Tag Archives: United States House of Representatives

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Marriage on the line: 24 hours left to fight hate


Thanks to right-wing groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), 2011 brings as much trepidation as hope. Just see the map below.

JUST 24 HOURS LEFT: The National Organization for Marriage thinks it speaks for straight America.

Show America that’s a lie.

Deadline TOMORROW. Defend marriage equality – join HRC now.

Same-sex marriage bans are in the works in no fewer than five states. In New Hampshire, where NOM shelled out $1 million in 2010, a more right-wing legislature is already preparing for major hearings on the repeal of marriage equality. In Iowa, NOM helped unseat three judges who ruled in favor of equal marriage – and now they’re going after the other four.

But it’s not all bad. In New York and Maryland, we could finally win full marriage rights for ALL loving couples. There are only 24 hours left in our campaign that can help us make it a reality.

These challenges – and our critical federal work – demand urgent resources. Carmen, thousands have stepped up to help. And after sailing past our original goal of 2,011 new members, we’ve upped our goal to 3,000 members by TOMORROW. That’s only 4 more from Washington. And we simply can’t do it without straight supporters like you.

Stand up for marriage and make sure NOM doesn’t control the debate. Stand with HRC – join by tomorrow.

Only two weeks ago, HRC staffers pressured NOM into releasing their most recent tax returns – and it turns out 75 percent of NOM’s entire multi-million dollar budget came from just five wealthy donors.

We’re different. 85 percent of our funding comes from individual donors, not from foundations or grants. And the more straight allies like you that join our cause, the more people will understand that this is an issue of basic fairness, not special rights. That grassroots power will be critical in 2011, and this map shows why:

In states marked in light blue, we have a chance to advance equality – marriage in New York and Maryland, and civil unions in Hawaii, Delaware, and Colorado. Plus we are gearing up to help Washington and Oregon achieve marriage equality in 2012.

Dark blue states show the front lines of the equality fight. In Florida we’re trying to stop rabid activists from reinstating a ban on same-sex parents adopting children. In West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Minnesota, we face the very real prospect of NOM-backed campaigns to pass constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.

We’re working hand-in-hand with local partners across the country. We’re putting staff on the ground in some states, while in others we’re providing financial support and training – or exposing lies with the help of our “NOM Watchers.” In many states, we’ll do all of the above.

These states have one thing in common: your support, right now, can mean the difference between triumph and failure.

Stand with us. Fight for the future. Become an HRC member now.

This is one of the most critical civil rights issues of our time. Decisions by the U.S. House and Senate and by every single state will have a very real impact on everyday lives. Together, we can ensure those decisions are positive.

For all you do, and all that you will do, thank you. You’re the reason I know we will succeed.

Onward,

Joe Solmonese

President

P.S. If you’ve already put a check in the mail or given to HRC through some other means, thank you. If you’ve yet to contribute, though, please consider making a gift now. Your gift is critical to maintaining our fight against hate and bigotry in all its forms.

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Repeal Vote Imminent: Women’s Health at Risk … a message from someone who knows


 

 I Am Not a Pre-Existing Condition

  Tell your Representative to vote NO on repealing the health care law.

 Call 877-667-6650

Tomorrow, the House will vote on a bill to repeal the new health care law. Repealing the law would risk access to health care and affordable insurance coverage for all women and women like me — a rape survivor.

Please call 877-667-6650 and tell your Member of Congress to vote NO on repealing the health care law.

Eight years ago, I was drugged and raped while on a business trip. I’m lucky to be alive.

At the time, I was a health insurance agent and when I needed new insurance, I knew how hard it would be to get coverage due to the medical treatment I received for my assault. I needed counseling and preventive anti-HIV medications but the insurance companies didn’t care what I needed. To them, being treated for rape qualified as a “pre-existing condition” and they said they wouldn’t cover someone like me.

The only coverage I could find would have cost almost as much as my monthly rent. So for three years, I was uninsured. I paid for my counseling, my medication, and all my day-to-day health needs out of pocket. I was lucky I could afford to do that. It wasn’t easy, though, and being uninsured was a big worry I faced every day.

The new health care law puts an end to insurance companies treating women like a pre-existing condition. But that’s not all — the law is already helping women and their families by providing no-cost preventive health care services, preventing insurance companies from dropping patients when they become sick, and prohibiting insurance companies from limiting the amount of money they will pay for benefits over a woman’s lifetime. All this is at risk.

Please call 877-667-6650 and tell your Member of Congress to vote NO on repealing the health care law.

The new health care law works for all of us. But repeal will put me and millions of other women and their families at the mercy of the insurance industry again. We can’t go back.

Please send a strong message. Call your Member of Congress today.

Sincerely,

Chris Turner

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Spread the Word

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Congress … the Republican House of Representatives meets/votes today to repeal Health Care Reform( Final vote@5:30pm) -Democrats will lay out what the new Health Care law does for all Americans


 CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 19, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:00 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on January 20, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Broun (GA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

6:13 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.

6:12 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 38 and H. Res. 43.

6:06 P.M. –

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

6:05 P.M. –

Mr. Bucshon requested the following general leaves to address the House on January 26: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and Mr. Jones for 5 min.

6:00 P.M. –

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

5:59 P.M. –

GOVERNING BOARD, OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS – Pursuant to section 4(c) of House Resolution 5, 112th Congress, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Chair announces the Speaker’s nomination of the following individuals, with the concurrence of the Minority Leader: Mr. Porter J. Goss, Florida, Chairman; Mr. James M. Eagen, III, Colorado, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); Ms. Allison R. Hayward, Virginia, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); Mr. Bill Frenzel, Virginia, Alternate. The following individuals were nominated by the Minority Leader with the concurrence of the Speaker: Mr. David Skaggs, Colorado, Co-Chairman; Mrs. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, California, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); Ms. Karan English, Arizona, subject to section 1(b)(6)(B); Mr. Abner Mikva, Illinois, Alternate .

5:57 P.M. –

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 42:

electing certain Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives

5:54 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

5:53 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2:

to repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 245 – 189 (Roll no. 14).

5:45 P.M. –

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 185 – 245 (Roll no. 13).

5:23 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

5:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Andrews motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The reservation of the point of order was subsequently withdrawn. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment which requires the health care repeal shall not take effect unless a majority of Members of U.S. House of Representatives and a majority of U.S. Senators waive Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Benefits.

5:14 P.M. –

Mr. Andrews moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce.

¢ Mr. Andrews moved to recommit the bill H.R. 2 to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and the Workforce with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: ¢ Add at the end the following new section: ¢ SEC. 3. HEALTH CARE REPEAL SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNLESS A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND A MAJORITY OF U.S. SENATORS WAIVE FEHBP BENEFITS.***

5:13 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

10:36 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with the remaining five hours of debate on H.R. 2.

Considered as unfinished business.

The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, proceedings will now resume on H.R. 2.

H. Res. 39:

electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives

10:35 A.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

10:03 A.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.

10:02 A.M. –

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

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Mike Rogers to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Thoughts & Prayers in Arizona


Reform Immigration FOR America Share This Message:
A senseless tragedy
Our thoughts & prayers are with them.
Where were you when you heard the news on Saturday?
In an act of unspeakable violence, Jared Lee Loughner shot Representative Gabrielle Giffords at point-blank range, and turned his gun on the crowd gathered to meet the local lawmaker at a Tuscon supermarket.

The event left 6 people dead – including a Federal Judge and a nine year old girl – and 14 injured. It also left an entire country stunned.

While we work to move forward, take a minute to send the victims and their families our prayers, our encouragement and our words of support in this difficult time. We will be sure that they receive your messages directly.

Send prayers and condolences to the victims & families in Arizona

Violence has no place in our democracy. We pray for the return of civility to our nation’s public discourse.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
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Congress holds regular Session -The House of Representatives …updates when needed


The next meeting is scheduled for 10amET on January 12, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 12, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:00 P.M. –

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved that the House do now adjourn.

5:59 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to S. Con. Res. 1. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 18, 2011.

H. Res. 32:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011

5:58 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:56 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Chair announced that when proceedings were postponed earlier, 4 hours and 6 minutes of debate remained on the resolution. The House proceeded with further debate on H. Res. 32.

Considered as unfinished business.

The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, proceedings would resume on H. Res. 32.

1:55 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 12.

12:42 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

H. Res. 32:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that further proceedings on H.Res. 32 would be postponed.

10:09 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous special order the House proceeded with 6 hours of debate on H.Res. 32.

10:06 A.M. –

Considered pursuant to a special order.

10:05 A.M. –

Consideration initiated pursuant to a special order.

10:04 A.M. –

ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of January 12, 2011, to consider in the House without intervention of any point of order a resolution relating to recent events in Tucson, Arizona, if offered by the Speaker or his designee; such resolution shall be debatable for 6 hours equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their respective designees; and the previous question shall be considered as ordered on such resolution and any preamble thereto to final adoption without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 33:

electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives

10:03 A.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

10:02 A.M. –

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

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.