~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Don’t kill the Dream


We all want to live the American Dream of getting a good education, making a better life for our kids, and having a secure retirement. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Pell Grants — these are basic programs that built the middle class and make it possible for us live that dream. But Republicans want to destroy the middle class and kill the American Dream for millions of families.

We need to create a clean energy economy, not give away billion-dollar subsidies to big oil companies. We need to ensure access to healthcare for everyone, not eliminate the most successful health programs in our country’s history. We need to invest in America’s future, not extend tax cuts for the super rich.

We can stop Republicans from dismantling the middle class and killing the dream. Please join Van Jones on DFA Live next Thursday, August 18, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time to learn how.

Thank you for all that you do.

-Levana

Levana Layendecker, Communications Director
Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Help Us Make Sure ALL Women Can Get Birth Control without a Co-pay


When we make progress in women’s health, ALL women deserve to be part of that success, don’t they? But you’d be surprised by what some opponents to birth control think.

Last week we told you about a momentous step forward for women’s health: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expanded the list of preventive health services required to be offered by health insurers without a co-pay to include the full range of FDA-approved contraceptives. Unfortunately, HHS intends to exempt some religious employers from providing contraceptive services and is asking for comments on this decision.

We need your help to protect this important step for women’s health and ensure that all women have access to affordable contraception — tell HHS that all women, regardless of who they work for, should have access to contraception without co-pays.

www.nwlc.org

The reality is that nearly 99% of sexually active women, regardless of their religious beliefs, use contraception at some point in their lives. It’s crucial that women have access to affordable birth control to prevent unintended pregnancies, plan the timing and size of their families, and protect their health.

Raise your voice today — submit comments to HHS telling them that all women need access to contraception without co-pays.    www.nwlc.org

For many years, the National Women’s Law Center has been working to get contraception covered in all health insurance plans, and without you, we would not have been able to say — birth control: we got you covered. Thank you for continuing to stand up for the health of women and their families.

Sincerely,

 Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center   

 P.S. Your support allows us to continue to improve the health care of women and their families, as well as work on many other critical issues. Please consider making a contribution today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Help Protect Scientists from Political Interference …Union of Concerned Scientists


How can you protect science and government scientists from political interference? By filing a public comment by asking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to strengthen its draft scientific integrity policy.   

   www.ucsusa.org

In the past, NOAA scientists were censored and told to change their research on issues from global warming to endangered species. While the draft policy would address some of these problems, it needs to be further strengthened to better protect those who report the abuse of science, give the public more information about who is meeting with NOAA officials, and allow us to hold agency officials accountable if they transgress.

It is critical that NOAA scientists can continue to provide national weather forecasting, manage coastal and deep ocean resources, and research global climate patterns without interference.

Help NOAA improve its scientific integrity policy by submitting a comment today —the deadline is August 20.      www.ucsusa.org

Sincerely,
MichaelHalpern_jpg
Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer

~ Recent Post

CONGRESS: pro forma Sessions … So President Obama cannot do any Recess Appointments …political games?


The Senate will meet on the following dates and times for pro-forma sessions only with no business conducted:

– Friday, August 5th at 10:00am,

– Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00am,

– Friday, August 12th at 12:00pm,

– Tuesday, August 16th at 11:00am,

– Friday, August 19th at 10:00am,

– Tuesday, August 23rd at 2:30pm,

– Friday, August 26th at 11:15am,

– Tuesday, August 30th at 10:00am,

– Friday, September 2nd at 10:00am;

 When the Senate convenes at 10:00am on Friday, September 2nd, it will adjourn until 2:00pm on September 6, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

 Following morning business, the Senate will be in Executive Session to consider Calendar #109, Bernice Bouie Donald, of Tennessee, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 6th Circuit with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley.

 The next roll call votes will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 6th. The first roll call vote will be on confirmation of the Donald nomination. The 2nd will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.1249, the Patent Reform bill.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 12, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3 ofH. Res. 375. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on August 16, 2011.

10:04 A.M. – JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION – Pursuant to section 401(b)(4)(B)(iv) of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P. L. 112-25) and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION: Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Becerra and Mr. Van Hollen.

JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION – Pursuant to section 401(b)(4)(B)(iii) of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25) and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFICIT REDUCTION: Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Upton and Mr. Camp.

NOT DISPENSING WITH LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS – Pursuant to section 4 of H.Res. 375, the Chair announced that legislative business would not be dispensed with on this day.

10:03 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:02 A.M. – JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 5 of H.Res. 375, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.

10:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, Associate Professor, The Catholic University of America, Washington DC.

10:00 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeffrey M. Landry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

politics,pollution,petitions,pop culture & purses