Pelosi House Dems and the Headlines ~~ July 2013 ~~


English: Nancy Pelosi photo portrait as Speake...
English: Nancy Pelosi photo portrait as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pelosi Statement on the June Jobs Report

“Today’s jobs report is a step in the right direction for our workers, our businesses, and our middle class.  Now, we must act to put more people to work, expand our economy, and spur prosperity for all Americans.”
Friday, July 5, 2013
“A peaceful, democratic transition of power and the legitimate election of a new president are essential to ensuring Egypt’s prosperity and enduring stability.”
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
“The vast majority of businesses subject to the law’s responsibility requirement already provide health insurance to their employees.  Indeed, 98 percent of businesses with 200 or more employees and 94 percent of businesses with between 50 and 200 employees already offer coverage.  The Administration is providing these firms simplification in what they have to report.  This change will not affect upcoming enrollment in health insurance marketplaces nor a family’s ability to obtain insurance coverage that fits its needs.”
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
“To serve alongside Bill Gray was to be inspired by his passion and commitment, by his focus on the future and his belief in the common good.  It was an honor and a privilege to know him as a colleague and a friend.  We only hope it is a comfort to his wife, Andrea, his three sons, and his family and loved ones that so many share in their grief at this sad time.”
Monday, July 1, 2013

Pelosi: Americans Can’t Wait Another 100 Days for Republicans to Deliver a Final Budget

“Hard-working Americans cannot wait another 100 days for House Republicans to do their job.  House Democrats have named budget conferees and are ready to work together to reach an agreement.  It is time for Speaker Boehner to trade in Republican obstruction for an open negotiating process so we can deliver a budget that promotes economic growth, invests in innovation and infrastructure, and reflects the values of the American people.”
Monday, July 1, 2013
“Securing a higher education is no longer a luxury for America’s youth; it is a necessity for economic opportunity and prosperity.  Democrats are ready to work across the aisle to ensure students are not left to foot the bill of Republican obstruction and delay.  We must restore the lower interest rate and secure the success of America by securing the success of America’s students.”
Monday, July 1, 2013
“As the Yarnell fire continues to spread, as wildfires across the Southwest threaten Americans’ homes and communities, we will stand ready to do what we can to assist state and local leaders to battle the blazes, to save lives, to ultimately recover and rebuild.  Our united response and actions will be a fitting memorial to the 19 firefighters who perished in this terrible tragedy.”
Monday, July 1, 2013

President’​s Visit to Africa


The Best Photos from the President’s Visit to Africa

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as daughters Sasha and Malia, just returned from their June 26 – July 3 visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. And our photographers have chosen some of their favorite photos from the trip — capturing some incredible behind-the-scenes moments.

Click here to view a photo recap of the First Family’s trip.

The First Lady, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, joined President Obama’s official visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania on June 26–July 2. During the trip, the First Lady met with young people and highlighted the power of education.

We’re Listening to Businesses about the Health Care Law

As we implement the Affordable Care Act, we have and will continue to make changes as needed. In our ongoing discussions with businesses we have heard that you need the time to get this right. We are listening. So in response to your concerns, we are cutting red tape and giving businesses more time to comply

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Honoring Carole King at the White House

Earlier this year, legendary singer and songwriter Carole King was honored at the White House as the recipient of the 2013 Gershwin Prize for Popular song. King is the first woman to receive the award, which was created in 2007 by the Library of Congress to recognize “the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture”.

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Powering Africa

Nearly 70 percent of Africans lack access to electricity, and yesterday, President Obama visited the Ubungo Symbion Power Plant in Dar es Salaam to highlight a new initiative called Power Africa, which aims to double the number of people across the continent who have access to power.

READ MORE

 

Shell heads to Russia


greenpeace
Shell was forced to quit in the US Alaskan Arctic this year after a series of dangerous and humiliating failures. But now Shell has a Plan B to enter the Arctic through Russia, and it’s urgent that we spread the word before it’s too late. We need you to share this video to expose Shell’s ruthless new plan, and ask your friends to sign the petition to save the Arctic from oil destruction:
StopShell
Increasingly desperate to plunder the Arctic in any way possible, Shell has made a deal with the devil: partnering with monstrous Russian oil and gas giant Gazprom to access the Arctic through Russia, where laws are lax and corruption is rife.

Shell’s new bedfellow Gazprom is infamous for a catastrophic accident in 2011 when its oil rig sank in stormy weather – and 53 people died. This new partnership is a guaranteed oil spill in the making, and the environmental catastrophe zone of northern Russia is a preview of the Arctic’s future if we don’t act.
We know that spreading this video will harm Shell’s carefully-tended reputation. The last thing the company wants is to appear as a risky investment to its shareholders and partners, so broadcasting this treacherous new deal to the world could help keep Shell out of the Russian Arctic.
Help us trash Shell’s brand before they trash the Arctic. Click here to see the video, share it with your friends and invite them to our movement. You can also just forward this email, or copy and paste the text below.
Thanks so much.
Ian Duff
Arctic Campaign
Greenpeace

—————–Copy and paste this text into an email for your friends—————-
Friend,
Have you seen this petition to save the Arctic? www.savethearctic.org. I’ve signed and you should too.
The Arctic is under threat like never before. As polar sea ice melts faster than ever, huge oil companies like Shell are rushing to profit from Arctic oil at any cost. An oil spill would have deadly consequences for this fragile environment, destroying the home of Indigenous communities and amazing species like polar bears.
Help us declare a global sanctuary in the uninhabited area around the North Pole, and a ban on offshore drilling and industrial fishing in the whole region. Join our 3 million-strong movement now at www.savethearctic.org.
Thanks!

Emily J. Martin, National Women’s Law Center


National Women's Law Center
As Americans, we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.
This is true not only on the 4th of July, but every day in our country.
Last week, the Senate passed a historic bipartisan immigration reform bill. Though the bill was flawed, it was a good first step toward creating a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrant women and men who contribute to our communities. Now it’s time for the House of Representatives to follow suit.
Tell your Representative to pass comprehensive immigration reform that meets the needs of immigrant women and their families.
Immigration reform should help families reunite and stay together, ensure that immigrant women have fair access to the path to citizenship and green cards, protect against the exploitation of workers, make affordable health care available to lawfully present immigrants, and preserve tax credits and Social Security benefits for lawful immigrants.
Fight for immigrant women and their families. Tell your Representative we need immigration reform to provide a roadmap for people who aspire to be citizens and to give immigrant women and families a fair chance.
It’s not what you look like or where you were born that makes you American — it’s how you live your life. We believe that families should stick together, and that we have a responsibility to help our neighbors. Common-sense immigration reform will make this possible for the millions of immigrant families contributing to our communities today.
Thank you for everything you do for women and their families.
Sincerely,
Emily J. Martin Emily J. Martin Vice President and General Counsel National Women’s Law Center