Tag Archives: United States

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Science and health under attack: Stop the Dirty Air Act today


For more than 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has used the Clean Air Act to save lives, protect human health, and safeguard our environment.

But now, this critical piece of legislation is under attack, as is the very science upon which it is based.

“I have said many times, and there was a report a couple of weeks ago that in fact you look at this last year, it was the warmest year in the last decade, I think was the numbers that came out. I don’t – I accept that. I do not say that it is man-made.”

— Representative Fred Upton (R-MI)

This is part of a well-coordinated, well-funded war on science—backed by opponents looking out for their own interests in an effort to obstruct progress on important environmental and human health protections.

We need your help. Please urge your representative to stand up for science and the health of our families by opposing efforts to undermine the Clean Air Act.

http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/big_picture_solutions/clean-air-act.html

The Clean Air Act was created to regulate dangerous pollutants and to implement a science-based method for the EPA to identify and address new threats to human health. In 2009, after conducting an exhaustive scientific review, the EPA concluded that global warming emissions threaten public health and welfare.

We cannot allow our elected officials to senselessly reject the EPA’s scientific assessment that global warming emissions endanger the public. Nor can we allow them to roll back the hard-fought human health and environmental protections we’ve won in the last few years! Please take action today.

Amidst the inflammatory rhetoric of media personalities and polarizing politics found in our national and state capitols these days, it’s becoming harder and harder to find leaders who are willing to stand up for science and for practical solutions to America’s energy and climate challenges.

Please urge your representative to say no to this attack on science and human health by supporting efforts to protect the EPA’s authority to reduce global warming emissions.

Sincerely,

Kate Abend

National Field Organizer

UCS Climate and Energy Program

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

incredible impact Change.org members make -congrats!


We are blown away by the incredible impact Change.org members have made around the world by starting, joining, and winning dozens of meaningful campaigns over the past few weeks. So we wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you. And congratulations. And let’s keep fighting.

Here are a few of the top victories and successes we’ve had together:

Late last week, the largest florist in the world, 1-800-Flowers, responded to 54,000 Change.org members and agreed to begin selling Fair Trade flowers and insist on a strong code of conduct for all their suppliers to counteract the deplorable working conditions that thousands of female flower workers face in South America. They’ve promised to offer Fair Trade flowers in time for Mother’s Day, making 1-800-Flowers a leader in the industry. (Click here to write a thank you message on 1-800-Flowers’ Facebook wall.)

After a devastating clothing factory fire in Bangladesh took the lives of 27 workers, you asked seven clothing companies, including Abercrombie, the Gap, and Target to compensate the victims’ families and revamp safety standards in their affiliated factories. After 65,000 of us spoke up, a spokesperson from Target said this to us: “I want to understand what we have to do to get our brand off the Change.org petition … Tell me what we need to do, and we will try to do it.” All seven companies met your demands.

An Ohio mom named Kelley Williams-Bolar was sentenced to jail last month for sending her kids to a safer school in a neighboring district. Another mom in Massachusetts started a petition on her behalf – and the campaign gained wide notice in Time, USA Today, and on Good Morning America. We teamed up with grassroots groups Color of Change and MomsRising to deliver more than 165,000 signatures in person to the office of Ohio Governor John Kasich. Less than 24 hours later, Governor Kasich took an important step toward pardoning Kelley.

After firing a lesbian soccer coach for having a child with her partner, Belmont University heard from 21,000 of us — including students, athletes, and alumni of the school — and has adopted a new policy to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. And although there’s still work to do to stop Chick-Fil-A from funding anti-gay groups, your activism made national news (including the New York Times!), and Chick-Fil-A’s CEO was forced to post a video responding to pressure from pro-equality advocates and Change.org members across the country.

Kim Feil, a Change.org member from Arlington, Texas, has been successfully beating back the massive Chesapeake Energy Corporation from dangerously drilling for natural gas in her neighborhood, with the support of more than 8,000 Change.org members across the country. The Arlington city council has now twice delayed its decision — one member told the local Fox affiliate that the council has been overwhelmed by messages sent by Change.org members.

