Tag Archives: United States

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Honoring Our National Peace Officers and more

05/16/2013 Nativegrl77

The White House

Watch the first “We the Geeks” Hangout on today, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. EDT on WhiteHouse.gov and on the White House Google+ page.

Photo of the Day: Honoring Our National Peace Officers

Yesterday, President Obama spoke at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the previous year.

The President said that the 143 officers honored “exemplified the very idea of citizenship — that with our God-given rights come responsibilities and obligations to ourselves and to others.”

President Barack Obama greets audience members during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Will they listen to what the science says?

05/15/2013 Nativegrl77

Union of Concerned Scientists

For decades, coal dominated American energy. Now that’s beginning to change.

With many of the oldest, dirtiest coal-fired power plants due for retirement, our nation is at a crossroads: do we invest in renewable energy, or do we keep generating electricity by burning fossil fuels that are not only expensive but threaten our planet?¹

We’ve launched a campaign to make sure we head down the right path. Our groundbreaking Ripe for Retirement report identified 353 of the worst, most out-of-date coal-fired plants, and since its publication, 45 of the plants we named have been slated for closure!

We’ve mobilized thousands of UCS supporters to contact key power companies, urging them to switch to cleaner, renewable sources of energy. It’s working, but we’ve got to do more. With over 300 plants left to close, we can’t let up.

www.ucsusa.org

The fossil-fuel industry wants you to think that wind and solar aren’t dependable or economical, but we know the truth: renewable energy is already powering homes and businesses across the country—and we’ve only just begun to see the benefits.²

With your support, we’ll move past fossil fuels to a clean energy future. Together, we can make clean energy a reality by:

Protecting and expanding state-based clean energy policies. We’re inspiring voters and lawmakers to support requirements that utility companies generate a certain amount of their electricity from renewable sources. Since March, we’ve delivered 40,000 letters to over 4,000 state lawmakers nationwide!
Building momentum to cut the nation’s projected oil use in half. We’ve developed a realistic, science-based plan that shows how we can cut our dependency on oil in half in just 20 years. Now we’re getting thousands of people working to support our strategies—meeting with concerned citizens and officials, producing videos and webinars, and mobilizing scientists to educate the public and policy makers.
Fighting to make nuclear power safer. In March, we released our latest nuclear safety assessment while Congress began working on a comprehensive nuclear safety bill. Dozens of news outlets across the country covered it, ensuring that lawmakers heard about the critical issues at stake.

We’re building momentum for a clean energy future—the wind is at our backs. The question is: will we forge ahead with science, or accept the misleading claims that fossil fuels can’t be beat? It’s up to us, Carmen, and we can’t turn back now.

www.ucsusa.org

When we work together, we get tough things done. We’ve won critical whistleblower protections for government scientists, helped craft game-changing vehicle emissions standards, and pushed companies like Pfizer to stop funding the anti-science Heartland Institute.

I hope you’ll stand with us today so we can pull out all the stops to win this next fight.

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch President

1. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2013/03/13/coal-to-gas-moves-are-generating-economic-waves 2. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/smart-energy-solutions/increase-renewables/ramping-up-renewable-energy-sources.html

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: These two little girls lost their mother to cancer, and their father to the U.S. immigration system

05/15/2013 Nativegrl77

WATCH ON MOBILE | SEND THE GIRLS A MESSAGE!

Nikte and Ixchel are missing both of their parents this mother’s day. They’ve lost their mother to cancer and their father was deported because of this country’s broken immigration system. It’s time to stop separating families. Immigration reform must protect families like Nikte and Ixchel’s.
Watch the video and leave your message for the Gomez-Pierrard Girls. We’ll make sure they receive it!
Shamefully, the Gomez-Pierrard story is not unique. Each year around 100,000 mothers and fathers of citizen children are deported. We continue enforcing a policy based on hate and fear. We can not continue jeopardizing the future of American children. It is time to protect families and deport hate!
Watch the video and leave a message today!
Together we can make an impact!Yours, Axel Caballero and the Cuéntame team

Black History

CONGRESS

05/15/2013 Nativegrl77

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.601, the Water Resources Development Act. There will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the items listed below, in the order listed. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration. There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote.
- Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment);
- Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);
- Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);
- Udall(NM) amendment #853 (pilot program);
- Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges);
- Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs);
- Passage of S.601, as amended.
- As a reminder, at 10:30am there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, and on passage of the bill.The first vote will be the usual 15 minute vote and the remaining votes will be 10 minutes in duration. Senator Reid intends to close the votes as quickly as possible. Senators are encouraged to remain on or close to the floor during the vote series.Last week we were able to reach short time agreements on the Tavenner (CMMS) and Orrick (Northern District Judge of CA) nominations. Senator Reid intends to execute those orders later today. Senators will be notified when the votes are scheduled.
- 10:30am votes:– Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment);- Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);
–           Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);

–           Udall(NM) amendment #853 (pilot program);

–           Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges);

–           Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs);

–           Passage of S.601, as amended.

