President Obama Speaks … Tax Credits

President Obama Speaks on Tax Credits for Small Businesses

President Obama calls on Congress to pass a tax credit for small businesses that are hiring new employees or raising the wages and salaries of their existing employees to help spur economic growth, the third item on the President’s job-creating To Do List for Congress. May 16, 2012.More

 

 

Reducing greenhouse gas pollution … Gabe Wisniewski, Greenpeace

Reducing greenhouse gas pollution is one of the most urgent things for our government to do.

Tell the EPA we need stronger rules to protect us from climate change.

The effects of climate change are everywhere. Historically warm winters, killer heat waves and droughts, and 100-year storms have hammered our country in recent years.

Still, power plants in the US are allowed to spew unlimited carbon pollution, which is driving us closer to runaway climate change.

President Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally proposed the first ever rule to change this. Unfortunately, to be as effective as possible, this rule needs to be strengthened significantly. 

WWW.Greenpeaceusa.org

The rule — known as the Carbon Pollution Standard — limits the amount of carbon pollution that new coal-fired power plants are allowed to emit. Unfortunately, the rule is full of loopholes and applies only to new power plants that are unlikely to be built in the first place. The rule does nothing to reduce carbon pollution from existing sources.

The EPA is now accepting public comments. This is your chance to let the EPA know you want the loopholes closed, the rule finalized and for them to get to work on limiting the coal fired power plants that actually exist.

Tell the EPA: We need strong legal limits to protect us from existing and future sources of carbon pollution.

Coal-fired power plants are the largest single source of carbon pollution in the US. If we don’t put a limit on the amount of climate change causing pollution they are allowed to spew into the air then things are only going to get worse.

WWW.Greenpeaceusa.org

Greenpeace and other groups have been working in communities across the country to close down these dirty old plants and stop new ones from being built altogether. We’ve been extremely successful, but we need a strong ruling from the EPA on this issue to fully address climate change.

Americans, have an important role to play in the final outcome of this rule. Almost 200,000 Greenpeace supporters have already submitted their comments to the EPA. Take a minute and add your voice to that list.

Tell the EPA: We need strong legal limits to protect us from existing and future sources of carbon pollution.

WWW.Greenpeaceusa.org

Sincerely,

Gabe Wisniewski
Greenpeace USA Coal Campaign Director

Healthy Women’s Action Kit Featured in “Dear Abby”

Order a FREE Healthy Women’s Action Kit as featured in “Dear Abby.”We’re offering these publications in honor of Women’s Health Week. The kit provides the information you need to: Manage your cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk for diabetes Stay safe using cosmetics and getting tattoos Recognize and avoid online health scams Confidently talk to your doctor about menopause and hormones Find the stop-smoking method that can work for you And more! Fill out a simple online form to order this kit for yourself and the women in your life.

Tell Congress to fix … The medical-device safety bill

Fix the Flaw!The medical-device safety bill is coming up for a major vote, and it still has a gaping loophole! Tell your Senators to Fix the Flaw!

You wouldn’t buy a new car with a known safety defect. You’d expect the problem to be fixed first.

So why is Congress planning to let medical device manufacturers keep selling implants – from hip replacements to heart defibrillators to surgical mesh – without having them fix the safety flaw first?

Tell your Senators and Representative: Fix the Flaw!

This week the Senate could vote on the bill that sets safety standards for the medical device industry. Lobbyists have managed to keep this gaping safety loophole from being fixed in the bill, and we need consumers to speak out today before it’s too late.

Manufacturers love the loophole because they can put an implant on the market just by showing that it’s ‘substantially equivalent’ to one already approved – even if the implant they’re modeling it on was recalled for safety problems! And the FDA can’t make the company prove they’ve fixed the flaw or do clinical safety testing before the device is sold to you!

The consequences are serious. Tens of thousands of women have various vaginal mesh implants inside them based on a 1999 recalled product. Last year the FDA warned about bleeding, infections and organ perforation from the mesh deteriorating, and many women require multiple surgeries to repair the damage. The FDA should have the authority to demand flaws like these be fixed before allowing the devices to be sold.