The list doesn’t stop there. You’ve made a jaw-dropping number of victories possible, from pushing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant clemency to Sara Kruzan, to successfully calling on the South African Minister of Justice to meet with activists combating “corrective” rape, to getting Nashville’s housing authority to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

You can read more about these victories and many others here: http://www.change.org/victories?alert_id=oKSsLEIEUE_lBvfiWNFOF&me=aa

Each victory was only possible because an activist like you decided to start a petition to make change in their community, city, or country. If there’s something you want to change, you can start your own petition here: http://www.change.org/start-a-petition

We’re so proud to be working with you. Thanks for everything you do.

– Patrick and the Change.org team

Black History

Congress: the Senate -the Republican led House


the Senate Convenes at 10:00amET February 16, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 11:00am with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each and the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 11:00am, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the FAA Authorization bill. As a reminder, cloture was filed on Inhofe amendment #7, as modified (slots), and S.223, FAA Authorization.

There is a 1pm filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.223, FAA Authorization.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

– Inhofe amendment #7 (flight time limitations/rest requirements), as modified (slots)

– Ensign amendment #32 (military remotely piloted aerial systems)

– McCain amendment #4 (Essential Air Service)

– Leahy amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots)

– Reid amendment #54 (noise buffering)

– Udall (NM) #49 (Dona Ana County airport), as modified

– Udall (NM) #51 (Advanced Imaging Technology), as modified

– Paul amendment #18 (Memorandum of understanding re: OSHA)

– Hutchison amendment #93 to Inhofe amendment #7, as further modified (Slots)

There will be no roll call votes Wednesday evening.

Unanimous Consent:

– Baucus amendment #75, as further modified (Finance title)

Adopted S.Con.Res.6, a concurrent resolution commending the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 102nd anniversary.

 *****************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 16, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

3:43 A.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on February 17, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Chaffetz moved that the House do now adjourn.

3:42 A.M. –

Mr. Chaffetz asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, February 17 (Legislative day of Wednesday, February 16), it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 1:

making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes

3:41 A.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Rogers (KY) moved that the Committee rise.

3:40 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:30 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Polis amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Polis.

An amendment numbered 68 printed in the Congressional Record to create an exception for TIFIA projects within ARRA reductions.

3:25 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Sessions amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Olver demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:12 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Sessions amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Sessions.

An amendment numbered 43 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the funding for AMTRAK Capitol by $446.9 million.

3:11 A.M. –

Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the Nadler amendment Mr. Latham stated that the amendment proposes a net gain in budget authority in the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

3:03 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nadler amendment under the five-minute rule.

3:02 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler.

An amendment numbered 511 printed in the Congressional Record to add back all transportation funding.

2:45 A.M. –

By unanimous consent, the Franks (AZ) amendment was withdrawn.

2:40 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Franks (AZ) amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Franks (AZ).

An amendment numbered 481 printed in the Congressional Record to add language to Egypt on fulfilling the Egypt-Israel Treaty.

2:37 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Heller amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Heller demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:25 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Heller amendment under the five-minute rule.

2:24 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Heller.

An amendment numbered 29 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce several multilateral accounts.

2:23 A.M. –

On agreeing to the McClintock amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:21 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McClintock amendment under the five-minute rule.

2:20 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. McClintock.

An amendment numbered 291 printed in the Congressional Record eliminate debt restructuring, and increases Spending Reduction Account.

2:17 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Canseco amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Canseco demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:09 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Canseco amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Canseco.

An amendment numbered 248 printed in the Congressional Record to eliminate the East-West Center, and increases Spending Reduction Account.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Weiner amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cravaack demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:36 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Weiner amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Weiner.

An amendment numbered 100 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce USIP by $42,676,000, and increases Spending Reduction Account.

