Tag Archives: vote

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wacky Wednesday &some News


Today on CSPAN … tune into what is going on in Congress too!

watch Thad Allen Briefing: c-span.org at 3pm ET

watch Senate Hearing: c-span.org at 2pm ET

watch JEC Hearing: C-SPAN3 at 2pm ET

The  weekend is almost here and most of us will be at home maybe relaxing, drinking coffee, getting up to do errands or go to church; basically not experiencing natural or man-made disasters like the one by BP, but most of us will not be in the path of   tornados , earthquakes over 6.0, mine disasters, or sinking oil rigs. It does seem like Americans are easily desensitized from the events that have happened over the last few days or months. Do not get me wrong, yes, life goes on yet the latest moves from the very people voted into public service have shown fear that cannot be ignored because we are all going to be feeling it. We all need to be responsible for watching, listening to how these new Arizona laws just waiting to go in effect at the end of the month effect the Arizona people, specifically the brown ones. The birther law will essentially make it impossible to run for office in AZ without producing a birth certificate that they feel or deem valid and the police will handle SB1070, which legalizes racial profiling, and take note fear is driving these two laws.

The question is what kind of fear. Yes, there is a lot of violence, drugs, and large numbers of people literally shooting their way into our borders and it definitely has to be dealt with as soon as possible. Though the way to resolve immigration is not by making life harder for some that have lived year for generations or picking up people merely because they look a certain way, talk a certain way or judge them by their shoes – is just wrong. It’s not only wrong but is it  just me or is it strange to be giving ICE authority to the local police who are already stretched  to the limit and who clearly are not immigration agents to behave like them just makes no sense. The move does make it impossible for Congress not to address; they have to and anyone with common sense knows that the law in and of itself could incite big ole problems.

Arizona was a beautiful place that some say is of a diverse population. The reports  say Hispanics make up 30% of the population. I wonder if that includes the many undocumented who have been here for generations have children that were born here who are hiding in the shadows now. I will admit to liking some of the stuff McCain said prior to the 2008 elections because it seemed like a foundation could be made between Republicans and Democrats when the legislation finally reached the floor of Congress. But, like everything else -Republicans have stalled and blocked the progress of immigration and are now talking about immigration like it is a dirty word.  This sadly includes Sen. John McCain and other Republicans who once were open to offering a pathway, offering legislation for legal immigration now are turning their backs on any path proving apparently they can only offer lies.

In a time when we have to accept, our government needs to be changed significantly as well as a need for bipartisanship not lies should be in full force on the floor of Congress for all Americans and quite obviously, it is not. I have  found some of the attitude change or adjustment by democrats in Congress refreshing  … to explain better; the notion that having a Democratic majority in both Chambers of Congress but were unable to get legislation through at the beginning of President Obama’s first year in office still is awkward or strange. The fact remains actual work is getting done.  It has been slow but progress is real and continuous efforts for bipartisanship on most legislation are also a reality but if those efforts on the Republican side become disingenuous, the Democratic Party needs to move forward, which it seems to be doing even with all the comments and or noise coming from the right.

The noise and comments from Sen. Graham shows not only how Congress in the past were unable to handle more than one issue at a time but Republicans are willing to obstruct progress of all Americans for their own agenda; we have many American issues that need to be worked on at the same time. The news that Sen. Graham essentially is having a tantrum after 6 full months of work and a possible agreement on Climate being made on a bipartisanship path is huge. That being said, Graham is now stating”, putting a climate bill on hold is a cynical and or political ploy by Sen. Harry Reid; moving forward on immigration reform being hurried and panicky seemed to be reckless”

We the People certainly are not stupid enough to believe that the current situation with immigration is small, can be put on hold for climate change or clean energy policy or that it’s  a political ploy and just hearing it is offensive. We all know that Republicans have a policy of NO a political ploy would not you say … we need lawmakers to do their jobs even if it means solving more than one at a time.

President Obama has proven he can handle more than one American issue at a time, the question is can our Democratic Party do the same.

Other News …

C-SPAN …

Budget deficit, jobs and economy focus of admin. appearances

Vice President Biden and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer will unveil the latest CEA quarterly report on the economic impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The report will cover the amount of private sector jobs created through Recovery Act investment projects.  Later, at a Joint Economic Committee hearing, Ms. Romer will give further evidence of the Recovery Act’s impact on job creation and economic growth. Recent reports show the U.S. federal budget deficit at $1 trillion with three months to go in this budget year.

$257.3 billion from the $787 billion stimulus fund has been paid out to states, according to the latest White House release. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009.

