Tag Archives: Senate

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS


 

The Senate's side of the Capitol Building in DC.
The Senate’s side of the Capitol Building in DC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, April 22.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act, and immediately proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed.

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April 2013
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Last Floor Action:4/18
2:56:55 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on April 19, 2013. 

11:00:36 A.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:00:54 A.M.   The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:01:15 A.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
11:02:36 A.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
11:02:39 A.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:02:45 A.M.   The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on April 19, 2013 at 9:48 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1246, without amendment.
11:03:10 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 April 23, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Auctioning off assault rifles


by  Jaxon Ravens, WA State Democrats

Want to know the Washington State Republican Party‘s position on gun violence?
Look at how they raise money. Washington State Republican Party Chair auctions off assault rifle CLICK HERE and send the message:

Washington voters support common-sense steps to reduce  gun violence

Auctioning off an assault rifle to raise money?

I guess we know how the Washington State Republican Party feels about gun violence.

This weekend at their annual Gala Auction and Dinner, the Washington State Republicans actually auctioned off an AR-15 style assault rifle. This is the same type of killing machine used in Newtown, CT and Aurora, CO. 1 2

Republicans wonder why they have trouble connecting with suburban, independent, and moderate voters. They wonder why they haven’t sat in the governor’s office since 1985.

It’s because of actions like this. This is nothing less than a slap in the face to all Washington families who fear gun violence.

Click here send the message to the Washington State Republican Party: Washington voters support common-sense steps to reduce gun violence.

It is more important than ever that we hear your voice on gun violence. The United State Senate will vote today on legislation calling for expanded background checks. Even though 90 percent of Americans support expanded background checks, the bill faces an uphill battle. 3 4

Gun control has also faced obstacles on the state level. Expanded background checks failed to pass out of the Washington State House in Olympia this session. 5

But gun control advocates aren’t giving up. They are gearing up for an initiative on background checks that may appear on the ballot in 2014. We need to start building momentum now. 6

The Washington State Democratic Party stands by common-sense steps to reduce gun violence, like expanded background checks. Click here and join us today.

Thank you,

Jaxon Ravens Executive Director Washington State Democrats

1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk1H-mgWhIc&feature=youtu.be

2 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/business/the-ar-15-the-most-wanted-gun-in-america.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

3 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/13/background-checks-poll_n_3070954.html

4 http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/16/17780515-senate-background-check-compromise-in-peril-as-gop-opposition-grows?lite

5 http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/mar/12/gun-bill-proponents-secure-key-washington-vote/

6 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020782329_guninitiativexml.htmlgun

Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Fly Into the Future!


NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture

by Lonnie G. Bunch

Fly thru - Building Image CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Here’s your chance to look into the future! Click on this link to find a very special video I hope you will view.

The video connects you to an exciting two-and-a-half minute computer animation — known as a “fly-through” — that takes you through a conceptual rendering of Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The video dramatically depicts what your support is helping to create. It is a vision that you can truly be proud of!

Beginning with a montage of African American history makers, the video flies over our beautiful National Mall in Washington, D.C. You’ll see the Museum itself taking virtual shape at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, right across from the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. Then you’ll go inside for a “guided tour” of galleries, exhibitions and more, ending with a view of the building glowing with lights at night.

What makes this video so exciting is the knowledge that, thanks to you and your fellow Charter Members and Supporters, the museum building is rapidly becoming a reality. Construction is underway and our doors will open in late 2015!

You are playing a tremendous role in building the National Museum of African American History and Culture already. I offer the heartfelt gratitude to you from all of us here at the Museum.

Lonnie G. Bunch All the best,
Bunch sig
Lonnie G. Bunch Director

P.S. I hope you’ll forward this message to friends and family who need to know that, finally, African American history and culture will be getting a much deserved and long overdue place of honor on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Again, thank you!
Black History

:::::: CONGRESS ::::::


US Congress Building 

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 with the time until 12:00pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees for concurrent debate on the Barrasso and Harkin amendments.

