Tag Archives: McCain

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Child care workers. Maids. Fast-food employees. Restaurant servers. Home health care aides.


National Women's Law Center
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Support a new economic agenda that works for women in low-wage jobs.
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Child care workers. Maids. Fast-food employees. Restaurant servers. Home health care aides.

They’re jobs that are more likely to be done by women.

And that’s not good news.

Because if you’re in one of these jobs, which typically pay $10.10 an hour or less, you may well be living below the poverty line. You may be struggling to afford health care and child care. And you may face discrimination and sexual harassment.

We just released a new report showing that regardless of their education level, age, marital or parental status, race, ethnicity, or national origin, women are more likely to work in a low-wage job than their male counterparts. For women to get ahead, we need to improve working conditions and policy supports for workers in these jobs.

Sign on to support a new economic agenda that works for women in low-wage jobs.

Working in a low-wage job makes supporting a family incredibly difficult. In addition to the constant struggle to make ends meet, workers in these jobs face a drumbeat of challenges and headaches — like lack of access to affordable child care and paid sick days, discrimination and harassment, unpredictable work schedules, and barriers to reproductive health care.

Not to mention a wage gap. Yes, even in these low-wage jobs, women working full time, year round are paid 13 percent less than men.

Something’s got to give.

Pledge to support an economic agenda that works for women in low-wage jobs.

In our report, Underpaid and Overloaded: Women in Low-Wage Jobs, we outline an agenda that addresses the needs of low-wage workers. On the agenda:

  • Increase economic security
  • Support workers with family responsibilities
  • Enforce protections against employment discrimination
  • Create and expand pathways to educational opportunities
  • Strengthen opportunities for collective action

Sign the pledge — to show your support for taking action for women in low-wage jobs.

If we can make these policies a reality, they won’t only improve the lives of workers in low-wage jobs and their families. They’ll make our economy stronger for everyone.

Thank you for everything you do for women and their families.

Sincerely,
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Visit www.nwlc.org/LowWage to download the full report.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Climate Action Is Like Terrorism?


By

EPA Hearings Show Just How Much Polluting Energy Companies Are Desperate And In Denial

In early June, the Environmental Protection Agency issued the latest piece in the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan: a proposed rule to dramatically cut carbon pollution from America’s coal-fired power plants in the coming decades. The rule is an essential step for public health and for slowing the effects of climate change.

Today marks the next formal phase in the rule-making process: public hearings on the rule are taking place today and tomorrow in four cities around the country, with up to 1,600 people slated to offer their comments. These individuals include some of the foremost proponents and opponents of the rule — and the activity surrounding these hearings encapsulates just how desperate and out of touch polluters and their allies who oppose the rule are.

Take Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). In remarks at an event at the Heritage Foundation, Kelly likened the new EPA rule to terrorism. “You talk about terrorism — you can do it in a lot of different ways,” he said. “But you terrorize the people who supply everything this country needs to be great — and you keep them on the sidelines — my goodness, what have we become?”

This isn’t the first time climate deniers and opponents of renewable energy solutions have made this outrageous comparison. In fact, Rep. Kelly is really just drawing from the talking points of polluters. The polluter-front group Environmental Policy Alliance ran a print ad in Washington, D.C. media last month making similar comparisons, and the Koch-backed Heartland Institute lost funding after running billboards that equated people who believe in global warming to the Unibomber in 2012.

Here’s another: At the public hearing on the EPA rule in Washington, D.C., the Vice President of coal mining giant Peabody Energy referred to the climate science of which 97 percent of scientists agree as “climate theory.”

On the other side, Center for American Progress Vice President of Energy Policy Greg Dotson also testified at the hearing, urging the EPA to stay committed to reducing emissions: “protecting our children from carbon pollution is your legal duty. And it’s everyone’s moral obligation.”

In addition, the White House released new evidence to coincide with the hearings that warns of the cost of climate inaction. The report estimates that delaying climate action to the point at which emissions rise to 3 degress Celsius above pre-industrial levels, rather than 2 degrees, would cost the U.S. economy $150 billion a year.

