Tag Archives: republicans

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a message from Gov. Inslee

07/25/2013 Nativegrl77

This year’s legislative session proved one important point: the Working Washington Agenda that we brought to Olympia is very different than that of the Republican controlled state Senate.

Surprised?

Well, all of the early talk about bipartisanship had me hoping we could move forward on issues that actually had bipartisan support like the DREAM Act, the Reproductive Parity Act, and fixing our transportation system.

Unfortunately, the Senate Majority Coalition was big on bipartisan rhetoric and short on action. None of these bills were ever brought to the Senate floor for a vote! Luckily we were able to prevent the state Senate from going backwards on many key funding and policy issues.

With your support we said, “no” to continued cuts to our most vulnerable citizens. And, together we said, “no” to policy that would have hurt working families and our environment.

In order to succeed, we’re going to have to face down the inertia and inaction we fought against during this past legislative session. They’re already gearing up to stop us from delivering on critical issues our state needs — like closing unnecessary tax loopholes, creating good paying jobs, and fully funding public education.

Will you contribute $5, $10, or more to help us end the Republican agenda, and make sure we are ready for what our opponents will throw at us?

I’m proud that, in spite of resistance from the Senate Republicans, we expanded Medicaid. I’m proud that we delivered an additional $1 billion in funding for our schools — a down payment required by our constitution to fully fund our children’s education. And I’m proud that we stopped our opponents from sneaking their out-of-step ideas into the budget.

Having you standing with me made that possible. But not everyone’s happy.

I will continue to fight to close unnecessary tax breaks in order to fund education for the long haul. Oil companies and Senate Republicans both know that I will continue to press on until we get it done.

Will you contribute $5, $10, or more to support us in this fight, and help us continue our Working Washington Agenda?

As you know, political campaigns do not end when you get elected. The grassroots movement we built during the campaign is essential as we work to build innovative industries that benefit all Washingtonians.

Your support today will give us the resources we need to get things done. Thank you for your tremendous support every day. Together we can accomplish hard things.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee Governor

Black History

the Senate S.1234 CONGRESS the House HR2397 & HR2610

07/24/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 9:30am on Wednesday, July 24, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The Republicans will control the first half and the Majority will control the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1234, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Senator Portman will be recognized to call up his amendment #1749 (bridges in critical corridor program). We hope to vote in relation to the Portman amendment Wednesday morning.
At 3:40pm, there will be a moment of silence in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police, who were killed 15 years ago in the line of duty defending the Capitol, the people who work there, and its visitors against an armed intruder.
We also expect to consider the Student Loan legislation during Wednesday’s session.

The following amendments are pending to S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill:

Cardin amendment #1760 (report on lane miles and highway bridge deck)
Coburn amendment #1750 (Federal tax liability – Federal employees)
Coburn amendment #1751 (Federal funding of union activities)
Coburn amendment #1754 (Federal funds – matching programs)

The following amendment have been considered to S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill:

Vitter amendment #1744 (sexual abuse – housing aid); Agreed to: 99-1
Portman #1749, as modified (bridged in critical corridor program); Agreed to by voice vote

Senator Portman called up his amendment #1749, as modified (bridges in critical corridors program). The amendment, as modified, was then agreed to by a voice vote.

Senator Murray then called up Cardin amendment #1760 (report on condition of lane miles and highway bridge decks).

Senator Murray encouraged senators with amendments to reach out to the managers in order to call up their amendments. Senator Reid would like to complete action on the bill in the next 24 hours.

We will also execute the order on the Student Loan bill potentially around noon today. Under the order, there will be up to 6 hours for debate prior to a series of 4 votes in relation to the following amendments and on passage of the bill.

– Reed (RI)-Warren second degree amendment to Manchin-Burr amendment;

– Sanders second degree amendment to Manchin-Burr amendment;

– Manchin-Burr amendment, as amended, if amended; and

– Passage of H.R.1911, as amended, if amended.

The Senate is now considering H.R.1911, the student loans interest rate bill, as provided under the previous order.

At 5:15pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reed (RI)-Warren second degree amendment #1778 to Manchin-Burr amendment #1773 to S.1243, Student Loan Interest Rate (60-vote threshold)

Not Agreed to: 46-53

5:43pm The Senate began a 10-minute roll call vote on the Sanders amendment # 1774 to Manchin-Burr amendment #1773 to S.1243, Student Loans Interest Rates (60-vote threshold)

Not Agreed to: 34-65

6:11pm The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on passage of S.1243, Student Loan Interest Rates, as amended (60-vote threshold)

Passed: 81-18

The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Reed (RI)-Warren second degree amendment #1778 (caps) to Manchin-Burr amendment #1773 (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 46-53

2) Sanders second degree amendment #1773 (sunset) to Manchin-Burr amendment #1773 (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 34-65

3) Passage of H.R.1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, as amended (60-vote threshold); Passed: 81-18

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.1092, a bill to designate the air route traffic control center located in Nashua, New Hampshire, as the “Patricia Clark Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center”.

