~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Detroit Can’t Catch a Break

08/02/2013 Nativegrl77

How the Tar Sands & the Koch Brothers Are Polluting Detroit

Detroit has not been having an easy time of it lately, but now the Canadian tar sands and the Koch Brothers are making things even worse.

Check out this video of a giant dirty cloud that was filmed drifting over the city last weekend:

It turns out this dirty cloud was made up of petroleum coke or “pet-coke” being illegally stored on behalf of Koch Carbon.

Climate Progress’s Kiley Kroh explains:

The petroleum coke is a high-carbon, high-sulfur byproduct of Canadian tar sands that are shipped from Alberta to Detroit to be refined. The uncovered black pile began building up along the river this year and drew outrage from residents of Detroit and nearby Windsor, Ontario as it grew to over three stories high and a block long.

The pet-coke was produced by Marathon Refinery but is owned by Koch Carbon which is controlled by Charles and David Koch — billionaire industrialists and major backers of a host of ultra-conservative efforts, including several aimed at obstructing action on climate change and impeding progress on clean energy.

According to WXYZ-Detroit, “Detroit Bulk Storage has been receiving shipments of the oil by-product and storing them near the Detroit River but a recent investigation by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says the company broke the law by not getting a permit first.”

And here’s why we should all be concerned about this:

The dangers of petroleum coke — both as a waste product gathering in communities and as an extremely dirty energy source — will only be compounded as increasing amounts of Canadian tar sands are brought into the U.S. to be refined. If, for example, the Obama administration approves the controversial Keystone XL pipeline and facilitates the transport of more tar sands into the country, it will exponentially increase the amount of pet-coke building up around the refinineries — leaving cities like Detroit wondering what to do with the mess it leaves behind.

This single dirty cloud is a good reminder that the tar sands are, well, really, really dirty, whether it’s where they are extracted (a process that produces huge amounts of carbon pollution and other toxic pollutants), in pipelines they spill from, where they are refined, and, of course, when they’re ultimately burned in our cars and trucks and release yet more climate-changing carbon pollution into the atmosphere.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Congressman reduced to scolding nun in order to defend GOP budget.

Since $20 BILLION in cuts just wasn’t cruel enough, new House GOP plan doubles food stamp cuts to $40 BILLION.

GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia says Democrats are “anti-God.”

Secretary of State Kerry says drone strikes in Pakistan will end “very soon.”

How Speaker Boehner is increasing the chances of a government shutdown.

Report: The counties that need Obamacare the most.

The Senate confirmed a top gun violence prevention official for the first time in history.

Texas Republicans want Wendy Davis to pay millions of dollars just for doing her job.

Conservatives are right: The window to destroy Obamacare is closing

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BREAKING: Leaders arrested for reform!

08/02/2013 Nativegrl77

Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America

I am furious. House Republicans continue to stall progress on immigration reform and a path to citizenship while our families continue to be ripped apart. We have been waiting for weeks for the House to follow the Senate’s lead and act. I am tired of being ignored – and I know I’m not the only one.

Call your member of Congress and tell them we will not be ignored! Our movement demands immigration reform with a path to citizenship now.

I know other leaders in the immigration reform fight are taking a stand — just hours ago, over 40 leaders were arrested in a major civil disobedience action in DC for comprehensive reform that creates a pathway to citizenship.

We are calling on the House of Representatives to stand up for immigrant communities and to move reform forward that will keep families together by creating a fair and attainable path to citizenship. United, we will not and cannot be ignored.

If they cannot hear us in DC then we will bring the fight home during their August recess: in their district offices, at town halls, at rallies in their hometowns, and all over social media.

If you are frustrated like I am then get loud with me. Click here to call your representative and demand action on immigration reform!

