First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Wayne State University on Friday to attend Detroit’s first-ever citywide College Signing Day Celebration — an event aimed at honoring those students dedicated to furthering their education.

The First Lady commended the 2,000 students present — and all college-bound high school seniors throughout America — on their college acceptances and called them real role models. In congratulating the soon-to-be graduates, the First Lady also called on them to help younger students reach this impressive goal of attending college.

See highlights from the First Lady’s trip — and check out how students across America celebrated College Signing Day.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama sport their college t-shirts in support of the First Lady’s “Reach Higher” initiative on College Signing Day, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Weekly Address: Ensuring Every Child Gets a Great Education

In this week’s address, the President reiterated his commitment to expanding access to education, and to spreading the joy of reading to more children and young adults. Earlier this week, the President announced two new efforts that help every student get a library card and provide more than $250 million in free e-Books for low-income students. The President also previewed his upcoming commencement speech at Lake Area Tech in Watertown, South Dakota.

President Obama traveled to the Anacostia Neighborhood Library in Washington, D.C. last week to announce new partnerships to expand access to free books for America’s students, and to ensure every student has easy access to their local libraries. While in a conversation with kids, the President shared new details of what he was like as a young student.

Last week, the President hosted the Japanese Prime Minister, joked around at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, sat down for an interview with the Wall Street Journal, took a walk with the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, and participated in a “virtual field trip” with students at D.C.’s Anacostia Neighborhood Library.

Isaac Bloom, Everytown for Gun Safety: Oregon Victory

05/05/2015 Nativegrl77

BREAKING: Oregon just passed a law to require background checks on all gun sales.

This is an incredible victory for Oregon — but also for gun sense across the country — because it shows what happens when we come together to stand up to the gun lobby. Not only do we win, we win BIG.

Now, THAT is a victory worth celebrating. Spread the word about this big win by sharing the image below on Facebook or on Twitter:

Check out the amazing ways that Everytown and Moms Demand Action supporters helped make this victory possible:

More than 100 volunteers came to the state capitol to advocate for a strong background checks law.

Everytown ran powerful TV ads across the state featuring Mike Reese, the former Portland police chief, and Paul Kemp whose brother-in-law was shot and killed in the Clackamas Town Center mall shooting.

Volunteers spent time making calls to lawmakers to build support for SB 941, the background checks bill.

Ted Alcorn, Everytown for Gun Safety’s Research Director, presented key findings on background checks at a legislative hearing on SB 941.

Our Moms Demand Action volunteers brought together law enforcement, gun violence survivors, and lawmakers to speak out in the press about the life-saving bill.

It turns out, the NRA has a formidable opponent in people like you, and we’re ready to take this fight across the country until every state joins Oregon on the background checks map.

But first, spread the word about today’s amazing victory in Oregon:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Here’s to many more to come,

Isaac Bloom
Deputy Organizing Director
Everytown for Gun Safety

As a movement of Americans fighting for common-sense gun policies, we depend on contributions from supporters like you to fund important work to reduce gun violence.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 5/5 the House

05/05/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the veto message to accompany S.J.Res.8 (NLRB). Senators should expect a vote on the motion to proceed to the Budget conference report at approximately 10:15am.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Motion to proceed to the conference report to accompany S.Con.Res.11, Budget; agreed to: 53-44.
Adoption of the conference report to accompany S.Con.Res.11, the concurrent resolution on the Budget; adopted: 51-48.
Motion to table the veto message on S.J.Res.8, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation case procedures (NLRB rule); tabled: 96-3.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.97, supporting the goals of International Women’s Day.

Adopted S.Res.155, establishing May 2, 2015, as a Day of Recognition for Ebola Orphans.

Adopted S.Res.169, expressing condolences to the family of Dr. Warren Weinstein.

Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action:
11:33:22 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 4(b) of H. Res. 223.

The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on May 8, 2015.

11:30:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
11:30:15 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Luke Messer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
11:30:44 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Anthony Craig Diocese of Duluth, Pequot Lakes, MN.
11:32:01 A.M.		Pursuant to section 4(a) of H. Res. 223, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
11:32:06 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
11:32:27 A.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 May 4, 2015 at 2:47 p.m.: That the Senate passed S. 665.
11:33:22 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 4(b) of H. Res. 223. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on May 8, 2015.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BREAKING: Republicans forced Budget passes … read to see if your family will be cut slashed or burned

05/05/2015 Nativegrl77

Speaker Boehner and his radical caucus forced through their “Work Harder for Less” budget last week.

Now Senator McConnell and the GOP-held Senate just passed this.

This budget makes it harder to buy a home, pay for college, or save for a secure retirement. Put simply: the GOP budget is a DISASTER for hardworking families, while millionaires and billionaires make out like bandits.

We can’t let Boehner and McConnell get away with this.

Tell Boehner and McConnell to stop ransacking America’s future in favor of corporations and special interests.

Let’s recap the “highlights” (or “lowlights”, as I’d call them) of the GOP’s “Work Harder for Less” budget:

slashes programs for K-12 education
cuts Pell Grants that help low-income students attend college
repeals the Affordable Care Act
cuts investments in infrastructure and innovation

And let’s not forget, the GOP budget does all of those things while empowering special interests and paving the way for huge tax breaks for millionaires.

Speaker Boehner and Senator McConnell CANNOT get away with this — and we need to hold them accountable. Add your name to the petition today.

Thank you.

Nancy

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 5/4 the House

05/04/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00pm on Monday, May 4, 2015.

The Senate will not be in session on Friday, May 1.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the veto message to accompany S.J.Res.8 (NLRB). Senators should expect a vote in relation to the veto message at 5:30pm on Monday

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Confirmation of Executive Calendar # 76, Willie E. May, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology; confirmed: 93-0.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.166, expressing the sense of the Senate that domestically grown flowers support the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States, enhance the ability of the people of the United States to honor their mothers on Mother’s Day, and that the White House should strive to showcase domestically grown flowers.

Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action:
12:01:51 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on May 5, 2015.

Last Floor Action:
12:01:51 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on May 5, 2015.

9:00:11 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:16 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:33 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (PA) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
9:02:02 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Guinta to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:35 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.
9:10:18 A.M.	H.R. 2028	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2028 — “Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes.”
9:10:34 A.M.	H.R. 2028	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
9:11:30 A.M.	H.R. 2028	An amendment, offered by Mr. Duncan (SC), to appropriate additional funds for “Corps of Engineers, Civil, Department of the Army, Investigations” by reducing funds for Department of Energy, Energy Programs, Departmental Administration” by $2,500,000.
9:11:33 A.M.	H.R. 2028	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 223, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duncan (SC) amendment.
9:14:28 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the Duncan (SC) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:15:08 A.M.	H.R. 2028	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which had been debated earlier, and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
9:58:26 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the Rothfus amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 172 (Roll no. 208).
10:03:43 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 224 – 184 (Roll no. 209).
10:07:33 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the Blackburn amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 159 – 248 (Roll no. 210).
10:11:41 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the McClintock amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 183 (Roll no. 211).
10:16:13 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 239 – 174 (Roll no. 212).
10:19:29 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 183 (Roll no. 213).
10:20:05 A.M.	H.R. 2028	Mr. Simpson moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.
10:20:11 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.
10:20:15 A.M.	H.R. 2028	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2028.
10:21:11 A.M.	H.R. 2028	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:21:24 A.M.	H.R. 2028	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:22:15 A.M.	H.R. 2028	Mr. Bera moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Appropriations.
10:22:39 A.M.	H.R. 2028	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the 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 increase funds for “Water and Related Resources” by $15,000,000 and “Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability” by $15,000,000; and reduce funds for “Policy and Administration” by $30,000,000.
10:31:05 A.M.	H.R. 2028	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:40:12 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 180 – 235 (Roll no. 214).
10:45:55 A.M.	H.R. 2028	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 240 – 177 (Roll no. 215).
10:45:56 A.M.	H.R. 2028	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:45:59 A.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and put the question de novo.
10:46:20 A.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
10:46:49 A.M.		Mr. Sensenbrenner asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Friday, May 1, 2015, it adjourn to meet at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Agreed to without objection.
10:47:48 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:01:06 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:01:45 P.M.		Mr. Rush moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:01:46 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
12:01:51 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on May 5, 2015.