Just hours after news broke that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had passed away, Mitch McConnell was already trying to exploit the unfortunate news for political gain. Senate Majority Leader McConnell rushed out a radical claim: That the Senate should shirk its constitutional duty to consider and confirm Supreme Court nominees, simply because it’s an election year. That’s not how it worked when Ronald Reagan nominated Anthony Kennedy to the Supreme Court in an election year (1988) and the Democratic Senate confirmed him. The U.S. Constitution specifically states that the Senate should give “advice and consent” on Supreme Court nominations by the president. The Constitution has no exception for election years. It’s clear that McConnell is looking for any excuse to block President Obama from naming another justice to the Supreme Court. Mitch McConnell knows what we all know. The future of reproductive rights, overturning Citizens United, labor rights, and Obama’s Clean Power Plan all hang in the balance. Tell the Senate: Fulfill your constitutional duty. Work with President Obama to fill the vacancy at the Supreme Court without delay.

Progressives agreed with Scalia on almost nothing. This should have been a time to let his family grieve. Instead, within minutes, Republicans politicized the news. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, "This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." Senator Ted Cruz declared, "Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, and the nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement." Democratic Leader Harry Reid responded, "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities." This could turn into a Constitutional crisis. Things are moving fast and conventional wisdom will unfortunately be formed quickly. Silence is not an option. The PCCC has already reached out to top Senate offices and will send this petition to Senators. The media will surely report on this public outcry.

Because Mitch McConnell and Chuck Grassley have stated unequivocally that they will stonewall whoever President Obama picks regardless of qualifications. This level of obstructionism is disgusting!

Whomever President Obama appoints to take Justice Antonin Scalia's seat on the Supreme Court will have an impact on millions of lives, as did Scalia. The importance of assuring victory in legal challenges to the rulings that have threatened the very core of democracy must be prioritized. We demand that President Obama commit to using a litmus test and to only appointing a Supreme Court Justice that will stand against Citizens United and for restoration of the Voting Rights Act! Here is an even bigger petition (Democracy For America): http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/progressivejustice?akid=s289225..8qQjdg

Just hours after news broke that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had passed away, Mitch McConnell was already trying to exploit the unfortunate news for political gain. Senate Majority Leader McConnell rushed out a radical claim: That the Senate should shirk its constitutional duty to consider and confirm Supreme Court nominees, simply because it’s an election year. That’s not how it worked when Ronald Reagan nominated Anthony Kennedy to the Supreme Court in an election year (1988) and the Democratic Senate confirmed him. The U.S. Constitution specifically states that the Senate should give “advice and consent” on Supreme Court nominations by the president. The Constitution has no exception for election years. It’s clear that McConnell is looking for any excuse to block President Obama from naming another justice to the Supreme Court. Mitch McConnell knows what we all know. The future of reproductive rights, overturning Citizens United, labor rights, and Obama’s Clean Power Plan all hang in the balance. Tell the Senate: Fulfill your constitutional duty. Work with President Obama to fill the vacancy at the Supreme Court without delay.

Progressives agreed with Scalia on almost nothing. But this should have been first and foremost about his family having time to grieve. Instead, within minutes, Republicans politicized the news -- saying the Senate should not confirm any nominee by President Obama. Ted Cruz declared, "Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, and the nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement." Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement, "This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." Things are moving fast and conventional wisdom will unfortunately be formed quickly. Silence is not an option. We will send this petition to senators -- and the media will surely report on this public outcry. Again, this should have been first and foremost a time for the Justice's family to grieve. But with the stakes so high for workers, women, minorities, and so many other people, we cannot be silent as Republicans try to steal a Supreme Court seat by obstructing our constitutional process.

To MAKE SURE President Obama gets to appoint the next Supreme Court Justice.

I want to hear Kanye West's The Life of Pablo, that is all.

Students at NSU are not learning about sustainability and the critical interactions between communities, businesses and the environment. Worldwide, we are seeing the science and business fields merge in the quest for environmental responsibility. NSU’s academic curriculum for the undergraduate and graduate environmental and business fields should reflect this new way of thinking, which will ultimately make sustainability a reality.

The Tennessee General Assembly is considering SJR467, a joint resolution that would stop the resettlement of refugees in Tennessee. We cannot allow this legislation to pass. People across Tennessee are already welcoming refugees and immigrants, but we all need to make our voices heard to stop politicians from pandering to fear and passing hateful, discriminatory legislation. Join with Church World Service and the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition in asking Tennessee Senators to act with moral courage and reject SJR467 by signing our petition.

It hurts the working man and woman and the unions, and it isn't fair for the hard and unsafe work we do.

The FDA does not require mandatory safety testing of genetically engineered foods, but instead allows GMO makers to decide on their own whether their foods are safe for American men, women and children to eat. We need the ability to track the emergence of unusual food allergies and other health problems that may be brought on by genetically engineered foods. We urge Congress to vote against H.R. 1599, better known as the DARK Act ("Deny Americans the Right to Know"). Vote for MANDATORY plain English labels on GMO foods instead.