Tag Archives: public

What’s going on in Congress …Tuesday


The Senate Convenes: 10:00am ET April 13th Tuesday

morning business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first half and the Republicans will control the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to HR4851, a bill to provide a temporary extension of certain programs including Unemployment and COBRA. The time during any period of morning business, adjournment, or recess will count count post-cloture.

Following the recess, the Senate will adopt the motion to proceed and begin consideration of the bill, HR4851. Roll call votes are possible in the afternoon in relation to amendments to the bill.

The Senate is considering HR4851, Continuing Extension Act of 2010

The following amendments are pending to HR4851:
Baucus #3721 (to extend benefits to May 31, 2010).

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.1749, Cell Phone Contraband Act (with a Feinstein amendment)

Adopted S.Res.409, a resolution calling on members of the Parliament in Uganda to reject the proposed “Anti-Homosexuality Bill”, and for other purposes.





CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 13, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION


7:47 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:45 P.M. –
Ms. Foxx requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 20: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Ms. Foxx requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 16: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, and herself for 5 min.

Ms. Foxx requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 15: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, and herself for 5 min.

Ms. Foxx requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 14: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, and herself for 5 min.

7:35 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:29 P.M. –
The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a copy of an Executive Order with respect to Somalia – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 111-103).

7:28 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 a sealed envelope from the White House on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 3:24 p.m., and said to contain a message from the President whereby he transmits a copy of an Executive Order to the Congress with respect to Somalia.
H. Res. 1042:
commending the Boise State University Broncos football team for winning the 2010 Fiesta Bowl

7:27 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): (Roll No. 198).

7:19 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1041:

congratulating and commending the University of Idaho’s football team for winning the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho

7:18 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:17 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll No. 197).

7:09 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1222:
supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week
6:32 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Roll Call 196 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending. Considered as unfinished business.
6:31 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. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 13.

3:00 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.


H. Res. 1206:
remembering the victims of the attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and supporting the goals and ideals of the National Week of Hope
2:47 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1206. Considered under suspension of the rules. Mr. Connolly (VA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1198:

congratulating Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania for 140 years of excellence in higher education

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:40 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1198. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Chu moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.


H. Res. 1042:
commending the Boise State University Broncos football team for winning the 2010 Fiesta Bowl
2:30 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1042. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Chu moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1041:

congratulating and commending the University of Idaho’s football team for winning the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho

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.

2:22 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1041. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Chu moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1222:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week

2:21 P.M. –
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.
2:13 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1222. Considered under suspension of the rules. Ms. Chu moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:12 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
2:06 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

Monday mashup and CSPAN.org …


The Congress Easter break is over so… let the games begin because we all know that Congress is working for the people right?

Today, the President will host several foreign leaders in efforts to put lasting force behind nuclear control.

The other things that will be on the minds of most Americans and the list is long; The reasons behind the confederate celebration and what else is Gov McDonnell planning for Tenn; as a person of colour, it’s hard for for me to feel anything positive from the actions of an elected official to embrace a time when Blacks were treated as things not people.  It is confusing to think anyone let alone people voted into office would belittle the most important reason for the war… Slavery.  It’s offensive and maybe everyone needs to ask themselves if we should be voting people like this in office?

The anticipation of the up and coming constant Republican debate tactics, stalling tactics blocking and misinterpretation from Republicans with  more discussion on who will Obama push to replace Justice Stevens or the warning they lodged at the President about trying to appoint anyone other than what they want or expect and what they plan to do; which, as we all know is to work for the People right.

The idea that Republicans will continue to disrespect the office of President, warning him not to live up to what 53% voted him into office to do … governing.  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.  It is not in the best interest of any American to side on the party of no; people need to make the effort to listen to what things are now being done that Republicans did not even consider doing … 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.


Other News …

Bob McDonnell has or will subject ex-criminals to a test that is suppose to test and or disprove they get the right to vote back by forcing each one to write an essay…in a predominantly African American State can i just say how offended i am and hope that All people in Tenn will use their right to Vote and get Bob McDonnell out of there and his AG too.  I gotta say that the moves this man is making should scare all Americans; is it possible that Gov McDonnell has an ugly agenda? promoting fear hate and possibly violence has unintended consequences

HR4887 How can I find out about updates to the TRICARE benefit in the future?
We are committed to keeping our beneficiaries informed about their benefit. We will make new information available on our website, at our call centers, and via all of our educational materials as soon as we have more to share. You can also sign-up to receive benefit updates via e-mail.

