In this week’s address, the President discussed his recent trip to Minneapolis where he met a working mother named Rebekah, who wrote the President to share the challenges her family and many middle-class Americans are facing where they work hard and sacrifice yet still can’t seem to get ahead. But instead of focusing on growing the middle class and expanding opportunity for all, Republicans in Congress continue to block commonsense economic proposals such as raising the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance and making college more affordable.

The President will keep fighting his economic priorities in the weeks and months ahead, because he knows the best way to expand opportunity for all hardworking Americans and continue to strengthen the economy is to grow it from the middle out.

Click here to watch this week’s Weekly Address.

A Day in the Life: Rebekah from Minneapolis

This past March, a mom from Minneapolis named Rebekah wrote the President a letter about the increasing costs of taking care of her family. She told him about her day-to-day struggles, and let him know what she thinks needs to change. This week, the President traveled to Minnesota to spend some time with her. Check out the live-blog from President Obama’s trip.

This week takes us south of the border with the Vice President, to our nation’s capital for the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families, and along for the ride as Rebekah gets a reply… in person.

President Obama addressed the League of Conservation Voters at their annual Capital Dinner. In his remarks, he commended them on their work to protect the planet, and emphasized that the work is “even more urgent and more important” now than when he last spoke to the League in 2006, due to the rapidly growing threat of climate change.

Mark Miloscia Vs our Democratic candidate: Shari Song

06/30/2014 Nativegrl77

Washington state … Rodney Tom is out of the picture, but we inherited another politician cut from the same cloth – Mark Miloscia.

This spring, Mark Miloscia, a former Democratic State Representative, stuck his thumb in the air to test the political winds.

Miloscia decided to help the Republicans keep control in the State Senate. He is now running as a Republican for Senate in the 30th Legislative District.

Shari Song is running for State Senate in the 30th District

Click here and say:
I’m with Shari

We need elected officials who stand up and fight for the values we believe in, not shift their principles for political gain.

We need elected officials who will work together to pass a transportation package and fully fund our children’s education. We need Shari Song.

Shari Song is running for State Senate in the 30th Legislative District. Will you sign our petition and show your support for Shari Song?

Shari is a community leader who founded a Korean American preschool. She served on the Diversity Commission for the City of Federal Way, was recognized by Soroptomist International with their Woman of Distinction award, and received a King County Recognition Award for Community Service from former Executive Ron Sims.

Learn more about Shari at www.votesharisong.com.

Shari’s campaign has already earned early endorsements from the King County Democrats, the International Aerospace Machinists, and FUSE Washington. These groups have added their names to a growing coalition of broad and diverse backers.

This race is critical to our mission to take back the State Senate. Join us and stand behind Shari Song – sign on as a supporter today.

Thank you for your support,

Jaxon Ravens
Washington State Democrats Chair

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 6/30 the House

06/30/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, July 7, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #738, the nomination of Cheryl Ann Krause, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. All post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will vote on confirmation of the Krause nomination.

Upon disposition of the Krause nomination, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2363, a bill to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting, and for other purposes and vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2363.

Therefore, there will be 2 roll call votes at 5:30pm on Monday, July 7^th:

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #738, the nomination of Cheryl Ann Krause, of New Jersey, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit and

– Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2363, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2014.

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

Last Floor Action:
11:32:57 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 641. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on July 3, 2014.

Last Floor Action:
1:54:25 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on June 30, 2014.

11:30:15 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:30:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Stewart to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:30:41 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
11:32:04 A.M.		The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 641, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
11:32:12 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:32:57 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 641. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on July 3, 2014.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Charles and David: Our nation is not for sale

06/28/2014 Nativegrl77

The self-interested, ultraconservative Koch machine is undermining and corrupting our democracy by drowning out the voices of the rest of us.

That’s why I’ve made a video to help explain America’s giant Koch problem—and explore what we can do about it.

I hope you’ll take a look.

Charles and David Koch personify everything that’s wrong with big money in politics. This summer, MoveOn is working to ensure that the hundreds of millions of dollars they plan to spend in the upcoming election cycle becomes a searing political liability.

If you agree that it’s high time America told the Koch brothers that our nation is not for sale, please share the video with your friends.

Thanks for standing up for democracy.

–Robert Reich

Want to support our work? We’re entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Support public financing in Seattle

06/28/2014 Nativegrl77

Seattle has been a leader on equality and raising the minimum wage and now we have the opportunity to lead on clean elections, too. This public financing proposal is our best opportunity to do something about Citizens United at the local level. Tell the Seattle City Council to support public financing to get big money out of our elections!