Wildfires, WOTUS, Hydroxychloroquine

At Wildfire Briefing, Trump Scoffs at Climate Crisis: “I Don’t Think Science Knows”
Source: Environmental Working Group
September 14, 2020
Trump has dismissed the climate crisis as “a hoax” and has said the fires are the result of states failing to clean brush from forest floors. When he met today with California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state’s natural resources secretary challenged him to accept the overwhelming scientific consensus on global warming, which is causing record high temperatures and drying out the forests, triggering unprecedented firestorms.
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Ernst, Iowa Farmer Highlight Importance of New, Commonsense WOTUS Rule
Source: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
September 16, 2020
In 2015, the Obama Administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of WOTUS—giving the federal government authority to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa—and creating confusion and burdensome red tape for Iowa’s agriculture industry and many others. Immediately, Senator Ernst took action and introduced legislation that would have nullified the Obama Administration’s rule. After passing both the House and Senate—with bipartisan support—the bill was vetoed by President Obama.
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Eshoo and Pallone Blast Administration for Withholding Info on Hydroxychloroquine
Source: U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA, 18th)
September 16, 2020
“The Trump Administration continues to refuse to release the decision memorandum and denial letter issued by FDA in response to a request for an Emergency Use Authorization for hydroxychloroquine," said Eshoo and Pallone. “The drug has had serious health consequences when used to treat COVID-19, and the public has a right to know the critical scientific information in the agency’s denial of the EUA, especially as the Administration is stockpiling the drug and advancing it during the COVID-19 crisis.”
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DREAM Act, Teachers

Ninety Days Since Landmark Supreme Court DACA Decisions And Following Critical TPS Decision, Durbin Calls On Senate To Pass Dream And Promise Act
Source: Senator Richard J. Durbin (D - IL)
September 16, 2020
“It’s been exactly 90 days since the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s effort to end deportation protections for Dreamers,” Durbin said. “Let’s be clear. The Supreme Court of the United States rejected President Trump’s repeal of DACA. That means DACA returns to its original status and the Trump Administration, under the court order, must reopen the program. And they must do it now. Instead Mr. Wolf is saying that DHS will turn away 300,000 applicants who are Dreamers and eligible for DACA but have not had a chance to apply… This Administration, which is telling America they are dedicated to ‘law and order’ – is in open defiance of the Supreme Court. The stakes are too high—both for the rule of law and just as important, the lives of Dreamers. To ignore this is to ignore a legitimate order of the highest court in the land. Republicans and Democrats in Congress must come together to compel the President to follow the law and immediately comply with the Supreme Court's mandate.”
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Teachers are paid almost 20% less than similar workers
Source: Economic Policy Institute
September 17, 2020
Although teachers on average enjoy better benefits packages than similar workers, Mishel and Allegretto find that benefits only mitigate part of the wage gap. Including benefits, teachers are still left with a 10.2% compensation gap compared to similar workers. While the data in this paper are through 2019 and thus predate the pandemic, our analysis may provide useful insights as schools struggle to reopen.
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Law Enforcement, Boeing, Desegregation, Cyber Crimes, JBS

Daines: I'll Always Back the Blue. We Must Defend the Police, Not Defund Them
Source: Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
September 16, 2020
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today gave a speech on the Senate floor in support of Montana's law enforcement, thanking the men and women who wear the badge for their service and dedication to keeping Montanans safe. Daines' speech follows his co-sponsorship of a Senate resolution expressing support for the brave men and women of law enforcement and condemns the perpetrators, instigators, and celebrators of targeted violence against law enforcement..
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Rep. Sharice Davids’ statement on Boeing 737 MAX final report
Source: U.S Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS, 3rd)
September 16, 2020
“Our investigation uncovered serious problems in the FAA’s safety certification process and revealed that Boeing repeatedly put profit over safety in the development of the 737 MAX. The 346 victims of both tragic crashes and their families now expect and deserve Congress to act. We must strengthen aviation safety and transparency and hold corporations much more accountable so that the tragedy of the Boeing 737 MAX is not repeated.”
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Davis Votes in Support of Diversity and Desegregation Grants for Schools
Source: U.S Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL, 13th)
September 16, 2020
“66 years after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, many schools in our country are still facing problems of segregation,” said Rep. Davis. “Even schools like District 186 in Springfield are still operating under decades-old federal desegregation consent decrees. The Strength in Diversity Act works to change that by providing federal grant funding to support voluntary local efforts that encourage diversity and desegregate schools. I’m proud to support this legislation because it will provide new opportunities for minority schoolkids and improve educational outcomes and social cohesion.”
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Seven International Cyber Defendants, Including “Apt41” Actors, Charged In Connection With Computer Intrusion Campaigns Against More Than 100 Victims Globally
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
September 16, 2020
In August 2019 and August 2020, a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., returned two separate indictments charging five computer hackers, all of whom were residents and nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with computer intrusions affecting over 100 victim companies in the United States and abroad, including software development companies, computer hardware manufacturers, telecommunications providers, social media companies, video game companies, non-profit organizations, universities, think tanks, and foreign governments, as well as pro-democracy politicians and activists in Hong Kong
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DeLauro Statement in Support of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7’s Protest Against OSHA’s ‘Fine’ on JBS
Source: U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
September 16, 2020
“OSHA’s meager $15,615 fine on JBS is a slap in the face to all who believe in the difference of right and wrong,” said DeLauro. “My deepest sympathies are with the UFCW 7 victims and their families who have been failed by their employer and the federal agencies tasked with regulating them. No worker should ever have to sacrifice their life for a paycheck.”
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