All posts tagged: bill

Trump Tax Bill Fails To Advance As Conservative Holdouts Double Down On ‘No’

Trump Tax Bill Fails To Advance As Conservative Holdouts Double Down On ‘No’

Published by skeptic

Update (1210ET): The House Budget Committee has voted down the reconciliation bill by a vote of 16-21 – with GOP Reps. Clyde, Roy, Breechen, Norman and Smucker (who flipped his vote) all voting “no”. Speaker Mike Johnson (L), President Donald Trump, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) “This bill falls profoundly short. It does not do what we say it does with respect to deficits,” said Rep. Chip Roy. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) said “I am unable to support this package in its current form, but I look forward to strengthening this bill to ensure that it does pass, so that we full all of our America First promises to the American people.” Whilst Ralph Norman (R-SC) said “Sadly, I’m a hard no until we get this ironed out.” According to Punchbowl‘s Jake Sherman, Smucker likely flipped “no” to preserve the ability to reconsider the bill at a later time. House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Jody Arrington (R-TX) said after the vote “I do not anticipate us coming back today.” *  *  * A fiery intra-party fight …

MPs debate Assisted Dying Bill as part of Report Stage

MPs debate Assisted Dying Bill as part of Report Stage

Published by skeptic

Today MPs debated the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as part of Report Stage. They debated a series of amendments, and voted on two. Andrew Copson, Chief Executive for Humanists UK said: ‘We welcome today’s debate on assisted dying, with many eloquently standing up for compassion and dignity, emphasising that no-one should be compelled to endure unnecessary suffering at the end of life. We hope MPs remain committed to crafting a law that is robust and safe, yet deeply mindful of the experiences and dignity of those facing their final days.’ What happened today, in summary The changes to the Bill debated today were: ‘Obligations, duties and protections for medical practitioners, hospices and care homes; The procedure for receiving assistance under the Act including safeguards and protections; Eligibility and mental capacity.’ Amendment NC10 (widening opt-outs) was agreed to without a vote. Amendment (a) to NC10, which would essentially have allowed employers as a whole to opt their employees out regardless of the employees’ views, was defeated 279 to 243. MPs will return on …

Assisted dying bill passes first stage in Scotland

Assisted dying bill passes first stage in Scotland

Published by skeptic

A bill to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults to access assisted dying in Scotland has passed its stage one vote in Holyrood. MSPs passed the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill by 70 votes to 56. Stage one is a vote on the principles of a bill. While assisted dying is not explicitly criminalised in Scotland, helping someone to die could lead to prosecution for murder, culpable homicide or reckless endangerment. The bill includes a system of legal safeguards. The request would have to be approved by two independent doctors, and the individual would have to have lived in Scotland for at least a year. A mandatory reflection period of two weeks would usually apply. Although initially drafted to apply to those aged 16 and over, the bill will be amended to apply only to those who are 18 and over. The bill was introduced by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur as a Members’ Bill, meaning it was not introduced by the Scottish Government. The National Secular Society supported the bill in …

Success! Scottish Assisted Dying Bill passes first vote

Success! Scottish Assisted Dying Bill passes first vote

Published by skeptic

The Scottish Parliament has voted in favour of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Members of the Assisted Dying Coalition have welcomed the vote. MSPs voted 70 in favour, 56 against on Stage 1 of the Bill, which is about general principles. There will be another two rounds of voting and amendments before the Bill passes fully. No Assisted Dying Bill in Scotland has ever made it past Stage 1. Introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Private Member’s Bill. It will allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own life.  Fraser Sutherland, Chief Executive of Humanist Society Scotland, said: ‘Today’s vote is a major step forward in the fight for compassion and choice at the end of life in Scotland. ‘This is a victory for everyone who wants to see an end to needless pain and suffering for the terminally ill. It’s a victory for those who …

Climate Action | Elizabeth Kolbert, Jonathan Mingle, Bill McKibben

Climate Action | Elizabeth Kolbert, Jonathan Mingle, Bill McKibben

Published by skeptic

The New York Review of Books presents the fourth installment in a series of online events hosted by Fintan O’Toole. New York Review contributors Elizabeth Kolbert, Bill McKibben, and Jonathan Mingle join O’Toole for a conversation on the damage a second Trump administration can bring to already meager efforts to curb global warming. You may view all available recordings in this series on this page. Source link

