URGENT: Calls needed on DADT now!


Human Rights Campaign


URGENT: Our moment on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is NOW!

The Senate must take action before they leave – and anti-equality lawmakers take office.

Tell your senators to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this week.

Call now: Sen. Maria Cantwell at (202) 224-3441 and Sen. Patty Murray at (202) 224-2621

The push to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has reached a fever pitch. And this week could make or break it.

Years of work could boil down to what happens this week. The Senate’s “lame duck” session begins today – our last, best hope to end the discrimination this year.

When the new Congress shows up in January, the House will be under staunchly anti-LGBT leadership. We have no time to waste.

Today, as we launch full-page newspaper ads across the country, we need tens of thousands of supporters to back up those ads by joining HRC and the Courage Campaign to call on every single senator to end the discrimination NOW!

Call both your senators now – Sen. Maria Cantwell at (202) 224-3441 and Sen. Patty Murray at (202) 224-2621 – and tell them “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” must end BEFORE you leave and the new Congress takes over.

The last time the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” came up for a vote in the Senate, Sen. John McCain led Republicans in a filibuster of the national defense spending bill that contains the repeal. They blocked it from an up-or-down vote – even though nearly 8 in 10 Americans now favor repealing the law.

Watch a message from Joe SolmoneseBefore time runs out, we need Senate Democrats to bring the defense bill to the floor and we need Republicans to stop threatening to derail the entire thing – including critical military equipment and pay raises – just to keep this discriminatory law on the books.

Is it just me, or is it completely absurd that Senate Republicans would hold troops’ funding hostage, just so they can ensure that lesbian and gay soldiers have to keep lying or be fired?

The ads we’re launching today call out this hypocrisy for what it is: bigotry masked as patriotism.

It’s critical that every single senator hears from us today. Even if your senators are already with us on this issue they need to know that their constituents have their backs as they stand up for what’s right.

And no matter where your senators stand, speaking out today sends a bold message: It’s going to take a lot more than a few anti-gay leaders in Congress to make us give up this fight. As long as injustice is written into our laws, we will not rest.

Join HRC and the Courage Campaign: call Sen. Maria Cantwell at (202) 224-3441 and Sen. Patty Murray at (202) 224-2621 and tell them to act this week. Click here to let us know that you made the call.

Momentum for repeal is high. President Obama has called on the Senate to act during this short session – an important first step of the many needed for him to fulfill the pledge he made in the State of the Union to end this law. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and military chaplains are also speaking out.

Still, repealing this law is no easy task. But if brave men and women are willing to risk their lives while hiding who they are, we must be unafraid to fail – and always, unceasingly, unafraid to fight.

Never giving up,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

UPDATE: Bush tax cuts


Progressive Change Campaign Committee

Obama, are you kidding?? 

Join 100,000 others in telling President Obama — stop caving. Start fighting the Republicans.

Since Thursday, over 100,000 people joined our campaign telling President Obama to “fight, don’t cave” on tax cuts. The Washington Post, MSNBC, and others have covered our petition’s progress.

But the Washington Post also reports that while the President was out of the country, his advisers did some “soul searching” and came up with this brilliant conclusion: Obama “must forge partnerships with Republicans on key issues.”

ARE YOU KIDDING??? Proposing compromise with the current Republicans is like getting punched in the face repeatedly and then proposing that “both sides” stop punching each other in the face.

Tell President Obama that Americans want him to START FIGHTING on issues like ending the Bush tax cuts for millionaires — and Democrats will keep losing if he keeps caving. Sign the petition here.

Then, share this email to others.

Let’s be clear: Republican leaders have zero interest in compromise. None. Zilch. Nada.

“Bipartisanship” to them means Democrats vote for Republican ideas. Obama and his advisers need to understand that.

Even when the overwhelming majority of Americans supported the public option, not a single Republican leader said they’d consider voting for it. Instead, they called Obama a “socialist” for supporting the will of the people — and Obama never fought back or rallied their constituents against them.

The American people don’t want Obama to “compromise” just for the sake of compromising. And they certainly don’t support cutting Social Security to pay for tax cuts for millionaires.

When Obama is right and Republicans are wrong, Americans want their President to fight and win.

Join 100,000 others in telling President Obama to “fight, not cave” on ending the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Click here — then, share with others.

The AFL-CIO and Democracy for America have joined us in calling for one vote on tax cuts — for the middle class, not the rich — and DARING Republicans to vote no.

Working together, we’ll push Democratic leaders until they finally fight for “change we can believe in.”

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Forrest Brown, Michael Snook, and the PCCC team

Our next fight: DREAM Act now


Reform Immigration FOR America Share This Message:
Pass the DREAM Act
We’ve waited long enough
We always knew that our fight didn’t begin – or end – on Election Day.
Two weeks ago, we stood up all over the country for what we believed in. We showed Congress where we stood, and how powerful we are. Now it’s time to remind them of what we want. 

Before the election, Harry Reid promised that he would put the DREAM Act up for a vote before the end of the year. Nancy Pelosi wants that vote to happen. It’s up to us to show Reid and the rest of the Senate that our movement isn’t going to wait.

