The POPVOX Blog

Articles From March 2012

1. Issue Spotlight: Vietnam Veterans Day

   by rachna on March 30, 2012

   Yesterday, President Obama signed a proclamation declaring March 29 as "Vietnam Veterans Day." The last American troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973. (Read the President's proclamation.)

   In honor of Vietnam Veterans Day, POPVOX is spotlighting bills related to Vietnam veterans. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share the list with your friends and networks. And for those of you who are veterans, thank you for your service.

   Issue Spotlight: Vietnam Veterans Day

   • S 2255 Adds Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day as a patriotic and National observance.
   • H Res 601 Expresses support for designation of a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
   • S 1629 The Agent Orange Equity Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
   • HR 3612 The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act clarifies presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam.
   • HR 2634 The Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act provides assistance for certain individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enhance the availability of medical care for descendants of veterans of the Vietnam era.
   • S 873 Provides benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era outside Vietnam.

   See other Issue Spotlights.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

2. Response to the Research Works Act

   by rachna on March 30, 2012

   Response to the Research Works Act (HR 3699)

   The Research Works Act, which would prohibit Federal agencies from disseminating publicly-funded research without publisher consent, was withdrawn by its sponsors on Feb. 27, 2012. As the bill sponsors explained:

   "We want Americans concerned about access to research and other participants in this debate to know we will not be taking legislative action on HR 3699, the Research Works Act."

   POPVOX analyzed the comments left by our users opposing the bill to identify the key arguments among self-identified researchers, students, and others. Ken Tai, on POPVOX's marketing team, created this infographic outlining these key arguments.

   

   You can see all the comments sent to Congress on the Research Works Act on the HR 3699 Bill Report. 

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

3. PRESS CLIP: For The 99% – Online Engagement As The New Democracy

   by annalee on March 29, 2012

   For The 99% – Online Engagement As The New Democracy on Women2.0

4. Issue Spotlight: The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, goes to the Supreme Court

   by rachna on March 26, 2012

   Today, all eyes are on the Supreme Court, as oral arguments begin over the Affordable Care Act -- the federal health-care law frequently called “Obamacare.” But Congress has been introducing legislation repealing the law, or parts of it, for months now. We’ve put together a list of some bills related to the Affordable Care Act. We hope you’ll weigh in and share this list with your friends and networks.

   The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, goes to the Supreme Court

   • HR 4224 The OPTION (Offering Patients True Individualized Options Now) Act fully repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, provides 100% deductibility for all health care expenses, including health insurance; increases contribution limits to Health Savings Accounts; moves Medicare to a premium assistance program; and allows consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines, according to the bill sponsor.
   • HRes 475 expresses the sense of the House that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.
   • HR 191 The Public Option Deficit Reduction Act amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish a public health insurance option.
   • HR 3194 amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to expand access to high risk pools.
   • HR 3558 The Americans Need A Healthcare Ruling Act amends the tax code to provide that the prohibition on suits to restrain assessment or collection of tax does not apply to the tax provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
   • S 19 The American Liberty Restoration Act restores American’s individual liberty by striking the Federal mandate to purchase insurance.
   • HR 1683 The State Flexibility Act restores the longstanding partnership between States and the Federal Government in managing the Medicaid program.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

5. Issue Spotlight: Women's History Month

   by rachna on March 26, 2012

   March is Women's History Month, so POPVOX is spotlighting bills related to the current lives and history of American women.

   In 1981, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah and Rep. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland (now Senator Mikulski) co-sponsored the first resolution designating the week of March 8th as “Women’s History Week.” Then, in 1987, Congress declared March to be "National Women's History Month." (For more information: the Senate page on Women's History Month and the National Women's History Project.) We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

   Issue Spotlight: Women's History Month

   • HRes 165 Supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month.
   • HR 655 The Susan B. Anthony Birthday Act honors Susan B. Anthony by celebrating her legacy on the third Monday in February.
   • HR 1303 The Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the posthumous award of a congressional gold medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, her election as the first African-American woman in Congress, and her campaign to be the first African-American to gain the nomination of a major political party for U.S. President.
   • S 1745 The Alice Paul Women's Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal in commemoration of Alice Paul, to recognize her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women. (Also HR 2970.)
   • HR 1269 The National Women's History Museum Act authorizes the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in the District of Columbia to provide for the establishment of a National Women's History Museum. (Also S 680.)
   • HJRes 47 Removes the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. (Also SJRes 39.)
   • HJRes 69 Proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution relative to equal rights for men and women. (Also SJRes 21.)
   • HR 2346 The Balancing Act amends the FMLA to establish a Family and Medical Insurance Program, which may involve contracts with state programs, for 12 workweeks of family and medical leave insurance benefits.
   • HR 1493 The Fair Pay Act prohibits discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Also S 788.)
   • HR 1519 The Paycheck Fairness Act provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex. (Also S 797.)
   • HR 2315 The Women WIN Jobs Act (Women and Workforce Investment for Nontraditional Jobs Act) allocates grants to states with approved state plans to provide funding to eligible entities (partnerships) to increase low-income women's participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations in which women make up less than 25% of the current workforce. (Also S 1252.)
   • HR 1928 The Women's Fair and Equal Right to Military Service Act repeals the ground combat exclusion policy for female members of the Armed Forces.
   • HR 889 The Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act promoting gender parity in the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the university faculty level.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

6. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/19

   by rachna on March 25, 2012

   Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

   Round Up: Week of 3/19

   • HR 5 The Protecting Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act incorporates the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act, as reported by the Judiciary and Energy and Commerce Committees; and HR 452, the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, as reported by the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees.
   • HR 3606 The Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act: The Senate begins consideration of the House passed JOBS Act.
   • HR 4224 The OPTION (Offering Patients True Individualized Options Now) Act repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, provides 100% deductibility for all health care expenses, including health insurance; increases contribution limits to Health Savings Accounts; moves Medicare to a premium assistance program; and allows consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines, according to the bill sponsor.
   • HR 9 The Small Business Tax Cut Act allows small businesses with fewer than 500 employees to take a tax deduction equal to 20% of their active business income, irrespective of how the small business is organized.
   • SJ Res 39 SJ Res 39: removes the deadline for ERA ratification.
   • S 2210 The No Pay Raise for Congress Act provides that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during 2013.
   • S 2219 The DISCLOSE Act amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities.
   • S 2213 The Respecting States’ Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act allows reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.
   • HR 4225 The School Environment Protection Act requires schools to implement integrated pest management programs to minimize the use of pesticides in schools and provides parents, guardians, and employees with notice of the use of pesticides in schools.
   • HR 4221 The Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act creates jobs in the United States by increasing United States exports to Africa by at least 200 percent in real dollar value within 10 years.
   • HR 4210 The Restore our Neighborhoods Act provides $4,000,000,000 in new funding through bonding to empower States to undertake significant residential and commercial structure demolition projects in urban and other targeted areas.
   • HR 4208 The Fisheries Investment and Regulatory Relief Act (HR 4208 and S 2184) provides exclusive funding to support fisheries and the communities that rely upon them, and clear unnecessary regulatory burdens and streamline Federal fisheries management.
   • HR 4212 The Contaminated Drywall Safety Act designates drywall manufactured in China a banned hazardous product.
   • S 2205 The Second Amendment Sovereignty Act prohibits funding to negotiate a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty that restricts the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
   • HR 4203 The Women’s Procurement Program Improvement Act amends the Small Business Act with respect to the procurement program for women-owned small business concerns.
   • HR 4204 HR 4204 requires certain warning labels to be placed on video games that are given certain ratings due to violent content.
   • HR 3992 HR 3392 allows otherwise eligible Israeli nationals to receive E-2 nonimmigrant visas if similarly situated United States nationals are eligible for similar nonimmigrant status in Israel.
   • S 2189 The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act clarifies appropriate standards for Federal antidiscrimination and antiretaliation claims.
   • S 2195 The Congressional and Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act requires Members and employees of Congress and other Federal employees who file under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to disclose delinquent tax liability.
   • S 2197 The Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act requires the attorney for the Government to disclose favorable information to the defendant in criminal prosecutions brought by the U.S.
   • S 2196 The Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act provides higher-quality, lower-cost health care to seniors.
   • S 2201 American Energy and Job Promotion Act amends the tax code to extend the renewable energy credit.
   • S 2198 The Commonsense Contractor Compensation Act implements common sense controls on the taxpayer-funded salaries of government contractors by limiting reimbursement for excessive compensation equal to the pay of the US President.
   • S 2200 The Saving Family Farms Act amends the tax code to exempt certain family-owned farms and businesses from the estate tax.
   • HR 4200 HR 4200 amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.
   • HR 4197 HR 4197 extends the authority to provide loan guarantees to Israel.
   • HR 4199 The Jets for Vets Act amends the tax code to close the corporate jet depreciation loophole and to increase the work opportunity tax credit for veterans.
   • HR 4201 The Servicemember Family Protection Act provides for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces.
   • HR 4198 The Grand Canyon Tourism Jobs Projection Act provides standards for determining whether the substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of the Grand Canyon National Park has been achieved and to clarify regulatory authority with respect to commercial air tours operating over the Park.
   • HR 4078 The Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act provides that no agency may take any significant regulatory action until the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 6.0 percent.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

7. Issue Spotlight: Tobacco and Smoking

   by kentai on March 21, 2012

   According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American consumers spent approximately $90 billion on tobacco products in 2006 and currently, almost 20% of American adults smoke cigarettes. We wanted to highlight a variety of bills related to smoking and tobacco. The POPVOX team hopes you'll take the opportunity to weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

   Issue Spotlight: Tobacco and Smoking

   • HR 3382 The Smoke-Free Federal Buildings Act prohibits smoking in and around Federal buildings.
   • HR 1639 The Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Job Preservation Act (and S 1461) amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the Food and Drug Administration's jurisdiction over certain tobacco products, and to protect jobs and small businesses involved in the sale, manufacturing and distribution of traditional and premium cigars.
   • S 1403 Saving Lives by Lowering Tobacco Use Act (IDEA Full Funding Act) amends part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such part.
   • HR 65 The Candy Tobacco Tax Parity Act amends the tax code to provide for the taxation of smokeless tobacco products sold as discrete single-use units.
   • HR 4134 HR 4134 amends the tax code to clarify that any person who, for a commercial purpose, makes available for consumer use a machine capable of producing tobacco products, is a manufacturer of tobacco products.
   • HR 3186 The Smuggled Tobacco Prevention Act (and S 1706) amends the tax code of 1986 to reduce tobacco smuggling.

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

8. PRESS CLIP: Marci Harris of POPVOX: “Just Do It. It Will Never Be Unscary”

   by annalee on March 19, 2012

   Marci Harris of POPVOX: "Just Do It. It Will Never Be Unscary" on TechCocktail

9. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/12

   by rachna on March 18, 2012

   Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

   Round Up: Week of 3/12

   • HR 3606 The JOBS Act jumpstarts our economy and restore opportunities for America’s primary job creators: our small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, according to the House Majority Leader
   • S 2188 The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act provides a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State.
   • S 2190 The CROWDFUND Act amends the securities laws to provide for registration exemptions for certain crowdfunded securities. (Just introduced.)
   • S 1813 Map-21 reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs. (Just introduced.)
   • S 2170 The Hatch Act Modernization Act allows state and local government employees covered by the Hatch Act to run for partisan elective office; and provides the Merit Systems Protection Board - the independent federal agency that adjudicates Hatch Act complaints - with flexibility to issue a range of penalties for Hatch Act violations. (The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939 and last amended in 1993, is a federal law that restricts political activity of federal employees, as well as state, local, and DC government employees whose positions are federally funded.) (According to the bill sponsors.) (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4158 HR 4158 confirms full ownership rights for certain U.S. astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts’ space missions. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4160 The State Health Flexibility Act replaces the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance program with a block grant to the States. (Just introduced.)
   • HRes 578 HRes 578 supports the goals and ideals of National Right to Keep and Bear Arms Week. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4173 Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act directs the President to appoint a high-level U.S. representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of ensuring that the U.S. pursues all diplomatic avenues to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, to avoid a war with Iran. (Just introduced.)

   Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

10. PRESS CLIP: At the SXSW festival, a large D.C. presence

    by annalee on March 18, 2012

    The Download: At the SXSW festival, a large D.C. presence on Washington Post: Capital Business

11. Issue Spotlight: Sunshine Week

    by rachna on March 16, 2012

    Sunshine Week (March 11 - 17) is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information, according to sunshineweek.org. For Sunshine Week, POPVOX is spotlighting a variety of bills related to government transparency and access to information. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

    Issue Spotlight: Sunshine Week

    • HR 2340 The Transparency in Government Act improves access to information in the legislative and executive branches of the Government.
    • HR 4010 The DISCLOSE Act provides for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and other entities
    • S 2198 The Commonsense Contractor Compensation Act implements common sense controls on the taxpayer-funded salaries of government contractors by limiting reimbursement for excessive compensation equal to the pay of the U.S. President.
    • HR 2339 The Lobbyist Disclosure Enhancement Act creates a Lobbying Disclosure Act Task Force, and makes certain modifications to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
    • HR 1974 The Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act requires the Public Printer to establish and maintains a website accessible to the public that allows the public to obtain electronic copies of all congressionally mandated reports in one place.
    • HR 1564 The Faster FOIA Act establishes the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays.
    • S 717 The Public Online Information Act (POIA) requires publicly available Government information held by the executive branch to be made available on the Internet and expresses the sense of Congress that publicly available information held by the legislative and judicial branches should be available on the Internet. (Also HR 1349.)
    • HR 2146 The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act requires accountability and transparency in Federal spending.
    • HR 3071 The Presidential Records Act Amendments amends the Presidential Records Act to establish procedures for the consideration of claims of constitutionally based privilege against disclosure of Presidential records.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

12. PRESS CLIP: Internet Killed the Political Party Star?

    by annalee on March 15, 2012

    Internet Killed the Political Party Star? in The American Prospect

13. Team Changes

    by marci on March 14, 2012

     

    
    Today POPVOX announces that co-founder Josh Tauberer, a pioneer in the world of open government, is moving onto a new phase in his work for  government transparency. Since joining the team in July 2010, “Dr. T” has built a robust tool that closes the gap between citizens and Congress.  While we will miss him, we are excited to watch him continue his work through GovTrack, consulting, public speaking, and the release of his new book, Open Government Data.

    The entire team is extremely grateful for the talent and insight he has brought to POPVOX and wish him the very best!

     

     

     

14. PRESS CLIP: Unleash America's Grassroots Investors With Crowdfunding

    by annalee on March 13, 2012

    Unleash America's Grassroots Investors With Crowdfunding on Huff Post Politics Blog

15. PRESS CLIP: The Daily Caller

    by annalee on March 12, 2012

    Joe Trippi at SXSW: ‘It’s not possible for [Obama] to change things’ in Washington on The Daily Caller

16. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 3/5

    by rachna on March 11, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 3/5

    • HR 3606 The JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act is a legislative package designed to jumpstart our economy and restore opportunities for America’s primary job creators: our small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, according to the House Majority Leader. (House vote this week.) 
    • HR 4146 The Upper Mississippi CARP Act authorizes the Secretary of the Army to take actions to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River in Minnesota. (And S 2164.) (Just introduced.)
    • S 2165 S 2165 enhances strategic cooperation between the US and Israel. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2162 S 2162 provides for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed-upon properties and for the stabilization of affected neighborhoods. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4144 The Strengthening Economic Development Through Affordable Housing Act allows participating States to provide program funds to community development housing organizations for development of affordable housing. (Just introduced.)
    • HRes 573 H.Res. 573 supports the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4141 The International Food Assistance Improvement Act directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to take appropriate actions to improve the nutritional quality, quality control, and cost effectiveness of U.S. food assistance. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4132 The FAST Act expedites approval of drugs for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4135 The Western Hemisphere Energy Security Act permits the US companies to participate in the exploration for and the extraction of hydrocarbon resources from any portion of a foreign maritime exclusive economic zone that is contiguous to the exclusive economic zone of the US. (Just introduced.)
    • S 2160 S 2160 improves the examination of depository institutions. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 452 The Medicare Decisions Accountability Act repeals the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act providing for the Independent Payment Advisory Board. (Committee markup Monday.)
    • HR 4105 HR 4105 applies the countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to nonmarket economy countries. (House vote this week.)
    • HR 2842 The Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act authorizes all Bureau of Reclamation conduit facilities for hydropower development under Federal Reclamation law. (House vote this week.)
    • HR 4106 The Working Families Flexibility Act permits employees to request, and ensures employers consider requests for, flexible work terms and conditions. (And S 2142) (Just introduced.)
    • SRes 386 SRes 386 - a resolution calling for free and fair elections in Iran. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4126 The Voter ID Accessibility Act amends the Motor Voter Law to expand access to photo identification in those states that require it for voting. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 4128 The Real Unemployment Calculation Act requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to factor, as the primary measurement of unemployment by the federal government, individuals who give up looking for work—currently reflected in the U-5 calculation, according to the bill sponsor. (Just introduced.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

17. Issue Spotlight: International Women's Day

    by rachna on March 8, 2012

    International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, according to internationalwomensday.com. On this International Women's Day, March 8, POPVOX is spotlighting a variety of bills related to women internationally and in the U.S. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

