Tell John Boehner: 200,000 veterans deserve a vote

Republicans talk a big game about "supporting the troops," but over 200,000 veterans have lost their unemployment benefits due to Congressional Republican inaction. The Senate has advanced an extension, with bipartisan support -- but Speaker Boehner is refusing to even hold a vote. Join with Senator Cory Booker & VoteVets (a veteran's organization fighting for progressive causes), and tell Boehner to hold an up-or-down vote!  (Already took this action? Forward this email to spread the word!) John Hlinko, Left Action When his country called, Rick Hall went to Vietnam. He served and sacrificed, but now that he finds himself out of work — for the first time in over fifty years — all he can do is wait for Congress restore the unemployment benefits he lost late last year. Last month, almost 40,000 veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters signed our petition calling on Congress to act on this important issue. And the good news is, the Senate is set to vote on bipartisan, compromise legislation this week that will restore unemployment benefits for over two million Americans who have lost them since December. Unfortunately, Speaker Boehner and his Tea Party Caucus refuse to hold vote on the bill in the House, despite the fact that over 200,000 veterans have lost their benefits since Congress failed to act last year. They deserve a vote. Please join VoteVets, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Chris Murphy and sign our joint petition calling on Speaker Boehner to bring an unemployment insurance extension up for a vote. As Rick Hall says, "I have never asked for anything that I have not worked for, but after paying into the system for 55 years and fighting for our country in Vietnam, I believe that I have more than paid my fair share in unemployment insurance … It's not a handout." We received messages and notes from hundreds of veterans like Rick who have lost their benefits since December. Their stories deserve to be heard, and their service to country acknowledged in this debate. Sign our petition and tell Speaker Boehner that Rick Hall and the 200,000 veterans who have lost unemployment insurance deserve a vote in the House. This is an issue of fairness to those who sacrificed so much to serve. They deserve a vote, and we intend to make our voices heard until they get one. All the best, Jon Soltz @JonSoltz Iraq War Veteran and Chairman VoteVets.org

Stop the Big Oil Giveaway

The Renewable Fuel Standard has made America more secure - powering our economy with homegrown biofuels that keep oil prices in check, and curbing the flow of petrodollars abroad. But the Koch Brothers and Big Oil want to eliminate their cheaper, cleaner competition.
America needs homegrown American energy, not more dangerous dependence on oil. Please join VoteVets and tell the EPA to save the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Thanks for all you do!
Bob Fertik

"The price of a barrel of oil is now one of the most dangerous weapons in the world"
- President Barack Obama

Dear Activist,
Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering gutting one of the most important policies put in place to limit the amount of fossil fuels we burn and lower our dependence on foreign oil.
It's called the Renewable Fuel Standard and it ensures a minimum number of renewable fuels are used for transportation in the United States.
As veterans, military family members, and VoteVets supporters, we have a unique understanding about the cost of our dependence on foreign oil. It's not just measured in the price at the pump, or a changing climate, but also in the lives lost and changed through deployments to protect the flow of oil in the Middle East.
VoteVets is participating in the Environmental Protection Agency's public comment period on this issue. It ends in a few weeks, and we'd love it if you added your name to ours before we submit. You can do that here:
Tell the EPA: Save the Renewable Fuel Standard
This is an important issue and a very real chance for you to make a difference. The EPA traditionally takes these comments very seriously, but our voices are at risk of being drowned out by big oil interests running astroturf campaigns.
That's why your petition signature is so important. I hope you'll add your name to mine today.
All the best,
General (Ret.) Wesley Clark
Advisor, VoteVets.org