Texas residents continue to be the most likely in the United States to lack health coverage, with 27.2% reporting being uninsured in the first half of 2011. At the other end of the spectrum is Massachusetts, where 5.3% of adults are uninsured.
Monthly Archives: October 2011
a message from Ben Betz, People For the American Way
This is outrageous. A corporate-backed right-wing group fighting to dismantle workers’ rights in Ohio hijacked the words and image of a great-grandmother who had filmed an ad for our allies, distorting her message and making it look like she supported their position against workers.
Cincinnati resident Marlene Quinn had filmed a TV ad for our friends at the “No on Issue 2” campaign — the campaign to repeal Senate Bill 5, Ohio’s version of the Wisconsin bill that stripped public workers of their collective bargaining rights. In the ad, she told the story of her grandson and great-granddaughter’s rescue by firefighters, and rightly made the case that passage of Issue 2 on the ballot this November, affirming SB 5, would lead to less firefighters there to protect Ohioans.
In a shockingly underhanded move, a leading right-wing group in the fight, Building a Better Ohio, stole the footage of Marlene for its own ad, and presented it in a way that made it look like Marlene was for Issue 2!
Ten Ohio TV stations have already pulled the ad and we’re going to keep the pressure on the rest until do too. Help us by joining our petition to Ohio TV stations now.
In an email for our allies at the No on 2 campaign, Marlene said of the Right’s ad:
“It’s insulting to the brave firefighters who saved the life of my great-granddaughter. I’m outraged they are using my face and my words to push their harmful agenda. They certainly did not ask my permission. I feel violated.”
Watch a side-by-side video comparison of the two ads and sign our petition now.
We hope you’ll speak out against the Right’s latest dirty tactic, and then engage others to do the same.
Thank you for all your support and activism to fight the Right’s dirty tricks.
— Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager
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Congress: – the Republican led House strikes down EPA regulations that might keep your child safe – the Senate …debates/votes on trade agreements
the Senate Convened at 10:00amET October, 12, 2011
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of
H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, H.R.
3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act and,
H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act,
en bloc. - There will be 12 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled between the
two Leaders or their designees. Of the Majority time, Senator Baucus will
control 20 minutes, Senator Brown (OH) will control 1 hour and Senator Sanders
will control 1 hour. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will
proceed to vote on passage of the bills in the following order:- H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
- H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act and - H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act.
- The Senate will recess from 12:30pm to 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus
meetings. - The Senate expects to complete action on the Free Trade Agreements during
Wednesday’s session.
By unanimous consent, all but 15 minutes of debate time has been yielded back
with respect to the Free Trade Agreements.
Therefore, at approximately 7:20pm today, the Senate will conduct 3 roll call
votes in relation to the following:
- H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act,
- H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act, and - H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act.
VOTES
7:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3080, the US-Korea
Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 83-15
7:46pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3079, the US-Panama
Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 77-22
8:05pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3078, the US-Colombia
Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 66-33
LEGISLATIVE
ITEMS
Discharged Banking and Adopted S.Res.270, supporting the goals and ideals of
“National Life Insurance Awareness Month”.
Adopted S.Res.292, designating the week beginning October 16th as
“National Character Counts Week”.
No EXECUTIVE
ITEMS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF OCTOBER 12, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION
-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.6:47:09 P.M.
-H.R. 2250Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2250 as unfinished business.6:46:58 P.M.
-H.R. 2250On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.6:46:46 P.M.
-H.R. 2250Mr. Whitfield moved to rise.6:45:21 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cohen amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.6:38:46 P.M.
-H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cohen (TN) amendment No. 22 under the five-minute rule.6:38:22 P.M.
-H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Mr. Cohen, numbered 22 printed in the Congressional Record to take into account the potential reductions in the number of illness-related absences from work due to respiratory or other illnesses when the EPA is setting compliance deadlines.6:37:30 P.M.
-H.R. 2250The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.6:37:14 P.M.
-H.R. 2250Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2250 — “To provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, process heaters, and incinerators, and for other purposes.”6:34:44 P.M. -Mr. Smith (TX) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.6:34:43 P.M.
-H.R. 2944Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:34:42 P.M.
-H.R. 2944On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.6:34:20 P.M.
-H.R. 2944Mr. Smith (TX) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.6:32:56 P.M. -H.R. 2433Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:32:55 P.M.
-H.R. 2433On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 6 (Roll no. 785).6:26:21 P.M. -H.R. 2433Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2433 — “To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans, and for other purposes.”6:26:13 P.M.
-H.R. 2832Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:26:12 P.M.
-H.R. 2832On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 307 – 122 (Roll no. 784).6:16:32 P.M.
-H.R. 2832Considered as unfinished business.6:16:15 P.M.
-H.R. 3080Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:16:14 P.M.
-H.R. 3080On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 278 – 151 (Roll no. 783).6:09:34 P.M. -H.R. 3080Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3080 — “To implement the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement.”6:09:33 P.M.
-H.R. 3079Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:09:32 P.M.
-H.R. 3079On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 300 – 129 (Roll no. 782).6:02:55 P.M.
-H.R. 3079Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3079 — “To implement the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.”6:02:55 P.M.
-H.R. 3078Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:02:54 P.M.
-H.R. 3078On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 – 167 (Roll no. 781).5:56:49 P.M.
-H.R. 3078On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 192 – 236 (Roll no. 780).5:30:36 P.M.
-H.R. 3078The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.5:21:45 P.M.
-H.R. 3078DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Levin motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with amendments to add the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act as the new title to the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was withdrawn.5:21:31 P.M.
-H.R. 3078Mr. Levin moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.5:21:14 P.M.
-H.R. 3078Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3078 — “To implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.”5:20:00 P.M.
