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unanimous consent, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to S.782, the Economic Development Act, was withdrawn, the Senate adopted the motion to proceed and the Senate has begun consideration of S.782.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
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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 7, 2011.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Elizabeth Warren, perhaps America‘s leading consumer advocate, has done a superb job standing up the Republican bullies in charge of the House Oversight Committee. And the GOP‘s harassment of Professor Warren has provoked strong rebukes from Democrats on the Oversight Committee as well as tens of thousands of progressives across the country.
But they don’t seem to be getting the message.
One week after a subcommittee chair, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, publicly accused Professor Warren of perjury in an exchange that quickly became a viral online video, Oversight Chairman Darryl Issa sent Warren what the Huffington Post‘s Hill Update called “an unusually obnoxious-sounding invitation” to appear before his full committee.
40,000 PFAW supporters have already spoken out and joined our petition telling Republicans to back off and stop their smear campaign against Elizabeth Warren. We’re still shy of our goal of 50,000, which we really want to hit in time to deliver the petitions to the Oversight Committee in advance of Professor Warren’s next appearance this month. That’s why I’m asking you to add your name right now — we need you to help us close the gap and hit 50K.
Chairman McHenry Calls Elizabeth Warren a Liar at Subcommittee Hearing …
to watch the video click on the link below and then go to: www.pfaw.org
Today, President Obama speaks to Workers at Chrysler Group Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo, Ohio at 12:20pm ET. It definitely is worth going to whitehouse.gov/live and watching because it is proof that not only was helping the auto industry the right thing to do it saved millions of jobs as well contrary to whatever Presidential candidate Romney stated.
About a year ago, this time the House and Senate were quite busy debating, voting up or down on if they should help their fellow Americans while confirming or blocking President Obama’s appointees. The Republican Tea Party members of Congress have become less of that description we use for a Public Servant and more like Corporate Tools. Republicans who seemingly are being backed financially by folks like the Koch brothers on the State level while their Federal brotherhood continues to put obstacles in the way of any great or big moves to keep the Govt out of the ditch almost three years later.
Now, with Republicans finally coming forward to announce their bids to run for President in 2012, with the obvious quest to complete the divide and conquer Americans. It is not lost on most of us that we all should make an effort to remind our fellow Americans just who is responsible for this slow sometime stalled path toward the 21st Century. It is obvious that not only is the Republican tea party refusing to move into the 21st Century they have not only voiced attitudes that offend women, children and minorities but have passed legislation that could put them at more risk or in the streets while defunding government jobs will shove middle class workers into minimum wage earner status. I will admit I only skimmed that Pledge to America but it is clear it was the 19page lie about putting Americans back to work by those job creators who need to keep those bonus dollars in order to do so. I ask Speaker Boehner, Where are the Jobs. I have actual bumper stickers that say that because well after the midterm elections the Republican led House has been a big failure to create anything to help their fellow Americans. If you would like a “Where are the Jobs Mr. Boehner Bumper Sticker let me know
I also admit being slightly surprised by the outcome of the midterm elections. I was surprised at how many drank the Kool-Aid and who actually listened to “the media” instead of asking questions to find out for themselves that in fact far more people in “the media” are a part of the farce that is the Republican Tea Party. Those Republican Tea Party lies won the House of Representatives for only a few months because as we all know; the truth will set you free. The move to attack Roe V Wade,redefine rape, HR3 a Woman’s right to choose while Republicans defunding it offended many but it was not until the effort to end Medicare, as we know it that people began to see the light. The midterm elections definitely stalled American progress but it also uncovered and highlighted the Republican agenda. The abuses of States Rights by Republican Governors in at least ten states willing to cut slash and burn worker rights, women, children, the poor and services that would help them. However, that slogan about taking back their country no matter how offensive is worth noting and remembering because it is not a partisan slogan it is a discriminatory rally cry that we all need to push back on … I believe in equality for all on all levels which is not at all how Republicans feel as a whole in my opinion.
I don’t know about you but any person running for President must represent ALL Americans not a select few. Therefore, from now on my effort will be to make all those comments from Republicans stepping up to any mic wanting to become President of the United States caught on tape or otherwise available so their truths will be set free.
The info below is from June and July of 2010 … attitudes and words do matter
Republicans again blocked Democrats’ attempt to extend jobless benefits to millions of unemployed Americans last night. Senator Harry Reid sent a strong message back to the Minority after they prevented passage of the bill.
July 1, 2010
TYT comments on Micheal Steele -his behavior and comments regarding Thurgood Marshall
During day three of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan‘s confirmation hearing, Senator Al Franken focused a portion of his Q&A with the Solicitor General on the Citizens United case.
July 01, 2010
In the video below Sen Tom Corburn asks Elena Kagan about Freedom/ Inferring that better days were before women & minorities had rights– TYT
June 30, 2010
At today’s confirmation hearing, Senator Amy Klobuchar asked Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan to talk about the challenges women face in the legal profession and with respect to career choices in general.
Be a Seed for Change 
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