Tag Archives: U.S. House

Yesterday House and Senate Democrats wasted no time in announcing their plan to overturn the remaining portion of DOMA by reintroducing the Respect For Marriage Act. The Supreme Court Wednesday threw out just one section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) wants to strike the law’s death blow. Nadler and Sen. Dianne Feinstein …

It’s a cavalcade of crackpottery and ALL of them have the Supreme sadz. Worth watching for every moment of bitter, bitter, delicious tears. Louie Gohmert, Vicki Hartlzer, John Fleming, AND Crazy Eyes. ENJOY!

According to the Associated Press, it is “near certain” that the Senate will approve its immigration reform bill.  Rather surprisingly, Rep. Paul Ryan said today he believes the House will approve its version of the bill too. Some GOP lawmakers have appealed to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, not to permit any immigration legislation to come to a vote for …

Outing kingpin Mike Rogers, once known as “the most feared man in Washington,” is hinting that he may soon expose a closeted member of Congress. There’s a big difference between outing and reporting. I’m a reporter, I report on hypocrisy,” Rogers told U.S. News. “If I have one case that’s off, I’m out of the business, [but] I will never …

Chris Johnson reports at Washington Blade: President Obama energized attendees at the annual Pride reception held at the White House on Thursday by saying “we need to get” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act passed. Citing a letter he said he received from a PFLAG mom from Ohio named “Susan” expressing concern that LGBT people aren’t protected from harassment in the workplace, …

“President Obama is continuing his war on free speech. With the IRS trying to intimidate and silence conservative groups, and the Justice Department digging into the phone records of reporters, it’s no surprise that the president also wants to deny First Amendment rights to our Armed Forces. With its statement, the White House is now endorsing military reprimands of members …

Rep. Michele Bachmann announced this morning that she won’t run for reelection in 2014. According to the video posted on her website, her decision not to run has nothing to do with the current ethics probe into her failed presidential campaign. Uh huh. She said in a video posted on her campaign website that four two-year terms was enough time …

Michele Bachmann came thisclose to losing her House seat in November and she’s already launched her first television ads of the 2014 campaign. Bachmann, a conservative firebrand who waged an unsuccessful 2012 presidential campaign, has bought around $85,000 in TV airtime in the suburban Twin Cities area, National Journal reported, citing Federal Communications Commission records and an ad-buying source. The …

Two days ago JMG reader Rob sent me this note: “Dear Joe, My partner & I met with our congressman, Rep. David Scott, yesterday and he told us that he completely supports marriage equality. He stated that he was a guest at Barney Frank’s wedding. He said that he would be willing to look at the Respect for Marriage Act …

At a Wisconsin town hall meeting, Rep. Paul Ryan said that while he still opposes same-sex marriage, he now supports gay adoption. Rebecca Leber and Zack Ford have the scoop at Think Progress: Confronted by an audience member about his anti-LGBT voting record — Ryan earned a “zero percent” score on gay rights from the Human Rights Campaign — the …

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) endorsed marriage equality today. Kind, a La Crosse Democrat whose Third Congressional District includes Chippewa Falls and Dunn County, made the announcement this morning on his Facebook page, saying in part, “My 18-year marriage to Tawni has taught me that we’re both stronger because we love and support each other. I support marriage equality because if …

Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN) endorsed marriage equality today. In a statement issued Thursday, Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said he supports marriage equality for all couples and believes “every single American should be able to marry the person they love.” “I believe that we can no longer allow the states to discriminate against same sex-marriages. Rather, I believe that the federal government should …

As more and more Senate Democrats add their names to the list of marriage equality supporters, JMG reader Hong has compiled a list of House Democrats who’ve not yet publicly stated their support. Check out names below and please let us know if anybody doesn’t belong on this list. And get to work reaching out to your rep if they’ve …

“I’ve supported Delaware’s journey toward marriage equality because I believe the law should recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples. As a Catholic and as an elected official, I’ve been dedicated to striking the balance between honoring the religious sacrament of marriage, while allowing same-sex couples to enjoy legal recognition of their committed relationships. That’s why — starting as Lieutenant …

Almost half of the sitting members of Congress today filed a joint Supreme Court brief in the support of the overturn of DOMA. Via press release: Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Ranking Constitution Subcommittee Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) in the House, and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in the Senate, along with …

The ultra right-wing Club For Growth announced today that they will put up a primary challenger to closet case Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) because he isn’t teabagger enough. After citing a litany of “liberal votes” made by Schock, the group closes their letter to him with this: Congressman Schock, your liberal record speaks for itself. You understandably would like to …

The House has approved the LGBT-inclusive Violence Against Women Act over the vehement objections of anti-gay hate groups. The Violence Against Women Act was first passed in 1994, but it expired in 2011 and was not renewed last year. The act provides federal assistance to health care providers and law enforcement agencies that prosecute domestic violence.  When the bill passed …

Last week Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) declared his candidacy for John Kerry’s Senate seat.  Should Markey win, openly gay Massachusetts state Rep. Carl Sciortino will run for his House seat. “I am running to continue the strong progressive leadership that the families of the Fifth District have always counted on,” Sciortino said in a statement. “I look forward to bringing …

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) resigned from Congress three months ago amid corruption accusations and after being treated for depression. NBC News reports today that he has signed a plea deal that may result in prison time. Jackson’s case is being handled by the US Attorney’s office in Washington DC. While no public announcement is expected today, those with …

Openly gay Rep. Jared Polis today introduced a House bill that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana and allow states to collect taxes on legal sales. Polis said he expects his measure could draw bipartisan support from fellow Democrats and from Republicans, especially those with Libertarian leanings. “The more states lead the way, the more pressure it puts on Congress …