Tag Archives: Republican

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Weekly Address: End the Sequester to Keep Growing the Economy.
In his weekly address, President Obama said that businesses have created jobs every month for three years straight — nearly 6.4 million altogether, and have added 246,000 new jobs in February. We must keep this momentum going, and that’s why the President recently met with Republican leaders to discuss how we can replace the harmful, arbitrary budget cuts, called the “sequester,” with balanced deficit reduction.
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Pick Your Poison


 By ThinkProgress War Room

Devastating Cuts Take Hold

Devastating, painful, and, above all, avoidable spending cuts went into effect Friday evening after sequestration became official. Instead of agreeing to a balanced replacement that includes targeted spending cuts and new revenues from closing tax loopholes used by the wealthiest Americans and special interests, Republicans are instead forcing these damaging cuts on the country.

Here’s a look at 32 of the dumbest and most devastating cuts.

Health care

  • $20 million cut from the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs
  • $10 million cut from the World Trade Center Health Program Fund
  • $168 million cut from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • $75 million cut from the Aging and Disability Services Programs

Housing

  • $199 million cut from public housing
  • $96 million cut from Homeless Assistance Grants
  • $17 million cut from Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
  • $19 million cut from Housing for the Elderly
  • $175 million cut from Low Income Home Energy Assistance

Disaster and Emergency

  • $928 million cut from FEMA’s disaster relief money
  • $6 million cut from Emergency Food and Shelter
  • $70 million cut from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Fund at USDA
  • $61 million cut from the Hazardous Substance Superfund at EPA
  • $125 million cut from the Wildland Fire Management
  • $53 million cut from Salaries and Expenses at the Food Safety and Inspection Service

Obamacare

  • $13 million cut from the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program (Co-ops)
  • $57 million cut from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control
  • $51 million cut from the Prevention and Public Health Fund
  • $27 million cut from the State Grants and Demonstrations
  • $44 million cut from the Affordable Insurance Exchange Grants program

Education

  • $633 million cut from the Department of Education’s Special Education programs
  • $184 million cut from Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research
  • $71 million cut from administration at the Office of Federal Student Aid
  • $116 million cut from Higher Education
  • $86 million cut from Student Financial Assistance

Immigration

  • $512 million cut from Customs and Border Protection
  • $17 million cut from Automation Modernization, Customs and Border Protection
  • $20 million cut from Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology

Security

  • $79 million cut from Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance
  • $604 million cut from National Nuclear Security Administration
  • $232 million cut from the Federal Aviation Administration
  • $394 million cut from Defense Environmental Cleanup

BOTTOM LINE: The worst impacts of the cuts won’t happen overnight, but they will happen. Rather than compromise, Republicans instead appear ready to stand by and watch as our economy and millions of Americans are hurt by these irresponsible and devastating cuts. Their reckless behavior got us into this mess in 2011 and now it’s time for them to come back to the table and help get us out of it before the worst impacts of these indiscriminate cuts happen.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

The GOP’s top donor admits that his company probably bribed foreign officials.

Jeb Bush flip-flops on a path to earned citizenship.

Theatrical slut shaming: Daily Caller goes after Ashley Judd for nude scenes.

Mitt Romney is not done proving why he’s not president. And Ann Romney isn’t over it yet.

Can a leading climate denier win in a swing state?

GOP congressman opposed Violence Against Women Act because it protected too many people.

The Associated Press laments the plight of the very wealthy.

Business-friendly Swiss vote for major restrictions on executive compensation.

Corporate profits have risen almost twenty times faster than worker wages since 2008.

Black History

CONGRESS: Republican led House ::::::CIA,Climate Change, Immigration,PayCheck Fairness::::::Democratic led Senate


capitolsnowclosed

  • The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 11:45am with time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of S.Res.64, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.
  • The only amendment in order to the resolution is a Paul amendment, striking provisions relative to the National Security Working Group with up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled.
  • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12:15pm), there will be a roll call vote on adoption of the Paul amendment. Upon the disposition of the Paul amendment, the Senate will vote on adoption of S.Res.64, as amended, if amendment (expected voice vote).
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • During Monday’s session, cloture was filed on Executive Calendar #13, the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan, of New York, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Under the rule, the cloture vote will be on Wednesday morning.

12:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Paul amendment #25 (National Security Working Group) to S.Res.64, a resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period of March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.

