Tag Archives: Obama Administration

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Administration Drops Defense of DOMA


Administration Drops Defense of DOMA

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families. 202-456-1111

In a rare and extraordinary step, today the Obama Administration announced that it will stop defending the discriminatory federal “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) in court – specifically, the section that denies federal benefits to married same-sex couples.

DOMA keeps these couples from getting family and medical leave, Social Security survivors’ benefits, joint tax filing, and immigration rights, among many other benefits.

You helped bring about this historic day. HRC supporters like you have written tens of thousands of letters to President Obama, shared thousands of personal stories of how DOMA has hurt their families, and helped HRC engage in years of advocacy on this issue with the administration.

As President Obama himself has said, DOMA unfairly discriminates against Americans. He needs to know how many people applaud his decision to defend the principles of the constitution.

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families.  202-456-1111

The Obama Administration has dealt a double blow to DOMA today. Not only has it stopped defending this law (which the president has long called discriminatory), it has affirmed that any law that discriminates based on sexual orientation should have to pass a higher legal test in court.

This is a monumental decision for thousands of same-sex couples and their families.

Unfortunately, anti-LGBT leaders in Congress may have a chance to defend the law themselves, so it’s not the end of the road for DOMA.

But together, we’ll fight any attempt to waste taxpayer dollars defending this patently unconstitutional law. The federal government has no business picking and choosing which legal marriages they want to recognize.

Right now, send a message to the President thanking him for today’s decision.

Thank you for all your hard work on this issue, and for your continued commitment to building a nation where all are equal.

Administration Drops Defense of DOMA

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese

President

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Harmful Bush-era “Conscienc​e” Rule Rescinded


A few years ago, we asked you to imagine this: A woman with cervical cancer is not given information about the option to extract and freeze her eggs before her cancer treatment because her gynecologist has a religiously based opposition to infertility treatment.

You helped us oppose this Bush administration “conscience” rule by sending thousands of comments and emails to the administration. The rule, which was in effect since 2008 encouraged providers to deny access to abortion and contraception, and treatment for infertility, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS in ways the law does not allow.

When President Obama took office he proposed rescinding this harmful rule, and again you responded by sending over 5,000 comments in support of removing this restriction. We are pleased to report that the Obama administration announced late last week that it was rescinding dangerous provisions of this rule. We couldn’t have done it without your help and support!

But the battle over women’s health continues and we need your help now. Please make an urgent donation today to support the Center’s work on women’s health and other issues important to women and their families.

Please make an urgent donation today to support the Center’s work on women’s health and other issues important to women and their families.http://action.nwlc.org/site/R?i=WAE9P7vrbxWLu20UOP3Kew..

The new House leadership has unleashed alarming attacks on women’s health and reproductive rights, and if they have their way, women’s access to health care will be set back decades. The House voted to repeal the new health care law, which is already helping women and families. Now House leadership wants to put into law parts of the regulation which was just rescinded. For example, exempting hospitals from requirements to treat women in need of emergency abortion care, even if they may die without it. They want to raise taxes on potentially millions of individuals and small businesses that keep the insurance plans they currently have if they include coverage of abortion. And on top of it all, this past week they made it clear that they are launching an all-out assault on women’s access to contraception and other family planning services.

For nearly 40 years, the National Women’s Law Center has led the way for women and families — in the classroom, in the workplace and in society as a whole. We’re up against what is already one of the most challenging sessions of Congress in recent history, but with our team of experts and your help we know we can win, no matter how much the other side pushes its dangerous message.

Your generous donation allows us to continue to stand up for women and their families. Please support the Center’s important work today. http://action.nwlc.org/site/R?i=vP-vEw_2yVfPMfAafWcfmQ..

Your generous donation allows us to continue to stand up for women and their families. Please support the Center’s important work today.

On behalf of women and families everywhere, thank you for your generous help.

Sincerely,

Judy Waxman

Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights

National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Learn more about Obama’s decision to rescind this harmful Bush-era regulation in our new fact sheet.

