Thursday, March 13, 2025

WOTUS, Abortion, Confirmations, Fallen Police Officers, ActBlue

Here is the latest news:

  • On Wednesday, RSC House Energy Action Team (HEAT) Chairman Troy Balderson (R-OH, 12th) released the following statement after EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans for the agency to reconsider numerous EPA regulations:

    “Under the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Lee Zeldin, the EPA is taking desperately needed action to end the disastrous ‘Green New Deal’ and restore common sense to the agency’s regulatory regime. From revising the ‘Waters of the United States’ rule to overhauling the Biden administration’s most egregious regulations such as the electric vehicle mandate and ‘Clean Power Plan 2.0,’ the EPA is putting our country on the path to energy dominance and economic prosperity, all while ensuring America remains blessed with clean air and water.”

    EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the EPA will collaborate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review and revise the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS), fulfilling President Trump’s promise. The new definition will reduce red tape, lower permitting costs, and provide clearer direction for farmers, landowners, and businesses, while protecting the nation’s waters from pollution. The review follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, which clarified that only relatively permanent bodies of water, such as streams and rivers, are subject to federal jurisdiction, with wetlands covered only when directly connected to these waters. The goal is to provide clarity and consistency while supporting economic growth.

    "A ditch is not a river, and a puddle is not a lake. For years, the EPA’s overreach has burdened Eastern Washington’s farmers, landowners and small businesses. Administrator Zeldin’s steps will bring much-needed clarity and sanity to the meaning of “Waters of the United States,” and put decisions about our land and water back into the hands of the people who know them best – our local communities. ,” said U.S Representative Michael Baumgartner (R-WA, 5th). “By clarifying water regulations and cutting red tape, we empower our farmers, ranchers, and communities to thrive while ensuring the preservation of our vital water resources for generations to come. Clear rules pave the way for progress, allowing the land to continue feeding America, just as the rivers and streams of our region have nourished its people for centuries."

  • Today, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont at Large) is joined by Reps. Scanlon (PA-05) and Watson Coleman (NJ-12) to introduce the Stop Comstock Act in response to what she says is Republican intent to misuse the antiquated and unconstitutional statute, the Comstock Act, to prohibit the mailing of medication abortion and other materials used in abortion procedures. The bill would repeal the portions of the Comstock Act that she says anti-choice extremists intend to misuse to enact a nationwide abortion ban. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn) introduced the Senate companion bill. The House bill is cosponsored by 110 other House Democrats and 23 Senate Democrats.

    “We just witnessed a barrage of Trump nominees who evaded giving a straight answer on abortion pill access every time they were pressed during hearings. We’re seeing states pursuing criminal charges against doctors who prescribe medication abortion to women suffering under total abortion bans. We know that this fight is not over, that they are methodically moving through the plans laid out in Project 2025, and we need to be ready with every tool available when the Trump Administration inevitably turns its focus to the Comstock Act and tries to misuse a law passed 50 years before women had the right to vote to ban abortion nationwide. With Donald Trump in the White House, the threat to women’s reproductive health and freedom is more urgent than ever,” said Senator Smith.

  • Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) released the following statement after meeting with Lt. Gen. Dan Caine (U.S. Air Force, Ret.), President Donald Trump’s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

    “Today, I met with Lt. Gen. Dan Caine (U.S. Air Force, Ret.), President Trump’s choice to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As Chairman, he will be the President’s top military advisor, helping to Make Our Military Great Again.”

    Senator Banks is a member of the Senate Armed Services committee which will have a hearing regarding Lt. Gen. Caine’s nomination in the coming weeks.

  • This week, U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY, 6th) and U.S. Representative Daniel Goldman (D-NY, 10th) reintroduced the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, legislation to amend the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to ensure the families of fallen officers receive the benefits they deserve. The PSOB program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who are killed or permanently and totally disabled due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. While the program has long supported the families of fallen officers, some have been unjustly denied benefits due to arbitrary retirement status restrictions.

    “We have an obligation to care for those who pay the ultimate price for serving in the line of duty, even after they have retired,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “I am proud to join Rep. Andy Barr in introducing this legislation that ensures that retired law enforcement officials who are harmed or killed in connection to their service receive the benefits they deserve.”

  • Today, U.S. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th) sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting an investigation into ActBlue, the main fundraising platform of the Democrat Party. In 2024, banks across the country reported hundreds of suspicious transactions with ActBlue, but the previous Administration stonewalled congressional efforts to investigate the reports further. There are also allegations of foreign donations originating in China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.

    “The allegations against ActBlue are alarming and warrant a thorough investigation by the FBI,” said Congressman Biggs.

    “If the allegations against ActBlue are proven true, the fundraising group has undermined the integrity of our elections for years, and justice must be delivered swiftly. Americans’ faith in our electoral system is crucial to our Republic, and Congress must ensure that we protect the security of our elections.

    “I’m grateful to Director Patel for his work to restore our justice system, and I look forward to working with him to get to the bottom of these concerning reports.”

    The letter may be read here

  • Tuesday, March 11, 2025

    Small Business, Religious Freedom, Continuing Resolution (Budget),

    Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to March 11, 2024

    SBA will require citizenship verification for loan applications, relocate regional offices out of sanctuary cities
    Source: Small Business Administration
    March 6, 2025
    U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced a series of reforms to put American citizens first by ending taxpayer benefits for illegal aliens and moving SBA offices out of sanctuary cities. These actions support President Trump’s agenda to secure our borders – which has already resulted in the lowest rates(Link is external) of illegal border crossings in history.
    Read more...

    Congressman Robert Aderholt Leads Amicus Brief Defending Parents’ Religious Freedoms and Protecting Children in Schools
    Source: U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL, 4th)
    March 11, 2025
    Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) led a coalition of Republican lawmakers, alongside Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), in filing an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in Mahmoud v. Taylor. The brief, spearheaded by Congressman Aderholt and Senator Cassidy, supports parents' religious freedoms and their right to guide their children’s education. It highlights concerns about government overreach in public schools and emphasizes the importance of protecting parental rights against forced ideological instruction.
    Read more...

    Congressman Allen's Statement on House Passage of Continuing Resolution
    Source: U.S. Representative Rick Allen (R-GA, 12th)
    March 11, 2025
    "With President Trump's support, House Republicans passed legislation today to keep the lights on in Washington while we continue our work to rein in wasteful spending, reduce the debt, and deliver the America First agenda. This CR includes no poison pills, no gimmicks, and no outrageous pet projects. The Senate should pass this bill immediately and send it to President Trump's desk."
    Read more...

    Specifically, H.R. 1968:

  • Maintains government operations without increasing the spending of taxpayer dollars.
  • Upholds responsibilities to our nation’s veterans and ensures funding for their health care services and benefits.
  • Enhances defense investments and includes the largest pay raise for junior enlisted troops in over 40 years.
  • Supports federal wildland firefighters and their work to protect our communities and public lands.
  • Protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients from the disruptions and confusion a shutdown will cause.
  • Increases funding for air traffic control priorities over FY24.
  • Funds the program that provides important nutrition assistance to mothers, infants, and children. It includes a more than $500M increase for WIC, as requested by the Trump Administration, for a total of $7.6B.
  • Amodei Votes in Favor of Full-Year Continuing Resolution
    Source: U.S. Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV, 2nd)
    March 11, 2025
    “A fundamental duty of Congress is to ensure the federal government remains open and operational,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “Further, taking this step allows us to deliver on our commitment to strengthening our nation’s security and continue support for the men and women in uniform who dedicate their careers to doing so. In our current landscape, a clean, long-term continuing resolution is necessary to preserve the continuity of critical services and programs while avoiding unnecessary increases in taxpayer spending. While it’s not the ideal solution, this legislation, free of hidden agendas, allows Congress to focus on working with the President in implementing his agenda and restoring fiscal discipline to our nation. It’s time to move forward and show that the federal government can function efficiently, effectively, and in service of the public’s best interests."
    Read more...
    This one goes more into detail about what is in the bill, and is worth the read for those who want to prevent the spread of disinformaiton

    Arrington Statement on Government Funding Bill
    Source: U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX, 19th)
    March 11, 2025
    “Supporting the government funding bill was straightforward - it locks in the lower 2024 spending levels, roots out waste like the Department of Commerce’s ‘slush fund,’ and sends back to the Treasury an additional $20 billion Democrats gave to the IRS to audit low- and middle-income families and small businesses,” said Chairman Arrington. “Furthermore, it prevents Democrats from holding government funding hostage to derail Republicans’ momentum. Today, we cleared the deck so we could focus on the more consequential budget reconciliation bill to reignite economic growth, rein in wasteful spending, and deliver on President Trump’s FULL America First Agenda.”
    Read more...