Tag Archives: republicans

Republicans have launched an unprecedented budget assault on clean air and public health protections — and Senate Democrats have two weeks to stop it.

The House Republicans’ Continuing Resolution spending bill slashes this year’s remaining EPA budget by almost 60%, and contains numerous amendments that hamstring the Clean Air Act, block the EPA from limiting greenhouse gas emissions for any reason, eliminate funding for climate science and climate pollution monitoring, and make it easier for coal plants to dump certain toxic wastes into lakes and rivers. And the list of radical amendments to defund the EPA Just. Keeps. Going.1

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7259&id=17506-2591629-Ehd1dhx&t=9

The passage of a temporary spending bill on Wednesday keeps the government funded through March 18th and gives the Senate more time to take a stand against Republican attempts to hold EPA and Clean Air Act funding hostage with threats of forcing a shutdown.

Sadly, the Obama administration is already caving on a number of Republican budget demands.2 So it’s essential that Senate Democrats oppose this budget attack, draw a line in the sand, and filibuster any bill that blocks funding for the EPA to enforce the Clean Air Act.

There are just enough votes to do it. Barely. Strong EPA supporters — especially strong Clean Air Act supporters — are in a minority in the Senate. But if all of our environmental champions stand strong, and we pressure a few of the more tentative supporters to join them, we can protect the Clean Air Act’s ability to limit carbon pollution, and stop the draconian cuts to EPA funding.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7259&id=17506-2591629-Ehd1dhx&t=10

Republicans claim these cuts are about reducing the deficit. If they actually believe that, then Republicans are telling us that they are incapable of achieving deficit reductions without endangering the lives of millions of Americans.

If its funding continues, the Clean Air Act will save 4.2 million lives, and prevent 43 million cases of Asthma from 1990 to 2020. These health benefits, and avoiding costs that would otherwise be passed onto citizens and the government, makes the Clean Air Act one of our most cost effective pieces of legislation, saving us 30 times more than it costs to implement.3

Americans know this. Numerous recent polls show that overwhelming majorities of the public support tighter Clean Air Act limits on carbon pollution, and explicitly oppose Republican attacks on the EPA.4

Of course, these cuts aren’t about our deficit, or the will of the people. At all. They are about handcuffing the EPA, and pushing the legislative agenda of big polluters like the Koch brothers, the Chamber of Commerce, and other oil, gas and coal giants who were able to spend unlimited funds to elect the most polluter-friendly congress in history, and are now spending millions on lobbying to preserve their ability to freely pollute our nation and avoid the massive public health costs they pass on to us. (“You’re welcome. Love, polluters.”)

The Continuing Resolution budget battle is just the first of these attacks on the Clean Air Act. There will be more. On Thursday, Rep. Fred Upton and Sen. Jim Inhofe introduced a bill to permanently block the Clean Air Act from regulating climate pollution. It is co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller has cosponsored legislation to delay the Clean Air Act’s climate limits for two years — that bill has six Democratic co-sponsors.

This battle may be won or lost in the Senate. And with few if any votes to spare, supportive Senators must make clear right now that they will oppose this attack on EPA funding, and filibuster all future attempts to gut the Clean Air Act.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7259&id=17506-2591629-Ehd1dhx&t=11

Thank you for fighting the Republicans’ radical anti-environmental agenda.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager

CREDO Action from Working Assets

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Recall elections in Wisconsin …

03/04/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Republican politicians in Wisconsin have gone mad with power.

Yesterday, the state Senate president issued arrest warrants for the brave Democratic state senators who left Wisconsin to stop the attacks on workers.1 And Republicans have locked down the Capitol building, even denying access to firefighters responding to an emergency call.2

We need to put a stop to this madness, and the only way is to flip control of the state Senate with a recall election.

Grassroots progressives, students, workers, and unions in Wisconsin are coming together with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to do just that.3 But they’re going to need a lot of help. MoveOn members in Wisconsin are already volunteering to canvass voters. The rest of us need to raise $150,000 to get the recall campaign off to a great start.

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206484&id=26392-9640874-AYkUgbx&t=3

A number of Republican senators are particularly vulnerable, getting less than 51% of the vote in their last election.4 We can win this, but with billionaires like the Koch brothers supporting Walker’s plan,5 progressives in Wisconsin are going to need the support of all of us.

Over the past 36 hours, over 245,000 MoveOn members signed an emergency statement of support for the “Wisconsin 14,” the brave Democratic senators who left the state to block a vote on Walker’s plan. They’re continuing to hold firm and stay out of Wisconsin.

But the fastest way they can come home to their families—with workers’ rights intact—is if some Republican senators see the light and decide to oppose the governor. Organizing a strong recall effort is the best way to help make that happen.

$150,000 will send a clear message to Scott Walker and his allies in the Senate that there will be dire consequences if they keep pushing their radical agenda. Click here to contribute via ActBlue:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206484&id=26392-9640874-AYkUgbx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Kat, Julia, Marika, and the rest of the team

Sources:

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: back in Session 3/1/11 …Budget debates & possible votes

02/28/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET March 1,2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the final half.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.23, Patent Reform Act of 2011.

The following amendments are pending to S.23:

– Leahy amendment #114 (Title amendment)

– Vitter for Toomey-Vitter amendment, #112, as modified,(Debt Limit)

– Bennet amendment #116 (small business fast track)

– Bennet amendment #117 (regional PTO offices)

– Lee amendment #115 (to express the sense of the Senate in support of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution)

– Leahy amendment #121 (managers’ amendment)

– Kirk amendment #123 (Ombudsman for small busienss concerns)

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

At 5pm, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the following amendments to S.23, Patent Reform Act:

– Leahy-Grassley amendment #121, as modified (managers’ amendment); and

– Vitter for Toomey-Vitter amendment #112, as modified (Priority of payments if debt limit is reached).

The time until 5pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. No amendments are in order to the amendments in this agreement prior to a vote. The Vitter amendment #113, as modified, is withdrawn.

Votes:

27: Leahy-Grassley amendment #121: , as modified (managers’ amendment);

Agreed To: 97-2

28: Now Voting on Baucus motion to table Vitter for Toomey-Vitter amendment #112: , as modified (Priority of payments if debt limit is reached).

There will be no further roll call votes during Tuesday’s session of the Senate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 1, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

4:28 P.M. –

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

4:26 P.M. –

Mr. Sessions filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 128 and H. Res. 129.

4:19 P.M. –

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

4:14 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H.J. Res. 44:

making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes

4:13 P.M. –

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 335 – 91 (Roll no. 154).

4:05 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 176 – 249 (Roll no. 153).

3:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Keating motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the Committee on Appropriations to report the bill back to the House forthwith with an amendment which inserts a section prohibiting the use of funds to be used for tax benefit or relief for any major integrated oil company.

3:31 P.M. –

Mr. Keating moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

Mr. Keating moved to recommit the joint resolution H.J. Res. 44 to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same to the House forthwith with the following amendments: ¢ Page 18, line 21, strike the quotation marks and final period. ¢ Page 18, after line 21, insert the following: ¢ “Sec. 227. For the period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Further Continuing Appropriations Amendments,***

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

2:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 44.

2:07 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 44 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 115.

H. Res. 115:

providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 44) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes

2:05 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 251 – 170 (Roll no. 152).

1:58 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 179 (Roll no. 151).

12:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 115.

Considered as privileged matter.

12:11 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed with one minute speeches.

12:10 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 8 and S. Res. 78 .

12:03 P.M. –

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Duncan of TN to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Duncan (TN) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Duncan (TN) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

12:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Alisa Lasater Wailoo, Capitol Hill Methodist Church, Washington, DC.

12:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 1.

11:28 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:02 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.

10:01 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What happened at the special session in Wisconsin on Friday…watch the video

02/27/2011 Nativegrl77

You’ve got to see this new video of Wisconsin Assembly Republicans holding a vote at 1am Friday morning for literally a few seconds and ramming through Gov. Walker’s radical bill to cut worker benefits and rights. It’s a crazy abuse of power.

Now, the only thing keeping this horrible bill from becoming law are state Senate Democrats — who boldly left the state and are blocking the Senate from voting. Can you donate $14 to these bold leaders to show them we support their brave fight? That’s $1 for every Wisconsin Senate Democratic hero — click here to join thousands of others.

Thanks! — Adam

~ my 2cents ...

weekend views &some News …

02/27/2011 Nativegrl77

The weather is just as mad as what is going on politically No?

With a couple of days, left in February the countdown to March Madness and the NCAA championships begins by those devoted college bb fans. The crazy climate(changes) around the country are just as mad but the madness in Washington, DC and specifically on the floor of the Senate begins on Monday the last day of February.

Last year at this time, President Obama was in Philadelphia talking about what HCR will do for everyone what the exchanges will offer when implemented. Though if you listened to the Media garbage back then, we were supposed to believe that it is his last ditch effort to push, jam, ram and or dupe Senators to get HCR through; but contrary to what Republicans and or “the Media” says the debate on HCR took about a year. I don’t know about you but that hardly qualifies for ramming or rushing in my opinion. The biggest issue for me about HCR was that Congress did not listen to the people and of course, “the media” kept the public from hearing all of what HCR could you for us personally. Now, after a few months of media network staff shake-ups we find out that FOX was NOT the only station with a strategy to limit the information “We the People” received by the bigwigs like Murdoch and the Koch brothers. The fact is there were more people who wanted a Public Option back then but apparently little or no airplay. Finding out that the 24/7 news cycle is actually manipulated to the extent that it is should make us all give pause and question what we see or hear on the television machine.

