Tag Archives: United States House of Representatives

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Congress: pro forma


 

The Senate will meet on the following dates and times for pro-forma sessions only with no business conducted:

Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00am,

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LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 5, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:09 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3 of H.Res. 375.

 The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 9, 2011.

10:08 A.M. – The House received a communication from LaNette Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of Congressman H arold Rogers. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Wright notified the House that she had been served with a non-party subpoena issued by the Circuit Court for Russell County, Kentucky, for documents and testimony in a criminal case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.

10:07 A.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 3, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.: That the Senate passedS. 1302andS. 710.The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to section 4(c) ofH. Res. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, and section 1(k)(2) of H.Res.895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, the Clerk notified the House that Jay Eagen, Allison Hayward, and Kelly Brewington each have signed an agreement to not be a candidate for the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for the purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least 3 years after he or she is no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of Congressional Ethics.

10:05 A.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 2, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.: That the Senate passedH. Con. Res. 70, without amendment. The Senate also concurred in the House amendment toS. 365.ADJUSTED WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Oregon, Mr. Wu, the whole number of the House is 432.

The House received a communication from Representative Wu wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective at 11:59 p.m. on August 3, 2011.

10:04 A.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a certification that the debt subject to limit is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit in 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) and that further borrowing is required to meet existing commitments. – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-48).

10:03 A.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a sealed envelope from the White House on August 2, 2011, at 2:13 p.m., containing a message from the President whereby he submits to the Congress a certification pursuant to section 3101A(a)(1)(A) of title 31, United States Code.Pursuant to section 4 of H.Res. 375, the Chair announced that legislative business is not dispensed with on this day.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:02 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the Deputy Parliamentarian, Tom Wickham.

10:01 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Attacking the EPA is NOT fiscally responsibl​e …Union of Concerned Scientists


Attacking the EPA is Not Fiscally Responsible

Lately, there has been a lot of talk in Washington, DC, about fiscal responsibility. Under the guise of cutting government spending, some lawmakers are taking a hatchet to many of the landmark laws that protect our health and the environment—such as the Clean Air Act. But attacking the Clean Air Act is both fiscally irresponsible and terribly short-sighted.

This legislation has a 40-year track record of cutting dangerous pollution and, in 2010 alone, helped prevent an estimated 160,000 premature deaths and 1.7 million asthma attacks. On August 2, the total value of the net benefits provided to Americans by the Clean Air Act since its inception reached a staggering $50 trillion.

Yet despite the massive benefits that this landmark piece of legislation provides to the American people, certain members of Congress continue to try to undermine the Clean Air Act by working to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from reducing dangerous global warming emissions and other harmful pollutants. This has grave implications for our health, our children’s health, and the health of Americans for generations to come.

While the House of Representatives is currently on recess, they will return to Washington to continue debate on H.R. 2584, a spending bill that outlines the budget for the Department of the Interior and the EPA. The bill is an all-out attack on our air, water, lands, and wildlife, and includes nearly 40 anti-health, anti-environment amendments—including an amendment that would prevent the EPA from reducing global warming emissions under the Clean Air Act. Protecting our health and the environment is the fiscally responsible thing to do.

Please write today and urge your representative to vote against this anti-health, anti-environment bill.

Take Action Now

Sincerely,

Chrissy Elles

Outreach Associate

UCS Climate & Energy Program

P.S. With the Congressional Recess starting this week, your representative is home in your state until early September. Many representatives will host town halls or be at public events. I encourage you to attend these events and ask your representative, in person, to protect our health and environment and oppose H.R. 2584.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 2, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION*****************************
10:03 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3 ofH. Res. 375. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 5, 2011. 10:02 A.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 2, 2011 at 9:35 a.m.: That the Senate passed H. R. 2715, without amendment; and passedS. 1466.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:01 A.M. – JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 5 ofH. Res. 375, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved. 

10:00 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Frank R. Wolf to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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The Senate Convened at 9:30amET August 2, 2011

  • Following Leader remarks, Senator Reid is expected to make a motion to concur in the House amendments and the time until noon will be for debate on the motion to concur, equally divided, between the two Leaders, or their designees.
  • At noon, the Senate will proceed to vote on the Reid motion to concur; the motion to concur will be subject to a 60 vote threshold; no amendments, points of order or other motions will be in order to the message prior to the vote.

At noon today, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the Reid motion concur in the House message to accompany S.365, the legislative vehicle for the debt limit compromise with a 60-vote threshold.

During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, Senator Boxer asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass H.R.2553, the FAA extension with a Rockefeller-Hutchison substitute amendment (which is a clean extension of the program). Senator Coburn then objected to the request.

Senator Coburn then asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2553 (as passed by the House which includes policy riders). Senator Boxer then objected to Senator Coburn’s request.

12:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.365, the debt limit compromise (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 74-26

WRAP UP

Adopted H.Con.Res.70, correcting the enrollment of S.365, which is a title amendment.

Passed S.710, Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act

Passed S.1302, a bill to authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in Tracy, California, to the City of Tracy.

Discharged Judiciary and adopted S.Res.104, designating September 2011 as “Campus Fire Safety Month”.

Adopted S.Res.254, Designating August 16, 2011, as “National Airborne Day”

Adopted S.Res.255, Designating October 8, 2011, as “National Chess Day” to enhance awareness and encourage students and adults to engage in a game known to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Discharged Commerce Committee from further consideration and confirmed PN 741, Deborah A.P. Hersman, of Virginia, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term of two years

CONFIRMED THE FOLLOWING:

THE JUDICIARY

#114 Sara Lynn Darrow – to be United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois

#115 Richard Brooke Jackson – to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado

#116 Kathleen M. Williams – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida

#117 Nelva Gonzales Ramos – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#95 David Bruce Shear – to be Ambassador of the United States to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT

OF COLUMBIA

# 230 Jennifer A. Di Toro, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the

Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years

# 232 Yvonne M. Williams, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the

Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years,

STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

#254 David V. Brewer – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute for a term expiring September 17, 2013

INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE CULTURE AND ARTS DEVELOPMENT

#255 Barbara Jeanne Ells – to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

#256 Deborah Downing Goodman – to be Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

#257 Cynthia Chavez Lamar – to be Member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

#265 Dan Arvizu – to be a Member of the Natinoal Science Board, National Science Foundation

#266 Alan I. Leshner – to be a Member of the National Science Board, National Science Foundation

#267 William Carl Lineberger – to be a Member of the National Science Board, National Science Foundation

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

#268 Aaron Paul Dworkin – to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE

#269 Eric S. Edelman – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

#275 Clayton D. Johnson – to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

#277 Derek J. Mitchell – to be Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma, with the rank of Ambassador

#278 Jeffrey DeLaurentis – to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations

#279 Jeffrey DeLaurentis – to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations

#280 David S. Adams – to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Legislative Affairs)

#282 Frankie Annette Reed – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Kiribati

#283 Paul D. Wohlers – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Macedonia

#284 William H. Moser – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova

#285 Earl Anthony Wayne — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Mexico

#286 Arnold A. Chacon — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guatemala

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE

#288 Matthew G. Olsen – to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

#291 Madelyn R. Creedon – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

#292 Alan F. Estevez – to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense

AIR FORCE

#293 Gen. William M. Fraser, III – to be General

#294 Col. Donald P. Dunbar – to be Brig. General

#295 Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog – to be Lt. General

#296 Lt. Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger – to be Lt. General

#297 Brig. Gen. Verle L. Johnston, Jr. –to be Major General

#298 Brig. Gen. Leonard A. Patrick – to be Major General

#299 Brigadier General Trulan A. Eyre;

Brigadier General Mark R. Johnson;

Brigadier General Bruce W. Prunk;

Brigadier General Harold E. Reed;

Brigadier General Roy E. Uptegraff, III – to be Major General

Colonel Patrick D. Aiello;

Colonel Aaron J. Booher;

Colonel Kevin W. Bradley;

Colonel David T. Buckalew;

Colonel Peter J. Byrne;

Colonel Paul D. Cummings;

Colonel Vyas Deshpande;

Colonel Brian T. Dravis;

Colonel Brent J. Feick;

Colonel Mark K. Foreman;

Colonel David R. Fountain;

Colonel Timothy L. Frye;

Colonel Paul D. Gruver;

Colonel Michael A. Hudson;

Colonel Salvatore J. Lombardi;

Colonel Stephen E. Markovich;

Colonel Richard L. Martin;

Colonel Brian A. Miller;

Colonel William W. Pond;

Colonel Jonathan T. Wall;

Colonel Jennifer L. Walter – to be Brig. General

ARMY

#300 Gen. Martin E. Dempsey – to be General

#301 Gen. Raymond T. Odierno – to be General

#302 Maj. Gen. Keith C. Walker – to be Lt. General

#303 Maj. Gen. Charles T. Cleveland – to be Lt. General

#304 Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter – to be Lt. General

#305 Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. – to be Lt. General

#306 Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins – to be Lt. General

#307 Col. Brian R. Copes – to be Brig. General

#308 Brig. Gen. Bert K. Mizusawa – to be Major General

#309 Col. Fred W. Allen – Brig. General

#310 Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. – to be General

#311 Brigadier General Stephen E. Bogle;

Brigadier General Dominic A. Cariello;

Brigadier General David J. Elicerio;

Brigadier General Sheryl E. Gordon;

Brigadier General Ronald W. Huff;

Brigadier General Gerald W. Ketchum;

Brigadier General William L. Seekins;

Brigadier General Richard E. Swan;

Brigadier General Joe M. Wells – to be Major General

Colonel Matthew P. Beevers

Colonel Joel E. Best

Colonel Michael E. Bobeck

Colonel Joseph M. Bongiovanni

Colonel Brent E. Bracewell

Colonel Allen E. Brewer

Colonel Leon M. Bridges

Colonel Eric C. Bush

Colonel Scott A. Campbell

Colonel William R. Coats

Colonel Albert L. Cox

Colonel Sylvia R. Crockett

Colonel Terry A. Ethridge

Colonel Kevin R. Griese

Colonel John J. Jansen

Colonel Donald O. Lagace, Jr.

