Daily Archives: 03/24/2014

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

On March 25 the Supreme Court will hear two cases


On March 25 the Supreme Court will hear two cases brought by for-profit companies that want to deny their employees coverage for birth control. The bosses at Hobby Lobby, a large chain of arts and craft stores, and Conestoga Wood Specialties, which manufactures cabinets, are arguing that their personal religious beliefs should trump the personal beliefs of their female employees, allowing them to evade the law and deny their employees birth control coverage.

Decisions about my birth control are not my boss’s business. If you agree, add your name to the big banner.

This Is Personal will be at the Supreme Court on the day of the hearings to rally in support of birth control coverage and to show America that every woman should have access to this benefit, regardless of her boss’s religious beliefs.

You can be there with us. Add your name to the banner that we’ll unfurl on the steps of the Supreme Court.

Already more than 27 million women have access to the birth control coverage benefit under the new health care law. Birth control, one of the most frequently used women’s preventive health services, is critical to women’s health and equality. Excluding it from insurance coverage for women while covering the full range of preventive care for men is discrimination—pure and simple.

If you agree — show it. You may not be able to be there in person, but you can still keep it personal. Add your name to the big banner.

Thanks for keeping it personal,

Thao Nguyen
Campaign Director
This Is Personal
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

It’s a New Day in New York City: Paid Sick Time Bill Signed Into Law


The Bill on the Mayor's Desk The Mayor Signs the Bill Into Law
  The Earned Sick Time Act on the Mayor’s Desk                          The Mayor Signing the Earned Sick Time Act Expansion
Dear Friend,
It’s a big day for hardworking New Yorkers. With spring in the air and crowds of excited supporters, A Better Balance stood with Mayor Bill de Blasio today as he signed into law a bill expanding the Earned Sick Time Act. Change has finally arrived for New York City workers who have had to risk losing a day’s pay—or even their jobs—just to care for themselves or family members when they are ill or injured. We couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate the end of winter and the start of a new season!
At today’s pre-signing press conference, we were honored when the Mayor thanked the “A Better Balance coalition” and noted our organization’s commitment to passing a paid sick time law in New York City. The original sponsor of the Earned Sick Time Act, former City Council Member and current Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, also thanked ABB and told the crowd that Sherry Leiwant (ABB Co-President) and Jared Make (ABB Senior Staff Attorney) “probably went to 1,000 meetings” during the four-year paid sick time campaign. We extend our deepest thanks to Mayor de Blasio, Borough President Brewer, City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito, and City Council Member Chin for their commitment to providing paid sick time to working families in New York City.
We are especially grateful to all of our supporters and partners who have encouraged and stood by us as we worked to pass the original version of the bill last year, and then to  strengthen and expand it these past two months. When the law goes into effect on April 1, 2014, it will cover nearly 1.2 million workers who previously had no sick time and will ensure that 3.4 million workers in the private sector have a legal right to sick time.
As the warm weather rolls in, our work on paid sick time in New York City will also begin anew. We’ll be turning our focus to making the new law work for New Yorkers. We’ve created an outreach and education campaign for workers and businesses and will be assisting individual workers to help them enforce their rights. We need your help!
  • Read our  summary of the law and help us get the word out.
  • Check back on our  website in early April for new resources designed to help workers and employers, including a hotline that will provide free legal assistance to workers.
  • Call us at 212-430-5982 if you have questions.
Thank you for helping to make this great day happen,
Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Liz, Risha & Rachel
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Does Big Oil need Loopholes Washington State ?


Does Big Oil need a tax loophole? Sen. Rodney Tom thinks so.

Tom and the Senate Republicans did the most profitable companies on
Earth a huge favor by protecting their $59 million tax loophole. He
killed efforts to close the loophole and invest that money in our kids’
classrooms instead.

Now oil companies are returning the favor by helping bankroll Sen. Rodney Tom’s re–election campaign.
We can’t let them win if we want to retake the Senate. Joan McBride, a
real progressive and former Kirkland mayor, has stepped up to challenge
Tom. Our job is to make sure she defeats him on Election Day.

Fuse members have already chipped in $4,000 to retire Rodney Tom and retake the Senate in 2014.
But we need to raise $6,000 more to reach our goal for launching
organizers and outreach in Tom’s district to retake the Senate. Will you
chip in $5 to retire Rodney Tom right now?

Yes! I’ll help retire Rodney Tom.

