All posts by Nativegrl77

What would President Truman say about this Congress?


The White House, Washington

Hello, all —

A group of extreme Republicans in Congress have opposed the President’s legislative agenda at every turn. That’s no secret.

But the 113th Congress‘ obstruction is reaching new levels.

Right now, our lawmakers are in a position to take action on multiple national measures that would help our economy and millions of Americans. That’s not an exaggeration: They could vote tomorrow. And they should.

We’ve put together a short list: Things the 113th Congress could vote on right now. Spread the word and pass this on.

Consider this for a second. If our current Congress simply scheduled a vote on pressing national issues, we could:

Fix our broken immigration system. This past June, the Senate passed a bill to ensure everyone plays by the same rules and we grow our economy. Multiple reports confirm that there are enough votes in the House to get it done. And still: No vote.

End workplace discrimination for millions of LGBT Americans once and for all. This isn’t difficult: Nobody should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would make it illegal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and it passed the Senate earlier this year. Once again, no vote in the House.

Confirm a leader of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The housing market is coming back, but we can do more to help responsible homeowners. Congressman Mel Watt, the President’s nominee, was endorsed by Senators on both sides of the aisle. And yet, at a critical time for the housing industry, when we’re working to implement the rules that will prevent another “too big to fail,” Senate Republicans used the filibuster to block his nomination.

Confirm three well-qualified judges to fill long-standing vacancies on the federal D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Cornelia Pillard, Robert Wilkins and Patricia Millett were all selected by the President as nominees for this critical court. Once again, one by one, Senate Republicans blocked each nomination.

And that’s just to name a few.

In the 1940s, President Harry Truman notoriously dubbed the 80th Congress the “Do-Nothing Congress.” And yet, even they managed to enact 906 laws, including the Marshall Plan, and the piece of legislation that created the Department of Defense and the National Security Council. It’s time for the current Congress to match up a little more favorably.

Remember: They can still allow these incredibly important measures to come to a vote.

It’s time for this obstruction to come to an end, and for Republicans in Congress to start doing their jobs:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/the-113th-could-vote-right-now

David

David Simas Deputy Senior Advisor The White House @Simas44

Take Action: Lumber Liquidator​s threatens last Siberian Tigers


Rainforest Action Network
A shocking new report shows direct ties between hardwood flooring giant Lumber Liquidators, organized crime, and the illegal logging of the habitat of the last 450 Siberian Tigers. This shameless disregard for the last few remaining members of the species in pursuit of cheap flooring is not only disgusting, it’s illegal under American law and has prompted a federal investigation.
Take Action: Tell Lumber Liquidators to immediately eliminate illegal hardwoods from its products.
Posing undercover as large scale lumber buyers, RAN’s awesome and much admired allies at the Environmental Investigation Agency infiltrated the worst of the worst of a shadowy network of illegal logging operations in Russia’s Far East and tracked their shipments back to their biggest customer, the largest retailer of flooring in the United States, Lumber Liquidators.
The remote area where this rapid deforestation is occurring is the last frontier of old growth hardwoods in the region and the last habitat in Russia for the highly endangered Siberian Tiger. Thanks to the US Lacey Act, amended in 2008 to ban the trade of illegal wood and forest products, this case is now under active investigation by the US Department of Justice.
For the amazing backstory of how this came to be, watch EIA’s video here and then read their recently released report Liquidating the Forests: Hardwood Flooring, Organized Crime and the World’s Last Siberian Tigers.
In order to retain even a shred of credibility, Lumber Liquidators needs to immediately and irrevocably take action to improve due diligence and bring itself into compliance with the Lacey Act. It must eliminate forest illegality, destruction and human rights violations from its supply chain. Lumber Liquidators must cut supply chain ties with Xiangjia, the supplier which is the source of this illegal hardwood, and adopt and implement a comprehensive procurement policy that ensures the company will never again be involved in destroying old growth and endangered forests, abuse of human rights and run away climate change.
The time for action is now—add your name here to send your message directly to Lumber Liquidators.

Campaigner Name

For the forests,

Christy Tennery             Rainforest Free Paper campaigner

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/21 ~~ the House


PBO&mom

The featured picture is of President Barack Obama and his moms … Family

All Americans should have the right to gain, experience have affordable comprehensive health care -Point4CounterPoint

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:30am on Thursday, November 21, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act.

During Wednesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on S.1197.

As result, the filing deadline for all first degree amendments to the bill is 1:00pm on Thursday.

During leader remarks, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.1356, Workforce Investment Act of 2013.

At 11:08am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reid motion to proceed to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #227, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit;

Agreed To: 57-40 ( Hatch, Chambliss, Isakson voted present. Collins and Murkowski vote aye)).

11:29am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to adjourn;

Not Agreed to: 46-54

11:46am the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to reconsider Executive Calendar #227, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit

Agreed To: 57-43

Senator Reid raised a point of order that the vote on cloture for all nominations other than for the Supreme Court is by majority vote. The point of order was not sustained by the Chair. Senator Reid then appealed the ruling of the Chair and asked for the yeas and nays.

