Schiff and Cummings Statement on Intimidation of Michael Cohen

Washington, D.C. - January 24, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Adam Schiff, the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement in response to a request received by Michael Cohen to postpone his upcoming testimony before Congress:

“We have received Mr. Cohen’s notice postponing his voluntary appearance in an open hearing before the Committee on Oversight and Reform. We certainly understand the completely legitimate concerns for the safety and security of Mr. Cohen and his family members in light of the attacks last week by President Trump and again this past weekend by his attorney, Rudy Giuliani.

“As we stated previously with our colleague, Chairman Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee, efforts to intimidate witnesses, scare their family members, or prevent them from testifying before Congress are textbook mob tactics that we condemn in the strongest terms. Our nation’s laws prohibit efforts to discourage, intimidate, or otherwise pressure a witness not to provide testimony to Congress. The President should make no statement or take any action to obstruct Congress’ independent oversight and investigative efforts, including by seeking to discourage any witness from testifying in response to a duly authorized request from Congress.

“We understand that Mr. Cohen’s wife and other family members fear for their safety after these attacks, and we have repeatedly offered our assistance to work with law enforcement to enhance security measures for Mr. Cohen and his family.

“Nevertheless, when our Committees began discussions with Mr. Cohen’s attorney, not appearing before Congress was never an option. We will not let the President’s tactics prevent Congress from fulfilling our constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities. This will not stop us from getting to the truth. We expect Mr. Cohen to appear before both Committees, and we remain engaged with his counsel about his upcoming appearances.”

U.S. District Court Protects Prayer to Open Congress

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) --  Mike Johnson (R-LA, 4th) issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court’s decision in Baker v. Conroy rejected a challenge to Congress' ability to open its meetings with a prayer:

“As an attorney who defended legislative prayer for many years prior to being elected to Congress, I am thankful for the court’s decision invalidating this latest atheist challenge to our cherished tradition. As the Supreme Court has acknowledged many times, 'we are a religious people, whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.' I look forward to continuing to start our work in Congress each day as our founders did, with a prayer to God.”

Congressman  Walter B. Jones (R-NC, 3rd) praised the U.S. District Court’s decision and released the following statement:

“I am very happy to see the district court in our nation’s capital reaffirm the important role of prayer in our legislative branch,” said Congressman Jones. “Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values.  For 243 years, our Congress has opened its day with prayer, and I will fight to make sure that never changes.”

Congressman Jones is a long time member of the House Values Action Team and has consistently supported and defended religious freedom.

U.S. Chamber Pens Open Letter on Tax Reform to Congress: ‘Failure is Not an Option’

Washington, D.C. - July 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue penned an open letter to all members of Congress demanding an end to the legislative gridlock that is holding progress hostage on critical issues like health care, tax reform, and infrastructure investment.

“In the upcoming cycle, in addition to looking for candidates who support free enterprise, we will be focusing on individuals with a demonstrated willingness to govern, which means reaching consensus so that legislation can be passed and enacted into law,” Donohue wrote. “Promises were made; promises must be kept.”

While the U.S. Chamber will continue to look for opportunities to improve access to affordable health care coverage and services, it is urging Congress to turn its attention to tax reform, which is a priority many in Congress share. Comprehensive tax reform will grow the economy and create jobs.

Donohue noted that true reform will “require compromise and give and take.” He added, “On issues requiring negotiation and compromise...there is a seeming inability to come together…And the problem isn’t just on the left, the right, or the center; it spans the political spectrum.”

The nation’s leading business group also said that it will evaluate 2018 congressional candidates based on their “support of the free enterprise system and their willingness to govern, as demonstrated by what role they played in helping enact the first major tax reform in 30 years.” The U.S. Chamber will also activate the business community, and its grassroots and national networks including state and local chambers of commerce, to hold their representatives accountable on this critical issue.

Donohue ended his open letter with stern words for lawmakers: “Members of Congress be warned: Failure is not an option.”

Congresswoman Alma Adams’ Speaks Out Against Censorship of Winner of Congressional Art Competition

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) sent a letter to Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-50) expressing her strong opposition and disappointment to the removal of the artwork of Mr. David Pulphus, the high school artist and winner of Missouri’s 1st District Congressional Art Competition, from the exhibit in the U.S. Capitol.

“As a practicing professional artist and retired 40 year college art professor, I am appalled that Congressman Hunter would take any action that would degrade and censor a high school student who was chosen as an official winner of the Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman Adams.

“Representative Hunter’s actions not only disregarded and disrespected Representative Clay’s decision to award Mr. Pulphus with this special Congressional honor, but also silenced the very real experience of those citizens in Mr. Clay’s district- and more specifically this young student’s right as an artist to express himself.

“Our founding fathers enshrined the freedom of speech in the Bill of Rights, but this irreverent action showed, not only a lack of respect for our freedoms and civil liberties, but also a blatant disregard for our Constitution. Freedom of speech, which includes visual expression, press, and a lack of censorship are values that we have not only fought for, but also values that Representative Hunter and I have been elected to protect.”

The next day, after sending this letter, the painting was replaced in its original spot.