Will children now be eligible for TRICARE until age 26?TRICARE is not currently affected by this provision. Our current age limits are set by statute, so separate legislation is required to change them.By law, TRICARE covers eligible dependent children:  1) Up to the age of 21, or  2) Up to age 23 if they are:a) Enrolled full-time at an accredited, higher education institution, and  b) Reliant on the sponsor for more than 50 percent of their financial support Coverage ends on the child’s 23rd birthday or at the end of that school year, whichever comes first. Learn more about eligibility for children.How can I keep informed about changes to the TRICARE benefit? check for updates, or sign-up to receive benefit updates via e-mail. We are committed to keeping you informed about any changes promptly.

How Our Laws Are Made <<<click on link that will explain how legislation is created and the different types of congressional action that result from it.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama optimistically opened a 47-nation nuclear summit Monday, boosted by Ukraine’s announcement that it will give up its weapons-grade uranium. More sobering: The White House counterterror chief warned that al-Qaida is vigorously pursuing ingredients and expertise for a bomb. complete article on AP

Former WaMu execs face grilling at U.S. Senate hearing

**Stephen Rotella, Kerry Killinger and others will speak publicly for the first time about what happened as the giant Seattle thrift careened toward ruin. Live coverage begins Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. seattletimes.nwsource.com

**in one week Congress will debate and vote on financial reform/it’s time to regulate to big to fail and Wall Street and or AIG type companies

**City of Seattle and garbage company waste management are still in contract talks to avoid a strike; talks are not going well

** GOP Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi said he doesn’t think the proclamation was a mistake.  “To me, it’s a sort of feeling that it’s a nit, that it is not significant, that it’s not a — it’s trying to make a big deal out of something (that) doesn’t amount to diddly,” Barbour said in the interview aired on CNN’s “State of the Union.” AP

**Hillary Clinton will not be offered the now open Chief Justice position as reported by the White House

**Minnesota union strikers are looking for help from Amy klobachar as they get pushed around,have their ot manipulated and their employer refuses to open up the books;all of which can be considered unfair labor practices

**The airline Spirit is now charging about $45 for carry-ons

**conservative columnist George Will criticized conservatives for saying that they want judges who will strictly follow the law while simultaneously cheering decisions that overturn the work of elected officials. Conservatives “say they’re against judicial activism. By which they mean they want the court to defer to the elected political branches of government. But if you look at what’s happened recently, the decision that most outraged conservatives was the Kelo decision on eminent domain. … The court did defer to the city government in Connecticut and it enraged conservatives. The recent decision that most pleased conservatives — Citizens United, overturning part of McCain-Feingold — was the court not deferring to the Senate,” Will said.TP

**A group of liberal Democrats, joined by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), “are planning an aggressive spring offensive to strengthen key provisions of the financial reform bill — and daring Senate Republicans to vote against them.” “There are a number of people in our caucus who feel like there are things that can be done to strengthen it,” said Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)TP

**”Senate Republicans say they are willing to block ratification” of the new START treaty that President Obama signed with Russia “unless the administration follows through with key policy concessions.” “The president has to put into place a plan to modernize our nuclear weapons. Until that plan is presented, he won’t see support for the treaty,” a Republican Senate aide told Roll Call.TP

WASHINGTON — Amid a sudden upswing in relations, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao sought common ground Monday on Iran, agreeing that a set of potential sanctions should make clear to Iran the cost of continued nuclear defiance, a White House official said.full article at AP

**Alan greenspan seems to be covering up or rewriting history with half-truths regarding his involvement in the 2008 crash of our economy, regulating the market and who did or specifically was responsible for regulating and didn’t do their jobs

Enactment of a Law <<<click on link that will explain the legislative process, contrasting the procedures of the House and Senate.

CSPAN.org live stream

Public Affairs Programming on C-SPAN

Leaders Gather in D.C. to Improve Nuclear Security.  Over 40 world leaders will meet in Washington this afternoon for a nuclear summit to find solutions to improve global nuclear security. Before the summit gathers today, Pres. Obama meets individually with some of the world leaders. Also today, Vice Pres. Biden will host a luncheon with attendees at his residence and later tonight the President will hold a dinner for heads of state.

