the Daily Share: Limbaugh and Welfare Queen’s

Why Rush Limbaugh Is The Biggest Case Of The ‘Pot Calling The Kettle Black’ . . . Ever

Nine Words Sum Up America’s Corporate Welfare Queens

Did You Know This Shocking Way That We’re Behind Much Of The World?

The Amazon and Oil Contamination … Rainforest Action NetWork

		How can you help the communities of the Amazon fighting oil contamination and a historic health crisis? With water. Specifically, you can help spread the word about ClearWater, a community-led project that is providing immediate relief to the people of the Ecuadorean Amazon. The same powerful communities that have been waging a 19-year battle to bring Chevron to justice for its toxic legacy in the Amazon are now building safe drinking water systems for themselves. Can you help spread the word by sharing this video with your friends and family? For nearly two decades, 30,000 Indigenous and rural Ecuadoreans have been fighting to hold Chevron accountable for its oil pollution in the Amazon. What’s more, they’ve kept up the fight even while the absence of readily available clean water has contributed to a health emergency for their communities, including an epidemic of cancer, miscarriages, birth defects, and other ailments. That’s why these rainforest communities have teamed up to launch ClearWater — a project that is providing safe drinking water to the people of the Ecuadorean Amazon while they continue to hold Chevron accountable for its oily mess. Please share the video now. For a cleaner future, Ginger Cassady             Change Chevron

CEO John Watson … Wake Up

		Send Chevron CEO John Watson a wake up call now! RAN activists will be joining a large coalition of labor groups, community organizers, climate activists, and other environmentalists tomorrow at a protest outside of Chevron’s annual shareholder meeting. While protesters call out Chevron for putting profits ahead of people and planet outside, I’ll be going inside the meeting with people from communities impacted by Chevron operations from Nigeria to Brazil. Two of the brave Ecuadoreans suing Chevron to clean up of its massive oil contamination in the Amazon — Luz Trinidad Andrea Cusangua and Robinson Yumbo —  will travel to San Ramon, CA to take their calls for justice directly to the company. Chevron needs to know that for every person like Luz and Robinson inside the meeting and for every protestor outside the meeting, there are thousands more who stand with us. Can you call Chevron CEO John Watson and ask him to take responsibility for his company’s oily mess in Ecuador? We’ve set up a page that has everything you need to send a wake-up call to Watson: Phone number, sample call script, and a form so you can report back to us how the call went. Send Chevron’s CEO a wake up call now! Even a large number of Chevron shareholders feel the company’s executive team has badly mismanaged the Ecuador lawsuit. One recently wrote: “Chevron’s actions are hurting shareholders as well as the indigenous people of the rainforest.” You can be sure Chevron shareholders will make their voices heard at the meeting, just as Luz and Robinson will be making their calls for justice in Ecuador loud and clear. Chevron CEO John Watson needs to hear from you too. For a cleaner future, Ginger Cassady             Change Chevron

NWLC … My Health is NOT up FOR Debate

Stop Racial Profiling of Women Seeking Access to Abortion Care                 Tell your Members of Congress to oppose H.R. 3541, the “Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act,” and protect access to abortion care for all women. I’ve said it once. I’ve said it again. But they keep coming up with more things that make me say, yet again: what will they think of next? Anti-choice Representatives will soon vote on the “Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act” (H.R. 3541). This dangerous bill would deny women of color access to reproductive care and force providers to racially profile patients, or else possibly face five years in prison for providing abortion services to women of certain races. That’s right, five years in prison! Tell your Members of Congress to oppose H.R. 3541, the “Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act,” and protect access to abortion care for all women. Members of Congress supporting this bill seek to deny women of color access to full reproductive health care under the guise of “remedying” race and sex discrimination. In reality, this bill would do nothing but undercut women’s dignity and safety, while also undermining the patient-provider relationship. It would encourage — if not require — racial profiling by requiring a doctor to subject a woman of color to an additional layer of scrutiny before providing her with an abortion. Ironically, many of the bill’s supporters (who claim that the bill would promote gender equality) have a record of opposing legislation that actually do promote women’s rights. Stop this harmful bill now — tell your Members of Congress to oppose H.R. 3541, the “Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act,” and ensure racial profiling doesn’t take place in our doctors’ offices. Thank you for everything you do to protect women’s access to reproductive health. Sincerely, Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center    P.S. Your support allows us to continue to fight for women’s reproductive health care as well as work on many other critical issues. Please consider making a generous contribution today.

