APPROVE VAWA NOW! The House did not authorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) before fleeing Washington D.C.which had been approved by the Senate previously.

From camping under the stars at Big Bend Ranch to exploring the cypress swamps of Caddo Lake, our state parks make life better here in Texas. They protect the clean water we depend on and provide a home for some of Texas’ most wondrous wildlife, from the black bear to the leatherback sea turtle. They're also a major economic engine for the state, generating more than one billion dollars in economic activity for local communities. But budget cuts may force the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to close twenty state parks, cancel critical repairs, and fail to restore Bastrop State Park after devastating wildfires. We can do more to keep our parks safe and open. In fact, our parks already have a dedicated funding stream—sales taxes on sporting goods—but for too long, the Legislature has raided the fund, diverting the money for other purposes and leaving just the bones for our cash-strapped parks system.

Social Security is solvent until 2038. But there are four things we can do to make it better:

The NRA has refused to enter the discussion about reducing gun violence in our society. They have recommended that schools have armed guards to insure safety. Unfortunately, no funding source for this plan was discussed. Gun owner must realize that their second amendment right does come with responsibilities as well.

The westbound street from 65th Place and Stony Island to South Dorchester currently serves as a perilous throughway for cars trying to get around traffic jams on Stony Island. It is an extremely narrow ,single lane, one way street. Last spring our family dog was crushed by a car going at an excessive speed down the street. As our block continues to flourish, more families are moving in with small children, making it ever more likely that a child will be injured by a car using this street as a way to get around traffic.

The US of A has not had a budget passed since 2001. It is time that the people of America demand that this do-nothing Government is held accountable.

If car owners must carry insurance, why not gun owners who can do more harm with a gun than most do with a car. Also, car registration must be renewed each year with a fee, so should gun owners registration.

Its time to get a real Economist in the position of authority. Mr Krugman says what he knows is helpful for our economy and he is not tied to Wall Street...

In most bills that are passed, there are "pork barrel's" attached e.g "the road to nowhere", the airport in Pa. that's never used. Ultimately those are wasted tax dollars. Bills should be stand alone, with no attachments.

We the People demand a $12.00 per hour minimum wage. The current minimum wage amounts to economic enslavement. We will not be slaves of the top 2% any longer!

Superstorm Sandy victims are still out in the cold while GOP Congress plays the blame game and points fingers. We need a goverment that works for the people of this country and not for themselves and the wealthy lobbyist/interest groups. Natural Disasters are just that disasters, and people who are affected by disasters usually have to deal with loss of homes & property not to mention the loss of life of family & loved ones. Why should they be punished further by indifferent politicians lobbying for "unrelated special interests funds" that obstructs the speedy recovery efforts for disaster victims? Please sign my petition to ban politicians "PORK" from obstructing emergency help to disaster victims.

Members of Congress have embedded themselves and are more interested in protecting