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the House: H.Con25 Vote:227-207 /HR933 Vote:318-109 ::::::: CONGRESS :::::: the Senate: S.Con.Res.8


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3/20/13  —  H.R.933, the Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, as amended; Passed: 73-26

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:00am on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of S.Con.Res.8, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2013, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023.
  • When the Senate convenes on Thursday, there will be 34 hours remaining for debate on the budget resolution, equally divided and controlled between the Chair and Ranking Member of the Budget Committee.

The Senate has resumed consideration of S.Con.Res.8, the Budget resolution. Senator Reid reiterated his intention that the Senate will be in session until we complete the Budget resolution and that could mean being in session all night Friday night or whatever it takes. Senators should plan accordingly.

Senator Sessions made a motion to recommit S.Con.Res.8 back to the Committee on the Budget with instructions to report back no later than March 22, 2013 with such changes as may be necessary to achieve unified budget balance by Fiscal Year 2023.

Motions to recommit are debatable for up to 1 hour, equally divided, and are amendable in two degrees. Each amendment to a motion is debatable for 1 hour each and equally divided. It would take consent to return to the resolution side of the amendment tree to offer amendments to the resolution.

When a vote time is set, another message will be sent.

At 3:45pm today, there will be up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided between Senators Klobuchar and Coats, or their designees, for a report on the economic goals and policy under section 305(b) of the Congressional Budget Act.

We believe to be close to locking in an agreement that would result in a series of up to 5 roll call votes in the 8pm range tonight. When an agreement is reached and vote time is set, I will send another message.

Up to 5 votes around 8pm tonight:

 

–          Sessions motion to recommit (budget balance by 2023)

–          Murray #433 (Paul Ryan Budget)

–          Hatch #297 (medical device repeal)

–          Stabenow #432 (vouchers)

–          Grassley #156 (reserve fund-tax reform)

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of 5 votes at 8:10pm tonight, 6 votes at 11am tomorrow, and provides for the commencement of the so-called vote-a-rama around 3pm tomorrow. All votes after the first vote tonight will be 10 minutes in duration with 2 minutes for debate equally divided between each vote. No amendments are in order to the amendments or motion in this agreement prior to the votes in relation to the amendment. Following the votes tonight, the remainder of tonight’s session will be for debate only on the Budget resolution.

Up to 5 votes at 8:10pm tonight:

–          Sessions motion to recommit (budget balance by 2023)

–          Murray #433 (Paul Ryan Budget)

–          Hatch #297 (medical device repeal)

–          Stabenow #432 (vouchers)

–          Grassley #156 (reserve fund-tax reform)

Up to 6 votes at 11am tomorrow:

–          Mikulski #431 (equal pay)

–          Ayotte #158 (prohibits budget with revenue increase while unemployment is above 5.5%)

–          Cruz #202 (reserve fund to repeal PPACA and Education reconciliation)

–          Murray #439 (side by side to Crapo PPACA)

–          Crapo #222 (reserve fund re: repeal tax increase under PPACA for low and middle income Americans)

–          Shaheen #438 (women’s health)

2 hours for debate

Vote-a-rama!

–          Democratic amendment

–          Republican alternative to Shaheen (women’s health)

 

Text of the agreement is as follows:

Leader:            I ask unanimous consent that the pending motion be set aside and the following amendments to S.Con.Res.8 be called up:

–          Murray #433;

–          Hatch #297;

–          Stabenow #432;

–          Grassley #156;

–          Mikulski #431;

–          Ayotte #158;

–          Cruz #202;

–          Murray #439;

–          Crapo #222; and

–          Shaheen #438.

That the time until 8:10pm be equally divided between the two managers, or their designees, prior to votes in relation to the Sessions motion and the first four amendments listed; that all after the first vote this evening be 10 minute votes; that there be two minutes equally divided in the usual form prior to each vote; that no amendments be in order to the motion or any of the amendments prior to the votes in relation to these items; that following the votes this evening, the remainder of today’s session be for debate only on the concurrent resolution; further, that when the Senate convenes at 9am on Friday, March 22nd, the Senate resume consideration of S.Con.Res.8 with the time until 11am equally divided between the two managers, or their designees; that at 11am, the Senate proceed to votes in relation to the remaining amendments listed above; that there be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote and all after the first vote in this sequence be ten minute votes; that upon disposition of the last amendment listed, there be two hours equally divided between the two managers, or their designees, remaining on the concurrent resolution; finally, the next amendment in order be an amendment from the Majority side to be followed by a Republican alternative to Shaheen #438.

