~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Better Than Billionaires

07/30/2015 Nativegrl77

Automatic Voter Registration Allows More Americans’ Voices To Be Heard

“Who’s your billionaire?” Now more than ever, any serious presidential candidate needs to have an answer for this question. Over the weekend, we found out who the answer for Senator Marco Rubio is: Norman Braman, a billionaire auto dealer from Miami.

Braman isn’t just supporting Rubio’s White House bid to the expected tune of $10 million; he has been a key figure in Rubio’s professional and personal life for many years. Here is the New York Times report:

As Mr. Rubio has ascended in the ranks of Republican politics, Mr. Braman has emerged as a remarkable and unique patron. He has bankrolled Mr. Rubio’s campaigns. He has financed Mr. Rubio’s legislative agenda. And, at the same time, he has subsidized Mr. Rubio’s personal finances, as the rising politician and his wife grappled with heavy debt and big swings in their income.

To state the obvious: The increasing influence of big money in politics from donors like Norman Braman, the Koch Brothers, and others, drowns out the voices of everyday Americans in the political process. There are a number of ways to combat this threat to democracy; one big target for reformers is to overturn the judicial decisions like Citizens United that have opened the floodgates to unlimited spending on elections. That is a critical fight.

Here is another important way to make it easier for all citizens to have their voices heard: make voting more accessible. One of the most progressive methods for doing that is called Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), a system by which states would integrate information from existing government databases — such as departments of motor vehicles, the Postal Service, revenue agencies, and others — to compile and update the voting rolls with information that they already collect. Oregon just became the first state in the country to implement this type of system, and it expects to add 300,000 people to voter rolls as a result.

Now, a new report from the Center for Popular Democracy outlines some of the transformative impacts AVR would have across the country. If Automatic Voter Registration were adopted in all states, it would potentially result in 55 million new voters added to the rolls.

AVR would result in the registration of currently underrepresented communities as well, including approximately:

17 million new Black and Latino registrants
31 million registrants under age 45
29 million registrants with an annual income of $50,000 or less

While most voting rights news focuses on the concerted efforts by conservatives to suppress the vote, especially among disadvantaged communities, automatic voter registration is gaining momentum. California, which just advanced its own AVR bill late last month, could be the next state to take this important step.

BOTTOM LINE: With our campaign finance laws continuing to loosen, millionaires and billionaires will only increase the amount of influence they exert in our political process. But there are important steps being taken to counter them: policies like automatic voter registration would register millions of voters, raise voter turnout, and make our democracy healthier and more representative of its citizens.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A License To Kill

07/30/2015 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

As Florida Governor, Jeb Bush Pioneered The Nation’s First “Stand Your Ground” Law

This Friday, Jeb Bush is scheduled to address the National Urban League, one of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organizations. He is going to be on the hot seat – and deservedly so. As Governor of Florida, Jeb worked hand in hand with the NRA to pioneer the nation’s first Stand Your Ground law, brought to national attention when George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin. The results, detailed in a new CAP Action report, have been devastating. Here are a few of the findings outlined in the report:

1. Since the passage of the law, Florida’s gun homicide rate jumped above the national average – and has stayed there. In the 6 years prior to the law‘s passage, the rate of gun homicides in Florida was 3.7 per 100,000 residents, below the national average rate of 4 murders per 100,000 residents. After Stand Your Ground was passed in the state, the average gun homicide rate jumped to more than 4.5 murders per 100,000 residents in Florida while going down nationwide. In the two years following the enactment of the Stand Your Ground law, the number of gun-related homicides in Florida increased by more than 200 cases.

2. Florida’s Stand Your Ground law appears to have a disparate impact on black communities. A study by the Tampa Bay Times of nearly 200 Stand Your Ground cases in Florida found that defendants seeking to avoid criminal liability for a homicide by mounting a Stand Your Ground defense were significantly more likely to be successful if they killed a black victim than a white victim. In fact, from 2005 to 2012, defendants who raised a Stand Your Ground defense in Florida were 24 percent more likely to avoid criminal liability for a homicide if they killed a black victim.

3. The impacts of Stand Your Ground have translated to an additional 600 homicides per year across the country. Within one year of Gov. Bush’s signing, 21 other states had introduced the legislation and 13 had enacted expanded self-defense laws. A 2012 study by researchers at Texas A&M University found that Stand Your Ground laws led to more homicides: States that enacted such laws saw an 8 percent increase in homicides, which translated to an additional 600 homicides per year across all states with these laws. National Urban League’s own 2013 study found that in states that enacted Stand Your Ground laws between 2005 and 2007, the rate of justifiable homicides increased by 53 percent.

A new op-ed drawn from CAP Action’s report and written by Ben Jealous, former president and CEO of the NAACP, highlights how Florida’s Stand Your Ground law poses an even larger threat in Florida because the states gun laws are so weak. In fact Florida’s gun laws remain so lax that George Zimmerman, who in addition to shooting and killing Trayvon Martin, was arrested for assaulting a police officer, the subject of a domestic violence restraining order, arrested 3 times for domestic violence, and threatened to kill a man during a road rage incident, is still permitted carry a gun in Florida.

BOTTOM LINE: America has Jeb Bush to thank for Stand Your Ground. And as research continues to suggest, America has this NRA-backed law to thank for hundreds more gun homicides every year and a disproportionate impact on communities of color.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 7/30 the House

07/30/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.22, post-cloture, with the time until 12:00pm equally divided. All time during adjournment of the Senate will count post-cloture on H.R.22.

12:00 noon – 1 roll call vote

Passage of H.R.22, as amended (Highway/Transportation Reauthorization and Export-Import Bank Reauthorization)

Approximately 1:45pm – 1 roll call vote

Passage of R.3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvements Act of 2015 (3-month extension to October 29, 2015 for highways) [60 vote affirmative threshold]

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Passage of H.R.22, as amended (Highway/Transportation Reauthorization and Export-Import Bank Reauthorization); passed: 65-34.
Passage of R.3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvements Act of 2015 (3-month extension to October 29, 2015 for highways) [60 vote affirmative threshold]; passed: 91-4.

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Res.236, Designating July 30, 2015, as “National Whistleblower Appreciation Day”.

Passed Calendar #166, S.1172 – Presidential Transition, with committee-reported amendments and Carper amendment.

No Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action: 7/29
8:28:16 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on July 31, 2015.

10:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles J. “Chuck” Fleischmann to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:36 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.
10:53:52 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 614, S. 764, and S. 242. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 64 and S. Con. Res. 20.
10:53:53 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with Morning-Hour Debate.
11:30:23 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:04 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 29.
12:00:11 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:31 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Wilson (SC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Wilson (SC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:02:06 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Higgins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:22 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.
12:43:05 P.M.	H. Res. 388	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 388 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1994) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3236) to provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, to provide resource flexibility to the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care services, and for other purposes.”
12:46:28 P.M.	H. Res. 388	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 388.
2:17:30 P.M.	H. Res. 388	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 242 – 180 (Roll no. 483).
2:28:35 P.M.	H. Res. 388	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 243 – 183 (Roll no. 484).
2:28:36 P.M.	H. Res. 388	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:28:38 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:28:40 P.M.	H.R. 1300	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1300 — “To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make anthrax vaccines and antimicrobials available to emergency response providers, and for other purposes.”
2:36:36 P.M.	H.R. 1300	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 – 0 (Roll no. 485).
2:36:36 P.M.	H.R. 1300	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:37:08 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 388. H.R. 1994 — “To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes.”
2:37:13 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. All points of order against consideration of the bills are waived. For H.R. 1994, The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. No amendment will be in order except those printed in the report accompanying the resolution.
2:37:32 P.M.	H.R. 1994	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 388 and Rule XVIII.
2:37:33 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Fortenberry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2:38:04 P.M.	H.R. 1994	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1994.
3:07:47 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The Committee rose informally to recieve a message from the President.
3:07:55 P.M.	H.R. 1994	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole resumed its sitting.
3:47:03 P.M.	H.R. 1994	An amendment, offered by Mr. Benishek, numbered 1 printed in House Report 114-234 to reform and improve the VA Inspector General’s ability to report on problems and problem employees at the VA. Also, it requires the IG to release reports including employee misconduct to the public and explain what changes the VA has requested, requires the IG to identify a manager responsible for fixing an identified problem, makes it easier to fire an identified employee, and targets the bonuses of employees that fail to solve problems.
3:47:08 P.M.	H.R. 1994	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 388, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Benishek amendment No. 1.
3:57:25 P.M.	H.R. 1994	On agreeing to the Benishek amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:58:07 P.M.	H.R. 1994	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Takano, No. 2 printed in House Report 114-234 to provide VA Secretary the authority to immediately suspend without pay any employee whose performance or misconduct is a threat to health or safety; ensure back pay for whistleblowers unfairly terminated, and cap the payment of administrative leave to 14 days. Amendment makes effective date of back pay provision October 1, 2015.
3:58:11 P.M.	H.R. 1994	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 388, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment in the nature of a substitute No. 2.
4:20:05 P.M.	H.R. 1994	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment in the nature of a substitute the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
4:20:23 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the Committee rise.
4:20:40 P.M.	H.R. 1994	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
4:20:50 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1994 as unfinished business.
4:21:15 P.M.	H.R. 3236	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 388. H.R. 3236 — “To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, to provide resource flexibility to the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care services, and for other purposes.”
4:21:20 P.M.	H.R. 3236	Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. All points of order against consideration of the bills are waived. For H.R. 1994, The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. No amendment will be in order except those printed in the report accompanying the resolution.
4:22:05 P.M.	H.R. 3236	QUESTION OF CONSIDERATION – The Chair announced that the bill contained an emergency designation pursuant to section 4(g)(1) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 and accordingly, the Chair would put the question of consideration under section 4(g)(2) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. By voice vote, the Chair announced that the question of consideration had been decided in the affirmative.
4:24:30 P.M.	H.R. 3236	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3236.
4:48:38 P.M.	H.R. 3236	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:32:10 P.M.	H.R. 3236	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 385 – 34, 1 Present (Roll no. 486).
5:32:11 P.M.	H.R. 3236	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:32:36 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1994 — “To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes.”
5:32:52 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
5:33:02 P.M.	H.R. 1994	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of an amendment which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
5:38:28 P.M.	H.R. 1994	On agreeing to the Takano amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 191 – 233 (Roll no. 487).
5:38:33 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1994.
5:39:10 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:39:24 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
5:40:28 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Mr. Takano moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
5:40:54 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano 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 ensure that the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs may not remove or demote an individual that has filed a whistleblower complaint or sought corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel or the Inspector General regarding a threat to the health or safety of the public or regarding a prohibited personnel practice.
5:47:46 P.M.	H.R. 1994	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:55:11 P.M.	H.R. 1994	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 241 (Roll no. 488).
6:02:24 P.M.	H.R. 1994	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 256 – 170 (Roll no. 489).
6:02:25 P.M.	H.R. 1994	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:02:28 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:03:01 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
6:03:45 P.M.		Mr. Stivers asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, it adjourn to meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015. Agreed to without objection.
6:03:59 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:16:40 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:45:52 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification stating that the national emergency declared with respect to the actions of certain persons to undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes and institutions is to continue in effect beyond August 1, 2015. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 114-53).
7:48:26 P.M.		The House received a communication from Bill Shuster, Chairman, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruct. Pursuant to section 3307 of Title 40, United States Code, Chairman Shuster notified the House that on July 23, 2015, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider 15 resolutions included in the General Services Administrations fiscal years 2015 and 2016 Capital Investment and Leasing Programs. The message contained enclosed copies of resolutions adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 23, 2015, which the Chair referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
7:49:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further Special Order speeches.
8:27:57 P.M.		Ms. Foxx moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:28:15 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:28:16 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on July 31, 2015.