Tag Archives: Congress

David Simas Deputy Senior Advisor

Hello, all –For the first time since the 1990s, Congress might be on track to pass legislation aimed at reducing gun violence in the United States. And it’s because folks in Washington are starting to understand that the rest of the country isn’t going to sit by and let them ignore this issue. Your voices are the reason we have a chance to win this debate. The American people expect and demand a yes or no vote.But this is a critical moment. It’s been almost four months since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, thousands more Americans have died at the hands of gun violence, and time is on the side of those who would prefer that we do nothing.We want to make sure that your voices are impossible to ignore. So we’re asking people from all over the country to speak out online in concert — all at the same time. Will you join us?

Pledge to speak out about the need to reduce gun violence.

It’s easy to participate. Over the next few days, anyone can sign up to tweet or share a message to Facebook. Through that time, we’ll gather up as many people as we can. Then we’ll make sure that all these individual messages get posted together in the same moment for maximum effect.

That wave of social media will get seen by millions and millions of people.

We’re talking about common-sense reforms. Like the idea that any of us who want to buy a gun should have to go through a background check first — which 90 percent of Americans support.

So let’s make sure that there’s absolutely no confusion about the public consensus.

Pledge to speak out with us, and then forward this email to your family and friends:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/now-is-the-time/action

Thanks!

David

David Simas
Deputy Senior Advisor
The White House

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Farm Bill Countdown

04/11/2013 Nativegrl77

Union of Concerned Scientists

Farm Bill Countdown

The clock is ticking on Congress’ latest attempt to pass a Farm Bill. We have just 173 days until the current extension expires. By taking action, you are joining others who are keeping up the pressure on Congress to pass the Farm Bill.

Take Action Today!

ACTION ALERT

Tell Congress to Support the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act
It sounds like simple advice: “Eat your fruits and veggies.” But it’s not so easy. Our country spends too much money subsidizing crops like corn and soybeans that get turned into processed junk food, instead of expanding access to foods that are healthier for us and the planet.

Now we have the chance to begin to reorient how our federal dollars are spent.

The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act—a proposal to improve the federal Farm Bill—will encourage greater production of sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, meats, and other healthy foods; make these foods more accessible for all individuals; and stimulate local economies. The bill will also expand access to healthy food for all consumers by improving the ability for families and seniors to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at farmers markets and other outlets for local, healthy foods. Our analysis shows that these programs can create jobs and encourage healthier eating.

Tell your members of Congress to cosponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act!
Take Action Today!

Sincerely, Jenn Yates National Field Organizer Food & Environment Program Union of Concerned Scientists

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Working Hard for Less Money

04/10/2013 Nativegrl77

ThinkProgress War Room

What the Pay Gap Means for Women & Their Families

Today is Equal Pay Day, which marks the additional days into 2013 that a woman needs to work just to equal what a man made in 2012. The pay gap is real — and really persistent.

The amount that women lose as a result of the pay gap doesn’t just hurt them. Their families also pay the price for this lost income. Here’s what the median pay gap means over the course of just one year: $10,784. The total cost to a woman and her family over the course of her entire working life is staggering: $431,360.

Click through to check out an interactive version of this graphic showing how the pay gap affects women’s lives:

You can find all of our resources on equal pay HERE.

BOTTOM LINE: It’s 2013 and Congress needs to pass meaningful equal pay legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act. Republicans have blocked this vital bill during the last three Congresses and it’s well past time for them to stop standing in the way of equal pay.