Tag Archives: United States

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CONGRESS breaks until 7/15

07/12/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, July 15, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Majority Leader will be recognized at 5:30pm. A live quorum and subsequent roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators is expected at 5:30pm.
Additionally, there will be a joint-special caucus for all Senators at 6:00pm on Monday.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:
- Executive Calendar #51, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of OH, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection;
- Executive Calendar #100, the nomination of Richard F. Griffin, Jr, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #101, the nomination of Sharon Block, of DC, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of NY, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
- Executive Calendar #178, the nomination of Fred P. Hochberg, of NY, to be President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
- Executive Calendar #99, the nomination of Thomas Edward Perez, of MD, to be Secretary of Labor; and
- Executive Calendar #98, the nomination of Regina McCarthy, of MA, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
If no agreement on the nominations can be reached, the first cloture vote would occur early Tuesday morning. If cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, there would be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination, except for the Perez nomination, which would have up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate. If cloture is not invoked on a nomination, the Senate would proceed to vote on cloture on the next nomination.

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9:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:39 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark Meadows to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:01 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Paul Binion II, Westside Church of God, Fresno, California.
9:03:08 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) 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. Thompson (PA) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
9:03:20 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wittman to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:05:44 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:19:35 A.M.		Ms. Sewell (AL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:47:08 A.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 125 – 260 (Roll no. 346).
9:47:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 295 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2642) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
9:48:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:26 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate to H.R. 588, and passed H.R. 251 and H.R. 254.
10:02:27 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
10:02:28 A.M.	H. Res. 295	During the course of debate on H. Res. 295, the Chair stated that it was not in order to embellish a unanimous consent request with additional remarks in the form of debate.
10:49:32 A.M.	H. Res. 295	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Hoyer raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
10:51:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	<action_description>Mr. Hoyer appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
10:51:16 A.M.	H. Res. 295	Mr. Sessions moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair.
11:17:51 A.M.	H. Res. 295	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 196 (Roll no. 347).
11:18:04 A.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
11:59:18 A.M.		Ms. Fudge moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:22:11 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 138 – 265 (Roll no. 348).
12:22:36 P.M.	H. Res. 295	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 295.
12:41:37 P.M.	H. Res. 295	The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:02:24 P.M.	H. Res. 295	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 – 195 (Roll no. 349).
1:02:25 P.M.	H. Res. 295	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 295. H.R. 2642 — “To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.”
1:03:05 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2642 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
1:03:34 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2642.
1:40:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Watt raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
1:41:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Watt appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
1:42:09 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:09:13 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 – 189 (Roll no. 350).
2:20:00 P.M.	H.R. 2642	made to have words taken down. Subsequently, the demand was withdrawn.
2:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 2642.
2:32:54 P.M.	H.R. 2642	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Thompson (MS) raised a point of order against the ruling of the Chair regarding what constitutes embellishment of a unanimous consent request. The point of order was overruled.
2:33:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Thompson (MS) appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
2:34:45 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Mr. Lucas moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:54:15 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 181 (Roll no. 351).
3:06:28 P.M.	H.R. 2642	The previous question was ordered without objection.
3:06:46 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Ms. Esty moved to recommit with instructions to Agriculture.
3:07:14 P.M.	H.R. 2642	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct annual audits of the food regulatory systems for each country that is eligible to export meat, poultry, or egg products to the United States. The motion would also give the Secretary the authority to transfer funds from any Department of Agriculture account to the Food Safety and Inspection Service account in order to address any food safety emergency.
3:32:49 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 198 – 226 (Roll no. 352).
3:40:29 P.M.	H.R. 2642	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 216 – 208 (Roll no. 353).
3:40:31 P.M.	H.R. 2642	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:41:39 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question on agreeing to the Journal de novo.
3:41:58 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:32 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, July 11, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013. Agreed to without objection.
3:56:01 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:51:56 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:52:07 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:52:08 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 15, 2013.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Zach Silk, Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility

07/11/2013 Nativegrl77

What happens t‌omorrow afternoon could determine who has more power in our state — 80% of Washington‘s citizens, or a tiny group composed of the national NRA leadership and the local gun lobby.

Last week, after the secretary of state released the language that we will use on our petitions to ensure that Washington gets to vote on requiring anyone buying a gun to pass a simple background check, that tiny group of ideologues filed a lawsuit to change it.

So we have to go to court t‌omorrow afternoon — and the judge’s decision on how we word the ballot title could be the difference between passing a measure that 80% of us support, or letting the NRA leadership and the gun lobby have their way.

