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Repeal This!

07/23/2013 Nativegrl77

Speaker Boehner’s Do-Nothing Congress

It’s simply an objective fact that this Congress is on track to be the least productive in modern history, owing largely to the inability or unwillingness of Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to move almost even the most basic legislation through the House of Representatives. That’s right, the Senate is a font of bipartisan comity and productivity compared to the do-nothing House.

Asked about this yesterday on Face the Nation, Speaker Boehner offered up this thoroughly ridiculous defense of Congress’ historically unproductive session:

We should not be judged on how many new laws we create. We ought to be judged on how many laws we repeal. We’ve got more laws than the administration could ever enforce.

Even by Boehner’s own bizarre standard, Congress has still been spectacularly ineffective. House Republicans have not successfully repealed Obamacare or Wall Street reform, but they have wasted millions of dollars and weeks of time trying — and failing — to do so. As MSNBC’s Steve Benen noted, “In other words, by Boehner’s own standards for evaluating Congress on the merits, he’s failing.”

All that said, we’ll take the Speaker at his word. With that in mind, here’s some things we’d love for him to get to repealing as soon as possible:

The Defense of Marriage Act: While the Supreme Court threw out the part of DOMA that prohibited the federal government from recognizing legally valid same-sex marriages, the part that allows states to refuse to do so is still on the books. Congress should get rid of that part too.
Giveaways to Big Oil: Oil prices are once again creeping up, which is a good reminder that oil companies don’t need billions of dollars a year in giveaways from taxpayers. Some of these giveaways have been on the books for a century, so they definitely seem ripe for repeal at a time of sky-high oil prices and Big Oil profits to go along with them.
Restrictions on Abortion in the District of Columbia: Unable to impose their will on the nation, Republicans have used Congress’ enduring control over the affairs of the District of Columbia’s more than 600,000 disenfranchised residents to advance various pet causes. One of them has been to forbid the District from using funds generated by the taxpayers of the District themselves (i.e local, not federal funds) to pay for abortions for low-income women.
Giveaways to Hedge Fund and Private Equity Managers: The so-called “carried interest” loophole is the one that allows hedge fund and private equity managers — and hedge fund and private equity managers alone — to avoid paying their fair share in taxes on billions in income by erroneously classifying ordinary income as investment income. It has no economic justification and allows people like Mitt Romney to get away with paying a lower tax rate than many middle class workers.
Restrictions on Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Measures: Similar to the aforementioned restrictions on abortion in Washington, D.C., Congress has also seen fit to put numerous restrictions on the ability of the federal government to take commonsense steps to reduce gun violence. These NRA-backed “riders” in annual appropriations bills, including those preventing even basic public health research on gun violence and measures meant to reduce gun trafficking, should be repealed instead of being extended for yet another year.

We could go on. In fact, there’s nearly $1 TRILLION in wasteful and unnecessary giveaways in the tax code alone that Congress could repeal today. Boehner also said yesterday that his top priority is repairing the nation’s finances. If reducing the deficit and repealing things are his top priorities, these giveaways would seem to be a good place for Boehner to start.

BOTTOM LINE: Any way you slice it, Congress is historically unproductive and historically unpopular. Instead of finding up-is-down, black-is-white excuses, Speaker Boehner should start allowing the House of Representatives — the whole House, not just the Republican caucus — to work its will and accomplish something for the American people. If Speaker Boehner is unable or unwilling to lead on issues like immigration reform with a pathway to earned citizenship, he can at least get out of the way.

Black History

the Senate considers Executive calendar Congress the House considers HR2642

07/18/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, July 18, 2013. Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

Following the remarks of the two Leaders, there will be a period of morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Session to consider the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor, post-cloture.
All time during adjournment, morning business, legislative session and recess will count post-cloture on the Perez nomination.
Upon disposition of the Perez nomination, there will be a cloture vote on Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. If cloture is invoked on the McCarthy nomination, there will be up to 8 hours of debate on the nomination. We hope to confirm both the Perez and McCarthy nominations during Thursday’s session of the Senate.

Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #99, S.1243, the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The motion to proceed is a debatable motion and we will work with senators on an agreement to adopt the motion early next week.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority controls the first 30 minutes and the Republicans control the final 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume Executive session to consider Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Perez, of Maryland, to be Secretary of Labor, post-cloture. We would like to vote on confirmation of the Perez nomination and cloture on the McCarthy nomination this morning and on confirmation of the McCarthy nomination early after the lunches. We will continue to work with the Republicans on an agreement to set those votes. Senators will be notified when the votes are scheduled.

Senator Reid also announced that there is also an agreement among Senators Harkin, Durbin, King, Manchin, Alexander, Coburn and Burr on the student loan interest rate legislation. We will work with senators on a path forward that could result in a couple votes. I suspect the process of reaching an agreement for floor consideration will take a bit of time and it would slip into next week, but Senator Reid has said he would like to consider it as soon as possible.

By consent, the vote on confirmation of the Perez nomination will occur at 12:15pm today. Following disposition of the Perez nomination, the time until 2:30pm will be equally divided in the usual form prior to the cloture vote on the McCarthy nomination. If cloture is invoked on McCarthy, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation. However, we hope to be able to yield a good portion of that time back.

12:15pm vote:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of Maryland, to be Secretary of Labor

2:30pm vote:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

TBD vote:

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

12:16pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of Maryland, to be Secretary of Labor;

Confirmed: 54-46

2:31pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

Invoked: 69-31

Cloture was invoked on the McCarthy nomination by a vote of 69-31. There will now be up to 8 hours for debate. We hope to yield back a substantial amount of time, and we could potentially vote within the hour. However, that takes consent and we’re still working on it.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1243, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014. By consent, the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed will occur at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 23^rd. If cloture is invoked, all post cloture time will be yielded back and the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to proceed. If the motion to proceed to Calendar #99, S.1243 is adopted, the text of H.R.2610, as reported by the House Appropriations, be deemed House passed text for the purposes of rule 16.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; Confirmed: 54-46

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; Invoked: 69-31

3) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; Confirmed: 59-40

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Completed Rule 14 process of S.1315, Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act. (Cornyn)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1316, Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act. (Cornyn)

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.1911, Smarter Solutions for Students Act.

Read the following bills twice and placed them on the Calendar:

S.1334, Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act. (Manchin)

S.1335, Sportsmen Act. (Murkowski)

S.1336, Voter Registration – Proof of Citizenship. (Cruz)

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

____________________________________________

July 2013
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

_______________________________________________________

Last Floor Action:
12:02:16 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
The Chair designated Mrs. Hartzler to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.

10:00:41 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:49 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug LaMalfa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:08 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:35:00 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:04 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 18.
12:00:16 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Chaplain Major Howard Bell, 932nd Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
12:01:41 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. Mr. Holding 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. Holding demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
12:02:16 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Hartzler to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:17 P.M.		The Chair recognized Mr. Shimkus for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain.
12:04:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:42:23 P.M.	H. Res. 303	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 303 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5) to support State and local accountability for public education, protect State and local authority, inform parents of the performance of their children’s schools, and for other purposes.”
12:45:02 P.M.	H. Res. 303	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 303.
2:18:08 P.M.	H. Res. 303	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 232 – 192 (Roll no. 364).
2:26:12 P.M.	H. Res. 303	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 230 – 190 (Roll no. 365).
2:26:12 P.M.	H. Res. 303	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:33:45 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 278 – 143, 1 Present (Roll no. 366).
2:33:54 P.M.	H.R. 5	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 303. H.R. 5 — “To support State and local accountability for public education, protect State and local authority, inform parents of the performance of their children’s schools, and for other purposes.”
2:33:59 P.M.	H.R. 5	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution makes in order as original text for the purpose of amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-18.
2:34:22 P.M.	H.R. 5	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 303 and Rule XVIII.
2:34:23 P.M.	H.R. 5	The Speaker designated the Honorable Doc Hastings to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2:34:33 P.M.	H.R. 5	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5.
3:43:25 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kline, numbered 1 printed in House Report 113-158 to clarify that a state opting not to receive funds for a program under the Act shall not be required to carry out any of the requirements of such program and that states and school districts can support civics education efforts, and makes other technical improvements.
3:44:29 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kline amendment No. 1.
3:47:05 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Kline amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:47:34 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Young (AK), numbered 2 printed in House Report 113-158 to make policy improvements to, educational support programs for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students which are currently authorized under Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and would be diminished by H.R. 5, the Student Success Act.
3:47:37 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Young (AK) amendment No. 2.
3:56:02 P.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Young (AK) amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Young (AK) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:56:42 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cardenas, numbered 3 printed in House Report 113-158 to increase the authorized funding level to $775,000,000 until FY 2019.
3:57:03 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cardenas amendment No. 3.
4:02:24 P.M.	H.R. 5	By unanimous consent, the Cardenas amendment was withdrawn.
4:02:29 P.M.	H.R. 5	Amendment offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer.
4:02:33 P.M.	H.R. 5	<action_description>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Luetkemeyer amendment No. 3.

