Tag Archives: New Jersey

::::::: CONGRESS :::::::

04/09/2013 Nativegrl77

April, 2013

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the House: Hydropower & limiting NLRB ~~~~~~~ the Senate: S.649,Safe Communities

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, it is expected Senator Reid will renew the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #32, S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 . The time until 11:30am 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 with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
At 11:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #14, the nomination of Patty Shwartz, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
Upon use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12:00pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Shwartz nomination.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

This morning Senator Reid renewed the motion to proceed to S.649, Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013. The time until 11:30am is equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees. The Majority controls the first 30 minutes and the Republicans control the next 30 minutes.

At 11:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #14, the nomination of Patty Shwartz, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

If all time is used at 12:00pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the Shwartz nomination.

As provided for under the previous order, the Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings. Following the recess, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act.

12:00pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #14, the nomination of Patty Shwartz, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit;

Confirmed: 64-34

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #14, the nomination of Patty Shwartz, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit; Confirmed: 64-34

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Foreign Relations committee and adopted S.Res.77, expressing the sense of Congress relating to the commemoration of the 180^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand.

Adopted S.Res.94, recognizing the 50^th anniversary of the sinking of U.S.S. Thresher.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.691, a bill to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.680, a bill to rescind the amounts appropriated for FY2013 for the Department of Defense MEADS and for other purposes.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.649, Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of
2013. The cloture vote on the motion to proceed will occur one hour after the
Senate convenes on Thursday, April 11.

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

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on April 9, 2013.

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

2:00:58 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:01:11 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:01:19 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:00 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mrs. Capps 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. Mrs. Capps demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
2:03:27 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Burgess to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:03:51 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:19:00 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 of April 9, 2013 at 9:43: That the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 10.
2:20:17 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.

:03:05 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 9.

5:03:16 P.M.

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

5:03:30 P.M.

H.R. 254

Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 254 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the development of hydroelectric power on the Diamond Fork System of the Central Utah Project.”

5:03:53 P.M.

H.R. 254

Considered under suspension of the rules.

5:03:55 P.M.

H.R. 254

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 254.

5:10:27 P.M.

H.R. 254

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.

5:11:01 P.M.

H.R. 1033

Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1033 — “To authorize the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 under the American Battlefield Protection Program.”

5:11:04 P.M.

H.R. 1033

Considered under suspension of the rules.

5:11:05 P.M.

H.R. 1033

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1033.

5:25:10 P.M.

H.R. 1033

5:25:47 P.M.The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. today.

6:30:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 9.
6:30:26 P.M.		Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 140.
6:31:57 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 agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, which had been postponed from earlier in the day.
6:32:23 P.M.	H.R. 254	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 254 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the development of hydroelectric power on the Diamond Fork System of the Central Utah Project.”
6:56:31 P.M.	H.R. 254	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 – 4 (Roll no. 90).
6:56:32 P.M.	H.R. 254	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:58:10 P.M.	H. Res. 141	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 141 — “Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of the Baroness Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
6:59:04 P.M.	H. Res. 141	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
6:59:11 P.M.	H. Res. 141	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:59:17 P.M.		FIVE-MINUTE VOTING – Without objection, the Chair announced that five-minute voting would resume.
7:00:52 P.M.	H.R. 1033	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1033 — “To authorize the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 under the American Battlefield Protection Program.”
7:07:20 P.M.	H.R. 1033	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 283 – 122 (Roll no. 91).
7:07:21 P.M.	H.R. 1033	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:07:47 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the vote on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.
7:15:10 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 294 – 104, 1 Present (Roll no. 92).
7:17:15 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:40:54 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:30:01 P.M.		Ms. Jackson Lee moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:30:05 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:30:10 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to H. Res. 141. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 10, 2013.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Under the Gun

04/04/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

By ThinkProgress War Room

Weak Gun Laws & High Levels of Gun Violence Go Together

Today, our colleagues at the Center for American Progress put out an important new study examining the relationship between a state’s gun laws and its rate of gun violence. Unsurprisingly, the states with the weakest gun laws tend to also be the states with the highest rates of gun violence.

Here are the ten states with the highest levels of gun violence:

As both common sense and hard data indicate, 8 of these 10 states are among the 25 states with the weakest gun laws. Indeed, the 10 states with the weakest gun laws have more than double the rate of gun violence of the 10 states with the strongest gun laws.

On the flipside, states with strong guns have low levels of gun violence. The five states with the lowest levels of gun violence — New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — are all among the ten states with the strongest gun laws.

Here’s a chart showing how all the states rank in term of gun violence:

To find out exactly where your state’s gun laws rank and where it ranks in terms of gun violence, please click HERE.

BOTTOM LINE: Gun violence prevention laws matter and they work. It’s time for Congress to act on strong gun violence prevention laws — especially universal background checks — so all Americans can be protected, no matter which state they live in.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

North Carolina Republicans propose ignoring the Constitution and establishing an official state religion.

Mike Huckabee: President Obama planning a gun grab in order to establish Nazi-style dictatorship.

Head of gun organization says it’s “time to hunt Democrats.”

Another Tennessee bill goes after Muslims.

GRAPHIC: Adam Lanza’s terrifying home arsenal.

Yes, background checks will reduce crime.

GOP frets over South Carolina special election.

Sportsmen’s group comes out for universal background checks.

The GOP’s “shameful” plan to filibuster gun violence prevention laws.

~ my 2cents ...

March madness -Monday

03/18/2013 Nativegrl77

photo from seattletimes

rain wind and more rain …

The 3-day CPAC summit should, if nothing else open up some minds to what Conservatives are all about and maybe hear what some believe is a misinterpretation of liberty, freedom and what role our government plays in our society

Oh … get your cards out it’s time to fill in your brackets as 2013 NCAA Tournament play … March Madness begins on Tuesday without Kentucky! and Washington State is wishing Gonzaga the best as they receive first ever No. 1 seed

What worried me before the midterm and Election2012 was the possibility that people who have no experience, common sense or clarity may get on the floor of Congress and really ruin what use to be a great country if they “take back their country.” I guess you can plug-in whatever that means for you though it sounds like an awful way to live if you are a minority on any level. We all know folks who are suffering directly from votes Republican lawmakers made and are still making on the local state and federal level; to be sure, the midterm elections affected each state differently, in gross and horrific ways.

Election2012 resulted in a 2nd term for President Barack H Obama.

Now, maybe people understand and or know that all elections have consequences. Then again, I could be wrong. The grim reality is that a vote for Republicans is a vote against your best interest – people. If you live on the Gulf Coast or in Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan you have to ask yourself what have Republicans really done for you lately and do you have family friends co-workers who are Teachers, Cops, Emts, Firefighters …any type of Rescue worker … Why? Republican members of Congress have been voting against them on the floor of Congress since 2009 while Republican Governors are acting out the mission under the guise of “States Rights” , which is to restrict cut and abolish governmental workers. While making way for the privatization of social programs only our government should handle such as EPA, Dept. of Ed, Medicare let alone kill Medicaid, FEMA and more $$ for big corporations though government can be a force for good and if interpreted correctly …

“The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people,

whatever they need to have done, but cannot do, at all, or cannot, so

well do, for themselves — in their separate and individual capacities.” – Lincoln

Obviously, the conservative plan is evil in my opinion , without remorse or forethought of what our neighborhoods would look once they defund every social service and eliminate Working Families.

The results from election2014 could affect our children, our lives, and our future.

~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sequester : State by State

03/09/2013 Nativegrl77

Below are links to each of the White House reports detailing how the sequester will impact individual states:

1. Alabama

2. Alaska

3. Arizona

4. Arkansas

5. California

6. Colorado

7. Connecticut

8. Delaware

9. District of Columbia

10. Florida

11. Georgia

12. Hawaii

13. Idaho

14. Illinois

15. Indiana

16. Iowa

17. Kansas

18. Kentucky

19. Louisiana

20. Maine

21. Maryland

22. Massachusetts

23. Michigan

24. Minnesota

25. Mississippi

26. Missouri

27. Montana

28. Nebraska

29. Nevada

30. New Hampshire

31. New Jersey

32. New Mexico

33. New York

34. North Carolina

35. North Dakota

36. Ohio

37. Oklahoma

38. Oregon

39. Pennsylvania

40. Rhode Island

41. South Carolina

42. South Dakota

43. Tennessee

44. Texas

45. Utah

46. Vermont

47. Virginia

48. Washington

49. West Virginia

50. Wisconsin

51. Wyoming

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Weekly Address: Averting the Sequester and Finding a Balanced Approach to Deficit Reduction

02/11/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Weekly Address: Averting the Sequester and Finding a Balanced Approach to Deficit Reduction

President Obama urges Congress to act to avoid a series of harmful and automatic cuts — called a sequester — from going into effect that would hurt our economy and the middle class and threaten thousands of American jobs. The President urges Congress to find a balanced approach to deficit reduction that makes investments in areas that help us grow and cuts what we don’t need.

Watch this week’s Weekly Address.

In Case You Missed It

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:

Common-sense Reforms: On Monday, President Obama traveled Midwest to Minneapolis to speak with local police, community leaders and folks who have experienced gun violence in their family. The President firmly believes “law enforcement and other community leaders must have a seat at the table.”

With mounting support for universal background checks, President Obama is driving Congress to listen and take action. While pressing for background checks, the President did not let up.

“We shouldn’t stop there. We should restore the ban on military-style assault weapons and a 10-round limit for magazines,” said President Obama. “And that deserves a vote in Congress — because weapons of war have no place on our streets, or in our schools, or threatening our law enforcement officers.”

Watch the full speech here and read our blog post tracking the two weeks since President Obama released his plan for reducing gun violence.

Sequester Delay: On Tuesday, President Obama talked about the sequester and urged Congress to act before automatic spending cuts are put into place starting March 1. If a new deal is not struck by March 1, automatic spending cuts, which are known as the sequester will begin.

Billions of dollars in cuts would hinder education and research, along with defense spending to name a few. President Obama called for “a smaller package of spending cuts and tax reforms” as he is prepared to work with republicans to strike a deal for the American people.

Newest Cabinet Nominee: On Wednesday, President Obama nominated Sally Jewell to head the Interior Department. If the current CEO of the outdoor retail giant REI is confirmed, she will play a critical role in protecting our country’s land and natural resources. Along with an enthusiasm for the outdoors, she carries with her experience as a former oil engineer and commercial banker, which will be vital in dealing with our energy sector and creating jobs for Americans.

Jewell is very excited to work with the Interior and “sharing their hopes and their dreams for our public lands, our resources, our people — especially our first people — our history and our culture.”

Revamped Immigration Page: On Wednesday, the White House released a new issue section laying out what is at stake for comprehensive immigration reform. The President’s proposal calls for the strengthening of our borders, cracking down on companies that hire undocumented workers, creating a path to earned citizenship and streamlining our legal immigration system.

Sign up for the latest immigration updates from the White House.
Find all the facts on the immigration page.
Watch the President’s Las Vegas speech on comprehensive immigration reform.

National Prayer Breakfast: On Thursday, President Obama attended the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton. Citing the importance of faith in his life, the President discussed the comfort Scripture gave President Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I thought about their humility, and how we don’t seem to live that out the way we should, every day, even when we give lip service to it,” said the President.

The biggest hope from the breakfast was Americans, especially our public servants, should embrace cooperation and humility to avoid the constant bipartisan rhetoric in Washington. Watch the full speech here.

SOTU Preparation: This Tuesday, the President will speak to the country through the annual State of the Union address. President Obama will discuss the most demanding issues facing our country and offer solutions to tackle these challenges. On February 12, at 9 pm ET head to our State of the Union page to watch a live enhanced version with charts, graphs, and data to coincide with his address. Before Tuesday, check out our page to view the 2012 enhanced version and discover new ways you can participate in this year’s State of the Union.