Pres. Obama,Chinese Leader Meet Before Nuclear Summit. Sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program are expected to top the agenda when Pres. Obama meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao hours before the international nuclear summit opens in Washington, D.C., today. On Sunday, Pres. Obama spoke about nuclear security and regional issues during bilateral meetings held at Blair House with five world leaders, including the heads of two nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan.

Senate Returns From Spring Recess To Tackle Unemployment Benefits. Following a two-week break, lawmakers are returning to Washington. Today, the Senate is expected to continue debate on a one-month extension of jobless benefits which expired the first week of April. They may also begin discussion on immigration overhaul and financial regulatory reform in the next few weeks.

Washington State … Fewer firms offering medical coverage to workers – April 5, 2010



OLYMPIA
Finding a job right now can be tough, and finding one that comes with medical benefits is even tougher.

Washington employers offering medical insurance fell 1.6 percentage points in 2009, from 56.5 percent to 54.9 percent, according to an annual employee-benefits report released today by the Employment Security Department. That’s following a nearly 10 percentage point drop in 2008 and smaller declines in the previous three years.

“Companies are continuing to cut back where they can, while still trying to keep their employees,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “Unfortunately, employee benefits are a victim of the economy and rising costs.”

The study also showed that average medical-insurance premiums for employees increased from $358 per month to $366 per month. Employers covered 83 percent of that cost in 2009, down from 86.4 percent in 2008.

The number of firms offering some type of retirement plan jumped from 37.7 percent in 2008 to 44.6 percent in 2009 – closer to the 2007 level of 44 percent.

Employers also were more generous with paid days off in 2009. Firms offering paid vacation increased from 63 percent to 65 percent. An estimated 63 percent of employers offered paid holidays and 21 percent offered paid sick days, compared to 60 percent and 19 percent, respectively, in 2008.

Employment Security has produced the benefits report annually since 2003.  Approximately 10,000 Washington businesses responded to the survey.

10-017

Media contact: Jamie Swift, Communications manager, 360-902-0904

Audio: /newsandinformation/releases/audio/index.php

Thursday news and more … cspan.org


On a day of historic proportions, the last couple have dampened the many great things that have happened this last couple of weeks. But first …a little spring snow for all you folks in Seattle …

Today, our President signed off on a new treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear weapons from 2500 to 1500 and for those who think this is bad; get informed and find out just exactly what it all means because it is a move that most Presidents have tried and have failed. The last treaty was signed in 1991.   This is yet another BFD.  Yay

The latest news and behavior by people voted into Public Service is very upsetting, just wrong as well as offensive and the idea that anyone in their right mind would suggest celebrating confederacy and or what it meant; let along have a Governor and a … actually put forth a proclamation is beyond my idea of crazy behavior.  The fact that Bob McDonnell did so was offensive but the words that came out of his mouth to support it to create it then act on it is worthy of an impeachment process.  This man clearly knew his history of the war why it happened and what issues were more significant than others yet refused to acknowledge it until pushed to do so yesterday after some weeks or months.  It was reported by Keith O on msnbc in an interview with Julian Bond that this is yet the forth Governor to talk and create the proclamation; former Governor Douglass Wilder and first African-American to hold the office did recognize both sides and what happened during the war. The difference between  and what is truly offensive is McDonnell’s outright need to lie about leaving out slavery and why. The civil war and what was significant about it was slavery; no one should be fooled into believing anything different.

Today, more Republicans have decided to challenge States rights regarding health care reform even after at least a year of debate, stalling and refusal to cooperate; hcr was voted on and is the new law of the land. While it is not lost on me that Republicans will do just about anything to set themselves apart from the President of the US; even as offensive as it is. The facts have been twisted turned and avoided by most Republicans and unfortunately some of my fellow Americans believe the noise coming from the right, quite frankly Republicans would rahter fight moving into the 21st Century while attempting to bring the President down than help others and our economy by bringing down the cost of health care/insurance.  The problem we have was not created by the current President, yet Republican Politicians seem to be trying to convince their supporters that big government equals the sitting President.  It is with great sadness that there is so many Americans who are drinking the kook-aid because big government was the house of Bush. The economy slipped into a ditch created by the spending that Bush did and if anyone is willing to listen…  he did not pay for it and left an incredible hole that needs to be fixed; it’s  true that the solution was to throw money at it and most economists believe it had to be done.  The idea that we keep the status quo is to say nothing needs to be changed; what better time is it that we improve upon a system that has long been broken. If not now when and what better group than Democrats to fix the problems… because Republicans are proving not only are they fiscally irresponsible they also practice exclusion; some might say the current words are laced with hate and or racism … that’s just my take

A thought for single mom’s everywhere; children are definitely a labor of love and those men(fathers) who decide to cheat while still being married leave and spend money going to exotic places with the latest girlfriend(s) need to remember the facts and go from there.