Congress: Fix the Flaw with medical devices, and hold industry responsible for safety!

It’s important you get your Senators’ attention on this matter, or the loophole might just slip quietly through. Consumers’ emails have already made the safety bills stronger, so please forward this to others so they can add their voice to this critical issue.

Sincerely,
Lisa McGiffert, SafePatientProject.org

Senator Patty Murray & Education – Washington State

Last week, I joined with students and administrators at South Seattle Community College to host a rally in support of the Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012. Unless Congress acts, interest rates for over 100,000 students across Washington state will double on July 1 ^st , which would add $1,000 to the cost of these loans for millions of Americans and will be one more strain for students and families already fighting to afford college in this tough economy. At the rally, I called on Republicans to end their filibuster of this bill and work with Democrats to keep rates low for millions of students. I will continue to fight to make sure we avoid the automatic increase on July 1 ^st. We should be working to make it easier for students to afford college, not harder.

Read more

“Senator Murray rallies SSCC students to fight for student loan interest rate protection”
– West Seattle Herald

——————————————————————-

Continuing to Push for Stronger Violence Against Women Legislation

Last week, House Republicans released their version of the Violence Against Women Act. The House bill, which passed with only Republican support and with strong bipartisan opposition, not only stripped the Senate version of the bill’s provisions making needed progress for LGBT, immigrant, and tribal victims, but also included dangerous rollbacks of existing protections for immigrant victims.

I believe the House Republican version of VAWA is a giant step backward for victims of domestic violence. This is dangerous and irresponsible and leaves women across the country more vulnerable to domestic abuse. Where a person lives, who they love, or what their citizenship status may be should not determine whether or not their perpetrators are brought to justice. I’m glad that in the Senate we were able to come together around an inclusive, bipartisan bill, and I remain committed to fighting to make sure my colleagues in the House of Representatives will do the same. We’ve made a lot of progress since VAWA was first passed in 1994, and I hope that my Republican colleagues will not insist on putting partisan politics ahead of protecting victims of domestic violence. I will continue to fight in support of the Senate’s bipartisan bill, and to make sure that Republicans do not turn back the clock on the important progress that has been made.

Read more

—————————————————————————-

Celebrating the Anniversary of Title IX

Megan Rapinoe, midfielder for the Seattle Sounders Women, recalling how Title IX opened the door for her as a young athlete.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining with members of the Seattle Sounders Women and student athletes at Garfield High School in Seattle to mark the upcoming 40 ^th anniversary of Title IX, historic legislation that fundamentally changed the lives of women and girls across the country by allowing them equal access to athletic opportunities. Members of the Sounders Women talked about the ways this legislation helped open doors for them when they were younger, and I discussed legislation I am currently cosponsoring The High School Sports Information Collection Act in the Senate , that will strengthen the rights provided by Title IX, to ensure that future generations of young women are able to continue expanding opportunities and leveling the playing field.

“Sen. Murray teams up with Sounders Women to discuss Title IX”
– Bothell Reporter

——————————————————————————————–

the Progress Report : VAWA and the GOP

You Won’t Believe The GOP’s Latest Assault on Women

By ThinkProgress War Room on May 16, 2012 at 5:37 pm

House GOP Passes Rollback of the Violence Against Women Act

In a show of bipartisanship that is basically unprecedented these days in the dysfunctional U.S. Senate, the Senate recently reauthorized and expanded the Violence Against Women Act on an overwhelming 68-31 vote. (Unfortunately, 31 male Republican Senators still voted no.)

Today, instead of passing this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill, House Republicans passed a watered-down version that actually rolls back existing protections for women.

Here’s the rundown on the latest assault in the GOP’s war on women.

What’s not in the House GOP’s bill?

• Important expanded protections for LGBT people, immigrants, and Native Americans.
• Some existing protections for victims of domestic abuse.

