~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Just in: the new food revolution starts NOW

01/08/2015 Nativegrl77

Tell President Obama it’s time for a National Food Policy.

Mr. President, we want a food revolution.

Our food and agriculture system is broken. A National Food Policy would transform our food system to ensure healthy, sustainably grown food for all.

Sign the Petition Today!

ACTION ALERT
Tell President Obama: It’s Time for a National Food Policy

Have you heard? In this weekend’s Washington Post, UCS joined prominent food leaders Michael Pollan, Mark Bittman, and Olivier de Schutter in a call to President Obama. It urges the president to do something bold and necessary: issue an executive order establishing a National Food Policy.

We all know our food and agriculture system is broken. For decades, UCS has demonstrated the costs of diet-related disease, the environmental toll of industrial agriculture practices, and the iron grip corporate giants have on information about what we eat. Government policies have contributed to this mess, and legislative attempts to fix it have been disjointed, lacked a clear direction, and often just made the problems worse.

A national policy for food, health, and well-being would, for the first time, define a comprehensive vision for our health, the sustainability of agricultural lands, and social and economic justice. It’s the first step toward the massive overhaul that we need to transform our food system to ensure healthy, sustainably grown food for all.

This won’t happen overnight. But right now, the real work begins—with you.

Sign the petition today to tell President Obama that you want a National Food Policy.

Sincerely,

Ashley Elles
National Field Organizer
Food & Environment Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
Twitter: @acelles

Black History

the Senate ~ 114th CONGRESS1/8 ~ the House

01/08/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 11:00am on Thursday, January 8, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Pryor to adjourning, Senator McConnell announced that the Energy Committee is scheduled to mark up the Keystone bill. He hopes to consider that bill next week. In addition, the Senate could consider the TRIA bill as early as tomorrow, Thursday, January 8. Roll call votes are possible during Thursday’s session.

After the Senate convened, we reached an agreement to consider the TRIA legislation. Under the agreement, there will be 2 roll call votes beginning at 1:45pm today. Those votes will be in relation to the Warren amendment and passage of the TRIA bill, as amended, if amended. Each are subject to a 60-majority vote threshold. No other amendments or motions are in order to the bill, aside from budget points of order, if applicable. Senator McConnell then moved to proceed to Calendar #1, S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

1:45pm—2 roll call votes:

Warren substitute amendment (TRIA minus end user provision)
Passage of H..R.26, Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, as amended, if amended.

The Senate has begun consideration of H.R.26, TRIA. The time until 1:45pm will be equally divided in the usual form.

At 1:45pm, there will be 2 roll call votes on the following items:

Warren substitute amendment (TRIA minus end user provision)
Passage of H..R.26, Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, as amended, if amended.

1:45pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Warren amendment #1 (TRIA minus end user) to HR.26, TRIA;

Not Agreed To: 31-66

Passage of H..R.26, Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, as amended, if amended.

2:13pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on passage of H.R.26, TRIA;

Passed: 93-4

Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent that at 2:00pm on Monday, January 12^th, the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone pipeline, be agreed to; and that Senator Murkowski be recognized to offer a substitute amendment that is the text of the committee-reported bill.

Senator Whitehouse objected.

Senator McConnell then filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #1, S.1, a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. By consent, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed will occur at 5:30pm on Monday, January 12^th.

WRAP UP

Warren amendment #1 to H.R.26, TRIA; Not agreed to: 31-66.
Passage of H.R.26, Terrorism Risk Insurance Act; Passed: 93-4.
Legislative Business

Agreed to S.Con.Res.2, Use of Emancipation Hall

Adopted S.Res.23, Majority Party Appointments with Chairman

Adopted S.Res.24, 150^th Anniversary of Bowie State University

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

Last Floor Action:
4:37:02 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:1/7
4:50:58 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 8, 2015.

10:00:20 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:32 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable David W. Jolly to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:59 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.

