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Pass the Middle-Class Tax Cuts


 

 
 
 
 
whitehouse has uploaded Tiffany – We All Agree, Pass The Middle Class Tax Cuts.
 
 
 
Tiffany – We All Agree, Pass The Middle Class Tax Cuts
 
“I’ve got a mandate to help middle-class families and families that are working hard to try to get into the middle class. That’s my mandate. That’s what the American people said. They said: Work really hard to help us.”
– President Obama, November 14th 2012Right now, working really hard to help the middle class means keeping taxes low for 98% of American families who are otherwise staring down a $2,000 tax increase on January 1 — if Congress doesn’t act.

This debate is about you, so it ought to feature your voices.

And right now, working really hard to help the middle class means keeping taxes low for 98% of American families who are otherwise staring down a $2,000 tax increase on January 1 — if Congress doesn’t act.
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A Hug from the President


The White House

 
A Hug from the President

President Obama hugs Vice President Biden following remarks at McCormick Place in Chicago on November 6th, 2012. First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia join them on-stage.

President Barack Obama hugs Vice President Joe Biden following his election night remarks at a reception at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 6, 2012. Joining them on stage are First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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Walmart workers plan to strike on Black Friday


Walmart has responded to workers voicing legitimate concerns with harsh retaliation.

Walmart: Always Low Wages

Demand that Walmart’s Board meet with workers and improve working conditions:

Add Your Voice

Retail workers at Walmart stores nationwide recently went on strike — for the first time in the megastore’s 50-year history.1

Unless Walmart takes immediate steps to improve basic working conditions, workers throughout the company’s vast operations — from factories and warehouses to retail stores — will participate in a massive walkout on Friday, November 23. “Black Friday” is traditionally the most important shopping day of the year for retailers, comprising upwards of 20-40% of their annual sales.2

Black workers comprise nearly 20% of Walmart’s workforce. By supporting Walmart workers in the fight for good jobs and a decent working environment, we can help raise the standard for the entire retail industry and show Walmart executives that there’s a price to pay for exploiting its workforce.

Please stand with Walmart workers fighting for humane working conditions: tell Walmart’s Board of Directors to put an end to endemic retaliation, wage discrimination and worker abuse.

Walmart is the largest retailer in the world and claims to be the largest employer of Black workers in the United States.3 With Black unemployment at 14.3%,4 many in our communities are increasingly reliant upon Walmart for employment — particularly where the retail giant has actively worked to price out smaller competitors.

Yet landing a job at Walmart is hardly a guarantee of a steady paycheck. More often, Walmart jobs serve to keep members of our community in poverty. Wages averaging $8.81/hour add up to just $15,576/year for a full-time employee.5 And even this level of remuneration is out of reach for many — Walmart routinely keeps workers from getting enough hours during the week, and arbitrarily switches up available hours to prevent workers from seeking supplemental employment elsewhere.6 It’s no accident that Walmart consistently has the largest number of employees who rely on public assistance.7

For over a year now, workers have been calling on Walmart to reform the company’s notoriously exploitative practices with regard to wages, scheduling, benefits and workplace safety. Walmart’s response has been ruthless. Workers brave enough to speak up have been slapped with retaliatory disciplinary actions including cutbacks on hours and even firings, while the company and Walton family continue rake in massive profits off the backs millions of low-wage workers.8

Privately-held Walmart has made the Waltons extraordinarily wealthy — this one family controls a fortune equal to the wealth of the bottom 42% of Americans combined.9 Yet the Waltons have refused to take even the most modest steps to address the yawning inequality driven by Walmart’s labor practices. Walmart could take action today to raise wages to $12/hour10 — substantially improving the lives of its lowest-paid hourly workers, 72% of whom are women11 — if there were political will to end the company’s culture of worker abuse.

What happens at Walmart has ramifications far beyond the walls of any of its stores. To date, Walmart has set the standard for driving down wages and maximizing profits. Instituting positive change at Walmart could effectively transform the retail industry and improve working conditions for millions of Americans.

Please join us to demand that Walmart’s Board meet with workers, and take immediate steps to implement fair pay and working conditions. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and peace,

— Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Aimée, Kim, Johnny and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
November 15th, 2012

References

1. “Walmart Strikes Mark New Chapter In Labor’s Fight With Mega-Retailer,” Huffington Post, 10-15-12
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/15/walmart-strikes-_n_1968095.html

2. “Holiday FAQ,” National Retail Federation, accessed on 11-13-12
http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=1140

3. “Will Black Friday Be Blue for Wal-Mart?,” The Root, 10-13-12
http://www.theroot.com/views/why-black-friday-might-be-blue-walmart

4. “Employment status of the civilian population by race, sex, and age,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11-02-12
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm

5. “Fact Sheet: Wages,” Making Change at Walmart, accessed on 11-14-12
http://makingchangeatwalmart.org/factsheet/walmart-watch-fact-sheets/fact-sheet-wages/

6. “Some Walmart workers want better wages, affordable benefits,” USA Today, 06-08-12
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/story/2012-06-05/walmart-workers-air-complaints/55450634/1

7. “Hidden Taxpayer Costs: Disclosures of Employers Whose Workers and Their Dependents are Using State Health Insurance Programs,” Good Jobs First, 01-18-12
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/corporate-subsidy-watch/hidden-taxpayer-costs

8. “Wal-Mart punishes its workers,” Salon, 07-26-12
http://www.salon.com/2012/07/26/walmart_plays_dirty_again/singleton

9. “Walmart Worker Speaks Out: Raise the Minimum Wage to Get My Vote,” Huffington Post, 08-03-12
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcus-edgerson/walmart-worker-speaks-out_b_1734556.html

10. “Living Wage Policies and Big-Box Retail,” UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education, 04-01-12 (.pdf)
http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/retail/bigbox_livingwage_policies11.pdf

11. “Everyday Discrimination: Why the Wal-Mart sex-bias lawsuit is the most important case the Supreme Court will hear this year,” Slate, 03-28-11
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2011/03/everyday_discrimination.html

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CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate … Dems


November 13  Senate WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to proceed to S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act; Adopted: 92-5

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and passed H.R.4114, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012.

