Tag Archives: Republican

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

03/14/2013 Nativegrl77

March 2013
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The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.

There will be up to one hour of debate equally divided between Senators Mikulski and Shelby or their designees for debate on the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS).
Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 11:15am), there will be a roll call vote in relation to the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS)(60 affirmative-vote threshold).
We will continue to work through amendments to the bill during Thursday’s session. During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 and on H.R.933. Under the rule, the first cloture vote would be on Friday. We hope to reach an agreement to complete action on the bill on Thursday.
The Senate has resumed consideration of H.R.933, the Continuing Resolution. There will be 1 hour to debate concurrently the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) and Coburn amendment #66 (temporary hiring freeze on Non Essential Federal Employees), prior to votes in relation to the amendments.
The debate time will be equally divided in the usual form.
Each amendment will be subject to 60-affirmative vote thresholds.
No amendments to the amendments are in order prior to the votes.
The following amendments are pending to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill:
- Mikulski-Shelby amendment #26, as modified (substitute)
- Toomey amendment #115 (cut biofuel funding/DoD)
The following amendments have been considered to H.R.933:
- Cruz amendment #30 (defund Obamacare) Not Agreed to: 45-52
- McCain amendment #33 (Guam) Not Tabled: 48-50; agreed to by voice vote
- Harkin amendment #53 (Labor HHS flexibility)(60 affirmative-vote threshold) Not Agreed to: 54-45
- Coburn amendment #66 (temporary freeze on non-essential federal employees) (60 affirmative-vote threshold) Not Agreed to: 45-54
- Inhofe amendment #29, as modified (Farms-EPA oil spill and prevention rule) Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
There is a good chance that we vote tonight (sooner rather than later) in
relation to the Coburn amendment #65, as modified (political
science funding at NSF). Another message will be sent once an agreement is
reached.
- WRAP UP
- ROLL CALL VOTES1) Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill; Not Agreed to: 54-45 (60 affirmative-vote threshold)2) Coburn amendment #66 (hiring freeze for federal employees) to H.R.933; Not Agreed to: 45-54 (60 affirmative-vote threshold)
  LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
  
  Began the Rule 14 process of S.582, the Keystone Pipeline Act. (Hoeven)
  
  Began the Rule 14 process of S.583, the Life at Conception Act. (Paul)
  
  Completed the Rule 14 process of S.558, To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from awarding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other financial assistance under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity outside the United States. (Paul)
  
  No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
- Well, folks, we were unable to reach an agreement to vote in relation to the Coburn or Toomey amendments tonight. Senator Coburn wouldn’t agree to vote in relation to his amendment, as modified.Senator Reid has asked the managers of the bill to work over the weekend on a small, finite list of amendments and we could complete action of the bill on Monday. If they are unable to come to an agreement, there would be a cloture vote at approximately 5:30pm on Monday. Next week the Senate will consider the Budget resolution.The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes this week.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 3/14
7:24:35 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 14, 2013.

10:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:22 A.M.		McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:37 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.
10:15:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.
12:01:00 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Ezekiel Pipher, Heartland Evangelical Free Church, Central City, Nebraska.
12:02:00 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Ellison demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
12:03:58 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Ellison to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:19 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.
12:34:24 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

3:45:40 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 14.

3:45:59 P.M.

Investigative Subcommittees of the Committtee on Ethics – Pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A)of Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives the Democratic Leader appointed the following members of the House to the Investigative Subcommittees of the Committtee on Ethics: Mr. Carney, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Keating, Mr. Perlmutter, Ms. Sewell of AL, Ms. Speier and Ms. Titus.

3:46:42 P.M.

H. Res. 113

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 113 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 803) to reform and strengthen the workforce investment system of the Nation to put Americans back to work and make the United States more competitive in the 21st century.”

3:50:07 P.M.

H. Res. 113

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 113.

5:12:17 P.M.

H. Res. 113

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 70).

5:19:50 P.M.

H. Res. 113

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 71).

5:19:52 P.M.

H. Res. 113

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

5:26:20 P.M.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 72).

5:27:33 P.M.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

5:48:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:48:10 P.M.		Mr. Fortenberry moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:48:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:48:40 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 15, 2013.

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President Obama Speaks at President’s Export Council Meeting.

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

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Tell Senate leaders : the time is NOW !

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

Donna De La Cruz, Reform Immigration FOR America

Our Senators leading the work on immigration reform in the Gang of Eight have been debating for weeks — but have yet to put forward a bill. Every day that they delay, more families are torn apart and more chances at the American dream are denied.

Our communities cannot wait any longer! So this week, immigrant rights activists across the country are making calls, sending messages, visiting their legislators’ offices and taking action to urge our leaders to support immigration reform for 11 million undocumented Americans.

Send your message to the Gang of Eight and other Senate leaders and tell them that the time is NOW for real reform that keeps families together and creates a roadmap to citizenship!