0:40:58 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:17 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 8.
12:00:28 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:38 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:42 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Adams to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:09 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.
12:02:10 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 gentleman from California and the gentleman from Minnesota, the whole number of the House is 430.
12:03:09 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.
12:03:10 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Purusant 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on January 8, 2015, at 9:24 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to S. Res. 19.
12:26:13 P.M.	H. Res. 19	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 19 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3) to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 30) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 30-hour threshold for classification as a full-time employee for purposes of the employer mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and replace it with 40 hours.”
12:28:14 P.M.	H. Res. 19	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 19.
1:54:22 P.M.	H. Res. 19	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 240 – 180 (Roll no. 11).
1:55:34 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The Chair led the House in observing a moment of silence in memory of those affected by the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 8, 2011.
2:11:55 P.M.	H. Res. 19	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 181 (Roll no. 12).
2:11:56 P.M.	H. Res. 19	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:13:18 P.M.	H.R. 30	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 19. H.R. 30 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 30-hour threshold for classification as a full-time employee for purposes of the employer mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and replace it with 40 hours.”
2:13:23 P.M.	H.R. 30	Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. All points of order against the bill are waived. The bills shall be considered as read.
2:13:27 P.M.	H.R. 30	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 30.
3:29:50 P.M.	H.R. 30	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:30:15 P.M.	H.R. 30	Mr. Becerra moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means.
3:31:26 P.M.	H.R. 30	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Becerra motion to recommit with instructions, pending the 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 prohibiting the amendments in section 2 of the bill from taking effect if additional, listed conditions could be expected as a result.
3:41:33 P.M.	H.R. 30	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
4:08:46 P.M.	H.R. 30	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 179 – 244 (Roll no. 13).
4:17:33 P.M.	H.R. 30	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 252 – 172 (Roll no. 14).
4:17:34 P.M.	H.R. 30	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:18:19 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
4:35:01 P.M.		Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence – Pursuant to clause 11 of rule 10, clause 11 of rule 1, and the order of theHouse of January 6, 2015 the Speaker appointed the following member of the House to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Mr. Schiff.
4:37:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:40:12 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:40:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:40:21 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on January 9, 2015.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The 114th

01/07/2015 Nativegrl77

This afternoon, members of the 114th Congress of the United States will swear to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies … an oath that begins with the same words the Oath of Enlistment begins with for most military men and women.

But this is a different Congress — a wave swept in a number of new Tea Party Representatives and Senators hell-bent on rolling back progress on veterans’ issues at home and escalating our military involvement in wars abroad.

Before the new Congress is sworn in, we want to know what are the issues you’re most passionate about in 2015. Let us know here.

Out of 535 members of the new Congress, only 25 have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and only 100 have served at any time. That’s down from a time not too long ago when a majority of Representatives wore the uniform at some point in their lives.

With more Tea Partiers and fewer members who have served, that makes protecting veterans’ health care more difficult, preventing further escalation in Iraq and Syria more challenging, and enacting programs to help veterans to transition at home after returning from abroad so much more important.

Your priorities are our priorities — let us know the issues you’re most concerned about here:

http://action.votevets.org/priorities

Of course, we’ll continue working towards electing more veterans in 2016. There are a number of veteran leaders consider Senate and House runs that we’ll be following closely.

Thanks for standing with us.

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran and Chairman
VoteVets.org

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Supporting Millennial Entrepreneurs

01/07/2015 Nativegrl77

Regional Administrator Calvin Goings

Supporting Millennial Entrepreneurs

Millennials, born between 1980 and the mid-2000s, are the largest generation in the United States, representing one-third of the total U.S. population in 2013. Millennials are a technologically connected and diverse generation. Their unprecedented enthusiasm for technology has the potential to spark change in traditional economic institutions and the labor market.

The priority that millennials place on creativity and innovation make them an important economic engine for the U.S. economy. Millennials were born to be entrepreneurs.

In Region 10 we’re making millennial entrepreneurship interest a reality. With the help of Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counseling, millennial entrepreneur Nathan Graham Sleadd, was able to jumpstart his business, Sleaddadventures, LLC. Starting with annual sales of $100,000 in 2008, Sleaddadventures employs 7 full-time and 2 part-time employees and generates over $300,000 of payroll that cycles through the local economy.

Research shows that more than half of millennials are interested in starting their own business. That’s why the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), recently announced the My Brother’s Keeper initiative for millennial entrepreneurs. It’s a new federal outreach and education campaign to help America’s millennials become what SBA calls “enterprise-ready”.

The My Brother’s Keeper initiative was launched to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by young people of color. The President’s new economic opportunity agenda for millennials creates new policies to support this generation, to ensure that all young people can overcome challenges and achieve their potential.

At the SBA, our message to millennials is clear. It’s a message of inclusion and possibility to help jumpstart their small business potential, wherever their talents and interests lie. Overall, we want to help millennials start, grow, and succeed as small business owners.

Entrepreneurship can be the answer if your question is “What’s next for me?” If you’re a potential millennial entrepreneur or know someone who is, visit www.sba.gov/young to learn more.

I hope you have found this information useful. Please feel free to forward this to your friends and colleagues. If you have comments or questions for me, please contact Connie Marshall in my office at connie.marshall@sba.gov. To visit our regional website click this link.
Sincerely,
Calvin
CALVIN W. GOINGS

U.S. Small Business Administration

Black History

the Senate ~ CONGRESS 1/7 ~ the House

01/07/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned under the provisions of S.Res.19 until 9:30am on Wednesday, January 7, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15pm to allow for the weekly conference meetings.