Lords back Humanists UK’s education campaigns in Children’s Bill debate

Lords back Humanists UK’s education campaigns in Children’s Bill debate

Published by skeptic

Members of the House of Lords have backed several of Humanists UK’s education campaigns, including legislative changes to extend the so-called 50% cap on faith school admissions to all new faith schools. Peers also spoke up strongly on the need to close illegal religious schools, repeal collective worship laws, and update the religious education (RE) curriculum to make sure children learn about humanism alongside the world religions.   The interventions by peers give a taste of what future Lords amendments to the government’s flagship Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill might entail.  Collective worship All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group Vice Chair Baroness Burt of Solihull argued for the end of mandatory daily collective worship in state-funded schools. She pointed out that children under 16 cannot withdraw themselves from this enforced religious activity without parental consent, a breach of their human rights under the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Baroness Burt further said: ‘Mandatory collective worship is by its very nature illiberal and divisive. It imposes religious activity in a blanket …

Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision welcome Assisted Dying Bill impact

Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision welcome Assisted Dying Bill impact

Published by skeptic

Pictured: left to right Dr Emma Boulton, Kim Leadbeater MP, Rachel Hopkins MP, Lizzi Collinge MP – Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision parliamentary reception The Government’s impact assessments for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, published today, demonstrate that assisted dying can be delivered safely, ethically, and compassionately in England and Wales. Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision have welcomed the reports. Coming two weeks before the Bill returns to the Commons for the next stage of legislative scrutiny, the impact reports outline the costs associated with the law and the impact on different groups, drawing from evidence in 25 other jurisdictions where assisted dying is already established. Overall there are predicted to be cost savings for the state if the law does change – though the sums of at most tens of millions are negligible in the context of the £180 billion annual NHS spend. Regardless, the decision on whether to change the law should not be about economics, but on whether assisted dying is the right approach in …

Peers back measures to tackle unregistered schools in schools bill

Peers back measures to tackle unregistered schools in schools bill

Published by skeptic

Peers from across the House of Lords have backed measures in a Government bill aimed at tackling unregistered ‘schools’. During the second reading of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill yesterday, multiple peers welcomed provisions to close legal loopholes allowing illegal unregistered schools to operate in England. Unregistered schools deliberately avoid regulation to teach children a restricted, narrow curriculum, frequently in unsafe settings. Many operate in insular religious communities which seek to limit children’s knowledge to religious dogma. The bill would give the school inspectorate Ofsted greater powers to investigate suspected unregistered schools, and introduce new registers to identify children who are not in school. Home education is sometimes used as a pretext for sending children to an unregistered school. Paul Scriven: Children in unregistered schools “being taught in deplorable conditions” Liberal Democrat peer Paul Scriven (pictured) said an estimated “tens of thousands” of children are in unregistered schools. He highlighted recent research which found over 6,600 children in Charedi (‘ultra orthodox’) Jewish communities were not in registered schools, suggesting many are trapped in unregistered …

Charles Barkley says he’s ‘concerned’ about Bill Belichick after viral CBS interview

Charles Barkley says he’s ‘concerned’ about Bill Belichick after viral CBS interview

Published by skeptic

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Charles Barkley has confessed that he’s “concerned” about Bill Belichick, following the football coach’s viral interview with CBS News alongside his girlfriend, Jordan Hudson. During the segment on CBS News’ Sunday Morning, which came out on April 27, Hudson shut down journalist Tony Dokoupil’s question for her boyfriend about how they met. Belichick then defended his girlfriend and said that CBS agreed to only ask him questions about his memoir, which the network later denied. Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, Basketball legend Barkley showed his support for the University of North Carolina football coach, whom he considers a close friend. “I’m not sure what’s going on,” Barkley said. “He’s been a great friend for me for a long time. We’ve been …

Labour’s bill could tie schools to inequity through uniform

Labour’s bill could tie schools to inequity through uniform

Published by skeptic

More from this theme Recent articles The schools bill’s aim to reduce uniform costs is a great showcase for the government’s mission-led approach to removing barriers to opportunity. This part of the bill at least has most of the sector’s support. However, its inclusive impact could be limited by its conservatism and by other existing guidance. Uniform can be a great leveller and disguise for poverty, but applied thoughtlessly it can also reveal privilege, reinforce inequity, undermine inclusion and enhance traditional, gendered stereotypes. Preparing children to meet the demands of a consistent dress code is not incompatible with choice or cost-effectiveness. Many schools have already adapted to reflect sensible and inclusive practices while retaining a sense of school identity and community cohesion. Equally, PE kit policy should enable more participation and enjoyment in PE; but statistics continue to tell us it is a barrier. Only one girl in four feels comfortable in their PE kit. The non-profit Inclusive Sportswear, founded by Olympic hockey player Tess Howard MBE, works to deliver the change needed: effective kit …