Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

what’s going on in Congress -the Republican led House -the Senate


The Senate Convenes at 10amET June 28, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session
    to consider the following nominations, en bloc:

  • There will be 2 hours for concurrent debate on the nominations equally
    divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at
    approximately 12:00pm), the Senate will proceed to up to 3 roll call votes on
    the nominations in the order listed.  Senators should be aware a roll call vote
    is expected on confirmation of the Cole nomination.  While roll call votes are
    possible on confirmation of the Monaco and Seitz nominations, we are hopeful the
    nominations can be confirmed by voice vote.
  • Following disposition of the Cole, Monaco, and Seitz nominations, the Senate
    will recess until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.679, the Presidential
    Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act.  We are working on an agreement to
    complete action on S.679.  Additional roll call votes are expected during
    Tuesday’s session of the Senate.
  • At approximately 12:10pm today, the Senate will conduct up to 3 roll call
    votes on confirmation of the following nominations:
  • Senators should be aware a roll call vote is expected on confirmation of the
    Cole nomination.  While roll call votes are possible on confirmation of the
    Monaco and Seitz nominations, we are hopeful the nominations can be confirmed by
    voice vote.
  •  The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote on Tuesday, June
    28, 2011:

    • Calendar #145 Lisa O. Monaco, of the District of Columbia, to be an
      Assistant Attorney General
    • Calendar #110 Virginia A. Seitz, of the District of Columbia, to be an
      Assistant Attorney General
    • At  12:07pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar
      #62 James Michael Cole, of the District of Columbia, to be Deputy Attorney
      General; Confirmed: 55-42  
    • At  6:04pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Reid motion to instruct the
      Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent Senators.     
      • The Senate has reached the following agreement with respect to S.679, the
        Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act.  As a result of this
        agreement, Senators should expect a series of up to 5 roll call votes (but more
        likely 3 roll call votes)  beginning at approximately 11am on Wednesday, June
        29, 2011.
      • The following pending amendments will be agreed to by unanimous consent:
        • Akaka #512, as modified with the changes that are at the desk (Commissioner
          of the Administration for Native Americans);
        • Carper #517 (GAO report); and
        • Paul #503 (Director of the Mint)
        • Managers’ amendment, which is at the desk
      • At 11am on Wednesday, June 29th, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation
        to the remaining amendments to S.679 in the following order:

        • DeMint #501 (IMF bailouts)(60-vote threshold);
        • Portman-Udall(NM)-Cornyn #509, as modified with the changes that are at the
          desk (Comptrollers of Navy, Army, Air Force; Controller of OMB and department
          CFOs)(expected voice vote);
        • DeMint #511 (legislative & public affairs);
        • Toomey #514(strikes the provision relating to the Governors and alternate
          governors of the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and
          Development)(expected voice vote);
      • Further, that the Cornyn amendment #504, McCain #493 and the Paul amendment
        #502 will be withdrawn; no amendments will be in order to any of the amendments
        prior to the votes.  Upon disposition of the amendments, the bill will be read a
        third time and the Senate proceed to a roll call vote on passage of the bill, as
        amended (60-vote threshold). There will be no motions or points of order in
        order to the bill or any of the amendments other than budget points of order and
        the applicable motions to waive.
      • Following disposition of S.679, the Senate will proceed to the consideration
        of S.Res.116, under the previous order.
      •  Discharged Foreign Relations and Adopted S.Res.185, a resolution reaffirming the
        commitment of the United States to a negotiated settlement of the
        Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 28, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE
DAY OF JUNE 28, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:09 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 1, 2011.The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R.
2279 and agreed to S. Con. Res. 15.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair lead the members in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I,
the Journal stands approved.

10:07 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro
tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Your Water Might Be Flammable … CREDO


Did you know that oil and gas companies are allowed to pump secret, toxic fluids, through our drinking water – and the EPA is currently powerless to do anything about it?

High Pressure Hydraulic Fracturing (or fracking) is a method of drilling for natural gas by pumping a mixture of water and chemicals, including known toxics and carcinogens, deep underground, and it’s responsible for poisoning water in states across the country.

Fracking wells are spreading at an alarming rate. But even more alarming, thanks to the work of Dick Cheney and his infamous energy policy, frackers don’t have to disclose the chemicals used in their fluid to the EPA, and the process is totally exempt from regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The FRAC Act, a bill that has been in the Senate since 2009, would correct both these problems. As public concern over fracking has grown, the bill has gained some momentum, but we still need more senators actively working to pass it. Will you urge your senators to support the bill?