    Issue Spotlight: International Women's Day

    • HR 418 International Women’s Freedom Act of 2011 expresses the U.S. foreign policy with respect to, and to strengthen U.S. advocacy on behalf of, individuals persecuted and denied their rights in foreign countries on account of gender.
    • H Res 20 HRes 20 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
    • H J Res 31 HJRes 31 amends the U.S. Constitution relating to equality of rights and reproductive rights.
    • H J Res 69 The Equal Rights Amendment proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution relative to equal rights for men and women.
    • H J Res 47 HJRes 47 removes the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.
    • S 414 The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Marriage Act protects girls in developing countries through the prevention of child marriage.
    • HR 4106 The Working Families Flexibility Act permits employees to request, and ensures employers consider requests for, flexible work terms and conditions.(Just introduced.)
    • HR 1493 The Fair Pay Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin.
    • HR 1519 The Paycheck Fairness Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide more effective remedies to victims of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

18. Issue Spotlight: Higher Education and Student Loans

    by rachna on March 5, 2012

    The first Tuesday in March may be designated as “National Public Higher Education Day”. So, we’re spotlighting higher education and student loan bills pending before Congress. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

    Issue Spotlight: Higher Education and Student Loans

    • S Res 384 SRes 384 designates the first Tuesday in March as "National Public Higher Education Day".
    • H Res 319 HRes 319 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that adding art and design into Federal programs that target the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields encourages innovation and economic growth in the U.S.
    • HR 3764 The Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act revises the 90-10 rule under the High Education Act of 1965 to count veterans’ education benefits under such rule, protecting veteran students from predatory practices at for-profit institutions, according to the bill sponsor.
    • S 1139 The Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act provides that interest shall not accrue on Federal Direct Loans for members of the Armed Forces on active duty regardless of the date of disbursement.
    • S 1068 The Student Loan Simplification and Opportunity Act (and HR 2732) provides for temporary student loan debt conversion authority, giving borrowers with both FFEL debt and Direct Loan debt the option to convert their FFEL loans to Direct Loans during a nine-month period (January 1, 2012 – October 1, 2012.), according to the bill sponsor.
    • HR 2410 The College Debt Swap Act establishes a temporary private education loan debt consolidation program to assist eligible borrowers in refinancing all or a portion of their private education debt as Federal Direct Consolidation Loans.
    • HR 3826 HR 3826 (and S 2051) extends the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans.
    • HR 925 The Fast Track to College Act authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early college high schools and other dual enrollment programs.
    • S Res 274 S Res 274 expresses the sense of the Senate that funding for the Federal Pell Grant program should not be cut in any deficit reduction program.

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

19. The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)

    by rachna on March 2, 2012

    On October 1, 2011, eight Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiating partners -- including the United States -- signed a plurilateral agreement concerning the enforcement of intellectual property rights. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), ACTA is "a groundbreaking initiative by key trading partners to strengthen the international legal framework for effectively combating global proliferation of commercial-scale counterfeiting and piracy." (Read the full text of the agreement.)

    The USTR believes that ACTA does not require any change to US law, so it therefore should not need Congressional approval. However, Senator Ron Wyden and others believe that ACTA should be approved by Congress. In a letter to President Obama, Senator Wyden wrote that "regardless of whether the agreement requires changes in U.S. law…the executive branch lacks constitutional authority to enter a binding international agreement covering issues delegated by the Constitution to Congress’ authority, absent congressional approval." (Read the full letter.)

    At this point, no bill or resolution related to ACTA has been introduced in Congress. However, you can now weigh in on whether Congress should consider ACTA. 

    What’s your Position on Requiring Congress to Review ACTA?

    By supporting, you will be telling Congress that ACTA should be considered by Congress.

    By opposing, you will be telling Congress that ACTA does not need Congressional approval to become law.

     

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill or an issue doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.

20. Issue Spotlight: The JOBS Act

    by rachna on March 1, 2012

    According to the House Majority Leader, "the JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act is a legislative package designed to jumpstart our economy and restore opportunities for America’s primary job creators: our small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs." We hope you'll weigh in on these bills and share them with your friends and networks using our new share tools on the bottom of each bill page!

    Issue Spotlight: the JOBS Act

    • HR 3606 The Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act increases American job creation and economic growth by improving access to the public capital markets for emerging growth companies.
    • HR 2940 The Access to Capital for Job Creators Act directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to eliminate the prohibition against general solicitation as a requirement for a certain exemption under Regulation D. (Passed in the House on November 3, 2011 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.)
    • HR 2930 The Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act amends the securities laws to provide for registration exemptions for certain crowdfunded securities. (Passed in the House on November 3, 2011 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.)
    • HR 1070 The Small Company Capital Formation Act amends the Securities Act of 1933 to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a certain class of securities from such Act. (Passed in the House on November 2, 2011 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.)
    • HR 2167 The Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to change the threshold number of shareholders for required registration under that Act.
    • HR 4088 The Capital Expansion Act amends the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration.(Senate version is S 1941.)

    Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.