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Congress at Work …on Earth Day

04/22/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET

Morning Business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the Majority will control the final 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Denny Chin to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. There will be up to 60 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Votes:

123: Confirmation of the nomination of Denny chin to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Confirmed: 98-0

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3244, a bill to prohibit a cost of living adjustment for members of Congress in 2011.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations:

Cal. #780 – William Nettles – U.S. Atty – South Carolina;

Cal. #781 – Wildredo Ferrer – U.S. Atty – Southern District Florida;

Cal. #795 – David Capp – U. S. Atty – Northern District Indiana;

Cal. #796 – Anne Tompkins – U.S. Atty – Western District North Carolina;

Cal. #797 – Kelly Nesbit – U.S. Marshal – Western District North Carolina;

Cal. #798 – Peter Munoz – U.S. Marshal – Western District Michigan;

Cal. #816 – Loretta Lynch – U.S. Atty – Eastern District New York;

Cal. #817 – Noel March – U.S. Marshal – Maine;

Cal. #818 – George White – U.S. Marshal – Southern District Mississippi;

Cal. #819 – Brian Underwood – U.S. Marshal – Idaho;

Secretary’s Desk – Coast Guard, Foreign Service and NOAA; and

All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Coast Guard, Foreign Service, and NOAA.

Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp to be Admiral;

Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O’Hara to be Vice Admiral;

Rear Adm. Manson K. Brown to be Vice Admiral;

Rear Adm. Robert C. Parker to be Vice Admiral

Concurred in the House message to accompany S.1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

S.3253, a bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (3-month extention from April 30, 2010 to July 31, 2010)

Adopted S.Res.496, a resolution designating April 23, 2010, as “National Adopt A Library Day.”

Adopted S.Res.497, a resolution designating the third week of April 2010 as “National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week”.

H.Con.Res.255, a concurrent resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and honorin the founder of Earth Day, the late Senator Gaylord Nelson (with a Coburn amendment to the preamble).

S.Res.499, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.

At 12:46pm ET on the Floor of the Senate Sen. Russ Feingold said, “Over the years, Members of Congress have had a lot of perks. One of them stands out. That’s the ability to raise their own pay. To make it worse, Members do not even have to vote on this pay raise. Congress has set up a system whereby every year members automatically get a pay raise. No one has to lift a finger…We took an important step last year when the Senate passed legislation to end automatic pay raises for Members of Congress. Unfortunately, the leadership of the other body has so far refused to take up that bill. There’s another step we can take in the meantime. That’s to make sure we don’t get a pay raise next year. We already blocked legislation to get a pay raise this year. Now we have to do the same thing for 2011. With so many Americans looking for jobs, now is no time to give ourselves a taxpayer-funded $1,600 pay increase.”

The measure introduced and passed without a roll call by(D) Sen.Russ Feingold on the floor of the Senate

At 1:37pmET – 3:11pmET Senators spoke on the following issues — all comments are unofficial :

Secret Holds on the Presidents nominees, 94 are being held up in the Senate currently-Gen Michael Walsh

(R)Senator Bennett of Utah pleaded his case about why a consumer protection agency is a bad idea; that it will hurt small business

Filed cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 3217, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. —by Sen Harry Reid Senate proceed to the consideration of S.3217 on 4/26/2010 … (R)Sen. McConnell objected
Financial Reform

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 22, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

4:08 P.M. –

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. :on April 26, 2010.

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

1:55 P.M. –: SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
1:54 P.M. –: The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3244.
1:42 P.M. –: SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:41 P.M. –: Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 29: himself for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 28.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 27.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 26.

1:29 P.M. –: ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 2194:

to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran
12:51 P.M. –: The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Ways and Means for consideration of secs. 3 and 4 of the House bill, and secs. 101-103 and 401 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Levin, Tanner, and Camp. The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Financial Services for consideration of secs. 3 and 4 of the House bill, and secs. 101-103, 106, 203, and 401 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Frank (MA), Meeks (NY), and Garrett (NJ).

