Tag Archives: vote

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Take the Texas GOP to task!


Human Rights Campaign


Unbelievable. Since we sent the email below on Thursday, 53,438 people like you have spoken out against the Texas GOP’s vile anti-LGBT platform.

Despite the huge outcry – and the coast-to-coast media attention – the national Republican Party hasn’t said a word. And we’re not going to give up until they reject this extremism.

We need your help to turn up the heat in the media, hold the RNC’s feet to the fire, continue to educate the public, put pressure on policymakers, and send the message that this kind of hateful ideology won’t stand. Can you chip in $5 right now?

The Texas GOP doesn’t want gay people to have custody of children. We can make sure bigots like them don’t have custody of our democracy. Chip in $5 right now.

– Joe

P.S. Here’s last week’s message:

Human Rights Campaign

Sign the petition to RNC Chairman Michael Steele:

What you are about to read is shocking but true.

The 2010 Texas Republican Party Platform says gay people shouldn’t have custody of children.1

It says issuing a marriage license or performing a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple should be punishable by jail time.2

It wants to restore 19th-century Texas statutes outlawing sex between men.3

It’s one thing for extremist groups to spout this type of bigotry. But one of the nation’s two main political parties? That’s taking it WAY too far.

The Republican National Committee is trying to avoid the issue, but a huge public outcry can force them to take sides. Is this really what they want voters to think the GOP stands for as the 2010 elections approach?

At a time when Americans are looking for real solutions to the challenges we face, the Texas GOP decided to focus on propaganda, not policy:

“Homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases.”

“Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable ‘alternative’ lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should ‘family’ be redefined to include homosexual ‘couples.'”

“We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married.”

They’re not just against marriage equality; they’re against basic equal rights. They think it should be 100% legal to fire someone for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Even their word choice shows a possible anti-transgender bias, using the phrases “natural man” and “natural woman.” The list goes on – far beyond the usual Republican talking points on “traditional family values” and even the GOP platforms in other conservative states.

And they don’t stop with attacking LGBT citizens. They also call for evicting the United Nations from the U.S., requiring drivers’ licenses to indicate citizenship, opposing legislation to allow stem cell research, rescinding no-fault divorce laws, reversing Roe v. Wade, and shutting down the U.S. Department of Education.

I want to be clear: HRC is a bipartisan organization. We’ve endorsed Republican candidates for election. So this isn’t about party politics – it’s about deep intolerance that deserves to be rejected.

After you’ve signed, please spread the word to your friends – LGBT and straight, Republican and Democrat – and help us get the word out.

Let’s not allow the national Republican Party to hem and haw their way out of this one.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

P.S. The full platform is available here (PDF).
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

White House meeting -clean energy Summit


This is a big week. Tomorrow, President Obama is bringing a bipartisan group of Senate energy leaders to the White House to craft a clean energy bill in response to the Gulf oil disaster. And afterward, on Thursday, the Senate Democratic Caucus will meet again to decide its course of action.

But in the face of pressure from corporate lobbyists, there’s a very real chance that the Senate will wind up with a bill of half-measures, slapping a band-aid over the approximately 3 million barrels spilled into the Gulf so far, while ignoring the untold damage we cause by consuming over 2,000 times as much oil every year. We have to address the underlying causes of our addiction to dirty energy, not just the symptoms — and as President Obama said earlier this month, “The only way the transition to clean energy will ultimately succeed … is by finally putting a price on carbon pollution.”

Join Repower America and 17 other organizations in signing an urgent letter to President Obama and Senate energy leaders demanding they make comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation a reality — and we will deliver your signatures directly to the White House.

Sign the letter

Nearly one full year after the House of Representatives passed comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, the President is calling on the Senate to find consensus and pass a bill that addresses America’s addiction to fossil fuels.

But time is running out to pass this legislation before Capitol Hill grinds to a halt in August so lawmakers can campaign for the November midterm elections — even as oil may still be still pouring into the Gulf. To adequately address the disaster on our hands, this legislation must accomplish four essential goals:

  1. Respond directly to the Gulf oil disaster to begin to remedy the damage and hold BP accountable
  2. Reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels
  3. Set limits on carbon pollution
  4. Improve energy efficiency and expand renewable energy production

Our letter to the President and Senate leaders emphasizes these essential points and stresses the need to include them in a comprehensive climate and clean energy bill, and pass this bill as soon as possible. Seventeen partner organizations have already signed on, but that’s not enough: We also need as many citizen co-signers as possible to demonstrate to our leaders in Washington that Americans all across the country demand a comprehensive solution.

Read the letter and add your name before the White House clean energy meeting tomorrow.

Thanks for your work to help America get the strong bill we deserve,

Maggie L. Fox
Chief Executive Officer
The Climate Protection Action Fund
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another manic Monday &some News


We are at a moment when Americans should speak up and out for the need to spend, to stimulate our economy, the end of G8/G20 summit showed how other countries are having a tough time with the decision to keep stimulating or to draw back and focus on the deficit;  this week will be full of  event that impact our lives in so many ways in Congress, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice, or President’s second nominee that could change some outcomes on the panel and definitely debates/votes on a Jobs Bill this week.  …take part -call your representative tell them not to give up because rumors are that they will give HR4213 one more effort. Americans should not let the hammer of fear wielded by Republicans get the best of what the Obama Administration campaigned on and can’t do by himself –

Today we all found out that Senator Robert Byrd, the longest serving member of the Senate died at 92. This was a man who was ill during the HCR but came in to vote when he had to even though he was ill, he was once a KKK member and as he lived life he stated that intolerance has no room here on the planet. I have heard all day that this man will be missed. The Elena Kagan confirmation hearings start today and while we have all watched as Sonia Sotomayor was questioned, possibly abused verbally we all need to be aware of what goes on and take part because the Congress will only create laws and or pass legislation with the push of the people at their backs. Republicans and maybe a couple of Democrats will act and or vote with a personal agenda involved, which is okay in a normal situation but we almost had our complete financial system crash, which effected everything else here in the states as well as globally. I would like someone to tell me that should a crisis can be solved in 18 months. The downfall of our economy began a couple of Presidents ago but this particular one has to get it under control before everyone decides to vote for him again or holding votes because of the slow road of progress of DADT, Climate and Clean Energy over his head? Absurd behavior

As budget reductions, begin to happen here in Seattle. You have to wonder just how many people will be affected and how many other states are beginning to cut what they consider non-essential programs and how this is a direct result from the stalling blocking and obstructionist behavior of Republicans in the Senate because they have decided to say NO to a Jobs Bill. For an example, City Light programs like the “Fridge Program” and the popular Skagit Tours programs are suspended for the rest of the year and will not return until 2011. Seattle City Light recommends that people should still unplug your old second or third freezer or refrigerators’. Those people who already have appointments will still get the free pick-up. The domino effect from budgets having to be cut because states will have to cut whatever can be called non-essential will be things that could lead us all into the 21st Century but Congress has said no we cannot help the states we have big deficits. The cuts to our first responders will be deep all over the country and in a time when the gulf coast needs help the failure to pass a jobs bill and tax extenders will increase the problems there as well. The fridge program might seem small but the effort is to bring folks into the 21st Century increase savings by getting old appliances off the grid, apparently the savings can be big.

The Cash for Appliances and City light’s WashWise program is still running and people can get up to $200 by buying qualified washers; you can get a $75 rebate for Energy Star refrigerators. These two programs run until 12/31/2011 or until the funds run out. To get more information go to www.cashforapplianceswa.com or www.washwiserebate.com and for details about Energy Conservation call the help line 206-684-3800. If you want info about visiting the upper, Skagit River or the North Cascades go to www.ncascades.org or http://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm.

Other News …

**Supreme court Justices extended gun ownership rights to everyone w/some limitations

**Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) admitted to David Gregory that he does not agree with Brewer’s fallacious comments, but refused to address whether such gross exaggerations “make the debate harder”:TP

**In his New York Times column, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman warns we are in the early stages of a “third depression.” “This third depression,” he writes, “will be primarily a failure of policy” as the world’s leading governments obsess “about inflation when the real threat is deflation, preaching the need for belt-tightening when the real problem is inadequate spending.”TP

**A USA Today/Gallup poll finds a majority of Americans (53 percent) approve of President Obama’s decision to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus. A greater percentage — 58 percent — back the plan to start pulling out U.S. troops in July 2011.TP

**The “headline achievement” of the G-20 summit was an agreement by developed nations to “halve their annual deficits within three years.” Although the U.S. signed on to the plan, President Obama urged continued spending to support growth, stating, “[W]e must recognize that our fiscal health tomorrow will rest in no small measure on our ability to create jobs and growth today.”TP

**Boeing workers voted to ratify a union contract against union leader advice

C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

watch Pres. Obama Concluding Press Conference

watch From Sunday, June 27 PM Haper G20 briefing

watch Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) in Las Vegas

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (1917-2010)

92-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) died earlier this morning. First elected in 1958, Sen. Byrd was the longest serving U.S. Senator and Member of Congress in history. He is also the author of five books, including a series on the history of the Senate.

House Majority Leader Discusses National Security Issues

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the Democrats National Security Strategy. He will likely discuss President Obama’s strategy that was released in May and the prospects for passage of additional funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Tomorrow, Gen. David Petraeus will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee in a confirmation hearing to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal as lead commander of troops in Afghanistan. McChrystal resigned last week in the wake of a recently released Rolling Stone article. In the story, General McChrystal and members of his staff are quoted as criticing the Vice President and other members of the Administration.

