Tag Archives: House Republican

Pelosi – House Dems and the Headlines ~ April 2013


nancypelosi

Pelosi Hosts Roundtable with Veterans Groups to Address Disability Claims Backlog

“Here in Congress, every day is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of our service members and their families and to ensure we serve them as well as they served us,” Leader Pelosi said. “We have a solemn responsibility to care for our men and women in uniform, on the battlefield and at home. We must act on the proposals of our Democratic colleagues to strengthen the VA, speed up the claims process, and extend economic opportunity to our veterans. It’s the least we can do for those who sacrifice so much on behalf of our security and our freedom.”
Thursday, April 25, 2013
“Today, we take the opportunity to honor our 43rd President, George W. Bush, for his service to our country. No matter whether you agreed with his policies, there was never any doubt that he was a leader of conviction, dedication to duty, and faith in American ideals.”
Thursday, April 25, 2013
“The regular order is something that the Republicans have requested over and over again, except when it is time for the regular order, they walk away from it. Perhaps it is lack of confidence in the power of their ideas. Perhaps they can’t take the scrutiny of the American people seeing the difference in our budget priorities, a budget much like what President Obama has put forth, and the Senate Democratic budget bill, which is about investing in jobs and reducing the deficit in a fiscally sound way, a very, very positive budget, which is a statement of our national values, which a budget is supposed to be.”
Thursday, April 25, 2013
“On this solemn anniversary of the Armenian genocide, we pause to remember the victims and honor the survivors of one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. Too often, the truth of these horrific events has been denied, yet the historical record is clear: from 1915 to 1923, the leaders of the Ottoman Empire conceived and carried out a genocide against the Armenian people.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
“The names Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley remain seared in the hearts and minds of us today as painful reminders of a dark moment in our history. For their families, for their friends, for their loved ones, their loss in a bombing at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church would change their world forever. Yet, even at the time of great change across the country, little did we know that their deaths would change our world forever.”
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
“Congressman Edgar is an extraordinary example of how the strength of one voice can empower millions to call for change. His memory and legacy will inspire his colleagues and everyone who seeks a more open, just, and perfect union. We only hope it is a comfort to his wife Merle, his sons, Andrew, David, and Rob, and their families that so many mourn their loss at this sad time.”
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
“On Earth Day, Democrats and Republicans must no longer treat our environment as a point of partisan political debate. We must work side-by-side with the American people to create a future of sustainability for our children and grandchildren, prosperity and opportunity for our families and communities, security and energy independence for generations to come.”
Monday, April 22, 2013
“Today, our country owes our deepest sense of gratitude to the courageous and dedicated law enforcement teams who brought a swift end to this terrible act of terror. Thanks to their tireless efforts the victims, their families, and the people of Boston can begin to recover from this tragedy.”
Saturday, April 20, 2013
“As our hearts are still in Boston, our concerns across the country for those who are in pain, our work continues here in Washington, D.C. Right now we are focused on adopting a budget that reflects our country’s values, creates jobs, and strengthens the middle class. Republicans have repeatedly called for regular order. They have called it in sessions of – the leader – of the House and Senate with the President and the Vice President that said ‘we want regular order.’ They call for regular order all of the time. They’ve repeatedly chastised the Senate for not passing a budget bill. “
Thursday, April 18, 2013
“The courage of our men and women in uniform is what makes our democracy possible, and the Distinguished Public Service Award is truly a tribute to the work of Congress to honor the service and sacrifice of our Navy and all of our service members,” Leader Pelosi said. “This award will hold a place of pride and prominence in my heart, and it will inspire me to always stand with Secretary Mabus, our officers, our sailors and Marines to ensure the security of our country and the strength of our military.”
Thursday, April 18, 2013

Pelosi, House Democratic Leaders in Letter to Boehner: Appoint House Conferees Without Further Delay

