Tag Archives: Senate

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Support Gulf Communities, demand Justice from Big Oil Companies


Donate to support Ecuadorean leaders’ trip to the Gulf
Donate Photo by Win McNamee/Getty
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Toxic oil pit in Ecuador/ Photo by Lou Demattei

How many times will we let BP and Big Oil destroy our communities?

Next week, RAN along with four Ecuadorean community leaders, Emergildo, Humberto, Mariana and Luis, who have been fighting Big Oil’s toxic legacy for decades in the Amazon Rainforest, hope to travel to the Gulf Coast to stand with local communities who are feeling the impact of our country’s oil addiction firsthand.

This is an incredible act of solidarity that you can make happen. Now is the time to show that BP’s disaster is not an exception, but the rule for a dirty and dangerous industry.

Please donate now to help Ecuadorean leaders travel to the Gulf Coast to stand with communties impacted by BP’s oil disaster.

Whether it’s BP’s ruin of the Gulf, Chevron’s “Amazon Chernobyl” or Exxon’s deadly spill in Alaska, one thing is crystal clear: we must end our addiction to oil and herald in a clean energy future.

Emergildo, Humberto, Mariana and Luis know all too well Big Oil’s legacy of denying, delaying and litigating away responsibility for its reckless behavior. They have been fighting a decades-long legal battle to get Chevron to pay for the 18 billion gallons of highly toxic waste that was dumped into their water.

Next week, with your help, they will share their stories and survival strategies with communities in the Gulf, who, tragically, need support to protect their health, culture and livelihoods.

Your support can help oil-impacted communities from around the world build a movement strong enough to hold companies like BP and Chevron accountable.

From coast to coast and country to country, frontline communities have borne the brunt of Big Oil’s destruction and our country’s addiction to oil. But these communities are also where the movement to demand freedom from oil begins.

We have all seen how the hottest front-page story can fade from political view before companies make good on their promises or politicians make their rhetorical commitments into reality. This delegation is a critical step in building a movement strong enough to hold Big Oil and our politicians accountable even when the TV cameras turn off.

Support frontline communities in coming together to challenge corporate power and Big Oil’s business as usual.

It is our job to make sure that when we look back years from now on the summer of 2010, this horrific disaster will be remembered as a breakthrough moment in the transition to a clean energy future, and not just another deadly symptom of our addiction to oil.

Our job starts today!

For a better world,
Rebecca Tarbotton
Acting Executive Director
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

It feels good to win


Last night, we won again. DFA-List endorsed candidate Elaine Marshall won the Democratic primary runoff in North Carolina with 60% of the vote. That’s not the only good news. Everyone from The Hill newspaper in DC to Talking Points Memo are giving you the credit and Washington insiders are getting the message. Here’s just a sample:

From The Nation:

Progressive Challenger Defeats Washington Establishment in North Carolina

The progressive groups who unsuccessfully backed Bill Halter over Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas’ Democratic Senate runoff on June 8 scored a victory tonight when Elaine Marshall defeated Cal Cunningham in North Carolina’s Democratic Senate primary.

From USA Today:

She defeated a candidate who was handpicked by national Democratic Party leaders. Backed by liberal groups MoveOn-org and Democracy for America, (Elaine) campaigned as a liberal insurgent against Cal Cunningham.

Together with DFA-List candidate Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania, we’re showing Washington insiders we don’t support just any Democrat — we support better Democrats. Now, it’s up to us to make sure she beats Republican Senator Richard Burr in November.

CONTRIBUTE $5 OR MORE TO ELAINE MARSHALL RIGHT NOW

You don’t have to look far to see corporate interests’ fingerprints all over Richard Burr’s campaign. In his reelection kick-off he stood up for Big Insurance and called for the repeal of President Obama’s healthcare bill.

After the oil disaster in the Gulf he stood up for Big Oil and actually called for less restrictions on offshore oil drilling. Now, he’s standing up for Wall Street as Congress debates reform while funding his campaign with over $1 million in Wall Street special interest money.

Wall St. and Big Oil don’t own Elaine Marshall. The people do. She’s working to represent the people of North Carolina and working Americans everywhere, not Goldman Sachs or BP.

But after months of hard campaigning to win the primary and run-off elections, Elaine needs financial support to rebuild her war chest and beat Senator Burr in November.

