Monthly Archives: June 2012

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Will your Members of Congress stand with the women of Wal-Mart?


National Women's Law Center - Stop Discounting Women
Tell Your Members of Congress to Stand with the Women of Wal-Mart
Betty Dukes with Senator Franken, lead Senate sponsor of the bill
                Co-sponsor the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act of 2012.
Take Action

One year ago today, we told you devastating news: the Supreme Court had ruled against Betty Dukes and the courageous women of Wal-Mart.
In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that the Wal-Mart women could not band together as a single class to challenge discrimination in pay and promotions.
But that’s not the end of the story.
For the last year, the National Women’s Law Center and advocates across the country have pushed Congress for a solution. Today, Congress offered one!
Tell your Members of Congress to stand by the women of Wal-Mart by co-sponsoring the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act of 2012.
Getting co-sponsors on this bill will help it to gain momentum — and we need you to help us move forward!
So what would this bill do?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act of 2012 would remove the obstacles the Supreme Court placed in the way of ordinary Americans seeking their day in court. It offers a clear path for women workers to come together as a group to challenge discrimination. And it would make sure that no employer is too big to be held accountable.
Individual workers — many of whom live paycheck to paycheck — should not be required to stand alone against some of the largest corporations in the world to end discrimination. This bill recognizes the reality of workers’ lives and offers an alternative.
Please tell your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act of 2012. Act now for Betty Dukes, the women of Wal-Mart, and all women workers who suffer from discrimination in pay, in hiring, and in promotions.
Thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Emily J. Martin Emily J. Martin Vice President and General Counsel National Women’s Law Center   

P.S. For more information, check out NWLC’s new fact sheets on the Equal Employment Opportunity Restoration Act of 2012 and the extreme wage gap for retail workers.
Black History

Congress: the Republican led House … the Senate – S.3240,Farm bill & S.1940,Flood Ins bill


the Senate Convenes: 10:30amET June 21, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the time until 11:00am will be equally divided and controlled.
  • At 11:00am, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3240, the Farm bill and the votes on the remaining amendments to the bill.
  • Therefore, Senators should expect the following series of roll call votes at approximately 11:00am:
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1940, the Flood Insurance bill.

11:09am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 47-48

Senators should expect a series of up to 10 roll call votes beginning at 11am today. The possible votes can be found below. Senators Murray and McCain are working on a compromise sequestration amendment that we hope to consider by voice vote.

Yesterday Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1940, the Flood Insurance extension. We are working on an agreement with respect to that bill. If we are unable to reach an agreement to consider amendments, we would have to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to Flood Insurance. That vote is scheduled for tomorrow, however, we are working on an agreement to move the vote to today.

11:00am Votes:

–          Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold)

–          Johanns #2372 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold)

–          Toomey #2247 (paperwork)(60-vote threshold)

–          Sanders #2310 (genetically engineered food) (60-vote threshold)

–          Coburn #2214 (convention funding) (60-vote threshold)

–          Murray #2455 (sequestration) (60-vote threshold)

–          McCain #2162 (sequestration report-DOD) (60-vote threshold)

–          Rubio #2166 (RAISE Act) (60-vote threshold)

–          Passage of S.3240, the Farm bill, as amended (60-vote threshold)

–          Cloture on the motion to proceed to 1940, Flood Insurance Extension Act

11:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on on Johanns amendment #2372 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 56-43

11:55am The Senate began a roll call vote on Toomey amendment #2247 (water report notification) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 58-41

12:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Sanders amendment #2310 (genetically engineered food) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 26-73

12:58pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #2214 (convention funding)(60-vote thresold); Agreed to: 95-4

The following amendments have been considered to S.3240, the Farm bill:

1:25pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Rubio amendment #2166 (RAISE Act)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 45-54

By consent, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.1940, Flood Insurance, will occur upon disposition of the Farm bill. Further, it is in order for the Majority Leader to lay before the body the House Message with respect to S.3187, the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

1:25pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Rubio amendment #2166 (RAISE Act) (60-vote threshold).

