Tag Archives: United States

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: These two little girls lost their mother to cancer, and their father to the U.S. immigratio​n system


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Nikte and Ixchel are missing both of their parents this mother’s day. They’ve lost their mother to cancer and their father was deported because of this country’s broken immigration system. It’s time to stop separating families. Immigration reform must protect families like Nikte and Ixchel’s.
Watch the video and leave your message for the Gomez-Pierrard Girls. We’ll make sure they receive it!
Shamefully, the Gomez-Pierrard story is not unique. Each year around 100,000 mothers and fathers of citizen children are deported. We continue enforcing a policy based on hate and fear. We can not continue jeopardizing the future of American children. It is time to protect families and deport hate!
Watch the video and leave a message today!
Together we can make an impact!Yours,  Axel Caballero and the Cuéntame team

CONGRESS


  • Wednesday, May 15, 2013

    capitol33

    The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.601, the Water Resources Development Act.  There will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the items listed below, in the order listed.  All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.  There will be 2 minutes of debate prior to each vote.
    • Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment);
    • Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);
    • Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);
    • Udall(NM) amendment #853 (pilot program);
    • Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges);
    • Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs);
    • Passage of S.601, as amended.
    • As a reminder, at 10:30am there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to amendments to S.601, Water Resources Development Act, and on passage of the bill.The first vote will be the usual 15 minute vote and the remaining votes will be 10 minutes in duration. Senator Reid intends to close the votes as quickly as possible. Senators are encouraged to remain on or close to the floor during the vote series.Last week we were able to reach short time agreements on the Tavenner (CMMS) and Orrick (Northern District Judge of CA) nominations. Senator Reid intends to execute those orders later today. Senators will be notified when the votes are scheduled.
    • 10:30am votes:–           Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment);-           Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);

    –           Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);

    –           Udall(NM) amendment #853 (pilot program);

    –           Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges);

    –           Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs);

    –           Passage of S.601, as amended.

    Tavenner Agreement:

    At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #92 the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There will be 1 hour for debate equally divided in the usual form prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

    Orrick Agreement:

    At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, there will be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided and controlled prior to a vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, the nomination of William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California.