8:10pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Sessions motion to recommit (budget balance by 2023)

Not Agreed to: 46-53

8:52pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Hatch amendment #297 (medical device repeal)

Agreed to: 79-20

9:10pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Stabenow amendment #432 (Medicare vouchers);

Agreed To: 96-3

9:28pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Grassley amendment #156 (reserve fund-tax reform).

Not Agreed To: 45-54

This will be the last vote of the night. The next votes will occur at 11am tomorrow.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

–          Sessions motion to recommit (budget balance by 2023); Not Agreed To: 46-53

–          Murray #433 (Paul Ryan Budget); Not Agreed To: 40-59

–          Hatch #297 (medical device repeal); Agreed To: 79-20

–          Stabenow #432 (vouchers); Agreed To: 96-3

–          Grassley #156 (strikes tax reconciliation/establishes reserve fund-tax reform); Not Agreed To: 45-54

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

 

Adopted S.Res.88, a resolution providing for Members on the part of the Senate of the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library.

Adopted S.Res.89, Designating March 25, 2013, as “National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day”

Adopted H.Con.Res.18, authorizing the use of the Capital Grounds for the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service-May 15, 2013.

Adopted H.Con.Res.19, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby-June 15, 2013.

Passed S.540, to designate the air route control center located in Nashua, New Hampshire, as the “Patricia Clark Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center”.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013. (Reid)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 21, 2013.

Black History

the House H.Res.122 ::::::::::::: CONGRESS :::::::::::: the Senate: HR933, appropriations bill


March 2013
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The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • All time during adjournment, recess and morning business will count post-cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26, as modified to H.R.933.
  • We hope to reach an agreement to complete action on H.R.933 during Tuesday’s session.

This morning the Senate resumed consideration of the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 to H.R.933, Continuing Appropriations, post-cloture. If all time is used, the 30 hours of post-cloture debate time on the substitute would expire at 12:48am on Wednesday, March 20. At that time, the question would be on the substitute amendment. We could either agree to the substitute by consent or have a roll call vote. Upon disposition of the substitute, the Senate would immediately proceed to a cloture vote on the underlying bill. If cloture is invoked on the underlying bill, there would be an additional 30 hours of post-cloture debate prior to disposition of the bill. We hope to reach an agreement to deal with these late night/early morning votes at a more reasonable time. I suspect senators may discuss such matters at the caucus meetings today.

We also hope to reach an agreement to begin consideration of S.Con.Res.8, An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2013, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023, this afternoon, notwithstanding cloture on H.R.933. The result of such an agreement would be that the clocks run concurrently on both measures (CR and Budget).

The rules governing consideration of the Budget Resolution limits debate on the Budget resolution to 50 hours equally divided and, within that time, allocates 2 hours for first degree amendments and 1 hour for second degree amendments, also equally divided. When the question is on an amendment, we could vote on the amendment (up or down), a motion to table, or a motion to waive any applicable points of order.

We expect to consider amendments throughout consideration of the Budget Resolution, with a crescendo in action near or at the end of time. Upon the use or yielding back of time, senators may offer an unlimited number of amendments and are allowed an immediate vote in relation to the amendment. In the past we have sought unanimous consent to allow for 2 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to the amendment and limit vote time to 10 minutes. As usual, I will send a message when any consent agreement governing consideration of the resolution is reached.

Senators should be prepared for roll call votes throughout the week and into the evenings, once consideration of the Budget begins

enator Reid asked unanimous consent that the Senate vote in relation to the amendments listed below and the Senate complete action on the Continuing Appropriations bill.

– Mikulski-Shelby #98, as modified (60-vote threshold)

– Pryor-Blunt #82 (60-vote threshold);

– Toomey #115 (60-vote threshold);

– Mikulski-Shelby substitute #26;

– Passage of H.R.933, Continuing Appropriations.

Senator Moran objected because Moran #45 (air traffic control towers) was not included in the request.

Senator Reid then asked consent the Senate begin consideration of the Budget resolution today, notwithstanding cloture on H.R.933.

Senator Moran also objected to this request.

The text of the requests and the unofficial transcript of their exchange can be found below.

Request to complete action on Continuing Appropriations (H.R.933)

Senator Reid: I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding cloture having been invoked on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute, the following amendments be in order:

– Mikulski-Shelby #98, as modified with the changes that are at the desk; and

– Pryor-Blunt #82.

