September 29, 2017
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Tax Reform
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Davis Statement on GOP Tax Reform Framework and Retreat
Rodney Davis (R-IL, 13th)
“Today House Republicans united around middle-class Americans who are being crushed by our outdated tax code,” said Davis. “Illinois residents know all too well the impact high taxes are having on their families’ ability to save and get ahead and our state’s ability to compete for good-paying jobs. Our plan uses Illinois as an example of what not to do. We want to cut tax rates for individuals, simplify but maintain important middle-class deductions, and make it so American businesses can compete globally. There’s still much more work to be done, but this is our shot at changing the lives of each working American for the better and I hope we get bipartisan support to get it done.”
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Statement from Congressman Dan Donovan on Tax Reform
Daniel Donovan (R-NY, 11th)
"...I’m of course concerned about the state and local tax deduction, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues as the legislation goes through the committee process. It’s important to me that Staten Island and Brooklyn residents benefit from tax relief and don’t shoulder the burden for cuts elsewhere in the country."
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DUNN RELEASES STATEMENT ON UNIFIED TAX REFORM BLUEPRINT
Neal Dunn (R-FL, 2nd)
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to overhaul our complex tax system, lower rates, and truly make the IRS work for the people, instead of against them,” said Dr. Dunn. “At more than 4 million words long, the current tax code is a prime example of the government red tape that is strangling our economy. By lowering rates, reducing the size and scope of the IRS, and closing loopholes, we will put more money back in the pockets of the people who earned it and supercharge the economy.”
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Fair and Simple Tax Reform for American Families and American Jobs
Bill Flores (R-TX, 17th)
Over the past eight months, American economic growth has jumped by almost 50 percent from the below-average growth levels of the last few years. We believe that tax reform can take our economic growth and job opportunities to even higher levels, and to relieve the economic strains being felt by working families.
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Mining
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Rep. Peter DeFazio Blasts Request to Overturn Protections for Critical Watershed
Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th)
“This is an egregious overstep by Washington, driven by special interests,” said Rep. DeFazio. “The prohibition on mining on the Smith River and the headwaters of Hunter Creek and Pistol River has broad, overwhelming support from thousands of residents of southwest Oregon, local governments, businesses and community leaders. Re-opening this area to allow a foreign company to strip mine our public lands without paying American taxpayers hardly any royalties would devastate surrounding economies and threaten critical drinking water sources. This withdrawal has been discussed, debated and endorsed by the surrounding communities and supported by federal agencies. Chairman Bishop and the Trump administration need to respect the will of southwest Oregon.”
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Food Safety
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DeLauro Responds to New OIG Report Detailing FDA’s Failure to Effectively Implement the Food and Safety Modernization Act
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
“The goal of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) was to prevent food-safety problems rather than react to these issues after they arise. However, the Inspector General’s report revealed that the FDA has not taken effective or timely action to identify and correct food facility inspection violations.”
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Education
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DelBene Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Lower College Textbook Costs
Suzan Delbene (D-WA, 1st)
“An often overlooked driver of the rising cost of college is textbooks and supplies. In addition to tackling tuition hikes and burdensome student loan debt, we must find solutions to the other factors making a college degree less attainable for working families,” DelBene said. “Technology is changing the classroom experience, and the E-BOOK Act will help spur innovation in our colleges by incentivizing the adoption of new learning technologies, which in turn will save students money.”
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South Korea
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Congressman Dent Supports Maintaining South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement
Charles W. Dent (R-PA, 15th)
"Retracting from this South Korea trade agreement would be detrimental to American econoimc, diplomatic, and security interests," said Dent. "It's a short-sighted move that fails to take into account two key factors. First, the deal benefits both American workers and businesses, especially in terms of agricultural exports. Second, America would be sending te wrong message to our ally by backing out of our trade agreement in the midst of the ongoing North Korea threat. We cannot slight the South Korean government in this way by seemingly abandoning them," Dent stated.
