Tag Archives: United States

How we shift America off oil


The White House

America‘s auto industry is in the midst of a change for the better. Right now, car dealers are offering customers twice as many hybrids as they were five years ago and seven times as many cars that can go 40 miles or more on a gallon of gas. Last year, General Motors sold more hybrid cars than ever before and Ford is working hard to keep up with demand for its fuel-efficient vehicles.

That trend is a key example of how innovation helps to drive business success — and creates jobs for the middle class in America. But it’s one thing to make a car more fuel efficient. It’s another thing altogether to move cars and trucks off oil entirely.

And that’s the next step. Here’s how President Obama is proposing to get us there:

Infographic: The Energy Security Trust

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infographic/energy-security-trust

At a time when the sequester is forcing laboratories and science facilities across the country to scale back on their work, we need to keep investing in research.

Because if we can meet this goal, the benefits are clear. We’ll help diminish the burden of spiking gas prices. We’ll reduce our reliance on foreign oil. And most importantly, the kind of technological breakthroughs the Energy Security Trust will work to produce won’t just create jobs — they could create whole new industries.

So if you think the Energy Security Trust is a good idea, will you share this graphic?

:::::: CONGRESS ::::::


EmptyhouseChamber

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, March 18, 2013.

The filing deadline for all 2nd degree amendments to the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 and H.R.933 is 4:30pm on Monday.

The managers of the bill will work on a finite list of amendments to the continuing appropriations bill over the weekend.

Senators should expect a roll call vote at 5:30pm.  There will either be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 or several votes in relation to amendments to the bill.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action:
6:48:40 P.M. -The House adjourned. 3/14

The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 15, 2013.

War on Women, Budget Edition


ThinkProgress War Room

Latest GOP Budget Marks Latest Attack on Women

Budgets are statements of values and priorities. Based on the GOP’s latest budget, apparently the interests of women are not a priority.

Here’s a look at how the GOP budget is bad for women and children.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

No, lowering taxes doesn’t grow the economy.

South Carolina GOP lawmaker suggest they blocked Medicaid expansion because Obama is black.

Is Texas turning blue?

Even Paul Ryan admits that we’re not facing a debt crisis.

Latest GOP budget gives millionaires at least a $200,000 tax cut.

It’s time for the Obama administration to lift its secrecy on drones.

The new pope’s views on LGBT equality.

Everything you need to know about the Steubenville rape trial.

President Obama evolves even further on marriage equality.

:::::: CONGRESS ::::::


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The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.

  • There will be up to one hour of debate equally divided between Senators Mikulski and Shelby or their designees for debate on the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS).
  • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 11:15am), there will be a roll call vote in relation to the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS)(60 affirmative-vote threshold).
  • We will continue to work through amendments to the bill during Thursday’s session. During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on the Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment #26 and on H.R.933. Under the rule, the first cloture vote would be on Friday. We hope to reach an agreement to complete action on the bill on Thursday.
  • The Senate has resumed consideration of H.R.933, the Continuing Resolution. There will be 1 hour to debate concurrently the Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) and Coburn amendment #66 (temporary hiring freeze on Non Essential Federal Employees), prior to votes in relation to the amendments.
  • The debate time will be equally divided in the usual form.
  • Each amendment will be subject to 60-affirmative vote thresholds.
  • No amendments to the amendments are in order prior to the votes.
  • The following amendments are pending to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill:

    The following amendments have been considered to H.R.933:

    • Cruz amendment #30 (defund Obamacare) Not Agreed to: 45-52
    • McCain amendment #33 (Guam) Not Tabled: 48-50; agreed to by voice vote
    • Harkin amendment #53 (Labor HHS flexibility)(60 affirmative-vote threshold) Not Agreed to: 54-45
    • Coburn amendment #66 (temporary freeze on non-essential federal employees) (60 affirmative-vote threshold) Not Agreed to: 45-54
    • Inhofe amendment #29, as modified (Farms-EPA oil spill and prevention rule) Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • There is a good chance that we vote tonight (sooner rather than later) in
    relation to the Coburn amendment #65, as modified (political
    science funding at NSF). Another message will be sent once an agreement is
    reached.

    • WRAP UP
    • ROLL CALL VOTES1) Harkin amendment #53 (Labor-HHS) to H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill; Not Agreed to: 54-45 (60 affirmative-vote threshold)2)      Coburn amendment #66 (hiring freeze for federal employees) to H.R.933; Not Agreed to: 45-54 (60 affirmative-vote threshold)

      LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

      Began the Rule 14 process of S.582, the Keystone Pipeline Act. (Hoeven)

      Began the Rule 14 process of S.583, the Life at Conception Act. (Paul)

      Completed the Rule 14 process of S.558, To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from awarding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other financial assistance under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity outside the United States. (Paul)

      No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

    • Well, folks, we were unable to reach an agreement to vote in relation to the Coburn or Toomey amendments tonight. Senator Coburn wouldn’t agree to vote in relation to his amendment, as modified.Senator Reid has asked the managers of the bill to work over the weekend on a small, finite list of amendments and we could complete action of the bill on Monday. If they are unable to come to an agreement, there would be a cloture vote at approximately 5:30pm on Monday. Next week the Senate will consider the Budget resolution.The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes this week.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 3/14
7:24:35 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 14, 2013.