~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

There’s nothing courageous about it

04/15/2011 Nativegrl77

For days, I’ve been reading in the press about the “courage” of a Republican budget proposal that abolishes Medicare to pay for more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires and slashes investments in energy, education, and infrastructure.

On Wednesday, I heard President Obama say exactly what I’ve been thinking: There’s nothing courageous about it.

The Republicans are pledging to cut investments to clean energy by 70 percent, education by 25 percent, and transportation by 30 percent. Their plan would see as many as 50 million people lose their health insurance in order to reduce the deficit. Instead of creating jobs, they want to create $1 trillion in new tax breaks for the wealthy.

That’s not a brave vision for the future. It’s a rejection of the idea that there are brighter days ahead.

Today, the House of Representatives will meet to vote on the GOP budget proposal, and if they insist on pushing this plan forward — if they can’t come together with the President to find common ground — we’ll make sure their constituents know about it. If they choose to try to privatize Medicare, we will put ads on the air and organizers on the ground, and we’ll talk about this vote over and over again. We’ll make this stick.

But we need your help to do it.

www.democrats.com

This week, President Obama offered a path forward that I believe in: $4 trillion in deficit reduction; responsible investments to improve our schools, fix crumbling roads, and develop clean energy; and a total rejection of the notion that spending cuts must come on the backs of seniors and poor children.

He laid out a vision where we all make sacrifices, but none of us is left to bear the burden alone. And he offered a forceful, unapologetic response to those who don’t believe in the responsibility we all share to move our country forward together.

This isn’t just about this week’s vote or the latest shiny object to capture the attention of Washington for a news cycle or two. This is about the very future of this country and the direction we take.

We know that because the Republican plan hasn’t just been adopted by a few ideologues in Congress — it’s been embraced by the candidates who want to take President Obama’s job.

If we want to win this fight about the direction our country takes, then we must start now — as Congress considers the GOP proposal.

Can you chip in?

http://my.democrats.org/Medicare

Thanks,

Patrick

Patrick Gaspard

Executive Director

Democratic National Committee

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Girl Scout Cookies

04/15/2011 Nativegrl77

Yes, we love Girl Scout cookies. They support the important work of the Girl Scouts, and they’re ridiculously tasty.

Here’s the problem: Almost every type of Girl Scout cookie contains palm oil, which is commonly harvested through the clearing and burning of irreplaceable tropical rainforests.

This method harms the global ecosytem, endangers local indigenous populations, and threatens the survival of orangutans, humankind’s closest relative.

It would be easy to change — Girl Guides, an equivalent organization in the United Kingdom, recently eliminated palm oil from its cookies and has even offered Girl Scouts USA help to do the same.

Girl Scouts Madison Vorva and Rhiannon Tomtishen, both 15-year-olds from Michigan are urging Girl Scouts USA to make the switch. Click here to add your name to their petition.

Five years ago, while doing research for a Girl Scouts Bronze Award, Madison and Rhiannon were horrified to learn that the cookies they sold contributed to this serious global problem. The two girls have written letters and made presentations to Girl Scouts USA, and even launched something called Project ORANGS (Orangutans Really Need and Appreciate Girl Scouts).

These girls are the embodiment of the Girl Scouts’ mission to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” But instead of becoming poster children for the organization, Girl Scouts USA is still giving their campaign the run-around.

Madison and Rhiannon need our support. They’ve launched a campaign on Change.org with the help of the Rainforest Action Network. Please sign their petition today:

http://www.change.org/petitions/make-girl-scout-cookies-rainforest-safe?alert_id=SkDUpVJLTF_YKVwqoGhho&me=aa

Thanks for taking action,

– Judith and the Change.org team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Thank Your Senator for Protecting Public Health

04/15/2011 Nativegrl77

The Clean Air Act has a 40-year track record of using sound science to save lives, protect human health, and safeguard our environment. In 2010 alone it prevented an estimated 160,000 premature deaths and delivered net benefits of $1.2 trillion. And yet, certain senators are working to undermine the Clean Air Act by preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from reducing dangerous global warming emissions.

Last week, senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Rockefeller (D-WV), and Max Baucus (D-MT) all proposed amendments to an unrelated small business bill that would have prevented the EPA from protecting us from dangerous climate change. The most egregious of these anti-climate amendments went so far as to reject the EPA’s science-based finding that global warming emissions threaten public health and welfare. Others included provisions to delay or obstruct EPA action.

Fortunately, your senator opposed these amendments, all of which were ultimately defeated. But similar attacks on the Clean Air Act are sure to continue.

Please help ensure that the Clean Air Act continues to save lives and money by thanking your senator today for voting against these attacks on science and public health.

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Kate Abend

National Field Organizer

UCS Climate and Energy Program

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House & -the Senate will both be back on 5/2

04/15/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.mET May 2, 2011.

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business for debate only until 4:30 p.m.

Following morning business, the Senate will consider the nominations of Roy Bale Dalton, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida; and Kevin Hunter Sharp, of Tennessee, to be U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee.

