the Senate Convenes at 10:30amET February 1, 2011 —Tuesday

Morning Business until 12:30pm.

Recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:15pm the Senate will proceed to the consideration of S.223, FAA Authorization.

Senators will be notified when any roll call votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to S.223, FAA Authorization:

– Stabenow #9 (1099 Reporting)

There will be no roll call votes this evening.

The managers of the bill and leadership on both sides of the aisle will work on an agreement to dispose of the pending amendments tomorrow. The Senate will consider the FAA Authorization bill for debate only for the remainder of the night.

Unanimous Consent:

Passed S.188, a bill to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as the “John M. Roll United States Courthouse”.

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Lift our country

01/31/2011 Nativegrl77

In this new Congress, it is not enough to talk about common ground. We must — together — seek it.

We must enact an agenda that will lift our country from this recession and confront the challenges of this new decade.

One key group of individuals will be champions of this effort: the Democrats in the Senate. They will keep the agenda focused on progress — on growing the economy, on adding jobs. They will keep us moving forward.

In the weeks and months ahead, we must do everything we can to support these lawmakers.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee stands ready to do just that — and lay the groundwork to protect our majority in the next round of elections.

The DSCC has set a goal of raising $50,000 by January 31 to ensure they have the resources to beat back mistruths and distortions, hire staff for the next set of races, and support the work of Democrats in the Senate.

This is a moment that calls for respect and a seriousness of purpose from lawmakers of every party and persuasion.

The challenges we face as a people demand nothing less.

We must spur innovation and renew our nation’s infrastructure so that the United States remains competitive and prosperous in a global economy.

We must reform our education system so that America’s young people have the knowledge and skills to create and fill the jobs of a new age.

We must discover and implement the solutions that will allow us to stop the warming of our planet, create green jobs, and deliver security for future generations.

As this new year unfolds, Senator Harry Reid and other Democrats will lead the effort to answer these challenges. And they will be supported in all their work by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

To lay the groundwork for that kind of progress, the DSCC must raise $50,000 before January 31. Chip in $5 or more to help them meet their goal.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

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Egypt …

01/31/2011 Nativegrl77

“We stand with the people of Egypt in their demand for freedom and basic rights, an end to the crackdown and internet blackout, and immediate democratic reform. We call on our governments to join us in our solidarity with the Egyptian people.”

Massive pro-democracy protests are spreading quickly across Egypt. Protesters are bravely speaking out against a repressive regime that has ruled the country for more than 30 years. The protesters are demanding the right to free speech, an end to government corruption and brutality, and free and fair elections.1

Today we’re joining an international grassroots movement to send a message of solidarity via radio and television to the people of Egypt and the Arab world.

So far, the protests have been overwhelmingly non-violent but the Egyptian government is cracking down hard. They have already arrested nearly a thousand protesters, declared a nationwide curfew, and cut off the internet.2 The regional media is one of our last ways to reach out to the people of Egypt.

So we’re joining with our friends at Avaaz.org—an international MoveOn-style organization—to build a massive wave of support from people around the world to stand in solidarity with non-violent protesters in Egypt.

Avaaz will be spreading the statement of solidarity via radio and television across North Africa and the Middle East, where the Egyptian people can hear it

You can join by signing the solidarity statement here: http://pol.moveon.org/

We enjoy the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly in this country, and we ought to use them to support others who hope for the same freedoms.

We must support those in Egypt who are choosing to stand up for democracy. The response by the Egyptian government has been needlessly brutal so far. Security forces are firing at protesters with live ammunition, beating people on the streets, and cutting off nearly every means of communication in an effort to maintain control and suppress the calls for democracy.

The situation on the ground is volatile and our hope is to support those in Egypt who are choosing peaceful protest as the means by which to push for change.

Our show of support could help not only bring newfound freedom to Egypt but possibly catalyze a chain reaction of reform across the Middle East unlike anything we’ve seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Last week the people of Tunisia peacefully deposed a long-ruling dictator, inspiring the people of Egypt to stand up. Now, calls for reform are spreading to other countries including Yemen, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Right now our voices, in a show of unwavering solidarity with people non-violently calling for change, could potentially help bring fundamental human rights and democracy to millions of people. Add your name to the global statement of solidarity to be broadcast by radio here:

http://pol.moveon.org/

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Robin, Duncan, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1.”Egyptians’ Fury Has Smoldered Beneath the Surface for Decades,” The New York Times, January 28, 2011

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205899&id=25944-17809870-tD9p82x&t=5

2. “Egyptian military deploys in Cairo under curfew,” MSNBC, January 28, 2010

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205898&id=25944-17809870-tD9p82x&t=6

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Stand with President Obama

01/31/2011 Nativegrl77

This is it.

This is your chance to stand with President Obama and House Democrats and say “no” to the extreme Republican agenda.

In just 24 hours, the first FEC fundraising deadline since the President’s inspiring State of the Union speech will hit. Washington pundits and the national media will be watching our totals closely as a sign of Democratic unity and determination to keep moving America forward and winning back our House Majority.

And, the most important thing you can do right now is to make sure House Democrats exceed our goal and have an over-the-top result in our first big fundraising deadline of the year.

Contribute $5 or more before Midnight Tomorrow and your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a group of generous Democrats.

President Obama’s stirring vision for the future stands in stark contrast to the Republicans’ reckless plans for privatizing Social Security and Medicare while giving away more tax breaks to the rich and the special interests.

Republicans’ hypocritical vote to repeal heath insurance reform and deny the American people the same protections from industry abuse they enjoy as Members of Congress is outrageous. And it’s just the first step in their radical plan to dismantle our Democratic accomplishments from the last two years.

Help us fight back.

Contribute $5 or more before Midnight Tomorrow and your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a group of generous Democrats.

http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63c45c/1b9dd8ab/50ebb247/4e0d1000/3850854669/VEsH/

It’s critical we not fall behind Republican fundraising and have to play catch up in the early months of the campaign. Republicans have their corporate connections and special interest contributors to count on. We have grassroots Democrats like you.

Your generous contribution is urgently needed. Please rush your contribution to the DCCC now.

Thank you.

Robby Mook

DCCC Executive Director

P.S. Contribute before Midnight tomorrow and your support will be matched by a group of generous Democrats.

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Obama spoke, make sure they listen

01/31/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Say no to raids and criminalizing babies

Hold the new leadership responsible

Today, the House Judiciary committee will hold a hearing on worksite enforcement. This is the first in a series of hearings that will set up the Republican-controlled House’s immigration agenda: and it’s not pretty.

Heading up the committee is Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) whose strategy on immigration can be summed up as follows: target workers & target families. We are facing a leader who wants to take our country back to the days of the Postville Raid>> http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1158?akid=619.164689.Nz6RMQ&t=6 that destroyed a Midwestern community and will criminalize newborn babies in order to push his “deport them all” agenda.

Now, more than ever, we have to be sure that our voices are heard in the halls of Congress.

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1156?akid=619.164689.Nz6RMQ&t=7

Make sure that Lamar Smith knows we’re watching him.

Like President Obama said in last night’s State of the Union: http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1157?akid=619.164689.Nz6RMQ&t=8 “I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that debate will be difficult and take time. But tonight, let’s agree to make that effort”. Tell Lamar Smith & his committee that we’re ready to hold them accountable to making an effort.

Thank you,

Marissa Graciosa