Thanks for all that you do,

Erin and entire team at Fuse

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

Dear Friend,
Does Big Oil need a tax loophole? Sen. Rodney Tom thinks so.Tom and the Senate Republicans did the most profitable companies on Earth a huge favor by protecting their $59 million tax loophole. He killed efforts to close the loophole and invest that money in our kids’ classrooms instead.Now oil companies are returning the favor by helping bankroll Sen. Rodney Tom’s re–election campaign.   We can’t let them win if we want to retake the Senate. Joan McBride, a real progressive and former Kirkland mayor, has stepped up to challenge Tom. Our job is to make sure she defeats him on Election Day.

Fuse members have already chipped in $4,000 to retire Rodney Tom and retake the Senate in 2014. But we need to raise $6,000 more to reach our goal for launching organizers and outreach in Tom’s district to retake the Senate. Will you chip in $5 to retire Rodney Tom right now?

Yes! I’ll help retire Rodney Tom.

Thanks for all that you do,

Erin and entire team at Fuse

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Aaron Ostrom, Fuse Votes <info@fusewashington.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 6:58 AM
Subject: Four more years of Rodney Tom?

          Sen. Rodney Tom and the Senate Republicans set new lows for partisanship and obstruction this legislative session. It’s clear we need a change in the state Senate.  Will you chip in $5 to defeat Sen. Tom?
Chip in!

Dear Friend,

We’re ready for a change in the state Senate.

Sen. Tom’s Republican caucus set new lows for partisanship and obstruction this legislative session.  Tom refused to allow a vote on the Reproductive Parity Act or paid sick leave for workers. He tried to kill a bipartisan bill that extended funding for homeless housing. Instead of funding education, they even protected all 650 of the state’s tax loopholes – including Big Oil’s – and created or extended 18 more.

We can defeat Tom and retake the Senate with a strong grassroots campaign – as long as we start now.

We held our first canvass against Tom on March 11 because we can’t wait until October to educate voters about his far–right record. Online and on the ground, we’re going to make sure every voter knows the issues at stake and the importance of retaking the Senate. But we can’t make it happen without you.

We’ve set up a dedicated fund to retire Rodney Tom and retake the Senate in 2014. One hundred percent of the money raised will be used for organizers and outreach to reclaim the Senate. We need to raise $10,000 to jumpstart our campaign this week. If we fall short, we’ll have to endure another four years of Tom in the Senate. Will you chip in $5 to retire Rodney Tom?

Yes! I’ll help retire Rodney Tom.

I want to support long–term progressive change by donating $10 per month!

Two years ago, Sen. Tom switched sides to form a new majority with the Senate Republicans. Their far–right Republican caucus has doomed any hope for progress on climate change, women’s health, gun safety, closing tax loopholes, and more. The Republicans aren’t even running a candidate against Sen. Tom because he’s the key to their power.

Now Sen. Tom is up for re–election and retaking his seat is critical to winning back the Senate. We’ve set up a “Retire Rodney Tom” fund at Fuse to make sure every voter in the 48th District knows about his dangerous record of obstruction in Olympia. Will you chip in $5 to kick off our campaign to retire Rodney Tom?

Yes! I’ll help retire Rodney Tom.

I want to support long–term progressive change by donating $10 per month!

Thanks for all that you do,

Aaron and the entire team at Fuse
Black History

Senate considers;S.2124, a bill to support sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine ~~ CONGRESS 3/24 ~~ House considers;Transportation&Infrastructure


matthew 25

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, March 24, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2124, the Ukraine Act.

 At 5:30pm, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2124.

 As a reminder to all Senators, on Thursday, March 13th, cloture was filed on the following items in the following order:

 112109_health_short–          Motion to proceed to Calendar #329, S.2124, a bill to support sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine, and for other purposes.

–          Executive Calendar #581, Christopher Reid Cooper, of D.C., to be U.S. District Judge for D.C.

–          Executive Calendar #582, M. Douglas Harpool, of Missouri, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Missouri

–          Executive Calendar #583, Gerald Austin McHugh, Jr., of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and

–          Executive Calendar #584, Edward G. Smith, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

 As a reminder when cloture is filed sequentially on several items, the Senate will consider one motion at a time. If cloture is invoked on the motion to proceed to S.2124 and once the motion to proceed is adopted (30 hours after cloture is invoked) or if cloture is not invoked, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and vote on the next motion to invoke cloture on the Cooper nomination.  If cloture is invoked on any of the US District Judge nominations, there will be up to 2 hours of debate equally divided and controlled on the nomination prior to confirmation of the nomination.

5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2124, a bill to support sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine;

Invoked: 78-17

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1)     Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2124, a bill to support sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine; Invoked: 78-17

 

Legislative items

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2149, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (Reed) in order to place the bills on the Legislative Calendar.

 

Completed the Rule 14 process of the following items in order to place the bills on the Legislative Calendar:

–        H.R.3474, the Hire More Heroes Act,

–        H.R.3979, Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responder Act, and

–        S.2148, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014 (Reed-Heller and others).

 

No Executive items

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SocialSecurityposter1

Last Floor Action:
2:07:33 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 24, 2014

Mr. Shuster notified the House that on March 13, 2014, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider resolutions to
authorize 14 prospectuses, including three leases, ten alteration projects, a
one project design, included in the General Services Administration’s FY2013 and
FY2014 Capital Investment and Leasing Programs and transmitted copies of the
adopted resolutions.

keepfamilieshealthyLast Floor Action: 3/21
10:04:27 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn. healthcareissick

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 24, 2014
 

medicare_madness_email

myhealthcareisnotdebateable

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Last Floor Action:
5:25:47 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 P.M. today.

12:00:13 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:20 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Fred Upton to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:44 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.
12:06:18 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:09 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 24.
2:00:22 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:59 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:03 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:27 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:07:33 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

4:00:21 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 24.
4:01:37 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
4:02:27 P.M. H.R. 1228 Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1228 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Packerland Drive in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the “Corporal Justin D. Ross Post Office Building”.”
4:02:43 P.M. H.R. 1228 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:02:45 P.M. H.R. 1228 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1228.
4:12:54 P.M. H.R. 1228 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.
4:13:43 P.M. H.R. 3060 Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3060 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 232 Southwest Johnson Avenue in Burleson, Texas, as the “Sergeant William Moody Post Office Building”.”
4:13:57 P.M. H.R. 3060 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:13:58 P.M. H.R. 3060 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3060.
4:22:26 P.M. H.R. 3060 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.
4:23:01 P.M. H.R. 1451 Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1451 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 Main Street in Brockport, New York, as the “Staff Sergeant Nicholas J. Reid Post Office Building”.”
4:23:08 P.M. H.R. 1451 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:23:10 P.M. H.R. 1451 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1451.
4:29:45 P.M. H.R. 1451 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:30:02 P.M. H.R. 1376 Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1376 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the “Judge Shirley A. Tolentino Post Office Building”.”
4:30:06 P.M. H.R. 1376 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:30:08 P.M. H.R. 1376 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1376.
4:38:10 P.M. H.R. 1376 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:39:16 P.M. H.R. 1813 Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1813 — “To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 162 Northeast Avenue in Tallmadge, Ohio, as the “Lance Corporal Daniel Nathan Deyarmin Post Office Building”.”
4:39:40 P.M. H.R. 1813 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:39:44 P.M. H.R. 1813 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1813.
4:46:51 P.M. H.R. 1813 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.
4:47:34 P.M. H.R. 1036 Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1036 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 Center Street West in Eatonville, Washington, as the “National Park Ranger Margaret Anderson Post Office”.”
4:47:50 P.M. H.R. 1036 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:47:53 P.M. H.R. 1036 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1036.
4:56:28 P.M. H.R. 1036 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:57:18 P.M. H.R. 3771 Mr. Kelly (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3771 — “To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.”
4:57:53 P.M. H.R. 3771 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:57:55 P.M. H.R. 3771 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3771.
5:13:55 P.M. H.R. 3771 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:15:42 P.M. H.R. 4275 Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4275 — “To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for cooperative and small employer charity pension plans.”
5:16:05 P.M. H.R. 4275 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:16:08 P.M. H.R. 4275 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4275.
5:25:06 P.M. H.R. 4275 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:25:47 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 P.M. today.

6:30:32 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 24.
6:30:45 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.
6:31:09 P.M. H.R. 3060 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3060 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 232 Southwest Johnson Avenue in Burleson, Texas, as the “Sergeant William Moody Post Office Building”.”
6:58:58 P.M. H.R. 3060 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 – 0 (Roll no. 136).
6:59:04 P.M. MOMENT OF SILENCE – Ms. DelBene asked unamimous consent to address the House and observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the natural disaster in Washington State.
7:01:41 P.M. H.R. 1813 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1813 — “To redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 162 Northeast Avenue in Tallmadge, Ohio, as the “Lance Corporal Daniel Nathan Deyarmin Post Office Building”.”
7:09:57 P.M. H.R. 1813 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 – 0 (Roll no. 137).
7:09:58 P.M. H.R. 1813 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
7:12:09 P.M. H.R. 2391 Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2391 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5323 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri as the “Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge Post Office”.”
7:12:25 P.M. H.R. 2391 Considered under suspension of the rules.
7:12:27 P.M. H.R. 2391 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2391.
7:22:29 P.M. H.R. 2391 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
7:22:45 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:36:53 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
10:00:47 P.M. Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
10:00:50 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
10:00:58 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 25, 2014.

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