Most of us agree that the television machine and cable stations should not be allowed to just give us what THEY want us to hear see and use to judge how those bills will not only affect us but how it might affect our voting, but if we take the November elections into account, it worked . The information coming out of the airwaves was deceptive back then when Congress was trying to pass legislation before the midterm elections and now that Congress is getting back to work next week we all need to push for better, more accurate ok demand the truth when reporting opposed to what most if not all are delivering to us currently. In addition, if being manipulated by those in the News biz industry wasn’t bad enough those guest spots are now such jokes because they seem sound and act scripted. I want the real news fair and balanced on all stations whether owned by right or center politically or on the extreme right.

It would be great if left of center, the Democratic Party in both chambers of Congress actually conceives some sort of plan and or strategy and start calling the bluffs of the Republican Tea Party. The fact is the public deserves to know what kinds of disgusting amendments the Republican Tea Party tries to attach to reasonably fair and balanced bills in order that no one could vote for them. I admit I have yet to understand why the House and Senate adjourn early or take breaks so often leaving the people’s business until the last minute. It worked during the lame duck session but you have to wonder if they are dedicated public servants or a bunch of politicians who have no plan and just avoiding the obvious for as long as they can blaming the President for his lack of leadership. The lack of leadership in Democratic Party in Congress worked for two years; seemingly distracted by their election campaigns. The lame duck session was constructive their lack of good strategy bit us back with tea party members being elected and some of them extreme with the so-called mainstream conservatives trying to keep up in order that they keep their seats in Congress and that worked too. I thought the tea party was bad and they are but they have also given a few negative blows to their Republican sub-group voting against them which was unexpected by Republican led leader of the House. There were promises made in that so called “Pledge to America” that has yet to —– and is being questioned more and more and because of the tea party, folks right of center, think John McCain, Tim Pawlenty and a few others who use to be considered reasonable have now chosen to lean even farther right, practice exclusion, are seemingly birthers. If you pay attention to what Pawlenty has been saying, if elected President will reenact dadt at least who knows what else he will promise, maybe strip the constitution of the 14th and 17th amendments. Well, calling March mad because of college basketball is mild considering the madness that is in the political air definitely applies to what we will probably see on the floor of Congress for the next two years and it will probably make us all mad. Unless of course hearing about a completely new round of offensive gossip, promotion of falsehoods and outright lies about the President’s beliefs and or if he is an American is not enough. It seems like strategically filtered blips put into interviews by potential Presidential candidates and talking heads, which makes me mad because really it just does not belong on the airwaves in any form especially in the news. Most people expect truthful news maybe some spin but these days the spin is laced with some truth or maybe it’s the Republican truth accepted pushed at us by not just right wing stations but by seemingly progressive stations who actually are owned by righties definitely limiting left of center news get on the airwaves.

Last… as February leaves let the madness of March begin …Talk about March Madness, last March Republican Senator Paul Broun, from Georgia; stated that all you had to do was read it for yourself; he knows for sure President Obama was a Socialist. A reporter asked if he thought President Obama was born in the US, Broun stated he did not know but frankly as someone in public office, he should have said yes. It might just be me but isn’t that the response birthers usually give, maybe a tea party member. It is amazing to know that this kind of behavior is what we get and accept from people holding public office that we pay to do the business of the people. If Barack Obama were white, there would be absolutely no questions about his beliefs, race, and or religion. It’s offensive that a Public Servant would behave in such a way; but then the list of Senators behaving like Broun are many and should make people outraged or at least question his competency. It is ironic that a year ago Broun was acting out, still got elected, the charade is over and the truth of what the Republicans have planned for Americans is out.

What happened, the end results of the November elections is a warning to those who stayed home to protest, voted right of center for whatever reason and for registered Republican voters. I have a question for all those above -is this what you want and voted for yourselves or the future of your children because what I see spreading all over the country, mostly the south does not fit what less government has always been described as by any stretch of the imagination.

Other News …

**Reports of a 2week compromise by dems&repubs in the Senate which might help avoid govt shutdown

**Tripoli braces for even more deadly clashes

**NFL mediations take place on Tuesday

**Security forces switch sides in Libya -join protesters

**Shuttle docks with space station for last and the 13th time

**83rd annual Acad Awards tonight

**will cnn back off the major coverage they planned of the tea party or will they show how right of centr they truly are

**Governors will make that trip to Washington, DC minus Scott Walker who is trying to figure out how they will get the dems at the table only to proceed with dismantling the unions with a quick vote -they just have to be in the room and the vote taken -and it’s all over –