Tell EPA: Take away BP’s billions in federal contracts
BP continues to stonewall the American people about the growing Deep Horizon disaster in the Gulf, even while the company reaps millions of dollars in profits each day from its other federal leases. The White House, the Department of Interior, and Congress are all crying foul, but they are not taking action to hold BP accountable. If the Obama administration is serious about making BP pay, there is a very simple and powerful tool at its disposal: the EPA can take away BP’s billions in federal contracts. The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to bar BP from receiving U.S. government contracts. Suspension of BP contracts would mean the loss of billions of dollars and effectively stop the company from drilling in federally controlled oil fields both on and offshore. This is the strongest possible action that could be taken against BP. Discretionary debarment is among the most serious actions EPA can take. EPA’s own regulations allow the agency to ban BP from future contracts after considering “the frequency and pattern of the incidents, corporate attitude both before and after the incidents, changes in policies, procedures, and practices.” Prior to the current Gulf spill, EPA had linked BP to at least four instances of criminal misconduct and BP has paid tens of millions in fines for environmental crimes. According to the public interest investigative journalists at Pro Publica, the EPA is considering re-evaluating BP and determining whether the company’s actions leading up to and following the Deep Horizon spill are evidence of an institutional problem inside BP that would qualify for debarment action. If BP is hit with discretionary debarment, the company would lose valuable contracts for selling fuel to the military and would be prohibited from obtaining or renewing drilling leases on federal land. It could also cancel BP’s current federal leases. The impact on BP’s bottom line could be in the billions of dollars. Neither Congress, nor President Obama, nor Interior Secretary Salazar have taken steps to truly hold BP accountable. It’s up to EPA to use the regulatory tools at its disposal to make BP pay. The American people are outraged by the politicians’ inaction in the face of an exponentially growing economic and environmental disaster in the Gulf. It’s time for EPA to take immediate and decisive action. Your pressure works. Sign the petition to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson today. Becky Bond, Political Director |
Tag Archives: white people
ThinkProgress.org
ECONOMIC JUSTICE — 35,000 PEOPLE PROTEST CHRISTIE’S BUDGET CUTS, OUTNUMBERING EARLIER TEA PARTY RALLY 87-TO-1: About 35,000 people rallied outside the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton on Saturday after Gov. Chris Christie (R) vetoed a progressive attempt to fix the state’s budget crisis. New Jersey is facing a projected $10.7 billion budget deficit due to the recession, and to close it, progressive state legislators passed a bill creating a new tax bracket on residents making more than $1 million. The state’s nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services estimates that the new tax would lead a household making $1.2 million annually to pay only $11,598 more a year. Yet Christie vetoed the bill, despite the fact that the state has the “second-highest personal income in the country.” Instead, the governor has proposed massive cuts to public services, like an $820 million reduction in the state’s education budget, and ending millions of dollars of aid to cash-strapped municipalities. On Saturday, 35,000 New Jerseyans, outraged at Christie’s choice to protect the wealthiest citizens of his state rather than its schools and infrastructure, demonstrated outside the statehouse, chanting, “We are not the problem.” It was “one of the largest protests ever in the state.” Christie, meanwhile, was at a bill signing at a racetrack where he simply dismissed the protests. “I’m here. They’re there. Have a nice day,” he said. The massive rally is particularly significant when compared to the right-wing Tea Party protests, which the media have covered obsessively. At a Tea Party rally in Trenton last month, police estimated that, at a maximum, only 400 people attended. Which means that at the very least, the protesters marching against Christie’s budget cuts and for decent investment in public infrastructure outnumbered the anti-government tea party protesters 87-to-1.
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Tuesday topics &some News …
It’s a day to Breathe in slowly through the nose then breathe slowly out and …sit be still and stay calm …
The agent of change is Americans and some 53% voted for it … now things are changing even though Republicans are the Political Party of No and clearly Obstructionists should be voted out of office not into Public Office when they clearly stand for Wall Street, Big Banks and AIG types
FYI.. there are reports that Obama is very upset that this BP oil gusher has not been plugged; question is …who has the know how, equipment and skills … point is not even the 3stooges have the skills; though they are profiting from the gamble or risk to the people or environment is clear. This current event or incident is not the President’s fault and it does surprise me to see people on the left freak out before or without finding out what can the government do or can’t do before lashing out and it is not his Katrina and how offensive that people on both sides of the aisle have gone there… Progressives and Liberals are far too willing to throw our leaders overboard and need to help find solutions instead of what being heard on the air waves …stop it! Support the President and think about where we would be with the Palin/McCain ticket or any Republican in Office at this time of unprecedented errors, blunders and corrupt behavior by people that he is trying to fix to get Americans back on track
As we move into full special and mid-term Election Campaign mode; the Hawaii special election was by all accounts a mistake in judgment, the Republican winner is only a temporary winner and it’s obvious that the Democratic Party will win in November when people of both Democrats combine votes and Win.
