Tag Archives: United State

The War on Women Continues …a message from Nancy Pelosi


Yesterday, House Republicans mounted another extreme attack to undermine and restrict a woman’s access to reproductive health care.

Instead of creating jobs, improving our economy and strengthening small businesses, for the seventh time this year Republicans voted on a bill that assaults women’s health care.

We cannot sit silent in the face of House Republicans’ extremist agenda against women. We must act now to stop it.

Help us raise $100,000 for the DCCC Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund so we can hold the Republicans accountable.

Please make an urgent contribution of $3 or more to the DCCC’s Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund. Your generous support will send a powerful show of grassroots strength against the Republicans’ extreme agenda.

WWW.DSCC.ORG

House Republicans are pursuing the most comprehensive and radical assault on women’s health and reproductive freedom in our lifetime. They should be working to help put Americans back to work, not waging an outrageous war against women and their private health decisions.

Let us never allow the health of American women to come under attack.

Please contribute $3 or more right now to the DCCC’s Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund >>  WWW.DSCC.ORG

Thank you,

Nancy Pelosi

President Obama: “I will not take no for an answer” …Jim Messina, BarackObama.com


Last night, the American Jobs Act was filibustered by Senate Republicans.  There was no vote on the actual bill.

But it would have succeeded: the American Jobs Act has at least 51 votes — a clear majority — to pass the Senate. And a new poll shows that 63 percent of Americans support it, too.

Today the President recorded a message he wants you to see, laying out where we go from here in the fight for jobs

President Obama on jobs

The Republicans who voted yesterday to block this bill weren’t thinking about middle-class families. In fact, at last night’s GOP debate, one of their leading candidates actually refused to say he’d extend a payroll tax cut that puts more than $1,000 in the pockets of everyday working Americans.

They might believe it’s in their political interest to oppose whatever the President proposes for the next 13 months, but we know that when it comes to jobs and restoring economic security, Americans can’t afford to wait.

The American Jobs Act would get to work now, providing incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans, helping hire tens of thousands of teachers, cops, and firefighters, and rebuilding and modernizing our schools, railways, bridges, and airports. Even though it’s fully paid for and made up of proposals both parties have supported, Republicans yesterday said no.

Now the President wants you to hear directly from him about what’s next.

Watch the video — and make sure your friends do, too:

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Congress: – the Republican led House strikes down EPA regulations that might keep your child safe – the Senate …debates/votes on trade agreements


the Senate Convened at 10:00amET October, 12, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of
    H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, H.R.
    3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act and,
    H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act,
    en bloc.
  • There will be 12 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled between the
    two Leaders or their designees.  Of the Majority time, Senator Baucus will
    control 20 minutes, Senator Brown (OH) will control 1 hour and Senator Sanders
    will control 1 hour.  Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will
    proceed to vote on passage of the bills in the following order:

    • H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
    • H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
      Act and
    • H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
      Act.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm to 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus
    meetings.
  • The Senate expects to complete action on the Free Trade Agreements during
    Wednesday’s session.

By unanimous consent, all but 15 minutes of debate time has been yielded back
with respect to the Free Trade Agreements.

Therefore, at approximately 7:20pm today, the Senate will conduct 3 roll call
votes in relation to the following:

  • H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act,
  • H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
    Act, and
  • H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
    Act.

VOTES

7:17pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3080, the US-Korea
Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 83-15

7:46pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3079, the US-Panama
Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 77-22

8:05pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.3078, the US-Colombia
Trade Agreement Implementation Act; Passed: 66-33

LEGISLATIVE
ITEMS

Discharged Banking and Adopted S.Res.270, supporting the goals and ideals of
“National Life Insurance Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.292, designating the week beginning October 16th as
“National Character Counts Week”.

No EXECUTIVE
ITEMS

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

 LEGISLATIVE DAY OF OCTOBER 12, 2011

  112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.6:47:09 P.M.

-H.R. 2250Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2250 as unfinished business.6:46:58 P.M.

-H.R. 2250On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.6:46:46 P.M.

-H.R. 2250Mr. Whitfield moved to rise.6:45:21 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cohen amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cohen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.6:38:46 P.M.

-H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cohen (TN) amendment No. 22 under the five-minute rule.6:38:22 P.M.

-H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Mr. Cohen,  numbered 22 printed in the Congressional Record to take into account the potential reductions in the number of illness-related absences from work due to respiratory or other illnesses when the EPA is setting compliance deadlines.6:37:30 P.M.

-H.R. 2250The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.6:37:14 P.M.

-H.R. 2250Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2250 — “To provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, process heaters, and incinerators, and for other purposes.”6:34:44 P.M. -Mr. Smith (TX) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.6:34:43 P.M.

-H.R. 2944Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:34:42 P.M.

-H.R. 2944On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.6:34:20 P.M.

-H.R. 2944Mr. Smith (TX) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment.6:32:56 P.M. -H.R. 2433Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:32:55 P.M.

-H.R. 2433On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 6 (Roll no. 785).6:26:21 P.M. -H.R. 2433Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2433 — “To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training of veterans, and for other purposes.”6:26:13 P.M.

-H.R. 2832Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:26:12 P.M.

-H.R. 2832On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 307 – 122 (Roll no. 784).6:16:32 P.M.

-H.R. 2832Considered as unfinished business.6:16:15 P.M.

-H.R. 3080Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:16:14 P.M.

-H.R. 3080On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 278 – 151 (Roll no. 783).6:09:34 P.M. -H.R. 3080Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3080 — “To implement the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement.”6:09:33 P.M.

