White House blog …

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• Moving Forward and Implementing Health Reform

  Posted by Nancy-Ann DeParle on January 18, 2012 at 9:26 AM EST

  It’s been nearly two years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. In that time, the law has already made an incredible difference to millions of Americans:

  • 2.5 million more young adults have health insurance.
  • As of October 2011, more than 2.65 million seniors got a 50 percent discount on their prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole.
  • Insurance companies can no longer drop your coverage when you get sick or put a lifetime cap on the amount of care you can receive.

  Of course, there is more to come in the years ahead. Starting in 2014, consumers in every state will have access to Affordable Insurance Exchanges – State-based one-stop marketplaces where consumers can choose a private health insurance plan that fits their health needs. Exchanges will offer consumers the same kinds of insurance choices that members of Congress now have. And millions of middle class families will get tax credits to make it easier to buy insurance in the Exchanges.

  Under the health reform law, States have the first opportunity to set up and manage an Exchange and States are taking action. Today, we released a new report which finds 28 States have taken important steps toward establishing their own Exchanges. Some of the examples in the report include:

  • Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, a physician, issued an Executive Order that created the Alabama Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission on June 2, 2011, which recommended that Alabama establish its own Exchange called the “Alabama Health Insurance Marketplace. The legislature, which meets in February, is expected to take up legislation to establish an Exchange, with legislative leaders already indicating their support.
  • Colorado passed a bipartisan bill to establish the independent Colorado Health Insurance Exchange, which was signed into law on June 1, 2011. The Colorado Exchange has started public education about health reform and the Exchange at its website, www.getcoveredco.org. Organizations such as the Colorado branch of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry have been active participants in creating the small business component of the Exchange.
  • In Nevada, unanimous, bipartisan legislation authorized the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, which was signed into law by Governor Brian Sandoval on June 16, 2011. Its board has been appointed, executive director named, and application submitted for its next round of funding for building the Exchange.

  Today’s report also outlines some of the steps the Department of Health and Human Services has taken to ensure all Americans have access to an Exchange beginning in 2014. These include developing the information technology and business systems necessary to facilitate Exchanges in multiple States. No matter where you live, on January 1, 2014, an Exchange will be up and running.

  As we move forward, we’ll continue to build on our strong partnerships with State leaders nationwide and help ensure all Americans can access high quality, affordable health care and have the security they need and deserve.

  Nancy-Ann DeParle is Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff

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• The President and First Lady Welcome the St. Louis Cardinals to the White House

  Posted by Megan Slack on January 17, 2012 at 9:26 PM EST
  First Lady Michelle Obama reacts to a joke by President Barack Obama as the President and Mrs. Obama welcome the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals to the White House to honor the team and their 2011 World Series victory, in the East Room, Jan. 17, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

  Today, the President and First Lady hosted the St. Louis Cardinals at the White House to congratulate the team on its World Series win last year.

  The Cardinals, who President Obama called “the greatest comeback team in the history of baseball,” made the playoffs after rallying from a ten and a half game deficit with just 31 games left in the regular season. At one point, the team had less than a 4 percent chance of even making the playoffs.

  The Series itself was an unforgettable one, the President said:

  Of course, the most memorable moment was Game Six of the World Series. I’ve got to say, that has to be one of the best baseball games of all time. Unbelievable game. I will tell you guys, I had a bunch of early-morning stuff the next day, and you kept me up. It was painful waking up the next morning. But what an incredible game.

  Includes Video
  read the rest

• First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates Maya Angelo at BET Honors

  Posted by Colleen Curtis on January 16, 2012 at 4:30 PM EST
  First Lady Michelle Obama applauds Maya Angelo during the BET Awards ceremony at Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2012. The First Lady delivered remark honoring Angelo, who received the lifetime achievement award. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

  Michelle Obama was at the BET Honors Saturday night in Washington D.C. to present the Literary Arts award to Maya Angelou, who the First Lady said was one of her “she-roes.” Angelou, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2010, is as well known for her work as a civil rights activist as she is an artist, whose prolific body of work includes writing poetry, memoirs, novels and plays. She has also been a producer, actress, historian and filmmaker.

