~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Hear the Nine

02/05/2015 Nativegrl77

Nine Of The Nine Million Americans Who Could Lose Their Health Care In The King v. Burwell Ruling

One month from today, on March 4, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in King v. Burwell, the ideologically-driven lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act that seeks to strip premium tax credits from people who live in states with a federal insurance marketplace. Despite the legalese, this case is just like the one heard by the Supreme Court two years ago: it’s goal is to destroy the ACA.

There’s a big difference between this case and the case two years ago, however. Now, the insurance marketplaces are up and running and millions of people have purchased quality, affordable coverage that they rely upon. Now, a wrong decision by the Supreme Court would create chaos: nearly nine million Americans would lose their health insurance.

This is more than a statistic — these are real people losing the peace of mind that comes with health insurance. That is why today, the Center for American Progress launched a new website, HearTheNine.org, to feature the stories of nine Americans whose health care hangs in the balance — one for each Supreme Court justice. This week features the first three stories: Joe L. of Pennsylvania, who thanks to the ACA is covered despite having a pre-existing condition; Jennifer C. of Tennessee, for whom health insurance under the ACA could be the difference between life and death; and Aurora H. of Texas, who saved $1,500 shopping on the insurance marketplace.

In addition, CAP released state fact sheets today for nine states on the disastrous consequences of a bad decision in King v. Burwell: Iowa, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

For the next month, we will be highlighting more personal stories, videos, and facts about the case at HearTheNine.org, culminating in a major event outside the Supreme Court on the day of the oral arguments—March 4. Stay tuned.

BOTTOM LINE: King v. Burwell is simply the latest chapter in the years-long partisan political campaign to achieve what Republicans have not been able to in Congress or at the ballot box: the repeal of the ACA. The consequences of this case would be drastic for millions of Americans. Visit HearTheNine.org to see the stories of nine individuals whose health hangs in the balance.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Invitation: Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day in Olympia, Tues. Feb 10

02/05/2015 Nativegrl77

Moms Demand Action After any tragic shooting, we always ask, “What could we have done to prevent this?”

Families and law enforcement are usually the first to detect that someone is in crisis — but for too long they haven’t had the tools to temporarily remove guns from somebody who poses an extreme risk to themselves or others.

That’s exactly why we’re fighting for an Extreme Risk Protection Order bill that would give family members the ability to take action and stop tragedies before they happen. This Tuesday we’re taking that fight straight to the capitol in Olympia. Can you join us?

Click here to RSVP for the Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day in Olympia on Tuesday, February 10.

Here are the event details:

What: Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day
When: Tuesday, February 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Lunch will be provided for all attendees
Meeting Place: The United Churches of Olympia
110 Eleventh Ave SE; Olympia, WA 98501

We won big in November by helping pass I-594 at the ballot to require criminal background checks for all gun sales, but our lawmakers need to know that our state’s gun violence prevention movement hasn’t stopped fighting — and meeting them face-to-face is the most effective way to prove that.

The priority this session is to pass the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill — which would let Washington families and law enforcement ask a judge to temporarily remove guns from someone who poses an extreme risk to themselves or others.

On Tuesday, we’ll also be:

Advocating for a bill to hold adults responsible for keeping guns out of the hands of children;
Asking our legislators to protect the background checks law we worked so hard to win last year from any attempts at weakening it; and
Holding a training for volunteers, writing letters to lawmakers, meeting with legislators, and hosting a press event to make sure our case for strong gun laws is heard in the media.

RSVP now if you can join us for the Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day on February 10.

Thanks for everything you do for this movement. I hope to see you in Olympia!

Leah Bernstein
Washington State Chapter Leader
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

P.S. If you can’t make it to the lobby day but want to add your voice to the fight for the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill, click here to automatically sign the petition to lawmakers now.

Black History

the Senate ~ CONGRESS 2/5 ~ the House

02/05/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:30am on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.240, a bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for FY2015, until 11:30am with the time equally divided. At 11:30am, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.240.

Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent that the motion to proceed to H.R.240, DHS appropriations, be agreed to and that it be in order for the Managers, or their designees, to offer amendments in an alternating fashion with the Majority manager, or his designee, being recognized to offer the first amendment.

Senator Reid reserved his right to object, made some remarks on the importance of passing a clean DHS appropriations bill, and asked consent that following the enactment of the text of S.272, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Democratic Leader, but no later than Monday, March 16^th, the Senate proceed to the consideration of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, as passed by the Senate by a vote of 68-32 on June 27, 2013, the text of which is at the desk.

Senator McConnell objected to Senator Reid’s request and Senator Reid objected to Senator McConnell’s request.

The Senate has resumed consideration of H.R.240, DHS appropriations, with the time until 11:30am equally divided. At 11:30am, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015.

