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Want to know how your Representatives and Senators voted? Check out the full list at WhoVotesDirty.com. Make a list of the politicians that voted against your right to breathe clean air, and vote them out of office on November 6th.

9/21 CONGRESS: the House led :Republicans: Scheduled to do about 8 days prior to Election2012: the Senate led :Dems:


the Senate Convenes: at 12:00pmET September 21, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • The first hour 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.
  • During Thursday’s session, cloture was filed on H.J.Res.117, the continuing resolution and on the motion to proceed to S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012.
  • Unless an agreement is reached, the next roll call vote will be after midnight (technically Saturday, September 22nd). We hope we can work something out in order to complete our work.
  • The Senate has reached an agreement that results in up to 5 roll call votes beginning at midnight tonight. Those votes will be in relation to the following items:- Passage of S.3576, A bill to provide limitations on United States assistance (60-vote threshold);- Passage of S.J.Res.41, A joint resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran;- Cloture on H.J.Res.117, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 (60-vote threshold);- Passage of H.J.Res.117, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013; and- Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3525, Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 (60-vote threshold).Each vote in the series will be 10 minute votes, including the first vote. There will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between each vote. Senator Reid announced that it is his intention to consider S.3522, Responsible Homeowner Refinancing Act of 2012, when we return in November. We expect to recess around 5-6pm tonight until 11:30pm.Senate
    Floor Wrap Up for Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, 2012

    12:03am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.3576, a bill to provide limitations on
    United States assistance (60-vote threshold); Not Passed: 10-81

    12:24am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.J.Res.41, a joint resolution expressing
    the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of the
    Islamic Republic of Iran; Passed: 90-1

    12:41am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.J.Res.117, the continuing resolution;
    Invoked: 62-30

    12:58am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.J.Res.117, the continuing resolution;
    Passed: 62-30

    1:19am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the
    motion to proceed to S.3525, the Sportsmen Act; 84-7

    Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #419, S.3254, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013; and that only relevant amendments be in order to the bill.

    Senator Kyl objected.

    WRAP UP

    ROLL CALL VOTES

    1)      Passage of S.3576, A bill to provide limitations on United States assistance (60-vote threshold); Not Passed: 10-81

    2)      Passage of S.J.Res.41, A joint resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Passed: 90-1

    3)      Cloture on H.J.Res.117, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013; Invoked: 62-30

    4)      Passage of H.J.Res.117, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013; Passed: 62-30

    5)      Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3525, Sportsmen’s Act of 2012; Invoked: 84-7

    LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

    Passed S.1956, to prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the U.S. from participating in the EU’s emissions trading scheme, with a committee-reported substitute amendment, a Cardin amendment and a Merkley amendment.

    Discharged the Energy Committee and passed H.R.4850, the Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act with a Bingaman amendment and a Shaheen-Portman amendment.

    Passed H.R.915, the Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act with a committee-reported substitute amendment by voice vote.

    Discharged Judiciary Committee and passed H.R.6215, Trademark Dilution correction bill by voice vote.

    Passed H.R.2706, to prohibit the sale of Billfish by voice vote.

    Adopted S.Res.466, a resolution calling for the release from prison of former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko with a Durbin amendment, a committee-reported substitute amendment and a committee-reported amendment to the preamble by voice vote.

    Passed H.R.3556, to designate the new United States courthouse in Buffalo, New York, as the “Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse”.

    Passed H.R.1791, To designate the United States courthouse under construction at 101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse”.

    Passed H.R.4347, To designate the United States courthouse located at 709 West 9th Street in Juneau, Alaska, as the “Robert Boochever United States Courthouse”.

    Passed S.3311, A bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 2601 2nd Avenue North, Billings, Montana, as the “James F. Battin United States Courthouse”.

    Adopted S.Con.Res.50, a concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model under which the Internet has thrived.

    Passed S.3486, Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act with a committee-reported substitute amendment.

    Passed S.3193, Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Clarification Act of 2012 with an Akaka amendment.

    Passed H.R.6431, to provide flexibility with respect to United States support for assistance provided by international financial institutions for Burma, and for other purposes.

    Discharged the Banking Committee and passed H.R.2453, the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act with a Blumenthal amendment.

    Passed H.R.6433, to make corrections with respect to Food and Drug Administration user fees.

    Passed H.R.4158, to confirm full ownership rights for certain United States astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts’ space missions.

