Meals for Seniors and Head Start ~~~ End the Sequester


Sarasota - Meals on Wheels
Sarasota – Meals on Wheels (Photo credit: roger4336)

Tonight, chances are a senior in your community will go to bed hungry.


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Send a message to Congress   and President Obama to find a way to
end sequestration now!
Head Start Gets Results

I saved people from fire. Now I have cancer


                                                By Janette Neves Rivera and the Center for Environmental Health
                                                Oakland, California

Firefighter with breast cancer needs your help to stop dangerous chemicals in homes

I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer last year. The news was a really big shock considering I have no family history of the disease. It got even worse when the doctor told me the cancer is most likely related to my job and environment as a firefighter. Later I learned that most women with breast cancer have no family or other known risk factors.

Did you know that couches and other common household items including many children’s products contain harmful flame retardant chemicals? I didn’t have any idea about this health hazard until I started doing some research. The Chicago Tribune has extensively reported on flame retardants and about how these chemicals “migrate out of products into household dust ingested by people, especially young children.” They also reveal that there are studies showing “some flame retardants can make smoke from fires even more toxic.” Numerous scientific studies have shown that many flame retardant chemicals can cause cancer, reproductive difficulties, developmental problems and other serious health issues.

I found out that firefighters are at such high risk from dangerous chemicals that women firefighters in my city are diagnosed with breast cancer at 6 times the rate of other women.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has the power to help put an end to unnecessary flame retardants in furniture and other everyday products. But instead of taking strong action, they may be moving to obstruct vital health protections. Please sign my petition to show them that people like us matter! The Commission has a July 1 deadline for comments, and this is our best chance to have a real impact on this public health issue.

I know that my children are proud of the work I do, and I strive to be a good role model for them. But I never expected that giving back in this way would expose me to cancer-causing flame retardant chemicals that are threatening my life and  the future I’m trying to build for my family.

Fire safety experts are on record testifying that these dangerous flame retardant chemicals do not even effectively prevent fires in furniture and many other products, but huge chemical companies are behind efforts to keep their products in household items despite what’s happening to people like me.

As I have traveled through my cancer journey, I have asked myself, how I can be a catalyst for change? I want my story to help bring about change and slow the rate of cancer and exposure to toxins, not just for firefighters but for our children. The chemical industry is well-funded so I decided to work with the Center for Environmental Health on this campaign because I believe our health is the most important gift we have for ourselves and our families.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has until July 1 to hear from you on their current comment period. Please sign to ask that they prioritize public safety over chemical companies’ bottom lines. Tell them to put a stop to dangerous flame retardant chemicals.

the Senate S.744,Border Sec.,Econ Op,Immigration~~~~ CONGRESS ~~~~ the House HR1797,HR1947, HR1151,HR1896


capitolphonelines

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
  • The time until 12:30pm and the time from 2:15pm until 3:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At approximately 3:00pm, there will be up to 4 roll call vote in relation to the following, in the following order:
  • All amendments will require 60 affirmative votes. There will be two minutes equally divided between the votes and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.
  • Senator Leahy, the manager of S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, has encouraged senators to file their amendments by this Thursday, June 20.
  • As a reminder, at 3:00pm today there will be a series of up to 4 roll call votes on the following amendments to S.744, Comprehensive Immigration Reform:- Thune amendment #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion);- Landrieu amendment #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children);- Vitter amendment #1228 (US-VISIT system); and- Tester amendment #1198 (Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials).The first vote in this series will be a 15 minute vote and the remaining will be 10 minute votes.
  • Each amendment is subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold.
  • 3:01pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Thune amendment #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion);Not Agreed To: 39-54
  • The Landrieu amendment #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children) was then agreed to by voice vote.
  • At 3:35pm the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Vitter amendment #1228 (US-VISIT);Not Agreed To: 36-58
  • 3:56pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Tester amendment #1198 (Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials);Agreed To: 94-0
  • The following amendment are pending to S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act:
    • Leahy amendment #1183 (international participation in the performing arts)

    The following amendments have been considered to S.744:

    •  Grassley amendment #1195 (prohibit the granting of registered provisional immigrant status until the Secretary has maintained effective control of the borders for 6 months) Tabled: 57-43
    • Thune amendment #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 39-54
    • Landrieu amendment #1222 (citizenship for internationally adopted children); Agreed to by voice vote
    • Vitter amendment #1228 (US-VISIT system)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 36-58
    • Tester amendment #1198 (modify Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials) (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 94-0
  • The amendments listed below are in order to be called up to S.744, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. No second degree amendments are in order prior to a vote, and the amendments are not subject to division. Tomorrow we will continue to work towards an agreement to vote in relation to the amendments.-          Manchin #1268 (border security contractor salaries);

    –          Pryor #1298 (recruitment of former Armed Forces members for Customs and Border Protection);

    –          Merkley #1237, as modified (H.R.2-B nonimmigrants);

    –          Boxer #1240 (National Guard/Coast Guard training);

    –          Reed #1224 (merit-based immigrant visa applicants)

    –          Cornyn #1251 (Statement of Congressional findings);

    –          Lee #1208 (Fast-track approval of border security);

    –          Paul #1200, as modified (border security enhancements);

    –          Heller amendment #1227 (Nevada representative on Southern Border Security Commissions); and

    –          Cruz #1320 (border security).

  • WRAP UP
  • ROLL CALL VOTES1)      Thune amendment #1197 (permanent resident status after border completion )(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 39-54

    2)      Vitter amendment #1228 (US-VISIT system)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 36-58

    3)      Tester amendment #1198 (Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials)(60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 94-0

    LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

    Adopted S.Res.143: recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in the efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2013.

    Adopted S.Res.173, Designating September 2013 as “National Child Awareness Month” to promote awareness of charities benefitting children and youth-serving organizations throughout the United States and recognizing efforts made by those charities and organizations on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States.

    Adopted S.Res.174, designating June 20, 2013, as “American Eagle Day”.

    No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Last Floor Action:6/17/13
9:46:30 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 18, 2013.

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