Why do Republican​s hate Social Security? …Senator bernie sanders


Republicans hate Social Security because it has been an extraordinary success and has done exactly what it was designed to do. It is the most successful government program in our nation’s history and is enormously popular.

When Social Security was developed, 50 percent of seniors lived in poverty. Today, that number is 10 percent — still too high, but a testament to the success of Social Security.

Republicans have spent years demonizing Social Security and spreading lies about its sustainability. They want to scare Americans and build support for making drastic cuts to the program or privatizing it entirely. Their long-term goal is to end Social Security as we know it, and convert it into a private account system which will enable Wall Street to make hundreds of billions in profits.

The truth is that, today, according to the Social Security Administration, Social Security has a $2.7 trillion surplus and can pay out every benefit owed to every eligible American for the next 25 years.

Further, because it is funded by the payroll tax and not the U.S. Treasury, Social Security has not contributed one nickel to our deficit.

Now — in a prolonged recession that has decimated the poor and middle class and pushed more Americans into poverty than at any point in modern history — we need to strengthen Social Security. That’s why I, along with nine co-sponsors, have introduced the “Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act.” This legislation would lift the Social Security Payroll tax cap on all income over $250,000 a year, would require millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share into the Social Security Trust Fund, and would extend the program for the next 75 years.

Join me now as a citizen co-sponsor of the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act.

For 76 years, through good times and bad, Social Security has paid out every benefit owed to every eligible American. The most effective way to strengthen Social Security for the next 76 years is to scrap the payroll tax cap for those earning $250,000 a year or more.

Right now, someone who earns $106,800 pays the same amount of money into Social Security as billionaires like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. That is because today, all income above $106,800 is exempt from the Social Security tax. As a result, 94% of Americans pay Social Security tax on all of their income, but the wealthiest 6% do not.

That makes no sense.

The “Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act” will ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security without cutting benefits, raising the retirement age or raising taxes on the middle class.

Join me and Democracy for America in fighting to strengthen Social Security — Sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act.

Social Security is keeping tens of millions of seniors out of poverty today. I can think of no more important issue facing our country today than making sure that Social Security remains strong for generations to come.

Thank you.

-Bernie

Senator Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator from Vermont

Never stop fighting for justice and WE WILL WIN …Ana Zamora, Death Penalty Focus


I write today with a heavy heart. Troy Davis was executed yesterday at 11:08 pm EST, by the state of Georgia. Last night, I was full of sorrow and grief for Mr. Davis, his family, the family of Officer Mark MacPhail, and our failed justice system.  This morning, I awake with a renewed sense of urgency and ready to channel this grief into action.

It has become utterly clear to me:  We must fight with everything we have, to end the death penalty.  The only way to ensure an innocent person is not executed is by erasing the death penalty as an option.  Mr. Davis, in his last day with us, understood this reality best:        WWW.deathpenalty.org

“There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country…Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!”

Today, while I grieve the loss of Mr. Davis, I also make the following promise: I, Ana Zamora, promise to fight to end the death penalty one state at a time.

In memory of Troy Davis and in the spirit of justice, will you join me? CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE PLEDGE.   WWW.deathpenalty.org

This will, by no means, be an easy task and we will need the support of many. We have already been successful in New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Illinois.  These successes, coupled with our powerful show of unity and strength for Mr. Davis, makes me confident that we will continue to succeed in ending the death penalty.

Thank you,
Ana Zamora

Sick of your student loans? …Robert Applebaum


Below is an email from Robert Applebaum, a MoveOn member who created a petition at SignOn.org that is getting a lot of attentionand may be of interest to you. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, clickhere >>>  http://civic.moveon.org/signon_feedback/?id=31019-17809870-F5JLeRx&t=1

Dear MoveOn member,

Forgiving the student loan debt of all Americans will have an immediate stimulative effect on our economy.  With the strokeof the President’s pen, millions of Americans would suddenly have hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of extra dollarsin their pockets each and every month to spend on ailing sectors of the economy.

As consumer spending increases, businesses will begin to hire, jobs will be created, and a new era of innovation, entrepreneurship,and prosperity will be ushered in for all.  A rising tide does, in fact, lift all boats—forgiving student loan debt,rather than tax cuts for corporations, millionaires and billionaires, has a MUCH greater chance of helping to raise thattide in a MUCH shorter time-frame.

The future economic success of this country is wholly dependent upon a well-educated, prosperous middle class.  Instead ofsaddling entire generations with debt from which there is no escape, let’s empower the American people to grow this economyon their own!

That’s why I created a petition on SignOn.org, calling on President Obama and Congress to support legislation seeking studentloan forgiveness as a means of economic stimulus.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263764&id=31019-17809870-F5JLeRx&t=2

Thanks!

–Robert Applebaum

The text above was written by Robert Applebaum, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. This email was sent through MoveOn’s secure system, and your information has been kept private.

Congress: the Republican led House holds 21st Century JOBs&FEMA funds Hostage – the Senate


the Senate Convened at 9:00amET September 23, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning
    business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • We await House action on the continuing resolution.
  • Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.
  • There will be a roll call vote at approximately 11:30am on a motion to table the motion to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.2608, the continuing resolution, as passed by the House.
  •  11:16am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to table the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.2608 with an amendment (House-passed CR)
  • 11:16am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to table the Reid motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.2608 with an amendment (House-passed CR); Tabled: 59-36
  • There will be no further roll call votes today; the next roll call vote will be at 5:30pm on Monday, September 26th.Senator Reid moved to concur in the House message to accompany H.R.2608, the continuing resolution with the Reid amendment #656, which is a 6-week continuing resolution with FY11 FEMA funding and filed cloture on the motion to concur.

