Last week, together we secured a victory against efforts that would have harmed women’s health. After hearing from women and men across the country, Susan G. Komen for the Cure reversed its decision to stop funding breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood health clinics. When people come together to protect access to critical women’s health services, we’re a force to be reckoned with.

But opponents of women’s health are at it again. They’re attacking the recent Obama administration decision to make contraception widely available to women without co-pays. Help us push back on these attacks on affordable access to birth control — tell the Obama administration you support no-cost birth control by signing the petition on the White House website.

The Administration’s decision did give 335,000 houses of worship exemptions from providing this critical coverage to their employees. But contraception opponents aren’t satisfied with that and want to take away contraceptive coverage to millions of women. They are filling the airwaves and editorial pages with messages opposing contraception coverage for women who need it to protect their health and the health of their families. We can’t let them shout us down!

We need your help! Thank the Obama administration for moving women’s health forward and for making no-cost birth control a reality. The Obama administration has committed to responding to petitions that collect 25,000 signatures on its website, and while we’re closing in on that number, opponents of birth control have already surpassed it with their own petition. They don’t want you covered, but we won’t be silent!

It takes just a few minutes to add your name to the petition on the White House “We The People” website

—Create your own account on WhiteHouse.gov, which allows you to sign petitions.

— Once you’ve created an account, look for an email with the subject line “Almost done! Verify your WhiteHouse.gov account.”

–Click the link to verify your account, sign in, and then click “Sign This Petition.”

Don’t forget, once you’ve signed, forward the petition to your friends!

We’ve been telling you for months, but it bears repeating: contraception is more than about preventing pregnancy— it also has proven health benefits that improve women’s health. Women must have access to affordable birth control to prevent unintended pregnancies, plan the timing and size of their families, and protect their health. Nearly all sexually active women in the U.S., regardless of their religious beliefs, use contraception at some point in their lives.

All women should have access to contraception, have it without a co-pay, and have it no matter where they work. But, opponents of birth control don’t want you covered, and we can’t let them sway public opinion — sign the petition on the White House website supporting this big step forward for women’s health.

You helped before and we won.

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from greenpeace

02/09/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

A decade of progress protecting the Amazon rainforest is in serious trouble.

The Brazilian agribusiness lobby is on the offensive. They’ve already used their influence to limit the government’s ability to enforce laws out in the field. Now they have their sights set on a new Forest Code bill that would provide amnesty to forest criminals, severely weaken protections for the Amazon and open up a section of forest larger than the state of Minnesota to possible deforestation.

This bill would spell disaster for the Amazon rainforest if passed. It’s already made its way through the Brazilian Senate and now it’s up to President Dilma to decide whether or not it becomes law. Now is our chance.

President Dilma cares about Brazil’s global reputation and wants to be a leader. Let her know that the world is watching and urge her to veto the new Forest Code bill before it’s too late!

Our goal is to get 30,000 Americans to join their allies in Brazil in speaking out against this law before she makes her final decision. That could be any day now in the coming weeks.

On the campaign trail, President Dilma stated that she wouldn’t sign a law that grants amnesty to forest criminals or reduces the size of protected areas in the Amazon. Politics are the same everywhere. And just like in the US, it is going to take massive public pressure from inside and outside Brazil to overcome special interests and make sure that President Dilma keeps her word.

The situation is so urgent that we’re sending our new flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, to Brazil later this month to help out. She’ll be leaving Florida and setting sail for the Amazon to support the campaign directly.

Brazilians have made it clear they don’t want this — about 80% oppose the bill. But this isn’t just a Brazilian issue. Amazon rainforest destruction has global consequences.

Greenpeace, along with other groups in the Amazon and allies within the Brazilian government, have made huge strides in the last ten years when it comes to protecting the Amazon. We can’t afford to let big agribusiness win this one.

President Dilma needs to hear from you…send her a message now.

For the forests,

Daniel Brindis Greenpeace Forest Campaigner

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Foreign NGO Employees in Egypt Deserve Fair Trials!

02/09/2012 Nativegrl77

Egypt‘s new ruling military council is trying to assert its power on the world stage. What is the cost? »

The council has charged forty-three non-governmental organization (NGO) employees with funding the protests in Egypt. Several NGOs have had their offices raided by Egyptian authorities, and nineteen Americans, five Serbs, two Germans, and three non-Egyptian Arab nationals have been banned from leaving Egypt.

These employees, fighting for the rights of ordinary Egyptians, deserve to be treated in accordance with international human rights standards.

Please take action today. Tell the Egyptian government to ensure a fair trial for these NGO employees. »

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate considers: S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill

02/09/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 9:30amET Feburary 9, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business 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 resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill.
At approximately 2:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1813.

At 2pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1813, a bill to reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in 2 roll call votes at 2pm. Per the agreement at 1:30pm today, there will be 30 minutes for debate on the nomination of Cathy Ann Bencivengo, of California, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of California. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate will resume legislative session and proceed to the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the infrastructure bill.

The 2pm votes are as follows:

– Confirmation of Calendar #407, Cathy Ann Bencivengo, of California, to be US District Judge for the Southern District of California; and

– Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1813, a bill to reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.

2:00pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Cathy Ann Bencivengo, of California, to be United States Judge for the Southern District of California; Confirmed: 90-6

2:25pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill; Invoked: 85-11

There will be no further roll call votes this week.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Confirmation of Cathy Ann Bencivengo, of CA, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Confirmed: 90-6

2) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill; Invoked: 85-11

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.371, designating the week of February 6 through 10, 2012, as “National School Counseling Week”.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2079, a bill to extend the pay limitation for Members of Congress and Federal employees (Heller).

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 9, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

Today … on the House Flr

HR3630 – a bill -Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 – Passes 405 – 15

S.2038 – a bill – To prohibit Members of Congress and employees of Congress from using nonpublic information derived from their official positions for personal benefit, and for other purposes: #StockAct Passes 417 – 2 insider trading

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.11:23:30 A.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House continued with further one minute speeches.11:23:15 A.M. -Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, February 9, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2012. Agreed to without objection.10:45:00 A.M. -COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.10:43:15 A.M. –H. Con. Res. 99Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:43:10 A.M. -H. Con. Res. 99On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.10:43:09 A.M. -H. Con. Res. 99Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 99 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to unveil the marker which acknowledges the role that slave labor played in the construction of the United States Capitol.”10:43:07 A.M. -H. Con. Res. 99Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.10:42:57 A.M. -H.R. 3630Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:42:56 A.M. -H.R. 3630On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 405 – 15 (Roll no. 48).10:35:00 A.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of the Bishop (NY) motion to instruct conferees to H.R. 3630, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.10:34:10 A.M. -S. 2038Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:34:09 A.M. -S. 2038On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 – 2 (Roll no. 47).9:13:37 A.M. -S. 2038DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2038.9:13:34 A.M. -S. 2038Considered under suspension of the rules.9:13:18 A.M. -S. 2038Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. S. 2038 — “To prohibit Members of Congress and employees of Congress from using nonpublic information derived from their official positions for personal benefit, and for other purposes.”9:12:50 A.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.9:02:32 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.9:02:03 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Lankford to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:01:58 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:00:48 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:37 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Shelley Moore Capito to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.9:00:25 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.