1:19 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Whitfield amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

1:07 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Whitfield amendment under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Whitfield.

An amendment numbered 108 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the account for greening of the Capitol by $1.5 million and to increase the reduction in legislative expenses by a similar amount.

12:57 A.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Lee (CA) amendment Mr. Rehberg stated that the amendment proposes to change existing law. The Chair sustained the point of order.

12:45 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lee (CA) amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Lee (CA).

An amendment numbered 221 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new section regarding rules related to additional weeks of first-tier emergency unemployment compensation.

12:29 A.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Tonko amendment Mr. Rehberg stated that the amendment proposes an increase in net budget authority in the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

12:24 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tonko amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Tonko.

An amendment numbered 16 printed in the Congressional Record to strike section 1846 which provides a limitation on Administrative Expenses for the Social Security Administration.

12:21 A.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Tonko amendment Mr. Rehberg stated that the amendment proposes a net increase in budget authority in the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

12:16 A.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tonko amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Tonko.

An amendment numbered 15 printed in the Congressional Record to strike section 1844 which provides a limitation on Administrative Expenses for the Social Security Administration.

12:15 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Price (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. George Miller (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

12:01 A.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Price (GA).

An amendment numbered 410 printed in the Congressional Record to eliminate funding for the National Labor Relations Board.

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Price (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.

11:43 P.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Blumenauer amendment Mr. Rehberg stated that the amendment proposes a limitation in an appropriation bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

11:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blumenauer amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Blumenauer.

An amendment numbered 436 printed in the Congressional Record to provide funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

11:29 P.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Mr. Rehberg stated that the amendment proposes a net increase in budget authority in the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

11:20 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 239 printed in the Congressional Record to increase the funding levels for Pell grants without benefit of offsets.

11:18 P.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Chu amendment Mr. Rehberg stated that the amendment proposes a net increase in budget authority in the bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

11:14 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Chu amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Ms. Chu.

An amendment numbered 490 printed in the Congressional Record to increase the funding level in the bill for Pell Grants without benefit of offsets.

11:12 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Young (AK) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:05 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Young (AK) amendment under the five-minute rule.

11:04 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Young (AK).

An amendment numbered 532 printed in the Congressional Record to restore the education funding authority for Alaskan and Hawaiian Native Americans.

10:56 P.M. –

The Committee of the Whole proceeded with pro forma amendments under the five-minute rule.

10:55 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McMorris Rogers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:41 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McMorris Rogers amendment under the five-minute rule.

10:40 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers.

An amendment numbered 276 printed in the Congressional Record to increase IDEA state grants to FY 2010 levels and reduce school improvement grants and teacher quality grants by necessary amounts to fully offset outlays.

10:39 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flake amendment number 457 under the five-minute rule.

10:07 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment numbered 457 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the Children and Families Services Program, and the Community Service Block Grant, each, by $100,000,000.

9:48 P.M. –

By unanimous consent, the Barletta amendment was withdrawn.

9:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Barletta amendment number 111 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

9:44 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Barletta.

An amendment numbered 111 printed in the Congressional Record to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program by $42,676,000.

8:52 P.M. –

Mr. Rehberg raised a point of order against the Markey amendment stating that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

8:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Markey (MA) amendment number 160 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Markey.

An amendment numbered 160 printed in the Congressional Record to increase the Low Income Home Energy Assistance funding by $390,328,000.

8:47 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Bass (NH) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:44 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bass (NH) amendment number 565 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Bass (NH).

An amendment numbered 565 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.

8:30 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Reed amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Reed demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Reed amendment number 381 under the five-minute rule.

8:20 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Reed.

An amendment numbered 381 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce Presidio Trust, Presido Trust Fund by $15,000,000.

8:19 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Canseco amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Canseco demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Canseco amendment number 249 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Canseco.

An amendment numbered numbered 249 printed in the congressional record to reduce the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs funding by $4,500,000.