Click HERE for a complete, detailed rundown of all the problems with this partisan bill.

Who supports the House GOP’s attempts to weaken the law?

• A misogynistic “men’s rights” organization that told Rihanna to “woman up” after she was abused by Chris Brown.
• Lobbyists for the mail order bride industry.

It’s also worth noting that the coalition of fringe social conservative organizations who opposed the bipartisan Senate included a convicted domestic abuser.

Who opposes the House GOP’s efforts to weaken the bill?

• The White House, which has threatened to veto the bill.
• Hundreds of groups, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, Break the Cycle, Legal Momentum, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Organization for Women, Feminist Majority, YWCA USA, AAUW, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Bar Association, NAACP, National Council of La Raza, Human Rights Campaign, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and National Congress of American Indians.

IN ONE SENTENCE: Instead of passing a deeply flawed, partisan bill that actually leaves women more vulnerable to abuse, it’s time for House Republicans to stop their war on women and pass the bipartisan Senate Violence Against Women Act.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Mitt Romney is worth $230 MILLION, including $52 million in Bain Capital investments, $16 million in cash, $18 million in real estate, and $425,000 in cars and horses.

A fringe ex-gay group says it’s being discriminated against because a Maryland school superintendent said the group was “repressible and deplorable.”

Mitt Romney is back to his widely discredited and completely unproven claim that he created 100,000 jobs at Bain Capital.

Alli Thresher writes that lady arm-wrestling is feminist.

Bill Kristol says he’s “mostly supportive” of President Obama on Israel, yet he runs an organization that regularly attacks Obama as “anti-Israel.”

Fox News is now targeting efforts to raise awareness of poverty and food insecurity.

Under Romney, Massachusetts had highest per capita debt of any state. Meanwhile, taxes, spending, and the deficit are all lower today than they were when President Obama came into office.

Coming this summer: For $24.95, George W. Bush will share his ‘strategies for economic growth.’

After quitting GOP presidential nomination race, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) announced support for a House amendment banning indefinite detention of terror suspects.

Other recent Progress Reports

May 15, 2012: Do You Want a Repeat of the Financial Crisis?

JP Morgan Loss Shows Why We Need Tougher Rules On Wall Street You’ve probably heard by now that JP Morgan Chase lost a whopping $2 BILLION on a single bad bet in just a matter of weeks. What you may not have heard is that JP Morgan, and its CEO Jamie Dimon, have been among [...]

May 14, 2012: GOP Doubles Down On Anti-Gay Agenda

Opposing More Than Just Marriage Equality Over the weekend, a top Republican pollster put out a memo urging Republicans to recognize the magnitude of the rapid change in public opinion about LGBT issues and start supporting a least some rights for gay people. And today, Gallup reported that societal acceptance of gays and lesbians is [...]

May 11, 2012: Meet Liberty University

A Severely Conservative University As we discussed yesterday, Mitt Romney has a radical anti-gay record and agenda. So it’s fitting that tomorrow he will be giving the commencement speech at Liberty University, a radically conservative, anti-gay Virginia university founded by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell. How radical? This is who the university’s founder blamed for [...]

May 10, 2012: Discrimination Today, Discrimination Tomorrow, Discrimination Forever

Mitt Romney’s Extreme Anti-Gay Agenda Following yesterday’s historic endorsement of marriage equality by President Obama, Mitt Romney wasted no time in reminding Americans that he believes that LGBT relationships must be both separate and unequal. Romney reiterated his longstanding opposition to both marriage and civil unions: “Well, when these issues were raised in my state [...]

House GOP VAWA Bill Rolling Back Protections for Domestic Violence Victims & Fact Check

DEMOCRATIC LEADER Nancy Pelosi

On April 26, the Senate passed a strong, bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization by a bipartisan vote of 68 to 31, which upholds the traditions of VAWA Reauthorizations of being bipartisan and working to ensure all victims of domestic and sexual violence should be protected.

