Tag Archives: Senate

Cleaner Air:

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Let’s get this done!

Last month the Senate finally confirmed new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, and she has a lot of important work to do. That includes a clean-car plan that is widely supported by health groups, cities, enviros – even the auto industry.

With some minor changes to new cars, and cleaner gasoline that would add about a penny per gallon, this plan would remove the equivalent of 33 million polluting cars from our roads!

But Big Oil is digging in against it. They don’t want to make changes in their refineries, and they want your family to live with the consequences – dirtier air, dirtier environment.

Let’s show the new EPA Administrator that Americans support this common-sense plan. Send a quick email of support now, and show Big Oil that they don’t run our country!

Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

EPA needs to hear from you, not Big Oil!If Americans speak out in support of a plan that will clean up our gasoline and our air, we can beat back Big Oil. But we have to get this done by the end of the year. Tell the EPA’s new boss to approve it now!

The clock is ticking on a clean-car plan that will dramatically slash pollution in our cities – the equivalent of taking 33 million cars off our roads!

The Environmental Protection Agency has only four months to finalize a plan that would clean up our gasoline so it doesn’t emit so much pollution when it’s burned. And with a new EPA administrator now on board, we have a great opportunity to get it moving!

Of course, Big Oil is out in force trying to kill it. They don’t want to make needed changes in their refineries, and they expect you to live with the consequences – tens of thousands of more respiratory problems in kids and adults, and the resulting environmental problems.

Tell new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy you support the clean-car plan. She needs to hear from you, not just Big Oil.

While many of us would like a world without polluting cars, we’re just not there yet. But we can make a huge dent in pollution by cleaning up the gas our vehicles run on. The air near our roadways has high concentrations of particulates, ozone, carbon monoxide, lead and sulfur – over 50 percent of which come from vehicles.

This plan would add under a penny to a gallon of gas, and less than $150 to the cost of a new car in 2025. It’s widely backed by public health officials, cities, environmentalists – even the auto industry is on board.

But Big Oil is digging in! They’re hoping to run out the clock or get Congress to intervene and kill it. That’s why it’s so important EPA Administrator McCarthy finalizes the plan soon!

Send a quick email of support right now. It’s a common-sense way to clean our air and improve the environment.

If you have friends and family who would join you in action, please forward this email to them. Let’s show the new EPA director that Big Oil doesn’t run our country!

Sincerely, Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Consumers Union Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Republican Rebranding?

08/23/2013 Nativegrl77

a repost

GOP’s Outreach to Women, Minorities Found Wanting

As MSNBC’s Steve Benen noted, the GOP’s outreach to minorities has hit a rough patch — again. Check out this parade of outrageous stories — all from just today:

1.

Republican Congressman comes out as a birther:

Another congressman takes a stand against

President Obama

and his “phony” birth certificate.

2.

GOP Senate candidate tweets racist attack on African-American opponent Cory Booker:

The tweet, which has since been deleted, read “#breaking just leaked – Cory Booker’s foreign policy debate prep notes,” and included an image of the

city of Newark

divided up according to various ethnicities.

3.

POLITICO publishes op-ed from conservative citing junk science questioning the intelligence of Hispanics:

Why is a major publication publishing a piece suggesting white people are smarter than Hispanics?

4.

GOP Congressman and Senate candidate Tom Cotton in 1997: A woman’s ‘deepest hope in life’ is ‘being a good wife and mother’:

A woman’s “greatest fear in life” is losing a man’s support, Cotton wrote.

5.

Scott Walker appointee fired after he called undocumented immigrants ‘Satan’:

The third-highest ranking member of Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation sees “Satan” when he looks at undocumented people.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sneak peek —

08/08/2013 Nativegrl77

Union of Concerned Scientists

You’re the first to see this…

Because you took action on the Farm Bill, this video is a special sneak peek just for you.

Join us in creating a more healthful food and farm system by spreading the word.

…now share the video!

ACTION ALERT To Support Healthy Food, Share This Video Now!
You may have heard that the House passed a controversial version of the Farm Bill last month that excludes the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). It remains to be seen whether this bill can be reconciled with the Senate’s version passed earlier this year, but we are continuing to work to promote critical programs for healthy food and sustainable agriculture in the Farm Bill.
These programs stand a chance today because of YOU. Thank you for sending emails and making phone calls to improve the farm bill. To show my appreciation, I wanted to share with you a special sneak peek of our brand new video.
The video is a part of new analysis from UCS which presents even stronger evidence that shifting Farm Bill funding to fruits and vegetables—instead of ingredients used for processed foods—is vital for our health.
In fact, this video—which I’m emailing now only to our most active supporters—shows how our current food and farm policies like those in the Farm Bill are actually killing us.
We now only have 54 days left until the current Farm Bill expires—it is more important than ever to spread the word and change our nation’s policies to support healthy food.
Tell your friends about our video today!

Sincerely, Ashley Elles National Field Organizer Food & Environment Program Union of Concerned Scientists

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BREAKING: Leaders arrested for reform!

08/02/2013 Nativegrl77

Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America

I am furious. House Republicans continue to stall progress on immigration reform and a path to citizenship while our families continue to be ripped apart. We have been waiting for weeks for the House to follow the Senate’s lead and act. I am tired of being ignored – and I know I’m not the only one.

Call your member of Congress and tell them we will not be ignored! Our movement demands immigration reform with a path to citizenship now.

I know other leaders in the immigration reform fight are taking a stand — just hours ago, over 40 leaders were arrested in a major civil disobedience action in DC for comprehensive reform that creates a pathway to citizenship.

We are calling on the House of Representatives to stand up for immigrant communities and to move reform forward that will keep families together by creating a fair and attainable path to citizenship. United, we will not and cannot be ignored.

If they cannot hear us in DC then we will bring the fight home during their August recess: in their district offices, at town halls, at rallies in their hometowns, and all over social media.

If you are frustrated like I am then get loud with me. Click here to call your representative and demand action on immigration reform!

We cannot hold back anymore. The time is now to act. Thanks for all you do,

Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS out until 9/9 ~~ the House considers HR367,HR2009

08/02/2013 Nativegrl77

If the Senate receives a message that the House adopted S.Con.Res.22, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will convene for a pro forma session only on Monday, August 12^th at 12:00pm.

Executive nominations are automatically returned to the White House when the Senate is adjourned for 30 days or more.

Since unanimous consent was not reached to waive this requirement, this pro forma will occur in order to prevent those executive nominations from being returned.

If the House does not adopt S.Con.Res.22, the Senate will meet on the following dates and at the following times for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted:

– Friday, August 2^nd at 11:45am

– Tuesday, August 6^th at 10:30am

– Friday, August 9^th at 12:00pm

– Tuesday, August 13^th at 12:00pm

– Friday, August 16^th at 12:00pm

– Tuesday, August 20^th at 12:00pm

– Friday, August 23^rd at 12:00pm

– Tuesday, August 27^th at 9:00am

– Friday, August 30^th at 2:00pm

– Tuesday, September 3^rd at 9:15am and

– Friday, September 6^th at 5:00pm.

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, September 9, 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.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:

– Executive Calendar #184 Valerie E. Caproni – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

– Executive Calendar #185 Vernon S. Broderick – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

There will be up to 30 minutes of debate on the nomination equally divided and controlled in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations. Only roll call vote is expected Monday evening; one of the nominations is expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

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Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

9:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:18 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:36 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:39 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Shimkus to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:01 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:14:31 A.M.	H.R. 367	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 367 — “To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.”
9:14:42 A.M.	H.R. 367	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
9:15:06 A.M.	H.R. 367	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postopned.
9:42:50 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 437).
9:47:49 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Smith (MO) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 438).
9:51:52 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Latham amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 439).
9:55:00 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 440).
9:58:12 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 441).
10:01:43 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 442).
10:04:38 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Moore amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 443).
10:05:12 A.M.	H.R. 367	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 367.
10:05:38 A.M.	H.R. 367	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:05:49 A.M.	H.R. 367	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:07:02 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 2642 with an amendment, requested a conference, and appointed conferees. The Senate also passed H.R. 1344 amended, S. 233, S. 256, S. 668,S. 796, S. 885, S. 1093, H.R. 267, H.R. 678, H.R. 1171, and S. 796, S. 885, S. 1093, H.R. 267, H.R. 678, H.R. 1171, and H.R. 2576. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 41.
10:07:41 A.M.	H.R. 367	Ms. Kuster moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
10:08:03 A.M.	H.R. 367	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to add a section to the bill titled “Protecting Jobs, Economic Growth, and the Health and Safety of the American Public”.
10:16:07 A.M.	H.R. 367	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:23:52 A.M.	H.R. 367	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 444).
10:23:55 A.M.	H.R. 367	On passage Roll Call 445 – Recorded vote pending.

10:29:59 A.M.	H.R. 367	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 – 183 (Roll no. 445).
10:30:00 A.M.	H.R. 367	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:33:17 A.M.	H. Res. 222	Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
10:33:30 A.M.	H. Res. 222	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 222 — “Recognizing the long-term partnership and friendship between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, working together towards peace and security in the Middle East.”
10:33:37 A.M.	H. Res. 222	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Royce, to insert a complete new text.
10:33:40 A.M.	H. Res. 222	On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection.
10:33:55 A.M.	H. Res. 222	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
10:34:20 A.M.	H. Res. 222	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Royce, to add a complete new preamble.
10:34:24 A.M.	H. Res. 222	On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection.
10:34:39 A.M.	H. Res. 222	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:34:44 A.M.	H.R. 2009	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 322. H.R. 2009 — “To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from enforcing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.”
10:34:49 A.M.	H.R. 2009	In each case the rule provides for one hour of debate on the bill and one motion to recommit for each bill.
10:35:34 A.M.	H.R. 2009	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2009.
11:43:28 A.M.	H.R. 2009	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:44:40 A.M.	H.R. 2009	Mr. Nolan moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.
11:44:56 A.M.	H.R. 2009	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nolan motion to recommit with instructions, pending the reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to prohibit the bill from altering, impacting, delaying or weakening section 1401 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which provides tax credits to middle class families to purchase health insurance or section 1421 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which provides tax credits to small businesses for the purchase of health insurance coverage for employees.
12:17:56 P.M.	H.R. 2009	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 230 (Roll no. 446).
12:26:59 P.M.	H.R. 2009	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 – 185 (Roll no. 447).
12:27:00 P.M.	H.R. 2009	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:27:54 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:52:09 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 22	Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 22 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives.”
12:52:49 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 22	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
12:52:54 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 22	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:53:49 P.M.		Congressional Award Board – Pursuant to section 803(a) of the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education Act (2 U.S.C. 803(a)), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Mr. Hudson of North Carolina to the Congressional Award Board.
12:54:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

« Previous Day

2:57:00 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:57:05 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:57:20 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to S. Con. Res. 22.The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 9, 2013.