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Daily Archives: 06/03/2011
Florida Governor Signs Welfare Drug Screening into Law
By Amanda Geronikos
Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:11:56 GMT
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed new legislation requiring welfare applicants to take drug-screening tests.
The new law, which goes into effect July 1, will require the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to perform drug tests on adults applying to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Welfare recipients will be responsible for the cost of the screening, but will regain the money in their assistance if they qualify. Those who fail the drug test may deligate another person to receive the benefits on behalf of their children.
Some Democrats are furious over the new legislation. CNN reports that one Democrat even deemed the bill “downright unconstitutional.” “‘Indeed, investigating people when there is probable cause to suspect they are abusing drugs is one thing,’ Rep. Corinne Brown said in a joint statement,” as mentioned by CNN. “‘But these tests amount to strip searching our state’s most vulnerable residents merely because they rely on the government for financial support during these difficult economic times.'”
Can a simple drug test truly be considered “strip searching” though? Employers perform drug tests on their most loyal employees all the time.
Gov. Rick Scott says it’s “’unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction,’” as noted by CNN. “’It’s the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance. We don’t want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs.’”
Do you think welfare applicants should be required to take drug tests? Sound off here.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of XFINITY.
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Issa continues harassment of Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren, perhaps America‘s leading consumer advocate, has done a superb job standing up the Republican bullies in charge of the House Oversight Committee. And the GOP‘s harassment of Professor Warren has provoked strong rebukes from Democrats on the Oversight Committee as well as tens of thousands of progressives across the country.
But they don’t seem to be getting the message.
One week after a subcommittee chair, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, publicly accused Professor Warren of perjury in an exchange that quickly became a viral online video, Oversight Chairman Darryl Issa sent Warren what the Huffington Post‘s Hill Update called “an unusually obnoxious-sounding invitation” to appear before his full committee.
40,000 PFAW supporters have already spoken out and joined our petition telling Republicans to back off and stop their smear campaign against Elizabeth Warren. We’re still shy of our goal of 50,000, which we really want to hit in time to deliver the petitions to the Oversight Committee in advance of Professor Warren’s next appearance this month. That’s why I’m asking you to add your name right now — we need you to help us close the gap and hit 50K.
Chairman McHenry Calls Elizabeth Warren a Liar at Subcommittee Hearing …
to watch the video click on the link below and then go to: www.pfaw.org
Thank you for all your hard work in helping us stand up to the Right.
— Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager
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TGIF -Republicans vs Democrats …The choice should be obvious
Today, President Obama speaks to Workers at Chrysler Group Toledo Supplier Park in Toledo, Ohio at 12:20pm ET. It definitely is worth going to whitehouse.gov/live and watching because it is proof that not only was helping the auto industry the right thing to do it saved millions of jobs as well contrary to whatever Presidential candidate Romney stated.
About a year ago, this time the House and Senate were quite busy debating, voting up or down on if they should help their fellow Americans while confirming or blocking President Obama’s appointees. The Republican Tea Party members of Congress have become less of that description we use for a Public Servant and more like Corporate Tools. Republicans who seemingly are being backed financially by folks like the Koch brothers on the State level while their Federal brotherhood continues to put obstacles in the way of any great or big moves to keep the Govt out of the ditch almost three years later.
Now, with Republicans finally coming forward to announce their bids to run for President in 2012, with the obvious quest to complete the divide and conquer Americans. It is not lost on most of us that we all should make an effort to remind our fellow Americans just who is responsible for this slow sometime stalled path toward the 21st Century. It is obvious that not only is the Republican tea party refusing to move into the 21st Century they have not only voiced attitudes that offend women, children and minorities but have passed legislation that could put them at more risk or in the streets while defunding government jobs will shove middle class workers into minimum wage earner status. I will admit I only skimmed that Pledge to America but it is clear it was the 19page lie about putting Americans back to work by those job creators who need to keep those bonus dollars in order to do so. I ask Speaker Boehner, Where are the Jobs. I have actual bumper stickers that say that because well after the midterm elections the Republican led House has been a big failure to create anything to help their fellow Americans. If you would like a “Where are the Jobs Mr. Boehner Bumper Sticker let me know
I also admit being slightly surprised by the outcome of the midterm elections. I was surprised at how many drank the Kool-Aid and who actually listened to “the media” instead of asking questions to find out for themselves that in fact far more people in “the media” are a part of the farce that is the Republican Tea Party. Those Republican Tea Party lies won the House of Representatives for only a few months because as we all know; the truth will set you free. The move to attack Roe V Wade,redefine rape, HR3 a Woman’s right to choose while Republicans defunding it offended many but it was not until the effort to end Medicare, as we know it that people began to see the light. The midterm elections definitely stalled American progress but it also uncovered and highlighted the Republican agenda. The abuses of States Rights by Republican Governors in at least ten states willing to cut slash and burn worker rights, women, children, the poor and services that would help them. However, that slogan about taking back their country no matter how offensive is worth noting and remembering because it is not a partisan slogan it is a discriminatory rally cry that we all need to push back on … I believe in equality for all on all levels which is not at all how Republicans feel as a whole in my opinion.