Senator McConnell then made a series of parliamentary inquires.

At 12:10pm, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the question: does the ruling of the chair stand that the cloture vote for all nominations other than for the Supreme Court is not by majority vote? Senator Reid will vote no. (Appealing rule of the chair vote) Senator Reid will vote no;

The Appeal of the ruling of the chair was not sustained 48-52

The ruling of the chair was not sustained by a vote of 48-53.

 
Chair:     UNDER THE PRECEDENT SET BY THE SENATE TODAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013,

THE THRESHOLD FOR CLOTURE ON NOMINATIONS, NOT INCLUDING THOSE

OF THE SUPREME COURT OF UNITED STATES, IS NOW A MAJORITY. THAT

IS THE RULING OF THE CHAIR.

Senator McConnell then appealed the ruling of the chair and asked for the yeas and nays.

           MR. McCONNELL: MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT NOMINATIONS ARE FULLY
           DEBATABLE URPD THE RULES OF THE SENATE UNLESS I WAS THERE OF
           SENATORS CHOSEN AND SWORN HAVE VOTED TO BRING DEBATE TO A
           CLOSE. UNDER THE PRECEDENT JUST SET BY THE SENATE, CLOTURE IS
           INVOKED AT A MAJORITY. THEREFORE, I APPEAL THE RULING OF THE
           CHAIR AND ASK FOR THE YEAS AND NAYS.

At 12:35, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the question: Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate?

Decision of the Chair: a vote on cloture for all nominations (other than for the Supreme Court) is by majority vote.

Sustained: 52-48

2:57pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, upon reconsideration;

Invoked: 55-43

Under the new cloture rules for nominations (Rule 22), a majority vote is required to invoke cloture on all nominations, except for nominations to the Supreme Court.

There will now be up to 30 hours for debate on the Millett nomination.

Additional roll call votes are expected today.

We are working on an agreement to hold the cloture vote on S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act, and the adjournment resolution this afternoon. We could vote around 3:45pm.

Under Rule 22, the filing deadline for second degree amendments is 1 hour prior to the beginning of the cloture vote. We are working on a consent to set the filing deadline for second degree amendments for later today, potentially for 5pm.

Another message will be sent once any agreement is reached.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in 2 roll call votes at 4:00pm today. Those votes are on the following items:

–          Motion to invoke cloture on S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act; and

–          Adopting of S.Con.Res.28, adjournment resolution.

The filing deadline for second degree amendments to S.1197, is 5pm today.

4:03pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act;

Not invoked: 51-44

Senator Reid changed his vote to no (for procedural reasons) and entered a motion to reconsider at a later time the vote by which cloture was not invoked.

4:31pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on adoption of S.Con.Res.28, adjournment resolution;

Adopted: 51-42

There will be no further roll call votes today.

Senator Schumer asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass S.1774, a bill to reauthorize the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for 1 year. Senator Sessions objected.

If the Senate does not receive a message that the House has adopted S.Con.Res.28, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will meet conduct pro forma sessions only with no business conducted on the following dates and times:

  • Friday, November 22nd at 11:15am
  • Tuesday, November 26th at 11:00am
  • Friday, November 29th at 1:00pm
  • Tuesday, December 3rd at 11:00am and
  • Friday, December 6th at 10:30am

If the Senate receives a message that the House has adopted S.Con.Res.28, the Senate will stand adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, December 9th.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Reid motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Agreed to: 57-40-3(present)

2)      McConnell motion to adjourn until 5:00pm; Not Agreed to: 46-54

3)      Reid motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on Executive Calendar #327, the Millett nomination; Agreed to: 57-43

4)      Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate (cloture on nominations (other than Supreme Court nominees) require the votes of three-fifths of Senators duly chosen and sworn and not a majority)(Reid appeal of the chair); the decision of the Chair was not sustained: 52-48

5)      Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate (cloture on nominations (other than Supreme Court nominees) is a majority vote) (McConnell appeal of the chair); the decision of the Chair was sustained: 52-48

6)      Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, upon reconsideration; Invoked: 55-43

7)      Motion to invoke cloture on S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act; Not Invoked: 51-44

8)      Adoption of S.Con.Res.28, Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives; Adopted: 51-42

Additional LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of the following bills:

  • S.1774, a bill to reauthorize the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for 1 year. (Nelson-Schumer)
  • S.1775, the Victims Protection Act of 2013. (McCaskill)
  • H.R.1965, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act. (Republican request)
  • H.R.2728, the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act. (Republican request)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. (Gillibrand)

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

Last Floor Action:
11:29:50 A.M. -H.R. 1900
On agreeing
to the Speier amendment (A003) Roll Call 607 – Recorded vote pending.

Last Floor Action:
9:03:02 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.