WRAP UP

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.21: Majority Party Committee Assignments

Adopted S.Res.22: Minority Party Committee Assignments

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

Last Floor Action:
2:21:23 P.M. -H.R. 34
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 34.

Last Floor Action:1/6
6:42:37 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 7, 2015

10:00:11 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Glenn Thompson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:45 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.
10:35:02 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:57 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 7.
12:01:17 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:02:32 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:34 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:05 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 adiministered on January 6, 2015.
12:05:02 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Under clause 2(g) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had designated Robert Reeves, Deputy Clerk, and Kirk D. Boyle, Legal Counsel, to sign any and all papers and do all other acts for her under the name of the Clerk of the House that they would be authorized to do by virtue of this designation, except such as are provided by statute, in case of her temporary absence or disability. This designation shall remain in effect for the 114th Congress or until modified by the Clerk.
12:05:42 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
12:32:10 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:32:40 P.M.	H.R. 26	Mr. Neugebauer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 26 — “To extend the termination date of the Terrorism Insurance Program established under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, and for other purposes.”
12:32:48 P.M.	H.R. 26	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:32:51 P.M.	H.R. 26	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 26.
1:09:34 P.M.	H.R. 26	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.
1:10:47 P.M.	H.R. 37	Mr. Fitzpatrick moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 37 — “To make technical corrections to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to enhance the ability of small and emerging growth companies to access capital through public and private markets, to reduce regulatory burdens, and for other purposes.”
1:10:56 P.M.	H.R. 37	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:10:57 P.M.	H.R. 37	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 37.
1:54:57 P.M.	H.R. 37	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.
1:56:24 P.M.	H.R. 35	Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 35 — “To increase the understanding of the health effects of low doses of ionizing radiation.”
1:56:34 P.M.	H.R. 35	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:56:35 P.M.	H.R. 35	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 35.
2:04:59 P.M.	H.R. 35	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:05:01 P.M.	H.R. 35	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:05:23 P.M.	H.R. 23	Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 23 — “To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other purposes.”
2:05:54 P.M.	H.R. 23	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:05:59 P.M.	H.R. 23	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 23.
2:20:36 P.M.	H.R. 23	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.
2:21:01 P.M.	H.R. 34	Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 34 — “To authorize and strengthen the tsunami detection, forecast, warning, research, and mitigation program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.”
2:21:19 P.M.	H.R. 34	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:21:23 P.M.	H.R. 34	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 34.

2:21:01 P.M.	H.R. 34	Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 34 — “To authorize and strengthen the tsunami detection, forecast, warning, research, and mitigation program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.”
2:21:19 P.M.	H.R. 34	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:21:23 P.M.	H.R. 34	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 34.
2:38:24 P.M.	H.R. 34	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:38:26 P.M.	H.R. 34	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:38:36 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.
2:40:15 P.M.	H.R. 26	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 26 — “To extend the termination date of the Terrorism Insurance Program established under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, and for other purposes.”
3:08:31 P.M.	H.R. 26	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 5, 1 Present (Roll no. 8).
3:08:31 P.M.	H.R. 26	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:09:03 P.M.	H.R. 37	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 37 — “To make technical corrections to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to enhance the ability of small and emerging growth companies to access capital through public and private markets, to reduce regulatory burdens, and for other purposes.”
3:24:48 P.M.	H.R. 37	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 276 – 146 (Roll no. 9).
3:25:57 P.M.	H.R. 23	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 23 — “To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other purposes.”
3:34:08 P.M.	H.R. 23	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 381 – 39 (Roll no. 10).
3:34:08 P.M.	H.R. 23	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:34:28 P.M.		Mr. Burgess filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 19.
3:36:20 P.M.		WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – The Chair announced that, in light of the Oath of Office having been administered to additional Members-elect earlier in the day, the adjusted whole number of the House stood at 428.
3:38:21 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Honorable Herb Harris, a former Member from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
3:40:16 P.M.	H. Res. 20	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 20 — “The title of this measure is not available.”
3:40:29 P.M.	H. Res. 20	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
3:40:44 P.M.	H. Res. 20	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:41:00 P.M.		APPOINTMENT BY THE CHAIR – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 20, the Chair announced the appointment of the Honorable Michael Mills of the Northern District of Mississippi, United States District Court, to administer the Oath of Office to the Honorable Alan Nunnelee.
3:42:24 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:46:17 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

4:50:53 P.M.		Ms. Lee moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:50:57 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:50:58 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 8, 2015.