That no other first degree amendments to the substitute or the underlying bill be in order; that no second degree amendments be in order to any of the amendments listed above prior to the vote; that there be 30 minutes equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed; that upon disposition of the Pryor-Blunt amendment #82; the Durbin second degree amendment to the Toomey amendment #115 be withdrawn; that the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Toomey amendment #115; that all the amendments, with the exception of the substitute, be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that upon disposition of the Toomey amendment, the Senate proceed to vote on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment, as amended; that if the substitute amendment, as amended, is agreed to; the cloture motion on the underlying bill be withdrawn and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended.

Senator Moran objected.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.81, commemorating March 19, 2013, as the 40th anniversary of National Ag Day.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Request to consider Budget resolution (S.Con.Res.8)

Senator Reid: I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding cloture having been invoked, that at a time to be determined today, it be in order for the Senate to begin consideration of S.Con.Res.8, the budget resolution for fiscal year 2014; that any time used for consideration of S.Con.Res.8 during the post cloture period on H.R.933 also count toward the post-cloture time on H.R.933; further, that on Tuesday, March 19th at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation of the Republican Leader, the Senate resume consideration of H.R.933.

Senator Moran objected.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in 3 roll call votes at 11:15am tomorrow. Those votes will be in relation to the following items:

–          Toomey amendment #115 (expect a point of order and motion to waive with 60-vote threshold);

–          Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26, as amended (majority vote threshold); and

–          Cloture on H.R.993, Continuing Appropriations (60-vote threshold).

If cloture on the underlying bill is invoked, the clock (30 hours) will begin counting as if cloture had been invoked at 1am on Wednesday, March 20.

Once the substitute amendment is adopted, no further amendments are in order to the underlying bill. In light of this parliamentary situation, we hope the Republicans (Senator Moran) will allow us to yield back the post-cloture time and vote on passage of the bill. Upon disposition of the Continuing Appropriations bill, the Senate will begin consideration of S.Con.Res.8, the Budget resolution.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 19, 2013.

Black History

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


 

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The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, March 18, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.

The filing deadline for all 2nd degree amendments to the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 and H.R.933 is 4:30pm on Monday.

The managers of the bill will work on a finite list of amendments to the continuing appropriations bill over the weekend.

Senators should expect a roll call vote at 5:30pm. There will either be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 or several votes in relation to amendments to the bill.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to withdraw the two cloture motions, the Senate consider a series of amendments to the Continuing Appropriations bill, and then proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended. Senator Ayotte objected. Senator Ayotte objected because amendment #46 (strikes $380 million in missile defense program) was not included in the request. Senator Moran said he would have also objected to the request because his air traffic control tower amendment (SA45) was not included in the agreement either.

In approximately 10 minutes (approximately 6:10pm), the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Mikulski-Shelby amendment #26 (substitute) to H.R.933, Continuing Appropriations.

Senator Reid asked the following consent.

Leader: I ask unanimous consent that the two cloture motions be withdrawn; that the following amendments be in order to the Mikulski-Shelby substitute:

– Coburn #69 prohibit Urban Area Security Initiative Grants not improving homeland security);

– Coburn #93 (transfer funds from National Heritage Partnership Program to fund White House public tours and maintenance at public parks/monuments);

– Coburn #65, as modified with the changes that are at the desk (National Science Foundation funding);

– Coburn #70, as modified with the changes that are at the desk (authorizing committees receive information from Homeland Security);

– Inhofe #72, as modified with changes that are at the desk (require Secretaries of Military Departments to carry out tuition assistance programs);

– Grassley #76, as modified with changes that are at the desk (report illegal aliens released dur to budget constraints);

– Mikulski-Shelby #98 (technical corrections); and

– Leahy #129, as modified with changes that are at the desk (to revise language regarding cluster munitions); and

– Pryor-Blunt #82 (poultry inspections).

That no other first degree amendments to the substitute or the underlying bill be in order; that no second degree amendments be in order to any of the amendments listed above prior to the vote; that there be 30 minutes equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed; that upon disposition of the Pryor-Blunt #82; the Durbin second degree amendment to the Toomey amendment #115 be withdrawn; that all the amendments be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Toomey amendment #115; that upon disposition of the Toomey amendment, the Senate proceed to vote on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment, as amended; that if the substitute amendment, as amended, is agreed to; the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended.

6:10pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby amendment #26 (substitute) to H.R.933, Continuing Appropriations;

Invoked: 63-35

Cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment to H.R.933, Continuing Appropriations, was invoked by a vote of 63-35. There will now be up to 30 hours for debate on the substitute. There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26, as modified, to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill; Invoked: 63-35

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.66, A resolution designating the first week of April 2013 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week”.