    • 10:35am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Coburn amendment #815 (beach replenishment);Not Agreed To: 43-53
    • 11:01am The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects);Not Agreed To: 35-61
    • The following amendments have been considered to S.601,  the Water Resources Development Act:
      • Coburn amendment #805 (Army Corps land/guns) Not Agreed to: 56-43 (60-vote threshold)
      • Whitehouse amendment #803 (oceans) Agreed to: 68-31 (60-vote threshold)
      • Boxer-Vitter substitute amendment #799 Agreed to by UC
      • Brown amendment #813, as modified (Asian carp) Agreed to: 95-0
      • Pryor amendment #801, as modified (farms) Agreed to by UC
      • Pryor amendment #806 (work-in-kind) Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #835, with a modification to the instruction lines (rural water infrastructure projects) Agreed to by UC
      • McCain amendment #833 (levee safety programs) Agreed to by UC
      • Murray amendment #832 (cargo noncontainer) Agreed to by UC
      • Blunt amendment #800 (resilient construction techniques for extreme weather) Agreed to by UC
      • Sessions amendment #811, as modified (Tennessee Valley Authority to grant restrictions) Agreed to by UC
      • Coburn amendment #823 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission) Agreed to by UC
      • Warner amendment #873 (4 Mile Run) Agreed to by UC
      • Baucus amendment #847 Agreed to by UC
      • Boxer-Vitter amendment #899, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #895 Agreed to by UC
      • Wicker amendment #894 Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #867 Agreed to by UC
      • Boozman amendment #872 Agreed to by UC
      • Thune amendment #912 Agreed to by UC
      • Cornyn amendment #880 Agreed to by UC
      • Murkowski amendment #904 Agreed to by UC
      • Klobuchar amendment #884 Agreed to by UC
      • Wyden amendment #870, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Cochran amendment #911, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Carper amendment #882 Agreed to by UC
      • Murkowski amendment #903, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Durbin amendment #906, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Levin amendment #893 Agreed to by UC
      • Collins amendment #898 Agreed to by UC
      • Cardin amendment #861, as modified Agreed to by UC
      • Brown-Graham amendment #907 Agreed to by UC
      • Wyden amendment #896 Agreed to by UC
      • Inhofe amendment #797 Agreed to by UC
      • Barrasso amendment #868 Not Agreed to: 52-44
      • Sanders amendment #889 Not Agreed to: 56-40
      • Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment) Not Agreed To: 43-53
      • Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects) Not Agreed to: 35-61
      • Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs for military) Agreed to by voice vote
      • Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods) Agreed to: 60-36
      • Hoeven amendment #909 (surplus water charges), as modified Agreed to by voice vote
      • Boozman amendment #822 (recreational lands pass programs) was agreed to by voice vote
      • 11:23am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on Merkley amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods);Agreed To: 60-36
      • The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.At 2:00pm today, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, en bloc.The time until 4:30 pm, will be equally divided in the usual form, with Senator Baucus in control of the time from 4:15 to 4:30pm. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate will proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order listed.
      • There will be two minutes for debate between the votes. The second vote be 10 minutes in length.
      • 4:30pm votes:–         Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; and-         Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
      • Senator Wyden asked unanimous consent that the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution.Senator McConnell asked that the request be modified so that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes tax increases or reconciliation instructions to increase taxes or raise the debt ceiling.Senator Wyden objected to modifying the request.Senator McConnell then objected to the original request.
      • 4:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #40, William H. Orrick III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of CaliforniaConfirmed: 56-41
      • 5:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesConfirmed: 91-7
      • Executive Calendar #92, the nomination of Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was confirmed 91-7. Following the vote, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.954, a bill to reauthorize agricultural programs through 2018 (the Farm bill). There will be no further roll call votes today.
      • The Senate has reached an agreement that on Monday, May 20th, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #73, S.954, the Farm bill.
      • WRAP UP FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013ROLL CALL VOTES
      • 1)      Coburn amendment #815 (beach nourishment) to S.601, the Water Resources Development Act; Not Agreed to: 43-532)      Coburn amendment #816 (Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission projects); Not Agreed to: 35-613)      Merkley-Brown amendment #866 (use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods); Agreed to: 60-364)      Passage of S.601, WRDA, as amended; Passed: 83-14

        5)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #40 William H. Orrick, III, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Confirmed: 56-41

        6)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #92, Marilyn B. Tavenner, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Confirmed: 91-7

        LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

        Adopted S.Res.142, designating May 15th, 2013, as “National MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) Awareness Day”.

        Completed the Rule 14 process of S.953, the Student Loan Affordability Act. (Reed)

        No additional EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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May 2013
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action: 5/14
9:10:47 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 15, 2013.

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1.4 Million Americans : Want #GunViolence to STOP


Last Thursday in Washington, D.C., I joined 30 OFA volunteers and three
gun violence survivors as they delivered our petition to Congress with
more than 1.4 million signatures — including yours. It was an amazing
day, and a reminder that we’re nowhere near done with this fight.

What impressed me most on Thursday was getting a chance to talk with survivors like Pam Simon, Sami Rahamim, and Lori Haas.

You’ll see in the video that these folks have turned their personal pain
into action, and a force for good. It’s enough to change hearts and
minds.

OFA volunteers got a chance to meet with a few leaders in Congress, like
Rep. Mike Thompson, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, and House
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who asked all of us to keep fighting —
and even gave folks a few tips on how to keep the pressure on their
fellow lawmakers.

Senator Reid even tweeted: “Today, we received a petition from over 1.4
million Americans who demand action on background checks. This fight is
not over.”

I am more confident than ever that, if we keep working and making our
voices heard, we can and will win this. The petition delivery was a big
moment — but it’s not the end of this fight.

Watch the video and please, pass it along to anyone else who should see it and ask them to say they’re in, too:

37 Times the Charm


 

National Women's Law Center
 
 
     
  People Before Politics  
     
   
     
                  Tell Congress to oppose the repeal of the health care law.  
     