On deck:

–          Passage of S.3240, the Farm bill, as amended (60-vote threshold)

–          Cloture on the motion to proceed to 1940, Flood Insurance Extension Act.

1:50pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.3240, the Farm bill, as amended; Passed: 64-35

2:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1940, the Flood Insurance bill; Invoked: 96-2

Today Senator Reid moved to concur in the House amendment to S.3187, the FDA Safety and Innovation Act, and filed cloture on the motion to concur.

At 5:30pm on Monday, June 25, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to S.3187, the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

At 11:00am on Tuesday, June 26, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Executive Calendar #652, the nomination of Robin Rosenbaum, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.  There will be 30 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Senators should expect the vote to begin at approximately noon on Tuesday.

By unanimous consent, on Monday, June 25, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, but no later than 5:30pm, the motion to proceed to S.1940 will be agreed to.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Boxer amendment #2456 (aerial inspections)(60-vote threshold) to S.3240, the Farm bill; Not Agreed To: 47-48

2)      Johanns amendment #2372 (aerial inspections)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 56-43

3)      Toomey amendment #2247 (water notifications)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 58-41

4)      Sanders amendment #2310 (genetically engineered food)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 26-73

5)      Coburn amendment #2214 (convention funding)(60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 95-4

6)      Rubio amendment #2166 (RAISE Act)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 45-54

7)      Passage  of S.3240, the Farm bill, as amended (60-vote threshold); Passed: 64-35

8)      Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1940, Flood Insurance Extension Act; Invoked: 96-2

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Banking Committee and passed H.R.33, the Church Plan Investment Clarification Act.

Discharged the Judiciary Committee and adopted S.Res.471, commending the efforts of the women of the American Red Cross Clubmobiles for exemplary service during the Second World War with a Collins amendment.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

And all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army, Foreign Service, Marine Corps, and Navy.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Executive Calendar #779 William B. Pollard, III, of New York, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Military Commission Review. (New Position)

Executive Calendar #780 Scott L. Silliman, of North Carolina, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Military Commission Review. (New Position)

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #781 to be Lieutenant General: Lt. Gen. Michael R. Moeller

Executive Calendar #782 to be Lieutenant General: Lt. Gen. Mark F. Ramsay

Executive Calendar #783 to be Lieutenant General: Maj. Gen. Thomas W. Travis

Executive Calendar #784 to be Lieutenant General: Maj. Gen. Darren W. McDew

Executive Calendar #785 to be Lieutenant General: Lt. Gen. Stanley T. Kresge

ARMY

Executive Calendar #786 to be Major General: Brigadier General Edward M. Reeder, Jr.

Executive Calendar #787 to be Lieutenant General: Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland, Jr.

Executive Calendar #788 to be Lieutenant General: Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett, III

Executive Calendar #789 to be Lieutenant General: Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg

Executive Calendar #790 to be Lieutenant General: Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins, Jr.

Executive Calendar #791 to be Brigadier General: Col. Barry D. Keeling

Executive Calendar #792 to be Brigadier General: Col. Joseph E. Rooney

NAVY

Executive Calendar #793 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Janet R. Donovan

Executive Calendar #794 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Barbara W. Sweredoski

Executive Calendar #795 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Kirby D. Miller

Executive Calendar #796 to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half):

Captain Michael J. Dumont

Captain Robert L. Greene

Captain Lawrence B. Jackson

Captain Scott B. J. Jerabek

Executive Calendar #797 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) Clinton F. Faison, III

Executive Calendar #798 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) Jonathan A. Yuen

Executive Calendar #799 to be Rear Admiral:

Rear Adm. (lh) Katherine L. Gregory

Rear Adm. (lh) Kevin R. Slates

Executive Calendar #800 to be Rear Admiral:

Rear Adm. (lh) Sandy L. Daniels

Rear Adm. (lh) John E. Jolliffe

Rear Adm. (lh) Christopher J. Paul

Executive Calendar #801 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) Bruce A. Doll

