Congress: the Republican led House —- the Senate in pro forma session

The Senate Convenes on June 4, 2012

• Convenes: 2:00pm
• Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.  It is the Majority Leader’s intention to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3220, the Paycheck Fairness Act.
• At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #613, the nomination of Timothy S. Hillman, of MA, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts.  There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Hillman nomination.
• As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3220, the Paycheck Fairness Act on Thursday, May 24^th.  That cloture vote will occur at 2:15pm on Tuesday, June 5^th.

10:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:59 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:30 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:52 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
10:02:56 A.M.		Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:03:12 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 23, 2012 at 9:38 a.m., that on behalf of the Republican Leader, the Chair appointed the following individuals to the Congressional Award Board: Michael Schmid of Wyoming, Cheryl D. Maddox of Kentucky, and Charmaine Yoest of Virginia.
10:03:22 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 24, 2012 at 10:06 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4097, without amendment; and passed S. 2367.
10:03:24 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 24, 2012 at 5:01 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1905, with an amendment, and H.R. 5740, with an amendment. The Senate also passed S. 3187.
10:04:21 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 29, 2012.

 

The anti-gay video that’s going viral … Dan Rafter, Human Rights Campaign

Have you seen this video yet? Have you shared it?

It’s shocking footage of a North Carolina pastor’s plan “to get rid of all the lesbians and queers” – by putting them all in a concentration camp until they die.

I’m completely serious. Over 30,000 HRC supporters have spoken out against this rank bigotry since we posted about it on Facebook this week. We need to triple that total before we deliver the messages next week – will you help?

WWW.HRC.ORG

Watch this horrifying video, share it with everyone you know, and sign the petition.

Here’s what he says:

“Build a great big large fence, a hundred fifty, hundred miles long… put all the lesbians in there… Do the same thing for the queers and the homosexuals and have that fence electrified so they can’t get out…”

“…And you know what, in a few years, they’ll die out… Do you know why? They can’t reproduce.”

Don’t let him get away with these sickening, hateful remarks – speak out and share this with everyone you know.

Please forward this email, share the video on Facebook and Twitter, and help spread the word. We can’t let this kind of thing go unanswered.

Thanks for standing against hate,

Dan Rafter, Online Campaigns Manager
Human Rights Campaign

Congressional Budget Office

Status of Discretionary Appropriations: FY 2013 House

Status of Discretionary Appropriations: FY 2013 Senate

• H.R. 5651, Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012
  • Senate Amendment 2122 in the Nature of a Substitute to S. 3187, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act with Further Amendments Adopted by the Senate Through May 24, 2012

H.R. 4482, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent home loan guaranty programs for veterans regarding adjustable rate mortgages and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages

• H.R. 4027, A bill to clarify authority granted under the act entitled “An act to define the exterior boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in the state of Utah, and for other purposes”
• H.R. 4222, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Trust Land Act
• S. 2218, United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2012

S. 3240, Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012

As introduced in the United States Senate on May 24, 2012

This legislation would amend and extend a number of major programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including those addressing farm income support, food and nutrition, land conservation, trade promotion, rural development, research, forestry, energy, horticulture, and crop insurance.

