Tag Archives: United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Congress: the Republican led House back on 5/15 – the Senate considers Judicial nominees & HR2072,the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act.


the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET May14, 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 H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act on Monday. As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.2072 during Friday’s session.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:
  • Confirmation of the Russell nomination
  • Confirmation of the Tharp nomination and
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act.

At approximately 5:30pm today, there will be up to 3 roll call votes in relation to the following items:

- Confirmation of Executive Calendar # 570 George Levi Russell, III, of Maryland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland;

- Confirmation of Executive Calendar #571 John Tharp, Jr., of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; and

- Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of John J. Tharp, of IL, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

5:43pm The Senate has reached an agreement to consider H.R.2072, Export-Import Bank Reauthorization. As a result, we were able to vitiate tonight’s cloture vote. The first judge in the series, George Levi Russell (Maryland) was confirmed by voice vote. The Senate is now voting on confirmation of the Tharp nomination (Illinois).

The agreement on Ex-Im is as follows:

At 11:15am, Tuesday, May 15th, the Senate will adopt the motion to proceed to Calendar #396, H.R.2072, an Act to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The only first degree amendments in order to the bill are the following:

- Lee #2100;

- Paul #2101;

- Corker #2102;

- Vitter #2103; and

- Toomey #2104.

No amendments are in order to any of the amendments prior to the votes. No motions or points of order are in order other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive. There will be up to two hours of debate to run concurrently on the amendments and the bill, equally divided, between the two Leaders, or their designees, prior to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed. Upon disposition of the amendments, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended. There will be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote; and all after the first vote be ten minute votes. The amendments and passage of the bill are subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #571, the nomination of John J. Tharp, of IL, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District; Confirmed: 86-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.5652, Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012. (Republican request)

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #570, the nomination of George Levi Russell III, of MD, to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland by voice vote

———————————————————————————————–

 

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 15, 2012.

House Hearings for 5/14

9:00 am Hearing: Joint Subcommittee Oversight Field Hearing on “Logs in the Road: Eliminating Federal Red Tape and Excessive Litigation to Create Healthy Forests, Jobs and Abundant Water and Power Supplies” Committee on Natural Resources: Multiple Subcommittees 2:00 pm Field Hearing: Honoring our Nation’s Veterans: Examining the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Congress: the Republican led House – both Chambers Back on 5/14 – the Senate will consider HR2072,the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act


the Senate will Convene at 2:00pmET May 14, 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 H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act on Monday. As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.2072 during Friday’s session.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:
  • Confirmation of the Russell nomination
  • Confirmation of the Tharp nomination and
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act.

—————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 11, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

. -The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 15, 2012.11:03:23 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:03:01 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:34 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.11:01:22 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:59 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day

Federal Trade Commission Stops 60 Million Dollar Tax Relief Scam


 

An FTC complaint filed against a company for misrepresenting tax relief services to customers has resulted in a temporary restraining order and the organization’s assets being frozen.

Called American Tax Relief LLC, the company used TV and radio commercials, as well as Internet advertising to claim that for a fee it can settle people’s state and federal tax debts.

To trick consumers it abused the name of a real IRS program, that allows people to pay less than what they owe, but which only applies in very limited circumstances.

“The IRS is currently accepting a fraction of back taxes owed to them (sic) for those who qualify.

“The IRS is allowing the people with delinquent tax liabilities a ONE-TIME opportunity to settle the debt ONCE AND FOR ALL.

“But at the same time, the IRS does not advertise, promote or even voluntarily suggest this program,” one of the company’s ads claimed.

People were instructed to call a toll-free hotline, where after a few questions, they were told that they qualify for either the “Offer in Compromise” program or a “penalty abatement.”

The FTC says the company charged between $3,200 to $25,000 to resolve allegedly people’s tax problems, when in fact they couldn’t do it.

According to the IRS, a penalty abatement is only considered when there are very serious reasons to justify late payments, such as natural disasters, severe injury or death.

Also, the “Offer in Compromise” program is only available to people as a last resort and after extensive background checks have been performed to determine that no other payment option remains.

In April 2010, federal agents executed a criminal search warrant at the company’s Beverly Hills office and seized funds from an account, as well as a Ferrari from one its owners.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and names American Tax Relief LLC, Alexander Seung Hahn, Joo Hyun Park, and his parents Young Soon Park and Il Kon Park, as defendants.