Adopted S.Res.79, supporting the goals and ideals of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.582, a bill to approve the the Keystone Pipeline. (Hoeven)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.583, a bill to implement equal protection under the 14th Article to the Constitution, the right to life in each born and preborn human person. (Paul)

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Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 18, 2013.

12:00:13 P.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:23 P.M.   The Speaker designated the Honorable Brad R. Wenstrup to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:51 P.M.   MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:11:52 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:20 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 18.
2:00:30 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Andrew Walton, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington DC.
2:01:00 P.M.   POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Hoyer demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hoyer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
2:02:59 P.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Hoyer to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:05:00 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:15:12 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
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Presidential Citizens Medal 2012 —


Patience Lehrman (Philadelphia, PA)
Lehrman is an immigrant from Cameroon and the National Director of Project SHINE (Students Helping in the Naturalization of Elders), an immigrant integration initiative at the Intergenerational Center of Temple University. SHINE partners with 18 institutions of higher learning, community-based organizations, and county and city governments across the country. SHINE engages college students and older adults to provide language and health education, citizenship and civic participation lessons to immigrant communities. Lehrman also mentors inner-city high school students, provides free meals to low-income children in the summer and serves as an election official. She holds three Masters Degrees from Temple University.

Jeanne Manford (New York, NY)
Manford and her husband, Jules, co-founded in 1972 a support group for parents of gay children that grew into the national organization known as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Manford had always supported her son Morty, but was inspired to act after the police failed to intervene while Morty was beaten and hospitalized during a Gay Activists Alliance demonstration in April 1972. In the years that followed, Manford continued to march and organize, even after losing Morty to AIDS in 1992. Today, PFLAG focuses on creating a network of support and advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Manford passed away in early January at the age of 92.

Maria Gomez (Washington, DC)
Gomez founded, Mary’s Center 25 years ago with the mission to build better futures through the delivery of health care, family literacy and job training. Mary’s Center is part of the working group launching First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Read Let’s Move Campaign.” Prior to establishing Mary’s Center, Maria was a public health nurse with the D.C. Department of Health. She has also worked for the Red Cross, directing community education programming and disaster services, and with the Visiting Nurses Association. She currently serves as Regional Representative for the South East to the National Council of la Raza, and previously served two terms on the board of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington.

Terry Shima (Gaithersburg, MD)
Shima was drafted into the US Army on October 12, 1944 as a replacement for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This unit was composed of Japanese Americans who volunteered for combat duty. In November 2011, the US Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 442nd RCT, the 100th Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service. Shima served as Executive Director of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA), a nonprofit organization that publicizes and assists Japanese American military veterans and their families, from 2004 to 2012 and is now chair of its Outreach and Education Committee.

Michael Dorman (Fuquay-Varina, NC)
Dorman is the founder and executive director of Military Missions in Action, a North Carolina-based non-profit that helps veterans with disabilities, both physical and mental, achieve independent living. All veterans who have served are eligible to receive services including home modification, rehabilitation and family assistance. Since 2008, the organization has completed more than 100 home modification projects and shipped thousands care packages to soldiers.

Janice Jackson (Baltimore, MD)
Jackson is the creator and program director of Women Embracing Abilities Now, (W.E.A.N.) a nonprofit mentoring organization servicing women and young ladies with varying degrees of disabilities. She is also a professor at The University of Baltimore. Jackson has actively advocated on behalf of people with disabilities and currently serves on the board of directors for The League for People with Disabilities, the Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics at the University of Baltimore, and The Image Center of Maryland. She also serves on the Community Advisory Council at the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, and is a counselor at Kernan Rehabilitation Center. She has also founded two support groups, We Are Able People (W.R.A.P.) and Women On Wheels & Walking (W.O.W.W.).

Mary Jo Copeland (Minneapolis, MN)
Copeland founded Sharing and Caring Hands in 1985, which has served as a safety net to those in the Minneapolis area through the provision of food, clothing, shelter, transportation, medical and dental assistance. Sharing and Caring Hands assists thousands of people a month, and is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Copeland, who currently receives no salary for her work, has served as its director since its opening and still greets every client entering the center and conducts intake interviews.

