Response to Questions About the Effects of Government Spending on Economic Growth
Letter to the Honorable Tim Huelskamp
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Help Us Make Sure ALL Women Can Get Birth Control without a Co-pay
When we make progress in women’s health, ALL women deserve to be part of that success, don’t they? But you’d be surprised by what some opponents to birth control think.
Last week we told you about a momentous step forward for women’s health: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expanded the list of preventive health services required to be offered by health insurers without a co-pay to include the full range of FDA-approved contraceptives. Unfortunately, HHS intends to exempt some religious employers from providing contraceptive services and is asking for comments on this decision.
We need your help to protect this important step for women’s health and ensure that all women have access to affordable contraception — tell HHS that all women, regardless of who they work for, should have access to contraception without co-pays.
The reality is that nearly 99% of sexually active women, regardless of their religious beliefs, use contraception at some point in their lives. It’s crucial that women have access to affordable birth control to prevent unintended pregnancies, plan the timing and size of their families, and protect their health.
Raise your voice today — submit comments to HHS telling them that all women need access to contraception without co-pays. www.nwlc.org
For many years, the National Women’s Law Center has been working to get contraception covered in all health insurance plans, and without you, we would not have been able to say — birth control: we got you covered. Thank you for continuing to stand up for the health of women and their families.
Sincerely,
Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center
P.S. Your support allows us to continue to improve the health care of women and their families, as well as work on many other critical issues. Please consider making a contribution today.
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Help Protect Scientists from Political Interference …Union of Concerned Scientists
How can you protect science and government scientists from political interference? By filing a public comment by asking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to strengthen its draft scientific integrity policy.
In the past, NOAA scientists were censored and told to change their research on issues from global warming to endangered species. While the draft policy would address some of these problems, it needs to be further strengthened to better protect those who report the abuse of science, give the public more information about who is meeting with NOAA officials, and allow us to hold agency officials accountable if they transgress.
It is critical that NOAA scientists can continue to provide national weather forecasting, manage coastal and deep ocean resources, and research global climate patterns without interference.
Help NOAA improve its scientific integrity policy by submitting a comment today —the deadline is August 20. www.ucsusa.org
Sincerely,
Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
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CONGRESS: pro forma Sessions … So President Obama cannot do any Recess Appointments …political games?
The Senate will meet on the following dates and times for pro-forma sessions only with no business conducted:
– Friday, August 5th at 10:00am,
– Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00am,
– Friday, August 12th at 12:00pm,
– Tuesday, August 16th at 11:00am,
– Friday, August 19th at 10:00am,
– Tuesday, August 23rd at 2:30pm,
– Friday, August 26th at 11:15am,
– Tuesday, August 30th at 10:00am,
– Friday, September 2nd at 10:00am;
When the Senate convenes at 10:00am on Friday, September 2nd, it will adjourn until 2:00pm on September 6, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will be in Executive Session to consider Calendar #109, Bernice Bouie Donald, of Tennessee, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 6th Circuit with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley.
The next roll call votes will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 6th. The first roll call vote will be on confirmation of the Donald nomination. The 2nd will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.1249, the Patent Reform bill.
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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 12, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3 ofH. Res. 375. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on August 16, 2011.
10:04 A.M. – JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION – Pursuant to section 401(b)(4)(B)(iv) of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P. L. 112-25) and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION: Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Becerra and Mr. Van Hollen.
JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION – Pursuant to section 401(b)(4)(B)(iii) of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25) and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION: Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Upton and Mr. Camp.
NOT DISPENSING WITH LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS – Pursuant to section 4 of H.Res. 375, the Chair announced that legislative business would not be dispensed with on this day.
10:03 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:02 A.M. – JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 5 of H.Res. 375, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
10:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, Associate Professor, The Catholic University of America, Washington DC.
10:00 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeffrey M. Landry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
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Syria – no blood for oil …Stephanie B – Avaaz.org
For months, Syria‘s brutal President Assad has paid henchmen to wage war on his own people. Governments across the world have condemned these atrocities, but key European leaders could cut off the cash flow that finances this bloodbath.
Germany, France and Italy are the three main importers of Syrian oil. If they move to impose immediate EU sanctions, Assad’s slaughter funds will dry up. Assad has ignored political appeals for him to rein in his assault, and EU leaders have discussed ramping up sanctions, but only a massive global outcry will push them to act urgently.
We have no time to lose — every day dozens of Syrians are shot, tortured or disappeared simply for calling for basic democratic rights. The EU can stop funding the crackdown now. Click below to sign the petition to EU heads of state to immediately adopt oil sanctions on Syria:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_blood_for_oil/?vl
We have all watched and read about the horrific violence in Syria — much of the coverage coming from Avaaz-supported citizen journalists who are risking their lives to report on Assad’s crackdown. And now we have a chance to turn our horror into action. Experts say EU oil sanctions will seriously disrupt cash flow to Assad’s cruel army without significant negative consequences to either the European economy or the Syrian people.
Almost all Syria’s exported oil is purchased and refined by Germany, France and Italy, but these governments have yet to use their key trade relationship with Assad as leverage to protect the Syrian people. Still, they have denounced the violence, and newspapers report that some EU leaders are already pushing for oil sanctions. Let’s demand that they ramp up the pressure and push through oil sanctions immediately and cut the engine of Assad’s murderous regime.
Join in the call to cut off the cash to Syrian forces now. Click below to sign the petition for EU oil sanctions and forward to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_blood_for_oil/?vl
Avaaz members have played a crucial role in supporting Syrians in their demands for freedom, democracy and human rights. Much of the footage and information shown around the world is funded by small donations from Avaaz members worldwide. Let’s build the momentum for lasting change as the violence against the Syrian people escalates and insist the EU take immediate action now.
With hope,
Stephanie, Pascal, Morgan, Alice, Ricken, Wissam and the rest of the Avaaz team
MORE INFORMATION
Syria Forces Extend Siege on Hama as Toll Rises, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/world/middleeast/07syria.html
EU to tighten Syria sanctions, European Voice
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2011/august/eu-to-tighten-syria-sanctions/
Syrian rebels urge oil sanctions, Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9e735f18-bd22-11e0-9d5d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Uc2dGYoh
Syria steps up assaults on protesters, drawing first Arab League condemnation, Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/syria-launches-new-attack-against-protesters-in-east-arab-league-condemns-assault/2011/08/07/gIQAMmKS0I_story.html
Syria protests: Troops renew attacks on pro-democracy demonstrators, The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/09/syria-protest-troops-attack-democracy-demonstrators
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