11:32am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.240, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015.

Cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to H.R.240 by a vote of 52-47. Senator McConnell changed his vote to no and entered a motion to reconsider the failed cloture vote so that it may be reconsidered at a later time. The Senate continues to debate the motion to proceed to H.R.240, DHS appropriations.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no further roll call votes during this week’s session of the Senate.

Senator Burr asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Democratic Leader, the Senate proceed to the Consideration of Calendar #10, S.338, a bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund; that there be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form; and that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill.

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Last Floor Action:
12:31:16 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –

The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

9:00:10 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:22 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:49 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:53 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kildee to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:00 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:10:19 A.M.	H.R. 527	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 78. H.R. 527 — “To amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Regulatory Flexibility Act), to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes.”
9:10:24 A.M.	H.R. 527	For H.R. 527, the rule provides for one hour of debate; makes in order as original text the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Rules Committee Print 114-3; and makes specified additional amendments in order. For H.R. 50, the rule provides for one hour of debate; provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 114-4, modified by the amendment printed in Part B of the report shall be considered as adopted. Further specified amendments are in order.
9:10:52 A.M.	H.R. 527	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 78 and Rule XVIII.
9:10:52 A.M.	H.R. 527	The Speaker designated the Honorable Lynn A. Westmoreland to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:11:00 A.M.	H.R. 527	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 527.
10:02:59 A.M.	H.R. 527	An amendment, offered by Mr. Peters, numbered 1 printed in Part A of House Report 114-14 to add to the bill’s Regulatory Flexibility Act exemption for veterans rights-and-benefits rules an exemption for rules pertaining to servicemembers and predatory lending. The amendment also effectuates limited technical amendments to the bill.
10:03:02 A.M.	H.R. 527	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 78, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters Part A amendment no. 1.
10:07:56 A.M.	H.R. 527	On agreeing to the Peters amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:08:20 A.M.	H.R. 527	An amendment, offered by Mr. Conyers, numbered 3 printed in Part A of House Report 114-14 to strike section 5 of the bill.
10:08:21 A.M.	H.R. 527	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 78, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part A amendment no. 3.
10:14:45 A.M.	H.R. 527	On agreeing to the Conyers amendment; Failed by voice vote.
10:15:48 A.M.	H.R. 527	An amendment, offered by Mr. Schrader, numbered 4 printed in Part A of House Report 114-14 to strikes section 10 of the legislation, which creates a duplicative size standard office in the Office of Advocacy without a commensurate reduction in the existing SBA Office of Size Standards.
10:15:50 A.M.	H.R. 527	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 78, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schrader Part A amendment no. 4.
10:21:40 A.M.	H.R. 527	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Schrader amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Schrader demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.
10:22:35 A.M.	H.R. 527	An amendment, offered by Mr. Johnson (GA), numbered 5 printed in Part A of House Report 114-14 to exempt from the bill any rule that the Office of Management and Budget determines would result in net job creation.
10:22:36 A.M.	H.R. 527	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 78, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson(GA) Part A amendment no. 5.
10:31:03 A.M.	H.R. 527	On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by voice vote.
10:31:26 A.M.	H.R. 527	An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee, numbered 6 printed in Part A of House Report 114-14 to exempt from the bill all regulations issued by the Food and Drug Administration relating to consumer safety, including those issued pursuant to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
10:31:28 A.M.	H.R. 527	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 78, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part A amendment no. 6.
10:42:33 A.M.	H.R. 527	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.
11:12:41 A.M.	H.R. 527	On agreeing to the Schrader amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 234 (Roll no. 65).
11:18:05 A.M.	H.R. 527	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 172 – 248 (Roll no. 66).
11:18:23 A.M.	H.R. 527	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 527.
11:19:01 A.M.	H.R. 527	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:19:40 A.M.	H.R. 527	Mr. Deutch moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary.
11:19:59 A.M.	H.R. 527	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Deutch motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add at the end of the bill the following section pertaining to Preventing the Spread of Nuclear Weapons.
11:29:14 A.M.	H.R. 527	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:36:37 A.M.	H.R. 527	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 240 (Roll no. 67).
11:44:34 A.M.	H.R. 527	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 260 – 163 (Roll no. 68).
11:44:35 A.M.	H.R. 527	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:44:47 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 12.
11:48:01 A.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Rep. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. McCarthy(CA) on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
12:18:08 P.M.		Mr. McCarthy asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Thursday, February 5, 2015, it adjourn to meet at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2015. Agreed to without objection.
12:18:41 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:31:16 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

1:32:10 P.M.		Mr. MacArthur moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:32:40 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:32:41 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on February 9, 2015.