Tag Archives: politics

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Now is the time: Help UCS lock in protection​s for science


The Union of Concerned Scientists has documented dozens of cases of corporations and politicians preventing government scientists from doing their jobs. This interference and manipulation of science has led to flawed policy decisions that put the public’s health and safety at risk.

www.ucsusa.org

Please help UCS lock in much-needed government reforms that will ensure independent science informs key decisions about our health, safety, air, and water.

www.ucsusa.org

You can help UCS stop special interests from spinning science at the expense of the American people by becoming a member today.

UCS blew the whistle on these widespread attacks on science during the Bush administration. Now, the administration has changed, but the system that allows politics to undermine science largely has not.

Fortunately, government agencies are working right now to develop forceful new policies that can protect scientists from political pressure. UCS is the only organization watchdogging the process and ensuring agencies follow through on their scientific integrity commitments. We’re meeting with agency officials and providing them with resources to ensure policies:

•Protect scientists who report political interference in agency work;

•Prevent conflicts of interest on science advisory committees;

•Allow scientists to share their research and scientific analysis with the public and the press; and

•Increase transparency so the public knows what science agencies consider when making policy decisions.

Please help UCS hold the administration and its agencies accountable for locking in much-needed reforms that will outlast their time in office, keep politics in its place, and allow government scientists to do their jobs. Become a member today.

www.ucsusa.org

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch

President

P.S. When you join UCS, you join more than 79,000 UCS members who also believe that decisions about our health, safety, air, and water should fully consider the best available science. Please join us today and help us keep politics out of science.

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Wisconsin update -Kristina Powell, Democracy for America


Wisconsin Republicans know they went too far in their attacks on unions and middle class families — so they’re changing election laws to protect themselves.

With six Republican State Senators facing recall, the right-wing Republican majority forced through a new voter ID law that would disenfranchise students, the poor, and the elderly — all groups who vote Democratic — ahead of this summer’s elections.

This is just another Republican attack in their war on working families. That’s why we’re building a people-powered campaign to beat them. We’re putting staff on the ground to organize volunteers, knock on doors, make phone calls and run radio and TV ads featuring real Wisconsin families.

Their campaign is fueled by big corporate money. But our campaign is fueled by grassroots volunteers and small contributions from thousands of DFA members. We can’t afford to wait any longer to start building our campaign. We need to hit the ground running and we can’t do it without you.

http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/769?akid=851.1480546.vsV5iY&t=1

This Republican attack on their constituents’ right to vote is shameful not just because it’s wrong, but also because it’s so blatant.

They’re not only requiring college students to bring a photo ID — they’re requiring them to bring recent tuition receipts if they’re using a college ID.

They’re not only imposing new residency requirements on voters — they’re also not providing any time or money to local offices to educate voters on the new laws.

Republicans are scared — that’s why they’re launching this attack on people’s voting rights. They know that they crossed a line and that they’re in for a tough fight this summer. Please contribute today and help send a clear message to right-wing Republicans in Wisconsin and across the country — attack the middle class and you lose.

http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/769?akid=851.1480546.vsV5iY&t=1

Thank you for everything you do.

-Kristina

Kristina Powell, Finance Director

Democracy for America

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Congress: the Republican led House love fest w/Bibi @11am -the Senate deals with S.1038


The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET May 24, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume the motion to proceed to S.1038, a bill to provide for the extension of expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act until June 1, 2015 with the time until 5pm equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

Votes:

75: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1038, a bill to provide for the extension of expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act until June 1, 2015;

Invoked: 74-8

There will be no further roll call votes during today’s session.

Unanimous Consent:

adopted S.Res.195, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 24, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

9:40 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 25, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Bartlett moved that the House do now adjourn.

9:30 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

Ms. Foxx filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 276.

8:41 P.M. –

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

8:39 P.M. –

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

H.R. 1216:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to convert funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health centers from direct appropriations to an authorization of appropriations

8:38 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1216 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Guthrie moved that the Committee rise.

8:26 P.M. –

Mr. Guthrie raised a point of order against the Weiner amendment Mr. Guthrie stated that the amendment violated clause 10 of rule XXI by increasing mandatory spending. The Chair sustained the point of order.

8:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Weiner amendment under the five-minute rule pending reservation of a point of order.

Amendment offered by Mr. Weiner.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to add a new paragraph providing that provisions of the bill shall not take effect until the date that the Comptroller General of the United States determines there is no primary care physician shortage in the United States.

8:20 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Foxx amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the Foxx amendment until a time to be announced.

8:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole continued with debate on the already pending Foxx amendment.

8:01 P.M. –

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1540:

to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes

7:58 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1540 as unfinished business.

6:48 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1540.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack 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. 269 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1216 and H.R. 1540. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate and waives all points of order against consideration of the measures. The rule provides one motion to recommit H.R. 1216 with or without instructions. The rule also provides that after general debate on H.R. 1540, the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion and that no further consideration of the bill shall occur except pursuant to a subsequent order of the House.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 269.

H.R. 1216:

to amend the Public Health Service Act to convert funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health centers from direct appropriations to an authorization of appropriations

6:45 P.M. –

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1216 as unfinished business.

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

6:44 P.M. –

Mr. Guthrie moved that the committee rise.

On agreeing to the Cardoza amendment Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 232 (Roll no. 337).

6:37 P.M. –

On agreeing to the Tonko amendment Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 231 (Roll no. 336).

6:29 P.M. –

On motion that the committee rise Failed by recorded vote: 14 – 397 (Roll no. 335).

