Tag Archives: Congress

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Momentum!


Hi

If you signed the petition …

Thanks again for signing our petition demanding Wall Street accountability. In the past week, thousands of PCCC members have called Congress — and it’s paying off: we’re winning.

We’ve gotten reports behind the scenes that one Congressman who is trying to water down reform is feeling heavy pressure as a result of the PCCC’s petition signatures, phone calls, and online ads — even convening a conference call with local constituents to “respond” to the PCCC’s campaign.

Can you help our momentum continue by calling Senator Patty Murray and asking them to fight for strong Wall Street reform today? Click here.

News outlets are reporting the tough provisions we’ve been fighting for are likely to make it to the final bill. But the New York Times just reported:

As Congress rushes this week to complete the most far-reaching financial reform plan in decades, the banking industry is mounting an 11th-hour end run.

Industry lobbyists — and sympathetic members of Congress — are pushing for provisions to undercut a central pillar of the legislation, known as the Volcker Rule, which would forbid banks from using their own money to make risky wagers on the market and would force them to sell off hedge funds and private equity units.

Sen. Murray is going to be a key vote. Lobbyists want her to kill provisions that keep Wall Street from gambling away your bank deposits on risky schemes.

Can you call her and insist on strong Wall Street reform this week? Just click here.

Already thousands of people have called. Please add your voice today.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

— Aaron Swartz, Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, Shaunna Thomas, and the PCCC team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UNDER THE RADAR

BUSINESS — BP LAUNCHES ‘AGGRESSIVE’ SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, BUT RESTRICTS FEEDBACK: Facing public outrage over the devastation its oil gusher has caused in the Gulf, BP has been making a major public relations push over the past few weeks to burnish its image. The company began buying space on search-engine results pages for oil-related search terms, and it earned criticism for lavishing $50 million on radio, TV, and print ads featuring CEO Tony Hayward pledging to “do everything we can so this never happens again.” Now, BP is launching an “aggressive” social media campaign employing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. A BP spokesperson boasts of how the social venues are “more direct than other channels.” BP’s sophisticated campaign “would make most social media strategists proud,” but the AdWeek report reveals the hollowness of the outreach. On Facebook, the company only accepts comments from people who “like” BP, and the “extensive commenting policy…warns that any ‘ad hominem attacks’ will be removed.” Meanwhile, comments are disabled completely on the company’s YouTube channel. BP shutting down feedback is ironic considering the oil giant claims to be actively soliciting ideas from the public on how to help resolve the crisis in the Gulf. Although BP has received tens of thousands of ideas, it quickly became clear that the company was ignoring the suggestions and that the effort was largely a PR stunt. Many inventors who have submitted suggestions complain BP “isn’t taking their suggestions seriously enough,” and overall, BP has been widely denounced for spending millions on advertising to rehabilitate its image while it should be spending that money to rehabilitate the Gulf.

Black History

it’s Tuesday -Congress is in Session


The Senate will convene at 10:00amET June 21, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes, the Republicans will control the next 60 minutes, and the Majority will control the next 30 minutes.

There will be no roll call votes this evening. Morning business has been extended until 9:45pm, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senator Stabenow and the Republican Leader, or their designees. Senator Stabenow will control the first hour, the Republicans will control the next hour, and Senator Stabenow will control the final 15 minutes.

Unanimous Consent:
By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed the nominations listed below.

