In the Newsroom with Gov.Inslee ~~ April 2014


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04/29/2014 – Gov. Inslee announces executive action to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy

 

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Colombia’s U’wa People Facing Violent Eviction


Amazon WatchURGENT – We are sending this critical update and call for support given signs the Colombian government is preparing to violently evict the U’wa indigenous people from their own territory. Amazon Watch is raising funds to bring two U’wa leaders (seen in this video) to the United States in mid-May so they can communicate their situation to the world in their own voice. They will attend the UN’s annual meeting of indigenous peoples in New York City and then carry out important advocacy meetings in Washington, DC. But we need your help to get them here!

A Tragedy Foretold?
Colombia’s U’wa People Facing Violent Eviction

Colombia's U'wa

The last time Colombian armed forces evicted an U’wa protest, it ended in tragedy. On February 11th, 2000, three indigenous children drowned in the Cubogón River as they fled helicopter-bound National Police. The U’wa were peacefully blocking a road and stopping materials for an oil exploration project, not miles from where they are currently camped out in La China.

This situation is at risk of repeating itself once again. Though the U’wa held high-level talks last Friday with the Colombian government, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Amylkar Acosta, stated this morning in a Caracol Radio interview that the government might declare a State of Emergency given that the shut-down of the Caño Limón pipeline is causing significant economic losses. Some 2.5 million barrels of oil have not been exported since the pipeline was bombed on March 25th, resulting in an estimated $8 million in daily revenue losses for the government.

Watch the video and read the rest here »

Banned For Life …


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NBA Takes Decisive Action On Clippers Owner Donald Sterling After Racist Comments

The National Basketball Association has banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life, fined him $2.5 million, and urged the league’s Board of Governors to force a sale of the team. The decision was announced this afternoon in a news conference by NBA commissioner Adam Silver after confirming that it was in fact Mr. Sterling’s voice making racist comments on an audio recording that surfaced Saturday.

The ban will prevent Sterling from attending any of his team’s games or participating in any operations or personnel decisions. The $2.5 million fine is the “maximum allowable under the NBA’s constitution,” Silver said (it is really just a drop in the bucket for the billionaire Sterling). And the decision to force the sale of the team can only be made with the approval of three-fourths of the league’s owners, whose support Silver “fully expect[s]” to get.

Reaction to the initial comments came swiftly from across the sports world and beyond. NBA legend Michael Jordan — who is also the only current African American principal owner in the league — was “obviously disgusted” and “completely outraged”. Major advertisers dropped their Clippers sponsorships. President Obama chimed in to say, “when ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk.”

The league’s decision today has been met with similar speed and almost universal acclaim. Numerous players voiced their support for the commissioner, including League MVP LeBron James:

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The NBA Player’s Association, the union representing the players, held a press conference in which they universally praised the commissioner for showing “zero tolerance for institutional racism.” And other NBA owners, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who previously stated that efforts to remove Sterling from the league could be a “very very very slippery slope,” stood behind the decision “100%.”

But Donald Sterling has had a long history of charges of racial discrimination and sexual harrassment, which has caused some to ask why it has taken the NBA this long to act. Here is Travis Waldron at Think Progress:

Sterling’s racism is first and foremost an indictment of Sterling, and Silver should, on some level, be commended for taking strong action now. But as ESPN’s Bomani Jones so eloquently stated yesterday, the transgressions that went unnoticed and the implications of them are even bigger problems than Donald Sterling. And if we let this situation pass now without exploring why it took this long to hold him accountable and how we can address — or at least talk about — the litany of larger problems that Sterling both profited from and perpetuated, we will have accomplished far less from all of this than we could and should have.

BOTTOM LINE: Whether it comes from a rural rancher in Nevada or the owner of a major sports franchise in one of America’s biggest cities, racism clearly has no room in our culture. And given our country’s history, that’s progress. But we also must keep working to insist that discrimination — racial or otherwise — existing outside the spotlight is brought forward and treated with the same zero tolerance that we saw today.