read more

ShelterBox USA

Big ShelterBox Week, June 9-16, is almost here! Anyone can get involved and make a global impact—including you! Join us and our supporters from around the world as we embark on seven days packed full of activities to raise awareness and funds that help us provide shelter, warmth and dignity to families who have lost everything after a disaster. There are many ways to get involved! Here are just a few… Big Cake Bake Create your very own ShelterBox sweets and hold a bake sale or celebration with friends, family and coworkers. When your party’s in full swing, challenge them to find out what’s in a ShelterBox. Check out the Big ShelterBox Week Cake Book for recipe ideas from around the world! Learn more. Big Camp Out Spend a night out under the stars! Ask your friends and family to sponsor you to sleep in a tent for a night or a week. You can help families in need simply by getting sponsored to enjoy the great outdoors. Learn more. Big Clear Out Turn boxes of unwanted goods into boxes of hope by holding a yard sale or online auction, and donate your proceeds to ShelterBox. You can also buy or sell on eBay and support our cause. Learn more. Shout out to your online community! Be sure to ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Then post updates about ShelterBox to help raise awareness among your social media friends. Spread the word via email! Why do you support ShelterBox? Which ShelterBox photo inspires you? Simply email your friends and family, share your story, and ask them to visit our site, watch our video, or make a donation. Check out the Big ShelterBox Week Action Kit for ideas. Online Fundraising Create your very own customized fundraising page to collect donations and track your progress. You could promote your page in the Big Camp Out, ‘Spread the Word’ emails, social media and more. Visit shelterboxusa.org/mypage to get started! Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for more information and resources. You can always visit shelterboxweek.org for all things Big ShelterBox Week! Like on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend You’re invited: ShelterBox USA’s Virtual Open House! Join us for an interactive webinar on Tuesday, June 12 @ 6 p.m. EDT for a behind-the-scenes look at the premiere provider of emergency shelter and lifesaving equipment to disaster survivors worldwide.- Learn how ShelterBox has delivered aid to 120,000 families in 80 countries worldwide. - Get an in-depth look at how ShelterBox operates and manages response team members in multiple countries at any given time.- Hear from our ShelterBox Response Team on how they make decisions while deployed in a disaster zone. This will be an interactive session, so bring your questions! Register today! Big ShelterBox Week Action Kit All of your Big ShelterBox Week resources and ideas in one place! Simply downloadand print your Big ShelterBox Week Action Kit to get started. Already have something planned for Big ShelterBox Week? Let us know what you’re up to!

Child Soldiers … MercyCorps

As many as 14,000 children in Colombia are fighting in a deadly, cocaine-fueled conflict. Most of them come from rural areas, where poverty is a way of life, education is limited and opportunities are few.

Hundreds of youth are rescued or escape each year. Learn why they leave home, how they survive, and the steps they take to rejoin society.

See the facts in our infographic, “I was a child soldier in Colombia.” ▸

Media Matters for America: FOX and misinformation about Renewables

Despite Being Warned, Right-Wing Media Buy Into The “BS” Claims About Obama’s Spending Record
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters not to buy into the “BS” of GOP-driven tax and spending claims and pointed to a Wall Street Journal MarketWatch column that noted that government spending is rising at its slowest pace since the 1950s. Far from heeding that advice, right-wing media figures relied on misleading economic talking points to attack Carney. Read More

Fox Serves As Mouthpiece For Mountaintop Mining Industry
In strikingly one-sided reports, Fox News assailed an anticipated regulation protecting streams from mountaintop coal mining waste. Among other misleading claims, Fox accused the Obama administration of punishing a contractor who said the rule would kill jobs, when in fact, extensive evidence indicates the contract was halted simply because the firm did shoddy work. Read More

Right-Wing Sites Baselessly Accuse WH Of Leaking “Classified Information” To Filmmakers
Conservative websites are claiming a new release of documents show that the “White House” gave “classified information” to filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal for their upcoming film about the Osama bin Laden raid. However, even the group that released those documents, Judicial Watch, does not claim that the “White House” gave Bigelow and Boal “classified information.” Read More

– Following relentless attacks on the solar industry in the wake of Solyndra’s bankruptcy, wind power has become the latest target of the right-wing campaign against renewable energy. But contrary to the myths propagated by the conservative media, wind power is safe, increasingly affordable, and has the potential to significantly reduce pollution and U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.

• What Is The Impact Of Wind Farms On Wildlife?
• Do Wind Turbines Affect Human Health?
• Can Wind Power Compete With Fossil Fuels?
• What Portion Of Our Energy Needs Can Wind Realistically Satisfy?
• How Would Switching To Wind Power Impact The Climate?
• Have Federal Incentives For Wind Been Effective?

the Daily Share

Here’s How Weird Our Obsession With Rich People Is

Step Aside J.K. Rowling, We Just Found The Next Great Fiction Writer

A Message About America That Will Probably Offend Some People (Because It’s True!)

