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Senator Barbara Boxer: Allowing union membership
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Category Archives: Barbara Boxer
Senator Barbara Boxer: Boxer statement on Republican filibuster of Goodwin Liu’s nomination to U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Despite Broad Support and Praise from Conservative Legal Scholars for Liu, Republicans Deny Exceptionally Well-Qualified Nominee an Up-or-Down Vote
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement today after Senate Republicans filibustered U.C. Berkeley law professor Goodwin Liu’s nomination to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, denying him an up-or-down vote:
“It is an outrage that Senate Republicans have blocked the nomination of Goodwin Liu, an exceptionally well-qualified and mainstream judicial nominee who is widely admired, even by leading conservative legal scholars.
“Professor Liu represents the best of America – a Rhodes Scholar who helped launch AmeriCorps and rose to become one of the nation’s most distinguished constitutional law experts. It is a sad day for our country when we reject a brilliant young legal scholar who would have been the only Asian-American serving on the Ninth Circuit, which is home to more than 40 percent of our nation’s Asian American population.
“I believe the ramifications of this Republican filibuster will be deeply felt in California and across the country. When we deny a judicial nominee of Professor Liu’s caliber – a man of intelligence, integrity and dignity – we weaken our nation’s legal system.”
Examiner.com: Senator Boxer intervenes with EPA in Mecca odor issue
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Senator Boxer intervenes with EPA in Mecca odor issue
- May 12th, 2011 1:48 am PT
- Edit article
Senator Barbara Boxer
MECCA – This week Senator Barbara Boxer issued a statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) crackdown on Western Environmental, Inc., the company that operates a waste handling facility on Native American lands in Mecca. The plant is not owned or operated by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians.
Residents have been complaining for months about the foul odor similar to that of rotten eggs, claiming it was making them sick. South Coast Air Quality Management District officials traced the odor back to the plant and took air samples. The samples showed traces of Benzene, which is linked to cancer, but not in high enough levels to cause a significant threat.
Senator Boxer is the chairman of the Environmental and Public Works Committee. On May 5, she sent a letter to the EPA strongly urging the agency’s continued involvement. She wrote, “My understanding from EPA regional officials is that an investigation is underway and that I can expect action in the very near future to address this serious problem. The EPA has broad authority under federal environmental laws, including section 7003 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which allows EPA to work rapidly with all parties to address threats to public health from dangerous pollution.”
Senator Barbara Boxer: Earth Day
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
April 18, 2011
Dear Friend:
As we celebrate Earth Day this week, it is outrageous that our environment and the laws designed to protect it are under attack. Two weeks ago, House Republicans tried to attach provisions to the budget agreement that would have repealed public health protections in our landmark environmental laws. We stopped those efforts.
As Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I also led the successful fight to defend the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act by defeating those anti-environmental provisions on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
For the life of me, I can’t understand why my Republican colleagues want to threaten the air we breathe and the water we drink. Why would we want to destroy public health safeguards that prevent premature deaths, children’s asthma attacks, and emergency room visits? Why would we want to eliminate protections that ensure our drinking water is safe from harmful toxins? Leading public health organizations joined me in defending our landmark environmental laws that have protected children and families for the past four decades, and we all must remain vigilant.
Senator Barbara Boxer: Protecting workplace health and safety
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
April 13, 2011
Dear Friend:
Forty years ago this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established to protect America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing workplace health and safety standards.
In its 40 years on the job, OSHA has made a tremendous difference. Today America’s workplaces are far safer, with far fewer injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
To build on this progress, we must respond to emerging threats to worker safety from new toxic chemicals and safety hazards; ensure that high-risk workers get crucial safety information; and ensure that all employers follow best health and safety practices.
As OSHA begins its fifth decade, you can count on me to continue fighting to improve workplace health and safety.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Senator Barbara Boxer: Celebrating the Legacy of Cesar Chavez
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
March 23, 2011
Dear Friend:
On March 31st, we will celebrate the 84th birthday of a great American, the late labor leader Cesar Estrada Chavez. Millions of Americans are still inspired by his immortal motto: “Sí, se puede – Yes, we can.”
As president of the United Farm Workers of America, Chavez worked to promote fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, and decent working conditions. His indomitable spirit and tireless efforts helped California farm workers win union representation and fair labor contracts after years of struggle.
As we know all too well, the fight for fairness and justice is far from over. Today, as workers in Wisconsin and elsewhere fight to protect their hard-won rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining, we can draw hope and inspiration from Cesar Chavez’s life and work, and thousands of farm workers have better wages and working conditions thanks to Cesar’s leadership.
It is only fitting that Cesar Chavez’s contributions continue to be celebrated long after his death in 1993. The year after he passed away, Chavez became the second Mexican-American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award. In 2009, Congress passed my bill to rename a San Diego post office in his honor.
The State of California has established an official state holiday to honor Cesar Chavez and to promote community service in his memory. For a schedule of Chavez Day events, see the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation web page at http://www.chavezfoundation.org/_cms.php?mode=view&b_code=003007000000000&b_no=1545&page=&field=&key=&n=.
As we celebrate Cesar Chavez’s birthday, let us always remember his call for unity, equality, and justice for all Americans. Sí, se puede.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Senator Barbara Boxer: Defending Benefits for Homeless Veterans
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
March 10, 2011
Dear Friend:
Today, I joined Senate colleagues and veterans advocates to denounce the reckless Republican budget proposal, which would eliminate housing assistance to 10,000 homeless veterans, leaving many of them on the streets.