-H.R. 3079Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:09:32 P.M.

-H.R. 3079On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 300 – 129 (Roll no. 782).6:02:55 P.M.

-H.R. 3079Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3079 — “To implement the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.”6:02:55 P.M.

-H.R. 3078Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:02:54 P.M.

-H.R. 3078On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 – 167 (Roll no. 781).5:56:49 P.M.

-H.R. 3078On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 192 – 236 (Roll no. 780).5:30:36 P.M.

-H.R. 3078The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.5:21:45 P.M.

-H.R. 3078DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Levin motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with amendments to add the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act as the new title to the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was withdrawn.5:21:31 P.M.

-H.R. 3078Mr. Levin moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.5:21:14 P.M.

-H.R. 3078Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3078 — “To implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.”5:20:00 P.M.

-H.R. 2832POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on concuring in the Senenat amendment to H.R. 2832, the Chair put the question on passage, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McDermott demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2332 pursuant to clause 8(a)(1)(A) of rule 20.4:42:16 P.M.

-H.R. 2832DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2832.4:41:02 P.M

. -H.R. 3080POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3080, the Chair put the question on passage, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Levin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.4:40:39 P.M.

-H.R. 3080The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.3:17:36 P.M.

-H.R. 3080DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on H.R. 3080.3:17:23 P.M.

-H.R. 3080Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3080 — “To implement the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement.”3:17:03 P.M.

-H.R. 3079POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3079, the Chair put the question on passage, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed Mr. Brady (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.3:16:28 P.M.

-H.R. 3079The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.2:03:22 P.M.

-H.R. 3079DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on H.R. 3079.2:03:07 P.M.

-H.R. 3079Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3079 — “To implement the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.”2:02:47 P.M.

-H.R. 3078Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, further proceedings on H.R. 3078 were postponed.2:02:37 P.M.

-H.R. 3078The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:32:29 P.M.

-H.R. 3078DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.R. 3078.1:31:36 P.M. -Ms. Foxx filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 430 and H. Res. 431.12:38:52 P.M. -H.R. 3078DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 425, the House proceeded with further debate on H.R. 3078.12:38:40 P.M.

-H.R. 3078Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3078 — “To implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.”12:37:35 P.M.

-The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on October 12, 2011 at 9:11 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 1619.12:03:23 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.12:02:59 P.M.

-PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Forbes to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:56 P.M.

-The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:17 P.M.

-Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.12:00:06 P.M.

-The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 12.11:14:57 A.M.

-The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:44 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.10:00:24 A.M.

-The Speaker designated the Honorable Kenny Marchant to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:09 A.M

. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Stop anti-immig​rant laws from coming to Washington …Marissa Graciosa, Reform Immigration FOR America


Stand up for Alabama families under attack

Schoolchildren in Alabama are hiding. Immigrant families are fleeing the state. Alabama passed an anti-immigrant law so extreme that it is scaring students from attending school, and would allow indefinite detention for those stopped by the police to ask for immigration status without proper paperwork. And a federal judge just approved it.

This is an all-out assault on immigrant families, and it’s not isolated to Alabama. Congress’ inaction on federal immigration reform has left the door wide open for this racist and inhumane legislation, in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana and now Alabama. These states aren’t waiting for Washington to do something. They’re writing their own policy, with anti-immigrant leaders holding the pen.

Alabama launched an assault on its immigrant communities — and we must not let these disgraceful actions stand. Take the pledge now to stand with Alabama families against these unjust practices.

A massive outcry of individuals supporting Alabama communities now will send a wake-up call to Washington: we need comprehensive immigration reform now, before other states follow this devastating example. We need your voice to deliver our message to families in the state that the entire country is watching.

 Click here to learn more http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1271?akid=758.164689.TCzbeK&t=4  and to pledge your solidarity with Alabama families against the state’s injustice and demand Congressional action on immigration reform.

Thanks for all that you do,

Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

Video: “It’s a pretty simple propositio​n” …Jamie Citron, BarackObama.com


I wanted to make sure you heard about this: At the most recent Republican debate, the audience booed a gay service member who asked the candidates if they would try to undo the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” And during the debate not a single one of the Republican candidates stepped up to support him, or even so much as thanked him for his service — even though he is fighting for our country every single day.

No member of our armed forces should face that kind of disrespect. So when President Obama spoke at the Human Rights Campaign‘s annual dinner this past weekend, he called out the Republican candidates for failing to stand up for all of our men and women in uniform. Check it out:

We should be proud of the work we all did to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” pass hate crimes legislation, extend benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees, and more. And the organizing work we’re doing now for 2012 will help us protect what we’ve won and keep moving our nation forward towards equality. As the President put it, “every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition.”

During his speech, he spoke of his commitment to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and making our schools safe for every student — just a few examples of the progress he’s been working for since before the 2008 campaign. He also said we have to keep working to ensure our families and our country as a whole prosper — creating jobs, bringing economic security to the middle class, and ensuring everyone has access to an affordable education affect LGBT Americans just as much as everyone else and are our fights, too.

This movement we’re building can break through the gridlock and inaction. We’ve already proved that.

Watch some highlights from the speech here, then ask your friends who care about equality to watch, too, and join up:

http://my.barackobama.com/President-Obama-Dinner-Speech

There’s a lot more to do. It matters that you’re in for the fights ahead.

Thanks,

Jamie

Jamie Citron
Director, LGBT Vote
Obama for America