November, 15 2012, 03:14pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ali Jost, 202-730-7159,Mark McCullough, 202-730-7283,Kawana Lloyd, 202-730-7087
Speaker Boehner Should Listen to Protesters, Extend Middle Class Tax Cuts Immediately
WASHINGTON
As residents of the District of Columbia protest outside of Speaker Boehner's office today, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:
"The President's call to extend the tax cuts for the middle class immediately is the right approach to keep our economy moving. The Senate has already voted to extend those tax cuts for the 98% of Americans who make less than $250,000. Now is the time for Speaker Boehner to follow their lead.
"I am inspired today by the DC residents who are stepping up and making their voices heard at the protest outside of the Speaker's office. Despite lacking representation in Congress, community leaders and residents are taking democracy into their own hands by calling on Speaker Boehner to extend the middle class tax cuts now.
"Extending the middle class tax cuts and investing in job creation will help keep our economic recovery going, which is the best way to reduce the deficit in the long run. We urge both the President and Congress to reach an agreement that strengthens the middle class by extending the middle class tax cuts, investing in jobs and protecting Medicaid, Medicare and vital services."
With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.
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Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas on Tuesday again blocked the passage of House-approved bipartisan legislation meant to shield journalists and telecommunications companies from being compelled to disclose sources and other information to federal authorities.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) brought the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act—which would prohibit the federal government from forcing journalists and telecom companies to disclose certain information, with exceptions for terroristic or violent threats—for a unanimous consent vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued Tuesday that passing the PRESS Act is "more important now than ever before when we've heard some in the previous administration talk about going after the press in one way or another," a reference to Republican President-elect Donald Trump's threats to jail journalists who refuse to reveal the sources of leaks. Trump, who has referred to the press as the "enemy of the people," repeatedly urged Senate Republicans to "kill this bill."
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Trump has picked Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. She has stated that it must be "made unsafe" for hospitals to provide trans care, and frequently shares Libs of TikTok posts. She intends to target trans people in blue states. Subscribe to support my journalism.
[image or embed]
— Erin Reed (@erininthemorning.com) December 10, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Reed continued:
Dhillon's most prominent work includes founding the Center for American Liberty, a legal organization that focuses heavily on anti-transgender cases in blue states. The organization's "featured cases" section highlights several lawsuits, such as Chloe Cole's case against Kaiser Permanente; a lawsuit challenging a Colorado school's use of a transgender student's preferred name; a case against a California school district seeking to implement policies that would forcibly out transgender students; and a lawsuit against Vermont for denying a foster care license to a family unwilling to comply with nondiscrimination policies regarding transgender youth.
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