Senator Barbara Boxer: House Republican Budget Threatens Environment and Public Health
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
March 09, 2011
Dear Friend:
Yesterday I spoke on the Senate floor against the threats to public health and the environment in the House Republican budget.
To watch a video of my speech, click here.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Senator Barbara Boxer: Human Trafficking
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
January 04, 2011
Dear Friend:
January 11th is the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness, a nationwide observance established by Congress to increase awareness about and opposition to human trafficking.
Millions of individuals are trafficked each year, including an increasing number in the United States. They are coerced, transported, and bought and sold for sex work and other exploitative purposes. Traffickers often use rape, threats, and physical violence to control their victims.
CRP: Boxer Stays Mum on Rep. Waters Ethics Investigation
The “Two Buddies, Partners” Recently Appeared Together
SACRAMENTO — U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer has stayed mum on ethics charges brought against her longtime friend and ally Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, despite recently touting their closeness. The House Ethics Committee today announced that, having been under investigation since 2009, Waters is headed to a public trial on charges of ethics violations.
The two collegues appeared together a mere two weeks ago at an event in Inglewood, CA where Boxer detailed their close friendship: “When she came to the House, I went over to the Senate and we became buddies, partners. We call each other when there are tough issues. We help each other out.”
Senator Barbara Boxer: Supporting Tribal Law Enforcement
July 29, 2010
Dear Friend:
Today President Obama signed the Tribal Law and Order Act, a bill that I was proud to co-sponsor in the Senate because it helps give tribal justice officials the tools they need to protect their communities.
We know that our American Indian and Alaskan Native communities face daunting crime and public safety challenges. Violent crime in Indian country is nearly twice the national average, and more than 20 times the national average on some reservations.
Continue reading
iePolitics: The Boxers
Are these three related? Notice the nose, the lips and the teeth!
Senator Barbara Boxer: Transportation
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Senator Barbara Boxer: Dropouts
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Senator Barbara Boxer: Housing
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
February 24, 2010
Dear Friend:
The California housing market continues to struggle, with too many empty houses in neighborhoods, and too many people still at risk of losing their homes. I am pleased to let you know about a new investment for California that aims to help with this continued housing crisis.
President Barack Obama recently announced the “Help for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets” Program that will direct funding to state housing finance agencies in California, as well as Nevada, Arizona, Michigan and Florida, to address the housing crisis at the local level.
I am pleased that President Obama recognizes that California and other states hit hard by the housing crisis will need additional resources. While there is still more to do, this investment will provide help to homeowners who are struggling during these tough economic times and are at risk of losing their homes. I will continue to work closely with the Administration and state officials to make sure these funds keep families in their homes.
If you would like to know more about this program, I encourage you to visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/help-hardest-hit-housing-markets
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Senator Barbara Boxer: Childhood Obesity
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Senator Barbara Boxer: Protecting Our Children
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Senator Barbara Boxer: Moonbeam and Babs
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Senator Barbara Boxer: Small Business Lending
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
February 05, 2010
Dear Friend:
I am pleased to let you know of President Obama’s decision to create a $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund to assist community banks in extending credit to small businesses so they can create jobs and expand. I introduced a similar proposal last October with Senator Jeff Merkley to provide capital to community banks, with requirements that they lend to small business owners and individuals.
Small businesses generated 64 percent of the jobs created over the last 15 years, but many of our small businesses can’t get the loans they need to expand and create new jobs. The best way to help our small businesses is to increase lending through community banks. I applaud President Obama for building on the legislation that Senator Merkley and I introduced to restart lending to small businesses.
Our Bank on Our Communities Act (S.1822) established a framework similar to the President’s proposal to assist community banks in extending credit to small businesses and individuals to spur job growth. The President’s proposal would use $30 billion in existing TARP funds to lend to small and medium-sized banks on the condition that they devote the highest percentage of their lending to small businesses in their communities.
Currently, small businesses employ one half of the nation’s workforce. Fewer than one third of these businesses report that their credit needs are being met today. Fifty-nine percent of them now rely on credit cards to finance their daily operations, up from 44 percent at the end of 2008. Community banks hold less than $1 billion in assets and still made 48 percent of small business loans, despite the fact that they hold only 11 percent of national bank assets.
By assisting community banks in helping small business, new jobs will be created and our economy can continue to improve. This is an important step toward that goal.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
To respond to this message, please click here. This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Boxer’s office.
Senator Barbara Boxer: Child Care Tax Credit
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
January 26, 2010
Dear Friend:
Recently, President Obama and Vice President Biden held a Middle Class Task Force meeting to consider initiatives to help middle class families during these difficult economic times. I was encouraged that one of President Obama’s initiatives was to help middle-class parents afford child care by nearly doubling the federal child care tax credit for families earning less than $85,000 and increasing it for all families making less than $115,000.
The President’s proposal would increase the federal child care tax credit, providing much-needed tax relief for working families. This is particularly important in this tough economy, where child care costs are rising twice as fast as household incomes.
The President’s proposal is similar to the Right Start Child Care and Education Act, S. 210, which I introduced with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Our legislation would increase the child care tax credit for working families.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
To respond to this message, please click here. This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Boxer’s office.
Senator Barbara Boxer: Uganda
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| - – - – - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA – - – - - |
January 22, 2010
Dear Friend:
I am pleased to share with you a letter I recently co-signed urging the President of Uganda to do everything possible to block the advancement of hateful legislation being considered in the Ugandan Parliament. You may view the letter by using this link.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
To respond to this message, please click here. This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Boxer’s office.