Harry Reid &Senate Democrats in the Newsroom… cont. Energy mtg/Republicans say Yes to special interest No to homeless Vets&Unemployed/Financial Crisis was an”Ant”?

June 29, 2010

Reid Statement Following White House Energy Meeting

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today following a meeting at the White House to discuss clean energy legislation:

“The President led a spirited, productive discussion this morning about how to move forward on clean energy legislation.  Our caucus is energized on this issue and our resolve to act on energy legislation this summer remains strong.  We understand that the cost of inaction is high – the continuing disaster on the Gulf Coast is the latest glaring evidence that our current energy strategy is unsustainable.

“Democrats want to develop a comprehensive, national energy plan that creates millions of jobs that can never be outsourced, reduces pollution, strengthens our national security, and ends our dependence on oil.  Our caucus remains ready to get to work, but this effort can go nowhere without bipartisan support.  We need brave Republicans to step up and demonstrate the same commitment and leadership on this issue that Democrats have.”

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June 29, 2010

Reid Spokesman: Republicans Say ‘Yes’ To Special Interests And Outsourcing U.S. Jobs, ‘No’ To Homeless Veterans And Unemployed Workers

Washington, DC— Jim Manley, spokesman for Nevada Senator Harry Reid, released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked assistance to homeless veterans that was offered by Senator Murray today:

“Republicans have their priorities backwards – according to them, it’s OK to give tax breaks to CEOs who send American jobs overseas, but not to help out-of-work Americans and homeless veterans. As we’ve seen time and again, Republicans just want to protect special interests instead of working with Democrats to stand up for the middle class and get our economy back on track.”

See HERE for video of Senator Murray discussing this bill on the Senate floor this morning.

Over 100,000 Veterans Are Homeless. “VA estimates that 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness.” [National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, FAQ]

One-Fifth of the Homeless Population Are Veterans. “Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans.” [National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, FAQ]

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June 29, 2010

Reid Spokesman: Do Senate Republicans Agree With Boehner That The Financial Crisis Was An “Ant”?

Washington, DC— Jim Manley, spokesman for Nevada Senator Harry Reid, released the following statement today in response to the comments of House Minority Leader John Boehner’s comment that the recent financial crisis was an “ant”:

“If John Boehner thinks the crisis that cost millions of Americans their jobs was an ‘ant,’ he probably thinks the BP spill is just a drop in the bucket. This is coming from the same Republican Party that called America a ‘nation of whiners’ and declared ‘the fundamentals of our economy are strong’ as our economy was collapsing.

“This is about values: Republicans apologize to BP, meet in secret with Wall Street executives and fight for every special interest that comes knocking on their doors. But when it comes to fighting for the middle class, they’re nowhere to be found.

“Senate Republicans should say whether they agree with Boehner’s assessment. If they do, it would explain why nearly all of them voted against holding Wall Street accountable.”

Boehner said what? His New Outrageous Plan

CRITICAL DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT TOMORROW
$61,713 to go to beat the Republicans. All Gifts Matched 2-to-1! Contribute Today >>

Breaking News: On the heels of Republican Leader Boehner’s pledge of $1 million before the critical FEC deadline tomorrow at midnight, he announced that IF the GOP returned to the Majority, his plans would include raising the retirement age to 70!

Tomorrow at midnight – Democrats and Republicans will have to report their fundraising totals and if we let the Republicans out-raise us, the media will proclaim that they have the momentum for their agenda.

Boehner’s plan to cut President Obama’s term in half and raise the Social Security retirement age just reminded Americans who House Republicans really are — a party of and for Wall Street and Big Business, funded on the backs of seniors and the middle class.

If we can raise just $61,713 more to make our goal, the media will see it as a stunning rejection of Boehner’s plan and their chances of winning a majority.

With the world watching, contribute $5, $10 or more in the next 24 hours to reject John Boehner’s plan and Democrats will match you 2-to-1, tripling your impact.

But Boehner’s outrageous plan to privatize Social Security and Medicare while raising the retirement age to 70 for hard-working Americans isn’t the only thing at stake.

He went on to characterize America’s economic crisis as an “ant.” He said President Obama overreacted to the British Petroleum oil spill, and promised to repeal health insurance reform!

Republicans have circled tomorrow on their Sarah Palin calendars because they know the world will use our mid-year fundraising totals to decide if the GOP has the momentum to bring back their agenda of protecting Big Oil, Wall Street’s Big Banks, and big health insurance companies.

With just $61,713 left to beat them, your support in the next 24 hours will have a big impact.

Contribute today and your gift will be triple-matched, helping us stop John Boehner’s plan to gut Social Security and Medicare to pay for their destructive agenda.

Thanks,

Jon Vogel
DCCC Executive Director

June 2010- News from the Other Washington

The catastrophic oil spill ravaging the Gulf of Mexico and its adjacent communities has shocked and infuriated Americans everywhere. The scope of this disaster is almost incomprehensible, and it is absolutely essential that the Congress take immediate and resolute action in response to it. I soon will introduce The Gulf Coast Restoration Act, a bill to create both wage-earning jobs and national service positions to clean and restore the Gulf Coast waters, beaches, and habitats, and to rebuild local communities and economies. Funding for these jobs and services will be provided by British Petroleum (BP) as directed by the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990

I am introducing this bill to fight unemployment and to restore the Gulf environment by cleaning our waters and protecting our threatened wildlife while staving off the economic calamity facing the fishing and tourism industries of the Gulf Coast states. Every time oil washes up on another Gulf Coast beach, we are reminded of the inadequacy of the current response by BP. We must step in to ensure we have the capacity to provide necessary protection, cleanup, and restoration efforts on the Gulf Coast.

. This legislation will work within the framework of existing programs— the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). It will create salaried jobs targeted at workers laid off or dislocated as a consequence of the Deep Water Horizon spill as well as the long-term unemployed. Additionally, it will create national service positions for unemployed youth. This legislation is necessary to avert long-term unemployment for individuals who worked in tourism or fishing industries off the Gulf Coast. As oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, it is clear that we must lift the cap on oil company liability for economic damages. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act of 2010. BP must pay for the mess it has created.

Finally, I also have cosponsored legislation to permanently prohibit offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf of California, Oregon and Washington State. This measure amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently protect the $34 billion coastal economies of the three states – which support nearly 570,000 jobs in California, Oregon and Washington.

Unemployment Insurance

I have often said that the Subcommittee I chair—the House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support—oversees America’s safety net programs. Given the crises in the economy over the last few years, we’ve had a lot of work to do. The Subcommittee oversees unemployment insurance, foster care, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. It has been a privilege to work to strengthen these programs designed to help families struggling to make ends meet.

With unemployment at nearly 10 percent and six unemployed people competing for every available job, finding a way to get back on your feet in this job market might seem nearly impossible. Even as other parts of the economy begin to recover, the rate of unemployment is likely to remain exceptionally high for many months. Knowing this, I am committed to continued assistance to the millions of unemployed Americans still searching for a job.

I have introduced and ushered through Congress numerous bills to extend and expand emergency unemployment benefits. Unemployed Americans have paid into the unemployment insurance system, and have earned these benefits. It is critical that these workers, unemployed through no fault of their own, have access to this lifeline as Congress and the President continue to work to create jobs.

South Park Bridge Funding

This week, King County announced that, together with state and local partners, it has secured $80 million towards the South Park bridge project. These funding commitments represent more than half of the bridge replacement cost. This is great progress. South Park is part of the region’s core manufacturing and industrial centers, and is home to a vibrant community that must have a well-built and reliable bridge to serve its heavy traffic demand. I have worked for several years with King County to obtain a federal appropriation for the bridge. As always, I am committed to working on the federal level to secure any available assistance for the bridge reconstruction.

Home Energy Conservation Bonds

I soon will introduce legislation to enable bonding authority of states and large localities to issue loans for residential energy efficiency improvements; this legislation will significantly improve the ability of American homeowners to make substantial home energy retrofits. Home Energy Conservation Bonds will enable homeowners to overcome the upfront capital costs of energy efficiency retrofits, allowing homeowners to drastically reduce their energy and water consumption, and to reduce their utility bills. Only by markedly improving energy efficiency and conservation in existing homes will we be able to reduce our nation’s skyrocketing energy consumption. Retrofitting provides a critical economic infusion for community revitalization, creating new jobs and stimulating local economies.

I’m pleased to note that this legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Green Building Council, and the National Housing Conference.

Resolution of Apology to Native Americans

. A few weeks ago, as part of a ceremony honoring Native Americans, I had the opportunity to make remarks about a United States apology to Native Americans. I served as an honorary co-host of the service, which was organized by the Faith of Politics Institute in partnership with the National Congress of American Indians. On hand to witness the reading of the Native American Apology Resolution were leaders from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota), and Pawnee nations. As a congressional supporter of the Resolution of Apology, I welcome this long-overdue addition to the story of U.S. Government-Native American relations

Here in Seattle, our Native American heritage includes the Duwamish tribe, which signed a treaty with the United States in 1855. Seattle is named after a Duwamish Chief, and our major river is called the Duwamish, because the tribe lived here long before non-native settlers arrived. Yet the Duwamish Tribe is not recognized by the United States government. I have authored legislation to fix this shameful situation, and hope that much-belated tribal recognition also is extended to the many other Native American nations presently denied their rightful identity. A lot more truth-telling needs to be done, as does a lot more re-dedication to righting historical wrongs.