There have been many candidates out there saying crazy things on national television; mostly Republicans … then pull back, some are going off the campaign trail; like Rand Paul …some are making positive comments about the tea party movement then reversing their support within the same sentence; others have been caught with on-the-spot torture by talkingheads; while the written word has made a lot of people gasp at what a candidate did or said and last there was the john king interview or 3rd degree he tried to do on Joe Sestak has not gone away …he made me stop and wonder just what is he up to and as he quickly put the brakes on the uncomfortable interview by John King who had a big smirk on his face. Any and all Democratic candidates need to be ready for on-the-spot accusatory questions … don’t go there!
The light of day on everything that BP didn’t do while saying they had it under control or was willing to gamble is coming out more and more. The count down is on for the Top-Kill to be implemented on Wednesday. The anger toward the government is palatable but it just seems misdirected by people who may just be misinformed about what may be a protocol conflict. The facts from some in charge is that if the government did take charge what would they do to stop the flow when they don’t have the equipment. The other fact among many others; is …who ultimately would be responsible if something bad happens… til now the industry has regulated themselves, which, was instituted about 20years ago; the BP,Halliburton, TransOcean group maybe others have gotten away with too much.
The time for Reform and Regulation is now and if anyone has watched the video’s; it’s clear that this is no longer a leak anymore but a gusher. We all might be mad but offering up solutions about how to siphon up the oil headed toward the beaches,Wetland,Marches and Estuaries; BP needs to admit they need help to keep the oil from other parts of the Wetlands and Marshes and that should be the focus of our government.
In other attempts to be bipartisan; The President met with Republicans and Mitch McConnell on national tv was very negative maybe aloof at what lays ahead of trying to get Americans back on track he stated that the President has been too left of center and if the President truly wanted bipartisan he would have to come back to the center …and as a voter this truly means that Mitch McConnell and his Republican associates will continue to be the Party of No and act as obstructionist in our move toward progress into the 21st Century; they continue to be on the Side of Big Money and Wall Street who do not want Financial Reform or to fix the problems that shoved us into the ditch created by mostly Republicans and a Republican President who did not pay for his legislation actions 2wars, major tax cuts for the rich … is this what Americans want?
Other News …
**The President is sending 1200 National Guard Troops to the Border of AZ
**President Obama will be going to the Gulf Coast to see the current damage
**The 2014 NFL Super Bowl will be played in New York City in New Jersey
**Reports of our President met with Republicans
**The violence in Kingston is out of control/travel alert is still in effect
**DADT compromise is on the table/Senate cmte Vote possibly on Thursday & implemented in 12/2010
**A memorial will be held in Jackson, MS for the 11 oil rig workers who died at 2pm
C-SPAN…
Pres. Obama Remarks on Small Business
Rep. Frank on Financial Regulations
Anti- fraud bill seeks to protect senior citizens
Elderly advocate organizations testify on the growing fraud trends targeting seniors at a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Representatives from AARP, Elder Abuse Victims Advocates, and the Elder Justice Coalition give their opinions on the Senior Financial Empowerment Act. The bill seeks to increase public awareness of fraud schemes and equip the public to identify and combat fraudulent activity.
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2009President Obama Urges GOP support on immigration and energy legislation
In a rare Capitol Hill appearance, President Obama today met behind closed doors with Senate Republican leaders urging them for their cooperation in finishing work on measures to help create jobs and improve our economy. “The president told the conference that the Gulf oil disaster should heighten our sense of urgency to hasten the development of new, clean energy sources that will promote energy independence and good-paying American jobs,” the White House said in a statement after Obama’s luncheon.
Gulf Oil Spill Press Conference 5/24
Lawrence Summers: From Earlier 5/24
Hearing Probes Oil Spill Liability
While oil giant BP attempts a new technique – called the “kill method” – to stop the flow of oil and gas from the month-old Deepwater Horizon leak in the Gulf of Mexico, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today reviews financial responsibility issues stemming from the spill. Last week, BP announced that it intends to cover economic damages in excess of the present $75 million liability cap. This morning on the Washington Journal, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) discusses the federal government and BP response to the spill.