I don’t know about you but any person running for President must represent ALL Americans not a select few. Therefore, from now on my effort will be to make all those comments from Republicans stepping up to any mic wanting to become President of the United States caught on tape or otherwise available so their truths will be set free.
The info below is from June and July of 2010 … attitudes and words do matter
Republicans again blocked Democrats’ attempt to extend jobless benefits to millions of unemployed Americans last night. Senator Harry Reid sent a strong message back to the Minority after they prevented passage of the bill.
July 1, 2010
TYT comments on Micheal Steele -his behavior and comments regarding Thurgood Marshall
June 30, 2010
At today’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Senator Al Franken paid tribute to and defended the distinguished record of Justice Thurgood Marshall.
June 30, 2010
During day three of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan‘s confirmation hearing, Senator Al Franken focused a portion of his Q&A with the Solicitor General on the Citizens United case.
July 01, 2010
In the video below Sen Tom Corburn asks Elena Kagan about Freedom/ Inferring that better days were before women & minorities had rights– TYT
June 30, 2010
At today’s confirmation hearing, Senator Amy Klobuchar asked Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan to talk about the challenges women face in the legal profession and with respect to career choices in general.
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Congress: the Republican led House uses Kucinich to embarrass -the Senate will be back on 6/6
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 3, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
3:27 P.M. – On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 7, 2011.
Mr. Burgess moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:07 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:55 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed with further one minute speeches.The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2702, the Clerk notified the House that she appointed Dr. Sharon Leon of Fairfax, Virginia, as a member of the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.
1:52 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:49 P.M. – LAW REVISION COUNSEL – Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 285c, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Ralph V. Seep as Law Revision Counsel for the House of Representatives, effective June 2, 2011.
1:48 P.M. – Mr. Kingston asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, June 9, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2011. Agreed to without objection.Mr. Kingston asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2011. Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Kingston asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, June 3, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Agreed to without objection.
1:47 P.M. – Mr. Kingston filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R. 2112.
- H. Con. Res. 51:
- directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
1:46 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 148 – 265 (Roll no. 412).
1:39 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.
- H. Res. 292:
- declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, 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: 268 – 145, 1 Present (Roll no. 411).
1:16 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of agreeing to H.Res. 292 and H.Con.Res. 51 which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
- H. Con. Res. 51:
- directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
1:15 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Con.Res. 51, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kucinich demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the resolution until a time to be announced.The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Con. Res. 51.
11:59 A.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. The resolution provides 1 hour of debate for H. Res. 292. It also provides for 1 hour for H. Con. Res. 51. It waives all points of order against consideration on both H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. And, both shall be considered as read.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 294.
- H. Res. 292:
- declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 292, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McKeon demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.
11:58 A.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:45 A.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 292.
10:42 A.M. – Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. The resolution provides 1 hour of debate for H. Res. 292. It also provides for 1 hour of debate for H. Con. Res. 51. It waives all points of order against consideration on both H. Res. 292 and H. Con. Res. 51. And, both shall be considered as read.Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 294.
- H. Res. 294:
- providing for consideration of the resolution ( H. Res. 292) declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 51) directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Libya
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 257 – 156 (Roll no. 410).
10:18 A.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.
9:12 A.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 294.
9:10 A.M. – Considered as privileged matter.
9:03 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to five per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Chu 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.
9:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| The Senate Convenes: 10:30amET June 3, 2011 |
| Pro-forma session only, with no business conducted |
Be a Seed for Change 
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