Thank you for recently taking action to tell President Obama that ALL women need affordable access to birth control! Over 10,000 of our supporters joined you in standing up for the nearly 1.5 million women who could lose access to birth control without a co-pay.

But, we need to make sure we keep the pressure on — please forward this message to your friends, family, and others in your life who support women’s access to reproductive health care, so they, too, can tell President Obama that ALL women, regardless of where they work, should have access to contraception without co-pays.

Thank you for helping to protect women’s access to reproductive health care.

Sincerely,

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Don’t forget to ask your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter to take action today, too.


	Access to Birth Control At Risk



	Tell President Obama that ALL women need access to contraception without co-pays.

Dear Carmen,

They’re at it again. Opponents of birth control are trying to put women’s health at risk.

Over the summer, we secured a big victory when we helped get all forms of FDA-approved contraceptives covered and without a co-pay. However, we were dismayed that the administration allowed some employers to deny this coverage to their employees. Now, some opponents of contraception are pressuring President Obama to deny this critical benefit to more than a million more women.

Tell them NO! When we make progress in women’s health, ALL women deserve to be part of that success. Tell the President that all women should have coverage of contraception without co-pays.

The reality is that nearly all of sexually active women in the U.S., regardless of their religious beliefs, use contraception at some point in their lives, and it is a preventive health service that should be covered regardless of where they work.

Tell President Obama to give all women access to contraception without co-pays.

For many years, the National Women’s Law Center has been working to get contraception covered in all health insurance plans, and we won’t stop now! This summer over 60,000 of you joined our effort to say: birth control — we got you covered! We need your help again to ensure that ALL women have access to affordable contraception — tell President Obama to give ALL women access to contraception without co-pays.

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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Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate

12/06/2011 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 10:00amET December 6,2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:00am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Caitlyn Joan Halligan, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
At approximately 12:00pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Halligan nomination.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At approximately 12:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Caitlyn Halligan, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.

During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #413, the nomination of Richard Cordray, of Ohio, to be Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection for a term of five years. If no agreement is reached, this vote will occur Thursday morning.

12:02pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Caitlyn Halligan to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Not Invoked: 54-45-1 (present)

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on Caitlyn Halligan to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Not Invoked: 54-45-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Unanimous Consent to print H.R.1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as passed by the Senate on December 1, 2011.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S. S.1944, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 (Casey).

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

—————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 6, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-H.R. 2471DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2471.2:52:15 P.M. -H.R. 2471Considered under suspension of the rules.2:51:34 P.M. -H.R. 2471Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2471 — “To amend section 2710 of title 18, United States Code, to clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer’s informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet.”2:51:33 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 6.1:54:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. today. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:45 P.M. today.1:53:40 P.M. -H.R. 2297Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:53:38 P.M. -H.R. 2297On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.1:48:10 P.M. -H.R. 2297DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2297.1:48:09 P.M. -H.R. 2297Considered under suspension of the rules.1:48:00 P.M. -H.R. 2297Mr. Gowdy moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2297 — “To promote the development of the Southwest waterfront in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.”1:47:34 P.M. -H.R. 3237Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:47:31 P.M. -H.R. 3237On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.1:44:16 P.M. -H.R. 3237DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3237.1:44:12 P.M. -H.R. 3237Considered under suspension of the rules.1:43:51 P.M. -H.R. 3237Mr. Gowdy moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3237 — “To amend the SOAR Act by clarifying the scope of coverage of the Act.”1:43:19 P.M. -H.R. 2405Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:43:15 P.M. -H.R. 2405On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.1:25:41 P.M. -H.R. 2405DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2405.1:25:40 P.M. -H.R. 2405Considered under suspension of the rules.1:25:02 P.M. -H.R. 2405Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2405 — “To reauthorize certain provisions of the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relating to public health preparedness and countermeasure development, and for other purposes.”1:24:31 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.1:23:31 P.M. -H. Res. 479POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 479, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Slaughter demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until a time to be announced.12:33:47 P.M. -H. Res. 479DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 479.12:30:20 P.M. -H. Res. 479Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 479 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 10) to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law, and for other purposes.”12:04:00 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.12:03:40 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fleischmann to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:03:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:11 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Bryan Thiessen, Journey Church, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania12:00:58 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 6.11:00:37 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:47 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.10:00:37 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:24 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate

12/05/2011 Nativegrl77

Schedule for Monday, December 5, 2011

On Monday, December 5, the Senate will convene at 2:00pm.

Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 4:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nominations listed below. There will be up to 1 hour for debate on the nominations.

#363 Edgardo Ramos – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

#364 Andrew L. Carter, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

#365 James Rodney Gilstrap – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas

#406 Dana L. Christensen – to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana

At 5:30pm there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of one of the judicial nominations. We expect the remaining three judges to be confirmed by consent. As a reminder, cloture was filed on the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. That cloture vote will occur at noon on Tuesday.

