Yesterday, President Obama endorsed a commonsense, bipartisan proposal from Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon, Scott Brown of Massachusetts, and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Under the law you helped enact nearly one year ago, states get the chance to try innovative reforms, as long as those reforms don’t add to our deficit while meeting the goals we all share: affordable, accessible care for the American people.

The new bipartisan proposal — the Empowering States to Innovate Act — would allow states to implement health reforms that work for them starting in 2014 — three years sooner than the date originally laid out in the Affordable Care Act.

President Obama has made it clear that he is open to good ideas from both sides of the aisle about how to make care better and more affordable.

He’s living by those words — and this announcement is an important step in building on health reform.

Watch the President’s remarks on his endorsement of the plan and learn more about it, and then pass this along to folks you know who are interested in the future of health care in America.

As the President has said, now is not the time to re-fight the battles of the past two years, or roll back the progress we’ve made.

But solutions like this one will allow us to continue moving health insurance reform forward, building and shaping it so that it works for every state — and every American.

He knows that good ideas don’t necessarily come from one person, one party, or one state — that the best solutions are simply the ones that work.

And he knows it’s not the loudest voice in the room — but the most reasonable — that ultimately provides real leadership.

Take a look at a video of the President’s remarks about his endorsement of the new proposal here, and pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/EmpoweringStates

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart

Director

Organizing for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Take Action: Support the Women of Wal-Mart

03/02/2011 Nativegrl77

As you may already know, the women of Wal-Mart have taken their fight for fair pay all the way to the Supreme Court.

Today the National Women’s Law Center, together with the American Civil Liberties Union and 32 other organizations, took a stand in support of the women of Wal-Mart by filing a friend-of-the-court brief in Wal-Mart v. Dukes, the Supreme Court case.

Pledge now to Stand with the Women of Wal-Mart and to continue to fight against pay discrimination. www.nwlc.org

The brief tells a shocking story. Women at Wal-Mart on average earned $5,000 less than men, even though women tended to have higher performance ratings and more seniority. Women also were less likely to be promoted to store manager positions and had to wait significantly longer for promotions than men.

As our new fact sheet highlights, scores of statements from women employed at Wal-Mart describe the gender stereotyping women regularly faced on the job. The claim in this case is that these sorts of stereotypes affected pay and promotion decisions at Wal-Mart because of Wal-Mart’s company-wide reliance on unchecked, subjective decision making by individual managers.

At the heart of this case is an important question — Is Wal-Mart too big to be held accountable?

We don’t think so. The Supreme Court has long held that when informal personnel practices lead to a discriminatory result, a class of employees can challenge this practice. The Supreme Court should rule that under these laws, there is no such thing as “too big to be held accountable.”

We will keep you updated on this case and provide opportunities to take action. Cases like this remind us of the profound and lasting impact our courts have on women and their families and why it’s important to confirm federal judges who understand the impact of the law on individuals and who are willing to hold powerful corporate interests accountable when they violate the law.

Will you pledge to Stand with the Women of Wal-Mart and continue to fight against pay discrimination? www.nwlc.org

Thank you for continuing the fight against pay discrimination.

Sincerely,

Fatima Goss Graves

Vice President for Education and Employment

National Women’s Law Center

~ Recent Post

Wisconsin …help fight “class warfare”

03/02/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

The Club for Growth and other right-wing interest groups are flooding Wisconsin’s airwaves right now with ads in support of Governor Walker’s attacks on working families.

We’re fighting back with an ad about the people hurt hardest by his attacks. Our film crew interviewed folks in the street in Madison. Their stories are honest, powerful, and wrenching. One woman called Walker’s budget “class warfare” against working families.

People in Wisconsin need to see this powerful new ad. Can you chip in $3 to help us air it? Click on link below to take a look and donate.

http://act.boldprogressives.org/go/3173?akid=3460.392150.xdci1n&t=3

We’re running this ad with our friends at Democracy for America. We can win this fight, but we need to keep ramping up the pressure, day by day.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Jason Rosenbaum, Amanda Johnson, and the PCCC team

P.S. Tune in to MSNBC at 8pm tonight for Lawrence O’Donnell‘s show. We’ll be on discussing this ad!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

RepoWEr America …

03/02/2011 Nativegrl77

Inspiring. That’s the word that came to mind as I looked through some of the stories you sent us that share what your communities are doing about climate change.

Over the past few weeks, more than a thousand of you wrote in to tell us how you are doing your part to solve the climate crisis. And I was thrilled to learn how many of you are taking action — in your workplaces, schools, your local governments, and in your own homes.

Now, I’d like to invite you to read some of these stories. Will you take a moment to read a few of the inspiring stories we’ve received about people like you who are helping us solve the climate crisis? Click below to read the stories on our blog.

http://acp.repoweramerica.org/climate-stories

Read about a teacher who found effective ways to save energy at a Montessori school in Lexington, Kentucky. Or read about new solar panels that will provide 20% of the energy needs for the Cincinnati Zoo.

There may still be people out there who wonder if a clean energy future is achievable. Your stories prove that it is possible. All across America, people are standing up and taking steps that put us on a path to solving the climate crisis — creating momentum for the change we need around the world.

Click here to read some of the stories about people across the country addressing climate change.

Sincerely,

Maggie L. Fox

President and CEO

Alliance for Climate Protection

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

what’s going on in Congress … the Republican led House will debate repealing Obamacare -the Senate will deal with Republicans

03/02/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Covnenes at 9:30amET March 2,2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 11:00am, with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes, the Majority will control the next 30 minutes, and the remaining time until 11:00am will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the final half.