  Mrs Obama, who told the audience at the historic Warner Theatre that she had been “spellbound” when reading her stories, asked the crowd to honor Angelou’s contributions by following her example:

  Maya Angelou teaches us that it’s not enough merely to seek greatness for ourselves. We must help others discover the greatness within themselves. We need to reach down…and reach out…and give back…and lift up others the way Maya has lifted us.

  That is how we can most truly honor our friend Maya Angelou – by how we live our lives…by striving every day to embody the wisdom, and generosity, and radiant love with which she has graced our world.

  Related: Read the poem Maya Angelou wrote for the dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial

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• Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Service

  Posted by Cecilia Muñoz on January 16, 2012 at 3:40 PM EST

  Monuments are built to those who change the course of history. It is right and fitting that a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. now stands in the heart of our nation’s Capital. Even as we renew our understanding of Dr. King’s legacy by visiting this beautiful monument; we can honor the legacy of Dr. King by following his example, by serving and volunteering in our communities.

  Dr. King called service the “new definition of greatness.” He believed that the work we undertake on behalf of others is the most important work of all. He devoted his life to this notion – advancing equality, social justice and economic opportunity for all Americans. Dr. King challenged all of us to do our part to build a more perfect union.

  That is why, for nearly two decades, the nation has marked the life of Dr. King with a national Day of Service. Today, Americans from every state will deliver meals, refurbish schools and community centers, collect food and clothing, sign up mentors, support veterans and military families, and more. Thousands of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members will lend a hand to community-based projects. Individuals and groups, of all ages and backgrounds, will come together – as Dr. King would have wanted – in service.

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• First and Second Families Participate in a National Day of Service

  Posted by Megan Slack on January 16, 2012 at 3:10 PM EST
  President Barack Obama delivers remarks at Browne Education Campus in Washington, D.C., before participating in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service event with First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia, Jan. 16, 2012. January 16, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

  Today, President Obama, the First Lady, and Malia Obama volunteered at a local elementary school as part of a national day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King, who devoted his life to helping others, once said that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

  Before pitching in to help clean, paint, and organize the school’s library, the President spoke to other volunteers from Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Greater DC Cares gathered for the event:

  There’s nobody who can’t serve. Nobody who can’t help somebody else. And whether you’re seven or six or whether you’re 76, then you can find opportunities to make an enormous difference in your community.

  The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden also joined the millions of Americans participating in service events around the country. They traveled to Philadelphia to take part in the 17th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in the nation.

  Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden attend the 17th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service at Girard College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 16, 2012. January 16, 2012. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
   
  Read more about how the Obama Administration is honoring Dr. King’s legacy through service:
  • On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Honoring “Drum Majors for Service,” by Joshua DuBois, Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
  • Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Service, by Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council

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• On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Honoring “Drum Majors for Service”

  Posted by Joshua DuBois on January 16, 2012 at 2:29 PM EST

  Each day in cities and towns across our country, countless Americans are living out Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy through their service to others. In his famous speech on The Drum Major Instinct, Dr. King said that it isn’t “a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first” that should define greatness, but rather, “everybody can be great…because everybody can serve.”

  On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout the year, we are proud that the Obama Administration’s Corporation for National and Community Service in conjunction with TheRoot.com will be highlighting “Drum Majors for Service,” volunteers who perform extraordinary everyday acts of service, but who seldom receive recognition. This is an exciting new way to honor those who are living out Dr. King’s legacy each day of their lives.

  Today, TheRoot.com is highlighting 88 year-old retired Chicago transit worker and ex-Marine Theodore Peters, a true Drum Major for Service. Check it out here, and keep checking back for more stories of Drum Majors for Service.

