Monthly Archives: January 2015

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POLL RESULTS(SOTU)


After 1,000,000 votes were cast in the Big Ideas Project, the Progressive Change Institute ran a national poll to see whether these ideas are popular with voters.

SHARE THESE NEW POLL RESULTS DURING THE STATE OF THE UNION:

Invest in Infrastructure and Jobs

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Debt-free college at all public universities

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Tax the rich

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The result? Yes, progressive ideas are super popular! Remember that as you watch the State Of The Union tonight.

Click here to see the poll results that are making big news — and share them during the #SOTU so people know these big ideas are popular.

Democratic and Independent voters support these ideas by huge margins — in some cases by 8-to-1 or 6-to-1. In many cases, even Republicans voters support big progressive ideas!

President Obama will propose some big ideas tonight in his State of the Union, and there will be a battle to set the agenda — with Republicans trying to squash progressive ideas.

By sharing the message that progressive ideas are popular, we can keep taxing the rich, debt-free college, and infrastructure jobs alive in the national debate — and force Republicans to play defense.

Click here to see the full results, and share with friends.

(Or, chip in $3 to help support this effective work.)

The conversation does not stop here.

At meetings this week, members of Congress will see these poll results and learn about the top 20 Big Ideas.

Then, progressive allies will work with members of Congress to push big progressive ideas into the center of the national debate in 2015 and 2016.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Stephanie Taylor, PCCC co-founder

Black History

The Senate ~~~ The CONGRESS 1/21 ~~~ The House


capitolsnowclosed

The Senate stands in recess until 8:25pm and, upon reconvening, proceed as a body to the Hall of the House of Representatives for the joint session of Congress for President Obama’s State of the Union address. Upon dissolution of the joint session, the Senate will stand adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, January 21, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Democrats controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The following amendments are pending to S.1:

  1. Murkowski #2 (substitute)
  2. Fischer #18 (limits on the designation of newly protected Federal protected lands)
  3. Schatz #58 (climate change)
  4. Lee #33 (endangered Species Act)
  5. Durbin #69 (petroleum-Coke)
  6. Toomey #41 (standards for coal refuse power plants)
  7. Whitehouse #29 (climate change)

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Lee amendment #33 (ESA); Not agreed to: 54-45.
  2. Durbin amendment #69 (petroleum-coke); Not agreed to: 41-58.
  3. Toomey amendment #41 (standards for coal refuse power plants); Not agreed to: 54-45.
  4. Whitehouse amendment #29 (climate change); Agreed to: 98-1.
  5. Hoeven amendment #87, as modified (climate change); Not agreed to: 59-40.
  6. Schatz amendment #58 (climate change); Not agreed to: 50-49.

Legislative Business

Executive Business

5:04pm the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Schatz amendment #58 (climate change).

 

Not agreed to: 50-49

The following amendments are pending to S.1, Keystone XL Pipeline:

4:41pm, the Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Hoeven amendment #87, as modified (climate change).

Not agreed to: 59-40.

 

 

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

Last Floor Action:
12:03:01 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.

10:00:43 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:50 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom McClintock to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:19 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.
10:40:52 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 21.
12:00:01 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:00 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Most Reverend Richard Pates, Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa
12:02:50 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pompeo to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:01 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.

12:28:22 P.M. H. Res. 39 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 39 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
12:28:40 P.M. H. Res. 39 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
12:28:46 P.M. H. Res. 39 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:29:10 P.M. H. Res. 38 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 38 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 161) to provide for the timely consideration of all licenses, permits, and approvals required under Federal law with respect to the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of any natural gas pipeline projects, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 36) to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for other purposes.”
12:30:19 P.M. H. Res. 38 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 38.
2:05:56 P.M. H. Res. 38 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 182 (Roll no. 38).
2:14:24 P.M. H. Res. 38 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 181 (Roll no. 39).
2:14:25 P.M. H. Res. 38 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:16:12 P.M. H.R. 161 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 38. H.R. 161 — “To provide for the timely consideration of all licenses, permits, and approvals required under Federal law with respect to the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of any natural gas pipeline projects.”
2:16:17 P.M. H.R. 161 The rule provides for one hour of debate each on H.R. 161 and H.R. 36. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bills. The resolution provides that the bills shall be considered as read. The resolution waives all points of order against provisions in the bills. The resolution provides one motion to recommit per bill.
2:16:35 P.M. H.R. 161 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 38, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 161.
2:54:21 P.M. H.R. 161 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2:55:03 P.M. H.R. 161 Mr. Pallone moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2:55:25 P.M. H.R. 161 DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Pallone motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment ensuring that the provisions in the bill do not take effect unless the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determines that: (1) taxpayers will not be held liable for any repair or environmental cleanup from a natural gas pipeline explosion and (2) pipeline owners will bear full responsibility for damages in any community resulting from a natural gas pipeline explosion, including loss of life. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was withdrawn.
3:04:53 P.M. H.R. 161 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
3:33:29 P.M. H.R. 161 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 182 – 241 (Roll no. 40).
3:44:00 P.M. H.R. 161 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 253 – 169 (Roll no. 41).
3:44:00 P.M. H.R. 161 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:44:22 P.M. H. Res. 40 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 40 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
3:44:50 P.M. H. Res. 40 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
3:44:55 P.M. H. Res. 40 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:45:37 P.M. The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting notification that the national emergency declared with respect to foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process is to continue in effect beyond January 23, 2015 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed.
3:47:27 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:58:58 P.M. Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on January 22. Agreed to without objection.
3:59:59 P.M. GOVERNING BOARD–OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS – Pursuant to section 4(d) of House Resolution 5, 114th Congress, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015, the Chair announced the Speaker’s reappointment of the following individuals to serve as the Governing Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics: (Nominated by the Speaker with the concurrence of the Minority Leader) Messrs. Porter J. Goss, FL, Chairman; James M. Eagan III, CO; Ms. Allison R. Hayward, VA; and Ms. Judy Biggert, IL, alternate; (and Nominated by the Minority Leader with the concurrence of the Speaker) Mr. David Skaggs, CO, Co-Chairman; Brigadier General (retired) Belinda Pinckney, VA; Ms. Karan English, AZ; and Mr. Mike Barnes, MD, alternate.
4:00:33 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
5:36:05 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Alice Jay – Avaaz


