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House votes to extend jobless benefits until Nov. 30/President extends mining&logging moratorium


WASHINGTON — The House agreed Friday to extend expiring jobless benefits for hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide until Nov. 30, but 1.2 million out-of-work Americans still face losing their benefits next month because the Senate left for a 10-day Memorial Day recess without acting.

The Senate isn’t scheduled to return to Washington until June 7, five days after federal funding for the benefits is to expire.

Even when the Senate returns, quick action could be difficult. Friday’s 215-204 House vote on a package that includes tax changes for businesses sent an ominous signal about why approving the added jobless benefits has become so difficult.

Though Democratic leaders pushed the measure hard, 34 House Democrats — including Washington’s Jay Inslee and Adam Smith — joined 170 Republicans in voting no. One Republican, Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao of Louisiana, and 214 Democrats voted yes.

The bill passed with no provision for continuing federal health-care subsidies for unemployed workers, a provision that was cut from the legislation after Democratic moderates expressed concerns about what its cost would add to the federal budget deficit.

The House, by a 245-171 vote, also extended present Medicare reimbursements paid to doctors for 19 months, with small increases each year.

The measures would add a total of about $54.2 billion to the federal deficit, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimates the deficit will reach about $1.5 trillion this fiscal year.

To keep moderates in line, Democrats also scuttled plans to provide more funding to states for Medicaid, the joint state-federal health-care program for lower-income people, some seniors and those with disabilities.

Even those changes failed to move many centrists, however.

“There are different attitudes in the country about how much we should be spending on unemployment insurance,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “Members who are from low unemployment areas are very concerned about the deficit. Members who are from high unemployment areas are very concerned about the jobs.”

The legislation the House passed Friday extends a series of business tax breaks, such as a research tax credit, that were due to expire. Part of the package is paid for, notably by changing how multinational companies are taxed on foreign income, as well as “carried interest” earned by venture capitalists, hedge fund managers and others.

Friday was the third time this year that Congress has failed to meet the deadline for extending jobless benefits.

On the first two occasions, Republican senators blocked quick consideration, saying they wanted the programs paid for. This time, Republicans still objected, but it was centrist Democrats who were raising alarms. The original House plan would have spent nearly $200 billion and increased the deficit by $133.8 billion over the next 10 years.

The day in D.C.

Roadless forests: The Obama administration Friday extended for another year the moratorium on most logging and mining in millions of acres of remote and rugged backcountry sections of national forests. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he wants to continue to give decisions on projects in roadless areas a higher level of scrutiny while waiting for federal courts to resolve the legal issues.

Kentucky Senate race: Senate candidate Rand Paul, R-Ky., told a Russian TV station in a clip circulating on political websites Friday that he opposes citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are illegal immigrants. Paul, who a week ago won the GOP primary, said he wants to block citizenship to those children. “We’re the only country I know that allows people to come in illegally, have a baby and then that baby becomes a citizen,” Paul told RT, an English-language station.

Hutchison’s future: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, hasn’t decided whether to retire at the end of 2012, and the possibility she’ll run again leaves a major question mark over the already competitive field of candidates lined up to replace her. After earlier declining to discuss her plans, she said this week she has set no deadline on whether to seek another six-year term.

Seattle Times news services

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Weekend News&reviews …


While most of us will have a long weekend the BP spill is on all our minds and it does seem strange to watch a video of stuff coming out from the bottom of the Gulf but people are watching looking for something anything to change. A memorial for the 11 oil rig workers was held on Thursday; my condolences to every family who experienced a loss from this tragedy

The information BP has given out about the gusher has been slim, questionable and maybe as some have said outright lies; so, the President’s Press Conference helped some of us understand what has happened but isn’t reaching the viewer what with all the Media noise and meltdowns.  The media has actively reported their distaste  or made a decision to question the Presidents motives, behavior or response to the BP disaster without getting all the information first.

Republicans continue to use this awful event and mis-information  for their own political fervor  and the noise though loud; it’s clear that the initial information from BP was manipulated,  false then  turned into 39 days of adjusted comments and probably red herrings as one representative after the other gave out strange information or mis-spoke about how bad this is … or not … it’s a catastrophe  and 39 days later they finally admit that … unreal

Though it was frustrating to hear the Media toss verbal stones at the President, some reporters stated this was his Katrina…  and while most of us know and use our 1st amendment rights it just seemed like the rush to blame, point fingers and or act foolish by so-called journalists were far more than usual causing a lemming effect on all those around them.  It was nice to know i wasn’t the only one offended by comments from cable hosts like Chris Matthews who use their cable  platforms to speak out for as he put it “the American people”  first, they aren’t speaking for me.  In fact most stated how nice it was to have a President who was calm had some common sense not to mention poise and intellect.

Is it possible the melt-down  or comments from James Carville came from a bitter Hillary supporter as suggested on cable who received a lot of PR  making other talking heads jump on the bash the President wagon.  Some reporters said…We need to see his passion, to see he cares, some went so far as to compare him to a Politician from  Louisiana  obviously sad about what is going on; that was stupid on so many levels.

