Washington–(ENEWSPF)–May 10, 2013.  AFT President Randi Weingarten offers her reflections as Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close. “America’s teachers are extraordinary. For teachers, their work is a calling—we are women and men who dedicate our lives to ensuring that every child can not only dream his or her dreams[Read More…]

Legislation establishes safeguards to protect water during fracking activities Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 10, 2013. Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) joined with her colleague Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) to reintroduce the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC Act).   A hydraulic fracturing rig in Pennsylvania. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013.  Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee debated and voted on a number of amendments addressing border enforcement, making improvements and leaving intact core elements of the S.744 immigration bill that strengthens civil and human rights and creates a clear and direct roadmap to citizenship for aspiring Americans.[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013.  Today, each and every one of the eight Republican members of the Senate Committee for Environment and Public Works refused to do their jobs, failing to attend the confirmation hearing for EPA nominee Gina McCarthy and delaying a confirmation vote despite receiving answers to more than[Read More…]

McCarthy deserves to be confirmed as EPA administrator Washington, D.C. –(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013. Gina McCarthy’s confirmation vote in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today was blocked by a Republican boycott of the committee’s scheduled meeting. By not showing up, the panel’s Republican members prevented the quorum necessary for[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013 – A boycott by Republicans delayed a vote planned today in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following is a statement from Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council: “Make no[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013.  According to news reports, Vice President Joe Biden said recently that he is against granting a permit for construction of the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline, but he is “in the minority” in the Obama administration. Here is the reaction of Erich Pica, president[Read More…]

Three Amendments by Appalachian Senators Seek to Turn Back the Clock on Critical Clean Water Protections Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013.  Three amendments to the Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) by Senators Paul (KY) and Manchin (WV) would effectively end key federal clean water protections for millions of Americans. These[Read More…]

Poison pill amendments cannot delay achieving commonsense immigration reform WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 8, 2013.  The day before formal mark-up of the Senate immigration bill begins, the multitude of amendments submitted last night revealed promising improvements to the bill and poison pill attempts to delay the roadmap to citizenship for aspiring citizens[Read More…]

Bill will help improve access to mental health and medical services, reduce wait times for children to get the care they need Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–May 8, 2013.  The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announce their support for H.R. 1827: Pediatric Subspecialty[Read More…]