Cal. #493 – Brian Hayes – Member NLRB
Cal. #494 – Mark Pearce – Member NLRB
Cal. #556 – Benjamin Tucker – Deputy Director National Drug Control
Cal. #581 – John Laub – Director – National Institute of Justice
Cal. #589 – Anthony Coscia – AMTRAK Board of Directors
Cal. #590 – Albert DiClemente – AMTRAK Board of Directors
Cal. #592 – Mark Rosekind – Member NTSB
Cal. #647 – Jim Esquea – Asst Secy HHS
Cal. #705 – James Lynch – Director Bureau of Justice Statistics
Cal. #722 – Judith Ann Stock – Asst Secy State (Educational & Cultural Affairs)
Cal. #726 – Patricia Hoffman – Asst Secy Energy
Cal. #747 – Ari Ne’eman – Member National Council on Disability
Cal. #783 – David Matsuda – Admin Maritime Administration
Cal. #784 – Michael Tillman – Member Marine Mammal Commission
Cal. #785-786 – Daryl Boness – Member Marine Mammal Commission
Cal. #787 – Earl Weener – Member NTSB
Cal. #788 – Jeffrey Moreland – Director AMTRAK
Cal. #794 – Arthur Elkins – IG – EPA
Cal. #799 – Carolyn Radelet – Deputy Director Peace Corps
Cal. #800 – Elizabeth Littlefield – President OPIC
Cal. #801 – Lana Pollack – Commissioner U.S. Int’l Joint Commission – U.S./Canada
Cal. #824 – Dana Bilyeu – Member Federal Thrift Investment Board
Cal. #825-826 – Michael Kennedy – Member Federal Thrift Investment Board
Cal. #827 – Dennis Walsh – Chairman Special Panel on Appeals
Cal. #828 – Milton C. Lee – Associate Judge Superior Court – D.C.
Cal. #829 – Todd Edelman – Associate Judge Superior Court – D.C.
Cal. #830 – Judith Smith – Associate Judge Superior Court – D.C.
Cal. #836 – Eduardo Ochoa – Asst Secy Postsecondary Education – Dept Education
Cal. #837 – James Taylor – CFO – Department of Labor
Cal. #838 – Robert Wedgeworth – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #839 – Carla Hayden – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #840 – John Coppola – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #841 – Winston Tabb – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #842 – Lawrence Pijeaux – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #844 – Donald Cook – Deputy Adm Defense Programs – Nat’l Nuclear Security Adm
Cal. #845 – Sharon Burke – Director of Operational Energy Plans and Programs – DoD
Cal. #846 – Katherina Hammack – Asst Secy Army
Cal. #847 – Michael McCord – Principal Deputy Under Secy of Defense (Comptroller)
Cal. #848 -Elizabeth McGrath – Deputy Chief Management Officer DoD
Cal. #880 – Jeffrey Lane – Asst Secy Energy (Congressional & Intergovernmental)
Cal. #881 – Cheryl LaFleur – Member FERC
Cal. #882 – Philip Moeller – Member FERC
Cal. #902 – Michael Warren – Member Board of Directors OPIC
Cal. #904 – Adam Gamoran – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #905 – Deborah Ball – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #906 – Margaret McLeod – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #907 – Bridget Long – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #908 – David Mineta – Deputy Director Demand Reduction – Drug Policy Control
Cal. #916 – Sherry Glied – Asst Secy HHS
Cal. #923 – Daniel Becker – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #924 – James Hannah – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #925 – Gayle Nachtigal – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #926 – John Nalbandian – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #927 – Marsha Rabiteau – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #928 – Hernan Vera – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #930 – Marie Johns – Deputy Adm SBA
Cal. #938 – Thomas Delahanty, II – U.S. Atty – District of Maine
Cal. #939 – Wendy Olson – U.S. Atty – District of Idaho
Cal. #940 – James Lewis – U.S. Atty – Central District of Illinois
Cal. #941 – Donald Cazayoux – U.S. Marshal – Middle District of Louisiana
Cal. #942 – Henry Whitehorn – U.S. Marshal – Western District of Louisiana
Cal. #943 – Kevin Harrison – U.S. Marshal – Middle District of Louisiana
Cal. #944 – Charles Dunne – U.S. Marshal – Eastern District of New York
Cal. #952 – Earl Weener – Member NTSB
Nominations on the Secretary’s Desk at NOAA

Cal. #945 – Cynthia Lamar-Member Board of Trustees, Institute of American Indian/Alaska Natives

Cal. #946 – JoAnn Balzer-Member Board of Trustees, Institute of American Indian/Alaska Natives

Cal. #947 – Tracie Stevens–Chairman-National Indian Gaming Commission

Cal. #940-Pamela Marsh-US Attorney for the Northern District of Florida

Cal. #950-Peter Smith–US Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Cal. #951, Kevin Carr, US Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET June 21, 2010

7:06 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:05 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 29: Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Cao for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 28: himself for 5 min and Mr. Jones for 5 min.

7:04 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 25.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 24: Mr. Forbes for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, and Mr. Gohmert for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 23: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Mr. Forbes for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, and Mr. Gohmert for 5 min.