Here are just a few other facts on why the new EPA rule, and the projected 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions because of it, is so vital:

  • 6,600: The possible premature deaths avoided annually when a 30 percent cut in carbon emissions is achieved.
  • 150,000: The possible number of asthma attacks per year avoided when a 30 percent cut in carbon emissions is achieved.
  • 490,000: The possible number of missed school or work days avoided when a 30 percent cut in carbon emissions is achieved.
  • $93 billion: The possible economic value of the public health benefit when a 30 percent cut in carbon emissions is achieved.
  • $7: The amount in health benefits that Americans will see for every dollar invested as a result of this plan.

BOTTOM LINE: The new EPA rule is a huge step for public health and for our children’s futures. The companies that oppose this rule are desperate, dirty, and in denial. For other health threats like arsenic, mercury, and lead, we set limits on contaminants to keep people safe. But we let dirty power plants release as much carbon pollution into the air as they want. That needs to change.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

July 30th is a big day for millions of working families in New York City!
Dear Friend,
July 30th is a big day for millions of working families in New York City!  Today, workers are eligible to start using the sick time they have accrued under the NYC Earned Sick Time Act, if they have been with their employer since the law went into effect on April 1, 2014.  A Better Balance worked closely with legislative officials to draft and strengthen this new law.  It covers nearly 1.2 million workers who previously had no sick time and ensures that 3.4 million workers in the private sector now have a legal right to sick time.  That means that employers cannot deny workers sick time they have earned or retaliate against workers for taking that time to care for themselves or family members.
Now we have to make these new rights a reality on the ground!  Could you take a moment today to spread the news by forwarding this to your networks or telling workers you know who may be in need of the law’s new protections?  Please tell workers to call ABB’s legal hotline at 212-430-5982 if they have questions about the law or problems related to the need for sick time.  ABB can provide confidential advice and free legal representation and can take calls in English and Spanish.
And when you spread the word, please tell workers that the Earned Sick Time Act gives them the right to take up to 40 hours of sick time per year to care for their own health or the health needs of a child or other family member.  Most employers will have to pay workers for the time, and all covered workers are protected against retaliation. Please see ABB’s one-page flyer (also available in Spanish) and webpage for workers on the law.
We’d also be grateful if you or anyone you know could distribute our materials on the law to organizations, community centers, etc. in your own community.  To find out how you can get involved, or if you have any questions, please call ABB at 212-430-5982 or email sicktime@abetterbalance.org.  
As always, thank you for all your support,
Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Liz, Risha, Rachel & Morenike
Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 7/30 ~~ the House


Obama Launches DNC Campaign Tour At Illinois State Capitol

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, July 30, 2014.

 

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.2569, the Brings Jobs Home Act. There will be 1 hour 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 the motion to invoke cloture on the Bring Jobs Home Act. If cloture is not invoked, there will be an immediate cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.2648, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

 

Approximately 10:45am—Up to 2 roll call votes, 3 voice votes

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on S.2569, Bring Jobs Home Act
  2. Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2648, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #535, Cynthia H. Akuetteh, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic and to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #783, Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #729, Richard A. Kennedy, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for a term expiring May 30, 2016

Senator Reid file cloture on Executive Calendar #848, the nomination of Jill Pryor, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge of the Eleventh Circuit. Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Friday, August 1st.

10:50am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act.

Not invoked: 54-42

11:18am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2648, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Invoked: 63-33

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:
  1. Executive Calendar #535 Cynthia H. Akuetteh, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Gabonese Republic, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
  2. Executive Calendar #783 Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  3. Executive Calendar #729 Richard A. Kennedy, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

 

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. The motion to invoke cloture on S.2569, Bring Jobs Home Act; Not Invoked: 54-42
  2. The motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2648, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations; Invoked: 63-33

Legislative Business

Began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2709, Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act (Manchin)

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2685, USA Freedom Act (Leahy)

Executive Business

The following nominations were confirmed by voice votes:

  1. Executive Calendar #535, Cynthia H. Akuetteh, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic and to serve concurrently as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
  2. Executive Calendar #783, Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  3. Executive Calendar #729, Richard A. Kennedy, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

 

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Last Floor Action:
10:00:53 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.

