Tag Archives: Massachusetts

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Stephanie


Mitt Romney agreed it’s “fair” that millionaires and billionaires like himself pay a lower tax rate than many middle-class families do.

That’s not our spin — that’s straight from Romney. On “60 Minutes” this week, he actually agreed that it’s “fair” that he got to pay a lower tax rate on the millions he made last year than a worker making $50,000 paid. Why? “It’s the right way to encourage economic growth.”

As anyone who’s been paying attention over the past few decades knows, Romney is flat-out wrong. Tax breaks for millionaires and tax hikes for middle-class families lead to endless deficits, not economic growth or job creation. That’s why President Obama is fighting to ensure that millionaires like Romney pay their share

We put together some content that looks at Mitt Romney‘s idea of tax fairness, as well as a couple videos that look at Romney’s positions on education, which he talked about this week. Check them out, and make sure your friends do, too.
#1 Romney’s idea of tax fairness Here’s the video of Romney on what he thinks is fair when it comes to taxes. Take a look, then share it with others:

#2 President Obama’s plan This week, President Obama laid out the details of his plan to build our economy from the middle class out. Voters in Iowa began casting their ballots this morning, so it’s a great time to let your friends and family know about the President’s plan to keep our country moving forward. Share this videowith them:

#3 Tax returns and reforms Romney has defied a decades-long precedent by only releasing two years of his tax returns. That leaves a lot of questions unanswered, but the tax returns he has released show that he benefits from loopholes in the tax code that give an advantage to millionaires and billionaires. So it’s no surprise that Romney doesn’t want to reform the tax code so that all Americans pay a fair share — he wants to keep rewarding millionaires and billionaires at the expense of the middle class. Take a look at this postabout his tax plan, and pass it along:

#4 Romney on class size At the Education Nation Summit this week, Romney doubled down on his assertion that classroom size doesn’t matter. But you don’t just have to listen to Romney to know that his policies are bad — watch Massachusetts teacherstalk about what happened to schools in their state when Romney served as governor, then pass the video along to the teacher or parent in your life:

Also take a look at this videothat tells the story of a Colorado teacher who got to speak with Romney. You’ll be stunned to hear how he treated her:

Thanks for all you do,
Stephanie

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Elizabeth Warren for Senate : Massachusetts


Sep 18, 2012 by    

http://www.elizabethwarren.com

Like a lot of you, I came up in a family that worked hard and I’ve spent years fighting for working people.

I wasn’t looking to run for office but I see how Washington‘s rigged for the big guys:  oil companies, billionaires, and I can’t stand by. My fight’s for our families, for a level playing field. Scott Brown‘s not a bad guy, he doesn’t always vote the wrong way. But too often, on things that really matter, he’s not with you. With almost a quarter of a million people out of work in Massachusetts, Scott Brown voted against three of President Obama’s jobs bills. He voted against making millionaires pay the same tax rate as working families. And he voted to give more than 20 billion dollars in subsidies to the big oil companies. Kids are drowning in student loans, roads need repair, the deficit is sky high, and Scott Brown’s voting for giveaways to big oil? I wouldn’t do that. I’m Elizabeth Warren and I approve this message. I’d be in there fighting for you, not some of the time — all of the time.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pelosi – House Dems and Congress in the Newsroom JUNE 2012

5 Comments

It’s been more than 250 days since the GOP took control of the House, and Americans are still asking: Where are the jobs, House Republicans?

The middle class is hurting, and the Republicans’ only answer is a plan to end Medicare and give tax breaks to Big Oil and companies that ship jobs overseas.

Learn more about the legislation the House has considered this Congress:

The Republican Default Act»

H.R. 1315 – Assault on Consumer Protections»

H.R. 2560 – GOP Cut, Cap & End Medicare Act»

H.R. 2018 – Undermining Clean Water»

H.R. 1309 – Flood Insurance»

H.R. 2417 – BULB Act»

H.R. 2219 – Defense Appropriations»

H.R. 2021 – More Giveaways to Big Oil, Not Lower Gas Prices»

H.R. 672 – Ending the Election Assistance Commission (EAC)»

H.R. 2112 – FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill»

H.R. 2055 – FY 2012 Military Construction/VA Appropriations Bill»

H.R. 1229 & H.R. 1231 – More Gifts To Big Oil»

H.R. 1230 – A Gift to Big Oil»

Restricting Women’s Access to Health Care»

Reducing Access to Health Care For Small Businesses & Uninsured»

Reducing Access to Health Care for Young People»

Upton-Inhofe Weaken Clean Air Act»

The FAA Job Loss Bill»

DC Private School Vouchers»

HAMP Termination Act»

GOP Spending Bill»

Build America Bonds»

GOP Patients’ Rights Repeal Bill»

H.R. 359 – Placing Control of Our Elections More Squarely Into the Hands of Special Interests»

Learn more about Democratic motions the House has considered this Congress:
On certain bills, House Democrats are allowed to offer a Motion to Recommit amending the pending bill before the final passage vote. Democrats have offered many motions this Congress ranging from increasing combat pay for our troops to protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Democratic Motions to Recommit in the 112th Congress»

As Speaker Boehner continues his legal boondoggle to defend the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act in the federal courts, he is batting 0 for 4. Today’s ruling in Windsor vs. U.S. marks the fourth loss for his lawyers as the court ruled that DOMA serves no rational purpose and is unconstitutional.