  Joshua DuBois serves as Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

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• From the Archives: Dr. Martin Luther King at the White House

  Posted by Colleen Curtis on January 16, 2012 at 9:00 AM EST
  Martin Luther King, Jr. leaves the West Wing after meeting with President Johnson. August 5, 1968. Abbie Rowe, NPS: National Archive and Records Administration. (by Abbie Rowe, NPS: National Archive and Records Administration)
  President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Civil Rights leaders Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Young, and James Farmer in the Oval Office. January 18, 1964. . (by Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library)

  To mark Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the White House Historical Association has searched their archives and created a slideshow of historic images that show the impact the civil rights leader has had on several administrations. Dr King’s interactions with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson leading up to the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the Voting Rights Act in 1965 and the 1968 Civil Rights Act are well documented, but his first visit to the White House was actually in 1958, when he and other prominent civil rights leaders met with President Dwight Eisenhower. Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr’s Life and Legacy features images of Dr. King himself at the White House and also includes photos of President Reagan signing the King Holiday Bill in 1983 with Coretta Scott King at his side, and President Obama and his family at the national memorial that was dedicated just last year.

  See the slideshow on Flickr

   

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• President Obama and Dr. King

  Posted by Matt Compton on January 16, 2012 at 8:00 AM EST
  President Barack Obama tours the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

  It’s been 29 years since President Reagan signed the law to create a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

  This year for the first time, however, those who wish to honor Dr. King on the holiday will be able gather in celebration at his memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

  Seven years ago, then-Senator Obama spoke at the groundbreaking for the memorial.

  And back in October, the President spoke at its dedication, where he described the way that Dr. King continues to inspire new generations to work to fulfill his legacy:

  He would not give up, no matter how long it took, because in the smallest hamlets and the darkest slums, he had witnessed the highest reaches of the human spirit; because in those moments when the struggle seemed most hopeless, he had seen men and women and children conquer their fear; because he had seen hills and mountains made low and rough places made plain, and the crooked places made straight and God make a way out of no way.

  And that is why we honor this man –- because he had faith in us. And that is why he belongs on this Mall -– because he saw what we might become. That is why Dr. King was so quintessentially American — because for all the hardships we’ve endured, for all our sometimes tragic history, ours is a story of optimism and achievement and constant striving that is unique upon this Earth. And that is why the rest of the world still looks to us to lead. This is a country where ordinary people find in their hearts the courage to do extraordinary things; the courage to stand up in the face of the fiercest resistance and despair and say this is wrong, and this is right; we will not settle for what the cynics tell us we have to accept and we will reach again and again, no matter the odds, for what we know is possible.

  Watch the video of President Obama’s remarks:

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• Obama Administration Responds to We the People Petitions on SOPA and Online Piracy

  Posted by Macon Phillips on January 14, 2012 at 8:09 AM EST

  The White House has responded to two petitions about legislative approaches to combat online piracy. In their response, Victoria Espinel, Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator at Office of Management and Budget, Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer, and Howard Schmidt, Special Assistant to the President and Cybersecurity Coordinator for National Security Staff stress that the important task of protecting intellectual property online must not threaten an open and innovative internet.

  Combating Online Piracy while Protecting an Open and Innovative Internet

  By Victoria Espinel, Aneesh Chopra, and Howard Schmidt

   

  Thanks for taking the time to sign this petition. Both your words and actions illustrate the importance of maintaining an open and democratic Internet.

   

  Right now, Congress is debating a few pieces of legislation concerning the very real issue of online piracy, including the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), the PROTECT IP Act, and the Online Protection and Digital ENforcement Act (OPEN). We want to take this opportunity to tell you what the Administration will support—and what we will not support. Any effective legislation should reflect a wide range of stakeholders, including everyone from content creators to the engineers that build and maintain the infrastructure of the Internet.

   

  While we believe that online piracy by foreign websites is a serious problem that requires a serious legislative response, we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.

