Tag Archives: United States Constitution

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Expanding List of Expandeders


By

More Red States Are Deciding That Closing The Coverage Gap Is The Right Move

The news today that, through December 12, there have been 2.5 million signups in the second year of open enrollment is another indication of the success the Affordable Care Act is having in bringing health care to millions of Americans. The website has been withstanding surges in traffic, too.

But there is more evidence that the law is working. As the holiday season approaches, conservative-led states previously committed to resisting the Affordable Care Act at all costs are doing a funny thing. With the 2014 elections behind them, more and more red state governors are announcing that they support accepting federal funding to close the coverage gap and provide affordable healthcare to families. While we hope that state legislatures will come on board with these state executives and approve plans quickly, in some cases it could be a long slog from governors announcing a deal to these same governors signing legislation. Despite that, this news is incredibly encouraging:

  • Yesterday, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced Insure Tennessee, a federal-state hybrid program that could bring coverage to more than 160,000 Tennesseans. A recent poll found that 58 percent of registered Tennessee voters supported taking federal funding to expand coverage for low-income Tennesseans.
  • Earlier this month, Wyoming Governor Matt Mead announced his support for his state’s version of Medicaid expansion, which could cover up to 17,600 Wyomingites.
  • Also earlier this month, Utah Governor Gary Herbert released his plan to expand coverage in his state, which would go beyond closing Utah’s coverage gap and could provide insurance for 77,000 Utahns.
  • Newly-elected Alaska Governor Bill Walker, an independent, continued his campaign to expand Medicaid from the campaign trail into his administration, though he will face stiff resistance from the Republican statehouse to bring affordable health care to 40,000 Alaskans.
  • According to reports, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D), undeterred after Republicans blocked him from expanding Medicaid to 400,000 Virginians, will continue to push for Medicaid expansion in 2015, despite facing long odds.

Since it is the holiday season, it would not be complete without a Grinch. That would be Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. Fresh off a tough re-election fight where he had to defend his tax cuts that blew a huge whole in the budget and deepened the recession’s damage to state services, Brownback has to continue to try and stitch together a balanced budget. His new idea to fill that pothole, however, is to use funds available to Kansas in part due to savings through the Affordable Care Act. Kansas received about $30 million thanks to the ACA through Medicaid, but instead of using that money to pay for Medicaid, Brownback wants to use it to replace the money given out in tax cuts disproportionately to the wealthy.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite setbacks by obstructionist Republicans, the Affordable Care Act’s fight to expand coverage to millions more Americans is not over. Expanding health coverage and closing the coverage gap is good for state budgets, for state economies, and of course for the uninsured. More red states are realizing this now, and we’ll bet even more will in the year to come.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Why I support the National Women’s Law Center



I’ve seen a lot of change in the world since I spoke out in 1991 about the sexual harassment I experienced when I worked for Clarence Thomas.Over the years, I’ve continued working as an educator, lawyer, and advocate. I’ve seen progress for women and families moveforward, backward, and forward again. I know we’ve accomplished much, but we still have much to do.That’s why I serve on the board of the National Women’s Law Center. Because we have a long way to go in the struggle for equality — and NWLC will be the one to take us there.

Join Anita Hill with a Year-End Gift to NWLCYour tax-deductible gift of $10 or more to supportNWLC’s work for women and families will be worth twice as much thanks to a matching gift.Donate Now

Just this year, NWLC helped win a Presidential Executive Order to strengthen equal pay protections and stop federal contractors from firing women who ask about fair pay. The Center wrote a groundbreaking report that calls attention to a key roadblock to enforcing sexual harassment laws — and so much more.

We’ve got a lot of work to do to ensure fair treatment for women in 2015 and beyond. We have to defend the gains we’ve made and push not only Congress but also regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts to dismantle the barriers women face.

And the National Women’s Law Center is exactly who I trust to get the job done.

Join me with a gift of $10 or more today. Your year-end donation will be doubled, up to a total of $140,000, thanks to a matching gift.

It’s up to all of us to speak out as the struggle for equality continues into the next generation, in 2015 and beyond.

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,
Anita Hill
Board of Directors
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. I’m grateful to NWLC for leading the way in the fight for equality. I know you are too. Make your year-end donation and it will be doubled by a matching gift.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Do it for the kids


I heard you.

Recently, I asked you to tell me your top priority for the session. Thousands of Washingtonians told me, “Fund the schools.”