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 4/30 ~~ the House


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Republicans continue to block bills that would help all Americans NOT just Democrats …

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 10:30am with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the time until noon will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. At noon, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2223, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act.

At 4:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to 6 roll call votes in relation to the following:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #585, Sheryl H. Lipman, of TN, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #586, Stanley Allen Bastian, of WA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #587, Manish S. Shah, of IL, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #588, Daniel D. Crabtree, of KS, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #589, Cynthia Ann Bashant, CA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California; and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #590, Jon David Levy, of ME, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine.

During Tuesday’s session, cloture was filed on the following nominations in the following order:

–        Executive Calendar #591, Theodore David Chuang, of MD, to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland;

–        Executive Calendar #592, George Jarrod Hazel, of MD, to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland; and

–        Executive Calendar #575, Nancy L. Moritz, of KS, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit.

The Chuang cloture vote is expected to occur Thursday morning, May 1. Unless an agreement can be reached, there would be up to 2 hours for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the Chuang nomination. Upon disposition of the Chuang nomination, there would be a cloture vote on the Hazel nomination and, if cloture is invoked, then up to 2 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the Hazel nomination. Upon disposition of the Hazel nomination, we would then move to the cloture vote on the Moritz nomination. If cloture is invoked on the Moritz nomination, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the Moritz nomination.

As a reminder to all Senators, at noon, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2223, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act.

At 4:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to 6 roll call votes in relation to the following:

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #585, Sheryl H. Lipman, of TN, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #586, Stanley Allen Bastian, of WA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #587, Manish S. Shah, of IL, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #588, Daniel D. Crabtree, of KS, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas;

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #589, Cynthia Ann Bashant, CA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California; and

–        Confirmation of Executive Calendar #590, Jon David Levy, of ME, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine.

Additional votes on nominations are possible today. When an agreement is reached, another message will be sent.

12:00pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2223, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act; Not Invoked: 54-42

For procedural reasons, Senator Reid changed his vote to no and then he entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote at a later time. The motion to proceed to S.2223 remains pending. At 4pm, we will turn to Executive Session and proceed to a series of 6 votes on confirmation of district judge nominations.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in votes related to nominations today, tomorrow, and Monday. All votes after the first vote in each series will be 10 minutes in duration. There are two minutes for debate equally divided prior to each vote.

 

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

4:00pm-up to 7 roll call votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #585, Sheryl H. Lipman, of TN, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #586, Stanley Allen Bastian, of WA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #587, Manish S. Shah, of IL, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #588, Daniel D. Crabtree, of KS, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #589, Cynthia Ann Bashant, CA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California
  6. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #590, Jon David Levy, of ME, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine
  7. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #711, Robert O. Work, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense

 

Thursday, May 1, 2014

11:00am-up to 3 roll call votes:

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #591, Theodore David Chuang, of Maryland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #592, George Jarrod Hazel, of Maryland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland
  3. Cloture on Executive Calendar #575, Nancy L. Moritz, of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit

 

1:45pm—up to 4 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #591, Theodore David Chuang, of Maryland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #592, George Jarrod Hazel, of Maryland, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #730  Janice Marion Schneider, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #701 Suzan G. LeVine, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Swiss Confederation, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Principality of Liechtenstein

 

Monday, May 5, 2014

5:30pm—up to 2 roll call votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #575, Nancy L. Moritz, of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #703 Peter A. Selfridge, of Minnesota, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service

 

Unanimous consent request:

Reid:    I ask unanimous consent that following disposition of the Levy nomination, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Cal. #711 (Work) that there be 2 minutes for debate equally divided  between the two Leaders, or their designees prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination;  further that, notwithstanding Rule 22, on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., the Senate proceed to Executive session and vote on the cloture motions for Cal# 591 (Chuang), 592 (Hazel), and 575 (Moritz); further, that if cloture is invoked on any of the nominations, all post cloture time be expired and at 1:45 p.m., the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of  Cal# 591 (Chuang), and #592 (Hazel), #730 (Schneider), and  #701 (LeVine); further that on Monday, May 5, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., the Senate proceed to Executive session and vote on confirmation of Cal. # 575 (Moritz), and #703 (Selfridge), further, that there be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote, equally divided in the usual form, that any roll call votes, following the first in each series, be 10 minutes in length; and if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate’s action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Chair:  Without objection

4:00pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #585, Sheryl H. Lipman, of TN, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee;

Confirmed: 95-0

4:30pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Confirmation of Executive Calendar #586, Stanley Allen Bastian, of WA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington;

Confirmed: 95-0

4:47pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #587, Manish S. Shah, of IL, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois;

Confirmed: 95-0

5:03pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #588, Daniel D. Crabtree, of KS, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas;

Confirmed: 94-0

5:20pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #589, Cynthia Ann Bashant, CA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California

Confirmed: 94-0

At 5:42pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Confirmation of Executive Calendar #590, Jon David Levy, of ME, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine

Confirmed: 75-20

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2223, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act: Not invoked: 54-42
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #585, Sheryl H. Lipman, of TN, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee; Confirmed 95-0
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #586, Stanley Allen Bastian, of WA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington; Confirmed 95-0
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #587, Manish S. Shah, of IL, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois; Confirmed 95-0
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #588, Daniel D. Crabtree, of KS, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Kansas; Confirmed 94-0
  6. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #589, Cynthia Ann Bashant, CA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California; Confirmed 94-0
  7. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #590, Jon David Levy, of ME, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine; Confirmed 75-20

 

Legislative items

S.Res.430, Expressing Support for the designation of May 1, 2014, as “Silver Star Service Banner Day”

S.Res.431, Honoring military children during the National Month of the Military Child

 

Additional Executive items

Confirmed Executive Calendar #911, Robert O. Work, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense, by voice vote

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

Last Floor Action:
1:10:46 P.M. -H. Res. 557
On ordering the previous question Roll Call 184 – Yea and Nay vote pending.

Last Floor Action:4/29
6:08:35 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 30, 2014.

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We Stand with Texas Women


WPThisIsPersonallogoThe situation in Texas is dire — women are being forced to travel hundreds of miles to seek care, some are crossing into Mexico, and recent reports describe women harming themselves in attempts to self-abort.

It’s been almost a year since thousands of women rallied to stop one of the most sweeping packages of abortion restrictions in the country. Despite their efforts, the legislation passed, causing clinics across the state to close and providers to stop performing abortions. By the time all the provisions take effect, it is estimated that more than two-thirds of Texas clinics will have been forced to stop performing abortions or close their doors completely.

Now more than ever, we need passionate advocates who will continue to fight for women in Texas and across the country. One of these women is Candice Russell, winner of the Generation Personal Community Choice Award. She and countless others, like local groups Nuestro Texas and the Lilith Fund, are working hard to ensure that women in Texas are able to get the care they need, despite the hurdles and barriers politicians erected.

Tell Your Friends — The fight in Texas is far from over. It’s time to take a stand for women in the states.

Texas is just one state where new abortion restrictions have put women at risk. Across the country in places like Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama and others, legislatures are considering and passing laws that could have similar outcomes for women. In addition to closing clinics and imposing other barriers to care, many are working to ban abortion altogether.

Visit State Your Action to see if your home state needs help and tell your friends to act now.

Our community was moved by Candice’s testimony to the state legislature, her work with the NARAL Texas Next Generation Board, and by her desire to get involved. Now is your chance to show that you’re committed to the fight for women’s health in Texas, and in states across the country. As Candice said, “We might have lost the battle, but the war is far from over and we can only win if we are all fighting together.”

Visit State Your Action and spread the word — we’re not going anywhere. The fight is not over.

Thanks for keeping it personal,

Thao Nguyen
Campaign Director
This Is Personal