  Take Action  
     

Thirty-six. That’s how many times some leaders in Congress have forced a vote on repealing the health care law. But there’s nothing like lucky 37. Yep, you heard me right — this week, the House of Representatives is poised to vote for the 37th time to repeal the health care law.
Tell your Representative to oppose the repeal of the health care law.
They know this is the law of the land, but they have decided to waste time and taxpayer dollars by holding this vote to play to their political base. Here are three reasons why repealing the health care law would hurt Americans:

  • Nearly 27 million women would stop getting preventive services without co-pays.
  • More than 3 million young adults would lose the health coverage they get from their parents’ health plans.
  • 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions would continue to be at the mercy of the insurance industry.

Enough already! Congress needs to stop the politics and get back to the people’s work. Tell your Representative to oppose the repeal of the health care law.
Thank you for all you do for women and their families.
Sincerely,

 
Judy Waxman   Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center      

P.S. Help us continue to make a difference in the lives of women and their families. Make a generous contribution today.

Farm Bill debate begins–yo​ur voice is needed:


The Pulse: Facts you need from experts you trust

Visit our interactive farm

Our government is currently paying farmers to grow virtually the opposite of what it recommends that Americans eat—including billions to subsidize items such as corn syrup that go into processed food. Not only do these policies undermine our health, they damage our air, soil, and water. Thankfully, there’s a better way. Check out our new analysis, The Healthy Farm: A Vision for U.S. Agriculture, that identifies four ways that modern, science-based practices can produce abundant, affordable, healthy food and protect our environment. Be sure to visit our interactive healthy farm and take action as debate on the Farm Bill heats up. —Karla

Science in Action
Farmers Market Debate on Farm Bill begins—we need your help
We have an opportunity right now to reorient government policies to provide greater support for healthy food and farms. A proposal has been introduced to strengthen support in the Farm Bill for programs that meet our food needs, provide economic opportunities, and minimize harmful environmental costs. Tell Congress: the Farm Bill should support healthy farms and food—not processed food and industrial agriculture!
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Cartoon of the Month
Cartoon: Farm Bill
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 VOTE for UCS! Support our submission in the Looking @ Democracy video contest. INFOGRAPHIC: Are U.S. farms growing the food we should eat? Find out! Organic dairy—it’s good for your bones and great for the local economy. Learn more. Just rotate the crops? How one scientific study is upending the claims made by chemical companies!
Ask a Scientist
Karen Perry StillermanKaren Perry Stillerman
Senior Analyst,
Food and
Environment ProgramFollow
Karen’s blog >>
Our country has one of the highest costs for medical care, and has increasing amounts of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. To what extent can changes in our food system help make Americans healthier and what is UCS doing about these problems? —Janet Cruz, Kamiah, ID It’s true that healthcare spending in the United States currently accounts for 18 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is expected to rise sharply as the population ages. And rates of diet-related chronic diseases are soaring. Most of us know we should eat a healthier diet—with more fruits and vegetables, and less meat, sugar, and processed foods—but we’re being undermined by a food system that sets us up to fail. MOREDo you have a question for UCS scientists? Submit your question today.
This Just In
Visit our interactive farm Take a trip to a modern, sustainable farm
Healthy farms can meet our need for affordable, healthy food while providing real environmental and economic benefits. Our interactive graphic takes you on a tour of the top practices and benefits associated with modern, sustainable farming. Start your journey now!
Got Science
ALEC’s at it again: this time pushing state legislation that threatens our food’s safety by shielding factory farms from whistleblowers. Here’s what you need to know…
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  Did you miss Ricardo Salvador on @MHPnews? http://ow.ly/kwGSx Check out this weekend’s segment on #GMOs, Monsanto, hunger, and more…  VIDEO: Planning for sea level rise http://ow.ly/kqsaI @weatherchannnel highlights the growing risks of rising seas. #climate  We need a science champion for @EPAadm. Tell your senator to confirm Gina McCarthy: http://bit.ly/141B77I  States are choosing renewable energy facts over fiction peddled by #ALEC, #Koch brothers @CSMonitor http://ow.ly/kr03y
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