Monthly Archives: October 2013

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Republicans, In their own words


By

GOPers Explain Why Congress Needs to Pay Our Bills

A growing number of Republicans are downplaying the significance of next week’s default deadline. Frighteningly, these default deniers are also downplaying the catastrophic economic impact of defaulting on our obligations, be they to bondholders, seniors, veterans, or millions of others.

It was not always this way. In fact, some of today’s most ardent opponents of a clean bill to take the threat of default off the table were among the most ardent supporters of raising the debt limit under President George W. Bush.

Here they are, in their own words (click through to watch):

DaveCampWide

As ThinkProgress notes, nearly $4 TRILLION of debt limit increases were routine matters under President Bush:

Boehner, Cantor, and the GOP leadership voted for five separate debt limit increases during George W. Bush’s presidency, requiring no similar concessions.

In November 2004, 104 Republican Representatives and Senators who are still serving today voted for an $800 billion increase in the federal debt ceiling, with no strings attached. Other increases in 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007, requested by the Bush administration, were enthusiastically backed by his Republican allies.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joint Economic Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) were among the most vocal supporters of debt limit increases between 2002 and 2006. They defended an increase as not only necessary, but also a basic matter of responsibility and good governance.

BOTTOM LINE: It’s time for Republicans to follow their own advice and agree to pay the bills Congress has already racked up in order to avoid an unprecedented and catastrophic default on our obligations.

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Monsanto and Scott McAllister


SierraRise -- Why stand apart, when we can rise together?

GMO mega-corporation Monsanto wants special treatment from Congress. Make sure they don’t get it!

Tell your senators: Protect our health — not Monsanto’s profits!
No corporation is above the law!
Take action today!

Take action today!

Scott McAllister lost everything — his farm, his home, his savings. The stress attacked his heart, on top of the Parkinson’s disease he already had. All because of one giant corporation: Monsanto.
Every year, Monsanto uses a team of 75 lawyers to attack food safety and small farmers like Scott.[1] Most farmers’ only “crime”? Reusing seeds from the year before. And now this greedy corporation — the maker of Agent Orange, no less — is demanding Washington pass the Monsanto Protection Act. This bill would effectively block folks like you and me from suing them if their unregulated GMO foods make us sick.[2]
 Over 2 million people from across the globe have spoken out against genetically modified seeds (GMOs) and Monsanto’s dirty tactics.[3] Will you join this powerful grassroots movement and tell our government to put our health and environment before Monsanto’s corporate profits?
Tell Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray that no corporation is above the law. Together, we can raise 50,000 SierraRise voices against the Monsanto Protection Act by Monday!
Monsanto is a ruthless company that will stop at nothing to stay on top, even if it means destroying family farmers and selling toxic chemicals. It’s little surprise, then, that they would get an anonymous congressman to introduce their bill for them, with no debate and no transparency.
Monsanto has a deadly history. They’re the producer of chemicals so toxic they are known by name alone: killers like Agent Orange, DDT, and PCBs. Now, Monsanto is looking to dominate our food system with genetically modified seeds — even though a study found their corn seeds caused cancer in lab rats.[4]
Is this really a corporation we can trust with the food we give our families and put in school lunches?
Tell the Senate to put public health above Monsanto’s profits by stopping the Monsanto Protection Act today!
Our nation’s process for confirming the safety of GMO foods is already too weak — requiring little review and fraught with industry influence. If passed, the Monsanto Protection Act will only make things worse, temporarily stripping our courts of the power to stop Monsanto from selling GMO seeds recently found to be potentially dangerous. [5,6]
 Monsanto is the biggest bully in agri-business. It is clear from their tactics that they value their corporate profit over the safety of our food, our environment, and our nation’s farmers.
It is time to take a stand against Monsanto and tell our leaders that the people come before corporate bottom lines.

Tell your senators to stop the Monsanto Protection Act now!
In it together,
Ashley Allison
SierraRise Senior Campaigner

References:
[1] Cesca, Bob (2010 March 8). “Monsanto watch: Targeting American farmers with lawyers, fear and money.” Daily Finance.
[2] Grim, Ryan (2013 September 11).”House Republicans Push To Include Monsanto Protection Act In New Spending Bill.” Huffington Post.
[3] AP staff (2013 May 26). “Up to 2 million march against Monsanto.” Salon.
[4] Goldstein, Katherine and Gazelle Emami (2010 March 18). “Monsanto’s GMO Corn Linked To Organ Failure, Study Reveals.” Huffington Post.
[5] Snopes staff (2013 September 13). “Monsanto Protection Act.” Snopes.
[6] Rivas, Anthony (2013 September 13). “Monsanto Protection Act’ Extended By House Republicans For Another 3 Months; Food Advocacy Groups Decry Legislation.” Medical Daily.

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Dear Avaaz friends,


In just 2 days’ time, African leaders could kill off a great institution, leaving the world a more dangerous place.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the world’s first and only global court to adjudicate crimes against humanity. But leaders of Sudan and Kenya, who have inflicted terror and fear across their countries, are trying to drag Africa out of the ICC, allowing them the freedom to kill, rape, and inspire hatred without consequences.

I know that together we can change this. But we have to join hands and call on the voices of reason at the African Union (AU) – Nigeria and South Africa – to speak out and ensure that the persecuted are protected by the ICC. Join me by adding your name to the petition now and share it with everyone — when we have hit 1 million our petition will be delivered straight into the AU conference hall where Africa’s leaders are meeting in Addis Ababa.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/justice_for_africa_icc/?biEWLbb&v=30043

In my years of work, life and travel, the fight for justice has been a long and arduous one. I have seen the very worst in Darfur and Rwanda, but also the very best with the reconciliation in South Africa. During this journey, I have seen great gains made that protect the weak from the strong and give us all hope. The ICC is one of these beacons of hope.