 By sharp contrast today, the House will consider H.R. 4970, a controversial House GOP version of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization that fails to include many of the protections in the Senate bill and also rolls back current protections. A manager’s amendment makes a few modest changes in the area of immigrant victims – but even with the manager’s amendment, the GOP remains a partisan bill that rolls back key protections in current law for many domestic violence victims, making them less safe.

The GOP bill rolls back certain long-standing VAWA protections that help promote the safety of battered immigrant victims:

• Weakens protections for battered immigrant spouses legally here, under the “self-petition” provisions in VAWA since 1994. For example, even with the manager’s amendment, the bill will delay and deny protection for many spouses, adding new layers of bureaucracy that will slow down their efforts to obtain independent status and potentially make them less safe.
• Fundamentally weakens the U visa program, which was created in VAWA in 2000 to encourage immigrant victims of crime to report and help prosecute serious criminal activity. The bill discourages victims from cooperating, fearing that doing so could lead to deportation, by removing the opportunity of most victims to apply to become permanent residents.

The GOP bill fails:

• to include key provisions, which are included in the Senate-passed bill, to protect the LGBT community. Recent studies show that LGBT victims of domestic violence face discrimination when accessing services. The provisions in the Senate bill are responsive to the real needs of real victims and have the support of law enforcement and service providers around the country.

• to include many of the key provisions in the Senate bill to protect Native American women, including provisions providing concurrent tribal jurisdiction over those who assault Indian spouses and dating partners in Indian country.

• to include provisions in the Senate bill to allow law enforcement to request up to 5,000 additional U visas a year for immigrant victims helping law enforcement prosecute sexual assault, domestic violence and other serious crimes.

The GOP bill, as modified by the manager’s amendment, is opposed by more than 100 organizations, including National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Organization for Women, American Bar Association, National Council of La Raza, and U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Administration has also issued a veto threat on the bill.

Key Provisions:

Rolls Back Current Protections for Domestic Violence Victims
Undermines Key Protections for Battered Immigrant Spouses, Under the VAWA “Self-Petition” Program

• Batterers often compound the physical or mental abuse of their immigrant spouses with threats of deportation. To protect these vulnerable victims and encourage them to report crime, the VAWA self-petition for immigration status was created in 1994 in the original Violence Against Women Act.
• The VAWA self-petition process allows battered immigrants, who are living legally within the United States as the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, to petition for independent legal status without relying on their abusive spouse as a sponsor.
• The manager’s amendment makes some changes in this part of the bill, but fails to eliminate many of the rollbacks in the GOP bill, which can make women less safe. The bill still significantly tips the scales in favor of abusers by eliminating one of the most crucial protections for battered women in current law – that statements provided by abusers must be corroborated before they can be used to deny petitions by battered immigrants.
• Secondly, the bill still contains several provisions that can delay and deny protection to many battered spouses, including staying adjudications during pending prosecutions; and adding a whole new level of bureaucracy by requiring that two separate adjudicators work on each case and that two separate interviews be conducted with the victim. In these cases, delay can actually endanger a woman’s life.

Undermines the VAWA U Visa Program, Which Protects Immigrant Victims of Serious Crimes

• The U Visa was created in VAWA 2000 to encourage immigrant victims of serious crimes to report and help prosecute the criminal activity. Under current law, the U Visa program allows law enforcement officials to request up to 10,000 visas each year for victims who are helping to investigate and prosecute serious crimes. The U Visa program has always been strongly supported by law enforcement, including the Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, National District Attorneys Association, and National Association of Attorneys General.
• The House GOP bill fundamentally undermines the U visa program, by turning the U visa into a temporary visa for most immigrants:

• Current law allows U visa recipients to apply to become permanent residents. This provision has been part of the U visa program from the beginning and has had bipartisan support.
• The original GOP bill prevented all women with U visas from applying for permanent residency. Under the manager’s amendment, the vast majority of immigrant women will still be unable to apply for permanent residency; it would only be those who meet all three of the following criteria: 1) the perpetrator was actually convicted of the serious crime for which the U visa was granted; 2) the perpetrator is an immigrant from the same country as the victim; and 3) the perpetrator has already been deported to the same country to which the victim would have to return after expiration of the U visa.
• By removing this opportunity, victims will not have the incentive to voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement in dangerous criminal investigations, and in fact may be discouraged from cooperating, fearing that doing so would lead to deportation.

