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thirsty Thursday &some News

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Today  has an air of sadness in it because of the events in Japan as well as the uprisings in various parts of the Middle East these days. The impact on our family friends are both sad and rude realities of our lives today but as we all know life goes on so take some time to kiss , hug and love your family, tell them how you feel.

 – take time to reach up to the sky slowly while breathing in deeply through the nose and hold and while lowering your arms to your sides exhale through your mouth and roll slowly your head, neck, shoulders torso …. repeat when needed.  The weather on the other hand has gone from the upper 50’s back to the cold 30’s and that is maddening to me because spring officially starts this weekend but as we move into the last week of March college Basket Ball or March Madness is now in full effect and will play itself out to its final push toward the big dance in April.

My rant this week, well the last few weeks have been filled with crazy talk from some freshman tea party members and it definitely has driven many mad as the final push toward getting the budget for FY2011 finalized. We all have to wonder at what point do these amateurs of politics and governing understand the words negotiate and compromise. It is disturbing to watch folks from the right play with the rights and lives of Americans by offering up deep budget cuts in spurts let alone anything-long term. What we Americans have seen on the floor of the Republican led House is one after the other of many acts of calamity by Congress and includes DEFUNDING the following: BIG BIRD, Families, volcano and tsunami warning centers, Women ,Children oh and do not forget you old people or anyone else that is in need. The fact is Public Broadcasting only costs around $1.50 per person and as a parent watching Sesame Street with my child was just a great addition to learning … and it’s from home. Americans constantly need reminding that elections have consequences. The party of no plans, cohesiveness, and or experience is itching for a government shutdown, and seemingly wants to force Americans back into the 50’s living in my opinion.

Though both Political Parties support the “stopgap bill”, which is only a temporary solution ;who would have thought that keeping the Government in biz for 2-3 weeks at a time is acceptable let alone and I say that again, let alone have the Democratic Party be the ones who keep the absolutely unacceptable 2012 spending bill alive. This whole thing is offensive to Working Families. I will admit I was not happy that 85 left of centers voted with Republicans to make sure that the latest deal …a 3-week stopgap passed on the floor of Congress. It would have been great if our Democratic party could have said look you do not have the votes let’s negotiate a real CR a good compromise and permanent budget. I don’t know about you but the lack of leadership and or control Boehner has over his freshman tea members is hilarious. It should also be a warning and enlightenment to rightwing backers to see Speaker Boehner is an epic failure. The number of bills that the new members of Congress has blocked, stalled, or voted down by their members of the Tea Party is beyond funny; at least it is funny to this voter.

The great debate or debates among members of Congress, talking heads, so-called journalists and us civilians about WHO WILL VOTE NO on the floor of Congress on any given day and why or do Democrats really want to support the President’s agenda or save themselves has gotten way too much media play for my taste. It has changed my thoughts and opinions on how honest certain reporters and the cable stations they work for are. Most of us have to question just what side of the aisle they represent on any given day or hour in the day. There used to be a time when most maybe not all but most talking heads in “the media” actually did subscribe to “fair and balanced news”. Now, given the rhetoric no one should be representing a side whatsoever but then again we have FOX as an example, who has some sort of pass to all things considered compassion, equal rights, discrimination and just plain ole human being type behavior. Well, let’s remember it is FOX.

The President subjected himself to a FOX interview for the Super Bowl and though he was unable to respond to Fox host Bill O., who clearly was hostile toward the President, butted in, kept asking questions, and seemed to think that interview was all about him. The behavior by the host should have been quite an embarrassment for fox management; actually, for anyone who works for “the Media” and calls themselves a reporter and or journalist who intentionally acts with such bad manners but there were no reports suggesting he was held accountable, which is so typical and offensive.

Other News …

**Dozens of nuke plant workers injured,exposed

**ok, yes low radioactivity heads for N.America

**Senate sends 3wk funding bill to President Obama

**Four NYT journalists reported missing in Libya

**Gahadfi pounds “rebel” his own people -US hints at air strikes

**House is set to vote on defunding BIG BIRD

*Another Earth Quake rocks Japan 6.0

**  DEA takes lethat drum from GA dept of Corrections

**Republican led republicans want to cut tsunami warning centers .. odd

**RNC will sell tv rights of republican presidential primary debates

**Diplomats discussing “range of options” beyond no-fly zone

**Mexico confirms presence of the US drones

**The NRA will not talk gun control with Obama ..ask yourself why

**

CSPAN …

 Capitol Hill

Is U.S. Prepared for Next Big Disaster

Also a look at earthquake monitoring

http://c-span.com/Events/Is-US-Prepared-for-Next-Big-Disaster/10737420262/

House To Vote To Defund NPR

http://c-span.com/Events/House-To-Vote-To-Defund-NPR/10737420260/

Republicans Push Drilling to Offset Rising Gasoline Prices

http://c-span.com/Events/Republicans-Push-Drilling-to-Offset-Rising-Gasoline-Prices/10737420263/