41 Million Cars — GONE … Union of Concerned Scientists

		Time is running out on the opportunity to double the impact of your membership gift to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Time’s running out! Give today and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Act today and your gift to the Union of Concerned Scientists will go twice as far—putting science to work for a healthy environment and a safer world.   A generous supporter has pledged to match all donations dollar-for-dollar—up to $250,000—but only if you act by the end of the week! Your support of UCS makes a vital difference in building a healthier environment and a safer world. If you’re still looking for a reason to support UCS, how about this one: 41 million fewer cars. Picture a four-lane highway packed bumper to bumper with idling cars stretching all the way around the earth at the equator. Now picture the tailpipe emissions from all those cars and think about how much that would speed up global warming. UCS supporters like you helped push through tough emissions standards for new cars and trucks that will require automakers to produce vehicles that emit roughly half of the global warming emissions of a new automobile today. By the year 2030, this effort alone will keep more than 300 million tons of carbon dioxide from being released into our atmosphere. That’s like taking 41 million cars off the road.  time is running out to take advantage of this special opportunity. Please act now. Join more than 85,000 other members of UCS—become a member of UCS today. WWW.UCSUSA.org With your help, we will: expose corporations, front groups, and policy makers who mislead the public and undermine understanding of climate science; fight to shut down old and dirty coal plants and increase investment in wind, solar, and other clean, renewable sources of energy; and actively protect scientists in the government and academia from politically motivated personal attacks. You are a key partner in all this work. Please act now and take advantage of this special, short-term opportunity. With your help, I’m confident we can win more important victories in the year ahead and the years to come. Sincerely, Kevin Knobloch President P.S. Remember: this special opportunity only lasts through the end of the week. Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar—but only if you act now!

the Progress Report: Paycheck Fairness

Next Battle in the War on Women: Paycheck Fairness

By ThinkProgress War Room

Will Republicans Really Defend Paying Women Less?

The Senate will soon take up the Paycheck Fairness Act, an important bill that protects women who sue over being paid less than their male counterparts. The law builds on the important foundations laid by the Pay Equity Act and Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Republicans almost unanimously opposed it when it came up previously, but it remains to be seen if they will once again vote in favor allowing women to be paid less than men for the same work.

ThinkProgress’ Annie-Rose Strasser rounds up five things you need to know about the Paycheck Fairness Act:

1. The Paycheck Fairness Act is not new: Democrats, however, have struggled to get it passed. Last time it came up for a vote, the House passed it with very little bipartisan support. Then Senate Republicans unanimously voted against the bill. Even if they had passed it, though, then-President George W. Bush vowed to veto it.

2. Pay equity is a real problem: Nearly half of all workers in the United States are women. But women tend to hold lower-paying jobs overall, and even when they have the exact same title as men, they make significantly less. Overall, women make 77 cents to a man’s dollar, and in some professions, specifically high-paying careers, that disparity is much higher. The Paycheck Fairness Act would help close the gap more quickly by providing incentives for employers not to discriminate.

3. Lost earnings have serious consequences: The amount of money an average woman loses to the pay gap could feed a family of four. And while the wage gap is slowly shrinking, at its current rate it won’t actually disappear for 45 years. Still, more women are becoming the primary breadwinners or dual-earners in their family, with nearly 40 percent of women out-earning their husbands and a larger number of women with high degrees entering the job market.

4. Existing law doesn’t go far enough: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act ensured that a woman has the proper window of time to sue for pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act takes significant steps to close loopholes in the original pay discrimination law, the Equal Pay Act, and to ensure that women can investigate whether they are being discriminated against. It also makes stronger penalties so that employers don’t violate pay discrimination laws. Included in the bill, too, is a grant for a salary-negotiation training program for women, who tend to be reluctant to negotiate.

5. Mitt Romney has not taken a position on the bill: After a very awkward moment over the Lilly Ledbetter Act, a spokesperson for his campaign said that Romney “supports pay equity and is not looking to change current law.” But it’s unclear whether this means Romney would support a new piece of legislation that protects women who don’t have full pay equity.

IN ONE SENTENCE: If Republicans don’t want to be accused of having a war on women, they should start supporting measures like the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Alyssa takes on the differences in the ways that the media portrays men’s bodies and women’s bodies.

Mitt Romney is once again teaming up with the king of the birthers: Donald Trump.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) warned that Senate Democrats will allow the automatic defense cuts agreed upon in last summer’s debt deal to go into effect unless Republicans are willing to compromise on revenues, saying, “I am not going to back off the sequestration.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center identifies prominent Islamophobes as “heading up the radical right.”

For neocons, there are only two options: Bomb Iran or Iran gets a nuclear weapon.

Experts say obesity is a national security issue.

Allen West thinks that stay-at-home moms should be considered working mothers — as long as they’re not on welfare.

A Florida Congressman is demanding that Gov. Rick Scott (R) immediately suspend his purge of eligible voters.

Mitt Romney made a visit to a charter school in West Philadelphia today, in which he disagreed with the teachers, was knocked by the mayor, and tried to dance– a little.