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, and House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Joe Crowley today sent a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner calling on the Speaker to appoint House conferees without further delay and follow regular order to reach an agreement on a budget focused on jobs, economic growth, balanced deficit reduction, and a strong, thriving middle class.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
“A minority of Senators failed to summon the courage to do what’s right on behalf of the safety and security of our children and families. Their shameful votes prevented commonsense steps to expand background checks and keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. Their indefensible actions broke our promise to every community struck by gun violence.”
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
“Dr. Yunus understands that women are the caretakers and breadwinners in many families; that women are innovators and entrepreneurs; that women can be the ones to lead their families and communities out of poverty. He recognizes that women have spent too long a time living in the shadows – and that shining a light on their abilities could provide a pathway to prosperity for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
“This week, a bipartisan coalition in the Senate moved our country one step closer to achieving common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform. Under the leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, House Democrats have spent years working to bring about legislation that preserves our values, strengthens our democracy, and reflects who we are as a nation.”
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
“By dedicating this room, we do more than simply remember; we honor the highest ideals of service. Because that’s what Gabe Zimmerman’s life was about: his values and his service. A real tribute to his family as a son and grandson they raised. As his mother, Emily, has said, ‘it’s not his death, but his work and his ideals that should be recognized here.’ Gabe had gone to work that day for the same reason he went to work every day: to help the people of Tucson, to reach out to Congresswoman Giffords’ constituents, to serve the public and strengthen the community…”
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
“Congresswoman Kelly has brought progressive values and a firm commitment to the middle class to the halls of Congress, and she will place those same principles and priorities front and center in her work to support science, invest in innovation, and conduct strong oversight on behalf of the American people,” Leader Pelosi said. “These committee assignments reflect the faith of the Democratic Caucus in Congresswoman Kelly’s abilities and leadership, and we look forward to working together to create jobs, grow our economy, and build a brighter future.”
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
“Words are inadequate to console the loved ones of those lost at the Boston Marathon. But we will do what we can to care for them. We will ensure that justice will be done.”
Monday, April 15, 2013
“Through it all, the United States has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Jewish state – bound by our common ideals, strengthened by our common interests, devoted to a common future of peace and security. Our friendship is unbreakable, our bonds unshakable. Our partnership will endure as it has from the start: with a firm, unyielding commitment to the safety and security of the Israeli people.”
Monday, April 15, 2013
“Charlie never hesitated to do what was right for his district or our country. He stood firm for the economic security of retired auto workers when a faltering auto industry threatened to leave them without the pensions they had earned through a lifetime of work. He had the courage to take tough votes even when that courage came at a great political cost – whether voting to stem a recession with the Recovery Act or to provide quality health insurance to all with the Affordable Care Act.”
Sunday, April 14, 2013
“On the 100th day of the Republican Congress, it seems only fitting that House Republicans would cast votes to weaken our economy, undermine our recovery, and jeopardize the economic security of the middle class. Attempting to shut down the National Labor Relations Board is bad for business, bad for workers, and bad for our economic growth.”
Friday, April 12, 2013

Pelosi Statement on Passing of Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

“She was a relentless force and a steady hand in our fight to win the Cold War, helping to bring down the Berlin Wall brick by brick.  She led her country with poise, grace, and an unmistakable iron will that will forever stand as a true testament to her unwavering commitment to public service.  We only hope it is a comfort to her daughter Carol, her son Mark, and the entire Thatcher family that so many share in their grief at this sad time.”
Monday, April 8, 2013

Pelosi Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day

“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, this day is a reminder of all who had the courage to fight back; who refused to allow the inhumanity of the Nazis to deprive them of their own humanity. It is a reminder of the defiant spirit of the survivors, whose strength and perseverance still inspire us today. It is a reminder of the righteous among the nations who risked their own lives to protect the lives of their neighbors.”
Friday, April 5, 2013

