Nutrition

Dennis M. Bier presents the ARS W.O. Atwater Memorial Lecture at the Experimental Biology meeting in Chicago on April 25.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
April 25, 2017
ARS established the W.O. Atwater Memorial Lecture in 1968 to honor the memory of Wilbur Olin Atwater (1844-1907) and to recognize scientists who have made unique contributions toward improving the diet and nutrition of people around the world. Considered the father of modern nutrition research and education, Atwater was the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) first chief of nutrition investigations.
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50 Years Ago, Sugar Industry Quietly Paid Scientists To Point Blame At Fat
NPR Red River Radio
September 13, 2016
In the 1960s, the sugar industry funded research that downplayed the risks of sugar and highlighted the hazards of fat, according to a newly published article in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Prisons

Policy Shifts Reduce Federal Prison Population
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
April 25, 2017
A decline in the number of federal prosecutions and in the severity of sentences for drug-related crime in recent years has resulted in a significant drop in the federal prison population, according to statistics from the Judiciary, the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
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Abortion

Shaheen, Blumenthal Lead Call for UN Ambassador Haley to Reverse Course, Reaffirm U.S. Commitment to Global Reproductive Rights
Senator Jeanne Shaheen - (D - NH)
APRIL 20, 2017
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today led a letter calling on United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to reverse course and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to global reproductive rights. The U.S. has long supported sexual and reproductive rights abroad through foreign aid and development programs, but the Trump Administration has taken actions recently threatening these rights. In their letter, the Senators said that recent actions, such as stating at the Commission on the Status of Women that the U.S. does not recognize an international right to abortion, demonstrate a blatant disregard for the integral role that sexual and reproductive health play in women's lives and hinder the U.S.’s ability to achieve its foreign policy and development goals.
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Religion

Shaheen, Senators Question DHS About Revoking Global Entry Status Based on Religion
Senator Jeanne Shaheen - (D - NH)
APRIL 21, 2017
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined a group of Senators on a letter questioning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about reports that it is revoking the membership of dozens of people enrolled in its Global Entry Program on the basis of religion. The Global Entry Program allows expedited clearance for certain travelers arriving in the U.S. who have undergone significant background checks. The letter to DHS Secretary John Kelly was also signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tom Carper (D-DE) Ed Markey (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Ben Cardin (D-MD).
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Farmers and Ranchers

SCHUMER SPEAKS TO TRUMP ABOUT CANADA’S UNFAIR DAIRY PRICING POLICY
Senator Charles E. Schumer- (D - NY)
April 21, 2017
“President Trump and I spoke yesterday about reversing Canada's new and unfair dairy-pricing policy. It is an unwise policy that violates our agreements and hurts our farmers, and we agreed to work together to immediately address the issue. Since Canada’s damaging policies also impact dairy farms in Wisconsin, I suggested reaching out to Speaker Ryan. The three of us, in conjunction with Senator Tammy Baldwin and other stakeholders, will develop a comprehensive plan to tackle this issue. We can all agree that, it is critical to level the playing field for our hard-working dairy farmers and make sure our Canadian neighbors rescind their unfair policy and again play by the rules,” said U.S Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer.
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Weather

Thune Statement on Enactment of Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
John Thune - (R - SD)
April 19, 2017
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has legislative jurisdiction over the National Weather Service (NWS), issued the following statement on the announcement that President Donald Trump has signed into law H.R. 353, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. The bill, of which Thune was the lead Senate sponsor, includes sweeping reforms to federal forecasting to improve seasonal forecasting, monitoring and clearly communicating information about extreme weather events, the availability of aircraft systems for hurricane tracking, and the use of commercial data that have been collectively called “the first major piece of weather legislation adopted since the early 1990s.”
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Schatz-Thune Weather Research And Forecasting Legislation Signed Into Law
Brian Schatz - (D - HI)
April 19, 2017
Leaders on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology which exercise legislative jurisdiction in their respective chambers over the National Weather Service (NWS) today, issued the following statements on the announcement last night that President Donald Trump has signed into law H.R. 353, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. The bill includes sweeping reforms to federal forecasting to improve seasonal forecasting, monitoring and clearly communicating information about extreme weather events, the availability of aircraft systems for hurricane tracking, and the use of commercial data that have been collectively called “the first major piece of weather legislation adopted since the early 1990s.”
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Syria