Concurred in the House message to accompany S.743, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012.

Adopted S.Res.591, a resolution recognizing Raymond Weeks and the celebration of Veterans Day.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

—————————————————————————–

Last Floor Action:
7:34:39 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 14, 2012

2:00:38 P.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
2:00:42 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:31 P.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:40 P.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:03:07 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:11:35 P.M.   UNITED STATES-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION – Pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), amended by the Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, the Minority Leader reappointed Mr. Michael Wessel of Falls Church, Virginia, to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
2:12:56 P.M.   approximately 5:00 p.m. today.
5:02:05 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 13.
5:02:10 P.M.   The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
5:02:21 P.M. S. 1956 Mr. Mica moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1956 — “To prohibit operators of civil aircraft of the United States from participating in the European Union’s emissions trading scheme, and for other purposes.”
5:02:45 P.M. S. 1956 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:02:50 P.M. S. 1956 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1956.
5:38:27 P.M. S. 1956 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:38:42 P.M. S. 1956 <Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:39:15 P.M. H.R. 6371 <MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6371 — “To amend title 40, United States Code, to transfer certain functions from the General Accountability Office to the Department of Labor relating to the processing of claims for the payment of workers who were not paid appropriate wages under certain provisions of such title.”
5:39:32 P.M. H.R. 6371 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:39:34 P.M. H.R. 6371 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6371.
5:48:25 P.M. H.R. 6371 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.
5:49:03 P.M. H.R. 6586 Mr. Palazzo moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6586 — “To extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014.”
5:49:17 P.M. H.R. 6586 Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:49:19 P.M. H.R. 6586 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6586.
6:06:15 P.M. H.R. 6586 At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Palazzo objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
6:06:20 P.M.   The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on November 13, 2012 at 4:18 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4114, without amendment.
6:07:36 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:28 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 13.
6:31:15 P.M.   <MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Dreier filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 808.
6:32:18 P.M.   had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:32:31 P.M. H.R. 6371 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6371 — “To amend title 40, United States Code, to transfer certain functions from the General Accountability Office to the Department of Labor relating to the processing of claims for the payment of workers who were not paid appropriate wages under certain provisions of such title.”
6:53:17 P.M. H.R. 6371 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 – 3 (Roll no. 604).
6:53:18 P.M. H.R. 6371 <>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:55:05 P.M.   The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the House a scanned copy of a letter received from Mr. Christopher M. Thomas, Director of Elections, Department of State, State of Michigan, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held November 6, 2012, the Honorable David Curson was elected Representative to Congress for the Eleventh Congressional District, State of Michigan.
6:56:07 P.M.   The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the House a facsimile copy of a letter received from the Honorable Sam Reed, Washington Secretary of State, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held November 6, 2012, the Honorable Suzan DelBene was elected Representative to Congress for the First Congressional District, State of Washington.
6:56:38 P.M.   State of Kentucky, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held November 6, 2012, the Honorable Thomas Massie was elected Representative to Congress for the Fourth Congressional District, State of Kentucky.
6:57:05 P.M.   Mr. John D. Dingell asked unanimous consent that Representative-elect David Alan Curson be permitted to take the oath of office on November 13, 2012. Mr. Dingell stated that the certificate of election had not arrived, but there was no contest and no question was raised with regard to the election. Agreed to without objection .
6:57:10 P.M.   Mr. Norman D. Dicks asked unanimous consent that Representative-elect Suzan K. DelBene be permitted to take the oath of office on November 13, 2012. Mr. Dicks stated that the certificate of election had not arrived, but there was no contest and no question was raised with regard to the election. Agreed to without objection .
6:57:28 P.M.   Mr. Harold Rogers asked unanimous consent that Representative-elect Thomas Massie be permitted to take the oath of office on November 13, 2012. Mr. Rogers (KY) stated that the certificate of election had not arrived, but there was no contest and no question was raised with regard to the election. Agreed to without objection .
6:58:18 P.M.   OATH OF OFFICE – Representative-Elect David Allen Curson, Eleventh District, State of Michigan, Representative-Elect Suzan K. DelBene, First District, State of Washington, and Representative-Elect Thomas Massie, Fourth District, State of Kentucky, presented themselves in the well of the House for the purpose of taking the Oath of Office which was administered by the Speaker of the House.
7:00:19 P.M.   Representatives Curson, DelBene, and Massie each, in turn, were recognized to address the House following the administration of the Oath-of-Office.
7:16:29 P.M.   the whole number of the House is 433.
7:22:42 P.M. H.R. 6586 Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6586 — “To extend the application of certain space launch liability provisions through 2014.”
7:22:59 P.M. H.R. 6586 >On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
7:23:14 P.M. H.R. 6586 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:25:50 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:34:04 P.M.   Mr. Yoder moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:34:38 P.M.   On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:34:39 P.M.   <The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 14, 2012.