Discharged the Energy committee of further consideration of S.1294 and referred it to the Agriculture committee. S.1294, to designate as wilderness certain public land in the Cherokee National Forest in the State of Tennessee, and for other purposes.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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July 2013
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Last Floor Action: 7/23
1:15:32 A.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 24, 2013

10:00:30 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:34 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:04 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.
11:01:28 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 24.
12:01:00 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend John Reynolds, Volusia County Baptist Church, Orange City, Florida.
12:02:57 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Daines demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Daines objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
12:03:32 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Duncan of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:00 P.M.		The Chair reminded the House that it will observe a moment of silence at 3:40 p.m. today in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the United States Capitol Police.
12:04:41 P.M.		The House received a communication from Representative Bonner wherein he will resign as a member of the House of Representatives effective at 11:59 p.m. on August 2, 2013.
12:05:59 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.
1:00:17 P.M.	H. Res. 315	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 315 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2218) to amend subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to encourage recovery and beneficial use of coal combustion residuals and establish requirements for the proper management and disposal of coal combustion residuals that are protective of human health and the environment, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1582) to protect consumers by prohibiting the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating as final certain energy-related rules that are estimated to cost more than $1 billion and will cause significant adverse effects to the economy.”
1:00:53 P.M.	H. Res. 315	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 315.

1:00:53 P.M.	H. Res. 315	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 315.
2:14:29 P.M.	H. Res. 315	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 191 (Roll no. 399).
2:23:57 P.M.	H. Res. 315	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 188 (Roll no. 400).
2:23:58 P.M.	H. Res. 315	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:24:10 P.M.	H.R. 2397	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2397 — “Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.”
2:24:21 P.M.	H.R. 2397	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
2:31:08 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Jones amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 401).
2:35:09 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the LaMalfa amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 402).
2:39:56 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Mulvaney amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 403).
2:44:40 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Stockman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 404).
2:49:20 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Walorski amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 405).
2:59:05 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Bonamici amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 406).
3:01:26 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Kilmer, numbered 67 printed in House Report 113-170 to protect DoD civilians’ security clearances.
3:01:42 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kilmer amendment No. 67.
3:08:52 P.M.	H.R. 2397	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kilmer amendment No. 67, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kilmer demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3:09:29 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nadler, numbered 69 printed in House Report 113-170 to prevent the further detention of Guantanamo Bay detainees that have already been cleared for release.
3:09:49 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler amendment No. 69.
3:20:35 P.M.	H.R. 2397	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment No. 69, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3:21:05 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nadler, numbered 70 printed in House Report 113-170 to prevent further construction or expansion of existing facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
3:21:51 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler amendment No. 70.
3:30:47 P.M.	H.R. 2397	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment No. 70, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Nadler demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3:31:36 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Pierluisi, numbered 71 printed in House Report 113-170 to enable the Department of Defense to respond to significant public safety hazards and fulfill its environmental restoration responsibilities under CERCLA by removing unexploded ordnance from the Northwest Peninsula of the island of Culebra in Puerto Rico, which is a formerly used defense site where U.S. Navy ship-to-shore bombing and weapons training occurred from 1903 until 1975.
3:32:01 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pierluisi amendment No. 71.
3:39:03 P.M.	H.R. 2397	By unanimous consent, the Pierluisi amendment was withdrawn.
3:40:00 P.M.	H.R. 2397	MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson of the United States Capitol Police.
3:41:18 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Brooks (AL), numbered 72 printed in House Report 113-170 to prohibit funds from this Act to be used to implement or execute any agreement with the Russian Federation concerning the missile defenses of the United States.
3:41:39 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brooks (Al) amendment No. 72.
3:49:36 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Brooks (AL) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
3:50:02 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Schiff, numbered 73 printed in House Report 113-170 to prohibit funding the use of force pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF, PL 107-40) effective on December 31, 2014–concurrent with the end of our combat role in Afghanistan.
3:50:10 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Schiff amendment No. 73.
4:01:08 P.M.	H.R. 2397	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Schiff amendment No. 73, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Schiff demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
4:01:33 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Ms. Speier, numbered 74 printed in House Report 113-170 to provide funds to identify individuals who were separated from the military on the grounds of a disorder subsequent to reporting a sexual assault and, if appropriate, correcting their record.
4:01:36 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Speier amendment No. 74.
4:07:29 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Speier amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:08:21 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Ms. Speier, numbered 75 printed in House Report 113-170 to provide $10 million in additional funds to increase training for investigators to properly investigate sexual assault related offenses.
4:08:23 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Speier amendment No. 75.
4:15:41 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Speier amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:16:28 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Radel, numbered 97 printed in House Report 113-170 to prohibit the use of any funds with respect to military action in Syria to the extent such action would be inconsistent with the War Powers Resolution.
4:16:32 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Radel amendment No. 97.
4:40:20 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Radel amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:40:39 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Massie, numbered 98 printed in House Report 113-170 to provide that no funds made available by this Act may be used to fund military or paramilitary operations in Egypt.
4:40:41 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Massie amendment No. 98.
4:53:45 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Massie amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:53:54 P.M.	H.R. 2397	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:55:09 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Kilmer amendment (A059) Roll Call 407 – Recorded vote pending.

5:23:51 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Kilmer amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 407).
5:28:56 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 408).
5:34:15 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 409).
5:38:47 P.M.	H.R. 2397	>On agreeing to the Schiff amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 410).
5:41:21 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Pompeo, numbered 99 printed in House Report 113-170 to ensure none of the funds may be used by the NSA to target a U.S. person or acquire and store the content of a U.S. person’s communications, including phone calls and e-mails.
5:41:22 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Pompeo amendment No. 99.
5:57:28 P.M.	H.R. 2397	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pompeo amendment No. 99, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pompeo demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
5:58:22 P.M.	H.R. 2397	An amendment, offered by Mr. Amash, numbered 100 printed in House Report 113-170 to end authority for the blanket collection of records under the Patriot Act. It would also bar the NSA and other agencies from using Section 215 of the Patriot Act to collect records, including telephone call records, that pertain to persons who are not subject to an investigation under Section 215.
5:58:24 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 312, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Amash amendment No. 100.
6:21:43 P.M.	H.R. 2397	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Amash amendment No. 100, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Amash demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
6:21:59 P.M.	H.R. 2397	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:23:21 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Terry amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:23:54 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment (A069) Roll Call 411 – Recorded vote pending.

6:23:21 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Terry amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
6:48:56 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On agreeing to the Pompeo amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll no. 411).
6:53:20 P.M.	H.R. 2397	Amash amendment; Failed by recorded vote: (Roll no. 412).
6:54:17 P.M.	H.R. 2397	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of general debate on H.R. 2397.

205 – 217 the House Rejects Amdt to kill NSA Survellance Program

7:02:22 P.M.	H.R. 2397	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2397.
7:03:37 P.M.	H.R. 2397	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
7:03:50 P.M.	H.R. 2397	The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
7:04:20 P.M.	H.R. 2397	Ms. Frankel (FL) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
7:04:38 P.M.	H.R. 2397	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Frankel (FL) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to set aside an additional $25 million for US-Israeli Cooperative Programs, including a $20 million increase for Iron Dome and a $5 million increase for the Arrow System Improvement Program.
7:10:19 P.M.	H.R. 2397	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
7:16:09 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 192 – 231 (Roll no. 413).
7:31:50 P.M.	H.R. 2397	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 315 – 109 (Roll no. 414).
7:31:51 P.M.	H.R. 2397	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:31:58 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed earlier today.
7:32:28 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
7:32:39 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 1911, with an amendment.
7:33:00 P.M.	H.R. 2397	The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2397.
7:34:24 P.M.		Mr. Young (FL) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on July 25. Agreed to without objection.
7:35:00 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:44:11 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

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A better tomorrow means less Tea in Congress

07/11/2013 Nativegrl77

In March of 2010, a Gallup Poll report stated that if a vote from We the People for Congress were taken right now it would result in 47% voting for Democrats and 44% Republicans. My response, if this is true, organizers definitely need to get prepared for November 2010. That the numbers were this close because the Democrats have not gone big bold and progressive as most of us want. Well, we all know what happened and granted the process of changing policy and or making better laws are not easy or pleasant but it should not be the reason for changing your attitude or your vote solely for hating the process. The bills that are being considered or waiting in the Senate, could improve the lives of the many rather than a select few and we need to get beyond the status quo Republicans seem to have claimed as the best way to gain back Congress. I don’t know about you but what I hear and see just makes it clear that Republicans like Speaker Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell do not represent America… period. We need Senator Reid to find the will not only be tough but remember this is not just a historic moment for everyone it is the opportunity to move America into the 21st Century. The people spoke in 2008 and again in 2012 with 53% voting for Barack Obama for a 2nd term. Now, it’s time for Congress to stop acting out earn their pay and do the right thing.