Help us win the first battle of this campaign by contributing $3 to fight for fair petition language!

I know, it doesn’t seem like much, but the wording of a petition will matter A LOT when voters decide if they want to help us get on the ballot.

With fair wording, it’s going to be up to the voters to make their own decision — and we have a great change to make our state a lot safer.

With unfair wording, the NRA leadership and the gun lobby can scare a lot of voters who support criminal background checks away — and who knows what could happen.

We can’t afford to take that chance. Contribute $3 today to help us fight for a fair chance!

That’s all we ask for — a fair chance to let the voters decide.

And it all starts t‌omorrow.

Thanks again,

Zach Silk

Black History

the Senate considers S.1238,Student loans Congress the House considers HR2609,Energy&Water

07/10/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013. The time until 12:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 12:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013.

Senator Burr asked unanimous consent that if cloture is not invoked on the pending motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013 (Reed), that it then be in order to move to proceed to S.1241, Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act (Manchin); further that the cloture motion which will be at the desk be considered filed on the motion to proceed and further, notwithstanding Rule XXII, the Senate then immediately proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the pending motion to proceed to the Manchin bill, S.1241. If the request would have been agreed to it would have resulted in 2 cloture votes on motions to proceed to the two versions of student loan rates at noon today.

Senator Harkin objected.

the motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013;

Not Invoked: 51-49

Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, failed 51-49. Senator Reid changed his vote to no and then entered a motion to reconsider in order to preserve his ability to reconsider the failed vote at a later time.

The motion to proceed to S.1238, Keep Student Loans Affordable, remains the pending business.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1238, the Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013; Not Invoked: 51-49

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.588, the Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgement Act of 2013.

Passed H.R.251, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Federal features of the electric distribution system to the South Utah Valley Electric Service District, and for other purposes.

Passed H.R.254, Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act.

Adopted S.Res.193, honoring the fallen heroes of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:
12:03:58 A.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 10, 2013.

10:00:12 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mark E. Amodei to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:54 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:38:08 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:29 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 10.
12:00:51 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:00 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Holding 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. Holding objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:25 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Gabbard to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:42 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:34:30 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2609 — “Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.”
12:34:49 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
12:35:51 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Burgess, numbered 17 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to implement or enforce section 430.32(x), with respect to light bulbs.
12:36:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Burgess amendment No. 17 amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:42:31 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Burgess amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
12:43:01 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Ms. Bass, numbered 29 printed in the Congresssional Record to prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enfore, with respect to hydraulic fracturing operations in the Inglewood Oil Field.
12:43:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bass amendment No. 29 amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:47:49 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Bass amendment No. 29, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Bass demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
12:48:10 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Meadows, to prohibit the use of funds to pay salary of individuals appointed to the current position.
12:48:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Meadows amendment amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:49:31 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Meadows amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
12:56:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, to prohibit the use of funds to implement or enforce the mitigation methodology, referred to as the “Modified Charleston Method”, within the borders of Louisiana.
12:56:57 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:04:52 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:05:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lynch, to increase the Department of Army Corps of Engineers funds by $20,000,000, and decrease the Fossil fuel research program by $20,000,000.
1:05:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lynch amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:14:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS.
1:15:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Blackburn, to prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed ceiling fan rule.
1:15:05 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blackburn amendment under the five-minute rule.

1:25:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Blackburn amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:25:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Higgins, numbered 31 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to relocate or consolidate general resources of the Buffalo and Chicago Districts of the Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division.
1:26:08 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Higgins amendment No. 31 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:35:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Higgins amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:35:53 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Walberg, numbered 32 printed in the Congressional Record.
1:36:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Walberg amendment No. 32 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:38:11 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Walberg amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:38:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grayson, numbered 14 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to enter into a contract with any offeror or any of it principals if the offeror certifies, as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation.
1:39:08 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grayson amendment No. 14 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:39:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Grayson amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:43:06 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Barrow (GA), numbered 26 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for the purchase or hire of motor vehicles.
1:43:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Barrow amendment No. 26 amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:46:21 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Barrow (GA) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
1:47:20 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, to increase coastal restoration construction by $2,000,000 within the Department of Army-Corps of Engineers, and reduce the administration account within the Department of Energy by $2,000,000.
1:47:24 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:59:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:28:12 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 328).
2:34:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 329).
2:40:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 330).
2:47:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 331).
2:54:34 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Quigley amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 332).
3:03:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Heck (NV) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 333).
3:03:32 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen moved that the committee rise.
3:03:51 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:04:05 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2609 as unfinished business.
3:04:15 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