Other News …

**Race to top: She says involvement will help state get federal money | TUKWILA – Gov. Chris Gregoire believes Washington has a cha… Full Story

**Republicans are holding a 3day leadership conference opening up with liz cheney/newt and jc watts

**More and more Republicans in office seem to think they know more than a constitutional lawyer who is now President;and quite frankly it looks as if they would fight this and bring the President down than help others bring down the cost of health care/insurance

and cspan.org

Public Affairs Programming on C-SPAN

U.S. & Soviet Union sign treaty to reduce nuclear arms. Earlier today in Prague, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that will limit long-range nuclear weapons. The U.S. and the Soviet Union signed the original treaty in 1991. Following the signing, the two leaders took questions from reporters.

Citigroup Execs. Pressed on mortgage debt Investments. The bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) is hearing testimony from several former Citigroup executives including ex-CEO and Chairman Chuck Prince and Robert Rubin, the former Treasury Secretary who headed Citigroup’s executive committee. The 10-member FCIC panel is investigating banking executives’ involvement in risky mortgage debt investments that helped trigger the 2008 financial collapse.

Good Friday … the News &cspan.org


Good news for everyone …It’s Friday and the job report for March is that 162thou new jobs were created and the unemployment rate 9.7 stays steady at this point; at least 123thou of those jobs are associated with the private sector. This is great news because reports are that this increase is the biggest since 2007.   The President will be in Charlotte N.C. today to not only let Americans know yes new jobs have been created, not just because of the 48thou census workers being hired; he will also explain hcr and education reform and the many accomplishments over the last 2weeks of March and how they will benefit everyone not just some.


Other News … updates when needed


**apparently something new in the terrorist movement is going on… a letter from a group called guardians of free republic have reached the offices of various Governors …at this moment the FBI states at least 30 so far; the group may be inciting violence and is considered an extremist operation

**The President agrees that performers should be paid royalties if their music is played

**After early morning reports of troubling comments made by Karzai;he now states he is surprised by the response and calls sec of state clinton to explain

**President Obama&Medvedeve are scheduled to sign the nuclear arms pact next Thurday…stay tuned;complete article go to Reuters/steve gutterman

**Iran has implied that it might get  involved with the Taliban;which could mean trouble for the us and coalition …

**This morning people who come from other countries into the US will undergo more rules, restrictions and be subjected to more scrutiny during the security screening

**An oil refinery fire in Washington State has killed 4 3injured and in critical condition

**State, Gregoire move to embrace health care reform
Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday announced plans to implement health care reform in Washington state.

**Washington State is in for a huge storm coming in and will peak around 2pm Pt…part of Wtr is still making itself felt… bring in your trash cans and anything else that could get swept by the wind …

Listen to C-SPAN Radio

and what’s on CSPAN.org …live-stream

watch Energy Panel: From Earlier

watch Discussion on U.S.-Russia Security

watch Pres. Obama on Health Care Reform

March unemployment rate remains unchanged at 9.7%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today that the unemployment rate for March remained unchanged for the second month at 9.7%. The Labor Department states that “nonfarm payroll employment rose by 162,000 in March.”

OBAMA VISITS CHARLOTTE, SPEAKs ON HIS JOBS & ECONOMY AGENDA. Pres. Obama will visit Charlotte, NC, today where he is expected to speak on jobs and the economy. On his trip, he will tour Celgard, a lithium-ion battery plant and recipient of the economic stimulus program. He will also address offshore drilling on the North Carolina coastline and the new health care reform law. Tea Party members have stated their plan to stage a protest during the President’s visit.

read Charlotte Observer coverage of visit

Counter terrorism Efforts Extend Beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. counterterrorism officials struggle each day with questions such as whom the U.S. should target, how to best utilize aerial drones and whether or where to detain and prosecute enemy combatants. State Dept. Counterterrorism Coordinator Daniel Benjamin will discuss these and tactical and strategic challenges in a Wilson Center Forum.

read NYT: Obama Team Divided on Anti-Terrowatch Counterterrorism Forum: From Earlierr Tactics