At 4:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

– #363 Edgardo Ramos – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

– #364 Andrew L. Carter, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

– #365 James Rodney Gilstrap – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas

– #406 Dana L. Christensen – to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana

There will be up to one hour of debate on the nominations equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Ramos nomination. We hope the other nominations will be confirmed by voice vote.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Edgardo Ramos, of CT, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York; Confirmed: 89-0

WRAP UP …

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Confirmation of Edgardo Ramos, of Connecticut, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York; Confirmed: 89-0

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed Calendar #239, S.384, a bill to amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Adopted S.Res.343, commemorating the 84^th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5, 2011.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1944, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 (Casey)

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following by voice vote:

#364 Andrew L. Carter, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

#365 James Rodney Gilstrap – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas

#406 Dana L. Christensen – to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana

*************************************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 5, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2011.4:04:52 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:04:42 P.M. -Mr. Hastings (WA) moved that the House do now adjourn.4:02:53 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.4:02:11 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 32At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:00:28 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 32DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. Con. Res. 32.4:00:26 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 32Considered under suspension of the rules.4:00:07 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 32Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. S. Con. Res. 32 — “To authorize the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make technical corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 470, an Act to further allocate and expand the availability of hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam, and for other purposes.”3:59:14 P.M. -S. 683At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.3:56:23 P.M. -S. 683DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 683.3:56:19 P.M. -S. 683Considered under suspension of the rules.3:56:01 P.M. -S. 683Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 683 — “To provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Mantua, Utah.”3:55:14 P.M. -H.R. 1560At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.3:50:04 P.M. -H.R. 1560DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1560.3:50:02 P.M. -H.R. 1560Considered under suspension of the rules.3:50:01 P.M. -H.R. 1560Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1560 — “To amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for membership in that tribe.”3:49:12 P.M. -H.R. 2351At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.3:46:36 P.M. -H.R. 2351 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2351.3:46:35 P.M. -H.R. 2351Considered under suspension of the rules.3:46:19 P.M. -H.R. 2351Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2351 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior to continue stocking fish in certain lakes in the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.”3:45:36 P.M. -H.R. 2360At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.3:39:26 P.M. -H.R. 2360DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2360.3:39:23 P.M. -H.R. 2360Considered under suspension of the rules.3:39:02 P.M. -H.R. 2360Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2360 — “To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to extend the Constitution, laws, and jurisdiction of the United States to installations and devices attached to the seabed of the Outer Continental Shelf for the production and support of production of energy from sources other than oil and gas, and for other purposes.”3:38:32 P.M. -S. 535At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.3:37:18 P.M. -S. 535DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 535.3:37:15 P.M. -S. 535Considered under suspension of the rules.3:37:01 P.M. -S. 535Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 535 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease certain lands within Fort Pulaski National Monument, and for other purposes.”3:36:14 P.M. -H.R. 944At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lujan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.3:33:58 P.M. -H.R. 944DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 944.3:33:56 P.M. -H.R. 944Considered under suspension of the rules.3:33:20 P.M. -H.R. 944Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 944 — “To eliminate an unused lighthouse reservation, provide management consistency by incorporating the rocks and small islands along the coast of Orange County, California, into the California Coastal National Monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and meet the original Congressional intent of preserving Orange County’s rocks and small islands, and for other purposes.”3:33:05 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until December 6.3:31:48 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 1540 amended. Senate insisted on its amendment and asked for a conference.3:30:09 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 5.2:04:08 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 P.M. today.2:03:30 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:06 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:02 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:00:29 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:25 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 5.12:05:41 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.12:01:30 P.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.12:00:52 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:25 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Made in America … Obama

12/05/2011 Nativegrl77

It’s no surprise that professional conspiracy theorists are still on the birth-certificate warpath — but now elected officials are getting their backs.

Obama for America

Yesterday, four Republicans in the New Hampshire State House allowed a hearing requested by a group of birthers who want President Obama officially removed from the state’s primary ballot.

Obama for America

It’s not clear whether all this is a smokescreen or whether these dead-enders actually believe this stuff. But they aren’t letting the facts get in their way — one group in Arizona has even demanded that the President “release the microfiche” of his birth certificate.

Sadly, I don’t have any microfiches on hand, but we have the next best thing: In honor of birthers everywhere, we’re re-releasing the campaign’s limited-edition “Made in the USA” mugs.

Donate $20 or more today and we’ll send you one — complete with a reprint of the President’s birth certificate on the side for everyone to see. BarackObama.com

Here’s what one of the state representatives backing the effort had to say about yesterday’s hearing: “I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but even I could take [the long-form birth certificate] apart and see that it was fraudulent.”