This threat to the ICC started precisely because the court was doing its job. It charged Kenya’s Deputy President for killing people who rallied against him during an election and Sudan’s President for murdering women and children in Darfur. Now Kenya and Sudan are lobbying all of Africa to pull out of the court and destroy its chance of success.

But in Darfur, Congo, Cote D’Ivoire and Kenya, the ICC has played a key role in bringing hope to those terrified by the armies, militias and madmen that have waged war against the innocent. It’s a light in the darkness that cannot be allowed to go out.

The main argument by some leaders with a guilty conscience is that the ICC is a Western witch-hunt as most of the investigations have happened in Africa. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. This was an institution that was created by 20 African countries, 5 of the court’s 18 judges are African and the chief prosecutor is African.

Friday is a key judgement day. Will our African leaders stand on the side of justice or injustice? With survivors and fallen victims or with tyrants and oppressors? This is the moment to choose. Join me in calling on African leaders to stand on the side of justice and support the International Criminal Court:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/justice_for_africa_icc/?biEWLbb&v=30043

I’ve seen some of the brightest moments in human history, moments where we together brought hope to so many. This is our chance to do that again, together.

With hope and appreciation for this community,

In 2 days, African leaders could vote to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, crippling one of the world’s best hopes for confronting genocide and crimes against humanity. I know together we can stop this. Join me in urging the voices of reason within the African Union to stand up for justice and accountability — let’s protect this great institution:

Desmond Tutu

More information:

Botswana Supports International Criminal Court (Voice of America)
http://www.voanews.com/content/botswana-supports-international-criminal-court/1764960.html

130 Groups Across Africa Call for Countries to Back ICC (Human Rights Watch)
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/07/130-groups-across-africa-call-countries-back-icc

Kenya pushing for African split from International Criminal Court (Irish Times)
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/africa/kenya-pushing-for-african-split-from-international-criminal-court-1.1549427

Annan defends International Criminal Court (News 24)
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Annan-defends-International-Criminal-Court-20131007

Africa to debate ICC role amid growing opposition (Yahoo News)
http://news.yahoo.com/africa-debate-icc-role-amid-growing-opposition-103053710.html

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 10/10 ~~ the House


matthew 25

The Senate stands adjourned under the provisions of S.Res.267 as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Rod Grams of Minnesota until 10:30am on Thursday, October 10, 2013.

  Following any Leader remarks, it is expected that the Majority Leader will move to proceed to S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014.

The time until 1:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 1:00pm, the Senate will recess subject to the call of the Chair to allow for special caucus meeting with the President.

This morning Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #211, S.1569, a bill to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until December 31, 2014. The time until 1:00pm is equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees. As a reminder, the Senate will recess at 1:00pm subject to the call of the Chair.

By unanimous consent, the Senate passed H.J.Res.91, Making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2014.

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The Senate has reconvened and has resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1569, Default Prevention Act of 2013. The time until 6pm is equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees, and with senators on the majority side limited to 10 minutes each.

The time until 7pm on the motion to proceed to S.1569, Default Prevention Act of 2013, is equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1569, the Default Prevention Act of 2013. Unless an agreement is reached, the cloture vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Saturday, October 12.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.J.Res.91, Making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.

Passed S.1276, a bill to increase oversight of the Revolving Fund of the Office of Personnel Management with a committee-reported substitute amendment and a Carper title amendment.

Adopted H.Con.Res.58, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need for the continued availability of religious services to members of the Armed Forces and their families during a lapse in appropriations with Levin amendments to the resolution and the preamble.

Completed the Rule 14 process of:

–          H.J.Res.84, Head Start Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014;

–          H.J.Res.89, Making appropriations for the salaries and related expenses of certain Federal employees during a lapse in funding authority for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes;

–          H.J.Res.90, Federal Aviation Administration Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014; and

–          H.J.Res.91, Making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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

Last Floor Action:
5:09:47 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

———————————————————————————

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Meet Butch


ThinkProgress

Dear Friend,

The new health care marketplaces established by Obamacare opened on October 1, and they’ve already had an incredible impact.

Last week, ThinkProgress brought you the story of a man named Butch Matthews. He’s an Arkansas Republican and former small business owner, never liked Obamacare, but he learned to love the law when he found out it would save him $13,000 a year.

Still, the tea party in Congress have used misinformation about Obamacare to justify shutting down the government. Now, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are going without a paycheck.

So, before I go on, I just want to say: If you’re affected by the shutdown, then ignore this email. We understand, you can’t give during this difficult time. Thank you for your service.

But if you aren’t affected and you count on our coverage, then we need you. We have plans to expand our work during this critical time, but need to hit our $25,000 goal in the next week to put them into action.

Click here to give $5 or more so ThinkProgress can keep bringing you stories like Butch’s. We can’t do this work without your help.

Part of the reason we have this government shutdown is because so many people are misinformed about the impact of Obamacare. Good information will help lead us out of the crisis. That’s why stories like Butch Matthews’ matter so much, and that’s why we need to redouble our efforts.

We want to keep finding the people like Butch who tell us the real story of Obamacare, but we need the funding to do that. Without ThinkProgress on the case, these stories simply will not be told.

Even as little as $5 can make a difference, so act right now if you value our hard-hitting coverage. We need your support to hit our $25,000 goal.

Donate $5 or more so ThinkProgress can fight back against the conservative misinformation machine. We can get the truth out, but only with your help.

It’s not enough to bemoan the conservative misinformation machine—fight back!

Please give what you can—together we cut through the DC echo chamber with the stories of real people and an unflinching commitment to the truth.

Sincerely,

Tom Perriello