Pelosi Statement on March Jobs Report

“Today’s jobs report makes it clear: there is no time to waste to grow our economy and put people to work. Yet in this session House Republicans have refused to hold a vote on a single jobs bill that could actually become law. Instead, Republicans prefer sequesters that undermine our economic growth and Ryan budgets that would cost jobs and threaten the economic security of seniors and working families.”
Friday, April 5, 2013

the Middle Class


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Middle Class Taxes.
Click on the Photo above for the video
 
Middle class Americans discuss what a tax increase would mean to them. Unless the House of Representatives takes action before January 1, 2013, taxes will go up on 114 million middle-class families. Republicans in the House of Representatives, however, are refusing to extend middle-class tax cuts without also giving massive tax cuts to the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. In fact, House Republicans have proposed their own tax plan that would actually raise taxes on 25 million families making less than $250,000, while giving families making more than $1 million an average tax cut of $160,000 next

the Progress Report :GOP lack of interest – Jobs & the Economy


The Other Things the GOP is Obsessed With

By         ThinkProgress War Room

No Time for Jobs and the Economy

We’ve been discussing the GOP’s obsession with health care, but that’s not the only thing Republicans are obsessed with. Here’s a few other things they’ve focused on instead of creating jobs and moving the country forward.

  • Cutting Taxes on the Wealthy: Republicans successfully held middle-class tax cuts hostage in late 2010 in order to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy for another two years. Then, nearly every Republican in the House and Senate voted for two successive budget plans that would give millionaires another $265,000 tax cut on top of the Bush tax cuts. House Republicans are also planning a vote in the coming weeks to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy yet again.It should also be noted that when given a direct choice between bills that would have put millions of Americans back to work or protecting the wealthy from paying another dime in taxes, Republicans repeatedly voted against jobs bills.
  • Ending Medicare: Almost every single Republican in the House and Senate voted for two budget plans in a row that would end Medicare as we know it and replace it with a voucher program that would shift costs onto the backs of seniors.
  • Attacking Women’s Health Care: Almost immediately after taking power in 2011, House Republicans set about attacking women’s health care. They passed bills that would have redefined rape and even let women die rather than receive a life-saving abortion. Last March, Republicans nearly shut down the government in order to defund Planned Parenthood.
  • Enriching Big Oil & Rolling Back Clean Air and Clean Water Rules: This Republican-controlled House of Representatives is the most anti-environment in history. The House has voted against the environment at least 247 times, including 109 votes to enrich the oil and gas industry.
  • Pursuing Political Witch Hunts: House Republicans, in particular, have tried to stir up trouble for the president using politically-motivated witch hunts. A year-long investigation of the failed solar company Solyndra failed to turn up any wrongdoing. And just last week, House Republicans took the unprecedented step of voting to hold the Attorney General in contempt of Congress after the president invoked executive privilege in response to the GOP’s fishing expedition in the Fast & Furious matter.

IN ONE SENTENCE: A look at their agenda shows that Republicans have found plenty of time to obsess over just about anything other than jobs and the economy — except, of course, when it comes to their attempts to sabotage it.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Is Justice Thomas behind the leaks about the Obamacare decision?

The 11 most pro-LGBT Members of Congress.

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) claims losing two legs in the Iraq war doesn’t make you a “true hero.”

Even Republicans agree that the GOP’s message on Obamacare is in chaos.

A must read look at Mitt Romney’s secret financial dealings and overseas accounts. Here are the five shadiest things we learned.

A major new scandal is enveloping one of the world’s largest banks.

A GOP congressional candidate claims that nobody dies from breast or prostate cancer.

The time that Mitt Romney disagreed with just about everyone else in the Republican Party.

Delaware has more corporations than people.

 

 

Other recent Progress Reports

Jul 2, 2012: The Republicans’ Biggest Obsession

GOP Focused on Old Battles, Not Moving America Forward As we discussed Friday, the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Obamacare has really thrown Republicans for a loop. Things didn’t get any better over the weekend. Instead of moving on and working to move the country forward, Republicans are continuing to obsess over taking away people’s health [...]

Jun 29, 2012: SIX Health Care Questions the GOP Must Answer

GOP in Disarray After Obamacare Ruling Aside from launching a new false attack on the law (which also happens to be an attack on Mitt Romney) and promising to vote one more time on repealing the law, Republicans don’t quite know what to do. Some of them even openly admit that the GOP has no [...]

Jun 28, 2012: We LOVE Obamacare!

Constitutional! In celebration of today’s landmark Supreme Court decision declaring Obamacare constitutional, here are a few snaps from today’s festivities outside the High Court.   And What Do Republicans Think?   Do you love Obamacare? Click HERE to tell Congress that you stand with Obamacare.

Jun 27, 2012: Obamacare Decision Day

Will the Supreme Court Rule Based on Law or Politics? Based on the text of the Constitution and 200 years of precedent, it’s crystal clear that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. That notwithstanding, tomorrow morning the Supreme Court is set to rule on the partisan legal attacks on Obamacare. Here’s the rundown on what [...]

Pelosi – House Dems and Congress in the Newsroom JUNE 2012


During LGBT Pride Month, we celebrate how far we’ve come in the fight for civil rights, we pledge to keep working to ensure our nation lives up to the American ideal of equality, our heritage and our hope.

Since the dark days of the Stonewall riots more than four decades ago, millions of Americans have joined the struggle for equal protection under the law; the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; respect and dignity for all Americans.

Despite setbacks and obstacles along the way, we have made progress.

Just in recent years, in Congress we passed a fully-inclusive hate crimes law and made historic investments in HIV/AIDS treatment, research, and prevention. The discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy took its rightful place in the dustbin of history. President Obama made it the policy of his administration to no longer defend the shameful Defense of Marriage Act in court.

And we all witnessed history just last month when the President of the United States spoke out in favor of marriage rights for LGBT couples. We look forward to the day when all American families are treated equally in the eyes of the law.

But more must be done. We must keep up the charge for an end to discrimination in all its forms — in the workplace, in schools, in government, and in our laws. We must protect and preserve the rights of all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.

This LGBT Pride Month, let’s recommit to building a future of freedom, liberty, and progress for LGBT Americans and all Americans.

Thank you.

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 May 17, 2012 by

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor today in opposition to House Republican’s obstruction of consideration of the McGovern Amendment in the Defense Authorization bill which simply adopts the withdrawal timeline signed by President Obama and Afghan President Karzai earlier this month.

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May 16, 2012 by

Leader Pelosi on the House floor speaking strongly against H.R. 4970, the House GOP version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization. The GOP bill is a partisan bill that provides far fewer protections for domestic violence victims than the strong, bipartisan Senate-passed bill.

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May 10, 2012 by

Leader Pelosi floor speech against House Republican bill to begin implementing their out-of-touch budget for special interests. This GOP reconciliation bill slashes vital services — and the middle class, seniors, women and children will pay the price.

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Apr 27, 2012 by

Leader Pelosi urging House Republicans to act to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling by ending subsidies to Big Oil rather than furthering their assault on women’s health.

the Progress Report


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The Latest GOP Assaults on Women

By         ThinkProgress War Room

The Republican War on Women Is Only Getting Bigger

While continuing to deny there is any such thing, the Republicans continue their all-out war on women, their health care, and their families.

Here’s the latest.

All of the Senators Voting Against the Violence Against Women Act Were Republican Men

Yesterday, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Act by an overwhelming 68-31 margin.  While every Democrat and all five female Republican senators voted to reauthorize and expand the landmark law, a whopping 31 of their male colleagues voted no.

Meanwhile, House Republicans are going to be crafting a watered down version that leaves out important protections for LGBT people, immigrants, Native Americans, and others.

