Tag Archives: United States House of Representatives

did Your Representative stand with Planned Parenthood?


Congress voted to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding — but your representative stood with us.

Thank Rep. McDermott for voting against the bill to strip funding from Planned Parenthood health centers.

http://www.ppaction.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=11567&scid=1028&pw_id=2964&s_src=istandwppfeb2011thanksppoltaf

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the most outrageous — and dangerous — legislative attack on Planned Parenthood in our history.

It was a frightening show of just how far extreme anti-choice members of Congress are willing to go in their effort to eliminate Planned Parenthood health centers as a source of primary and preventive health care. While this bill poses an incredible threat to women’s health, and must be stopped in the Senate, it’s good to know that we have true allies in the House.

Your representative, Rep. McDermott , was one of the leaders who stood with us by voting against this horrific legislation. Please, take a moment to thank Rep. McDermott for voting to protect women’s health.

As we continue to fight against this and other attacks on Planned Parenthood, we need members of Congress to maintain their steadfast support. It’s important to show our allies that we appreciate their efforts to stand up for Planned Parenthood.

Click here to send your representative a quick note of thanks. http://www.ppaction.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=11567&scid=1028&pw_id=2964&s_src=istandwppfeb2011thanksppoltaf

You know it as well as I do: this push to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding is not an isolated incident. Planned Parenthood has been the target of persistent attacks for 95 years, and nothing — nothing — has stopped us from fighting to protect and promote women’s health every day. The only way we’ve been able to stand strong is with the unwavering support of people like you — and with the help of allies like Rep. McDermott .

Please let your representative know how much you appreciate this vote to protect Planned Parenthood and women’s health.

I want you to know that we are not done fighting this outrageous bill. We’ll be looking to you in the days ahead as this legislation moves to the Senate. I know we can stop it — and we must.

Thank you for your support and your determination, and for everything you do for the women, men, and teens who rely on Planned Parenthood every day.

Sincerely,

http://www.ppaction.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=11567&scid=1028&pw_id=2964&s_src=istandwppfeb2011thanksppoltaf

UCS is standing up for science. Will you stand up for UCS?


Please help UCS expose and challenge attacks on science by becoming a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists today.

 http://www.ucsusa.org/forms/sign-up-for-ucs-science-network.html

Amidst the inflammatory rhetoric of media personalities and polarizing politics found in our national and state capitols these days, it’s becoming harder and harder to find leaders who are willing to stand up for science and for practical solutions to America’s energy and climate challenges.

“The fact that there may be some global warming doesn’t necessarily establish that it’s caused by humans. If you look at climatological data going back centuries or millennia, we have periods of cooling, like the Ice Age, and warming. So it’s cyclical. We’re going to have public hearings on the topic.”

—Representative Mo Brooks (R-AL), chair of the House of Representatives’ science committee’s subcommittee for research and science education

You can help UCS expose and challenge attacks like this on science—become a member today.  http://www.ucsusa.org/forms/sign-up-for-ucs-science-network.html

That’s why UCS is leading the charge to beat back fraudulent claims about climate change, educate decision makers and the public about the real facts on global warming, and advance science-based solutions to protect human health and the environment.

Please become a member today.  http://www.ucsusa.org/forms/sign-up-for-ucs-science-network.html

Right now we’re witnessing an all-out war on science and hard-fought environmental and public health protections. Consider these facts:

A Fox News managing editor directed his staff to highlight criticisms of climate science whenever they mention the fact that Earth is warming.

The new vice-chairman of the House Science Committee has threatened to launch hearings to question basic scientific findings by climate scientists.

Oil giant ExxonMobil has spent millions to run a sophisticated disinformation campaign designed to deceive the public about the certainty of climate change science.

Recently elected governors, representatives, and senators have pledged to roll back many of the scientifically sound, global warming emissions reduction measures we’ve won in the last few years.

We need you help to defend science, shine a spotlight on the real facts about climate change, and to protect our environment, health, and security. Please become a member of UCS today. http://www.ucsusa.org/forms/sign-up-for-ucs-science-network.html

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch

President

P.S. When you join UCS, you join more than 77,000 UCS members from all walks of life who understand that climate change isn’t a belief—it’s a scientific fact. People like you who want to work together to protect human health and our environment. Please join us today. http://www.ucsusa.org/forms/sign-up-for-ucs-science-network.html

Urgent: Tell the U.S. House to End the Budget Insanity …AFL-CIO -repost


Repost …

This week the House will vote on Republican scorched-earth budget cut proposals that would amputate critical government services working families rely on every day. They want to slash education—from Head Start to Pell Grants for college. Cut food safety inspections. Cut job safety inspections. Cut investments in infrastructure. Cut the money to send out Social Security checks. And eliminate hundreds of thousands of middle-class jobs.

