Archive for March, 2012
30
Mar
12
Question: What do you think of the individual mandate – a survey request from Rep.Jim McDermott
Dear Neighbor,
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of the 2010 health care reform law – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The issue that has received the most attention since the Court decided to consider challenges to the law has been the constitutionality of the “individual mandate” – the requirement that all Americans have health care coverage, even if it requires them to purchase a health care plan. While the Court won’t issue its final decision until later this year, I want to know what you think about this particular provision. Below is a short survey about the issue – knowing what you think will help me better represent you in Congress. Congressman Jim McDermott
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OOPS, They Did It Again!
GOP Votes to End Medicare In Order to Finance Giveaways to the Wealthy, Big Oil
Today was a big day on Capitol Hill. Republicans made crystal clear exactly whose side they’re on — that of the wealthiest 1 Percent and special interests like Big Oil.
Here’s a rundown of today’s action.
House Republicans Approve Budget That Ends Medicare, Slashes Taxes on the Wealthy
Just like they did last year, Republicans almost unanimously voted for a radical budget proposal that ends the Medicare guarantee in order to partially* offset deep tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
How radical is the plan the House passed today? It would pull the rug out from under the elderly (and more or less everyone else in one way or another) while giving millionaires a $265,000 tax cut on top of what they’d each get from the expiring Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.
The parade of horribles for the elderly, students, low-income Americans, the middle class, the housing market, our public lands, and virtually every facet of society is too long to list here, but check out our complete coverage of this disastrous budget for all of the details.
10 Republicans, some of whom thought the proposal did not go far enough, voted against it, while ZERO Democrats voted in favor of the extreme plan.
*Even slashing Medicare and nearly every other program or service that Americans benefit from each day isn’t enough to pay for the Republican plan’s massive tax cuts for the wealthy. These tax cuts are so big that the Republican plan actually makes the deficit and debt worse.
Senate Republicans Vote to Protect $24 BILLION in Giveaways to Big Oil
Not to be outdone by their compatriots on the other side of the Capitol, Senate Republicans voted en masse to protect $24 BILLION in wasteful and unnecessary taxpayer-funded giveaways to the five largest oil companies.
Though 51 Senators voted in favor of the bill (Maine’s Republican Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, joined with 49 Democrats), it was defeated due to the Senate’s now-standard 60-vote requirement. Unfortunately, four Democratic Senators — Ben Nelson (NE), Mary Landrieu (LA), Jim Webb (VA), and Mark Begich (AK) — joined 43 Republicans in siding with Big Oil to vote down the proposal.
Big Oil is well-known for making it rain in the halls of Congress, but a closer look at its largesse in the context of today’s vote is particularly shocking. The 47 Senators voting to protect $24 BILLION in giveaways to Big Oil have received a whopping $23,582,500 from Big Oil. The 51 Senators who stood with the 99 Percent received less than a quarter of that sum.
$24 MILLION for $24 BILLION in giveaways is a pretty good rate of return.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed
Big Oil’s lobbying arm claims that ads it’s running against Senators who are up for re-election are “not related to campaign activities.”
Ronald Reagan’s Solicitor General says he’s “appalled” by the “depressing” use of Tea Party non-facts by conservative Supreme Court justices during this week’s oral arguments on Obamacare.
The Koch brothers are behind a Big Oil front group that just launched $3.6 MILLION in attack ads against the president.
Will this be the year that the host of golf’s most fabled tournament finally allows women to be members?
Mitt Romney’s first-world problem: the “tax problem” created by his $100 million IRA.
How not to get elected to Congress: cheat on your fiancée with a consultant in Washington, DC.
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) says the generals are lying about their support for Obama’s Pentagon budget.
A Republican meteorologist says acknowledging climate change doesn’t make you liberal.
The disturbing and dangerous turn toward ethnic cleansing in Syria.
Other recent Progress Reports
Mar 28, 2012: Will Your Senator Side With Big Oil?
It’s Time to End Tax Giveaways to Big Oil On the same day that House Republicans are likely to pass their Medicare-ending, taxes on the wealthy-slashing budget, tomorrow the Senate will vote on a bill sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that will eliminate nearly $24 BILLION in tax giveaways to the five largest oil companies. [...]
Mar 27, 2012: REVEALED: The Hateful Strategy of Marriage Equality Opponents
NOM Plots Shocking Strategy to Fan Racial Hostilities Secret memos exclusively released last night by the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) outline the National Organization for Marriage’s (NOM) shocking and hateful strategy for fighting marriage equality in states across the country. In short, they planned to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks” by convincing them to [...]
Mar 26, 2012: Meet the Republicans for Mandated Coverage
Republicans For Mandating Coverage (RMC) is a 51-member coalition representing Republicans who supported a federal health care mandate before President Barack Obama endorsed it. Check out the highlight reel: Republicans who were for the individual mandate in health care before they were against it just because President Obama was for it: Frmr. Gov. Mitt Romney [...]
Mar 23, 2012: Happy 2nd Birthday, ObamaCare!
INFOGRAPHIC: Two Years In, ObamaCare Is Working Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed ObamaCare Supreme Court preview part III: The perils of overreach. Texas reporter fired after shocking interview on transvaginal sonograms. POLL: 53 percent want to see ObamaCare expanded or left as is, while just 38 percent want to see it [...]
30
Mar
12
a message from Tarryl Clark
Since 1994 The Violence Against Women Act has protected women and their families by:
- Empowering law enforcement to crack down on perpetrators of domestic violence,
- Providing legal aid to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,
- Supporting rape crisis centers and hotlines.
This week Chip Cravaack voted to kill it. To say the least I am outraged, I have worked hard on these issues in the legislature and before that as an attorney and an advocate – and this isn’t even the only action the Tea Party Congress has taken against women this week.
Yesterday when the Republicans in Congress voted along party lines to approve the Ryan budget, they were also casting a vote against women.
The Ryan budget will destroy Medicare and fundamentally alter Medicaid. Women account for 55% of people on Medicare and nearly 70% of people on Medicaid. In their quest to find a way to pay for all of the tax breaks they are proposing for billionaires and multinational companies exporting our jobs, Congressional Republicans have largely targeted women and our families with their cuts.
This year alone Congressional Republicans have attacked women’s access to contraception and preventative healthcare, voted to cut Medicaid and Medicare, and now won’t even consider reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. And its only March.
We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines now. If we do, the Tea Party will turn the clock back on all of the progress that we have made. Join me today in fighting back.
Sincerely,
30
Mar
12
the White House blog …
The Affordable Care Act at Two Years
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President Barack Obama reaches for a pen as he signs the health insurance reform bill in the East Room of the White House, March 23, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)Two years ago today, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, giving hardworking, middle-class families the health care security they deserve. Health reform requires that insurance plans cover preventive services to help people stay healthy, prohibits insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get sick, billing you into bankruptcy because of annual or lifetime limits placed on care, and discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions.
By 2014 when the law is fully implemented, people will be able to purchase private insurance coverage through new state-based markets called exchanges, which will offer a way to get insurance that isn’t provided by—or tied to—an employer. Americans will have the security of knowing they don’t have to worry about losing or finding coverage if they’re laid off, change jobs, or are self-employed. And further patient protections will take effect: insurers won’t be able to deny care to anyone based on a pre-existing condition, or limit the amount of care they’ll cover over a person’s lifetime.
Over the last week, we’ve looked at many of the ways the new health care law is making a real difference in many people’s lives:
- New tax credits are helping small business owners like Mark with the cost of providing health insurance for employees
- Because young adults can now stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26, people like Steven, a 23-year-old, two-time cancer survivor, can continue getting the care they need, even if they are no longer in school
- Parents like Vanessa, whose son was born with birth defects, and Nathan, whose son has hemophilia, won’t have to fight to keep their kids healthy because insurance companies are now prohibited from denying coverage for children with pre-existing conditions or placing lifetime limits on care,
- Seniors like Helen are getting help with the cost of their medications, giving them peace of mind and putting more money in their pockets
Looking at the big picture also helps tell the story of how the Affordable Care Act is benefitting people around the country.
- An additional 2.5 million young adults have gained coverage since September 2010 (More on the health care law and young adults)
- Nearly 54 million Americans with private health insurance, including approximately 20.4 million women have received preventive health services such as cancer screenings and immunizations at no additional cost (learn more about the health care law and preventive services and health care law and women)
- The average senior on Medicare will save $4,200 on their health care by 2021, and more than 5.1 million people on Medicare have already saved an average of $635 each on prescription drug costs (read more on the health care law, seniors, and Medicare)
- Families and small business are saving money on health care, and families who purchase private health insurance through exchanges that begin in 2014 could save up to $2,300 on their health care each year (learn more on the health care law and cost control)
For more stories and facts about how the Affordable Care Act is helping people around the country, check out our map. You can share your own story, too: tell us how health reform is improving your care.
Related Topics: Health Care
Breaking it Down: The Health Law and Young Adults
Chris Stenrud March 21, 2012 10:20 AM EDT
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Ed note: This was originally posted on healthcare.gov
The Affordable Care Act – the new health care law – gives hard-working families the security they need and important new benefits. The law holds insurance companies accountable, gets rid of the worst insurance industry practices and puts patients first. It is also expanding young adults’ affordable options for health insurance. A new study shows that 30% of young adults ages 19 to 25 who initially had private health insurance in 2008 were uninsured for at least one month over the next two years. Young adults were particularly at risk of losing coverage because they may have aged out of their parents’ coverage, moved between school and employment or changed jobs. Yet now, the number of young adults with health insurance continues to rise under the health care law.
Here are five ways the law helps young adults:
- Young adults can stay on their parent’s health insurance up to the age of 26. This is the case even if they’re married or live on their own. This provision resulted in 2.5 million young people gaining coverage. For young adults, this new protection means that they will have the freedom to make career choices based on what they want to do, not on where they can get health insurance. And for parents, it means they can breathe a little easier knowing their children are covered.
- The law offers free prevention benefits that keep people healthy. Now, young adults can receive recommended preventive services, like flu shots, HIV and cancer screenings, contraceptive counseling and FDA-approved birth control, with no cost sharing. Visit www.healthcare.gov/prevention for a full list of services and plan dates.
- Coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. For people who have been uninsured for six months and can’t buy private insurance because of a pre-existing condition, they may be able to join the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. And under the new law, no plan can deny coverage to people under age 19 because of a pre-existing condition. To find out about plans available in your State, please visit http://www.pcip.gov.
- Insurers cannot put limits on coverage. In the past, some people with cancer or other chronic illnesses ran out of insurance coverage because their health care expenses reached a dollar limit imposed by their insurance company. Under the health care law, insurers can no longer impose lifetime dollar limits on essential health benefits and annual limits are being phased out by 2014. Also, insurance companies can no longer drop people when they get sick due to a mistake you made on your application.
- Starting in 2014, there will be more options through the Affordable Care Act for coverage for young adults. New Affordable Insurance Exchanges, tax credits and the improvements to Medicaid will result in at least 30 million more insured people, including as many as 10 million young adults. For young adults, lacking affordable health care will soon become a thing of the past.
Find out how health care reform is transforming the lives of young Americans like Steven, who at 23 has already survived two bouts of cancer
Learn more:
Learn more about how the Affordable Care Act is helping Americans
- Separate the myths from the facts
- Watch Vanessa’s story of how health care reform affected her family
- Find out why the Affordable Care Act is giving seniors like Helen peace of mind
Chris Stenrud is the HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
Breaking It Down: The Health Care Law and Seniors
Chris Stenrud March 19, 2012 10:46 AM EDT
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Ed Note: This was originally posted on HealthCare.gov, a website by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The President’s health law gives hard working, middle-class families the security they deserve. The Affordable Care Act forces insurance companies to play by the rules, prohibiting them from dropping your coverage if you get sick, billing you into bankruptcy through annual or lifetime limits, and, soon, discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition.
For seniors, the new health care law, the Affordable Care Act, not only means more time with their doctor and important new benefits like free preventive services like cancer screenings and annual wellness visits, but it also means more money in their pocket. The new health care law strengthens Medicare. Already, more than 5.1 million seniors and people with disabilities saved over $3.2 billion in drug costs. That comes to an average savings of $635 per person for seniors caught in the coverage gap known as the donut hole. And, 32.5 million people with Medicare have received preventive service without a deductible or copay, thanks to the new law.
Here are more ways the law helps seniors:
- You get free preventive services. Medicare now covers certain preventive services, like mammograms or colonoscopies, with no cost sharing. You also can get a free annual wellness visit.
- You get cheaper prescription drugs. If you’re in the donut hole, you will receive a 50 percent discount when buying brand-name prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D. The discount is applied automatically when you fill your prescription—you don’t have to do anything to get it. These changes are already saving seniors billions of dollars. And by 2020, the donut hole will be closed.
- Your doctors are supported to better coordinate your care. Many doctors, hospitals, and other providers are taking advantage of new programs to help them work better as teams to provide you the highest quality care possible. They are working to get you the care you need at the time you need it.
- The law fights fraud and strengthens Medicare. The Affordable Care Act builds on our efforts to combat fraud and abuse. These efforts are saving billions of dollars in money that was being stolen from people with Medicare. And thanks to these efforts and other improvements, the life of the Medicare Trust fund has been extended.
- Your Medicare coverage is protected. Under the new health care law, your existing Medicare-covered benefits won’t be reduced or taken away. As always, you will be able to choose your own doctors.
Visit http://www.healthcare.gov/seniors to learn more.
Take a minute to hear Helen’s story. She is a senior from Philadelphia who says that health care reform has given her peace of mind
You can also access a print-ready, one pager (PDF- 11 MB) with these points, and there is a brochure available with more details about the preventive services (PDF – 1.22 MB).
Chris Stenrud is the HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
VanessaCare: Health Coverage Without Lifetime Limits
Dori Salcido March 20, 2012 10:13 AM EDT
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Vanessa Mishkit, a nurse in Tampa, knows firsthand what it’s like to go up against insurance companies on behalf of her child.
Her son was born with birth defects: developmentally delayed, legally blind, and near deaf. And even though Vanessa had health insurance through work at Tampa General Hospital, she was constantly fighting for her son’s coverage: He was born with a pre-existing condition.
“I had what I thought was excellent health insurance, and then after David was born we received notification that he had met his million-dollar limit and he wouldn’t be eligible for coverage,” Vanessa says.
“There are thousands and thousands of families” who are in similar situations, she says. “They can’t advocate for themselves at this time because they’re caught up in day-to-day survival.” Vanessa points out that the Affordable Care Act now prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. “We fought a huge battle and now with health care reform” other families won’t have to fight just to keep their keep their children well, she says.
In 2014, insurance companies will be barred from discriminating against anyone with pre-existing conditions. Additionally, the health reform law bars low annual and lifetime caps on claims, a way that insurance companies have used to avoid paying claims.
David “has a heart of gold and now I’m looking at him and he’s 23 years old. He is learning how to take as well care of himself as he possibly can within his limitations. I’m very proud of him,” Vanessa says.
The Affordable Care Act is designed to give hard working families the peace of mind they deserve in meeting their health care needs.
If you have a story like Vanessa’s, share it at Healthcare.gov/MyCare.
Dori Salcido is the HHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
Discussing the Global Economy and Nuclear Security in Seoul
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Tomorrow, President Obama will head home from South Korea — after a busy three days of diplomatic meetings and discussions of nuclear security.
At a talk today with students at Hankuk University, the President outlined the reasons why he’s made the issue such a major priority:
We’re building an international architecture that can ensure nuclear safety. But we’re under no illusions. We know that nuclear material, enough for many weapons, is still being stored without adequate protection. And we know that terrorists and criminal gangs are still trying to get their hands on it — as well as radioactive material for a dirty bomb. We know that just the smallest amount of plutonium — about the size of an apple — could kill hundreds of thousands and spark a global crisis. The danger of nuclear terrorism remains one of the greatest threats to global security. And that’s why here in Seoul, we need to keep at it.
This is the President’s third official visit to South Korea, and as he pointed out today, he’s been to Seoul more than any other capital. That fact obviously speaks to the strength of the political relationship between our two nations, but it also highlights our growing economic ties.
That’s why President Obama worked so hard to pass the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement — which will help to support an estimated 70,000 jobs in the years ahead and increase U.S. GDP by at least $11 billion due to increased exports of goods.
The economy was also a topic of discussion in a series of bilateral meetings between President Obama and foreign leaders. Today, he held talks with President Hu Jintao of China, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, and President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia.
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President Obama meets with senior staff in Seoul, Republic of Korea, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama uses binoculars to view the DMZ at Camp Bonifas, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Marine One departs Camp Bonifas en route to Seoul, Republic of Korea, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
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President Obama talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama and President of Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak shake hands, March 25, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama and President Jintao of China participate in a bilateral meeting, March 26, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama talks with Press Secretary Carney, Dan Pfeiffer, and Ben Rhodes, March 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Flags are held as place holders for heads of delegation before the family photo, March 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama talks with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, March 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Gillani of Pakistan, March 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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People wave along President Obama’s motorcade route, March 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama waves before boarding Air Force One at Osan Air Base, March 27, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Related Topics: Economy, Foreign Policy
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough: Reaction Of “Some On The Right” To Trayvon Martin Shooting Is “Beneath Contempt” 35 minutes ago
Betsy McCaughey: “I Call [Obama] The Pond Scum President” Because Of Alternative Energy Investment 2 hours and 35 minutes ago
Morning Joe Airs RNC Ad Featuring Doctored Audio Of Supreme Court Arguments Without Noting Audio Was Altered 2 hours and 40 minutes ago
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the Senate Convenes: 2:00pm April 16, 2012
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2240, the Paying a Fair Share Act.
- As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.2230, the Paying a Fair Share Act on Thursday, March 29th.
- At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #460, Stephanie Dawn Thacker, of WV, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit with up to 60 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
- Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Thacker nomination. There will then be a 2nd roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2230, the Paying a Fair Share Act.
- If the House does not adopt S.Con.Res.38, the adjournment resolution, the Senate will also meet on the following dates at the following times in pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted:
- Monday, April 2nd at 2:00pm
- Thursday, April 5th at 11:00am
- Monday, April 9th at 10:00am
- Thursday, April 12th at 2:00pm
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Tell Republicans Compromise is NOT a dirty word
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGSLEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 30, 2012 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION en-usPursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:00:03 EDTYes11:08:36 A.M. -The House adjourned pursuant to S. Con. Res. 38. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on April 16, 2012.11:08:35 A.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.11:08:19 A.M. -Mr. Dreier moved that the House do now adjourn.11:07:01 A.M. -COMMITTEE FILING AUTHORITY – Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent that all committees have until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012, to file reports to accompany measures. Agreed to without objection.11:06:52 A.M. -S. Con. Res. 38Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:06:48 A.M. -S. Con. Res. 38On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.11:05:03 A.M. -S. Con. Res. 38Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 38 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives.”11:03:46 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 38 and passed H.R. 2297 with an amendment.11:03:10 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Dreier to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:03:04 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:09 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Barry Black, Chaplain, United States Senate, Washington DC.11:00:38 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:25 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
Will Your Senator Side With Big Oil?
It’s Time to End Tax Giveaways to Big Oil
On the same day that House Republicans are likely to pass their Medicare-ending, taxes on the wealthy-slashing budget, tomorrow the Senate will vote on a bill sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that will eliminate nearly $24 BILLION in tax giveaways to the five largest oil companies. That’s $24 BILLION of taxpayer money shoveled to the same five largest oil companies that racked up an astounding $137 BILLION in profits in 2011 alone — a 75 percent increase over 2010.
