U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren, (D-MA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) re-introduced the Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act (LifeBOAT Act), which would establish a permanent funding stream to provide and expand access to substance abuse treatment.
#####
Wilbur Ross was confirmed as Commerce Secretary.
#####
Rick Perry was confirmed as Energy Secretary.
#####
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) was joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA-27), Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11), and Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act. The Women’s Health Protection Act would protect a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion by stopping restrictive regulations and laws – such as those in place in states including Texas and Wisconsin – intended to curtail reproductive health services for women.
#####
A St. Louis man, Juan Thompson, who is accused of making bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers and other facilities across the country was arrested.
#####
John Boozman (R-AR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation to ensure that timber companies are treated more fairly under the tax code. The senators re-introduced the Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement (TREE) Act, which amends the IRS Code to restore parity and facilitate competitiveness for timber companies organized as C corporations. These businesses have faced a different tax rate than alternatively structured companies with timber holdings.
#####
U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced legislation to protect seniors from out-of-pocket costs for preventive colonoscopies.
Currently, Medicare charges seniors for colonoscopies when a polyp is removed during the procedure even though colorectal cancer screenings are promoted as a free service under Medicare. The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act would make a long-overdue fix to Medicare to ensure seniors aren’t charged for a colonoscopy – regardless of whether or not a polyp or tissue is removed. Removing harmful tissue during these procedures is key to preventing cancer, yet the fear of having to pay unexpectedly could prevent Medicare recipients from getting these important screenings.
#####
To kick off Women’s History Month, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), along with Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Christopher Coons (D-Del.), introduced a Congressional resolution to designate March 21, 2017, as National Rosie the Riveter Day, a national day of recognition for the millions of women who supported the war effort on the home front during World War II.
The Unpopular Truth
Monday, March 6, 2017
News from the House: Travel Ban, Women, EPA, WOTUS, Domestic Manufacturing Deduction, Ben Carson, Science, Sexual Assault
President Trump signed a new executive order restricting travel to the United States from six Muslim-majority countries for 90 days and freezing refugee resettlement for 120 days.
#####
Donald Trump signed into law the INSPIRE Women Act that will help our girls and young women on the important goal of increasing the number of women who go into the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
#####
In November of 2016, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requesting information from oil and gas producers regarding methane emissions from existing production well and facility sites. Though the surveys were requested by the EPA, costly fines would have been assessed on individual oil and gas operators for non-compliance. The EPA has withdrawn this request.
#####
Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring March as Women’s History Month—the origins of which are rooted in California’s Fifth Congressional District.
#####
U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) applauded the executive order signed by President Trump to rewrite the Obama-era regulation related to “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) and has introduced legislation to solve the problem permanently. Thornberry’s bill, the “Federal Regulatory Certainty for Water Act,” H.R. 1261, clarifies the definition of “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act (CWA) as waters that are navigable-in-fact or are permanently flowing bodies of water that physically connect to navigable waters.
#####
Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) introduced legislation that clarifies the appropriate application of the Section 199 domestic manufacturing deduction (DMD) to contract manufacturing. Under current Treasury Department regulations, the DMD is unevenly applied to U.S. companies who utilize contract manufacturing arrangements, which is contrary to Congress’s original intent to incentivize American manufacturing. Tiberi and Neal’s legislation would level the playing field for non-vertically integrated manufacturers who employ U.S. workers so that they can spur needed investment and create jobs.
#####
About Ben Carson:
“All Nevada families deserve a roof over their heads. I have little reason to believe that Ben Carson can provide that. He admitted he had no government experience and did not want to cripple President Trump by taking a job in the administration. The HUD Secretary must ensure that Nevadans have access to rental and mortgage assistance for individuals, families, the elderly, and disabled. These programs are a vital safety net for at-risk Americans. Our state deserves someone with knowledge and experience in public housing. Ben Carson doesn’t fill that bill. Putting him in charge of urban development reflects Trump’s disdain for the people in cities who voted against him.” --Dina Titus (D-NV, 1st)
#####
House Science Committee members Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), along with Representatives Niki Tsongas (MA-3) and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), announced the introduction of the Scientific Integrity Act requiring U.S. federal agencies to adopt or strengthen policies to insulate government-directed research from the influence of political pressure and special interests.
#####
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) urged military officials to expand opportunities for military sexual assault victims to revisit and revise their discharge records, following suggestions by male sexual assault survivor advocates.
#####
Donald Trump signed into law the INSPIRE Women Act that will help our girls and young women on the important goal of increasing the number of women who go into the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
#####
In November of 2016, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requesting information from oil and gas producers regarding methane emissions from existing production well and facility sites. Though the surveys were requested by the EPA, costly fines would have been assessed on individual oil and gas operators for non-compliance. The EPA has withdrawn this request.
#####
Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring March as Women’s History Month—the origins of which are rooted in California’s Fifth Congressional District.
#####
U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) applauded the executive order signed by President Trump to rewrite the Obama-era regulation related to “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) and has introduced legislation to solve the problem permanently. Thornberry’s bill, the “Federal Regulatory Certainty for Water Act,” H.R. 1261, clarifies the definition of “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act (CWA) as waters that are navigable-in-fact or are permanently flowing bodies of water that physically connect to navigable waters.
#####
Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) introduced legislation that clarifies the appropriate application of the Section 199 domestic manufacturing deduction (DMD) to contract manufacturing. Under current Treasury Department regulations, the DMD is unevenly applied to U.S. companies who utilize contract manufacturing arrangements, which is contrary to Congress’s original intent to incentivize American manufacturing. Tiberi and Neal’s legislation would level the playing field for non-vertically integrated manufacturers who employ U.S. workers so that they can spur needed investment and create jobs.
#####
About Ben Carson:
“All Nevada families deserve a roof over their heads. I have little reason to believe that Ben Carson can provide that. He admitted he had no government experience and did not want to cripple President Trump by taking a job in the administration. The HUD Secretary must ensure that Nevadans have access to rental and mortgage assistance for individuals, families, the elderly, and disabled. These programs are a vital safety net for at-risk Americans. Our state deserves someone with knowledge and experience in public housing. Ben Carson doesn’t fill that bill. Putting him in charge of urban development reflects Trump’s disdain for the people in cities who voted against him.” --Dina Titus (D-NV, 1st)
#####
House Science Committee members Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), along with Representatives Niki Tsongas (MA-3) and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), announced the introduction of the Scientific Integrity Act requiring U.S. federal agencies to adopt or strengthen policies to insulate government-directed research from the influence of political pressure and special interests.
#####
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) urged military officials to expand opportunities for military sexual assault victims to revisit and revise their discharge records, following suggestions by male sexual assault survivor advocates.
News from Other Sources: From a few Newspapers in Indiana
Senator Young introduces bill to authorize military force against ISIS
Chesterton Tribune
March 6, 2017
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has introduced legislation which would authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Read More...
Great Lakes mayors warn against Trump cuts to restoration effort
Chesterton Tribune
March 6, 2017
A group representing Great Lakes region mayors in the U.S. and Canada is sounding the alarm against potentially drastic cuts to an ecological recovery initiative for the Great Lakes. The Trump administration's potential cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative were reported by the Detroit Free Press last week. They would slash annual funding for the $300 million program to $10 million. The initiative combats invasive species, curbs nutrient-fueled algae blooms, cleans up toxic messes and restores sensitive fish and wildlife habitat.
Read More...
Democrats plan program on electoral college in Bartholomew County in Indiana
The Columbus Republic
March 6, 2017
The Bartholomew County Democratic Party will present a seminar on Electoral College Facts and Fiction at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Democratic headquarters, 1417 Chestnut St.
Read more...
Transportation, pre-K funding may be points of contention in second half of legislative session
The Evansville Courier & Press
March 6, 2017
The Legislature is to the halfway point of session and as the House and Senate prepare to switch bills, there could be a few points of contention between the two. Both House and Senate leaders have passed bills placing more requirements on the abortion process, but they could disagree on areas concerning road funding, pre-K and e-liquid regulation.
Read more...
Big hurdles face Texas' 'bathroom bill' ahead of first vote
Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel
March 6, 2017
A North Carolina-style "bathroom bill" targeting transgender people faces big hurdles in Texas as Republican supporters stood with church leaders and others Monday to ratchet up political pressure ahead of a first vote this week.
Although the Texas bill is likely to sail through a Senate committee as early as Tuesday, the hotly contested measure faces a tough road ahead. It is opposed by corporate titans such as Facebook, Amazon, Google and American Airlines and celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lawrence.
Read more...
Chesterton Tribune
March 6, 2017
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has introduced legislation which would authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Read More...
Great Lakes mayors warn against Trump cuts to restoration effort
Chesterton Tribune
March 6, 2017
A group representing Great Lakes region mayors in the U.S. and Canada is sounding the alarm against potentially drastic cuts to an ecological recovery initiative for the Great Lakes. The Trump administration's potential cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative were reported by the Detroit Free Press last week. They would slash annual funding for the $300 million program to $10 million. The initiative combats invasive species, curbs nutrient-fueled algae blooms, cleans up toxic messes and restores sensitive fish and wildlife habitat.
Read More...
Democrats plan program on electoral college in Bartholomew County in Indiana
The Columbus Republic
March 6, 2017
The Bartholomew County Democratic Party will present a seminar on Electoral College Facts and Fiction at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Democratic headquarters, 1417 Chestnut St.
Read more...
Transportation, pre-K funding may be points of contention in second half of legislative session
The Evansville Courier & Press
March 6, 2017
The Legislature is to the halfway point of session and as the House and Senate prepare to switch bills, there could be a few points of contention between the two. Both House and Senate leaders have passed bills placing more requirements on the abortion process, but they could disagree on areas concerning road funding, pre-K and e-liquid regulation.
Read more...
Big hurdles face Texas' 'bathroom bill' ahead of first vote
Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel
March 6, 2017
A North Carolina-style "bathroom bill" targeting transgender people faces big hurdles in Texas as Republican supporters stood with church leaders and others Monday to ratchet up political pressure ahead of a first vote this week.
Although the Texas bill is likely to sail through a Senate committee as early as Tuesday, the hotly contested measure faces a tough road ahead. It is opposed by corporate titans such as Facebook, Amazon, Google and American Airlines and celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lawrence.
Read more...