr. Hoyer appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
10:51:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Mr. Sessions moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair.
11:17:51 A.M.	H. Res. 295	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 196 (Roll no. 347).
11:18:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
11:59:18 A.M.		Ms. Fudge moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:22:11 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 138 – 265 (Roll no. 348).
12:22:36 P.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
12:41:37 P.M.	H. Res. 295	The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:02:24 P.M.	H. Res. 295	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 – 195 (Roll no. 349).
1:02:25 P.M.	H. Res. 295	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 295. H.R. 2642 — “To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
1:03:05 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2642 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
1:03:34 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2642.
1:40:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Watt raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
1:41:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Watt appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
1:42:09 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:09:13 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 189 (Roll no. 350).
2:20:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	made to have words taken down. Subsequently, the demand was withdrawn.
2:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 2642.
2:32:54 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Thompson (MS) raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
2:33:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Thompson (MS) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
2:34:45 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:54:15 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 181 (Roll no. 351).
3:06:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered without objection.
3:06:46 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Ms. Esty moved to recommit with instructions to Agriculture.
3:07:14 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty 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 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct annual audits of the food regulatory systems for each country that is eligible to export meat, poultry, or egg products to the United States. The motion would also give the Secretary the authority to transfer funds from any Department of Agriculture account to the Food Safety and Inspection Service account in order to address any food safety emergency.
3:32:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 198 – 226 (Roll no. 352).
3:40:29 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 – 208 (Roll no. 353).
3:40:31 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:41:39 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question on agreeing to the Journal de novo.
3:41:58 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:32 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, July 11, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013. Agreed to without objection.
3:56:01 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:51:56 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:52:07 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:52:08 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 15, 2013.

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Going Nuclear

07/10/2013 Nativegrl77

CAP Action War Room

Standing Up to Unprecedented GOP Obstructionism

Republican leaders from the House and Senate got together and plotted on the very night President Obama was first inaugurated and agreed that there would be no cooperation, no compromise, no nothing but unceasing obstruction. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen ever since, whether it’s on legislation, judicial nominations, or other executive branch nominations.

After more than four years of unprecedented obstruction, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said enough is enough. He’s previously made two agreements with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to try and get the Senate moving without formally changing the rules, but both times Sen. McConnell failed to keep up his end of the bargain and the Senate remained gridlocked. Some nominees have literally been stalled for years at a time.

Today, Sen. Reid filed cloture on seven Obama nominees, many of whom are to serve in positions that protect workers, consumers, and our clean air and water. If the Republicans still insist on blocking these nominations come Tuesday, Democrats are poised to use the so-called “nuclear option” to eliminate the filibuster on executive branch nominations.

Filibusters would still be allowed on legislation and judicial nominations, but Senate Republicans would no longer be able to paralyze the government by denying the president the ability to fill key vacancies.

This is an important first step toward making the Senate function as our Founding Fathers envisioned it when they specified in the Constitution that only simple majorities were needed to approve both legislation and nominations.

The practical consequences of this decision are huge. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot issue rules in certain areas and do many key tasks unless it has a director. It will be difficult for the president to advance his agenda to combat climate change unless Gina McCarthy is confirmed to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Unless new members are confirmed to the National Labor Relations Board, it will literally cease to function soon — something that will hurt both workers and employers alike.

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans have engaged in years of unprecedented obstructionism and they have only themselves to blame if Democrats are forced to use the “nuclear option” to simply make the Senate function more like the Constitution says it should. Interestingly, many of the Republican Senators decrying this potential rules reform today argued vehemently in favor of it just eight short years ago.