All posts by Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Youtube – Korean Americans – Women’s Health – President Obama


President Obama calls on Congress to pass the bipartisan, paid-for ideas that he proposed last year to put construction workers back to work upgrading our roads and bridges, teachers back in the classroom educating our kids and police and firefighters back on the job keeping our communities safe, and addresses the state of the economy, including the situation in Europe, which continues to pose headwinds to our recovery here at home. June 8, 2012.More

 

President Obama calls on Congress to stop interest rates from doubling on student loans, and discusses his Administration’s initiatives to keep college affordable for students and their families. June 7, 2012.More
 
 
 

This week, the President traveled to Honeywell International in Minnesota, to highlight efforts to help veterans find good paying jobs, urged Congress to support the Paycheck Fairness Act and to not let interest rates double on student loans on July 1st. That’s June 1st to June 7th or “Roll up our sleeves and never quit.”More
 
 
 
U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, senior White House Officials, and a diverse array of media, organizations, groups and stakeholders engage in an open dialogue about women’s health care and the Affordable Care Act. June 7, 2012.More
 
 
 

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Council of Korean Americans host a briefing for Korean American community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the Korean American community, including foreign policy, immigration, human rights, small business, education, civil rights, and trade. June 7, 2012.More
 

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Council of Korean Americans host a briefing for Korean American community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the Korean American community, including foreign policy, immigration, human rights, small business, education, civil rights, and trade. June 7, 2012.More
 
 
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from AL Franken … Repeal DOMA


Hear that sound? That’s momentum — our fight for marriage equality is building steam.

We knew the Defense of Marriage Act was discriminatory. We knew it was wrong. But an appeals court in Boston just ruled that it’s unconstitutional, too.

Meanwhile, in the wake of President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, polls show that more and more Americans are ready for a country where the law treats all loving, committed relationships equally.

And here in Minnesota, surveys show that we have a great chance to defeat an anti-equality constitutional amendment — a victory that would be the first of its kind if we can pull it off.

This is the perfect time to help us keep building momentum by signing on to my petition to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act —   click here to add your name today!

We still have a long way to go. Change is hard — even without right-wing groups spending lots of money to stop it from happening. We’re fighting uphill — here in Minnesota and around the country.

But the momentum is on our side. It’s just a matter of time before we end marriage discrimination in America. Well, time and hard work.

A generation from now, marriage equality will be the law of the land. And you’ll be able to look back on this moment and know that you helped to build momentum in this fight — that, because of you, America is a fairer country.

Click here to help me fight for marriage equality today!

Thanks,

Al

P.S.: My ‘extra ask in the P.S.’ is even more important when we’re fighting for equality. Join in the fight to end DOMA today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Amazon approaches its moment of truth … a message from Greenpeace Activist

4 Comments

I’ve written a few blogs since I’ve been on the Rainbow Warrior, but my time in Brazil has given me enough material for thousands more. I worked as a journalist before Greenpeace and that is how I have approached this trip, trying to tell you the stories that happen every day in this magical country and do some justice to the people who live in it.

Today I produced a more personal account of my work as well as my impressions of this truly unique place. I wanted to do this because on Friday the President of Brazil will make a decision that could affect this amazing rainforest for decades to come. I believe that the people I have met here want the world to know what is at stake, so I tried to explain how the past few weeks have affected me.

The Rainbow Warrior sails through the Amazonas river.

As I’ve learned, changes to Brazil’s forest code could be one of the worst things to have happened to the Amazon for years. I also know that the concept of zero deforestation is tantalizingly close to becoming a reality.

I hope you enjoy the film, but more importantly I ask you take action with us.

Together we can do it. Together we can all save the Amazon.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

State Tabacco Taxes – done right it can be a win win solution


U.S. State and Local Issues

State Tobacco Taxes

A Win-Win-Win Solution

photo

Tobacco tax increases offer a win-win-win solution for states, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

Health Win: Tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among kids. Every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and total cigarette consumption by about four percent.

Budget Win: Every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has enjoyed substantial increases in revenue, even while reducing smoking. Higher tobacco taxes also save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid expenses. States can realize even greater health benefits and cost savings by allocating some of the revenue to programs that prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.

Political Win: National and state polls consistently have found overwhelming public support for tobacco tax increases. Polls also show that, when it comes to balancing budgets, voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or cutting crucial programs such as education and public safety.

Progress, But More Work to Do

In recent years, almost every state and the federal government have increased tobacco taxes. The average state cigarette tax is currently $1.46 per pack, but rates vary widely from 17 cents in Missouri to $4.35 in New York.

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased by 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack.