In Windsor vs. U.S., Speaker Boehner intervened in the case of Edie Windsor who was penalized by DOMA to the tune of $350,000 after the death of her spouse, Thea Spyer, of 44 years.

When Thea died, the federal government refused to recognize their marriage and taxed Edie’s inheritance from Thea as though they were strangers. Under DOMA, only an opposite-sex spouse who dies can leave her assets, including the family home, to the other spouse without incurring estate taxes.

Boehner’s lawyers have now intervened in 14 cases and spent over $700,000 in taxpayer funds, but have now lost four cases in a row:

February 22, 2012 – U.S. District Court in California declares DOMA unconstitutional, in Golinski v. United States, ruling in favor of Karen Golinski who sought to enroll her wife in the federal employee health plan

May 24, 2012 – U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California rules DOMA unconstitutional and held that federal tax law cannot limit the participation of same-sex married couples and domestic partners in a long-term care insurance plan in Dragovich v. U.S. Department of Treasury.

May 31, 2012 – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rules DOMA unconstitutional in Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

June 6, 2012 – U.S. District Court in New York rules DOMA unconstitutional in Windsor vs. U.S.

More background and a timeline of Speaker Boehner’s indefensible DOMA defense are available here.

Black History, ~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety

CONGRESS: the Republican led House the Senate considers S.3187, the FDA user fees bill & Executive nominations


the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET May 17, 2012

  • Following the prayer and the pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • It is the Majority Leader’s intention to begin consideration of the motion to proceed Calendar #400, S.3187, the FDA user fees bill with the time until 10:30am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • At 10:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:
  • Executive Calendar #646, Jeremy C. Stein, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2004 and
  • Executive Calendar #647, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be a Member of Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2000
  • with up to 90 minutes of debate on the nominations equally divided and controlled between Senators Johnson (SD) and Shelby or their designees.
  • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12:00pm), the Senate will vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed above. Each nomination will require 60-votes in the affirmative.

11:07am The Senate is considering the motion to proceed to S.3187, A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices, to establish user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and for other purposes.

11:07am   At 10:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session with 90 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

–          Executive Calendar #646, Jeremy C. Stein, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2004; and

–          Executive Calendar #647, Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be a Member of Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the unexpired term of fourteen years from February 1, 2000.

If all time is used, these votes will begin at approximately 12:00 noon today. Both nominations are subject to 60 vote thresholds.

The time until 10:30am is equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the second half.

The Senate is considering the motion to proceed to S.3187, A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and medical devices, to establish user-fee programs for generic drugs and biosimilars, and for other purposes.

The time until 10:30am is equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the second half.

At 10:30am, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session with 90 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the following nominations:

12:01pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #646 the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein, of MA, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 70-24

12:28pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Executive Calendar #647, the nomination of Jerome H. Powell, of MD, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 74-21

Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination of Paul J. Watford, of California, to be United State District Judge for the 9th Circuit. Senators should expect the cloture vote at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, May, 21.

Senator Reid also filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Legislative Calendar #400, S.3187, the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.R.1905, as amended by the text of the Reid-Johnson (SD)-Shelby amendment, which is the text of S.2101, and the Reid-Johnson (SD)-Shelby amendment.

Senator Kyl objected.

There will be no further roll call votes during Thursday’s session of the Senate

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #646 the nomination of Jeremy C. Stein, of MA, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 70-24

2)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #647, the nomination of Jerome H. Powell, of MD, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Confirmed: 74-21

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed Calendar #401, H.R.2415, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the “Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building”.

Passed Calendar #402, H.R.3220, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the “Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office”.

Passed Calendar #403, H.R.3413, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1449 West Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the “Private Isaac T. Cortes Post Office”.

Passed H.R.4045, a bill to modify the Department of Defense Program Guidance relating to the award of Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA program) administrative absence days to members of the reserve components to exempt any member whose qualified mobilization commenced before October 1, 2011, and continued on or after that date, from the changes to the program guidance that took effect on that date.

Passed H.R.4119, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act.

Passed H.R.4849, Sequoia and Kings County National Parks Backcountry Access Act with a Boxer-Feinstein substitute amendment.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

The Senate is back on 5/21

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 17, 2012

112TH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION

-H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon Amendments En Bloc No. 2.6:02:21 P.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon.6:01:49 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Polis amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.5:48:50 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis amendment No. 12.5:48:48 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Polis,  numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-485 to reduce the amount for the ground-based midcourse missile defense system by $403 million.5:47:51 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.5:34:20 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment No. 11.5:34:17 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey,  numbered 11 printed in House Report 112-485 to delay the development of the new long-range nuclear-capable bomber by ten years and the funding in the bill would be reduced by $291,742,000, which is the amount planned for this bomber.5:34:10 P.M. -H.R. 4310The Committee resumed its sitting.5:33:15 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4849, with an amendment, H.R. 2415, without amendment, H.R. 3220, without amendment, H.R. 3413, without amendment, H.R. 4045, without amendment, H.R. 4119, without amendment.5:33:14 P.M. -The Committee rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.5:33:13 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Quigley amendment; Failed by voice vote.5:21:24 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Quigley amendment No. 10.5:21:22 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Quigley,  numbered 10 printed in House Report 112-485 to eliminate funds available for procurement of the V-22 Osprey aircraft, and puts the savings toward deficit reduction.5:21:03 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Conyers amendment; Failed by voice vote.5:07:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment No. 9.5:07:48 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Conyers,  numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-485 to terminate the F-35B aircraft program. Would authorize the Secretary to procure an additional number of F/A-18E or F/A-18F aircraft to replace the F-35B aircraft.5:06:26 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Bartlett amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair post poned further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:53:54 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bartlett amendment No. 8.4:53:51 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Bartlett,  numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-485 to prevent federal agencies from requiring contractors to sign an anti-competitive and costly project labor agreement (PLA) as a condition of winning a federal construction contract.4:52:11 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rooney amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:40:53 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rooney amendment No. 7.4:40:49 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Rooney,  numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-485 to direct the Department of Defense to hold detainee trials in the US Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and not in the United States.4:40:27 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:33:32 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment No. 6.4:33:29 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Connolly (VA),  numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-485 to withhold funds from the Coalition Support Fund until the Secretary of Defense certifies that Pakistan has opened the Ground Lines of Communication, is allowing the transit of NATO supplies through Pakistan into Afghanistan, is supporting the retrograde of U.S. equipment out of Afghanistan.4:32:00 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.4:07:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Lee amendment No. 5.4:07:47 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Ms. Lee (CA),  numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-485 to end the war in Afghanistan by limiting funding to the safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Afghanistan.4:07:08 P.M. -H.R. 4310POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rohrabacher amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rohrabacher demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.3:55:09 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rohrabacher amendment No. 4.3:54:39 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Rohrabacher,  numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-485 to prohibit the availability of funds for assistance to Pakistan in fiscal year 2013.3:54:22 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the Kucinich amendment; Failed by voice vote.3:39:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kucinich amendment No. 3.3:39:38 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. Kucinich,  numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-485 to prohibit the Joint Special Operations Command from conducting signature drone strikes, drone strikes against targets whose identity is not known or based solely on patterns of behavior this target.3:39:22 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendments; Agreed to by voice vote.3:23:53 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the McKeon Amendments En Bloc No. 1.3:23:23 P.M. -H.R. 4310Amendments en bloc  offered by Mr. McKeon,  comprised of the following amendments : Amendments Nos. 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 40, 43, 57, 74, 83, 95, 97, 102, 107, and 126 printed in House Report 112-485.3:22:38 P.M. -H.R. 4310On agreeing to the McKeon amendment; as modified Agreed to by voice vote.3:11:42 P.M. -H.R. 4310DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 661, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McKeon Manager’s amendment No. 1.3:11:31 P.M. -H.R. 4310McKeon amendment; modified by unanimous consent.3:11:08 P.M. -H.R. 4310An amendment, offered by Mr. McKeon,  numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-485 to make conforming changes in the bill.3:08:52 P.M. -H.R. 4310The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.3:08:42 P.M. -H.R. 4310Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4310 — “To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”2:53:01 P.M. -H.R. 5740Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:53:00 P.M. -H.R. 5740On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 18 (Roll no. 262).2:46:28 P.M. -H.R. 5740Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5740 — “To extend the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other purposes.”2:46:13 P.M. -H. Res. 568Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:46:12 P.M. -H. Res. 568On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 401 – 11, 9 Present (Roll no. 261).2:38:34 P.M. -H. Res. 568Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 568 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.”2:38:20 P.M. -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.2:37:58 P.M. -H. Res. 661Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:37:57 P.M. -H. Res. 661On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 178 (Roll no. 260).2:28:56 P.M. -H. Res. 661On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 182 (Roll no. 259).12:54:43 P.M. -H. Res. 661DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 661.12:54:40 P.M. -H. Res. 661Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 661 — “Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4310) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”12:48:28 P.M. -H. Res. 661On motion to consider the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.12:48:18 P.M. -H. Res. 661At the conclusion of debate on the Larson (CT) point of order, the Chair put the question on consideration of the resolution.12:34:27 P.M. -H. Res. 661POINT OF ORDER AGAINST CONSIDERATION – Mr. Larson (CT) made a point of order that the provisions of H. Res. 661 violate clause 9(b) of rule XXI. Under clause 9(b) of rule XXI, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the question of consideration. At the conclusion of debate on the question of consideration, the Chair will put the question to wit: Will the House now consider the resolution?12:34:18 P.M. -H. Res. 661The Chair recognized Mr. Bishop (UT) who by direction of the Committee on Rules called up H. Res. 661 and asked for its immediate consideration.12:29:40 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification that the national emergency with respect to Burma will continue beyond May 20, 2012 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-110).12:04:20 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.12:03:35 P.M. -Without objection, the Chair recognized Rep. Reed (NY) for the purpose of welcoming Reverend Dr. Ken Chroniger as Guest Chaplain.12:02:34 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Reed to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:29 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:04 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Ken Chroniger, Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church, Alfred Station, New York.12:00:47 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 17.11:12:35 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:43 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.10:00:22 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Shimkus to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:09 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

