Arisha Michelle Hatch, ColorOfChange.org

The Supreme Court gutted Obamacare’s contraception coverage. We have a plan to fix it.

Last week, the Supreme Court sided with the far-right and gutted a key part of Obamacare’s protections for women’s health.

Black women are getting caught in the middle as the right-wing tries to chip away at the Affordable Care Act. Affordable access to contraception is a matter of life and death for Black women who are 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women. Many of us regularly use contraception to treat endometriosis, manage uterine fibroids and alleviate PMS symptoms.¹ The far-right is more concerned with tarnishing President Obama’s legacy than ensuring we have access to affordable healthcare.

But, we have a way to fight back!

The Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act was just introduced in Congress to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision gutting a woman’s right to birth control coverage. The bill states that federal laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act used by Hobby Lobby’s right-wing lawyers, do not allow employers to refuse to cover health care — including birth control — guaranteed by Obamacare. It would ensure women at corporations like Hobby Lobby could make important health decisions with their doctors, not their bosses.

Tell the Senate: Pass the bill to reverse the Supreme Court’s attack on Black women’s healthcare.

Black women overall are at a higher risk for unintended pregnancy but have less access to insurance and preventative care.² The contraception mandate in Obamacare would go a long way towards reducing cost barriers for our access to birth control and help close the gap in contraceptive use between Black women and our white and Latina peers — but we need Congress to reverse the Supreme Court’s damage. Politicians with an eye on November elections need to know that if they count on Black people to vote for them at the polls, they need to vote for the needs of Black women in Congress and pass this bill.

That’s why we’re teaming up with our friends at UltraViolet. If we shine a spotlight on this bill and bring it to a vote, we’ll know which members of Congress support Black women’s healthcare — and which side with 5 men on the Supreme Court. Will you sign?

Tell the your Senators: Reverse the Supreme Court’s attack our healthcare.

Thanks and Peace,

–Arisha, Rashad, Matt, Aimée, Johnny and the rest of the ColorOfChange team.
July 10, 2014

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “How the Hobby Lobby Decision Impacts Black Women,” EBONY, 6-30-14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3645?t=7&akid=3473.1174326.0t4Dbp

2. “Hobby Lobby Ruling Opens the Door to ‘Method Discrimination’ for Black Women,” The Root, 7-3-14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3646?t=9&akid=3473.1174326.0t4Dbp

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Signature missing: Racism in YOUR House

01/12/2015 Nativegrl77

Arisha Michelle Hatch, ColorOfChange.org

Rep Steve Scalise thinks if he stops talking about it, people will forget that in 2002 he went to a white supremacist conference to pander for votes.

In a press conference with House GOP leadership yesterday, Scalise simply referred reporters back to his previous statement saying, “I think that’s where the story ends.” Unfortunately, that’s not true. In it he claims to have shown up to speak about a tax plan that didn’t even have its first committee hearing until 10 days after the conference.¹

Speaker Boehner is continuing to make excuses for Scalise rather than stand up to racism in his own caucus, hoping the story will just go away. With your voice, we can keep the story alive and demand that the GOP confront hatred in their ranks.

YES-I demand Republicans disavow white supremacy and strip Steve Scalise of his leadership position.

Thanks,

Arisha

1. “How I busted Steve Scalise: Inside a GOP political scandal — and its ongoing coverup” Salon, 1-6-14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/4526?t=3&akid=4029.1174326.hYbNXr

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The #3 Republican in the House has admitted to associating with white supremacists.

Demand Speaker John Boehner disavow white supremacy and strip Majority Whip Steve Scalise of his leadership position.

Black History

The Senate ~ CONGRESS 1/12 ~ The House

01/12/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, January 12, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1, the Keystone bill. The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

5:30pm—1 roll call vote

Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1, the Keystone bill.The Senate has convened and has resumed consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, with the time until 5:30pm equally divided. At 5:30pm today, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the Keystone pipeline bill.Ifclotureis invoked, there would be up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate.Ifalltimeis used,thepost-cloturedebatetimewouldexpireatapproximately midnight Tuesday night.Oncethemotiontoproceedis adopted, the bill would be open to amendments. Senator McConnell urged senators who would like to offer amendments to the Keystone bill to reach out to the bill managers,SenatorsMurkowskiandCantwell.A few scheduling notes:
- The Senate will not be in session this Wednesday and Thursday (January 14^th and 15^th) in order to accommodate the Democratic and Republican caucus retreats.
- Senator McConnell announced there will be no roll call votes this Friday, January 16^th,, but the Senate will be in session working on the Keystone bill.
- Next Monday, January 19^th is a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Day.
- Next Tuesday, January 20^th, the President will deliver the State of the Union Address in the Hall of the House of Representatives at 9:00pm.
- 5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
- 5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline;Invoked: 63-32
- Cloture was invoked on the motion to proceed to S.1, Keystone, by a vote of 63-32. There will now be up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate on the motiontoproceed.The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time counting post-cloture.
  
  There will be no further roll call votes today.
- WRAP UP
- Roll Call Votes
  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline; Invoked: 63-32.

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

Last Floor Action:
7:34:02 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:
2:16:01 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action:1/9
2:02:28 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 12, 2015.

12:00:22 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:26 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Diane Black to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:50 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.
12:22:08 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:05 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 12.
2:00:20 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:45 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Ashford demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ashford demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
2:02:32 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Israel to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:59 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:16:01 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.

5:06:13 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 12.
5:06:19 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
5:06:36 P.M.	H.R. 203	Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 203 — “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
5:06:52 P.M.	H.R. 203	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:06:54 P.M.	H.R. 203	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 203.
5:35:00 P.M.	H.R. 203	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.
5:35:35 P.M.	H.R. 33	Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 33 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
5:35:52 P.M.	H.R. 33	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:35:56 P.M.	H.R. 33	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 33.
5:59:43 P.M.	H.R. 33	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.

6:00:09 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:15 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 12.
6:30:19 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, and motions to suspend the rules, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:30:54 P.M.	H.R. 203	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 203 — “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to require a pilot program on loan repayment for psychiatrists who agree to serve in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
6:55:05 P.M.		ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE – The Speaker administered the Oath of Office to Members-elect of the 114th Congress who were absent during the Oath of Office administered on January 6, 2015.
6:55:25 P.M.		ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentlewoman from California and the gentlemen from Alaska and Texas, the whole number of the House is 433.
7:01:45 P.M.	H.R. 203	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 – 0 (Roll no. 17).
7:01:45 P.M.	H.R. 203	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:01:54 P.M.	H.R. 33	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 33 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that emergency services volunteers are not taken into account as employees under the shared responsibility requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
7:11:04 P.M.	H.R. 33	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 401 – 0 (Roll no. 18).
7:11:04 P.M.	H.R. 33	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:17:24 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 257 – 128 (Roll no. 19).
7:18:13 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 2	Mrs. Comstock asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
7:18:13 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 2	Considered by unanimous consent. S. Con. Res. 2 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.”
7:18:39 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 2	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
7:18:42 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 2	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:19:10 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 7	Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 7 — “Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.”
7:19:27 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 7	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
7:19:37 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 7	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:22:53 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:34:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.