8:09 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Walberg amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Walberg demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

7:52 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Walberg amendment number 196 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Walberg.

An amendment numbered 196 in the Congressional Record to reduce funding forthe National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Grants and Administration and increases the spending reduction account.

7:49 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pompeo amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pompeo demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced

7:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pompeo amendment number 85 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Pompeo.

An amendment numbered 85 in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry and increases the spending reduction account.

7:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 1.

7:18 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Reed amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 203 (Roll no. 65).

7:14 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 239 – 185 (Roll no. 64).

7:10 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Failed by recorded vote: 199 – 230 (Roll no. 63).

7:06 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Moran amendment Failed by recorded vote: 73 – 352, 2 Present (Roll no. 62).

7:02 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Lummis amendment Failed by recorded vote: 213 – 216 (Roll no. 61).

6:37 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

6:35 P.M. –

Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Braley (IA) amendment Mr. Simpson stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

6:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Braley(IA) amendment number 521 under the five-minute rule. Pending a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Braley (IA).

An amendment numbered 521 printed in the Congressional Record to add language stating that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall not be prohibited from implementing or enforcing section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act.

6:11 P.M. –

Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Edwards amendment Mr. Simpson stated that the amendment seeks to amend portionof the bill not yet read for consideration. The Chair sustained the point of order.

6:04 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Simpson reserved a point of order against the Edwards(MD) amendment numbered 415 printed in the Congressional Record.

6:03 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Edwards.

An amendment numbered 415 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Environmental Protection Agency account by $200,000,00 and increase the Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grant by $2,816,446,000.

6:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Reed amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Reed demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:59 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Reed amendment number 379 under the five-minute rule.

5:58 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Reed.

An amendment numbered 379 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce by $10,000,000 the Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants account.

5:56 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pompeo amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pompeo demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:50 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pompeo amendment number 84 under the five-minute rule.

5:49 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Pompeo.

An amendment numbered 84 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Programs and Management account by $8,458,000.

5:44 P.M. –

Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Hall amendment Mr. Simpson stated that the amendment seeks to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:40 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Simpson reserved a point of order against the Hall(TX) amendment numbered 407 printed in the Congressional Record.

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hall(TX) amendment number 407 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Hall.

An amendment numbered 407 printed in the Congressional Record to insert a new section pertaining to non-mercury hazardous air pollunants.

5:39 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

5:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flake amendment number 376 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Flake.

An amendment numbered 376 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce by $64,100,000 the Environmental Protection Agency, Science and Technology account.

5:17 P.M. –

Mr. Moran raised a point of order against the Lummis amendment Mr. Moran stated that the amendment seeks to change exisitng law. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:13 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Moran reserved a point of order against the Lummis amendment numbered 194 printed in the Congressional Record.

5:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis amendment number 194 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.

An amendment numbered 194 printed in the Congressional Record to change the date for the final rule published by the Secretary of the Interior with respect to status endangered status of wolves.

5:10 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:55 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Moran amendment number 338 under the five-minute rule.

4:54 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Moran.

An amendment numbered 338 printed in the Congressional Record to increase the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, North American Wetlands Conservation Fund by $50,000,000 and reduces the Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants by $50,000,000.

4:53 P.M. –

On agreeing to the McClintock amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:48 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McClintock amendment number 295 under the five-minute rule.

4:47 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. McClintock.

An amendment numbered 295 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce by $7,537,000 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service , Resource Management.

4:20 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lummis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dicks demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:04 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Moran reserved a point of order against the Lummis amendment numbered 193 printed in the Congressional Record. Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn.

4:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis amendment number 193 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.

An amendment numbered 193 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce by $2,750,000 the Bureau of Land Management, Land Acquisition and reducing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Land Acquisition by $15,055,000.

3:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 1.

