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What Americans Believe

01/28/2014 Nativegrl77

Time for An Economy That Works for Everyone

Ahead of tomorrow’s State of the Union address, public polling finds strong support for creating an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few – and that means the creation of more good jobs, more opportunity for those who work hard, and everyone having an opportunity to succeed. Americans understand that income inequality is real – and a real problem.

Here’s what we know Americans believe:

Americans believe both the economy and the government are working for the wealthiest few and not everyone else.

Americans believe we can and should pursue policies to create an economy that works for everyone.

Americans support progressive economic policies that build a strong economy:

Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour enjoys widespread, bipartisan support: 73 percent, including more than half of Republicans.

Extending emergency unemployment benefits also enjoys widespread, bipartisan support: 65 percent, including 65 percent of Independents.

54 percent believe we should increase taxes on the wealthy and corporation specifically to expand programs for the poor. By contrast, only 35 percent believe that “lowering taxes on wealthy people to encourage more investment and economic growth” would do more to reduce poverty.

Americans believe that that we must take action to combat poverty and extend ladders of opportunity to those striving to enter the middle class.

Americans reject conservative arguments of the nature of wealth and poverty in America, namely that the poor are poor because they are lazy or make bad decisions. A majority of Americans also believe that the rich are rich are because of advantages they had, not hard work.

President Obama spoke about these issues last month at the Center for American Progress, calling them the “defining challenge of our time,” and we expect him to address them tomorrow night as well.

For more on what Americans really think about the economy, you can check out our full roundup of recent polling HERE.

BOTTOM LINE: Americans understand that the economy is not working for everyone, support action to increase opportunities for everyone to get ahead, and support the concrete policy proposals that progressives are advocating.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 1/28 the House

01/28/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, post-cloture.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly party caucus meetings.

By consent, time during the adjournment and recess will count post-cloture.

At 9:00pm, the President will deliver the State of the Union Address. All senators are invited to attend the joint session. The Senate will begin gathering in the Senate Chamber at 8:20pm and depart from the Senate Chamber at 8:30pm to proceed as a body to the Hall of the House.

The Senate has passed Calendar #230, S.1302, Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act, as amended by the Harkin-Roberts substitute amendment #2701. By consent, if the Senate receives a bill from the House of Representatives that is identical to the text of S.1302, as passed by the Senate, then the House bill will be read three times and passed, with no intervening action or debate.

WRAP UP

No Roll Call Votes

Legislative Items

Passed S.1302, the Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act with a Committee-reported substitute amendment and a Harkin-Roberts substitute amendment. Additionally, if the Senate receives a bill from the House that is identical to the text of S.1302, the House bill be read three times and passed.

Discharged the HELP committee and adopted S.Res.334, recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1963, a bill to repeal section 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 in order to place the bill on the Legislative Calendar.

No Executive Items

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Last Floor Action:
10:01:06 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate.

At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:00:19 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:51 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:06 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:29:52 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 75 and passed S. 1901.
10:30:25 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with Morning-Hour Debate.
10:50:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:59 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 28.
12:01:03 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:02:25 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Holding 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. Holding demaned the yeas and nays 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.
12:02:53 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Higgins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:06 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:37:12 P.M.	H. Res. 465	By direction of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Foxx called up H. Res. 465 and asked for its immediate consideration.
12:39:16 P.M.	H. Res. 465	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. McGovern raised a point of order against the provisions of H. Res. 465 because it violates the Congressional Budget Act. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H. Res. 465. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the quesiton on consideration.
12:52:42 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On question of consideration of the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
12:53:29 P.M.	H. Res. 465	POINT OF ORDER – Mr. McGovern raised a point of order againist the provisions of H. Res. 465 because it waived all points of order against H.R. 7 and the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H. Res. 465. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.
1:06:11 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On question of consideration of the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
1:06:18 P.M.	H. Res. 465	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 465.

2:53:34 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 194 (Roll no. 26).
3:03:12 P.M.	H. Res. 465	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 192 (Roll no. 27).
3:03:13 P.M.	H. Res. 465	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:03:28 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, on which the Yeas and Nays were ordered and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:11:11 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 260 – 142, 3 Present (Roll no. 28).
3:12:45 P.M.	H.R. 7	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 465. H.R. 7 — “To prohibit taxpayer funded abortions.”
3:12:50 P.M.	H.R. 7	The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7, under a closed rule with one hour of debate on the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 113-33 shall be considered as adopted. Also the rule provides for consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642.
3:13:45 P.M.	H.R. 7	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 7.
4:29:30 P.M.	H.R. 7	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:30:10 P.M.	H.R. 7	Ms. Moore moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
4:30:29 P.M.	H.R. 7	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moore motion to recommit with instructions, pending the reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add language to the bill prohibiting authorization of any party to violate the medical privacy of any woman with respect to her choice of or use of comprehensive health insurance coverage. The reservation of a point of order was subsequently withdrawn.
4:39:14 P.M.	H.R. 7	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:05:32 P.M.	H.R. 7	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 192 – 221, 1 Present (Roll no. 29).
5:13:42 P.M.	H.R. 7	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 188, 1 Present (Roll no. 30).
5:13:43 P.M.	H.R. 7	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:14:24 P.M.	S. 1901	Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
5:14:24 P.M.	S. 1901	Considered by unanimous consent. S. 1901 — “To authorize the President to extend the term of the nuclear energy agreement with the Republic of Korea until March 19, 2016.”
5:14:50 P.M.	S. 1901	On passage Passed without objection.
5:14:52 P.M.	S. 1901	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:15:14 P.M.		Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Agreed to without objection.
5:15:40 P.M.		House Democracy Partnership – Pursuant to Section 4(b) of H. Res. 5, 113th Congress, the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the House Democracy Partnership: Mr. Price of NC, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Farr, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mrs. Davis of CA, Ms. Moore, Mr. McDermott and Ms. Titus.
5:18:36 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 8:35 P.M. today at which time the House will meet in Joint Session with the Senate to receive a communication from the President of the United States on the subject of the state of the Union.