Sincerely,

Jim McDermott
Representative for the 7th District

Re: Angle would deregulate BP

It’s a jarring image – a satellite picture of BP’s oil spill.

Even more shocking is Sharron Angle’s answer to this crisis. She would DEREGULATE the big oil companies, and then ABOLISH the federal agencies cleaning up BP’s mess. That’s not just out of the mainstream, it’s simply unbelievable.

Please, click here to donate to our campaign before the deadline at midnight tomorrow – we need a strong grassroots effort to beat Sharron Angle, and you can be a part of it.

The image of BP’s spill is a reminder that we must clean up this mess, hold BP accountable for its actions, and address our addiction to foreign oil. Sharron Angle’s plan? That’s just another reminder that her dangerous ideas are wrong for Nevada.

Click here to send a message to Sharron Angle – reject her dangerous ideas and help us make sure voters know where she stands.

Thanks for supporting Senator Reid. With your help, we’re going to win this race.

-Brandon

Brandon Hall
Campaign Manager

Uncovering the BP claims process

Judgment

CRITICAL DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT TOMORROW
$113,545 to go to beat the Republicans. All Gifts Matched 2-to-1! Contribute Today >>

My strategists at the DCCC just informed me that the Republicans have already met their fundraising goal with the help of a $1 million dollar pledge from Republican Leader Boehner.

That means we now have until just Midnight Tomorrow to surpass them.

The world is watching our next move. The media will use our grassroots totals to measure our response to Leader Boehner and also as a referendum on President Obama’s leadership.

As a special thank you, with your contribution you will receive a special invitation to join me for our upcoming Grassroots Strategy Call. But you need to act before Midnight Tomorrow.

Contribute $5, $10 or more before tomorrow’s crucial Midnight FEC deadline and Democrats will match your generosity 2-to-1, tripling your gift’s impact.

Republicans are raising record amounts from Wall Street special interests so they can defeat financial reform and continue letting recklessness reign supreme on Wall Street.

The world is closely watching our grassroots response to the Republicans’ record-breaking fund raising from these Wall Street special interests.

We are just $113,545 away from our grassroots goal. Please contribute before tomorrow night at Midnight and send a powerful message of grassroots strength and an undeniable show of support for President Obama’s leadership. As a special thank you, you will receive an invitation to join me for our upcoming grassroots strategy call.

Thank you,

Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

Oh no Costco. Say it ain’t so!

Millions of Americans, like myself, are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with backyard BBQs and picnics. As people flock to supermarkets and shopping centers to stock up, those ending up at Costco Wholesale might be surprised at what they find.

In the Costco warehouse you’ll find freezers and coolers full of unsustainable fish. Greenpeace surveys found that Costco continues to sell fifteen of the twenty-two red list seafood items.

Costco is the largest wholesale club operator in North America. While Costco continues to grow bigger and bigger, so does its footprint on the environment. Did you know that Costco is destroying our oceans through its harmful seafood purchasing practices?

It’s time to shine a spotlight on Costco and expose the truth behind their destructive seafood policies. Costco can be a leader in ocean conservation, not a contributor to ocean destruction.

Costco can and must do better!

Greenpeace is urging Costco to implement a sustainable seafood policy, to offer transparency in its seafood labeling, and to stop selling red list seafood starting immediately with orange roughy and Chilean sea bass.

Sign our pledge telling Costco that our oceans deserve better.

For the oceans,

Casson Trenor
Oceans Campaigner

P.S. The power is in your hands. Remember by working together, we were able to improve Trader Joe’s seafood operation through public pressure and campaigning. We can do the same with Costco. Please take action today.

DEADLINE TOMORROW! Act now!

Our campaign is facing a critical deadline, as the 2nd fundraising quarter of 2010 ends Wednesday, June 30th at midnight. We need your support now.

Once again, the eyes of the pundits and the media – and the Bachmann campaign – will be on our quarterly financial report as a measure of our strength. So far, we’ve shattered expectations – thanks to supporters like you.

Help us make history again by making a contribution of any amount today!

At the end of March of this year, more than 12,000 individuals helped us break fundraising records in Minnesota. We’ve built an unprecedented grassroots campaign that continues to grow. And right now, we’re on the air with the first television ad in this race for Congress, paid for by our amazing grassroots financial supporters.

We’ve set an incredibly high bar for this campaign, and now it’s time to smash our own records again! I know we can do it, but it will take each and every one of you contributing what you can today to achieve our goal.

With your help, we’ll not only continue to shatter the records, but we will win!

Sincerely,

Zach Rodvold
Campaign Manager
Clark for Congress

PS – Our financial report – and the media’s stories about it – will help set the tone for the rest of this campaign. You can ensure that our report shows that we have the grassroots support it will take to win by contributing now. Thank you!