Executive Calendar #802 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) David G. Russell

Executive Calendar #803 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) Elizabeth L. Train

Executive Calendar #804 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) Richard D. Berkey

Executive Calendar #805 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Douglas G. Morton

Executive Calendar #806 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Terry J. Moulton

Executive Calendar #807 to be Rear Admiral (lower half):

Capt. David R. Pimpo

Capt. Donald L. Singleton

Executive Calendar #808 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Paul A. Sohl

Executive Calendar #809 to be Rear Admiral (lower half): Capt. Bruce F. Loveless

Executive Calendar #810 to be Rear Admiral (lower half)

Capt. Brian K. Antonio

Capt. Luther B. Fuller, III

Executive Calendar #811 to be Vice Admiral: Rear Adm. Robin R. Braun

Executive Calendar #812 to be Vice Admiral: Rear Adm. Paul J. Bushong

Executive Calendar #813 to be Rear Admiral: Rear Adm. (lh) James W. Crawford, III

Executive Calendar #814 to be Vice Admiral: Rear Adm. Nanette M. DeRenzi

Executive Calendar #815 to be Vice Admiral: Rear Adm. Michael J. Connor

MARINE CORPS

Executive Calendar #816 to be Brigadier General:

Colonel Edward D. Banta

Colonel Matthew G. Glavy

Colonel William F. Mullen, III

Colonel Gregg P. Olson

Colonel James S. O’Meara

Colonel Eric M. Smith

Executive Calendar #817 to be Lieutenant General: Maj. Gen. (Select) William M. Faulkner

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Watch Floor proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives – live or anytime – on http://www.houselive.gov

working out a html issue with House site

sorry for the extra characters … the once copy and paste easy Rs site is now html complicated … will solve that asap

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Please Contribute to Support Charlie Rangel and Alan Grayson



The Rockets’ Red Glare, the Bombs Bursting In Air.

Congressman Charlie Rangel often says that the last bad day he had was way back in 1950.  Let me explain what he means by that.

Rangel joined the US Army at 18.  He was assigned to the segregated, all-African-American 503rd Field Artillery Battalion.  His nickname was “Sarge,” which was funny, because Rangel actually was a private first class, not a sergeant.

On November 27, 1950, Rangel’s commander, General Douglas MacArthur, learned that the Chinese Army was about to surround America’s Eighth Army.  MacArthur ordered the Eighth Army to retreat.  But that could happen only if American units held off the Chinese forces on the Eighth Army’s right flank.  Charlie Rangel’s unit was given that suicide mission, in what became known as the Battle of Kunu-Ri.

The Chinese Army quickly surrounded Rangel’s unit.  His unit kept fighting.

Sundown brought less shooting, but also bitter cold.  The temperature dropped below zero.  Even at night, the Chinese Army’s bugle orders rang out, and the night sky was lit by Chinese flares.  Rangel called it a “waking nightmare.”  He kept fighting.

Having the high ground, the Chinese Army pounded Rangel’s unit with artillery fire.  On the third day, an explosion sent shrapnel into Rangel’s back.  The shrapnel hit him so hard that he was tossed into a ditch.  He kept fighting.

Rangel and his unit could hear American soldiers screaming and moaning.  They could hear American soldiers being taken prisoner.  Rangel said, “We couldn’t see any possible way out of the situation.”  They could have surrendered.  But they didn’t.

Rangel and his unit were trapped behind enemy lines for three days of heavy fighting.  After three terrible days, under cover of darkness, Charlie Rangel, sleepless, wounded, bleeding and freezing, led 40 American soldiers to safety.

Half of Rangel’s battalion died in the fighting.  Rangel spent a long time in the hospital, recuperating.  For his courage and leadership, he was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, two Presidential Unit Citations, and three battle stars.

And Charlie Rangel was awarded a certain perspective on life itself. As Charlie always says, “Since Kunu-ri, I have never, never had a bad day.”

