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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

3,300 teachers in Washington


Organizing for America

I want to thank the OFA supporters who stood with House Democrats as they raced back to Washington this week to cast a vote on a state assistance bill. I’m proud to say they passed the bill yesterday and the President immediately signed it into law.

And, because of it, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be saved — including an estimated 3,300 public school teachers across Washington.

Republicans called this bill a “bailout” and a “handout.” They called the police officers, firefighters, and teachers whose jobs were on the line “special interests.” And nearly every House Republican voted no.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats did the right thing, reminding us again of what we’re fighting for in the upcoming elections. When voters cast their ballots in November, it’s up to us to make sure they remember who’s fighting for them.

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wild Wednesday &some News …


The climb out of the economic ditch has been slow but is happening and should be recognized by most people even with all the noise being made to cover the achievements made by the Obama Administration. Yesterday, the YES vote in the House of Representatives for HR1586 passed after much debate and negative comments from Republicans. The Bill will arguably guarantee workers will not be laid off and it was clear the Democratic Party saw this as an emergency vote unlike those on the right who are suppose to do the people’s business but are definitely choosing not to participate in. The very people put into Political office called HR1586 a bailout, stating that is not a responsible thing for Congress to, yet if you ask any Teacher or Firefighter in any state, I am sure they would feel it is about time somebody in Congress help out their fellow American… HR1586 will not only help Teachers, First Responders, and other Gov’t jobs but will extend stimulus money to help States pay Medicaid. The fact is Republicans keep talking trash and anyone listening would have heard comments like, “Where do the bailouts end?” asked Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio. “Are we going to bail out states next year and the year after that, too? At some point we’ve got to say, ‘Enough is enough.'” Moreover, while Boehner and his crazy train continue to prove they are not only unqualified to handle the peoples business on the floor of Congress or their own States. They probably would be telling ALL Americans that they will repeal any and everything considered an entitlement. The list would include everything that would help the average person on Main Street, deregulate Wall Street, Oil industry. It is clear Republicans would shake the middle class yet make sure that any tax cut is kept in place and probably remains unpaid for -hey that is what they want but are unwilling to be honest about where the money would come from to pay for them …if at all. The cost to pay for keeping the Bush Tax Cuts in place would be $830Billion dollars. The thought anyone would say that out loud with millions of their own constituents listening to them is not only outrageous, it is offensive.

It is time we All listen to Politicians we can trust and right now that is the Democratic Party. I will admit that even the Democratic Party has conservdems that may not be the best representation of the Democrats ideology on a whole. Conservadems, vote to represent the States who voted them into office and apparently are more right of center depending on the issue. Republicans unlike Democratic Rep. Jay Inslee said his state of Washington would get funds to keep 3,000 teachers he continued Republicans, he said, “think those billions of dollars for those corporate loopholes is simply more important than almost 3,000 teachers and classrooms in the state of Washington.” In addition, we have Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., w ho said Republicans ignore the fact that the law would not add to the federal deficit. “They want to do everything in their power to make certain that President Obama can’t get this country going again. I think in November they are going to find it was a dumb policy.”

Other News …

Tea Party groups are planning a rally this Sunday near the Mexican border in Arizona to support the state’s new harsh stance on illegal immigration and U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the GOP primary. Dozens of speakers will attend the event, including Hayworth and Nevada GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle.

A Congressional analysis released yesterday finds that, if the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, taxpayers earning more than $1 million would “still receive on average a tax cut of about $6,300” compared with what they would’ve paid in 2001. The analysis also found that “less than 3 percent of filers with small-business income” are subject to the top two income tax rates.

Tea Party groups are planning a rally this Sunday near the Mexican border in Arizona to support the state’s new harsh stance on illegal immigration and U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the GOP primary. Dozens of speakers will attend the event, including Hayworth and Nevada GOP U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle.


C-SPAN …

watch Spkr. Pelosi Signing Ceremony

watch Agriculture Civil Rights Conference
watch House GOP

watch Pres. Obama on Teacher Jobs
watch State Dept. Briefing

watch Census Director Briefing visit Census Website

House Adjourns After Passing Aid to States; Senate Returns to Full Agenda After Break

House members returned to DC yesterday for one day to consider several pieces of legislation. They passed the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act (H.R.1586) by a vote of 247 to 161 which President Obama signed into law last evening. The bill includes Medicaid assistance and prevents the firing of teachers and law enforcement officers by providing states $26.1 billion in federal aid.