This week the U.S. House will be voting on extremist budget proposals that essentially would shut down critical services for working families this fiscal year. House Republicans claim it’s deficit control. It’s not. It’s an all-out assault on America’s middle class and naked political payback to CEOs who poured millions into the 2010 elections.

Sign the petition telling representatives to stop wasting time on outrages like this.

>> http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=JwmLLkAvQ9Z2eaO7KyjEHVAYly69wHrp

Then, forward this message to your friends and urge them to sign, too.  http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Bw132snZIJsEpBwz1ZhVLumJZ0bcS%2BhP

This isn’t “fiscal responsibility” or “deficit control.” It’s a bald-faced attack on America’s middle class as political payback to CEOs who poured millions into the 2010 elections. CEOs don’t like job safety regulations, so the politicians they elected will cut the funding and fire the inspectors. CEOs don’t want environmental safeguards, energy improvements or curbs on health insurance companies, so their politicians will just defund the programs.

Sign the petition. Tell representatives: Get to work creating jobs and reviving our economy and stop wasting time on outrages like this.

Then, forward this message to your friends and urge them to sign, too. http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=JwmLLkAvQ9Z2eaO7KyjEHVAYly69wHrp

The Republican proposals would propel us squarely in the wrong direction—toward an America we do not want to be. If we don’t stop this budget insanity now, services ordinary Americans count on could cease for months or fail to function at all in this fiscal year.

Think about what America will be like with no occupational safety and health inspections or investigations of workplace fatalities and disasters. No National Labor Relations Board elections to enable working men and women to have a stronger voice on the job, collectively bargain, or choose whether to form a union. No certainty about when the Social Security checks will arrive.

This isn’t about deficit control. It’s about legislating working America out of the way of limitless corporate profits.

Stop this budget insanity. Sign the petition. Tell representatives: Get to work creating jobs and reviving our economy and stop wasting time on outrages like this.

Then, forward this message to your friends and urge them to sign, too. http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=Bw132snZIJsEpBwz1ZhVLumJZ0bcS%2BhP  

The budget madness isn’t limited to the federal level. In state after state, Republican legislators and governors whose election campaigns raked in the corporate contributions are ignoring the job crisis and playing politics-as-usual with the lives of working families. They’d rather take modest pensions and collective bargaining rights away from public employees than win them for working families struggling without. Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin is so determined to make people with decent middle-class jobs suffer and end collective bargaining for public employees that he’s told the National Guard to be ready in case working people strike or rise up.

Wow.

And if that’s not extreme enough, a Missouri state senator, Jane Cunningham (R), proposes ending the ban on employing children younger than 14 and limiting the hours children may work.

Don’t let the budget insanity go any further. Let’s stop it now.

Sign the petition. Tell representatives: Get to work creating jobs and reviving our economy and stop wasting time on outrages like this.

Then, ask your friends to sign, too.

Thank you for taking action.

In solidarity,

Manny Herrmann

Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

Congress: In Session on 2/14 -The Senate & The Republican led House


the Senate Covenes at 2:00pmET  February 14, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization bill.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will turn to Executive session to consider the following nominations:

– Calendar #1, James E. Graves, of Mississippi, to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit; and

– Calendar #5, Edward J. Davila, of California, to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California.

There will be 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed.

At 5:30pm, there will be a voice vote on the Graves nomination and a roll call vote on the Davila nomination.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Wicker amendment #14, as modified (Excludes TSA from collective bargaining)

– Blunt amendment #5 (private screening company)

– Paul #21 (reduce authorization for FAA to FY2008 levels)

– Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

Inhofe amendment #6 (liability protection to volunteer pilots)

– Inhofe amendment #7 (flight time limitations/rest requirements)

– Ensign amendment #32 (military remotely piloted aerial systems)

McCain amendment #4 (Essential Air Service)

– Leahy amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots)

– Reid amendment #54 (noise buffering)

– Reid #55 (Convey federal land to Mesquite, NV)

– Udall (NM) #49 (Dona Ana County airport)

– Udall (NM) #51 (Advanced Imaging Technology)

– Nelson (NE) #58 (criminal penalties for distribution of airport screening x-rays)

– Paul amendment #18 (Memorandum of understanding re: OSHA)

– Baucus amendment #75, as modified (Finance title)

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Votes:

15: Confirmation of Edward J. Davila, of California, to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California; Confirmed: 93-0

Unanimous Consent:

S.Res.49, celebrating Black History Month

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 14, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:25 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:11 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

7:09 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 352 – 59, 3 Present (Roll no. 37).

H.R. 514:

to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

7:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 275 – 144 (Roll no. 36).

6:54 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 186 – 234 (Roll no. 35).

6:33 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

6:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. Pending the reservation of a point of order, subsequently the reservation was withdrawn.