Tavenner Agreement:

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #92 the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There will be 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Orrick Agreement:

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided and controlled prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, the nomination of William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.
- 10:35am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Coburn amendment #815 (beach replenishment);Not Agreed To: 43-53
- 11:01am The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);Not Agreed To: 35-61
- The following amendments have been considered to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act:
  - Coburn amendment #805 (Army Corps land/guns) Not Agreed to: 56-43 (60-vote threshold)
  - Whitehouse amendment #803 (oceans) Agreed to: 68-31 (60-vote threshold)
  - Boxer-Vitter substitute amendment #799 Agreed to by UC
  - Brown amendment #813, as modified (Asian carp) Agreed to: 95-0
  - Pryor amendment #801, as modified (farms) Agreed to by UC
  - Pryor amendment #806 (work-in-kind) Agreed to by UC
  - Inhofe amendment #835, with a modification to the instruction lines (rural water infrastructure projects) Agreed to by UC
  - McCain amendment #833 (levee safety programs) Agreed to by UC
  - Murray amendment #832 (cargo noncontainer) Agreed to by UC
  - Blunt amendment #800 (resilient construction techniques for extreme weather) Agreed to by UC
  - Sessions amendment #811, as modified (Tennessee Valley Authority to grant restrictions) Agreed to by UC
  - Coburn amendment #823 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission) Agreed to by UC
  - Warner amendment #873 (4 Mile Run) Agreed to by UC
  - Baucus amendment #847 Agreed to by UC
  - Boxer-Vitter amendment #899, as modified Agreed to by UC
  - Inhofe amendment #895 Agreed to by UC
  - Wicker amendment #894 Agreed to by UC
  - Inhofe amendment #867 Agreed to by UC
  - Boozman amendment #872 Agreed to by UC
  - Thune amendment #912 Agreed to by UC
  - Cornyn amendment #880 Agreed to by UC
  - Murkowski amendment #904 Agreed to by UC
  - Klobuchar amendment #884 Agreed to by UC
  - Wyden amendment #870, as modified Agreed to by UC
  - Cochran amendment #911, as modified Agreed to by UC
  - Carper amendment #882 Agreed to by UC
  - Murkowski amendment #903, as modified Agreed to by UC
  - Durbin amendment #906, as modified Agreed to by UC
  - Levin amendment #893 Agreed to by UC
  - Collins amendment #898 Agreed to by UC
  - Cardin amendment #861, as modified Agreed to by UC
  - Brown-Graham amendment #907 Agreed to by UC
  - Wyden amendment #896 Agreed to by UC
  - Inhofe amendment #797 Agreed to by UC
  - Barrasso amendment #868 Not Agreed to: 52-44
  - Sanders amendment #889 Not Agreed to: 56-40
  - Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment) Not Agreed To: 43-53
  - Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects) Not Agreed to: 35-61
  - Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs for military) Agreed to by voice vote
  - Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods) Agreed to: 60-36
  - Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges), as modified Agreed to by voice vote
  - Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs) was agreed to by voice vote
  - 11:23am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);Agreed To: 60-36
  - The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.At 2:00pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, en bloc.The time until 4:30 pm, will be equally divided in the usual form, with Senator Baucus in control of the time from 4:15 to 4:30pm. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate will proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order listed.
  - There will be two minutes for debate between the votes. The second vote be 10 minutes in length.
  - 4:30pm votes:– Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and- Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  - Senator Wyden asked unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution.Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling.Senator Wyden objected to modifying the request.Senator McConnell then objected to the original request.
  - 4:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, William H. Orrick III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of CaliforniaConfirmed: 56-41
  - 5:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesConfirmed: 91-7
  - Executive Calendar #92, the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was confirmed 91-7. Following the vote, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.954, a bill to reauthorize agricultural programs through 2018 (the Farm bill). There will be no further roll call votes today.
  - The Senate has reached an agreement that on Monday, May 20^th, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #73, S.954, the Farm bill.
  - WRAP UP FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013ROLL CALL VOTES
  - 1)      Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment) to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act; Not Agreed to: 43-532)      Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects); Not Agreed to: 35-613)      Merkley-Brown amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods); Agreed to: 60-364)      Passage of S.601, WRDA, as amended; Passed: 83-14
    5)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Confirmed: 56-41
    
    6)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Confirmed: 91-7
    
    LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
    
    Adopted S.Res.142, designating May 15^th, 2013, as “National MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) Awareness Day”.
    
    Completed the Rule 14 process of S.953, the Student Loan Affordability Act. (Reed)
    
    No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 5/14
9:10:47 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 15, 2013.

