Tag Archives: Republican

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Properly tax millionair​es and billionair​es …from ColorOfChange.org


In a stirring speech last Wednesday, President Obama reminded us of our common values — that as Americans, we believe in shared sacrifice during tough times, and shared prosperity when times are good.

This Tax Day, we’ve seen those values flipped on their head. While America’s millionaires and billionaires pay the lowest tax rate in 80 years,1 Congress is slashing critical services like food stamps, family planning and foreclosure assistance that keep poor and working folks afloat. It’s immoral and un-American.

We’re with President Obama: it’s past time that we ask the richest Americans to start contributing their fair share. Rep. Jan Schakowsky‘s Fairness in Taxation Act would do exactly that, helping to balance the budget and stop deep cuts by raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires.

There’s real momentum behind this idea — 81% of Americans support increasing taxes on the wealthy.2 Opposing this idea should be a liability for politicians of any party — but Congress needs to hear from us. It starts with you, right now. Please sign our petition asking your Congressional representatives to co-sponsor the Fairness in Taxation Act:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/809?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=2

Many in Congress compare the federal budget to a family’s budget. They argue that because the federal government is in so much debt, the nation is broke. And just like broke families need to make hard choices, the government does as well, so they advocate cutting programs that support poor and working folks, along with children, the elderly, and those who need special medical care.

But this is one of several ways their argument falls apart. When times get tough, families don’t abandon the grandparents and the kids because we can’t afford them — we try to bring in more income. A key problem in Washington is that politicians lack the will to tax millionaires and billionaires to bring in more revenue, so they throw grandma, grandpa, and the kids out on the street and under the bus.

The Fairness in Taxation Act attempts to address this by asking those who make $1 million in a year to pay a 45% income tax while billionaires would pay taxes at a 49% rate.3 That’s a big change over the current system, where millionaires and billionaires pay a maximum of 35% and last year paid an average of only 17% of their income in taxes.4 Rates this low haven’t been seen since the 1930s.

Schakowsky’s bill is projected to raise more than $75 billion in new revenues — more than enough to stave off unnecessary cuts to important programs while also helping to reduce the deficit.5 Please urge Congress to support this bold plan:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/809?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=2

As our friends at CREDO Action have noted, “Over the years, Republican lawmakers have very successfully promoted the morally bankrupt and economically baseless dogma of ‘tax cuts for the rich, massive spending cuts for everyone else.'” It’s critical that we offer a drastically different economic vision.

That’s because the national budget is more than a roadmap to spending; it’s a statement of values and priorities. Properly taxing millionaires and billionaires would send a clear message that in America, we value feeding the poor and taking care of the sick and elderly. It’s about making sure that everyone has ample opportunity to be successful. As President Obama said, this is fundamentally patriotic.

This is why every member of Congress needs to answer a simple question: will you oppose fair tax rates for the wealthy, or will you stand with everyday Americans who are struggling in this tough economy?

This is more than just a moment to pass a critical piece of legislation — it’s an opportunity to reclaim the nation’s economic narrative. Many have been fooled by the right into thinking that America is broke — but the nation isn’t broke so long as we can raise revenues. Asking the very wealthy and large corporations to pay their fair share is a key part of the conversation that’s been ignored for too long under the GOP‘s “starve the government” philosophy.

Please join us in asking Congress to support Rep. Schakowsky’s tax on millionaires and billionaires, and ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/809?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=4

Thanks and Peace,

— James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

April 19th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References:

1. “Income tax in the United States,” Wikipedia

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/810?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=7

2. “Sanders introduces millionaire surtax to slash deficit,” Raw Story, 3-11-2011

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/811?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=9

3. “Schakowsky Introduces Bill to Tax Millionaires and Billionaires,” Press Release, 3-16-2011

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/812?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=11

4. “Super rich see federal taxes drop dramatically,” Associated Press, 4-17-2011

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/813?akid=1955.1174326.thD39r&t=13

5. See reference 3

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Medicare:Broken Contract


For decades, Americans have counted on a basic promise: A secure retirement is the reward for a lifetime of labor. Yet last Friday, House Republicans voted almost unanimously to break one of America’s most sacred promises that the cost of health care will not bankrupt seniors and their families once they enter retirement. Less than one year after Republicans hurled misleading claims that the Affordable Care Act‘s provisions to make Medicare more efficient would somehow deprive seniors of care, the House GOP passed a budget that will phase out Medicare and leave seniors entirely at the mercy of the large health insurance companies (ironically, while still keeping many of the Medicare cuts they once criticized). And just one year after Republicans peppered the airwaves with claims that Democrats were ramming major changes to the health system through Congress by spending just one year debating health reform, the GOP-controlled House took only two weeks to debate and pass their plan to eliminate Medicare. If the Republican budget ever becomes law, it will shred America’s contract with seniors who worked every day of their lives knowing that Medicare would be there for them in their retirement.

THE END OF MEDICARE, PERIOD: The GOP budget does not “reform” Medicare. It does not provide seniors with the same coverage Members of Congress receive. And it does not end Medicare “as we know it.” The GOP budget ends Medicare, period. The centerpiece of the House Republicans’ plan is a proposal that repeals traditional Medicare and replaces it with a health insurance voucher that loses its value over time. Because the value of the Republicans’ privatized Medicare replacement does not keep up with the cost of health care, their plan will gradually phase out Medicare as its increasingly worthless vouchers will eventually only cover a very tiny fraction of the cost of a health insurance plan. Worse, as President Obama told the nation last week, the GOP budget immediately fritters away much of the savings from eliminating Medicare with hundreds of billions of dollars worth of tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans. The rich get richer, and America’s seniors are tossed out into the cold.

THE PATH TO MEDICARE REPEAL: Although the GOP budget phases out Medicare gradually over many years, it will deal a body blow to America’s seniors the minute it goes into effect. The GOP plan eliminates traditional Medicare and forces seniors into the private insurance market. But health insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than traditional Medicare, and they lack Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower rates from doctors and hospitals. As a result, seniors will pay more for less as soon as the GOP plan becomes a reality. According to the CBO, total health care expenditures for a typical 65-year-old “would be almost 40 percent higher with private coverage under the GOP plan than they would be with a continuation of traditional Medicare” in the very first year that the GOP plan goes into effect. As a clear sign that the GOP understands that seniors will not stand for losing their access to traditional Medicare, Republicans claim that Americans over age 55 will not lose their access to the nation’s most successful health care program, but this claim is also misleading. The GOP’s plan will shunt younger, healthier seniors into privatized plans, leaving traditional Medicare with an ever diminishing pool of the very oldest beneficiaries, and stealing away Medicare’s power to drive a hard bargain with health providers. Moreover, it’s not even clear that many health insurance companies will even be willing to offer private plans to seniors, who represent the “oldest, sickest, and least profitable demographic.”

THE GOP’S WAR ON HEALTH CARE: Lest there be any doubt, the GOP plan to end Medicare is just one part of a full-scale assault on America’s health care safety net. The GOP budget does not simply kill Medicare, it guts Medicaid, forcing states to either cap enrollment, cut eligibility, slash benefits, lower payments to doctors or somehow dig up additional funds to pay for their newly starved health care system. This assault on Medicaid deals another body blow to seniors, as Medicaid pays for nearly half of all long term care costs in the United States. Nor is the GOP’s war on the health care safety net anything new. The GOP lined up in near-unanimous opposition to the landmark Affordable Care Act, and they just as resoundingly embraced the utterly meritless notion that health reform violates the Constitution. Many GOP lawmakers go even further, claiming that Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and any other federal health care programs are unconstitutional. And the GOP’s last campaign for the White House was built upon a plan to gut state laws protecting health insurance consumers and leave them to the mercy of the insurance industry. In other words, it’s clear that the Republican Party has wanted to dismantle the nation’s health care contract with all Americans for many years — they just finally got the votes to pass this radical agenda through the House.

~ my 2cents ...

Monday mashup &some News …


So, two weeks without both Chambers of Congress doing the Peoples Business makes me a little unsettled. I wonder what all of us political junkies will do, the weather is very cold here, definitely not spring like and gotta say it makes me think about and I wonder how many left of center members of Congress will support the President’s Budget on camera given what happened last week on the Floors of Congress. I hear some say that they support this President but I have to say the silence from most left of center members of Congress two years ago was and still is a bit much for me as a voter who definitely will vote for Barack Obama in 2012. 

How a Bill Becomes a Law <<

When performing legislative research, it is important to understand the legislative process. The numerous steps that result in a bill becoming a law are described in this 24th edition of “How Our Laws Are Made.”

Failed Promises ?

my take on failed promises? or change to or redirection of promises?

i would say the day the system crashed was the day we all should have hit the re-set button to any campaign pledges that may need a new process to achieve a positive outcome.

