Vets and Pay equality … VoteVets.org


www.votevets.orgWhen we were commissioned in the United States Army over forty years ago, pay equality was not an issue. Both of us were paid the same $450 a month paycheck we all received as no time in grade Second Lieutenants.

Pay was published in multiple formats and every soldier knew what America paid its men and women with zero discrimination for the youngest Private or Lieutenant to the oldest Command Sergeant Major or General.

But when our Soldiers leave the Army and enter the civilian workforce, life changes. And it changes more for our female veterans than for our males. Women on average receive about 25% less for equal work than their male counterpart.

We need your help fixing that.

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), one of our great Senators, introduced S.84 – Paycheck Fairness Act on 23 January, 2013. In short, this act gets after the pay challenge for all American women, and our Veterans. It further goes after bosses who retaliate against employees who reveal their salaries to colleagues in an effort to produce the transparency in the civilian world that works so well in our Armed Forces.

But on multiple votes, the GOP has defeated the passage of this bill.

For that reason, VoteVets requests your support for Senator Mikulski’s Paycheck Fairness Act. Add your name to our petition in support of this important legislation.

Thank you very much for reading. After you’ve sounded off on this issue, please share this email with your family and friends.

We’ll be in touch as the legislation moves forward.

All the best,

Major General (Ret) Paul Eaton & P.J. Eaton
VoteVets.org

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 3/16 ~~ the House


silentspring climate change

The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00pm on Monday, March 16, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.178, a bill to provide justice for victims of human trafficking. At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session for up to 30 minutes, with the time equally divided, to consider Executive Calendar numbers 17 and 18. Upon the use or yielding back of time (approximately 5:30pm) the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations.

Monday, approximately 5:30pm—1 roll call vote, 1 voice vote expected

  1. Executive Calendar #17 Carlos Monje, of Kouisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation (roll call vote)
  2. Executive Calendar #18, Manson K. Brown, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce (voice vote expected)

As a reminder, Senator McConnell filed cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178 and on the underlying bill. The filing deadline for all first-degree amendments to the substitute and the underlying bill is set for 5:00pm on Monday, March 16. We expect the cloture vote on the substitute to occur Tuesday morning (11:00am range).The filing deadline for second degree amendments will be around 10:00am on Tuesday, March 17.

Tuesday, approximately 11:00am

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178, a bill to provide justice for victims of human trafficking.

Last week, Senator McConnell filed cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178 and on the underlying bill. The filing deadline for all first-degree amendments to the substitute and the underlying bill is set for 5:00pm today, Monday, March 16. We expect the cloture vote on the substitute to occur Tuesday morning in the 11:00am range. We also expect to set a filing deadline for second-degree amendments for around 10:00am tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17.

Tuesday, approximately 11:00am

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178, a bill to provide justice for victims of human trafficking.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for one hour. Following morning business (approximately 4:10pm), the Senate will resume consideration of S.178, a bill to provide for the victims of human trafficking. At 5:00pm, the Senate will enter Executive Session.

At 5:30pm, there will be a series of votes on confirmation of the Monje (Executive Calendar #17) and Brown (Executive Calendar #18) nominations. We expect a roll call vote on the Monje nomination followed by a voice vote on the Brown nomination.

Monday, approximately 5:30pm—1 roll call vote, 1 voice vote expected

  1. Executive Calendar #17 Carlos Monje, of Louisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation (roll call vote)
  2. Executive Calendar #18, Manson K. Brown, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce (voice vote expected)

5:31pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #17 Carlos Monje, of Louisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation;

Confirmed: 94-0

Next—voice vote expected:

  • Executive Calendar #18, Manson K. Brown, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

The Monje nomination was confirmed 94-0. The Senate then confirmed the Brown nomination by voice vote. The Senate is in a period of morning business with Senator Cotton permitted to speak for up to 45 minutes (Maiden Speech) and for Senator Brown to speak for up to 15 minutes.

The cloture vote on the substitute amendment to S.178, trafficking, will occur at 11:00am tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17. If cloture is not invoked, there would be an immediate cloture vote on the underlying bill. Senators should expect 2 roll call votes at 11:00am tomorrow.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments for the Committee reported substitute amendment and S.178 is 10:30am tomorrow. If cloture is invoked, germane second degree amendments must be filed prior to the deadline to be considered in order post-cloture. Senators with amendments should send their amendments to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #17 Carlos Monje, of Louisiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation; Confirmed: 94-0.

Legislative Business

Executive Business

Confirmed the following nomination by voice vote:

  1. Executive Calendar #18, Manson K. Brown, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

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

Last Floor Action:
8:28:15 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 17, 2015.

Last Floor Action:3/10
11:06:29 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 134.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 16, 2015.