 SEND BURR PACKING — CONTRIBUTE TODAY FOR PROGRESSIVE VICTORY IN NOVEMBER

DFA members told us to take back the U.S. Senate from corporate interests by supporting progressive candidates who will win. Contribute right now to make it happen.

Thank you for everything you do,

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America

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Stand against unconstitutional attacks

Last September, in the midst of a stunning attack on an organization dedicated to organizing working people to act on their own behalf, the US Congress approved the Defund ACORN Act. It did this without investigating the charges leveled against us and in response to what was, above all, an enormous propaganda campaign. Congress’ move, singling out one organization for sanctions without investigation, is called a “bill of attainder” and it is expressly prohibited by the Constitution of the United States.

We have fought this miscarriage of justice from the beginning and from the beginning we’ve had success, including winning a preliminary injunction against it. Now our appeal is speeding through the courts, with the next hearing scheduled for this Thursday, June 24th. This fight is no longer about ACORN – as you know, we’ve ceased all field operations – it is about the Constitution itself. If this attack is allowed to stand, then any other organization that displeases those with power in the United States can be similarly attacked and, potentially, destroyed.

That’s why I’m asking you to stand up for justice, for the Constitution, and against Congress’ action by sending your members of Congress an email demanding they go on record opposing the defund ACORN act and the continuing efforts of the Administration to defend it in court.

ACORN has been investigated by four separate, independent, sources – former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the California Attorney General, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – and each of them has cleared ACORN of any wrongdoing. Three investigations reviewing the videos used to attack ACORN determined that they were “splice jobs” in which “the truth is on the cutting room floor”. The fourth, from the GAO, concluded that ACORN had not misused any of the Federal funds it had received. In other words, the entire set of attacks was a witch hunt driven using modern propaganda techniques and with millions of dollars in dedicated air time on a “news” channel and talk radio.

And you know why. We were simply too good at what we did – engaging low- and moderate-income families and families of color in America’s democratic system. If we hadn’t helped 860,000 new voters get on the voter rolls since 2004 (we believe this is the largest non-partisan voter registration effort ever carried out by a single non-profit organization), if we hadn’t helped raise the minimum wage in seven states, if we hadn’t blown the whistle about predatory lending in the sub-prime market back in 1999, and if we hadn’t brought in over $15 billion in direct benefits to America’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods from 1994 – 2004, then we wouldn’t have been the targets of smears and attacks going back to the 2004 election. Smears that were exposed during the height of the scandal surrounding the firing of US Attorneys like David Iglesias in New Mexico, who refused to trump up phony voter fraud charges against ACORN.

You can stand up to these smears and for justice for working people by telling Congress to finally do the right thing. Frankly, if the attacks leveled against ACORN had really been about misusing taxpayer dollars, you can bet that defense contractors like Xe (formerly Blackwater), Halliburton, and Kaman Dayron, all of whom have been found guilty of either committing actual crimes or of collectively defrauding the American people of hundreds of millions of dollars, would have been the subject of their own Defund Corporate Criminals Act.

But, of course, they aren’t. Because, unlike ACORN’s low- and moderate-income membership, these corporations can buy influence in the highest levels of political power in the United States. So, our lawsuit against the unconstitutional Defund ACORN Act is not about ACORN and its past federal funding. It is about justice for all organizations that fight for the interests of regular folks against the most powerful interests in America. You can remind Congress that people expect them to tackle the difficult issues facing our country and its working families, not engage in political grandstanding at the expense of constitutional guarantees.

Thank you for all your past support and for taking a stand to make America a fairer and more equitable place for all of us.

In solidarity and strength,

Bertha Lewis
ACORN CEO and Chief Organizer

PS. For those of you living in New York City, we’re inviting you to attend the Thursday hearing with me and other allies. Click here for more information about the hearing and the entire ACORN v USA case prepared by the Center for Constitutional Rights.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Democrats –Senate Newsroom


June 10, 2010

Reid Spokesman: Do Senate Republicans Agree With John Boehner That Taxpayers Should Pay To Clean Up BP’s Mess?

Washington, DC— Jim Manley, spokesman for Nevada Senator Harry Reid, released the following statement today calling on Republicans to explain whether they agree with House Republican Leader John Boehner’s comments that taxpayers should pay to clean up the BP oil spill:

“Leader Boehner just took Republicans’ defense of special interests to a whole new level by saying taxpayers should pay to clean up BP’s mess. This may explain why Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats’ attempts to hold BP accountable, and why today they’re trying to hand a $47 billion giveaway to Big Oil.

