Tell Congress to Send a Strong, Bipartisan VAWA to President Obama
Recently, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization bill by 68 to 31 which protects all victims of domestic violence. In the U.S. House of Representatives, the unacceptable Adams version of VAWA narrowly passed by a vote of 222-205.
This evening, the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women sent out an Action Alert urging Congress to rise above the political bickering, to move swiftly to conference, and send the President a strong, bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization bill that protects ALL vulnerable victims.
ACTION:
National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women urges us to contact our elected officials in Washington about the importance of sending President Obama a strong, bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization bill that protects ALL vulnerable victims. To make our work easier the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women prepared a model advocacy letter on this issu which appears below.
Draft Letter to Legislator:
“I/we urge you to encourage your party’s leaders to move swiftly to a conference or agreement on VAWA and send the President a strong, bipartisan Violence Against Women Act reauthorization bill that protects all vulnerable victims.”
“For nearly 20 years, Congress has recognized the severity of violence against women and our need for this landmark federal law’s comprehensive approach. VAWA truly provides life-saving protections and services needed by victims and their families. It is unacceptable that this law has become politicized while three women a day are still killed by an intimate partner. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence need a VAWA law that does not roll back protections for immigrant women and their families; includes protections for all victims, including the LGBT community and Native women; and directs resources to this urgent task in the most effective way possible.”
“VAWA must also include the strongest protections for victims on campus and in public housing; protect the ability of criminal justice officials and community stakeholders to provide input to the state grant STOP planning process; and be free of overly burdensome and bureaucratic requirements for victim services providers struggling to be present for every victim every day. I strongly urge Congress to quickly move past politics and send a VAWA reauthorization bill to the President that he can immediately sign.”
The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women urges us not to forget to tweet about VAWA using the hashtags #ReauthorizeVAWA, #RealVAWA and #VAWA.
Source: National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women Action Alert
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Senate Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
This week, the US Senate voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Here is how the VAWA reauthorization vote went in the US Senate: sixty-eight (68) in favor, thirty-one (31) against. Each of the thirty-one (31) senators who voted against it were Republican men. It should be noted that these thirty-one (31) men are the only senators to ever cast a vote against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Previously, the Senate reauthorized VAWA unanimously twice.
As has been stated on countless occasions by leaders of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party of today is a different breed altogether. If it comes down to scoring points with the GOP base or protecting women, they are going to choose their base every time as stated by the Chairperson of the Democratic Party.
Next, this important piece of legislation goes to the House. It has been reported that the House GOP is planning on introducing a bill with the same name, but their version of the Violence Against Women Act will likely strip out the very provisions protecting Native Americans, undocumented immigrants, and LGBT Americans that the Democrats just fought for. Before the House votes on the bill, before the GOP even introduces it, Democrats are launching campaigns designed to inform the public about who is really fighting for women.
Source(s): www.congress.org. www.democrats.org.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art.
“For the People” Jobs Initiative: (H. RES. 348)
Labor Day is fast approaching. We, as a nation, are several years into a job crisis. Reports of highly disappointing May and June employment gains accompanied by slow economic growth for the first two quarters of 2011 highlight the urgent need for a national plan to grow the economy. The unemployment numbers throughout the country mandate legislative, tangible action to address the crisis.
In response to the dismal unemployment figures, on July 13, 2011, U.S. House of Representative Member, Emanuel Clever, III, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) introduced the “Congressional Black Caucus `For the People’ Jobs Initiative Resolution: H. RES. 348 in the US House–in response to record unemployment and the fact that there has been little or no action on the House floor taken to address this pressing matter. His rationale basis for the resolution is as follows:
“Over six months into the 112th Congress, no jobs creation legislation has been considered on the House floor despite the introduction of over forty bills by members of the CBC. It is clear that the unemployment numbers throughout the country require effective legislation and tangible action to address the crisis. The reported unemployment numbers in the African American community are hovering over sixteen percent.
The CBC is not standing idly by, but rather with the For the People Jobs Initiative, we are providing all of our constituents with what you need—aggressive action that remedies the stymied economy instead of protecting special interests and embarking on ideological crusades. To address the unemployment crisis and the need for job creation solutions in underserved communities, the CBC has called upon the private and public sectors to immediately remedy the crisis by going into communities with legitimate,
immediate employment opportunities for the underserved.”
