Tag Archives: Ted Cruz

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900,000

10/17/2013 Nativegrl77

GOP Crises Alone Have Killed 900,000 Jobs

After shutting down the government for over two weeks in a failed attempt to deny affordable health insurance to millions of Americans, the prospect of a catastrophic economic shutdown caused by an unprecedented default on our obligations has finally brought enough Republicans to their senses. A bipartisan deal negotiated by senators to re-open the government and avoid a default appears set to pass both the House and the Senate this evening.

President Obama and Democrats stood strong and refused to grant Republicans any of their ransom demands in exchange for Congress agreeing to simply do its job, but unfortunately the series of crises manufactured by the GOP over the past few years has already taken a terrible toll on the economy.

A new report out yesterday pins the number of jobs killed by the GOP’s government-by-crisis strategy over the past few years at 900,000.

As ThinkProgress notes, the report also finds that the painful and unnecessary austerity spending cuts (themselves largely imposed by the GOP using crises and threats) in place have cost us more than a million jobs:

The report also finds that cuts to discretionary spending from 2011 to the present have cost the country 1.2 million jobs and 0.7 percentage points of GDP growth. About three-quarters of the $2.4 trillion in total deficit reduction enacted since the fall of 2010 was in the form of spending cuts. The Peterson-commissioned estimate of what that steep reduction in government expenditures has cost is a bit more conservative than previous estimates by other economists, but only slightly less negative.

This graphic from our Center for American Progress colleagues illustrates how many more Americans would have jobs in a world without austerity:

Finally, a different report out this evening finds the current shutdown crisis pulled $24 BILLION out of the economy and will slash more than a half-percentage off GDP growth.

BOTTOM LINE: It’s time for Republicans to stop trying to govern by crisis, hostage-taking, and extortion. The fight over the debt limit is over. Period. It’s now time for us to come to a long-term agreement on the budget that gets rid of the damaging sequester cuts and is instead focused on our real problems: jobs and economic growth.

It’s also time for Speaker Boehner to abandon his failed attempts to appease the extreme Tea Party wing of the GOP and instead seek a bipartisan governing majority focused on doing what’s best for our country, including the passage of immigration reform with a pathway to earned citizenship.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Houston Chronicle regrets endorsing Ted Cruz.

POLLS: Shutdown hurting GOP Senate chances, even in red states.

Right-wing group that orchestrated shutdown overt Obamacare now admits that “everybody knows” Obamacare can’t be repealed.

Ted Cruz admits the shutdown was all about building email fundraising lists.

Anti-tax crusader says defunders owe conservatives an apology.

Senate Republicans: GOP didn’t get anything out of shutdown.

Tea Party already seeking purge of non-extremists in 2014.

Tea Party congresswoman who voted to shut down the government now wants billions in disaster aid.

More than five million poor Americans won’t get health coverage because of the GOP’s refusal to expand Medicaid.

Black History

the Senate considers S.1569,a bill to ensure the complete and timely CR payment CONGRESS 10/11 the House considers H.R. 2642 relating to crop insurance.”

10/11/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:30am on Friday, October 11, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, it is expected the Majority Leader will renew his motion to proceed to S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014.

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will recess subject to the call of the Chair to allow for a Republican special caucus with the President.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.1569. Unless an agreement can be reached, that cloture vote will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Saturday.

After the Senate convened this morning, Senator Reid renewed his motion to proceed to S.1569, Default Prevention Act of 2013 (extends debt limit until December 31, 2014). As a reminder, yesterday he filed cloture on the motion to proceed. Barring an agreement, that cloture vote will occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Saturday.

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the Chair in order to allow Senate Republicans to meet with President Obama at the White House.

The Senate has reconvened and is debating the motion to proceed to S.1569, the Default Prevention Act of 2013 (debt limit through December 31, 2014). Senators are permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

At 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 12, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.1569, Default Prevention Act of 2013 (debt limit through December 31, 2014).

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.J.Res.79, Border Security and Enforcement Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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

Last Floor Action:
9:03:04 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.

9:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:30 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug Collins to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:45 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:16 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. Mrs. Foxx 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. Mrs. Foxx 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.
9:02:44 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wittman to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:03:04 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.

9:12:49 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 371. H.J. Res. 76 — “Making continuing appropriations for the National Nuclear Security Administration for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
9:13:17 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 76.
9:57:32 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
9:57:40 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that further proceedings on H.J. Res. 76 had been postponed.
9:57:58 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
10:25:34 A.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 11.
10:25:38 A.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on further consideration of H.J. Res. 76
10:26:53 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Considered as unfinished business. H.J. Res. 76 — “Making continuing appropriations for the National Nuclear Security Administration for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
10:27:07 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Ms. Kelly (IL) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
10:27:21 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kelly (IL) motion 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 replace the underlying bill with the Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 59, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014, pending reservation of a point of order.
10:30:11 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment was not germane to the underlying bill. Sustained by the Chair.
10:30:11 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.
10:32:06 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Ms. Kelly (IL) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
10:32:22 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Mr. Frelinghuysen moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.
10:56:50 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 195 (Roll no. 541).
11:07:52 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 248 – 176 (Roll no. 542).
11:07:52 A.M.	H.J. Res. 76	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:07:59 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
1:59:59 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 11.
2:00:07 P.M.		Ms. Foxx filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 380.
2:01:55 P.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 October 11, 2013 at 10:15 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1276, and agreed to H. Con. Res. 58, with amendments.
2:02:24 P.M.	H. Res. 380	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 380 — “Relating to consideration of the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2642) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes, providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 378) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding certain provisions of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642 relating to the Secretary of Agriculture’s administration of tariff-rate quotas for raw and refined sugar, and providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 379) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding certain provisions of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642 relating to crop insurance.”
2:04:19 P.M.	H. Res. 380	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 380.

3:42:19 P.M.	H. Res. 380	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 219 – 193 (Roll no. 543).
3:53:04 P.M.	H. Res. 380	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 – 189 (Roll no. 544).
3:53:05 P.M.	H. Res. 380	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:53:18 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
3:54:00 P.M.		The House received a communication from Daniel Strodel, Chief Administrative Officer. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Strodel notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the United States District of Columbia, for documents in a third-party civil case. After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, Mr. Strodel had determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House.
3:57:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved that the House insist upon its amendment to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
3:57:50 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to a conference.
3:57:51 P.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered without objection.
3:58:24 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion that the House insist upon its amendment to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
3:59:02 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Peterson moved that the House instruct conferees.
3:59:21 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the Peterson motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2642. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to recede to section 1602 of the Senate amendment (relating to suspension of permanent price support authority), and recede to the Senate position in title IV of the Senate amendment providing at a minimum a five-year duration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other nutrition programs.
4:28:47 P.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered without objection.
4:29:26 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Peterson motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2642, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion to instruct conferees and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Peterson demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2642 until a time to be announced.
4:32:38 P.M.	H. Res. 378	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 380. H. Res. 378 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding certain provisions of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642 relating to the Secretary of Agriculture’s administration of tariff-rate quotas for raw and refined sugar.”
4:33:13 P.M.	H. Res. 378	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 378.

5:36:20 P.M.	H. Res. 378	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:36:45 P.M.	H. Res. 378	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 378, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Peterson demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on agreeing the resolution until a time to be announced.
5:37:27 P.M.	H. Res. 379	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 380. H. Res. 379 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding certain provisions of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2642 relating to crop insurance.”
5:37:42 P.M.	H. Res. 379	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 379.
6:25:11 P.M.	H. Res. 379	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
6:25:36 P.M.	H. Res. 379	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
6:25:49 P.M.	H. Res. 379	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:26:37 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:28:10 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:19:25 P.M.		Mr. Mullin asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on October 12. Agreed to without objection.
7:20:26 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
8:28:10 P.M.		Mr. Swalwell (CA) moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:28:15 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:28:20 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on October 12, 2013.

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Something Big’s Happening

09/27/2013 Nativegrl77

The White House, Washington

Starting October 1st, Americans will have access to the Health Insurance Marketplace — a new, simpler way to compare plans and purchase health insurance — all in one place. The Marketplace will be run in partnership with states or fully by HHS in 36 states. In these 36 states, consumers will have a choice of 53 health plans on average, and young adults will have even more low-cost options.

In partnership with HealthCare.gov, we’ve created a map to help you explore a summary of the choices and premiums expected to be available on October 1st.

See the map and learn more about the Marketplace.

Delivering on the Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Premiums Lower than Expected

At the center of the Affordable Care Act is the premise that we need to make health care more affordable and accessible for more Americans, and a new report released today demonstrates just how affordable insurance will be. The report, released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), finds that in state after state, affordable options will be available through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014.