Senate Hearing on Winding Down of TARP

http://c-span.com/Events/Senate-Hearing-on-Winding-Down-of-TARP/10737420261/

Press Secretary Jay Carney conducts a daily briefing at the White House. Questions were mostly about the safety of Japan’s nuclear plants, in the aftermath of the recent earthquake and tsunami. Mr. Carney also responded to questions about the unrest in the Arab world.

http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Briefing-with-Press-Secretary-Jay-Carney/10737420233/

Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to President Obama & Special Adviser to the Treasury Secretary on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said she thinks the President will nominate a director for this new agency soon and added that if it was operational years ago “we won’t be in the mess we’re currently in.” She also said she’s only been offering advice to the Obama Administration involved in a formal settlement with mortgage servicers, but may participate in these discussions when the CFPB becomes operational in July.

http://c-span.com/Events/Warren-Defends-Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau/10737420228/

Representatives from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), joined by health and security experts, responded to concerns raised by the use of body imaging technology and other airport security measures at a House Oversight & Government Reform Subcommittee hearing.

http://c-span.com/Events/Congress-Hears-Publics-Concern-with-Full-Body-Scans/10737420257/

Black History

in Session: the Republican led House debates&votes -the Senate :amendments to small biz,Vets biz dev.,S.493.SBIR,STTR Reauthorization bill


The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET March 16, 2011

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 10:30am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.493, the SBIR and STTR Reauthorization bill and proceed to 2 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– Nelson (NE) amendment #182 (SoS reduce Senate budget by 5%)

– Snowe-Landrieu-Coburn amendment #193 (strikes Federal authorization of the National Veterans Business Development program)

Senators should expect 2 roll call votes at approximately 10:30am on Wednesday. Additional roll call votes in relation to amendments to the small business bill are expected during Wednesday’s session of the Senate.

The following amendments are pending to S.493, SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011:

– McConnell amendment #183 (Prohibits the EPA from regulating carbon pollution)

– Vitter amendment #178 (require Federal government to sell unused Federal real property).

– Johanns amendment #161 (1099 repeal)

– Casey #216 (subcontractor notification)

– Cornyn amendment #186 (to create the United States Authorization Sunset Commission Act of 2011)

– Paul amendment #199 (Cuts $200 billion in FY2011 Funding)

– Sanders amendment #207 (Social Security)

– Hutchison amendment #197 (delay implementation of health reform law until final resolution in pending lawsuits)

– Coburn amendment #184 (to provide a list of programs administered by every Federal department and agency)

– Pryor amendment #229 (Patriot Express Loan Program)

The Senate has reached an agreement that there be 2 minutes for debate prior to a vote in relation to the Casey amendment #216 (subcontractor notification). No amendments are in order to the amendment prior to a vote.

There will be no further roll call votes today.

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

The Senate has reached the following agreement to consider the 3-week continuing resolution. At 12:00 noon tomorrow, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.J.Res. 48 (3-week CR). There will be up to 3 hours for debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution. Senators should expect this vote to begin at approximately 3pm tomorrow.

Upon disposition of H.J.Res. 48 (CR) tomorrow, the Senate will proceed to Executive session to consider calendar #11, the nomination of Amy Berman, of the district of Columbia, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. There will be 2 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Votes:

38: Nelson (NE) amendment #182 (SoS reduce Senate budget by 5%); Agreed to: 98-1

39: Snowe-Landrieu-Coburn amendment #193: (strikes Federal authorization of the National Veterans Business Development program); Agreed to: 99-0

40: Casey amendment #216: (subcontractor notification)

Agreed To: 99-0

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted H.Con.Res.27, a concurent resolution providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol.

Adopted S.Res.94, a resolution to express the sense of the Senate in support of reducing its budget by at least five percent.

Adopted S.Res.103, a resolution providing for members on the part of the Senate of the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by UC:

ARMY

#50 Lt. Gen. Purl K. Keen – Lieutenant General

#51 Gen. Martin E. Dempsey – General

#52 Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Votel – Lieutenant General

#53 Brig. Gen. Donald L. Rutherford – Major General

#54 Maj. Gen. Donald M. Campbell, Jr. – Lieutenant General

#55 Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Conant – Lieutenant General

#56 Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly – Lieutenant General

#57 Rear Adm. James P. Wisecup – Vice Admiral

#58 Vice Adm. Joseph D. Kernan – Vice Admiral

All nominations placed on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.

 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

 The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 16, 2011.

 CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 16, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:54 P.M. –

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

6:45 P.M. –

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

6:44 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 174.

H.R. 861:

to rescind the third round of funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and to terminate the program

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 242 – 182 (Roll no. 188).

6:38 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 153 – 272 (Roll no. 187).

6:22 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

6:11 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Braley (IA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the bill back to the House with an amendment to require that states give priority emphasis and consideration to rural areas when distributing Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds that were allocated by HUD and appropriated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, pending reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.

Mr. Braley (IA) moved to recommit with instructions to Financial Services.

6:09 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 861.

6:08 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Maloney amendment Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 246 (Roll no. 186).

6:02 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Waters amendment Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 249 (Roll no. 185).

5:56 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Waters amendment Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 248 (Roll no. 184).

5:48 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Ellison amendment Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 244 (Roll no. 183).

5:23 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

On agreeing to the Castor (FL) amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

5:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Comittee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor amendments en bloc.

Amendments en bloc offered by Ms. Castor (FL).

Amendments en bloc consisting of amendments 9 and 10 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34.

5:11 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Maloney amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Maloney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

5:01 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Maloney amendment number 8.

Amendment offered by Mrs. Maloney.

An amendment numbered 8 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to list the number of homes in each state that have been vacant for 90 days or more and which would be eligible for rehabilitation under the program. Would also state that by voting to terminate this program, these units may not be able to be rehabilitated using NSP funds.

4:59 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waters amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Waters demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:52 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waters amendment number 7.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to require the Secretary of HUD to study the number of homes that will not be mitigated in each Congressional district as a result of the funding rescission, and report findings to Congress.

4:51 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waters amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Waters demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waters amendment number 6.

Amendment offered by Ms. Waters.

An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to require the Secretary of HUD to send a notice to NSP grantees that would have received funding under NSP that the program has been terminated.

4:41 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Richardson amendment number 5.

Amendment offered by Ms. Richardson.

An amendment numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to amend the effective date of H.R. 861 to the sooner of: (1) 5 years from the date of enactment; or (2) the date when the national average of underwater mortgages on 1- to 4-family residential properties is 10 percent or less and the percentage of underwater mortgages relating to such properties in the state with the highest percentage of underwater residential properties is 15 percent or less.

4:30 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Sanchez, Loretta amendment Failed by voice vote.

4:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Loretta Sanchez amendment number 4.

Amendment offered by Ms. Sanchez, Loretta.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to add a new section with Congressional findings that if the rescinded and canceled amounts were instead made available for NSP, the Congress could have rebuilt U.S. neighborhoods.

4:20 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ellison amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

4:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison amendment number 3.

Amendment offered by Mr. Ellison.

An amendment numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to provide findings for the need for and efficacy of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

4:10 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Ellison amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

VACATED PROCEEDINGS – Mr. Ellison asked unanimous consent to vacate the proceedings by which his amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34, was postponed, to the end that the Chair put the question on the amendment de novo. Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the Hurt amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:00 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hurt amendment number 2.

Amendment offered by Mr. Hurt.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in part B of House Report 112-34 to ensure that all unobligated balances rescinded by the bill should be retained in the Treasury’s General Fund for the purpose of deficit reduction.

3:59 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ellison amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Ellison demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

3:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 170, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison amendment number 1.

3:48 P.M. –

Amendment offered by Mr. Ellison.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 112-34 to list state-by-state funding allocations of Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Round Three potentially at risk.

On motion to rise and recommend that the enacting clause be stricken Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 240 (Roll no. 182).

3:20 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ellison motion to rise and recommend that the enacting clause be stricken to H.R. 861.

Mr. Ellison moved to rise and recommend that the enacting clause be stricken.

2:03 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 861.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Charles F. Bass to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 170 and Rule XVIII.

2:02 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 839 and H.R. 861 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measures will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. With respect to each measure, the resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 170.

2:01 P.M. –

The House received a communication from Margaret Stephenson, Former Constituent Services Representative, Office of U.S. Represenative John P. Sarbanes. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Stephenson notified the House that she had been served with a subpoena, issued by the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County, to appear as a witness in the criminal trial of a third party who contacted Congressman John P. Sarbanes’ District Office and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House.

2:00 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 March 16, 2011 at 11:08 a.m. stating that the Senate agreed to S.J.Res. 7, S.J.Res 8, and S.J.Res. 9.

1:59 P.M. –

Mr. Walden asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 170:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 839) to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis; and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 861) to rescind the third round of funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and to terminate the program

1:58 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 180 (Roll no. 181).

1:36 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 170.

12:26 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:25 P.M. –

ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. Sessions asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider H.Con.Res. 28 in the House, if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or a designee; that the concurrent resolution be considered as read; that the previous question be considered as ordered on the concurrent resolution to final adoption without intervening motion except (1) one hour of debate controlled by Representative Kucinich of Ohio or his designee; and (2) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; and that section 7 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1546) not apply to the concurrent resolution. Agreed to without objection.

12:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pitts 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.

12:01 P.M. –

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

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 16.

10:36 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Renee L. Ellmers to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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The latest on the budget fight & a link -find out what reckless Republican cuts will do to your state!


The stand-off on the budget continues.

While it looks like the deadline could be extended, the President has said from the beginning that we simply can’t do business a few weeks at a time.

At OFA, we’ve been working hard at the local level. I can tell you the Republican plan isn’t getting any prettier. It costs nearly a million American jobs — including 15,100 in Washington — and it makes drastic, politically motivated cuts to education and innovation. Click here to learn more about how the Republican plan hurts people you know.

http://my.barackobama.com/State-Consequences2?state=WA

Let’s be real — this plan is not how we’re going to win the future. President Obama has offered a budget that would reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion, but he’s said he’s not willing to go along with any plan that would hurt our economic recovery.

So, we’re keeping the pressure on Republicans to come to the table to pass a responsible budget.

You’ve already taken the first step by adding your name to the President’s call for a commonsense budget — but here’s what you can do now before we deliver each and every name to Congress: Spread the word to friends and family in Washington about exactly what the Republican plan would do.

Please pass along the email below, and ask folks to join you in making their voices heard.

Mitch and I will keep you posted as we learn more.

Thanks,

Yohannes

Yohannes Abraham

Political Director

Organizing for America

————–

Subject: Stand up for 15,100 Washington jobs

Dear friends,

I’m writing because 15,100 Washington jobs are at risk — along with key investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure.

The President is committed to finding common ground on a budget that reduces the deficit and cuts wasteful spending, but he’s made it clear that he can’t go along with any plan that could derail our economic growth.

The current spending plan proposed by Republicans would be devastating — and you can see exactly what the Republican budget would mean for Washington: eliminating 8,000 community health center jobs, cutting Washington homeland security investments for local law enforcement by $2.2 million, and dropping 2,989 Washington children from Head Start.

Even with a deadline extension in the works, if Republicans refuse to come to the table to find a long-term solution, the government will be forced to shut down.

Check out all the consequences of the Republican plan for people in Washington — and join me in standing with President Obama for a commonsense approach to the budget:

http://my.barackobama.com/State-Consequences2?state=WA

Thanks

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Accountabi​lity in Wisc. a national priority


Friday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed into law a bill that strips public workers of their rights to collectively bargain after the Republican-controlled legislature rushed through the legislation. The bill also authorizes state officials to fire any state employee who joins a strike, walk-out, sit-in or coordinated effort to call in sick. While Walker maintains that the bill is necessary to solve the budget crisis, this move was purely a power grab by the GOP and its pro-corporate allies.

Two weeks ago, a blogger posing as oil billionaire and Tea Party/Republican mega-donor David Koch recorded a phone conversation with Gov. Walker. Throughout the course of the call Walker talked about various dirty tricks he and his allies had considered, from luring the Democratic Senators back to Madison with false promises of negotiation to infiltrating the mass protests with troublemakers. The Governor even seemed to indulge fantasies about busting public employee unions following President Reagan‘s example of firing more than 11,000 air traffic controllers in 1981.

The Wisconsin GOP’s attempt to pay for massive corporate giveaways that expanded the deficit on the backs of hard working people is not unique to that state. We see it in several other states and, perhaps most visibly, in the current federal budget battle going on in Congress.

We must do everything we can to defend the American Dream, to defend the middle class and to defend fundamental rights all across the United States … that struggle is embodied as clearly as it can be in the current events transpiring in Wisconsin. And that’s why Wisconsin is a battle we as Americans cannot afford to lose. That means unseating by recall election the GOP state senators who are eligible for it now and working to repeal the union-bashing law and hold Gov. Walker accountable going forward.

The response from PFAW members and activists across the country has been truly tremendous. THANK YOU to all of you who have taken action and donated. We need your help to keep the great momentum going, so please continue to spread the word and contribute what you can.