I listened, and last night, I announced my top priority for the next legislative session — and a real plan for action.

The $2.2 billion proposal I outlined last night lays out plans to improve education at all levels, including a $1.3 billion investment in basic education — the largest our state has seen in two decades — that would reduce class sizes in early grades, implement full-day kindergarten, and cover special education and school costs. And the $130 million investment in early education I’ve proposed would be our largest ever.

But with a plan this ambitious, you can bet there will be naysayers — opponents who will claim that it costs too much, that it can’t be done, or that it’s just not a priority for Washington voters.

I need you to help me prove them wrong, and show we have the momentum to pass this plan.

Do you believe Washington students deserve real action on education in the upcoming legislative session? Click here to learn more about my plan and show your support.

Our state is long overdue for a plan that takes education seriously.

Almost three years ago, the Washington Supreme Court unanimously declared that our state had failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to amply provide for education — and that it needed to take immediate action.

Since taking office, I’ve already delivered $1 billion in additional funds to fill in the gap, fighting tooth and nail for every dime. But some leaders still want to kick the can down the road, even after the court held the legislature in contempt earlier this year.

But today’s students shouldn’t be robbed of a high-quality education with only vague promises for action in the future. They deserve immediate action.

If we succeed in passing my plan, we’ll invest in the full continuum of education from early learning to higher education, with greater access and affordability, higher graduation rates, and increased investments in quality educators and administrators.

And with a $26.4 million investment in math and science education in colleges and universities and job training and education for adults without a diploma, we’ll create new jobs by showing employers that building their factories, laboratories, and offices in Washington will give them access to some of the best educated workers in the country.

But to make that happen, I need your help to show that Washington demands action now — not years down the road.

Help me pass a plan that puts Washington students first and prepares them for the jobs of the future. Click here to read more about my plan to improve education, and declare your support.

A comprehensive plan on this scale has been a long time coming, and our kids have waited long enough. Thanks for helping build the support I need to take action now.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

Black History

the Senate ~~~ CONGRESS 12/17 ~~~ the House


Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-christmas-movies-3172792-1080-720

The Senate stands adjourned sine die under the provisions of H.Con.Res.125 until 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.

Following the prayer and pledge and following the presentation of the certificates of election and the swearing-in of elected Members, there will be a required live quorum.

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

Last Floor Action:12/16
12:08:01 P.M. – The Speaker announced that pursuant to the order of the House of today, the House stands adjourned until noon on Friday, December 19, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.

Black History

the Senate ~~~ CONGRESS12/16 ~~~ the House


 

turn_off_fox_credo_cc

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, December 16, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume executive session and vote on confirmation of the Santos and Rose nominations (expected voice votes).

Following disposition of the nominations, there will be up to 3 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees in relation to the Saldana nomination. It is anticipated that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The time from 2:15 – 2:30pm will be equally divided and controlled in the usual form, followed by 2 roll call votes on cloture and confirmation of the Saldana nomination.

At 6:00pm, there will be up to 2 roll call votes on cloture and confirmation of the Blinken nomination. Additional roll call votes are expected.

Tuesday, 10:00am—2 votes (voice votes expected)

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #979, Daniel J. Santos, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2017; and
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #635, Frank A. Rose, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Verification and Compliance).

Tuesday, 2:30pm—Up to 2 roll call votes

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1084, Sarah R. Saldana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security; and if cloture is invoked
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1084, Sarah R. Saldana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security.

Tuesday, 6:00pm

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1150, Antony Blinken, to be Deputy Secretary of State; and if cloture is invoked
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1150, Antony Blinken, to be Deputy Secretary of State.

Additional roll call votes are expected

2:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #1084, Sarah R. Saldana, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security;

Invoked: 53-41

Next:

Confirmation of the Saldana nomination.

2:51pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1084, Sarah R. Saldana, of Texas, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security;

Confirmed: 55-39

Senator Mikulski asked unanimous consent that the Senate vote on Executive Calendar #1058, the nomination of Carolyn Colvin, to be the Commissioner of Social Security.

Senator Hatch objected.

6:02pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on cloture on Executive Calendar #1150, Antony Blinken, to be Deputy Secretary of State;

Invoked: 53-40

 

Next:

Cloture on Executive Calendar #1144, Colette Honorable

6:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1150, Antony Blinken, to be Deputy Secretary of State;

Confirmed: 55-38

Next: Cloture on Executive Calendar #1144, Collette Honorable, Member, FERC;

6:49pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on cloture on Executive Calendar #1144 Collette Honorable, Member, FERC.

