~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

speaking of truth to power … 6

04/19/2012 Nativegrl77

What a week — Rick Santorum dropped out of the race, Mitt Romney continued to attack women’s rights, and the Republican National Committee dropped an ad we absolutely have to debunk. On top of all that, Thursday marked the six-year anniversary of Mitt Romney’s health reform in Massachusetts — one of the models for Obamacare — but you won’t hear him taking any credit for it.

Check it out all in this week’s tips:
#1 Video: Mitt Romney — Memories to last a lifetime With Rick Santorum leaving the GOP primary on Tuesday, it’s almost certain that Mitt Romney will be the nominee. To commemorate the GOP primary, and remind people of the extreme positions Romney’s taken over the course of it, we put together a short videolaying out some of his most “severely conservative” moments. Check them out, then share them with anyone who still thinks he’s a moderate:

#2 Keeping his word: 5 ways our president supports economic opportunities for women Governor Romney spent a good deal of this week attacking President Obama’s economic record among women. President Obama has said, “Every decision I make is all about making sure … all our daughters and all our sons grow up in a country that gives them the chance to be anything they set their minds to.” That includes supporting economic policies that help women, like extending the payroll tax cut — which helps 75 million women — or granting more than 16,000 business loans to small businesses owned by women. Check out the top five waysour President has kept his word to women, then pass them on:

#3 Fair Pay Act for women: Romney’s campaign not sure he would’ve signed if president The morning after Rick Santorum left the race, the Romney campaign was asked whether Romney supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps to ensure women can get equal pay for equal work. Their answer (which should’ve been a no brainer): “We’ll get back to you on that.” This is a basic step to stop pay discrimination in the workplace, the first bill President Obama signed into law in office — and Romney’s campaign isn’t sure if their candidate would’ve signed it. We put together a short video, featuring Lilly Ledbetter, on why equal pay is “not Republican and it’s not Democrat. It’s civil rights.” Watch it, and share it with folks who should see it, too:

#4 The six-year anniversary of Romneycare (Where’s the celebration?) Exactly six years ago yesterday, Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts health reform, or Romneycare, into law. At the time he called it a model for the nation. Six years later, and you don’t hear him celebrating it. Why? Because this godfather of Obamacare is promising to repeal national health reform on Day One in office. So much for a model for the nation. We put together a videoexplaining it — check it out, pass it on, and make sure people know he’s trying to take away the very protections he once fought for:

#5 Debunk this new RNC ad The Republican National Committee is out with a new ad smearing President Obama’s record, saying he hasn’t kept any of his promises from four years ago. You and I both know that’s a lie, so we put together a charge-by-charge rebuttal of the ad, laying out exactly what our president has done. Check it out, and make sure none of the RNC’s lies stick:

#6 Fact check the Koch Brothers on Obamacare The George Mason University Mercatus Center released a report this week claiming Obamacare will actually add to the deficit, to the tune of $340 billion. But don’t for a minute believe that they don’t have an agenda — this center is primarily funded by the Koch brothers, and was founded by their chief lobbyist. A quick look at studiesfrom actual non-partisan sources, like the Congressional Budget Office, back up what the President has said about Obamacare all along — it will actually cut the deficit by $127 billion. Make sure their report doesn’t pick up any steam — share the truth:

Thanks,
Stephanie
P.S. — Now that Mitt Romney is almost surely our opponent, the race is on. We created this Facebook graphic for folks to say they’ve got our president’s back. Share it on your wall here:

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama Speaks on Skills for American Workers

04/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Apr 18, 2012 by whitehouse

President Obama visits Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio to highlight how federal job training funding is providing critical services for unemployed workers and helping them to get jobs in high-demand, high-growth industries. April 18, 2012.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Washington – Defend Marriage Equality – Approve REF.74

04/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Sunday, April 22
Spokane Marriage Equality Canvass
12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 28
Washington State Legislative District Caucuses
Various locations around Washington
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Donate Today

Contribute to HRC Washington Protecting Families PAC, which directs 100% of your contribution to defending marriage equality in Washington State. Contribute Now

HRC Community
in your Area

For the latest news and events in your area, be sure to check out your local steering committee!

Stay Connected with HRC

By now, you’ve probably seen the reports that our opponents are disorganized, and not collecting many signatures or much money to overturn marriage equality in Washington State. Don’t believe the hype – not even for one second.

They only need 120,577 valid signatures to place Referendum 74 on the November ballot, and we expect them to easily succeed. In fact, the opposition – led by the National Organization for Marriage – has pledged $1,000,000 to ensure this happens.

Below are two things you can do this month to help protect marriage in Washington State.

Pledge to Approve Referendum 74

Take the Pledge to Approve Referendum 74 and protect marriage equality in Washington State this November 6. As we continue to ramp up our operations in the state, we’re going to need all hands on deck to ensure that our efforts are successful. Your pledge will help HRC and Washington United for Marriage identify hundreds of thousands of supporters needed to win.

