Monthly Archives: July 2015

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Badges Of Progress … CAP


By

The Military And The Boy Scouts Take Positive Steps Towards LGBT Non-Discrimination

Less than three weeks since the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage the law of the land nationwide, two organizations with complicated histories surrounding LGBT equality—the United States Armed Forces and the Boy Scouts of America—have taken positive steps towards ending discrimination against LGBT individuals.

On Monday, Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Pentagon will allow transgender people to serve openly in the military. “We have transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines — real, patriotic Americans — who I know are being hurt by an outdated, confusing, inconsistent approach that’s contrary to our value of service and individual merit,” Sec. Carter said.

Unlike Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, which was a law passed by Congress, the trans ban is a military policy that can be changed by the Defense Department alone. When the new policy takes effect sometime within the next six months, the estimated 15,000 transgender service members currently serving in secret will be able to serve openly, and the ban on transgender enrollment will be lifted.

The military’s decision came in tandem with another group’s unanimous decision to expand equal rights to its members. On Monday, the Boy Scouts of America voted to end its longstanding ban on gay scout leaders. This follows another important development made in 2014 when the Boy Scouts lifted their ban on openly gay youth in the program. Beyond allowing new gay leaders to apply, the vote also opens the opportunity for previously removed leaders to seek their former positions. The decision prohibits regional governing bodies from discriminating by virtue of sexual orientation; however, it allows local troops to establish their own eligibility systems, which may also exclude gay applicants.

But these long overdue moments of inclusivity were not universally praised. The Family Research Council has opposed the military’s actions, claiming that “no new science” contributed to the military’s decision to lift the ban, even though the ban is incredibly outdated by all accounts. The Boy Scouts’ actions were also met with criticism, despite the fact that many chapters across the country had long opposed the ban .

Conservative opposition aside, these actions represent significant progress. But there is still much more work to be done. In 28 states, a same-sex couple can be legally married one day, and legally fired from their jobs the next. We must continue building on recent weeks’ progress to ensure comprehensive legislation to outlaw LGBT discrimination.

BOTTOM LINE: While the decisions by the Boy Scouts and the Department of Defense are steps forward for LGBT rights, the fight for equality is not over. These milestones remind us that whether it’s the uniform of a Scout or a soldier, comprehensive equality must be stitched into the fabric of our laws.

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 7/16 ~~ the House


World

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Thursday, July 16. Following any leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act, post-cloture. The time during adjournment counts post-cloture.

At 10:45am, there will be a series of roll call votes. We expect at least 6 roll call votes, with the potential of more being added. The list of amendments that will be considered can be found below. We expect to consider Hatch through Warren with voice votes.

10:45am—at least 6 roll call votes expected:

  1. Cruz SA #2180 (State-determined assessment)
  2. Sanders SA #2177 (youth jobs) (60-vote threshold)
  3. Coons SA #2243 (American Dream accounts) (60-vote threshold)
  4. Burr SA #2247, as modified (formula)
  5. Brown SA #2100 (full-service community schools grant).
  6. Casey SA #2242 (universal pre-k) (60-vote threshold)
  1. Hatch SA #2082 (early learning)
  2. Warren SA #2106 (literacy development)
  3. Schatz SA #2130 (assessments)
  4. Murphy SA #2186 (Promise Neighborhoods program)
  5. Nelson SA #2215, as modified (STEM)
  6. Manchin SA #2222 (substance abuse)
  7. Boozman SA #2231 (postsecondary education and workforce preparation)
  8. Baldwin SA #2188 (needs of all levels of schooling)
  9. Capito SA #2156 (State report card data)
  10. Thune SA #2232 (Project SERV grants)
  11. King SA #2256 (eligible tech and tech readiness)
  12. Schatz SA #2240 (Native American language)
  13. Warren SA #2249 (cross-tabulation of student data)

wrap up

Roll Call Votes:

  1. Cruz SA #2180 (state-determined assessment); not agreed to: 40-58
  2. Sanders SA #2177 (youth jobs) (60-vote threshold); not agreed to: 43-55
  3. Coons SA #2243 (American Dream accounts) (60-vote threshold);  agreed to: 68-30
  4. Burr SA #2247, as modified (formula); agreed to: 59-39
  5. Brown SA #2100 (full-service community schools grant); agreed to 53-44
  6. Casey SA #2242 (universal pre-k) (60-vote threshold); not agreed to 45-52
  7. Motion to invoke cloture on S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act; agreed to: 79-18
  8. Passage of S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act; passed: 81-17

Legislative Business

Agreed to the following by Voice Vote:

  1. Hatch SA #2082 (early learning)
  2. Warren SA #2106 (literacy development)
  3. Schatz SA #2130 (assessments)
  4. Murphy SA #2186 (Promise Neighborhoods program)
  5. Nelson SA #2215, as modified (STEM)
  6. Manchin SA #2222 (substance abuse)
  7. Boozman SA #2231 (postsecondary education and workforce preparation)
  8. Baldwin SA #2188 (needs of all levels of schooling)
  9. Capito SA #2156 (State report card data)
  10. Thune SA #2232 (Project SERV grants)
  11. King SA #2256 (eligible tech and tech readiness)
  12. Schatz SA #2240 (Native American language)
  13. Warren SA #2249 (cross-tabulation of student data)
  14. Peters SA #2095 (financial literacy)
  15. Alexander SA #2089 (substitute)

Passed by voice vote S.192, Older Americans Act

Discharged Finance and passed S.139, Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015

Began the rule 14 process to place H.R.3038, the House passed Highway extension through December 18, 2015

No Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
 1:23:37 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 20, 2015.

Last Floor Action:
 9:13:43 A.M. -H.R. 2898
GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2898.

9:00:11 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:18 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:31 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:33 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Crawford to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:01:50 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.
9:12:29 A.M. H.R. 2898 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 362. H.R. 2898 — “To provide drought relief in the State of California, and for other purposes.”
9:12:34 A.M. H.R. 2898 The rule provide for consideration of the bills H.R. 2898 and H.R. 3038. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate on both bills. The resolution makes in order further amendments printed in the report on H.R. 2898. For H.R. 3038, the resolution provides for consideration under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions on both bills.
9:13:15 A.M. H.R. 2898 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 362 and Rule XVIII.
9:13:16 A.M. H.R. 2898 The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:13:43 A.M. H.R. 2898 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2898.
10:34:08 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. McClintock, numbered 1 printed in House Report 114-204 to make one technical change and one clarifying change to the bill.
10:34:10 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the McClintock amendment No. 1.
10:40:24 A.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the McClintock amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:40:53 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. McNerney, numbered 2 printed in House Report 114-204 to add water hyacinth to the list of invasive species to be considered for the pilot project established under the legislation.
10:40:55 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the McNerney amendment No. 2.
10:47:35 A.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the McNerney amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:47:55 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi, numbered 3 printed in House Report 114-204 to direct the Secretaries to collaborate with the California Department of Water Resources to install a fish screen at the Delta Cross Channel Gates.
10:47:56 A.M. H.R. 2898 Debate – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the Garamendi amendment No. 3.
10:57:15 A.M. H.R. 2898 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Garamendi amendment, put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Garamendi demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.
10:57:52 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. LaMalfa, numbered 4 printed in House Report 114-204 to update feasibility study completion requirements to align with a recently-signed MOU between the project joint powers authority and the Bureau of Reclamation.
10:57:53 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa amendment No. 4.
11:05:02 A.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
11:05:20 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. Calvert, numbered 5 printed in House Report 114-204 to create a more balanced approach between user group interests on the Restoration Fund Advisory Board by adding a seat for a member representing a wildlife entity that primarily focuses on waterfowl.
11:05:23 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the Calvert amendment No. 5.
11:10:51 A.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the Calvert amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
11:11:11 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. Costa, numbered 6 printed in House Report 114-204 to require the Secretary of the Interior to publish an annual report detailing the instream flows released for the Central Valley Project and measured outcomes as a result of those flows.
11:11:14 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the Costa amendment No. 6.
11:17:02 A.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the Costa amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
11:17:29 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. LaMalfa, numbered 7 printed in House Report 114-204 to improve due process by providing contractors of a federal water project in California and Oregon ESA applicant status, ensuring that contractors are properly informed of and may provide input to ESA consultations that may impact operations of the project.
11:17:31 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa amendment No. 7.
11:26:10 A.M. H.R. 2898 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the LaMalfa amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
11:26:36 A.M. H.R. 2898 An amendment, offered by Mr. Grijalva, numbered 8 printed in House Report 114-204 to fund water reclamation programs and water reuse projects so that the Bureau of Reclamation may investigate more opportunities to reclaim and reuse wastewater and naturally impaired ground and surface water in the 17 Western states and Hawaii.
11:27:19 A.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 362, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the Grijalva amendment No. 8.
11:39:33 A.M. H.R. 2898 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Grijalva amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Lummis demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
11:40:22 A.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debate earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:07:08 P.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the Garamendi amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 236 (Roll no. 443).
12:11:51 P.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 246 – 172 (Roll no. 444).
12:16:09 P.M. H.R. 2898 On agreeing to the Grijalva amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 242 (Roll no. 445).
12:16:20 P.M. H.R. 2898 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2898.
12:16:59 P.M. H.R. 2898 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
12:17:15 P.M. H.R. 2898 The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
12:17:37 P.M. H.R. 2898 Mr. Bera moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources.
12:17:37 P.M. H.R. 2898 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water for: (1) residential drinking that is not tainted with arsenic, salt nitrates from fertilizers, industrial chemicals or harmful algae; (2) fighting wildfires; and (3) honoring Tribal water rights.
12:34:40 P.M. H.R. 2898 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 239 (Roll no. 446).
12:40:47 P.M. H.R. 2898 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 245 – 176 (Roll no. 447).
12:40:47 P.M. H.R. 2898 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:40:54 P.M. H.R. 2898 The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2898, including striking the instruction “line 20” and inserting “after line 19” in amendment number 7.
1:07:39 P.M. Mr. McCarthy asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, July 16, 2015, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2015, and that the order of the House of January 6, 2015, regarding morning-hour debate not apply on that day. Agreed to without objection.
1:07:57 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:22:58 P.M. U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION – Pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002) as amended, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015, the Chair announced the Speaker’s appointment of the following individuals on the part of the House to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission for a term expiring on December 31, 2016: Mr. Larry Wortzel, Williamsburg, VA, and Mr. Peter Brookes, Springfield, VA.
1:23:22 P.M. Mr. LaMalfa moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:23:36 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:23:37 P.M. The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 20, 2015.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Please sign this letter… VoteVets


VoteVets.orgHere’s the letter we’re submitting the Environmental Protection Agency to stop the big oil giveaway currently being considered by the agency.

Read it, and co-sign the letter before we submit it. You can do that here: http://action.votevets.org/epa-letter
  

To: Environmental Protection Agency
Docket ID Number: EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0111

Please preserve a strong Renewable Fuel Standard — one that puts our national security, our environment, and American consumers ahead of the interests of Big Oil.

As veterans, military families, and VoteVets supporters, we know the cost of our dependence on foreign oil. The Renewable Fuel Standard has fostered a homegrown fuel industry that lessens our dependence on oil — the rising prices of which pay for weapons used against our men and women in uniform.

More than that, investing in cheaper, cleaner-burning renewable fuels has strengthened our economy — creating new jobs inside our borders, and saving Americans money with every fill-up.

Don’t allow oil industry lobbyists to put their interests ahead of the nation’s. Save the Renewable Fuel Standard, and keep our country on the road to a transportation future that depends less on the Middle East, and more on the Midwest.

Thank you,

[[Your Name]]

 

Sign the Letter here:
http://action.votevets.org/epa-letter

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NY State Laws get an Upgrade–Know Your New Rights!


A Better Balance
Women’s Equality Advances in New York
Twitter Facebook Instagram
On July 8th, A Better Balance hosted a webinar, along with our colleagues at the New York Civil Liberties Union, to discuss major changes to the laws of New York to advance women’s equality.
Just this session, the legislature acted on measures to strengthen equal pay, family status, and sexual harassment protections in the workplace, guarantee reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, assist victims of domestic violence filing temporary restraining orders, combat human trafficking and campus sexual assault, and more.
A Better Balance also has a new resource available to help women in New York understand their new workplace rights. Our know-your-rights booklet is available for free download on our website.
Please help us get the word out about these important new protections available in New York!

  1. Tag us on Twitter: @abetterbalance & @NYCLU
  2. Share the image at the right on Facebook
  3. Tweet about our webinar so others can watch:
–Learn more about new state laws to strengthen #equalpay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74teIH7nXA via @ABetterBalance & @NYCLU
–Protect #pregnant workers and other new state laws to help women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74teIH7nXA via @ABetterBalance & @NYCLU
–NY laws now combat human trafficking, help domestic violence victims & more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74teIH7nXA via @ABetterBalance & @NYCLU
Thanks so much for your support!
The ABB Team
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

“A hole-in-one on a 2-mile golf shot.”


The White House, Washington this post was 18hrs ago

Dr. John P. Holdren, The White House

This morning, the United States became the first country to reach Pluto — and the first country to explore the entire classical solar system: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

NASA’s New Horizons interplanetary probe has been making its way to Pluto since January 19, 2006, and has been providing the world with the sharpest photos ever seen of our Solar System’s most prominent “dwarf planet.” Today, it made its closest approach to Pluto yet — about 8,000 miles — at around 07:49:57 EDT.

Here’s the photo they took — which, despite traveling at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second), took four and a half hours to reach us here on Earth as it crossed the 3 billion miles between here and Pluto:

The closest photo we've taken of Pluto.

That we were able to get so close to Pluto today is a feat whose probability scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson likened to “a hole-in-one on a two-mile golf shot.” He’s right.

Every once in a while, a photo comes along that has the ability to shift not just how we see our place in the universe, but how we see ourselves — not just as Americans, but as citizens of Earth.

This is one of those photos, and I hope you’ll share it with someone today.

More soon —

John

Dr. John P. Holdren
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
The White House
@whitehouseostp