“Senate Republicans should tell the American people whether they agree with Leader Boehner’s comments.  The public deserves to know whether Republicans are going to join Democrats to hold BP accountable, or just continue to protect big oil companies — the same way Republicans have protected big banks and health care companies.”

June 10, 2010

Baucus, Bingaman, Whitehouse Join Seniors Advocate To Highlight First Wave Of Rebate Checks And Other Benefits Of Health Reform For Seniors

Washington, DC— Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, Senator Jeff Bingaman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joined Barbara Easterling of the Alliance for Retired Americans and Stella Johnson, a retired Washington, D.C. school teacher at a press conference today to discuss how America’s seniors will benefit from health care reform.  As part of the new health insurance reform law, seniors across America will be mailed the first wave of rebate checks to help close the Medicare Part D donut hole today. Almost 3.8 million American seniors are affected by the donut hole every year.

“Beginning today, as a result of health care reform, seniors who hit the donut hole will find a $250 check in their mailboxes to help them afford their prescription medicines.  For seniors in my home state of Montana and across the country, these checks will provide real relief from the rising cost of prescription drugs,” said Chairman Baucus said. “The health care reform law we worked to pass will also provide seniors in the donut hole with a 50-percent discount next year and continue working to close the donut hole so all seniors have access to the medicines they need.  These checks are a real victory for America’s seniors and we will continue working to implement all the provisions in health care reform, including those that strengthen Medicare for America’s seniors.”

“The ‘donut hole’ was a major flaw in Medicare Part D,” said Senator Bingaman.  “The new health insurance law will eventually close the gap entirely, but in the meantime these $250 checks are being sent to help seniors to cover the cost of their life-saving prescriptions.”

“Since I ran for the Senate in 2006, I’ve heard countless horror stories about folks affected by the dreaded Medicare Part D doughnut hole,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “Far too many seniors are forced to choose between taking their medication and putting food on the table or paying their bills.  This is unacceptable, and today marks the first step toward fixing the problem.  For Rhode Island seniors who have been hit hard by the long recession, this will be welcome relief.”

“This new law will help Americans of all ages live longer, healthier lives,” said Barbara Easterling.  “Many seniors are still unaware of the specific ways this law will benefit them.  We must all work together to make sure retirees know about these $250 rebate checks and all other parts of the new law.”

“The new health reform law will help me, my family, and my friends by phasing out this Medicare donut hole,” said Stella Johnson.  “I am delighted that the health care bill recently became law and that the benefits for seniors are already upon us. This new law is phasing out the Medicare prescription drug donut hole.  I want to thank the people who stood up for me and every senior in America when they supported the new health reform law.”

June 10, 2010

Reid Statement On Meeting With Clean Energy Legislation Leaders

Washington, DC—Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement this afternoon following a meeting today with key Senate Democratic leaders on clean energy legislation:

“There is a clear need for the Senate to act on comprehensive clean energy legislation that addresses the recent disaster on the Gulf Coast, reduces our nation’s heavy reliance on oil, creates clean energy jobs and enhances our environmental and national security.  In Nevada, we have seen how critical investments in solar, geothermal and wind energy, as well as energy efficiency, are already strengthening and diversifying our economy as well as creating reliable Nevada jobs that can never be outsourced.

“Today’s meeting with key committee chairs and clean energy leaders was another productive step, and we all share the hope that Republicans will join our effort to bring this important bill to the Senate floor.  But Republicans need to stop focusing their efforts on protecting big corporations who want to continue the same polluting energy policy that we know is inadequate.

“There are a variety of opinions within our caucus about how to develop a bipartisan bill that can gain the necessary support, but there is also resolve to move forward with this effort.  I am committed to working with Democrats and Republicans to pass clean energy legislation this year.”