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of H.J.Res.44, the 2-week continuing resolution.

Upon disposition of H.J.Res.44, the Senate will resume consideration of S.23, the America Invents Act.

The following amendments are pending to S.23:

– Leahy amendment #114 (Title amendment)

– Bennet amendment #116 (small business fast track)

– Feinstein amendment #133 (strike first to file provision)

The Senate has entered into an agreement that results 1 roll call vote at 5:15pm.

Under the agreement, the time until 5:15pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the Lee amendment #115 (constitutional balanced budget amendment). The Lee amendment will be subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Upon disposition of the Lee amendment, the Senate will resume consideration of the Menendez amendment #124 (prioritization of technologies). Senator Menendez will be recognized to modify the amendment and the amendment, as modified, will be agreed to.

No amendments are in order to the amendments in this agreement.

Votes:

29: Passage of H.J.Res.44, Continuing Resolution through March 18, 2011;

Passed: 91-9

30: Lee amendment #115: (constitutional balanced budget amendment) (60-vote threshold);

Not Agreed To: 58-40.

There will be no further roll call votes.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.81, a resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2011, through September 30, 2011, and October 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012, and October 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013.

Agreed to Kirk amendment #123 (Ombudsman for small busienss concerns)

Agreed to Bennet amendment #117, as modified (regional PTO offices)

Agreed to Menendez amendment #124, as modified (prioritization for technologies important to American competitiveness)

Confirmed the following nominations:

All nominations on the Secretary’s desk.

AIR FORCE

#13 Lieutenant General, Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel.

#14 Brigadier General, Col. Howard D. Stendahl.

#15 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski.

#16 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Basla.

ARMY

#17 Lieutenant General, Lt. Gen. Dennis L. Via.

#18 Lieutenant General, Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling.

#19 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Susan S. Lawrence.

#20 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. John M. Bednarek.

#21 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski.

#22 Major General, Brig. Gen. Renaldo Rivera.

#23 Major General, Brig. Gen. William M. Buckler, Jr.

#24 Major General, Brig. Gen. Mark J. MacCarley.

#25 Brigadier General, Col. Arlen R. Royalty.

#26 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Rhett A. Hernandez.

#27 Brigadier General, Col. Johnny M. Sellers.

#28 Brigadier General, Col. Janson D. Boyles.

#29 Lieutenant General, Maj. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks.

MARINE CORPS

#30 The following named officers for appointment in the United States Marine Corps to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 624: to be Major General

Brigadier General Juan G. Ayala

Brigadier General David H. Berger

Brigadier General William D. Beydler

Brigadier General Mark A. Brilakis

Brigadier General Mark A. Clark

Brigadier General Charles L. Hudson

Brigadier General Thomas M. Murray

Brigadier General Lawrence D. Nicholson

Brigadier General Andrew W. O’Donnell, Jr.

Brigadier General Robert R. Ruark

Brigadier General Glenn M. Walters

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 2, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

5:54 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with special order speeches.

5:50 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions is to continue in effect beyond March 6, 2011 -referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-12).

4:54 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

4:44 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 662:

to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs

4:42 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 421 – 4 (Roll no. 160).

4:36 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 246, 2 Present (Roll no. 159).

4:19 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

4:10 P.M. –

Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Polis (CO) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the Committee on Transportation to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment which inserts a section rescinding all unobligated balances of contract authority provided or reserved for planning, design, or construction of the Gravina Island bridge, Alaska, or the Knik Arm bridge, Alaska.

4:09 P.M. –

Mr. Polis moved to recommit with instructions to Transportation.

At the end of the bill, add the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly): ¢ TITLE V-GRAVINA ISLAND BRIDGE AND KNIK ARM BRIDGE RESCISSIONS ¢ SEC. 501. RESCISSION OF GRAVINA ISLAND AND KNIK ARM BRIDGE EARMARKS.***

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

4:08 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Mica amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 422 – 0 (Roll no. 158).

3:41 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 128, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mica amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Mica.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 128 the text of the amendment is printed in House Report 112-20.

2:53 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 662.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 662 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, if offered by Representative Mica of Florida or his designee, which shall be in order without intervention of any point of order, shall be considered as read, shall be separately debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 128.

2:52 P.M. –

The House received a communication from John L. Mica, Chairman. Mr. Mica notified the House that on February 16, 2011, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider a resolution related to the General Services Administration’s (GSA) FY 2011 Capital Investment and Leasing Program. The resolution authorizes the consolidation of the operations of the National Gallery of Art and the Federal Trade Commission that will result in savings to the federal government. The Committee adopted the resolution by voice vote with a quorum present.

2:51 P.M. –

Mr. Westmoreland asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 129:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4) to repeal the expansion of information reporting requirements for payments of $600 or more to corporations, and for other purposes

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 252 – 175 (Roll no. 157).

2:44 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 185 (Roll no. 156).

2:36 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 129 and agreeing to the resolution, if ordered all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 128:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 662) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 256 – 169 (Roll no. 155).

2:12 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 128.

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 129:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4) to repeal the expansion of information reporting requirements for payments of $600 or more to corporations, and for other purposes

1:27 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 129, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

12:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 129.

Considered as privileged matter.

12:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

12:02 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 388 and H.J. Res. 44.

12:01 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Carnahan to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 2.

10:32 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATES – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.