There will be one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the Dalton nomination will be confirmed by unanimous consent and the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the Sharp nomination.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on April 15, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 15, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

3:26 P.M. –

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 43. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 2, 2011.

Mr. Runyan moved that the House do now adjourn.

3:25 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS – Pursuant to section 2 of the Civel Rights Commission Amendments Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 1975 Note), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, and upon the recommendation of the Minority Leader, the Chair announced the Speaker’s reappointment of the following member on the part of the House to the Commission on Civil Rights for a term expiring December 15, 2016: Mr. Michael Yaki, San Francisoc, CA. The Chair announced that the term of appointment of Mr. Todd Gaziano to the Commission on Civil Rights expires on December 15, 2013.

2:33 P.M. –

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

2:28 P.M. –

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

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY – Pursuant to 14 U.S.C. 194, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Coble of North Carolina and Mr. Courtney of Connecticut to the United States Coast Guard Academy .

CANADA-UNITED STATES INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276(d), Clause 10 of Rule 1, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Manzullo of Illinois, Chairman, to the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group .

2:27 P.M. –

UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY – Pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 51312(b), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. King of New York and Mrs. McCarthy of New York to the United States Merchant Marine Academy .

MEXICO-UNITED STATES INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276(h), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Dreier of California, Chairman, and Mr. McCaul of Texas to the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group .

2:26 P.M. –

MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION – Pursuant to section 2 of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715a) and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Wittman of Virgina and Mr. Dingell of Michigan to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission .

COMMISSION ON CONGRESSIONAL MAILING STANDARDS – Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 501(b), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Schock of Illinois, Chairman, Mr. Price of Georgia, Mr. Latta of Ohio, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Sherman of California, and Mr. Richmond of Louisiana to the Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards .

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION – Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 431 Note, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Thornberry of Texas, Mr. Simpson of Idaho, and Mr. Boswell of Iowa to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission .

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL – Pursuant to 36 U.S.C. 2302, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Grimm of New York, Ms. Hayworth of New York, Mr. Meehan of Pennsylvania, Mr. Waxman of California, and Ms. Giffords of Arizona to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council .

2:25 P.M. –

BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – Pursuant to sections 5580 and 5581 of the revised statutes (20 U.S.C. 42-43), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Becerra of California to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution .

2:24 P.M. –

Mr. Upton asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce be permitted to file reports until April 27, 2011, on H.R. 1213, H.R. 1214, H.R. 1215, and H.R. 1216. Agreed to without objection.

2:23 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.

2:22 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Con. Res. 34:

establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 193 (Roll no. 277).

2:02 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The 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.

2:01 P.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H. Con. Res. 34.

1:12 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – Pursuant to H. Res. 223, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of general debate on H. Con. Res. 34.

1:11 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Van Hollen amendment Failed by recorded vote: 166 – 259 (Roll no. 276).

12:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 223, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Van Hollen substitute amendment no. 5.

12:02 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Van Hollen.

A substitute amendment numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 112-62 to reduce deficits gradually to avoid disrupting the recovery and reaches primary balance by 2018 while protecting guarantees to seniors and investments that are essential for the well-being of our citizens. Would also make strategic investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure, while restraining the growth in overall discretionary spending. Would extend middle-income tax relief and streamlines the tax code to remove special interest tax breaks that distort economic activity.

11:58 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Garrett amendment Failed by recorded vote: 119 – 136, 172 Present (Roll no. 275).

11:35 A.M. –

On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment Failed by recorded vote: 77 – 347 (Roll no. 274).

11:11 A.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garrett substitute amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garrett demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until in the legislative day.

10:31 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 223, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Garrett(NJ) substitute amendment no. 4.

10:30 A.M. –

Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Garrett.

An substitute amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112=62 to establish a Fiscal Year 2012 budget and set the appropriate budgetary levels for Fiscal Year 2011 through 2021.

10:29 A.M. –

Subsequently, the Committee resumed it’s sitting.

10:28 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 216, and H.R. 1308. Senate agreed to H.Con. Res. 33 and H. Con. Res. 43.

H. Con. Res. 34:

establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021

The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva substitute amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Grijalva demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until in the legislative day.

10:04 A.M. –

WORDS TAKEN DOWN – During the course of debate, exception was taken to certain words used and a demand was made to have words taken down. Mr. Brooks asked unanimous consent to withdraw the words. Without objection the words were withdrawn. The Committee of the Whole resumed with debate on the Grijalva substitute amendment.

9:45 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 223, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Grijalva substitute amendment no. 3.

9:44 A.M. –

Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Grijalva.

An substitute amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-62 to eliminate the deficit by 2021, while putting America back to work, restoring America’s economic competitiveness, implementing a fair tax system, keeping Americans healthy and bringing our troops back home.

9:41 A.M. –

Subsequently, the Committee resumed its sitting.

9:40 A.M. –

The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.

On agreeing to the Cleaver substitute amendment Failed by recorded vote: 103 – 303 (Roll no. 273).

9:16 A.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

9:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

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

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Poe (TX) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Poe (TX) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

9:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jack Kingston to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.