8:41:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 28.
8:41:30 P.M.		JOINT SESSION – The House convened in Joint Session with the Senate for the purpose of receiving an address from the President of the United States on the subject of the state of the Union.
10:25:00 P.M.		JOINT SESSION DISSOLVED – The Speaker declared the Joint Session of the two Houses dissolved.
10:26:00 P.M.		Mr. Cantor moved that the President’s message be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered printed as a House document (H.Doc. 113-82). Agreed to without objection.
10:27:00 P.M.		Mr. Cantor moved that the House do now adjourn.
10:27:10 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
10:27:15 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on January 29, 2014.

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What if every president did this?

01/27/2014 Nativegrl77

FEATURED

What if every president did this?

On Tuesday we’re offering a special, enhanced version of President Obama’s State of the Union address that you won’t find anywhere else. Featuring graphics and charts that’ll lay out the case for making 2014 a year of action, it’s the best way for you to get the smartest take.

Which got us thinking: What if other presidents had an enhanced version of their State of the Union address?

Here’s what we think that might look like — watch, then RSVP to watch on Tuesday for the real deal:

HERE’S WHAT ELSE YOU MISSED THIS WEEK

A Big Block of Cheese

In an homage — or fromage — to President Andrew Jackson’s 1837 open house, which featured a 1,400 lb. block of cheese, White House officials are answering your questions on social media. Make sure you take part this Wednesday, following the State of the Union:

Join a Virtual Road Trip

President Obama’s taking a virtual road trip this Friday to answer questions from across the country, and we want you to come along for the ride. Find out how to join us on Google+.

Taking Over Instagram

All this week, White House officials have been taking over our Instagram feed to take you #InsideSOTU. Check out some of the photos below, and follow us on Instagram to see what’s in store for the week ahead:

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1,600,000 And Counting…

01/27/2014 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

Bring the Unemployed in From the Cold

renewui2

The number of Americans who have lost their unemployment benefits is huge…and growing.

Today, we will hit the 1.6 million mark for the number of people who have been cut off from emergency unemployment benefits since December 28. That is 1.6 million Americans whose financial security, and in many cases their children’s financial security, is in jeopardy because Republicans in Congress have failed to act.

Last week, a majority of Senators voted to extend these benefits. But because of Republican obstruction, it didn’t pass the filibuster-proof 60 vote threshold. In fact, as shown below, many of the Republicans who voted against renewing unemployment benefits come from states where it is especially needed.

renewui

Not only did these and other Republican Senators vote against the unemployed in their states, they also voted against the will of a vast majority of Americans. Poll after poll (after poll!), including the latest from CBS News released yesterday, finds up to seven in 10 Americans want to extend unemployment insurance benefits for those that lost them when they expired at the end of 2013.

Meanwhile, Republican grandees gathered at the winter meeting of the Republican National Committee actually voted to call for an end to a successful crackdown on wealthy tax dodgers in order to help, as they explained it, raise more money from wealthy Americans living abroad. It’s no wonder that 63 percent of Americans believe the policies pushed by Republicans in Congress favor the wealthy, while just 9 percent think they favor the middle class.

BOTTOM LINE: Profits at the biggest banks may have bounced back to record highs, but the economy is still not working for too many struggling families. Letting the extended, emergency unemployment benefits lapse through the next year would cost us 240,000 jobs and slash economic growth. It already drained $400 million from state economies in the first week alone. We can’t afford for Republicans to oppose this vital program that would support their state economies and extend lifeline for those looking for work.

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FDA is targeting … Trans Fat

01/27/2014 Nativegrl77

FDA Targets Trans Fat in Processed Foods

11/07/2013 09:30 AM EST

FDA is targeting partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the major source in processed foods of artificial trans fat, which has been linked to heart disease. These oils have been used for decades to increase the shelf life and flavor stability of foods.

The agency is taking steps that, if finalized, could mean the end of industrially producedtrans fat in foods. It is estimated that further reduction of trans fat in the food supply could prevent as much as 20,000 heart attacks each year.

Read this Consumer Update to learn more.