Send a message for families like Jennifer’s. Jennifer lost her husband, father of their four young children, when he was deported without any criminal record. She now has to balance working two jobs and raising her children alone. Instead of asking for toys, Jennifer’s kids ask if they can have their dad back.

If we can deliver a flood of messages to Senate leadership now, we can fix our broken system and save millions of other immigrant families from separation.

Together, the power of our community is undeniable. Take part in this national week of action and send your message now.

With hope,

Donna De La Cruz Reform Immigration FOR America

PS: Every message makes a difference! Click here to send a fax with your message to Senate leaders today.

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CONGRESS: Republican led House ::::::: ::::::: the Senate led by Democrats HR933

03/13/2013 Nativegrl77

March 2013
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The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate resume the motion to proceed to Calendar #21, H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.
During Tuesday’s session, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill. If no agreement is reached, the cloture vote will be Thursday morning

The Senate adopted the motion to proceed H.R.933, Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013.

Senator Reid then called up Mikulski-Shelby amendment #26, as modified (substitute). The substitute is the text of The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013, which includes separate divisions for the Fiscal Year 2013 Agriculture; Commerce, Justice and Science; Defense; Homeland Security; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Acts.

We are in a period for debate only until the managers of the bill come to the floor, around 10:30am.

We expect the first amendments to the bill to be offered by Senator Cruz (Affordable Care Act funding) and Senator Harkin (Labor-HHS).

Senator Cruz called up amendment #30, which prohibits funds for the Affordable Care Act. The managers are talking about an appropriate time to vote in relation to the amendment, could be around the noon hour. Senators will be notified when a vote time is set or expected.

The following amendments are pending to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill:

Mikulski-Shelby amendment #26, as modified (substitute)
Harkin amendment #53 (Labor HHS flexibility)
Inhofe amendment #29 (Farms-EPA oil spill and prevention rule)

The following amendments have been considered to H.R.933:

Cruz amendment #30 (defund Obamacare) Not Agreed to: 45-52
McCain amendment #33 (Guam) Not Tabled: 48-50; agreed to by voice vote

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a vote in relation to the Cruz amendment #26 (defund ACA) at 2pm.

The time until 2pm is equally divided and controlled between Senator Mikulski and Cruz, or their designees. At 2pm the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the Cruz amendment. No amendments are in order to the amendment prior to the vote. We expect a motion to table the Cruz amendment.

Upon disposition of the Cruz amendment, the next amendment in order is a Harkin amendment relative to Labor-HHS Appropriations.

2:02pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Cruz amendment #30 (defund Obamacare)

Not Agreed to: 45-52

Senator Harkin has called up amendment #53 (Labor-HHS flexibility). The Harkin amendment replaces the Labor-HHS division of the CR/omnibus with the text of the full Labor-HHS appropriations bill.

Senator McCain has offered amendment #33 (strikes certain DoD Operation and Maintenance grants to Guam).

Votes are possible in relation to the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) and McCain amendment #33 (strikes certain DoD Operation and Maintenance grants to Guam) in the not too distant future. Another message will be sent if and when an agreement is reached.

The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between Senators McCain and Durbin, or their designees. At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the McCain amendment #33.

The McCain amendment #33 strikes $13 million for construction of a regional public health laboratory and $106.4 million for civilian water and wastewater improvements in Guam through the Office of Economic Adjustment; and strikes the Department of Defense authority to make grants, conclude cooperative agreements, and supplement other Federal funds.

5:34pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Durbin motion to table McCain amendment #33 (Guam and grant authority);

Not Tabled: 48-50, Agreed to by voice vote

The McCain amendment #33 was not tabled 48-50 and was then adopted by voice vote.

Senator Inhofe then asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up amendment #29 (Farms-EPA oil spill and prevention rule). Senator Boxer reserved her right to set aside the pending amendment unless Senator Inhofe would be willing to agree to a 60 vote threshold. Senator Inhofe agreed and the amendment was called up.

There will be no further roll call votes this evening, however, additional amendments may be offered and debated

There will be no further roll call votes during Wednesday’s session of the Senate

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Cruz amendment #30 (defund the Affordable Care Act) to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill; Not Agreed to: 45-52

2) McCain amendment #33 (Guam) Not Tabled: 48-50

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.76, Designating room S-126 of the United States Capitol as the “Senator Daniel K. Inouye Room” in recognition of his service to the Senate and the people of the United States.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.558, To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from awarding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other financial assistance under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity outside the United States. (Paul)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMs

7:53PMET This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26, as modified, and the underlying bill, H.R.933, the Continuing Resolution. However, we hope to reach an agreement to complete action on the bill without cloture.

The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the substitute and underlying bill is 1:00pm tomorrow, Thursday, March 14.

If cloture is invoked, germane amendments must have been filed at the desk prior to the deadline to be considered in order post-cloture. Please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 3/12
8:10:14 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2013.

