Tag Archives: United States

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS ~~ the House


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The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, June 3, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:00am with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

 

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council, post-cloture, with the time until noon equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

 

At noon, all post-cloture time on the Harper nomination will be considered expired and there will be 2 roll call votes:

–        Confirmation of the Harper nomination and

–        Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

Following the cloture vote on the Bowen nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

 

Additional roll call votes on nominations are expected during Tuesday’s session.

At 12:00 noon today, there will be 2 roll call votes related to the following nominations:

 

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council; and
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

If cloture is invoked on the Bowen nomination, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. We hope to reach an agreement that would allow us to vote on confirmation of the Bowen nomination this afternoon, potentially around 4:00pm.

Further, cloture was also filed on the below listed nominations and we will work on an agreement for consideration of those nominations.

–        Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided); and

–        Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).

12:01pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council;

Confirmed: 52-42

 

Next:

Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

12:28pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission;

Invoked: 50-44

Cloture was invoked on the Bowen nomination 50-44. The Senate then reached an agreement to vote at 4:00pm on confirmation of the Bowen nomination and to vote on cloture on the 3 district court nominations. Also under the agreement, at 11:00am tomorrow, Wednesday, June 4, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the district court nominations and then cloture on the Burwell nomination.

 

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm for the caucus meetings.

 

The vote schedule is as follows:

 

4:00pm today, Tuesday, June 3—up to 4 roll call votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts
  3. Cloture on  Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina
  4. Cloture on Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia

 

11:00am tomorrow, Wednesday, June 4—up to 4 roll call votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts
  2. Confirmation of  Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia
  4. Cloture on Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate)

WRAP UP

Roll Call Vote

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #633, 113th Congress, 2nd Session” Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council; Confirmed: 52-42
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #755, 113th Congress, 2nd SessionExecutive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Invoked: 50-44
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #755, 113th Congress, 2nd SessionExecutive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Confirmed: 48-46
  4. Cloture on Executive Calendar #691, 113th Congress, 2nd SessionExecutive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Invoked: 56-39
  5. Cloture on  Executive Calendar #692, 113th Congress, 2nd Session”Executive Calendar #692, Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina; Invoked: 59-35
  6. Cloture on Executive Calendar #733, 113th Congress, 2nd Session”Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia; Invoked: 54-40

 

Legislative items

Passed S.2270, Insurance Capital Standards Clarification Act of 2014, as amended by the Collins substitute amendment

Adopted S.Res.453, Condemning the death sentence against Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, a Sudanese Christian woman accused of apostasy

Adopted S.Res.464, National Aphasia Awareness Month

Adopted S.Res.465, Commemorating the centennial of Webster University

 

The Senate began the Rule 14 process to place S.2422, a bill to improve the access of veterans to medical services from the Department

of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, on the Calendar of Business.

 

Executive items

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by vote votes:

 

Executive Calendar #752 Timothy G. Massad, of Connecticut, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission;

Executive Calendar #753 Timothy G. Massad, of Connecticut, to be Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and

Executive Calendar #754 J. Christopher Giancarlo, of New Jersey, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

By unanimous consent, the Senate discharged the Agriculture Committee and confirmed PN #1642, the nomination of J. Christopher Giancarlo, of New Jersey, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for a term expiring April 13, 2019

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Last Floor Action:
12:04:20 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on June 5, 2014.

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the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/2 ~~ the House


War_of_wealth_bank_run_poster

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, June 2, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #633, the nomination of Keith M. Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.  There will be 2 minutes of debate prior a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Harper nomination.

 During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the order listed:

–        Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided); and

–        Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).

At 5:33pm, the Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.

Invoked: 51-37

WRAP UP

Roll Call Vote

1)     Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council; Invoked: 51-37

 

No Legislative items

 

No Executive items

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Last Floor Action:5/30
12:02:05 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 5/30 ~~ the House


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The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, June 2, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #633, the nomination of Keith M. Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.  There will be 2 minutes of debate prior a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Harper nomination.

 

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the order listed:

–        Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);

–        Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided); and

–        Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).

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

Last Floor Action:5/30
12:42:41 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 2, 2014.

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the Amazon


Chainsaws and bulldozers are devouring the Amazon rainforest  home to jaguars, parrots, and sloths.

Macao Parrot in Brazil

Can you chip in $5 today to protect the Amazon and other threatened ecosystems worldwide?
We’re just $7,000 away from our goal!

Donate today!

An area bigger than the state of Texas is missing from the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

A place where jaguars, parrots, and sloths used to roam, fly, and climb — where hundreds of indigenous groups once lived — is gone. The result of decades of man made destruction.

Scandals


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What Conservatives Should Do If They Are Really Concerned About Veterans Health Care

The scandal at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs over long wait times to receive health care and fraudulent reporting by hospital administrators is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Yesterday, a preliminary report from the VA Inspector General confirmed many of the initial problems, finding that:

a) at least 1,700 veterans waiting for care were purposely withheld from the official electronic wait list because administrators knew they could not receive care within a 14-day period that was the goal;

b) at the Phoenix VA hospital at the center of the controversy, the average wait time for an initial primary care appointment was in fact 115 days, and not 24 days as reported by the Phoenix hospital;

c) there were multiple paper wait lists used to track patients in addition to the electronic wait list that were invisible to federal oversight.

Other reports coming out indicate that “cooking the books” is a much broader problem within the VA.

Secretary Eric Shinseki has called the findings “reprehensible” and is “not waiting to set things straight.” In fact, Shinseki, a disabled Vietnam veteran who served in the Army for 38 years, has fought an uphill battle to reform the VA bureaucracy in a number of ways, according to experts at the Center for American Progress. But that hasn’t stopped numerous elected officials from calling for his resignation, including, at last count, 74 Republican members of Congress.

We all agree that veterans deserve the best possible care. But if conservatives were truly outraged at the prospect of veterans not receiving the health care they deserve, there’s another step they could take right now to expand coverage to not just thousands, but hundreds of thousands of veterans, and almost 5 million Americans overall. Instead, they are standing directly in the way.

There are over a quarter million uninsured veterans in states that are currently refusing to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. These veterans are not receiving delayed care, they aren’t receiving any care at all. While many people assume that all veterans have health benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, as of 2013 only two-thirds were eligible and just one-third were enrolled. The map below shows a state-by-state breakdown of those affected:

medicaid_vets

Conservative legislators have been quick to condemn the VA’s actions, but that hasn’t stopped them from voting again and again to repeal the Affordable Care Act that expands coverage to millions of people, including veterans. And it hasn’t stopped them from defending state lawmakers who continue to refuse to expand Medicaid under the ACA and deny coverage to veterans and millions of other Americans.

BOTTOM LINE: The scandal at the VA is serious, and those at fault should be held accountable. But those who would repeal the Affordable Care Act are at the heart of another scandal: over 250,000 veterans in 24 states have no access to care at all because of conservative lawmakers’ refusal to expand Medicaid.