GOP Bill FAILS to Include Many of the Key Provisions, Included in Bipartisan Senate Bill, To Protect Native American Women

• Women in tribal communities experience domestic violence at rates far higher than the general population, often at the hands of non-Indian men. Indeed, well over 50 percent of all Native American women are married to or live with a non-Indian.
• Currently, many of these domestic violence crimes go unprosecuted because tribal courts do not have jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indian defendants. Additionally, federal and state law enforcement and prosecutors have limited resources and may be located hours away. As a result, non-Indian perpetrators regularly go unpunished, and their violence continues.
• Unfortunately, this House GOP bill fails to include many of the key provisions in the Senate-passed bill that fill this jurisdictional gap by narrowly expanding concurrent tribal criminal jurisdiction over those who assault Indian spouses and dating partners in Indian country, in specified circumstances and with significant protections for the rights of defendants.
• Furthermore, the manager’s amendment actually includes provisions that will make Native Americans LESS safe. The National Congress of American Indians has sent a letter to Congress, stating, “[The manager’s amendment] includes a dangerous new provision that has the potential to further undermine the safety and autonomy of victims in Indian Country. … [It] would allow tribal governments to seek a protection order from the federal government regardless of the wishes of the victims. This runs contrary to one of the foundational principles of VAWA, which has always encouraged and supported victim-centered responses that help restore autonomy and control to battered women.”

GOP Bill FAILS to Include Key Provisions, Included in Bipartisan Senate Bill, to Protect LGBT Community

• Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered victims experience domestic violence in 25-35 percent of relationships – the same rate as the general population.
• Recent studies show that LGBT victims face discrimination when accessing services. For example, 45 percent of LGBT victims were turned away when they sought help from a domestic violence shelter, according to a 2010 survey, and nearly 55 percent were denied protection orders.
• Unfortunately, this House GOP bill fails to include key provisions in the Senate-passed bill that would better ensure equal justice under the law to LGBT victims, including prohibiting any VAWA-funded program from discriminating against anyone based on their sexual orientation and explicitly including the LGBT community in the “STOP Grant program” that provides funds to domestic violence service providers.
• The Senate bill’s provisions were developed by service providers. As Cindy Dyer, former director of the Office on Violence Against Women in the Bush Administration stated, “It is imperative that police and prosecutors are able to protect all victims of intimate partner violence. Failing to provide services to, obtain protective orders for, or prosecute the cases of victims simply because of their sexual orientation is a dangerous practice.” Despite House GOP claims, these provisions are not political.

GOP Bill FAILS to Include Key Provisions, Included in Bipartisan Senate Bill, to Increase Number of U Visas

• The U Visa program allows law enforcement to request visas for victims who are helping them investigate serious crimes. The Senate bill allows for up to 5,000 additional visas to be drawn each year, at law enforcement request, from a pool of previously authorized but never issued U Visas.
• Law enforcement requested this modest increase because the current cap of 10,000 has been reached the past two years, making it more difficult for police and prosecutors to pursue cases against dangerous perpetrators that they could otherwise reach. Unfortunately, this House GOP bill fails to include these key provisions in the Senate bill granting this increase requested by law enforcement.
• The increase in U visas is supported by such organizations as Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, National District Attorneys Association, and National Association of Attorneys General.
• The Fraternal Order of Police points out, “U visas are an invaluable tool that allow law enforcement to do its job more effectively and makes it easier to pursue prosecution of criminals. Furthermore, the expansion of the U visa will provide incalculable benefits to our citizens and our communities at a negligible cost.”