It’s shameful that some Republicans apparently believe that all women are not entitled to protection from abuse.  House Republicans even called the idea that all women deserve protection “controversial.”

House Republicans Rob Health Fund for Women, Children to Pay For Student Loans

Instead of asking Big Oil or millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share so student loan interest rates don’t double, House Republicans instead passed a bill today that paid for extending the current rates by outright repealing a preventive health fund that disproportionately benefits women and children.  From the White House’s veto threat:

Women, in particular, will benefit from this Prevention Fund, which would provide for hundreds of thousands of screenings for breast and cervical cancer.  This is a politically-motivated proposal and not the serious response that the problem facing America’s college students deserves.

This new attack was denounced just before today’s vote by Democratic women, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA).  Watch it:

Caught on Tape: The GOP’s Women Problem

To better help Republicans understand that their war on women is very much real, ThinkProgress compiled a lowlight reel of some of their most offensive comments.  Check it out:

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Pakistan deported Osama bin Laden’s family to Saudi Arabia today, ending speculation about the fate of the three widows and 11 children detained after the May 2nd raid which killed bin Laden.

A District Court has ruled Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to drug-test state employees unconstitutional.

Romney’s advice to students today: borrow $20,000 from your parents.

The right-wing group ALEC, which was dumped by for-profit education company Kaplan today, was so powerful it got its own ethics exemption.

Seventy-five percent of American support “regulating carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas) as a pollutant.”

Recalling war crimes in Liberia after its former President is brought to justice.

The next battle in the war on women: the Paycheck Fairness Act.

The Romney campaign criticizes the Obama administration for discussing the consequences of attacking Iran.

Boston Bruins fans react to overtime loss to Washington Capitals with racist tweets.

Fox News won’t let go of the lie that President Obama apologized for America.

Other recent Progress Reports

Apr 26, 2012: Did You Like George W. Bush’s Foreign Policy?

Mitt Romney’s Misguided, Mistaken, and Misbegotten Foreign Policy Today, Vice President Biden gave a speech at New York University laying out a broad attack on Mitt Romney — a candidate whose only foreign policy experience comes from shipping jobs overseas — and his approach to foreign policy.  Biden said that Romney was relying on the [...]

Apr 25, 2012: INFOGRAPHIC: What You Need To Know About The Violence Against Women Act

Will Republicans Really Oppose the Violence Against Women Act? As soon as the Senate finishes a massive postal reform bill, it is expected to take up a bill to reauthorize the landmark Violence Against Women Act. Shockingly, as we discussed last week, some Republicans are actually opposed to this vital legislation.  House Republicans already refused [...]

Apr 24, 2012: Will Republicans Stick It To Students? (Again.)

Will the GOP Force Students & Their Families to Take on Even More Debt? As it stands now, the interest rate on loans for many students will DOUBLE come July 1.  This change would impact more than 7.4 MILLION students, forcing them to pile on even more debt at time when student debt is already [...]

Apr 23, 2012: An ‘Update’ To The Bush Years?

New GOP Economic Plan is Same as Previous Disastrous GOP Economic Plan In nearly every policy area, Republicans from Mitt Romney on down the line have been proposing that we go back to the disastrous policies of the Bush administration — only on steroids.  For example, Mitt Romney not only wants to keep the Bush [...]

Tell Congress: Protect Unemployment Insurance for Millions of Americans … Joan Entmacher, National Women’s Law Center


National Women's Law Center
Continue Federal Unemployment Insurance Benefits through 2012
Tell Congress: Millions of workers will lose federal unemployment insurance at the end of February unless you act now!
Take Action

They’re at it again. I’m sure you remember the feverish news cycle — federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits were set to expire right before the holidays in December. House Republicans passed a bill that would slash the UI safety net (and more). At the last minute, Congress agreed to continue federal UI benefits for two months. But that extension expires in less than a month. We need your help to prevent millions of unemployed workers from losing the lifeline of UI benefits.

Tell Congress: Fully Renew Unemployment Insurance for 2012 — no cuts, no barriers to benefits!

     WWW.NWLC.ORG

The House Republican leadership is still pushing to dismantle UI, with drastic benefit cuts and new barriers that would prevent many jobless workers from accessing these vital benefits.

If we don’t act now to ask for a ‘clean’ renewal of federal UI benefits, harsh cuts and punitive barriers to benefits could be tacked on to the bill. The bill passed by House Republicans in December called for slashing benefits by more than half in states with the highest unemployment, denying benefits for workers without a high school diploma or GED, drug testing applicants for UI benefits, making jobless workers pay for their reemployment services, and allowing states to divert unemployment benefit funds to uses other than paying worker benefits.

With unemployment expected to remain above 8 percent this year and long-term unemployment still at record highs, Congress must continue federal UI benefits through 2012. Tell Congress to do right by millions of Americans struggling to get back on their feet!

Don’t let it get down to the wire again — ask your Members of Congress TODAY to pass a clean UI extension with no cuts or barriers to benefits!

WWW.NWLC.ORG

Thank you for all that you do to help us protect women and their families. Millions of Americans depend on these benefits, and we will keep you updated as the deadline draws closer.

Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher  Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. You can find out more about the importance of federal UI benefits to women here and the latest on how women are faring in the recovery here.

Demand the House GOP pass this bill

Unbelievable. Last week, the Democratic Senate overwhelmingly passed a payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance extension. Now, extremist Tea Party Republicans are refusing to pass it. They are holding the middle class hostage only days before a tax hike will hit millions.
How urgent is this? In just ten days, the average middle class family will see its taxes jump by $1,000 a year. And 2.2 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits. That’s money families won’t have to spend on food, clothes and rent. That’s money that won’t be spent in our communities. Our entire economy will suffer. Happy New Year, America.
This cannot stand. Demand the House GOP pass this bill. I need your help to reach 100,000 signatures by midnight tomorrow.
 Demand that House Republicans pass the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance extension. Now.   

WWW.DSCC.ORG


People’s lives and livelihoods are at stake here. $1,000 might not be a lot of money to Republican members of Congress, but when you’re living paycheck to paycheck – or are scraping by on unemployment insurance – this is a huge deal.
 sign, and pass this petition on to your friends.    WWW.DSCC.ORG 


Even Scrooge wasn’t this vindictive. It’s way past time for Republicans to put politics aside and pass this payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance extension. Middle class families are counting on it. For once, Republicans should put them first.
Guy Cecil

DSCC Executive Director

The War on Women Continues …a message from Nancy Pelosi


Yesterday, House Republicans mounted another extreme attack to undermine and restrict a woman’s access to reproductive health care.

Instead of creating jobs, improving our economy and strengthening small businesses, for the seventh time this year Republicans voted on a bill that assaults women’s health care.

We cannot sit silent in the face of House Republicans’ extremist agenda against women. We must act now to stop it.

Help us raise $100,000 for the DCCC Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund so we can hold the Republicans accountable.

Please make an urgent contribution of $3 or more to the DCCC’s Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund. Your generous support will send a powerful show of grassroots strength against the Republicans’ extreme agenda.

WWW.DSCC.ORG

House Republicans are pursuing the most comprehensive and radical assault on women’s health and reproductive freedom in our lifetime. They should be working to help put Americans back to work, not waging an outrageous war against women and their private health decisions.

Let us never allow the health of American women to come under attack.

Please contribute $3 or more right now to the DCCC’s Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund >>  WWW.DSCC.ORG

Thank you,

Nancy Pelosi

House Republicans are holding govt hostage, again


Here’s the latest:

Boehner, Cantor, and House Republicans are once again holding our government hostage — this time over disaster aid for victims of Hurricane Irene and devastating fires across the western U.S.

