Tag Archives: Senate

Help Make History!
Take Action for Indigenous Rights in Brazil!

Last week, courageous indigenous leader Mayalú Txucarramãe shared her concerns about threats to the Kayapó people and the Xingu Basin due to construction of the Belo Monte dam and recent attacks on indigenous peoples’ rights in Brazil. This week she joins her family and thousands of indigenous people from throughout Brazil in a national mobilization in defense of their constitutional rights. Take action today to show your support!

In response to a widespread attack on indigenous peoples’ rights and territories by the Brazilian Congress backed by agribusiness, mining and energy interests, Brazil’s National Indigenous Association (APIB) has called for a national mobilization until October 5th, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Brazilian Constitution guaranteeing the rights of indigenous peoples.

Let’s make sure that these rights are guaranteed.
Take action today to show your support!

The Brazilian Congress is about to consider proposals that would eliminate indigenous rights to resources in cases of “relevant public interest” and to reduce protections to indigenous territories and stop any new demarcations. This means more dams, mining and agribusiness expansion – not good for the Amazon, not good for people like Mayalú who live there…not good for me or for you living on this planet that we share.

Indigenous peoples are marching in cities across Brazil this week, meeting with congressional representatives and holding press conferences in defense of their rights and territories throughout the Amazon and beyond. Amazon Watch is on the ground with them. Wherever you are, won’t you join us?

Stand with Mayalú and indigenous peoples throughout Brazil by sending a message to President Rousseff today!

For indigenous rights and the Amazon,

Leila Salazar-Lopez
Program Director

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We won! Pregnancy Discrimination Bill Is Signed Into Law

10/04/2013 Nativegrl77

abetterbalance.org

Dina Bakst stands behind Mayor Bloomberg as he signs the bill into law

Dear Friend,

Today, Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the New York City Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into law! This victory, which will have a profound impact on the health and economic well-being of NYC women and families would not have been possible without your unwavering support. This victory brings us one step closer on the road to justice and equality!

A Better Balance worked with legislators to draft the bill, which was inspired by Co-Founder & Co-President Dina Bakst’s New York Times Op-Ed. The law will ensure that pregnant women and new mothers in New York City are not pushed off the job just because they need a reasonable accommodation in order to stay healthy. Thank you for your support as we move forward in our efforts to enforce this law and strengthen pregnancy discrimination laws around the country.

With much appreciation,

The ABB Team: Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Risha, Liz, and Rachel

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 10/3 the House

10/03/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:30am on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 30 minutes.

Floor Updates

This morning Republican senators asked unanimous consent to take up and pass several individual funding resolutions and one continuing appropriations bill. In each case, there was a Democratic counter offer to modify the request to amend the applicable continuing resolution or bill to include an amendment that would fund the rest of the federal government. Republicans objected to each request to modify and there was an objection to the original request.

Republican unanimous consent requests

Senator Cornyn asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.70, making continuing appropriations for National Park operations, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for fiscal year 2014. (Reid counteroffer and objection)

Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.72, making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014. (Reid counter offer and objection)

Senator Blunt asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.73, making continuing appropriations for the National Institute of Health for fiscal year 2014. (Durbin counter offer and objection)

Senator Thune asked unanimous consent that when the Senate receives H.R.3230, the Senate take up and pass and H.R.3230, making continuing appropriations during a Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve component of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period. (Durbin counteroffer objection)

Democratic Counteroffer

I ask consent that the request be modified as follows:

That an amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, then be read a third time and passed; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. This amendment is the text that passed the Senate and is a clean continuing resolution for the entire government and is something that is already over in the House and reportedly has the support of a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives.

Senator Lee asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.72, making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014. Senator Murphy asked that the request be modified to include a clean continuing resolution amendment. Senator Lee objected to the proposed modification and Senator Murphy objected to the original request.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.228, a resolution authorizing the reporting of committee funding resolutions for the period October 1, 2013 through February 28, 2015.

