Less Than 80 Left

Southern resident orcas have lost 10% of their population since being added to the Endangered Species List.

Tell your Senators to protect southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon today!

by Elizabeth Ruther, Defenders of Wildlife

Endangered southern resident orcas could soon be starved to extinction.

Known as the “fish-eating orca,” these whales have relied almost exclusively on Chinook salmon for thousands of years to survive. But increased human activity has disrupted this balance and decimated the Chinook salmon population – and if we don’t act soon, southern resident orcas will be in real danger of running out of food.

ACT NOW: Tell your Senators to save the last of the southern resident orca whales!

Hydroelectric dams, over fishing and habitat destruction have all contributed to the endangered status of Chinook salmon. The Columbia-Snake River basin once produced more salmon than any other river system in the world. But today, less than 5% of the historic number of fish returns to the watershed to spawn. Without a healthy population of Chinook salmon, it is doubtful that the southern resident orca population will ever recover.

These whales are struggling against pollution, marine noise, vessel traffic and a shortage of food. With their population in jeopardy, southern resident orcas were finally added to the Endangered Species List in 2005 – since then, they’ve lost close to 10% of their population with fewer than 80 of these whales left in the wild.

That’s why it’s so important that we defend the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for animals like the southern resident orca and the Chinook salmon. Because of human activity, these two species are now forced to rely on ESA protections to survive.

Tell your Senators to take action before it’s too late!

Scientists agree that restoring abundant populations of wild Columbia and Snake River Chinook salmon must be our top priority to help save and recover the southern resident orca.

Orcas are culturally and economically important to Washington State. Southern resident orcas attract between $60-$75 million dollars per year in tourism, and healthy population levels have been linked to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Yet despite their significance, not enough is being done to ensure the survival of the remaining population.

It’s up to Washingtonians like you, who care so much for our wildlife, to stand up for these amazing creatures.

Ask your Senators to step up and fight for our southern resident orcas!

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Ruther
Northwest Program Representative
Defenders of Wildlife

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Blue Sharks in danger … sign the petition

07/12/2015 Nativegrl77

Petitioning Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Richard Black, Thomas Greason

Prohibit the Fishing of the Blue Shark

Petition by Riley Dorman

Ashburn, Virginia

13,556

Supporters

Sign Riley’s petition

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Days to save whales

07/12/2015 Nativegrl77

Icelandic whalers are about to start harpooning over 150 endangered fin whales. But if we can get a tiny Caribbean nation to remove their flag from a ship that’s carrying millions of dollars worth of fin whale meat to Japan, we can hit them where it hurts. Stopping this sale could turn the tide. The ship could leave in six days. Add your voice and share this urgently:

Sign the petition

Dear friends,The Icelandic whaling fleet is about to leave port to hunt and kill 150 endangered fin whales. We’ve come close to shutting down this barbaric operation before and now we have a chance to end it for good.

As the whalers sharpen their harpoons for this year’s hunt, their boss is trying to ship last year’s whale meat to Japan right now. Over 1,700 tonnes are about to be sent through the icy passage between Russia and the North Pole. But if the tiny Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis simply removes their flag from the vessel it can’t leave port! Tourism is the main pillar of their country’s economy and we can put their reputation on the line by throwing them into our giant global spotlight.

We have just six days before the boat could set sail.

Our community already helped push European countries to shun this shameful trade. Let’s now get St. Kitts to stop helping the whalers! Sign now and share with everyone urgently — Avaaz will deliver our voices straight to the new Prime Minister, and if he doesn’t respond quickly, Avaaz’ll target his biggest tourist market – the US – and show how St. Kitts is supporting the slaughter of these majestic beings:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/days_to_save_whales_loc/?biEWLbb&v=61050

Iceland’s entire fin whaling industry is run by one man, Kristjan Loftsson, but his business is barely breaking even, so if we stop the whale meat from reaching Japan we can sink his profits! Other nations have removed their flag from vessels in response to public pressure over other environmental concerns so we know this can work for the whales. All we need to do is create a scandal and get a delay to make the crossing to Japan impossible.

Japanese whalers plan to resume “scientific” whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary despite widespread opposition, and St. Kitts and Nevis votes in support of Japan’s “research” at the International Whaling Commission. If we take them out of the equation now we can strike a deadly blow to both Icelandic and Japanese whaling at the same time!

Pressure has been mounting globally and nationally to stop the Icelandic whalers. This could be a turning point for the whales. Together we have the power to turn the International Whaling Commission into the International Whale Conservation Commission. And we can get started by stopping this year’s harpooning and this whale meat shipment! Sign the urgent petition now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/days_to_save_whales_loc/?biEWLbb&v=61050

We know our voices work! Following our 1 million strong petition in 2013, the Dutch government blocked Iceland’s whale meat shipments docking in the Netherlands. And together with Greenpeace, our community managed to get fin whale meat sent back to Iceland from Germany. Since then major shipping companies announced they would never ship whale meat again. We’re making it harder and harder for this industry to make a profit. Let’s shut it down for good!With hope,

Lisa, Danny, Alice, Ricken, Mel, Nick, Rewan and the whole Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Iceland sends shipment of 1,700 tonnes of whale meat to Japan (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/05/iceland-sends-shipment-of-1700-tonnes-of-whale-meat-to-japan.

Desperate whalers go north (Greenpeace)
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/whale-meat-iceland/blog/53241/

The Winter Bay (Vessel Fider – shows where the ship carrying the whale meat is and which country is registering it)
https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/WINTER-BAY-IMO-8601680-MMSI-341433000

Japan to resume whaling hunt despite IWC warning (AFP)
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/japan-resume-whaling-hunt-despite-iwc-warning-105354478.html#ohHmAJ1

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

97 Vaquitas left

07/12/2015 Nativegrl77

Black market trade is killing vaquitas.

Take action today to tell Hong Kong to stop the illegal trade that’s killing the last 97 vaquitas.

There are only 97 vaquita porpoises left in the world, all living in Mexico’s Gulf of California. And these tiny porpoises are being senselessly killed due to a black market demand for endangered species.

Illegal trade of the endangered totoaba fish, whose swim bladder is considered a delicacy by many in Hong Kong, is putting TWO endangered species at risk: the totoaba, and the vaquitas caught and killed in the fishermen’s nets.

Vaquitas are running out of time. Send a message to Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung today and ask him to stop the illegal totoaba trade to protect our planet’s endangered wildlife.

Your words matter. When 470,000 people from all across the globe asked the Mexican government for help, Mexico’s president immediately took action, expanding the vaquita’s protected zone and banning destructive gillnet fishing for two years.

Mexico’s actions are an important first step, but a recent undercover Greenpeace investigation discovered a vast smuggling operation of totoaba bladders from Mexico to Hong Kong. As long as the totoaba trade remains lucrative for smugglers, the vaquita will not be safe. Mexico has taken action and now Hong Kong must do its part too.

Tell Hong Kong authorities to stop the illegal trading of endangered animals before it’s too late.

Greenpeace is committed to stopping destructive fishing all over the world, whether it’s caused by illegal smugglers catching vaquita or giant industrial tuna trawls decimating Pacific fisheries. With your help, we want to turn 20% of our oceans into protected marine reserves by 2020.

You can be part of the solution. By taking action right now, you will help pressure the Hong Kong authorities to STOP the devastating trade of totoaba swim bladders, and to take tangible steps to cut the link to destructive fishing immediately.

Thank you,

Phil Kline
Senior Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace USA

P.S. There are only 97 vaquitas left in the world. Take action now to tell Hong Kong to help save this critically endangered porpoise.

Black History

the Senate CONGESS 7/10 the House

07/11/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00pm on Monday, July 13, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote in relation to the following amendments:

Hatch SA #2080 (student privacy policy)
Kaine SA #2118 (post-secondary remediation)

We expect one of those amendments to be considered by voice vote.

The following amendments are pending to S.1177, Every Child Achieves Act:

Alexander-Murray SA #2089 (substitute)
Peters SA #2095 (financial literacy)
Warren SA #2120 (crosstabulation)
Kirk SA #2161 (student resources)
Scott SA #2132 (low-income children)
Hatch-Markey SA #2080 (student privacy)
Franken SA #2093 (student non-discrimination)
Kaine SA #2118 (post-secondary remediation)

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes:

Daines SA #2110 (Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act); not agreed to: 44-54
Brown SA #2099 (site source resource coordinator); agreed to: 98-0
Toomey SA #2094 as modified (background checks); agreed to: 98-0
Motion to Invoke Cloture on the McConnell Compound Motion to go to Conference on H.R.1735, NDAA; agreed to: 81-15
Reed Motion to Instruct Conferees (OCO funding); not agreed to: 44-52

Legislative Business:

Passed H.R.2620, to amend the U.S. Cotton Futures Act to exclude certain cotton futures contracts from coverage under such Act.

Passed S.143, United States Merchant Marine Academy Improvements Act of 2015

Passed S.1180, Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015, with committee reported amendments.

Passed S.1359, E-Warranty Act of 2015

Adopted S.Res.219, Designating July 25, 2015, as “National Day of the American Cowboy”

Adopted S.Res.220, Commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the Medora Musical

Adopted S.Res.221, Recognizing the 100^th anniversary of Rocky Mountain National Park

Agreed to the following amendments by Voice Vote:

Portman SA#2147 (recovery support services)
Manchin SA #2103 (volunteerism and community service)
Kaine SA#2096 (career and technical education)
Heller SA #2121 (consultation with governors)
Feinstein SA #2087 (homeless certification)
Fischer SA #2079 (local governance)
Motion to Instruct the Chair to Appoint Conferees with Respect to H.R.1735

Notwithstanding adoption of the Gardner amendment #2119, the page and line numbers were modified.

No Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action:
12:14:31 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 13, 2015.

9:00:03 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:08 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:34 A.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. Womack 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. Womack 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.
9:01:51 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Stefanik to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:12 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.
9:16:24 A.M.	H.R. 6	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6 — “To accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of 21st century cures, and for other purposes.”
9:16:38 A.M.	H.R. 6	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
9:18:25 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Mr. Brat, numbered 1 printed in House Report 114-193 to reform the NIH and Cures Innovation Fund to make it a discretionary spending program.
9:18:44 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brat amendment No. 1.
9:32:48 A.M.	H.R. 6	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Brat amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Brat demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:33:32 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Mr. Young (IN), numbered 2 printed in House Report 114-193 to create authority within NIH to conduct a prize program. The intent of the program would be to incentivize health innovation by offering competitors the chance to win a prize for creating breakthrough research and technology.
9:33:34 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Young (IN) amendment No. 2.
9:39:51 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Young (IN) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:40:28 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Ms. Lee, numbered 3 printed in House Report 114-193 to strike the provision that applies any policy riders included in the annual LHHS Appropriations Bill to NIH funds in H.R. 6. Also strikes the provision that applies any policy riders applied to the FDA in the annual Agriculture Appropriations bill to FDA funding in H.R. 6.
9:40:34 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lee amendment No. 3.
9:53:05 A.M.	H.R. 6	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:54:08 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Mr. Castro (TX), numbered 4 printed in House Report 114-193 to ensure underrepresented individuals, such as women and minorities, are included in the Supporting Young Emerging Scientists Report.
9:54:12 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castro (TX) amendment No. 4.
9:57:52 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Castro (TX) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:58:15 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Ms. Slaughter, numbered 5 printed in House Report 114-193 to direct the CDC to conduct a study to determine how the additional payments are affecting the development of drug resistance.
9:58:18 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Slaughter amendment No. 5.
10:10:37 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Slaughter amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:11:00 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Mr. Fitzpatrick, numbered 6 printed in House Report 114-193 to express a sense of Congress that recording Unique Device Identifiers at the point-of-care in electronic health record systems could significantly enhance the availability of medical device data for post-market surveillance purposes.
10:11:02 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment No. 6.
10:18:45 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Fitzpatrick amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:18:55 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Mr. Polis, numbered 7 printed in House Report 114-193 to direct the Food and Drug Administration to issue a report on the risks and benefits associated with a two-tiered approval process that would permit certain medical devices to provisionally come to market if they have demonstrated safety but not efficacy.
10:18:57 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis amendment No. 7.
10:27:00 A.M.	H.R. 6	By unanimous consent, the Polis amendment was withdrawn.
10:27:19 A.M.	H.R. 6	An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee, numbered 8 printed in House Report 114-193 to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Hispanic Serving Institutions; Native American Colleges; and rural Colleges to ensure that health professionals from underrepresented populations are aware of research opportunities under this Act.
10:27:22 A.M.	H.R. 6	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 350, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 8.
10:36:12 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:36:26 A.M.	H.R. 6	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
11:08:16 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Brat amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 141 – 281 (Roll no. 431).
11:16:25 A.M.	H.R. 6	On agreeing to the Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 245 (Roll no. 432).
11:16:32 A.M.	H.R. 6	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 6.
11:17:12 A.M.	H.R. 6	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:17:30 A.M.	H.R. 6	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
11:27:46 A.M.	H.R. 6	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 344 – 77 (Roll no. 433).
11:27:49 A.M.	H.R. 6	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:28:02 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
11:28:58 A.M.		Mr. Cole filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R. 3020.
11:29:35 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:57:45 A.M.		Mr. Dold asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, July 10, 2015, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 13, 2015, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.
11:57:55 A.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, for consideration of matters within the jurisdiction of that committee under clause 11 of rule X: Nunes, King (NY), and Schiff.
11:58:01 A.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for consideration of secs. 571 and 573 of the House bill and secs. 561-63 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Rokita, Bishop (MI), and Scott (VA).
11:58:02 A.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of secs. 314, 632, 634, 3111-13, 3119, 3133, and 3141 of the House bill and secs. 601, 632, 3118, and 3119 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Upton, Barton, and Pallone.
11:59:03 A.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for consideration of secs. 1011, 1059, 1090, 1092, 1201, 1203-05, 1215, 1221, 1223, 1226, 1234-36, 1247-49, 1253, 1257, 1263, 1264, 1267, 1270, 1301, 1532, 1541, 1542, 1663, 1668-70, 2802, 3118, and 3119 of the House bill and secs. 1011, 1012, 1082, 1201-05, 1207, 1209, 1223, 1225, 1228, 1251, 1252, 1261, 1264, 1265, 1272, 1301, 1302, 1531-33, 1631, 1654, and 1655 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Royce, Marino, and Engel.
11:59:54 A.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Homeland Security, for consideration of secs. 589 and 1041 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: McCaul, Miller (MI), and Thompson (MS).
12:00:05 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on the Judiciary, for consideration of secs. 1040, 1052, 1085, 1216, 1641, and 2862 of the House bill and secs. 1032, 1034, 1090, and 1227 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Goodlatte, Issa, and Conyers.
12:00:56 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Natural Resources, for consideration of secs. 312, 632, 634, 2841, 2842, 2851-53, and 2862 of the House bill and secs. 313, 601, and 632 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Cook, Hardy, and Grijalva.
12:01:07 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for consideration of secs. 602, 631, 634, 838, 854, 855, 866, 871, 1069, and 1101-05 of the House bill and secs. 592, 593, 631, 806, 830, 861, 1090, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1105, 1107-09, 1111, 1112, 1114, and 1115 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Hurd (TX), Russell, and Cummings.
12:01:48 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Rules, for consideration of sec. 1032 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Sessions, Byrne, and Slaughter.
12:02:19 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for consideration of sec. 3136 of the House bill and sec. 1613 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Lucas, Knight, and Johnson, E. B..
12:02:50 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Small Business, for consideration of secs. 831-34, 839, 840, 842-46, 854, and 871 of the House bill and secs. 828, 831, 882, 883, and 885 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Chabot, Hanna, and Velazquez.
12:03:11 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for consideration of secs. 302, 562, 569, 570a, 591, 1060a, 1073, 2811, and 3501 of the House bill and secs. 601, 642, 1613, 3504, and 3505 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Graves (LA), Curbelo (FL), and Edwards.
12:03:52 P.M.	H.R. 1735	The Speaker appointed additional conferees from the Committee on Veterans Affairs, for consideration of secs. 565, 566, 592, 652, 701, 721, 722, 1105, and 1431 of the House bill and secs. 539, 605, 633, 719, 1083, 1084, 1089, 1091, and 1411 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Roe (TN), Bilirakis, and Brown (FL).
12:04:31 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:14:21 P.M.		Mr. Flores moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:14:30 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
12:14:31 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 13, 2015.