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

Released – but not free … Ben Ayliffe, Greenpeace


        “This is the most lovely news I’ve got in the last two months, but  justice will only be done when all the absurd charges are dropped. A  person who only does good for the planet, like my daughter, must be  recognized by their actions, not unjustly accused. This is the only way  we can keep the faith in the future.”
Yesterday, the mother of Brazilian activist Ana Paula heard that her  daughter will be released on bail. It’s amazing news, but Ana Paula and her fellow peaceful activists  could still spend years behind bars if convicted for a crime they didn’t  commit. 
Below is a picture of Miguel Hernan hearing that he also has been granted bail. We need for him and the rest of the Arctic 30 to know that the we are not giving up.

This isn’t over. Send a message now to demand freedom and justice for all the Arctic 30.            Send a message - this isn't over                                                                 After two months of unjust imprisonment, it seems the Russian courts are finally heeding the call of millions of voices around the world. So far, 17 of the Arctic 30 have been granted bail, including Peter Wilcox, the Captain of the Arctic Sunrise. But the 28 Greenpeace International activists, a photographer and a videographer remain accused of piracy and hooliganism after a peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling.
While the bail is great news, we can’t celebrate yet. Unlike the others, Colin, an activist from Australia, was denied bail and had his detention extended for three more months. And all of the Arctic 30 still face extremely serious accusations. They could have a long wait for a trial, and face years in prison if convicted on these absurd charges.
We need your help to let the world know this isn’t over yet. We must keep fighting to free our friends and bring them home to their families. We need more than bail, we need these ridiculous charges against peaceful activists dropped for good, putting an end to this madness.
Send a message to the Russian embassy: this isn’t over until charges are dropped. Click here.
Since the ship and entire crew of the Arctic Sunrise were detained exactly two months ago, a huge movement has grown to support their freedom. Thousands of people have protested in hundreds of cities worldwide with marches, vigils, demonstrations, and festivals. Activists took to the Eiffel Tower, the Sagrada Familia, and the corporate offices of oil giant Gazprom and its partner Shell to protest this injustice.
Meanwhile over 2 million messages have been sent to Russian embassies. Support has flowed in from 13 Nobel laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Aung San Suu Kyi. Global leaders like Angela Merkel, Dilma Rousseff, and David Cameron have asked for diplomatic solutions, while celebrities like Paul McCartney, Madonna, and Jude Law added their support.
The Arctic 30 went to the Arctic to bear witness to the threat caused by oil companies in this fragile environment, and peacefully protest to protect the home of the polar bears. If you believe, like I do, that these people are heroes, and not criminals, then help bring them home. Click here.
Thank you for everything,

Feeding America and the Farm Bill


76% of SNAP recipient households include a child, elderly person, or disabled person.

76 percent 76% of SNAP recipient households include a child, elderly person, or disabled person. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, helps over 47 million low-income Americans put food on the table by providing benefits that are timely, targeted, and temporary.
Learn how SNAP works and who qualifies for assistance»

Help Prevent Cuts to Anti-Hunger Programs

On
November 1, 2013, all SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,
formerly know as food stamps) recipients will see a reduction in their
benefit levels because of legislation passed by the United States
Congress in 2010.

Cuts that will equal 1.9 billion meals no longer available to the
children, seniors, and disabled that rely on their SNAP benefits to help
put food on the table. That is more than half of what the entire
Feeding America network will distribute in the entire year!

You should also know that Congress is considering adding even larger
cuts to SNAP benefit levels and eligibility. Decisions that impact
Americans struggling with hunger in your community and across the
country are being made right now. Use your voice to help prevent these
cuts by telling your members of Congress to protect anti-hunger
programs.

Tell Congress to protect anti-hunger programs

Meet Jim, Real Stories of SNAP

For more than 40 years, Jim worked as a mechanic. When the economy crashed, business stopped. For rural clients like Jim the challenges of lower levels of education and concentration of low-wage industries can be hard to overcome. Jim knew he needed to apply for SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) when after waiting for a customer payment all day – it simply never arrived. Without a cracker in the house he applied for food assistance and is glad he did. He would have had no other way to eat.

The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill, which is reauthorized every five years, is the single largest source of federal funding for federal hunger-relief programs. In addition to setting policy for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) that put food on the table for Americans struggling with hunger, it covers a range of agriculture-related areas such as commodities, conservation, rural development, livestock, and energy.

In 2012, Congress was unable to pass a Farm Bill.  Help us urge Congress to pass a strong Farm Bill that protects and strengthens programs that help Americans struggling with hunger put food on the table. Take Action Today!

Tax Policy and Deficit Reduction

Feeding America is actively engaged in protecting federal anti-hunger programs as Congress addresses how to reduce the deficit and balance our nation’s budget, as well as advocating for federal tax provisions that protect food and fund donations to the Feeding America food bank network.

Appropriations

Feeding America is engaged in advocating for a strong federal anti-hunger safety net through the Appropriations process and ensuring programs like TEFAP, CSFP, and WIC have adequate funding to meet the need.

Once Appropriations season heats up, we may need your help to ensure these programs are adequately funded, so stay tuned!