I want the News and true Entertainment from TV and or Cable; Opinion News is amusing at best, offensive when the comments from talking heads  are able to rally  folks against any one person in Politics or Entertainment and it’s time to say wait a minute is this your job ?   To think people from Cable actually think they merit, or  have enough credit to  make statements to purposefully change the outcome of a Poll, view or attitude about an Entertainer,  the President or  future elections just because he or she isn’t doing what these fools expect them to do seems un-American; definitely offensive… uh again, they don’t speak for me and if they are able to change peoples opinions by using their platforms then the public has either lost their minds and or the ability to think for themselves. I think we should all watch less Cable News and the people who own, work and manage Cable Stations need to  reevaluate what their presence on a local or national level is because it just doesn’t seem right to hear TV Hosts say they know what the people want or that they feel they represent the people watching … they shouldn’t be and it’s not the truth …it’s opinion News and it appears like it’s getting out of control.

We all have to ask ourselves what is the job of Cable hosts like Chris Matthews, Ed Shultz, Andrea Mitchell David Gregory, Joe Scarborough, John King. The notion that their job is to shape, sway or use Newspapers and or Polls to prove that what some reporter feels is better than our own ability to decide for ourselves is tiring and while i get it; controversy is good bring on the Pat Buchanan’s, Mary Maitland’s and others because they need to bring in more people, raise the numbers, the quotas; but it’s tired old and maybe time to change the format.

Other News ..

**The President has extended for another year a moratorium on most logging and mining

C-SPAN

Panel Probes Johnson & Johnson Children’s Medicine Recall

At a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing Thursday, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson came under fire for the recent recall of children’s over-the-counter medicines manufactured by its McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit. The company has issued multiple recalls over the last two years, the most recent involving children’s liquid medications.
Witnesses at this event included Colleen Goggins (above), a top executive for Johnson & Johnson, and officials from the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has indicated that the agency is considering seeking criminal penalties against McNeil.

watch Hearing on Johnson & Johnson

Oil Spill Investigation Hearings Enter Final Day in Louisiana

In a final day of hearings, a joint investigation panel of the U.S. Coast Guard and Minerals Management Service will hear testimony from additional survivors that were aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig during the April 20th explosion.In their testimony, workers have been describing the vessel’s condition, crew qualifications and the state of emergency preparedness, as well as the moment-by-moment sequence of events leading up to the explosion. The blast killed 11 workers and injured 17 others before triggering the massive oil spill that has blanketed parts of the Gulf of Mexico in what estimates indicate is the largest spill in U.S. history. Previous witnesses described an argument between drilling managers prior to the accident. Jimmy Harrell, the lead manager for Transocean, the rig’s owner, testified he was concerned by a BP manager’s decision to forgo certain tests before sealing the well. That BP manager declined to testify Thursday, invoking his Fifth Amendment protection against

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A message from OFA


This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise.

The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, “I’ll do everything in my power” to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill “a major mistake” — announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster.

We can defeat those who’d stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans — in every state — overwhelmingly support repeal.

Stand with the President and join the pledge to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Stand with the President: Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Add your name.

From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now — if we can overcome Republican obstruction — we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to an end.

As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because “it’s the right thing to do.”

Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn’t just misguided — it’s discrimination.

That’s why President Obama didn’t just campaign on ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; he made it a priority. And it’s why it’s now a matter of how and when — not if — we will repeal this law.

But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President’s promise.

Add your name to the pledge today — and then please pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/RepealDADT

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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follow Friday &Congress …


The Senate Convenes: 10:00am Et

Morning Business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate.

Unanimous Consent:
Confirmed the following Executive Calendar items:
#909-915, military promotions
#918, Gervin Miyamoto, US Marshal, HI
#919, Scott Parker, US Marshal, Eastern District NC
#920, Laura Duffy, US Attorney, Southern District CA
#921, Daryl McPherson, US Marshal, Northern District IL
#922, Stephanie Finley, US Attorney, Western District LA
All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps and Navy

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 28, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

4:25 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

4:20 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H. Res. 407:
expressing support for designation of May as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month”

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

4:19 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.R. 5136:
to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes

4:18 P.M. –
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5136.Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 229 – 186 (Roll no. 336).

4:10 P.M. –
On agreeing to the Skelton amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:09 P.M. –
Amendment offered by Mr. Skelton.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On motion to recommit with instructions Agreed to by recorded vote: 282 – 131 (Roll no. 335).

3:53 P.M. –
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

3:47 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Forbes motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to prohibit the use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at United States Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

3:46 P.M. –
Mr. Forbes moved to recommit with instructions to Armed Services.

3:45 P.M. –
On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 183 (Roll no. 334).

3:28 P.M. –
Mr. Skelton moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chairMrs. Bachmann appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.

3:22 P.M. –
Mr. Skelton raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr.Skelton stated that the motion was not germane to the bill Sustained by the Chair.Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.

3:21 P.M. –
Mrs. Bachmann moved to recommit with instructions to Armed Services.

3:20 P.M. –
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5136.

On agreeing to the Skelton amendments Agreed to by recorded vote: 416 – 1 (Roll no. 333).

