~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Birth Control and Bosses Don’t Mix : NWLC

03/12/2013 Nativegrl77


	Support Birth Control without Co-pays



	Tell HHS you support a workable plan to make birth control coverage without co-pays available to women, regardless of where they work.

Something is wrong with this picture: you, your boss, your birth control.
The reality is birth control and bosses don’t mix. This isn’t a question, at least for you and me. But there are actually people who think that bosses should be able to make their employees’ personal medical decisions — over 50 bosses have even gone to court over it.
The health care law guarantees that women can get birth control covered with no co-pays or deductibles. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a proposed rule whose goal is making sure this is a reality regardless of where a woman works, and the agency is asking people to comment on it.
Bosses who oppose this will be speaking out. We need you to speak out even louder in support of birth control without co-pays for women, regardless of where they work.

Send in your comments today and tell HHS you support a workable plan to make birth control coverage without co-pays available to women, no matter where they work.
When studies show that 99% of sexually active women use contraception, and that Catholic women use contraceptives at nearly the same rate as the general population, it’s shocking that some employers are trying to block access to birth control. Women must have access to no-cost, comprehensive birth control coverage without extra burdens or barriers, as promised in the health care law. So it’s up to us to ensure that the Administration’s plan gives women the ability to get seamless coverage of affordable birth control, no matter who their boss is.
Tell HHS that bosses shouldn’t stand in the way of a woman getting seamless access to birth control.

Send in your comments today and show your support of a workable plan to make birth control coverage without co-pays available to women, regardless of where they work.
We need to stand strong against these efforts to make sure important preventive health services — including birth control — are available and affordable for women who need it.
Thanks for fighting for women’s reproductive health.
Sincerely,

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

P.S. Your support allows us to continue to fight for women’s health, as well as work on many other critical issues. Please consider making a generous donation today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Nominate an AAPI Woman as a Champion of Change

03/12/2013 Nativegrl77

The White House

The American people are the source of some of the best ideas and most innovative solutions. That’s why the White House Champions of Change series spotlights ordinary citizens who are demonstrating extraordinary commitment to their community, their country, and their fellow citizens.

Across the country, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women are doing extraordinary things to create a more equal, safe, and prosperous future. In business, the arts, civil rights, health, and so many other fields, AAPI women are helping to improve the lives of their fellow Americans.

This May, on the occasion of AAPI Heritage Month, the White House Office of Public Engagement, White House Council on Women and Girls, and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will honor a small group of AAPI women as Champions of Change. And we want your help! Members of the public are invited to submit nominations online until Friday, March 29, 2013. A small group of AAPI women who represent diverse experiences and backgrounds will be honored as Champions of Change and invited to the White House for an event in early May.

Click here to nominate an AAPI woman as a Champion of Change before Friday, March 29, 2013 (Note: Under “Theme of Service” please choose “AAPI Women Leaders”)

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What the American People Didn’t Choose

03/12/2013 Nativegrl77

ThinkProgress War Room

6 Things Americans Did Not Vote for in 2012

Tomorrow, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) will release the latest version of his infamous Republican budget plan — you know, the one that ends Medicare as we know it. As we await this plan, it’s worth considering a few things that voters did not choose in the 2012 election.