Fifty years after Vietnam

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Fifty years after VietnamIn his speech at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., President Obama did more than just mark Memorial Day; he began the 50th commemoration of that conflict and those who served in one of America’s longest wars.Fifty years ago, American forces stepped up operations in Vietnam. During the conflict, more than three million Americans served in the Vietnam war, and more than 58,000 American patriots gave their lives. And when U.S. forces returned home, too many never received the hero’s welcome they deserved. Yesterday, President Obama told their story as it should have been told all along — a story of patriotism, honor, and courage. Here’s a short video to mark this important moment that you can share to help set the record straight and honor the service of Americans who fought in Vietnam: http://www.whitehouse.gov/vietnam-war-50th P.S. — To learn more about what you can do to support all America’s veterans and military families, become a part of the Joining Forces initiative. Stay Connected

Media Matters for America: Planned Parenthood & Republicans reduce Gov’t Employees

Right-Wing Media Hype Discredited Activist’s Latest Bogus Planned Parenthood Attack Right-wing media are hyping discredited conservative activist Lila Rose‘s latest Planned Parenthood smear video which purports to implicate the organization in a rampant problem with sex-selective abortion in the United States. But the facts debunk Rose’s latest attack on Planned Parenthood, and Rose and her group have repeatedly whittled away any credibility with previous smear campaigns against Planned Parenthood. Read More

Government Employment Drops Under Obama, But Media Run With Romney Myth Anyway Labor Department statistics say that government employment has decreased by 608,000 since February 2009. Nevertheless, Fox News and Politico both uncritically reported Mitt Romney‘s false claim that “[w]e have 145,000 more government workers under this president.” Read More

the Progress Report: Birtherism

Birther-in-Chief

By         ThinkProgress War Room

Mitt Romney Stands By Birther King

This evening in Las Vegas, birther king Donald Trump will host a $2 MILLION fundraiser for presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney. This comes on top of $600,000 raised at a “birthday party” for Ann Romney that Trump held last month at his New York City home.

It was just last week that Trump renewed his vitriolic, racially-tinged attacks on the president, saying “the truth” was that President Obama was born in Kenya:

“That’s the way life works… He didn’t know he was running for president, so he told the truth. The literary agent wrote down what he said… He said he was born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia… Now they’re saying it was a mistake. Just like his Kenyan grandmother said he was born in Kenya, and she pointed down the road to the hospital, and after people started screaming at her she said, ‘Oh, I mean Hawaii.’ Give me a break.”

Did this deter the Romney campaign from standing with Trump? Nope. Not even a little bit.

In yet another complete failure to stand up to the most extreme elements of right wing, Romney refused to repudiate Trump on the birther issue. In comments to reporters last night, Romney even implied that he’d be willing to associate himself with nearly anyone so long as it would help him win:

“You know I don’t agree with all the people who support me and my guess is they don’t all agree with everything I believe in,” Romney told reporters on an airplane before taking off for a campaign appearances Tuesday in Colorado and Las Vegas. “But I need to get 50.1 percent or more and I’m appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people.”

For his part, Trump tweeted today that he was “very excited” to be hosting tonight’s fundraiser. But that’s not all Trump had to say today. This morning, he launched into yet another unhinged birther rant:

“I never really changed — nothing’s changed my mind,” Trump told CNBC, reassuring that his birtherism is as rock solid as it was last year when he briefly led Republican primary polling. “And by the way, you know, you have a huge group of people. I walk down the street and people are screaming, ‘Please don’t give that up.’ Look, a publisher came out last week and had a statement about Obama given to them by Obama when he was doing a book as a young man a number of years ago in the ’90s: ‘Born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia.’”[...]