Click here to send a fax to leaders in Congress:

We have waited long enough to reform our broken immigration system. Pass the DREAM Act during the lame duck session this year.

Passing the DREAM Act would be a clear sign from Congress that they’re willing to work with us moving forward. It’s time to stand together and show the policymakers in DC what we’re made of.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

We’re fighting to fix our broken immigration system, but we can’t win without you!
contribute $30 today to sponsor 80 faxes and 100 calls to Congress.

Congress back in Session – 11/15/10 -updates when needed


The Senate will stand adjourned under the provisions of H.Con.Res.321 until 2:00pm on Monday, November 15.

When the Senate convenes there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate.

The Senate will be in session the  entire week of November 15-19, 2010.

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for Monday November 15, 2010 2:00pmET

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 15, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

9:17 P.M. –
The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on November 16, 2010. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.  

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:00 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.  

6:56 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 19: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 18: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min.  

6:55 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 17: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, and Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 16: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, and Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min.  

6:54 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.  

6:52 P.M. –
The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S.J. Res. 40. SPEAKER’S APPOINTMENT – Pursuant to section 1002 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-306) as amended by section 701(a)(3) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (P.L. 111-259), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair announces the Speaker’s appointment of the following member on the part of the House to the National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the United States Intelligence Community: Mr. Maurice Sonnenberg, New York, NY.  

H. Con. Res. 328:

expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the “Bayh-Dole Act”) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment 

 

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 1 (Roll no. 568). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:44 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

H. Res. 1713:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school 

 

6:43 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 0 (Roll no. 567).  

6:34 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights 

 

6:33 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.  

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 566).

6:02 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

6:01 P.M. –
Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, the Speaker postponed until a time to be announced, the roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 716, which was ordered on Monday, November 15, 2010. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.  

6:00 P.M. –
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 15.

 

3:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H. Res. 1713:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school

3:49 P.M. –

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.

3:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1713.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights

3:31 P.M. –

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights

3:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3689.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 328:

The title of this measure is not available

3:25 P.M. –

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.

3:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 328.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6397:

The title of this measure is not available

3:14 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6397.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

S. 1376:

to restore immunization and sibling age exemptions for children adopted by United States citizens under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to allow their admission to the United States

2:54 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1376.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 716:

recognizing Gail Abarbanel and the Rape Treatment Center, and for other purposes

2:46 P.M. –

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.

2:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 716.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5566:

to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit interstate commerce in animal crush videos, and for other purposes

2:41 P.M. –

House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 1712.

H. Res. 1712:

Providing for the consideration of the bill H.R. 5566 and the Senate amendment thereto

2:39 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1712.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:00 p.m. today.

2:15 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

H.R. 3808:

to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce

2:14 P.M. –

VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President on H.R. 3808. The objections of the President were spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message was ordered to be printed as a House Document No. 111-152. Pursuant to the order of the House of earlier today, further consideration of the veto message and the bill are postponed until the legislative day of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of such question without intervening motion.

2:13 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 transmitted H.R. 3808, the “Interstate Recognition of Notarization Act of 2010,” and a Memorandum of Disapproval thereon received from the White House on October 8, 2010, at 12:55 p.m.

Mr. Scott (VA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Monday, November 15, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Scott (VA) asked unanimous consent That, when a veto message on H.R. 3808 is laid before the House on the legislative day of today, then after the message is read and the objections of the President are spread at large upon the Journal, further consideration of the veto message and the bill shall be postponed until the legislative day of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010; and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of such question without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.

2:04 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 September 30, 2010, at 11:13 a.m.: That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 6200, H.R. 4543, H.R. 5341, H.R. 5390, H.R. 5450 and H. Con. Res. 319.

2:03 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 notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 30, 2010 at 11:14 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1061 with amendments; passed H.R. 1722 with an amendment; passed S. 685, S. 3794, and S. 2847; agreed to S. Con. Res. 52, S. Con. Res. 72, and S. Con. Res. 74.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Christensen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson Jr. to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.


Open Letter to the American People


To the American People:

The midterm elections that just passed were not about political parties and partisan scorekeeping. They were about you: your families, your jobs, your economic security and your future.

The message that you sent to Washington is that you want Democrats, Republicans and Independents to work together to find the common ground needed for real solutions and real progress. Democrats agree. We understand the frustration felt by all Americans – especially our middle class. We heard you, loud and clear. We’re frustrated too and will continue to fight for what you demand and deserve.

Democrats will keep fighting to make sure that big banks, big oil, those who want to privatize Social Security and other powerful special interests are prevented from taking advantage of you. We also welcome every opportunity to work with our Republican colleagues as we know the challenges that lie ahead of us know no political affiliation.

And with Republicans securing more seats in both houses of Congress, it is imperative they take their responsibility to offer bipartisan solutions more seriously. Simply saying ‘no’ will do nothing to create more jobs and strengthen our economy.

You will hear many of the media pundits say this was a tough election for those on the ballot this year, but we know that is nothing compared to the fight that middle-class families are facing to stay in their homes, find good jobs and make ends meet.

The time for politics is now over. Democrats will spare no effort to get back to work immediately in order to restore the American Dream for you and your families.

Sincerely,

Harry Reid

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