… Community Organizer and young Senator Obama watched from the side lines, watching, hearing and knowing the status quo had to change; no financial crisis to speak of but things probably were not as they should be so Presidential Candidate Obama had an agenda for America. It is possible some financial issues are brewing, the house of Bush was focused on the surplus, waging a couple of Wars and giving out tax breaks to what I would say were his friends at least two times.

If we compare and contrast what Bush did to what Candidate for President Obama did, he ideas, his values and visions for America not only seemed far ahead of the Republican Administration but Barack Obama’s other competitors as well. To be sure it is obvious that Barack Obama knew what he wanted to do which included changing the way things are done on the Capitol Hill, Congress. We all know that change takes a while maybe positive change takes years and so does co-operation and as months went by there are more rumblings of financial problems. As more rumors came out about a financial issue some candidates stayed quiet some said our economy was fundamentally strong while others seemed to lose it as more private meetings with candidates became the norm. The political competition, cableheads and or negative noise about candidate Barack Obama started grew stronger. face a lot of criticism from not just the Republican Party but from people from our own party putting out doubt about where he was born, was he an American and did he pal around with terrorists or those questions about his ability to bring in the vote of not only women but white women and men. As all these political debates happen the race card gets pulled out by some if not all candidates who say they want to represent all Americans. As the weeks pass more information about how bad things were started to come out and like everyone else we all started to notice that there were a lot of layoffs happening on a weekly and or monthly basis. I remember the news coverage of employees coming from corporate America companies crying and or leaving the building with boxes or their belongings. While the media dissed candidate Obama, talked about Bush being less available and McCain tells Americans that our economy is still sound and strong though it is clear by his behavior the news is bad. It is also obvious Hillary Clinton opts to say little; seemingly in such shock herself and quite rattled about the financial news of an impending Wall Street crash. It was at that moment that I along with a whole lot of other folks came to believe Hillary did not have what it takes to handle that 3am call not to mention she was engaging in some of that race card nonsense the Republicans were fully engaged in. In my opinion the fact that she even went there was offensive as a democratic candidate for President of the US of A.

In just months before Americans had to vote for President of the United States the House of Bush slowly opened the doors of pain. I believe Americans figured it out themselves long before Bush decided to come clean what with friends, relatives and or neighbors with homes suddenly leaving the area and neighborhoods were definitely emptied and the question that still haunts me is; why did they wait until the next administration was about to be put into place?

Other News …

**Storms in NC kill

**Last day for Taxes

**Japanese voters

**Japanese voters call for prime minister Naoto Kan to step down

**Libyan Rebels Battle Qaddafi Forces as Migrants Flee Misrata

**French minister under ‘attack from Taliban’

**Many dead after Nigerian election protests

**Inflation in China Poses Big Threat to Global Trade

**Libyan forces shell Misrata, 17 killed: rebels

CSPAN

Pakistan Foreign Minister on U.S.-Pakistan Relations … http://c-span.org/Events/Pakistan-Foreign-Minister-on-US-Pakistan-Relations/10737420948/

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A Look at Offshore Drilling and Environmental Regulations … http://c-span.org/Events/A-Look-at-Offshore-Drilling-and-Environmental-Regulations/10737420946/  

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Washington Journal Special Series: National Debt

 http://c-span.org/Events/Washington-Journal-Special-Series-National-Debt/10737420941/

Focus on Bi-partisan Fiscal Commission

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

There’s nothing courageous about it


For days, I’ve been reading in the press about the “courage” of a Republican budget proposal that abolishes Medicare to pay for more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires and slashes investments in energy, education, and infrastructure.

On Wednesday, I heard President Obama say exactly what I’ve been thinking: There’s nothing courageous about it.

The Republicans are pledging to cut investments to clean energy by 70 percent, education by 25 percent, and transportation by 30 percent. Their plan would see as many as 50 million people lose their health insurance in order to reduce the deficit. Instead of creating jobs, they want to create $1 trillion in new tax breaks for the wealthy.

That’s not a brave vision for the future. It’s a rejection of the idea that there are brighter days ahead.

Today, the House of Representatives will meet to vote on the GOP budget proposal, and if they insist on pushing this plan forward — if they can’t come together with the President to find common ground — we’ll make sure their constituents know about it. If they choose to try to privatize Medicare, we will put ads on the air and organizers on the ground, and we’ll talk about this vote over and over again. We’ll make this stick.

But we need your help to do it.

www.democrats.com

This week, President Obama offered a path forward that I believe in: $4 trillion in deficit reduction; responsible investments to improve our schools, fix crumbling roads, and develop clean energy; and a total rejection of the notion that spending cuts must come on the backs of seniors and poor children.

He laid out a vision where we all make sacrifices, but none of us is left to bear the burden alone. And he offered a forceful, unapologetic response to those who don’t believe in the responsibility we all share to move our country forward together.

This isn’t just about this week’s vote or the latest shiny object to capture the attention of Washington for a news cycle or two. This is about the very future of this country and the direction we take.

We know that because the Republican plan hasn’t just been adopted by a few ideologues in Congress — it’s been embraced by the candidates who want to take President Obama’s job.

If we want to win this fight about the direction our country takes, then we must start now — as Congress considers the GOP proposal.

Can you chip in?

http://my.democrats.org/Medicare

Thanks,

Patrick

Patrick Gaspard

Executive Director

Democratic National Committee

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: debates&votes -the Republican led House -the Senate


The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET April 13, 2011

Convenes: 9:30am

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business for debate only until 7pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the Republicans controlling the time from 11:30am until 12:30pm for the purposes of a colloquy and the Majority controlling the time from 1pm until 2pm.

We are working to complete action on the small business jobs bill.

In addition, the text of the long-term CR has been filed in the House and is available for review. We expect to receive it from the House on Thursday.

There will be no roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

The Senate has reached the following agreement to consider the long-term Continuing Resolution:

On Thursday, April 14th, following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

When the Senate receives the papers from the House with respect to continuing resolution and the correcting resolutions, the Senate will proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes in relation the following items in the order listed below:

-H.Con.Res.35, a correcting resolution relative to a prohibition of federal funds for health care reform; and

-H.Con.Res.36, a correcting resolution relative to a prohibition of federal funds for Planned Parenthood;

-H.R.1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2011;

There will be two minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote; no amendments are in order to the bill or the concurrent resolutions prior to the votes; the correcting resolutions and the bill will be subject to 60-vote thresholds; the only points of order and motions in order are budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive.

  ~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 13, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 13, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

8:20 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 14, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Pearce moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:51 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011, for Morning-Hour Debate and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.

7:50 P.M. –

Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 223.

5:51 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:43 P.M. –

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

H.R. 1217:

to repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund

5:42 P.M. –

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 – 183 (Roll no. 264).

5:36 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 234 (Roll no. 263).

5:19 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

5:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Loebsack motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a provision that would preserve the Prevention and Public Health Fund for prevention, wellness, and public health activities for individuals 65 years or older. A point of order was reserved, but was subsequently removed.

5:09 P.M. –

Mr. Loebsack moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.

The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:08 P.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1217.

On agreeing to the Castor (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 188 – 238 (Roll no. 262).

5:00 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Castor (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 237 (Roll no. 261).

4:34 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Castor(FL)amendment no. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Castor(FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 219, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor amendment no. 3.

Amendment offered by Ms. Castor (FL).

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-61 to require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the economic impact funds awarded through the Prevention and Public Health Fund would have on states and communities.

4:25 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Castor(FL) amendment no. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Castor(FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:17 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 219, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor amendment no. 2.

Amendment offered by Ms. Castor (FL).

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-61 to require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the impact funds awarded through the Prevention and Public Health Fund would have on preventing chronic diseases and promoting health.

4:16 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 219, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment.

4:09 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-61 to require the Department of Health and Human Services to post on its website a notice of rescission of unobligated Section 4002 funds and the amount rescinded.

3:20 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1217.

The Speaker designated the Honorable K. Michael Conaway to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 219 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1217 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 waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution makes in order only those amendments printed in the report. All points of order against the amendments are waived.

3:19 P.M. –

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 219.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Res. 218:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1473) making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 35) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1473; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 36) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1473

3:18 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 179 (Roll no. 260).

3:11 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 242 – 183 (Roll no. 259).

3:05 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

3:04 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 218 and on adoption of H.Res. 218, if ordered, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 219:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1217) to repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 180 (Roll no. 258).

2:58 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 182 (Roll no. 257).

1:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 219.

1:31 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 218:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1473) making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 35) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1473; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 36) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1473

1:30 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 218, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis (CO) demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

12:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 218.

12:31 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:26 P.M. –

Point of order raised by Mr. Weiner on the content of the measure. Mr Weiner stated that the measure violated the rules of the House because its action was not contingent upon Senate action. Point of order overruled by the Chair.

12:25 P.M. –

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT FILED – Mr. Dreier submitted a supplemental report on H.Res. 218.

12:04 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.

12:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Poe (TX) 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. Poe (TX) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

12:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Jack Graham, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 13.

10:58 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 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.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.