During yesterday’s session, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) took to the floor to respond to the Ethics Committee charges against him and the trial he faces later this fall. Saying that his actions may have been “stupid or neglect[ful] but… not corrupt,” Rangel announced that he had no intentions of resigning and wanted to have a hearing to refute the charges.

The House also approved a $600 million border security bill that will now go back to the Senate for a vote. There are reports that the Senate may meet this week to vote out this bill by unanimous consent.

When the Senate returns next month members are scheduled to take up work on financial incentives geared to small-businesses, appropriations bills for the fiscal year and climate change legislation. They are trying to pass this legislation before the October recess so members can return to their states to campaign for the midterm elections.

Sen. Bennet Wins Colorado Senate Democratic Primary

In Colorado, Sen. Michael Bennet, backed by President Obama, defeated former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff who was supported by Frmr. President Clinton. On the Republican side, Weld County district attorney Ken Buck defeated former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton for the GOP nomination. In Connecticut, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon has won the Senate Republican nomination defeating Rep. Rob Simmons. She’ll face Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) in November. Both parties were holding Senate primaries seeking to replace retiring Sen. Chris Dodd (D).

In a tight race in Georgia, the Republican runoff election for Governor between ex-Congressman Nathan Deal and former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel may come down to absentee ballots. Candidates each claimed 50 percent of the vote with 99 percent of precincts reporting in early morning hours Wednesday.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Big News …JustSayNow.com


Since I wrote you last week, more than 45,000 people have signed on to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana.

But it’s not just us: in that same time, two Catholic cardinals in Mexico and current Mexican President Felipe Calderon called for a debate on legalizing drugs. Then former Mexican President Vicente Fox said that we should regulate marijuana, after his country announced that more than 28,000 people have been killed in the war with drug cartels.

Legalizing marijuana is a moral issue. While our government continues to waste billions every year fighting an unwinnable war on cartels funded by marijuana prohibition, thousands more will needlessly die.

The movement to legalize marijuana is real. Will you join us? Please click here to sign our petition to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

The media is paying attention to our campaign. Here’s just some of what the press has said this week about our petition to end the war on marijuana:

Huffington Post: “‘Just Say Now’: Left-Right Coalition Launches Campaign to Legalize Pot”
The Guardian: “Liberals and libertarians pressing for an end to prohibition”
Willamette Week: “Want to End the War on Marijuana? Sign this Petition”
NBC News: “Just Say Yes – to Marijuana Legalization”
The Atlantic: “A new, and potentially quite significant, arm of the [marijuana legalization] movement”

Momentum is on our side – can you please join us?

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

My email to you from last week is below.

Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher
JustSayNow.com


Subject: Big news

Click here to say Just Say Now!

The war on marijuana is a complete failure.

Billions of dollars are wasted every year. Police officers’ lives put at risk daily. Out-of-control Mexican drug cartels have ravaged our borders, killing thousands of people every year. It’s so bad, even Mexico’s President called for a debate on legalizing marijuana this week

Our government needs a reality check – it’s time to end the war on marijuana.

So we’re launching a massive campaign to fight for legalizing marijuana that we’re calling “Just Say Now.” With the support of the grassroots group Students for Sensible Drug Policy, we’ll organize thousands of people to support legalization at the ballot box.

To kick off our campaign, we’re bringing attention to the unjust, unpopular, and racist reality that is the war on marijuana. It’s a war that must end now.

Ask President Obama to help end the war on marijuana. Click here to sign our petition.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re organizing our Just Say Now campaign to put a stop to the federal government’s war on marijuana. To do that, we’ll organize activists to identify and turn out supporters in states to vote for marijuana in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

This campaign will be a game-changer. Our partners at Students for Sensible Drug Policy have already organized 150 campuses and thousands of student activists. We’re poised to make a huge impact to legalize marijuana.

