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John Friso says that every day he went to work at defense contractor DynCorp, he was berated with homophobic slurs. He was called “a f*ggot, a queer” and worse. According to John, his managers watched this happen time and again — and yet they did nothing. John eventually left DynCorp and sued the company, which settled with him. Yet to this day, DynCorp lacks a non-discrimination policy protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees. But since the massive private defense contractor relies on U.S. government contracts (also known as your tax dollars) for as much as 96% of its income — billions of dollars — you have the power to help change the culture of homophobia and unchecked harassment at DynCorp. Tico Almeida is an attorney who devotes his life to strengthening employee protections. Tico was appalled by what he learned about conditions at DynCorp, so he started a petition on Change.org asking that DynCorp initiate and approve an anti-harassment policy to protect LGBT employees. Click here to sign Tico’s petition. Other major defense contractors like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have protections in place for LGBT employees. A DynCorp spokesperson recently indicated to a reporter that DynCorp might be open to protecting its LGBT employees: “We are always looking for ways to further strengthen our policies and procedures, and this is one area that we are currently examining,” the DynCorp spokesperson said. Now that John Friso’s lawsuit has been settled, DynCorp executives may think there’s no urgency in instituting policies to protect other employees. They need to know that nothing could be further from the truth, and that the taxpayers who finance their corporation expect them to take swift action. Thanks for being a change-maker, – Eden and the Change.org team |
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Obama: Cut FDA ties to Monsanto
Below is an email from Frederick Ravid, a MoveOn member who created a petition at SignOn.org that is spreading like wildfire on the Internet, and we think you should check it out. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.
Dear MoveOn member,
President Obama appointed former Monsanto vice president and lobbyist Michael Taylor as senior advisor to the Food and Drug Administration commissioner.
This is a classic example of the fox guarding the henhouse. President Obama should isolate the FDA from corporate influence by asking Taylor to step down immediately.
That’s why I created a petition to President Obama on SignOn.org. Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=269891&id=35269-21087915-c0s4_0x&t=2
The petition says:
President Obama, I oppose your appointment of Michael Taylor, a former VP and lobbyist for Monsanto, the widely criticized genetically modified (GM) food multinational, as senior advisor to the commissioner at the FDA. Taylor is the same person who as a high ranking official at the FDA in the 1990s promoted allowing genetically modified organisms into the U.S. food supply without undergoing a single test to determine their safety or risks. This is a travesty.
Taylor was in charge of policy for Monsanto’s now-discredited GM bovine growth hormone (rBGH), which is opposed by many medical and hospital organizations. It was Michael Taylor who pursued a policy that milk from rBGH-treated cows should not be labeled with disclosures. Michael Taylor and Monsanto do not belong in our government.
President Obama, Monsanto has been seen as a foe to family-based agriculture, the backbone of America, by introducing dangerous changes to plants and animals and by using strong-arm legal tactics against farmers for decades. Naturally occurring plant and animal species are permanently threatened by the introduction of DNA and hormonal modification, Monsanto’s core businesses.
FDA scientists once regarded genetic modification of the food supply as the single most radical and potentially dangerous threat to public health in history. As early as the 1991, a body of scientific research began to form which now includes articles in over 600 journals. As a whole, these offer scientific evidence that GM foods, hormones, and related pesticides are the root cause for the increase of many serious diseases in the U.S. Since GM foods were introduced, diagnosis of multiple chronic illnesses in the U.S. has skyrocketed. These illnesses include changes in major organs and in hormonal, immune, digestive, and reproductive systems. These modifications to foods and food production may also be contributors to colon, breast, lymphatic, and prostate cancers.
Experts are discouraged that regulators and GM companies systematically overlook potential side effects of GM. Monsanto’s objective to use biotechnology to change the world’s food supply is the opposite policy direction your administration should pursue. Your legacy of supporting Monsanto to have free rein in U.S. food policy is a nightmare scenario that is against the interest of all Americans and world citizens.
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=269891&id=35269-21087915-c0s4_0x&t=3
Thanks!
–Frederick Ravid
The text above was written by Frederick Ravid, 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.