CNN: Neoconservatives are blind to the risks in Syria
Senator Rand Paul - (R - KY)
April 19, 2017
It seems that every dictator and every atrocity in that region is met with a call for action without a thought to consequences. Those who wish to send our soldiers to "take care" of every atrocity in the world might want to take a glance at Maplecroft's Human Rights Risk Atlas, which currently lists 35 countries as extreme risks for committing atrocities. Are we prepared to send our military to right the wrongs of all 35 countries?
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Law Enforcement

Fox News Op-Ed: Sen. Paul, Scott Bullock: Civil forfeiture has ruined countless lives. It's long overdue for reform
Senator Rand Paul - (R - KY)
April 21, 2017
Justice Clarence Thomas made headlines last month when he criticized civil forfeiture, a notorious police practice that allows law enforcement to confiscate property, even from people who have never been charged with a crime. “This system,” he wrote, “has led to egregious and well-chronicled abuses.” Hearing one of the Supreme Court’s most conservative members denounce such a shameful violation of our civil liberties gives us hope that civil forfeiture can be drastically curtailed.
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Trump Administration

Congressman Brown Statement After Firing of FBI Director Comey
Anthony Brown (D-MD, 4th)
May 9, 2017
"The termination of FBI Director James Comey is highly troubling at best, or Nixonian at worst, given that the Director was leading the ongoing investigation into the ties between the Russian government and Trump campaign, and Russian efforts to undermine our democracy. I renew my call for a special counsel and independent commission to fully and impartially investigate Russian interference in our elections. Nothing less will restore trust in our justice system."
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CLUB FOR GROWTH CELEBRATES 100 DAYS OF PRO-GROWTH PROGRESS
Club for Growth
April 26th, 2017
“Imagine the economic devastation we’d be talking about today if Hillary Clinton had been elected: Higher taxes, more job-crushing government regulations, an expansion of government-run health care, and massive government overreach into the private sector,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “In less than 100 days, President Trump and his administration have not only prevented that nightmare, but they have halted the economic destruction caused by eight years of Obama Administration policies, and have restored consumer and business confidence with strong and effective pro-growth policies (see below). The result of these policies has been a 15% gain in the stock market, which has added at least $2 trillion of wealth to all Americans in their retirement funds and savings.”
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Citizens Against Government Waste Praises President Trump's First 100 Days
April 24, 2017
Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), America’s largest taxpayer watchdog group, applauded the numerous effective actions taken by President Donald Trump during his first 100 days in office to curb rampant waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the federal government.
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MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMP DEMANDING RESIGNATION OF SURGEON GENERAL DR. VIVEK MURTHY
Senator Christopher Murphy- (D - CT)
April 22, 2017
“Dr. Murthy is another in a long list of political targets by the Trump administration. U.S. Surgeons General are not supposed to be fired mid-term. They have served administrations of both political parties because keeping Americans safe and healthy isn’t a partisan issue,” said Murphy. “Dr. Murthy helped steer our country through the frightening Ebola and Zika outbreaks, and rightfully focused on the devastation of addiction. He didn’t shy away from speaking the truth about gun violence as a public health crisis. By firing Dr. Murthy, President Trump is politicizing the position of Surgeon General and risking the credibility of our nation's top public health official.”
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Portman Praises Trump Administration for Acting to Protect Steel Industry Jobs
Rob Portman- (R - OH)
April 20, 2017
“I applaud the Administration for its commitment to protecting the U.S. steel industry and American jobs. Addressing worldwide steel overcapacity is crucial to ensuring that American steel workers have a level playing field. This crisis is particularly acute in Ohio where more than 1,500 steelworkers have been laid off over the last two years. I look forward to continuing to work with the Commerce Secretary and the administration to protect Ohio jobs and stop trade cheats from unfairly trading steel into the U.S. market.”
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Drug Addiction