“I’ve been known as being a very smart guy for a long time,” he said. “I don’t consider myself birther or not birther, but there are some major questions here that the press doesn’t want to cover. Now, if that were somebody else they’d be covering it and they’d be throwing people out of office, but they don’t want to cover it.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Trump then took to Twitter to rant some more:

.@BarackObama is practically begging @MittRomney to disavow the place of birth movement, he is afraid of it and for good reason. He keeps using @SenJohnMcCain as an example, however, @SenJohnMcCain lost the election. Don’t let it happen again.

Romney’s embrace of the birther-in-chief is not only offensive and indicative of a lack of moral courage, it’s also hypocritical. When a prominent supporter of Gov. Rick Perry denounced Romney’s Mormon faith as a “cult,” Romney himself called on Perry to “repudiate” his supporters’ comments.

The Romney campaign is also trying to rewrite history by claiming that it ignored Hilary Rosen’s comments about Ann Romney, which it very much did not ignore and which consumed the media for weeks. Maggie Haberman and Reid Epstein of the Politico point out the important facts that distinguish Romney’s embrace of Trump from other “psuedo-surrogate”-related controversies:

Trump is an actual Romney surrogate — one who has recorded robocalls for the presumptive GOP nominee, hosted a fundraiser for his wife Ann in his Fifth Avenue home, and pressed the candidate’s case on Fox News and elsewhere.

IN ONE SENTENCE: It appears that Mitt Romney is far more interested in raising $2.6 MILLION for his campaign and cozying up to those who traffic in conspiracy theories than he is in providing the leadership necessary to stand up to extremists within his own party.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Tony Perkins has accepted a dinner invitation at the home of LGBT activist Jennifer Chrisler after Perkins said during an interview last week that he had never visited the home of a gay or lesbian couple.

Charts show how last year’s debt ceiling stand-off hurt the nation’s economy — a gamble Republicans are eager to take again.

Rush Limbaugh thinks he’s created more jobs than Obama and Romney put together.

Income inequality can be seen from space.

Alyssa on the issue of race in Hollywood.

A New Orleans women’s clinic becomes the latest target of arson attacks.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) seeks to avoid any Wisconsin voter who is not already a supporter.

ProgressMass debunks Sen. Scott Brown’s (R-MA) dishonest new TV ad.

Mitt Romney’s latest attacks on clean energy “wave the white flag of surrender” to China.

Other recent Progress Reports

May 25, 2012: Mitt Romney Blows Up 30 Years of GOP Economics

Draconian Spending Cuts Are In Fact Bad for the Economy Every so often, Mitt Romney is accidentally honest about something important. One such moment happened earlier this week.  Here’s the rundown. It’s Republican orthodoxy that the way to get our economy moving is to massively cut government spending, which they falsely claim is somehow “crowding [...]

May 24, 2012: Next Battle in the War on Women: Paycheck Fairness

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 Equal Pay Act and Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Republicans almost unanimously opposed [...]

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 [...]

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate is back on 6/4

the Senate Convenes: 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.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 30, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

  -The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on June 1, 2012.10:07:54 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.10:07:44 P.M. -Mr. Campbell moved that the House do now adjourn.10:06:34 P.M. -H.R. 5854Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:06:33 P.M. -H.R. 5854On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 – 12 (Roll no. 305).10:01:18 P.M. -H.R. 5854On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 188 – 230 (Roll no. 304).9:44:11 P.M. -H.R. 5854The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.9:36:04 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Barrow motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with amendments to reduce funding for the Departement of Defense Base Closure Account by $56,652,000 and to increase the funding for medical and prosthetic research by $28,326,000.9:35:45 P.M. -H.R. 5854Mr. Barrow moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.9:34:51 P.M. -H.R. 5854The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.9:34:39 P.M. -H.R. 5854The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.9:34:01 P.M. -H.R. 5854The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5854.9:33:55 P.M. -H.R. 5854On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.9:33:46 P.M. -H.R. 5854Mr. Culberson moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.9:33:39 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Franks (AZ) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 237 (Roll no. 303).9:27:58 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Grimm amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 – 198 (Roll no. 302).9:01:26 P.M. -H.R. 5854UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.9:01:22 P.M. -H.R. 5854The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.9:01:06 P.M. -H.R. 5854Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5854 — “Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”8:59:50 P.M. -H.R. 5325Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5325 as unfinished business.8:59:41 P.M. -H.R. 5325On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.8:59:25 P.M. -H.R. 5325Mr. Frelinghuysen moved that the committee rise.8:09:11 P.M. -H.R. 5325GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5325.8:09:05 P.M. -H.R. 5325The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Chairman of the Committee.8:09:04 P.M. -H.R. 5325House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 667 and Rule XVIII.8:08:41 P.M. -H.R. 5325Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5743; H.R. 5854; H.R. 5855; and H.R. 5325.8:08:36 P.M. -H.R. 5325Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 667. H.R. 5325 — “Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”8:03:31 P.M. -The House received a communication from The Honorable Virginia Foxx. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Representative Foxx notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena for testimony issued by the Superior Court for the State of North Carolina, Surry County in connection with a criminal prosecution currently pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that because the subpoena is not “material and relevant,” compliance with the subpoena is inconsistent with the privileges and precedents of the House.8:02:36 P.M. -H.R. 5854Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5854 as unfinished business.8:02:10 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Stearns amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.7:59:28 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Stearns amendment under the five-minute rule.7:59:11 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Stearns,  to prohibit the use of funds by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a performance award under section 5384 of title 5, United States Code.7:58:41 P.M. -H.R. 5854POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grimm amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Franks (AZ) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.7:50:35 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Franks (AZ) amendment No. 8 under the five-minute rule.7:50:33 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Franks (AZ),  numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement, administer, or enforce the prevailing wage requirements in subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act).7:50:06 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Webster amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.7:46:13 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Webster amendment under the five-minute rule.7:46:10 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Webster,  to prohibit the use of funds for the salary or compensation of a Director of Construction and Facilities Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs who does not meet the qualifications for such position required under section 312A(b) of title 38, United States Code.7:45:41 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.7:38:25 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.7:38:20 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores,  to prhoibit the use of funds to enforce section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.7:38:12 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Runyan amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.7:36:53 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Runyan amendment under the five-minute rule.7:36:49 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Runyan,  to prohibit the use of funds to modify, maintain, or manage a structure, building, or barracks for a person, unit, or mission of the Armed Forces or Department of Defense outside of the normal tour or duty restationing or authorized base closure and realignment process.7:36:40 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.7:35:10 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the second Poe (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.7:35:05 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Poe (TX),  to prohibit the use of funds to prohibit a veterans service organization that is participating in the funeral or memorial service of a veteran from reciting any words as part of such service or memorial.7:34:29 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment; as modified Agreed to by voice vote.7:33:14 P.M. -H.R. 5854Poe (TX) amendment; modified by unanimous consent.7:20:41 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.7:20:37 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Poe (TX),  to prohibit the use of funds to hire a director of a national cemetery who is not a veteran.7:20:27 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Fitzpatrick amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.7:13:50 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment under the five-minute rule.7:13:41 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Fitzpatrick,  to prohibit the use of funds to be used to enter into a contract using procedures that do not give to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans of the Small Business Act.7:12:36 P.M. -H.R. 5854Mr. Culberson raised a point of order against the Speier amendment. Mr. Culberson stated that the provisions of the Speier amendment sought to change existing law. The Chair sustained the point of order.7:08:19 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Speier amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.7:08:14 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Ms. Speier,  to make all filipino veterans eligible for veterans benefits.7:01:00 P.M. -H.R. 5854POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grimm amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Culberson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.6:03:34 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grimm amendment under the five-minute rule.6:03:30 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Grimm,  to strike section 517 which prohibits the use of funds for construction bid solicitations that require or prohibit project labor agreements.6:02:04 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Schock amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.5:57:24 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Schock amendment under the five-minute rule.5:57:16 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Schock,  to decrease and then increase the Veterans Health Administration Medical Services account by $16 million.5:56:20 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.5:52:31 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blumenauer amendment under the five-minute rule.5:52:09 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Blumenauer,  numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to decrease and then increase the Medical and Prosthetic Research Account by $35 million for PTSD.5:51:58 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Terry amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.5:47:39 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Terry amendment under the five-minute rule.5:47:25 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Terry,  numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to decrease and then increase funding for Office of the Inspector General by $1 for the purpose of reviewing the practices related to collection and content of bids for certain veterans’ hospital construction projects.5:45:23 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Welch amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.5:42:46 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Welch amendment under the five-minute rule.5:42:39 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Welch,  to make funds available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to comply with the Department’s energy management requirements under section 543(f)(7) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act.5:39:41 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Hayworth amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.5:37:02 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hayworth amendment under the five-minute rule.5:36:45 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Ms. Hayworth,  to increase and then decrease funds within the Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation and Pensions account by $1 in order to allow for the provision of headstones and markers for certain members of the Armed Services.5:30:56 P.M. -H.R. 5854On agreeing to the Blumenauer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.5:22:29 P.M. -H.R. 5854DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blumenauer amendment under the five-minute rule.5:22:07 P.M. -H.R. 5854An amendment, offered by Mr. Blumenauer,  numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to redirect funding within the Military Construction, Defense Wide account in order to increase funding for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services by $10 million.4:32:22 P.M. -H.R. 5854GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5854.4:32:05 P.M. -H.R. 5854The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.4:32:05 P.M. -H.R. 5854House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 667 and Rule XVIII.4:30:51 P.M. -H.R. 5854Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5743; H.R. 5854; H.R. 5855; and H.R. 5325.4:30:46 P.M. -H.R. 5854Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 667. H.R. 5854 — “Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”4:29:03 P.M. -H.R. 5743The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5743.4:29:02 P.M. -H.R. 5743Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:29:02 P.M. -H.R. 5743On passage Passed by recorded vote: 386 – 28 (Roll no. 301).4:21:24 P.M. -H.R. 5743On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 180 – 235 (Roll no. 300).3:58:35 P.M. -H.R. 5743The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.3:48:41 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Critz motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section which would protect and ensure that 1) the intelligence and military capability of the U.S. is not improperly transferred to or stolen by a foreign nation or a state sponsor of terrorism; 2) the intelligence and military capability of the United States and sensitive information pertaining to economic, financial, and consumer information is protected from cybersecurity attacks; and 3) contracts and work performed for such element of the intelligence community is first provided to the U.S. companies and workers and not outsourced to foreign-owned companies, unless the Director of National Intelligence determines that it is in the interests of national security.3:48:22 P.M. -H.R. 5743Mr. Critz moved to recommit with instructions to Intelligence (Permanent).3:47:49 P.M. -H.R. 5743The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.3:47:08 P.M. -H.R. 5743The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.3:46:43 P.M. -H.R. 5743The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5743.3:46:20 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Myrick amendment Agreed to by voice vote.3:41:15 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Myrick amendment No. 9.3:41:08 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Mrs. Myrick,  numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-504 to require a report from the Director of National Intelligence that would identify and assess various risks in information technology supply chains.3:40:56 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:34:32 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 8.3:34:30 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX),  numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-504 to establish the Sense of Congress that the intelligence community should take all appropriate actions necessary to protect the civil liberties of religious and ethnic minorities.3:33:03 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:28:05 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 7.3:28:01 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX),  numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-504 to establish the Sense of Congress that the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency should take such actions as the Director considers necessary to increase the recruitment and training of ethnic minorities as officers and employees of the Central Intelligence Agency.3:27:45 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Hahn amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:24:38 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hahn amendment No. 6.3:24:35 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Ms. Hahn,  numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-504 to require the Civil Liberties Protection Officer to ensure that the coordination and training between the intelligence community and local law enforcement agencies shall not violate the constitutional safeguards of racial and ethnic minorities.3:23:25 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Cuellar amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:20:38 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cuellar amendment No. 5.3:20:36 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Mr. Cuellar,  numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-504 to authorize the Director of National Intelligence to participate in information sharing with Mexico and Canada for purposes of border security and combating drug trafficking.3:20:28 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Farr amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:16:24 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Farr amendment No. 4.3:16:05 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Mr. Farr,  numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-504 to establish the sense of Congress that those assigned to lead the development of training, tools, and methodologies in support of cyber security, should be reminded to include foreign language and culture in the development process.3:15:48 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Conyers amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:05:07 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment No. 3.3:05:04 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Mr. Conyers,  numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-504 to require the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the congressional intelligence committees a report containing an assessment of the consequences of a military strike against Iran within 60 days.3:04:43 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Thompson (CA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.3:01:16 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (CA) amendment No. 2.3:01:13 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Mr. Thompson (CA),  numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-504 to require the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress how the Intelligence Community can improve the methods by which subcontractors are granted security clearances and notified of classified contracting opportunities within the federal government.3:00:56 P.M. -H.R. 5743On agreeing to the Rogers (MI) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.2:59:11 P.M. -H.R. 5743DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rogers (MI) amendment No. 1.2:59:08 P.M. -H.R. 5743An amendment, offered by Mr. Rogers (MI),  numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-504 to strike sections 401 and 403 to ensure compliance with House Rules relating to provisions regarding appropriated funds.2:19:45 P.M. -H.R. 5743GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5743.2:19:37 P.M. -H.R. 5743The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Chairman of the Committee.2:19:36 P.M. -H.R. 5743House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 667 and Rule XVIII.2:18:33 P.M. -H.R. 5743Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5743; H.R. 5854; H.R. 5855; and H.R. 5325.2:18:28 P.M. -H.R. 5743Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 667. H.R. 5743 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.”2:15:10 P.M. -H.R. 3541On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 246 – 168 (Roll no. 299).2:08:29 P.M. -H.R. 3541Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3541 — “To prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or race, and for other purposes.”2:08:01 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.2:07:58 P.M. -H. Res. 667Pursuant to a previous special order, amendments numbered 4 and 6 printed in House Report 112-504 are modified to include amendatory instructions.2:07:43 P.M. -H. Res. 667Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:07:42 P.M. -H. Res. 667On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 246 – 166 (Roll no. 298).2:00:04 P.M. -H. Res. 667On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 180 (Roll no. 297).12:43:51 P.M. -H. Res. 667DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 667.12:38:51 P.M. -H. Res. 667Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 667 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5743) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5854) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5855) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5325) making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”12:38:02 P.M. -H. Res. 667Mr. Nugent asked unanimous consent that upon adoption of H. Res. 667, amendments numbered 4 and 6 printed in House Report 112-504 be modified to include amendatory instructions. Agreed to without objection.12:05:00 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.12:04:00 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Dold to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:03:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:00 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Rabbi Aaron Melman, Congregation Beth Shalom, Northbrook, Illinois.12:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 31.11:14:07 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:44 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.10:00:36 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:22 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