 At approximately 12:00pm, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– Barrasso amendment #717 (privacy) and

– Harkin-Alexander amendment #730 (mental health)

 Both amendments will be subject to a 60 affirmative-vote threshold.

No other amendments are in order to any of these amendments.

There will be 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote. Both votes will be 10 minutes in duration.

 Following the roll call votes above, the Senate will recess until 2:00pm to allow for caucus meetings.

 At 2:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

– Executive Calendar #22 Analisa Torres– to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

– Executive Calendar #23 Derrick Kahala Watson– to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii

There will be up to 15 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

 At approximately 2:15pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations.

A roll call vote is expected on confirmation of the Torres nomination and a voice vote is expected on the Watson nomination

At 12:02pm the Senate began a roll call vote on Barrasso amendment #717 (privacy);

Agreed To: 67-30 (60-vote threshold)

12:29pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Harkin-Alexander amendment #730 (mental health);

Agreed To: 95-2 (60-vote threshold)

The Senate confirmed by voice vote the nomination of Executive Calendar #22, the nomination of Analisa Torres, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

At 2:15pm the Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #23, the nomination of Derrick Kahala Watson, of Hawaii, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii;

Confirmed: 94-0

Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #14, S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act, and filed cloture on the motion. We expect the cloture vote to occur at 5:30pm Monday, April 22.

There will be no further roll call votes this week.

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #60, Jane Kelly, of Iowa, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit.

There will be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate will proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination. The motion to reconsider will be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

 

 

WRAP UP FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) On Barrasso amendment #717. AGREED TO 67-30.

2) On Harkin-Alexander amendment #730. AGREED TO 95-2.

3) On confirmation of Executive Calendar #23 Derrick Kahala Watson- to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii. CONFIRMED 94-0.

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.1246, the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Vacancy Act

Adopted S.Res.103, a resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Steve Schonberg v. Senator Mitch McConnell, et al.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed by voice vote Executive Calendar #22, the nomination of Analisa Torres, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

By unanimous consent the Senate confirmed the following nominations and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, and Navy:

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#52 Frederick Vollrath, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (New Position)

#54 Eric K. Fanning, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force

 

AIR FORCE

#65 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John W. Hesterman, III

#66 to be Brigadier General- Col. Richard M. Murphy

#67 to be Major General- Colonel Dorothy A. Hogg

#68 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. James M. Holmes

#69 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson

#71 to be General- Gen. Philip M. Breedlove

#72 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Mark O. Schissler

#73 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Robert P. Otto

#74 to be Major General- Brig. Gen. Scott W. Jansson

ARMY

#75 to be Brigadier General- Col. Erik C. Peterson

#76 to be Brigadier General- Col. Brently F. White

#77 to be Brigadier General- Col. Christie L. Nixon

#78 to be Major General-

Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Bannister

Brigadier General Scott D. Berrier

Brigadier General Gwendolyn Bingham

Brigadier General Joseph A. Brendler

Brigadier General Clarence K. K. Chinn

Brigadier General Edward F. Dorman, III

Brigadier General Terry R. Ferrell

Brigadier General George J. Franz, III

Brigadier General Christopher K. Haas

Brigadier General Thomas A. Horlander

Brigadier General Thomas S. James, Jr.

Brigadier General Ole A. Knudson

Brigadier General Jonathan A. Maddux

Brigadier General Theodore D. Martin

Brigadier General Kevin G. O’Connell

Brigadier General Barrye L. Price

Brigadier General James M. Richardson

Brigadier General Martin P. Schweitzer

Brigadier General Richard L. Stevens

Brigadier General Stephen M. Twitty

Brigadier General Peter D. Utley

Brigadier General Gary J. Volesky

Brigadier General Darryl A. Williams

Brigadier General Michael E. Williamson

#79 to be General- Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn

#80 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. James L. Terry

#81 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins

MARINE CORPS

#82 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler

#83 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey

#84 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer

#85 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr.

#86 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills

NAVY

#87 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)- Capt. Bret J. Muilenburg

#88 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)- Capt. Adrian J. Jansen

WRAP UP FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) On Barrasso amendment #717. AGREED TO 67-30.

2) On Harkin-Alexander amendment #730. AGREED TO 95-2.

3) On confirmation of Executive Calendar #23 Derrick Kahala Watson- to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii. CONFIRMED 94-0.

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.1246, the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Vacancy Act

Adopted S.Res.103, a resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Steve Schonberg v. Senator Mitch McConnell, et al.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed by voice vote Executive Calendar #22, the nomination of Analisa Torres, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

By unanimous consent the Senate confirmed the following nominations and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, and Navy:

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#52 Frederick Vollrath, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (New Position)

#54 Eric K. Fanning, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force

 

AIR FORCE

#65 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John W. Hesterman, III

#66 to be Brigadier General- Col. Richard M. Murphy

#67 to be Major General- Colonel Dorothy A. Hogg

#68 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. James M. Holmes

#69 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson

#71 to be General- Gen. Philip M. Breedlove

#72 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Mark O. Schissler

#73 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Robert P. Otto

#74 to be Major General- Brig. Gen. Scott W. Jansson

ARMY

#75 to be Brigadier General- Col. Erik C. Peterson

#76 to be Brigadier General- Col. Brently F. White

#77 to be Brigadier General- Col. Christie L. Nixon

#78 to be Major General-

Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Bannister

Brigadier General Scott D. Berrier

Brigadier General Gwendolyn Bingham

Brigadier General Joseph A. Brendler

Brigadier General Clarence K. K. Chinn

Brigadier General Edward F. Dorman, III

Brigadier General Terry R. Ferrell

Brigadier General George J. Franz, III

Brigadier General Christopher K. Haas

Brigadier General Thomas A. Horlander

Brigadier General Thomas S. James, Jr.

Brigadier General Ole A. Knudson

Brigadier General Jonathan A. Maddux

Brigadier General Theodore D. Martin

Brigadier General Kevin G. O’Connell

Brigadier General Barrye L. Price

Brigadier General James M. Richardson

Brigadier General Martin P. Schweitzer

Brigadier General Richard L. Stevens

Brigadier General Stephen M. Twitty

Brigadier General Peter D. Utley

Brigadier General Gary J. Volesky

Brigadier General Darryl A. Williams

Brigadier General Michael E. Williamson

#79 to be General- Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn

#80 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. James L. Terry

#81 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins

MARINE CORPS

#82 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler

#83 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey

#84 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer

#85 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr.

#86 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills

NAVY

#87 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)- Capt. Bret J. Muilenburg

#88 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)- Capt. Adrian J. Jansen

WRAP UP FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) On Barrasso amendment #717. AGREED TO 67-30.

2) On Harkin-Alexander amendment #730. AGREED TO 95-2.

3) On confirmation of Executive Calendar #23 Derrick Kahala Watson- to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii. CONFIRMED 94-0.

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

 

Passed H.R.1246, the District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Vacancy Act

Adopted S.Res.103, a resolution to authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel in the case of Steve Schonberg v. Senator Mitch McConnell, et al.

 

 

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

 

Confirmed by voice vote Executive Calendar #22, the nomination of Analisa Torres, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate confirmed the following nominations and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, and Navy:

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#52 Frederick Vollrath, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense (New Position)

 

#54 Eric K. Fanning, to be Under Secretary of the Air Force

 

AIR FORCE

#65 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John W. Hesterman, III

#66 to be Brigadier General- Col. Richard M. Murphy

#67 to be Major General- Colonel Dorothy A. Hogg

#68 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. James M. Holmes

#69 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson

 

#71 to be General- Gen. Philip M. Breedlove

#72 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Mark O. Schissler

#73 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Robert P. Otto

#74 to be Major General- Brig. Gen. Scott W. Jansson

 

ARMY

#75 to be Brigadier General- Col. Erik C. Peterson

#76 to be Brigadier General- Col. Brently F. White

#77 to be Brigadier General- Col. Christie L. Nixon

#78 to be Major General-

Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Bannister

Brigadier General Scott D. Berrier

Brigadier General Gwendolyn Bingham

Brigadier General Joseph A. Brendler

Brigadier General Clarence K. K. Chinn

Brigadier General Edward F. Dorman, III

Brigadier General Terry R. Ferrell

Brigadier General George J. Franz, III

Brigadier General Christopher K. Haas

Brigadier General Thomas A. Horlander

Brigadier General Thomas S. James, Jr.

Brigadier General Ole A. Knudson

Brigadier General Jonathan A. Maddux

Brigadier General Theodore D. Martin

Brigadier General Kevin G. O’Connell

Brigadier General Barrye L. Price

Brigadier General James M. Richardson

Brigadier General Martin P. Schweitzer

Brigadier General Richard L. Stevens

Brigadier General Stephen M. Twitty

Brigadier General Peter D. Utley

Brigadier General Gary J. Volesky

Brigadier General Darryl A. Williams

Brigadier General Michael E. Williamson

#79 to be General- Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn

#80 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. James L. Terry

#81 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Perry L. Wiggins

 

MARINE CORPS

#82 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler

#83 to be Lieutenant General- Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey

#84 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer

#85 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr.

#86 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills

 

NAVY

#87 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)- Capt. Bret J. Muilenburg

#88 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)- Capt. Adrian J. Jansen

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April 2013
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Last Floor Action:
7:58:24 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 18, 2013.

12:50:54 P.M. H.R. 624 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 224 (Roll no. 116).
12:59:39 P.M. H.R. 624 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 288 – 127 (Roll no. 117).
12:59:40 P.M. H.R. 624 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:59:53 P.M.   On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
1:00:41 P.M. H.R. 624 The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 624.
1:07:11 P.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.
1:24:58 P.M.   Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on April 19. Agreed to without objection.
1:25:19 P.M.   Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, April 19, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 for Morning-Hour Debate Agreed to without objection.
1:27:18 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:46:07 P.M.   SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
2:30:44 P.M.   Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities – Pursuant to section 3 of the Protect Our Kids Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-275), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Ms. Susan Dreyfus of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Ms. Cassie Statuto Bevan of Derwood, Maryland to the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.
2:31:59 P.M.   SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
2:56:43 P.M.   Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:56:54 P.M.   On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:56:55 P.M.   The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on April 19, 2013.

« Previous Day

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

832 Billion Reasons for Immigratio​n Reform


By ThinkProgress War Room

The Economic Case for Immigration Reform

After months of negotiations, 8 key senators today proposed a sweeping and historic reform of our nation’s broken immigration system. The plan, which was previewed today in news reports, will be officially unveiled soon by the so-called “Gang of 8″ Republican and Democratic senators.

The proposal comes on the same day as a new poll that found that an overwhelming 84 percent of Americans — including 79 percent of Republicans — favor the kind of pathway to earned citizenship detailed in the proposal.

Nevertheless, some of the most anti-immigrant conservatives are already trying to kill the plan. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who has a troubled past on race issues, said today that he was unhappy with the proposal because it will allow immigrants to improve the quality of their lives. FAIR, a racist hate group, is bringing activists to Washington this week to lobby against the bill and the Tea Party Patriots are also mobilizing against it. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) even tried to take advantage of the Boston bomb attacks to argue against reform.

Reforming our broken system and bringing 11 MILLION people out of the shadows is the morally correct thing to do, but it’s also the economically smart thing to do:

BOTTOM LINE: No matter how much spin and vitriol conservatives throw at the immigration reform bill over the next few months, it’s still the right thing to do for our country and for our economy.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

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Everything you need to know about the Senate immigration reform bill.

The GOP’s misguided attack on the president’s nominee for Labor Secretary.

Texas Attorney General: Democrats bigger threat to Texas than North Korea.

The 8 worst responses to the Boston bombings.

What you need to know about the conservative freak out over Gosnell.

No, there is no Saudi national being held as a suspect or person of interest.

U.S. engaged in torture after 9/11, review finds.

Federal judge stops Mississippi from shutting down the state’s last abortion clinic.