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Help Us Protect the Contraceptive Coverage Decision …Judy Waxman, National Women’s Law Center
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wicked Wednesday weather &some News …
just another rant …
A call to action to those fighting for fair share … Stand UP and be counted
In a time when millions are unemployed, more layoffs coming and Corporate America is still outsourcing and holding jobs hostage. The Republican Party continues to cut slash and burn American Workers on the State and City levels. The party of No, which used to be just a conservative family values scary group, is now so extreme that the slogan “taking their country back”, is no longer code and the Teapublican base loves it. Obviously, it is about not wanting “his kind” in the White House. The notion that President Obama resembles any of those stupid adjectives Rience Priebus and his comrades use to describe President Obama belongs in a SNL sketch. While we all might want to laugh …reality check – our Democracy seems to be at risk.
What happened to the buyer’s remorse of 2010 and FYI seniors cannot forget what Teapublicans have in mind for them … Vouchers and Privatization
Yes, Teapublicans want to Privatize Public Service Jobs, which includes Teachers, Fire Fighters, Police, while gutting Social Service programs that help the elderly, women, and children already suffering are now willing to take the basics away from the middle class. The fact is Teapublicans have successfully forced their ideology into our lives. The latest Teapublican mission accomplished, getting a conservative at the helm of a Woman’s health care Company for one let alone the power to shove Women off the health care resource cliff. I wonder did she say one thing and do another because my memory of the old Komen for the cure would know that Women’s health care should be safe and affordable. The New Susan G Komen for the cure’s decision to dump or halt grants to Planned Parenthood has lost the support of many who have donated in the name of someone they love or because of the connection and knowledge, that women’s health care has to come from different resources. Yet, the New Komen for cure and the actions of Justice Roberts regarding Citizens United offer up a peak at how Teapublicans want us to live. I am upset and feel the New Komen for the cure has betrayed all who say Planned Parenthood saved their lives and it is obvious that Citizens United has upset the balance of fair play with unlimited amounts of cash being injected into campaigning …
My question to you is … Who do you blame for the chaos?
While the Democratic Party battles in Congress against attacks on the middle class. Teapublicans on the State level have managed to pass legislation against women, voter, children, and worker rights. I wonder what our neighborhoods will look after this nasty group is finished wreaking havoc on us all on the local level. We need to fight back on both the local and Federal level. We all have to know that the more folks out of work the better the chances of less quality but more costly those services will be. Think separate but equal. I have to say, it is disturbing to see in the light of day how low the Party of NO is willing to go with deals made in the shadows.
The media and certain Politicians say that in times of crisis people separate into cliques. I say Teapublican Politicians and “the media” that engage them have been doing a great job in manipulating the information viewers hear or see. It is offensive but best believe no one should forget Boehner, Cantor, McConnell made a choice to play games with the lives of Americans instead of passing legislation that would get us back on track, disagree but a divided government is unacceptable. I have to say the November Midterms was proof that manipulation works. These jerks used false info, anger and American gullibility to move their agenda forward, clearly a whole lot of Tea Party carpetbaggers said one thing and did another.
We all probably have family or know people who marched for civil and equal rights, felt compelled to be a part of that ideal of “strength in numbers” we all hear frequently that I consider important and speaks volumes when a change is near just over the horizon waiting to happen. This feeling of wanting a better way of life is spreading all over the world and while a couple of tyrants have seen the light others continue to participate in overt genocide, others shutdown access to the World outside and risk killing their own people. I get the feeling the Republican Tea Party is a lot like those folks in other countries currently doing all they can to either keep control or take anyone down that happens to be in the way. In our case, American voters are demanding fair share but the people with the power have gone rogue without thinking about what the full impact on the lives of the many will be or don’t care and have decided to take that risk and try to usurp the rights of Americans whether it’s done legally, by consensus or not.
We are all Freedom Fighters on some level every day.
in other news of the day …
1/31/12: White House Press Briefing
President Obama Speaks at Washington Auto Show
President Announces New Housing Initiatives
Senate Committee Looks at Annual U.S. Threat Assessment
CBO Director Discusses Economic Outlook
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Congress: the Reublican led House – the Senate debates&votes on amendments to S.2038,STOCK Act
the Senate Convenes: 9:30am ET February 1, 2012
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
- Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.2038, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act.
- We hope to have votes in relation to amendments to the STOCK Act during Wednesday’s session of the Senate.