We cannot hold back anymore. The time is now to act. Thanks for all you do,

Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Help break the silence

08/02/2013 Nativegrl77

“My supervisor told me not to tell my commanding officer. … When a report was made, they tried to keep it as quiet as possible.” — Jimmy Coats, who served in the Navy for eight years
The accounts by survivors of sexual assault recently detailed in The New York Times are exactly why real reform is needed in the military justice system. There were an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault last year, but only 3,000 were reported.
And when a survivor does file a complaint, the commander in charge has the ability to set aside guilty verdicts, return the attacker into the ranks, and in some cases even promote the attacker.
We need your help to change the system right now. Tell your Senators you won’t accept anything less than a strong solution for military survivors of sexual assault.
While your Senators are home and looking to hear from their constituents, they need to hear that you support legislation, introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, which takes the decision to prosecute these cases out of the chain of command and puts it where it belongs — in the hands of trained independent military prosecutors. We’re almost there, and you can help push this through.
Help us stand up for service members everywhere by writing your Senators and telling them you support the Military Justice Improvement Act.
This legislation transcends party politics — with Republicans and Democrats signing on to support the bill. They understand that our service members deserve better, and they’re willing to work together to make it happen.
We need to keep up the pressure on our Senators to support this legislation. And we need your help to do it.
Tell your Senators you won’t accept anything less than a strong solution for military survivors of sexual assault.
Sincerely,

Nancy Duff Campbell Co-President National Women’s Law Center

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS out until 9/9 ~~ the House considers HR367,HR2009

08/02/2013 Nativegrl77

If the Senate receives a message that the House adopted S.Con.Res.22, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will convene for a pro forma session only on Monday, August 12^th at 12:00pm.

Executive nominations are automatically returned to the White House when the Senate is adjourned for 30 days or more.

Since unanimous consent was not reached to waive this requirement, this pro forma will occur in order to prevent those executive nominations from being returned.

If the House does not adopt S.Con.Res.22, the Senate will meet on the following dates and at the following times for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted:

– Friday, August 2^nd at 11:45am

– Tuesday, August 6^th at 10:30am

– Friday, August 9^th at 12:00pm

– Tuesday, August 13^th at 12:00pm

– Friday, August 16^th at 12:00pm

– Tuesday, August 20^th at 12:00pm

– Friday, August 23^rd at 12:00pm

– Tuesday, August 27^th at 9:00am

– Friday, August 30^th at 2:00pm

– Tuesday, September 3^rd at 9:15am and

– Friday, September 6^th at 5:00pm.

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, September 9, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:

– Executive Calendar #184 Valerie E. Caproni – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and

– Executive Calendar #185 Vernon S. Broderick – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

There will be up to 30 minutes of debate on the nomination equally divided and controlled in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations. Only roll call vote is expected Monday evening; one of the nominations is expected to be confirmed by voice vote.

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September 2013
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8	9	10	11	12	13	14
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22	23	24	25	26	27	28
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Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

9:00:14 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:18 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:36 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:01:39 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Shimkus to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:01 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.
9:14:31 A.M.	H.R. 367	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 367 — “To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.”
9:14:42 A.M.	H.R. 367	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
9:15:06 A.M.	H.R. 367	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postopned.
9:42:50 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 437).
9:47:49 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Smith (MO) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 438).
9:51:52 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Latham amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 439).
9:55:00 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 440).
9:58:12 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Johnson (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 441).
10:01:43 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 442).
10:04:38 A.M.	H.R. 367	On agreeing to the Moore amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 443).
10:05:12 A.M.	H.R. 367	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 367.
10:05:38 A.M.	H.R. 367	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:05:49 A.M.	H.R. 367	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:07:02 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 2642 with an amendment, requested a conference, and appointed conferees. The Senate also passed H.R. 1344 amended, S. 233, S. 256, S. 668,S. 796, S. 885, S. 1093, H.R. 267, H.R. 678, H.R. 1171, and S. 796, S. 885, S. 1093, H.R. 267, H.R. 678, H.R. 1171, and H.R. 2576. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 41.
10:07:41 A.M.	H.R. 367	Ms. Kuster moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
10:08:03 A.M.	H.R. 367	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to add a section to the bill titled “Protecting Jobs, Economic Growth, and the Health and Safety of the American Public”.
10:16:07 A.M.	H.R. 367	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
10:23:52 A.M.	H.R. 367	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 444).
10:23:55 A.M.	H.R. 367	On passage Roll Call 445 – Recorded vote pending.