 

There is a chance we vote on Tax Extenders after a very short amount of debate following this vote.

Cloture was invoked on the Honorable nomination 65-28. Notwithstanding cloture having been invoked, there will now be up to 30 minutes equally divided for debate on H.R.5771, Tax Extenders, prior to a vote on passage. The vote on passage is subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold.

 

H.R.5771 – Tax Extenders (with H.Con.Res.124)

Leader:            I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding cloture having been invoked, the Senate now resume Legislative Session and the Senate then proceed to the consideration of Calendar #627, H.R.5771, the Tax Extenders legislation; that there be 30 minutes of debate, equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior to a vote on passage of the bill; that the bvote on passage be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that there be no amendments, motions or points of order in order prior to the vote; further, if H.R.5771 is passed, the Senate then proceed to the consideration of H.Con.Res.124, a concurrent resolution correcting the enrollment of H.R.5771, modifying the title of the bill; that the concurrent resolution be agreed to; and following disposition of the concurrent resolution, the Senate resume Executive Session and consideration of the Honorable nomination.

7:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of H.R.5771, Tax Extenders (60-affirmative vote threshold).

7:32pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of H.R.5771, Tax Extenders (60-affirmative vote threshold);

Passed: 76-16

Senator Reid withdrew the cloture motions on and the Senate then confirmed by voice votes the Lopez, Jadotte, Stivers, Cruden, and Smith nominations.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent:

 

BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS

#900 Karen Kornbluh – to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2016

 

CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

#651 Richard J. Engler – to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years

#970 Manuel H. Ehrlich, Jr. – to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years

 

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

#1079 Nicholas J. Rasmussen – to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence

 

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

#514 Mark E. Lopes – to be United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years

 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

#1104 Leigh A. Bradley – to be General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs

 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

#1141 Mark R. Rosekind – to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

#933 Helen Tierney – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs

 

MORRIS K. UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION

#644 Charles P. Rose – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring May 26, 2019

#645 Mark Thomas Nethery – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2018

#646 Anne J. Udall – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2016 (Reappointment)

#737 Camilla C. Feibelman – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation

 

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

 

#844 Martha L. Minow – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

#845 Charles Norman Wiltse Keckler – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2016

#862 Gloria Valencia-Weber – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

#864 John Gerson Levi – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

#865 Robert James Grey, Jr. – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

 

ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

#757 Thomas Hicks – to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2017

#1085 Matthew Vincent Masterson – to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December12, 2017

#1086 Christy A. McCormick – to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2015

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#1099 Isobel Coleman – to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U. N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador

#1100 Isobel Coleman – to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform

 

UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

#790 Paige Eve Alexander – to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#1110 Robert M. Scher – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

#1111 David J. Berteau – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#1090 Jess Lippincott Baily – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Macedonia

#1091 Robert Francis Cekuta – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Azerbaijan

#1092 Margaret Ann Uyehara – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Montenegro

#1093 Richard M. Mills, Jr. – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia

PN2092 Micheal P. O’Rielly,  (FCC)

PN1279 – Laurie Mikva (Legal Services)

PN1280 – Victor Maddox (Legal Services)

PN2065 – Joseph Pius Pietzyzk (Legal Services)

PN1916 – James Huffman (Udall)

 

1005           Sep 11, 2014       PN1804             Department of Justice

Reported by Committee on the Judiciary

Arthur Lee Bentley III, of Florida, to be United States Attorney

for the Middle District of Florida for the term of four years; and

1062           Nov 13, 2014      PN1806             Department of Justice

Reported by Committee on the Judiciary

David Rivera, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for

the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years.

The Senate also confirmed Calendar #618, James Cole, Jr. to be General Counsel, Department of Education. Additional votes are possible tonight. The next vote would be cloture on Executive Calendar #1041, Stephen Bough, MO district judge. We expect to vote as soon as an agreement is reached, which may be soon.

As a reminder, cloture motions are still pending on the remaining district judge nominations in the previous order.

8:57pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on #1041, Stephen R. Bough, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri. We expect a roll call vote on confirmation of the Bough nomination shortly after this vote. There may be 5-10 minutes of debate prior to the confirmation vote.

Invoked: 51-38.

9:23pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #1041, Stephen R. Bough, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri;

Confirmed: 51-38

This will be the last vote of the Congress. Prior to the vote on confirmation of the Bough nomination, Senator Reid withdrew the cloture motions on the remaining district judge nominations and the Senate agreed to vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order in which cloture was filed. The Senate will confirm the nominations with voice votes.

 

  • Jorge Alonso (cal.#1070), District Judge – IL;
  • Haywood Gilliam (cal.#1071), District Judge – CA;
  • Amit Mehta (cal.#1072), District Judge – DC;
  • Allison Burroughs (cal.#1073), District Judge – MA;
  • John Blakey (cal.#1075), District Judge – IL;
  • Amos Mazzant (cal.#1076), District Judge – TX;
  • Robert Pitman (cal.#1077), District Judge – TX;
  • Robert Schroeder (cal.#1078), District Judge – TX;
  • Joan Azrack (cal.#1145), District Judge – NY;
  • Elizabeth Dillon (cal.#1146), District Judge – VA; and
  • Loretta Biggs (cal.#1147), District Judge – NC.

Senator Wyden asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.R.5701, Western Oregon Indian Tribal Lands Act.

Senator Vitter objected on behalf of Senator Sessions.

 

Senator Vitter asked unanimous consent the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R.4137, Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed.

Senator Wyden objected.

 

Senator Warren asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1898, Truth and Settlements, with committee-reported substitute amendment.

Senator Toomey objected on behalf of Senator Cornyn.

 

Senator Shaheen asked unanimous consent the Energy Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R.2126, and the Senate take up and pass the bill.

Senator Toomey objected on behalf of a colleague who was unavoidably detained.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1084, Sarah R. Saldana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security; Invoked: 53-41.
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1084, Sarah R. Saldana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security; Confirmed: 55-39.
  3. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1150, Antony Blinken, to be Deputy Secretary of State; Invoked: 53-40.
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #1150, Antony Blinken, to be Deputy Secretary of State; Confirmed 55-38.
  5. Cloture on Executive Calendar #1144, Colette Honorable, to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Invoked: 65-28.
  6. Passage of H.R.5771, the Tax Extenders Legislation; Passed: 76-16.
  7. Motion to invoke cloture on Stephen R. Bough, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri; Invoked 51-38.
  8. Confirmation of Stephen R. Bough, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri; Confirmed: 51-38.

 

Legislative Business

Passed H.R.3608: Grand Portage Band Per Capita Adjustment Act

Passed H.R.4030: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18640 NW 2nd Avenue in Miami, Florida, as the “Father Richard Marquess-Barry Post Office Building”.

Passed Calendar #131, S.684 with committee-reported amendments and Johnson amendment: Mni Wiconi

Passed Calendar #513, S.1800: Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act with committee-reported amendments and Barrasso amendment

Adopted Calendar #648, S.Res.595: Nobel Laureates Satyarthi and Yousafzai

Adopted S.Res.226: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of James Cleveland ‘Jesse’ Owens

Adopted S.Res.564: Centennial of the Passenger Pigeon Extinction, with amendment at the desk

Adopted H.Con.Res.125: Adjournment Sine Die Resolution by voice vote

 

Executive Business

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice votes:

  1. Executive Calendar #979, Daniel J. Santos, to be a Member of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for a term expiring October 18, 2017;
  2. Executive Calendar #635, Frank A. Rose, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Verification and Compliance);
  3. Executive Calendar #1144, Colette Honorable, to be Member of FERC;
  4. Executive Calendar #840, Estevan Lopez, to be Commissioner of Reclamation;
  5. Executive Calendar #922, Marcus Jadotte, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce;
  6. Executive Calaendar #901, Jonathan Stivers, to be an Assistant Administrator of USAID;
  7. Executive Calendar #735, John Cruden, to be an Assistant Attorney General;
  8. Executive Calendar #553, Christopher Smith, to be Assistant Secretary of Energy;
  9. Executive Calendar #1070, Jorge Alonso, District Judge – IL;
  10. Executive Calendar #1071, Haywood Gilliam, District Judge – CA;
  11. Executive Calendar #1072, Amit Mehta, District Judge – DC;
  12. Executive Calendar #1073, Allison Burroughs, District Judge – MA;
  13. Executive Calendar #1075, John Blakey, District Judge – IL;
  14. Executive Calendar #1076, Amos Mazzant, District Judge – TX;
  15. Executive Calendar #1077, Robert Pitman, District Judge – TX;
  16. Executive Calendar #1078, Robert Schroeder, District Judge – TX;
  17. Executive Calendar #1145, Joan Azrack, District Judge – NY;
  18. Executive Calendar #1146, Elizabeth Dillon, District Judge – VA; and
  19. Executive Calendar #1147, Loretta Biggs, District Judge – NC.