3:12 P.M. –

Mr. Simpson raised a point of order against the Pearce amendment Mr. Simpson stated that the provisions of the amendment seek to propose a new limitation on transfer of funds. The Chair sustained the point of order.

3:11 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Simpson reserved a point of order against the Pearce amendment numbered 556 printed in the Congressional Record.

3:08 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Pearce.

An amendment numbered 556 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the “Department of the Interior, Construction and Land Acquisition” by $239,045,000 and apply the amount to the deficit reduction account.

3:03 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Burton (IN) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

2:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Burton amendment number 30 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Burton (IN).

An amendment numbered 30 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce funding for the “Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Management of Lands and Resources” by $2 million and apply the amount to the deficit reduction account.

2:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 1.

2:41 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Pascrell amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 318 – 113 (Roll no. 60).

2:37 P.M. –

On agreeing to the DeFazio amendment Failed by recorded vote: 130 – 301 (Roll no. 59).

2:33 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Latta amendment Failed by recorded vote: 137 – 293 (Roll no. 58).

2:30 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Tonko amendment Failed by recorded vote: 208 – 223 (Roll no. 57).

2:27 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Inslee amendment Failed by recorded vote: 159 – 273 (Roll no. 56).

2:23 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Biggert amendment Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 262 (Roll no. 55).

2:20 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Duncan (SC) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 259 (Roll no. 54).

2:17 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Weiner amendment as modified Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 203 (Roll no. 53).

2:12 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Latta amendment Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 247 (Roll no. 52).

2:09 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Flake amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 262 – 169 (Roll no. 51).

2:06 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Michaud amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 305 – 127 (Roll no. 50).

2:01 P.M. –

On agreeing to the DeFazio amendment Failed by recorded vote: 136 – 296 (Roll no. 49).

1:57 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Holt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 133 – 299 (Roll no. 48).

1:52 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jones amendment Failed by recorded vote: 135 – 294 (Roll no. 47).

1:48 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Rooney amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 198, 1 Present (Roll no. 46).

1:30 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

1:29 P.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

THE BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY – Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4355(a), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the THE BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY: Mr. Shimkus.

H. Res. 93:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 514) to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

1:28 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 254 – 176 (Roll no. 45).

1:01 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:14 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 93.

Considered as privileged matter.

12:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to five per side of the aisle.

12:02 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.

12:01 P.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Bill Shuler, Capital Life Church, Washington DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 16.

11:25 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Alan Nunnelee to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Budget: ‘Invest and Grow’ vs. ‘Slash and Burn’


The Obama administration released its fiscal year 2012 budget yesterday, even as Congress continues to grapple with funding for the remainder of the fiscal 2011 year (which ends in October). The $3.7 trillion budget makes key investments in infrastructure, scientific research, education, and job creation, while still reducing the deficit in the medium term and stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio, two key steps to getting the long-term structural deficit under control. “Even as we cut out things that we can afford to do without, we have a responsibility to invest in those areas that will have the biggest impact in our future,” President Obama said in a speech yesterday. Of course, Republicans in Congress immediately criticized the administration for not proposing enough in the way of budget cuts, claiming that the lack of cuts will result in job losses. “It’s going to destroy jobs because it spends too much, it borrows too much, and it increases the deficit,” Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) said on Laura Ingraham’s radio show. But at the same time that they’re falsely accusing the administration of crafting budget policies that will cause unemployment to rise, House Republicans have proposed a deeply irresponsible spending plan for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 that, if enacted, would result in deep cuts to vital and popular programs that promote competitiveness and job creation, while simultaneously harming some of the nation’s most vulnerable residents.

