Tag Archives: Republican

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This Week’s Top 5 on ThinkProgr​ess: The Vagina Monologues Edition


If you’re looking for a progressive take on the current political news, ThinkProgress has you covered. Catch up on the biggest stories from the past week that you may have missed:

  –  Massive Crowd Gathers For Reading Of Vagina Monologues At Michigan Capitol

When two female legislators were banned from the Michigan House floor last week after saying the word “vagina” during a debate about an anti-abortion measure, people across the country spoke out for the right to discuss and defend women’s health.

–   Romney To Republican Governor: Discussing The Economic Recovery Will Hurt My Election Chances

  Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) is touting his state’s increasing economic growth and stability, but Mitt Romney doesn’t want to hear it.

–   Over Two Decades, Abortion Rate Dropped For Women In Their 20s Because Of Contraception Access

The growing accessibility of birth control is having a hugely positive effect on women’s health, contributing to a significant drop in unplanned pregnancy and abortion rates for women in their 20s.

–   The 7 Major Issues Mitt Romney Won’t Take A Position On

Immigration isn’t the only issue Mitt Romney is evading.

–   Members Who Supported Massive Giveaway To Big Oil Have Received $38.6 Million From The Industry

The House of Representatives just passed legislation catering to oil and gas interests at the expense of environmental concerns – and the members who voted for the bill are lining their pockets with oil and gas money.

Thanks for supporting ThinkProgress as we do this work!

Igor Volsky Deputy Editor, ThinkProgress

Black History, ~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – back on 6/25 – the Senate will consider S.1940,Flood Insurance bill ,S.3187FDA bill,


  • Convenes: 2:00pmET June 25, 2012
  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1940, the Flood Insurance bill, post-cloture.
  • At a time to be determined but prior to 5:30pm on Monday, the motion to proceed to S.1940 will be adopted.
  • As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.3187, the FDA bill on Thursday, June 21st.   As a result, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.3187 at 5:30pm on Monday.

——————————————————————————————————————-

NEXT SESSION in the House is at  2:00 p.m. on June 25, 2012

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Politics Blowing UP the Transportation Bill ?


URGENT TO CONGRESS: JOBS AT STAKE
June 30 is the deadline for Congress to act on the surface transportation bill. This bill would protect and create good jobs in the United States and begin to fix our crumbling infrastructure, but it’s being held up because of political antics from extreme Republicans.

Tell your members of Congress it’s time to stop playing politics and pass the surface transportation bill.

I’m writing to you because this is urgent. Jobs are at stake.

Here’s the deal. Both the U.S. Senate and House have passed versions of the surface transportation bill—the Senate version of the bill would create or sustain nearly 3 million jobs—and a conference committee of key House and Senate leaders is negotiating final details of the bill right now. But some Republicans in the House want to make it their way or the highway. They want to starve funding for badly needed infrastructure projects and hold hostage family-sustaining jobs.

In the past two and a half years, Congress has settled for nine short-term extensions instead of coming up with a long-term solution to fix our crumbling infrastructure and get ironworkers, crane operators, cement masons and other construction workers—14 percent of whom are currently unemployed—back on the job.

Without a long-term fix, jobs will be lost and our roads, bridges and transportation system will fall into further decay. Click here now to e-mail your members of Congress to tell them we can’t wait. We need to pass the surface transportation bill now.

This is a chance for our leaders to come together and do their part to create good jobs in the United States and invest in our future. For too long, we have watched while politicians pushed policies that have sent jobs overseas while kicking the can down the road on investing in infrastructure projects that would create jobs here.

Tell your elected leaders in Washington to pass the surface transportation bill before the June 30 deadline.

We’re at a critical point in the legislative process. The conference committee reportedly has narrowed the gap between the bills passed in the House and Senate. But, without pressure from working people like you, a few extreme Republicans—intent on slowly starving funding for the transportation system—may get their way. We can stop this from happening.

E-mail your lawmakers to tell them that now is the time for Congress to set differences aside and come together to pass a surface transportation bill that creates and saves family-sustaining jobs, fixes our crumbling bridges, roads and transportation system and keeps in place Buy America and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections for projects financed by the bill.

Thank you for your support.

In Solidarity,

Andy Richards
Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO

P.S. Actions and events are being organized across the country to call for elected leaders to stop helping companies outsource jobs and instead support the patriotic companies that create jobs here. Click here to find an event near you.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate debates&votes on S.3240,Farm bill – Joint Res.disaproval of EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards


the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 20, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the Republican Leader will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards.  The time until 11:30am will be equally divided controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 15 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 15 minutes.
  • At 11:30am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37.  If the motion to proceed is not successful (which is what is expected), the Senate will resume consideration of S.3240, the Farm bill and resume voting on the remaining amendments in order to the bill.
  • Senators should expect several roll call votes beginning at 11:30am on Wednesday.

When the Senate convened this morning, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.1940, a bill to amend the National Flood Insurance Act, and filed cloture on the motion. The Leaders have been working on a consent agreement on amendments and they will continue to do so in the coming days. If an agreement cannot be reached, the cloture vote would occur Friday morning.

Senator McConnell moved to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards. At approximately 11:30am the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution of disapproval. If the motion is defeated as we expect it to be, we will resume consideration of the Farm bill and immediately proceed to a long series of votes in relation to the remaining amendments and motions in order as well as passage of the bill.

The vote on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution of disapproval will be a 15 minute vote and all others 10 minute votes. There will be 2 minutes for debate between each vote. Senators are encouraged to remain on or near the floor throughout the day.

The 11:30am vote sequence is as follows:

– Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution disapproving a rule promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to emission standards for certain steam generating units

– Manchin #2345 (dietary study) (possible voice vote);

– DeMint #2273 (broadband);

– Merkley #2382 (organic crop insurance);

– Coburn #2289 (MAP);

– Schumer #2427 (acer);

– Coburn #2293 (Limit Millionaires);

–  Stabenow #2453 (NAP);

– Kerry #2454 (North Korea);

– Kyl #2354 (North Korea);

– Udall(CO) #2295 (bark beetle);

– Lee #2313 (Forest Legacy);

– Warner #2457 (rural broadband);

– Lee #2314 (CSP/CRP cut);

– Wyden #2442 (microloans);

– Boozman #2355 (Ag research, law info) (possible voice vote);

– Wyden #2388 (farm to school);

– Boozman #2360 (TEFAP)

– Leahy #2204 (rural development);

– Toomey #2226 (energy title);

– Nelson(NE) #2242 (rural housing) (possible voice vote);

– Toomey #2433 (sugar);        

– Klobuchar #2299 (transportation study) (possible voice vote);

– Lee Motion to Recommit (FY 2008 levels);

– Carper #2287 (poultry feed research) (possible voice vote);

– Johnson(WI) Motion to Recommit (Nutrition/Agriculture titles);

– Sanders #2254 (biomass);

– Chambliss #2438 (conservation crop insurance);

– Thune #2437 (crop insurance);

– Durbin-Coburn #2439 (crop insurance);

– Chambliss #2340 (sugar);

– Chambliss #2432 (FMPP);

– Ayotte #2195 (GAO crop insurance fraud report) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Blunt #2246 (veterans) (possible voice vote);

– Moran #2403 (food aid);

                                    – Moran #2443 (beginning farmers) (possible voice vote);

– Vitter #2363 (pets) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Toomey #2247 (paperwork) (60-vote threshold);

– Sanders #2310 (genetically engineered food) (60-vote threshold);

– Coburn #2214 (convention funding) (60-vote threshold);

– Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Johanns #2372 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Murray # 2455(sequestration) (60-vote threshold);

– McCain #2162 (Sequestration report – DoD) (60-vote threshold);

– Rubio #2166 (RAISE Act) (60-vote threshold);

– Bennet-Crapo amendment #2202 (improve agricultural land easements) (expect voice vote); and

– Passage of S.3240, as amended.

11:30am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution disapproving EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; Not Agreed To: 46-56

12:03 om The Senate began a roll call vote on Merkley amendment #2382 (organic crop insurance); Agreed To: 63-36

12:24pm The Senate began a roll call vote on DeMint amendment #2273 (broadband); Not Agreed To:44-55

12:45pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #2289 (MAP); Not Agreed To: 30-69

1:04pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn #2293 (limit millionaires); Agreed To: 63-36

1:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Kerry-Lugar amendment #2454 (North Korea); Agreed to: 59-40

1:49pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Kyl amendment #2345 (North Korea); Not Agreed to: 43-56

2:09pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Udall (CO) amendment #2295 (bark beetle); Agreed To: 77-22

2:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Lee amendment #2313 (repeal Forest Legacy Program); Not Agreed To: 21-77

2:55pm The Senate began a roll call vote on on Lee amendment  #2314 (CSP/CRP cut); Not Agreed To: 15-84

3:27pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Boozman #2360, as modified (TEFAP); Not Agreed To: 35-63-1 voting present

3:46pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Toomey amendment #2226 (energy title); Not Agreed to: 36-63

The following amendments have been considered to S.3240, the Farm bill:

4:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Toomey amendment #2433 (sugar); Not Agreed to: 46-53

4:28pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Lee motion to recommit (FY2008 levels); Not Agreed to: 29-70

4:52pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Johnson (WI) motion to recommit (nutritution/agriculture titles); Not Agreed to: 40-59

5:14pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Vitter amendment #2363, as modified (animal fighting); Agreed to: 88-11

5:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Chambliss amendment #2438 (conservation crop insurance); Agreed to: 52-47

5:59pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Thune amendment #2437 (crop insurance); not agreed to: 44-55

6:22pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Durbin amendment #2439 (crop insurance); Agreed To: 66-33

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      McConnell motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards; not agreed to: 46-53

2)      DeMint amendment #2273 (broadband) to S.3240, the Farm bill; Not Agreed To: 20-79

3)      Merkley amendment #2382 (organic crop insurance); Agreed To: 63-36

4)      Coburn amendment #2289 (MAP); Not Agreed To: 30-69

5)      Coburn amendment #2293 (limit millionaires); Agreed To: 63-36

6)      Kerry amendment #2454 (North Korea); Agreed To: 59-40

7)      Kyl amendment #2354 (North Korea); Not Agreed To: 43-56

8)      Udall (CO) amendment #2295 (bark beetle); Agreed To: 77-22

9)      Lee amendment #2313 (Forest Legacy); Not Agreed To: 21-77

10)  Lee amendment #2314 (CSP/CRP cut); Not Agreed To: 15-84

11)  Boozman amendment #2350 (TEFAP); Not Agreed To: 35-63-1

12)  Toomey amendment #2226 (energy title); Not Agreed To: 36-63

13)  Toomey amendment #2433 (sugar); Not Agreed To: 46-53

14)  Lee motion to recommit (FY 2008); Not Agreed To: 29-70

15)  Johnson (WI) motion to recommit (nutrition/agriculture titles); Not Agreed To: 40-59

16)  Vitter amendment #2363 (pets), as modified (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 88-11

17)  Chambliss amendment #2438 (conservation crop insurance); Agreed To: 52-47

18)  Thune amendment #2437 (crop insurance); Not Agreed To: 44-55

19)  Durbin-Coburn amendment #2439 (crop insurance); Agreed To 66-33

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.500, a resolution celebrating the accomplishments of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, and recognizing the need to continue pursuing the goal of equal educational opportunities for all women and girls.

Adopted S.Res.501, supporting Men’s Health Week.

Adopted S.Res.502, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing of the First Morrill Act.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————————————————————

House Floor Activities                 Legislative Day of June 20, 2012

Last Floor Action:                     10:12:02 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate considers S.3240,Farm bill & debates S.JRes.37,joint resolution of disapproval -EPA Mercury Air&Toxic Standards


the Seante Convenes: 10:00amET June 19, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following Leader remarks, the next two hours will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3240, the Farm bill. At 2:15pm, there will be several roll call votes in relation to amendments to the bill.
  • At a time to be determined on Tuesday, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards. There will be 2 hours of debate during Tuesday’s session. The Senate will continue debate on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution on Wednesday. The Senate will then vote on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution on Wednesday, June 20th at approximately 12:30pm.

2:24pm – The Senate began a roll call vote on Ayotte amendment #2192 (value added grants), Not Agreed To: 38-61

2:53pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Snowe amendment #2190, as modified; Agreed To: 66-33

3:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Grassley amendment #2167 (pay cap marketing loans); Agreed to: 75-24

3:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Brown (OH) amendment #2445 (rural development); Agreed to: 55-44

3:55pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Sessions amendment #2174 (SNAP); Not Agreed to: 43-56

4:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse crops); Agreed to: 58-41

4:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Sessions amendment #2171 (SNAP); Not Agreed to: 41-58

4:47pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Casey amendment #2238 (study re: federal milk marketing): Agreed To: 73-26

5:07pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Roll Call Vote on Paul amendment #2181 ($250,000 income limit); Not Agreed To: 15-84

5:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Alexander #2191 (wind loans); Not Agreed To: 33-66

5:56pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Feinstein amendment #2422 (insurance recall study); Agreed To: 76-23

6:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Toomey amendment #2217 (organic/AMA); Not Agreed to: 42-57

6:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Gillibrand amendment #2156, as modified (SNAP); Not Agreed to: 33-66

6:57pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #2263 (broadband funding); Not Agreed To: 45-54

7:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on DeMint amendment #2268 (loan guarantees); Not Agreed To: 14-84

7:45pm The senate began a roll call vote on DeMint amendment #2276 (checkoffs); Not Agreed To: 20-79

7:58 There will be no further roll call votes today. Senators should expect votes to begin as early as 11:15am tomorrow.

8:14 By unanimous consent, the Bennet-Crapo amendment #2202 (improve agricultural land easements) is in order to the Farm bill. We expect to agree to the amendment by voice vote tomorrow.

 

We expect to begin voting at 11:15am tomorrow. The first vote will be on the motion to proceed to Inhofe’s resolution of disapproval to be followed by votes in relation to the remaining amendments in order to the Farm bill and on passage of the bill.  If we have to vote on all the amendments, there would be up to 47 roll call votes in this series. I again noted the amendments we could consider by voice vote, but there are only 9 amendments on that list.  Senators should expect a long day of voting tomorrow.

The vote sequence is as follows:

– Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution disapproving a rule promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to emission standards for certain steam generating units

If the motion to proceed is not agreed to, the Senate will resume the Farm bill and proceed to vote in relation to the following items:

– Manchin #2345 (dietary study) (possible voice vote);

– DeMint #2273 (broadband);

– Merkley #2382 (organic crop insurance);

– Coburn #2289 (MAP);

– Schumer #2427 (acer);

– Coburn #2293 (Limit Millionaires);

–  Stabenow #2453 (NAP);

– Kerry #2454 (North Korea);

– Kyl #2354 (North Korea);

– Udall(CO) #2295 (bark beetle);

– Lee #2313 (Forest Legacy);

– Warner #2457 (rural broadband);

– Lee #2314 (CSP/CRP cut);

– Wyden #2442 (microloans);

– Boozman #2355 (Ag research, law info) (possible voice vote);

– Wyden #2388 (farm to school);

– Boozman #2360 (TEFAP)

– Leahy #2204 (rural development);

– Toomey #2226 (energy title);

– Nelson(NE) #2242 (rural housing) (possible voice vote);

– Toomey #2433 (sugar);        

– Klobuchar #2299 (transportation study) (possible voice vote);

– Lee Motion to Recommit (FY 2008 levels);

– Carper #2287 (poultry feed research) (possible voice vote);

– Johnson(WI) Motion to Recommit (Nutrition/Agriculture titles);

– Sanders #2254 (biomass);

– Chambliss #2438 (conservation crop insurance);

– Thune #2437 (crop insurance);

– Durbin-Coburn #2439 (crop insurance);

– Chambliss #2340 (sugar);

– Chambliss #2432 (FMPP);

– Ayotte #2195 (GAO crop insurance fraud report) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Blunt #2246 (veterans) (possible voice vote);

– Moran #2403 (food aid);

                                    – Moran #2443 (beginning farmers) (possible voice vote);

– Vitter #2363 (pets) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Toomey #2247 (paperwork) (60-vote threshold);

– Sanders #2310 (genetically engineered food) (60-vote threshold);

– Coburn #2214 (convention funding) (60-vote threshold);

– Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Johanns #2372 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Murray # 2455(sequestration) (60-vote threshold);

– McCain #2162 (Sequestration report – DoD) (60-vote threshold);

– Rubio #2166 (RAISE Act) (60-vote threshold);

– Bennet-Crapo amendment #2202 (improve agricultural land easements) (expect voice vote); and

– Passage of S.3240, as amended.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Ayotte amendment #2192 (value added grants) to S.3240, the Farm bill; Not Agreed To: 38-61

2)      Snowe amendment #2190 (milk marketing order reform); Agreed To: 66-33

3)      Grassley amendment #2167 (pay cap marketing loans); Agreed To: 75-24

4)      Brown (OH) amendment #2445 (rural development); Agreed To: 55-44

5)      Sessions amendment #2174 (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 43-56

6)      Cantwell amendment #2370 (pulse pilot); Agreed To: 58-41

7)      Sessions amendment #2172 (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 41-58

8)      Casey amendment #2238 (technical/study-federal milk marketing); Agreed To: 73-26

9)      Paul amendment #2181 ($250,000 income limit); Not Agreed To: 15-84

10)  Alexander amendment  #2191 (wind loans); Not Agreed To: 33-66

11)  Feinstein amendment #2309 (insurance recall); Agreed To: 76-23

12)  Toomey amendment #2217 (organic/AMA); Not Agreed To: 42-57

13)  Gillibrand amendment #2156, as modified (SNAP); Not Agreed To: 33-66

14)  DeMint amendment #2263 (broadband funding); Not Agreed To: 45-54

15)  DeMint amendment #2268 (loan guarantees); Not Agreed To: 14-84

16)  DeMint amendment #2276 (checkoffs); Not Agreed To: 20-79

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.3314, to specifically authorize certain funds for an intelligence-related activity and for other purposes by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.496, observing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day.

Adopted S.Res.497, congratulating the Los Angeles Kings on winning the 2012 Stanley Cup.

Adopted S.Res.498, designating June 20, 2012, as “American Eagle Day”.

Adopted S.Res.499, 10th anniversary of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————————————

Last Floor Action:                     6:48:02 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of June 19, 201210:00:12 A.M.		 The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:26 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:48 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.
11:02:33 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:17 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 19.
12:00:29 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:45 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:48 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Welch to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:07 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.
12:19:11 P.M. H. Res. 688 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 688 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2578) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act related to a segment of the Lower Merced River in California, and for other purposes.”
12:20:22 P.M. H. Res. 688 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 688.