~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ACA Latino Week of Action

02/25/2014 Nativegrl77

Buenas tardes,

Today, the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services are kicking off our “Latino Week of Action,” continuing the Administration’s efforts to engage the Latino community to #GetCovered or #Asegurate under the Affordable Care Act.

Across the country, community organizations have joined local, state and federal government partners to convene health care enrollment events, partnering with Spanish language media to offer personalized enrollment assistance and to encourage Latinos to sign up for quality and affordable health coverage.

The Latino Week of Action will increase outreach efforts to educate Latinos across the country about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and to let them know how affordable quality health insurance is if they enroll in the health insurance Marketplaces.
We have only 5 weeks left to enroll as many Latinos as possible so we are issuing a broad call to action to Latino leaders throughout the country to do your part to educate, engage, and enroll Latinos so they can receive quality, affordable health care.
And we want to know what you’re doing in your communities to meet our shared challenge. We want to recognize our top leaders, especially our young leaders who are working hard to reach out to Latinos, Latinas, familiares y vecinos.
So let us know what you’re doing and make sure it’s specific. Let us know how many people you’re educating, how many people you’re enrolling and how you are personally making a difference.
Please send your updates and reports to Latino@who.eop.gov by Friday, February 28th to add your name to the list of candidates to potentially be recognized as a Champion of Change for the Latino community on the Affordable Care Act.

This week we will continue to highlight the bilingual enrollment tools available to Latinos to sign up for coverage through the health insurance Marketplaces:

Online at HealthCare.gov or CuidadodeSalud.gov.
Over the phone by calling the 24/7 customer service center at 1-800-318-2596 with help available in English and Spanish.
In-person assistance in local communities through Find Local Help or ayuda local on the Spanish health care site.
As well as updated information about Immigrant Family Eligibility, including resources for navigators, assistors, promotoras, and more.

And below are additional resources you can use to spread the word:

President Obama video message to the Latino community on available tools for enrollment.

President Obama’s video message to get covered.
Spanish-language tool to share stories of health care coverage #OurSalud: Comparte Tu Historia.
Video de CMS: ¿Como hago para escoger un plan en el Mercado de Seguros?

As one of the most disproportionately uninsured populations, the Latino community needs your active participation in order to educate others about the health care law. That is why we are engaging in ambitious outreach efforts aimed at helping Latinos including young Latinos learn and sign up for quality, affordable coverage available through the Marketplaces.

In other news, the President recently took the opportunity to recognize several dedicated Latinos through recent nominations and appointments. Some of the prominent Latinos who were recently appointed in the Administration to support the President’s Agenda, include:

Mileydi Guilarte – Nominated to serve as the United States Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank
Nathalie Rayes – Nominated to serve as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Judge Carlos Eduardo Mendoza – Nominated for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Juan Carlos Iturregui – Nominated to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation
Annette Taddeo-Goldstein – Nominated to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation

As always, please share this information with your networks, get engaged in educating the Latino community about the Health Insurance Marketplaces, and use the hashtags #OurSalud or #Asegurate to join the conversation.

Thank you.

Jorge Neri Associate Director White House | Office of Public Engagement

Agency Updates

Nominations Sought for 2014 National MED Week Awards February 12, 2014 The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) today announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2014 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Awards competition.

Proposed Agricultural Worker Protection Standard: EPA Needs Your Input February 20, 2014 The Environmental Protection Agency announced proposed changes to the agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) to increase protections from pesticide exposure for the nation’s 2 million agricultural workers and their families.

President Obama to Award Medal of Honor February 21, 2014 On March 18th, 2014, President Barack Obama will award 24 Army veterans the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. These veterans will receive the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor during major combat operations in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Each of these Soldiers’ bravery was previously recognized by award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest military award; that award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor in recognition of their gallantry, intrepidity and heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

Get Involved

Questions and Answers on the ACA If you have questions about the health care law, the Affordable Care Act, this is the webinar for you! We will answer questions that have been submitted in advance as well as new questions asked during the webinar. Please send your questions by February 20 at 10 a.m. ET to ACA101@hhs.gov.

Who: HHS Partnership Center What: Webinar with questions and answers on the ACA When: Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 1 PM ET RSVP: RSVP online at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/635927095

ACA Latino: Conference Call with Vice President Joe Biden As the final deadline for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act fast approaches, we have to continue to work collectively to increase Latino enrollment under ACA. In this call, Vice President Biden will discuss the recent efforts being put forth across the country and the current state of Latino ACA.