Like most Americans, US Representative Clever asserts that, “It is time for action on the most important issue of our time—economic opportunity through jobs! Every American deserves the right to be gainfully employed or own a successful business.” Clever goes on to state that “…the Congressional Black Caucus is committed to that right and will not rest until there is parity in access to economic opportunity.”
The text of the resolution he introduced is below.
RESOLUTION
“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that critical jobs legislation should
be considered and passed to address the growing jobs crisis throughout America,
and for other purposes.
Whereasthis resolution may be cited as the `Congressional Black Caucus `For the
People’ Jobs Initiative Resolution’;
Whereas over six months into the 112th Congress and no jobs creation legislation has
been considered on the House floor despite the introduction of over 40 bills by
members of the Congressional Black Caucus (`CBC’);
Whereas the unemployment numbers throughout the country mandate legislative, tangible action to address the crisis;
Whereas the reported unemployment numbers in the African-American community are
hovering over sixteen percent and in the double digits in other communities of
color in these United States;
Whereas for 40 years the CBC has introduced legislation for the people and has served
as the unwavering `Conscience of the Congress’;
Whereas the CBC recently launched the `For the People’ Jobs Initiative to directly
address the lack of jobs for people of color by holding job fairs and town hall
meetings throughout the country in areas hardest hit by the recession; and
Whereas, to address the unemployment crisis and the need for job creation solutions in
underserved communities, the CBC has called upon the private and public sectors
to immediately remedy the crisis by going into communities with legitimate,
immediate employment opportunities for the underserved: Now, therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should– (1) consider and pass critical jobs legislation to address the crisis facing communities of color disproportionately; and (2) consider and pass critical jobs legislation to address the nationwide economic crisis.”
This resolution was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. For further information visit the websites listed below under sources.
Sources: http://www.govtrack.us. www.thomas.loc.gov. Facebook page Emanuel Clever, III, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Congressional Black Caucus `For the People’ Jobs Initiative Resolution: H. RES. 348
On July 13, 2011, US House of Representative Member, Emanuel Clever, III, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) introduced the “Congressional Black Caucus `For the People’ Jobs Initiative Resolution: H. RES. 348 in the US House–in response to record unemployment and the fact that there has been little or no action on the House floor taken to address this pressing matter. His rationale basis for the resolution is as follows:
“Over six months into the 112th Congress, no jobs creation legislation has been considered on the House floor despite the introduction of over forty bills by members of the CBC. It is clear that the unemployment numbers throughout the country require effective legislation and tangible action to address the crisis. The reported unemployment numbers in the African American community are hovering over sixteen percent.
The CBC is not standing idly by, but rather with the For the People Jobs Initiative, we are providing all of our constituents with what you need—aggressive action that remedies the stymied economy instead of protecting special interests and embarking on ideological crusades. To address the unemployment crisis and the need for job creation solutions in underserved communities, the CBC has called upon the private and public sectors to immediately remedy the crisis by going into communities with legitimate,
immediate employment opportunities for the underserved.”
Like most Americans, US Representative Clever asserts that, “It is time for action on the most important issue of our time—economic opportunity through jobs! Every American deserves the right to be gainfully employed or own a successful business.” Clever goes on to state that “…the Congressional Black Caucus is committed to that right and will not rest until there is parity in access to economic opportunity.”
The text of the resolution he introduced is below.
RESOLUTION
“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that critical jobs legislation should
be considered and passed to address the growing jobs crisis throughout America,
and for other purposes.