    By unanimous consent, the cloture vote on the motion to concur will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, September 26th

     

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

 1:24  P.M. –  SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:19  P.M. –  ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:17  P.M. –  Mr. Walden asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Monday, September 26, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Walden asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, September 23, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 26, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 2401:
to require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes 

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 249 – 169(Roll no. 741).

1:10  P.M. –  On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 180 – 233(Roll no. 740).

12:53 P.M. –  The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

12:45 P.M. –  DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McCollum motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to protect Great Lakes drinking water from toxic substances.

12:44 P.M. –  Ms. McCollum moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.

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.

12:43 P.M. –  The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to reportH.R. 2401.

12:42 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 237(Roll no. 739).

12:38 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Latta amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 192(Roll no. 738).

12:34 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Whitfield amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 234 – 188(Roll no. 737).

12:30 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 346 – 74(Roll no. 736).

12:27 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Connolly (VA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 232(Roll no. 735).

12:23 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 165 – 254(Roll no. 734).

12:18 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Dent amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 269 – 150(Roll no. 733).

12:14 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Kinzinger (IL) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 269 – 145(Roll no. 732).

12:09 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Capps amendment Failed by recorded vote: 195 – 221(Roll no. 731).

12:05 P.M. –  On agreeing to the Moore amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 337 – 76(Roll no. 730).

12:00 P.M. –  On agreeing to the McNerney amendment Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 229(Roll no. 729).

11:54 A.M. –  On agreeing to the Welch amendment Failed by recorded vote: 173 – 236(Roll no. 728).

11:27 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.

11:26 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Richardson amendment No. 12, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Richardson demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:15 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Richardson amendment No. 12.Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-213 to strike the offset provision ofH.R. 2401, which would reduce funding to the Diesel Emission Reductions Act.

11:14 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Latta amendment No. 11, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Latta demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

11:03 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Latta amendment No. 11.Amendment offered by Mr. Latta.

An amendment numbered 11 printed in House Report 112-213 to update the Clean Air Act’s criteria for what factors can be considered when promulgating National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Specifically, it would allow the EPA Administrator to consider feasibility and cost when setting these standards, which would negate the effect of a 2001 Supreme Court ruling that held implementation costs cannot be considered when setting NAAQS.

11:02 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Whitfield (KY) amendment No. 10, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:52 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Whitfield (KY) amendment No. 10.Amendment offered by Mr. Whitfield.

An amendment numbered 10 printed in House Report 112-213 to provide that the Cross State Air Pollution Rule has no legal force or effect, and directs EPA to continue to apply the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) for at least 3 years until after the study in the underlying bill is complete. The amendment also requires that the proposed Utility Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule has no legal force and effect and that any subsequent Utility MACT rule be issued no sooner than 1 year after the study in the underlying bill is complete. If reissuing the rule, EPA is required to ensure that MACT standards are achievable in practice and that the compliance period is at least 5 years.

10:51 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:44 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 9.Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-213 to extend the public comment period from 90 days to 120 days.

10:43 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendment No. 8, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly (VA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:34 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) No. 8.Amendment offered by Mr. Connolly (VA).

An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-213 to require the committee to study policies which will lead to creation of American jobs in the clean energy sector.

10:33 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment No. 7, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (FL) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:23 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (FL) amendment No. 7.Amendment offered by Mr. Hastings (FL).

An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-213 to exclude from the committee’s jurisdiction all rules and regulations that undergo a cost-benefit analysis as a part of existing regulatory requirements.

10:22 A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Dent amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10:13 A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Dent amendment No. 6.Amendment offered by Mr. Dent.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-213 to add the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants to the Covered Rules within the bill.

10:12 A.M. –  The Committee of the Whole resumed its sitting.The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passedH.R. 2883.

H.R. 2401:
to require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes 

10:11 A.M. –  The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a Senate message.POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kinzinger amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:59  A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kinzinger amendment No. 5.Amendment offered by Mr. Kinzinger (IL).

An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-213 to add upcoming EPA gasoline regulations to the list of measures to be analyzed for their cumulative impact on energy prices, jobs, and American competitiveness.

9:58  A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Capps amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Capps demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:49  A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Capps amendment No. 4.Amendment offered by Mrs. Capps.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-213 to require the committee to include in its analyses an estimate of the incidence of birth and developmental defects and infant mortality that would result from a delay to covered rules and covered actions under the bill.

9:48  A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moore amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Moore demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:41  A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moore amendment No. 3.Amendment offered by Ms. Moore.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-213 to ensure that the study will analyze the impact that a rule or action could have on low-income communities and public health.

9:40  A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McNerney amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McNerney demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:32  A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney amendment No. 2.Amendment offered by Mr. McNerney.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-213 to add the effect on clean energy jobs and clean energy companies, including those that export clean energy technology, to the items to be considered in the analyses required by the bill.

9:31  A.M. –  POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Welch (VT) amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McNerney demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:20  A.M. –  DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions ofH. Res. 406, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Welch (VT) amendment No. 1.Amendment offered by Mr. Welch.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-213 to add the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as well as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others, to the interagency council that this bill would create. Additionally, the amendment directs the committee to look at important health impacts on the most vulnerable subpopulations that would be affected by EPA’s proposed rules.

9:18  A.M. –  The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

9:03  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.

9:02  A.M. –  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Lee of CA 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 Reverend Dr. Charley Hames, Jr., Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland, CaliforniaThe Speaker designated the Honorable Robert J. Dold to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

9:00  A.M. –  The House convened, starting a new legislative day.