Civilrights.org Latest Posts

House Committee Votes to Cut Dedicated Funding for Federal Transit Programs

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:35:08 -0600

Over the opposition of state transportation departments, the National Urban League, Transportation for America, the American Public Transportation Association, and a diverse coalition of other organizations, the House Ways and Means Committee today passed a bill that would strip dedicated funding for public transportation. The move cast aside a 30-year history of providing dedicated funding for federal transit programs.

Senate Field Hearing Examines Barriers to Voting in Florida

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:33:40 -0600

Recent changes and legislation affecting elections in Florida will have a negative effect on voter participation, civil and human rights advocates told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights during a field hearing held today in Tampa, Florida.

President Obama Asks Senate for ‘Up or Down Vote’ on Judges and Other Nominees

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:01:08 -0600

In his State of the Union speech last night, President Obama called on the Senate to end the partisan gridlock that is blocking or delaying the confirmation of qualified judges and other executive branch appointments.

Anti-Equal Opportunity Activist Ward Connerly Facing Accusations of Financial Misconduct

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:48:01 -0600

The New York Times has reported that longtime equal opportunity opponent Ward Connerly is being accused of financial misdeeds by a former colleague.

Civil Rights Coalition: Appointment of Cordray Is the ‘Right Choice’ for Financial Consumers

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:11:48 -0600

Faced with ongoing obstruction by Senate Republicans against the confirmation of qualified nominees, President Obama today made a recess appointment of Richard Cordray to lead the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Congress Lets Mass Transit Tax Benefit Expire

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:03:43 -0600

Due to inaction by Congress before leaving for the holidays, the amount of tax-exempt money that mass transit commuters can apply toward transportation costs will be cut in half to approximately $125 per month. As a result, the tax-exemption for parking costs, at $240, will now be nearly double the mass transit commuter benefit.

Obama Administration Seeks to Advance Women’s Role in Securing Global Peace

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:10:58 -0600

President Obama this week released a groundbreaking new plan and issued an executive order to increase U.S. support for strengthening the participation of women around the world in ending conflict and securing peace.

Attorney General Holder Vows to Protect the Voting Rights of All Americans

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:22:31 -0600

In a speech last week in Austin, Texas, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder affirmed his commitment to protecting the right to vote and indicated that the Department of Justice will be thoroughly reviewing new state voting laws to determine whether they are discriminatory.

Senators Introduce Clean Ports Act of 2011 to Improve Labor, Environmental Conditions at the Nation’s Ports

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:38:32 -0600

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights welcomed the Senate introduction last week of the Clean Ports Act to address growing labor and environmental concerns at many of the nation’s ports and nearby communities.

FCC Considering Reforms to Lifeline Phone Service Program

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:56:33 -0600

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently considering changes and reforms to the federal Lifeline program which helps millions of Americans receive affordable telephone service.

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Calls for a 'Clean Extension' of Unemployment Benefits, Payroll Tax Cut

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:51:12 -0600

With the financial security of millions of unemployed Americans on the line, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is calling on Congress to extend a payroll tax cut and emergency unemployment benefits for 12 months without adding unnecessary and harmful provisions.

Senate Obstructionists Block Obama Nominees for Financial Protection Agency, DC Circuit Court

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:31:46 -0600

The U.S. Senate this week failed to move forward on votes to confirm two high-profile Obama administration appointees. The nominations of both Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Richard Cordray to be the first director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) failed to get the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican-led filibusters and allow for up-or-down confirmation votes.

NAEP’s 2011 National Report Card Shows Overall Lack of Progress in Closing Achievement Gaps

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:40:40 -0600

Despite some signs of progress nationally on improving student reading and math skills, racial, ethnic and income-based achievement gaps persist, according to analysis of the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “The Nation’s Report Card.”

Millions Counting on Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:27:55 -0600

More than six million Americans are facing the potential loss of a financial lifeline if Congress fails to pass an extension of emergency unemployment benefits which expires December 31.

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Opposes Balanced Budget Amendments in U.S. Senate

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:51:40 -0600

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is opposing efforts in the U.S. Senate to pass a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the Constitution.

At Senate Hearing, Advocates Discuss Lack of Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:20:34 -0600

Disability rights advocates emphasized the need for accessible public transportation at a recent Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing.

House Votes Down Balanced Budget Amendment

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:50:15 -0600

Civil and human rights advocates today applauded members of Congress for rejecting a misguided effort to amend the U.S. Constitution with a balanced budget amendment.

Congressional Forum Examines the Potential Impact of State Voter Registration Laws

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:55:12 -0600

At a Congressional forum this week, civil and human rights advocates warned about the potential for widespread voter suppression under recently adopted state voter registration laws.

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Health Care Law

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:07:16 -0600

The U.S. Supreme Court announced this week that it will be taking up a case challenging the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health care law signed by President Barack Obama in 2010.

Civil Rights Coalition Opposes Balanced Budget Amendment

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:29:45 -0600

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is again opposing efforts in Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the Constitution.