Adopted S.Res.253, a resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014; and October 14, 2014 through February 28, 2015.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

************************************************************************

Last Floor Action:
9:33:32 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 3, 2013.

10:00:39 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:47 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Gregg Harper to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:57 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:45:58 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3233.
11:46:11 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with further Morning-Hour Debate.
11:50:24 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
12:00:18 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 3.
12:00:21 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.
12:02:01 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Doyle to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:19 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.
12:42:09 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period.”
12:42:14 P.M.	H.R. 3230	The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 70, H.J. Res. 71, H.J. Res. 72, H.J. Res. 73, and H.R. 3230. The resolution provides for 30 minutes of debate on each measure and provides for one motion to recommit each measure. The resolution also provides that it shall be in order at any time through the calendar day of October 6, 2013, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules.
12:42:53 P.M.	H.R. 3230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on H.R. 3230.
1:14:13 P.M.	H.R. 3230	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
1:14:35 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Enyart moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
1:15:01 P.M.	H.R. 3230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Enyart motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, pending reservation of a point of order. The amendment would replace the underlying bill with the Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014, ending the Republican Government Shutdown, funding the federal government at $986 billion until November 15, 2013, and providing lawmakers the opportunity to reach an agreement on a long-term budget.
1:20:10 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Young (FL) raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Young stated that the amendment was not germane to the underlying bill. Sustained by the Chair.
1:20:55 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Enyart moved to appeal of the ruling of the chair.
1:21:37 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Young (FL) moved to table the motion to appeal of the ruling of the chair
1:50:07 P.M.	H.R. 3230	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 194 (Roll no. 515).
1:59:11 P.M.	H.R. 3230	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 265 – 160 (Roll no. 516).
1:59:12 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:59:59 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 370. H.J. Res. 72 — “Making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
2:00:04 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 70, H.J. Res. 71, H.J. Res. 72, H.J. Res. 73, and H.R. 3230. The resolution provides for 30 minutes of debate on each measure and provides for one motion to recommit each measure. The resolution also provides that it shall be in order at any time through the calendar day of October 6, 2013, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules.
2:02:56 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 72.
2:22:28 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

« Previous Day

3:30:29 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 3.
3:30:30 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in honor of those injured today during the incident near the Capitol.
3:32:18 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	DEBATE – The House resumed with debate on H.J. Res. 72.

3:57:46 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:58:15 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Ms. Duckworth moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
3:59:28 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duckworth motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, pending reservation of a point of order. The amendment would replace the underlying bill with the Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 59.
3:59:30 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Mr. Culberson raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Culberson stated that the provisions of the proposed amendment are not germane Sustained by the Chair.
4:05:15 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Ms. Duckworth appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
4:05:24 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Mr. Culberson moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
4:36:12 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 193 (Roll no. 517).
4:49:21 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 – 157 (Roll no. 518).
4:49:22 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:49:42 P.M.		Mr. LaMalfa asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Thursday, October 3, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2013 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
4:50:36 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

6:58:40 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

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It’s Time to #GetCovered

10/02/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Obamacare is Open for Business

Today marks a huge milestone in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Health insurance marketplaces opened this morning and millions of Americans, many of whom are currently uninsured and may never before have had access to coverage, began shopping for a quality, affordable health plan.

CREDIT: Healthcare.gov

In fact, President Obama said today that interest in the insurance marketplaces had exceeded all expectations. While this enormous amount of interest has led to some glitches (which the president said officials were working to address as quickly as possible), things are moving along in states across the country:

National website: A senior Obama administration official reported that just three hours after Obamacare’s open enrollment period launched, the national Healthcare.gov site had one million visitors. That’s five times more users on the site than the number of users who have ever visitedMedicare.gov at the same time.

California: The Golden State celebrated its first Obamacare enrollee at8:45 am Pacific Standard Time. Since then, state residents have tweetedthat they’re “impressed” with how easy it is to use the exchange’s app, and the site is “working like a charm for Californians.”

