Tag Archives: United States

Congress: debates & votes on raising the debt ceiling -through the weekend?


The Senate Convenes: 1:00pmET July 30, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.627, the legislative vehicle for the debt limit increase.
  • The time from 1:30pm until 7:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority and the Republicans controlling alternating 30-minute blocks of time with the Majority controlling the first block. Additionally, the time from 7:30pm until 8:00pm will be equally divided and controlled with the Republicans controlling the first 15 minutes and the Majority controlling the final 15 minutes.
  • As a reminder to all Senators, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House message to accompany S.627 with the Reid amendment #589.
  • The Senate is now expecting a live quorum and a motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the attendance of absent Senators around 5:30pm.
  • 5:339pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to instruct the Sergeant At Arms to request the presence of absent Senators; Agreed to: 75-20

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 30, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

3:16 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on July 31, 2011.On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Woodall moved that the House do now adjourn.

H.R. 2062:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Meetinghouse Lane in Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, as the “Matthew A. Pucino Post Office” 

3:14 P.M. – On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2693:
to cut spending, maintain existing commitments, and for other purposes 

3:12 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by recorded vote (2/3 required): 173 – 246(Roll no. 682).

1:43 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate onH.R. 2693.

1:42 P.M. – Considered under suspension of the rules.

1:41 P.M. – Mr. Dreier moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

1:39 P.M. – On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 298 – 113, 2 Present(Roll no. 681).

H.R. 1843:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 489 Army Drive in Barrigada, Guam, as the “John Pangelinan Gerber Post Office Building” 

1:32 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 – 3(Roll no. 680).

1:26 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1975:
to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 281 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, as the “First Lieutenant Oliver Goodall Post Office Building” 

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0(Roll no. 679).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:00 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.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.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.

12:33 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

12:04 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.

12:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Paulsen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Connolly demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Cost Estimates for the 112th Congress


H.R. 1002, Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 14, 2011

H.R. 2076, Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2011
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 21, 2011

H.R. 258, Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2011
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 20, 2011

S. 201, A bill to clarify the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resoruces on Juily 14, 2011

S. 535, Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act
July 28, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

S. 683, Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

S. 684, A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Alta, Utah
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

H.R. 1258, Box Elder Utah Land Converyance Act
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 20, 2011

S. 1067, Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act of 2011
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

H.R. 241, A bill to authorize the conveyance of certain National Forest System lands in the Los Padres National Forest in California
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 20, 2011

H.R. 1059, A bill to protect the safety of judges by extending the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact sensitive information contained in their financial disclosure reports, and for other purposes
July 27, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 20, 2011

H.R. 2056, a bil to instruct the Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance corporation to study the impact of insured depository institution failures, and for other purposes
July 26, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on July 20, 2011

S. 292, Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act
July 26, 2011 pdf
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 14, 2011

Breaking news: Major step forward for cleaner cars


July 29, 2011

UCS Applauds Obama Administration Agreement on Fuel Efficiency & Auto Pollution Standards

Statement by Michelle Robinson, Director, Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program

WASHINGTON (July 29, 2011) –The Obama administration today unveiled an agreement with major automakers and the state of California on a framework to strengthen the nation’s fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards for new cars and light trucks. This proposal, which will apply to vehicles sold in model years 2017 to 2025, will set a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams per mile by 2025, the equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) if met exclusively with fuel efficiency improvements, or a Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 48-49 mpg assuming full use of air conditioning improvements. That would translate to a 2030 window sticker of about 36 mpg, up from 21 mpg today.

These standards build on the successful National Program for model years 2012 to 2016, which allows automakers to build a single national fleet to comply with Clean Air Act standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The following is a statement from Michelle Robinson, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles program:

“These standards will give our cars and trucks a technology makeover. We will still see the same types of vehicles on the road, but they will be dramatically more fuel efficient, cost less to operate, and produce less pollution. For the second time, President Obama has brought together the auto industry, the states, and other stakeholders to support strong standards that will protect consumers from high gas prices, curb global warming pollution, cut our oil dependence, and create innovative jobs in the American auto industry. We applaud the Obama administration and California for moving forward with these important standards.