Avaazpix

Boko Haram just used a 10-year-old girl as a bomb-detonator right after massacring up to 2,000 people. But the government and the international community are hardly responding. Let’s call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting now:

SIGN THE PETITION

Boko Haram just used a 10-year-old girl as a bomb-detonator right after massacring up to 2,000 people. There is a reign of terror in Northern Nigeria.

But Nigerian President Jonathan has said almost NOTHING about this in his election campaign, and his brutal army, instead of protecting civilians, is fuelling the insurgency.

The world has put this crisis in the ‘too hard to solve’ box — the UN Security Council hasn’t even issued a Presidential Statement on Nigeria!

The only good news: escalating violence has renewed pressure to act.

Let’s multiply that pressure now and persuade our leaders and the United Nations to convene an emergency Security Council meeting and prioritise this crisis.

Join this urgent call — for the sake of that tiny, innocent girl, and all those like her at risk:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_boko_haram_terror_en/?biEWLbb&v=51541

Nigeria is deep into a brutal conflict that’s ostensibly a Muslim/Christian war, but underlying it are tensions between an oil-rich, corrupt, ruling elite and a poor, disenfranchised and neglected North. Over 10,000 people were killed in 2014, and over 1.6 million Nigerians have fled their homes. Boko Haram now controls an area the size of Denmark.

Politicians have fed this divide, and the recent surge in violence comes in the middle of a deadly election campaign. Shockingly, President Jonathan’s under-resourced response could be part of a dark game — if there is chaos in the North and low voter turnout, he is more likely to stay in power since his support base is in the South.

International military advisers and special forces have been sent in, but there is hesitation about working with Nigerian units with terrible human rights records. The UN Council should now prioritise a comprehensive plan that includes cleaning up and training security forces to contain Boko Haram; investing in the poorest regions; and prioritising an anti-corruption programme.

This is not a short, sharp, shock strategy — this crisis cannot be solved in days — but it is immoral to ignore it any longer. Our global community can ensure the UN Security Council finally lays out a genuine plan for peace.

If we do nothing, thousands more will be killed, and the Boko Haram threat will spread. The attacks in Paris have reminded us that terror has no borders. Join the call:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_boko_haram_terror_en/?biEWLbb&v=51541

With elections looming and violence escalating, Nigeria is like a boiling pot. Politicians have failed their people, and the international community has allowed the situation to deteriorate. We cannot wait any longer and with enough backing, a strong UN statement could begin to change the game. Let’s make it happen.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Pascal, Mike, Melanie, Marigona, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team

Sources:

Nigeria: two suspected child suicide bombers attack market (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/11/child-suicide-bombers-nigeria-market

UNOWA Briefing and Consultations
http://www.whatsinblue.org/2015/01/unowa-briefing-and-consultations.php

Nigeria’s Jonathan Slams Paris Attack, Ignores Baga Massacre (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-12/nigeria-s-jonathan-slams-islamist-raids-abroad-is-muted-at-home.html

Nigeria’s Boko Haram: Baga destruction ‘shown in images’ (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30826582

Uniting Against Boko Haram (BloombergView)
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-01-13/boko-haram-can-be-stopped-by-a-nigeria-united-again

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

GoFundMe


It’s been a few months since we sent you an update about our GoFundMe-Darren Wilson campaign. In that time we’ve been in dialogue with the company and its lawyers, and here’s where we’re at:

In October, GoFundMe donated its profits from the hateful Darren Wilson fundraisers to the Ferguson-Florissant school district. This was one of our top-line asks: for GoFundMe to stop profiting from racially-motivated donors. This donation was an important step and would not have happened without the actions of 130,000 ColorOfChange members. Collectively, we spoke up and put pressure on the crowdfunding company that they could not ignore, including this billboard right outside their offices:


Moving forward, tech companies like GoFundMe know what the ColorOfChange community is capable of. And they know we’ll remain vigilant. Since the launch of our campaign, we haven’t seen anything like the Darren Wilson fundraisers on GoFundMe’s platform. If a similar fundraising drive does show up, the company knows that it will have to answer to us.

Our campaign targeting GoFundMe began when people started giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to Michael Brown’s killer, celebrating his death. We were disgusted and outraged. We know that these types of fundraising drives lower the social and financial costs of taking Black lives. They send the message that shooters will be supported in the aftermath of killing Black men and boys.

In 2015, we’ll continue our work combating the culture of hostility against Black folks that’s present across our country. Thank you for being part of it every step along the way.

Onwards!

—Arisha, Rashad, Matt, Bhavik, and the ColorOfChange team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org


President Obama has the power — and responsibility — to help end the nationwide crisis of police violence and its unjust consequences.

Dr. King quote: Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Urge Pres. Obama to issue an executive order directing the Department of Justice to rigorously enforce and expand civil rights law and federal bans on violent and discriminatory policing:

Take Action