Colorado: In Colorado, the exchange site opened for business at 8:00 am Mountain Standard Time. Three hours later, state officials hadcompleted the first enrollments and the site had logged over 34,500 unique visitors.

Connecticut: Despite a few initial glitches with its website, Connecticut signed up its first Obamacare enrollee by 9:30 am. And at that point, 764 other people had active applications for the state’s exchange. “For a site that’s been up for 25 minutes, it’s not bad,” the CEO of Connecticut’s new insurance marketplace, Kevin Counihan, noted. By about 11:30 am, the state had logged 10,000 visitors to its website. By about 2:00 pm, state officials reported that they had fielded 17,000 phone calls from residents and enrolled 44 people for coverage.

District of Columbia: DC’s exchange opened for business at 8:00 am. By noon, about 1,500 DC residents had created accounts, according to a spokesperson for the exchange. Creating an account is the first step for people who want to shop for coverage and eventually buy a new plan under Obamacare. The District hasn’t yet experienced any issues with its website.

Florida: MSNBC reports that community health care clinics in Orlando are experiencing long lines as low-income people are visiting to learn more about their options under Obamacare. The CEO of a community clinic in Miami that primarily services uninsured Floridians told MSNBC that Tuesday represents a “new day” for low-income patients who can now gain affordable coverage.

Illinois: By noon on Tuesday, more than 42,000 people had visited the website for Illinois’ exchange.

Kentucky: Kentucky is the only Southern state that’s chosen to participate fully in health care reform by both expanding Medicaid and operating a state-level exchange. So far, it’s paying off. Between midnight and 10:30 am on Tuesday, Kentucky’s website had more than 24,000 visitors. The employees working to manage the exchange processedmore than 1,000 applications for health insurance by 9:30 am.

New York: In the first two hours that New York’s exchange website was open to the public, 2 million people visited the site. That’s a huge chunk of the population that stands to benefit from Obamacare. Approximately 2.6 million New York residents are currently uninsured, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Rhode Island: After Kaiser Health News solicited feedback from people trying to sign up for Obamacare, a Rhode Island resident responded with a positive experience. “Rhode Island site working fine. So many choices at so many price points! Something 4 everyone. I’m ecstatic,” Annabelle Leigh tweeted.

Virginia: Paula Thornhill, a 31-year-old mother of seven, was the first person to apply for a new plan in Prince George’s County. Her husband has health insurance through his job, but they couldn’t afford to pay the extra premium costs to cover her as well. “I’m relieved that they did come out with this affordable health care,” she told the Washington Post. “I’m relieved.”

All of this comes in spite of the GOP’s multi-year effort to derail, delay and destroy Obamacare, which has now culminated in Republicans shutting down the federal government in a spiteful and desperate bid to stop millions of Americans from gaining the security of quality, affordable health care.

Want to get in on the Obamacare party? Here’s four things you can do right now:

Visit HealthCare.gov: This is the central hub for all things health care and will help you locate more information and sign up for coverage through one of the new marketplaces. As President Obama said today, check it out and “then show it to your family and your friends and help them get covered, just like mayors and churches and community groups and companies are already fanning out to do across the country.”

Call the Obamacare hotline: Trained counselors are standing by at1-800-318-2596 and can help callers in more than 150 different languages.

Help educate yourself and your friends, family and coworkers:ThinkProgress put together 20 questions you have about Obamacare and are afraid to ask. Find answers to your own questions and then share this post on Facebook and Twitter.

Show your support on social media: Visit GetCoveredAmerica.organd change your avatar on Twitter or your profile picture on Facebook to help spread the word that Obamacare is open for business and it’s time to #GetCovered.

BOTTOM LINE: Obamacare is the law of the land, isn’t going anywhere, and is working. Republicans may have closed down the government but the Obamacare insurance marketplaces are open for business and it’s time to get covered.