5:15:05 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 10.
5:15:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2609 — “Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.”
5:16:10 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
5:16:11 P.M.	H.R. 2609	VACATING PROCEEDINGS – Ms. Bass asked unanimous consent to withdraw her request for a recorded vote on the Bass (CA) amendment to the end that the amendment stand disposed of by voice vote. Agreed to without objection.
5:17:07 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Bass amendment; Failed by voice vote.
5:46:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Polis amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 334).
5:53:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Burgess amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 335).
6:01:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Burgess amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 336).
6:07:31 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Titus amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 337).
6:14:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Lynch amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 338).
6:16:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, to prohibit use of funds in the bill for activities proposed in the memorandum from Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy, to the Power Marketing Administrators with the subject line “Power Marketing Administrations’ Role” and dated March 16, 2012.
6:16:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	>DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:22:00 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:23:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Whitfield, to prohibit use of funds in the bill by the Department of Energy for wind energy programs.
6:23:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Whitfield amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:36:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Whitfield amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Whitfield demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
6:41:57 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Turner, to prohibit use of funds in the bill to reduce the nuclear forces of the United States in contravention of the Arms Control and Disarmament Act.
6:41:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Turner amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:47:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Turner amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:48:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lujan, Ben Ray (NM), to revise funding levels in the bill by reducing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Expenses”, and increasing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Construction”, by $15 million.
6:48:33 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Ben Ray Lujan amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:51:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Lujan, Ben Ray (NM) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
6:52:37 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nugent, to prohibit use of funds in the bill to bring an action against the United States.
6:52:40 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nugent amendment under the five-minute rule.
6:55:34 P.M.	H.R. 2609	By unanimous consent, the Nugent amendment was withdrawn.
6:56:50 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Engel, to prohibit use of funds to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles for any executive fleet, or for an agency’s fleet inventory, except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum–Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.
6:56:58 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Engel amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:00:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Engel amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:01:30 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garcia, to revise funding levels by reducing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Expenses”, and by increasing the amount made available for “Corp of Engineers-Civil–Construction”, by $1 million.
7:01:33 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 2609, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garcia amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:03:03 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Garcia amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:04:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Fleming, to prohibit use of funds to pay the salary of any officer or employee to carry out section 301 of the Hoover Power Plant act of 1984 added by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
7:04:50 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fleming amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:11:54 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Fleming amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Fleming demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
7:12:41 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi, numbered 28 printed in the Congressional Record to revise funding levels by reducing the amount made available for “Atomic Energy Defense Activities–National Nuclear Security Administration–Weapons Activities”, and increasing the amount made available by “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Construction”, by $100 million.
7:12:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garamendi amendment No. 28 under the five-minute rule.
7:22:56 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garamendi amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garamendi demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
7:23:11 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer, to prohibit use of funds for the study of the Missouri River Projects authorized in section 108 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 (division C of Public Law 111-8).
7:23:15 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Luetkemeyer amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:26:32 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Luetkemeyer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:31:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Luetkemeyer, to prohibit use of funds to continue the study conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to section 5018(a)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.
7:31:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Leutkemeyer amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:37:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Luetkemeyer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:42:39 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Noem, to prohibit use of funds to issue rules or regulations to establish a fee for surplus water from Missouri River reservoirs.
7:42:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Noem amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:48:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Noem amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
7:49:34 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Ms. Speier, to provide that the amount otherwise made available for “Department of Energy–Energy Programs–Fossil Energy Research and Development” is reduced by $30 million.
7:49:40 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Speier amendment under the five-minute rule.
7:53:14 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Speier amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Speier demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
7:58:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Grayson, to revise funding levels by reducing the amount made available for “Energy Programs–Fossil Energy Research and Development” and increasing the amount made available for “Corps of Engineers-Civil–Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies”, by $10 million.
7:58:45 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grayson amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:02:59 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Grayson amendment; Failed by voice vote.
8:06:52 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Chabot, to reduce the funding levels for “Appalachian Regional Commi ssion”, “Delta Regional Authority”, “Denali Commission”, “Northern Border Regional Commission”, and “Southeast Crescent Regional Commission” to $0.
8:06:55 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Chabot amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:22:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Chabot amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Chabot demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
8:23:00 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Butterfield, to express the sense of Congress that the Army Corps of Engineers should take into consideration and prioritize emergency operations, repairs, mitigation activities, and other activities in response to or in anticipation of any flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster when evaluating construction projects.
8:23:06 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Butterfield amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point order.
8:27:27 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Butterfield amendment. Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the amendment proposed to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
8:29:38 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kelly (PA), numbered 20 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds to develop or submit a proposal to expand the authorized uses of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
8:29:56 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kelly (PA) amendment under the five-minute rule.

