Tag Archives: United States

The Senate Convenes at 9:30amEt June 8, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.Following morning business on Wednesday, June 8th, the Senate will resume consideration of S.782, the Economic Development Revitalization Act, with the time until 2pm equally divided between the proponents and opponents of the Tester amendment #392 regarding swipe fees.At 2:00pm, the Durbin amendment #393 will be withdrawn and the Senate will conduct a roll call vote in relation to the Tester amendment #392. The amendment will be subject to a 60-vote threshold. No amendments, motions or points of order in order prior to the vote other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive are in order.

The following amendments are currently pending to S.782, the Economic Development Act:
– McConnell for Snowe amendment #390 (regulatory reform)
– DeMint amendment #394 (to repeal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act)
-Paul amendment #414 (to increase debt limit by $2.406 trillion)
-Cardin amendment #407 (prohibition on interest charges for on-time principal payments)
– Merkley amendment #428 (mortgage servicing)

Votes:
86: Tester amendment #392: (swipe fees) (60-vote threshold);
Not Agreed To: 54-45

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.205, designating the period beginning on June 19, 2011, and ending on June 25, 2011, as “Polycystic Kidney Awareness Week”, and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease and the impact such disease has on patients.Adopted S.Res.206, designating June 20, 2011 as American Eagle Day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 9, 2011.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bankrate.com

06/07/2011 Nativegrl77

Cut card fees on purchase abroad | 2011-06-06

Planning a trip overseas? Trim the expense of foreign transaction fees on your credit cards.

Avoid credit card fraud during travel | 2011-06-06

A compromised card can ruin a vacation. Protect yourself from thieves with these tips.

7 ways your credit card can boost travel | 2011-06-06

Think all travel perks have disappeared? Check your credit cards for extra deals.

Travel smart with credit cards | 2011-06-06

Credit cards can offer trip rewards and discounts, but pack unwanted surprises.

Chip and PIN credit cards | 2011-06-06

What is meant to help stave off credit card fraud might actually hinder Americans traveling abroad.

Why your credit card may not work overseas | 2011-06-06

A different credit card system may leave you stranded without funds abroad.

6 tips for traveling with credit cards | 2011-06-06

Charging your way around the world? Here are some ways to prep your plastic for a trip abroad.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

what’s going on in Congress: the Republican led House -the Senate

06/07/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 10:30amET June 7, 2011
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each 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.782, the Economic Development Act. Prior to adjourning on Monday, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.782. We are hopeful we will reach an agreement to begin consideration of the bill on Tuesday. However, if no agreement is reached, Senators should expect this cloture vote to occur on Wednesday.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

By unanimous consent, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to S.782, the Economic Development Act, was withdrawn, the Senate adopted the motion to proceed and the Senate has begun consideration of S.782.

The committee-reported amendment was agreed to and will now be considered original text for the purposes of amendments.

The following amendments are currently pending to S.782, the Economic Development Act:
-Tester amendment #392 (swipe fees)
-Durbin 2nd degree amendment #393 (technical change) to amendment #392

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 7, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 7, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:03 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 9, 2011.

10:02 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:01 A.M. – The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Carter Griffin.The Speaker designated the Honorable Jerry Lewis to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: Back in Session -the Republican led House 6/7 -the Senate

06/06/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 2pmET June 6, 2011

Following Leader remarks, the Senate will be in period of morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #118, the nomination of Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Solicitor General of the United Stateswith one hour for debate equally divided in the usual form.Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Verrilli nomination. Votes:
85: Confirmation of the nomination of Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Solicitor General of the United States;
Confirmed: 72-16

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 7, 2011.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Honoring Fallen Servicemembers … a message from Senator Patty Murray

06/03/2011 Nativegrl77

June 2, 2011

Honoring Fallen Servicemembers

In honor of Memorial Day last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the men and women who died serving our country in the armed forces. I also took time to discuss the need to take care of our nation’s veterans and urge my colleagues to pass my legislation to help veterans find employment.

Watch the speech |Readthe speech

Improving Care for Veterans through Agency Coordination

Last week, I heard from veterans and top VA and Pentagon officials about challenges that remain in the care for amputees, rising suicide rates, poor coordination between the departments, and delays in disability evaluations. During the hearing, I heard first-hand accounts from veterans about what went well but also about how they were negatively impacted by the lack of collaboration between DoD and VA and what they believe can be done to improve the transition for the thousands upon thousands of servicemembers still to come home.

Watch the hearing

“Concern grows over ‘epidemic’ veteran suicide rate” – The News Tribune

Benefits Program for Caregivers of Veterans Now Accepting Applications

Earlier this month, I applauded the announcement made by the Department of Veterans Affairs that they have started accepting and processing applications for the critical caregiver benefits program. After only a week and a half, the VA helped over 625 veterans, servicemembers, and caregivers apply to receive the new benefits. This program will provide much-needed and long-awaited financial and health care support to family members caring for severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Eligible veterans, servicemembers, and family caregivers can apply for benefits online at: www.caregiver.va.gov

Lowering our Military’s Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell and I introduced legislation to extend the length of contracts between the DoD and biofuel producers. The act, which is companion legislation to a bipartisan bill sponsored in the U.S. House by Rep. Jay Inslee, would allow the military to increase long-term contracts with biofuel producers from 5 years to 15 years for the purchase of advanced biofuel fuels. Not only will this unlock opportunities to make investments in the construction and development of private biofuel refineries in the Northwest, it will also lower our military’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase the security of troops.

“Industry study says Northwest ideal for production of biofuels”
– The Everett Herald

Providing Greater Access to Affordable Health Care

Last week, I applauded the announcement that Washington State will be one of the first states to receive funding to help implement a Health Insurance Exchange, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act. The award of $22 million will help Washington state implement an Exchange that will provide individuals and small business with a one-stop shop to find and compare health insurance options.