Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Barrett Nomination, Oceans, Charities, Civil Rights, COVID Relief, Weather

Norton, Bass Send Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Opposing Vote on Supreme Court Nominee
Source: U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
October 20, 2020
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) commends Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for introducing the “Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act” today. The bill would authorize federal funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to invest in ocean-based solutions to greenhouse gas emissions and conservation of coastal communities, as well as outline a national policy to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.
Read more...

POLICY ALERT: OUTDOOR INDUSTRY APPLAUDS INTRODUCTION OF THE ‘OCEAN BASED CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ACT’
Source: Outdoor Industry Association
October 20, 2020
“As chair of the CBC’s Judicial Nominations Task Force, my investigation into Judge Barrett’s writings and record on the Court of Appeals compel me to raise strong objections again to her nomination to the Supreme Court,” Norton said. “Her disregard for precedent endangers hard-won precedents that African Americans disproportionately rely upon, such as the Affordable Care Act.”
Read more...

Ways and Means Oversight Panel Members Demand Answers on 28,000 Charities Losing Tax-Exempt Status
Source: U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ, 9th)
October 20, 2020
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, led all panel members in demanding answers from U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) sudden revocation of the tax-exempt status of 30,000 nonprofit organizations. This decision imperils charitable organizations aiding Americans struggling through the pandemic.
Read more...

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS ANNOUNCE PRINCIPLES TO PROTECT CIVIL RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY
Source: Open MIC (Open Media and Information Companies Initiative)
October 21, 2020
Advocates designed the principles both in response to the current risks to civil rights – including COVID-19, a surge in hate-based violence, private sector and government surveillance, and disinformation on social media platforms designed to manipulate or suppress voter participation – and with an eye toward how technology can meet its promise and affirmatively promote justice and equity.
Read more...

Reps. Pallone, Schiff, Bilirakis, Speier and Titus Announce Library of Congress Will Recognize the Armenian Genocide
Source: U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ, 6th)
October 21, 2020
The decision to change the subject heading by Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, was announced after bipartisan letters were sent to the Library and a formal request was initiated by the University of California-Los Angeles library. This change comes after both the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation recognizing the facts of the Armenian Genocide in 2019. Dr. Hayden informed the Members in a phone call.
Read more...

Democrats Continue To Block Additional COVID Relief
Source: Senator David Perdue (R-GA)
October 21, 2020
“It’s absolutely shameful that Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi continue to hold up real relief that could help the American people today,” Senator Perdue. “Once again, the Senate voted on a critical COVID-19 package focused on getting people back to work, getting kids safely back to school, and beating this virus with more resources for PPE, testing, and vaccines. Instead, Democrats are still trying to push their radical, socialist policies to be included, which have nothing to do with COVID-19. We have already secured $2.9 trillion in federal funding directed at helping American workers, businesses, families, hospitals, and communities. In Georgia, we specifically directed over $47 billion to help our state combat this crisis. It is time for the Democrats to stop holding Georgians and the American people hostage and work with us to deliver this much needed relief. As I have done from the start of this pandemic, I will continue fighting every single day to beat this virus and to secure additional assistance to help all of our communities.”
Read more...

Peters Bipartisan Bill to Predict & Mitigate Space Weather Threats Signed Into Law
Source: Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)
October 21, 2020
A severe space weather event, such as a solar flare or coronal mass ejection, has the potential to seriously disrupt the electric power grid, communications networks including cellular phones and GPS, satellites and aircraft operations. That’s why Peters worked to advance the Promoting Research and Observations of Space Weather to Improve the Forecasting of Tomorrow (PROSWIFT) Act.
Read more...