Monthly Archives: September 2015

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

I need your help to fight this fire … change.org


Petitioning Jerry Brown, Bill Monning, Kevin de Leon, Jean Fuller, Lois Wolk, Ted Gaines, Connie Leyva, Mike McGuire, Tom Berryhill, Toni Atkins, Kevin Mullin, David Chiu, Chris Holden, Cristina Garcia, Miguel…

Governor: Fund Fire Relief and Prevention NOW
Petition by Gina Bezoni
Clearlake, California
3,482
Supporters
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

22 Front groups attacking clean power plan


60 Plus Association
American Encore
American Legislative Exchange Council
Americans For Prosperity
Americans For Tax Reform
Beacon Hill Institute
Cato Institute
Charles Steele Jr.
Citizens’ Alliance for Responsible Energy
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Consumer Energy Alliance		 Energy & Environment Legal Institute
Heartland Institute
Heritage Foundation
Independent Women’s Forum
Institute for Energy Research
Libre Initiative
Manhattan Institute
National Black Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy
State Policy Network
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

In state after state, we’re keeping these groups and their corporate backers—from ExxonMobil to the Koch brothers—from functionally buying legislation, by coordinating actions like having UCS supporters contact over 200 state legislators who are members of ALEC just hours before they attended ALEC’s summer meeting and delivering more than 130,000 letters to one of ALEC’s corporate sponsors, Royal Dutch Shell. Our advocacy efforts were so effective that we convinced major financial backers of ALEC like Shell and BP (British Petroleum) to withdraw their funding.

Congress and state legislatures are back in session, and we need at least 1,500 people to donate to fight misinformation and protect the pollution limits wherever challenges crop up.

   Stand up for all the progress we’ve made on power plant pollution—chip in with a gift by September 30 >>

We solicit no funds from corporations or the government. We are built by and rely on supporters like you.

Thank you for standing on the side of science, again and again and again.

Ken Kimmell Sincerely,
Ken Kimmell
Ken Kimmell
President
Union of Concerned Scientists

1. http://blog.ucsusa.org/alecs-annual-meeting-to-feature-more-attacks-on-successful-clean-energy-policies-813
2. http://blog.ucsusa.org/how-media-outlets-covered-the-chamber-analysis-of-the-epa-clean-power-plan-843

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 9/24 ~~ the House


medicare_madness_emailThe Senate stands adjourned until 1:00pm on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

The Senate will not be in session tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23.

On Thursday, September 24, at 10:00am, Pope Francis will deliver an address to a Joint Meting of Congress. The Senate will not convene prior to the joint meeting; however, senators will gather in the chamber at 9:30am, and at 9:40am will proceed as a body to the Hall of the House of Representatives.

At 1:00pm on Thursday, following Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.J.Res.61 with the time until 2:00pm equally divided between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 2:00pm, there will be a cloture vote on McConnell substitute amendment #2669 (defund Planned Parenthood/Continuing Resolution through December 11, 2015) to H.J.Res.61. The filing deadline for all first and second degree amendments to amendment #2669 is set for 1:30pm Thursday.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on McConnell substitute amendment #2669 (defund Planned Parenthood/CR through Dec. 11, 2015); not invoked: 47-52.

Legislative Business

Passed Calendar #195, H.R.1020 – STEM Education Act of 2015, with Thune amendment.

Adopted S.Res.258, designating the week of September 20 through 26, 2015, as “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week”.

Adopted S.Res.269, designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2015, as “National Estuaries Week”.

Adopted S.Res.270, designating September 2015 as “Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month”.

No Executive Business

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

Last Floor Action:
 4:03:00 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of September 24, 2015

 Last Floor Action:
 10:55:00 A.M. – JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED – The Speaker announced that the Joint Meeting was dissolved. The House remains in recess subject to the Call of the Chair.

Last Floor Action:  9/22
 4:06:04 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on September 24, 2015.

8:30:26 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
8:30:34 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
8:30:44 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
8:32:08 A.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
8:32:11 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Tonko to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
8:33:38 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess pursuant to the order of the House of September 16, 2015. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
9:45:00 A.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 22.
9:45:05 A.M. JOINT MEETING – The House has reconvened in Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive an address by Pope Francis of the Holy See.
10:55:00 A.M. JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED – The Speaker announced that the Joint Meeting was dissolved. The House remains in recess subject to the Call of the Chair.
11:02:09 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House continue in recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
1:02:20 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 22.
1:02:30 P.M. The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1170, S. 986, and S. 1632.
1:02:31 P.M. The House received a communication from Sean McLaughlin, Majority Staff Director, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. McLaughlin notified the House that he had received a subpoena, issued by the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, purporting to require that, in connection with a particular criminal case, he be directed to produce certain official documents and appear to testify at trial on official matters. After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, it had been determined, pursuant to Rule VIII, that the subpoena (i) is not a “proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court,” (ii) seeks information that is not “material and relevant,” and/or (iii) is not “consistent with the privileges and rights” of the House, its Members, its officers, or its employees and, accordingly, he would move to quash the subpoena, or for other protective relief.
1:03:32 P.M. The House received a communication from the Honorable Jason Chaffetz. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chaffetz notified the House that he had received a subpoena, issued by the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, purporting to require that, in connection with a particular criminal case, he produce certain official documents and appear to testify at trial on official matters and after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined, pursuant to Rule VIII, that the subpoena (i) is not a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court,” (ii) seeks information that is not “material and relevant,” and/or (iii) is not “consistent with the privileges and rights” of the House, its Members, its officers, or its employees and further, that he intended to move to quash the subpoena, or for other protective relief.
1:04:00 P.M. The House received a communication from the Honorable Elijah Cummings. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Cummings notified the House that he had received a subpoena, issued by the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, purporting to require that, in connection with a particular criminal case, he produce certain official documents and appear to testify at trial on official matters and after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined, pursuant to Rule VIII, that the subpoena (i) is not a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court,” (ii) seeks information that is not “material and relevant,” and/or (iii) is not “consistent with the privileges and rights” of the House, its Members, its officers, or its employees and further, that he intended to move to quash the subpoena, or for other protective relief.
1:05:00 P.M. PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS IN RECORD – Mr. Katko asked unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Congressional Record of today. Agreed to without objection.
1:06:53 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
1:08:04 P.M. H. Res. 434 Mr. Katko moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 434 — “Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 719, with an amendment.”
1:08:20 P.M. H. Res. 434 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:08:25 P.M. H. Res. 434 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 434.
1:15:52 P.M. H. Res. 434 On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
1:15:55 P.M. H.R. 719 House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 434.
1:16:06 P.M. S. 1707 Mr. Crawford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1707 — “To designate the Federal building located at 617 Walnut Street in Helena, Arkansas, as the “Jacob Trieber Federal Building, United States Post Office, and United States Court House”.”
1:16:21 P.M. S. 1707 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:16:22 P.M. S. 1707 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1707.
1:22:16 P.M. S. 1707 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:22:18 P.M. S. 1707 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:22:42 P.M. S. 261 Mr. Crawford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 261 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 200 NW 4th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the William J. Holloway, Jr. United States Courthouse.”
1:22:53 P.M. S. 261 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:22:55 P.M. S. 261 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 261.
1:25:41 P.M. S. 261 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:25:43 P.M. S. 261 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:27:02 P.M. H.R. 3116 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3116 — “To extend by 15 years the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to conduct the quarterly financial report program.”
1:27:05 P.M. H.R. 3116 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:27:10 P.M. H.R. 3116 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3116.
1:31:29 P.M. H.R. 3116 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:31:31 P.M. H.R. 3116 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:32:10 P.M. S. 994 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 994 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the “Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine Post Office Building”.”
1:32:13 P.M. S. 994 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:32:14 P.M. S. 994 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 994.
1:40:16 P.M. S. 994 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:40:17 P.M. S. 994 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:40:47 P.M. H.R. 1442 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1442 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 90 Cornell Street in Kingston, New York, as the “Staff Sergeant Robert H. Dietz Post Office Building”.”
1:40:56 P.M. H.R. 1442 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:40:58 P.M. H.R. 1442 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1442.
1:46:20 P.M. H.R. 1442 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:46:21 P.M. H.R. 1442 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:46:33 P.M. H.R. 322 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 322 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16105 Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the “Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher Post Office”.”
1:46:45 P.M. H.R. 322 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:46:46 P.M. H.R. 322 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 322.
1:54:11 P.M. H.R. 322 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.
1:54:16 P.M. H.R. 323 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 323 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 55 Grasso Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson Post Office”.”
1:54:45 P.M. H.R. 323 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:54:46 P.M. H.R. 323 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 323.
2:03:49 P.M. H.R. 323 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:03:50 P.M. H.R. 323 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:04:01 P.M. H.R. 324 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 324 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11662 Gravois Road in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Lt. Daniel P. Riordan Post Office”.”
2:04:14 P.M. H.R. 324 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:04:15 P.M. H.R. 324 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 324.
2:14:08 P.M. H.R. 324 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:14:09 P.M. H.R. 324 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:14:34 P.M. H.R. 558 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 558 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 55 South Pioneer Boulevard in Springboro, Ohio, as the “Richard ‘Dick’ Chenault Post Office Building”.”
2:14:46 P.M. H.R. 558 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:14:48 P.M. H.R. 558 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 558.
2:22:48 P.M. H.R. 558 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:22:50 P.M. H.R. 558 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:23:12 P.M. H.R. 1884 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1884 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 206 West Commercial Street in East Rochester, New York, as the “Officer Daryl R. Pierson Memorial Post Office Building”.”
2:23:22 P.M. H.R. 1884 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:23:23 P.M. H.R. 1884 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1884.
2:31:00 P.M. H.R. 1884 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:31:02 P.M. H.R. 1884 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:31:14 P.M. H.R. 3059 Mr. Chaffetz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3059 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4500 SE 28th Street, Del City, Oklahoma, as the James Robert Kalsu Post Office Building.”
2:31:24 P.M. H.R. 3059 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:31:26 P.M. H.R. 3059 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3059.
2:41:37 P.M. H.R. 3059 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:41:39 P.M. H.R. 3059 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:41:45 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:42:27 P.M. H.R. 322 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 322 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16105 Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the “Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher Post Office”.”
3:12:11 P.M. H.R. 322 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 – 0 (Roll no. 507).
3:12:11 P.M. H.R. 322 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:13:43 P.M. H.R. 348 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 420. H.R. 348 — “To provide for improved coordination of agency actions in the preparation and adoption of environmental documents for permitting determinations, and for other purposes.”
3:13:48 P.M. H.R. 348 Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 348 and H.R. 758. The resolution provides for one hour debate on H.R. 348 and H.R. 758. The resolution provides that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of September 24, 2015, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules.
3:14:27 P.M. H.R. 348 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 420 and Rule XVIII.
3:14:28 P.M. H.R. 348 The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.
3:14:41 P.M. H.R. 348 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 348.
3:57:04 P.M. H.R. 348 Mr. Goodlatte moved that the Committee rise.
3:57:22 P.M. H.R. 348 On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
3:57:32 P.M. H.R. 348 Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 348 as unfinished business.
3:59:19 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
4:00:46 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:03:00 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

 

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Prosecute Officer Brian Encinia!


Last week, in a remarkable display of solidarity, we joined with partners to deliver more than 500,000 signatures to Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging the Department of Justice to investigate Sandra Bland’s tragic death. But we can’t stop here. Over the last 3 weeks, it seems that Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis has done everything in his power to cover up what happened to Sandra. Instead of looking at the illegal stop and violent arrest that unjustly put her in jail in the first place, local officials are trying to blame Sandra for her own death.1

We’ve waited long enough for Officer Encinia to be held accountable for his abusive misconduct. Now, we need a groundswell of public pressure to ensure DA Mathis does his job and brings Officer Encinia to justice.

Demand Waller County DA Mathis prosecute Officer Encinia for the illegal arrest and assault and battery of Sandra Bland.

Justice for Sandy

The truth is, Sandra Bland would still be alive today had it not been for Officer Encinia’s brutal racism and violence. Sandra didn’t make any traffic violations when Officer Encinia made a u-turn and sped up behind her. She was also not armed and yet Encinia threatened to “light” her up with his taser.2 Sandra was not combative nor resisting and yet Encinia slammed her to the ground while she cried out in pain. Sandra was arrested and charged with assault, even though the video clearly shows Encinia as the aggressor.

In the video and later the police report, we see Officer Encinia spin a web of lies as he quickly attempts to justify his violent behavior and criminalize Sandra to his fellow officers.3 His actions are criminal and he should not be a police officer. We need DA Mathis to do everything in his power to prosecute Officer Encinia with a felony offense in order to keep this killer cop off the streets. In order for Officer Encinia to lose his police license he must be convicted of a felony.

Demand justice for Sandra! We will not remain silent as DA Mathis fails to do his job. 

We’ve waited long enough. It’s DA Mathis’ job to protect Black residents in the area and hold racist and violent police who target Black people — such as Encinia — accountable. And we know accountability is possible. Baltimore DA Marilyn Mosby recently indicted the six police officers involved in the killing of Freddie Gray and just last week Collin County DA Joe Deter indicted Officer Ray Tensing for brutally killing Sam Dubose.4,5 Prolonged delays and silence are not the answer. We need Waller County officials to act now.

Waller County officials must come to terms with their violent history of racism and discrimination and stand up for Black lives. This is just as much about Sandra Bland as it is about making sure all Black people in the area don’t have to experience the same unbridled violence and brutality at the hands of the state. And it starts with prosecuting Officer Encinia for the illegal arrest and assault and battery of Sandra Bland. Let’s show Waller County officials that we are not going to stop until the killing stops.

We need widespread public pressure to bring Officer Encinia to justice. Raise your voice today. 

Thanks and peace,

— Rashad, Arisha, Shani, Lyla and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 6th, 2015

References,

1. “Marijuana Didn’t Kill Sandra Bland,” Ebony 07-27-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5109?t=6&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

2. “In the video of Sandra Bland’s arrest, the tape doesn’t lie,” Boston Globe 07-23-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5104?t=8&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

3. “Blame the Police,” Slate 07-22-2015
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5105?t=10&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

4. “Marilyn Mosby: 6 police officers indicted in Freddie Gray death,” Washington Times 05-21-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5106?t=12&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg

5. “Prosecutor: UC officer ‘purposefully killed’ DuBose,” Cincinnati Enquirer 07-29-15
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5107?t=14&akid=4645.1174326.0KTstg