More Than 100 Organizations Oppose the House GOP Bill

More than 100 organizations oppose the House GOP bill, including such groups as the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, Break the Cycle, Legal Momentum, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Organization for Women, Feminist Majority, YWCA USA, AAUW, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Bar Association, NAACP, National Council of La Raza, Human Rights Campaign, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and National Congress of American Indians.

The National Association of Evangelicals is opposed to the immigrant provisions in the bill.

The Administration has issued a veto threat on the bill.

————————————————————————————–

Fact Check

Republican Energy Plan: Standing with Big Oil

As many continue to suffer from tough economic times and still too high rate of unemployment, American families and small businesses face additional hardship of record gas prices – averaging nearly $4.00 per gallon. This is causing both pain at the pump, as well as rising costs for food and other basic household goods. But Republicans want to keep handing taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil and pass “Drill Only” bills that do nothing to ease the pain at the pump.

May 12, 2011

For Seniors: One Year Later, What Happened and What Didn’t

This week marks the first anniversary of the Affordable Care Act – a law that ensures all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care and significantly reduces long-term health care costs. The debate on health reform was often filled with frightening—and wrong—information. One year later, we check in on what happened and what didn’t.

March 21, 2011

It Is Repealing Health Reform, Not Reform, That Would Hurt Jobs

Since Enactment of Health Reform, There Have Been Nine Straight Months of Private Sector Job Growth – Adding 1.1 Million New Private Sector Jobs

January 18, 2011

Congressional Action Bolstered American Auto Industry: Saved Billions of Dollars, More than a Million American Jobs

According to a report released yesterday by the Center for Automotive Research, government action supporting the auto industry prevented a $26.8 billion loss to the American taxpayer and saved nearly 1.5 million American jobs.

November 18, 2010

The Real GOP Agenda: A Scorecard on Hypocrisy

Congressional Republicans are planning to unveil the “new” GOP agenda tomorrow, “A Pledge to America.” Early press reports indicate Republicans will promote more of the same failed policies

September 22, 2010

Clear Facts on the CLEAR Act

Myths and Facts about the CLEAR Act from the House Committee on Natural Resources.

July 30, 2010

GOP Rhetoric on Energy Doesn’t Match Their ‘None of the Above’ Record

Despite Republicans’ claims to support renewable energy and reducing American dependence on foreign oil, their votes support returning to the Bush Administration’s “drill-only” energy policy that led to record profits for Big Oil, even greater U.S. dependence on oil from the Middle East, and record energy costs for America’s working families.

May 07, 2010

Republican Contract with the Special Interests

Democrats are working on behalf of middle-class families, while Congressional Republicans are standing in the way of economic progress and in support of the special interests – Wall Street banks, insurance companies, and Big Oil.

April 16, 2010

Health Insurance Reform Mythbuster – Reform Could Mean Jail Time or Harassment from IRS for Americans Who Don’t Buy Insurance

Following the President signing historic comprehensive health insurance reform legislation today, opponents of reform continue to spread myths about the bill, including claims that Americans who don’t buy health insurance could face jail time or harassment from the IRS.

March 23, 2010

Health Insurance Reform Mythbuster: Five Myths Congressional Republicans Are Peddling About Health Insurance Reform

As Congress moves forward with comprehensive health insurance reform legislation, critics continue to spread misinformation about how reform will impact American workers, their families and small businesses.

March 20, 2010

Fact Check Archive »

CONGRESS: the Republican led House the Senate considers S.3187, the FDA user fees bill & Executive nominations

the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET May 17, 2012

• Following the prayer and the pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
• It is the Majority Leader’s intention to begin consideration of the motion to proceed Calendar #400, S.3187, the FDA user fees bill with the time until 10:30am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
• At 10:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:

• Executive Calendar #646, Jeremy C. Stein, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2004 and
• Executive Calendar #647, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be a Member of Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2000
• with up to 90 minutes of debate on the nominations equally divided and controlled between Senators Johnson (SD) and Shelby or their designees.
• Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12:00pm), the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above. Each nomination will require 60-votes in the affirmative.