4:11:52 P.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Luetkemeyer amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Luetkemeyer demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:12:41 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee, numbered 5 printed in House Report 113-158 to state that if funding for awards to states is not sufficient then funding will be targeted to schools serving neglected, delinquent, migrant students, English learners, at-risk students, and Native Americans, to increase academic achievements of such students.
4:12:43 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 5.
4:21:10 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:21:46 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Bentivolio, numbered 6 printed in House Report 113-158 to require State educational agencies to consult with private sector employers and entrepreneurs as part of its education plan. It would also require the Secretary to have representatives from private sector employers appointed to the peer-review process by reducing practitioners from 75 percent to 65 percent.
4:21:48 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bentivolio amendment No. 6.
4:28:57 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Bentivolio amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:29:22 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, numbered 6 printed in House Report 113-158 to reinstate the 1 percent cap as it relates to students with the most significant cognizant disabilities participating in the alternate assessments; ensure alternate assessments are tied to academic content standards for grade in which student enrolled; and ensure parents are involved in the development of assessments as it relates to the student’s individualized education program.
4:29:24 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McMorris Rodgers amendment No. 7.
4:39:37 P.M.	H.R. 5	By unanimous consent, the McMorris Rodgers amendment was withdrawn.
4:39:50 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Reed, numbered 8 printed in House Report 113-158 to clarify that LEA’s and SEA’s are able to use multiple measures when identifying academic performance measurements instead of the current one-size-fits-all testing assessments.
4:39:52 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Reed amendment No. 8.
4:47:06 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Reed amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:47:48 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Benishek, numbered 9 printed in House Report 113-158 to encourage states to include the number of students attaining career and technical education proficiencies enrolled in public secondary schools, in its annual State report card. This information is already required to be collected by the Perkins Act, and would simply streamline access to information to the public.
4:47:50 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Benishek amendment No. 9.
4:52:25 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Benishek amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:54:22 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Heck (NV), numbered 10 printed in House Report 113-158 to provides LEAs with the option of entering into partnerships or contracts with other entities to implement programs that serve youth in, or transitioning out of, institutions and correctional facilities, and youth at-risk of dropping out of school. This would provide LEAs with the option to partner with organizations that have the existing experience and resources to enhance the effectiveness of services provided by school districts to vulnerable populations through the Neglected/Delinquent program in an integrated fashion.
4:54:24 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Heck (NV) amendment No. 10.
4:57:21 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Heck (NV) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:58:26 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Meehan, numbered 11 printed in House Report 113-158 to ensure that greater authority and governance are restored to local educational agencies as delegated by their States. It would also ensure that the Secretary of Education does not impose any additional requirements or burdens on local educational agencies unless explicitly authorized by federal law.
4:58:28 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meehan amendment No. 11.
5:08:06 P.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Meehan amendment No. 11, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. George Miller (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
5:08:34 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, numbered 12 printed in House Report 113-158 to state that under Title II in H.R. 5 there would be no federal mandate for States to conduct teacher evaluations.
5:08:36 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Scalise amendment No. 12.
5:19:55 P.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scalise amendment No. 12, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. George Miller (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
5:20:19 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Ms. Moore, numbered 13 printed in House Report 113-158 to delay implementation of new Title II formula until the Secretary of Education determines that the implementation will not reduce funding for schools serving high percentages of students in poverty.
5:20:21 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moore amendment No. 13.
5:29:27 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Moore amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