8:44:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Kelly (PA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:48:02 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. LaMalfa, to prohibit use of funds to regulate activities identified in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 404(f)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(1)(A),(C)).
8:48:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaMalfa amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:54:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:55:26 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. King (IA), to prohibit use of funds by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for sediment or soil dumping into the Missouri River.
8:55:28 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the King (IA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:01:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:02:07 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores, to prohibit use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce the National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No. 13547 of July 19, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 43023, relating to the stewardship of oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes).
9:02:10 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:09:14 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:10:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores, to prohibit use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140; 42 U.S.C. 17142).
9:10:47 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:13:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:14:12 P.M.	H.R. 2609	An amendment, offered by Mr. Bridenstine, to prohibit use of funds by the Corps of Engineers to set water storage prices for municipal use for a nonhydropower lake constructed by the Corps above the price that was set at the time of the completion of that lake.
9:14:14 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bridenstine amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
9:17:23 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen raised a point of order against the Bridenstine amendment. Mr. Frelinghuysen stated that the provisions of the Bridenstine amendment result in a net increase in budget authority and violate H. Res. 5, 113th Congress. The Chair sustained the point of order.
9:21:13 P.M.	H.R. 2609	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
9:53:24 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Whitfield amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 94 – 329 (Roll no. 339).
9:58:20 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Fleming amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 230 – 194 (Roll no. 340).
10:02:20 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 253 (Roll no. 341).
10:05:54 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Speier amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 250 (Roll no. 342).
10:09:05 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On agreeing to the Chabot amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 147 – 273 (Roll no. 343).
10:09:29 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Frelinghuysen moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.
10:09:37 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.
10:09:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2609.
10:10:35 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:10:51 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:11:44 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Mr. Schneider moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
10:12:04 P.M.	H.R. 2609	DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Schneider motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with amendments which would increase the Corps of Engineers Investigations and Construction accounts by a total of $3.65 million (intended to combat invasive species in the Great Lakes and across the nation); increase the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account by $7 million (intended to deal with upcoming hurricanes); increase the Renewable Energy, Energy Reliability, and Efficiency account by $2 million (intended for the US-Israel Energy Cooperation Program); and decrease the Departmental Administration account by $12.65 million.
10:18:43 P.M.	H.R. 2609	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:25:16 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 195 – 230 (Roll no. 344).
10:32:41 P.M.	H.R. 2609	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 198 (Roll no. 345).
10:32:42 P.M.	H.R. 2609	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:32:52 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal on which further proceedings had been postponed.
10:33:03 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
10:33:53 P.M.		Mr. Latham asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on July 11. Agreed to without objection.
10:34:44 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

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Shouldn’t Government Be Easy to Use?

07/09/2013 Nativegrl77

Watch live to find out how a new management agenda is improving government.

Shouldn’t Government Be Easy to Use?

President Obama is devoted to making government smarter — improving disaster response, reducing waste, and opening up government data. We’ve made some big progress, but there’s more to do to make government user-friendly for Americans.

That’s why, today, President Obama is highlighting a new management agenda — directing his cabinet to continue to bring this government into the 21st century, and make it easier than ever for Americans to get the services they need from government.

Watch live at 11:50 AM ET to find out how a new management agenda is improving government.

Emily J. Martin, National Women’s Law Center

07/04/2013 Nativegrl77

As Americans, we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.
This is true not only on the 4th of July, but every day in our country.
Last week, the Senate passed a historic bipartisan immigration reform bill. Though the bill was flawed, it was a good first step toward creating a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrant women and men who contribute to our communities. Now it’s time for the House of Representatives to follow suit.
Tell your Representative to pass comprehensive immigration reform that meets the needs of immigrant women and their families.
Immigration reform should help families reunite and stay together, ensure that immigrant women have fair access to the path to citizenship and green cards, protect against the exploitation of workers, make affordable health care available to lawfully present immigrants, and preserve tax credits and Social Security benefits for lawful immigrants.
Fight for immigrant women and their families. Tell your Representative we need immigration reform to provide a roadmap for people who aspire to be citizens and to give immigrant women and families a fair chance.
It’s not what you look like or where you were born that makes you American — it’s how you live your life. We believe that families should stick together, and that we have a responsibility to help our neighbors. Common-sense immigration reform will make this possible for the millions of immigrant families contributing to our communities today.
Thank you for everything you do for women and their families.
Sincerely,