Who: The White House, Vice President Biden What: Conference call on the status of Latino enrollment in the health insurance marketplace across the country. When: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 5:45PM ET RSVP: RSVP online at http://ems6.intellor.com/index.cgi?p=600216&t=1&do=register&s=&rID=3&edID=2

Latinos and the Health Insurance Marketplace (in English) According to the Census Bureau, nearly 16 million Hispanics are uninsured. The health care law is in effect and there is a new way for individuals and families to get health insurance. This webinar is co-sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families and the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Please send your questions to ACA101@hhs.gov by Noon ET on February 26.

Who: HHS Partnership Center What: Webinar focused on Latino to enrollment in the health insurance marketplace When: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 7 PM ET RSVP: RSVP online at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/915498183

Get Updates

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Full Spectrum

02/25/2014 Nativegrl77

| By CAP Action War Room

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly In LGBT News

It’s been a busy weekend in LGBT news. We’ve pulled together the good, the bad, and the ugly stories for you to stay up to speed on the fight for equality.

The Good:

Jason Collins Became The First Out Gay Man In A Major American Sports League Last Night. Collins first made headlines when he announced, in an article last year for Sports Illustrated, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” Collins went unsigned at the beginning of the year, but yesterday signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets GM said that signing Collins was strictly “a basketball decision” and not a political one. But that won’t stop Collins from making a small political statement of his own–by wearing number 98 to honor Matthew Shephard, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in 1998. Check out the video of Collins entering the game and making history.
Cook County, Illinois Is Now Issuing Marriage Licenses Immediately Instead Of Waiting Until June 1. Illinois’ marriage equality law is not set to take effect until June 1, but a federal judge has ruled that same-sex couples can begin marrying immediately, at least in Cook County, where a lawsuit was filed. Friday afternoon, 46 couples rushed to the County Clerk David Orr’s office to be the first to get marriage licenses.

The Bad:

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Won’t Say Whether Or Not She Will Sign An Extreme Anti-Gay Bill. Under the guise of respecting “religious liberty,” the bill would effectively give businesses the ability to explicitly discriminate against LGBT people. Vetoing it is a no-brainer, but Brewer has refused to offer her stance–and has left the door open that she may in fact support it. Similar bills in the dark red states of Kansas and South Dakota have failed in the past week, and the Arizona congressional delegation–including Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain, both Republicans–have urged Brewer to veto the bill. This bill is another in the long line of legislation and court rulings with exceedingly broad religious liberty exemptions that open the door to discrimination. Religious liberty is a core American value, but the Constitution protects religious liberty for all, not just religious liberty for some.

The Ugly:

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Signed Into Law A Bill That Criminalizes Homosexuality. The law, often referred to as the “Kill the Gays” bill because previous versions of it included the death penalty, allows for a lifetime jail sentence for people found guilty of being gay. First-time offenders can be punished with 14 years in jail. Those who promote LGBT issues would also be in violation of the law, as would anybody who officiates a same-sex marriage or anyone “aiding and abetting homosexuality.” In other words, the law can be used to punish anyone, not just LGBT people. Unfortunately, American conservatives have been heavily involved in exporting anti-LGBT hate to Uganda and countries around the world.

BOTTOM LINE: The arc of the moral universe bent a small but noticeable bit toward justice yesterday when Jason Collins stepped on the court wearing a Brooklyn Nets uniform. But despite all the progress made, the fight for equal rights is far from over. And as Uganda shows, some places around the world are even turning back the clock when it comes to human rights.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 2/25 the House

02/25/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, February 25, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11:05am with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

At 11:05am, the Senate will resume Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #570 James Maxwell Moody, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas, post-cloture with the time until 11:15am equally divided and controlled.

At 11:15am, there will be 5 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of the Moody nomination

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566 James Donato to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

– Confirmation of the Donato nomination

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567 Beth Labson Freeman to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California and

– Confirmation of the Freeman nomination.

All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

Following disposition of the Freeman nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:15pm, there will be up to one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees prior to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

As a reminder, there will be up to 5 roll call votes at 11:15am. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration and there will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between each vote. Senator Reid encouraged senators to vote within the allotted vote time in order to process the nominations in a timely fashion. Following these votes, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. Then there will be 1 hour for debate prior to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

If all time is used, the cloture vote would occur at 3:15pm.