Last Floor Action:
7:44:16 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 30, 2014.

10:00:08 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:25 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Stewart to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:53 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.

11:34:55 A.M. The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on July 30, 2014 at 8:56 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 5021, with an amendment and agreed to H. Con. Res. 108.
11:35:05 A.M. The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on July 30, 2014 at 9:31 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4028 and S. 2577. The message also stated that the Senate had agreed to H. Con. Res. 103 and H. Con. Res. 106.
11:35:51 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:42 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.
12:01:18 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alphonso Jackson, Second Baptist Church of Richmond Heights, Miami, Florida
12:02:32 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:35 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Bonamici to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:55 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.

12:42:10 P.M. H. Res. 694 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 694 — “Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 676) providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 935) to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes; and providing for proceedings during the period from August 1, 2014, through September 5, 2014.”
12:45:52 P.M. H. Res. 694 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 694.
2:05:00 P.M. H. Res. 694 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 694, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Slaughter demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.
2:05:54 P.M. The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
2:06:23 P.M. H.R. 5195 Mr. Holding moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5195 — “To provide additional visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program, and for other purposes.”
2:06:45 P.M. H.R. 5195 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:06:47 P.M. H.R. 5195 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5195.
2:33:40 P.M. H.R. 5195 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:33:43 P.M. H.R. 5195 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:34:24 P.M. H. Con. Res. 107 Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Con. Res. 107 — “Denouncing the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in violation of international humanitarian law.”
2:34:43 P.M. H. Con. Res. 107 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:34:45 P.M. H. Con. Res. 107 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 107.
3:06:16 P.M. H. Con. Res. 107 On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:07:13 P.M. H.R. 3230 Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to a conference.
3:07:50 P.M. H.R. 3230 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3230.
3:56:01 P.M. H.R. 3230 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
3:56:13 P.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H. Res. 694, and on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3230, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:56:31 P.M. H. Res. 694 Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 694 — “Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 676) providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 935) to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes; and providing for proceedings during the period from August 1, 2014, through September 5, 2014.”
4:24:38 P.M. H. Res. 694 On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 195 (Roll no. 465).
4:25:38 P.M. MOMENT OF SILENCE – The Chair asked that the House observe a moment of silence in remembrance of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our Nation in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.
4:34:19 P.M. H. Res. 694 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 196 (Roll no. 466).
4:35:44 P.M. H.R. 3230 On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 5 (Roll no. 467).
4:40:44 P.M. H.R. 3230 Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:41:47 P.M. H. Con. Res. 111 Mr. Miller (FL) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.
4:42:08 P.M. H. Con. Res. 111 Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 111 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make certain corrections in the enrollment of the bill H.R. 3230.”
4:42:10 P.M. H. Con. Res. 111 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
4:45:32 P.M. H. Res. 676 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 694. H. Res. 676 — “Providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States.”
4:45:37 P.M. H. Res. 676 The resolution provides for consideration of both H. Res. 676 and H.R. 935 in the House. Both measures are debatable for one hour.
4:45:50 P.M. H. Res. 676 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 676.
6:01:31 P.M. H. Res. 676 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
6:29:47 P.M. H. Res. 676 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 201 (Roll no. 468).
6:32:09 P.M. H.R. 935 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 694. H.R. 935 — “To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes.”
6:32:14 P.M. H.R. 935 The resolution provides for consideration of both H. Res. 676 and H.R. 935 in the House. Both measures are debatable for one hour.
6:33:00 P.M. H.R. 935 DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 935.
7:22:48 P.M. H.R. 935 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
7:22:58 P.M. H.R. 935 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further proceedingson H.R. 935 would be postponed.
7:24:05 P.M. Mr. Gibbs asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on July 31. Agreed to without objection.
7:24:17 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:27:07 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:51:31 P.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
11:38:00 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.
11:38:10 P.M. Mr. Cole filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 696.
11:38:11 P.M. Mr. Cole moved that the House do now adjourn.
11:39:11 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
11:39:12 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on July 31,

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