Senator McConnell Comments on HHS Grants to Combat Opioid Addiction
Senator Mitch McConnell- (R - KY)
April 19, 2017
“I applaud the Trump Administration for its work to help fight the opioid addiction that is plaguing the Commonwealth and our nation. The implementation of the 21st Century Cures bill, bipartisan legislation that I helped shepherd through the Senate, will bolster medical innovation by promoting critical investments in research and treatment development. It also puts patients first and helps strengthen the kind of research and treatments needed to cure the most devastating diseases. The funding provided by this grant program will be welcome news to those in Kentucky and across the country working to help fight opioid abuse.”
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Department of Homeland Security

Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars Is Focus of McCaskill’s Bipartisan Bills
Senator Claire McCaskill- (D - MO)
April 19, 2017
As part of her ongoing efforts to save taxpayer dollars, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana introduced four bills that target wasteful spending at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Wasteful Spending

Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars Is Focus of McCaskill’s Bipartisan Bills
Senator Claire McCaskill- (D - MO)
April 19, 2017
As part of her ongoing efforts to save taxpayer dollars, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana introduced four bills that target wasteful spending at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Egypt

Rubio Welcomes Aya Hijazi Home from Three-Year Imprisonment in Egypt
Marco Rubio - (R - FL)
April 21, 2017
“During President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Washington earlier this month, I and many others in Congress urged him to free Aya, her husband and Belady Foundation colleagues, and all other political prisoners being held by the Egyptian government. I am glad President el-Sisi chose to take this step, and I appreciate President Trump’s work over the last few weeks to ensure Aya’s safe return. I welcome Aya home, and am very glad to see her reunited with her family.
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STATEMENT BY SENATORS McCAIN & GRAHAM ON RELEASE OF AYA HIJAZI FROM PRISON IN EGYPT
Senator John McCain - (R - AZ)
April 21, 2017
“We join the entire nation in welcoming home Aya Hijazi and her husband Mohamed Hassanein who have been wrongly imprisoned for the last three years in Egypt. President Trump has made this case a top priority, and we applaud him for working with the Government of Egypt to secure their long-overdue release, as well as the release of four of their colleagues."
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SENATORS WELCOME RELEASE OF UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED EGYPTIAN-AMERICAN AYA HIJAZI
Senator Tim Kaine - (D - VA)
April 19, 2017
“Today, Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian-American citizen, was released from prison in Egypt and reunited with her family. Although Ms. Hijazi’s trial faced far too many delays, we welcome the April 16th verdict by an Egyptian court clearing Ms. Hijazi and her co-defendants of all charges. We applaud Ms. Hijazi’s strength throughout this difficult process and commend the tireless efforts of her family in pressing for her release. The positive resolution of this case follows Egyptian President al-Sisi’s visit to Washington several weeks ago. During President al-Sisi’s visit, we made clear our support for a strong U.S.-Egypt relationship, while also emphasizing that Egypt’s respect for human rights and the rule of law are of critical importance to our bilateral relations, and to Egypt's stability and security.”
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Immigration

Fraud in the "Credible Fear" Process
Center for Immigration Studies
April 24, 2017
Since the 2016 presidential campaign, significant attention has been focused on refugees to the United States and the potential dangers that they may pose. Scarce attention has been directed to aliens in expedited removal proceedings with "credible fear" claims, even though they may pose a greater risk to the United States than potential refugees.
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Elections have consequences, build the wall
Americans for Limited Government
April 24, 2017
“One of the fundamental promises Trump made was to secure the border by expanding the nation’s border wall infrastructure, which already consists of about 600 miles of walls, fencing and other barriers. This is not a binary choice of wall or no wall. We already have walls. It’s about whether the Republican Congress can keep the basic promise the President made to secure the border that was one of the major issues that united Trump’s electoral coalition and propelled Republicans to majorities in both houses of Congress, and not cave into the temper tantrum of the left still trying to figure out how it lost everything in 2016.”
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Inhofe Tours U.S.-Mexico Border, Touts Trump's Immigration Reform Successes
Senator James M. Inhofe - (R - OK)
April 20, 2017
“Because of Trump’s strong rhetoric for enforcing our laws, illegal border crossings have seen a decline of over 60% since the beginning of his administration,” Inhofe said. “America has long been a welcoming home to those who wish to enter our country legally, and by securing our borders we succeed in protecting the freedom and liberty of American citizens including those who immigrate legally into the U.S. President Trump, Attorney General Sessions, and Secretary Kelly have been working hard to enforce the laws of the land and to sharpen the focus on deporting illegal aliens who commit crimes in our communities and pose a risk to law enforcement officials. I applaud the ongoing efforts by the administration and look forward to advancing legislation that further supports the administration’s already strong stance on this critical issue.”
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Money

