Tag Archives: United States

The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET November 27, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. The first hour will be 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.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
We hope to consider the Disabilities Treaty (Executive Calendar #6, Treaty Document 112-7) during tomorrow’s session.

2:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of the motion to proceed to Executive Session for the consideration of Treaty 112-7, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Agreed to: 61-36

The Senate is in Executive Session considering Treaty 112-7, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with debate only until 6:30pm. The time until 5pm is equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to proceed to Executive Session to consider Treaty Document #112-7, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Agreed to: 61-36

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.3642, the Theft of Trade Secrets Clarification Act of 2012.

Adopted S.Res.602, designating 2012-2013 as the “Year of the Korean War Veteran” and recognizing the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3637, FDIC TAG Extension bill. (Reid)

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00p.mET on November 27, 2012.

2:00:07 P.M.		<ACTION_DESCRIPTION>The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:19 P.M.		<ACTION_DESCRIPTION>The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
2:00:42 P.M.		<TODAY’S class=hiddenGrammarError title=”Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives” href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplain_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives” pre=”prayer ” target=”_blank” rel=”wikipedia” House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:22 P.M.		<The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:25 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:54 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 6063.
2:03:27 P.M.		a communication from The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Velazquez notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena for documents issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings in connection with civil litigation currently pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena is inconsistent with the privileges and precedents of the House.
2:03:44 P.M.		<ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:31 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. today.
4:34:56 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 27.
4:35:11 P.M.		will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:35:18 P.M.	H.R. 6025	<>Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 6025 — “To provide for annual reports on the status of operational control of the international land and maritime borders of the United States and unlawful entries, and for other purposes.”
4:35:30 P.M.	H.R. 6025	<Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:35:33 P.M.	H.R. 6025	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6025.
4:42:19 P.M.	H.R. 6025	motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:42:22 P.M.	H.R. 6025	<>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:42:40 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5913 — “To create an independent advisory panel to comprehensively assess the management structure and capabilities related to the Department of Homeland Security and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the Department.”
4:42:48 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:42:51 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<>DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5913.
4:53:46 P.M.	H.R. 5913	<On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:53:49 P.M.	H.R. 5913	>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:54:18 P.M.	H.R. 915	Mr. McCaul moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
4:54:35 P.M.	H.R. 915	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 915.
5:07:00 P.M.	H.R. 915	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.
5:07:31 P.M.	H.R. 5997	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5997 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify authority under existing grant guidance authorizing use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities.”
5:07:42 P.M.	H.R. 5997	<Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:07:43 P.M.	H.R. 5997	<DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5997.
5:15:47 P.M.	H.R. 5997	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.
5:16:17 P.M.	H.R. 6328	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6328 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints to local veterans organizations and other local charitable organizations, and for other purposes.”
5:16:25 P.M.	H.R. 6328	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:16:27 P.M.	H.R. 6328	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6328.
5:22:59 P.M.	H.R. 6328	<On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:23:02 P.M.	H.R. 6328	<Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:23:30 P.M.		Mr. Bilirakis asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, it adjourn to meet at noon on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
5:25:37 P.M.		The House received a communication from Representative Jackson (IL) wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
5:26:46 P.M.		<ACTION_DESCRIPTION>ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of Rule XX, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Jackson, the whole number of the House is 433.
5:27:46 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:16 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 27.
6:31:24 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:58 P.M.	H.R. 5997	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5997 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify authority under existing grant guidance authorizing use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities.”
6:57:12 P.M.	H.R. 5997	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 1 (Roll no. 609).
6:57:14 P.M.	H.R. 5997	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:07:00 P.M.	H.R. 915	<On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 4 (Roll no. 610).
7:07:01 P.M.	H.R. 915	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:11:28 P.M.		The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
9:44:01 P.M.		<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Lungren, Daniel E. moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:44:14 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:44:15 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 28, 2012.

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EXCLUSIVE: Morgan Freeman’s marriage equality message

11/26/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Morgan Freeman is the voice behind equality in a new ad for HRC – our team was so moved to work with Morgan on it, and the ad gives me chills.

Here’s part of what Morgan had to say:

“Freedom, justice and human dignity have always guided our journey toward a more perfect union.

Now across our country, we are standing together for the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry the person they love. And with historic victories for marriage, we’ve delivered a mandate for full equality.”

Check out Morgan Freeman’s entire ad now, and then share the video far and wide with your friends, family, and neighbors.

There’s so much left to do, and it’s up to each of us to keep our momentum going.

Together, we fight so full equality reaches every single person in every corner of this vast country. 

For equality everywhere,

Chad Griffin
President, Human Rights Campaign

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Black Friday: We Stand with Walmart Workers

11/24/2012 Nativegrl77

We are writing you today to let you know that on this Black Friday, we join thousands of people of faith who are gathered at different Walmart stores across the country in support of Walmart associates and Walmart-contracted warehouse workers demanding respect, better wages and safer working conditions.

We see an endless stream of customers and thousands of items flying off the shelves. By the end of the day, Walmart will make millions
in sales and profits. The hardworking associates and warehouse workers, however, will go home with barely enough to make ends meet.

There is no reason for those who work at your stores and your contracted warehouses to go without basic necessities such as food and shelter. Yet, many of them live in poverty because Walmart does not pay fair wages.

As people of faith, we call for a Jubilee at Walmart as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Jubilee is the biblical covenant requiring the cancellation of debts, freeing of slaves and redistribution of resources every 50 years to limit inequality.

Walmart is the glaring example of inequality, and for 50 years it helped legitimize an economy benefiting the interests of a few wealthy executives at the expense of working people.

This year, as you and your company celebrate the values of “hard work, “entrepreneurship,” and “the American dream,” we remember and pray for the 1.4 million Walmart workers in the United States earning poverty wages while having to work in dangerous environments with limited access to insurance and benefits.

We call on Walmart to share its corporate wealth with workers by providing what is due to store associates and to those contracted to provide and move Walmart goods: a living wage, benefits and a safe workplace.

Thank you,
The Black Institute

Campaign Materials

Black Friday Tumblr

The Black Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

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Don’t let Republicans Cut Your Social Security!

11/24/2012 Nativegrl77

Right now, some politicians in Washington are considering cramming cuts to our Social Security benefits into a last-minute budget deal.

Don’t Let Washington Cut Your Social Security Check!

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it helps!

Between now and the holidays, the President and Congress are considering a deal that would change Social Security cost of living increase calculations and lower benefits by $112 billion in the next 10 years alone. That’s money directly out of the pockets of those American’s who need it the most.

The proposal assumes that when the cost of something you normally buy goes up, you will substitute a lower-cost item. Many seniors, though, spend much of their money on prescription drugs, utilities and heath care costs that don’t have a lower-cost substitute.

It’s time Congress took a serious look at how short-sighted budget deals like this will affect seniors across America.

Take action today: Urge your representative not to make devastating changes to Social Security as part of a last minute budget deal!