Instead of a wasteful giveaway to Big Oil, this bill would devote some of our scarce resources to extending important clean energy programs and tax breaks for consumers.
FAST FACT: For every penny more consumers pay at the pump increases Big Oil profits by another $200 MILLION. Think about that the next time you fill up your tank.
Here’s some charts to put all of this in perspective.
It’s also worth noting that in addition to making obscene profits off the backs of American consumers, Big Oil is using tens of billions of dollars a year to buy back its own stock — enriching a small number oil executives and Americans at the expense of the rest of us.
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: Tomorrow, will your Senator side with Big Oil or choose American consumers and clean energy?
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed
John Boehner admits that the economy is recovering.
Mitt Romney recounted the “humorous” tale of the time his father closed a factory in Michigan.
Making “The Pill” widely available has helped close the gender wage gap.
House Republicans advance bill that would slash taxes for Oprah, Donald Trump, and Mitt Romney’s billionaire sports team-owning friends.
Top Republicans made their picks for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, but those picks are most notable for their roles in restricting others’ freedoms and fear-mongering about religion.
A right-wing group in Tennessee is pushing a bill it authored that would restrict the number of visas for immigrants — not illegal immigrants, but all immigrants.
Want to see Members of Congress run? Ask them what they think about them and their colleagues forgoing big lobbyist bucks by voluntarily pledging to not decamp to K Street after Congress.
It’s hard to find the right words to get Republicans behind the individual mandate. But Mitt Romney already did.
While speaking in honor of Trayvon Martin, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) was removed from the floor of the House of Representatives today for wearing a hoodie.
Other recent Progress Reports
Mar 27, 2012: REVEALED: The Hateful Strategy of Marriage Equality Opponents
NOM Plots Shocking Strategy to Fan Racial Hostilities Secret memos exclusively released last night by the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) outline the National Organization for Marriage’s (NOM) shocking and hateful strategy for fighting marriage equality in states across the country. In short, they planned to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks” by convincing them to [...]
Mar 26, 2012: Meet the Republicans for Mandated Coverage
Republicans For Mandating Coverage (RMC) is a 51-member coalition representing Republicans who supported a federal health care mandate before President Barack Obama endorsed it. Check out the highlight reel: Republicans who were for the individual mandate in health care before they were against it just because President Obama was for it: Frmr. Gov. Mitt Romney [...]
Mar 23, 2012: Happy 2nd Birthday, ObamaCare!
INFOGRAPHIC: Two Years In, ObamaCare Is Working Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed ObamaCare Supreme Court preview part III: The perils of overreach. Texas reporter fired after shocking interview on transvaginal sonograms. POLL: 53 percent want to see ObamaCare expanded or left as is, while just 38 percent want to see it [...]
Mar 22, 2012: No Etch A Sketch Will Wipe These Away
TEN Outrageous Positions That Mitt Romney Can’t Erase Yesterday, Mitt Romney’s top adviser, Eric Fehrnstrom, explained the Romney campaign’s strategy for the general election: try and erase all of Romney’s extreme right-wing positions. Watch it: HOST: Is there a concern that Santorum and Gingrich might force the governor to tack so far to the right [...]
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You know what keeps me awake at night? The GOP‘s war on women. We’ve got so many things we need to focus on right now in the Senate — jobs, boosting the economy, and rebuilding our nation’s roads and bridges. But the Republicans don’t care about any of that. They’re focused solely on turning back the clock to the 1950s when it comes to women’s rights. And it needs to stop. Despite our successes stopping the Blunt amendment and a number of other harsh political attacks directed at women, we’re already looking at difficult fights ahead:
We shouldn’t have to focus on these kinds of assaults on our basic rights — but they’re giving us no choice. And, with your support, I’m going to keep fighting tooth-and-nail to stop them from gutting decades of progress on women’s health. Please contribute $5 now to help me do just that. I can’t wait until this is over and we can get back to creating jobs and boosting the economy — but I’m glad that you’re right there with me. Thanks again, |