6:02 P.M. –

Mr. Weiner moved that the committee rise.

3:55 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment number 7 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to to prohibit the use of funds provided for graduate medical education from being used to provide abortion or training in the provision of abortion. Additionally, funds would not be provided to a teaching health center if the institution discriminates against individual health care entities that refuse to provide abortion under go training in the provision of abortion, or offer referral for abortion services.

3:54 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cardoza amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cardoza demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cardoza amendment number 9 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Cardoza.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the extent of physician shortages in areas with significant shortages. The study should also examine the effects of expanding and establishing new medical graduate programs as directed by the health care overhaul law on the number of physicians were the funding not rescinded by the bill

3:41 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Tonko amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tonko amendment number 2 under the five-minute rule.

Amendment offered by Mr. Tonko.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to conduct a study of the number of primary care physicians that would be trained as a result of the funding provided in the health care overhaul law compared to the number of physicians that would be trained should funding be eliminated or rescinded.

2:43 P.M. –

GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1216.

2:42 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe 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. 269 and Rule XVIII.

2:41 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1216 and H.R. 1540. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate and waives all points of order against consideration of the measures. The rule provides one motion to recommit H.R. 1216 with or without instructions. The rule also provides that after general debate on H.R. 1540, the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion and that no further consideration of the bill shall occur except pursuant to a subsequent order of the House.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 269.

H. Res. 269:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1216) to amend the Public Health Service Act to convert funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health centers from direct appropriations to an authorization of appropriations; providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1540) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes; and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules

2:39 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 181 (Roll no. 334).

2:31 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 179 (Roll no. 333).

1:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 269.

Considered as privileged matter.

1:10 P.M. –

PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS IN RECORD – Ms. Foxx asked unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Congressional Record of today. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 274:

electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives

1:09 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

S. 990:

to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes

1:06 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

1:01 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 990.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Graves (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

1:00 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

12:46 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.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 24.

12:16 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:45 P.M. today.

JOINT MEETING – The Speaker announced that the Joint Meeting was dissolved. The House remains in recess until approximately 12:45 p.m.

10:58 A.M. –

JOINT MEETING – The House has reconvened in Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive an address by His Excellency Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 24.

10:05 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The House will reconvene in Joint Meeting with the Senate for the purpose of receiving His Excellency Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

10:02 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Ros-Lehtinen 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.

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn, The Conservative Synagogue, Westport, Connecticut

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Eric Cantor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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You can help stop abuse of science …Kevin Knobloch, Union of Concerned Scientists


Dr. Rosemary Johann-Liang spent seven years working for the government. Her job was to make sure that the prescription drugs we take and give to our families are safe and effective.

Become a member today and help UCS hold the Obama administration and its agencies accountable for protecting science by implementing reforms that will outlast their time in office.

But four years ago, she was reprimanded by her bosses for recommending that the popular diabetes drug Avandia carry a warning label because the drug had been linked to a significant increase in the risk of heart attacks. Her superiors not only failed to act on her recommendation, but they also took away her oversight role in the safety review of the drug. Avandia is made by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline—which, according to a Senate investigation, intimidated physicians and sought ways to downplay findings that a rival drug might reduce cardiovascular risk.

Unfortunately, Dr. Johann-Liang is not alone. Thousands of scientists, across various federal agencies, have told us they fear retaliation for blowing the whistle on political interference in their work.

The Union of Concerned Scientists called attention to widespread attacks on science like this during the Bush administration. Now, the administration has changed, but the system that allows politics to undermine science largely has not.

Please help UCS lock in government reforms to protect scientists and ensure the best available science informs key decisions about our health, safety, and environment—become a member today.

www.ucsusa.org

Federal agencies are working right now to develop stringent new policies to protect scientists from political pressure by special interests. Working with government scientists and other policy experts, UCS has developed resources for agencies to draw upon and is working to ensure these policies:

Protect scientists who report political interference in agency work;

Prevent conflicts of interest on science advisory committees;

Allow scientists to share their research and scientific analysis with the public and the press; and

Increase transparency so the public knows what science agencies consider when making policy decisions.

We need your help to ensure federal agencies adopt strong policies that protect science—now and into the future.

Please become a member today. www.ucsusa.org

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch

President

P.S. When you join UCS, you join more than 79,000 UCS members who also believe that decisions about our health, safety, air, and water should fully consider the best available science. Please join us today and help us keep politics out of science.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Debra Bowen is a progressive leader


The CA-36 special primary election is just six days away and we need your help to make sure DFA-endorsed candidate Debra Bowen closes strong.

Debra is kicking her Get Out The Vote operation into high gear during the final four days of the election. But the success of this operation will depend on DFA members to step up and push progressive champion Debra Bowen over the top. Can you help deliver the resources Debra needs to win?

http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/731?akid=779.1480546.-cc5wp&t=1

Debra has always run campaigns empowered by grassroots activists. In this race, over 90% of her contributions have been for less than $100, and over 80% of all contributions have come online.

But Debra’s opponent Janice Hahn is being boosted by $75,000 from an insurance industry outfit targeting Debra’s defeat. And according to the L.A. Times, about half of Hahn’s campaign contributions come from “lobbyists, developers, and others doing business with the city” — the ultimate City Hall insiders.

Debra is a progressive leader who has always put principle over politics. But to ensure victory on May 17th, we need to make sure Debra has the resources to finish her grassroots campaign strong.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director

Democracy for America