3:03 P.M. –
Mr. Skelton asked unanimous consent that the demand for a recorded vote on the Shea-Porter amendment numbered 81 be withdrawn.

3:02 P.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of the Skelton en bloc amendment numbered 9 which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

3:01 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 5330, without amendment, and agreed to H.Con.Res. 282, without amendment. And, the Senate passed H.R. 4899, with amendments, and ask for a conference with the House and appointed conferees.

H.R. 5116:
to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 – 150 (Roll no. 332).Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2:54 P.M. –
On agreeing to ninth portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 706 Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 234 (Roll no. 331).

2:48 P.M. –
On agreeing to eighth portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 705 Agreed to by recorded vote: 348 – 68 (Roll no. 330).

2:41 P.M. –
On agreeing to seventh portion of the divided question, proposing to add a section 704 Agreed to by recorded vote: 409 – 0 (Roll no. 329).

2:35 P.M. –
On agreeing to sixth portion of the divided question, proposing to amend section 702 Failed by recorded vote: 197 – 215 (Roll no. 328).

2:29 P.M. –
On agreeing to fifth portion of the divided question, proposing to strike subtitle C of title VI Failed by voice vote.On agreeing to fourth portion of the divided question, proposing to strike section 503 Failed by voice vote.

2:28 P.M. –
On agreeing to third portion of the diveded question, proposing to strike section 502 Failed by voice vote.

2:27 P.M. –
On agreeing to second portion of the divided question, proposing to strike sections 406(b) and (c) Failed by recorded vote: 163 – 244 (Roll no. 327).

2:20 P.M. –
On agreeing to the first portion of the divided question, proposing to strike section 228 Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 243 (Roll no. 326).

1:55 P.M. –
Mr. Gordon of Tennessee demanded the question of adoption on the amendment be divided into each 9 of its components. The Chair announced that the question would be divided and began putting the question of adoption on each portion.Amendment offered by Mr. Gordon (TN).

1:54 P.M. –
The Chair announced the unfinished business was the resumption of proceedings on H.R. 5116. At the time when proceedings had been postponed on May 13, 2010, the motion to recommit with instructions had been adopted and pursuant to the instructions contained in the motion, the amendment required to be reported back to the House had not yet been submitted. Pursuant to the instructions contained in the motion, the Chair recognized Mr. Gordon for the purpose of offering the amendment.

1:53 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4213:
to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes

1:52 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:51 P.M. –
On concurring in Senate amendment with portion of amendment comprising section 523 Agreed to by recorded vote: 245 – 171 (Roll no. 325).

1:38 P.M. –
On concurring in Senate amendment with amendment (except portion comprising section 523) Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 – 204 (Roll no. 324).

1:09 P.M. –
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

11:41 A.M. –
DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1403, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 4213 with an amendment. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1403 and at the conclusion of debate on the motion, the Chair will put the question in divided portions.

11:40 A.M. –
Mr. Levin moved that the House agree with an amendment to the Senate amendment.The Chair put the question on consideration of the motion to concur in Senate amendment with an amendment. Agreed to by voice vote.

H. Res. 1415:
electing minority members to certain standing committees

11:37 A.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

11:36 A.M. –
Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1392:
waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules

11:35 A.M. –
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1403, H. Res. 1392 is laid on the table.

H. Res. 1403:
providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 4213) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, 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: 221 – 199 (Roll no. 323).

11:27 A.M. –
On agreeing to the Slaughter amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 215 – 206 (Roll no. 322).

11:17 A.M. –
On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 182 (Roll no. 321).

11:09 A.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1391:
congratulating Israel for its accession to membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 0 (Roll no. 320).

10:59 A.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 182, 1 Present (Roll no. 319).

10:33 A.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and on motions to suspend the rules which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

H. Res. 1403:
providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 4213) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes

10:32 A.M. –
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 860, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

10:28 A.M. –
Amendment offered by Ms. Slaughter.

9:21 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1403

9:19 A.M. –
Considered as privileged matter.

9:06 A.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

9:05 A.M. –
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Walz to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Ms. Tsongas demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Tsongas demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

9:02 A.M. –
Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

9:01 A.M. –
The Speaker designated the Honorable David R. Obey to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

9:00 A.M. –
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.


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ThinkProgress.org


UNDER THE RADAR

ECONOMY — ANTI-STIMULUS CRUSADER GOV. RICK PERRY BALANCES HIS STATE’S BUDGET WITH STIMULUS FUNDS: Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) joined a handful of Republican governors last year in rejecting various portions of the economic recovery package. Perry explained his position: “[It] was pretty simple for us. …We can take care of ourselves.” The Texas state legislature eventually pushed Perry to accept the money but he still insisted he believes “there are better ways to reinvigorate our economy and believe [the stimulus] will burden future generations with unprecedented levels of debt.” However, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that “billions of dollars from that initiative helped Texas legislators balance the current budget.” Perry is not the only governor to rail against the stimulus while relying on it to balance his budget. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) called the stimulus “incoherent” and “largely wasted,” but still used it to fix one-third of his state’s budget hole. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office recently found that the Recovery Act not only prevented key state budget cuts around the country, but also raised GDP by up to 4 percent and created 2.8 million jobs.