Tag Archives: Robert Wilkins

What would President Truman say about this Congress?


The White House, Washington

Hello, all —

A group of extreme Republicans in Congress have opposed the President’s legislative agenda at every turn. That’s no secret.

But the 113th Congress‘ obstruction is reaching new levels.

Right now, our lawmakers are in a position to take action on multiple national measures that would help our economy and millions of Americans. That’s not an exaggeration: They could vote tomorrow. And they should.

We’ve put together a short list: Things the 113th Congress could vote on right now. Spread the word and pass this on.

Consider this for a second. If our current Congress simply scheduled a vote on pressing national issues, we could:

Fix our broken immigration system. This past June, the Senate passed a bill to ensure everyone plays by the same rules and we grow our economy. Multiple reports confirm that there are enough votes in the House to get it done. And still: No vote.

End workplace discrimination for millions of LGBT Americans once and for all. This isn’t difficult: Nobody should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would make it illegal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and it passed the Senate earlier this year. Once again, no vote in the House.

Confirm a leader of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The housing market is coming back, but we can do more to help responsible homeowners. Congressman Mel Watt, the President’s nominee, was endorsed by Senators on both sides of the aisle. And yet, at a critical time for the housing industry, when we’re working to implement the rules that will prevent another “too big to fail,” Senate Republicans used the filibuster to block his nomination.

Confirm three well-qualified judges to fill long-standing vacancies on the federal D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Cornelia Pillard, Robert Wilkins and Patricia Millett were all selected by the President as nominees for this critical court. Once again, one by one, Senate Republicans blocked each nomination.

And that’s just to name a few.

In the 1940s, President Harry Truman notoriously dubbed the 80th Congress the “Do-Nothing Congress.” And yet, even they managed to enact 906 laws, including the Marshall Plan, and the piece of legislation that created the Department of Defense and the National Security Council. It’s time for the current Congress to match up a little more favorably.

Remember: They can still allow these incredibly important measures to come to a vote.

It’s time for this obstruction to come to an end, and for Republicans in Congress to start doing their jobs:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/the-113th-could-vote-right-now

David

David Simas Deputy Senior Advisor The White House @Simas44

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/18 ~~ the House


matthew 25

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, November 18, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 For the information of all Senators, cloture was filed on the following items on Thursday, November 14th:

–       Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

–       H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act; and

–       Motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

 The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to H.R.3204,the Drug Quality and Security Act is 3:00pm on Monday. The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to H.R.3204 is 4:00pm on Monday.

 At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Robert Wilkins to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

 At 5:30pm, there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on the Wilkins nomination

If cloture is not invoked on the Wilkins nomination,

2)      Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act

If cloture is invoked on H.R.3204,

3)      Passage of H.R.3204

Upon disposition of H.R.3204,

4)      Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act.

After the Senate convened today, Senator Reid withdrew the cloture motion on H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act, and the pending motion and amendments. Then the Senate passed H.R.3204 by voice vote.

 As a result, there will only be up to 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm tonight. Those votes would be on the following motions:

 – Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; (if cloture is not invoked, then immediately proceed to the next vote)

–       Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Not Invoked: 53-38

Senator Reid changed his vote to no (for procedural reasons) and then entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote on the Wilkins nomination.

6:15pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act;

Invoked: 91-0

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent the first amendments in order to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act, be the following:

–       Republican Leader, or designees (Guantanamo)

–       Democratic side-by-side (Guantanamo)

–       Gillibrand, or designee (sexual assault)

–       McCaskill-Ayotte (sexual assault)

That no second degree amendments be in order and each amendment be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold. That each side by side be voted on prior to the amendment to which they were offered. That no motions to recommit be in order during the consideration of the bill. Finally, that upon disposition of the amendments, the majority Leader be recognized.

Senator Inhofe objected.

All post-cloture debate time was then yielded back, the Senate adopted the motion to proceed by voice vote, and Senator Reid offered the following amendments:

Reid for Levin amendment #2123 (increase to $5 billion ceiling on general transfer authority of DoD)

Reid for Levin amendment #2124 to #2123 (technical)

Reid motion to recommit S.1197, with instructions (amendment #2125) (date change)

Reid amendment #2126 to #2125 (date change)

Reid amendment #2127 to #2126 (date change)

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 8pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar ##381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Not Invoked: 53-38-1 present

2)      Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act; Invoked: 91-0

Additional LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.165, calling for the release from prison of former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko in light of the recent European Court of Human Rights Ruling with committee-reported substitute amendments to resolution and the preamble.

Passed S.1545, a bill to extend authorities related to global HIV/AIDS and to promote oversight of United States programs with committee-reported amendments and a Corker-Menendez amendment.

Discharged the Veterans’ Affairs committee and passed S.1471, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the Army to reconsider decisions to inter or honor the memory of a person in a national cemetery, and for other purposes with a Sanders amendment.

Adopted S.Res.298, a resolution to authorize testimony, documents, and representation in the United States v. Allen.

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

=======================================

Last Floor Action:
8:43:15 P.M. – The House received a
message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1545 and S. 1471.

Last Floor Action:11/15
2:34:57 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00
p.m. on November 18, 2013.

===================================================

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/15~~ the House


 Check out to see if your member of Congress voted with Republicans

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll587.xml

EmptyhouseChamber

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, November 18, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

For the information of all Senators, cloture was filed on the following items on Thursday, November 14th:

–       Executive Calendar #381, the nomination of Robert Leon Wilkins, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

–       H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act; and

–       Motion to proceed to S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to H.R.3204,the Drug Quality and Security Act is 3:00pm on Monday. The filing deadline for all second degree amendments to H.R.3204 is 4:00pm on Monday.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Robert Wilkins to be US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

At 5:30pm, there will be up to 4 roll call votes:

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on the Wilkins nomination

If cloture is not invoked on the Wilkins nomination,

2)      Motion to invoke cloture on H.R.3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act

If cloture is invoked on H.R.3204,

3)      Passage of H.R.3204

Upon disposition of H.R.3204,

4)      Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act.

==================================

Last Floor Action:
1:36:42 P.M. – On approving the Journal
Agreed to by voice vote.

Last Floor Action:
9:15:32 A.M. -H. Res. 413
DEBATE – The
House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 413.

Final vote on RepFredUpton’s bill http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll587.xml

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 18, 2013.

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