6:52 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1407:

supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week

6:50 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): 371 – 20 (Roll no. 378).

6:42 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 546:

recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future

6:41 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): 390 – 0 (Roll no. 377).

6:33 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Con. Res. 288:

supporting National Men’s Health Week

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): 388 – 0 (Roll no. 376).

6:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:01 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on 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 June 22.

2:58 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1388:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Carnahan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

2:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1388.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1407:

supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week

2:48 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. 1407.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1369:

recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

2:40 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Davis (IL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

2:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1369.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 546:

recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future

2:33 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.

2:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 546.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Con. Res. 288:

supporting National Men’s Health Week

2:26 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.

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 288.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:11 P.M. –

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

2:10 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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 18, 2010 at 2:57 p.m. stating that that body had agreed to S.J.Res. 33 and H.Con.Res. 2424. The message further stated that the Senate passed H.R. 3962 with amendments.

2:01 P.M. –

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX 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 Reverend Lane Bemebenek, Joy Lutheran Church, Moore, South Carolina.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 22.

12:32 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:30 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of the legislative day.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Cuellar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

tentative Tuesday …&some News ~ new hc benefit


Today, our President will announce a new health care benefit that will impact all Americans.

Primary day

If not now   -when

Politicians and the Military who serve the people would be well warned to remember that the consequences of their actions or inaction have an impact that affects all of us.

In our 24/7 news cycle, it brings forth a lot of information that quite frankly seems more  like ugly gossip than anything else and in some instances reporters seem willing to put people at risk and today we hear that our military has started to fight openly, something that is usually classified  is not anymore? gotta say,  it is with great displeasure to know that in order to get the story magazines like the Rolling Stone would go with or without thought that extra mile and get a top military general to talk on or off the record not only about the President and his Administration but about others in the circle and or chain of command.  I am no military expert but it would be a moment that maybe someone would have enough sense to see what the impact would be on everyone including Americans  -it is with great sadness no one said ok this story could have all kinds of repercussions to our security to the security of the guys fighting and quite possibly to the top guys; but no- Rolling Stone found the rogue General was upset enough to talk and say things that will probably end his career though from what i read about McChrystal he seemed very adept at his job though the Obama administration has fought him about his military moves he has on some occasions been right -but was overridden which is probably why he decided to go rogue and talk til it got to the mainland; big big mistake.  Most people, sane people know this behavior is not acceptable by anyone on the lower level let alone those on the top level.  The notion that Rolling Stone made arrangements to do a story then spent over 3months with the general and no one told them that what was being said was off the record? even the comments from eiken berry should have been off the record/classified. The comments made by the General were calculated and  in response to his feelings of being betrayed but no military man should spout off to civilians unless and until he has gone through all the channels needed at the highest level ever -the President and from this mornings reports our President is furious and rightly so.  It’s a tough call -though he seems to have been somebody who had a plan his outbursts are unacceptable and should be dealt with swiftly.

The other odd news …among so many, is that Peter Orszag will be leaving in July and though he has been out of sight for quite sometime since the financial crisis was at its worse; obviously the rumors will be hot and heavy with no end in sight until someone at the WH decides to announce his departure and why. The Tea party has decided…well, reports are that Sarah Palin has given an indian woman and a black man permission to run for office which is strange in and of itself because who anointed Palin with that kind or power.

The BP oil disaster has cast a big shadow on Republicans because it showed exactly what side of any issue about big Corporations they are on and it ain’t with We the People; it’s an issue for me hopefully others will continue to replay the words that Barton, Bachmann Boehner, Paul Rand Sarah Palin have said: they are  corporatist that have probably voted against the people for years and are now being outed by an oil spill that will impact the Gulf Coast for decades and bring that areas businesses to their knees unfortunately. A lawsuit demanding the Feds cancel the moratorium because of all the jobs in limbo has been filed and the judge will decide on Wednesday if it merits.  It seems like a no brainer for a moratorium to be placed in effect until each one is evaluated and relief wells put into place and that 500mil dollar accessory is available so that each well has true safety features.