5:29:52 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Bishop (UT), numbered 14 printed in House Report 113-158 to eliminate Subsection C of Section 2111, which allows grant money to bypass states and go directly from the Department of Education to local districts.
5:29:53 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (UT) amendment No. 14.
5:37:03 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Bishop (UT) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
5:38:35 P.M.	H.R. 5	UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST – Mr. George Miller (CA) asked unanimous consent to vacate his request for a recorded vote on the Scalise amendment No. 12 and that the Chair put the question de novo. Agreed to without objection.
5:38:59 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
5:39:30 P.M.	H.R. 5	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:07:38 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 263 – 161 (Roll no. 367).
6:13:03 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Luetkemeyer amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 – 182 (Roll no. 368).
6:18:12 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Meehan amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 239 – 187 (Roll no. 369).
6:20:37 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Tonko, numbered 15 printed in House Report 113-158 to reserve 10% of existing grant funding under the Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund for competitive subgrants that would allow organizations with STEM expertise to provide STEM professional development and instructional materials throughout the state for elementary and secondary education.
6:20:40 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tonko amendment No. 15.
6:25:46 P.M.	H.R. 5	By unanimous consent, the Tonko amendment was withdrawn.
6:26:06 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Brooks (IN), numbered 16 printed in House Report 113-158 to clarify that federal funds may be used for computer science education.
6:26:08 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brooks (IN) amendment No. 16.
6:34:09 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Brooks (IN) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:34:30 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Polis, numbered 17 printed in House Report 113-158 to allow charter schools to use grant funds for teacher preparation, professional development, and improving school conditions. The amendment ensures that charter schools expand outreach to low-income and underserved populations.
6:34:32 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis amendment No. 17.
6:43:17 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Polis amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:43:28 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Ms. Velazquez, numbered 18 printed in House Report 113-158 to require that applicants consider how to target their services to low-income students and parents, including low-income students and parents who are not proficient in English.
6:43:32 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Velazquez amendment No. 18.
6:50:13 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Velazquez amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:50:44 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Mullin, numbered 19 printed in House Report 113-158 to strike language in the bill that allows consolidated districts to be eligible for payment if they do not qualify after consolidation; strikes language allowing for mid-year adjustment for student counts; makes the 8007 Construction Program a competitive grant program.
6:50:49 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mullin amendment No. 19.
6:52:58 P.M.	H.R. 5	By unanimous consent, the Mullin amendment was withdrawn.
6:53:53 P.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garrett, numbered 20 printed in House Report 113-158 to clarify that states that opt out of receiving funds, or are not awarded funds, under this Act are not required to carry out any of the requirements of the programs under this Act. The amendment also clarifies that states are not required to participate in any program under this Act.
6:53:55 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garrett amendment No. 20.
6:55:10 P.M.	H.R. 5	By unanimous consent, the Garrett amendment was withdrawn.
6:55:18 P.M.	H.R. 5	<An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), numbered 21 printed in House Report 113-158 to require the Secretary of Education to include in their report to Congress the average salary of employees who were determined to be associated with eliminated or consolidated programs or projects by the underlying legislation and a report on the average salaries of the employees of the Department according to their job function.
6:55:22 P.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 21.
7:07:04 P.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:07:28 P.M.	H.R. 5	Mr. Rokita moved that the Committee rise.
7:07:51 P.M.	H.R. 5	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
7:08:00 P.M.	H.R. 5	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5 as unfinished business.
7:08:34 P.M.		Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276h, and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group: Mr. McCaul and Mr. Duffy.
7:08:58 P.M.		Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276d and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group: Mr. Huizenga of MI and Mrs. Miller of MI.
7:09:46 P.M.		Mr. Rokita moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:09:48 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:09:51 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on July 19, 2013.

