Tag Archives: United States

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration bill. The time until 12:15pm will be equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents, with Senator Sessions controlling one hour of the opponents’ time.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 2:15pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.744. If cloture is invoked, the time until 4:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents. At 4:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on adoption of the motion to proceed to S.744.

2:15pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.744, Comprehensive Immigration Reform;

Invoked: 82-15

Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.744, the Immigration Reform bill, was invoked 82-15.

Under the previous order, at 4pm today the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the motion to proceed.

4:00pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.744, Comprehensive Immigration Reform;

Adopted: 84-15

Senator Leahy called up amendment #1183 (to facilitate international participation in the performing arts).

Senator Reed asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined the Senate proceed to vote on passage of S.953, the Student Loan Affordability Act. Senator Coburn objected.

Senator Grassley called up amendment #1195 (prohibit the granting of registered provisional immigrant status until the Secretary has maintained effective control of the borders for 6 months).

The following amendment are pending to S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act:

Leahy amendment #1183 (international participation in the performing arts)
Grassley amendment #1195 (prohibit the granting of registered provisional immigrant status until the Secretary has maintained effective control of the borders for 6 months)

The following amendments have been considered to S.744:

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act; Invoked: 82-15

2) Motion to proceed to S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act; Adopted: 84-15

No LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action:6/10
3:03:36 P.M. – The Speaker announced that
the House do now adjourn.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June
11, 2013.

12:00:16 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:30 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable George Holding to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:02 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.
12:25:31 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. today. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:40 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 11.
2:00:42 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:54 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:27 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:13:35 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2702, the Clerk notified the House that she had reappointed Dr. Sharon Leon of Fairfax, Virginia as a member of the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.
2:14:48 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 P.M. today.
5:05:03 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 11.
5:05:04 P.M.	H.R. 1960	FILING AUTHORITY – Mr. Wilson (SC) asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to file a supplemental report on the bill H.R. 1960. Agreed to without objection.
5:05:36 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 June 11, 2013 at 3:44 p.m. stating that that body passed S. 954 and named an appointment to the Senate National Security Working Group.
5:05:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:06:12 P.M.	H.R. 251	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. 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.”
5:06:12 P.M.	H.R. 251	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:06:14 P.M.	H.R. 251	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 251.
5:11:19 P.M.	H.R. 251	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.
5:11:32 P.M.	H.R. 993	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 993 — “To provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of National Forest System land to the city of Fruit Heights, Utah.”
5:11:58 P.M.	H.R. 993	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:11:59 P.M.	H.R. 993	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 993.
5:16:36 P.M.	H.R. 993	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:16:39 P.M.	H.R. 993	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:16:57 P.M.	H.R. 1157	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1157 — “To ensure public access to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain in the Hanford Reach National Monument for educational, recreational, historical, scientific, cultural, and other purposes.”
5:17:07 P.M.	H.R. 1157	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:17:09 P.M.	H.R. 1157	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1157.

5:24:26 P.M.	H.R. 1157	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.
5:24:45 P.M.	H.R. 1158	<action_description>Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1158 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior to continue stocking fish in certain lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.”
5:24:56 P.M.	H.R. 1158	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:24:59 P.M.	H.R. 1158	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1158.
5:31:23 P.M.	H.R. 1158	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:31:26 P.M.	H.R. 1158	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:31:37 P.M.	H.R. 723	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 723 — “To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.”
5:31:51 P.M.	H.R. 723	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:31:53 P.M.	H.R. 723	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 723.
5:37:20 P.M.	H.R. 723	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:37:23 P.M.	H.R. 723	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:37:30 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:43 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 11.
6:30:47 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:43 P.M.	H.R. 251	Considered as unfinished business. 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.”
6:54:25 P.M.	H.R. 251	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 – 0 (Roll no. 212).
6:54:26 P.M.	H.R. 251	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:02:33 P.M.	H.R. 1157	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 – 0 (Roll no. 213).
7:02:33 P.M.	H.R. 1157	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:03:01 P.M.	H. Res. 255	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 255 — “Requesting the Senate to return to the House of Representatives the bill H.R. 2217.”
7:03:32 P.M.	H. Res. 255	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
7:03:37 P.M.	H. Res. 255	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:05:10 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:12:34 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 256.
7:13:45 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

« Previous Day

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Three quick things you should know about Obamacare

06/10/2013 Nativegrl77

Three quick things you should know about Obamacare

Hi all —

In the past few days, we’ve received three really interesting new pieces of information about the health care law, and we wanted to share these data points with you so that you get a big picture of how things are changing for the better as the law gets implemented.