June 10, 2010

Reid Introduces Amendment To Extend Transaction Closing Date For First Time Homebuyers

Amendment would extend first time homebuyer tax credit transaction closing date from June 30th to September 30th

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today joined with Senators Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Chris Dodd of Connecticut to introduce an amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 that would extend the deadline for closing home purchases in order to qualify for the first time homebuyer tax credit.  The current deadline for purchases made using the popular tax credit is June 30, 2010.  There is growing concern that because of the time it takes for banks to complete transactions such as short sales, many of these home purchases would not be complete before the deadline through no fault of the homebuyer.  The Reid, Isakson and Dodd amendment would extend the deadline to September 30, 2010, to ensure the completion of the sales.

“The first time homebuyer tax credit was very popular and successful in Nevada,” Reid said.  “In addition to making it easier for thousands of Nevadans to purchase their first home, it helped reduce the sitting inventory of homes.  By extending the transaction deadline, we can ensure that everyone taking advantage of this credit can complete the purchase of their new home.”

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the Senate and the House … on Wednesday


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
7:34 P.M. –
The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 2010. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House do now adjourn.

4:29 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

4:28 P.M. –
Mr. Bartlett requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 28: Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Mr. Bartlett requested that Mr. Forbes be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 22.

4:09 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H. Res. 1216:

congratulating Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin on his tenth year of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives

4:08 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 0 (Roll no. 216). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:59 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1104:

supporting the mission and goals of 2010 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, no matter their country of origin or their creed, and to commemorate the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme of “Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.”

3:52 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 – 0 (Roll no. 215).

H. Res. 1104:
supporting the mission and goals of 2010 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, no matter their country of origin or their creed, and to commemorate the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme of “Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.”

3:44 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Roll Call 215 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending. Considered as unfinished business.

S. 1963:

to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans, and for other purposes

3:43 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 the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll No. 214).

3:07 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

3:06 P.M. –
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
H. Res. 1276:
recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

3:05 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:58 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1276. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sablan moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1270:

expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month

2:57 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:48 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1270. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sablan moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 1585:

to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve standards for physical education

2:47 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. 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.

H.R. 1585:
to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve standards for physical education

2:25 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1585. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sablan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1239:

commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament

2:24 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:11 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1239. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sablan moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1182:

congratulating Radford University on the 100th anniversary of the university

2:10 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:01 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1182. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Sablan moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1262:

expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the fire at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington

2:00 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

1:49 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1262. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Speier moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 855:

expressing support for designation of May 1 as “Silver Star Service Banner Day”

1:48 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

1:42 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 855. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Speier moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Con. Res. 255:

commemorating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and honoring the founder of Earth Day, the late Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin

1:41 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

1:25 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 255. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Speier moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1281:

celebrating the life and achievements of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height and recognizing her life-long dedication and leadership in the struggle for human rights and equality for all people until her death at age 98 on April 20, 2010

1:24 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:23 P.M. –
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
H. Res. 1281:
celebrating the life and achievements of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height and recognizing her life-long dedication and leadership in the struggle for human rights and equality for all people until her death at age 98 on April 20, 2010

12:27 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1281. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1116:

supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week

12:26 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

H. Res. 1116:
supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week

12:04 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1116. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Capps moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1216:

congratulating Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin on his tenth year of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives

12:03 P.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

H. Res. 1216:
congratulating Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin on his tenth year of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives

11:24 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1216. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Capuano moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S. 1963:

to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans, and for other purposes

11:23 A.M. –
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

S. 1963:
to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans, to improve the provision of health care to veterans, and for other purposes

10:33 A.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1963. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Filner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

10:32 A.M. –
The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until the conclusion of general debate on all suspensions.

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET
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 30 minutes.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Christopher Schroeder to be Assistant Attorney General. There will be up to 3 hours for debate equally divided prior to a vote on confirmation of the Schroeder nomination.
Upon disposition of the nomination, the Senate will consider the nomination of Thomas Valaskie to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit. There will be up to 3 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the Valaskie nomination.

Votes:
121: Confirmation of Christopher Schroeder to be an Assistant Attorney General;
Confirmed: 72-24

122: Confirmation of Thomas Vanaskie, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit;
Confirmed: 77-20

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted H.Con.Res.222, a concurrent resolution recognizing the leadership and historical contributions of Dr. Hector Garcia to the Hispanic community and his remarkable efforts to combat racial and ethnic discrimination in the United States.

Adopted S.Res.483, a resolution congratulating the Republic of Serbia’s application for European Union membership and recognizing Serbia’s active efforts to integrate into Europe and the global community.