CONGRESS: the Republican led House the Senate back on 6/4

the Senate Convenes: 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.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 29, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 30, 2012.2:03:25 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 414, and S. 739. Senate agreed to S. Res. 475.2:03:24 P.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 25, 2012 at 1:47 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 2947, H.R. 3992, S. 414, S. 739, and agreed to S. Res. 475.2:02:46 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:34 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:01:19 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:53 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.2:00:44 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

What does $700 million get you?

What are pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies trying to buy with $700,000,000? Massive influence with our government.

Don’t allow science to take a back seat to the financial interests of corporations! Urge the FDA to protect the American people from unsafe food, drugs, and medical devices by protecting science from corporate interference.

That’s the amount of money these companies spent over the last three years lobbying Congress and the Executive Branch, which includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And now, with negotiations underway on legislation that will govern how the FDA approves and monitors prescription drugs and medical products, it’s clear that all that money has bought the industry a lot of influence with our legislators.

We can’t allow science to take a back seat to the financial interests of corporations—especially when our lives are on the line.
We have seen many concerted efforts from industry lobbyists to roll back key safeguards at the FDA that protect science from corporate interference. The FDA’s foremost priority is to protect the American people from unsafe food, drugs, and medical devices. That requires the agency use the best available science when determining whether products are safe or not.

It’s time we remind the FDA to put safety first.
Take Action Today!

Sincerely, Michael Halpern Program Manager UCS Scientific Integrity Program
P.S. Don’t Forget: Give to the Union of Concerned Scientists today and your gift will go twice as far—helping to challenge attacks on science and stand up to corporate-sponsored misinformation.