    Discharged the Judiciary Committee and passed H.R.4223, SAFE Doses Act.

    Passed H.R.6375, VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2012.

    Passed S.3315, the GAO Mandates Revision Act of 2012 with a committee-reported amendment and a Lieberman amendment.

    Concurred in the House message to S.300, the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012.

    Concurred in the House message to S.710, the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act.

    Discharged the Commerce Committee and passed H.R.2838, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011 with a Rockefeller substitute amendment and a Rockefeller title amendment.

    Passed S.3341, Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review Act of 2012.

    Discharged Judiciary Committee and passed H.R.5512, the Divisional Realignment Act.

    Discharged Judiciary Committee and passed H.R.6189, Reporting Efficiency Improvement Act.

    Passed H.R.1272, To provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, et al, by the United States Court of Federal Claims in Docket Numbers 19 and 188, and for other purposes.

    Passed H.R.2240, Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act of 2012.

    Discharged the Energy Committee and Passed H.R.2606, New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act with a Bingaman substitute amendment.

    Passed H.R.2139, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lion Clubs International.

    Passed S.3624, The Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012.

    Passed S.3625, a bill to change the effective date for the internet publication of certain information to prevent harm to the national security or endangering the military officers and civilian employees to whom the publication requirement applies, and for other purposes.

    Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.448: recognizing the 100th anniversary of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

    Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.472, designating October 7, 2012, as “Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans Day” with an Enzi amendment.

    Discharged the Commerce Committee and adopted S.Res.558, A resolution congratulating the athletes from the State of Nevada and throughout the United States who participated in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as members of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

    Discharged the HELP Committee and adopted S.Res.555, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of “National Retirement Week”, including raising public awareness of the various tax-preferred retirement vehicles and increasing personal financial literacy.

    Discharged the Indian Affairs Committee and adopted S.Res.561, a resolution recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.

    Adopted S.Res.576, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act.

    Adopted S.Res.577, honoring the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.

    Adopted S.Res.578, Supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, 2012

    Adopted S.Res.579, designating the week of September 24 through September 28, 2012, as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week”.

    Adopted S.Res.580, designating October 14, 2012, as “National Wildlife Refuge Week”.

    Adopted S.Res.581, designating October 26, 2012, as “Day of the Deployed”.

    Adopted S.Res.582, recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and immense contributions of Latinos to the United States.

    Adopted S.Res.583, designating September 2012, as “National Preparedness Month”.

    Adopted S.Res.584, designating October 4, 2012, as “Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day”.

    Adopted S.Res.585, Recognizing the extraordinary history and heritage of the State of New Mexico, and honoring and commending the State of New Mexico and its people on its centennial anniversary.

    Adopted S.Res.586, expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month of 2012.

    Adopted S.Res.587, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of “Lights On Afterschool”, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 18, 2012.

    Adopted S.Res.588, Commending the 4 American public servants who died in Benghazi, Libya, United States Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, for their tireless efforts on behalf of the American people, and condemning the violent attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi.

    Adopted S.Res.589, designating November 24, 2012, as “Small Business Saturday” and supporting efforts to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses.

    Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3607, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. (Hoeven)

    EXECUTIVE ITEMS

    Confirmed the following:

    all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Navy, and Public Health Service

    AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Executive Calendar #456 Albert DiClemente – to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years

    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

    Executive Calendar #714 Heidi Shyu, of California, to be Assistant Secretary of the Army

    AIR FORCE

    Executive Calendar #880 to be Lieutenant General—Maj. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan

    Executive Calendar #881 to be Brigadier General—Col. Jon A. Weeks

    Executive Calendar #882 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller

    Executive Calendar #883 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Donald P. Dunbar

    Executive Calendar #884 to be Brigadier General—Col. Gerard F. Bolduc, Jr.

    Executive Calendar #885 to be Brigadier General—Col. Matthew P. Jamison

    ARMY

    Executive Calendar #886 to be Brigadier General—Colonel David O. Smith

    Executive Calendar #887 to be Brigadier General—Michaelene A. Kloster

    Executive Calendar #888 to be Brigadier General—Col. Garrett S. Yee

    Executive Calendar #889 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst

    Executive Calendar #890 to be Major General—

    Brig. Gen. Judd H. Lyons;

    Brig. Gen. Lee E. Tafanelli

    Executive Calendar #891 to be Major General—

    Brig. Gen. Kendall W. Penn;

    to be Brigadier General;

    Col. Keith A. Klemmer

    Executive Calendar #892 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Michael R. Smith

    Executive Calendar #893 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. David J. Conboy

    Executive Calendar #894 to be Lieutenant General—Maj. Gen. Frederick B. Hodges

    Executive Calendar #895 to be Lieutenant General—Maj. Gen. Mark S. Bowman

    Executive Calendar #896 to be Brigadier General—Col. Ural D. Glanville

    NAVY

    Executive Calendar #897 to be Vice Admiral—Rear Adm. (lh) James D. Syring

    DEPARTMENT OF STATE

    Executive Calendar #898 Sharon English Woods Villarosa—to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Mauritius, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Seychelles.

    Executive Calendar #899 Dawn M. Liberi—to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Burundi

    Executive Calendar #900 Stephen D. Mull—to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Poland.

    Executive Calendar #901 Walter North—to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Papua New Guinea, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Solomon Islands and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Vanuatu.

    Executive Calendar #902 Richard G. Olson—to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

    Executive Calendar #903 Joseph E. Macmanus—to be Representative of the United States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.

    Executive Calendar #904 Joseph E. Macmanus—to be Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the rank of Ambassador.

    Executive Calendar #905 John Hardy Isakson—to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

    Executive Calendar #906 Patrick J. Leahy—to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

    DEPARTMENT OF STATE

    Executive Calendar #907 For the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period—

    William R. Brownfield

    Kristie Anne Kenney

    Thomas Alfred Shannon, Jr.

    NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

    Executive Calendar #908 Emil J. Kang – to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018

    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

    Executive Calendar #910 Kevin K. Washburn – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior

    Discharged the Commerce Committee and confirmed:

    PN1958 – Kenneth T. Boyd to be Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard

    Discharged the Foreign Relations committee and confirmed:

    PN1879, Foreign Service nominations beginning with Michael Lewis and ending with Carolyn Shuckerow

    PN1880, Foreign Service nominations beginning with Bridget C. Bittle and ending with David J. Zanni

    PN1923, Robert Stephen Beecroft, of California, to be Ambassador to the republic of Iraq.

    Confirmed Executive Calendar #674 Gonzalo P. Curiel—US District Judge for the Southern District of California by voice vote

    Confirmed Executive Calendar #675 Robert J. Shelby—US District Judge for the District of Utah by voice vote

    The Senate Convenes on November 13, 2012

     

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 http://www.houselive.gov/

The meeting in the House began at 9amET September 21, 2012

House hearings schedule is below

9:00 am Hearing: DHS Acquisition Management Challenges: Solutions for Saving Taxpayer DollarsCommittee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
9:30 am Hearing: Chairman Herger Announces Hearing on  Medicare Health PlansCommittee on Ways and Means: Subcommittee on Health
9:30 am Hearing: Hearing entitled “The Price of Money: Consequences of the Federal Reserve’s Zero Interest Rate Policy” Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology
9:30 am Hearing: The LightSquared Network: An Investigation of the FCC’s RoleCommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
10:00 am Hearing: Breaking Through the Backlog: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the New State Strike Force TeamCommittee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Elizabeth Warren for Senate : Massachusetts


Sep 18, 2012 by    

http://www.elizabethwarren.com

Like a lot of you, I came up in a family that worked hard and I’ve spent years fighting for working people.

I wasn’t looking to run for office but I see how Washington‘s rigged for the big guys:  oil companies, billionaires, and I can’t stand by. My fight’s for our families, for a level playing field. Scott Brown‘s not a bad guy, he doesn’t always vote the wrong way. But too often, on things that really matter, he’s not with you. With almost a quarter of a million people out of work in Massachusetts, Scott Brown voted against three of President Obama’s jobs bills. He voted against making millionaires pay the same tax rate as working families. And he voted to give more than 20 billion dollars in subsidies to the big oil companies. Kids are drowning in student loans, roads need repair, the deficit is sky high, and Scott Brown’s voting for giveaways to big oil? I wouldn’t do that. I’m Elizabeth Warren and I approve this message. I’d be in there fighting for you, not some of the time — all of the time.

Why We Vote: Obama Rescinds Controversial Bush “Conscience Clause”


 

Care2

Why We Vote: Obama Rescinds Controversial Bush “Conscience Clause”

NOTE: This election will be decided on turnout.  We’ll be running posts from the past three and a half years to remind ourselves why we really do need to vote – and get our friends out too!

After two years of trying, the Obama administration finally succeeded, late last week, in rescinding the “conscience clause,” a federal regulation designed to protect pharmacists and health care workers who want to refuse to provide care based on moral or religious grounds. This often translated into pharmacists being able to deny their customers contraceptives or HIV medications, and health care workers refusing to perform in-vitro fertilizations for lesbians or single women. An ambulance driver in Chicago even rejected a woman’s need for transportation for abortion, and there were reports of drugstore workers refusing to sell condoms to men they perceived to be gay.

The new rule only leaves space, which is far less controversial, for doctors and nurses who conscientiously refuse to perform abortions or sterilizations. Health care workers who feel that their rights have been violated can also file complaints.

As the Washington Post points out, this is likely to spark intense debate, especially since Republican legislators are trying to ensconce these regulations in law. The Bush regulation, which was put in place in the last days of his presidency, would have cut off federal funding to institutions that did not comply with these conscience rules. One of the most commonly cited objections to the regulation was that the rules extended far beyond health care workers, allowing receptionists to refuse to make appointments for abortions and janitors to decline to clean up operating rooms where abortions were performed.

This is a clear victory for women’s ability to access abortion, and more generally for people to gain access to contraceptives, HIV medications, and other procedures to which some may morally object.

“Without the rescission of this regulation, we would see tremendous discrimination against patients based on their behavior and based just on who they are,” said Susan Berke Fogel of the National Health Law Program, an advocacy group based in the District. “We would see real people suffer, and more women could die.”

But some Republicans are, clearly, eager to undermine this step forward.  We will continue to watch what happens in Congress, and keep you posted on future choice victories or encroachments on women’s rights.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/obama-administration-rescinds-controversial-bush-conscience-clause.html#ixzz26APFFkcP

 

Voter ID


Republicans are working hard to suppress your vote. Mitt Romney and Paul RyanCan you contribute $12 today to the Emergency Black Voter Fund? Join Us

 

Last week 2,260 delegates from all 50 states elected Mitt Romney to represent their party in this election. Yet at the same time the Republican party is talking about freedom and American values, it is doing everything it can to make it harder for Black folks to exercise their right to vote.1

In Ohio, Secretary of State Jon Husted has eliminated weekend access to polls, an option that was exercised by Black voters in past elections.2 In Pennsylvania, Republicans pushed through a law requiring specific forms of restrictive photo identification to vote, a constraint that systematically pushes Black and low-income voters out of the system.3 In Florida, Republican Gov. Rick Scott has overseen a sweeping voter purge that has erased hundreds – if not thousands – of lawful citizens from the voter rolls.4

That’s why we’re launching an Emergency Black Voter Fund. Can you chip in $12 a month until election day, to create a fighting fund to help make sure that these attacks on our right to vote don’t go unanswered. Can you spare $12 a month?

http://act.colorofchange.org/pledge/emergency_recur_donate

With your help we will register thousands of new Black voters and prepare them to have everything they need to vote on Election Day. We will also launch rapid response media campaigns in key states like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio to fight back against conservative attempts to make it harder for Black folks to vote.

The Republican machine has invested millions to keep us from voting.5 This will take significant resources, which is why we don’t have a minute to lose. We need your help to get these plans off the ground. Can you chip in $12 a month from now until election day to help turn these plans into reality?

http://act.colorofchange.org/pledge/emergency_recur_donate

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, Dani, Matt, Arisha, Charlene and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team     September 1st, 2012

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. “Republicans Boast About Voter Suppression in Tampa, but the Ground Is Shifting,” The Nation (Blog), 08-29-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1759?t=7&akid=2614.1174326.U3rkmV

2. “Equal voting processes for Ohio counties may still be unfair for voters,” WKSU, 08-16-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1703?t=9&akid=2614.1174326.U3rkmV

3. “Shocker: PA Judge Upholds Voter Disenfranchisement Law, Setting Up Chaos Like 2004 in Ohio,” AlterNet, 08-15-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1760?t=11&akid=2614.1174326.U3rkmV

4. “How Governor Rick Scott Is Preventing Eligible U.S. Citizens From Voting In Florida,” ThinkProgress, 05-23-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1761?t=13&akid=2614.1174326.U3rkmV

5. “Many states’ voter-ID laws, including Pennsylvania’s, appear to have tie to same U.S. group,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 08-15-12 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1762?t=15&akid=2614.1174326.U3rkmV