Tell the Senate to vote YES on fair pay for women. It’s essential that we support economic fairness for women and families, including closing the wage gap, raising the minimum wage, and making education and health care more affordable.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UCS … Demand no more global warming victims

09/10/2014 Nativegrl77

It’s pretty common these days to hear my friends and family members complaining about global warming—but it’s not just the weather they’re complaining about any more. One friend had to evacuate her town with her small boys in tow to flea this season’s wildfires. Another had to abandon a coastal cottage that had been in his family for generations because of rising sea levels. A grandparent stranded in a heat wave. Global warming is affecting all of us every day. And unless we take immediate action, both to help communities prepare for the consequences but also to reduce climate emissions, these stories will become more frequent, and more dire. —Karla

UCS reports highlight global warming consequences for American West.
Two new reports from UCS experts demonstrate just how serious the climate risks are for the great American West and the people who live there. Hotter, drier conditions brought on by global warming are contributing to more large wildfires and longer wildfire seasons. And in the Rocky Mountains—home to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks—these conditions are having severe impacts on the region’s forests—as drought, wildfires, and tree-killing insects that thrive in hotter temperatures are producing potentially irreversible effects. READ MORE

Ask a Scientist

“My husband and I live in the American Southwest and are very concerned about its habitability in the future due to worsening drought and rising temperatures. We are especially concerned about where our children and grandchildren will be able to live and prosper. Are there any regions of the country that might emerge unscathed from the effects of climate change?”—J. Winkeller, Gilbert, AZ.

I empathize. Climate change is now part of everyday reality, and no place in the United States—or the rest of the world, for that matter—is unaffected. Even if we were able to completely switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources right now, the climate will continue to warm in the coming decades. The National Climate Assessment recently examined the current and projected impacts of climate change on different regions of the country. READ MORE

Science in Action
	Protect Rocky Mountain forests before it’s too late!If we do not act now, the forests of the Rocky Mountains will continue to die as they face the severe consequences of climate change. Urge your elected officials to allocate the resources necessary for forest managers to address the current effects of global warming and implement steps that can make our forests more resilient.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture, ~ pop culture

Canada: Home of the Whopper

09/10/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Architects of Burger King’s inversion claim it’s not about taxes

Burger King is rolling ahead with its plan to move to Canada. It confirmed Tuesday that it will purchase Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee and doughnut chain, for about $11 billion, one of the biggest foreign acquisitions since 2012.

This makes Burger King one in a string of corporate deserters in recent years. According to new data provided by the Congressional Research Service, 47 companies have inverted in the last decade, including at least seven this year alone. These companies are able to dodge US taxes by moving their headquarters, but not their operations, to countries with lower corporate tax rates. So called “inversions” may save the companies a few bucks, but they could cost the US taxpayer tens of billions of dollars.

The Deal: Founded in Miami in 1954, Burger King operates more than 7,000 locations in the United States, but only 300 in Canada. In 1964, the Canadian fast food service Tim Hortons was founded in Ontario and now has more than one store per 10,000 Canadians. Burger King will shell out $11.4 billion for the coffee shop, but both will actually be controlled by 3G Capital, a Brazilian-US investment firm. According to the Wall Street Journal, Alex Behring, who is currently Burger King’s executive chairman and a managing partner at 3G Capital, will head the new company.

Although America has a top corporate tax rate of 35%, numerous multi-national corporations do not pay that much. Instead, U.S. corporations paid an average of 12.6%, according to the Government Accountability Office. Burger King also does not pay the top corporate tax rate, but has a tax rate in “the mid- to high twenties” according to Mr. Behring. While Burger King CEO Daniel Schwartz doesn’t “expect there to be meaningful tax savings,” Canada’s federal corporate tax rate is 15%.

Moving Forward: Burger King should reconsider its own bid for the company. Since the news broke, the public has denounced this newest corporate deserter. #BoycottBurgerKing is now commonplace on Twitter and Burger King’s Facebook was littered with comments threatening to never return. Senator Sherrod Brown added to that chorus: “Burger King’s decision to abandon the United States means consumers should turn to Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers or White Castle sliders.”

When Walgreens announced its purchase of Alliance Boots, a European pharmacy, it received similar criticism, and it has since said that it will stay headquartered in the United States. They decided that paying their fair share was more profitable.

BOTTOM LINE: When more and more American companies move out of the U.S., ordinary Americans end up footing the tax bill. Companies employing the process of inversion are taking advantage of U.S. taxpayers and cheating the system, to the detriment of our workers and our economy. It’s beyond unpatriotic and it’s time for them to stop.

Like CAP Action on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This Saturday, Sept. 13: HRC Seattle Dinner

09/10/2014 Nativegrl77

The HRC Seattle Gala Dinner

Joe Manganiello – True Blood
Ally for Equality Award

Saturday, September 13
5:30 p.m. – Registration & Silent Auction
6:45 p.m. – Dinner ProgramThe Sheraton Seattle Hotel
1400 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA

Purchase Tickets

Jeff Zarrillo and Paul Katami
Special Guests
Plaintiffs, Supreme Court Case Proposition 8

Fred Sainz
HRC VP of Communications & Marketing
Featured Speaker

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 9/10 the House

09/10/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, September 10, 2014,

under the provisions of S.Res.539 as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator James M. Jeffords, former United States Senator for the State of Vermont.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.19, post-cloture.

At 2:00pm, all post-cloture time will be considered expired and the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to proceed. We expect a voice vote on the motion to proceed to the constitutional amendment on campaign finance reform.

Shortly after 2:00pm, we expect a roll call vote relative to the Paycheck Fairness bill.

The motion to proceed to S.J.Res.19 (Constitutional amendment on campaign finance) was agreed to by voice vote. Senator Reid then offered amendment #s 3791, 3792, 3973, 3794, 3795, 3796, and 3797 (technical amendments) and filed cloture on the underlying joint resolution.

By voice votes, the Senate agreed to the Reid motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to S.2199 (Paycheck Fairness) and the Reid motion to reconsider the same failed cloture vote.

Senator Reid then moved to reconsider the failed cloture vote.

At 2:08pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2199, upon reconsideration (Paycheck Fairness Act); Invoked: 73-25

Senator Cruz asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #551, H.R.5272, a bill to prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action for aliens not lawfully present in the United States. Senator Menendez objected.

By consent, notwithstanding Rule 22, following the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the S.J.Res.19, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and consider:

Cal. #’S.544, 977, 685, 867, 976, 917, 914, 758.

There will be 2 minutes for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees prior to each vote. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate will proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order listed. Any roll call votes, following the first in the series, will be 10 minutes in length.

We expect the nominations considered in this agreement to be confirmed by voice vote.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Executive Calendar #544 John Hoover – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Sierra Leone

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Executive Calendar #977 Anne E. Rung – to be Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Executive Calendar #685 David Radzanowski – to be Chief Financial Officer, NASA

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Executive Calendar #867 Miranda A. A. Ballentine – to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Executive Calendar #976 Joseph L. Nimmich – to be Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security

CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Executive Calendar #914 Judith M. Davenport – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2020

Executive Calendar #917 Elizabeth Sembler – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2020

Executive Calendar #758 David J. Arroyo – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2016

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2199, the Paycheck Fairness Act, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 73-25.

Legislative Business

The motion to proceed to S.J.Res.19 (Constitutional amendment on campaign finance) was agreed to by voice vote.

Passed H.R.1233: Presidential and Federal Records Act of 2014.

Passed S.2323: Gold Star Father Act of 2014.

Passed Calendar #480, S.2154: Emergency Medical Services for Children

Adopted S.Res.466: National Drug Take-Back Week

Passed H.J.Res.120: Approving the location of a memorial to commemorate the more than 5,000 slaves and free Black persons who fought for independence in the American Revolution.

Began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business H.R.5078: To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States.

Executive Business

The Senate conducted no Executive action.

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

Last Floor Action:
4:04:41 P.M. -H.R. 3522
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3522.

Last Floor Action:9/9
7:52:57 P.M. – The House adjourned.

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

10:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:28 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan Jr. to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:54 A.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.
10:51:33 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:38 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 10.
12:00:41 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Cliff Lea, First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Leesburg, FL
12:01:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:44 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Higgins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:12 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:42:13 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 September 10, 2014 at 9:22 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1934, S. 898, and agreed to S. Res. 539.
12:42:24 P.M.	H. Res. 717	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 717 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3522) to authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current group health insurance coverage in satisfaction of the minimum essential health insurance coverage requirement, and for other purposes.”
12:45:20 P.M.	H. Res. 717	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 717.
1:31:10 P.M.	H. Res. 717	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 717, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded the yeas and nays and the chair postponed fruther proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.
1:31:55 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
1:32:04 P.M.	S. 276	Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 276 — “To reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the American Falls Reservoir.”
1:32:37 P.M.	S. 276	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:32:42 P.M.	S. 276	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 276.
1:36:11 P.M.	S. 276	At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Whitfield objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
1:36:38 P.M.	H.R. 5057	Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5057 — “To amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to permit exemptions for external power supplies from certain efficiency standards, and for other purposes.”
1:36:48 P.M.	H.R. 5057	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:36:49 P.M.	H.R. 5057	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5057.
1:45:10 P.M.	H.R. 5057	At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Whitfield objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
1:45:48 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
3:04:09 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 10.
3:04:14 P.M.	H. Res. 717	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 717 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3522) to authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current group health insurance coverage in satisfaction of the minimum essential health insurance coverage requirement, and for other purposes.”
3:35:18 P.M.	H. Res. 717	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 490).
3:43:27 P.M.	H. Res. 717	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 491).
3:43:28 P.M.	H. Res. 717	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:45:00 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:46:00 P.M.	H.R. 2678	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2678 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10360 Southwest 186th Street in Miami, Florida, as the “Larcenia J. Bullard Post Office Building”.”
3:52:44 P.M.	H.R. 2678	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 492).
3:52:44 P.M.	H.R. 2678	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:53:56 P.M.	H.R. 4751	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4751 — “To make technical corrections to Public Law 110-229 to reflect the renaming of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, and for other purposes.”
4:00:12 P.M.	H.R. 4751	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 493).
4:03:50 P.M.	H.R. 3522	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 717. H.R. 3522 — “To authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current group health insurance coverage in satisfaction of the minimum essential health insurance coverage requirement, and for other purposes.”
4:03:55 P.M.	H.R. 3522	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3522 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-56, modified by the amendment printed in this report, shall be considered as adopted.
4:04:41 P.M.	H.R. 3522	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3522.

4:59:54 P.M.	H.R. 3522	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:00:19 P.M.	H.R. 3522	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further proceedings on H.R. 3522 would be postponed.
5:01:09 P.M.		Mr. Pitts asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on September 11. Agreed to without objection.
5:01:53 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.