   

  Any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small. Across the globe, the openness of the Internet is increasingly central to innovation in business, government, and society and it must be protected. To minimize this risk, new legislation must be narrowly targeted only at sites beyond the reach of current U.S. law, cover activity clearly prohibited under existing U.S. laws, and be effectively tailored, with strong due process and focused on criminal activity. Any provision covering Internet intermediaries such as online advertising networks, payment processors, or search engines must be transparent and designed to prevent overly broad private rights of action that could encourage unjustified litigation that could discourage startup businesses and innovative firms from growing.

   

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Media Matters for America

Trying To Change The Subject: Right-Wing Media Offer Bogus Argument About Income Mobility
January 17, 2012 5:40 pm ET

 Fox Ignores Facts Of Global Economy To Attack Obama Campaign Over Euro-Zone Fears
January 17, 2012 12:51 pm ET

• Obama Derangement Syndrome: Fox Now Mocking Summer Jobs For Teens
  January 13, 2012 12:38 pm ET

Sign our petition. It says: “I like leaders who hire people.” … AFL – CIO

Former corporate raider and presidential hopeful Mitt Romneyrecently said “I like being able to fire people”—and his record as a corporate raider backs that up.He supports laws that attack workers’ rights and make it easier to fire people.Sign our petition. It says: “I like leaders who hire people.”         Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney—who killed thousands of jobs as a corporate raider—recently said he “likes being able to fire people.” Romney’s record as a corporate raider backs up his words: He supports laws that attack workers’ rights and make it easier to fire people. Laws like the so-called “right to work” bill being considered in Indiana that targets collective bargaining, robbing workers of union protection. If Indiana’s so-called “right to work” bill passes, the state’s unions no longer will stand between corporate raiders like Mitt Romney and many of the workers they like to fire to boost short-term profits. And it will become much harder for everyday workers to improve their wages, benefits and retirement security. If you agree with the AFL-CIO that our leaders need to work together on an agenda that actually creates jobs—and stop following the lead of corporate raiders like Mitt Romney—add your name to our “I like leaders who hire people” petition. In 2011, we saw the beginnings of a new democratic movement for economic justice. We had the most solidarity I’ve seen at any time during my career in the labor movement. We shifted the debate. And we’ll keep doing it. But to translate this movement into lasting change, politics matter. Not just who we elect for president, but our choices at the state and local levels, too. America wants to work—and it is politics as usual, not economic obstacles, standing in the way of putting people back to work. That’s why we’re promoting a job-creating agenda in statehouses around the country this year, focusing on priorities like: Making sure state tax dollars are used to keep jobs in that state and in America. Buying state-made and American-made goods—so we create jobs in our communities and in America. Stopping corporate tax loopholes and tax breaks for millionaires—so our states no longer are starved of the revenue they need for critical services. Please make sure your lawmakers—from the statehouse to the White House—know where you stand. Add your name to our “I like leaders who hire people” petition. Even though ruthless, corporate-backed attacks on workers continue, make no mistake: Our message—the message of the 99%—is taking root. Many politicians haven’t caught up yet. But they will. They’ll have to. Because people all across the country are saying our economy and our democracy are out of balance. They’re saying it’s time to create jobs for every person who wants to work—jobs that can support our families and that can support our dreams. Sign the “I like leaders who hire people” petition. Make sure our leaders know you expect them to build a better America—and drop the attacks on working families. Thank you for all the work you do. In Solidarity, Richard L. Trumka President, AFL-CIO

The Daily Share

The Shocking Facts About The Government’s Move To Censor The Internet

Harriet Tubman Tells It How It Is

Which 6 Companies Control 90% Of What You Read, Watch, And Listen To?

SHOCKING! CNN On How The Bush Tax Cuts Made The Wealthy Even Wealthier!

Former Reagan Adviser: ‘Bush Tax Cuts Aren’t The Key To Prosperity’

What Is It Going To Take To Get You To Click On This Video?

the Progress Report – Mitt has some questions to answer

Mitt Romney Probably Pays A Lower Tax Rate Than You Do

ThinkProgress War Roomon Jan 17, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Mitt Romney, Tax Loophole Exploiter-in-Chief

Way back in October, we called on Mitt Romney to release his tax returns and introduced you to the Romney Rule — the unfair tax loopholes that Romney both supports and which he personally exploits in order to pay a lower tax rate than millions of middle class Americans.