RADICAL RIGHT — VIOLENCE AGAINST CENSUS WORKERS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2000: For the past year, paranoid conservatives have engaged in aggressive census fear-mongering, and some are now suggesting that their recklessness may be partially responsible for a sharp increase in violence against census workers this year. The Washington Post reports that as of Friday, there had been “at least 431 reported incidents of violence,” including “140 threats with weapons and 91 physical attacks.” Weapons that have been used include “[g]uns, knives, lawn chairs,” and “animals”; one man in Alaska even threatened a census worker with a bulldozer. When the last census was conducted in 2000, fewer than half as many violent incidents were reported. Last week, Rep. Jerry Moran (D-VA) said on the House floor that right-wing members of Congress and conservative media personalities bear some responsibility for the increase: “I’m afraid that some of this abuse may be tied to some of the anti-government rhetoric from some people in this body and the Republican noise machine, in other words, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and other so-called shock jocks.” Indeed, the radical right’s census hysteria has been widespread. Erick Erickson, the editor of the conservative RedState.com and a CNN contributor, said he would “pull out” his “wife’s shotgun” if a federal employee asked him to fill out the Census Bureau’s supplementary questionnaire, the American Community Survey (ACS). At least a dozen census workers have been shot at on the job. Last June, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) notoriously pledged to break the law by not filling out her entire census form, and she falsely alleged that the FBI could use census data to round up Americans into internment camps. Beck, meanwhile, claimed that the federal government is using the census “to try to increase slavery.” As the attacks on census workers indicate, many Americans have echoed the far-right’s paranoia; one woman in Texas said, “I don’t need the blankety-blank government snooping in my business” right before throwing a metal patio table at the census worker visiting her.

Glenn Becks’ rally is still on …8/28 -

UPDATE to the Glenn Beck Rally

Today, The National Mall was filled with political fans of glenn beck and with each and every interview from reporters it was clear why they were there and while NPS did not tell the truth it was not a surprise to hear what beck was able to accomplish. I am still offended by the rally and his words. It was a moment beck made a choice to exploit the “I have a dream” speech and its intent -a speech that was meant for everyone not just one sector of our society -if anyone is able to see photos of that day in 1963 there was definitely a diverse group of people who felt the need to be that day to support each other a move toward equality for all -i don’t believe that is what beck attracted on the Mall today and when you look at the crowd clearly the notion of diversity was not apart of scenery. If beck is a historian as he professes to be then tell me how truthful of a man was he when he claimed not to know –BS and the people who support him and his actions

On 6/28/2010, I called NPS in DC because there were reports that the Glenn Beck rally was not cleared by NPS and could be considered a fraud. I called and here are the facts: NPS has had meetings with the group holding the rally on 8/28/2010 and it is still a go. However, the rally is advertised as being held at the steps of or feet of Lincoln, that is not true. The rally is being staged at the reflecting pool and not at the Lincoln Memorial itself. I was told by a NPS employee that not one dime has been taken for this rally nor will it and because it is a public space anyone can reserve this space and will be accommodated. Though the website seems to be telling people that the rally is being held at the foot of Lincoln it is not and it is taking money for t-shirts and things with what seems to be false advertisement. I am not judging the facts though I am an American citizen asking questions.

It would be nice if a PEACEFUL counter March could be held on 8/28/2010

On June 14, 2010, I found out that Glenn Beck announced that he was holding a rally on 8/28, which was the same day MLK Jr gave the “I have a dream” speech. I had to make an effort; to plead a call to action… many folks who listened to Bill Press heard this announcement and they were offended as well. It would be nice if a peaceful counter rally on that same day to honor and recognize MLK Jr’s I have a dream speech. The idea of beck holding a rally on that day is just wrong, it is offensive, and it just seems like it is a moment beck has decided to exploit. Glenn beck must be upset about the fact that a Black man gave a speech so admired all over the world and at a spot as sacred as it is does not deserve to be used by him. To invite or have speakers such as Sarah palin or that guy marcus luttrell who seems to be against immigrants in general; to top this totally offensive thing off Jo dee messina will be there; a performer some of us use to respect, who knew the music is no where related to the political leaning of this performer. If you go to beck’s website the event is slated as a non-political, non-partisan event advocating restoring honor. I believe we all have the right to freedom of speech and rally it just seems like a sham, an exploitation and a platform for the extreme right disguised as a charity event for our service people -he says to honor our heroes, our heritage and our future… by making a tax-deductible donations. Anyone want to find out how much really will go to the charity? how much will Sarah palin, jo dee messina, marcus luttrell get out of this not to mention the Glenn beck profits and will this rally be civil or will it practice exclusion code talk.

Will bill cosby cross the line and go to this rally?