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The GOP’s Back to the Future Budget

Last week, the GOP once again proposed a plan to cap overall federal spending as percentage of the economy at a ridiculous and unsustainably low level. This is really just a backdoor way to gut programs like Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid without saying so at the outset.

How low do Republicans want to set spending? As low as it was way back in 1966. In 1966, President Johnson was arguing we needed to stay in Vietnam. There were still countries called Upper Volta and Rhodesia. The Beach Boys released Pet Sounds. Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California. Medicare and Medicaid had only existed for one year.

In other words, it was a very different time and our country had very different needs. Here’s a closer look at just how different things are why the GOP’s back to the future isn’t suited for 21st century America.

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The Senate will conduct pro forma sessions with no business conducted on the following dates and times unless the Senate adopts an adjournment resolution which may be received from the House.

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, February 25, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #7, the nomination of Robert Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit with up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Bacharach nomination.

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Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of February 15, 2013

9:00:18 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Fortenberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:51 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:23 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cartwright to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:45 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.
9:16:15 A.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
9:16:21 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Res. 65 — “Condemning the Government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device.”
9:16:34 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Considered under suspension of the rules.
9:16:36 A.M.	H. Res. 65	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 65.
9:36:19 A.M.	H. Res. 65	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.
9:36:56 A.M.	H.R. 273	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 66. H.R. 273 — “To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees.”
9:37:01 A.M.	H.R. 273	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 273 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. Section 2 of the resolution provides that during any recess or adjournment of not more than three days, the Speaker or his designee may reconvene the House at a time other than that previously appointed, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution. Section 3 of the resolution authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of February 15, 2013, relating to a measure condemning the government of North Korea and its February 12, 2013 test of a nuclear device. Section 4 provides that on any legislative day from February 16, 2013 through February 22, 2013: (a) the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; (b) the Chair may adjourn the House to meet at a date and time within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution. Section 5 authorizes the Speaker to appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 4 as though under clause 8(a) of rule I.
9:37:15 A.M.	H.R. 273	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 273.

10:45:14 A.M.	H.R. 273	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:46:06 A.M.	H.R. 273	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 273, the Chair put the question on adoption of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Issa demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of H.R. 273 until later in the legislative day.
10:46:27 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 15	Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 15 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate.”
11:11:28 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 15	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 190 (Roll no. 43).
11:11:29 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 15	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:11:31 A.M.	H.R. 273	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 273 — “To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees.”
11:21:43 A.M.	H.R. 273	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 261 – 154 (Roll no. 44).
11:21:44 A.M.	H.R. 273	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:22:02 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 65 — “Condemning the Government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device.”
11:29:36 A.M.	H. Res. 65	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 2 (Roll no. 45).
11:29:36 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:32:29 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:54:13 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches

12:59:54 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 15.
1:00:24 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:00:43 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:00:44 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 15. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 25, 2013.