The following amendments are pending to S.2038, the STOCK Act:
- Reid #1470 (substitute)
- Reid for Lieberman #1482 (technical)
- Brown (OH) #1478 (10 day filing)
- Toomey-McCaskill #1472 (prohibit earmarks)
- Brown (OH) #1481, as modified (divestiture)
- Thune #1477 (SEC/solicitation)
- McCain #1471 (prohibit bonuses for senior executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac)
- Leahy #1483 (anti-corruption)
- Coburn #1473 (duplicative and overlapping government programs)
- Coburn #1474 (legislation posted online 72 hours prior to a vote)
- Coburn #1476 (substitute – Member certification)
- Paul #1484 (Member certification)
- Paul #1485 (apply reporting requirements to Federal employees and judicial officers)
- Paul #1487 (Executive oversight)
- DeMint #1488 (SoS Constitutional amendment limiting the number of terms Member of Congress may serve)
- Paul #1490 (Member forfeiture Federal retirement benefits if he/she becomes a lobbyist)
- Blumenthal #1498 (Member of Congress denied retirement benefits if he/she is convicted of a felony)
- Shelby #1491 (extend reporting requirements to executive branch and independent agencies)
WRAP UP
No ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed S.1296, A bill to revise the boundaries of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Sachuest Point Unit RI-04P, Easton Beach Unit RI-05P, Almy Pond Unit RI-06, and Hazards Beach Unit RI-07 in the State of Rhode Island.
Passed HR 588, To redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
Adopted S.Res.365, honoring the life of Kevin Hagan White, the Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts from 1968 to 1984.
Adopted S.Res 366, Honoring the life of dissident and democracy activist Wilman Villar Mendoza and condemning the Castro regime for the death of Wilman Villar Mendoza.
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
————————————————————————————————————
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 1, 2012
112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
-The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 2, 2012.9:44:32 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.9:44:15 P.M. -Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.8:16:16 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.8:16:04 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.8:15:34 P.M. -H.R. 3630POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Michaud motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Michaud demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.8:14:34 P.M. -H.R. 3630The previous question was ordered without objection.7:25:15 P.M. -H.R. 3630DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Michaud motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The instructions contained in the motion seek to direct the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 to recede from section 2123 of the House bill, relating to allowing a waiver of requirements under section 3304(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including a requirement that all money withdrawn from the unemployment fund of the State shall be used solely in the payment of unemployment compensation.7:22:13 P.M. -H.R. 3630Mr. Michaud moved that the House instruct conferees.7:20:04 P.M. -Mr. Woodall filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 533 and H. Res. 534.7:19:26 P.M. -H.R. 3567Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:19:25 P.M. -H.R. 3567On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 – 27 (Roll no. 20).7:12:03 P.M. -H.R. 3567Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3567 — “To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement policies to prevent assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program from being used in strip clubs, casinos, and liquor stores.”7:12:02 P.M. -H.R. 3835Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:12:01 P.M. -H.R. 3835On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 309 – 117 (Roll no. 19).7:05:47 P.M. -H.R. 3835Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3835 — “To extend the pay limitation for Members of Congress and Federal employees.”7:05:28 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.7:05:21 P.M. -H.R. 1173Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:05:19 P.M. -H.R. 1173On passage Passed by recorded vote: 267 – 159 (Roll no. 18).6:58:30 P.M. -H.R. 1173On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 247 (Roll no. 17).6:41:50 P.M. -H.R. 1173The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.6:30:31 P.M. -H.R. 1173Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to insert a section entitled “Ensuring Long-Term Care Services for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Disabled Individuals”.6:30:18 P.M. -H.R. 1173Mr. Garamendi moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.6:29:04 P.M. -H.R. 1173The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.6:28:47 P.M. -H.R. 1173The 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.6:28:36 P.M. -H.R. 1173The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1173.6:28:06 P.M. -H.R. 1173On agreeing to the Deutch amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 160 – 264 (Roll no. 16).6:23:33 P.M. -H.R. 1173On agreeing to the Deutch amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 164 – 260 (Roll no. 15).6:18:23 P.M. -H.R. 1173On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 157 – 264 (Roll no. 14).6:13:53 P.M. -H.R. 1173On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 161 – 263 (Roll no. 13).5:46:02 P.M. -H.R. 1173UNFINISHED 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.4:18:00 P.M. -H.R. 1173The Committee of the Whole proceeded with pro forma amendments.4:17:19 P.M. -H.R. 1173POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Deutch amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Deutch demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:08:04 P.M. -H.R. 1173DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Deutch amendment No. 5 under the five-minute rule.4:07:59 P.M. -H.R. 1173An amendment, offered by Mr. Deutch, numbered 5 printed