speaking of truth to power … 6


What a week — Rick Santorum dropped out of the race, Mitt Romney continued to attack women’s rights, and the Republican National Committee dropped an ad we absolutely have to debunk. On top of all that, Thursday marked the six-year anniversary of Mitt Romney’s health reform in Massachusetts — one of the models for Obamacare — but you won’t hear him taking any credit for it.

Check it out all in this week’s tips:
#1 Video: Mitt Romney — Memories to last a lifetime With Rick Santorum leaving the GOP primary on Tuesday, it’s almost certain that Mitt Romney will be the nominee. To commemorate the GOP primary, and remind people of the extreme positions Romney’s taken over the course of it, we put together a short videolaying out some of his most “severely conservative” moments. Check them out, then share them with anyone who still thinks he’s a moderate:

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#2 Keeping his word: 5 ways our president supports economic opportunities for women Governor Romney spent a good deal of this week attacking President Obama’s economic record among women. President Obama has said, “Every decision I make is all about making sure … all our daughters and all our sons grow up in a country that gives them the chance to be anything they set their minds to.” That includes supporting economic policies that help women, like extending the payroll tax cut — which helps 75 million women — or granting more than 16,000 business loans to small businesses owned by women. Check out the top five waysour President has kept his word to women, then pass them on:

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#3 Fair Pay Act for women: Romney’s campaign not sure he would’ve signed if president The morning after Rick Santorum left the race, the Romney campaign was asked whether Romney supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps to ensure women can get equal pay for equal work. Their answer (which should’ve been a no brainer): “We’ll get back to you on that.” This is a basic step to stop pay discrimination in the workplace, the first bill President Obama signed into law in office — and Romney’s campaign isn’t sure if their candidate would’ve signed it. We put together a short video, featuring Lilly Ledbetter, on why equal pay is “not Republican and it’s not Democrat. It’s civil rights.” Watch it, and share it with folks who should see it, too:

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#4 The six-year anniversary of Romneycare (Where’s the celebration?) Exactly six years ago yesterday, Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts health reform, or Romneycare, into law. At the time he called it a model for the nation. Six years later, and you don’t hear him celebrating it. Why? Because this godfather of Obamacare is promising to repeal national health reform on Day One in office. So much for a model for the nation. We put together a videoexplaining it — check it out, pass it on, and make sure people know he’s trying to take away the very protections he once fought for:

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#5 Debunk this new RNC ad The Republican National Committee is out with a new ad smearing President Obama’s record, saying he hasn’t kept any of his promises from four years ago. You and I both know that’s a lie, so we put together a charge-by-charge rebuttal of the ad, laying out exactly what our president has done. Check it out, and make sure none of the RNC’s lies stick:

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#6 Fact check the Koch Brothers on Obamacare The George Mason University Mercatus Center released a report this week claiming Obamacare will actually add to the deficit, to the tune of $340 billion. But don’t for a minute believe that they don’t have an agenda — this center is primarily funded by the Koch brothers, and was founded by their chief lobbyist. A quick look at studiesfrom actual non-partisan sources, like the Congressional Budget Office, back up what the President has said about Obamacare all along — it will actually cut the deficit by $127 billion. Make sure their report doesn’t pick up any steam — share the truth:

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Thanks,
Stephanie
P.S. — Now that Mitt Romney is almost surely our opponent, the race is on. We created this Facebook graphic for folks to say they’ve got our president’s back. Share it on your wall here:

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