One week from Tuesday, Congressman Charles Rangel faces the voters in the New York Democratic Primary.  National Public Radio calls it Rangel’s “toughest reelection challenge” since he won the seat in 1970.

Win or lose, it won’t be a bad day for him.  Not after what he went through at Kunu-ri.  But I want it to be a good day for him.  That’s why I’m helping him, and why you should, too.  Click here.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

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HCAN


Helen Dally at Supreme Court

Health care reform is saving lives and protecting families – including young adults trying to start new lives in a challenging economy. So far, 6.6 million young adults have gained health insurance under their parents‘ health care plans as a result of the Affordable Care Act, according to the Commonwealth Fund. The new figures far outstrip earlier estimates.

That’s 6.6 million young people who will have more flexibility to pursue careers of their choosing, who won’t face the added stress of going without health care as they begin their careers and who can know that they’ll be covered if something bad happens. Helen Dally is one of them. In March when the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing arguments on Obamacare, this young woman came to the steps of the court to explain to reporters how the law enabled her to join a health plan sponsored by her parents’ small business.

Please click here to share with your friends and family how this part of the ACA is helping young people.

The dependent coverage provision, one of Obamacare’s most popular elements, allows young adults to enroll in a parent’s health plan as long as they have not reached their 26th birthday and their employer does not offer a qualified health plan. The provision is a godsend for recent college graduates struggling to find work and pay off expensive student loans. Many young adults have been forced to return to their parents’ homes while they look for employment, and the ACA lends these individuals a helping hand while giving parents peace of mind.

This is just one of the many ways that the health care law is working.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill Health Care for America Now

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Politics Blowing UP the Transportation Bill ?


URGENT TO CONGRESS: JOBS AT STAKE
June 30 is the deadline for Congress to act on the surface transportation bill. This bill would protect and create good jobs in the United States and begin to fix our crumbling infrastructure, but it’s being held up because of political antics from extreme Republicans.

Tell your members of Congress it’s time to stop playing politics and pass the surface transportation bill.

I’m writing to you because this is urgent. Jobs are at stake.

Here’s the deal. Both the U.S. Senate and House have passed versions of the surface transportation bill—the Senate version of the bill would create or sustain nearly 3 million jobs—and a conference committee of key House and Senate leaders is negotiating final details of the bill right now. But some Republicans in the House want to make it their way or the highway. They want to starve funding for badly needed infrastructure projects and hold hostage family-sustaining jobs.

In the past two and a half years, Congress has settled for nine short-term extensions instead of coming up with a long-term solution to fix our crumbling infrastructure and get ironworkers, crane operators, cement masons and other construction workers—14 percent of whom are currently unemployed—back on the job.

Without a long-term fix, jobs will be lost and our roads, bridges and transportation system will fall into further decay. Click here now to e-mail your members of Congress to tell them we can’t wait. We need to pass the surface transportation bill now.

This is a chance for our leaders to come together and do their part to create good jobs in the United States and invest in our future. For too long, we have watched while politicians pushed policies that have sent jobs overseas while kicking the can down the road on investing in infrastructure projects that would create jobs here.

Tell your elected leaders in Washington to pass the surface transportation bill before the June 30 deadline.

We’re at a critical point in the legislative process. The conference committee reportedly has narrowed the gap between the bills passed in the House and Senate. But, without pressure from working people like you, a few extreme Republicans—intent on slowly starving funding for the transportation system—may get their way. We can stop this from happening.

E-mail your lawmakers to tell them that now is the time for Congress to set differences aside and come together to pass a surface transportation bill that creates and saves family-sustaining jobs, fixes our crumbling bridges, roads and transportation system and keeps in place Buy America and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections for projects financed by the bill.

Thank you for your support.

In Solidarity,

Andy Richards
Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO

P.S. Actions and events are being organized across the country to call for elected leaders to stop helping companies outsource jobs and instead support the patriotic companies that create jobs here. Click here to find an event near you.