Foreign Ocean Carriers Blamed for High Shipping Costs

Washington, D.C. - December 13, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has roiled supply chains around the world, creating bottlenecks that have added costs and delays for small businesses and consumers. In the global shipping industry, all major ocean carriers are foreign-based and have not played fair with American exporters and importers during this crisis: 30 years ago, the largest foreign-flagged ocean carriers controlled around 15% of traffic. Today, they control 75%. As a result, American businesses have found it difficult to get their goods to market for a fair and reasonable cost, leading to shortages and higher prices.

H.R. 4996, which represents the first major modernization of the global ocean shipping industry since 1998, will:

ensure fairness in ocean shipping by prohibiting ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing to transport American cargo;

strengthen the overseas supply chain by combating unfair and disruptive business practices by shipping companies; and

bolster the Federal Maritime Commission so that it has the resources to hold wealthy shipping companies accountable.

Feenstra Renews Call for COST Act After Biden Signs Executive Order Mandating Zero-Emission Government Vehicle Fleet

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- On Wednesday, President Biden signed an executive order that bars federal agencies from buying liquid fuel vehicles by 2035, including a transition to all electric vehicles for government-owned passenger cars by 2027. Following the signing of this executive order, Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) released the following statement renewing his call for Congress to pass his Comparison of Sustainable Transportation (COST) Act:

“President Biden’s obsession with electric vehicles isn’t based on facts. Producing batteries for these vehicles, on top of the coal-generated power needed to charge them, requires a significant amount of money, energy, and nonrenewable resources. This is a rhetoric-driven decision that completely ignores the positive role biofuels play in reducing costs and emissions.

“In light of this announcement, Congress should immediately consider my COST Act to compare the full financial and environmental impact of choosing electric vehicles over E85 flex-fuel vehicles. Simply put, the Biden administration should not be so quick to jump to electric vehicles when E85 flex-fuel could provide an even cheaper and cleaner option.”

Biden’s executive order comes after the administration dealt a serious blow to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which Feenstra referred to as the “absolute height of hypocrisy” given the administration’s focus on climate change and gas prices.

The COST Act directs the Comptroller General and the Secretary of Energy to compare the financial and environmental costs of replacing federal government gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles or E85 capable flex-fuel vehicles. The bill then requires the Secretary of Energy to report findings to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

CEOS CALL ON CONGRESS TO ADDRESS SURGE OF RETAIL CRIME

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- In a letter to Congressional leadership, 20 CEOs of leading retailers expressed urgent concern over the growing impact of organized retail crime on retail employees and communities across the U.S. The signatories representing apparel, electronics, health and beauty, home improvement, and general merchandise sectors implore lawmakers to pass the INFORM Consumers Act, legislation that will modernize our consumer protection laws to safeguard families and communities from the sale of illicit products.

“Retailers have made significant investments to combat organized retail crime, but as they note in today’s letter, criminals will continue these brazen thefts as long as they are able to anonymously sell their stolen goods via online marketplaces. Fortunately, there is a growing consensus among business leaders, law enforcement, and a bipartisan group of policymakers that INFORM Consumers Act is an important and appropriate step to stemming the tide. Deterring these crimes starts with making it harder for thieves to sell stolen goods online. We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to help protect communities, families, and consumers.”

Retail leaders who signed today’s letter include:

Ken Hicks, Academy Sports + Outdoors

Corie Barry, Best Buy Co., Inc.

Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Richard Johnson, Foot Locker, Inc.

W. Rodney McMullen, The Kroger Co.

Richard Keyes, Meijer, Inc.

Erik B. Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Inc.

Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid Corporation

Brian C. Cornell, Target Corporation

Steve Rendle, VF Corporation

William Rhodes, AutoZone, Inc.

Neela Montgomery, CVS Health

Todd J. Vasos, Dollar General Corporation

Craig Menear, The Home Depot, Inc.

Chip Bergh, Levi Strauss & Co.

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Neiman Marcus, Inc.

Ron Coughlin, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.

Anthony T. Hucker, Southeast Grocers

David Kimbell, Ulta Beauty, Inc.

John Standley, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Brian Dodge, Retail Industry Leaders Association

Read the full letter here.

Ponder the News... (December 8, 2021)

On December 2, 2021, the House passed a largely partisan spending bill by a vote of 221-212.

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House Democrats also blocked a vote on a Parents Bill of Rights.

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FY22 NDAA has passed with these provisions:

Boosts topline defense spending by $25 billion to reverse President Biden’s woefully underfunded budget

Provides a 2.7% pay raise for and expanded benefits for military families

Ensures historic investments in emerging technology, like AI, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons

Secures funding to defend our allies from Russian aggression, including $300 million for the Ukraine Security Alliance Initiative and $4 billion for the European Detterence Initiative fund

Invests $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in preparing our military to prevail in conflict with China

Establishes that it is the policy of U.S. to maintain the ability to resist Chinese efforts to seize control of Taiwan

Prohibits a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccination and requires uniform procedures for vaccine exemptions

Removed language requiring women to register for Selective Service at 18 years of age

Eliminated language establishing an Office of Countering Extremism that would have created an ideological litmus test for servicemembers in violation of their First Amendment rights

Removed dangerous “Red Flag” language that could strip servicemembers’ and veterans’ Second Amendment rights.

Additional provisions may be found in the bill text HERE.

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According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. will co-sign the World Trade Organization’s joint ministerial declaration on gender equality.

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Monday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01), Chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and 29 other members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the proposed $43 billion merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia for violations of antitrust laws. In addition, members of Congress are requesting the Justice Department examine whether the proposed merger will reduce diverse content in a more consolidated and less competitive market.

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According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute on Tuesday, "President Biden’s pick for Comptroller of the Currency withdrew today after critics, including the Competitive Enterprise Institute, exposed her many statements sympathetic to communism." We don't have to worry about our bank accounts being made public anymore.

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Last week, Consumer Reports urged Congress in a letter to pass legislation introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Ben Ray Luján that would ban the predatory use of “shopping bots” by scammers to buy up popular products online so they can turn around and sell the items for much more. The Stopping Grinch BOTS Act would protect consumers from these automated software programs and create a more level playing field for shoppers looking to buy the latest gaming consoles or toys topping their kid’s wish list at a reasonable price.

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U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing the Music Under Severe Income Crisis (MUSIC) Act to support the entertainment industry impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. This legislation would expand the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program to include the many support and service companies, including convention and trade show organizers, that work with live event venues and performers and have been impacted by pandemic closures.

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Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with twelve of his Senate colleagues, have introduced the Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act, legislation aimed at eliminating Palestinian “martyr payments.” The bill would deter foreign banks from making these payments by putting at risk their access to the United States financial system. A one-pager about the bill may be found here. Bill text may be found here.

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U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and John Joyce (R-PA) led 17 of their colleagues in requesting a review of the regulation of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising practices for prescription medical products. Over the past several years, an increasing number of companies are selling prescription products, such as contact lenses and orthodontics, directly to consumers. While these companies have the potential to increase convenience and lower costs, reports of poor quality or adverse events have raised concerns among consumers and health care providers.

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U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Veterans Justice Outreach Improvement Act, legislation to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand and improve outreach about the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program to ensure every veteran eligible for VJO is aware of the program.

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S. 610, the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act, passed the House on a partisan vote of 222-212 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. This legislation prevents cuts to Medicare for the over 44 million Americans who depend on the program. Without this bill, automatic spending cuts to Medicare, known as “sequestration,” would go into effect at the end of this year.

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In light of the disturbing revelation that the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division created a “threat tag” based on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s October 4 memorandum, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and every Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week sent a follow-up letter to AG Garland demanding that he finally withdraw that memo and make clear that the law enforcement arms of the federal government do not equate concerned parents with domestic terrorists.

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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has sought to pass new legislation imposing sanctions on Nord Stream 2, which if brought online will enable Putin to invade and devastate Ukraine.

Spending, Extremism, World Uyghur Congress, Vaccine Mandate Case, Fentanyl, Child Care, Communism in the Classroom,

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to December 7, 2020

Most popular telemedicine diagnoses no longer include COVID-19
Source: Newsquick24
December 6, 2021
COVID-19 dropped out of the top five diagnoses observed nationally in telemedicine in September, even as the use of virtual assistance began to rise.
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Buchanan Leads Letter with Over 100 GOP Colleagues Opposing New CMS Vaccine Mandate
Source: U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL, 16th)
December 6, 2021
CMS’s vaccine mandate, issued in November, requires health care workers whose employers participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs be fully vaccinated by January 4. There are approximately 76,000 providers that employ over 17 million health care workers that would be required to comply with the mandate. Many of America’s physicians also operate as small businesses and would be required to comply with these new rules and regulations, the same as large hospitals.
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CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS VOTES "NO" ON CONTINUING RESOLUTION THAT HASTENS AMERICA'S INSOLVENCY AND HURTS NATIONAL DEFENSE
Source: U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-AL, 5th)
December 3, 2021
"America’s debt will soon blow through the $30 trillion mark. That is roughly $90,000 in debt for every man, woman and child in America. America has suffered $3 trillion deficits in back-to-back years for the first time in history. No one knows how bad 2022 will be but this reckless continuing resolution is certain to make America’s insolvency risk worse. We simply have too many economically illiterate and reckless spenders in Congress whose spending binges have contributed to the inflation that’s hammering American families."
Read more...

Brown, CBC Chair Beatty, Warner, Booker Urge Inclusion Of A Strong Provision To Combat Extremism In The Military, In The FY22 NDAA
Source: U.S. Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD, 4th)
December 3, 2021
“While the Department has issued directives to address the issue of extremism in the military, including a force-wide stand down, recent reports about rioters reenlisting, interagency data sharing failures, and blanket statements made by military leaders that deny the reality of extremism in the ranks demonstrate that we need legislative action,” the members wrote. “Now is the time for Congress to join this fight and enact its own robust legislative solutions to give the Department the authorities and resources it needs to address these long-overdue issues.”
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Rep. Ken Buck Sends Letter to Marriott International CEO Criticizing Hotel's Refusal to Host World Uyghur Congress
Source: U.S. Representative Ken Buck (R-CO, 4th)
December 3, 2021
"Under the guise of 'political neutrality,' the Prague Marriott Hotel became an extension of the intense persecution against Uyghurs perpetuated by the Chinese government," the Congressman stated. "By shuttering its doors to the WUC, the hotel affiliated itself with the Chinese government’s policies toward the Uyghur people."
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REP. TED BUDD HELPS INTRODUCE CRUCIAL COMMUNISM TEACHING ACT
Source: U.S. Representative Ted Budd (R-NC, 13th)
December 3, 2021
The legislation would authorize the congressionally-created Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a high school curriculum to educate students about the dangers of communism and totalitarianism
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Burchett: Throw the book at fentanyl traffickers
Source: U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN, 2nd)
December 2, 2021
“It is time we throw the book at fentanyl traffickers. These dirtbags are responsible for killing thousands of American citizens, but the Biden administration wants to lessen prison sentences for fentanyl smugglers. That is wrong. These criminals need to be treated like terrorists wielding weapons of mass destruction. I will soon introduce legislation that will mandate life sentences for smuggling fentanyl into our country.”
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Burgess: Continuing Resolutions are not Appropriate to run a Country in Crisis
Source: U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX, 26th)
December 2, 2021
“Today, during the Rules Committee hearing on this legislation, I brought up the difficulty of receiving even a phone call back from any federal agency. This is unacceptable,” said Burgess. “Further, Democrats keeping pushing social spending without considering the cost for the American taxpayer. Americans are struggling to pay for the gas just to get to the grocery store and are even more discouraged when they see that the price of milk has jumped too. On top of the inflation crisis, our country is experiencing several others. Congress not taking the time to address each of these crises, induced by this Administration, is legislative malpractice. The legislative branch of our government holds the purse strings, and we, as Members of this branch, have a responsibility to restore the appropriations process so that we can effectively govern and avoid future potential shutdowns.”
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There Is a Better Way to Build on Successful, Existing Child Care Programs
Source: Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
December 2, 2021
One: Faith-based or religious providers will close, as will small family child care homes and kinship care settings. Two: Child care and preschool costs will rise, dramatically. Three: States will be burdened with huge costs and aggressive federal government control. And four: This entire proposal is built on a series of budget gimmicks to hide the costs to the American taxpayers until it is too late.
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The Buckeye Institute Files Motion Demanding White House Stop Hiding Documents in OSHA Vaccine Mandate Case
Source: Buckeye Institute
December 1, 2021
As outlined in The Buckeye Institute’s motion, the White House has been perfectly clear that it imposed the vaccine mandate through OSHA in order to circumvent limits on federal power, and that its true intent is not related to genuine concern for workplace safety, but is rather to increase individual vaccination rates writ large. Because this rationale would constitute an impermissible basis for any OSHA rule, OSHA produced a pretextual record, making no mention of the White House’s publicly-stated purpose of increasing individual vaccination rates. The White House then failed to include documents about its stated justification for the mandate in the official record it submitted to the court.
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FTC Integrity Act, Jordan Cove Pipeline, Privacy for Federal Judges, Mount Vernon PD, Vaccine Mandate

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to December 6, 2021

BLUNT, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BILL TO STOP GHOST VOTES FROM IMPACTING FTC RULES
Source: Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
December 6, 2021
“To a cast a vote in the Federal Trade Commission, you ought to actually be on the commission,” said Blunt. “This zombie voting completely ignores the important role of the Senate in the confirmation process, and it’s totally inconsistent with how federal agencies should operate. I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bill to eliminate this unacceptable practice.”
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Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Statement on the Justice Department’s Civil Investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department
Source: U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY, 16th)
December 6, 2021
On Friday, the Justice Department announced an investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department following years of ignored claims of planted evidence, illegal body cavity searches, excessive force, abusive tactics and targets on residents and youth, primarily Black, of Mount Vernon, New York.
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Senator Bob Dole of Kansas died on December 5, 2021. The Ponder would like to remember him with a quote:

“For greatness lies not in what office you hold, but in how honest you are, in how you face adversity, and in your willingness to stand fast in hard places.”
Bob Dole

Rep. Boebert Blasts Leftist Environmental Extremists for Killing the Jordan Cove Natural Gas Pipeline
Source: U.S. House Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO, 3rd)
December 3, 2021
Rep. Lauren Boebert stated: “Under the Trump administration, America was a net energy exporter, but under the Biden regime, we have been begging OPEC for energy. American natural gas is some of the cleanest-burning fuel in the world, and to improve the environment, provide American jobs, secure American economic and national security, and project an image of strength to the world, America should pursue energy independence. The cancellation of the Jordan Cove Pipeline is a tragedy for Coloradans and for American energy independence. American energy policy should not hinge on a few radical, well-funded environmentalists on the West Coast.”
Read more...

Booker, Menendez Applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of Bipartisan Bill To Protect Privacy, Safety of Federal Judges and Their Families
Source: Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)
December 2, 2021
“I am grateful that Senators of both parties came together today to support the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act— urgently needed legislation that will help protect the privacy and safety of federal judges and their families,” said Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “No person who takes on the responsibility of serving as a federal judge should ever have to live in fear that they or their family could be targeted by someone who is able to access their personal information easily online. As we continue to grieve and stand with the Salas family in honoring the memory of their son Daniel, we must never forget that tragic day, and we must ensure that this legislation is passed by the full Senate.”
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Senator Joe Manchin joins vaccine mandate challenge, expected to pass next week in Senate
Source: Senator Mike Braun (R-IN)
December 3, 2021
“President Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate for private businesses is not a partisan issue: it jeopardizes the freedoms and livelihoods of Americans in all 50 states, and I hope that more Democratic Senators and Representatives will follow Senator Manchin’s strong lead and stand up against this federal overreach that will wreak havoc on our recovering economy and trample on the rights of millions of Americans.” - Senator Mike Braun
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