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Richard Martinez, Everytown for Gun Safety


We surprised Florida lawmakers on Monday by dropping off 12,000 postcards at their doorstep with a powerful message: No guns in our schools — period.Everytown for Gun Safety 

I flew to Tallahassee for this event because this fight is personal for me. My son, Christopher, was shot and killed near UC Santa Barbara last year. I was honored to stand with dozens of other parents this week and ask lawmakers to keep our schools and campus communities safe.

I wanted to share these photos from the advocacy day and thank you for everything you’ve done to support this fight. If you would like to continue fueling this important work to keep guns out of our schools, please consider making a gift to help Stop Crazytown now.

Make a Gift
A staffer in the state legislature accepts postcards signed by constituents.

Make a Gift
Moms, survivors, law enforcement, educators, and students all gather in front of the capitol.

Make a Gift
Florida A&M University Police Chief Terence Calloway: “Forcing colleges and universities to allow concealed handguns on campus is a perfect way to … turn our communities into dangerous, risky places to be.”

Make a Gift
More than a dozen TV stations and newspapers covered the TV ad we’re airing across Florida.

 

Make a Gift

In total, the NRA is pushing bills in 24 states that would allow guns on college and university campuses and in K-12 schools. It’s part of their “guns everywhere, for anyone” vision for our country and frankly, it’s Crazytown.

These bills put the safety of our kids and communities at risk — so Everytown and Moms Demand Action are wasting no time fighting back.

If you want to help fight the NRA’s dangerous agenda in states all across the country, please consider making a gift now:

https://donate.everytown.org/donate/Stop-Crazytown-Guns-in-Schools/

At the end of the day, we’re trying to keep our families and communities safe. Your gift — like your energy and activism — will help win this fight.

Thanks for helping to drive this work forward,

Richard Martinez
Santa Barbara, CA

Richard Martinez

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRES 3/11 ~~ the House


beaseedforchangestickersGREEN

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, March 11, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour, with the Democrats controlling the first half and Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.178, a bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking.

Amendments pending to S.178:

  1. Portman amendment #270 (identification and assessment of child victims of sex trafficking)
  2. Portman amendment #271 (definition of “homeless person”)

The Senate has resumed consideration of S.178, a bill to provide justice for the victims of trafficking. Currently 2 Portman amendments are pending to the bill. Discussions on a path forward are ongoing; however, no votes are scheduled at this time.

Senator Toomey asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Toomey amendment #285 (school employee background checks). Senator Brown objected.

Senator Vitter proposed (a second degree) amendment #284 (citizenship) to Portman #271.

 

Amendments pending to S.178:

Amendments pending to S.178:

The Senate will recess from 4-5pm to allow for a Republican conference meeting.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 1:30pm tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

 

  • Executive Calendar #20, Christopher A. Hart, of Colorado, to be Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (roll call vote).
  • Executive Calendar #16, Tho Dinh-Zarr, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (voice vote)

 

There will be 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed. We expect a roll call vote on the Hart nomination and a voice vote on the Dinh-Zarr nomination. If all time is used, the first vote would begin at approximately 2:00pm.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Legislative Business

Executive Business

 

========================================================

Last Floor Action: 3/10
12:02:21 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 134.

The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on March 13, 2015.

12:00:08 P.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:18 P.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:35 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Scott Sina, St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, McLean, VA
12:00:36 P.M. Pursuant to section 2(a) of H. Res. 134, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.
12:01:16 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:21 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 134. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on March 13, 2015.

===========================================================================

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How to Hurt Your State’s Economny


By

Governor Scott Walker Made A Big Mistake By Signing “Right-To-Work” Into Law

Last month, we wrote about how unions were under attack in the Midwest. Well, the war continued today as Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) signed so called “right-to-work” legislation into law in Wisconsin. These laws weaken collective bargaining by banning unions from collecting fees or dues from non-union workers for negotiating contracts on their behalf and representing them in labor disputes. Conservatives like Walker claim that this so-called “freedom-to-work” law will make Wisconsin more competitive, but unfortunately for Wisconsin workers, the opposite is true. In fact, “right-to-work” costs the average full-time worker $1,500 a year in lost wages — whether he or she is in a union or not.

While workers suffer, Walker continues to collect campaign contributions for weakening worker protections, including from the president of the company where he signed the “right-to-work” bill into law.

This graphic tells all you need to know about what his actions really mean for Wisconsin families. And it tells all you need to know about the priorities he would bring to the White House if he were elected.

RTW unions

BOTTOM LINE: Walker is more interested in catering to the extreme right-wing than he is in actually growing Wisconsin’s middle class. Wisconsinites have suffered through Walker’s attacks on the middle class for years, and “right-to-work” is only the latest example of policies that hurt working people and increase inequality. That’s the wrong kind of leadership for America.

 

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Scalise under fire


Republicans claimed their obstruction was due to not having a majority in Congress to accomplish their priorities. But even with control of the House and Senate, Republicans have done nothing to move our country forward.

And what they have done will upset you. Take a look:

Check out what Republicans have been up to these last two months.

They’ve pushed a backwards, partisan agenda — including taking us to the brink of shutting down the Department of Homeland Security.

We have to make sure that Democrats across the country see this video. Will you watch this video and then share with your friends and family to get the truth out?

Let’s hold them accountable for this,

Democrats United

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Want transparent elections in Washington State? Then read (vote deadline TOMORROW):


 

A huge step towards cleaner and fairer elections is being considered by Washington’s state legislature but TOMORROW is the deadline for the Senate to vote on it before it dies.

S.B. 5153 would close the state’s dark money disclosure loophole by requiring certain big campaign spenders to disclose their funding sources.

Please take a moment right now to pick up the phone and urge your state senator to vote YES on S.B. 5153!

David Frockt (360) 786-7690, Jeanne E. Kohl-Welles (360) 786-7670, Sharon K. Nelson (360) 786-7667 or Jamie Pedersen (360) 786-7628

This important transparency bill already has bipartisan support we just need to garner enough support to pass it in the State Senate. Your action now could help expand Washington’s disclosure requirements and strengthen your state’s democracy.

The vote deadline is tomorrow, so please call your state senator NOW!

David Frockt (360) 786-7690, Jeanne E. Kohl-Welles (360) 786-7670, Sharon K. Nelson (360) 786-7667 or Jamie Pedersen (360) 786-7628

Thank you for your continued activism,

— Rio Tazewell, Government By the People Campaign Coordinator

P.S. If for some reason your state senator’s contact information didn’t show up above, call the state legislature hotline at 1-800-562-6000

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