Tag Archives: Violence Against Women Act

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House : the Senate on break until Dec.10


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Senator Patty Murray & Education – Washington State


Keeping College Affordable

Last week, I joined with students and administrators at South Seattle Community College to host a rally in support of the Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012. Unless Congress acts, interest rates for over 100,000 students across Washington state will double on July 1 st , which would add $1,000 to the cost of these loans for millions of Americans and will be one more strain for students and families already fighting to afford college in this tough economy. At the rally, I called on Republicans to end their filibuster of this bill and work with Democrats to keep rates low for millions of students. I will continue to fight to make sure we avoid the automatic increase on July 1 st. We should be working to make it easier for students to afford college, not harder.

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“Senator Murray rallies SSCC students to fight for student loan interest rate protection”
– West Seattle Herald

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Continuing to Push for Stronger Violence Against Women Legislation

Last week, House Republicans released their version of the Violence Against Women Act. The House bill, which passed with only Republican support and with strong bipartisan opposition, not only stripped the Senate version of the bill’s provisions making needed progress for LGBT, immigrant, and tribal victims, but also included dangerous rollbacks of existing protections for immigrant victims.

I believe the House Republican version of VAWA is a giant step backward for victims of domestic violence. This is dangerous and irresponsible and leaves women across the country more vulnerable to domestic abuse. Where a person lives, who they love, or what their citizenship status may be should not determine whether or not their perpetrators are brought to justice. I’m glad that in the Senate we were able to come together around an inclusive, bipartisan bill, and I remain committed to fighting to make sure my colleagues in the House of Representatives will do the same. We’ve made a lot of progress since VAWA was first passed in 1994, and I hope that my Republican colleagues will not insist on putting partisan politics ahead of protecting victims of domestic violence. I will continue to fight in support of the Senate’s bipartisan bill, and to make sure that Republicans do not turn back the clock on the important progress that has been made.

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Celebrating the Anniversary of Title IX

Megan Rapinoe, midfielder for the Seattle Sounders Women, recalling how Title IX opened the door for her as a young athlete.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining with members of the Seattle Sounders Women and student athletes at Garfield High School in Seattle to mark the upcoming 40 th anniversary of Title IX, historic legislation that fundamentally changed the lives of women and girls across the country by allowing them equal access to athletic opportunities. Members of the Sounders Women talked about the ways this legislation helped open doors for them when they were younger, and I discussed legislation I am currently cosponsoring The High School Sports Information Collection Act in the Senate , that will strengthen the rights provided by Title IX, to ensure that future generations of young women are able to continue expanding opportunities and leveling the playing field.

“Sen. Murray teams up with Sounders Women to discuss Title IX”
– Bothell Reporter

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Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate considers S.1789, S.1925 & NLRB


the Senate Convened at 10:00amet April 24, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
  • At 10:30am, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 12:30pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, VAWA.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:50pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36 and conduct a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36.  If the motion is defeated, there will be several roll call votes in order to complete action on S.1789, the Postal Reform bill following the vote at 2:15pm.

This morning the Senate executed the previous order to send the Transportation bill to conference and appointed the senators listed below as conferees. H.R.4348, as amended with the text of S.1813 as passed by the Senate, is the vehicle for the conference.

Boxer

Baucus

Rockefeller

Durbin

Johnson (SD)

Schumer

Nelson (FL)

Menendez

Inhofe

Vitter

Hatch

Shelby

Hutchison

Hoeven

2:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution of disapproval relative to the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) relating to representation election procedures; Not Agreed to: 45-54

3:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Lieberman motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Lieberman-Collins substitute amendment #2000, as modified and S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Agreed to: 62-37

3:38 pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the McCain amendment #2033 (reorganization commission) to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Not Agreed to: 30-69

4:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #2061, as modified (mandatory retirement); not agreed to: 33-65

The following amendments are pending to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill:

The following amendments to S.1789 have been considered:

The following amendments to S.1789 have been considered:

WRAP UP

 ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures; Not Agreed To: 45-54

2)      Lieberman motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the substitute amendment #2000, as modified and S.1789, the Postal Reform bill; Agreed To: 62-37

3)      McCain amendment #2033 (reorganization commission); Not Agreed To: 30-69

4)      Coburn amendment #2061, as modified (mandatory retirement); Not Agreed To: 33-65

5)      Udall(NM) amendment #2043, as modified (six-day delivery); Not Agreed To: 43-56

6)      Akaka amendment #2034 (workers compensation); Not Agreed To: 46-53

7)      Corker amendment #2083 (frequency of mail delivery); Not Agreed To: 29-70

8)      Akaka amendment #2049 (managerial organizations); Not Agreed To: 57-42

9)      Paul amendment #2025 (end mailbox use monopoly); Not Agreed To: 35-64

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.432, designating April 30, 2012, as “Día de los Niños: Celebrating Young Americans”.

Adopted S.Res.433, designating April 2012 as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month”.

By unanimous consent, the following items were placed on the Legislative Calendar:

–          S.2338, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012. (Hutchison, Grassley and Cornyn)

–          S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act. (Reid)

–          S.2344, To extend the National Flood Insurance Program until December 31, 2012. (Vitter)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 24, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

  -The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 25, 2012.9:02:10 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.9:02:00 P.M. -Mr. Pearce moved that the House do now adjourn.7:23:06 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:15:35 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:14:56 P.M. -Mr. Walden asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, for Morning-Hour debate and 1 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.7:14:39 P.M. -H.R. 2157Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:14:36 P.M. -H.R. 2157On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 2 (Roll no. 178).6:45:19 P.M. -H.R. 2157Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2157 — “To facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest, and for other purposes.”6:45:02 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:45:01 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.5:02:50 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  6:30 P.M. today.5:02:25 P.M. -H.R. 2240At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (UT) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:57:04 P.M. -H.R. 2240DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2240.4:57:03 P.M. -H.R. 2240Considered under suspension of the rules.4:57:00 P.M. -H.R. 2240Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2240 — “To authorize the exchange of land or interest in land between Lowell National Historical Park and the city of Lowell in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for other purposes.”4:56:45 P.M. -H.R. 491Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:56:41 P.M. -H.R. 491On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:53:31 P.M. -H.R. 491DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 491.4:53:29 P.M. -H.R. 491Considered under suspension of the rules.4:53:11 P.M. -H.R. 491Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 491 — “To modify the boundaries of Cibola National Forest in the State of New Mexico, to transfer certain Bureau of Land Management land for inclusion in the national forest, and for other purposes.”4:53:07 P.M. -H.R. 2947Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:53:04 P.M. -H.R. 2947On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:49:55 P.M. -H.R. 2947DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2947.4:49:53 P.M. -H.R. 2947Considered under suspension of the rules.4:49:30 P.M. -H.R. 2947Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2947 — “To provide for the release of the reversionary interest held by the United States in certain land conveyed by the United States in 1950 for the establishment of an airport in Cook County, Minnesota.”4:49:13 P.M. -H.R. 2050At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bishop (UT) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:44:22 P.M. -H.R. 2050DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2050.4:44:20 P.M. -H.R. 2050Considered under suspension of the rules.4:44:00 P.M. -H.R. 2050Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2050 — “To authorize the continued use of certain water diversions located on National Forest System land in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes.”4:43:41 P.M. -H.R. 2157At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:38:34 P.M. -H.R. 2157DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2157.4:38:30 P.M. -H.R. 2157Considered under suspension of the rules.4:38:00 P.M. -H.R. 2157Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2157 — “To facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest, and for other purposes.”4:37:50 P.M. -H.R. 1038At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:31:27 P.M. -H.R. 1038DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1038.4:31:25 P.M. -H.R. 1038Considered under suspension of the rules.4:31:03 P.M. -H.R. 1038Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1038 — “To authorize the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960.”4:30:26 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:30:20 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.2:14:25 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  4:30 P.M. today.2:13:43 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 April 24, 2012 at 12:45 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 4348 with an amendment; insisted on its amendment, requested a conference with the House and appointed conferees.2:03:20 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:54 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sablan to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:46 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:01:39 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas2:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of April 24.12:10:58 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  2:00 P.M. today.12:00:57 P.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.12:00:30 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Abney Culberson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:18 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Fundraising … 2012 Gap


DSCC Has Record Breaking Quarter Thanks to Strong Grassroots Support

The first three months of 2012 showed the incredible enthusiasm of Democratic supporters. The DSCC set a first quarter fundraising record by raising almost 20% more than our Republican counterparts.

You played a big role in our success; 97% of the gifts came from grassroots donors.

Thank you for your continuing support!

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Top Action

Critical Vote on Protecting Women Just Days Away

In what is just the latest in a series of Republican attacks on women, Senate Republicans are trying to eliminate the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

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Twice before, VAWA was reauthorized with widespread, bipartisan support from both houses of Congress. But now, Republicans have grown so radical they won’t even commit to protecting women from violence.

Join Democrats and demand Senate Republicans stop trying to eliminate VAWA!

Add your name »

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Enthusiasm Gap Felt in Senate Races Around the Country

The enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans is stretching to Senate races as well. According to Politico, “In the dozen most competitive contests across the country, Democrats once again collected more cash during the first three months of the year than Republicans, who are expected to wage an aggressive battle for the Senate majority.”

Among the strongest performers this quarter were Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Baldwin, Debbie Stabenow, and Claire McCaskill.

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Support Senator Maria Cantwell for Re election


 
  
 
 
 
It was a 41-year battle for women to pass the 19th Amendment, affording us the universal right to vote. It took another 50 years for women to win a constitutionally guaranteed right to choose. And it wasn’t until a few short years ago that we passed legislation helping women like Lilly Ledbetter have a fair shot at getting equal pay.
 
It has taken women generations to secure the rights we enjoy today. And the extreme right wing in Congress wants to strip those rights away in the blink of an eye — whether it’s overturning Roe v. Wade or denying women health coverage for contraception.
 
The latest attack in the radical war on women is absolutely infuriating. Some Senate Republicans are set to OPPOSE extending the Violence Against Women Act — a law that helps survivors of brutal domestic violence start new, healthy lives. As I said on Hardball last week, the safety of millions of women depends on this and I will do everything in my power to see it reauthorized right away.
 
I have had enough. I will continue to speak out in the media and on the Senate floor until the right ends its ridiculous war on women — but I can’t do it alone. The first FEC filing deadline of the year is March 31st. So while all the pundits are watching, let’s prove that our grassroots organization is as powerful as ever, and standing strong for women’s rights.
 
 
Mitt Romney wants to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood under the guise of cutting spending. Rush Limbaugh unabashedly smears women who speak out on the issues. These are the ideological leaders of the modern right. And earlier this month, the right-wing controlled Arizona state House passed a law that would open the door for employers to fire female employees who seek contraceptive coverage.
 
Women have come a long way, but there’s more to do — and we can’t accomplish anything while politicians in Washington D.C. are determined to drag women’s rights back to the last millennium.
 
 
My mission in the U.S. Senate is to give a voice to those who don’t have one. With your help, I have no doubt that we can reach our $50,000 goal, and show pundits from one Washington to the other that our network stands for women’s health.
 
It’s supporters like you that will make the difference in this election.
 
Thanks for everything you do.
 
 
 
Maria