Tell Secretary LaHood to Listen to Clean Car Consumers

Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood recently wrote in his Fast Lane blog, “With gas prices rising above four dollars per gallon, families and businesses are feeling the effects. And once again elected officials are clamoring for action to instantly reverse that trend. But we know that you can’t bring down energy prices overnight.”

But while Sec. LaHood then went on to tout the DOT’s role in electric vehicle development, he did not mention that the way to get these vehicles—and the pump savings and emissions relief they offer—to U.S. drivers is by committing to strong clean car standards through 2025. In fact, Sec. LaHood is poised to make critical decisions on these standards this summer that could be as strong as 60 miles per gallon by 2025. But automakers are pressuring him to set much weaker standards that wouldn’t deliver the savings at the pump, pollution reductions, or oil savings we need.

Sec. LaHood rarely gets comments from the public on his blog—that needs to change today.

http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=WUKxMb3Kcp4gvrLLRBjz-w..

Please leave your personal comment on the Fast Lane blog and tell him that Americans are watching his actions, and want him to support a clean car standard of 60 miles per gallon that will help relieve pain at the pump, cut pollution, and bring new vehicle technologies—and the jobs they create—to market. http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=6DhFa12NHe_Wf4jV-oRu4g..

Find tips on ways to personalize your comments and more information.

Given the Fast Lane blog is moderated, we want to both make sure your comments are being posted as they should be, and we would like to use some of your comments in our next HybridCenter.org Driving Change Network newsletter. After you’ve made a comment on the Fast Lane blog, please copy it and send it to us so we can make sure your voice is being heard.

Comment on the Fast Lane Blog

Sincerely,

Scott Nathanson

Senior Outreach Coordinator

UCS Clean Vehicles Program

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Defend Democracy …

05/06/2011 Nativegrl77

As a legislator in Montana, I’m proud that my state has defeated several bills aimed at suppressing the vote.

Unfortunately Montana is one of only a few success stories in efforts to combat a concerted Republican campaign to make it much more difficult to vote in dozens of states across the country.

In a New York Times editorial last week, the Advancement Project, a civil rights advocacy group, described this rash of Republican-sponsored legislation as “the largest legislative effort to scale back voting rights in a century.”

That’s why two organizations dedicated to preserving our rights have teamed up to take a stand against this outright assault on the fundamental democratic right to vote. Click here to join us today.

As a long-time Democracy for America Member and activist, I’m excited to partner with the Young Democrats of America, where I serve as Vice President along with a talented and dynamic group of young leaders. Both DFA and YDA are committed to a more progressive future — and standing up for what’s right.

A democracy depends on the people choosing their elected officials — not the politicians choosing their voters — and for that reason, DFA and YDA are launching a national campaign to defend democracy and defeat the Koch-funded attacks on voting rights.

Join us in defending democracy right now. http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/716?akid=746.1480546.su7zOV&t=1

In addition to this national statement in support of voting rights, YDA and DFA will be working together on a state by state basis to defeat the individual bills aimed at suppressing the votes of young people, working families, people with disabilities, the elderly and minorities. http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/716?akid=746.1480546.su7zOV&t=1

There is little else more precious than our ability to participate in our democracy. Join me today in standing up for voting rights. http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/716?akid=746.1480546.su7zOV&t=1

Together, we can make sure all our voices are heard. Thanks for everything you do.

– Ellie

Representative Ellie Boldman Hill

Democrat

Missoula, Montana

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: -the Republican led House -the Senate

05/06/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

The Senate will not be in session on Friday, May 6.

The Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET May 9, 2011

At 2:00pm, Senator-designee Dean Heller will be sworn in as Senator from Nevada.

Following any leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 4:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of James Cole, to be Deputy Attorney General.

At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Cole nomination.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 6, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

12:03 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 10, 2011.

12:02 P.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 5, 2011 at 5:20 p.m.: Appointment to: Board of Visitors of the United States Coast Guard Academy; and the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People’s Requblic of China.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:01 P.M. – The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Mark Farr, The Faith and Politics Institute, Washington, DC.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.