Supreme Court Could Kill Collective Bargaining Rights
Anti-worker forces are at it again. In 2011, they worked alongside right-wing governors to push through sneak attacks on our collective bargaining rights. In 2012, they passed destructive “right to work” bills. Now they’re poised to eradicate the rights of home care workers to band together for a voice on the job.
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, a group with a political agenda to weaken the power of working people, is challenging the right of public home care providers to collectively bargain. This extremist right-wing group with ties to the ultra-conservative Koch Brothers and ALEC has brought the case (Harris v. Quinn) all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the Roberts court – which has ruled in favor of corporations time and time again – we’re hoping for the best, but we’re bracing for the worst.
The timing is urgent. The Supreme Court will issue a decision in the coming weeks – and possibly as early as this Monday! Sign our petition to stand with care workers now!
If the right wing has no shame about attacking teachers and firefighters, we shouldn’t be surprised they’re trying to strip hardworking care workers of their rights. Home care workers are truly everyday heroes. From administering medicine to preparing meals, they allow millions of seniors and people with disabilities to live independently at home with dignity and respect. If a bad ruling comes down, it will make it easier for home care workers to lose hard-won gains in hours, benefits, training opportunities and wages – and compromise their ability to provide the life-changing care that our loved ones deserve.
These frontline care providers, who are predominantly women, have been fighting to improve their insufficient job standards through years of campaigning. Hundreds of thousands of these caregivers have now earned collective bargaining rights, and nearly two million home care workers finally secured the right to earn a minimum wage and overtime just last year. Now is the moment to raise these workers up – not cut them down.
We all need the freedom to have a voice at work, to speak up for decent jobs and good services. We can’t afford to stay silent.
Everything is at stake. A bad decision could not only hurt care workers directly but will end up negatively impacting families and communities nationwide, compromising care standards at the moment our aging nation needs it most. And if our friends and neighbors can’t join together in strong unions, it will become harder for all workers to gain better wages and benefits, more job security and safer workplaces. This fight belongs to all of us now.
Make your voice heard: Stand with care workers – and against the right wing – today.
Thanks for fighting for what’s right,
Hilary and the entire Jobs With Justice team
the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 6/2 ~~ the House
The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, June 2, 2014.
Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #633, the nomination of Keith M. Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council. There will be 2 minutes of debate prior a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Harper nomination.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the order listed:
– Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided); and
– Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).
At 5:33pm, the Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council.
Invoked: 51-37
WRAP UP
Roll Call Vote
1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council; Invoked: 51-37
No Legislative items
No Executive items
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Last Floor Action:5/30
12:02:05 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
| 12:00:16 P.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 12:00:35 P.M. | The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. | |
| 12:00:54 P.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Loren Lasch, St. Patricks Episcopal Church, Washington, DC. | |
| 12:01:55 P.M. | The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 604, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved. | |
| 12:02:05 P.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. |
| 12:03:06 P.M. | The House received a communication from Jim Renacci, Member of Congress. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congressman Renacci notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena, issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, for both documents and testimony in a criminal case, and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he will determine whether compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House. | |
| 12:04:20 P.M. | The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 604.The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on June 5, 2014. |
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the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 5/30 ~~ the House
The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, June 2, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #633, the nomination of Keith M. Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council. There will be 2 minutes of debate prior a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Harper nomination.
During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items in the order listed:
– Executive Calendar #633, Keith Harper, of Maryland, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the UN Human Rights Council (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #755, Sharon Bowen, of New York, to be a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (up to 8 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #691, Mark G. Mastroianni, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #692,Bruce Howe Hendricks, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of South Carolina (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided);
– Executive Calendar #733, Tanya S. Chutkan, of the District of Columbia, to be United States District Judge for the District of Columbia (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate equally divided); and
– Executive Calendar #798, Sylvia Mathews Burwell, of West Virginia, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).
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Last Floor Action:5/30
12:42:41 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.
The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 2, 2014.
| 9:00:22 A.M. | The House convened, starting a new legislative day. | |
| 9:00:27 A.M. | Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. | |
| 9:01:59 A.M. | The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Wilson (SC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Wilson (SC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. | |
| 9:02:23 A.M. | PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kilmer to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. | |
| 9:02:40 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. | |
| 9:16:14 A.M. | H. Res. 604 | Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 604 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4745) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4681) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.” |
| 9:22:50 A.M. | H. Res. 604 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 604. |
| 9:49:32 A.M. | H. Res. 604 | The previous question was ordered without objection. |
| 9:49:37 A.M. | H. Res. 604 | On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 9:49:43 A.M. | H. Res. 604 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 9:51:04 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 604. H.R. 4681 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.” |
| 9:51:09 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | All points of order against consideration of the bills are waived. General debate shall not exceed one hour, after debate the bills shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute for H.R. 4681, an amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Rules Committee Print 113-45 shall be considered as an original bill. No amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be made in order except those printed in the report. |
| 9:51:46 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 604 and Rule XVIII. |
| 9:51:47 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Chairman of the Committee. |
| 9:52:02 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4681. |
| 10:33:25 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | Amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Rogers (MI), printed in House Report 113-465 consisting of amendments numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 11. |
| 10:33:45 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 604, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Rogers (MI) en bloc amendment no. 1. |
| 10:43:41 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | On agreeing to the Rogers (MI) amendments Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 10:43:50 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Franks (AZ), numbered 6 printed in House Report 113-465 to require a report from DNI on the threat posed by man-made electromagnetic pulse weapons to United States interests through 2025, including threats from foreign countries and foreign non-State actors. |
| 10:43:56 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 604, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Franks (AZ) amendment no. 6. |
| 10:52:32 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | On agreeing to the Franks (AZ) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 10:52:48 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Poe (TX), numbered 7 printed in House Report 113-465 to require the DNI to submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a comprehensive strategy to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaeda, its affiliated groups, associated groups, and adherents. The amendment also requests that the report include the Administration’s definitions of al-Qaeda core, affiliated groups, associated groups, and adherents. |
| 10:52:51 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 604, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Poe (TX) amendment no. 7. |
| 10:57:34 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | On agreeing to the Poe (TX) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 10:57:55 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | An amendment, offered by Mr. Gallego, numbered 9 printed in House Report 113-465 to require the Director of National Intelligence–in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Secretary of Homeland Security–to submit recommendations to Congress for retraining (a) veterans and (b) retired members of the intelligence community in cybersecurity. |
| 10:57:58 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 604, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gallego amendment no. 9. |
| 11:04:28 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | On agreeing to the Gallego amendment; Agreed to by voice vote. |
| 11:04:53 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4681. |
| 11:05:20 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. |
| 11:05:53 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. |
| 11:07:49 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent). |
| 11:08:07 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bishop (NY) 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 to ensure that the intelligence community continues to protect the United States from Chinese and other state sponsored computer theft by requiring that it: 1) consistent with existing law, immediately inform corporations and internet providers of any computer breaches and the steps necessary to combat further intrusion; 2) coordinate with other Federal agencies to protect the United States infrastructure; and 3) assist the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies, including supporting allies of the United States in efforts to punish and sanction individuals and government that perpetrate espionage and identity theft. |
| 11:15:36 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. |
| 11:46:26 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 183 – 220 (Roll no. 270). |
| 11:54:07 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | On passage Passed by recorded vote: 345 – 59 (Roll no. 271). |
| 11:54:07 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 11:54:14 A.M. | UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal on which further proceedings had been postponed. | |
| 11:54:27 A.M. | On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote. | |
| 11:55:08 A.M. | H.R. 4681 | The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4681. |
| 11:55:49 A.M. | Mr. Rogers (MI) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, May 30, 2014, it adjourn to meet at 12 noon on Monday, June 2, 2014. Agreed to without objection. | |
| 11:57:25 A.M. | ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches. | |
| 12:15:46 P.M. | SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches. | |
| 12:42:32 P.M. | Mr. Royce moved that the House do now adjourn. | |
| 12:42:40 P.M. | On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. | |
| 12:42:41 P.M. | The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 2, 2014. |
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the Amazon
Chainsaws and bulldozers are devouring the Amazon rainforest — home to jaguars, parrots, and sloths.
Can you chip in $5 today to protect the Amazon and other threatened ecosystems worldwide?
We’re just $7,000 away from our goal!

An area bigger than the state of Texas is missing from the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
A place where jaguars, parrots, and sloths used to roam, fly, and climb — where hundreds of indigenous groups once lived — is gone. The result of decades of man made destruction.





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