VP Biden swears in Samantha Power as U.S. Ambassador to the UN today at the White House
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Steve Benen: And Then There Were 40
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters yesterday that President Obama and congressional Democrats are “in denial.” Yeah, denial’s just awful, isn’t it? Capping a legislative work period more noted for what it failed to pass than for what it completed, the House voted for the 40th time on Friday to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care reform law before heading home for a five week recess.
The GOP-controlled House voted to approve a measure to prevent the IRS from enforcing “Obamacare” in a 232-185 vote. The legislation faces virtually no chance of advancing in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats. How many House Republicans voted for repeal? All of them who were on the Hill this morning. If we include the Senate, the total number of votes held by congressional Republicans to repeal all or part of the federal health care law is 68. We’re talking about a group of folks who are very slow learners.
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Sybrina Fulton says as parents they plan to help other parents of "senseless gun violence."
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Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 02, 2013
Sybrina Fulton says she is committed to making a difference and helping other families through the Trayvon Martin foundation.
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Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 02, 2013
Tracy Martin: It's very important that the name #TrayvonMartin mean something to our nation.
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Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 02, 2013
Sybrina Fulton: President Obama can identify with us and see himself in #TrayvonMartin
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Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 02, 2013
Tracy Martin: We don't have time to grieve because we have to do work for others who are voiceless.
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Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 02, 2013
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Andrew Cray: New Federal Legislation Introduced To Protect Homeless LGBT Youth
Although they comprise only 5 to 7 percent of all youth in America, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth make up an average of 40 percent of all homeless youth in cities across the United States. These youth face a high risk of rejection and abuse in their homes, in their schools, and on the streets. For LGBT children and young adults left without safe homes, life on the street is dangerous, and the future may seem bleak.
But Thursday, Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced legislation that would offer hope for LGBT youth and the providers charged with serving them. If passed, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Inclusion Act would amend the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to prohibit discrimination against homeless youth based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the programs intended to offer them stability and shelter, and would promote data collection processes to help policymakers better understand LGBT youth homelessness.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) supports federally-funded programs for homeless youth, including street outreach, shelters and drop-in centers, and transitional living programs.
More here
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The Democratic Party and the Republican Party
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Igor Volsky: New ObamaCare Rule Throws Lifeline To Federal Employees
Congressional lawmakers and their staff will be able to afford health care coverage this fall when they begin enrolling in the exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is expected to rule that the federal government can continue contributing to the cost of health care plans purchased through an exchange, putting to end months of intense behind-the-scenes lobbying from members of both parties which culminated in President Obama assuring Democrats that he is personally involved in the issue.
More here
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Who is this guy?! 😉
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