10:29:59 A.M.	H.R. 367	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 – 183 (Roll no. 445).
10:30:00 A.M.	H.R. 367	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:33:17 A.M.	H. Res. 222	Mr. Royce asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
10:33:30 A.M.	H. Res. 222	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 222 — “Recognizing the long-term partnership and friendship between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, working together towards peace and security in the Middle East.”
10:33:37 A.M.	H. Res. 222	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Royce, to insert a complete new text.
10:33:40 A.M.	H. Res. 222	On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection.
10:33:55 A.M.	H. Res. 222	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
10:34:20 A.M.	H. Res. 222	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Royce, to add a complete new preamble.
10:34:24 A.M.	H. Res. 222	On agreeing to the Royce amendment; Agreed to without objection.
10:34:39 A.M.	H. Res. 222	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:34:44 A.M.	H.R. 2009	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 322. H.R. 2009 — “To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from enforcing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.”
10:34:49 A.M.	H.R. 2009	In each case the rule provides for one hour of debate on the bill and one motion to recommit for each bill.
10:35:34 A.M.	H.R. 2009	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2009.
11:43:28 A.M.	H.R. 2009	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:44:40 A.M.	H.R. 2009	Mr. Nolan moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.
11:44:56 A.M.	H.R. 2009	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nolan motion to recommit with instructions, pending the reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was withdrawn. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to prohibit the bill from altering, impacting, delaying or weakening section 1401 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which provides tax credits to middle class families to purchase health insurance or section 1421 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which provides tax credits to small businesses for the purchase of health insurance coverage for employees.
12:17:56 P.M.	H.R. 2009	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 230 (Roll no. 446).
12:26:59 P.M.	H.R. 2009	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 232 – 185 (Roll no. 447).
12:27:00 P.M.	H.R. 2009	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:27:54 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:52:09 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 22	Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 22 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives.”
12:52:49 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 22	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
12:52:54 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 22	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:53:49 P.M.		Congressional Award Board – Pursuant to section 803(a) of the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education Act (2 U.S.C. 803(a)), and the order of the House of January 3, 2013, the Speaker appointed Mr. Hudson of North Carolina to the Congressional Award Board.
12:54:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

« Previous Day

2:57:00 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:57:05 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:57:20 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to S. Con. Res. 22.The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 9, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

~ Bills & Hearings in the House ~~ AUGUST 2013

08/01/2013 Nativegrl77

Monday, August 5, 2013

Hearing: Field Hearing in New York: Job Creation in Higher Education Communities: How University Research and Development Spurs Small Business Growth

10:00 AM Host: Committee on Small Business | Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce

Friday, August 2, 2013

Hearing: Missing Weapons at the National Park Service: Mismanagement and Lack of Accountability

9:00 AM | 2154 Rayburn HOB Host: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform | Subcommittee on National Security

Hearing: Examining the Skyrocketing Problem of Identity Theft Related Tax Fraud at the IRS

9:00 AM | 2247 Rayburn HOB Host: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform | Subcommittee on Government Operations

Hearing: Joint Oversight Hearing on “Missing Weapons at the National Park Service: Mismanagement and Lack of Accountability”

9:00 AM | 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 Host: Committee on Natural Resources | Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation

Markup: Markup of H.R. 813; H.R. 2072; H.R. 2481, H.R. 1804, As Amended; H.R. 2189, As Amended; H.R. 1443, As Amended; H.R. 2011

10:00 AM | 334 Cannon House Office Buildling Washington DC
Host: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs | Full Committee

Hearing: Chairman Camp Announces Hearing on the Status of the Affordable Care Act Implementation

10:00 AM Host: Committee on Ways and Means | Full Committee

Hearing: Oversight Hearing on “Transparency and Sound Science Gone Extinct?: The Impacts of the Obama Administration’s Closed-Door Settlements on Endangered Species and People”

10:00 AM | 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 Host: Committee on Natural Resources | Full Committee

Hearing: Department of Energy’s Bonneville Power Administration: Discriminating Against Veterans and Retaliating Against Whistleblowers

10:00 AM | 2154 Rayburn HOB Host: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform | Full Committee

Hearing: JOINT – Examining the State Department’s Report on Iranian Presence in the Western Hemisphere 19 Years After AMIA Attack

2:00 PM | 2172 Rayburn HOB Host: Committee on Foreign Affairs | Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa

Hearing: The Impact of U.S. Water Programs on Global Health

2:00 PM | 2255 Rayburn HOB Host: Committee on Foreign Affairs | Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations