Tag Archives: United States

Something very exciting is happening in a special election in Western New York.

A new poll shows Democrat Kathy Hochul surging to a dead heat in the most Republican district in New York. Kathy’s momentum is no coincidence. This is a direct response to her Republican opponent vowing to support the GOP’s plan to end Medicare as we know it, while preserving tax breaks for millionaires.

A win by Kathy would be a shocking blow to the Republicans’ extremist agenda.

That’s why Speaker John Boehner is desperately raising money to fund attack ads against Kathy. With the election in just 13 days, we must raise $10,000 in grassroots support so Kathy has what it takes to fight back.

http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63ca82/1b9dd8ab/4a4de9c1/4e0ce9fe/3423444470/VEsH/

Kathy is a fighter for jobs and someone who will never back down when it comes to helping hardworking middle class families. We need her in the House more than ever so she can stand up to the special interests and stop the GOP’s extremist agenda.

But she’s up against not one, but two deep-pocketed conservatives, including a Tea Party candidate who will spend whatever it takes on attack ads to win. And you know the GOP shadow groups are right behind them.

With the media watching Kathy’s momentum, we need the strongest possible show of grassroots support on her behalf.

http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63ca82/1b9dd8ab/4a4de9c1/4e0ce9fe/3423444470/VEsH/

Republicans sense that this race is slipping away from them. They also know that a grassroots-powered Democratic victory would mean the beginning of the end for their extremist agenda.

With this election just 13 days away, it’s now a dead heat. We must act now to put Kathy over the top.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

P.S. This is a race that will come down to the wire. With the world watching,

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A national victory against coal …from Greenpeace

05/13/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

For over 60 years, the coal-fired power plant in Salem Harbor, MA has been taking a toll on the community’s health by polluting the drinking water and poisoning the air.

But the community fought back.

And thanks to the hard work of local activists, it was announced this week that the Salem Harbor Generating Station is going to close. It’s a huge victory. Not just for the people of Massachusetts, but for activists in Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania and everywhere else who are working to shut down dirty coal plants in their communities.

Our campaign is just beginning. Greenpeace is going to continue to help these activists shut down the coal-fired power plants that are killing their communities.

However, they can’t win without strong health standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that limit pollution of toxins like mercury that come from coal-fired power plants. You have the power to make that happen by submitting a comment right now.

Help us close down even more dirty coal-fired power plants by submitting a comment to EPA now and urging them to strictly limit mercury and other toxic pollution from these plants.

www.greenpeaceusa.org

The EPA’s ability to protect American families from dangerous toxins like mercury is currently under attack by energy industry lobbyists and their friends in Congress. We have to speak up if we want to beat back these attacks and if we want more victories like the one this week in Salem Harbor. It’s as simple as that.

Right now, the coal industry doesn’t have to worry about the kids who develop asthma or the women put at risk of having a child with birth defects. Those costs are just passed on to the community. The EPA can change all that and put the cost of coal back onto the polluters responsible by limiting the pollution of toxins like mercury from these plants.

The comment period is only open for a short time. Submit a comment today.

It’s time to quit coal,

Kelly Mitchell

Greenpeace Coal Campaigner

Black History, ~ Recent Post

Congress: the Republican led House …back May 23, 2011 -the Senate …back May 16, 2011

05/13/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET May 16, 2011

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for debate only until 5pm with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes on Monday.

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

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 9:00amET on May 13, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 13, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:19 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 50. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 23, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Ms. Woolsey moved that the House do now adjourn.

2:18 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 13.

12:10 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

11:27 A.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

11:16 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 754: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes

11:13 A.M. – The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 754.

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 392 – 15 (Roll no. 329).

11:06 A.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 182 – 228, 1 Present (Roll no. 328).

10:49 A.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

10:41 A.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 16, H. Con. Res. 46, and H. Con. Res. 50.

10:40 A.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 498.

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back the House with an amendment commending Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and the United States intelligence community for their successful operation in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice. It also seeks to require the head of each element of the intelligence community to place the highest priority on funding activities that will contribute to the continued disruption, dismantlement and defeat of remaining al Qaeda terrorists and affiliated organizations that threaten the national security of the United States.

10:39 A.M. – Mr. Nadler moved to recommit with instructions to Intelligence (Permanent).

10:38 A.M. – The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

10:37 A.M. – The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 754.

10:36 A.M. – On agreeing to the Reed amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 406 – 0, 4 Present (Roll no. 327).

10:27 A.M. – MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence for the police officers who serve and protect us each day.

10:26 A.M. – On agreeing to the Carney amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 221 – 189 (Roll no. 326).

10:18 A.M. – On agreeing to the Hinchey amendment Failed by recorded vote: 194 – 214 (Roll no. 325).

10:09 A.M. – On agreeing to the Gibson amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 278 – 123 (Roll no. 324).

10:02 A.M. – On agreeing to the Rogers (MI) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 224 – 174 (Roll no. 323).

9:31 A.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

9:30 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Reed amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Reed demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until later in the legislative day.

9:15 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 264, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Reed amendment No. 9.

Amendment offered by Mr. Reed.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-75 to commend the United States intelligence community for their successful operation in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice and their continued efforts against al Qaeda. It is based on Senate Resolution 159, which passed the Senate 97 to 0.

9:14 A.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

9:02 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Walsh of IL 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.

9:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, Associate Professor, The Catholic University of America, Washington DC.

9:00 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Bishop to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Obama’s immigration speech

05/12/2011 Nativegrl77

Obama in El Paso.

The time for reform is now.

Almost 15,000 of you told the President that change takes courage.

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1227?akid=696.164689.D7b–

Yesterday he renewed his push for comprehensive immigration reform painting a picture of a nation built on a rich heritage of immigration; a nation in which you can come to America and write the next chapter of our history.

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1198?akid=696.164689.D7b-al&t=6

Today, we’re a nation where DREAM students are being deported, families are separated, and enforcement is at all-time high. The President has given the other side the space to come to the table and they haven’t shown up.

Now is the time for Congress to give us a permanent solution. Congress needs to address the economic and human costs of the millions of people living in the shadows of society and the broken immigration system that has broken up countless families and communities.

Tell Congress the time for excuses is up – it’s time to act on immigration reform. http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1227?akid=696.164689.D7b-al&t=7

The President is right – we each have the opportunity to write the next chapter of our history and that opportunity is now.

Thanks,

Marissa Graciosa

Reform Immigration FOR America

~ Recent Post

Health Care:The GOP’s Health Care Flip Flop

05/12/2011 Nativegrl77

In Oct. 2009, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) urged Congress to use the insurance program he created in Massachusetts as a model for nationwide health reform. This proved to be excellent advice, since President Obama signed a law that is based on Romney’s health plan several months later. Nevertheless, Romney plans to deliver a “major policy speech” later today disawowing the very advice he gave Congress less than two years ago — laying out a plan to repeal “Obamacare” and replace it with an unambitious array of minor health reforms. Moreover, Romney’s speech comes just two days after a federal court of appeals heard the first appellate case challenging the ACA on the grounds that it is unconstitutional to require someone to either carry insurance or pay slightly more income taxes. Even though the the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent both unambiguously establish that the ACA is constitutional, the GOP has nearly unanimously endorsed the meritless constitutional attack on the ACA. It wasn’t always this way, however.

THE MANY FACES OF MITT ROMNEY: Romney’s support for a health plan that provides life-saving, affordable health care to nearly every Massachusetts resident has not endeared him to the GOP primary electorate, which is why he’s tried to distance himself from his own single most significant accomplishment. Earlier this year, Romney tried to excuse his decision to sign the prototype for the ACA by explaining that it was just fine for him to sign a state health care plan, but absolutely unacceptable for Obama to sign an almost identical federal health care plan. Needless to say, this kind of hairsplitting did nothing to rescue Romney’s incipient campaign. Sixty-one percent of Republicans in the crucial state of Iowa indicate that they will not vote for someone who “supported a bill at the state level mandating that voters have health insurance.” More importantly, Romney’s bizarre state/federal distinction is at odds with his longstanding position on federal health reform. As far back as 1994, Romney indicated that he would support a Republican health plan that included an insurance coverage mandate. Today’s speech is Romney’s second attempt to wash away his proudest achievement. In it, Romney will recycle a discredited McCain-Palin proposal that would cost 20 million people their employer provided health care, he will embrace the GOP’s plan to gut Medicaid, and he supports a completely unworkable scheme that will allow patients to wait until they get sick to buy insurance, draining all the money out of an insurance plan that they have not previously paid into and leaving nothing left for the rest of the plan’s consumers.

THE GOP’S INDIVIDUAL MANDATE: In 1991, four conservative health policy scholars proposed requiring all Americans to carry health insurance in an effort to “persuade President George H.W. Bush and his administration to adopt a universal health-care proposal that would keep the government from eventually taking over the sector.” Two years later, Sen. John Chafee (R-RI) and 21 mostly Republican co-sponsors introduced a bill which took up this proposal for an individual insurance mandate. Five senators who opposed the ACA — Robert Bennett (R-UT), Kit Bond (R-MO), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) — co-sponsored Chafee’s bill. In mid-2006, Romney became the first elected official to sign an individual insurance mandate into law. Two Republican Senators even voted for an insurance mandate before they voted against it. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) voted in support of a Senate Finance Committee proposal which included an insurance mandate, and Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) voted in support of Romney’s health plan as a member of the state legislature. In other words, for all their strident rhetoric against insurance coverage requirements, the truth is this requirement was invented, nurtured and supported for nearly two decades by the GOP.

TEARING UP THE CONSITUTION: Hypocrisy, incoherence, and unworkable plans are the least of the GOP’s sins. They are prepared to tear up the Constitution as well. In a series of lawsuits challenging the ACA, Republicans claim, falsely, that Congress has never before passed a law that imposes a consequence on people who don’t buy a product, and that this somehow makes the ACA unconstitutional. Yet, as a panel of federal judges pointed out on Tuesday, this claim has no basis in the actual text of the Constitution. Rather, the Constitution provides that Congress may “regulate Commerce…among the several states,” and the very first Supreme Court decision interpreting this language made clear that this power is “plenary,” meaning that Congress may choose whatever means it wishes to regulate interstate marketplaces so long as it does not violate another textual provision of the Constitution. Thankfully, it is very unlikely that the Supreme Court will take the GOP up on its offer to replace the actual Constitution with a tenther manifesto, but the fact that one of the nation’s two great political parties believes that they can rewrite the Constitution shows nothing less than utter contempt for the nation’s founding document.