-H.R. 2832POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on concuring in the Senenat amendment to H.R. 2832, the Chair put the question on passage, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McDermott demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2332 pursuant to clause 8(a)(1)(A) of rule 20.4:42:16 P.M.
-H.R. 2832DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2832.4:41:02 P.M
. -H.R. 3080POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3080, the Chair put the question on passage, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Levin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.4:40:39 P.M.
-H.R. 3080The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.3:17:36 P.M.
-H.R. 3080DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on H.R. 3080.3:17:23 P.M.
-H.R. 3080Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3080 — “To implement the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement.”3:17:03 P.M.
-H.R. 3079POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3079, the Chair put the question on passage, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed Mr. Brady (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.3:16:28 P.M.
-H.R. 3079The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.2:03:22 P.M.
-H.R. 3079DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on H.R. 3079.2:03:07 P.M.
-H.R. 3079Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3079 — “To implement the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.”2:02:47 P.M.
-H.R. 3078Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, further proceedings on H.R. 3078 were postponed.2:02:37 P.M.
-H.R. 3078The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:32:29 P.M.
-H.R. 3078DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 3078.1:31:36 P.M. -Ms. Foxx filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 430 and H. Res. 431.12:38:52 P.M. -H.R. 3078DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on H.R. 3078.12:38:40 P.M.
-H.R. 3078Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3078 — “To implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.”12:37:35 P.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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on October 12, 2011 at 9:11 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1619.12:03:23 P.M.
-ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.12:02:59 P.M.
-PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Forbes to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:56 P.M.
-The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:17 P.M.
-Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.12:00:06 P.M.
-The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 12.11:14:57 A.M.
-The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:44 A.M.
-MORNING-HOUR DEBATE
– The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.10:00:24 A.M.
-The Speaker designated the Honorable Kenny Marchant to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:09 A.M
. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
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Tell Congress: Start Creating Jobs, Not Cutting Them …Joan Entmacher, National Women’s Law Center
It’s about jobs. You know that the most urgent deficit facing this country is the jobs deficit. It’s time for Congress to do its job and pass a plan that creates jobs for the millions of Americans who are desperately looking for work.
We expect the Senate to vote tonight on whether to allow debate to begin on President Obama’s jobs plan. It couldn’t be more timely or important. Last week, we got some news about the job market, and it’s not a pretty picture. Women gained just 4,000 of the 103,000 jobs created last month. The main reason? Cuts in funding for public services are disproportionately eliminating jobs held by women. Since the recession officially ended in June 2009, women have actually lost jobs and their unemployment rate has risen.
President Obama has introduced a plan, the American Jobs Act, to put women and men back to work. Yet some Senators may block the plan from even being considered!
You can help. Tell Congress it is time to stop cutting jobs and start creating them! Please call 1-888-659-9401 TODAY and ask your Senators to support the American Jobs Act.
Please call 1-888-659-9401 today. When connected to your Senators’ offices, please tell them:Your name, where you are from, and that you are a constituent.
That millions of Americans are desperately looking for work and need Congress to act quickly on the American Jobs Act.
That you support paying for the Act’s investments in job creation by making millionaires pay their fair share of taxes and oppose paying for them with further cuts in funding for public services that will destroy more jobs and create greater hardship.
Once you place your call, please call back to be connected to the office of your other Senator.
The American Jobs Act would keep teachers and first responders on the job, invest in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, provide job training, create incentives to hire the long-term unemployed, provide subsidized employment for disadvantaged workers, extend emergency unemployment benefits, and prohibit discrimination against jobless workers. And it fully funds these urgently needed measures in a progressive way, by levying a surtax on incomes above $1 million.
Please call 1-888-659-9401 today and ask your Senators to support the American Jobs Act. Tell them Americans can’t afford to wait any longer.
Thank you for all you do!
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center
P.S. Please help us continue to advocate for policies that protect and improve economic security for women and their families by making a generous donation today.
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Trader Joe’s …Amanda Kloer, Change.org
Trader Joe’s: Sell slave-free tomatoes
A remarkable number of major supermarkets, restaurants and food service companies have joined farm workers to fight wage theft, widespread sexual harassment — even slavery — in Florida’s tomato fields. But not Trader Joe’s.
Burger King, Subway and others are on board, paying $0.01 more per pound of tomatoes to the farm workers who pick them and guaranteeing their tomatoes are slave-free. But Trader Joe’s, despite their progressive image, refuses to follow suit.
The Student Farmworker Alliance has started a petition on Change.org calling on Trader Joe’s to sell only slave-free tomatoes. The Florida tomato season starts in October, so getting an agreement from Trader Joe’s in the next few weeks would be a huge victory. Will you sign the petition to get Trader Joe’s to join the Campaign for Fair Food and sell slave-free tomatoes now? http://www.change.org/petitions/ask-trader-joes-to-sell-slave-free-food
More than, 1,000 cases of real-life slavery in Florida’s tomato fields have been investigated by the Department of Labor in the past 10 years. In these cases, workers were housed in overcrowded shacks on the fields, paid poverty-level wages, had their identification documents taken away and were robbed of their wages by employers who fabricated debts to keep them working.
Trader Joe’s works hard on its image and prides itself on responding to customers’ preferences. If enough customers (and potential customers) tell Trader Joe’s they’ll only buy slave-free tomatoes guaranteed through the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Campaign for Fair Food, it will have to join.
Sign the Student Farmworker Alliance’s petition to get Trader Joe’s to make sure its tomatoes are slave- and abuse-free by joining CIW’s Campaign for Fair Food now:
http://www.change.org/petitions/ask-trader-joes-to-sell-slave-free-food
Thanks for being a change-maker,
Amanda and the Change.org team
Be a Seed for Change 
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