in the Congressional Record to propose adding a new section for class program flexibility.4:07:08 P.M. -H.R. 1173POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Deutch amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Deutch demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.4:00:13 P.M. -H.R. 1173DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Deutch amendment No. 4 under the five-minute rule.4:00:08 P.M. -H.R. 1173An amendment, offered by Mr. Deutch, numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record to propose adding a new section to prevent an increase in medicaid spending.3:59:42 P.M. -H.R. 1173POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.3:50:01 P.M. -H.R. 1173DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 1 under the five-minute rule.3:49:36 P.M. -H.R. 1173An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX), numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new section to ensure market penetration for private long-term care insurance.3:48:50 P.M. -H.R. 1173POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.3:37:23 P.M. -H.R. 1173DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment No. 2 under the five-minute rule.3:37:06 P.M. -H.R. 1173An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX), numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to propose adding a new section requiring a study on the impact of not having long-term care insurance on the Federal, State and local governments.2:25:09 P.M. -H.R. 1173GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1173.2:24:58 P.M. -H.R. 1173The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.2:24:57 P.M. -H.R. 1173House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 522 and Rule XVIII.2:24:46 P.M. -H.R. 1173Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1173 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution makes in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce now printed in the bill for the purpose of amendment. The resolution makes in order only those amendments that are submitted for printing in the Congressional Record not later than the legislative day of Tuesday, January 31, 2012, or pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate. The bill shall be considered for amendment for a period not to exceed three hours.2:24:41 P.M. -H.R. 1173Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 522. H.R. 1173 — “To repeal the CLASS program.”2:23:09 P.M. -H.R. 3567At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.1:39:26 P.M. -H.R. 3567DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3567.1:39:24 P.M. -H.R. 3567Considered under suspension of the rules.1:39:00 P.M. -H.R. 3567Mr. Boustany moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3567 — “To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement policies to prevent assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program from being used in strip clubs, casinos, and liquor stores.”1:37:46 P.M. -UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST – Mr. Daniel E. Lungren asked unanimous consent that the “Standards for the Electronic Posting of House and Committee Documents and Data”, which were adopted by the Committee on House Administration on December 16, 2011, be printed in the Congressional Record. Agreed to without objection.1:36:45 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 90Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:36:43 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 90On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.1:36:09 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 90Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 90 — “Authorizing the printing of the 25th edition of the pocket version of the United States Constitution.”1:36:07 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 90Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.1:36:06 P.M. -H. Res. 496Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:35:59 P.M. -H. Res. 496On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.1:20:24 P.M. -H. Res. 496DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 496.1:20:21 P.M. -H. Res. 496Considered under suspension of the rules.1:19:57 P.M. -H. Res. 496Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 496 — “Adjusting the amount provided for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Twelfth Congress.”1:17:49 P.M. -H.R. 3835At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.12:32:55 P.M. -H.R. 3835DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3835.12:32:53 P.M. -H.R. 3835Considered under suspension of the rules.12:32:19 P.M. -H.R. 3835Mr. Ross (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3835 — “To extend the pay limitation for Members of Congress and Federal employees.”12:30:02 P.M. -H.R. 658Conference report H. Rept. 112-381 filed.12:07:03 P.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.12:06:26 P.M. -BOARD OF VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY – Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4355(a), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Shimkus of Illinois and Mr. Womack of Arkansas to the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy .12:05:09 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – Mr. Garrett of New Jersey was recognized for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain for today.12:03:56 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Bucshon to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:03:49 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:02:15 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Karen Hallett, United States Army, New Windsor, New York.12:00:53 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 1.10:36:52 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:01:20 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.10:01:13 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Chip Cravaack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:52 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
Be a Seed for Change 
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