Paul Ryan: In selecting Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney put Ryan and his ideas front-and-center in the election. Voters said thanks but no thanks to Ryan and his radical ideas. Ryan even lost his hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin.
A Republican House of Representatives: President Obama was easily re-elected and Democrats expanded their majority in the Senate, so why are we stuck with a GOP-controlled House of Representatives? Gerrymandering. Democratic House candidates won more than a million more votes than Republican candidates, but districts drawn by Republicans for Republicans allowed the GOP to hold on to their majority. This isn’t even disputed by the Republicans. In fact, they brag about it.
The Middle Class Footing the Bill: The centerpiece of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s economic proposal was a tax plan that raised taxes on the poor and middle class in order to slash taxes for the wealthy. By contrast, President Obama proposed raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans. The GOP budget’s tax proposals is nearly identical to the Romney-Ryan plan rejected by voters in November.
Ending Medicare: Mitt Romney not only chose Paul Ryan, he wholeheartedly embraced Ryan’s controversial plan to end Medicare as we know it and replace it with a voucher system that stands to double seniors’ out-of-pocket health care costs. Romney and Ryan lost key states with senior-heavy populations, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and New Hampshire.
Repealing Obamacare: Not only did voters not vote for the team that wanted to repeal Obamacare, Mitt Romney says that the president won because of Obamacare. Nevertheless, the GOP budget plan to be unveiled tomorrow will once again call for repealing Obamacare — except for its $716 BILLION in savings from Medicare. Despite demonizing the president for the cuts throughout the campaign, Ryan’s plan keeps those cuts in order to to pay for new tax breaks for the wealthy and special interests like Big Oil and Wall Street banks.
European-Style Austerity: Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan proposed unrealistic draconian spending cuts, while the president proposed investments that will create jobs now and grow the middle class and our economy over the long run. The American people rejected the former and gave an Electoral College landslide to the latter. Nevertheless, the GOP budget plan will feature the kind of unrealistic draconian spending cuts that will make it impossible to make investments in the middle class.The GOP plan will slow down the economy and kill hundreds of thousands of jobs. It’s the same kind of austerity that has led to shrinking economies and record-high unemployment in Europe. Austerity isn’t working there and it won’t work here.

BOTTOM LINE: Paul Ryan and his policies were soundly rejected by voters last November. Instead of doubling down on extreme and unpopular ideas like ending Medicare as we know it and raising taxes on the middle class in order to slash taxes on the wealthy, Republicans should come back to the table and agree to deal with our fiscal challenges in a responsible, balanced manner.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Key senators reach agreement on path to earned citizenship.

After watering down Wall Street reform, former Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) becomes bank lobbyist.

GOP senator takes credit for anti-rape law he voted against.

Awash in profits, corporations shift even more money to tax havens.

The ridiculously biased and incorrect text books approved under Bobby Jindal’s education reform.

GOP hypocrisy on including Obama policies in their budget exposed.

Top GOP strategist: GOP “doesn’t give equal opportunity to women.”

What Paul Ryan really means when he says “pro-growth tax reform.”

The good news about human nature: most people aren’t jerks.

~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

03/12/2013 Nativegrl77

Green Planet, Inc. Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of One Lot of “Night Bullet,” a Product Marketed as a Dietary Supplement to Support Male Sexual Performance, Due to Undeclared, Potentially Hazardous Active Ingredient

03/11/2013 05:48 PM EDT

Green Planet, Inc. is conducting a voluntary consumer recall of a product sold as a dietary supplement under the brand name of “Night Bullet,” found to contain trace amounts of an analogue of an FDA-approved drug. Finished product of Night Bullet was tested and found to contain trace amounts of an analogue of an FDA-approved drug.

Diggin’ Your Dog Recalls Strippin’ Chicks Pet Treats Due to Possible Salmonella Hazard

03/08/2013 04:45 PM EST

Diggin’ Your Dog™ announced today that they are voluntarily withdrawing one lot of its Strippin’ Chicks™ Pet Treats produced on 8-30-12 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The sample was obtained in Colorado and the company has accounted for its distribution in Colorado of this lot.

Diggin’ Your Dog Recalls Strippin’ Chicks Pet Treats Distributed in Colorado and Nevada Due to Possible Salmonella Hazard

03/08/2013 04:45 PM EST

Diggin’ Your Dog announced today that they are voluntarily withdrawing one lot of its Strippin’ Chicks Pet Treats produced on 8-30-12 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The sample was obtained in Colorado and the company has accounted for its distribution in Colorado of this lot.

Premium Edge, Diamond Naturals and 4health Dry Cat Food Formulas Voluntarily Recalled Due to Possibility of Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

03/11/2013 10:21 AM EDT

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling limited production codes of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Kitten Formula dry cat food, Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula dry cat food and 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula dry cat food. Tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1).

Black History

CONGRESS: Republicans :::::: The Vatican vote rules :::::: Democrats

03/12/2013 Nativegrl77

March 2013
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The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12:30pm with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:30pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
Chairwoman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby are expected to make their opening statements around 11:00am on H.R.933, the continuing appropriations bill.
We expect to begin consideration of the bill following the recess for the caucus meetings.

Prior to the caucus recess, Senator Reid moved to proceed to H.R.933, Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013.

We expect to adopt the motion to proceed this afternoon. Once we begin consideration of the bill, Senator Mikulski plans to offer a substitute amendment that includes separate divisions for the Fiscal Year 2013 Agriculture; Commerce, Justice and Science; Defense; Homeland Security; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Acts.

The Senate stands in recess until 2:30pm.

We have been unable to reach an agreement to begin consideration of H.R.933, Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013. As a result of this impasse, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion. We will continue to work to adopt the motion to proceed tomorrow. If we are unable to adopt the motion, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes tonight.

No ROLL CALL VOTES

No LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013

***************************************************************************************************

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

.Last Floor Action:
8:10:14 P.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2013.

12:00:19 P.M.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

12:00:28 P.M.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jackie Walorski to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00:52 P.M.

12:00:19 P.M.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

12:00:28 P.M.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jackie Walorski to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00:52 P.M.

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

12:18:16 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:41 P.M.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 12.

2:00:50 P.M.

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

2:02:17 P.M.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:02:22 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Beatty to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2:02:56 P.M.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:15:24 P.M.

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 12, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. stating that that body had passed S. 166 and that the Senate had agreed to H. Con. Res. 14 and H. Con. Res. 20 without amendment. The message also stated that the Senate had made appointments to the Senate National Security Working Group and the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.

2:16:08 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification that the national emergency with respect to Iran shall continue beyond March 15, 2013. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs andordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-15).

2:17:53 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 P.M. today.

5:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 12.
5:01:47 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:02:00 P.M.	H.R. 749	Mr. Luetkemeyer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 749 — “To amend the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to provide an exception to the annual privacy notice requirement.”
5:02:27 P.M.	H.R. 749	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:02:29 P.M.	H.R. 749	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 749.
5:12:19 P.M.	H.R. 749	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:12:25 P.M.	H.R. 749	<aMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:12:47 P.M.	H.R. 1035	Mr. Luetkemeyer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1035 — “To require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program, and for other purposes.”
5:13:36 P.M.	H.R. 1035	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:13:38 P.M.	H.R. 1035	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1035.
5:20:40 P.M.	H.R. 1035	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.
5:21:11 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 12.
6:32:08 P.M.		Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 107.
6:32:53 P.M.		The House received a communication from The Honorable Mike Rogers (MI). Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Chairman Rogers notified the House that the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence had been served with a criminal trial subpoena for documents, issued by the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and that after consolation with the Office of General Counsel, the Committee had determined under Rule VIII that the documents sought are not “material and relevant,” and that the subpoena is not “consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.”
6:33:15 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:33:39 P.M.	H.R. 1035	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1035 — “To require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program, and for other purposes.”
6:56:24 P.M.	H.R. 1035	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 17 (Roll no. 63).
6:56:25 P.M.	H.R. 1035	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:56:54 P.M.		The House received a communication from The Honorable Ted Poe. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congressman Poe notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena, issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, purporting to require certain responses to a questionnaire in connection with a civil case and that after consolation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined under Rule VIII that the subpoena sought information that is not “material and relevant,” and not “consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.”
6:59:56 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
8:10:05 P.M.		Mr. Garamendi moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:10:13 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:10:14 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2013.

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.