Here’s something that President Obama laid out in his State of the Union that I think deserves special attention:

Recent news reports have raised questions about whether members of Congress are profiting from inside information about the very businesses they’re supposed to be regulating — information about pending legislation that could move markets and generate investor profits.

The President offered one simple fix: End insider trading by members of Congress, extending the rules that apply to anyone else whose jobs give them access to sensitive information about businesses.

If you think this simple effort at good government should be a priority during this campaign, it’s up to you to speak out. Say you support the President and spread the word:

http://barackobama.com/Ban-Insider-Trading

Thanks,

James

James Kvaal
National Policy Director
Obama for America

P.S. — Here’s the full quote from the State of the Union:

“Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow. Let’s limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Let’s make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can’t lobby Congress, and vice versa — an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Caroline Kennedy

01/30/2012 Nativegrl77

Four years ago today, I joined my Uncle Teddy and thousands of excited students at American University to endorse Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

Barack Obama had stirred something in young people and the young at heart. I saw the passion in my own teenage children, and I heard it from a different generation of people who said they felt like they did when my father ran for president.

We felt strongly that we needed to elect a president who urged us to believe in ourselves, who could tie that belief to our highest ideals, and who understood that together we can do great things.

Four years later, as I think about what first inspired me to support Barack Obama, I’m proud we have a president who has fought hard for the values Teddy held dear, and stood up on issues that matter.

Will you join me by saying what first inspired you to stand with Barack Obama?

http://my.barackobama.com/Teddy

Teddy understood that the challenges of health care aren’t political — they are personal. That’s why he fought for 40 years to make health care a right and not a privilege for American families.

How proud he would have been to see his candidate sign the Affordable Care Act into law as president, giving all Americans the security of knowing that their health care will be there when they need it most.

In his speech four years ago today, Teddy reminded us all of that bright light of hope and possibility that shines even in the darkest hours. He knew that with Barack Obama as president, America would shine again. I don’t think he would be surprised to know that four years later, this president would have ended the war in Iraq, repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and guaranteed women the right to equal pay for equal work.

The 2012 election will be harder than the last. As you think about what role you can play this time, I want you to remember that when Teddy joined this campaign, it wasn’t just Barack Obama who drew him in.

It was you.

The possibility of a campaign run by ordinary people determined to change our country for the better and willing to work as hard as necessary inspired him then, and it’s what inspires me today.

Thanks for all you do.

I’ll see you out there,

Caroline

P.S. — If you’d like to take some time to watch that speech, it’s here.

~ Recent Post

from Jason Rosenbaum and dscc.org

01/30/2012 Nativegrl77

– The next 24 hours will determine our nation’s political path: We either re-elect President Obama. Or President Gingrich or President Romney destroy working families and hand everything to the top 1%.

I really need you to take a look at this spreadsheet. Our make-or-break FEC deadline is 24 hours from now, and we’re still $255,000 short. This is the first deadline since the GOP presidential contest turned from circus to serious. Whether or not we hit this goal will determine who wins: President Obama, or a radical Republican.

Reach this goal, and we have a fighting chance to keep President Obama in office and prevent a total GOP takeover. Fall short, and President Gingrich or President Romney will be calling the shots before a Republican Congress a year from now.

Can you chip in $5 now?

We can’t get there without your help – 90% of our donations come from grassroots supporters. Thanks in advance.

Jason

Jason Rosenbaum
DSCC Director of Online Communications

Black History

Congress: Republican led House did 5min of the Peoples Business – the Senate considers S.2038, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK)

01/30/2012 Nativegrl77

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.1326407570.html

The Senate Convenes: 2pm ET January 30, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in 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 resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar #301, S.2038, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
At 5:30pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2038, the STOCK Act.

5:30pm the Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.2038, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act.

Invoked: 93-2

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2038, the STOCK Act; Invoked: 93-2

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.1236, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.

Adopted S.Res.357, commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Mill Springs (January 19, 1862).

Adopted S.Res.358, expressing support for the designation of January 28, 2012, as “National Data Privacy Day”.

Adopted S.Con.Res.34, Expressing the sense of Congress in Honor of the life and legacy of Vaclav Havel.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2041, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline project and provide for environmental protection and government oversight. (Hoeven)

————————————————————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 27, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 31, 2012.11:05:16 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 message from the Secretary of the Senate on January 26, 2012, at 5:18 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3800 and H.R. 3801.11:04:40 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 message from the Secretary of the Senate on January 26, 2012, at 5:50 p.m., stating that that body had passed S. 2039.11:03:51 A.M. -The House received a communication from Nick Strader, Central Oregon Office Director, Office of Rep. Greg Walden. Pursuant to Rule VII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Strader notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the Circuit Court for the County of Deschutes, Oregon, for witness testimony and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he would determine whether compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.11:02:51 A.M. -The House received a communication from The Honorable Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms. Pursuant to Rule VII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Irving notified the House that the Office of the Sergeant of Arms had been served with a subpoena for documents issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, in connection with a civil lawsuit currently pending before that court and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he would make the determinations required by House Rule VIII.11:02:50 A.M. -ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentlewoman from Arizona, Ms. Giffords, the whole number of the House is 433.11:02:18 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:02:13 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:22 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alan Keiran, Office of the United States Senate Chaplain11:01:00 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:44 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.