Tag Archives: Senate

the Senate S.1243 Congress the House

07/29/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 29, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

At 5:30pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Comey nomination.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:

– Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations,

– Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board,

– Executive Calendar #224, the nomination of Nancy Jean Schiffer, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, and

– Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate time on each nomination. Upon disposition of each nomination, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the next nomination in the order listed above.

Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations:

– Executive Calendar #201, the nomination of Bryan Todd Jones, of Minnesota, to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; and

– Executive Calendar #220, the nomination of Samantha Power, of Massachusetts, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations.

The cloture vote on the Jones nomination would occur on Wednesday unless a further agreement can be reached. If cloture is invoked on either of the nominations, there will be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Senator Reid withdrew the cloture motion on the Comey nomination. Following Senator Grassley’s remarks, at approximately 5:30/5:35pm, the Senate will proceed to a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

At 5:30pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations;

Confirmed: 93-1, 2 senators voted present

Senators should expect the next vote to begin as early as 10:00am tomorrow. That vote would be on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations; Confirmed: 93-1-2 (present)

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.167, A resolution reaffirming the strong support of the United States for the peaceful resolution of territorial, sovereignty, and jurisdictional disputes in the Asia-Pacific maritime domains with a Feinstein amendment to the preamble.

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.153, Recognizing the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2218, Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013.

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action: 6/26
10:02:55 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 30, 2013.

10:00:28 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:45 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable George Holding to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:03 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:05 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:23 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:55 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 30, 2013.

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Black History

the Senate breaks until 7/29 ~~ CONGRESS the House breaks until 7/30

07/26/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 29, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

At 5:30pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Comey nomination.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:

– Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations,

– Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board,

– Executive Calendar #224, the nomination of Nancy Jean Schiffer, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, and

– Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

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Last Floor Action:
2:08:27 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00
a.m. on July 26, 2013.

10:00:28 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:45 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable George Holding to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:03 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:05 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:23 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02:55 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 30, 2013.

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a message from Gov. Inslee

07/25/2013 Nativegrl77

This year’s legislative session proved one important point: the Working Washington Agenda that we brought to Olympia is very different than that of the Republican controlled state Senate.

Surprised?

Well, all of the early talk about bipartisanship had me hoping we could move forward on issues that actually had bipartisan support like the DREAM Act, the Reproductive Parity Act, and fixing our transportation system.

Unfortunately, the Senate Majority Coalition was big on bipartisan rhetoric and short on action. None of these bills were ever brought to the Senate floor for a vote! Luckily we were able to prevent the state Senate from going backwards on many key funding and policy issues.

With your support we said, “no” to continued cuts to our most vulnerable citizens. And, together we said, “no” to policy that would have hurt working families and our environment.

In order to succeed, we’re going to have to face down the inertia and inaction we fought against during this past legislative session. They’re already gearing up to stop us from delivering on critical issues our state needs — like closing unnecessary tax loopholes, creating good paying jobs, and fully funding public education.

Will you contribute $5, $10, or more to help us end the Republican agenda, and make sure we are ready for what our opponents will throw at us?

I’m proud that, in spite of resistance from the Senate Republicans, we expanded Medicaid. I’m proud that we delivered an additional $1 billion in funding for our schools — a down payment required by our constitution to fully fund our children’s education. And I’m proud that we stopped our opponents from sneaking their out-of-step ideas into the budget.

Having you standing with me made that possible. But not everyone’s happy.

I will continue to fight to close unnecessary tax breaks in order to fund education for the long haul. Oil companies and Senate Republicans both know that I will continue to press on until we get it done.

Will you contribute $5, $10, or more to support us in this fight, and help us continue our Working Washington Agenda?

As you know, political campaigns do not end when you get elected. The grassroots movement we built during the campaign is essential as we work to build innovative industries that benefit all Washingtonians.

Your support today will give us the resources we need to get things done. Thank you for your tremendous support every day. Together we can accomplish hard things.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee Governor

Black History

the Senate S1243 CONGRESS the House HR2218 & HR1582

07/25/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, July 25, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:00am with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the second 30 minutes.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
We will continue to work through amendments to the THUD Appropriations bill on Thursday.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 11:00am. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Senator Murray will continue to work through the amendments with Senator Collins.

We also hope to vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #186, the nomination of Derek West, of California, to be Associate Attorney General, today. Under the previous order, there will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or

Morning business has been extended until 11:30am. At 11:30am, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #186, the nomination of Derek West, of California, to be Associate Attorney General. There will be up to 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. If all time is used, the vote on confirmation of the West nomination would occur at approximately 12:30pm.

12:27pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #186, the nomination of Derek West, of California, to be Associate Attorney General;

Confirmed: 98-1

Senator Toomey moved to recommit S.1243 (THUD Appropriations bill) to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report back with such changes as may be necessary such that total budget authority provided in the bill for fiscal year 2014 is not greater than $45,455,000,000. Senator Murray may move to table the Toomey motion at approximately 3:15pm.

3:17pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Murray motion to table the Toomey motion to recommit the bill.

Tabled: 56-42

The Toomey motion to commit was tabled 56-42. The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. We expect to resume consideration of the THUD bill shortly. Senator Paul would like to offer an amendment #1739 regarding aid to Egypt. Senators are discussing a path forward.

