Shame on Speaker Boehner … Richard L. Trumka President, AFL-CIO

	Shame While House Republicans are enjoying the holidays, our neighbors are facing the loss of unemployment insurancebenefits.Please call Speaker Boehner at 202-225-0600. Tell the person who picks up: “Speaker Boehner should be ashamed of himself. He needs to get his House in order, stop the partisan games and extend unemployment aid immediately.”

I wish that today I could send you a cheerful message with good news, wish you a wonderful holiday season and reflect on the incredible work we’ve done in the past year.

But we can’t rest and recharge: Six million unemployed workers are counting on us to keep on fighting for them, and we won’t let them down.

Please call Speaker Boehner at 202-225-0600. Tell the person who picks up the phone: “Speaker Boehner should be ashamed of himself. He needs to get his House in order, stop the partisan games and extend unemployment aid immediately.”

The two things House Republicans seem to be most passionate about are protecting millionaires from having to pay taxes and cutting unemployment benefits for jobless workers.

All 229 House members who voted yesterday to cut off unemployment benefits were Republicans. They should be ashamed of themselves. Once again they’ve blocked survival aid for men and women who want to work but can’t find jobs in this brutal economy. If House Republicans continue to block action, nearly 2 million people will lose unemployment benefits in January alone. How can they sit back and enjoy the holidays?

Please pick up the phone and call Speaker Boehner at 202-225-0600. Tell him to extend unemployment aid immediately.

Thank you for being a voice for jobless workers, and for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

P.S. 89 Senators—Democrats and Republicans—voted to extend unemployment this weekend. House Republicans have a decision to make. They can continue standing with the wealthiest one percent by taking directions from the most extreme of the Tea Partiers, or they can come to their senses and start standing up for working people and paying attention to the jobs crisis.

Please call John Boehner and ask him: What’s wrong with Tea Party Republicans in the House—and why can’t they get anything done for working families? His number is 202-225-0600.

the Progress Report

Cutting Mercury Pollution, Saving Lives, Creating Jobs

By         Rebecca Leber              on Dec 21, 2011 at 4:10 pm

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced today an important new rule that finally sets limits on mercury, arsenic, and other toxins released into our air. For 21 years, coal-fired power plants were allowed to unleash unlimited mercury and other toxic pollution, poisoning the air. Today’s rule requires power plants to update their pollution-control technology to keep 90 percent of mercury produced by burning coal from being released.

BIG WIN FOR CLEAN AIR: The Obama administration’s move to limit mercury pollution together with recently proposed fuel economy standards mark major steps toward cleaning our environment. CAP Distinguished Senior Fellow and former EPA administrator Carol Browner said the safeguards today “are preventative medicine—they will annually forestall thousands of premature deaths, hospitalizations, and respiratory ailments.” The EPA’s mercury rule is urgently needed, Pennsylvania Republican and Democrat state representatives wrote in an op-ed. “Any delays or weakening attacks on the Clean Air Act are simply bad for all of us, but especially for our kids.” Yet some utilities and the coal industry want at least four years before reducing this public health menace. But before the ink is even dry on the new mercury safeguards, House Republicans already plan to attack the Clean Air Act’s “problem areas” in the new year with legislation to follow, according to Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

THE HEALTH IMPACT: Mercury especially endangers children and pregnant women, damaging young brain development. But children in communities of color suffer most from a delay in cleaner air — African-American and Latino children are 60 percent more likely to have asthma attacks than whites. Nationwide, mercury pollution alone causes up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks, and 130,000 asthma attacks annually, while coal power plants produce 2.5 pounds worth of airborne toxins for every American each year. In dollars, the EPA estimated Americans will save up to $90 billion in health benefits annually — not to mention the jobs created by companies installing new pollution-control technology. The new air toxins and interstate air pollution controls combined is expected to save 46,000 lives every year, or prevent five deaths every hour.

