Tag Archives: Senate

CONGRESS – the Republican led House : Congress will do only about 8days of work prior to Election2012 : the Senate led by Dems

09/10/2012 Nativegrl77

If the Senate receives a message from the House that it has adopted S.Con.Res.59, providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives, the pro forma sessions above will not occur and the Senate will adjourn until 2:00pm on Monday, September 10, 2012.

the Senate Convenes: 2:00pm

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
At 4:55pm, there will be a moment of silence for the 40th anniversary of the Munich Olympics massacre.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #664, the nomination of Stephanie Marie Rose, of IA, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Rose nomination.
As a reminder, on Thursday, August 2^nd, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3457, the Vets Jobs Corps Act. The cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.3457 will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Stephanie Marie Rose, of Iowa, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Stephanie Marie Rose, of Iowa, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa; Confirmed: 89-1

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #664, the nomination of Stephanie Marie Rose, of IA, to be United States District judge for the Southern District of Iowa; Confirmed: 89-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Star printed the committee report to accompany S.3521, the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.8, the Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012. (Republican request)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3522, the Responsible Homeowner Refinancing Act of 2012. (Menendez and others)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012. (Tester)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3519, the Pay for Printing Act (DeMint).

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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House hearings for Today …

2:00 pm	Hearing: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 6040 and H.R. 6147Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
5:00 pm	Hearing: H.R. 5949-FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012Committee on Rules: Full Committee
5:00 pm	Hearing: H.R. 5544-Minnesota Education Investment and Employment ActCommittee on Rules: Full Committee

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 10, 2012.

http://www.houselive.gov/

2:00:32 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:39 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:58 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:23 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:27 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:28 P.M.		The House received a communication from Representative Cardoza wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective at 12:00 a.m. on August 15, 2012.
2:03:47 P.M.		ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from California, Mr. Cardoza, the whole number of the House is 430.
2:03:48 P.M.		The House received a communication from Ilene Jenofsky, District Director, Office of Rep. Brady (PA). Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Jenofsky notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena for testimony issued by the Philadelphia Municipal Court, Criminal Division and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and precedents of the House.
2:03:49 P.M.		The House received a communication from Warren Raines, Constituent Services Representative, Office of Rep. Brady (PA). Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Raines notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena for testimony issued by the Philadelphia Municipal Court, Criminal Division and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and precedents of the House.
2:05:00 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.
4:00:11 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 10.
4:00:17 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:01:19 P.M.	H.R. 3397	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3397 — “To modify the Forest Service Recreation Residence Program by implementing a simple, equitable, and predictable procedure for determining cabin user fees, and for other purposes.”
4:01:35 P.M.	H.R. 3397	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:01:36 P.M.	H.R. 3397	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3397.
4:06:22 P.M.	H.R. 3397	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:06:26 P.M.	H.R. 3397	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:07:04 P.M.	H.R. 2706	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2706 — “To prohibit the sale of billfish.”
4:07:17 P.M.	H.R. 2706	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:07:18 P.M.	H.R. 2706	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2706.
4:13:26 P.M.	H.R. 2706	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:13:28 P.M.	H.R. 2706	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:14:09 P.M.	H.R. 6007	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 6007 — “To exempt from the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 certain water transfers by the North Texas Municipal Water District and the Greater Texoma Utility Authority.”
4:14:49 P.M.	H.R. 6007	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:14:50 P.M.	H.R. 6007	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6007.
4:25:53 P.M.	H.R. 6007	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:25:55 P.M.	H.R. 6007	>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:26:08 P.M.	H.R. 2489	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2489 — “To authorize the acquisition and protection of nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 under the American Battlefield Protection Program.”
4:26:22 P.M.	H.R. 2489	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:26:23 P.M.	H.R. 2489	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2489.
4:34:33 P.M.	H.R. 2489	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:34:44 P.M.	H.R. 2489	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:36:02 P.M.	H.R. 6186	Mrs. Biggert moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6186 — “To require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program, and for other purposes.”
4:36:24 P.M.	H.R. 6186	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:36:25 P.M.	H.R. 6186	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6186.
4:43:35 P.M.	H.R. 6186	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:44:13 P.M.	H.R. 4264	Mrs. Biggert moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4264 — “To help ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes.”
4:44:25 P.M.	H.R. 4264	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:44:26 P.M.	H.R. 4264	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4264.
4:47:50 P.M.	H.R. 4264	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:48:05 P.M.	H.R. 2139	Mr. Dold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2139 — “To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs International.”
4:48:18 P.M.	H.R. 2139	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:48:19 P.M.	H.R. 2139	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2139.
4:55:33 P.M.	H.R. 2139	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:56:39 P.M.	H.R. 6122	>Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6122 — “To revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes.”
4:56:55 P.M.	H.R. 6122	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:56:57 P.M.	H.R. 6122	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6122.
4:59:54 P.M.	H.R. 6122	>At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:00:11 P.M.	H.R. 406	Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 406 — “To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate an individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the event of the death of the candidate.”
5:00:19 P.M.	H.R. 406	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:00:21 P.M.	H.R. 406	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 406.
5:06:54 P.M.	H.R. 406	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:06:57 P.M.	H.R. 406	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:07:30 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 132	Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 132 — “Providing funding to ensure the printing and production of the authorized number of copies of the revised and updated version of the House document entitled “Hispanic Americans in Congress”, and for other purposes.”
5:07:40 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 132	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:07:42 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 132	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 132.
5:13:24 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 132	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
5:13:49 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 132	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:15:00 P.M.	H.R. 6336	Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 6336 — “To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to accept a statue depicting Frederick Douglass from the District of Columbia and to provide for the permanent display of the statue in Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center.”
5:15:04 P.M.	H.R. 6336	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:15:05 P.M.	H.R. 6336	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6336.
5:21:30 P.M.	H.R. 6336	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:21:34 P.M.	H.R. 6336	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:21:40 P.M.	H.R. 6336	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
5:21:49 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m.
6:30:20 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 10.
6:30:33 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 773.
6:31:21 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:32:13 P.M.	H.R. 6122	>Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6122 — “To revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes.”
6:57:26 P.M.	H.R. 6122	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 377 – 0 (Roll no. 557).
6:57:27 P.M.	H.R. 6122	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:57:35 P.M.	H.R. 2139	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2139 — “To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs International.”
7:04:12 P.M.	H.R. 2139	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 2, 1 Present (Roll no. 558).
7:04:13 P.M.	H.R. 2139	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:04:22 P.M.	H.R. 6186	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6186 — “To require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program, and for other purposes.”
7:10:42 P.M.	H.R. 6186	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 – 11 (Roll no. 559).
7:10:48 P.M.	H.R. 6186	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:14:07 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
8:54:54 P.M.		Mrs. Roby moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:54:56 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:54:58 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on September 11, 2012.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