The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Berman, Ackerman, Sherman, Crowley, Scott (GA), Costa, Klein (FL), Ros-Lehtinen, Burton (IN), Royce, and Pence.

H. Res. 1270:

expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month
12:50 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): 407 – 2 (Roll no. 220).
12:41 P.M. –: Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2194:

to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran
12:40 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 403 – 11, 3 Present (Roll no. 219).

Considered as unfinished business.
12:32 P.M. –: UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2194, and the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceeding had been postponed.

H. Res. 1287:

raising a question of the privileges of the House

On motion to refer Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 402 – 0, 17 Present (Roll no. 218).
12:16 P.M. –: The previous question on the motion to refer was ordered without objection. Mr. Hastings (FL) moved to refer to Standards of Official Conduct.
12:15 P.M. –: On ordering the previous question Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 187 – 218, 16 Present (Roll no. 217).

11:42 A.M. –: QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE – Mr. Flake rose to a question of the privileges of the House and offered a previously noticed privileged resolution. The Chair announced that the resolution qualified and directed the Clerk to report the resolution to the House. Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2194:: to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran

10:40 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House resumed debate on the Ros-Lehtinen motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2194.

10:38 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 222.

H.R. 2194:: to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran

10:27 A.M. –

The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Ros-Lehtinen motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2194. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to insist on the provisions of H.R. 2194 as passed by the House on December 15, 2009 and to complete their work and present a conference report and joint explanatory statement by no later than May 28, 2010. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House instruct conferees.

10:26 A.M. –

On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection.

10:25 A.M. –

Mr. Berman asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.

10:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 10 per side of the aisle.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Help Presente.org …stop legalized racial profiling

04/21/2010 Nativegrl77

Arizona is on the verge of creating a dangerous standard

Tell Arizona’s Governor: Don’t Legalize Racial Profiling

When the team at Presente.org reached out to me about the emergency in Arizona with SB 1070, a bill awaiting action from the Gov., I knew you needed to hear about it. The reality in Maricopa County — Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s cowboy mentaility of midnight raids, forced family separation and chain gangs — is about to go statewide. The most troubling aspect of this bill is its sanctioning of racial profiling — stopping someone based on the color of their skin. It reminds me of the old days in America when your skin color determined where you lived, ate, sat, and went to school. Undocumented immigration is a challenge, but racial profiling will not solve it. It puts us on a path back to a dark time in our history.

It’s simply not right, and you can stop it. We can tell Gov. Brewer that SB 1070 is unAmerican and not the way to take on the undocumented immigration challenge. I hope you’ll read the email from Presente.org and take action today!

— Bertha

Imagine driving through the neighborhood you grew up in and being pulled over for no apparent reason. Your crime? Being brown in Arizona.

This might seem unimaginable in the 21st-century United States, but the Arizona State Legislature is on the verge of passing a law that would authorize officers to pull over, question, and detain anyone they have a “reasonable suspicion” doesn’t have proper documentation. The legislation would essentially legalize racial profiling, creating a police state for immigrants.

The bill will be on the Governor’s desk as soon as today.¹ This is a moment for all of us to stand with the people of Arizona against this injustice. Please join us in telling Governor Jan Brewer to do the right thing and veto this bill, and ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://presente.org/ref/ad/31/campaigns/arizona

According to the LA Times, “The bill, known as SB 1070, makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration paperwork in Arizona. It also requires police officers, if they form a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that someone is an illegal immigrant, to determine the person’s immigration status… Immigrant rights groups say it amounts to a police state.” ²

If this bill passes, Arizona is declaring itself an apartheid state, where people who “look” undocumented are treated differently than the rest of the population. Leading police chiefs and sheriffs have even come out against the bill, saying that it will cause immigrants to avoid reporting crimes, and divert officers’ attention from going after violent offenders.³

The future of Arizona is now in the Governor’s hands. Please join us in telling Governor Jan Brewer to veto this bill.

http://presente.org/ref/ad/31/campaigns/arizona

Thank you and ¡Adelante!