Kagan confirmation hearing begins

The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up the nomination of Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Judiciary Committee members and Elena Kagan will make opening statements and move to the question and answer session beginning Tuesday. She will be introduced by Massachusetts Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Scott Brown (R-MA).The committee plans four days of hearings with the questioning of the nominee Tuesday and Wednesday and outside witnesses on Thursday. If confirmed, Elena Kagan will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Court.

watch C-SPAN’s Senate Confirmation Hub Page
watch Opening statements on C-SPAN3 at 12:30pm ET
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UNDER THE RADAR

JUSTICE — FINANCIAL REGULATION BILL CONTAINS MEASURE TO ADDRESS ‘CONFLICT MINERALS’: Congressional negotiators reached a deal on Friday to reconcile the House and Senate versions of financial regulatory reform. The bill contains an obscure provision “that requires any publicly traded company that uses certain minerals to file reports annually with the Securities and Exchange Commission certifying whether the minerals originated in Congo or neighboring countries.” Many of the minerals used in electronic devices like cell phones and computers are mined in the Congo, a country “plagued by regional conflict and a deadly scramble for its vast natural resources.” The mineral sales finance “multiple armed groups, many of whom use mass rape as a deliberate strategy to intimidate and control local populations.” The provision in the financial regulation bill is designed to, according to its sponsor, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), “brings accountability and transparency to the supply chain of minerals used in the manufacturing of many electronic devices.” The Center for American Progress’ Enough Project — an organization “helping to build a permanent constituency to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity” — advocated for the inclusion of this provision. Though industry lobbyists complained about the cost, Enough’s Jenny Russell pointed out that “tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain.” Reacting to the provision’s passage, Enough’s John Prendergast said, “A year ago most members of Congress hadn’t even heard of conflict minerals.” Now, “in the middle of a turbulent legislative calendar, activists all over the country were heard loudly and clearly.” Private institutions are also joining the effort. Stanford University’s trustees recently considered a resolution “to create a new proxy voting guideline” that would “support shareholders’ efforts to make companies trace the supply chain of the minerals used in their products.” If the guideline is adopted, “it would be the first university in the country to take such action on the issue.”

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Monday in Congress -timeline of debates &or votes 6/28/2010


Updates as needed throughout the day

Following morning business on Tuesday 6/29/2010, the Senate will resume the motion to proceed to HR5297, the Small Business Jobs bill.

The Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET June 28, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 5:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Gary Feinerman, of Illinois, to be United States District judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Debate until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions or their designees.

There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Votes:

201: Confirmation of the nomination of Gary Feinerman, of Illinois, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois;
Confirmed: 80-0

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.567, electing Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore.

Adopted s.Res. 568, Notifying the House of Representatives of the election of Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore.

Adopted S.Res.569, Notifying the President of the election of Senator Inouye as President Pro Tempore.

*****************************************************************

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET June 28, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 28, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

6:11 P.M. –

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

6:07 P.M. –

Mr. Boozman requested the following general leaves to address the House on July 2: Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, and Mr. McHenry for 5 min.

Mr. Boozman requested that Mr. McHenry be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on July 1.

Mr. Boozman requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 30: Mr. McHenry for 5 min.

Mr. Boozman requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 29: Mr. Forbes for 5 min and Mr. McHenry for 5 min.

6:06 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 June 28, 2010 at 5:50 p.m: That the Senate agreed to S. Res. 568.

Mr. Obey asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Monday, June 28, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 28.

3:22 P.M. –

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

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 a message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 28, 2010, at 9:26 a.m. stating that that body had passed S. 3104.

H.R. 5395:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 151 North Maitland Avenue in Maitland, Florida, as the “Paula Hawkins Post Office Building”

3:21 P.M. –

At 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.

3:05 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5395.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 1510:

to transfer statutory entitlements to pay and hours of work authorized by the District of Columbia Code for current members of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division from the District of Columbia Code to the United States Code

3:04 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1510.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1439:

congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup Championship

2:48 P.M. –

At 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.

2:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1439.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 3913:

to direct the Mayor of the District of Columbia to establish a District of Columbia National Guard Educational Assistance Program to encourage the enlistment and retention of persons in the District of Columbia National Guard by providing financial assistance to enable members of the National Guard of the District of Columbia to attend undergraduate, vocational, or technical courses

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

2:30 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3913.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 284:

recognizing the work and importance of special education teachers

2:28 P.M. –

At 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.

2:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 284.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1244:

recognizing the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition for its now five-year effort to promote cyber security curriculum in institutions of higher learning

2:21 P.M. –

At 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.

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1244.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

2:10 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

2:02 P.M. –

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

2:01 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC 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.

2:00 P.M. –

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

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 28.

12:31 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

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.

12:30 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Donna F. Edwards to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.