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


March 2013
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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

——————————————————————————————————

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

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

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President Obama and OFA


President Obama talked about you the other day — and I wanted to make sure you heard all the good things he had to say:

“What we want is to make sure that the voices of the people who put me here continue to be heard — that they’re not just heard during election time, that they’re not just heard in terms of dollar solicitations, that we are helping to build or sustain a network of citizens who have a voice in the most critical debates that are going to be taking place over the next year, year and a half, and if it works, potentially beyond.”

Pretty exciting stuff, right? That’s our mission at Organizing for Action — and you’re making it happen.

Check out this video of President Obama’s speech at last week’s Founder’s Summit and say you’re standing with the President for the work ahead:

President Obama on why OFA matters.

When President Obama talked about the work we’re doing, he made it clear: It’s not about electing anyone, and it’s not about gearing up for the next elections.

It’s about the governing part of our movement — after the polls close, and when the real job of passing legislation that represents our principles and values begins.

Already, your work as part of Organizing for Action has begun to turn heads.

In a nutshell, it meant the hundreds of events across the country to make sure Congress knows we’re serious about reducing gun violence.

It’s thousands of people, many who hadn’t ever used Twitter before, getting online and tweeting their representatives to make their voices heard.

It’s the more than 500,000 people who have added their names to tell Congress to reduce the deficit and pass a budget that doesn’t hurt the middle class.

It’s the more than 1 million OFA supporters who have already taken action as part of this organization — yes, more than 1 million.

And it’s the more than 400 Action Planning Sessions that folks are holding across the country this week and next to plan our actions for the next few months ahead.

I want to share one last line from President Obama’s speech that really drives home the work we’re doing:

“I’ve always said that I am representing people, and that change comes about because people are activated, people are involved. People shape the agenda. People determine the framework for debate. People let their members of Congress know what is that they believe. And when those voices are heard, you can’t stop it. That’s when change happens.”

You’re part of it,

Watch the rest of President Obama’s remarks, and say you’re in for Organizing for Action’s work today:

Thank you,

Jon

Jon Carson
Executive Director
Organizing for Action

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Weekly Address: End the Sequester to Keep Growing the Economy.
In his weekly address, President Obama said that businesses have created jobs every month for three years straight — nearly 6.4 million altogether, and have added 246,000 new jobs in February. We must keep this momentum going, and that’s why the President recently met with Republican leaders to discuss how we can replace the harmful, arbitrary budget cuts, called the “sequester,” with balanced deficit reduction.
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Weekly Address: Congress Must Compromise to Stop the Impact of the Sequester.


President Obama urges Congress to stop the sequester — the harmful automatic cuts that threaten thousands of jobs and affect our national security from taking effect on March 1.

Watch this week’s Weekly Address.

In Case You Missed It

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:

Call to Governors: On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Biden delivered remarks to the National Governor Association. The President drew attention to the importance of infrastructure and education, while praising the group for their great work and accomplishments across America. The President also urged the governors to push Congress to end the harmful and automatic budget cuts known as the sequester, set to take effect March 1.

“As governors, you’re the ones who are on the ground, seeing firsthand every single day what works, what doesn’t work, and that’s what makes you so indispensable,” he said. “Whatever your party, you ran for office to do everything that you could to make our folks’ lives better.”

The First Lady and Dr. Biden also spoke and covered the importance of committing to our veterans in their transition to civilian life. Both highlighted states that have made progress in changing laws to make it easier for military spouses to attain new credentials when they move to a new state, and challenged all 50 states to follow through.

Rosa Parks Statue: On Wednesday, leaders gathered at Capitol Hill to honor civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks with the unveiling of her statue. The piece marks the first full-bodied statue of an African-American woman inside the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

Over half a century ago, Parks courageously refused to give up her seat on a bus and became a catalyst for the civil rights movement. President Obama acknowledged she opened doors for millions by noting, “It is because of these men and women that I stand here today.”

Defense Threats from Sequester: On Tuesday, President Obama traveled to Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia to warn of the sequester and promote his solutions for deficit reduction. Watch the full speech here.

“So these cuts are wrong. They’re not smart. They’re not fair,” said President Obama. “They’re a self-inflicted wound that doesn’t have to happen.”

Let’s Move! Tour: This week, the First Lady launched the start of her Let’s Move! tour to celebrate the third anniversary of the initiative that is challenging childhood obesity. On Tuesday, the First Lady appeared on “Good Morning America” to discuss childhood obesity and introduce a new partnership that highlights healthier recipes through MyPlate, a way to learn about healthy eating.

Taking Action: On Wednesday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano hosted over 100 leaders to discuss making our schools and houses of worship safer through high-quality emergency management plans. In January, the President signed 23 Executive Actions to protect our communities and high-quality emergency management was a piece of this framework.

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Nancy Pelosi – House Dems and the Headlines : March 2013


nancypelosi

Pelosi Statement on Cesar Chavez Day

“Today, the spirit of Cesar Chavez lives on in our ongoing fight for progress for the Hispanic community and for the American people.  It continues in the fight to make the minimum wage a living wage and to ensure equal pay for equal work.  It goes on in the struggle to protect the rights of voters and citizens no matter what their race or background.  It inspires our drive to respect our borders, advance our values, respect our history as a nation of immigrants, and enact comprehensive immigration reform.”
Saturday, March 30, 2013
“Congressman Young’s comments were deeply hurtful, offensive and inappropriate for anyone to utter, let alone a Member of the United States Congress.  Congressman Young should fully apologize for deeply offensive comments that were not appropriate in his youth or now.”
Friday, March 29, 2013
“There is no question that we face a continuing need to remove the obstacles that block too many Americans from the polls.  Under the leadership of Congressmen John Lewis, Jim Clyburn, George Miller and John Larson, we’ve proposed election reforms to strengthen enforcement of voting laws, provide for same day and modernization of voting registration, require early voting and other resources to prevent long voting lines and reduce the problems that voters everywhere are facing.”
Thursday, March 28, 2013
“The complete cleanup of Hunters Point is long past due.  Bayview residents have waited nearly 40 years for the Navy to fulfill its commitments while experiencing the highest rates of asthma and breast and cervical cancer in San Francisco.”
Thursday, March 28, 2013
“The – I – on the basis of what I heard, the questions of the justices, the response of the participants, I’m very optimistic that DOMA will be struck down.  It doesn’t seem to have a rational basis, which is one of the criteria, a rational basis, a justification for being and secondly, probably, I should say first, full protection of all people in our country.  So equal protection has been a principle that our country was founded on, that our Constitution was written on, and I think on the basis of those two – the debate was going back and forth – ‘is it about equal protection?’  ‘Is it about rational basis?’  I think on either score, it – the arguments, the debates seem to favor striking down DOMA, which is very important.”
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
“The DOMA challenge involves the heartbreaking case of Edie Windsor, who was required by the federal government to pay hundreds of thousands in taxes after her wife, Thea, passed way.  Regardless of the fact that Edie and Thea were married and together for over 40 years, the federal government discriminated against Edie.  House Republicans intervened in this case in their efforts to preserve injustice and defend discrimination, and impose an unjust tax liability on an American family.”
Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Pelosi Statement on the Third Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Friday, March 22, 2013

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013