Happy Earth Day

In the 1970s, the President passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and created the Environmental Protection Agency. His name was Richard Nixon. Environmental policy hasn't always been a partisan issue -- but it sure is now. President Obama has made historic investments in building a clean energy economy, creating jobs, and boosting our use of clean, renewable energy. At the same time, Mitt Romney and other GOP leaders are still questioning whether climate change is actually real -- or in many cases saying outright it isn't. Right now, there's only one party proudly working to protect the environment -- and that's the Democrats. Stand with the party standing for the environment today. Here's just a hint of what we could expect under a Mitt Romney, Republican presidency: -- The rolling back of our Clean Water Act and Clean Air Acts. -- Opposition to regulating any carbon emissions. -- Continued subsidies to Big Oil. -- And of course, someone who says the cause of climate change is "unknown." These aren't political attacks, they're facts. Romney's on the record for all of it. Consider this: his campaign is being boosted by a pledge of $200 million from groups with ties to the Koch Brothers. They currently run the U.S.'s second-largest privately held company, and made their fortune in petroleum and energy. There's no doubt whose side Romney's on. If we're not ready to win this thing right out of the gate, our future Earth Days won't be any cause for celebration. This Earth Day, take a moment to make sure we get another four years to keep moving things forward. Say you stand with Democrats today: http://my.democrats.org/Stand-for-the-environment-with-Dems Thanks, Patrick Patrick Gaspard Executive Director Democratic National Committee Via: Email to Wasim E

Update: How your Elected Officials on Capitol Hill from Virginia Voted.

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act House: Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act Senate: 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 House: Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 House: 2013 budget resolution

Recent Senate Votes

Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act - Vote Passed (73-26, 1 Not Voting) This bill would ease reporting and regulatory requirements for small businesses trying to raise capital in order to take the company public. The House passed the bill on March 8, 2012. The Senate adopted an amendment to the bill which will require the House to vote again. It is expected the House will pass the bill this week and send the bill to the president. Sen. Mark Warner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim Webb voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (223-181, 4 Present, 23 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) and cap damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. IPAB was created by the 2010 health care law and is charged with finding savings in Medicare spending. It has no members yet. The Senate is unlikely to take up the bill. 1st Rep. Rob Wittman                 YES......send e-mail or see bio   2ed Rep. Scott Rigell                  YES......send e-mail or see bio   3ed Rep. Robert Scott                 NO.......send e-mail or see bio  4th Rep. J. Randy Forbes           YES......send e-mail or see bio  5th Rep. Robert Hurt                   YES......send e-mail or see bio  6th Rep. Robert Goodlatte         YES......send e-mail or see bio   7th Rep. Eric Cantor                   YES.......send e-mail or see bio   8th Rep. James Moran                 NO.......send e-mail or see bio  10th Rep. Frank Wolf                   YES......send e-mail or see bio   11th Rep. Gerald Connolly          NO.......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act - S.2204 This Senate bill would eliminate tax breaks for the oil and gas industry. 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 - S.1789 The Senate is scheduled to hold a test vote on this bill to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service. Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 - H.R.4239 The House is scheduled to take up a 90-day transportation bill in order to give congressional leaders time to work out a long-term bill. 2013 budget resolution - H.CON.RES.__ Later this week, the House will take up its fiscal 2013 budget proposal. Source:  http://www.congress.org/

This is Recent Senate Votes in United State Congress.

This is what happening on Capitol Hill, DC..


Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act - Vote Passed (74-22, 4 Not Voting)

The Senate passed this $109 billion bill that would fund transportation programs and projects for the next two years. It is unclear at this time whether the House will pass a two or five year bill.

Sen. Mark Warner voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 
Sen. Jim Webb voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act
• House: Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011

Upcoming Votes

Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act - H.R.3606 The Senate is scheduled to take up this House-passed bill that is intended to make it easier for small and mid-sized companies to go public. Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011 - H.R.5 This House bill would place caps on damages in certain medical malpractice lawsuits.