Holbrooke, Crocker Update Congress on civilian strategy in Afghanistan

A top American official in the Afghanistan war will go before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today to review the governance and civilian strategy in Afghanistan. Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan will testify alongside former Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker.

Following last month’s career-ending quotes by Gen. Stanley McChrystal in Rolling Stone magazine, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), a committee member, requested an immediate hearing on U.S. goals in Afghanistan. Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) scheduled the hearing which is expected to reaffirm the U.S. troop draw down next year and “provide clarity” on the administration’s handling of the war.

watch Senate Hearing: c-span.org at 2pm ET
read NYT: Afghan Shift Puts U.S. in Tricky Spot

Integrity Tests delayed on Containment Cap, Relief Well

BP has delayed testing today to determine whether a new containment cap placed on the leaking well will contain the oil spilling into the Gulf. Additionally, Coast Guard and BP announced a temporary halt to the drilling of a relief well. Both groups will provide updates this afternoon — Thad Allen is scheduled to brief the media at 3pm (ET) and BP is expected to update later this afternoon.

The Interior Department announced Monday that they are issuing a second moratorium to block deepwater drilling. The new moratorium is not based on water depth like the first, but still targets deepwater drilling. The six-month moratorium is in place while oil and gas companies develop and implement new safety measures in response to the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Last Thursday, a federal appeals court rejected the U.S. government’s effort to keep a deepwater drilling ban in place after a lower court struck down the original ban.

The national commission investigating the cause of the Gulf Coast disaster yesterday completed its public meeting in New Orleans. The commissioners heard testimony involving the status of the spill response and the economic and community impact to the region. Witnesses included Adm. Peter Neffenger, Deputy Incident Commander, and Sr. VP of BP North America, Kent Wells. The commission also heard from Gulf citizens and business owners on the drilling moratorium and the impact to local communities

watch Thad Allen Briefing: c-span.org at 3pm ET
watch W.J. on BP Claims: Available Shortly
watch Live: Undersea ROVs watch Nat’l Commission Meeting on Oil Spill
read Times-Picayune coverage of oil spill
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Our enemies are relentless – we need your help


Only hours left.

HRC Water Bottle

‘Til midnight only – get a free, stylish water bottle when you pledge at least $20 a month

You can help bring change to millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people for the same price as a tank of gas or a few cups of coffee.

I’m talking about an end to workplace discrimination and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I’m talking about marriage equality.

By midnight tonight, HRC needs 100 people like you to take their support to the next level with a monthly gift.

Become an HRC Partner today – and, if you join at $20 a month or more, we’ll send you a free HRC water bottle!

Why give monthly?

  • It’s easy on your budget, and it goes a long way. Most of us don’t think twice about keeping the lights on or the car insured – aren’t fundamental rights just as essential?
  • The enemy is relentless. Relentless, shameless and animated by hatred. The Texas GOP recently declared that gay people shouldn’t have custody of children and that performing a same-sex marriage should be punishable by jail time. It takes steady resources to go up against groups like this every day – to fight back with national grassroots pressure, direct lobbying, public education programs, election organizing, and hard-hitting media campaigns.
  • Monthly giving is the right wing’s bread and butter. We need to match our opponents – gift for gift, dollar for dollar.

That’s why we need you to become an HRC Partner by midnight TONIGHT and claim your water bottle as our thank-you gift.

Now’s not the time to relent – we can’t afford to give one inch back to the radical right. Take the next step with us, and help us ensure we don’t.

Warmly,
Joe Solmonese
President

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tax changes for 2011 …livecheap.com


Important Tax Changes for 2011

It seems that just when you think you understand all of the tax laws on the books, things change making it necessary to start the learning process all over again. It is important to understand and note changes in tax laws as these changes can have a significant impact on what you receive in a refund or owe as a tax liability. Understanding how tax laws affect you can potentially save (or cost) you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Many of the tax cuts that were enacted by President Bush in 2001 and 2003 are due to expire, resulting in significant changes in the next year. Here we look at changes coming up in 2011 that may affect your personal finances in a major way. Click on link above

source: livecheap.com

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress in Session -today


The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET July 13, 2010

Following any leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 12:00 noon with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the next 30 minutes.

We hope to reach an agreement to consider the initial amendments on the Small Business Jobs bill (HR5297) and that we will be able to resume its consideration.

Finally seeing 60 votes, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to call the first procedural vote next Tuesday on a stalled unemployment benefits package that failed the Senate on his first four tries.“If Governor Manchin does what he has indicated to me he will, and we’ll have a new senator to replace Sen. Byrd, then we’ll vote Tuesday morning sometime on the unemployment extension,” Reid said.Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39732.html#ixzz0tgizt8BuRead more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39732.html#ixzz0tgh9s3Pl
Unanimous Consent:
Passed HR4861, HR5051, and HR5099, Post Office naming bills.

Passed S.1288, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact Grant Reauthorization Act.

Passed s. 3372, a bill to modify the date on which the Administrator of the EPA and applicable States may require permits for discharge from certain vessels.


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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 14, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

5:17 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further Special Order speeches.

Mr. Arcuri filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1517.

4:18 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further Special Order speeches.

The Chair announced the corrected tally for Roll Call 440 to be 303 yeas and 119 nays.

4:05 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

4:04 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on July 21: Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Ms. Ros-Lehtinen be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on July 20.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Ms. Ros-Lehtinen be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on July 19.

3:55 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

S. 1508:

to amend the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note) in order to prevent the loss of billions in taxpayer dollars

3:52 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 – 0 (Roll no. 442).

3:46 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1722:

to improve teleworking in executive agencies by developing a telework program that allows employees to telework at least 20 percent of the hours worked in every 2 administrative workweeks, and for other purposes

3:45 P.M. –

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

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 290 – 131 (Roll no. 441).

3:38 P.M. –

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

Amendment offered by Mr. Lynch.

3:37 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 303 – 119 (Roll no. 440).

3:05 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

2:55 P.M. –

Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to add certain limitations to certain employees authorized to telework.

2:49 P.M. –

Mr. Issa moved to recommit with instructions to Oversight and Government.

2:48 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1722.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1722 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules, shall be considered as adopted. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1509.

H.R. 2864:

to amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize funds to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services specific to the Arctic for safe navigation, delineating the United States extended continental shelf, and the monitoring and description of coastal changes

1:46 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 Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 439).

1:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:38 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1496:

waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1509, H. Res. 1496 is laid on the table.

H. Res. 1509:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1722) to improve teleworking in executive agencies by developing a telework program that allows employees to telework at least 20 percent of the hours worked in every 2 administrative workweeks, and for other purposes

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 180 (Roll no. 438).

1:29 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 232 – 184 (Roll no. 437).

12:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1509

Considered as privileged matter.

H.J. Res. 83:

approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003

11:59 A.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

11:58 A.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

11:47 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 83.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Crowley moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution, as amended.

H.R. 5712:

to provide for certain clarifications and extensions under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program

11:46 A.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 voice vote.

11:31 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5712.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Stark moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5450:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3894 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, as the “Tom Bradley Post Office Building”

11:30 A.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 voice vote.

11:13 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5450.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 4840:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1979 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, as the “Clarence D. Lumpkin Post Office”

11:12 A.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

11:10 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 4840.

11:09 A.M. –

Mr. Davis (IL) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.

H.R. 5390:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13301 Smith Road in Cleveland, Ohio, as the “David John Donafee Post Office Building”

11:08 A.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 voice vote.

11:01 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 5390.

11:00 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 5502.

H.R. 5390:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13301 Smith Road in Cleveland, Ohio, as the “David John Donafee Post Office Building”

10:56 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5390.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 1508:

to amend the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note) in order to prevent the loss of billions in taxpayer dollars

10:55 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

10:36 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1508.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

10:35 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:03 A.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.

10:02 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Quigley to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Stephen Colbert’s new job


Reform Immigration FOR America

TAKE ACTION

Tell Congress:

Protect the workers who feed America. Pass AgJobs as a step towards comprehensive immigration reform.

take action
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Would you like a job as a migrant farm worker?

Pundit Stephen Colbert would – he’s agreed to take the United Farm Workers’ challenge to “Take their jobs.”

Anti-immigrant forces have argued that immigrants, particularly the undocumented, have been taking jobs from Americans. Despite studies clearly showing that comprehensive immigration reform would help the American economy, they’ve insisted on using the economic crisis as a way to stall real reform. That’s why UFW – and now, Stephen Colbert – are showing the whole country that farm workers’ jobs aren’t easy.

Everyone who works in agriculture knows that it’s hard work. And because so many immigrants work on farms, Congress proposed the AgJobs bill, which would protect the workers who bring food to our tables by granting them temporary protected status. That status would help keep them from being exploited by farm owners.

Watch Colbert decide to try being a farm worker, and then tell Congress to pass AgJobs.

We can’t let Congress stand by when workers are treated unfairly. Stephen Colbert is doing his part to understand the work farm workers do. Tell Congress to do theirs and pass AgJobs as a step toward comprehensive immigration reform.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America