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ThinkProgress

07/17/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

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.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Seven mind-blowing moments from the first interview with Zimmerman juror B37.

GOP attacks on abortion rights likely to backfire.

The real reason why GOP leaders are terrified of filibuster reform.

The death and life of the party?

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.

House Republicans will vote tomorrow to leave an extra 13 MILLION people without health insurance.

Latest abomination in North Carolina: GOP plan to cut taxes on the rich, raise them on the poor.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A Whiter Shade of Fail

07/11/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

The House GOP’s Epic Miscalculation

“A whiter shade of fail,” is how Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman described the latest efforts to deny the numerical and political reality that the GOP is in “a demographic death spiral,” as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) put it, unless the party gets behind comprehensive immigration reform in order to help get right by Asian and Latino voters.

It’s clear that some House Republicans are looking for an excuse, any excuse really, to get out of passing immigration reform with a pathway to earned citizenship. Some say they don’t have many Latinos in their gerrymandered conservative districts, so there’s no personal political benefit to them but there is potential political risk in the form of a primary from the right. Others, however, have seized on a recent analysis that purported to show that the GOP doesn’t actually need to improve its standing among minority voters if it simply manages to magically find and turn out “missing white voters.” And voila, there’s an excuse for the GOP to continue the status quo of alienating nearly every demographic segment outside of its increasingly old, increasingly white base.

Unfortunately for the GOP, this analysis was all wrong. In a post entitled, “No, Republicans, ‘Missing’ White Voters Won’t Save You,” Alan Abramowitz and Ruy Teixeira run through the numbers explaining just how wrong this “missing white voter” theory is. You should read the whole thing, but here’s their conclusion:

So: GOP phone home! Your missing white voters have been found, and it turns out they weren’t really missing. They were simply sitting out a relatively low turnout election along with a large number of their minority counterparts. They may be back next time if it’s a higher turnout election — but then again so will a lot of minority voters. Bottom line: your demographic dilemma remains the same. The mix of voters is changing fast to your disadvantage and there is no cavalry of white voters waiting in the wings to rescue you.

The New Republic’s Nate Cohn offers additional analysis underscoring that there is no easy way out of the GOP’s demographic dilemma. Indeed, he writes that since the GOP’s gains among white voters have been concentrated in the South and Appalachia, not battleground states, current trends among white voters actually “would cement the Democratic edge in the Electoral College.” Cohn concludes, “the GOP has a tough road ahead.”

Finally, a new round of polls out today shows that voters want immigration to be addressed this year and that several House Republicans in swing districts could face a serious voter backlash if immigration reform fails.

BOTTOM LINE: There’s no easy way out for the GOP. If House Republicans decide to kill immigration reform with a pathway to earned citizenship, their chances of staying a national party with the possibility of winning the White House are likely to die along with it.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

No governing, only sabotage.

The GOP’s number on obstruction is about to be up.

Georgia is set to ignore the Constitution and execute an intellectually disabled man anyway.

State troopers forcibly remove Texas woman during epic testimony on anti-abortion bill.

Over 60 abortion rights activists arrested yesterday during North Carolina’s Moral Monday protest.

Company advertises bleeding shoot-a-gun-control-lobbyist target with photo of an actual gun massacre victim.

GOP governor: Pregnant women and breast cancer patients are free health care moochers.

Hedge funder writes op-ed accusing homeless shelter volunteers of being the real cause of homelessness.

The sequester is still hurting families and children across the country.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

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.