Daily Archives: 02/04/2013

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Weekly Address and more


In this week’s address, President Obama calls on Congress to work together on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit and promote economic growth and job creation.

Watch this week’s Weekly Address.

Watch Presiden't Obama's Weekly Address

In Case You Missed It

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:

Immigration Reform: On Tuesday, President Obama traveled to Las Vegas to present his plans for comprehensive immigration reform. The four parts of the White House proposal call for a strengthening of our borders, cracking down on companies that hire undocumented workers, creating a path to earned citizenship and streamlining our legal immigration system for all.

“Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future,” said President Obama, urging a bipartisan effort.

  • Speak out to show your support and get the facts on our immigration reform page.
  • Read the President’s remarks on comprehensive immigration reform.
  • Watch the President’s speech on comprehensive immigration reform.

Turning to Law Enforcement: On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Biden welcomed police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country to hear their ideas on protecting our communities from gun violence. The President is seeking to prevent mass shootings like Newton, where 20 young children and six adults were killed by a gunman, and explained, “it’s also what happens on a day-in-day-out basis in places like Chicago or Philadelphia, where young people are victims of gun violence every single day.”

Advancing Gender Equality: On Wednesday, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum to champion gender equality and empower women and girls. While in office President Obama has acknowledged the importance of women in the political and economic worlds. Under the President’s guidance, the White House Council on Women and Girls was initiated and his first piece of legislation was the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which makes it easier for women to challenge unequal pay.

Mama, I Made It: On Monday, the Miami Heat were honored at the White House for their 2012 NBA Finals victory. After President Obama’s remarks, an excited LeBron James candidly described the moment. “We’re in the White House right now,” James said. “This is like, hey, mama, I made it.”

Check out the full ceremony and watch James present President Obama a signed ball and star forward Dwayne Wade give a jersey to the President. Be sure to also take a look at our behind the scenes look on the Heat’s trip to the White House.

Relief for Syria: On Tuesday, the White House released a video message from President Obama announcing an additional $155 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria. The aid provides food, clean water, medicines and medical treatment. The United States and its allies are working together to ensure the aid goes directly to those who need it most. The United States total contribution to the people of Syria stands at $365 million as the aid comes at a critical moment when allies are fighting for an end to the corrupt Assad regime.

Fireside Hangout: On Thursday, the White House continued their series of Google+ hangouts with senior White House officials. Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, discussed the President’s proposal for comprehensive immigration reform with participants from across America. Follow the White House on Google+ to receive the latest updates and stay in the loop for ways you can be involved for the next hangout.

Get Updates

Sign up for the Daily Snapshot

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the Gun Debate


By ThinkProgress War Room

The Ultimate Guide to the Gun Debate

Americans from the kitchen table to Congress are debating how to stop the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our country. As is often the case, there is a lot of misinformation being spread by opponents of commonsense measures to prevent gun violence. In order arm you with the best facts so you can win the debate on guns, ThinkProgress’ Zack Beauchamp has assembled the ultimate guide to the gun debate.

Click through to get everything you need to know to make your own argument and to refute the false arguments advanced by our opponents:

THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

1. “The law’s ban on some so-called assault weapons is nonsensical. All such weaponry terminology means is that they are semi-automatic weapons (which most guns are) with some military-style external features.”

2. “The last assault-weapons ban didn’t work.“

3. “So-called ‘assault weapons’ are nowhere near the root of the American violence problem.”

4. “Violent crime has decreased 17 percent since the assault weapons ban expired..”

UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DEALER INSPECTIONS

1. “How is this supposed to prevent mass murder?”

2. “Although better enforcement of existing restrictions on gun ownership sounds unobjectionable, it would unjustly deny millions of people the right to armed self-defense.”

HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES

1. “High-capacity magazines…require less frequent reloading, but are more likely to jam, and at any rate changing magazines is not difficult even for the untrained.”

2. “Magazine size is more likely to matter for people defending against aggressors.”

3. “In the latest incarnation of Mrs. Feinstein’s ban, we would see the return of an ammunition limit that had no proven impact on crime while it was in effect from 1994-2004.”

THE SCIENCE ON GUNS

1. “More guns, less crime.”

2. “If gun control works, Chicago ought to be safe.”

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

The NRA has an official enemies list.

Bradley Cooper stopped by our office to discuss mental health.

How taxpayers are footing the bill for the site of this year’s Super Bowl.

Exxon and Chevron made $71 BILLION last year thanks to record high gas prices.

Six key facts about the American jobs market in 2012.

More bizarre comments about gays from San Francisco 49ers players.

Everything you need to know about the new birth control coverage rules out today.

The Chinese espionage action against major American newspapers.

GOP lawmaker behind extreme abortion ban has a few problems with minorities too.

Black History

CONGRESS: Republican led House :::VAWA/GunSafety/Immigration::: Democrats led Senate


Obama Launches DNC Campaign Tour At Illinois State Capitol

the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET February 4, 2013

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act with the time until 5:30pm equally divided and controlled.
  • At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act.

5:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act; Agreed to: 85-8

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to proceed to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act; Adopted: 85-8

 LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.227, a bill to authorize the transfer of certain funds to improve security at United States embassies and other diplomatic facilities worldwide, and for other purposes.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.209, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. (Paul)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.204, the National Right-to-Work Act. (Paul)

 No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

The Next Senate Floor Schedule is  for Thursday, February 7, 2013
Convenes: 9:30am Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.47, the Violence Against Women Act with the time until 12:00pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Senator-designate Cowan, of Massachusetts, will be sworn in at noon on Thursday. We hope to complete action on the Violence …

—————————————————

 The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 4, 2013.

Last Floor Action:
11:05:39 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

 

2:00:59 P.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:01:03 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:03:38 P.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:03:41 P.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:03:57 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:16:00 P.M.   The House received a communication from the Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Ms. Wasserman Schultz submitted her resignation from the Committee on the Budget. The resignation was accepted without objection.
2:17:27 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.
5:05:43 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 4.
5:06:06 P.M.   The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
5:06:20 P.M. H.R. 297 Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 297 — “To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize support for graduate medical education programs in children’s hospitals.”
5:06:39 P.M. H.R. 297 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:06:41 P.M. H.R. 297 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 297.
5:16:56 P.M. H.R. 297 At 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.
5:17:14 P.M. H.R. 225 Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 225 — “To amend title IV of the Public Health Service Act to provide for a National Pediatric Research Network, including with respect to pediatric rare diseases or conditions.”
5:17:30 P.M. H.R. 225 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:17:32 P.M. H.R. 225 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 225.