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The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET April 13, 2011

Convenes: 9:30am

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business for debate only until 7pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the Republicans controlling the time from 11:30am until 12:30pm for the purposes of a colloquy and the Majority controlling the time from 1pm until 2pm.

We are working to complete action on the small business jobs bill.

In addition, the text of the long-term CR has been filed in the House and is available for review. We expect to receive it from the House on Thursday.

There will be no roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

The Senate has reached the following agreement to consider the long-term Continuing Resolution:

On Thursday, April 14th, following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

When the Senate receives the papers from the House with respect to continuing resolution and the correcting resolutions, the Senate will proceed to a series of 3 roll call votes in relation the following items in the order listed below:

-H.Con.Res.35, a correcting resolution relative to a prohibition of federal funds for health care reform; and

-H.Con.Res.36, a correcting resolution relative to a prohibition of federal funds for Planned Parenthood;

-H.R.1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2011;

There will be two minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote; no amendments are in order to the bill or the concurrent resolutions prior to the votes; the correcting resolutions and the bill will be subject to 60-vote thresholds; the only points of order and motions in order are budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 13, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 13, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

8:20 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 14, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Pearce moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:51 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

Mr. Bishop (UT) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011, for Morning-Hour Debate and 11:00 a.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.

7:50 P.M. –

Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 223.

5:51 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:43 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded further with one minute speeches.

H.R. 1217:

to repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund

5:42 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 – 183 (Roll no. 264).

5:36 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 234 (Roll no. 263).

5:19 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

5:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Loebsack motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment inserting a provision that would preserve the Prevention and Public Health Fund for prevention, wellness, and public health activities for individuals 65 years or older. A point of order was reserved, but was subsequently removed.

5:09 P.M. –

Mr. Loebsack moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.

The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:08 P.M. –

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1217.

On agreeing to the Castor (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 188 – 238 (Roll no. 262).

5:00 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Castor (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 237 (Roll no. 261).

4:34 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Castor(FL)amendment no. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Castor(FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 219, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor amendment no. 3.

Amendment offered by Ms. Castor (FL).

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-61 to require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the economic impact funds awarded through the Prevention and Public Health Fund would have on states and communities.

4:25 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Castor(FL) amendment no. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Castor(FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:17 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 219, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor amendment no. 2.

Amendment offered by Ms. Castor (FL).

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-61 to require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the impact funds awarded through the Prevention and Public Health Fund would have on preventing chronic diseases and promoting health.

4:16 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 219, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment.

4:09 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-61 to require the Department of Health and Human Services to post on its website a notice of rescission of unobligated Section 4002 funds and the amount rescinded.

3:20 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1217.

The Speaker designated the Honorable K. Michael Conaway to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 219 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1217 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The resolution makes in order only those amendments printed in the report. All points of order against the amendments are waived.

3:19 P.M. –

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 219.

On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Res. 218:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1473) making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 35) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1473; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 36) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 1473

3:18 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 179 (Roll no. 260).

3:11 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 242 – 183 (Roll no. 259).

3:05 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

3:04 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 218 and on adoption of H.Res. 218, if ordered, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 219:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1217) to repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 180 (Roll no. 258).

2:58 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 182 (Roll no. 257).

1:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 219.

1:31 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 218:

1:30 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 218, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis (CO) demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

12:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 218.

12:31 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:26 P.M. –

Point of order raised by Mr. Weiner on the content of the measure. Mr Weiner stated that the measure violated the rules of the House because its action was not contingent upon Senate action. Point of order overruled by the Chair.

12:25 P.M. –

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT FILED – Mr. Dreier submitted a supplemental report on H.Res. 218.

12:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Poe (TX) 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. Poe (TX) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

12:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Jack Graham, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 13.

10:58 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. –

MORNING HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Take Action: Celebrate the Paycheck Fairness Act on Equal Pay Day!

04/12/2011 Nativegrl77

Happy Equal Pay Day! I know what you’re thinking: it’s hard to feel too happy when we face the facts about the wage gap these days. Did you realize that the average woman loses $10,849 a year due to the wage gap?

But we do have something worth celebrating this Equal Pay Day. The Paycheck Fairness Act is being introduced in both Houses of Congress today!

Ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act in honor of Equal Pay Day!

In the last session of Congress, we worked hard to get the Paycheck Fairness Act passed in the House and this important bill fell just a few votes short of moving forward in the Senate. We couldn’t have done it without people like you who helped tell Congress that Women Are Not WorthLess. Now we need your help again!

Take action and ask your Member of Congress to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act now!

On Equal Pay Day, we recognize the day that the average woman’s wages finally catch up to those of her male counterparts in 2010. With the Paycheck Fairness Act, we can start to close that wage gap and Stop Discounting Women and their families. Will you take action today?

Thank you for all your support and, again, happy Equal Pay Day!