10:00:18 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:32 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kerry L. Bentivolio to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:23 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.
10:24:44 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:45 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 13.
12:00:50 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:03:05 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Coffman 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. Coffman 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.
12:03:17 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Coffman to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:37 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.
12:17:00 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 13, 2013, at 10:41 a.m., stating that that body had made appointments to the Senate National Security Working Group.
12:17:56 P.M.	H. Res. 107	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 107 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 890) to prohibit waivers relating to compliance with the work requirements for the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.”
12:19:13 P.M.	H. Res. 107	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 107.
12:57:01 P.M.	H. Res. 107	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 107, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Cole demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 107 until later in the legislative day.
12:57:59 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
2:55:33 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 13.
2:55:40 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on ordering the previous question to H. Res. 107 which was debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:27:54 P.M.	H. Res. 107	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 195 (Roll no. 64).
3:35:18 P.M.	H. Res. 107	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 194 (Roll no. 65).
3:35:18 P.M.	H. Res. 107	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:35:30 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.
3:42:22 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 295 – 120, 1 Present (Roll no. 66).
3:43:12 P.M.	H.R. 890	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 107. H.R. 890 — “To prohibit waivers relating to compliance with the work requirements for the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.”
3:43:17 P.M.	H.R. 890	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 890 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. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-3 shall be considered as adopted. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived.
3:44:18 P.M.	H.R. 890	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 890.
4:48:46 P.M.	H.R. 890	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:49:16 P.M.	H.R. 890	Mr. Enyart moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.
4:49:45 P.M.	H.R. 890	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions in the motion seek to add a section to provide that any State receiving TANF funding is required to provide assistance to specific groups named in the amendment.
4:57:11 P.M.	H.R. 890	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:36:12 P.M.	H.R. 890	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 199 – 230 (Roll no. 67).
5:42:49 P.M.	H.R. 890	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 246 – 181 (Roll no. 68).
5:42:50 P.M.	H.R. 890	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:42:58 P.M.		Mr. McGovern moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:59:40 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by recorded vote: 1 – 421 (Roll no. 69).
5:59:43 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:04:42 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
6:54:37 P.M.		Ms. Foxx filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 113.
6:57:38 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with Special Order speeches.

7:24:15 P.M.		Mr. Thompson (CA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:24:25 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:24:35 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 14, 2013.

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What the American People Didn’t Choose

03/12/2013 Nativegrl77

ThinkProgress War Room

6 Things Americans Did Not Vote for in 2012

Tomorrow, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) will release the latest version of his infamous Republican budget plan — you know, the one that ends Medicare as we know it. As we await this plan, it’s worth considering a few things that voters did not choose in the 2012 election.

Paul Ryan: In selecting Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney put Ryan and his ideas front-and-center in the election. Voters said thanks but no thanks to Ryan and his radical ideas. Ryan even lost his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin.
A Republican House of Representatives: President Obama was easily re-elected and Democrats expanded their majority in the Senate, so why are we stuck with a GOP-controlled House of Representatives? Gerrymandering. Democratic House candidates won more than a million more votes than Republican candidates, but districts drawn by Republicans for Republicans allowed the GOP to hold on to their majority. This isn’t even disputed by the Republicans. In fact, they brag about it.
The Middle Class Footing the Bill: The centerpiece of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s economic proposal was a tax plan that raised taxes on the poor and middle class in order to slash taxes for the wealthy. By contrast, President Obama proposed raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans. The GOP budget’s tax proposals is nearly identical to the Romney-Ryan plan rejected by voters in November.
Ending Medicare: Mitt Romney not only chose Paul Ryan, he wholeheartedly embraced Ryan’s controversial plan to end Medicare as we know it and replace it with a voucher system that stands to double seniors’ out-of-pocket health care costs. Romney and Ryan lost key states with senior-heavy populations, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and New Hampshire.
Repealing Obamacare: Not only did voters not vote for the team that wanted to repeal Obamacare, Mitt Romney says that the president won because of Obamacare. Nevertheless, the GOP budget plan to be unveiled tomorrow will once again call for repealing Obamacare — except for its $716 BILLION in savings from Medicare. Despite demonizing the president for the cuts throughout the campaign, Ryan’s plan keeps those cuts in order to to pay for new tax breaks for the wealthy and special interests like Big Oil and Wall Street banks.
European-Style Austerity: Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan proposed unrealistic draconian spending cuts, while the president proposed investments that will create jobs now and grow the middle class and our economy over the long run. The American people rejected the former and gave an Electoral College landslide to the latter. Nevertheless, the GOP budget plan will feature the kind of unrealistic draconian spending cuts that will make it impossible to make investments in the middle class.The GOP plan will slow down the economy and kill hundreds of thousands of jobs. It’s the same kind of austerity that has led to shrinking economies and record-high unemployment in Europe. Austerity isn’t working there and it won’t work here.

BOTTOM LINE: Paul Ryan and his policies were soundly rejected by voters last November. Instead of doubling down on extreme and unpopular ideas like ending Medicare as we know it and raising taxes on the middle class in order to slash taxes on the wealthy, Republicans should come back to the table and agree to deal with our fiscal challenges in a responsible, balanced manner.