Other recent Progress Reports

May 23, 2012: Why Mitt Romney’s Time At Bain Capital Matters

Mitt Romney Was Not a Job Creator As we discussed yesterday, Mitt Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital is once again back in the news — big time. As President Obama said, this is not a distraction, it’s central to the main question of this campaign: do we create an economy that works for everyone, not [...]

May 22, 2012: The Top 10 GOP Attacks on Bain Capital

When Republicans Thought Bain Capital Was Fair Game Just as it did earlier this year during the Republican primary, Mitt Romney’s record of amassing a quarter-billion dollar fortune by bankrupting companies, shipping jobs overseas, and laying off thousands of American workers is dominating the headlines. The Romney campaign is claiming that the attacks amount to [...]

May 21, 2012: Sabotage?

Are Republicans Sabotaging the Economy Just to Hurt President Obama? Last year, the Republicans nearly destroyed the economy with their manufactured crisis over raising the nation’s debt ceiling. And then the spending cuts they demanded in return for avoiding a first-ever default on our obligations have slowed down the recovery and cost us hundreds of [...]

May 18, 2012: The Latest on the Trayvon Martin Case

Ten Pieces of New Evidence Last night, state prosecutors released a large amount of evidence — including 183 pages of documents and numerous multimedia files — related to their murder case against George Zimmerman. Here are ten notable pieces evidence that were just made public: 1. Two days after Trayvon Martin’s death a woman called [...]

CONGRESS: the Republican led House did about 4 minutes of the People’s work – – the Senate back on 6/4 will consider S.3220,Paycheck Fairness & Judicial nominations -3.5yrs later

the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET June 4, 2012

• Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is the Majority Leader’s intention to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3220, the Paycheck Fairness Act.
• At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #613, the nomination of Timothy S. Hillman, of MA, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Hillman nomination.
• As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3220, the Paycheck Fairness Act on Thursday, May 24^th. That cloture vote will occur at 2:15pm on Tuesday, June 5^th.

—————————————————————————————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 25, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 29, 2012.10:03:24 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 24, 2012 at 5:01 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1905, with an amendment, and H.R. 5740, with an amendment. The Senate also passed S. 3187.10:03:22 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 24, 2012 at 10:06 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4097, without amendment; and passed S. 2367.10:03:12 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 23, 2012 at 9:38 a.m., that on behalf of the Republican Leader, the Chair appointed the following individuals to the Congressional Award Board: Michael Schmid of Wyoming, Cheryl D. Maddox of Kentucky, and Charmaine Yoest of Virginia.10:02:56 A.M. -Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.10:02:52 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.10:01:30 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.10:00:59 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:00 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 25, 2012

House Hearings

5/30 4:00 pm

Hearing: Purchasing Perspective: VA’s Prosthetics ParadoxCommittee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

5/31 10:00 am

Markup: Markup of H.R. 1588, Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act and H.R. 3128, to amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to adjust the date on which consolidated assets are determined for purposes of exempting certain instruments of smaller institutions from capital deductions.Committee on Financial Services: Full Committee

5/31 10:00 am

Hearing: “Barrier to Lower Health Care Costs for Workers and Employers”Committee on Education and the Workforce: Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions

5/31 10:15 am

Hearing: Reviewing the Implementation of Major Provisions of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Full Committee

5/31 11:00 am

Markup: Full Committee Mark Up – FY 2013 Legislative Branch BillCommittee on Appropriations: Multiple Subcommittees

6/1 9:30 am

Hearing: Hearing entitled “Cyber Threats to Capital Markets and Corporate Accounts” Committee on Financial Services: Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises

6/1 10:00 am

Hearing: Oversight Hearing on the “Obama Administration’s Actions Against the Spruce Coal Mine: Canceled Permits, Lawsuits and Lost Jobs”Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

6/1 10:00 am

Hearing: Oversight Hearing on the “Future of the National Mall”Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

6/4 10:00 am

Hearing: Oversight Field Hearing on “Evaporating Prosperity: How Federal Actions Are Driving Up Water and Power Costs, Threatening Jobs and Leaving Arizonans High and Dry”Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power

6/6 10:30 am

Hearing: Through the Looking Glass: Return to PPVCommittee on Veterans’ Affairs:

6/6 2:00 pm

Hearing: Pending LegislationCommittee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs