Thank you for taking action on clean air


When we  come together as a group, we can achieve great things!.

Last week, with your  effort, we sent over 9,000  public comments to the EPA with a clear message to  strengthen and keep the Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standard in  place. Help us reach 10,000 today!  http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KuboNjRJOEHLPzs%2FgnYXVYTCglo5gL1A

Everyone has a voice  that deserves to be counted. Your voices are heard loud and clear in  current polls that show  strong American support for the EPA.  Key findings stated that:
An overwhelming 75 percent of voters support EPA  setting stricter limits on smog;
65 percent say that stricter standards on air pollution will not damage our economic recovery, with 54 percent believing that updates are likely to create more jobs, not less: 66 percent of voters think the EPA should set pollution       standards, not Members of Congress;
Support for updating smog standards is widespread.       Targeted polling among voters in Florida,       Ohio, Michigan,       Minnesota, Wisconsin,       North Carolina and Virginia found support for the EPA       setting stricter limits on air pollution ranging between 64-72 percent.

The public comment period for Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standard will remain open until July 5th. Please forward the action page on to others who care about clean air for everyone.

Thank you for  supporting clean air — and Earth Day Network.

To help us continue this important work, please consider making a tax deductible donation.

— Kathleen Rogers

what’s going on in Congress -the Republican led House – the Senate


 During Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #75, S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011. The Senate then entered into the following unanimous consent agreement. The Senate then went on a long weekend break.

  • At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #34, the nomination of Michael H. Simon, of Oregon, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon with one hour for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call voteon confirmation of the Simon nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party conferences.
  • At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #183, Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defensewith 2 hours for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 4:15pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Panetta nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 782, the EDA bill and conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.
  • If cloture is not invoked, the Senate will immediately conduct an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.
  • Therefore, Senators should expect up to 4 roll call votes on Tuesday, June 21st:
    • at approximately 12pm
      • Confirmation of the Simon nomination
    • at approximately 4:15pm
      • Confirmation of the Panetta nomination
      • Motion to invoke cloture on S.782, the Economic Development Act
      • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act

 CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 20, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

 

10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 21, 2011. 

10:04 A.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification stating that the emergency declared with respect to the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation is to continue beyond June 21, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-36).

 10:03 A.M. – The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a sealed envelope from the White House on June 17, 2011 at 10:50 a.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he notifies the Congress he has extended the national emergency with respect to highly enriched uranium in the territory of the Russian Federation.

 10:02 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House 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.
  10:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Jerry Lewis to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. 

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

fire “Follow the Money” host Eric Bolling


Since Tuesday, more than 65,000 people have signed onto a petition calling on Fox Business Network Chairman Roger Ailes to fire “Follow the Money” host Eric Bolling for his race-baiting comments targeting President Obama.  Will you join us? Your voice can make a real difference.

The response has been tremendous, and major media are covering the campaign.1 Clearly Bolling and Fox are feeling the heat. Bolling issued a weak pseudo-apology earlier this week saying that he had gotten, “a little fast and loose with the language.” But his “apology” was disingenuous, as the offensive material was obviously scripted and premeditated.2

Which is why we’re keeping the pressure on. We plan to deliver the petitions to Fox Business chief Roger Ailes soon. Can you help us get to 80,000 before we do?

It takes just a moment to add your voice — just click below.  After you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://act.colorofchange.org/go/855?akid=2031.1174326.UZLidb&t=2

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha, and the rest of the ColorOfchange.org team
   June 17th, 2011

References:

1. “Black political group demands firing of Fox Business Network host,” Los Angeles Times, 6-16-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/874?akid=2031.1174326.UZLidb&t=4

2. “Tell Fox: Fire Eric Bolling,” Huffington Post, 6-16-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/875?akid=2031.1174326.UZLidb&t=6

New Jersey – Republicans quietly strip union rights from American Workers


Hundreds of public workers descend on Statehouse to protest proposed changes to pensions, health benefits

N.J. Democrats are unable to win unions over on proposed benefits deal

NJEA attacks party bosses over pension and health benefits reform proposal

N.J. pension reform deal reached between Christie and 4 top lawmakers in Trenton

Read the pension and health benefits reform bill, tell us what you find

Source: nj.com

Congress: the Republican led House back on 6/20 -the Senate 6/21


THURSDAY WRAP-UP in the Senate

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #75, S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011. The Senate then entered into the following unanimous consent agreement.

  • At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #34, the nomination of Michael H. Simon, of Oregon, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon with one hour for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Simon nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party conferences.
  • At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #183, Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defense with 2 hours for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 4:15pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Panetta nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 782, the EDA bill and conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.
  • If cloture is not invoked, the Senate will immediately conduct an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.
  • Therefore, Senators should expect up to 4 roll call votes on Tuesday, June 21st:
    • at approximately 12pm
      • Confirmation of the Simon nomination
    • at approximately 4:15pm
      • Confirmation of the Panetta nomination
      • Motion to invoke cloture on S.782, the Economic Development Act
      • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2011.