Volunteer to Approve Referendum 74

To defend marriage equality in Washington State, we need you to volunteer with our efforts to Approve R-74. While the election may not be until November 6th, the hard work of identifying supporters has begun and must continue to grow over the next seven months. We need to identify 1.5 million voters to cast their ballots in our favor – and we need your help to do it.

Ongoing Events in Your Area

Ongoing Weekly Events –
Phone Banks
Seattle: Monday through Thursday 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tacoma: Tuesday 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Spokane: Tuesday through Thursday 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Phone From Home Program
If you have a phone line and computer with internet access, you can help us make calls from anywhere in Washington State. Phone From Home Training: Every Tuesday 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Door to Door Canvassing
Help us collect postcards pledging to Approve Referendum 74.
Seattle: Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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Shh! Never Discuss Your Salary … Fatima Goss Graves, National Women’s Law Center

04/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Never discuss your salary with anyone.

That’s what they told Lilly Ledbetter on her first day on the job in 1979. It wasn’t until she found an anonymous note in her locker that Lilly realized that she was being paid as much as 40% less than her male colleagues in the same position.

This sort of pay secrecy policy that punishes employees helps to hide discriminatory pay practices. And here’s the kicker: Lilly worked all those years for Goodyear Tire & Rubber, which had the privilege of being a federal contractor.

Today is Equal Pay Day — the day that a typical woman’s wages finally catch up to a typical man’s in 2011. Ask President Obama to ban federal contractors from retaliating against employees who talk about wages.

It took Lilly 20 years to find out that she was being paid less than her male co-workers. But we know that Lilly is not alone: nearly fifty years after President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, women working full time are paid just 77 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts. And the wage gap is far worse for women of color.

It’s time to end punishing pay secrecy policies among federal contractors.

The President has the executive power to protect employees who work in companies that have federal contracts. Presidents have used executive orders to address other workplace rights, including requiring that contractors protect their employees from discrimination on the job.

In recognition of Equal Pay Day, join us in calling on President Obama to end retaliatory pay secrecy policies in federal contracting.

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Fatima Goss Graves
Vice President for Education and Employment
National Women’s Law Center
P.S. NWLC has some brand new resources released for Equal Pay Day. Check out our interactive wage gap map and new fact sheets on the wage gap and women of color, minimum wage and combating punitive pay secrecy policies.

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House -Gives Cantor what he wants no matter who it will hurt – the Senate considers S.1925 & S.1789

04/19/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 9:30amET April 19, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the following 30 minutes.
The filing deadline for 2^nd degree amendments to the Lieberman-Collins substitute amendment #2000, as modified and to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill is 11:00am on Thursday.
At 2:15pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Lieberman-Collins substitute amendment #2000, as modified. If cloture is not invoked, there will be a 2^nd roll call vote on S.1789, the Postal Reform bill.
We continue to work on an agreement regarding amendments to the Postal Reform bill and will notify Senators if such an agreement is reached.

As we continue to work on an agreement for a finite list of amendments to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill, the cloture votes on the Lieberman-Collins substitute amendment #2000, as amended and on the underlying bill have been postponed until a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader.

When an agreement is reached and/or votes are scheduled, another message will be sent.

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Judiciary committee and passed H.R.1021, the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act with a Coons amendment.

Adopted S.Res.430, recognizing the 75^th anniversary of the founding of Ducks Limited.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider Executive Calendar #528, the nomination of Brian Wimes, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri.

At 5:00pm on Monday, April 23, there will be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

As a result of this agreement, at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, April 23, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination of Brian Wimes, of Missouri, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri.

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution disapproving a rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures.

There will be 4 hours for debate on the joint resolution of disapproval equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The first 2 hours of debate will occur from 2-4pm on Monday, April 23. The final 2 hours will occur from 10:30am-12:30pm on Tuesday, April 24. At 2:15pm on Tuesday, the Senate will proceed to vote on adoption of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36.

If the motion is successful, then the time for debate with respect to the joint resolution would be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Then upon use or yielding back of time the Senate would proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution. All other provisions of the statute governing consideration of the joint resolution remain in effect.

The Senate has reached the following agreement on S.1789, the Postal Reform bill.

The cloture motions with respect to the Lieberman-Collins substitute amendment and the bill were vitiated. The motion to recommit was withdrawn. The pending amendments #2013 and #2015 were withdrawn.

The following amendments are the only amendments in order to S.1789 or the pending substitute amendment #2000, as modified:

– McCain #2001 (substitute);

– Tester #2056 (modify process for closing facilities);

– Coburn #2060 (government sponsored conferences)**;

– McCain #2033 (Reorganization Commission);

– Wyden-Feinstein #2020 (vote by mail)**;

– Coburn #2058 (access to postal facilities)**;

– McCaskill-Merkley #2031 (rural post offices) ;

– Coburn #2061 (retirement);

– Snowe #2080** (3^rd party study closings);

– Udall (NM) #2043 (six day delivery);

– Durbin #2082 (to protect efficient processing facilities)**;

– Akaka #2034, with a modification agreed to by both managers (workers compensation);

– Bennet-Blunt #2047 (protection advocate)**;

– Corker #2083 (frequency of mail delivery) ;

– Mikulski #2003 (Governor certification)**;

– Akaka #2049, ** (managerial organizations);

– Paul #2025 (end mailbox use monopoly);

– Manchin #2079 (extend moratorium on closings);

– Paul #2026 (performance based bonuses)**;

– Bingaman #2076 (state liaisons)**;

– Paul #2027 (capitol complex);

– Cardin #2040 (50 mile limit)**;

– Paul #2028 (alternative methods pilot program);

– Carper #2065 (stamp rate authority);

– Paul #2029 (profitability plan)**;

– Carper #2066 (executive compensation);

– Paul #2039 (prohibit collective bargaining);

– Casey #2042 (delivery time);

– Paul #2038 (first class mail and mailbox use);

– Landrieu #2072 (impact on small businesses)**;

– DeMint #2046 (unions);

– McCaskill #2030 compensation reforms)**;

– Coburn #2059 (close unprofitable facilities);

– Pryor #2036 (SoS re: closing and consolidation)**;

– Rockefeller #2073 (Medicare coordination)**;

– Rockefeller #2074 (health benefits program)**;

– Schumer #2050 (delivery point services);

– Tester #2032 (executive pay)**; and

– Warner #2071, with modification to be agreed to by two Managers (OPM retirement implementation plan).

On Tuesday, April 24^th at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader (likely following the 2:15pm vote in relation to S.J.Res.236), the Senate will vote in relation to the amendments in the order listed, with two minutes equally divided in the usual form between the votes. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration. The amendments are subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. No other amendments are in order to the bill or the substitute. No points of order or motions are in order to any of these amendments, the substitute amendment, or the bill other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive.

Upon disposition of the amendments, the substitute amendment, as amended, if amended, will be agreed to. The bill, as amended, will be read a third time and the Senate will proceed to a vote on passage of the bill, as amended. Finally, the vote on passage of the bill is subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold.

** indicates the amendments we would like to consider by voice vote.

————————————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 19, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

. -The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on April 23, 2012.4:57:36 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:57:25 P.M. -Mr. Broun (GA) moved that the House do now adjourn.4:54:06 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the 2012 National Drug Control Strategy – referred to the Committees on Armed Services, Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Oversight and Government Reform, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs, and Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-98).2:34:35 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.2:23:46 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.2:23:11 P.M. -Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, April 19, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 23, 2012. Agreed to without objection.1:56:18 P.M. -H.R. 9Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:56:17 P.M. -H.R. 9On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 173, 1 Present (Roll no. 177).1:46:32 P.M. -H.R. 9On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 229 (Roll no. 176).1:31:00 P.M. -H.R. 9The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.1:24:00 P.M. -H.R. 9DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Deutch motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with amendments to prevent the tax deduction from allowing companies to ship jobs overseas. It would also prevent the tax deduction from being used on income from prostitution, pornography, drug trafficking, lobbying, golf courses that discriminate based on sex or race, or by taxpayers who violate Iran sanctions. Further, any Member of Congress taking the deduction would have to disclose the deduction amount and type of business income from which it came.1:20:01 P.M. -H.R. 9Mr. Deutch moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.1:18:51 P.M. -H.R. 9On agreeing to the Levin amendment; Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 175 – 236 (Roll no. 175).12:26:01 P.M. -H.R. 9DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 620, as amended, the House proceeded with 25 minutes of debate on the Levin substitute amendment.12:25:48 P.M. -H.R. 9Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Levin.11:00:40 A.M. -H.R. 9DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 620, as amended, the House proceeded with 70 minutes of debate on H.R. 9.10:58:53 A.M. -H.R. 9Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, shall be considered as adopted. The resolutions waives all points of order against provisions of the bill, as amended. The resolution makes in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute, for 20 minutes of debate, which shall not be subject to amendment.10:58:48 A.M. -H.R. 9Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 620. H.R. 9 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for domestic business income of qualified small businesses.”10:58:14 A.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 290 – 118, 3 Present (Roll no. 174).10:51:16 A.M. -H. Res. 620Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:51:16 A.M. -H. Res. 620On agreeing to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote: 234 – 178 (Roll no. 173).10:42:26 A.M. -H. Res. 620On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 234 – 179 (Roll no. 172).9:21:21 A.M. -H. Res. 620DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 620.9:21:06 A.M. -H. Res. 620On agreeing to the Sessions amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.9:20:41 A.M. -H. Res. 620An amendment, offered by Mr. Sessions, to make changes to the debate time for both the resolution and the amendment .9:14:20 A.M. -H. Res. 620Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 620 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for domestic business income of qualified small businesses.”9:03:15 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.9:02:48 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hochul to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:17 A.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Gene Green(TX) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Gene Green(TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.9:01:06 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Gerald Baker, St. Ann Catholic Church, Morganfield, Kentucky9:00:38 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.9:00:25 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.