6:22 P.M. –

Mr. Thompson (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.

Mr. Thompson (CA) moved to recommit the bill, H.R. 514, to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: ¢ At the end of section 1, add the follwing new subsection: ¢ (c) COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTION. — ***

6:21 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 514.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 514 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 79.

5:11 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting his Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2012 – referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-3).

5:10 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 a sealed envelope from the White House on February 14, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits his Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2012.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 14.

2:06 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

2:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Schock to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Schock demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Schock demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 14.

12:08 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:02 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

12:01 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Bishop to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Congress: both Chambers will be in Session …2/8


The Senate Convenes at 10:00am ET February 8, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Wicker amendment #14, as modified (Excludes TSA from collective bargaining)

– Blunt amendment #5 (private screening company)

– Paul #21 (reduce authorization for FAA to FY2008 levels)

Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

Inhofe amendment #6 (liability protection to volunteer pilots)

– Inhofe amendment #7 (flight time limitations/rest requirements)

– Ensign amendment #32 (military remotely piloted aerial systems)

McCain amendment #4 (Essential Air Service)

– Leahy amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots)

– Reid amendment #54 (noise buffering)

– Reid #55 (Convey federal land to Mesquite, NV)

– Udall (NM) #49 (Dona Ana County airport)

– Udall (NM) #51 (Advanced Imaging Technology)

– Nelson (NE) #58 (criminal penalties for distribution of airport screening x-rays)

– Paul amendment #18 (Memorandum of understanding re: OSHA)

At 10:20am, there will be 10 minutes for debate prior to a vote in relation to the Nelson (FL) amendment #34 (NASA).

Senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 10:30am in relation to the Nelson (FL) amendment #34 (NASA) to S.223, FAA Authorization.

That will be the only roll call vote of the day.

Votes:

14: Nelson (FL) amendment #34 (NASA); Agreed to: 96-1

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

The next meeting in the House is at 2pm ET February 8, 2011

 CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 8, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:23 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:08 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:07 P.M. –

RONALD REAGAN CENTENNIAL COMMISSION – Pursuant to Section 4 of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-25), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Schock of Illinois to the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission .

7:06 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C 3003, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Chairman; Mr. Pitts of Pennsylvania; Mr. Aderholt of Alabama; and Mr. Gingrey of Georgia to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe .

7:05 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 72 and H. Res. 73.

7:04 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent that the chair of each committee be permitted to submit their respective committee rules for publication in the Congressional Record and that the chair of the Committee on the Budget be permitted to submit material related to the budget process for publication in the Congressional Record.

H.R. 514:

to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

7:03 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 277 – 148 (Roll no. 26).

6:31 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:30 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 8.

3:12 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

3:11 P.M. –

Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission – Pursuant to Section 4 of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act (Public Law 111-25) the Minority Leader appointed the following member of the House to the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission: Mr. Reyes .

House Democracy Partnership – Pursuant to Section 4(b) of H.Res. 5, 111th Congress the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the House Democracy Partnership: Mr. Price of NC, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Holt, Ms. Schwartz, Mr. Payne, Mr. Farr, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Hirono and Ms. Roybal-Allard .

3:10 P.M. –

Board of Trustees of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program – Pursuant to Section 4404(c)(2) of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 2002 (2 U.S.C) 1161, the Minority Leader appointed Mr. James P. McGovern of Worchester, Massachusetts .

National Council on the Arts – Pursuant to the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 955(b) note) the Minority Leader appointed the following member of the House to the National Council on the Arts: Ms. McCollum .

H.R. 514:

to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 514.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

2:25 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 4, 2011 at 11:52 a.m. stating that that body had approved an appointment to the Senate National Security Working Group.

2:24 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 3, 2011 at 10:33 a.m. stating that that body had approved appointments to the Senate National Security Working Group, Board of Trustees of Gallaudet University, United States Holocaust Memorial Council, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, United States-China Interparliamentary Group conference, United States-Japan Interparliamentary Group conference, Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group conference, United States-Russia Interparliamentar

2:23 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 2, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. stating that that body had passed S. 188 and approved appointments to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission and the President’s Export Council.

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 February 1, 2011 at 10:52 a.m. stating that that body had approved appointments to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

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 January 27, 2011 at 4:03 p.m. stating that that body had approved an appointment to the Congressional Budget Office.

2:22 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on January 26, 2011 at 4:50 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 366 and approved an appointment to the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission.

2:18 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

2:17 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006, with respect to the situation in or in relation to Cote d’Ivoire is to continue in effect beyond February 7, 2011. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-8).

2:16 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 a sealed envelope from the White House on January 26, 2011, at 3:55 p.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits a copy of a notice filed earlier with the Federal Register continuing the national emergency with respect to Cote d’Ivoire first declared by Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006.

2:02 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead 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.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.