Whereasthis resolution may be cited as the `Congressional Black Caucus `For the
People’ Jobs Initiative Resolution’;
Whereas over six months into the 112th Congress and no jobs creation legislation has
been considered on the House floor despite the introduction of over 40 bills by
members of the Congressional Black Caucus (`CBC’);
Whereas the unemployment numbers throughout the country mandate legislative, tangible action to address the crisis;
Whereas the reported unemployment numbers in the African-American community are
hovering over sixteen percent and in the double digits in other communities of
color in these United States;
Whereas for 40 years the CBC has introduced legislation for the people and has served
as the unwavering `Conscience of the Congress’;
Whereas the CBC recently launched the `For the People’ Jobs Initiative to directly
address the lack of jobs for people of color by holding job fairs and town hall
meetings throughout the country in areas hardest hit by the recession; and
Whereas, to address the unemployment crisis and the need for job creation solutions in
underserved communities, the CBC has called upon the private and public sectors
to immediately remedy the crisis by going into communities with legitimate,
immediate employment opportunities for the underserved: Now, therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should– (1) consider and pass critical jobs legislation to address the crisis facing communities of color disproportionately; and (2) consider and pass critical jobs legislation to address the nationwide economic crisis.”
This resolution was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. For further information visit the websites listed below under sources.
Sources: http://www.govtrack.us. www.thomas.loc.gov. Facebook page Emanuel Clever, III, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
VOTE 2012
Today, Saturday, July 16th 2011, has been declared National Day of Action by the Democratic Party. Across the country there are efforts being made to bring new
supporters into the campaign. It has been reported that volunteers in all 50 states will be knocking on doors and registering new voters. The overarching goal for this campaign is to register voters in order to ensure: the reelection of President Barack Obama and that Democrats take back the United States House of Representatives.
This summer, important action is being taken to bring more people into the political process- thus making certain that every voter who wants to exercise their right is registered. There are three stages in the voter empowerment process: registration, education, and mobilization. Today, Democratic supporters can join a national day of action dedicated to voter registration. Get involved. Your vote can be decisive, stand up, speak out, be heard— vote!
Take action that can and will change the future. Seize the opportunity to cast your vote. As was aptly stated by President Johnson when discussing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, “The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”
Each election day, countless eligible voters deprive themselves of their voting right through complacency or apathy. Don’t be among them—exercise your right to vote.
Source:democraticparty@democrats.org. Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
DREAM ACT
DREAM ACT Reintroduced in 2011
In December of 2010, when the DREAM Act failed, the hopes of many students and their allies were dashed across the country. When the DREAM Act failed to be passed by the Senate, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement. “I am appalled that partisan politics and the archaic filibuster stood in the way of passing the DREAM Act today. My mother came to the United States as an immigrant and because of the opportunities in this country; I was able to fulfill the American dream. It is a shame that we cannot extend the same opportunities to others who are willing to contribute to our country and abide by the rules.”
All hope is not lost; this week, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard “Dick” Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 30 other Senators reintroduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. This bill gives undocumented students a path to earn United States citizenship. It would be possible for an undocumented student to become a citizen if the undocumented student came to this nation as a child, is a long-term U.S. resident, has good moral character, and completes two years of college or military service in good standing.
Regarding the reintroduced DREAM Act, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) stated that, “This narrowly tailored legislation would give young, undocumented immigrants who grew up in the United States the opportunity to earn legal residency by obtaining an education or joining the military. I am proud to cosponsor the DREAM Act for one simple reason: this will enable these children, who are in America not due to their own action, but those of their parents, to reach their potential and contribute to a stronger, more prosperous America.”
Senator Joe Lieberman (I – CT) stated this about the reintroduced DREAM Act, “I am convinced we must adopt smart immigration reform to advance our national security, our economic vitality, and our historic values… I have joined in introducing a critical piece of such reform – offering a path to citizenship for young adults who have grown up in this country, achieved here, and want a chance to continue their lives as productive members of our society. This is the right choice for these deserving young adults and for our own national interests. These individuals embody the education and work ethic we promote, and we should let them remain here to strengthen our military, our economy and society as a whole.” There are is no storage of opinions and deep feelings about how to best address the issue of immigration.
For further information on the reintroduced DREAM Act, you can visit http://www.govtrack.us or Senator Durbin’s website at http://www.durbin.senate.gov.
Sources: Senator Harkin’s website at http://www.harkin.senate.gov. Senator Durbin’s website at http://www.durbin.senate.gov. and the West Hartford News website at http://www.westhartfordnews.com.
Photocredit: Microsoft Clip Art