This is of course the opposite of the Buffett Rule proposed by President Obama: the simple idea that no millionaires should be able to cheat the system in order to pay a lower tax rate than middle class Americans. Romney quickly came out in opposition to the Buffett Rule, dismissing it with his now familiar charge of “class warfare.”

Today, after weeks of pressure from both progressives and his Republican opponents, Romney finally agreed to release just one year’s tax return in April if he is the Republican nominee. He also admitted what we’ve known all along: that he pays a tax rate of around 15 percent — a rate far lower than millions of middle class Americans pay on the wages they earn.

Watch it:

Q: What’s the effective rate you’ve been paying?

ROMNEY: What’s the effective rate I’ve been paying? It’s probably closer to the 15 percent rate than anything, because my last 10 years, I’ve, my income comes overwhelmingly from investments made in the past, rather than ordinary income, rather than earned annual income.

How the Romney Rule Works

ThinkProgress Economy Editor Pat Garafalo explains in the Atlantic today why Romney pays such a low rate — and why there’s no economic justification for it:

Managers of private equity firms like Romney are often paid under an arrangement in which they receive both a set fee for their management, as well as a share of the profits that the firm makes for investors. While their management fees are taxed at normal income tax rates, the share of investor gains that go to a private equity manager (called “carried interest”) are treated as capital gains, and thus taxed at a top rate of 15 percent. (Hedge fund managers and partners in real estate ventures also benefit from receiving carried interest.)

The argument for a lower capital gains rate is that it encourages investment. Whether that’s true or not, private equity managers are allowed to pay the capital gains rate on the profits they make managing someone else’s money, not for any risk that they take themselves. Treating carried interest as capital gains is an unjustifiable tax break that needs to be eliminated. [...]

Thanks to a lucrative retirement package, Romney is still making millions from Bain, much of which is likely being taxed as carried interest. (While Romney has refused to make his tax returns public, he’s said that all of his income is taxed at investment rates.) Analysts have estimated that Romney’s tax rate is about 14 percent, lower than that of many middle class families.

Leaving aside the questions over whether Romney and Bain’s modus operandi adds value to the economy, there’s certainly no value added by letting private equity managers treat the paycheck they receive from investors as capital gains: that particular tax loophole just lets very wealthy money managers avoid paying the top tax rate, for no real reason.

In other words, since Romney makes almost of all of his money with money (his quarter billion dollar fortune, to be precise) and enjoys a tax loophole only available to partners in businesses like Bain Capital, he is allowed to pay a much, much lower tax rate than someone making a fraction of his income who is simply paid a wage for the work they do (e.g. teachers, firefighters, and cops). For example, a single filer making $60,000 in wages who didn’t itemize their deductions faced an effective tax rate of 29.5 percent in 2011 — double that of Mitt Romney, who makes millions of dollars a year.

By contrast, when Romney’s father, who was a wealthy corporate CEO, ran for president in 1968 he released 12 years of his tax returns. One contemporaneous press report uncovered today by Lee Fang noted that the elder Romney ”seldom took advantage of tax loopholes to escape his tax obligations.”

Adding Insult to Injury

Romney has already proposed an economic plan that is of, by, and for the wealthiest 1 Percent of Americans, including trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations paired with tax increases on middle class families and deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs and services Americans depend on each day. Last night during the GOP presidential debate, Romney went a step further and called for taxes on the wealthiest Americans to be cut by another ONE-THIRD or more.

Romney then dug the hole deeper this morning during the press conference at which he confirmed his shockingly low tax rate. He stated that almost all of his income is from investments; however, he noted that he has also received fees for giving speeches, adding “but not very much” with a laugh. According to his most recent financial disclosure form, “not very much” turns out to have been more than $370,000 for just the period between February 2010 and February 2011.

IN ONE SENTENCE: Millionaire Mitt Romney uses unfair tax loopholes not available to ordinary Americans to pay a lower tax rate than millions of middle class workers — many of whom will see a tax increase under the Romney plan even as he slashes taxes for the wealthiest Americans and corporations.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

A new wave of killings has begun in Syria.

Charting Romney’s evolution on abortion.

A fantasy novelist finds out that the “sexy” poses women strike on the cover of his — and others’ — novels can be quite painful to hold.

Major media organizations are lining up behind the position that they should, um, report based strictly on the facts when it comes to Iran’s nuclear program.

Can for-profit colleges compete with non-profit colleges? (Hint: no).

A tiny group of super-rich donors dominate the GOP primary.

On policy, Mitt Romney is far to George W. Bush’ right.

The Republican Governor’s Association: The GOP’s dark money machine.

Activists deliver over 1 million signatures to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R).

How today’s income inequality kills tomorrow’s economic mobility.

Other recent Progress Reports

Jan 13, 2012: No, Mitt Romney, We’re Not Attacking Capitalism

We Want an Economy That Works for Everyone, Not Just the Privileged Few The klieg lights have been burning hot on Mitt Romney’s record as a rapacious corporate raider who amassed a quarter-billion fortune by bankrupting companies and laying off thousands of Americans. Here’s how Center for American Progress Chairman John Podesta summed it up: [...]

Jan 12, 2012: The FIVE Most Shocking Things About Mitt Romney’s Tax Plan

Romney’s Ready to Hand Out Billions More to the 1 Percent The Center for American Progress Action Fund’s Michael Linden, director of tax and budget policy, and Seth Hanlon, director of fiscal reform, took a closer look at Romney’s tax plan. Here’s what they found in five quick charts. IN ONE SENTENCE: Millionaire Mitt Romney’s [...]

Jan 11, 2012: Mitt Romney Tells the 99% to Stop Being Jealous & Quiet Down

Mitt Romney: We Shouldn’t Be Critical of Wall Street or Our Broken Economy in Public As we reported earlier this week, Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital is one of a rapacious corporate raider who amassed a quarter-billion dollar fortune by bankrupting companies and laying off thousands of hardworking Americans. What’s more, Romney takes advantage [...]

Jan 10, 2012: 270 Times Bigger

An Economic Agenda for the Wealthiest 1 Percent, 270 Times Over Last week, we reported on the Republican candidates’ economic agenda for the wealthiest 1 Percent. Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) crunched the numbers on several of the candidates’ tax plans and found that on average they would give the wealthiest 1 Percent a tax [...]

Congress: the Republican led House casts a Political Vote today while Americans suffer – the Senate on pro forma

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 2^nd Session of the 112^th 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 20^th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23^rd 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 17^th. By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

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Republicans will take a vote of disapproval on the President’s action on the debt ceiling … wasting Americans time money & don’t they know People are still in crisis

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 18, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION 

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.4:28:29 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.4:27:37 P.M. -Mr. Terry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, January 19, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2012, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.4:26:41 P.M. -Mr. Terry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Agreed to without objection.4:25:18 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:25:16 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 176, 2 Present (Roll no. 4).4:01:13 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98The previous question was ordered pursuant to the statute.2:10:30 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 515 and section 3101A(c)(4) of title 31, United States Code, the House proceeded with 2 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 98.2:09:42 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:09:37 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.2:08:48 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 96 — “Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.”2:05:58 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: 292 – 120, 1 Present (Roll no. 3).1:59:05 P.M. -H. Res. 515Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:58:16 P.M. -H. Res. 515On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.1:58:15 P.M. -H. Res. 515On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 176, 1 Present (Roll no. 2).12:36:57 P.M. -H. Res. 515DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 515.12:36:05 P.M. -H. Res. 515Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 515 — “Addressing a motion to proceed under section 3101A of title 31, United States Code.”12:03:12 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.12:02:50 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hahn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:21 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Tonko demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.12:01:15 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.12:00:55 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 18.11:30:33 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:51 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.10:00:41 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:25 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.