10:00:13 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mo Brooks to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:46 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.
10:50:57 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 15.
12:01:00 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:03:42 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:44 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Veasey to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:16 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.
12:41:44 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:42:16 P.M.		INCLUSION OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE RECORD – Mr. McHenry asked unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the former Members program be printed in the Congressional Record and that all Members and former Members who spoke during the proceedings have the privilege of revising and extending their remarks. Agreed to without objection.
12:42:35 P.M.	H.R. 701	Mr. McHenry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 701 — “To amend a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under such Act to provide a deadline for such action.”
12:43:02 P.M.	H.R. 701	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:43:04 P.M.	H.R. 701	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 701.
12:57:49 P.M.	H.R. 701	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.
12:57:52 P.M.	H.R. 384	Mr. McHenry moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 384 — “To establish the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes.”
12:58:26 P.M.	H.R. 384	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:58:28 P.M.	H.R. 384	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 384.
1:08:36 P.M.	H.R. 384	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.
1:10:23 P.M.	H.R. 356	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 356 — “To clarify authority granted under the Act entitled “An Act to define the exterior boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in the State of Utah, and for other purposes”.”
1:10:40 P.M.	H.R. 356	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:10:43 P.M.	H.R. 356	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 356.
1:16:02 P.M.	H.R. 356	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:16:04 P.M.	H.R. 356	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:16:05 P.M.	H.R. 767	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 767 — “To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.”
1:16:41 P.M.	H.R. 767	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:16:43 P.M.	H.R. 767	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 767.
1:23:51 P.M.	H.R. 767	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.
1:23:54 P.M.	H.R. 573	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 573 — “To amend Public Law 93-435 with respect to the Northern Mariana Islands, providing parity with Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.”
1:24:31 P.M.	H.R. 573	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:24:33 P.M.	H.R. 573	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 573.
1:28:57 P.M.	H.R. 573	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:29:00 P.M.	H.R. 573	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:29:24 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

5:04:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 15.
5:05:30 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 May 15, 2013 at 4:23 p.m., stating that that body had passed S. 601.
5:05:47 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:06:32 P.M.	H.R. 767	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 767 — “To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.”
5:31:06 P.M.	H.R. 767	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 – 1 (Roll no. 147).
5:31:07 P.M.	H.R. 767	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:32:14 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the House a copy of the Certificate of Election received from the Honorable Mark Hammond, Secretary of State of South Carolina, indicating that, at the Special Election held on May 7, 2013, the Honorable Mark Sanford was duly elected Representative in Congress for the First Congressional District, State of South Carolina.
5:33:51 P.M.		OATH OF OFFICE – Representative-Elect Mark Sanford, First District, State of South Carolina, presented himself in the well of the House for the purpose of taking the Oath of Office which was administered by the Speaker of the House.
5:37:00 P.M.		Representative Sanford was recognized to address the House following the administration of the Oath of Office.
5:40:01 P.M.		ADJUSTMENT OF THE WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath of office to the gentleman from South Carolina, the whole number of the House is 434.
5:41:22 P.M.	H.R. 701	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 701 — “To amend a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under such Act to provide a deadline for such action.”
5:47:50 P.M.	H.R. 701	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 6 (Roll no. 148).
5:47:51 P.M.	H.R. 701	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:48:03 P.M.	H.R. 384	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 384 — “To establish the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes.”
5:55:39 P.M.	H.R. 384	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 3 (Roll no. 149).
5:55:41 P.M.	H.R. 384	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:55:42 P.M.	H.R. 384	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
5:56:03 P.M.		Mr. Sessions filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 215 and H. Res. 216.
5:57:12 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:13:52 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

8:04:04 P.M.		Mr. Perry moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:04:14 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:04:15 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 16, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

1.4 Million Americans : Want #GunViolence to STOP

05/14/2013 Nativegrl77

Last Thursday in Washington, D.C., I joined 30 OFA volunteers and three
gun violence survivors as they delivered our petition to Congress with
more than 1.4 million signatures — including yours. It was an amazing
day, and a reminder that we’re nowhere near done with this fight.

What impressed me most on Thursday was getting a chance to talk with survivors like Pam Simon, Sami Rahamim, and Lori Haas.

You’ll see in the video that these folks have turned their personal pain
into action, and a force for good. It’s enough to change hearts and
minds.

OFA volunteers got a chance to meet with a few leaders in Congress, like
Rep. Mike Thompson, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, and House
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who asked all of us to keep fighting —
and even gave folks a few tips on how to keep the pressure on their
fellow lawmakers.

Senator Reid even tweeted: “Today, we received a petition from over 1.4
million Americans who demand action on background checks. This fight is
not over.”

I am more confident than ever that, if we keep working and making our
voices heard, we can and will win this. The petition delivery was a big
moment — but it’s not the end of this fight.

Watch the video and please, pass it along to anyone else who should see it and ask them to say they’re in, too: