Apprenticeship, College, Immigration, Russia, Health, Student Loans, Israel, FBI Director

Reps. Davis & Lipinski Join Aon Apprentices to Announce Bipartisan Bill to Reinvigorate America’s Apprenticeship Programs
Rodney Davis (R-IL, 13th)
May 10, 2017
“Reducing college debt has been a focus of mine since coming to Congress and apprenticeships can help with this,” said Davis. “For example, the apprentices at Aon learn valuable workplace skills while also attending college classes to complete an associate’s degree. At the end of the program, these young men and women have a job and a college degree that didn’t require any student loans. We want more companies to utilize apprenticeships, not only to help reduce college debt, but also to help retrain our workforce. The LEAP Act will help us accomplish this important, bipartisan goal.”
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Davis, Scott, Hirono, Murray Introduce Major Legislation to Secure Pell Grant Program and Make College More Affordable for Low-Income Students
Susan Davis (D-CA, 53rd)
May 16, 2017
Representatives Susan Davis (D-Calif.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va), and Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced the Pell Grant Preservation & Expansion Act today that will expand and permanently safeguard the Pell Grant program, helping millions of low-income students offset the rising costs of college. The bill would improve the purchasing power of Pell Grants, permanently index the maximum grant to inflation, shift the Pell Grant program to fully mandatory funding, and restore eligibility for defrauded students.
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DeGette Hails Temporary Stays for Vizguerra and Hernandez Garcia, Calls for Further Action
Diana DeGette (D-CO, 1st)
May 12, 2017
Vizguerra, an undocumented immigrant and immigrant rights’ activist, had sheltered in the First Unitarian Church in DeGette’s district since mid-February to avoid deportation on the eve of her last regularly-scheduled appointment with ICE officials. Because the stay on a previous deportation order had expired the week before, Vizguerra became concerned, alerting her family and her attorney that the check-in might not be routine. She was right; ICE agents were preparing to deport her upon arrival at their offices.
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Delaney Statement on Washington Post Report That President Trump Revealed Highly Classified Information to Russian Officials
John Delaney (D-MD, 6th)
May 15, 2017
Late today the Washington Post reported that “President Trump revealed highly classified information to the Russian foreign minister and ambassador in a White House meeting last week, according to current and former U.S. officials, who said that Trump’s disclosures jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on the Islamic State.”
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DeLauro Calls on Congress to Increase Funding for the NIH
Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
May 17, 2017
The NIH is the leading biomedical research entity in the world and my colleagues on the subcommittee have often heard me say that medical research is special. A breakthrough at the NIH saves not just one life, but potentially millions, over generations to come. That breakthrough can improve the life of not just a sick individual, but the lives of their loved ones, caretakers, and friends. That is what the NIH represents.
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DelBene Helps Introduce Bill to Let Families Refinance Student Loans
Suzan Delbene (D-WA, 1st)
May 17, 2017
“We should provide every student borrower the opportunity to refinance their loans. It’s unacceptable that Americans are currently able to refinance their car loans, mortgages and business loans, but cannot take advantage of lower interest rates on student loans,” DelBene said. “The rising cost of college is forcing millions of middle-class families deep into debt as they take out higher loan amounts to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks and housing. If we want students to succeed, we need to work toward solutions that make a college degree more affordable for all.”
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Rep. Denham’s ENLIST Act Reaches 200 Co-Sponsors
Jeff Denham (R-CA, 10th)
May 11, 2017
The ENLIST Act would allow otherwise qualified undocumented immigrants brought to the United States by their parents, through no fault of their own, to enlist in the armed services and earn legal status upon honorable completion of their contracts.
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DeSantis: Trump Administration Shouldn't Waffle on Whether the Western Wall is Part of Israel
Ron DeSantis (R-FL, 6th)
May 16, 2017
"The Western Wall is one of the holiest sites in Judaism and there is no reason to be waffling about whether it is properly considered to be a part of Israel. Jerusalem is the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish people and of the modern State of Israel. Indeed, soon Israelis will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem during the defensive Six Day War. Let's stand with our strong friend and ally and not kowtow to those who seek to do Israel harm."
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Congressman DeSaulnier’s Statement on Reports President Trump Asked FBI Director Comey to End Investigation of Flynn
Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA, 11th)
May 17, 2017
“We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history. The reported attempt by President Trump to put an end to the FBI’s investigation into Michael Flynn is an inappropriate abuse of power and reason for grave concern. In order to maintain faith in our democracy and trust in our government, it is essential that Republicans and Democrats set aside party affiliation and seek answers to the many questions plaguing this Administration and its connection to Russia.
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Welfare, FBI Director, Trumpcare, Bladder Cancer

The Ponder News Blog recently tried to reformat how people read the news on this blog, but it didn't work. So we are going back to the original format. It's easier, and better read.

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Trumpcare
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Budd To Support American Health Care Act
Ted Budd (R-NC, 13th)
May 4, 2017
“If history is any guide I’ll take around 2,000 votes this Congress. Most of them will be forgotten. This is not one of those votes. This vote marks the beginning of the end of Obamacare as we know it. The failure of that law can be seen in the double-digit premium increases and monopoly situation in the individual insurance market in our state. "
Read more...

Butterfield Statement on Trumpcare Vote
G.K. Butterfield (D-NC, 1st)
May 4, 2017
“I am deeply disappointed that Republicans have once again decided to abandon the interests of the American people. Today’s vote in favor of the latest version of Trumpcare, which repeals the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is shameful."
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Byrne Votes to Repeal and Replace Obamacare

Rep. Calvert Statement on the Passage of the American Health Care Act

REP. CARBAJAL STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT

Carson Statement on Today’s Health Care Vote


Carter Statement on Passage of the American Health Care Act

CARTER VOTES TO REPEAL, REPLACE OBAMACARE

Chabot Statement on Obamacare Repeal

Chaffetz Statement on House Passage of AHCA

CONGRESSMAN CHENEY’S STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT (AHCA)

Rep. Chu Decries "Heartless" ACA Repeal Vote

Clark Blasts House Trumpcare Vote

Clay Says House GOP TrumpCare Vote Will Cost Lives, Devastate Medicaid, Rob Medicare

Clyburn Floor Statement In Opposition to House Republicans' Pay More, For Less

Cole Statement on Passage of the American Health Care Act

Congressman Collins Votes to Repeal and Replace Obamacare

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FBI Director James Comey
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Bustos Statement on President Trump’s Firing of FBI Director James Comey
Cheri Bustos (D-IL, 17th)
May 9, 2017
“President Trump’s decision to fire the FBI Director, while the President’s ties to Russia are under FBI investigation, undermines the public trust and should distress all Americans. To allow President Trump to appoint a new FBI Director, who would be in charge of investigating him, would be like letting the fox decide who’s in charge of security at the hen house. This underscores why we need a truly independent investigation with a special prosecutor to go wherever the facts lead so the American people can get a clear understanding of the full extent of Donald Trump’s ties to the Kremlin."
Read more... Modern day McCarthyism, if you ask me.

Statement from Rep. Capuano on the Firing of FBI Director James Comey

Cárdenas Statement on Comey

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor's statement regarding the firing of FBI Director

Castro Statement on Firing of FBI Director Comey

Cicilline Statement on Firing of FBI Director Comey

Congressman Cleaver Releases Statement Regarding James Comey

Coffman Statement on FBI Director Firing

Cohen’s Statement on the Firing of FBI Director James Comey

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Welfare
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Buchanan Legislation to Be Signed Into Law
Vern Buchanan (R-FL, 16th)
May 5, 2017
Buchanan’s bill, which was included in a sweeping government funding bill, directs the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services to create a database of state practices that have proved successful in helping people leave welfare. Those best practices would then be made available to officials in all 50 states to be duplicated.
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Bladder Cancer
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Cartwright Introduces Resolution to Increase Bladder Cancer Awareness
Matthew Cartwright (D-PA, 17th)
May 4, 2017
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 79,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer and over 16,000 people will die from bladder cancer in 2017.
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FaceBook Discrimination?, FBI Director

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II joined Congresswoman Robin Kelly and other Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Members in sending a letter to Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. The letter addresses reports of advertisers on Facebook, using a customization feature that excludes racial and ethnic groups when placing housing advertisements online. The customization feature allows for an “Ethnic Affinities” selection. By allowing online advertisers to promote or market a certain community for home sales, Facebook is therefore promoting restrictive housing practices. “This is a direct violation of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and it is our strong desire to see Facebook address this issue immediately,” stated the letter, signed by Congressman Cleaver, CBC Chairman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Congresswoman Yvette Clark (D-NY). “Facebook may not have intentionally created this feature to separate communities, but there are minority families who have not seen or heard of the housing opportunities and sales that are being marketed and made available to others. Everyone should have the same opportunity to see what’s available to them,” said Congressman Cleaver. The Members are asking Mr. Zuckerberg to correct this customization feature in online housing advertisements. It is also important that technology industries like Facebook include more African Americans and minorities within their workforce to promote diversity and prevent future discriminatory practices.

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Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today called on James Comey to resign as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Read more...