Tell your senators: Co-sponsor the FRAC Act to protect our water from dangerous fracking.

Fracking a single gas well uses as much as millions of gallons of water, and hundreds of tons of chemicals. While the exact contents of the fluid remains largely undisclosed, scientific examination reveals that it can contain diesel fuel, which includes benzene, as well as dozens of chemicals including methanol, formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid.

The fluid is injected thousands of feet underground at extremely high pressure, literally cracking the rock to release trapped gas. Unfortunately, it must pass through our water table, where the fluids, along with methane gas, can leak through well casings into our drinking water.

If you’ve ever seen the picture of the man lighting his tap water on fire from the recent documentary Gasland, that was because of nearby fracking.

Yet somehow, the EPA has been handcuffed from regulating fracking to keep our water clean since 2005, in what has become known as “the Halliburton loophole.” Halliburton, where Dick Cheney was CEO before becoming Vice President, patented fracking in the 1940’s and remains the third largest producer of fracking fluids. And in trademark Bush administration style, Halliburton staff were actively involved in a 2004 EPA report on fracking safety.

The “Halliburton loophole” remains a dangerous legacy of the Bush Administration and if we’re going to protect our water, we need to close it.

Tell your senators: Co-sponsor the FRAC Act to protect our water from dangerous fracking.  http://us.greenpeace.org/site/R?i=eowykN6lXhtd7eIVIF3Kdw..

The oil and gas industry is the only industry in America that is allowed by EPA to inject known hazardous materials — unchecked — directly into or adjacent to underground drinking water supplies.

Thanks in no small part to the continued resistance of industry to disclose the poisons involved in fracking, the risks of this practice are only beginning to be realized. However, an important investigative series by the New York Times recently concluded that “the dangers to the environment and health are greater than previously understood.”

In addition to below ground leaks, fracking also poses serious threats to our rivers and streams from insufficiently treated, and often radioactive, waste water. What’s more, above ground spills of toxic fracking fluids are becoming increasingly common. A large spill this April in Pennsylvania dumped thousands of gallons into fields and streams, eerily, on the one year anniversary of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill.

Fracking is currently underway in 36 states. And while some state regulations do exist, they vary widely. But water contamination isn’t constrained by state boundaries, and we need a baseline national standard to make sure fracking chemicals are publicly disclosed, and to prevent this practice from putting our nation’s drinking water at risk.

Tell your senators: Co-sponsor the FRAC Act to protect our water from dangerous fracking.http://us.greenpeace.org/site/R?i=eowykN6lXhtd7eIVIF3Kdw..

Thanks for fighting the unchecked oil and gas influence threatening our water.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. Fracking,” Food and Water Watch.
2. Hydraulic Fracturing 101,” EARTHWORKS.
3. Burning Tap Water and More: GASLAND Exposes the Natural Gas Industry,” Treehugger, June 25, 2010.
4. Regulation Lax as Gas Wells‘ Tainted Water Hits Rivers,” New York Times, February 26, 2011

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Democracy for America


What a historic day!

I’m thrilled that today, thanks to your voice and the hard work of Governor Cuomo and so many committed organizations and elected officials, New York has become the latest state to pass marriage equality.

Last night, the New York legislature stood up for equality for all New Yorkers and spoke loudly in support of the simple proposition that every New Yorker should be able to marry the person they love.

But our work is not done.

Even once our LGBT friends and family are legally able to marry here in New York, the Defense of Marriage Act will prohibit them from enjoying over 1,000 federal rights and privileges that are afforded straight married couples. While it won’t be easy, we can overturn DOMA – but we need thousands of grassroots activists like you to stand up and demand repeal. 

Click here to join me and Democracy For America in urging Congress to repeal this regressive and discriminatory law. For only once every legally married couple in the United States is treated equally under federal law can we fulfill the true meaning of marriage equality. 

The Defense of Marriage Act is truly damaging. Every day, thousands of legally married LGBT men and women around the country are unable to take advantage of rights and privileges – from hospital visitation to inheritance rights to health benefits – that straight married couples take for granted.

Like DFA member Florence P. of Brushton, NY who sent in her story of how DOMA has impacted her:

My late partner and I were as close to a legal married couple as we could get in the state of New York. We were together for 32 1/2 years, hoping to one day marry in our state. She died in 2006. I am not considered to be her widow.  I am not considered to be legally related to her at all even though we shared our lives completely for over 32 years. It’s time to repeal DOMA.

I agree with Florence. We must end this unjust policy. But much like the historic vote last night in New York, it’s going to take a lot of hard work and our collective grassroots advocacy. And I believe it’s going to take telling more stories like Florence’s.

If you’ve been impacted by DOMA, click here to sign the petition and tell us your story at repealDOMA.com. It’s imperative that we begin to tell the stories of the Americans hurt every day by the injustice of DOMA, so that we can put faces and names to this discriminatory policy. Only then will we truly be able to start changing hearts and minds, both among my colleagues in Congress and around the country.

We did it with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and we’ll do it with DOMA. The time to start is now.

Thank you for standing with me and DFA for equality for all Americans.

– Kirsten

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UPDATE: Scott Walker vs. Planned Parenthood


Amazing! Thanks to DFA members like you, we raised more than $40,000 from 1,479 people in less than a day to fuel our campaign to recall these six anti-middle class Wisconsin Republican Senators.

We’re going to win this campaign in Wisconsin exactly because we have that kind of people-power backing us up. We don’t take big corporate contributions. We’re fueled from small contributions from thousands of members across the country — and we need your support now more than ever.

We’re almost there. We’ve already started hiring organizers on the ground in Wisconsin Senate District 32. Now we need to raise another $25,000 so we can start hiring on Monday in two more key districts. Can you put us over the top?

Please contribute $10 right now so we can start hiring organizers in Wisconsin on Monday.    http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/859?akid=1030.1480546.P7JOcu&t=1

This is our biggest field program ever — with over 35 paid staff on the ground — and we can’t do it without your support.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Kristina

Kristina Powell, Finance Director
Democracy for America

P.S. I wanted to include Jim’s original message below in case you missed it.

 ****************************************

This is it, folks. DFA’s campaign to recall six anti-union, anti-middle class Wisconsin Republican Senators is almost ready to go and it’s the biggest campaign we’ve ever run.

We’re going to be on the air with new hard-hitting television, radio and web ads against these six Republicans for their votes to destroy unions and middle-class families.

We’re going to be on the ground with a massive canvassing operation that will knock on 137,523 doors in 40 days. DFA Deputy Field Director Nick Passanante is on the ground right now hiring staff for our biggest-ever ground campaign.

And we’re going to be on the phones. That’s right, we’re bringing back our hugely successful Call Out The Vote program with our friends at the PCCC — plugging in thousands of volunteers from across the country to make calls to voters in Wisconsin.

We’re putting together a grassroots campaign because people-power is the only thing that can beat big corporate money — it’s the only thing that ever has. But we can’t do it without you.

Please contribute $10 right now to fuel our biggest campaign ever and fight back in the war on working families.  http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/859?akid=1030.1480546.P7JOcu&t=2

These six Republican senators reminded us last week exactly what’s at stake when they voted lockstep with right-wing Gov. Scott Walker to defund Planned Parenthood — another attack in the Republican war on middle class families.

Wisconsin isn’t the only state where right-wing Republicans have launched all-out war on middle class families and we’re working right now to organize volunteers in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio and all across the country. But Wisconsin is the first state where we have a chance to go to the polls and recall Republicans.

The Wisconsin recall is our biggest campaign ever — and it’s only the beginning. Join us now and send a clear message to Republicans across the country — attack the middle class and you lose.

Contribute $10 now to send a message to Republicans everywhere.    http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/859?akid=1030.1480546.P7JOcu&t=3

On the air, on the ground and on the phone — that’s real people power. Please contribute today and we’ll win this fight together. 

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

It’s on … says Robby Mook


News just broke that Crossroads, one of Karl Rove’s shadowy outside groups, is purchasing millions in advertising attacking President Obama this summer.

 There’s no doubt: the fight for 2012 is on.

 This all comes as we are within days of the critical midyear Federal Election Commission (FEC) fundraising reporting deadline. Republicans and Democrats are in a virtual dead heat for year-to-date totals, and if we are going to keep pace with this outside money we need to take a strong lead.

 That means we need every committed Democrat to contribute something before June 30th. A gift of just $3 or more could go a long way to us having a strong showing. Will you join the fight today?

Contribute $3 or more before the mid-year FEC deadline on June 30th and House Democrats will triple match your gift.

 In just four days, the amount of money we raise in the mid-year will be used by the media and talking heads as a measure of our chances of success in 2012.

 House Democrats are so committed to June 30th — they are now matching every dollar you give with two of their own. That makes each gift worth triple the amount. It’s make or break time. Please give today before Thursday’s deadline.

 Thanks,

 Robby Mook
 DCCC Executive Director