The Senate is in Executive Session debating Executive Calendar #13, the nomination of Caitlin Halligan, of New York to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. As a reminder, yesterday Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination. At this point, that vote is expected to occur tomorrow,Wednesday, March 6. Another message will be sent when the vote is scheduled.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Paul amendment #25 (strike funding for National Security Working Group) to S.Res.64, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013; Not Agreed to: 44-55

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.64, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the period March 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013 by voice vote.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army and Navy

Confirmed the following:

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar  #27

to be Major General-

Brigadier General Arnold W. Bunch, Jr.

Brigadier General Theresa C. Carter

Brigadier General Sandra E. Finan

Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Harrigian

Brigadier General Timothy J. Leahy

Brigadier General Gregory J. Lengyel

Brigadier General Lee K. Levy, II

Brigadier General James F. Martin, Jr.

Brigadier General Jerry P. Martinez

Brigadier General Paul H. McGillicuddy

Brigadier General Robert D. McMurry, Jr.

Brigadier General Edward M. Minahan

Brigadier General Mark C. Nowland

Brigadier General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy

Brigadier General Michael T. Plehn

Brigadier General Margaret B. Poore

Brigadier General James N. Post, III

Brigadier General Steven M. Shepro

Brigadier General David D. Thompson

Brigadier General Scott A. Vander Hamm

Brigadier General Marshall B. Webb

Brigadier General Burke E. Wilson

Brigadier General Scott J. Zobrist

Executive Calendar #28 *with the exception of Colonel Scott C. Long

to be Brigadier General-

Colonel Nina M. Armagno

Colonel Sam C. Barrett

Colonel Steven L. Basham

Colonel Ronald D. Buckley

Colonel Carl A. Buhler

Colonel John A. Cherrey

Colonel James C. Dawkins, Jr.

Colonel Patrick J. Doherty

Colonel Dawn M. Dunlop

Colonel Thomas L. Gibson

Colonel James B. Hecker

Colonel Patrick C. Higby

Colonel Mark K. Johnson

Colonel Brian M. Killough

Colonel Robert D. LaBrutta

Colonel Russell L. Mack

Colonel Patrick X. Mordente

Colonel Shaun Q. Morris

Colonel Paul D. Nelson

Colonel John M. Pletcher

Colonel Duke Z. Richardson

Colonel Brian S. Robinson

Colonel Barre R. Seguin

Colonel John S. Shapland

Colonel Robert J. Skinner

Colonel James C. Slife

Colonel Dirk D. Smith

Colonel Jeffrey B. Taliaferro

Colonel Jon T. Thomas

Colonel Glen D. VanHerck

Colonel Stephen N. Whiting

Colonel John M. Wood

Executive Calendar #29 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. Robin Rand

ARMY

Executive Calendar #30 to be Lieutenant General- Lt. Gen. John M. Bednarek

Executive Calendar #31 to be General – General Lloyd J. Austin, III

Executive Calendar #32 to be Lieutenant General- Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Executive Calendar #33 to be General- Lt. Gen. John F. Campbell

Executive Calendar #34 to be General- Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks

Executive Calendar #35 to be General- Gen. David M. Rodriguez

MARINE CORPS

Executive Calendar #36 to be Major General- Brig. Gen. Paul W. Brier

NAVY

Cal. #37 to be Vice Admiral- Rear Admiral William H. Hilarides

Cal. #38 to be Vice Admiral- Rear Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin

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Last Floor Action:
8:28:20 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 5, 2013.

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

10:00:45 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:39 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Ron DeSantis to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:58 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.
10:16:24 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
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White House Women’s Update: Happy Women’s History Month


Friends-

We hope this message finds you well. Happy Women’s History Month! Today marks the beginning of a month dedicated to honoring the women who have made our country great and the moments that have defined this nation.

Thursday was a great day for women across the country with the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passing in the House of Representatives, following the Senate’s passage of the same bill. Also this week, the Department of Labor announced the rescission of “Compensation Standards” and “Voluntary Guidelines.”

Today marks the beginning of a month dedicated to honoring the women who have made our country great and the moments that have defined this nation. You can find the President’s Women’s History Month Proclamation here.

Best wishes,

The White House Council on Women & Girls

President Obama Holds a Press Conference to Address the Sequester

President Obama held a press conference this morning after meeting with Congressional leaders to talk about his plans to move the country forward in light of the severe budget cuts that will start to take effect today.

These cuts, which are known as the sequester, will hurt our economy and cost us jobs, the President said. And as Americans all across the country work hard to keep our economic recovery going, arbitrary cuts to services and investments that businesses and workers depend on makes that far more difficult. As the President said:

“None of this is necessary. It’s happening because of a choice that Republicans in Congress have made. They’ve allowed these cuts to happen because they refuse to budge on closing a single wasteful loophole to help reduce the deficit. As recently as yesterday, they decided to protect special interest tax breaks for the well-off and well-connected, and they think that that’s apparently more important than protecting our military or middle-class families from the pain of these cuts.”

Read the President’s complete remarks here.

Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Passed by Congress

On Thursday there was exciting news for women across the country with the reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act passing in the House of Representatives. This bill, which the Senate has already passed, supports the reduction of domestic violence and the improved treatment of rape victims, extending these protections to members of the Native American and LGBT communities.

The President and Vice-President both released statements praising the bill’s importance for the country. Here is the President’s complete statement:

“I was pleased to see the House of Representatives come together and vote to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act. Over more than two decades, this law has saved countless lives and transformed the way we treat victims of abuse. Today’s vote will go even further by continuing to reduce domestic violence, improving how we treat victims of rape, and extending protections to Native American women and members of the LGBT community. The bill also reauthorizes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, providing critical support for both international and domestic victims of trafficking and helping ensure traffickers are brought to justice. I want to thank leaders from both parties – especially Leader Pelosi, Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Leahy – for everything they’ve done to make this happen. Renewing this bill is an important step towards making sure no one in America is forced to live in fear, and I look forward to signing it into law as soon as it hits my desk.”

VAWA: Valerie Jarrett Tweet

US Labor Department Rescinds Restrictions On Investigating Pay Discrimination

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced exciting news for women and all Americans. The Department is resending two documents, commonly known as the “Compensation Standards” and “Voluntary Guidelines,” that have dictated how pay discrimination can be investigated. This change will enable to Department of Labor to identify and remedy more forms of pay discrimination.

“Today, we are lifting arbitrary barriers that have prevented our investigators from finding and combating illegal pay discrimination,” said Patricia A. Shiu, a member of the President’s National Equal Pay Task Force.

The Department of Labor also plans to release new guidance for employers that will explain the procedures, analysis and protocols that will now be used in conducting compensation discrimination investigations.

“A strong American middle class hinges on ensuring equal pay,” said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. “As President Obama has made clear, everyone – including the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters among us – must be paid fairly and without discrimination. These new standards will strengthen our ability to ensure that women and men are fully protected under our nation’s laws.”

The new approach will enable investigators to better examine practices and available evidence to uncover discrimination.

Read the complete News Release here.

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Weekly Address: Congress Must Compromise to Stop the Impact of the Sequester.


President Obama urges Congress to stop the sequester — the harmful automatic cuts that threaten thousands of jobs and affect our national security from taking effect on March 1.

Watch this week’s Weekly Address.

In Case You Missed It

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:

Call to Governors: On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Biden delivered remarks to the National Governor Association. The President drew attention to the importance of infrastructure and education, while praising the group for their great work and accomplishments across America. The President also urged the governors to push Congress to end the harmful and automatic budget cuts known as the sequester, set to take effect March 1.

“As governors, you’re the ones who are on the ground, seeing firsthand every single day what works, what doesn’t work, and that’s what makes you so indispensable,” he said. “Whatever your party, you ran for office to do everything that you could to make our folks’ lives better.”

The First Lady and Dr. Biden also spoke and covered the importance of committing to our veterans in their transition to civilian life. Both highlighted states that have made progress in changing laws to make it easier for military spouses to attain new credentials when they move to a new state, and challenged all 50 states to follow through.

Rosa Parks Statue: On Wednesday, leaders gathered at Capitol Hill to honor civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks with the unveiling of her statue. The piece marks the first full-bodied statue of an African-American woman inside the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

Over half a century ago, Parks courageously refused to give up her seat on a bus and became a catalyst for the civil rights movement. President Obama acknowledged she opened doors for millions by noting, “It is because of these men and women that I stand here today.”

Defense Threats from Sequester: On Tuesday, President Obama traveled to Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia to warn of the sequester and promote his solutions for deficit reduction. Watch the full speech here.

“So these cuts are wrong. They’re not smart. They’re not fair,” said President Obama. “They’re a self-inflicted wound that doesn’t have to happen.”

Let’s Move! Tour: This week, the First Lady launched the start of her Let’s Move! tour to celebrate the third anniversary of the initiative that is challenging childhood obesity. On Tuesday, the First Lady appeared on “Good Morning America” to discuss childhood obesity and introduce a new partnership that highlights healthier recipes through MyPlate, a way to learn about healthy eating.

Taking Action: On Wednesday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano hosted over 100 leaders to discuss making our schools and houses of worship safer through high-quality emergency management plans. In January, the President signed 23 Executive Actions to protect our communities and high-quality emergency management was a piece of this framework.

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