Tag Archives: United States

Tell the EPA: Keep Diesel Out of Our Drinking Water


Fracking Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is a dangerous drilling technique threatening water, air, wildlife and public health all over the United States. It’s done by blasting millions of gallons of a chemical-water-sand mixture deep into the Earth to break up rock formations to harvest oil and gas.

In 2005, in a law known as the “Halliburton loophole,” Congress exempted from the Safe Drinking Water Act all fracking chemicals except one: diesel fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency has just asked for public comment on how it should regulate the use of diesel fuel in fracking.

Evidence is mounting throughout the country that fracking chemicals are making their way into aquifers and drinking water, and diesel contains the toxic substances benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. Risking more chemical contamination of our drinking water is a no-go.

Take action to tell the EPA to ban fracking with diesel without delay.

This Week’s Top 3 on ThinkProgr​ess: The Supreme Court Edition


Dear Friend,

If you’re looking for a progressive take on the current political news, ThinkProgress has you covered. Catch up on the biggest stories from the past week that you may have missed:

Why The Individual Mandate Is Not A ‘Massive Tax Hike’ On The Middle Class

4 Reasons Why Republicans Won’t Be Able To Repeal Obamacare

Supreme Court Decision On Arizona’s Immigration Law Provides Strong Support For Obama’s Immigration Order

Best,

Igor Volsky Deputy Editor, ThinkProgress

VICTORY! Re: Sent back to her rapists? … Gabriela Garcia, Change.org


Change.org
Blanca Medina and her lawyer, Matthew Muller, got some great news from immigrations officials yesterday: after hearing from more than 100,000 people (including you!) who signed Matthew’s petition to prevent Blanca from being deported, they’ve issued a stay of deportation for Blanca and her daughter Alejandra.

Blanca, a five-time rape survivor who fears for her safety in her native El Salvador, was slated to be deported yesterday. But now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is allowing her to apply for asylum based on her traumatic experience and the danger she would face at home.

“I am relieved DHS listened to the more than 100,000 people who thought it was a travesty to deport a rape survivor back to her attackers,” Matthew said. “This is a major step forward that wouldn’t have happened without public outrage.”

Blanca’s just one of dozens of people who have have challenged unfair deportation orders, and been released from detention, after petitions were started for them on Change.org.

Is there an issue you care about? Something you see in the world that needs to change? You can start your own petition on Change.org — it takes only five minutes. Click here to start a petition on Change.org now.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

– Gabriela and the Change.org team

Supreme Court Upholds President Obama’s Health Care Reform


The White House Thursday, June 28, 2012
President Barack Obama delivers remarks after the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (June 28, 2012)President Barack Obama delivers remarks regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” in the East Room of the White House, June 28, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Nancy-Ann DeParle is Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Chief of Staff
Related Topics: Health Care

What the Supreme Court’s ruling means for your health care

Today, the Supreme Court issued a historic ruling: They upheld the Affordable Care Act and ensured that millions of American families will have access to health care and protection from the worst abuses of the insurance industry.

Lots of people have questions about the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court’s decision, and their health care coverage. We’ve pulled together the most useful information — including President Obama’s remarks after the announcement — at WhiteHouse.gov:

Watch the video and get the facts here.

Because the law has an impact on so many Americans, it’s important to understand its basic parts. We’ve also put together a list of facts about the Affordable Care Act. Will you give it a read, and then pass it on?

Nancy-Ann DeParle
Nancy-Ann DeParle

June 28, 2012
01:23 PM EDT
Share This Post

Questions about what the decision means for you? Check out an infographic showing how the Affordable Care Act benefits Americans 

Today, the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act ensures hard-working, middle class families will get the security they deserve and protects every American from the worst insurance company abuses. The Court has issued a clear and final ruling on this law.

For a comprehensive overview of the Affordable Care Act, visit WhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform and HealthCare.gov.

Let’s take a look at what today’s ruling means for the middle class:

A major impact of the Court’s decision is the 129 million people with pre-existing conditions and millions of middle class families who will have the security of affordable health coverage.

We should also remember that under today’s ruling, having health insurance is and will continue to be a choice. If you can’t afford insurance or you’re a small business that wants to provide affordable insurance to your employees, you’ll get tax credits that make coverage affordable. But if you can afford insurance and you choose not to purchase it, the taxpayers will no longer subsidize your care for free.

Given today’s ruling, it’s now time to focus on implementing this law in a smart and non-bureaucratic way that works for the middle class.

As we’ve said, the Court has issued a clear and final ruling on this law. The last thing Congress should do is refight old political battles and start over on health care by repealing basic protections that provide security for the middle class. The President refuses to go back to the way things were.

Right now, Congress needs to work together to focus on the economy and creating jobs. Right now in congress, what’s at stake is how–at this make or break moment for the middle class–we break through Washington gridlock to move our country forward. Right now in Congress, what’s at stake is our chance to seize this moment to build an economy not from the top-down, but one based on a strong and secure middle class.  We need to create secure middle class jobs and an economy built to last where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, everybody gets a fair shot, pays their fair share, and plays by the same set of rules.

Right now, Congress should act on the President’s concrete plans to create an economy built to last by reducing the deficit in a balanced way and investing in education, clean energy, innovation, and infrastructure. It’s time for folks in Washington to work together on behalf of the American people.

Please check back periodically for additional information on today’s decision.

Read the President’s full remarks here