We’ve all seen what can happen when Republicans get their hands on FEMA. Now they are intent on setting a dangerous precedent that victims of natural disasters are fair game as political bargaining chips. It’s appalling.

 FEMA is expected to run out of disaster relief funds early next week so we must act quickly. The entire government will run out of funds just a few days later.

Please contribute $3 or more today to help us hold House Republicans accountable for heartlessly holding up disaster relief funds to their political demands >>WWW.DCCC.ORG

When our friends and neighbors see their lives turned upside down by hurricanes or tornadoes, we should stand by them. Their hardship should never be used as an opportunity for Republicans to score points with their Tea Party base.

What’s so important that Boehner, Cantor, and House Republicans are threatening to hold up assistance for victims of natural disasters and shut down the federal government?

House Republicans want to strip funding for a green energy loan program that’s created or saved 41,000 jobs.

Instead of heeding President Obama’s call to create jobs, House Republicans have presented us with a callous choice: put more Americans out of work in this tough economy or risk a government shutdown and delay of critically-needed funding for disaster victims.

I reject that choice. Will you stand with us?

Contribute $3 or more today to help us hold House Republicans accountable for heartlessly holding up disaster relief funds to their political demands >> WWW.DCCC.ORG

Thank you for everything you do.

Steve Israel
DCCC Chairman

P.S. September 30th marks the first Federal Election Commission (FEC) fundraising deadline since President Obama introduced the American Jobs Act. Contribute by September 30th to show your support for this bill and House Democrats will triple match your gift!

the Progress Report


Revolt! GOP Plan To Kill Jobs Defeated

By         ThinkProgress War Room              on Sep 21, 2011 at 6:49 pm

GOP Efforts to Satisfy Tea Party Extremists Threaten Jobs, Disaster Aid

We warned you last week that Republicans and their job-killing agenda were back with a vengeance. Today, House Republicans put a measure up for a vote that would’ve threatened tens of thousands of American jobs. However, in a hugely embarrassing loss for Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), the plan was defeated after a bipartisan revolt caused the measure to fail on a vote of 195-230.

Here’s a rundown of what exactly caused the revolt and why it’s time for the Republican leadership to stand up to the Tea Party.

WHAT: The must-pass bill to keep the government funded and open after Sept. 30 when the current funding bill runs out.

Attached to the bill was a highly controversial measure that gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund additional funding to pay for both recent disaster relief efforts and recovery projects from disasters that may have happened years ago — but only by stealing $1.5 BILLION from a successful job creation program to “offset” the spending to help disaster victims. Strangely, Republicans steal $1.5 BILLION from the jobs program, but only offset $1 BILLION in disaster funding.

THE JOBS REPUBLICANS WANT TO KILL: The program they want to steal $1.5 BILLION from, the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program, has already created approximately 40,000 American jobs by spurring American manufacturing in 11 states across the country. The program, if it remains fully funded, stands to create at least another 50-60,000 American jobs in states like Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, and Michigan.

It’s also estimated that the advanced vehicles manufactured as a result of the program will also save us a whopping 311 MILLION gallons of gasoline.

WHY DEMOCRATS REVOLTED TODAY: They were strongly opposed to the GOP’s insistence on deep cuts to a vital jobs program in return for emergency disaster funding — especially at a time when Republicans refuse to ask Big Oil and billionaires to pay their fair share.

In addition, the Republican leadership in Congress all voted for $120 BILLION or so to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade, but now they want us to choose between helping Americans recover from natural disasters or helping Americans recover from our jobs crisis. That’s not the kind of choice we should have to make in America.

WHY REPUBLICANS REVOLTED TODAY: In an embarrassing setback for the House Republican leadership, 48 Republicans voted against the GOP’s own bill. But these Republicans didn’t revolt because they were concerned that the bill cut funding to an important jobs program. They revolted because the bill didn’t cut spending enough and because Republicans had promised not to move large omnibus spending bills when they came power after the 2010 election.