We have our work cut out for us, but with your continued support, together we will help vote out the eight Republican Wisconsin state senators eligible for recall. We’ll help reshape the state government so that this heinous attack on fundamental rights and the American Way can be overturned … and we’ll send a message to right-wing, anti-worker elected officials everywhere, as well as their corporate cronies, that Americans’ basic rights are not on the table and that there are consequences for these attacks.

Thank you for all your support at this historic moment in our nation’s story.

Sincerely,

Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager

P.S. Republican State Senate Leader Scott Fitzgerald told Fox News that the bill was passed in order to dramatically weaken the clout of unions who could support President Obama’s reelection campaign in the swing state: “If we win this battle, and the money is not there under the auspices of the unions, certainly what you’re going to find is President Obama is going to have a much more difficult time getting elected and winning the state of Wisconsin.”

Randy Hopper, a Republican State Senator who could be recalled by voters this year, also said in an interview with Fox News, “I think there’s absolutely no question that this is an issue for 2012.”

As Republicans admit that the union-busting bill is all about punishing progressive groups and rewarding corporate backers, it is clear that the GOP’s rhetoric on “fiscal conservatism” should not be taken seriously.

P.P.S. Today, the 14 Democratic Wisconsin Senators, who showed America such a great example of progressive strength and unity, are returning to Madison in a “homecoming march” on the capitol. The move is meant to demonstrate that their return to the state is not an acknowledgement of defeat. These Senators continue to have our deepest gratitude and support.

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Tell Senate Democrats: Stand up to Republican budget cuts


Right now, Republicans are trying to cut programs that provide access to basic health care, housing assistance and job training. For many families, what happens could mean the difference between stability and homelessness, or life and death.

The GOP‘s war on Black, poor and working folks is bad enough. But as we’ve seen in the past, Democrats often refuse to fight for us. If that happens this time, the most vulnerable among us will be left in the cold while the wealthiest Americans continue to receive massive tax breaks.

Please click the link below to demand that Democrats defend the programs we need, not use them as bargaining chips as they negotiate with Republicans. Then ask your friends and family to do the same. It only takes a moment:

www.colorofchange.org

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are in a battle over the government’s budget. Congress has reached a deal to keep the government from shutting down for the next week while it negotiates a longer-term spending bill.1 While that short-term deal cuts some important funding for education and transportation, the truly devastating cuts are being debated now.2

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has proposed a plan to cut $61 billion from the budget, and many of their proposed cuts target services crucial to our communities’ well being. If Democratic leadership in the Senate and President Obama don’t commit to looking out for our interests this month, Black and low income communities will sink even deeper into economic crisis. Here’s what’s at stake:

Federal grants that help cities create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods would be cut. The Republican plan calls for cutting $2.5 billion in Community Development Block Grants, a 62% reduction nationwide. Cities use these funds to do things like provide affordable housing, expand business opportunities and support a range of services for low- and middle-income folks.3

Low-cost access to reproductive health will be seriously undermined. The GOP’s plan calls specifically for defunding Planned Parenthood nationwide, which means that pre-natal care, cervical cancer screenings and testing for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections will move out of reach for people who can’t afford it or whose insurance doesn’t cover these vital services. As our families know well, Planned Parenthood offers a range of life-saving care. It’s the largest family planning provider in the country, offering the birth control that makes needing to make the difficult choice of having an abortion less likely.4

Half of the budget for a program that helps low-income people heat and cool their homes will be wiped out. Given these tough economic times, the number of people using the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is on the rise. More than 8 million households used it in 2010, up from 7.7 million and 5.8 million during the previous two years. President Obama has himself suggested cuts to this program, and we need him to change course. 5

The Women Infants and Children (WIC) program would face severe cuts. The budget for this key service providing baby formula, food and other services to poor women and their children would be cut by 10%.6

AmeriCorps will shut its doors. The national service program trains and places hardworking young people in jobs in our communities. Its 83,000 members work at places like Habitat for Humanity and Boys and Girls Clubs teaching, mentoring, and building homes among other crucial jobs.7

The list doesn’t end there. If Senate Democrats and President Obama don’t stand strong, we could see $1 billion cut from Head Start programs, nearly $6 billion cut from the need-based Pell Grant program that gives our young people access to higher education, and other cuts to elder and child care, job training, transportation and health programs that help our families stay afloat.8

Please join us in calling on Democratic leaders to stand up for our communities in the current budget battle. And when you do, please ask your family and friends to do the same. It only takes a moment.

Thanks and Peace,

www.colorofchange.org

— James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

March 10th, 2011