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We need your feedback–Because we’re scientists, not mind readers


Happy New Year! We’re excited to be kicking off 2011 with the support of people like you.

You are the foundation of our organization. It’s because of your support that the Union of Concerned Scientists has been able to make great progress on some of the toughest environmental, health, and security issues of our time.

We’re very interested in what you, as a UCS supporter, think about what we’re doing. So please tell us what matters to you by taking our quick online survey.

As a science-based organization, it is anathema to us to make uninformed presumptions, so we rely on you to tell us what you think. We’ll use your answers to make better decisions about what to send you and how often to contact you. Please click here to give us your opinion today.

We also want to make sure you know about some exciting accomplishments that happened in just the last few weeks—each of which we worked hard to shape and deliver:

•Congress ratified the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia. This critical pact will reduce each country’s vast arsenals of nuclear weapons and is a critical first step in a renewed global effort to reduce the nuclear threat.

•The Obama administration released its long-awaited scientific integrity plan to improve transparency in policy making, ensure that well-qualified individuals are appointed to science positions, and protect those who expose abuse of science.

•An historic agreement was reached at December’s U.N. climate convention in Cancún, Mexico, that will reduce tropical deforestation and protect forest peoples and biodiversity (contrary to the perception some have that only modest progress was made there).

These long-fought achievements would not have been realized if it weren’t for your actions and support. Thank you, and congratulations.

We look forward to the new year ahead and to continuing to work together with you, side-by-side, to promote science-based solutions to cut global warming emissions, develop clean energy alternatives, reduce the threat of nuclear weapons, and much more!

Don’t forget to take our quick online survey to tell us how our online communications are serving you.

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch

President

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Stop auto makers from weakening fuel efficiency laws


 

Change.org

Do you want new cars and trucks sold in America to get 60 MPG by 2025?  

Sign the Petition

The White House made a major announcement this week about its plan to set new fuel economy standards as high as 62 MPG for cars and trucks by 2025. The new rules could save Americans billions of dollars at the pump and help curb our dangerous addiction to oil.

But the auto industry is expected to put up a big fight to keep the new fuel economy standards as low as possible.

Right now the EPA is accepting public comment, and this is our chance to make sure Washington policymakers hear us loud and clear: We don’t want our country held hostage by Big Auto or Big Oil anymore. It’s way past time to bring more fuel-efficient cars on the market.

Don’t let the car manufacturers drown out the American consumer. Tell the White House and EPA officials to aim high and set new fuel economy standards that put consumers and a cleaner, greener future ahead of corporate profits.

The truth is, the technology exists right now to improve fuel economy for cars and trucks – and automakers know it. But the auto industry has always been slow to adopt new fuel-saving and safety technology in the absence of strong standards. They opposed mandatory seat belts and air-bags and claimed that the first fuel efficiency standards would prevent Americans from being able to choose the kind of car or truck they want to drive. Today, we know that these standards have made Americans safer, saved them money, cleaned up our air, and lessened the country’s dependence on oil.

60 MPG is entirely doable, but the auto industry is lobbying federal policymakers right now to keep new fuel standards low. Make sure the White House and the EPA know where you stand on the new standards.

Tell the EPA and the Obama administration to stand up to Big Auto and set the bar high for fuel economy- at least 60 MPG by 2025!

Thanks for taking action,

– The Change.org Team

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Congress- debates/votes on Wall Street Reform …Today!


The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July, 15 2010

Updates when needed today

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany HR4173, Wall Street Reform. At approximately 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Wall Street Reform conference report. That will be the first vote of the day. Additional votes are expected during Today session of the Senate.

The vote for cloture 60-38 moves the Wall Street bill forward …i might be cynical but i will get excited about finally moving beyond Wall Street to get Every Street fixed with this somewhat watered down bill Wall Street has let the People down and needs to be reform repaired and reintroduced so that it functions correctly not corruptly.  The official record is below…

Votes:
206: Cloture on the conference report to accompany HR4173, Wall Street Reform:
Invoked: 60-38

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10amET July 15, 2010