11:07am The Senate is considering the motion to proceed to S.3187, A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices, to establish user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and for other purposes.

11:07am   At 10:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session with 90 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

-          Executive Calendar #646, Jeremy C. Stein, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2004; and

-          Executive Calendar #647, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be a Member of Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2000.

If all time is used, these votes will begin at approximately 12:00 noon today. Both nominations are subject to 60 vote thresholds.

The time until 10:30am is equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the second half.

The Senate is considering the motion to proceed to S.3187, A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices, to establish user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and for other purposes.

The time until 10:30am is equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the second half.

At 10:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session with 90 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

12:01pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #646 the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein, of MA, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 70-24

12:28pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Executive Calendar #647, the nomination of Jerome H. Powell, of MD, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 74-21

Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Paul J. Watford, of California, to be United State District Judge for the 9^th Circuit. Senators should expect the cloture vote at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, May, 21.

Senator Reid also filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #400, S.3187, the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.R.1905, as amended by the text of the Reid-Johnson (SD)-Shelby amendment, which is the text of S.2101, and the Reid-Johnson (SD)-Shelby amendment.

Senator Kyl objected.

There will be no further roll call votes during Thursday’s session of the Senate

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #646 the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein, of MA, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 70-24

2)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #647, the nomination of Jerome H. Powell, of MD, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 74-21

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed Calendar #401, H.R.2415, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the “Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building”.

Passed Calendar #402, H.R.3220, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the “Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office”.

Passed Calendar #403, H.R.3413, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the “Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office”.

Passed H.R.4045, a bill to modify the Department of Defense Program Guidance relating to the award of Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA program) administrative absence days to members of the reserve components to exempt any member whose qualified mobilization commenced before October 1, 2011, and continued on or after that date, from the changes to the program guidance that took effect on that date.

Passed H.R.4119, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.

Passed H.R.4849, Sequoia and Kings County National Parks Backcountry Access Act with a Boxer-Feinstein substitute amendment.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

The Senate is back on 5/21

———————————————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 17, 2012

112TH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION

-H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon Amendments En Bloc No. 2.6:02:21 P.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon.6:01:49 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Polis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.5:48:50 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis amendment No. 12.5:48:48 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Polis,  numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-485 to reduce the amount for the ground-based midcourse missile defense system by $403 million.5:47:51 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.5:34:20 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment No. 11.5:34:17 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey,  numbered 11 printed in House Report 112-485 to delay the development of the new long-range nuclear-capable bomber by ten years and the funding in the bill would be reduced by $291,742,000, which is the amount planned for this bomber.5:34:10 P.M. -H.R. 4310The Committee resumed its sitting.5:33:15 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4849, with an amendment, H.R. 2415, without amendment, H.R. 3220, without amendment, H.R. 3413, without amendment, H.R. 4045, without amendment, H.R. 4119, without amendment.5:33:14 P.M. -The Committee rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.5:33:13 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Quigley amendment; Failed by voice vote.5:21:24 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Quigley amendment No. 10.5:21:22 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Quigley,  numbered 10 printed in House Report 112-485 to eliminate funds available for procurement of the V-22 Osprey aircraft, and puts the savings toward deficit reduction.5:21:03 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Conyers amendment; Failed by voice vote.5:07:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment No. 9.5:07:48 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Conyers,  numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-485 to terminate the F-35B aircraft program. Would authorize the Secretary to procure an additional number of F/A-18E or F/A-18F aircraft to replace the F-35B aircraft.5:06:26 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Bartlett amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair post poned further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:53:54 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bartlett amendment No. 8.4:53:51 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Bartlett,  numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-485 to prevent federal agencies from requiring contractors to sign an anti-competitive and costly project labor agreement (PLA) as a condition of winning a federal construction contract.4:52:11 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rooney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:40:53 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rooney amendment No. 7.4:40:49 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Rooney,  numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-485 to direct the Department of Defense to hold detainee trials in the US Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and not in the United States.4:40:27 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:33:32 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment No. 6.4:33:29 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Connolly (VA),  numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-485 to withhold funds from the Coalition Support Fund until the Secretary of Defense certifies that Pakistan has opened the Ground Lines of Communication, is allowing the transit of NATO supplies through Pakistan into Afghanistan, is supporting the retrograde of U.S. equipment out of Afghanistan.4:32:00 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:07:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Lee amendment No. 5.4:07:47 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Ms. Lee (CA),  numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-485 to end the war in Afghanistan by limiting funding to the safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Afghanistan.4:07:08 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rohrabacher amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rohrabacher demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.3:55:09 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rohrabacher amendment No. 4.3:54:39 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Rohrabacher,  numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-485 to prohibit the availability of funds for assistance to Pakistan in fiscal year 2013.3:54:22 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Kucinich amendment; Failed by voice vote.3:39:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kucinich amendment No. 3.3:39:38 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Kucinich,  numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-485 to prohibit the Joint Special Operations Command from conducting signature drone strikes, drone strikes against targets whose identity is not known or based solely on patterns of behavior this target.3:39:22 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.3:23:53 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon Amendments En Bloc No. 1.3:23:23 P.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon,  comprised of the following amendments : Amendments Nos. 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 40, 43, 57, 74, 83, 95, 97, 102, 107, and 126 printed in House Report 112-485.3:22:38 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendment; as modified Agreed to by voice vote.3:11:42 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McKeon Manager’s amendment No. 1.3:11:31 P.M. -H.R. 4310McKeon amendment; modified by unanimous consent.3:11:08 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. McKeon,  numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-485 to make conforming changes in the bill.3:08:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.3:08:42 P.M. -H.R. 4310Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4310 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”2:53:01 P.M. -H.R. 5740Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:53:00 P.M. -H.R. 5740On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 18 (Roll no. 262).2:46:28 P.M. -H.R. 5740Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5740 — “To extend the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other purposes.”2:46:13 P.M. -H. Res. 568Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:46:12 P.M. -H. Res. 568On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 401 – 11, 9 Present (Roll no. 261).2:38:34 P.M. -H. Res. 568Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 568 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.”2:38:20 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.2:37:58 P.M. -H. Res. 661Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:37:57 P.M. -H. Res. 661On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 178 (Roll no. 260).2:28:56 P.M. -H. Res. 661On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 182 (Roll no. 259).12:54:43 P.M. -H. Res. 661DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 661.12:54:40 P.M. -H. Res. 661Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 661 — “Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4310) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”12:48:28 P.M. -H. Res. 661On motion to consider the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.12:48:18 P.M. -H. Res. 661At the conclusion of debate on the Larson (CT) point of order, the Chair put the question on consideration of the resolution.12:34:27 P.M. -H. Res. 661POINT OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION – Mr. Larson (CT) made a point of order that the provisions of H. Res. 661 violate clause 9(b) of rule XXI. Under clause 9(b) of rule XXI, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the question of consideration. At the conclusion of debate on the question of consideration, the Chair will put the question to wit: Will the House now consider the resolution?12:34:18 P.M. -H. Res. 661The Chair recognized Mr. Bishop (UT) who by direction of the Committee on Rules called up H. Res. 661 and asked for its immediate consideration.12:29:40 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification that the national emergency with respect to Burma will continue beyond May 20, 2012 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-110).12:04:20 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.12:03:35 P.M. -Without objection, the Chair recognized Rep. Reed (NY) for the purpose of welcoming Reverend Dr. Ken Chroniger as Guest Chaplain.12:02:34 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Reed to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:29 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:04 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Ken Chroniger, Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church, Alfred Station, New York.12:00:47 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 17.11:12:35 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:43 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.10:00:22 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Shimkus to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:09 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.