Flouride Lowers IQ in Children

Washington, D.C. -March 8, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) just released an assessment of a draft report on fluoride neurotoxicity produced by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The NAS suggested improvements to strengthen the report and heavily criticized NTP for ignoring evidence from animal studies and for inadequately addressing the human evidence of fluoride levels common in the USA, reports the Fluoride Action Network (FAN).

Paul Connett, PhD, Director of FAN, an environmental group, welcomed the NAS report and said, "If the recommendations are adopted, they will make the final report 'iron-clad' against criticisms. The NAS suggestions should strengthen the draft report's conclusion that fluoride is a presumed neurotoxin in children, which is based on 149 human studies. This finding brings into question the long-standing assurances from public health officials that water fluoridation is safe."

Connett went on to say, "The NAS review has been misinterpreted by fluoridation defenders. The NAS did not independently review the scientific evidence but instead limited itself to comments on whether the NTP clearly and thoroughly explained their methods. The NAS emphasized its finding '… does not mean that the NTP's conclusion is incorrect.'"

"Many NAS suggestions are minor and should have little effect on the conclusion of 'presumed' neurotoxic in children. However, the inclusion of the hundreds of identified animal studies, as recommended by NAS, can only increase confidence in the conclusion."

"The other main NAS criticism was that NTP inadequately addressed the question most people are interested in: Does fluoridated water pose a neurotoxic risk? Criticizing NTP's vague discussions about uncertainty over this question, the NAS recommends NTP do a proper dose-response analysis to address this issue head-on. FAN believes such an analysis will confirm there is sufficient evidence linking water fluoridation to lowered IQ and other neurotoxic effects."

Connett further stated, "Multiple strong scientific studies, at exposures relevant to fluoridation, have been published after the NTP's review. They link fluoridation in Canada to greatly lowered IQ in formula-fed infants (Till 2020) and 300% higher rates of ADHD (Ridell 2019); fluoridation in USA with sleep disturbances in adolescents (Malin 2020); and fluoride with lower IQ by thyroid disruption (Wang 2020)."

Vindman, Environment, Digital Currency, HIV, War Powers, Children, ERA, Tax Credits

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to February 14, 2020

REP. HECK ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RETALIATION AGAINST LT. COL. VINDMAN
Source: U.S. Representative Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th)
February 7, 2020
The President’s public humiliation of Colonel Vindman today is beyond shameful. And if there was any doubt that this was an act of petulant retaliation, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, Colonel Alexander Vindman’s twin brother and a National Security Council lawyer, was also dismissed from his position and left the White House alongside his brother. President Trump has shown that he will cruelly retaliate against honorable public servants. All evidence shows that he will continue to do so.
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Senators Hirono, Carper Introduce Bill Requiring Net-Zero U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050
Source: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D - HI)
February 11, 2020
“The devastating consequences of climate change in Hawaii are clear, and that is why we were the first state in the country to commit to achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2045, which includes 100% renewable power. The Clean Economy Act spurs similar bold action across the country by setting a goal of achieving net-zero U.S. greenhouse gas production by 2050. The bill also requires a focus on public health, innovative and equitable access to worker training, and enhancing America’s global competitiveness, all of which will be essential to address the broad impacts of climate change,” Senator Hirono said.
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Federal Reserve Chairman: U.S. is “Working Hard” on Digital Currency
Source: U.S. Representative French Hill (R-AR, 2nd)
February 12, 2020
Libra lit a fire and it was a bit of a wakeup call that this was coming fast, and could come in a way that is quite widespread and systemically important. Federal Reserve Chairman Confirms Digital Currency Efforts
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President's Budget Increases HIV Support, But Lacks Direction And Funding In Key Areas
Source: HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA)
February 12, 2020
President Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget plan proposes $716 million in funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative – more than double the 2020 request. At the same time, however, it reduces support for federal public health programs that are key to the initiative’s implementation, according to the HIV Medicine Association.
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Trump Stripped of War Powers
Source: Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
February 13, 2020
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting to support S.J.Res.63, a war powers resolution to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional authorization. The resolution passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 55 to 45.
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HOEVEN STATEMENT AFTER SENATE VOTE ON WAR POWERS RESOLUTIONS
Source: Senator John Hoeven (R - ND)
February 13, 2020
“I do not support this resolution because I think it undermines our nation’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran, including diplomatic, economic and military pressure. I believe it sends the wrong message to Iranian leaders that the U.S. is relieving, rather than increasing, pressure on the regime, particularly in the context of widespread anti-government protests in Iran."
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U.S. Reps Herrera Beutler, Kennedy Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen Kids’ Access to Health Care
Source: U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)
February 13, 2020
U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) and Joe Kennedy III (MA-04) reintroduced a bipartisan bill to streamline the enrollment process for care provided to children outside of the state where they are enrolled in a Medicaid program. Cosponsored by Congressman Ben Ray Luján (NM-03), the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act would create a limited pathway for pediatric providers to be screened and enrolled in another state’s Medicaid program to eliminate unnecessary delays in care.
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COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL, COSPONSORED BY HIGGINS, TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS
Source: U.S. Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY, 26th)
February 13, 2020
Higgins said, “Surprise medical bills for out-of-network care can be financially devastating for patients and their families. This legislation protects consumers from receiving surprise medical bills and removes the unfair mystery associated with billing, giving patients access to the information they deserve relative to the coverage they are entitled to under their plan and the costs they can expect to pay following care.”
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Rep. Horn Votes for ERA Legislation
Source: U.S. Representative Kendra Horn (D-OK, 5th)
February 13, 2020
“A vote for the ERA is a vote for equality,” said Congresswoman Horn. “The ERA enshrines in the highest law of the land the same principles that our founders fought for, that we are all created equal. Women today face continued obstacles to full equality, including unequal pay, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, and inadequate health care access. These are not just women’s issues, they are economic issues and family issues that impact all Oklahomans. Discrimination in the workplace and our state’s wage gap mean less money at home for food, for bills, for doctor’s visits and school supplies. Ending discrimination and affirming women’s equality under the law is the right thing to do, not just for women but for our whole country.”
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Congressman Steven Horsford Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Empower Nevada’s Workers and Businesses
Source: U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV, 4th)
February 13, 2020
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the Skill and Knowledge Investments Leverage Leaders’ Untapped Potential Tax Credit (SKILL UP) Act alongside Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02). The SKILL UP Act would provide businesses with a tax credit for investing in work-based learning for workers with low skill levels.
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Impeachment, Superbowl, Children, Stalking, Firearms, Infrastructure, School Choice, Human Trafficking, Insurance, Child Hunger, Heritage, Immigrants