Senator Pat Toomey Issues Statement on ‘Too Big To Fail' Executive Order
Senator Patrick J.Toomey - (R - PA)
April 21, 2017
"I applaud the President's two Executive Orders today focused on examining the Financial Stability Oversight Council's (FSOC) determination of ‘systemically important financial institutions' and Dodd Frank's Orderly Liquidation Authority (OLA). The FSOC and the OLA are two of the most egregious provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, and are counterproductive to ending both taxpayer bailouts for banks and so-called ‘Too Big To Fail.' Bailouts, and the potential for bailouts, undermine market discipline and unfairly put America's taxpayers on the hook for Wall Street's mistakes.
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MERKLEY STATEMENT ON VOLCKER ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST DEUTSCHE BANK
Jeff Merkley - (D - OR)
April 21, 2017
Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the Federal Reserve fined Deutsche Bank $157 million for infractions, including violating the Volcker Rule. The fine is the first related to enforcement of the Volcker Rule, which Merkley co-authored along with former Senator Carl Levin as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. The Volcker Rule, which places a firewall between traditional banking and risky proprietary trading activities, was implemented by regulators in July 2015.
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Rare Op-Ed: Ron and Rand Paul: Now is the time to pass Audit the Fed
Senator Rand Paul - (R - KY)
April 18, 2017
While it took our nation more than 225 years to accumulate nearly $20 trillion in debt (and much, much more if you factor in unfunded liabilities), our central bank can put Americans on the hook for trillions without blinking by simply creating whatever funds it needs out of thin air. Its status as “the lender of last resort” signs a blank check for politicians to spend to their heart’s content without worrying about the immediate consequences.
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Graham on Ex-Im: Well Done, Mr. President
Senator Lindsey Graham - (R - SC)
April 12, 2017
“The Ex-Im Bank makes money for the American taxpayer and allows American manufacturers to compete for business in the developing world on a level playing field. Well done, Mr. President.”
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Trump reverses stances on China as currency manipulator, Ex-Im Bank
Politico
April 12, 2017
During his presidential campaign, Trump said he would designate China as a currency manipulator on the first day of his presidency to “force China to the negotiating table.” And he criticized Yellen last year precisely because she kept interest rates low, accusing her of keeping rates “artificially low” to boost the economy and help President Barack Obama.
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Education

Sen. Franken Announces New Bill to Spur Innovative School-Industry Partnerships
Senator Al Franken - (D - MN)
April 17, 2017
Sen. Al Franken announced that he will continue his years-long effort to tackle the nation's "skills gap," and give students a leg up on landing a good-paying job by introducing his Advancing Career Pathways Innovation Act after he returns to Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks.
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Communications

ISAKSON FIGHTS FOR RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS
Senator Johnny Isakson - (R - GA)
April 11, 2017
Under current rules, Universal Service Fund (USF) support for broadband in rural areas comes with the outdated requirement that customers also sign up for traditional landline phone service. When rural customers decide they no longer need traditional landline phone service in favor of wireless or Internet-based phone services, rural communities served by smaller telecommunication providers lose access to USF support for broadband deployment, even if the customer continues to pay for broadband Internet service.
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Fischer, Klobuchar Lead Bipartisan Letter to FCC on Rural Broadband
Senator Deb Fischer- (R - NE)
April 11, 2017
In the letter, addressed to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, and FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, the senators urged the agency to take additional steps to continue advancing broadband deployment in our nation’s rural areas. They also expressed concerns about the high cost of these critical services in many rural communities and stressed that more Americans should have the opportunity to purchase affordable broadband to keep them connected.
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Taxes

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Trump Administration’s Tax Reform Outline
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
April 26, 2017
“As an advocate for pro-growth tax reform, the U.S. Chamber welcomes the White House’s strong push today to advance tax reform. We’ve got a once-in-a-generation chance to do tax reform, and if we do it right, it can be the single most important step our leaders take to drive economic growth.
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RETAILERS RESPOND TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S TAX PLAN
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
April 26, 2017
"We welcome President Trump's outline for tax reform. Retailers pay among the highest effective tax rates of all U.S. businesses and provide jobs to more Americans than any other industry. Reform that substantially lowers the rates that retailers ultimately pay will generate job growth and benefit American families in countless ways. The President's tax reform plan recognizes the importance of a globally competitive tax code that allows American businesses to compete around the world and grow, and for consumers to have more money to save or spend. We will continue to fight back against the harmful border adjustment tax proposed by House Republicans and look forward to working with President Trump to exact pro-growth tax reform this year," said Brian Dodge, senior executive vice president for public affairs."
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RNC Statement on President Trump’s Tax Reform Proposal
Republican Party
April 26, 2017
“This proposal represents a bold step to enact much needed tax reform,” said Chairwoman McDaniel. “For too long businesses and people in this country have been burdened by an unnecessarily complex and overreaching tax code that has stifled wage and job growth. President Trump’s proposal will go a long way toward restoring economic prosperity by prioritizing middle class tax cuts, enacting business tax reform, and encouraging investment and job growth.”
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COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS STATEMENT REGARDING WHITE HOUSE TAX CUT STATEMENT
Council on Foundations
APRIL 26, 2017
“Today’s White House statement on its tax reform position clarifies the first step in what will be a long process towards meaningful tax reform. We are especially pleased to see the White House recognize the importance of the charitable deduction. We look forward to seeing even greater clarity from the White House in the coming months on its position."
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CLUB FOR GROWTH ON TRUMP TAX PROPOSAL: THIS IS WHAT PRO-GROWTH TAX REFORM LOOKS LIKE
Club for Growth
April 26th, 2017
“The Trump Administration’s tax reform proposal is massively pro-growth,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “Cutting rates and eliminating deductions will put the U.S. squarely on the path of sustained economic growth, and allowing small and mid-size businesses to use a new 15% business tax rate is crucial to that growth. This is the tax plan that the American people supported when they elected President Trump, so House Republicans would do well to give it their full support.”
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Tax cuts increase take-home income, grow economy and create jobs
Americans for Limited Government
April 26, 2017
“President Trump’s outline for cutting taxes for individuals makes sense and will lead to most Americans enjoying more take home pay than they do today. Lowering the number of tax brackets and the associated top and lowest rates, along with increasing the standard deductions, keeping the home mortgage and philanthropy deductions while changing the maximum deductibility of state and local income taxes makes sense.
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TESTER SPONSORS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE TAXPAYER-FUNDED PORTRAITS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Senator Jon Tester - (D - MT)
April 20, 2017
Tester's bipartisan Eliminating Government-Funded Oil-Paintings (EGO) Act will end a long-time perk for politicians by prohibiting federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars to commission official portraits of government employees. The federal government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2010 on official oil-painting portraits of former employees.
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Taxpayers Pay Twice
Senator Rand Paul - (R - KY)
April 20, 2017
Americans collectively spend countless hours pouring over paperwork to make sure their taxes are correct, and they can keep as much of their own money as possible. While one would hope the agency that collects those taxpayer funds would show the same diligence, today’s Waste Report tells the story of an IRS that failed to recover over $76 million in “unallowable expenses” to government contractors. Though the IRS spent nearly $6 million more of taxpayers’ money for audits to identify those costs, the agency often failed to take basic steps in response and lacked vital details needed to thoroughly track and evaluate the recovery efforts.
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Shelby Introduces Legislation to Establish Flat Tax
Senator, Richard C.Shelby - (R - AL)
April 18, 2017
“On Tax Day, the American people are reminded that our nation’s tax code is unnecessarily complex, confusing, and inefficient. The SMART Act is a straightforward solution that would require taxpayers to only file a simple postcard size return, which would save Americans time and money. The SMART Act would also allow businesses to redirect resources away from tax compliance and instead focus on expanding their businesses and creating jobs.”
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On Tax Day, Senators Ask Government Watchdog to Review Tax-Time Products
Senator Tammy Ducksworth (D - IL)
April 18, 2017
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) today in asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the tax-time financial products most commonly used by taxpayers, as well as the transparency of and fees charged for these financial products.
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Not appropriate for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to engage in PR piggybacking
Senator Michael B. Enzi - (R - WY)
April 11, 2017
“We do not believe the CFPB has the authority to use the IRS as a conduit to solicit Americans’ stories about money. Additionally, since the CFPB is funded by a transfer of non-appropriated funds from the Federal Reserve System’s combined earnings, we question whether it is appropriate to use taxpayer dollars …to advertise the CFPB,” the senators wrote. “The CFPB is supposed to be an independent organization, we do not believe the Treasury Department should be soliciting information on behalf of the entity. We respectfully request that Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service curtail this practice...”
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Jobs