THE LIGHTS WON’T GO OUT: Despite mercury’s dangerous effects, some coal-powered utilities have fought to delay and weaken these new safeguards. Coal defenders like Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have rallied around inaccurate assertions that the EPA rule is a threat to electric reliability because they claim it will force many existing power plants to close. An Associated Press survey of power plants has debunked this claim. AP could not find a single plant operator that solely blamed EPA rules for a plant closure. Instead, it found the average age of plants that could be mothballed is 51 years. A number of utilities executives agree there will be little impact on reliability as the industry moves to meet new standards. Energy companies including Constellation, Exelon, and PSEG have said the industry is well-positioned to achieve cleaner standards, while maintaining the electricity grid. Overall, the health benefits dwarf the overall $9.6 billion installation cost to the industry — $1 billion less than the EPA’s proposed air toxins rule. CEO of American Electric Power Mike Morris said that such investments create jobs, “no question about that.” For every dollar spent to reduce pollution from power plants, Americans will receive $3 to $9 in health benefits. And that should be a number to cheer about.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Why income equality is efficient.

Bankers and billionaires try to form a movement against Occupy Wall Street.

Conservatives pan GOP strategy on payroll tax holiday extension, calling it a “fiasco.”

Scott Lemieux on Hitch: “He wasn’t Orwell; he was a highbrow Maureen Dowd or Mark Halperin, albeit with more cosmopolitan interests.”

The infamous Drunken Predator Drone — surprise! — agrees with most of the ACLU’s recommendations for the era of aerial drone surveillance.

When two good TV shows are on at the same time, and one ascends in the ratings, it can potentially be at the other show’s expense.

House Speaker John Boehner cut off C-SPAN cameras when Democrats attempted to bring up a vote on the payroll tax cut.

Lowe’s insists “negative chatter” on social media influenced its decision to pull its ads from All-American Muslim, not a right-wing hate group.

A pro-Romney PAC attacks Newt Gingrich for sharing Mitt Romney’s position on abortion.

Other recent Progress Reports

Dec 20, 2011: Another Plan To End Medicare As We Know It

Medicare Privatization Is Merely Ending Medicare by Another Name Ending Medicare as we know it has been a very hot topic this year, with Americans at town halls across the country erupting in protest at the idea when it was proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and passed by the GOP-controlled House. The idea got [...]

Dec 19, 2011: The Tea Party Tax Increase?

Tea Party Republicans Take the Economy Hostage (Again) The House of Representatives will vote later today on a bipartisan compromise to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits and prevent a massive cut in Medicare reimbursement rates. Unfortunately, the Tea Party Republicans in control of the House are now threatening to vote down this essential bill. Here’s [...]

Dec 16, 2011: The Iraq War Is Over

A Hard Fought Victory The end of the Iraq War is a victory for the nation, a victory for our men and women in uniform, and a victory for the progressive moment — which fought tirelessly to mobilize the public against the war, change the debate, change the Congress, and elect a president who would [...]

Dec 15, 2011: America’s Most Lawless Sheriff

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s name is synonymous with his ruthless treatment of the undocumented immigrants under his charge. He’s known for cramming detained immigrants into outdoor “tent cities” he proudly likens to concentration camps, and for parading prisoners around in pink underwear to humiliate them. Today, however, the Department of Justice completed an inquiry [...]

Here’s my compilation of the 10 Worst Republican Actions of 2011… Guy Cecil

2011 is almost over, and that means everyone’s making Top 10 lists. I decided to get in on the action too.

Here’s my compilation of the 10 Worst Republican Actions of 2011.