Sen. Cardin on WJ: LIVE on C-SPAN
Oil Spill Hearing: c-span.org at 10am ET
Fmr. Sec. of State Kissinger Urges Nuclear Treaty Ratification
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger provides his historical perspective on nuclear disarmament and U.S.-Russia relations in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. The committee is reviewing the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed last month by President Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.
Kissinger served as Secretary of State and National Security Adviser at the height of the Cold War, during the Nixon and Ford administrations, and has publicy supported the treaty. The new accord builds upon nonproliferation and arms reduction measures in the 1991 START and 2002 Moscow treaties and, after approval by this committee, requires ratification by the full Senate.
Kissinger served as Secretary of State and National Security Adviser at the height of the Cold War, during the Nixon and Ford administrations, and has publicy supported the treaty. The new accord builds upon nonproliferation and arms reduction measures in the 1991 START and 2002 Moscow treaties and, after approval by this committee, requires ratification by the full Senate.
Hearing: LIVE on C-SPAN3 Secs. Clinton & Gates on START Treaty (5/18) START Signing Ceremony (4/8) Kissinger on Nuclear Reduction (2/28/92)
Statement by Henry Kissinger, et al on TreatyQueen Presents Agenda for Coalition Government
Following tradition, Queen Elizabeth II presented the government’s agenda for the year at the State Opening of the British Parliament. The speech was drawn up by British Prime Minister David Cameron, in agreement with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, after the May 6th general election led to a coalition government between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
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ThinkProgress…
RADICAL RIGHT — ARIZONA SENATOR WHO PUSHED RADICAL IMMIGRATION LAW PLANS ON GOING AFTER ‘ANCHOR BABIES’ NEXT: Arizona news station KPHO is reporting that the state senator behind Arizona’s new radical immigration law, Russell Pierce (R), intends to push for an “anchor baby” bill that would essentially overturn the 14th Amendment by no longer granting citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants born on U.S. soil. According to e-mails obtained by KPHO, Pierce writes that he intends “to push for an Arizona bill that would refuse to accept or issue a birth certificate that recognizes citizenship to those born to illegal aliens, unless one parent is a citizen.” However, Pierce’s legislation is simply outright unconstitutional. As the Center for American Progress report “Immigration Nation: Reversing Birthright Citizenship Would Reverse A Unique American Achievement” writes, “Eleven years and a bloody Civil War later, when the framers of the 14th Amendment composed its text, they explicitly rejected the notion that America is a country club.” The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that anyone born in the United States would be a citizen regardless of his or her parents’ nationality. “This is why the hard right’s assault on birthright citizenship — claiming that the Constitution does not in fact grant citizenship to the children of immigrants to the United States — does not survive the text of the Constitution itself,” write the CAP authors. Unfortunately, Pierce isn’t the first lawmaker to go after the children of immigrants. Since taking office, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA) has tried and failed to pass seven pieces of legislation that would either repeal or reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s definition of citizenship.
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Monday …Congress debates&votes
The Senate Convenes: May 24, 2010 2:00pmET . There will be a period of morning business until 3:00pm with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.
At 3:00pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.4899,
The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/ passed the House without amendment…HR4899 is for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes like small business; it also rescinds certain amounts of funds from the accounts of programs and social services and possible debate on DADT
The following amendments are pending to HR4899:
Reid #4147 (text of S.3194, Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act)
Session #4173 (discretionary spending caps)
At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes. Those votes will be in relation to the Brownback and Hutchison motions to instruct conferees with respect to Wall Street Reform.
Votes:
163: Brownback Motion to Instruct Conferees (auto dealers);
Agreed to: 60-30
164: Hutchison Motion to Instruct Conferees (proprietary trading);
Agreed To: 87-4
Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.707, the Telework Enhancement Act (with committee-reported amendments).
Passed S.2868, the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act
Adopted S.Res.538, a resolution affirming the support of the United States for a strong and vital alliance with Thailand.
Adopted S.Res.539, a resolution designating May 24, 2010, as “Priscription Drug Disposal Awareness Day”.
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The next meeting in the House is May 24, 2010 12:30pmET
Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m;Suspensions (13 Bills)
stay tuned the rest of the weeks focus could be Jobs, national defense,science/technology and spending in Elections Act/Subject to a Rule;possible debates on DADT
The House to vote on raising the oil tax
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 24, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
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