11:15am votes:

– Confirmation of Executive Calednar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Arkansas;

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California;

– Confirmation of the Donato nomination;

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and

– Confirmation of the Freeman nomination.

3:15pm vote:

– Cloture on motion to proceed to S.1982, Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

11:16am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Arkansas;

Confirmed: 95-4

At 11:45am, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California;

Invoked: 55-42, with 1 voting present

12:04pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

Confirmed: 90-5

12:21pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

Invoked: 56-42-1 present

12:38pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.

Confirmed: 91-7

At 3:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.

3:34pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014;

Invoked: 99-0

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #570, James Maxwell Moody, Jr., of Arkansas, to be United States District Judge for the Easter District of Arkansas; Confirmed: 95-4

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #566, James Donato, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Invoked: 55-42-1 present

3) Confirmation of the Donato nomination; Confirmed: 90-5

4) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #567, Beth Labson Freeman, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Invoked: 56-42-1 present

5) Confirmation of the Freeman nomination; Confirmed: 91-7

6) Cloture on motion to proceed to S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014; Invoked: 99-0

Additional Legislative items

Passed H.R.2431, a bill to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System.

No additional Executive items

==============================================================

Last Floor Action:2/24
12:19:43 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:00:05 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:22 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:58 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:19:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:35 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 25.
2:00:48 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Butterfield to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:19 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:12:49 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice that the national emergency with respect to the Government of Cuba’s destruction of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace on February 24, 1996, is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-92).
2:13:48 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
3:03:07 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 25.
3:03:14 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:03:29 P.M.	H.R. 1211	Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1211 — “To amend section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), to provide for greater public access to information, and for other purposes.”
3:03:43 P.M.	H.R. 1211	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:03:47 P.M.	H.R. 1211	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1211.
3:17:10 P.M.	H.R. 1211	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.
3:17:33 P.M.	H.R. 1232	Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1232 — “To amend titles 40, 41, and 44, United States Code, to eliminate duplication and waste in information technology acquisition and management.”
3:17:50 P.M.	H.R. 1232	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:17:52 P.M.	H.R. 1232	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1232.
3:42:41 P.M.	H.R. 1232	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:43:10 P.M.	H.R. 1423	Mr. Lankford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1423 — “To provide taxpayers with an annual report disclosing the cost and performance of Government programs and areas of duplication among them, and for other purposes.”
3:43:32 P.M.	H.R. 1423	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:43:35 P.M.	H.R. 1423	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1423.
3:54:34 P.M.	H.R. 1423	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:55:42 P.M.	H.R. 1123	Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1123 — “To promote consumer choice and wireless competition by permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other purposes.”
3:55:57 P.M.	H.R. 1123	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:55:59 P.M.	H.R. 1123	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1123.
4:36:39 P.M.	H.R. 1123	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.
4:37:00 P.M.	H.R. 1944	Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1944 — “To protect private property rights.”
4:37:04 P.M.	H.R. 1944	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:37:08 P.M.	H.R. 1944	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1944.
4:56:17 P.M.	H.R. 1944	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.
4:57:47 P.M.	H.R. 2530	Mr. Roskam moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2530 — “To improve transparency and efficiency with respect to audits and communications between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service.”
4:57:52 P.M.	H.R. 2530	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:57:55 P.M.	H.R. 2530	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2530.
5:17:17 P.M.	H.R. 2530	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:17:42 P.M.	H.R. 2531	Mr. Roskam moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2531 — “To prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from asking taxpayers questions regarding religious, political, or social beliefs.”
5:17:52 P.M.	H.R. 2531	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:17:53 P.M.	H.R. 2531	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2531.

5:36:35 P.M.	H.R. 2531	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:36:49 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:30 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 25.
6:30:31 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:30:40 P.M.	H.R. 1211	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1211 — “To amend section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), to provide for greater public access to information, and for other purposes.”
7:01:57 P.M.	H.R. 1211	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 63).
7:02:08 P.M.	H.R. 1123	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1123 — “To promote consumer choice and wireless competition by permitting consumers to unlock mobile wireless devices, and for other purposes.”
7:10:53 P.M.	H.R. 1123	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 295 – 114 (Roll no. 64).
7:11:00 P.M.		Mr. Woodall filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 487.
7:12:34 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:25:28 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.