Colonel Louis J. Landreth

Colonel William S. Lee

Colonel Jerry H. Martin

Colonel Robert A. Mason

Colonel Craig M. McGalliard

Colonel Christopher J. Morgan

Colonel Todd M. Nehls

Colonel Kevin L. Neumann

Colonel Michael J. Osburn

Colonel Lannie D. Runck

Colonel George M. Schwartz

Colonel Terence P. Sullivan

Colonel Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau

Colonel Thomas P. Wilkinson

Colonel Wilbur E. Wolf, III

Colonel David C. Wood – to be Brig. General

#312 Brigadier General David B. Enyeart – to be Major General

Colonel Randy A. Alewel

Colonel Karen D. Gattis

Colonel Catherine F. Jorgensen

Colonel Blake C. Ortner

Colonel Timothy P. Williams

Colonel David E. Wilmot – to be Brig. General

#313 Col. Gina D. Seiler – to be Brig. General

#314 Col. Michael A. Calhoun –to be Brig. General

#315 Col. Kaffia Jones – to be Brig. General

NAVY

#316 Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert – to be Admiral

#317 Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr. – to be Admiral

#318 Vice Adm. Scott R. Van Buskirk – to be Vice Admiral

#319 Vice Adm. Mark E. Ferguson, III – to be Admiral

#320 Rear Adm. Scott H. Swift – to be Vice Admiral

#321 Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr. – to be Vice Admiral

#322 Vice Adm. Michael A. LeFever – to be Vice Admiral

#323 Capt. Luke M. McCollum – to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

And nominations placed on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, and Navy;

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Don’t Let Congress Cut the Lights on Energy Efficiency


Congress is threatening to roll back a key energy efficiency victory our movement won in 2007. The “BULB Act” (H.R. 2417) attacks standards that would require new light bulbs to acheive higher efficiency levels – and it may reach a VOTE as early as Monday.

The BULB Act will COST American households $100 to $200 every year in missed energy savings. The bill’s sponsors claim that the lighting efficiency standard is an outright ban on incandescent bulbs. On the contrary, advanced incandescents meet efficiency standards and they have created 2,000 new American jobs.

H.R. 2417 is simply a lose-lose-lose proposition for America. It will COST us money, kill green jobs, and pollute our air. Please, use your influence to stop the attacks on this fundamental energy efficiency mandate. Write your Senators and Representative, speak out against the BULB Act.

Tell Congress to Protect the Cost Saving Light Bulb Efficiency Standard – Strike Down the BULB Act

Passage of the BULB Act will result in 100 million tons of unnecessary global warming pollution per year – the equivalent of putting 17 million additional cars on the road. The missed energy savings will cost Americans $12 billion every single year.

In 2007, light bulb efficiency standards passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, and with backing from the lighting industry. Even George W. Bush supported these energy saving measures.

If Congress pulls away from this fundamental efficiency mandate, WE will foot the bill and our planet will suffer the consequences. Please send a letter Congress today, advocating a NO vote on the BULB Act.

Send a Message to Congress Opposing the Threat to Light Bulb Efficiency Standards

We expect a vote on Monday, please send your letter today. Let’s make some noise and protect our planet!

Kathleen Rogers
President, Earth Day Network

Black History

Congress on the 1st of July – Vacation until 7/5


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 1, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is
scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on July 5, 2011.

10:03 A.M. – Pursuant to section 1(k)(2) of H.Res. 895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, and
section 4(c) of H.Res. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, the Clerk notified the
House that Yvonne Burke, Karen English, Bill Frenzel, Porter J. Goss, Abner, J.
Mikva, David El. Skaggs, Omar Ashmawy, William H. Cable, Laura Cole, Mary K.
Flanagan, Scott Gast, David Hartzler, Kedric L. Payne, Paul Solis, and Nathaniel
Wright have signed an agreement to not be a candidate for the office of Senator
or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for
purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least 3 years
after he or she is no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of
Congressional Ethics.

10:02 A.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission
granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message
from the Secretary of the Senate on June 29, 2011, at 5:45 p.m., stating that
that body had passed S. 679.

10:01 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I,
the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend William George, Cathedral of St.
Matthew, Washington, DCThe Speaker designated the Honorable Jeffrey M. Landry to act as Speaker pro
tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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The Senate convenes on July 5, 2011