Which do you think is the worst? vote >>>> https://dscc.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=rmfrilP6NZlAOgKV9TULZ3OALOO6vh3G
Bring Back “Pre-Existing Conditions”: Health care reform is one of President Obama’s signature achievements. No longer can children born with health conditions be denied insurance. No longer can insurance companies deny care for “pre-existing conditions.” About 2.5 million young adults who lacked health insurance now are covered by their families’ plans. So what did Republicans do? Try to repeal “Obamacare” and put control back in the hands of insurance companies.
Kick Grandma Off Medicare & Give Her a Coupon: Republicans all lined up in favor of Republican Rep. Paul Ryan’s extreme budget plan earlier this year that would kill Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher program. Thank goodness the Democratic Senate was there to stop them and keep our promise to seniors.
Hand Over Cash to Corporations and the Wealthy: Another part of Paul Ryan’s plan: Give huge tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy. While the middle class struggles to get ahead, Republicans tried to make things worse by reducing taxes on the wealthiest – and sticking everyone else with the bill.
Rip Away Workers’ Rights: When Republicans won the governorships in Wisconsin and Ohio, among other states, one of the first things they did was go after public workers, including taking away the rights of teachers and prison guards to bargain for better pay and benefits. Bad move. They clearly overstepped their bounds, and voters will remember at the ballot box in 2012.
Prevent You From Voting: Republicans this year decided that when it comes to elections, if you can’t beat, then cheat. From Florida to Wisconsin to Ohio, Republicans passed laws that will have the effect of suppressing Democratic turnout in these crucial swing states. The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that more than 5 million voters will be affected by these laws – a number higher than the margin of victory in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Senate Democrats are holding hearings on the Florida laws in January.
Declare War on Women: It was bad enough that Republicans tried to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood and other family planning programs. Then they tried to change federal law to redefine rape and to allow hospitals to deny lifesaving care for pregnant women. So much for the Republican promise to have a “laser focus” on jobs. The Republican War on Women is alive and well.
Shove Gay Soldiers Back Into the Closet: It was a huge victory for civil rights and basic human dignity when President Obama signed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell into law. Finally, all Americans could serve openly in the military. Or not. This year, Republicans tried to bring back the policy, and some Republican presidential candidates have said reinstituting discrimination is one of their top policy priorities.
Launch Assaults on Sesame Street and Lake Wobegon: I don’t know what Republicans have against Big Bird and Garrison Keillor, but they will do almost anything to shut off their microphones. In fact, earlier this year, Republicans vowed to shut down the federal government if NPR and PBS weren’t defunded. Luckily, Senate Democrats were there to stop the nonsense, and “Sesame Street” and “A Prairie Home Companion” were given a reprieve – for now.
Let Consumers Fend For Themselves: One of the most important reforms passed by Democrats in decades was the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prevent big banks from ripping off their customers with dangerous financial products – some of the same products that contributed to the Great Recession. But Republicans hate anything that puts customers ahead of corporations. So they’ve fought the bureau – and people chosen to lead it – tooth and nail.
Increase Taxes for Middle Class Families. And last but certainly not least, this week House Republicans refused to support tax relief for the middle class, even as they demand it for billionaires and huge corporations. If your taxes go up next year, you’ll have nobody but Republicans to blame.

These policies and positions are simply awful – so awful, in fact, that I couldn’t choose the worst. That’s your job. Click here, vote, and tell us what you think is the No. 1 Worst Republican Actions of 2011. The Democratic Senate has been the firewall stopping most of these measures dead in their tracks. With only a four seat majority, it’s never been more important to protect the Senate.

        From all of us here at the DSCC, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a great – and blue! – 2012.

Guy Cecil
Executive Director, DSCC

P.S. Dec. 31 doesn’t just mark the end of the year – it’s also a key FEC fundraising deadline. We need a show of strength heading into 2012. Can you help with a gift of $25 or $50 today? 10 Senate races are tossups, and Republicans only need to flip 4 to take the Senate. If they do, you can expect these Top 10 Worst Things Republicans Tried to become the Top 10 Worst Things Republicans Accomplished. And we certainly don’t want that. Thank you!

What Medicare means … Maria Cantwell

 

 

 

 When I see Republicans using every trick in the book in an attempt to end Medicare as we know it, I wonder if they really understand what Medicare means to seniors.

 It’s more than just a way to pay for routine care like checkups and screenings. It’s a guarantee of economic security — a promise that, if you put in a lifetime of hard work, the floor won’t fall out from underneath your retirement because of a health problem.

 Every day, I hear from Washington seniors who rely on this promise — and from people still in the workforce who wonder if it will be there for them when they retire. That’s why I’m committed to strengthening Medicare. I fought to pass reform that will send $250 rebates to 62,000 Washington seniors — a down payment on closing the prescription drug “donut hole.”

That’s the path forward on Medicare: bringing down costs, improving quality, and maintaining that promise of retirement security.