Sincerely

Fatima Goss Graves

Vice President for Education and Employment

National Women’s Law Center

P.S. We’ve put together some great new resources in honor of Equal Pay Day. Be sure to check out our new factsheets on pay secrecy, the “factors other than sex” loophole in the Equal Pay Act and how the Paycheck Fairness Act resolves it, an update on the Lilly Ledbetter Act and the wage gap’s implications for women in this economy. And in other fair-pay news, don’t forget to vote in the last round of Wal-Mart Manager Madness!

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

04/12/2011 Nativegrl77

April 12, 2011: The Senate will next convene at 10:00 a.m.ET

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 11am, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider calendar #45, the nomination of Vincent Briccetti, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York and calendar #46, the nomination of John Kronstadt, of California, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California, with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

At 12:00pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Kronstadt nomination.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 2:15pm, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 6pm for debate only with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Also at 2:15pm, Senator Johnson (WI) will be recognized for up to 20 minutes to deliver his maiden speech to the Senate.

Votes:

58: Confirmation of John Kronstadt, of California, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California; Confirmed: 96-0

Unanimous Consent:

Confirmed executive calendar #45, the nomination of Vincent Briccetti, of New York, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

S.Res.142, congratulating the Lady Aggies of Texas A&M University on winning the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship

S.Res.143, supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on April 12, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 12, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:20 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:11 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:09 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 325 – 79, 2 Present (Roll no. 256).

7:04 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

S. 307:

to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the “W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse”

7:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 3, 1 Present (Roll no. 255).

6:56 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1308:

to amend the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act to extend the termination date for the Commission, and for other purposes

6:55 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 – 18 (Roll no. 254).

6:33 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:32 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Con. Res. 33:

permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust

6:31 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered by unanimous consent.

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

H. Res. 197:

electing Members to the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

6:30 P.M. –

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

Considered by unanimous consent.

S.J. Res. 8:

providing for the appointment of Stephen M. Case as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed without objection.

6:29 P.M. –

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

Considered by unanimous consent.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 12.

5:25 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

S. 307:

5:24 P.M. –

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.

5:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 307.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Crawford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 1308:

to amend the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act to extend the termination date for the Commission, and for other purposes

5:11 P.M. –

5:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1308.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Kelly moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

5:01 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 12.

2:10 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 p.m. today.

2:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Womack to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2:02 P.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 demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 12.

12:25 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:01 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable John Fleming to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Movement to recall Snyder grows WITH VIDEO …in his words

04/11/2011 Nativegrl77

Friday April 1, 2011

By CHARLES CRUMM

Of The Oakland Press

Chris Kopacz hopes his logo will become the symbol of opposition to Gov. Rick Snyder‘s budget proposals.

Chris Kopacz is a self-employed graphics designer and he’s using his dissatisfaction with Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget-balancing plans to distribute a logo he created that he hopes will become the symbol of opposition.

The logo shows an outline of the state on a blue background and the words “Stand Up & Fight.”

The eventual goal, he says, will be a movement to recall Snyder from the office he’s held for just three months.

“I support that and I’m behind that,” says Kopacz, 32, of Waterford Township. “Right now, all we can do is generate interest for it.

“There’s no recall option until the governor has been in office six months,” he said. “On July 1, they can actually start the recall effort in earnest.

“We are definitely going to exercise that option,” Kopacz said.

Since he introduced his budget proposals to the Legislature in mid February, Snyder, the former Gateway CEO and self-described “one tough nerd,” has become a polarizing figure in Michigan politics and government.

The budget proposals include taxing pensions but giving generous tax cuts to businesses while cutting funding to education and placing limits on public worker benefits.

A poll on the website http://www.recallrick.com sums up the sore points of Snyder’s budget proposals.

It asks people to pick the number reason to recall the governor: Cuts to education budgets, attacks on unions, cuts to local governments or the recently signed emergency manager legislation.

Proposed cuts to education is listed at the top by 36 percent followed by the emergency manager bill at 32 percent.

At http://www.theoaklandpress.com, the website of The Oakland Press, a simple question asks if people approve of Snyder’s job so far. More than 90 percent said they don’t with more than 2,200 voting.

Across the social website Facebook, there are numerous pages dedicated to tossing Snyder from office at the first opportunity. The Facebook pages include Recall Governor Rick Snyder, Michigan Rally Information, and Recall Rick.

“If we look at Snyder’s budget proposal, it is fundamentally flawed,” says Kopacz, “$1.9 billion in tax credits while cutting $1.8 by clamping down on teacher salaries and wages, unemployment, pensions.

“The reason I’m concerned about this is because what they seem to be doing is essentially widening the gap between the rich and poor and eliminating the concept of the middle class.”

Snyder on Thursday issued a joint statement with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and House Speaker Jase Bolger highlighting the accomplishments of his administration and the Republican-controlled Legislature in three months.