The defeat was all the more embarrassing because Boehner is reported to have threatened Republicans earlier in the day today:

Speaking to a closed meeting of House Republicans Wednesday morning, the Ohio Republican made it clear to his GOP colleagues that he was ready to move to strip members of committee assignments if they defy the leadership on the government funding measure headed for a vote this evening.

A BIPARTISAN ALTERNATIVE TO HELP DISASTER VICTIMS: Just last week, the Senate passed a bill providing about $7 BILLION in new disaster funding that was not offset by cuts to a jobs program or anything else. This proposal passed the notoriously gridlocked Senate on a bipartisan vote of 62-37, with fully TEN Republican senators voting in favor of it.

Last week, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) asked Boehner to bring this bipartisan plan up for a vote in the House:

Families across the country have endured hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires. Federal, state, and local officials have prepared for these natural disasters, responded immediately, and assisted those left to clean up the damage.

In these times of crisis, it is our responsibility in Congress to support local communities and aid in their recovery. Today, the Senate upheld its responsibility; now the House must do the same.

House Republicans are setting a dangerous precedent by requiring that disaster aid be offset, especially when Americans are struggling to rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities. Speaker Boehner must allow a vote on the Senate-passed bipartisan bill without further delay.

IN TWO SENTENCES: The Tea Party extremists controlling the GOP and their obsession with spending cuts are threatening both American jobs and vital aid for disaster victims. It’s time for GOP leaders to stand up to the Tea Party and start working with Democrats to do what’s best for our country instead of trying to satisfy an out-of-touch group of Tea Party extremists.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

The conservative obsession with Gibson Guitars and the real interests of small businesses.

North Carolina’s Republican House Majority Leader says gay people are “things” whose relationships can be “treated differently.”

Gallup survey shows that health reform has already extended coverage to 1 million young adults.

Inside Michele Bachmann’s war against food safety.

Meet America’s newest birther: 1950s music star Pat Boone.

Looking back at friendlier times between Romney and Perry when the two got caught breaking election law together.

Walmart is trying to buy its way into the Good Food Movement. How the lucky group that received Walmart’s million-dollar donation should respond.

The millionaires of Congress.

Being Republican is reason enough to support the Pennsylvania electoral college scheme that helps the GOP, according to presidential candidate Rick Santorum, a former GOP senator from the state.

Other recent Progress Reports

Sep 20, 2011: What You Need To Know About Warren Buffett’s Secretary

Should the Middle Class Pay a Higher Tax Rate Than Billionaires? President Obama Says No. In a much-publicized op-ed in the New York Times last month entitled “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich,” billionaire investor Warren Buffett noted that because of the so-called “hedge fund handout” he and other super-rich individuals who “make money with money” pay [...]

Sep 19, 2011: What If The Tea Party Wins?

This weekend, the Constitution celebrated its 224th birthday. Yet, despite the fact that our founding document has served America well for more than two centuries, the Tea Party now wants to cast its principles aside and replace them with a radical anti-government manifesto. Despite the fact that the Constitution has been amended many times to [...]

Sep 16, 2011: WWJD? Not Let The Uninsured Die

Conservative Christians Rebuke Tea Party Extremists ThinkProgress traveled to Liberty University, one of the most conservative Christian universities in the country,  earlier this week to cover a speech by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Following Perry’s speech, we asked students to comment on the shocking moment during this week’s GOP presidential debate when the Tea Party [...]

Sep 15, 2011: The Return of the Job-Killing Republicans

Dr. No Jobs Last month, it was Rep. John “Job Killer” Mica (R-FL) whose extreme anti-worker agenda shut down the Federal Aviation Administration. After being dogged by accusations of killing jobs thanks to a successful campaign by the Communications Workers of America (the union fighting to organize workers at Delta Airlines), Mica cried uncle and the House [...]