Democrat - Women of Rubies

In Career Gems January 5, 2019 By Editor

DEMOCRAT NANCY PELOSI BECOMES THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED AS THE SPEAKER OF THE US HOUSE

Democrat Nancy Pelosi has officially been elected the speaker of the US House, CNN reports.

Pelosi, the first and only woman to occupy the position (her first time was from 2007 to 2011), defeated the Republican nominee Kevin McCarthy, winning 220 votes.

Pelosi who had served as the House minority leader, replaces Republican Paul Ryan.

McCarthy, who is now the House minority leader as the Democrats now have the highest number of Reps, welcomed the lawmakers to the 116th Congress and introduced Pelosi. He said:

Today marks a new chapter in this House pursuit of a more perfect union. The country knows Nancy Pelosi as an experienced leader with three decades of service in Congress, a fighter for her causes and a true trail blazer. Even when we disagree with one another completely, it is important to remember that we are bounded together in a common cause, our love for America.

In her first speech as Speaker, Pelosi said, according to CNN:

We have no illusions that our work will be easy and that all of us in this chamber will always agree, but let each of us pledge that when we disagree, we respect each other and we respect the truth.

We will debate in advance good ideas no matter where they come from, and in that spirit, Democrats will be offering the Senate Republican appropriations legislation to reopen government later today

When our new members take the oath, our Congress will be refreshed and our democracy will be strengthened by their optimism, idealism and patriotism of this transformative freshman class. Congratulations to all of you in the freshman class. Working together we will redeem the promise of the American dream for every family, advancing progress for every community.

Photo Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Credit: Bella Naija

In Career Gems January 3, 2019 By Editor

IIHAN OMAR MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST LEGISLATOR TO WEAR A HIJAB FOR SWEAR-IN TO THE US CONGRESS

Ilhan Omar — one of two first Muslim women to be elected to the US Congress, made history on Thursday, January 3rd 2019, when she wore her Hijab on the House floor.

The request of one of the first female Muslim members of the United States Congress, Ilhan Omar, to be allowed to wear hijab when she is on the floor of the House to vote and give speeches, has been granted.

Daily Mail UK reports that the incoming speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and incoming House rules committee chairman, Jim McGovern, backed Omar in her request and included it in the rules package they released on Tuesday, January 1.

Omar, who is a Democrat, tweeted in November after she was elected: “No one puts a scarf on my head but me. It’s my choice—one protected by the first amendment. And this is not the last ban I’m going to work to lift.”

Republicans will be handing over control of Congress to Democrats after eight years in power.

Omar, will become the first federal legislator to wear a religious headscarf when she’s sworn in on Thursday, January 3.

Omar is joined by Rep-elect Rashida Tlaib of Michigan as the first two Muslim women in Congress.

The Congresswoman from Minnesota was all smiles as she was sworn in on Capitol Hill … where she was surrounded by a throng of supporters, many of whom were also wearing hijabs. Omar’s no stranger to politics — she served in the state legislature before making her historic run for Congress.

Omar — the first Somali-American in Congress — has also never shied away from her religion in public. In fact, during her victory speech on Election night, she dropped the Arabic phrase, “alhamdulillah” … which means “all praise to God.”

The 37-year-old — who came from a refugee camp in Kenya some 23 years ago — ran on very progressive platforms … such as hiking the minimum wage, universal healthcare and free college tuition.

United States Congress will now allow Muslim women to wear hijab on the floor of the House to vote and give speeches.

Credit: TMZ, UK Daily Mail

In Career Gems January 3, 2019 By Editor

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN DECLARES HER INTENTION TO RUN FOR PRESIDENCY AGAINST DONALD TRUMP IN 2020

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat representing Massachusetts has announced that she has established a presidential campaign exploratory committee to kick off her plan to run for office come 2020.

“In our country, if you work hard and play by the rules, you ought to be able to take care of yourself and the people you love,” the Democratic senator from Massachusetts says at the start of the new, 4 1/2 video.

“No matter where you live in America or no matter where your family came from in the world, you deserve a path to opportunity,” Warren continues in the new political video. “That’s the America I am fighting for, and that is why today I am launching an exploratory committee for president.”

A former Harvard law professor and champion of consumer protection, Warren has long been on the shortlist of potential 2020 Democratic candidates. Her fundraising prowess and popularity in progressive circles has left many in Washington referring to her as one of a few early front-runners as well, though more than two dozen other Democrats are also rumoured to be considering presidential runs.

Warren’s staff told ABC News the senator will be filing the paperwork for her exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission Monday and revamping her political and campaign website.

There is only a passing reference to President Donald Trump and his administration in Warren’s new video. Pictures of past and current White House advisers play over Warren’s voice saying, “The whole same is propped up by an echo chamber of fear and hate designed to distract and divide us. If we organize together, if we fight together, if we persist together, we can win,” Warren ends the video, making a subtle reference to a moment on the Senate floor in 2017 that went viral.

Credit: LIB