Tag Archives: stimulus

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A message from OFA


This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise.

The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, “I’ll do everything in my power” to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill “a major mistake” — announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster.

We can defeat those who’d stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans — in every state — overwhelmingly support repeal.

Stand with the President and join the pledge to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Stand with the President: Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Add your name.

From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now — if we can overcome Republican obstruction — we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to an end.

As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because “it’s the right thing to do.”

Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn’t just misguided — it’s discrimination.

That’s why President Obama didn’t just campaign on ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; he made it a priority. And it’s why it’s now a matter of how and when — not if — we will repeal this law.

But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President’s promise.

Add your name to the pledge today — and then please pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/RepealDADT

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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Senator Patty Murray


Thank you for contacting me regarding energy exploration off our nation’s coastlines.

Since the passage of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in 1952, the federal government has leased the underwater terrain extending for 200 miles beyond states’ jurisdiction. Due to environmental concerns, Congress limited energy exploitation of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to clearly-defined areas in the Gulf of Mexico and off Alaska’s coast, and affirmed a moratorium on the expansion of drilling outside those areas. In 2008, President George W. Bush removed the moratoria on offshore leasing for most areas of the OCS. In March 2010, President Obama approved new offshore oil and gas drilling in the waters of the mid and south Atlantic, the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico and certain waters surrounding Alaska. The waters that remain restricted to offshore oil and gas development are located off the West Coast and Bristol Bay in Alaska.

As you may know, after the explosion and heartbreaking deaths of 11 crewmembers of the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has temporarily halted all new offshore drilling permits. Additionally, a moratorium on new permits is in effect until a thorough federal investigation of this catastrophic incident can be completed. I believe the companies responsible for atrocities of this nature should be held financially accountable. I recently cosponsored the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Liability Act of 2010 (S. 3305) and the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Trust Fund Act of 2010 (S. 3306) to ensure taxpayers will not pay to clean up spills and oil companies are held accountable for all of the costs resulting from their accidents. Both of these bills are currently pending in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Throughout my Senate tenure, I have opposed efforts to expand offshore drilling. Additionally, I have long championed banning all offshore development along the West Coast. I recently became an original cosponsor of the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2010 (S. 3358). This bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing leases for exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California. This bill is currently being considered in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Like you, I am deeply concerned about record-high energy prices and our continuing dependence on foreign oil. I firmly believe that we must move forward with policies that promote alternative energy, energy conservation and efficiency. As Congress continues to deal with energy and natural resource extraction issues, I will be working to ensure that we institute a sensible, comprehensive energy policy that focuses on renewable energy and decreases our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

I appreciate hearing your comments and concerns with offshore oil and gas development. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my weekly updates at http://murray.senate.gov/updates. Thank you for contacting me about this important issue, and please keep in touch.
Sincerely,

Patty Murray
United States Senator

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What BP doesn’t want you to see


I just finished watching this video — and I hope every American sees it.

Philippe Cousteau, grandson of famous explorer Jacques Cousteau, went underwater off the Gulf Coast to see first-hand what the Deepwater Oil Disaster looks and feels like. And the answer he came back with: “This is a nightmare.”

Watch this video and share it with all your friends.

Watch the Video

We’ve seen the oil start to wash up on shore, and we’ve seen satellite images of the slick. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg: Take a look at the underwater impact of the oil geyser and the dangerous chemicals BP is using to “disperse” it — effects that could last for decades, even if today’s risky “Top Kill” maneuver to plug the well works.

It’s never been clearer: The consequences of our dependence on oil, from the Deepwater Oil Disaster to the climate crisis, are completely unacceptable.

Sincerely,

David Boundy
Campaign Manager
Repower America

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ThinkProgress.org


UNDER THE RADAR

ECONOMY — ANTI-STIMULUS CRUSADER GOV. RICK PERRY BALANCES HIS STATE’S BUDGET WITH STIMULUS FUNDS: Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) joined a handful of Republican governors last year in rejecting various portions of the economic recovery package. Perry explained his position: “[It] was pretty simple for us. …We can take care of ourselves.” The Texas state legislature eventually pushed Perry to accept the money but he still insisted he believes “there are better ways to reinvigorate our economy and believe [the stimulus] will burden future generations with unprecedented levels of debt.” However, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that “billions of dollars from that initiative helped Texas legislators balance the current budget.” Perry is not the only governor to rail against the stimulus while relying on it to balance his budget. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) called the stimulus “incoherent” and “largely wasted,” but still used it to fix one-third of his state’s budget hole. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office recently found that the Recovery Act not only prevented key state budget cuts around the country, but also raised GDP by up to 4 percent and created 2.8 million jobs.

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trending Thursday &some News …


The President will hold a Press Conference at 12:45pm ET today …watch!

FYI … Elizabeth Birnbaum, now ex- head of MMS has stepped down… Republicans like Issa, Pence  are trying to get out in front of the news with negative comments  …  the ex-head of MMS and others among the group were out of control and Republicans did nothing  to stop it.

LIVE Feed of Underwater BP Oil Spill

It’s truly a We the People moment …Today we find out if the Top Kill is going to work, the President will announce a 6month moratorium on deep-well drilling/Arctic Ocean drilling until the commission investigations are finished  the vote for DADT might happen today maybe Friday and while reports are that Senate Democrats have the 15 votes from Republicans for DADT… minus Scott Brown to pass the amendment; it still seems like the process by which it will be repealed is long…though it will be repealed; reports are that no soldier will be fired during the process.  Senate Democrats are having problems getting the unemployment benefits extended, stopping a pay cut to Doctors who have Medicare patients so they have decided to scale it back hoping to get Republican votes … stay tuned …radio/online.

The DADT amendment will be signed into law but then it has to be certified but not implemented until December of 2010.  It’s obvious the compromise was only accepted by Gates because of the long evaluating process involved with maybe the possibility of being pulled back  and adjusted at any moment. That being said; the vote for DADT will be watched by many, at least 70% of Americans say it’s time to end it and hopefully Republicans will have compassion to see the positive aspects of repealing DADT. It’s hard to believe how long the repeal of DADT has taken, it seems like such a simple thing but discrimination is an emotional, nasty and all-encompassing feeling and in the hands of lawmakers abused.  DADT will increase opportunities for people who want to serve the country and who have the skills needed to make positive outcomes in this War; this is just one of many votes that has Americans moving into the 21st Century.

President Obama is not only making strides to fix this economy but has kept his promises; and as we all look at the list of campaign promises expect to hear the Republican rhetoric from now until the November elections are over and you know what; political or not if something gets passed and it is for all Americans not just for the select few.  i say bring it … people seem to think and say he’s the President …well, if we want things to stick, be laws then we need the Congress to create make and pass the laws …such as the current compromised DADT amendment.

Other News …

NKorea is making threats toward SKorea/the US is pressuring China to support efforts to change the situation

**the Dow closed at almost 300 up

**Company that had safety issues with Military Helmets has stopped production

**Feds gave partial okay to start partial dredging




C-SPAN …

watch Spkr. Pelosi Briefing weekly-5/27

watch Hearing on Children’s Tylenol Recall

watch Pres. Obama Press Conference

President Announces New Drilling Regulations; Chief Regulator Resigns

President Obama announced new drilling regulations hours after Elizabeth Birnbaum resigned under pressure as head of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the lead agency overseeing U.S. oil and gas drilling. The MMS has come under fire for lax inspections of the Deepwater Horizon rig prior to its April 20 explosion and an Inspector General’s report that identified inappropriate behavior and industry relationships by agency officials.  Early reports indicate moderate success in the “top kill” effort to stem the Gulf oil leak, now classified by government estimates as the worst spill in U.S. history. Federal officials, BP and Transocean executives are testifying at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining how the spill will affect America’s offshore oil and gas policy.

watch Hearing NOW on c-span.org watch Pres. Obama: From Earlier watch Hearing: Morning Session watch LIVE Spill Cam

watch Pres. Obama Remarks on Economy

watch Hearing on Young Workers in Recession

watch Oil Spill Hearing: Morning Session watch Oil Spill Hearing: Afternoon Session
visit Interior Dept. Report

Sec. Clinton to Outline New National Security Strategy

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will today preview the Obama Administration’s first National Security Strategy (NSS), a report submitted to Congress by each President to outline the intended U.S. response to major national security concerns. Her remarks at the Brookings Institution are expected to define standards on the use of military force and diplomacy and to identify ways to prevent nuclear proliferation and combat terrorism, including targeting the al Qaeda network.   Associated Press National Security Reporter Matt Apuzzo obtained an early copy of the NSS on Wednesday and will discuss its provisions on this morning’s Washington Journal.   Wednesday, Counterterrorism Adviser John Brennan said in a speech to the Center for Strategic & International Studies that the Administration places homegrown threats among the nation’s top national security concerns.
watch Brookings: c-span.org at 1:30pm ET    watch AP’s Matt Apuzzo on WJ: Available Shortly
read AP: Obama’s new security strategy …
watch Brennan at CSIS: Available Later

Officials Give Oil Spill Update as “Top Kill” Effort Continues

Federal officials and BP executives will today provide updates on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response as an attempt to stop the leak by blasting mud and cement into the breach through a so-called “top kill” maneuver continues. First, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) appears on the Washington Journal to give her opinion on efforts so far and potential federal aid for her state. Executives from BP and Transocean testify at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing examining how the spill will affect America’s offshore oil and gas policy. Later, President Obama is expected announce new offshore oil drilling regulations in advance of his trip to the region on Friday.

watch House Hearing: c-span.org at 10am ET
watch Pres. Obama: c-span.org at 12:45pm ET
watch Sen. Landrieu on WJ: Available Shortly
watch LIVE Spill Cam

Oil Rig Survivors Describe Moments Before Explosion

Two hearings today are expected to shed new light on the moments leading up to the April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil-drilling platform. The blast killed 11 workers and injured 17 others before triggering the massive oil spill which has blanketed parts of the Gulf of Mexico. In a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, survivors will share their experiences prior and during the disaster, and industry officials will discuss legal liability issues surrounding the accident. A joint investigation panel of the U.S. Coast Guard and Minerals Management Service will hear in New Orleans, La., from five survivors that were aboard the Deepwater Horizon at the time of the incident. Testimony yesterday included reports of an argument between rig managers debating the steps many investigators cite as possibly triggering the blast.

watch House Judiciary Hearing: C-SPAN3, 10am ET
watch Joint Panel: c-span.org at 9am ET