If you care about health care reform, this is a big one.

One of the ways the Affordable Care Act provides access to health coverage is by expanding Medicaid to millions more Americans.

However, 24 states — thanks to leaders playing political games with Obamacare — are still blocking this expansion, and 5.7 million Americans have been locked out from affordable access to health care.

That’s wrong, and we’re going to make sure folks know about it.

Today, OFA supporters across the country are joining in to expose the states with stubborn officials that are blocking access to affordable health care for millions of Americans — share this map on Facebook and Twitter today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Save Duncan from euthanasia

06/05/2014 Nativegrl77

The Municipal Court Of The City Of Seattle: Save Duncan from euthanasia

by Stacey Norman | 10,361 supporters

Duncan is currently being held by the Seattle Animal Shelter awaiting an appeal in Seattle Municipal Court. We are not allowed to visit In September of 2012 Duncan was at home with his mom and dad; dad had just come home from the hospital after…

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 6/5 the House

06/05/2014 Nativegrl77

Climate Change is real

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 1:45pm with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the next 30 minutes and the final 20 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Wyden and Hatch or their designees with Senator Wyden controlling the final 10 minutes.

At 1:45pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and proceed to a series of up to 2 roll call votes (one expected):

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #519, Carolyn Hessler Radelet, of Virginia, to be Director of the Peace Corps (voice vote expected).

At 1:45pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services;

Confirmed: 78-17

This will be the last vote of the day.

Executive Calendar #519, Carolyn Hessler Radelet, of Virginia, to be Director of the Peace Corps, was confirmed by voice vote.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Vote

1) Confirmation of Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services; Confirmed: 78-17

Legislative items

Adopted S.Res.468, a resolution to authorize the production of records by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Additional Executive items

Confirmed Executive Calendar #519, Carolyn Hessler Radelet, of Virginia, to be Director of the Peace Corps by voice vote.

Senate Floor Schedule for Monday, June 9, 2014

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Last Floor Action:
3:04:46 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 9, 2014.

Last Floor Action:6/2
12:04:20 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on June 5, 2014.

3:00:32 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
3:00:42 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas E. Petri to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
3:00:54 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Oran Warder, St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia.
3:02:25 P.M.		The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 604, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
3:02:47 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3:02:48 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 2270.
3:03:50 P.M.		Canada – United States Interparliamentary Group – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 276d and the order of the House of January 3, 2013 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Canada – United States Interparliamentary Group: Mr. Higgins, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Larsen of WA and Mr. DeFazio.
3:04:24 P.M.		World War I Centennial Commission – pursuant to section 4(b) of the World War I Centennial Commission Act and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Ms. Monique Seefried, Atlanta, Georgia.
3:04:46 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 9, 2014.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Why We Need to Modernize Our Power Plants

06/04/2014 Nativegrl77

This morning, the Environmental Protection Agency set the first-ever national carbon emissions limits for our country’s existing power plants. Modernizing our power plants will help Americans live healthier lives, while reducing carbon pollution that contributes to climate change.

Find out how limiting carbon emissions from power plants will make our communities healthier:

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Weekly Address: Reducing Carbon Pollution in Our Power Plants

In the President’s weekly address, he discussed new actions by the Environmental Protection Agency to cut dangerous carbon pollution, a plan that builds on the efforts already taken by many states, cities, and companies.

In the White House Rose Garden on Saturday evening, President Obama spoke about the recovery of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl — an American solider who spent nearly five years in captivity during the war in Afghanistan.

READ MORE

My Brother’s Keeper: 90 Days In

Three months ago, President Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper initiative — aimed at expanding opportunities for America’s boys and young men of color, and ensuring all young people can reach their full potential. On Friday, the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force issued their 90-day progress report to the President.

a message from POTUS …

06/04/2014 Nativegrl77

I just proposed a plan that cuts carbon pollution from existing power plants 30 percent by 2030.

That’s a responsible, common-sense step to address climate change.

But we’re already getting intense opposition from polluters and special interests who like things the way they are.

OFA is fighting back to show there’s broad support for these new EPA standards.

If you want action to combat climate change, you can add your name today.

Climate change is happening, and it’s happening now. As a president and as a father, I feel a moral responsibility to do something about it. The world our children grow up in depends on what we do today.

Carbon pollution is threatening our health right now. Over half of all Americans already live in areas where air pollution too often makes it unhealthy to breathe — it’s time to cut carbon pollution the same way we already regulate toxic chemicals in our air.

Modernizing our power plants so they pollute less will also spark homegrown clean energy innovation, creating jobs and growing our economy.

I’m not going to wait to take action on this.

Right now, big polluters are going to do everything they can to derail this momentum. They’ve been fighting these EPA standards since before they were even announced.

Your voice on this issue is the most powerful thing you’ve got in this fight. I need you to use it.

OFA is stepping up and gathering names in support of these EPA standards — you can add your name:

http://my.barackobama.com/Support-Carbon-Pollution-Standards

Thanks,

Barack Obama