The fact is while Congress ignores passing legislation the Sequester is moving into the living rooms of families all over the country … invisible to those on tv from commentary reporters or journos offering entertainment judgments advice as well as conservative politicians who we call public servants seemingly acting extreme … are bad actors

The Media continues to speculate or re-enforce the negative and mocking President Obama’s so-called improbable agenda of climate change, immigration overhaul as well as stating that Democrats are wavering on a vote that could quite possibly bring all that is Democratic down. It is at this moment that the Democratic Party should be willing to create change that has been needed for quite some time and like the President has stated…

My question for you voters is … if not now when, because we may never get this chance for a long time if ever.

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a message from Gov.Jay Inslee

07/03/2013 Nativegrl77

I’m happy to report that Sunday I was able to sign a new operating budget for the state of Washington and avert a partial government shutdown.

It is unfortunate it took this long to reach a budget agreement, but I am pleased that we delivered on many of the key principles you and I fought for during my campaign.

We made our budget priorities clear: funding education, protecting vital services, and closing tax loopholes. We didn’t get everything we wanted — that’s the nature of negotiation. But, with your help, we stayed strong, and I am pleased that we were able to pass a budget that delivers $1 billion in education funding and protects vital programs for Washington’s kids and seniors.

Will you help spread the word about this accomplishment by clicking here to share this graphic on Facebook?

The budget I signed Sunday is a down payment on our commitment to fulfilling our legal and moral duty to fund education for our children — but it is clearly only the beginning.

What this budget is not is a vehicle for irresponsible, bad policy — like devastating cuts to essential services for our most vulnerable neighbors, or dramatic anti-labor, anti-environment, and anti-consumer policy initiatives.

I’m proud of that — and you should be, too — because if you and I hadn’t held the line, that’s exactly what it would have been.

Along with these key wins on the budget, I’m pleased that the Medicare expansion made possible by Obamacare is going to increase access for Washingtonians and create jobs.

Help spread the word by clicking here to share our graphic with your friends on Facebook now.

Unfortunately, it’s also clear we have a lot of work to do.

I am disappointed we were not able to reach an agreement with senate Republicans to close a number of unnecessary tax loopholes. This year’s improved revenue forecast helped us meet our short-term goals, and made clear that we did need to find new revenue, but I remain committed to securing a long-term education funding strategy by fixing these loopholes in upcoming sessions.

I’m also disappointed that senate Republicans refused to bring to a vote to pass a much-needed transportation package.

Our transportation infrastructure is the lifeblood of our economy, and continuing to ignore it is not an option.

But today I want to thank you again for standing by us, making your voice heard, and keeping up the fight for the working Washington we’re building together.

We’re going to need you again in the weeks and months to come, and I’m proud to have you by my side.

Let’s go get ’em.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee Governor

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A Texas-Sized Attack on Women

06/25/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

***The Progress Report team is conducting a short survey to make The Progress Report a more useful resource for our readers. Don’t be scared–we promise it’s only a few minutes! Please fill it out now to help us improve this newsletter for you.***

The GOP’s War on Women Marches On

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) called a special session of the Texas legislature to deal with redistricting (Texas’ redistricting plan was thrown out for violating the Voting Rights Act), but then subsequently added abortion to the agenda after Senate Democrats thwarted efforts to pass new restrictions during the legislature’s regular session.

The GOP’s assault on abortion rights includes measures similar to what we’ve seen in dozens of other states, including:

An unconstitutional ban on all abortions after 20 weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Burdensome and unnecessary regulations that will have the effect of closing 37 of the states’s 42 abortion clinics.
A ban on medication abortions (abortions that use an abortion pill) via telemedicine.

In just the latest example of outrageous comments about rape and women’s bodies, the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Jody Laubenberg (R), bizarrely suggested that rape kits are a form of abortion. “In the emergency room they have what’s called rape kits where a woman can get cleaned out,” said Laubenberg.

The measure will leave women in rural Texas with almost no health care options. Some would have to drive 600 miles or more each way simply to consult with an abortion provider, meaning any procedure could take several days including transit time.

The session is over Tuesday at midnight and the Texas GOP is now trying to do everything it can to pass its sweeping attack on women’s rights before the deadline. Last night, hundreds of protesters flooded the Texas State Capitol as House Democrats tried unsuccessfully to block the bill, which was ultimately passed around 3:00 a.m.

Normally bills have to wait 24 hours after passage before they can be taken up the other chamber, but Senate Republicans sought to take advantage of the absence of one Democrat who was attending her father’s funeral to try and get around the limit and pass the bill immediately. While it appears that procedural maneuver will not be successful, a single Democrat will still have to filibuster the bill for the entirety of the remaining hours of the session in order to stop it from passing.

A poll out last week found that a majority of Texans oppose the bill and a whopping 80 percent of Texans don’t even think the legislature should be dealing with the issue during its special session.

We’ll keep you up to date as this story develops, but it’s clear that the GOP has no intention of halting their efforts to outlaw abortion nor their apparently endless series of insulting and offensive comments about rape.