12:00:08 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:24 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom Emmer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:41 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.
12:06:11 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:41 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 16.
2:01:50 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:55 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:02 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kildee to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:23 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:04:25 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 March 16, 2015 at 10:38 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 7.
2:05:48 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
3:30:22 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 16.
3:30:33 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
3:31:07 P.M. H.R. 639 Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 639 — “To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to drug scheduling recommendations by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and with respect to registration of manufacturers and distributors seeking to conduct clinical testing.”
3:31:30 P.M. H.R. 639 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:31:33 P.M. H.R. 639 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 639.
3:39:52 P.M. H.R. 639 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:39:54 P.M. H.R. 639 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:40:39 P.M. H.R. 647 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 647 — “To amend title XII of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain trauma care programs, and for other purposes.”
3:40:57 P.M. H.R. 647 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:40:59 P.M. H.R. 647 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 647.
3:47:18 P.M. H.R. 647 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.
3:47:35 P.M. H.R. 648 Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 648 — “To amend title XII of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain trauma care programs, and for other purposes.”
3:47:48 P.M. H.R. 648 Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:47:49 P.M. H.R. 648 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 648.
3:54:13 P.M. H.R. 648 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.
3:54:15 P.M. The House received a communication from the Honorable Will Hurd. Mr. Hurd (TX) submitted his resignation from the Committee on Small Business. The resignation was accepted without objection.
3:55:03 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. today.
4:30:40 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 16.
4:31:24 P.M. H.R. 876 Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 876 — “To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require hospitals to provide certain notifications to individuals classified by such hospitals under observation status rather than admitted as inpatients of such hospitals.”
4:32:45 P.M. H.R. 876 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:32:46 P.M. H.R. 876 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 876.
4:45:27 P.M. H.R. 876 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.
4:46:00 P.M. H.R. 284 Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 284 — “To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require State licensure and bid surety bonds for entities submitting bids under the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive acquisition program, and for other purposes.”
4:46:02 P.M. H.R. 284 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:46:03 P.M. H.R. 284 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 284.
4:53:03 P.M. H.R. 284 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:53:05 P.M. H.R. 284 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:54:03 P.M. H.R. 1191 Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1191 — “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.”
4:54:05 P.M. H.R. 1191 Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:54:10 P.M. H.R. 1191 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1191.
5:02:06 P.M. H.R. 1191 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.
5:02:36 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:36 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 16.
6:30:40 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:38 P.M. H.R. 647 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 647 — “To amend title XII of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain trauma care programs, and for other purposes.”
6:56:52 P.M. H.R. 647 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 – 10 (Roll no. 113).
6:56:52 P.M. H.R. 647 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:56:53 P.M. H.R. 648 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 648 — “To amend title XII of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain trauma care programs, and for other purposes.”
7:04:47 P.M. H.R. 648 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 – 15 (Roll no. 114).
7:04:47 P.M. H.R. 648 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:05:36 P.M. H.R. 876 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 876 — “To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require hospitals to provide certain notifications to individuals classified by such hospitals under observation status rather than admitted as inpatients of such hospitals.”
7:11:29 P.M. H.R. 876 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 – 0 (Roll no. 115).
7:11:29 P.M. H.R. 876 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:11:51 P.M. Mrs. Miller (MI) filed a report from the Committee on House Administration on H. Res. 132.
7:12:33 P.M. S. Con. Res. 7 Mrs. Miller (MI) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
7:12:54 P.M. S. Con. Res. 7 Considered by unanimous consent. S. Con. Res. 7 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.”
7:12:57 P.M. S. Con. Res. 7 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
7:13:02 P.M. S. Con. Res. 7 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:15:27 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:28:43 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:28:00 P.M. National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity – Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1011c, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015, the Minority Leader appointed Dr. George T. French, Fairfield, Alabama; Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Alioto, New York, New York and Mr. Ralph A. Wolff, Oakland, California for a six year terms.
8:28:03 P.M. Ms. Kelly (IL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:28:10 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:28:15 P.M. The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 17, 2015.

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

Here’s a sneak peek at the results


Support the Museum today!
Support the Museum!

Recently, I asked several of you to take part in our Supporter Survey to help ensure the successful launch of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016.

If you completed the survey, please accept my heartfelt thanks for providing your personal guidance as we make important decisions about our opening exhibitions, special events, and other programming.

We’re still analyzing the survey responses, but I wanted to share the results from one key question: “How do you feel about the Museum’s commitment to presenting painful episodes of the African American experience, such as slavery and the Jim Crow era, in addition to positive aspects?”

An overwhelming 95% of survey respondents agreed that it’s important for the Museum to include the negative as well as the positive when presenting African American history. These results reaffirm strong support for the Museum’s mission to bring the entire African American experience to life.

The survey answers will provide our curators, educators, and historians with a better understanding of how especially dedicated Museum supporters like you feel on a wide range of issues — from the periods and areas of African American history we should focus on, to how we can best increase public awareness of the Museum.

I hope you’ll help us put the insights we gain from the Supporter Survey to the best possible use — and help us raise the $250 million from private sources needed to match the funds Congress has approved to build the Museum. Can I count on you to make a special donation of $50 or more now?

With the personal support of people like you, we’re building a living, breathing museum that will educate all Americans about the central role that African Americans have played in our nation’s history … inspire a constructive national conversation on race … and foster understanding, healing and reconciliation. It’s a legacy you can be proud of.

Thank you again for your leadership and commitment as a supporter of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

All the best,
Lonnie_Signature.jpg

Lonnie Bunch
Founding Director

Legally Married and Legally Fired


By

The Fight For Equal Rights For LGBT Americans Does Not End At Marriage

We’ve been talking a lot about a certain Supreme Court case over the past month, with the Affordable Care Act under attack for a second time. Next up, the Supreme Court will hear another important case in April on whether to legalize marriage for committed same-sex couples throughout the country. While proponents of equality are hopeful for a historic decision to finally ensure marriage equality nationwide, regardless of the outcome, the fight for LGBT equal rights will not end in June. One aspect of that fight is securing basic non-discrimination protections for the LGBT community.

While the fundamental right to marry the one you love has been extended to Americans in over thirty states, we still have a ways to go in enacting meaningful anti-discrimination laws across the country. As the graphic below demonstrates, LGBT Americans are still vulnerable to discrimination in many other ways. And click here to learn more about all the protections that LGBT Americans don’t have.

BOTTOM LINE: While the Supreme Court may soon rightly decide that marriage equality is constitutional, the fight for fairness and full equality will not be over this summer. Congress and the States need to act to ensure equal protections for LGBT Americans.

Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden – Thanks Mom and Dad