Adam Burke (Jacksonville, FL)
Burke is an Iraq combat veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart which he received for injuries occurred by a mortar attack while running combat operation in Iraq. In 2009 he opened “Veterans Farm,” a 19 acre handicap-accessible farm that helps teach veterans of all ages how to make a living from the find healing in the land. He has been awarded numerous accolades for his work, including the 2011 Good Person of the Year award from the Good People Foundation and the Star of Honor from Work Vessels for Veterans.

Pamela Green Jackson (Albany, GA)
Green Jackson is the Founder and CEO of the Youth Becoming Healthy Project (YBH), a non-profit organization committed to reducing the epidemic of childhood obesity through nutrition, fitness education and physical activity programs. YBH was created in memory of Pamela Green Jackson’s only brother, Bernard Green, who died in 2004 from obesity-related illnesses. YBH provides resources for during and after school wellness programs for elementary and middle school students as well as a summer wellness camp where the students learn about exercise, nutrition and can participate in martial arts, walking club and dance programs.

Billy Mills (Fair Oaks, California)
Mills co-founded and serves as the spokesman for Running Strong for American Indian Youth, an organization that supports cultural programs and provides health and housing assistance for Native American communities. Mills gained prominence during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, when he unexpectedly won a Gold Medal in the 10,000 meter run. Today, he remains the only American to ever win this event. At the time Mills competed in the Olympics, he was a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After the Olympics, Mills, an Oglala Lakota, was made a warrior by his tribe. In 1986, Mills and Eugene Krizek, president of Christian Relief Services, joined forces to found Running Strong.

Harris Wofford (Washington, DC)
Wofford served as a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995, and from then to 2001 was the chief executive officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service. From 1970 to 1978 he served as the fifth president of Bryn Mawr College. He is a noted advocate of national service and volunteering. He began his public service career as counsel to the Rev.Theodore Hesburgh on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and was an early supporter of the Civil Rights movement in the South in the late 1950s. He became a volunteer advisor and friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1961, Kennedy appointed him as special assistant to the President for civil rights. He was instrumental in the formation of the Peace Corps and served as the Peace Corps’ special representative to Africa and director of operations in Ethiopia. On his return to Washington in 1964, he was appointed associate director of the Peace Corps. In 1966 he became the founding president o…

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton (Boston, MA)
Brazelton is one of the foremost authorities on pediatrics and child development as well as an author, and professor. One of Brazelton’s best known achievements was the development of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), which is now used worldwide to recognize the physical and neurological responses of newborns, as well as emotional well-being and individual differences. In 1993, he founded the Brazelton Touchpoints Center® (BTC) at Boston Children’s Hospital where he continues to promote strengths-based, family-centered care in pediatric and early education settings around the world.

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What do you believe in? National Women’s Law Center


National Women's Law Center
What do you believe in?
Whether for our families or our country, we believe in making responsible and balanced budget decisions. We believe in making sure the wealthiest Americans and corporations pay their fair share. And we believe in protecting the programs and services that millions of vulnerable women and their families count on.
Are you with us?
Take a stand in support of fair budgets by sharing our button today! The more shares, the more visibility for our cause.
Graphic - Say Yes to a Fair Budget

There were key developments on the federal budget this week.
The House and Senate each released its own budget for FY2014. They could not be more different. The House budget slashes critical services for vulnerable families while the Senate invests in early childhood programs, protects programs vital to women and families, and advances tax fairness.
Here’s what you need to know.
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan‘s budget would:

  • Give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations by lowering the top individual and corporate tax rate to 25 percent.
  • Repeal the Affordable Care Act — denying millions of women and families access to affordable health insurance.
  • Dramatically cut funding for programs like Head Start and child care assistance, which help women work and children learn.
  • Dismantle core safety net programs by turning Medicaid and SNAP (Food Stamps) into block grants.
  • Cut funding for K-12 education, Pell Grants, job training, and domestic violence prevention.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray’s budget would:

  • Increase investments in early learning and home visiting programs, giving more children access to the prekindergarten, child care, Head Start and Early Head Start opportunities.
  • Protect Social Security and core safety net programs.
  • Permanently extend the improvements in the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit that lift millions of women and children out of poverty.
  • Expand access to affordable health insurance and preventive care services by continuing to implement the Affordable Care Act.
  • Close corporate tax loopholes and limit unfair tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

Two budgets. Two visions. We need to speak up for the vision that puts women and their families first.
Please join us in support of fair budgets by sharing our button today.
Thanks for all your support!
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher Vice President for Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center    Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center     Helen Blank Director of Child Care and Early Learning National Women’s Law Center    

P.S. For more information about what’s happening with the House and Senate budgets, please check out NWLC’s latest resources.