Tag Archives: Virginia

UCS and Nuclear Weapons


UnionofConcernedScientists

Nuclear weapons have become a security liability, not an asset. Since these weapons were first invented and used nearly 70 years ago, the world has become a much different place. The Cold War has been over for a quarter century, yet the United States and Russia still have thousands of nuclear weapons, hundreds of which are kept on hair-trigger alert, raising the risk of an accidental or unauthorized launch in the absence of any credible threat. Despite the president’s commitment not to build new nuclear weapons, the administration is now planning to spend tens of billions of dollars to do so. In 2009, President Obama pledged to seek a world free of nuclear weapons, but he must take strong steps now if we are to see any real progress during his tenure. —Karla

This Just In
The future of nuclear weapons in the U.S. The future of nuclear weapons in the United States? To safely reduce the number of nuclear weapons in this country, we must ensure that those we do have remain reliable, safe, and secure. But what does that require? A new UCS report, Making Smart Security Choices, takes a big-picture look at the laboratories and facilities that research, design, produce, and maintain nuclear weapons and recommends cost-effective changes that will improve national security and save taxpayers money. MORE

Ask a Scientist

Report: Making Smart Security Choices

“How much does it cost to create a single nuclear weapon?”—Z. Witmond, New York, NY

Although the United States hasn’t built a new nuclear warhead or bomb since the 1990s, it has refurbished several types in recent years to extend their lifetime. It also plans to replace its entire arsenal with a suite of five new weapon types over the next 25 to 30 years, violating the spirit if not the letter of President Obama’s 2010 pledge not to develop new nuclear warheads. This plan, along with modest reductions in the U.S. arsenal of both deployed and reserve weapons, will cost taxpayers some $250 billion in the next few decades. That’s roughly equal to 30 years of federal funding for Head Start programs for kids at 2012 enrollment levels. MORE

Lisbeth Gronlund

Lisbeth Gronlund, Ph.D.,  Co-Director, Global Security Program

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Science in Action
Missile Defense Missile defense: costly and unproven. There are much better ways to alleviate the threat of missile attack than by spending billions of dollars to build a missile defense system with an abysmal track record that will not make Americans safer. Urge your senators to oppose funding for costly, unproven, missile defense sites and to instead work to alleviate the threat posed by nuclear weapons in more sensible ways.

Top 3: Facebook’s Policy On Pro-Rape Content


FACEBOOK WON’T FILTER MESSAGES LIKE THESE. HERE’S WHAT WOMEN ARE DOING ABOUT IT.

MEET THE EXTREMIST WHO COULD BE VIRGINIA’S NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

CONGRESSMAN TELLS WOMAN THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO HER BRAIN-DEAD FETUS

the Senate debates/votes S.954 Nominees S.Res65 :::::: CONGRES :::::: the House debates


capitolphonelines

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill. We will continue to work through amendments to the Farm bill during Wednesday’s session of the Senate.
  • At 4:00pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #43, S.Res.65, resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.
    • There will be 60 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form.
    • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:00pm), there will be a roll call vote in relation to the resolution. If the resolution is agreed to, the preamble will be agreed to.
  • During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Unless an agreement is reached, Senators should expect that cloture vote on Thursday morning.
  • This morning Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent that the Senate vote on Tuesday, June 4, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, following consultation with the Republican Leader, on confirmation of Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Senator Reid objected and explained some of his frustrations over continued Republican delay on nominations. As a reminder, Senator Reid filed cloture on the Srinivasan nomination last night and the cloture vote will occur tomorrow.Senator McConnell noted that there is another circuit judge on the calendar that was reported prior to the Srinivasan nomination that the Wyoming senators would like to confirm. Senator Reid then suggested we confirm that nomination today and again asked consent to vote today on the Srinivasan today.
  • Senator McConnell objected and said he would continue working on nominations off the floor.
  • The Senate is in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business (approx 11:35am), the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill. Today we will continue to process amendments to the bill. Currently the Leahy amendment #998 (rural broadband) is pending.As a reminder, at 5pm today, the Senate will vote on adoption of S.Res.65, a resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.
  • For the information of senators, there is a chance that when we resume consideration of the Farm bill Senator Inhofe will offer amendment #960 (repeal nutrition entitlements programs and establish nutrition assistance block grants) and we vote in relation to the amendment as early as 12:00 noon.
  • At 12:00 noon the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Inhofe amendment #960 (nutrition block grants);Not Agreed To: 36-60
  • The following amendments to S.954, the Farm bill, were agreed to by unanimous consent:-       Franken #992 (access to grocery delivery for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities); and-       Vitter #1056 (end food stamp eligibility for convicted violent rapists, pedophiles, and murders)
  • Senator Kaine asked unanimous consent to go to conference on the Budget resolution and that 2 motions to instruct conferees relative to the debt limit and taxes/revenue be in order. Senator Rubio asked that the request be modified to prohibit consideration of any conference report that includes reconciliation instructions regarding the debt limit. Senator Kaine objected to modify his request. Senator Rubio objected to the original request. Senator McCain then argued that we go through regular order and go to conference on the budget resolution, with motions to instruct conferees in order, and a debate ensued.

Senator Stabenow has called up Shaheen amendment #925 (Sugar programs ). We are working towards an agreement to vote in relation to the amendment this afternoon, perhaps around the vote on the Iran Sanctions resolution.

At 3:45pm the Senate will begin consideration of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions. There will be up to 50 minutes for debate, with the Majority controlling 20 minutes and the Republicans controlling 30 minutes. At approximately 4:35pm, the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the resolution. There will then be 2 minutes for debate equally divided prior to a vote in relation to the Shaheen amendment #925 (sugar programs). No second degree amendments are in order to the Shaheen amendment prior to the vote.

4:35pm votes

–       Adoption of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions

–       Shaheen amendment #925 (sugar programs)

The Senate has reached an agreement that tomorrow, following the cloture vote on the Srinivasan nomination and notwithstanding cloture having been invoked, if invoked, the Senate resume legislative session and consideration of S.954, the Farm bill, and the Senate then proceed to vote in relation to the pending Sanders amendment #965 (GMO food labels). No second degree amendments are in order prior to the vote. the amendment is subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. The time consumed during consideration of the Farm bill will count post-cloture.

There will be 2 roll call votes at 10:30am:

–          motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia; and

–          Sanders amendment #965 (GMO foods)(60 affirmative-vote threshold).

4:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions.

Adopted: 99-0

:04pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Shaheen amendment #925 (sugar programs);

Not Agreed To: 44-54

The managers of the bill will continue to work on amendments,  however, there will be no further roll call votes today.

There will be no further roll call votes during today’s session.

The following amendments are pending to S.954, the Farm bill:

The following amendments have been considered to S.954, the Farm bill:

  • Cantwell amendment #919 (Indian tribes – land and soil conservation programs) Agreed to: 87-8
  • Sessions amendment #945, as modified (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance) Agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP) Not Agreed to: 40-58
  • Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP funding) Not Agreed to: 26-70
  • Inhofe amendment #960 (repeal SNAP and establish nutrition assistance block program) Not Agreed to: 36-60
  • Franken amendment #992 (access to grocery delivery for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities) Agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Vitter amendment #1056 (end food stamp eligibility for convicted violent rapists, pedophiles, and murderers) Agreed to by unanimous consent
  • Shaheen amendment #925 (Federal sugar program) Not Agreed to: 45-54

Senator Sanders called up amendment #965 (GMO food labels). We are working on an agreement to vote in relation to the his amendment tomorrow. As a reminder, the cloture vote on the Srinavasan will occur tomorrow, potentially in the 10:30am range. Stay tuned for a final decision on the vote time.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Inhofe amendment #960 (nutrition assistance block grants) to S.954, the Farm bill; Not Agreed to: 36-60

2)      Adoption of S.Res.65, Iran Sanctions; Adopted: 99-0

3)      Shaheen amendment #965 (federal sugar program reform) to S.954; Not Agreed to: 45-54

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.258, the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.45, the Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1003, the Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act. (Coburn)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1004, the Anti-Trust Freedom Act. (Paul)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:
5:05:58 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 22, 2013.

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CONGRESS: Republicans ::: back on 3/11 :::Democrats


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EmptyhouseChamber

 Last Floor Action below  … 3/7/2012

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in up to 2 roll call votes beginning at approximately 3:15pm today.

  • If all time is used at approximately 3:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #43, the nomination of John Owen Brennan, of Virginia, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.If cloture is invoked, the Senate would proceed immediately to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination.

3:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #43, the nomination of John Owen Brennan, of Virginia, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Invoked: 81-16

3:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #43,

 the nomination of John Owen Brennan, of Virginia, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Confirmed: 63-34

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Executive Calendar #43, John Owen Brennan, of Virginia, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; Invoked: 81-16

2) Confirmation of the Brennan nomination; Confirmed: 63-34

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.71, designating the week of March 4 through March 8, 2013, as “Military and Veterans Caregiver Week”.

Adopted S.Res.72, to observe the contributions of the American Chiropractic Association and to recognize the 50th anniversary of the founding of the organization.

Adopted S.Res.73, designating March 11, 2013, as “World Plumbing Day”.

Placed H.R.933, the Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 on the Legislative Calendar.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.505, to prohibit the use of drones to kill citizens of the United States within the United States. (Cruz)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

The Senate reached an agreement to place on the Calendar of Business H.R.933, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes. We expect to consider the bill next week.

At 5:00pm on Monday, March 11, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

Executive Calendar #9 Richard Gary Taranto, of Maryland, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit; and

Executive Calendar #17 Andrew Patrick Gordon, of Nevada, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.

There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees on the nominations. Upon the use or yielding back of time (approximately 5:30pm), there will be up to 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the Taranto and Gordon nominations. We expect the Gordon nomination to be confirmed by voice vote.

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Last Floor Action:
12:04:56 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 11, 2013.

 Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

How the Sequester Will Hurt Shipbuilders


Unless Congress takes action soon, our economy will be hit with harmful automatic cuts (known as the sequester) over the next few weeks that threaten hundreds of thousands of middle-class jobs. These cuts have already forced the Navy to cancel deployment and delay repair of certain aircraft carriers, and postpone building on additional vessels.

Speaking at Newport News Shipbuilding in Viginia yesterday, President Obama called on Congress to prevent these arbitrary cuts with balanced deficit reduction.

Find out what these cuts mean for businesses like Newport News Shipbuilding.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks to highlight the devastating impact the sequester will have on jobs and middle class families, at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., Feb. 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Barack Obama delivers remarks to highlight the devastating impact the sequester will have on jobs and middle class families, at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., Feb. 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

President Obama: I Look Forward to Working with Governors to Reignite America’s Economic Engine In meetings with the National Governors Association, the President and Vice President stressed the need for all elected officials to work together to solve our nation’s biggest problems.

Let’s Move Anniversary News: Recipe Partnership Makes It Easy for Families to Eat Healthier at Home Five of America’s largest media companies have identified thousands of recipes that meet USDA’s MyPlate guidance, making it easier for home cooks to prepare healthy, delicious meals for their families.

Policy Statement for Countering Improvised Explosive Devices Announced With yesterday’s publication of the policy statement on Countering Improvised Explosive Devices, the Obama Administration both recognizes the progress we have made, and rededicates ourselves to the next phase in our efforts to implement measures to discover, prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate IED attacks and their consequences.