Laurie, Favianna, Roberto and the rest of the Presente.org team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ThinkProgress.org …

04/21/2010 Nativegrl77

CIVIL RIGHTS — MARYLAND FOSTER AGENCY WON’T ALLOW MUSLIM MOTHER TO FOSTER A CHILD: Contemporary Family Services, a Maryland-based private foster agency that is “authorized by the state to place foster children with families,” has rejected the application of Tashima Crudup, a former foster child herself, to foster a child. A social worker who visited Crudup reported that she was “accepting of religious practices other than their own” and willing “to make arrangements to have a child attend the church of his or her own choice if so requested.” Nevertheless, after clearing an initial screening process and completing 50 hours of training, Crudup’s application was rejected. Why? The “main reason” was because Crudup does not keep pork in her house due to her Muslim faith. In a letter addressed to Crudup, the company said that, even though it respects her “personal/religious views and practices,” it also wants to “ensure that the religious, cultural and personal rights of each foster child” they place are upheld. In an editorial, the Baltimore Sun responded, “There are thousands of kids across the state who desperately need stable homes and loving caretakers; that’s what foster care and adoption officials should be focusing on, not on which meat dish gets put on the table every night.” The ACLU of Maryland, which has taken up Crudup’s case, is suing the agency, alleging anti-Muslim bias. “I have a hard time believing [the company] denies every vegetarian or Orthodox Jewish person a foster care license,” said Ajmel Quereshi, an attorney with the ACLU. The state’s Department of Human Resources, which gave the agency its contract to administer fostering services, has suggested that the company is violating the law. “The law does not permit the agency to make a determination solely on the type of food served in a home,” said spokeswoman Nancy Lineman.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

STOP the… Legalization of Racial Profiling in IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

04/20/2010 Nativegrl77

Legalizing Racial Profiling in IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Do you “look” undocumented? This week, the Arizona state legislature approved an anti-immigrant bill that essentially gives police the right to profile people based on race. It will also give natives the right to sue local law enforcement if, in their opinion, not enough is being done to hunt down undocumented immigrants.

Reasonable Suspicion, what does that mean?

Immigrant Rights blogger Prerna Lal asks, “Arizonians, are you ready to kiss your civil liberties goodbye?” If not, you might want to click on the link and SIGN THE PETITION to Urge Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the bill before it becomes law or Senator( R.)John Kavanaugh (602) 926-5170

Call Gov. Jan Brewer and Flood her office with calls:(602)542-4331

Too big for jail … BoldProgressives.org

04/20/2010 Nativegrl77

The SEC sued Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs for fraud.

Sign our petition supporting members of Congress calling for a CRIMINAL investigation of Wall Street execs.

The SEC made international headlines Friday by suing Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs for fraud.

That’s a great step, but Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and others in Congress are boldly urging the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation of Goldman and others who may have broken the law as they devastated our economy.

Now is the moment to make clear: Nobody on Wall Street is “too big for jail.”

When we get 10,000 signatures, we’ll deliver this petition to the Justice Department so they know the public supports Rep. Kaptur and that her request for accountability must be taken seriously.

We’ll also give the signatures personally to Rep. Kaptur — to help her persuade more members of Congress to join her cause. Please sign the petition today.

Goldman Sachs is accused of selling mortgages they knew were toxic, hiding that fact from the public, and allowing a key investor to make billions (with a b) by betting against those investments. Goldman made billions as well.

“Morally bankrupt” is how Britain’s Prime Minister describes it. “Criminal fraud on a historic scale” is what Rep. Kaptur’s letter says.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

— Aaron Swartz, Stephanie Taylor, Adam Green, Shaunna Thomas, and the PCCC team