First, the Affordable Care Act is helping to make sure that insurance companies and providers have to compete for your business by creating a Health Insurance Marketplace that offers people more choice and control over their insurance choices. An estimated 80 percent of the people who will enroll in the Marketplaces live in states with five or more different insurance companies to choose from — instead of just one or two. We’ve put together a memo about that, and you can read it HERE.

Second, as the health care law is helping move to a system where data helps improve consumer choices and the quality of care, the government is making more information available to consumers, from hospital charges and quality outcomes to regional health care system performance statistics. Those may sound like dry things, but businesses are springing up across the country and using this data to power new innovation. Secretary Sebelius explains this idea in more detail HERE.

Third, we got some great news about the long-term viability of Medicare. Program cost growth, both long term and short, is down — even as new benefits for preventive care and prescription drugs are now helping tens of millions of beneficiaries. Get more information about the report that shows that Medicare is growing stronger HERE.

We’re sharing this information with you because we’re sure you hear people talk about the health care law in your communities all the time, and if you have questions we’d love to answer them.

Ask your questions about the health care law, and we’ll answer some of them next week.

Thanks,

Tara

Tara McGuinness Senior Communications Advisor The White House

P.S. — Earlier today, the President delivered remarks on the health care law in San Jose. Lean more HERE.

Stay Connected

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Juan Sepulveda, Democrats.org

06/10/2013 Nativegrl77

Almost every single Republican member of Congress voted to make 800,000 young people who came to the United States through no fault of their own vulnerable to deportation.

That’s a position even further to the right than the one held by the man they nominated for president last year, Mitt Romney — who advocated for self-deportation.

Share this graphic with your friends, and let them know what happened this morning:Last year, President Obama announced that these young people — sometimes called DREAMers — who contribute to our country by serving in the military or going to college, can request relief and apply for work visas. But now Republicans in Congress are trying to take that away.

President Obama can’t create a permanent solution for these young people by himself — only Congress can do that. Today’s vote was a major step back in the fight for common-sense immigration reform, and we need to hold the House Republicans who voted to put the DREAMers at risk for deportation accountable.

The key question moving forward is whether the GOP-led House moves in the direction of common-sense immigration reform that fixes our broken system and creates a path to earned citizenship, or whether it goes backwards and targets young people that are here through no fault of their own and who are contributing to our communities every day.

Share the above graphic with your friends and family, and encourage them to join us here:

http://my.democrats.org/Dream

Thanks,

Juan

Juan Sepulveda
Senior Advisor for Hispanic Affairs
Democratic National Committee

P.S. — President Obama will not give up on this issue — and neither will the Democrats fighting for it.

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Palm Oil ~~ Activists and RAN

06/10/2013 Nativegrl77

For the last month, a team of Palm Oil Activists working with RAN has been going to grocery stores to put “Warning: this snack may contain orangutan extinction” stickers on products containing palm oil that may be tied to rainforest destruction. They’ve talked to store managers about the palm oil in the snack foods they sell, they’ve had conversations with their friends and family about the rainforest destruction that palm oil is driving, and they’ve generally been all-stars at putting the snack industry on notice.

Before we launch into our next round of calling out snack food containing destructive palm oil, we wanted to give you a quick update on where our campaign is at, and invite you to get in on the action: Sign up for the Palm Oil Action Team now and you can be a part of awesomeness like this:

In April, we sent letters to 20 of the leading snack food companies—makers of some of the most popular brand name products in America. We told them that we are giving them this one chance to come clean and commit to breaking the link between their snack foods and controversial palm oil production that is tied to rainforest destruction and human rights violations.

Since then, over 40,000 people have pledged to stand with RAN and demanded that the snack food industry take rainforest destruction and human rights violations out of our snacks. Hundreds of people have signed up to take action with us as part of the Palm Oil Action Team.

Our mission is to convince these 20 companies to commit to only purchasing palm oil that has been produced responsibly, without links to rainforest destruction and human rights violations. So far, nine of the 20 snack food companies responded to our letter. Eight of these companies have agreed to meet with us.

Eleven snack food companies have not responded to our letters. We need to let them know that they can not ignore this important issue any longer.

We’re off to a great start. But we need your help to get orangutan extinction out of America’s snack foods.

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Weekly Address: Time to Pass Commonsense Immigration Reform

06/09/2013 Nativegrl77

Weekly Address: Time to Pass Commonsense Immigration Reform

In this week’s address, President Obama says that the United States Senate will soon take action to fix our broken immigration system with a commonsense bill, and urges lawmakers to act quickly to pass this bill so that we can continue to live up to our traditions as a nation of laws, and also a nation of immigrants.

Watch this week’s Weekly Address.

TOP STORIES

Brazil: Last Friday, the Vice President and Dr. Biden made the final stop in their three-country trip in Brazil. While in Rio de Janeiro, Vice President Biden delivered a speech about the strong ties between the United States and Brazil.

“The United States and Brazil represent two of the largest, most innovative, dynamic economies in the world today. It is true both of us can continue to prosper whether or not we deepen our economic relations. But imagine, just imagine what these two dynamic economies could do with greater trade and investment for our people, for the hemisphere, for the world.”

#DontDoubleMyRate: Students gathered in the Rose Garden last Friday to hear President Obama echo his sentiment from last year and call on Congress to prevent federal student loan rates from doubling on July 1. President Obama asked the young people to speak out in favor of action on college affordability, as they did last summer.

“You made something bipartisan happen in this town that is — that’s a powerful thing. You guys were able to get Democrats and Republicans to vote for something that was important. So this year, if it looks like your representatives have changed their minds, you’re going to have to call them up again or email them again or Tweet them again and ask them what happened, what changed?”

Mental Health Conference: Health care experts, psychologists, faith leaders, advocates for veterans, and administration officials joined President Obama at the White House on Monday for the National Conference on Mental Health.

The conference was just one part of the Obama Administration’s effort to combat this problem and focused on ways we can reduce the stigma and help the millions of Americans struggling with mental health problems recognize the importance of reaching out for assistance.

President Obama said:

“Too many Americans who struggle with mental health illnesses are still suffering in silence rather than seeking help, and we need to see it that men and women who would never hesitate to go see a doctor if they had a broken arm or came down with the flu, that they have that same attitude when it comes to their mental health.”

Meeting with the President of Chile: President Piñera of Chile met with President Obama on Tuesday for a bilateral meeting. The two leaders affirmed their commitment to economic growth, job creation, transparency, human rights, and the rule of law.

“Chile has been on a remarkable growth trajectory over several decades, and the progress that it’s made in terms of strengthening its economy, pulling people out of poverty, establishing a strong manufacturing and industrial and service base, its strong exports sector are all proof of the talents of the Chilean people but also Chile’s embrace of democracy and human rights and a market economy. And as a consequence, Chile has become not only a leader in the hemisphere but also a leader in the world.”

Ravens Visit the White House: On Wednesday, President Obama congratulated the 2013 Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens at the White House. The President spoke of the struggles the team faced throughout the season and how they recovered and brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore. He also praised the team’s commitment to giving back to their city.

“This year, Baltimore won’t just be seeing the Ravens on Sundays or Monday night or Thursday night…You’ll see players spending their Tuesdays – normally their only day off during the season – visiting hospitals and senior centers, and day after day, you’ll see a team that loves Baltimore as much as Baltimore loves the Ravens.”

During their visit, the Ravens also shared some of their favorite ways to stay healthy with Let’s Move!

National Security Team: On Wednesday, President Obama announced the departure of Tom Donilon, former National Security Advisor, and appointed Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice as his replacement. To replace Ambassador Rice in New York, the President nominated Samantha Power.

ConnectEd: The President boarded Air Force One on Thursday and flew to North Carolina where he visited Mooresville Middle School. After touring the school, the President announced ConnectEd, a new initiative that will connect 99% of America’s students to high-speed internet within 5 years.

Following his announcement, the White House invited students from schools in Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania to join the National “Show and Tell” Google+ Hangout. Students and administrators from these schools demonstrated how they are using the internet and technology in their classrooms.