09/04/2012 Nativegrl77

Sep 3, 2012 by whitehouseforsenate

Watch our first TV ad, share the video with your friends, and join our campaign at whitehouseforsenate.com

“Over the last few years, Rhode Islanders have shown tremendous perseverance through some very difficult times. The courage of good people all across our state inspires me every day.
This video tells the story of a few individuals who have overcome so much to keep jobs in our state, hold on to their homes, deal with difficult health issues and to earn the Medicare and Social Security they depend on today. They represent the struggles and concerns of so many Rhode Islanders.
It’s stories like these that make me fight so hard for the things that matter most to our middle class families in the Senate,” U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

To join our campaign, sign up at http://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/RIstories

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Act Now to End the Federal Judicial Crisis

08/23/2012 Nativegrl77

With all of the attention on the presidential and congressional elections right now, it can be easy to forget that there’s a third branch of government. But the judicial branch is just as important – and it needs our help.

Our constitutional rights and individual liberties are protected by a strong and effective judiciary. But our courts are in crisis because of the “judicial emergency” created by vacancies in courtrooms nationwide. Why? Because an average of 1 out of every 10 judicial seats is vacant nationwide.

Ask your senators to help protect our freedoms by moving forward with judicial confirmations!

A strong judiciary is critical to American women. Not only can the federal courts be a shield for civil rights laws like Title IX and the Equal Pay Act, but they’re also often the last, best hope for women who have experienced discrimination in education, employment, health care, and in other aspects of their lives. Yet with the Senate dragging its heels, we’ve got 32 federal courts in a state of “judicial emergency,” which means there are far too few judges to keep up with all the cases. Half of these courts have pending nominees – but the Senate still hasn’t acted to fill those vacancies.

Furthermore, the slow confirmation process is also affecting the diversity of the courts. While President Obama has nominated an impressive number of women and people of color for the bench, that’s only half the battle. The only way to increase the diversity of the judiciary is for the Senate to confirm qualified nominees. Of the 32 nominees pending before the Senate, 19 of them are women or people of color. This is not acceptable.

To be sure, President Obama has not been nominating people to fill the vacancies as quickly as he could – and AAUW has told him that. But the fact remains that there are 32 nominees, 22 of whom have already been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, that the Senate could confirm when it returns from recess next month.

So that’s why we need you to send a message to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Ask your senators to urge Sens. Reid and McConnell to quickly call for confirmation of the federal judicial nominees from your state and move all consensus nominations to the Senate floor immediately for confirmation.

The vacancy crisis can have an easy solution, but we need your help. To send a letter to your senators, click the “Take Action” link or visit AAUW’s Two-Minute Activist.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House H.R.4240 for 5minutes – the Senate in Pro Forma Sessions

08/07/2012 Nativegrl77

Schedule for Pro Forma Sessions only, with no business conducted …

(note that beginning on Tuesday, August 7^th, the pro forma sessions will be held in Hart 216 while repairs are being made to the Senate Chamber)

– Friday, August 3rd at 10:15am

– Tuesday, August 7th at 11:00am

– Friday, August 10th at 11:00am

– Tuesday, August 14th at 2:30pm

– Friday, August 17th at 11:30am

– Tuesday, August 21st at 10:00am

– Friday, August 24th at 10:00am

– Tuesday, August 28th at 2:30pm

– Friday, August 31st at 11:30am

– Tuesday, September 4th at 11:30am and

– Friday, September 7th at 12:00pm

the Senate will adjourn until 2:00pm on Monday, September 10, 2012.

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10:00:38 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:53 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:42 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alan Keiran, Office of the United States Senate Chaplain.
10:02:14 A.M.		The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 747, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
10:02:18 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:44 A.M.	S. Con. Res. 59	Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 59 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives.”
10:03:59 A.M.	S. Con. Res. 59	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
10:04:15 A.M.	S. Con. Res. 59	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:04:16 A.M.	S. Con. Res. 58	Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 58 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 4240.”
10:04:30 A.M.	S. Con. Res. 58	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
10:04:36 A.M.	S. Con. Res. 58	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:05:10 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to S. Con. Res. 59. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 10, 2012.