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Hurricanes
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Diaz-Balart Votes for Tax Relief to Support Hurricane Impacted Communities
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL, 25th)
“This year, we have experienced an extremely active hurricane season that has left destruction and devastation in its path. After days without running water or electricity, parts of Florida are just beginning the rebuilding process. A large number of homes in our community have been deemed structurally unsafe, and hundreds more require critical repair. This legislation provides significant tax relief that will assist Floridians and others who have been impacted by recent storms. Many are now left to find the financial means to make needed repairs to their homes. Among others, by eliminating the tax penalty on early retirement plan withdrawals, we can help folks access the capital required to make these repairs and get back on their feet. These tax benefits also extend to citizens of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, assisting Caribbean citizens who need our support in this difficult time.”
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Insurance
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Duffy Introduces Bipartisan FIO Reform Act
Sean P. Duffy (R-WI, 7th)
Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy, chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, today co-introduced the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Reform Act with Congressman Denny Heck (D-WA).
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Abortion
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CONGRESSMAN DUNCAN'S STATEMENT ON H.R. 36
John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN, 2nd)
This bill would protect an unborn child old enough to feel pain from being aborted. Evidence indicates an unborn baby is able to feel pain at 20 weeks old," said Duncan.
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Cuba
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Congressional Cuba Working Group Statement in Response to Ongoing Investigation in Cuba
Tom Emmer (R-MN, 6th)
“The federal government has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our diplomats and Foreign Service personnel, regardless of where they serve. Those who are responsible for perpetuating these harmful and unacceptable acts will be held accountable.
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Health Care
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EVANS AND SMUCKER INTRODUCE BILL TO IMPROVE PEDIATRIC CARE AND REDUCE PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE
Dwight Evans (D PA, 2nd)
Rep. Dwight Evans and Rep. Smucker, along with, today introduced the Strengthening Our Pediatric Workforce Act – bipartisan legislation that will help address America’s growing pediatric physician shortage by creating a new grant program for children’s teaching hospitals to make additional residency positions available for pediatric specialists
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Sports
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Congressman Farenthold Reintroduces the PRO Sports Act
Blake Farenthold (R-TX, 27th)
“Professional sports leagues should not be exempt from paying taxes,” said Congressman Farenthold. “These are highly profitable businesses that make tens of millions of dollars each year and have been exploiting loopholes to game the system. It’s time we blow the whistle on this foul, and get this bill over the goal line.”
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Farming
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Faso Introduces Bill to Crack-Down on Fake Organics, Support Organic Farmers
John Faso, (R-NY, 19th)
Congressman Faso said, “Fraudulent ‘organic’ grain and feed originating overseas is not only deceptive to consumers, but it artificially drives down the price of real organics, hurting legitimate organic farmers in Upstate New York and across the country. I am proud to introduce the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act alongside Congresswoman Lujan Grisham as it will crack down on these fake organics. This is commonsense legislation that puts American consumers and farmers first
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Drug Addiction
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Op-Ed: White House must formally declare the opioid crisis a national emergency
Brian Fitzpatrick, (R PA, 8th)
A little over a month ago, President Trump announced his intention to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency. He was right—it is an emergency. Drug overdoses killed almost 54,000 people in 2015, and the majority of those deaths involved an opioid. Last year about 12 million Americans misused an opioid, and the overdose death toll rose to 65,000. The opioid crisis is cutting deep scars in our communities, and in some states, is taking more of our loved ones than car accidents, suicides and firearms combined. It is absolutely an emergency and we urge the president to move quickly in formally declaring the opioid crisis a national health emergency.
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Other
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ENGEL: GOP HAS WASTED TIME, JEOPARDIZED VITAL PROGRAMS
Eliot Engel (D-NY, 16th)
Congressional Republicans have spent nine months on their tired vendetta against the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Now, just days before the fiscal year ends, they’ve proven only that they were willing to put critical programs on the backburner for a shot at fulfilling their misguided political promises.
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Esty Calls on Congress to Vote on Puerto Rico Aid Relief, Expiring Federal Programs
Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 5th)
“I am calling on my colleagues to come together to find a bipartisan approach that fully funds these programs and assists all Americans to keep our country moving forward.”
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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
By: Mrs. Brenda Fleischmann
The calendar fills up quickly in September as families return to a packed routine after quieter summer days. Unfortunately, your health might take a backseat to your busy schedule. So make a note on your calendar that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and remind yourself—or the men in your life—about the importance of a healthy prostate.
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