KEY INVESTMENTS: As Center for American Progress economist Adam Hersh wrote, “If there is one point on which all economists can agree, it is that investment — in infrastructure, in research and innovation, and worker productivity — is the foundation for economic growth.” To that end, the Obama administration included in its budget proposal $556 billion for a six-year surface transportation authorization. The administration proposed $8 billion next year to invest in passenger and high-speed rail and $30 billion for a National Infrastructure Bank. The infrastructure funding drew the support of the National League of Cities, but even with those spending boosts, the nation would still be far short of fulfilling what the Army Corps of Engineers has assessed as roughly $2.2 trillion in infrastructure needs. The administration’s proposed budget would also include $8 billion “to boost electric cars, wind and solar power, [and] clean-energy manufacturing,” as well as $200 million in subsidies for energy efficiency and renewable energy loan guarantees. In the education realm, the Obama administration proposed a new round of the Race To The Top program — this time making competitive grants for education reform available to individual districts, instead of entire states — while increasing money for special education, school turnaround grants, and early intervention services for toddlers with disabilities. The budget also preserves the maximum Pell Grant, as well as the Teacher Incentive Fund and the Improving Teacher Quality State Grants. “The administration’s budget generally reflects the principle that we cannot out compete the rest of the world if we are leaving one-third of our citizens behind,” CAP’s Half in Ten manager Melissa Boteach noted. However, the proposed budget also includes some disappointing cuts, reducing both the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and Community Services Block Grant by 50 percent. “These services both stabilize families in crisis and provide a pathway to long-term economic security,” Boteach wrote.

RESPONSIBLE DEFICIT REDUCTION: The release of the budget resulted in a predictable outcry from self-styled deficit hawks, who moaned that the administration did not attempt to reduce the deficit even more drastically than it did. “Regrettably, this budget keeps our nation on a reckless fiscal path, representing more unaffordable debt and spending,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT). The budget also received fire from Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), who said we need “a much more robust package of deficit and debt reduction over the medium and long term.” Alice Rivlin, a member of the now-completed Presidential deficit commission, claimed, “I would have preferred to see the administration get out front on addressing the entitlements and the tax reform that we need to reduce long-run deficits.” However, the President’s budget does responsibly reduce the deficit. As Center for American Progress Associate Director of Tax and Budget Policy Michael Linden wrote, “The President’s budget goes exactly as far as it should, showing deficits declining from a high of 10.9 percent of GDP down to 3.2 percent of GDP by 2015.” “His deficit reduction eases in to allow the economic recovery to get more momentum before the deficit-cutting measures start to bite. And, although there are lots of spending cuts, there are lots of investments in the economy that can produce returns in job creation and economic growth,” added CAP Vice President for Economic Policy Michael Ettlinger. Even so, the administration left some big fish on the table in terms of possible deficit reduction, including plenty of wasteful tax expenditures and the bloated defense budget (from which the administration only suggested $78 billion in savings over five years, which only slows DOD’s rate of growth).

GOP‘S SLASH AND BURN: As the President rolls out his budget, House Republicans are using their new majority to try to cut spending for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year. (Currently, the government is operating under a continuing resolution that keeps funding consistent at the 2010 level.) After initially releasing roughly $30 billion in cuts (below the fiscal 2010 level), House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) was forced to go back and find further reductions after a revolt from members of his own party. The roughly $60 billion in savings that the GOP found, on its second attempt, would severely undermine job creation — causing the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs even as unemployment is at 9 percent — while also cutting vital and popular programs. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the GOP’s first round of proposed budget cuts alone would cause the loss of 600,000 jobs. With their proposed cuts, House Republicans take aim at everything from Pell Grants and special education funding to WIC, which provides nutrition assistance for infants and low-income pregnant women, and other programs benefiting women and children. They also proposed cutting half of federal job training programs, more than one billion from community health centers (which they used to call “essential”), and slashing clean-tech and energy investments by nearly 30 percent, “devastating this growing but immature industry that struggled during the Great Recession.” Programs that they propose completely eliminating range from investments in high-speed rail and weatherization assistance to assistance for homeless veterans. Finally, at the same time that some Republicans decided to criticize the President for not reducing the deficit fast enough, they proposed new, unfinanced tax cuts that would cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

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Tell Clarence Thomas to Recuse himself!

1 Comment

Nearly 25,000 people have already signed on to this action, giving it an incredible start. Help us keep it going.

Be part of the growing number of Americans demanding that Justice Thomas acknowledge the conflict of interest presented by his family’s professional, paid involvement in efforts to fight and now repeal a law that could soon come before the Supreme Court.

Tell Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from future Supreme Court cases involving the health care reform law.>>       www.pfaw.org

Thank you for your support and your activism.

— Ben

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Original Message:

Dear People For Supporter,

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, already in hot water over failing to report his wife’s income on judicial disclosure forms, is now being called on by 74 members of Congress, led by Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York, to recuse himself from hearing cases on the health care reform law.

It’s really pretty simple. Justice Thomas’ wife Ginni has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars working for and leading groups that have repealing health care reform as one of their chief goals. And considering challenges to the health car law are expected to make it to the Supreme Court, how could that not be a major conflict of interest?

Rep. Weiner and his colleagues are absolutely correct that Justice Thomas should recuse himself.

Click here to sign on to their letter to Justice Thomas and we’ll deliver the names to Rep. Weiner.   >> www.pfaw.org

Challenges to the health care reform law have been largely unsuccessful, but two judges have ruled at least one part of the bill unconstitutional, making it very likely that the challenge will make its way to the Supreme Court.

The court challenges to health care reform are really more political than legal, and the tortured logic used by the judges who have ruled it unconstitutional ignores the text and history of our Constitution, as well as firmly established case law going back to the Supreme Court of the early 1800s. Despite right-wing Supreme Court justices’ willingness to contort the law to suit their ideology – see the their controversial decisions in Bush v. Gore and Citizens United v. FEC, both of which had Justice Thomas in the majority – most legal experts agree that the health care reform law is perfectly constitutional and under no real threat of being ruled otherwise. But outcomes aside, the Thomas family’s profits from efforts to repeal health care reform clearly mean that Justice Thomas should not hear and decide cases about that law.

Ginni Thomas is now a lobbyist, advertising herself to potential clients interested in health care reform as someone with the “experience and connections” to get the job done. Justice Clarence Thomas should honor his office by acknowledge this obvious conflict of interest and recusing himself.

Don’t wait another minute to speak up — add your name to Rep. Weiner’s letter now. www.pfaw.org

— Ben Betz, Online Communications Manager

Here’s the text of the letter:

Dear Justice Thomas:

As an Associate Justice, you are entrusted with the responsibility to exercise the highest degree of discretion and impartiality when deciding a case. As Members of Congress, we were surprised by recent revelations of your financial ties to leading organizations dedicated to lobbying against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. We write today to respectfully ask that you maintain the integrity of this court and recuse yourself from any deliberations on the constitutionality of this act.

The appearance of a conflict of interest merits recusal under federal law. From what we have already seen, the line between your impartiality and you and your wife’s financial stake in the overturn of health care reform is blurred. Your spouse is advertising herself as a lobbyist who has “experience and connections and appeals to clients who want a particular decision — they want to overturn health care reform. Moreover, your failure to disclose Ginny Thomas‘s receipt of $686,589 from the Heritage Foundation, a prominent opponent of health care reform, between 2003 and 2007 has raised great concern.

This is not the first case where your impartiality was in question. As Common Cause points out, you participated in secretive political strategy sessions, perhaps while the case was pending, with corporate leaders whose political aims were advanced by the [5-4] decision on the Citizens United case. Your spouse also received an undisclosed salary paid for by undisclosed donors as CEO of Liberty Central, a 501(c)(4) organization that stood to benefit from the decision and played an active role in the 2010 elections.

Given these facts, there is a strong conflict between the Thomas household’s financial gain through your spouse’s activities and your role as a Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. We urge you to recuse yourself from this case. If the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision is to be viewed as legitimate by the American people, this is the only correct path.

We appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

ANTHONY D. WEINER

Call your Member of Congress

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