Yesterday, President Obama delivered a speech at UNGA — the United Nations General Assembly — in New York City. The President expressed optimism at the prospects for diplomacy in solving a range of long-simmering conflicts across the globe.

Last Friday, President Obama delivered remarks at a suburban Kansas City, MO Ford Motor Co. stamping plant — a plant that recently had to bring on a shift of 900 workers to keep up with the demand for the new F-150.

Marissa Graciosa, Reform Immigration FOR America

09/26/2013 Nativegrl77

Tell your representative to show leadership and pass immigration reform now!

I’ve learned a powerful lesson in my years of organizing: you get what you ask for. With countless activists like you making calls, joining rallies and marches, and even risking arrest to ask for nothing less than a fair pathway to citizenship as part of immigration reform legislation, all we need now is for our representatives in the House to come forward and lead on the issue.

While our communities show true courage, our legislators in the House of Representatives are hiding. They are choosing political theater over working together to fix our broken immigration system. They are hiding from our demands for bold action to keep our families together.

It’s time the House followed our lead. We’re sending postcards directly to Congressional offices with images of our communities showing real leadership and a message demanding action. Send your representative a clear message: “Real leaders don’t hide. Pass immigration reform in 2013.”

We elect our members of Congress to lead, yet the House has failed to do so by refusing to take action. We must remind them that, as representatives of the people, they answer to us — and we challenge them to model the bravery and leadership that thousands are demonstrating in the streets every day by passing immigration reform this year.

We are closer now than we have ever been to passing real reform, and our representatives need to know that we aren’t backing down. Send your message now: step up and lead on immigration reform! Click here to send a postcard.

Standing strong,

Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

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Obamacare, Obamacare, Obamacare

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Health Care and the ACA ~~ Originally posted on 8/22/13

the Progress Report

In less than 6 weeks, millions of Americans will have the chance to sign up for quality, affordable health coverage for the very first time. Progressives are doing everything possible to educate Americans about the law and push back on the never-ending conservative misinformation campaign against Obamacare. Conservatives are, well, trying anything and everything in order to try and derail the law at the very last minute.

(Things are not going very well for conservatives.)

Here’s a roundup of the very latest Obamacare news:

Pro-Obamacare protesters confront Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) at town hall: Multiple pro-Obamacare protesters confronted the Tea Party senator at the Dallas stop of Heritage Action’s tour promoting a government shutdown over Obamacare. The town hall slid further downhill from there when Cruz’s father took the stage, railed against Socialism, said “Sarah Palin was right,” and warned of the dangers of death panels. Even Republicans have called this strategy and tour “political suicide” for the GOP.Meanwhile, Texas Governor Rick Perry is quietly lobbying the Obama administration for $100 MILLION in Obamacare funding.

Tea Party group calls on Congressional staffers to “burn their Obamacare cards: FreedomWorks, a right-wing group that has helped fuel opposition to health reform and other progressive policies since the earliest days of the Obama presidency, is currently engaged in a cynical effort to dissuade young people and others of securing affordable coverage under Obamacare, which it is offensively likening to Vietnam war opponents who burned their draft cards.A GOP amendment to Obamacare requires Congressional staffers to receive their health coverage through the Obamacare marketplaces starting next year and now FreedomWorks says it hopes they forego their health coverage and instead pay a fine, though the group concedes “everyone should do whatever’s best for them and their families.” We assume most Hill staffers (including Republicans), like most Americans, will prefer the security of health coverage.

More GOP congressmen concede they will help their constituents enroll in Obamacare: While Republicans remain united in their irrational opposition to Obamacare, even some vocal conservatives are now conceding that they will help their constituents find out about their rights, responsibilities, and new benefits under the law.

Two more states announce affordable premiums: Colorado and Montana became just the latest states to announce that their residents will find affordable premiums when they go to sign up for coverage offered through the new marketplaces that will be opening on October 1. Indeed, the growth in overall health care costs has slowed remarkably since Obamacare passed, contrary to fearmongering from many of the law’s opponents.

GOP civil war escalates: Republicans are locked in an all-out civil war over whether or not to shut down the government over Obamacare (which even Republicans concede won’t actually stop the law but will harm millions of Americans and the economy).Heritage Action is currently on a national tour to fan the shutdown flames, with former Tea Party Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), now the president of the Heritage Foundation, going so far as to tell a town hall audience that any Republicans who are afraid of shutting down the government ought to be “replaced.” To that end, his group and others are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads going after Republicans.