You Did It! Senate Takes Action on Syria 30NOV12

IT took a while, too long actually, but we finally have a victory in the US Senate thanks to Rep Jim Moran D VA and Sen John Cornyn R TX. Here is a report on the unanimous vote in the Senate barring the purchase of weapons from Rosoboronexport, the Russian weapons supplier to the murderous regime of assad in Syria. Thank you to all who participated in their calls to action to bring this about!

		Victory against Rosoboronexport Photo credit: (UPI) Dear supporter, Thanks to over 50,000 people like you, our voices were heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill. Last night we won an important victory in the Senate — there was a unanimous vote on an amendment barring the Pentagon from purchasing any weapons from the Russian company arming the murderous Syrian regime, Rosoboronexport. Can you take a minute to thank our champions in the House and Senate Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) by sending a tweet? Share on Twitter Thanks @JohnCornyn for standing w/ the Syrian people by cutting US ties with Syrian weapons dealers @endgenocide pls RT Share on Twitter Thanks @Jim_Moran for standing w/ the Syrian people by cutting US ties with Syrian weapons dealers @endgenocide pls RT Our campaign — and this legislation targeting Rosoboronexport — will add critical economic pressure on Russia who is providing direct aid and assistance to Assad's murderous regime. Russia is one of the main reasons why there hasn't been stronger international action on Syria. Not only have they sold the Assad regime attack helicopters, they've blocked action at the UN, delivered planes with 200 tons of "bank notes" for Assad, and Russian made cluster bombs were used in a Thanksgiving day attack that killed 11 children who were gathered in a field where kids regularly play. We know the Syrian people are still at risk. Even as we are celebrating this victory, the Syrian regime has cut off internet access to the entire country. But with this legislation — and strong support from people like you — we've taken an important step forward and we will continue to seek opportunities for us to stand with the Syrian people. Thank you for all you do, Tom Andrews President United to End Genocide
		ABOUT UNITED TO END GENOCIDE We are United to End Genocide, the largest activist organization in America dedicated to preventing and ending genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. We are faith leaders, students, artists, investors and genocide survivors, and all those who believe we must fulfill the promise the world made following the Holocaust — "Never Again!"

Despite Demanding ‘Bipartisan Discussions’ On Health Reform, Republicans To Vote On Repeal Without Hearings 3JAN11

THE gop and their tea-bagger allies in the House plan on bringing a bill to repeal the health care reform legislation passed last year for a vote on 12 JAN 11. This is the opening salvo of republicorp's attempts to completely take over the American government and establish a plutocracy, enshrining the economic disparity that is wreaking havoc on the poor, the working class and the middle class as the predominant political force in the nation. Keep in mind these same House members will not eliminate their own government run health care coverage, nor with they ever take any action to curb the corporate welfare system or the greed of the military-industrial complex. God help us if they succeed.....we can only hope and pray the Senate and Pres. Obama have the courage and strength to stop their assaults on the rest of us.....This from Think Progress
Politico reported this afternoon that House Republicans will hold a vote on January 12th to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Democrats quickly accused the new majority of bringing the measure to the floor without allowing time for adequate debate or bipartisan negotiation. During a joint appearance on MSNBC’s Hardball this afternoon with Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) argued that Republicans will force the Congress to vote on repeal without first considering the consequences of completely eliminating the measure:

MORAN: We had 80 bipartisan hearings, we made this bill available for a month to consider before we brought it to the floor. They’re going to bring it right to the floor. This party supposedly of transparency and open government, right to the floor without any hearings.
MATTHEWS: January 12th, without any hearings.
MORAN: Without any hearings.
LUNGREN: Oh no, the hearings have been held on under Obamacare…
MORAN: Not considering the ramifications, the adverse consequences of repealing it and it’s a whole new bill you’re talking about now.

Watch it:


Indeed, Democrats in the House held “79 bipartisan hearings and markups” since 2008, incorporated Republican amendments and posted the original House bill online for 30 days. Republicans, meanwhile, intend to post the repeal legislation tonight but have not announced any formal hearings or plans to bring Democrats into the process.
But throughout the 15-month health reform debate, the GOP repeatedly accused Democrats of ramming through the health care bill without going through a bipartisan process. In February 2010, for instance, Speaker-elect Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and incoming Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) wrote a letter to President Obama endorsing his call for a bipartisan health care summit and encouraging Democrats to scrap the existing bill and start over in a bipartisan fashion. “In fact, you may remember that last May, Republicans asked President Obama to hold bipartisan discussions on health care in an attempt to find common ground, but he declined and instead chose to work with only Democrats,” they began.
The two Republican leaders argued that “our ability to move forward in a bipartisan way through this discussion rests on openness and transparency” and asked Obama to invite Governors and experts to participate in the discussions before moving forward with reform. “‘Bipartisanship’ is not writing proposals of your own behind closed doors, then unveiling them and demanding Republican support,” they said. “Bipartisan ends require bipartisan means.”
Earlier today, the Washington Post’s Greg Sargent reported that Democrats intend to discuss the consequences of undoing the measure on the House floor and through a series of amendments.