 But some see a different path, one in which Medicare would be turned into a voucher program. This would be great for insurance companies — but it would require seniors to pay more. And with so many living on a fixed income, this could leave them with nowhere to turn. A program like that wouldn’t be fair to seniors who rely on Medicare for their economic security. It wouldn’t be Medicare at all.

 Medicare is critical to the retirement security of millions. It is a promise we made nearly half a century ago, one of the best things we’ve done as a country. And protecting it is one of the jobs I’m most proud to do.

 I’ll be in touch soon with an update on our fight to protect Medicare. But, for now, thank you for being part of this team.

 

 Maria

What Democrats do …Debbie Wasserman Schultz Chair -DNC

If you follow political news like I do, you may remember this year for its GOP horse race: who was up, who was down, who had an “oops” moment. But that’s not how I’ll remember it.

I’ll remember it as a pretty incredible year for Democrats. Here’s why:

Just in the last week, we’ve seen solid evidence that health care reform is working: 2.5 million Americans are now insured thanks to a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allows young adults to stay on their parent’s health insurance, more than double the number previously estimated.

And with the last troops leaving this past Sunday, the war in Iraq has come to a responsible end. Because of the veterans provisions of the American Jobs Act and the Hiring Heroes Act, which provide tax incentives to businesses who hire veterans in need of work, our troops coming home and all our veterans know that they can get the help they need in finding work and supporting their families.

These are the kinds of fights Democrats are waging — and winning. They’re crucial victories, but they don’t happen without you.

Next year, the stakes will be even higher. That’s why I’m asking you to step up right now and say you’re ready for the fights ahead:

Chip in $3 more for 2012.

Next year’s election will be huge, that’s for sure — but the work we did in 2011 shows just what a grassroots campaign can do. Across the country this year, Democrats worked together and fought critical statewide battles on the ground.

In Mississippi, folks worked tirelessly to protect a woman’s right to choose and soundly defeated the Personhood amendment, which would’ve made abortion illegal, including in cases of rape or incest, and even banned some forms of birth control.

Up in Maine, statewide Democratic groups worked together to overturn the state legislature’s recent ban on allowing people to register and vote on the same day — a nearly 40-year tradition that’s helped the state have some of the highest voter turnout rates in the country.

And in the bellwether state of Ohio, the state Democratic party and progressive allies collected more than 300,000 signatures to stop a law that would greatly reduce how and when Ohioans can early vote — and put it up for a statewide vote next year. Thanks in part to thousands who were able to cast their ballots early, Ohio voters in November successfully repealed a collective bargaining law that would’ve stripped away the rights of teachers and firefighters to negotiate for important benefits and working conditions.

We have a ways to go to get the economy working for everyone, and there’s much more work to be done.

But we have a lot to feel good about. We’ve worked together at the national level to make change that’s going to affect millions of lives every day, like repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and we’ve banded together in our states and communities to stand for our party’s principles.

It’s what Democrats do.

But don’t doubt that for every victory we’ve had this year, the GOP is ready and waiting to reverse it. Repealing health care reform, reinstating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” restricting voting rights, and putting Personhood amendments on the ballot in other states are all things the other side has promised to do if given the chance.

That’s why we need to be ready to fight for the change we’ve made — and make certain we’ll get to keep pushing for more.

It can’t happen without you. Show you’re ready for 2012 by giving $3 or more today:

http://my.democrats.org/Ready-for-2012

Thanks,

Debbie

Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair
Democratic National Committee

Congress: the Senate in pro forma and the Republican led House …a political party in conflict

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.1324331373.html

The Senate will convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2^nd Session of the 112^th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20^th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23^rd at 2:00pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #438, John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska with up to 90 minutes of debate, 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees and 30 minutes under the control of Senator Sessions or his designee.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gerrard nomination.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17^th. By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

—————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 21, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION 

 -The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3(b)of H. Res. 493. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2011.10:02:49 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Van Hollen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.10:02:43 A.M. -JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 493, the Journal of the last days’s proceedings was approved.10:01:28 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Michael Wilker, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Washington, DC.10:01:00 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael G. Fitzpatrick to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:46 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.