ALPA Applauds Congressional Support for Effort to Save U.S. Airline Jobs, Stop Anti-U.S. Worker Schemes
Airline Pilots Association International
April 26, 2017
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) announced its strong support of the Flags of Convenience Don't Fly Here Act (H.R. 2150), legislation to save American airline jobs, stop global offshoring schemes, and ensure a level playing field for U.S. aviation workers. H.R. 2150 was introduced by Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), and Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) in the U.S. House of Representatives today as a bipartisan commitment to ensuring aviation jobs stay in America.
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Durbin, Kelly Introduce Legislation To Address Youth Unemployment In High Poverty Areas
Senator Richard J. Durbin - (D - IL)
April 18, 2017
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today unveiled two pieces of legislation they will introduce when Congress is back in session next week to expand and increase access to employment opportunities for at-risk youth. The Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity (HERO) for At-Risk Youth Act and the Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act will increase federal resources for communities seeking to create or grow employment programs and provide tax incentives to businesses and employers to hire and retain youth from economically distressed areas.
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Daines Works to Protect Montana Manufacturing Jobs
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
April 18, 2017
U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Acting United States Trade Representative Stephen Vaughn to include the trade dispute related to Chinese solar panels and US polysilicon manufacturers in any “100 day plan” negotiations with China.
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Iran

Cotton Statement on the Iran Deal Compliance Certification
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
April 19, 2017
“This certification is shaky, and it doesn’t mean that the intentions behind Iran's nuclear program are benign. Because the deal doesn’t guarantee even standard verification measures, we cannot know the full extent of Iran's nuclear activities. And as Iran inches closer to a threshold nuclear breakout, it's also continuing to develop ballistic-missile delivery systems and sponsor terrorism. What all this tells us—and what no certification of the terrible Obama deal can change—is that Iran remains a grave threat to our security."
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Charities

Cortez Masto Tours Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Delivers Meals with Meals on Wheels
Cathrine Cortez Masto - (D - NV)
April 17, 2017
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada’s facilities in Las Vegas and delivered meals to seniors with Catholic Charities’ Meals on Wheels program. The tour and deliveries highlighted Catholic Charities and Meals on Wheels’ essential contributions to our community and the need to protect their federal funding from the Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts.
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Foreign Aid

ICYMI: Associated Press: Corker, Coons Say Food Aid Constraints Delay Help Amid Famine
Senator Christopher A .Coons - (D - DE)
April 15, 2017
Following a visit to the world's largest refugee settlement in northern Uganda with the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware told The Associated Press on Saturday that the U.S. "can deliver more food aid at less cost" through foreign food aid reform.
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CORKER, COONS VISIT WORLD’S LARGEST REFUGEE CAMP TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) - (R - TN)
April 17, 2017
U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday visited the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Uganda, where more than 270,000 people reside after fleeing war-torn South Sudan. The senators witnessed firsthand one of the countries hardest hit by the current global food crisis in which 20 million people in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen are at risk of starvation. They sought to elevate international attention on the historic and desperate nature of the humanitarian situation while also making a plea for other donor countries to join the U.S. in meeting the unprecedented need. The senators also called out governments and non-state actors who are blocking delivery of aid and reiterated support for long-needed reforms of U.S. international food aid programs.
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