Other News …

judge says moratorium should end/grants injunction/administration will appeal/judge martin feldman -is a lot of things but should end/will affect unemployment and ripple throughout and damage that cannot undo/he cannot justify the moratoriumthis ruling coming  from a judge from  Alabama and given his position by Ronald Reagan


Fifty-seven percent of residents in Fremont, NE voted Monday to “banish illegal immigrants from jobs and rental homes,” overturning an earlier decision by city leaders. “Within minutes” of its passage, the ACLU in Nebraska “pledged to file a lawsuit” against the ordinance on grounds that it would “cause discrimination and racial profiling.”TP

Under orders from President Obama, the Labor Department is set to “expand the rights of gay workers by allowing them to take family and medical leave to care for sick or newborn children of same-sex partners.” Those who work for a company with 50 or more employees are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave “to care for a newborn or for a spouse, son or daughter with ‘a serious health condition.'”TP

Sixty-five percent of Americans support President Obama’s temporary moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, a New York Times/CBS News poll found. “Overwhelmingly, Americans think the nation needs a fundamental overhaul of its energy policies, and most expect alternative forms to replace oil as a major source within 25 years,” the poll suggested.TP

“I have great respect for [gays and lesbians].”
— Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, 4/24/10

VERSUS

 

“We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn’t work the same.”

— Huckabee, 6/28/10, quoted in the New Yorker magazine


C-SPAN …

Conferees to address “swipe fees” at todays meeting

The Conference Cmte. on Financial Regulation legislation continues its meeting today. One of the issues under discussion will be fees charged to consumers on debit card “swipe fees”. Other areas of the legislation that will be debated this week include, derivatives trading, a consumer protection agency, an auto dealers exemption on some of the new regulations, and the so called “Volcker rule” which limits banks ability to make trades with their own money.The conference cmte. hopes to finish the bill this week so both chambers can vote on it before the July 4th recess.

Watchdog Questions Secretary Geithner on TARP’s Management

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner makes his fourth appearance before the Congressional Oversight Panel, giving an update on his Department’s handling of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The Congressionally-created group is charged with supervising how the $700 billion fund is managed and other financial stabilization initiatives proposed by the Obama Administration.
watch COP Hearing on C-SPAN at 10am ET
visit COP Website

Oil Rig Support Services File Lawsuit to Overturn Ban

The federal hold on new deepwater drilling faces its first legal challenge after several companies that provide support services to oil rigs filed a lawsuit to overturn the moratorium. In the filing, Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC claims the suspension on drilling will result in lost jobs and wages in Louisiana. A federal judge will decide Wednesday whether to overturn the ban.Kenneth Feinberg, the Independent Claims Facilitator of the $20 billion fund for victims of the spill, is in the Gulf region to begin implementing a plan to dispense funds to victims of the spill. He says the plan will likely be in place in 30 to 45 days, and after that time future claims will be addressed within 30 to 60 days of submission. He and his associates have also started arranging town hall meetings across the region, where people can discuss concerns and learn how to file claims.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Republicans -apologists


Republicans just released their latest fundraising report and it’s got me fired up. For two straight months now, Republicans have broken fundraising records! I guess being apologists for Big Oil pays.

Here’s what it comes down to. This June 30th FEC deadline is as big as it gets. If we don’t beat the Republicans, it will be seen as a sign the GOP has all the momentum. We can’t let it happen.

Help House Democrats raise $1 million in grassroots gifts by the June 30th FEC deadline. Contribute $5, $10 or more today and a group of Democrats will match you dollar-for-dollar.

Stop Sarah Palin's Tea Party

John Boehner must be worried about all his British Petroleum stock. Because in addition to record-breaking fundraising from special interests, he also just kicked off his “Battleground” campaign to get Republican House Members to raise $20 million so they can protect Big Oil’s agenda.

We have more seats in play this year, but right now, Republicans are raising more money.

We know what happens when Democrats have resources – we won the special election in Pennsylvania’s 12 district when a lot of the supposedly smart money was saying we couldn’t win a district in 2010 that Barack Obama couldn’t win in 2008. But we did.

We’re already close to making our grassroots goal. Help put us over the top by the June 30th FEC filing deadline.

Thanks,

Paul Begala
Paul Begala

P.S. June 30th marks the first FEC deadline since Republicans broke fundraising records for two months in a row now, thanks to all that Big Oil special interest money pouring in. The media is closely watching to see whether grassroots Democrats can reclaim the momentum for our side. Contribute today and a group of Democrats will match you dollar-for-dollar.