Listed among them was the controversial legislation signed that extends access to federal unemployment benefits for those who exhaust their state benefits. But the legislation also shortened the time of state benefits from 26 weeks to 20.

“We’re putting Michigan on the path to prosperity through cooperation and relentless positive action,” Snyder said.

Democrats were quick to issue other assessments of the first three months.

The Michigan Democratic Party posted a two-minute video on YouTube slamming Snyder and Republicans for closing state police posts and lowering state unemployment benefit weeks.

“This video tells the real story of the governor’s first three months on the job,” Brewer said. “Snyder and the Republicans have cut unemployment benefits and eliminated jobs. His budget also cuts public education and public safety, unfairly raises taxes on seniors, middle-class families, and low-wage workers – all so he can pay for a record giveaway to big corporations, insurance companies, big banks, and wealthy CEOs. That’s not ‘reinventing’ Michigan. That’s ruining Michigan.”

But for all criticism and talk of a recall, a recent and more scientific poll notes that while Snyder’s negatives are up, his numbers remain more positive than negative.

A poll by Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group off 600 likely voters between March 14 and March 19 notes that 42 percent approve of the job Snyder is doing as governor while 38 percent disapprove.

As for his plan to balance the state budget, 44 percent approve while 41 percent disapprove.

Poll respondents were 26 percent Republican, 26 percent Democrat and 43 percent independent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent.

But as MRG President Tom Shields notes, “The honeymoon is over for Gov. Snyder.”

Shields notes that Snyder has better number than Republican Gov. John Engler did after his first three months in office in 1991.

“Gov. Engler’s plans to cut government spending were met with the same kind of resistance as Gov. Snyder’s plans are currently drawing,” says Shields.

Kopacz hopes his logo becomes the symbol of resistance. It’s posted on the website as a free download at http://www.standupmi.com.

Contact Charles Crumm at 248-745-4649 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 248-745-4649 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, charlie.crumm@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @crummc and on Facebook. More information is at oaklandmichiganpolitics.blogspot.com.

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We need a budget that works for all of us …

04/11/2011 Nativegrl77

You may have seen in the news recently how GE¹—like many other multinational corporations—is getting away with paying zero taxes, even though it raked in $26 billion in record profits.

Unbelievable, right? Well it’s only going to get worse—if we don’t stop it.

http://afl.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=yHzrr33xgU1Ywr6ssSyVENJtMUMH5SJ%2B&url=http%3A%2F%2Faction.afscme.org%2Fc%2F51%2Fp%2Fdia%2Faction%2Fpublic%2F%3Faction_KEY%3D1882%26amp%3Btag%3DAdvE_201104_BackToFuture_blast-32792%26amp%3Btrack%3DAdvE_201104_BackToFuture_blast-32792%26amp%3Butm_source%3Dblast-32792%26amp%3Butm_medium%3Demail%26amp%3Butm_campaign%3D BackToFuture

This week, House leadership released a budget that is an extreme version of old policies to hand more tax breaks to millionaires and corporations—while putting all the sacrifice on the backs of working people. This back to the future budget would radically undermine the economic security of America’s middle class.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, “House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s fiscal year 2012 budget resolution would undermine the modern social safety net, reversing the gains America has made in health and economic opportunity. This resolution would deny millions of middle-and low-income households access to the American Dream.”

Please click here to tell your representative NO to going back to the future. It’s time to move forward with a budget that works for everyone.

Many vital public services and programs are targeted for near destruction by Ryan:

The budget would end the guaranteed benefits of Medicare that seniors and the disabled depend on. Medicare would be replaced with a voucher that would be paid to insurance companies. The plan is designed to shift more costs onto seniors while giving insurance companies more control.

The budget would slash support for seniors and the disabled in nursing homes by cutting Medicaid by nearly $800 billion over ten years.

This budget even lays out a plan for making future cuts to Social Security.

These leaders in Congress are so committed to protecting tax breaks for their corporate donors, that they are about to shut down the federal government rather than compromise. Instead, they are demanding a budget that would destroy public services, jobs, K-12 schools, public safety and more.

Enough. Please take a moment to send a message to your member of Congress now. Click here. http://afl.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zFp8q5VhdL9DKRZe1iPYHtJtMUMH5SJ%2B&url=http%3A%2F%2Faction.afscme.org%2Fc%2F51%2Fp%2Fdia%2Faction%2Fpublic%2F%3Faction_KEY%3D1882%26amp%3Btag%3DAdvE_201104_BackToFuture_blast-32792%26amp%3Btrack%3DAdvE_201104_BackToFuture_blast-32792%26amp%3Butm_source%3Dblast-32792%26amp%3Butm_medium%3Demail%26amp%3Butm_campaign%3D BackToFuture

Thanks for all you do,

Chuck Loveless

Legislative Director

AFSCME