Today's News for February 4, 2020

Fischer Voices Opposition to Impeachment Articles
Source: Senator Deb Fischer (R - NE)
February 4, 2020
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced on the Senate floor that she will vote to acquit President Trump and against both articles of impeachment. She also called on the Senate to return to normal legislative business and work to advance policies that benefit Nebraskans and all Americans.
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Dr. James Dobson Asks Why Fox Sports Says “Yes” to Drag Queens and “No” to Abortion Survivors
Source: Family Talk
February 4, 2020
It amazes me that Fox would choose to transform the Super Bowl from a family-friendly event into an opportunity to promote a gender ideology that goes against the most basic biological realities, as well as the sincerely held religious beliefs of millions of Americans. To say I'm disappointed would be a huge understatement.
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House hearings tackle regulatory threats to children and families
Source: First Focus
February 3, 2020
A broad coalition of nonprofit and faith-based groups from across the nation that aid and represent children hailed oversight hearings to be held in the House of Representatives this week regarding Trump Administration regulatory efforts they say would harm children.
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Fitzpatrick’s bipartisan, bicameral resolution raises awareness of stalking
Source: U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, (R PA, 8th)
February 1, 2020
“Congress must continue to raise awareness about the dangers of stalking,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “Too many Americans have become victims of stalking, and the crimes that come after.”
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FPC, FPF Secure Preliminary Injunction Against Pennsylvania State Police ‘Partially Manufactured Receivers’ Policy Following Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s December 2019 “Legal Opinion”, Mandate
Source: Firearms Policy Coalition
January 31, 2020
“Under the PSP’s policy, good, law-abiding people and businesses were threatened with numerous criminal and civil penalties for things that not even the State Police could define. Today, the Commonwealth Court found that the PSP’s policy violated the constitutional rights of our clients and others,” commented Prince about the ruling. “We are gratified by the Commonwealth Court’s appropriate and sound decision enjoining the Pennsylvania State Police from enforcing its new policy regarding what it refers to as ‘partially manufactured frames and receivers.’”
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Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Outlines Priorities for New Infrastructure Legislation
Source: U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX, 7th)
January 31, 2020
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, outlined her priorities to include in upcoming infrastructure legislation. This followed Wednesday’s announcement by members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, and Ways and Means Committee unveiled a “Moving Forward” framework for a five-year plan to address our country’s most urgent infrastructure needs. Congresswoman Fletcher emphasized the need to invest in the nation’s water systems, flood protection and mitigation projects, and transit systems – all critical needs for the Houston region and Texas’ Seventh Congressional District.
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U.S. Supreme Court School Choice Case Has Major Implications for Religious Liberty
Source: First Liberty Institute
January 31, 2020
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Espinoza v. Montana, an important school-choice case that could have nationwide implications for religious liberty
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PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Source: Faith and Freedom Coalition
January 31, 2020
President Trump today announced that the White House would expand the Domestic Policy Council to include a post dedicated to combatting human trafficking. Faith & Freedom Coalition, a strong advocate in the fight against human trafficking, commends President Trump for this step and applauds his continued commitment to ending this crime in the United States.
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Feinstein on Vote to Subpoena Witnesses in Impeachment Trial
Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
January 31, 2020
Jurors in a trial should have access to all the relevant information before casting their vote. By the closest of margins, the Senate majority has removed our ability to hold a full and fair trial.
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FAH Comments on Insurer Transparency Proposed Rule
Source: Feeding America
January 30, 2020
The FAH comment letter reiterates our support for HHS’ goal of transparency for patients while opposing the disclosure of negotiated rates and highlighting the legal and operational concerns with the Administration’s proposal. The comment letter argues that the Proposed Rule exceeds the Administration’s statutory authority, and raises 1st amendment/trade secret concerns. It also risks significant market disruption and unforeseen anticompetitive effects that pose significant potential harms for consumers. The letter urges CMS to engage with industry to further develop price estimator tools that provide clear, accurate, and actionable cost-sharing information tools rather than implement an unnecessary proposal to publicly release negotiated rates.
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Feeding America Applauds Proposed USDA Rule that Will Help Tackle Summer Child Hunger
Source: Federation of American Hospitals (FAH)
January 30, 2020
“During the school year, 22 million children rely on the National School Lunch Program for healthy, nutritious meals at free or at reduced prices. When school lets out, many families struggle to make up for the loss of school meals, leaving far too many children — 5 out of every 6 kids — unsure of where they will find their next meal. Feeding America applauds a new proposed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that will help ensure fewer children are hungry during the summertime.
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Finkenauer Introduces Bill to Protect Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
Source: U.S. Representative Abby Finkenauer (D-IO, 1st)
January 30, 2020
Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) announced the Protecting the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area Act. The legislation would make sure that this area is preserved for years to come by eliminating the federal funding cap and sunset provision for the national heritage area.
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Supreme Court Decision OKs Rule Requiring Immigrant Self-Sufficiency, Less Dependency - Win for American People
Source: Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR US)
January 27, 2020
In a well-deserved blow to an activist judge in the Southern District of New York, today the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction on President Trump’s common sense, long overdue 'public charge' rule, allowing it to go in effect during the course of litigation. This is a massive victory for the Trump administration, the American people, and most importantly, preserves the public interest component of an immigration system constantly under attack by special interest judges. The rule will correct expensive and politically-driven loopholes, and uphold the clearly expressed intent of Congress that immigrants to the United States be self-reliant. That means putting back in place screening criteria that identifies and selects prospective immigrants who will be less likely to depend on government programs and become public charges. The interest of the American people is best served when immigrants selected for admission into the United States can demonstrate they are capable of providing for themselves and their dependents. While lower court litigation continues, the rule takes effect immediately. Given that the arguments against public charge are meritless, it is likely this rule change is permanent.
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Children and Minors

Today's News about Children and Minors

Congressman Cárdenas Introduces the End Debtor’s Prison for Kids Act
Source: Troy Cardenas (D-CA, 29th)
April 24, 2019
Right now, across this country, young people are being held in detention centers not for crimes they committed at home or in school, but because they can’t afford the legal fees of our justice system.

Read more...

No Kid Hungry Selects Six States to Participate in 2019 School Breakfast Leadership Institute

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by: No Kid Hungry

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- The national anti-hunger campaign No Kid Hungry has selected six states to participate in its 2019 School Breakfast Leadership Institute. Teams from Georgia, Maryland, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming will attend an in-person convening in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 11-12, and receive a $50,000 grant from No Kid Hungry to implement a comprehensive action plan to expand access to school breakfast in their state. States were selected through a competitive proposal process.

No Kid Hungry’s School Breakfast Leadership Institute brings together national, state and local leaders to develop new and better ways to connect kids with school breakfast. Each state team comprises stakeholders who can influence school breakfast practice and policy including gubernatorial and state education agency staff, school nutrition directors, superintendents, non-profit partners, school board members and education association representatives.

Now in its second year, the Institute has proven a catalyst for expanded access to school breakfast, already helping to move the needle in the six states that participated in 2018: Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“The School Breakfast Leadership Institute and grant have been a great way for us to be able to focus time and effort on improving breakfast in the state of South Carolina,” said Ellen Mason, an Education Associate with the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Health and Nutrition. “It has enabled us to talk to not only child nutrition directors, but superintendents, chief financial officers, and principals about the importance of breakfast for students. We are hopeful that the models developed through this opportunity can be expanded throughout the state to ensure that no student in South Carolina starts the school day hungry.”

School breakfast is an energy source for kids across the nation. Research shows that hunger has long-term ramifications on children, including lower test scores, weaker attendance rates, and a higher risk of hospitalizations and chronic diseases. No Kid Hungry and its partners focus on school breakfast as a critical way to end childhood hunger.

Accessing traditional cafeteria breakfast service can be challenging for many kids. Breakfast after the bell provides breakfast in a way that is more convenient and accessible to students, resulting in more kids starting the day ready to learn.

No child should go hungry in America. But 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger through effective programs that provide kids with the food they need. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT SCHOOL 'LUNCH SHAMING' INTRODUCED

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by: Ben R. Lujan (D-NM, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), the U.S. House Assistant Speaker, signed onto legislation from Rep. Deb Haaland, and other New Mexico delegation members including, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, along with U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, to prohibit school “lunch shaming” – the practice of discriminating against or stigmatizing children who have outstanding credit or don't have enough money to pay for meals at school. The Anti-Lunch Shaming Act would ban schools from singling out children — such as by requiring them to wear hand stamps or do extra chores — because their parents or guardians have not paid their school meal bills.

“It’s simple – you can’t learn if you’re hungry. As legislators – as responsible human beings - we cannot stand by and let antiquated policies bully and stigmatize kids whose parents cannot afford to pay for their lunches. It is far past time that we end lunch shaming for the betterment of all our kids,” said Assistant Speaker Luján.

“No child should have to worry about being hungry at school, but there are still places in this country with outdated policies that force children to bear the burden of poverty,” said Haaland, a member of the Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity. “In 2017, New Mexico took the lead on ending these harmful policies and now we’re working to ensure children across the country have full stomachs when they’re in school so they can reach their full learning potential.”

“We all know children learn best when they have access to healthy and nutritious meals. For some students, their school lunch might be their only healthy meal of the day. Yet, in school cafeterias across the nation, schools are publicly shaming children whose families cannot afford for pay for their school meals. Rather than allow this to continue, this bill would require schools to treat all students the same and communicate directly with parents and guardians to address outstanding lunch payments. New Mexico led this initiative to outlaw lunch shaming and I’m proud to stand with the delegation outlaw lunch shaming nationwide,” said Torres Small.

"Lunch shaming is a practice so cruel and backwards that most Americans would be shocked to know it happens. And yet school districts across the country are allowed to use these appalling tactics. Instead of stigmatizing kids who come from struggling households, withholding hot meals from students, and depriving some children of their only healthy meal of the day, we should be working to find solutions to end childhood hunger and to support families in need,” said Udall. “We know that hunger can be an insurmountable barrier to success in the classroom. I was proud when New Mexico became the first state in the country to outlaw the practice of lunch shaming, and I will continue to do everything I can in the Senate to pass this legislation on a federal level so no child will have to spend their time at school feeling ashamed of a debt they have no power to pay.”

“Stigmatizing or shaming students for not being able to afford lunch is unacceptable. Child hunger is a serious problem facing New Mexico. We know that when children are hungry it impacts their ability to focus and learn in the classroom. Nothing is more important than improving the well-being of our children and I will continue working to find solutions that ensure our students can grow and thrive,” said Heinrich.

In March of 2017, New Mexico passed the first law in the United States to prohibit lunch shaming. The legislation spurred a number of other states to pass legislation or take action to combat lunch shaming including Virginia, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, Iowa, Washington, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania. A number of other state legislatures are currently considering measures to address this shameful practice and the federal Anti-Lunch Shaming Act aims to provide similar protections to students throughout the country.

The Anti-Lunch Shaming Act prohibits schools participating in U.S. Department of Agriculture school lunch or breakfast programs from using humiliation or throwing a child's meal away because their parent or guardian hasn't paid their school meal bill and other shaming tactics. Instead, it requires schools to direct communications regarding meal debt to the parent or guardian, not the child.

The bill also aims to make the process for applying for free and reduced-price lunch applications easier by encouraging the Department of Agriculture to distribute the maximum number of applications for free or reduce price lunches in an understandable, uniform format and encourage schools to offer assistance to complete the applications; coordinate with State agencies, school food authorities, and local education agency liaisons to ensure that homeless children and youth, and children and youth in foster care are eligible to receive a free or reduced-price lunch; and explore innovative ways to use technology to improve communications between parents or guardians and school food authorities.

The Anti-Lunch Shaming Act has been endorsed by New Mexico Appleseed — the nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that created New Mexico's Hunger Free Students’ Bill of Rights —whose Executive Director Jennifer Ramo championed the New Mexico law.

“There are few more powerful antidotes to the causes and consequences of child poverty than food and dignity. This important bill ensures that children receive the vital nutrition they need to focus in school through the national school lunch program. And, it ensures that they do so with their self-respect intact. We have saved New Mexican children from the devastating effects of being humiliated and missing meals through our state’s Hunger-Free Student Bill of Rights, and now we are excited to see this protection extended nationally to all children in need,” said Jennifer Ramo, Executive Director of New Mexico Appleseed.

The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine.), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Penn.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.), Conor Lamb (D-Penn.), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.).

Other endorsing organizations include: FRAC, Feeding America, National PTA, Share our Strength, First Focus, Food Corps, New Mexico Appleseed, Hunger Task Force, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, California Food Policy Advocates, New Mexico Voices for Children, Hunger Free Vermont, End Childhood Hunger – South Carolina, Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, Children’s Hunger Alliance, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Cultivating Community, Alabama Food Bank Association, Feed the Children, Hunger Free Oklahoma, Hunger Solutions New York, West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, Missoula Food Bank, Food Bank of Delaware, & New Hampshire Food Bank.

The full text of the bill can be found HERE. A summary of the bill can be found HERE.

Heller-Backed Bill to Protect Children from Online Predators Signed Into Law

Source: Senator Dean Heller - (R - NV)

Washington, D.C. - November 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The President signed into law the PROTECT Our Children Act, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) and introduced by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

This legislation will reauthorize the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies that combat online child exploitation across the country.

“I applaud the President for signing our bill to help protect children from predators,” said Sen. Heller. “This bipartisan legislation will empower local law enforcement – like police departments across Nevada – with the tools they need to more effectively pursue criminals who abuse and exploit children. I thank Senators Cornyn and Blumenthal for their leadership on this proposal, and I’m honored to have been part of the team to push it over the finish line.”

“Equipping law enforcement with the tools they need is vital to protecting our most vulnerable online,” Sen. Cornyn said. “I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and to the President for supporting victims and the law enforcement agencies that combat and prevent these crimes.”

“The PROTECT Act reauthorizes critical task force programs – empowering state and local law enforcement to combat child abuse, protect survivors, and prosecute perpetrators who prey on the vulnerable. This significant bipartisan bill is a solid step forward in the fight against predators and the horrific crime of child exploitation – and a warning against any criminal who would exploit our children online. I am proud to see this critical measure become law,” said Sen. Blumenthal.

“As a former prosecutor, I know the importance of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program for our law enforcement officials,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “This law will help us continue this critical collaborative effort to protect children from predators on the internet.”

The PROTECT Our Children Act, originally passed in 2008, authorized the ICAC Task Force Program, a coordinated group of task forces representing 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies engaged in reactive and proactive investigations across the country. This legislation built upon work Senator Cornyn began as Texas Attorney General, when he created the Texas Internet Bureau to fight internet crimes like child pornography.

The ICAC Task Force Program helps local and state law enforcement respond to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children, and offers guidance on victim support, forensic investigative components, training and technical assistance, and prevention and community education.

Organizations who supported the PROTECT Our Children Act include the National Association to Protect Children (PROTECT), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the National Children’s Alliance, Rights4Girls, Shared Hope, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the National Sheriffs Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Criminal Justice Association, and the Major City Chiefs Police Association.

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Brown on House Chip Bill: Don’t Pit Ohio Kids Against Seniors

Source: Senator Sherrod Brown (D - OH)

Washington, D.C. - November 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) urged the House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and work toward a bipartisan solution for CHIP funding. Last month, the Senate Finance Committee – of which Brown is a member – voted nearly unanimously to pass a bipartisan deal that would lock in a five-year funding extension of CHIP. Rather than work in a bipartisan manner, the House today passed a partisan CHIP extension that while similar to the Senate bill, creates winners and losers by funding CHIP by raising costs for Ohio seniors and cutting critical public health funds. Brown is a sponsor of the Senate bill to extend funding for CHIP, which covers more than 209,000 Ohio children.

“We shouldn’t be pitting Ohio seniors against Ohio children,” said Brown. “That’s why Senator Portman and I, and our colleagues on the Finance Committee, voted for and continue to work on a bipartisan bill that takes care of children and their families without hurting seniors.”

Unlike the Senate CHIP extension – which passed with strong bipartisan support in the Senate Finance Committee – the House bill passed on a near party-line vote today. The House CHIP extension would increase costs for many seniors in Medicare, and would slash funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which provided Ohio with $22.9 million last year to help prevent disease.

To read more news about the CHIP program at the Ponder News, Click HERE

School Milk Nutrition Act Of 2017 Introduced in the House

Source: Joe Courtney (D-CT, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - October 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representatives Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-05) and Joe Courtney (CT-02) today introduced H.R. 4101, the School Milk Nutrition Act of 2017, which will ease unnecessary regulations preventing milk consumption in school lunch programs.

The bipartisan bill recognizes the importance of milk to the health and well-being of school children. It also works to improve the variety and availability of milk offered in schools, which was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue earlier this year.

In May, Secretary Purdue directed USDA to begin the process of allowing schools to serve 1 percent flavored milk through the school meals program.

“Milk is the No. 1 source of nine essential nutrients in many young American’s diets and provides many significant health benefits,” Rep. Thompson said. “The School Milk Nutrition Act of 2017 seeks to reverse the decline of milk consumption in schools throughout Pennsylvania and across the country. By allowing children more milk options – including flavored milk – it is my hope that we will witness consumption return to their historic levels and kids will again be able to enjoy milk. I am certainly encouraged by the Agriculture Secretary Perdue’s support, and I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Courtney to pass this important piece of legislation.”

“Milk is a cornerstone of a healthy meal for our nation’s children,” Rep. Courtney said. “It packs valuable nutrients including protein, potassium, and calcium—a solid foundation for building a healthy menu in America’s schools. With declining milk consumption in recent years, our bill provides school systems the flexibility to offer students a wider range of healthy milk options. I am proud to join with Rep. Thompson to offer this proposal to expand milk varieties in schools while also supporting local dairy production.”

The School Milk Nutrition Act is strongly supported by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).

“Congressmen Thompson and Courtney recognize the nutritional role that milk plays in helping school-aged children to grow and develop to their full potential,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “We appreciate their steadfast commitment to reverse declining milk consumption by allowing schools to give kids access to a variety of milk options, including the flavored milks they love.”

“When kids don’t drink milk, it’s extremely difficult for them to get sufficient amounts of three of the four major nutrients most lacking in childrens’ diets: calcium, potassium, and vitamin D,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “This legislation helps address that shortcoming both in schools and in the WIC program.”

Key Provisions of the School Milk Nutrition Act of 2017:

Preserve milk’s integral role in school meals by reaffirming the requirement that milk is offered with each meal, that varieties of milk is consistent with the DGA, and that substitute beverages be nutritionally equivalent to milk.

Provide schools the option of offering low-fat (1%) flavored milk, rather than only fat- free – but only if the milk contains no more than 150 calories per 8-ounce serving.

Eliminate unnecessary and cumbersome paperwork for schools who wish to offer students more variety.

Allow milk to be sold in the same age-appropriate container sizes as competing beverages.

Establish a pilot program designed to increase milk consumption through expanded breakfast programs, a la carte sales, new outlets, etc., with a focus on improvements to packaging, refrigeration, flavors and merchandising.

Allow mothers in the WIC program to select reduced-fat milk (2%) for themselves or their children with a written request.

Underage Sex Trafficking Crackdown Leads to Recovery of 84 Minors

Washington, D.C. - October 19, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), announced that 84 minors were recovered and 120 traffickers were arrested as part of Operation Cross Country XI, a nationwide effort focusing on underage human trafficking that ran from October 12-15, 2017.

The FBI Omaha Child Exploitation Task Force recovered two minors and arrested two traffickers as part of operations based out of the Omaha field office.

This is the 11th iteration of the FBI-led Operation Cross Country (OCC), which took place this year in 55 FBI field offices and involved 78 state and local task forces, consisting of hundreds of law enforcement partners. This year’s coordinated operations took place with several international partners, including Canada (Operation Northern Spotlight), the United Kingdom (Aident 8), Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

“We at the FBI have no greater mission than to protect our nation’s children from harm. Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested—and the number of children recovered—reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This operation isn't just about taking traffickers off the street. It’s about making sure we offer help and a way out to these young victims who find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of abuse.”

The 11th iteration of Operation Cross Country, the FBI’s annual law enforcement action focused on recovering underage victims of prostitution, concluded with the recovery of 84 sexually exploited juveniles.

As part of Operation Cross Country XI, FBI agents and task force officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, and truck stops, as well as on street corners and Internet websites. The youngest victim recovered during this year’s operation was 3 months old, and the average age of victims recovered during the operation was 15 years old. Minors recovered during Cross Country Operations are offered assistance from state protective services and the FBI’s Victim Services Division. Depending on the level of need, victims are offered medical and mental health counseling, as well as a number of other services.

“Child sex trafficking is happening in every community across America, and at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, we’re working to combat this problem every day,” said NCMEC President and CEO John Clark. “We’re proud to work with the FBI on Operation Cross Country to help find and recover child victims. We hope OCC generates more awareness about this crisis impacting our nation’s children.”

Operation Cross Country XI is part of the FBI’s Innocence Lost National Initiative, which began in 2003 and has yielded more than 6,500 child identifications and locations. For additional information on Operation Cross Country XI and the Innocence Lost initiative, please visit www.fbi.gov.

The FBI Omaha Division would like to thank the many agencies who assisted in this successful operation, including the Omaha Police Department (SOVS Unit), Council Bluffs Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, LaVista Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, Mills County Sheriff's Office, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement.

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Reach Every Mother and Child Act Introduced in the House

Washington, D.C. - October 17, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman David G. Reichert (R-WA, 8th), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Daniel Donovan (R-NY) introduced the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (H.R. 4402), a bold, bipartisan legislative initiative to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal, newborn and childhood deaths worldwide.

“We have made incredible progress in improving maternal care and reducing preventable child deaths around the globe,” said Rep. Reichert. “But better is not good enough. The Reach Act will give the world’s most in-need families the tools and resources to climb their way out of extreme poverty, reduce infant mortality, and focus on building their communities. With a continued focus on reaching more mothers and children, we can save countless lives and strengthen security and stability across the globe.”

Rep. McCollum said, “Despite significant progress in improving global access to quality health services for mothers, children, and newborns, hundreds of thousands of women continue to die each year of preventable pregnancy and childbirth related causes. Millions of children don’t live to see their fifth birthday. Continued U.S. leadership is essential, and the Reach Act will coordinate resources and strategies that will achieve our goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation. I am proud to build on our government’s strong, bipartisan legacy of leadership by partnering with Rep. Dave Reichert, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Rep. Dan Donovan on this important legislation.”

“While we’ve made tremendous strides in reducing the maternal and child mortality rate, more work remains. We can and must continue to make progress is ending these tragic, preventable and unnecessary deaths,” said Rep. Barbara Lee. “The REACH Act is a lifesaving bill that will uplift the most vulnerable and create a healthier, safer and more stable world for everyone.”

Rep. Donovan said, “Progress has been made in helping mothers and children across the globe access the health services they need, but too many preventable deaths still occur. Regardless of ideology, I think we can all agree that no child anywhere should die of something as simple as diarrhea. The United States has been a leader in helping the most vulnerable and those living in poverty for years. This bipartisan legislation allows our nation to build on that work and continue to be a shining example to the world.”

This legislation has already won the support of more than 20 non-governmental organizations (NGO) including RESULTS, World Vision, and Save the Children Action Network.

“The Reach Act represents the kind of ambition we need to help countries reach the end of preventable maternal and child deaths,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund. “Following the leadership of Reps. Reichert, McCollum, Lee, and Donovan, Congress has the chance to help make sure every mother and child is reached with quality services, regardless of who she is or where she lives.”

“I am grateful to Rep. Reichert, Rep. McCollum, Rep. Lee and Rep. Donovan for their work across party lines to prioritize the health and survival of mothers and children around the world,” said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network. “This is a bold initiative that will ensure our government is as effective as possible as we work toward ending preventable deaths around the world. As a result, we will help create a more stable world.”

“The Reach Every Mother and Child Act provides a critical opportunity for the US Government to strengthen its commitment in serving the global poor,” added World Vision CEO Rich Stearns. “This legislation will ensure that proven cost-effective and life-saving health interventions will be scaled up in the developing world, in order to end preventable maternal and child deaths in our lifetime.”

According to experts, nearly 300,000 women die annually from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Malnutrition also contributes to approximately 45 percent of deaths among children under the age of five, totaling more than 3 million mostly preventable deaths each year. Furthermore, about one million newborns die on their very first day of life from causes that are almost entirely preventable.

The Reach Act is the House companion bill to the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (S. 1730) introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Christopher Coons (D-DE)

The legislation would:

Coordinate U.S. government strategy to end preventable maternal, newborn, and childhood deaths globally within a generation;

Require targets to be set, tracked, and reported;

Focus on the poorest and most vulnerable populations while recognizing the unique needs within different countries and communities;

Improve coordination amongst agencies and foreign governments, civil society, and international organizations;

Encourage USAID to use pay-for-outcome financing arrangements; and

Accelerate partner country progress toward self-sustainability.

Sandra G. Hassink, MD, FAAP, president, American Academy of Pediatrics had this to say:

"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) applauds the U.S. Senate for introducing the bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act today. Every child needs the best possible opportunity to survive and thrive, and as its name implies, the bill takes important steps to do just that.

"The AAP's mission to advance the health needs of children knows no borders, and neither does our advocacy. Pediatricians are leading efforts with partners in the U.S. government and across the globe to help end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths within a generation. This legislation is an important step forward in that effort.

"One of the bill's notable achievements is making permanent the position of maternal and child health coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which ensures that maternal and child health will be prioritized and coordinated across the agency's programs. The Academy fought hard to make sure marginalized and vulnerable populations were included, and that special attention was paid to recognizing the unique needs of infants and children within different countries and communities.

"The Academy thanks the bill's co-sponsors, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) for their leadership and urges both chambers to advance this important legislation without delay. There is no more important investment in the future health and stability of our world than saving the lives of mothers and children."

Save the Children has voiced its support in a recent press release, where they stated that "Since 1990, the world has reduced mortality rates for children under 5 by more than one half. This is one of the greatest success stories in international development.

The U.S. has led an international effort to provide developing countries the tools to care for their children – often with simple, proven and inexpensive interventions that address leading causes of death, such as diarrhea and pneumonia.

Building on those gains, in 2014 the U.S. declared ending preventable child and maternal deaths around the world a national priority.

Despite this Progress…
16,000 children die each day from preventable and treatable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. A number of these children are excluded- growing up in the hardest to reach areas.

Almost one million newborns die on the day they are born; and close to two million newborns die in their first week after birth. And, malnutrition is an underlying cause for 45 percent of deaths among children under the age of 5. This amounts to three million children’s lives lost each year.

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act Would Save More Lives."

World Vision Advocacy is asking supporters to contact their members of Congress to show support for the bill with a help page (click HERE)

Rooney Introduces Bipartisan Child Safety Legislation

Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17) introduced the bipartisan National Child Identification Assistance Act with Congressman Charlie Crist (FL-13) today. This bill protects children’s sensitive information by empowering parents to store it themselves, rather than the government.

“The National Child Identification Assistance Act highlights the importance of the National Child Identification Program, a national community service initiative which provides inkless, in-home fingerprinting kits to parents so they can proactively collect and store their child’s vital identification in the privacy of their own homes,” Rooney said. “It also decentralizes the process for law enforcement agencies that may lack the resources to collect and centrally-store information related to individual children. Should a child go missing, parents will be able to immediately furnish all of the pertinent information that law enforcement needs to conduct a search and rescue as quickly as possible. In the past, this program has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community service organizations and this bill is an important step to ensure parents are directly involved in its continued success.”

“We must do all we can to protect our children. I am proud to join my friend, Congressman Rooney, in introducing this common-sense bill to do just that, promoting a proactive approach to address the growing issue of missing and exploited children,” added Charlie Crist.

“I am so proud that Congressman Rooney and Crist are leading the effort to help protect our greatest asset, our nations' children.  I was one of the coaches that helped start this program, and to date with 57 million ID kits distributed, it is the largest child ID program in the world. What a blessing,” said former Florida State Head Coach Bobby Bowden.

Originally recognized by Congress in 2001 for its dedication and efforts to protect children, the National Child Identification Program is a community service initiative that partners with college football teams and NFL teams to provide parents and guardians with ID kits that they can use at home to store their child’s sensitive identification information.

Former West Virginia Head Coach Don Nehlen stated, “Nothing is more important to the country than our children, they are our future.  This ID Kit can be filled out in about 5 minutes, stored in the home and can be provided to authorities in the case of an emergency.”

“It is a great initiative that I have been involved with since 1997.  This is another positive way that we can protect one of our most important natural resources that we have and that's our children,” said Coach Jim Caldwell of the Detroit Lions and longtime program board member.

DelBene Calls for Clean Reauthorization of Home Visiting Program

Source: House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) has called on Republicans to work with Democrats on a clean reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program to ensure states and communities can continue helping children and families thrive. This traditionally bipartisan program provides in-home help to ensure new parents can raise children who are healthy, happy and ready for school.

“I strongly support reauthorization of the Home Visiting program before it expires on September 30th. We know it has an incredible track record of success improving child and family outcomes in our most vulnerable communities,” DelBene said in a floor speech that can be seen HERE. “Unfortunately, Republicans have put forward a partisan bill — with reckless policy changes that are not supported by experts — and with only three legislative days remaining. It’s incredibly disappointing.”

The House passed H.R. 2824, which would reauthorize MIECHV through 2022, but impose policy changes that would reduce the number of states and communities that offer home visiting. Last year, more than 29,000 eligible families in Washington state were already unserved.

Among the policy changes made by Republicans were requiring states and tribal communities to match funding in order to receive federal dollars. States and tribes have said this requirement would result in home visiting programs shutting down or reducing services, particularly in areas already struggling economically. DelBene offered an amendment to remove the matching requirement on tribes, which passed the House. Her floor remarks can be found HERE.

However, when DelBene offered a second amendment to make the bill a clean reauthorizations, Republicans blocked it. Now H.R. 2824 heads to the Senate for further action. If they fail to act by Sept. 30, the authorization for MIECHV will expire.

DelBene serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over MIECHV.

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American College of Pediatrics reaches decision: Transgenderism of children is child abuse

BizPac Review

The American College of Pediatricians issued a statement this week condemning gender reclassification in children by stating that transgenderism in children amounts to child abuse.

“The American College of Pediatricians urges educators and legislators to reject all policies that condition children to accept as normal a life of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex. Facts – not ideology – determine reality.”

The policy statement, authored by Johns Hopkins Medical School Psychology Professor Paul McHugh, listed eight arguments on why gender reclassification is harmful.

Read more...

MORE HEALTHY OPTIONS IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS:

Washington, D.C. - July 28, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) is reintroducing his bipartisan Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act, a bill that will give our children greater access to healthy fruits and vegetables in their school cafeterias.

The bill, which has the support of four Democratic and four Republican original cosponsors, will allow schools to have the option to use the money from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) to purchase additional forms of fruits and vegetables—fresh, frozen, canned, pureed, and dried—expanding the number of nutritious food options for schoolchildren.

Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:

“Our children should have greater access and more nutritious choices when it comes to the foods they eat at their school cafeterias,” said Congressman Poliquin. “As a parent, I believe it’s very important for our kids to have the opportunity to eat healthy fruits and vegetables, such as Maine wild blueberries, all school year round. I’m proud to join with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in pushing this bipartisan legislation forward.”

Said Nancy McBrady, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, “Maine frozen wild blueberries are an example of an extremely healthy and delicious fruit that is frozen at peak ripeness that locks in its nutritional benefits and can be used all year round. The more options schools—and our children—have for consuming healthy and affordable fruits and vegetables, the better. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine is happy to support Congressman Poliquin's bill.”

According to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, there is overwhelming nutritional consensus that Americans should increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned and dried. In its various forms, fruit and vegetables are nutritionally similar. The FFVP, whose goal is to educate children on the foods they eat, ensures school children in low-income areas across the country receive nutritious snacks while learning about the many benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. By including these forms of fruit and vegetables, we ensure they have a comprehensive education.

Congressman Poliquin’s bipartisan bill would allow schools to maximize the value of program dollars. This bill ensures that schools have the options they need to continue to encourage a healthy diet throughout the school year. It gives schools flexibility in the use of their FFVP funds for the well-being of both our children and our schools.

People, Groups and Organization News: Free Speech, World Trade Organization, Children, Target Boycott, Obamacare, Travel Ban

Wisconsin photographer, blogger tied up by law that would also force writer to work for Trump
Alliance Defending Freedom
March 7, 2017
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing a photographer and blogger in Madison filed suit against city and state officials in a Wisconsin court Tuesday. The lawsuit challenges a sweeping local ordinance and a state law that force commissioned creative professionals to promote messages that violate their beliefs.
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WTO Disproportionately Targets U.S. Trade Enforcement Laws
Alliance for American Manufacturing
March 1, 2017
By overstepping its mandate and disproportionately targeting America’s trade enforcement laws, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is threatening the United States’ ability to protect manufacturers and workers from unfair trade, according to a new white paper distributed by the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM).
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U.S. Presidents Join Gen. Colin Powell and Mrs. Alma Powell to Urge Americans to Recommit to Kids
America's Promise Alliance
March 2, 2017
America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, will commemorate its 20th Anniversary with Recommit to Kids | The Summit for America’s Future, a daylong event to refocus the nation on issues concerning children and youth.

Former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush and Jimmy Carter have signed on as honorary co-hosts of the Summit, along with America’s Promise Alliance’s Founding Chair Gen. Colin Powell and Chair Mrs. Alma Powell, urging every American to recommit to kids. The Summit will be held at New York City’s Marriott Marquis on April 18 and will feature prominent leaders from the business, philanthropic, nonprofit, government, education and faith communities.
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AFA Target boycott crashes corporate earnings
American Family Association
March 1, 2017
AFA's 1.4 million supporters are dealing a crippling blow to Target over their dangerous bathroom policy. The Target boycott, launched in April 2016, is causing a significant drop in foot traffic to the store. Effects of the boycott are clear in Target's financial report released February 28. The report indicated a dramatic drop in Target's sales and earnings during October, November, and December. This bad news for Target resulted in the company's stock value dropping 13 percent on the day of the report.
Read more...

The American Health Care Act is a Much Needed First Step in Returning Power to States
American Legislative Exchange Council
March 7, 2017
Last night, Congress introduced a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new legislation, titled the American Health Care Act proposes a number of actions that would preserve popular elements of the ACA while returning power to the states. Reducing the regulatory burden on states will give them the opportunity to modernize our health care system and provide better care to all Americans.
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AJC STATEMENT ON REVISED EXECUTIVE ORDER
American Jewish Committee
March 6, 2017
AJC remains concerned by President Trump’s revised executive order on immigration and refugees. While it should be noted that some of the worst features of the prior executive order have fortunately been rectified, the fact remains that the temporary suspension of admission of all refugees, the sharp reduction in the overall number of refugees that the U.S. will accept, and the blanket temporary ban on immigrants from named countries run contrary to the values our nation holds dear. Moreover, these measures do not effectively address the legitimate security threats we face.
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AJC QUESTIONS BAN ON BDS PROPONENTS ENTERING ISRAEL
American Jewish Committee
March 6, 2017
AJC is troubled by a new law, adopted by the Knesset yesterday, that will bar foreign nationals who have publicly expressed support for boycotting Israel or who work on behalf of organizations supporting the BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) movement from entering Israel.
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