Honeybees, native bees, and other pollinators are responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat. Many fruits and vegetables, including apples, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, and broccoli, as well as almonds and coffee, rely on bees. These beneficial insects are critical in maintaining our diverse food supply.

U.S. beekeepers have been consistently losing 40-100% of their hives. Widespread use of a new class of toxic pesticides, neonicotinoids, is a significant contributing factor. In addition to killing bees outright, research has shown, even low levels of these dangerous pesticides impair bees’ ability to learn, to find their way back to the hive, to collect food, to produce new queens, and to mount an effective immune response.

Already, 15 countries have imposed a two-year restriction on the use of several of these chemicals. However, the EPA continues to ignore scientists—even those employed by the EPA—and has delayed action until 2018.

We request an immediate moratorium on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Bees can’t wait five more years—they are dying now. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the power and responsibility to protect our pollinators. Our nation’s food system depends on it.

Europe has already fought back against powerful chemical companies and took a big step to protect bees by putting into effect a ban of the top bee-killing “neonic” pesticides. Now it’s our turn!

Bees are critical in producing the majority of our food crops, and the evidence is mounting that Bayer and Syngenta’s pesticides are a key contributor to mass bee die-offs. However, the EPA continues to ignore scientists—even those employed by the EPA—and has delayed action until 2018.

But the bees can’t wait—and neither can we!

U.S. beekeepers have been consistently losing 40-100% of their hives, and are likely facing yet another season of historic bee die-offs.

We can’t let the EPA wait another five years to address this crisis. Please take action today and tell the EPA to ban bee-killing pesticides.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Peter Stocker

This petition was created on MoveOn’s online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. Friends of the Earth didn’t pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

the Senate CONGRESS 5/6 the House

05/06/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the time until 11:00am will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

At 11:00am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

The Senate will recess subject to the call of the Chair at 12:30pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings and the official photograph of the 113^th Congress. If cloture is invoked on the motion to proceed to S.2262, the time during the recess will count post-cloture.

For the information of all Senators, the official photograph of the 113^th Congress will be at 2:15pm.

This morning, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the order listed:

Executive Calendar l#655, Indira Talwani, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours equally divided);

Executive Calendar #656, James Peterson, of Wisconsin, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin (up to 2 hours equally divided);

Executive Calendar #657, Nancy Rosenstengel, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois (up to 2 hours equally divided); and

Executive Calendar #690, Robin S. Rosenbaum, of Florida, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 11^th Circuit (up to30 hours).

Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture vote on the Talwani nomination would occur at a time to be determined on Thursday, May 8. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 2 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Upon disposition of the Talwani nomination, the Senate would proceed to a cloture vote on the Peterson nomination. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 2 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the Peterson nomination. Upon disposition of that nomination, there would be a cloture vote on the Rosenstengel nomination. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 2 hours for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the Rosenstengel nomination. Then the Senate would proceed to a cloture vote on the Rosenbaum nomination. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the Rosenbaum nomination.

The previously scheduled 11:00am vote has been moved to 11:15am today. At 11:15am, there will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate prior to a vote on the motion to proceed. If all time is used, the post-cloture debate would end in the 5:30pm range Wednesday, May 7.

11:15am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

Invoked: 79-20

Senator Leahy asked unanimous consent to take up and pass Calendar #162, S.933, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act. Senator Coburn objected.

By voice vote, the Senate adopted S.Res.433, a resolution condemning the abduction of female students by armed militants from the Government Girls Secondary School in the northeastern province of Borno in the Federal Republic of Nigeria

By consent, the Senate will recess from 5:30pm until 6:30pm tonight to allow for a Members-only briefing on Ukraine. The time during the recess will count post-cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2262, Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2014

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act; Invoked: 79-20

Additional Legislative Items

Adopted S.Res.433, a resolution condemning the abduction of female students by armed militants from the Government Girls Secondary School in the northeastern province of Borno in the Federal Republic of Nigeria by voice vote.

Passed H.R.4192 , To amend the Act entitled “An Act to regulate the height of buildings in the District of Columbia” to clarify the rules of the District of Columbia regarding human occupancy of penthouses above the top story of the building upon which the penthouse is placed

Adopted S.Res.438, Congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and administrators of charter schools across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and supporting the ideals and goals of the 15^th annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 4 through May 10, 2014.

Adopted S.Res.439, Supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

Executive Business

Senator Reid filed cloture on the following nominations in the order listed:

Executive Calendar l#655, Indira Talwani, of Massachusetts, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts (up to 2 hours equally divided);

Executive Calendar #656, James Peterson, of Wisconsin, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin (up to 2 hours equally divided);

Executive Calendar #657, Nancy Rosenstengel, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois (up to 2 hours equally divided); and

Executive Calendar #690, Robin S. Rosenbaum, of Florida, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 11^th Circuit (up to30 hours).

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

Last Floor Action:
5:41:35 P.M. -H.R. 4292
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4292.

Last Floor Action:
12:12:22 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:00:36 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:42 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable John Abney Culberson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:04 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.
12:12:22 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:00:36 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:42 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable John Abney Culberson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:04 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.
12:12:22 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:02 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 6.
2:00:05 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:27 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Courtney 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. Courtney demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
2:02:05 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:21 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:10:00 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 May 5, 2014 at 5:19 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to S. Res. 436.
2:10:01 P.M.		National Commission on Hunger – Pursuant to section 743(b)(3) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76), the Minority Leader appointed Dr. Deborah Alice Frank, MD, Brookline MA and William Howard Shore, Boston,MA.
2:10:03 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 May 6, 2014 at 10:22 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4120.
2:11:23 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
4:30:14 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 6.
4:31:00 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:33:06 P.M.	H.R. 3584	Mrs. Capito moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3584 — “To amend the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize privately insured credit unions to become members of a Federal home loan bank, and for other purposes.”
4:33:23 P.M.	H.R. 3584	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:33:26 P.M.	H.R. 3584	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3584.
4:47:45 P.M.	H.R. 3584	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.
4:48:31 P.M.	H.R. 2672	Mrs. Capito moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2672 — “To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to provide for an application process for interested parties to apply for a county to be designated as a rural area, and for other purposes.”
4:48:51 P.M.	H.R. 2672	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:48:53 P.M.	H.R. 2672	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2672.
5:09:25 P.M.	H.R. 2672	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:09:32 P.M.	H.R. 2672	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
5:09:40 P.M.	H.R. 4386	Mrs. Capito moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4386 — “To allow the Secretary of the Treasury to rely on State examinations for certain financial institutions, and for other purposes.”
5:09:53 P.M.	H.R. 4386	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:09:55 P.M.	H.R. 4386	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4386.
5:20:27 P.M.	H.R. 4386	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:22:13 P.M.	H.R. 3329	Mrs. Capito moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3329 — “To enhance the ability of community financial institutions to foster economic growth and serve their communities, boost small businesses, increase individual savings, and for other purposes.”
5:22:29 P.M.	H.R. 3329	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:22:39 P.M.	H.R. 3329	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3329.
5:30:47 P.M.	H.R. 3329	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:31:30 P.M.	H.R. 3468	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3468 — “To amend the Federal Credit Union Act to extend insurance coverage to amounts held in a member account on behalf of another person, and for other purposes.”
5:31:46 P.M.	H.R. 3468	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:31:48 P.M.	H.R. 3468	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3468.
5:40:46 P.M.	H.R. 3468	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:41:09 P.M.	H.R. 4292	Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4292 — “To amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify the exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title.”
5:41:32 P.M.	H.R. 4292	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:41:35 P.M.	H.R. 4292	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4292.

5:54:47 P.M.	H.R. 4292	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.
5:55:00 P.M.	H.R. 2919	Mr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2919 — “To amend titles 5 and 28, United States Code, to require annual reports to Congress on, and the maintenance of databases on, awards of fees and other expenses to prevailing parties in certain administrative proceedings and court cases to which the United States is a party, and for other purposes.”
5:55:11 P.M.	H.R. 2919	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:55:14 P.M.	H.R. 2919	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2919.
6:10:28 P.M.	H.R. 2919	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
6:10:40 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:41 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 6.
6:30:47 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules and on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, all of which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:05 P.M.	H.R. 4292	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4292 — “To amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify the exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title.”
6:31:22 P.M.	H.R. 4292	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Roll Call 194 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending.

6:57:59 P.M.	H.R. 4292	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 194).
6:58:05 P.M.	H.R. 3584	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3584 — “To amend the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to authorize privately insured credit unions to become members of a Federal home loan bank, and for other purposes.”
7:05:53 P.M.	H.R. 3584	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 195).
7:13:00 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 196).
7:16:45 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

8:47:03 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
9:48:22 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 6.
9:48:35 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 568 and H. Res. 569.
9:49:09 P.M.		Mr. Nugent moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:49:29 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:49:40 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 7, 2014.

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Reach Higher

05/05/2014 Nativegrl77

Today, at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the First Lady announced the Reach Higher initiative — an effort to inspire more young people to take control of their future through higher education.

The initiative will focus on things like financial aid, summer learning opportunities, and college visits, to help more students get into college and go all the way.

Learn more about the Reach Higher initiative, and find out how you can get involved.

First Lady Michelle Obama touches the famed piece of Hokie Stone that football players touch as she goes onto Worsham Field to attend the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) commencement at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., May 11, 2012. (Official White

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama at the 2014 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

05/05/2014 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS the House

05/05/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, May 5, 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 and there will be up to 2 roll call votes:

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #575, Nancy L. Moritz, of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit and

– Confirmation of Executive Calendar #703 Peter A. Selfridge, of Minnesota, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service.

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.2262, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

5:33pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #575, Nancy L. Moritz, of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit;

Confirmed: 90-3

Executive Calendar #703 Peter A. Selfridge, of Minnesota, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service, was confirmed by voice vote

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

Senator Klobuchar asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #316, S.149, Stopping Tax Offenders and Prosecuting Identity Theft Act of 2013.

Senator Cruz reserved his right to object and asked consent to take up S.2066 and S.2067, en bloc. Senator Klobuchar objected. Senator Cruz objected to the original request.

S.2066 is a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the intentional discrimination of a person or organization by an employee of the Internal Revenue Service.

S.2067 is a bill to prohibit the Department of the Treasury from assigning tax statuses to organizations based on their political beliefs and activities.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #575, Nancy L. Moritz, of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit; Confirmed: 90-3

Legislative items

Passed H.R.4120, a bill to amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to extend the termination date.

Adopted S.Res.434, a resolution electing Andrew B. Willison as the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.

Adopted S.Res.435, a resolution notifying the President of the United States of the election of Andrew B. Willison as the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.

Adopted S.Res.436, a resolution notifying the House of Representatives of the United States of the election of Andrew B. Willison as the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.

Adopted S.Res.437, recognizing the historic significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

Discharged the HELP committee and adopted S.Res.102, expressing support for the designation of Saint Louis, Missouri, as the “National Chess Capital” of the United States to enhance awareness of the educational benefits of chess and to encourage schools and community centers to engage in chess programs to promote problem-solving, critical thinking, special awareness, and goal setting.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2280, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval bill (Hoeven-Landrieu-others) in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

Additional Executive items

Confirmed Executive Calendar #703 Peter A. Selfridge, of Minnesota, to be Chief of Protocol, and to have the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service by voice vote.

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

Last Floor Action:5/2
12:03:47 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on May 6, 2014.

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