This November, California will vote to legalize marijuana, and 3 other states will vote on medical marijuana regulations. Thirteen states and DC have already legalized medical marijuana. Poll after poll shows huge majorities in states and the country support legalizing marijuana.

Despite this popular support, the federal government’s war on marijuana continues. Just last month, federal agents raided several completely legal medical marijuana farms and dispensaries.

Join us in calling on President Obama to help end this war. He should join the debate to legalize marijuana.

Click here to add your name to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re excited to Just Say Now to legalizing marijuana. Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher                        Aaron Houston
Founder, Firedoglake              Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

P.S. We have an online store with great items using our Just Say Now logo – t-shirts, stickers, buttons, and more. All proceeds will go towards our campaign to legalize marijuana. Check out our store!

http://firedoglake.com/justsaynow/store/


~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Warren: Good News …


Big mo? Progressive groups call on Obama to appoint Warren

Great news! The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent just reported that Senators Dick Durbin and Carl Levin are publicly backing Elizabeth Warren! That makes 15 senators since we started making calls last week.

Can you help us get Senator Murray and Cantwell on the record supporting Elizabeth Warren? It takes 30 seconds — click here for a script and the number.

The media is taking notice of our partnership with Sen. Al Franken on this issue — and the nearly 5,000 calls PCCC and Credo Action members have put into Senate offices. Here are a few recent headlines about our campaign:

CBS: “Franken, Progressive Groups Begin Whip Campaign For Elizabeth Warren”
Talking Points Memo: “Al Franken Leads Campaign to Whip Support for Elizabeth Warren”
Minnesota Independent: “Franken whips up support for Elizabeth Warren appointment”
Huffington Post: “PCCC bombing Senate with Elizabeth Warren calls”
Washington Post: “Big mo? Two more Senators call on Obama to appoint Elizabeth Warren”

Help us keep the momentum going. Ask Sens. Murray and Cantwell to join Durbin, Levin, Franken, and 12 other senators in saying that if the President appoints Warren to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, they will vote yes.

Click here for a script and the number.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

–Julia Rosen, Jason Rosenbaum, Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, and the PCCC team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress in Session -The House of Representative is


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 10, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

The procedural vote on HR1586 in the House of Representatives is taking place right now ..a Vote to help Teachers, Govt workers, Firefighters and 1st Responders..it extends the stimulus money to help states pay Medicaid and is a 26Billion dollar Bill. I have to say how distasteful it is to know that even 4 in the Democratic Party felt bold enough to vote against HR1586 the vote moves it forward and a vote to debate is now on the floor as well as a possibility that they may have to come back another day…following that if HR1586 passes the bill goes to President Obama asap.

HR1586 passes 247-161 vote with the ugly truth that 3 in the Democratic Party voting No and will go to the desk of the President. The House also passed the 600million for security on the border and now are adjourned until Sept 14th

.

3:26 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 308. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2010.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Hastings (FL) moved that the House do now adjourn.

H.R. 1586:

to impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients

3:25 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 247 – 161 (Roll no. 518).

3:01 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 1606, the House proceeded with one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled, on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1586.

1:48 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:46 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: 229 – 173 (Roll no. 517).

1:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:38 P.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of the United States in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:37 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 244 – 164 (Roll no. 516).

1:18 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:17 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H.Res. 1606, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

12:39 P.M. –

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE – Pursuant to clause 1 of rule IX, Mr. Rangel rose to a point of personal privilege and was recognized by the Chair to proceed for one hour.

On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 163 (Roll no. 515).

12:13 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

12:12 P.M. –

The Chair announced that the pending question is will the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the House?

Mr. Price (GA) moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair.

11:59 A.M. –

Pursuant to a previous special order, Mr. Price (GA) rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. The Clerk completed the reading of the submitted resolution and upon examination of the resolution, the Chair announced that the resolution did not constitute a question of the privileges of the House.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

11:58 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1606, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 1606 until a time to be announced.

10:55 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1606

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 6080:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

10:54 A.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 voice vote.

10:15 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6080.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Price (NC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

10:14 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:02 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.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kagen to 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.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Charles Gallagher, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Washington, DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of August 10.

9:24 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. today.

9:00 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 10:00 a.m. for the start of legislative business.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.