 

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent:

BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS

#900 Karen Kornbluh – to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2016

CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

#651 Richard J. Engler – to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years

#970 Manuel H. Ehrlich, Jr. – to be a Member of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board for a term of five years

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

#1079 Nicholas J. Rasmussen – to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

#514 Mark E. Lopes – to be United States Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

#1104 Leigh A. Bradley – to be General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

#1141 Mark R. Rosekind – to be Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

#933 Helen Tierney – to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs

MORRIS K. UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION

#644 Charles P. Rose – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring May 26, 2019

#645 Mark Thomas Nethery – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2018

#646 Anne J. Udall – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring October 6, 2016 (Reappointment)

#737 Camilla C. Feibelman – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

#844 Martha L. Minow – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

#845 Charles Norman Wiltse Keckler – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2016

#862 Gloria Valencia-Weber – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

#864 John Gerson Levi – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

#865 Robert James Grey, Jr. – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation for a term expiring July 13, 2017

ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

#757 Thomas Hicks – to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2017

#1085 Matthew Vincent Masterson – to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December12, 2017

#1086 Christy A. McCormick – to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#1099 Isobel Coleman – to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U. N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador

#1100 Isobel Coleman – to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform

UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

#790 Paige Eve Alexander – to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#1110 Robert M. Scher – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

#1111 David J. Berteau – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#1090 Jess Lippincott Baily – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Macedonia

#1091 Robert Francis Cekuta – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Azerbaijan

#1092 Margaret Ann Uyehara – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Montenegro

#1093 Richard M. Mills, Jr. – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia

PN2092 – Micheal P. O’Rielly, (FCC)

PN1279 – Laurie Mikva (Legal Services)

PN1280 – Victor Maddox (Legal Services)

PN2065 – Joseph Pius Pietzyzk (Legal Services)

PN1916 – James Huffman (Udall)

The Senate also confirmed Calendar #618, James Cole, Jr. to be General Counsel, Department of Education;

Calendar #1005, PN1804, Arthur Lee Bentley III, of Florida, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida for the term of four years; and

Calendar #1062, PN1806, David Rivera, of Tennessee, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee for the term of four years.

 

============================================

Last Floor Action:
12:08:01 P.M. – The Speaker announced that pursuant to the order of the House of today, the House stands adjourned until noon on Friday, December 19, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.

Last Floor Action:12/12
3:10:44 P.M. – The Speaker announced that pursuant to the order of the House of today, the House stands adjourned until noon on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.

12:00:00 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:34 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Neugebauer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:40 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Br. Thomas More Garrett, Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC.
12:02:01 P.M. Pursuant to section 3(a) of House Resolution 775, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
12:02:07 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:50 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 December 12, 2014 at 6:20 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 121, H. Con. Res. 123 and that the Senate agreed to the House Amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3979.
12:03:20 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 December 13, 2014 at 4:25 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.J. Res. 131.
12:03:55 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 December 15, 2014 at 8:56 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 122 and agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 83.
12:04:11 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 December 15, 2014 at 9:55 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2591 and H.R. 5859.
12:05:15 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 December 16, 2014 at 9:03 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2754, H.R. 3572, H.R. 1206, H.R. 1378, H.R. 5050, H.R. 5185, H.R. 5816, S. 706, H.R. 3027, H.R. 4416, H.R. 4651, H.R. 5331, H.R. 5562, H.R. 4276, and H.R. 5687.
12:06:44 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 December 16, 2014 at 10:57 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2901, H.R. 1068, H.R. 2866 amended, and S. 1744.
12:07:00 P.M. Without objection, the Chair announced that when House adjourns today, it shall adjourn to meet at noon on Friday, December 19, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.
12:08:01 P.M. The Speaker announced that pursuant to the order of the House of today, the House stands adjourned until noon on Friday, December 19, 2014, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 125, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.

========================================================