“The technology exists to make any car, truck or SUV cleaner and more fuel efficient, and these standards will unleash innovation in the auto industry.

“This agreement is an important step forward, but there are still parts of the plan that need to be resolved. If they aren’t implemented correctly, they could turn into loopholes. If automakers can meet the standards with accounting tricks instead of using better technology, the program’s overall benefits would be eroded. We look forward to working with the administration and different stakeholders to evaluate and revise these standards so they produce the best vehicles possible for consumers, the auto industry, the country and the planet.”

Based on UCS’s current understanding of the proposal and assuming no loopholes, UCS experts anticipate that the standards for model years 2017 to 2025 will deliver the following benefits in 2030 in addition to the benefits from the first round of standards:

  • Cut oil consumption by as much as 1.5 million barrels per day — 23 billion gallons of gasoline annually — by 2030. That is equivalent to U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq in 2010.
  • Cut carbon pollution by as much as 280 million metric tons (MMT) in 2030, which is equivalent to shutting down 72 coal-fired power plants.
  • Lower fuel expenditures at the pump by over $80 billion in 2030 — even after paying for the cost of the necessary technology, consumers will still clear $50 billion in savings that year alone.

 

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Call Congress: Tell them to do their job


The President spoke Monday night about the need for Congress to come together to meet our financial obligations by raising the so-called “debt ceiling” — that is, to make sure our country can pay the bills Congress has already racked up.

You’d think this would be fairly straightforward. For many years, regardless of party affiliation, presidents have asked Congress to do this when it’s been necessary — and every time, Congress has acted. Just as an example, Congress granted Ronald Reagan’s request to raise the debt ceiling 18 different times.

Here’s what’s happening: President Obama proposed the balanced approach of raising the debt ceiling paired with responsible steps to reduce our country’s long-term debt — asking oil companies, corporations, and the richest Americans to do their part rather than placing the entire burden on seniors and the middle class.

A deal has been close at times, but an ideological faction of House Republicans has been effectively holding our economy hostage — making extreme demands like ending Medicare as we know it, gutting Social Security, and rejecting any compromises that might make millionaires or big corporations pay their fair share to get our debt under control.

So when President Obama spoke to the nation the other night, he made a suggestion to everyone watching: Call Congress and ask them to do their job. Since then, there have been reports that the flood of calls and emails has been slowing down the phone systems and websites on Capitol Hill.

Our records show you have only Democratic representatives in Congress. But House Speaker John Boehner — who is leading the Republicans in negotiations — needs to hear what Americans like you think.

Call Speaker Boehner‘s office now at (202) 225-0600 — and tell him we can’t afford to let politics hold our economy hostage. It’s time to put ideological demands aside and agree to a balanced approach.

Then click here to let us know how it went.

Here’s what the President said on Monday:

“The American people may have voted for divided government, but they didn’t vote for a dysfunctional government. So I’m asking you all to make your voice heard. If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your member of Congress know. If you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message.”

The President doesn’t make a direct request of all of us like this very often. Take a minute right now to call Speaker Boehner — then let us know how it went:

http://my.barackobama.com/Debt-Deal-Calls

Thanks,

Messina

P.S. — If you missed it, here’s the full video of the President’s speech. Watch it and spread the word:

Death for Profit: Demand An Investigat​ion!


DEATH FOR PROFIT                         

Roberto Martinez-Medina died in CCA’s Stewart Detention Center in Georgia in 2009. Medina had been arrested a month earlier for not having a driver’s license.

CCA whistleblower Brian Holcomb spoke with us exclusively to expose how the company repeatedly ignored Medina’s pleas for care of his heart ailment while he was imprisoned. Their negligence contributed to Medina’s death.

Watch our video and sign the petition to demand an investigation into Medina’s death!
CCA profited off of Medina’s incarceration, and ensured a greater profit by denying him critical health care.  The inhumane conditions at CCA facilities are directly related to their obsession in cutting costs for profit.

CCA has gone to great lengths to hush Medina’s death.

Demand an investigation today. Nobody should die for a corporation to make profit.

Yours,
Axel Caballero and the Cuéntame team