Daily Archives: 12/19/2011

the White House blog


  • Announcing the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

    Posted by Valerie Jarrett on December 19, 2011 at 3:29 PM EST

    Today, President Obama issued an executive order directing the implementation of the United States’ first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. The plan was developed with collaboration across the U.S. government, and with the help of NGOs and civil society groups that support women and girls every day. It is a historic step toward a future where all men and women can reach their full potential.

    The tangible commitments our government is making as part of the National Action Plan will weave perspectives of women and girls into the DNA of our foreign policy. These commitments include helping women engage in peace processes; providing assistance to NGOs focused on women’s participation; helping to integrate women into the security sectors of our partner nations; improving the UN’s capacity to combat sexual violence; holding development personnel and contractors to the highest standards for preventing human trafficking; and helping to ensure that humanitarian assistance is distributed equally to women as well as men.

    These steps, and the others outlined in the plan and executive order, are part of President Obama’s broader commitment to promoting equal rights and opportunities for women and girls. Across the Middle East and North Africa, we’re helping women realize the political gains and the rights they fought for so inspiringly over the past year.  In Afghanistan, we continue to push the government to include women and civil society in all aspects of the reconciliation process. We’re dedicating tens of millions of dollars around the world to combat violence against women. We’re addressing the root causes of conflict by investing in women’s economic empowerment, health, and education.

    Learn more about Foreign Policy, Women

  • Will House Republicans Allow Taxes To Go Up On 160 Million Americans?

    Posted by Jennifer Palmieri on December 18, 2011 at 6:29 PM EST

    The President believes this is a make or break moment for the middle class, and that’s why he is determined to protect the payroll tax cut for millions of American families. Yesterday, after some tough negotiations and months of Republican opposition, the Senate came to a bipartisan compromise that extends the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance benefits.  This bill received 89 votes, including 39 Republican votes.  We’re pleased that Republicans were finally showing a willingness to not raise taxes on middle class families. The near 90 percent approval by the Senate demonstrates the view by the overwhelming number of Senate Republicans – as well as Democrats – that the best way to achieve the President’s goal of ensuring that taxes were not increased on 160 million working Americans and protecting  unemployment insurance benefits for 2.5 million people was to support this bipartisan compromise. Speaker Boehner himself yesterday called it a “good deal” and a “victory.” After it passed, Senator Hatch said, “This is probably a done deal in the House; it should be.”  Well, we couldn’t agree more. Yesterday Senator McConnell said, “in order to achieve something around here, you’ve got to compromise… What we’ve done here is crafted a bill not designed to fail but designed to pass.” On CNN Senator Blunt said, “I think the House has to deal with it and look at the fact that it was paid for, it extends not just the payroll tax but also the unemployment insurance.” It’s time for House Republicans to listen to the American people, and their colleagues in the Senate.  It’s time for them too stop playing politics and get the job done.  If they refuse to pass this bipartisan bill to extend the payroll tax cut, there will be a significant tax increase on 160 million hardworking Americans in 13 days that would damage the economy and job growth.  That’s unacceptable.  They need to get to work and finish the job.

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Congress: the Republican led House – pro forma sessions -the Senate


The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23rd at 2:00pm.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #438, John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska with up to 90 minutes of debate, 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees and 30 minutes under the control of Senator Sessions or his designee.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gerrard nomination.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17th.  By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 19, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.5:31:45 P.M. -H. Res. 497Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:31:15 P.M. -H. Res. 497On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.5:07:24 P.M. -H. Res. 497DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 497.5:07:22 P.M. -H. Res. 497Considered under suspension of the rules.5:07:09 P.M. -H. Res. 497Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 497 — “To provide for the placement of a statue or bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the United States Capitol.”5:05:47 P.M. -H.R. 515At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:48:20 P.M. -H.R. 515DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 515.4:47:45 P.M. -H.R. 515Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.4:47:19 P.M. -H.R. 1059At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Smith (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:39:42 P.M. -H.R. 1059DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1059.4:39:16 P.M. -H.R. 1059Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.4:38:40 P.M. -H.R. 1801At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cravaack objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:27:01 P.M. -H.R. 1801DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1801.4:26:39 P.M. -H.R. 1801Mr. Cravaack moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.4:25:53 P.M. -H.R. 2056At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Westmoreland objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:12:31 P.M. -H.R. 2056DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2056.4:12:07 P.M. -H.R. 2056Mr. Westmoreland moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.4:11:31 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.4:00:39 P.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.4:00:09 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 19.10:05:36 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.10:05:01 A.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011, at 2:37 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.J. Res. 95.10:04:44 A.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011, at 12:56 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3672.10:04:22 A.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011, at 11:23 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to the conference report accompanying H.R. 2055 and had passed H.R. 3630 with amendments. The message also stated that H. Con. Res. 94 failed of passage in the Senate.10:03:59 A.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2011 at 4:19 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 789, H.R. 1264, H.R. 2422, S. 1874, S. 1710, and S. 1959. The message also stated that the Senate had concurred in the House amendment to S. 278.10:03:54 A.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 16, 2011 at 8:28 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.J. Res. 94.10:02:33 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.10:02:27 A.M. -JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 493, the Journal of the last days’s proceedings was approved.10:00:48 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.10:00:35 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.