Every state and the federal government can achieve significant health and revenue gains by further increasing tobacco taxes. Governments can raise even more revenue — and reduce all tobacco use — by increasing taxes on other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco and cigars, to parallel the rate on cigarettes. This discourages all tobacco use.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House debates&votes on highway bill – the Senate considers S.3240,Farm bill & Judicial nominees


the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET June 11, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.3240, the Farm bill, post-cloture. We continue to work on an agreement for amendments to the bill.
  • At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #607, the nomination of Andrew David Hurwitz, of AZ, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Hurwitz nomination.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 8, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 8, 2012
112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION  

Time Bill Floor Action
1:09:54 P.M. –   The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 12, 2012.
1:09:53 P.M. –   On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:09:23 P.M. –   Mr. Garamendi moved that the House do now adjourn.
12:24:22 P.M. –   SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
12:10:00 P.M. –   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:09:58 P.M. –   Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, June 15, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:26 P.M. –   Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:25 P.M. –   Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, June 8, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
12:09:24 P.M. – S. 3261 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:09:22 P.M. – S. 3261 On passage Passed without objection.
12:08:17 P.M. – S. 3261 Considered by unanimous consent. S. 3261 — “To allow the Chief of the Forest Service to award certain contracts for large air tankers.”
12:08:15 P.M. – S. 3261 Mr. Thompson (PA) asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
12:07:41 P.M. – H.R. 4348 On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 82 – 323 (Roll no. 378).
12:01:31 P.M. –   UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on the Broun motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4348, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:01:30 P.M. – H.R. 5882 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:01:28 P.M. – H.R. 5882 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 307 – 102 (Roll no. 377).
11:54:48 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 101 – 309 (Roll no. 376).
11:38:22 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:33:24 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pingree motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to reduce funds available for the Members’ Representational Allowances, including Members’ clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail, by $3,099,244.
11:33:11 A.M. – H.R. 5882 Ms. Pingree (ME) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
11:31:44 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
11:31:05 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:30:30 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5882.
11:30:12 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Flake amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 148 – 261 (Roll no. 375).
11:26:05 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Moran amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 229 (Roll no. 374).
11:22:27 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 204 – 203 (Roll no. 373).
11:18:31 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 214 – 189 (Roll no. 372).
11:13:38 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Gosar amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 213 – 193 (Roll no. 371).
10:46:46 A.M. – H.R. 5882 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.
10:46:45 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair post poned further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:35:36 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment No. 7.
10:35:33 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Flake, numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-518 to prohibit funding for the purchase of paid online advertisements by Members, committees, and leadership offices.
10:34:57 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Harper amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:31:48 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Harper amendment No. 6.
10:31:44 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Harper, numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-518 to limit the print copies of the U.S. Code for the House of Representatives to 50 copies.
10:30:28 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dan Lungren (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:20:04 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment No. 5.
10:20:01 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Moran, numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-518 to prohibit the use of polystyrene products in food service facilities in the House of Representatives.
10:19:39 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSPTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Scalise amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Scalise demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:08:22 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Scalise amendment No. 4.
10:08:20 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce by $1,000,000 the amount provided for the Open World Leadership Center and directs that $1,000,000 to the Spending Reduction Account.
10:07:58 A.M. – H.R. 5882 On agreeing to the Holt amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:59:13 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3.
9:59:11 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Holt, numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-518 to adjust funding for Congressional Printing and Binding under the GPO to address the availability of pocket versions of the United States Constitution for members of the House. Currently the House has no additional pocket constitutions for members to disburse to their constituents.
9:58:56 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Honda demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:52:54 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 2.
9:52:51 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce funding for the Congressional Research Service by $878,000 (FY 2012 Level) and transfer $878,000 to the Spending Reduction Account.
9:49:00 A.M. – H.R. 5882 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
9:41:14 A.M. – H.R. 5882 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 679, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar amendment No. 1.
9:41:12 A.M. – H.R. 5882 An amendment, offered by Mr. Gosar, numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-518 to reduce the budget for the Botanic Garden by $1,235,000 for Fiscal Year 2013, so that it is appropriated resources at 2009 levels.
9:15:52 A.M. – H.R. 5882 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5882.
9:15:20 A.M. – H.R. 5882 The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles F. Bass to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:15:19 A.M. – H.R. 5882 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 679 and Rule XVIII.
9:14:52 A.M. – H.R. 5882 Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 436 and H.R. 5882. General debate on H.R. 5882 will continue for not to exceed one hour, equally divided and controlled. Specified amendments to H.R. 5882 are in order.
9:14:47 A.M. – H.R. 5882 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 679. H.R. 5882 — “Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”
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.
9:02:15 A.M. –   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Barrow to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:11 A.M. –   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:07 A.M. –   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:00:57 A.M. –   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.