The Senate continues to be in a period of morning business and we will not resume consideration of the THUD appropriations bill today. The managers said they will be on the floor next week to continue to process amendments. We are working on a path forward to consider several nominations. Until we have an agreement from the Republican side we can’t announce no more votes for today.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #186, the nomination of Derek West, of California, to be Associate Attorney General; Confirmed: 98-1

2) Murray motion to table the Toomey motion to recommit the bill; Tabled: 56-42

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.200, Designating July 26, 2013 as “United States Intelligence Professionals Day”.

Adopted S.Res.201, Designating the first Wednesday in September 2013 as “National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day”.

No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Senator Reid filed cloture on the following items in the following order:

– Executive Calendar #208, the nomination of James B. Comey, Jr., of Connecticut, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations,

– Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board,

– Executive Calendar #224, the nomination of Nancy Jean Schiffer, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, and

– Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

The cloture vote on the Comey nomination will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, July 29.

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Last Floor Action:
9:18:00 A.M. -H.R. 2218
GENERAL DEBATE
– The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R.
2218.

9:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:01:06 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:18 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Gosar demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
9:02:51 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Kelly of IL to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:07 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.
9:17:02 A.M.	H.R. 2218	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 315. H.R. 2218 — “To amend subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to encourage recovery and beneficial use of coal combustion residuals and establish requirements for the proper management and disposal of coal combustion residuals that are protective of human health and the environment.”
9:17:07 A.M.	H.R. 2218	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2218 and H.R. 1582.
9:17:38 A.M.	H.R. 2218	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 315 and Rule XVIII.
9:17:38 A.M.	H.R. 2218	The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Bishop to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:18:00 A.M.	H.R. 2218	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2218.

10:12:21 A.M.	H.R. 2218	An amendment, offered by Mr. Connolly, numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 113-174 to require States to update their certification documents with EPA and to include in those documents a State emergency action plan for responding to spills or leaks.
10:12:23 A.M.	H.R. 2218	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 315, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly Part A Amendment No. 1.
10:17:26 A.M.	H.R. 2218	On agreeing to the Connolly amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:17:47 A.M.	H.R. 2218	An amendment, offered by Mr. Waxman, numbered 2 printed in Part A of House Report 113-174 to ensure that state permit programs are protective of human health and the environment.
10:17:49 A.M.	H.R. 2218	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 315, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waxman Part A Amendment No. 2.
10:27:43 A.M.	H.R. 2218	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waxman Part A Amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:28:48 A.M.	H.R. 2218	An amendment, offered by Mr. Tonko, numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 113-174 to require the EPA Administrator to find a State coal combustion residual permit program deficient if the implementation of the program threatens human health or the environment in any other State. Any State could request that the EPA Administrator review another state’s coal combustion residuals permit program for deficiency.
10:28:50 A.M.	H.R. 2218	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 315, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tonko Part A Amendment No. 3.
10:36:34 A.M.	H.R. 2218	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Tonko Part A Amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:37:02 A.M.	H.R. 2218	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoptopn of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
11:07:41 A.M.	H.R. 2218	On agreeing to the Waxman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 231 (Roll no. 415).
11:12:19 A.M.	H.R. 2218	On agreeing to the Tonko amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 239 (Roll no. 416).
11:12:28 A.M.	H.R. 2218	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2218.
11:13:11 A.M.	H.R. 2218	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:13:23 A.M.	H.R. 2218	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.
11:14:45 A.M.	H.R. 2218	Ms. McCollum moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.
11:15:00 A.M.	H.R. 2218	DEBATE – The House proeeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCollum motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion to seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require that the implementing agency of any coal ash permit granted under the bill ensure that all wet disposal structures meet criteria for design, construction, operation, and maintenance sufficient to prevent contamination of groundwater and sources of drinking water, including the Great Lakes pending reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.
11:23:27 A.M.	H.R. 2218	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:31:27 A.M.	H.R. 2218	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 192 – 225, 1 Present (Roll no. 417).
11:41:13 A.M.	H.R. 2218	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 265 – 155 (Roll no. 418).
11:41:14 A.M.	H.R. 2218	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:41:25 A.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
11:43:26 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 1092.
11:45:22 A.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
12:29:54 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on July 26. Agreed to without objection.
12:29:58 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, July 26, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 12 Noon on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
12:30:46 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:41:52 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
2:08:02 P.M.		Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:08:26 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:08:27 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 26, 2013.

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$1,500

07/24/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Compromise Set to Lower Student Loan Interest Rates

Student loan rates for undergraduates doubled on July 1 from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, threatening to further increase college costs for millions of already-strained students.

Fortunately, a bipartisan deal has emerged in the Senate that looks set to lower interest rates before students head back to campus. Here are the main elements of this compromise:

It immediately and significantly lowers interest rates, giving students the certainty they need to make borrowing decisions.
It ties student loan interest rates to the market, allowing students to immediately take advantage of today’s low rates.
It caps overall rates to help protect students from interest rate increases in the years to come.
It sets the interest rate at a fixed rate for the entire life of the loan in contrast to a GOP proposal that would’ve allowed the rate to change every single year the loan remained outstanding.

You can find out more details about this plan and why it matters HERE.

This can all be a little confusing, but the immediate impact is pretty simple. Here’s what will happen as soon as this compromise becomes law:

BOTTOM LINE: 11 MILLION students will save an average of $1,500 as a result of the student loan compromise the Senate is going to vote on tomorrow. Young people need Congress to act right away to pass this deal.