Assange, Homeless, Hungry, Women, Migrants, Tax Equity, Veterans, Abortion, Internet, Opioids, Energy, Hate Crimes

News from the Newsmakers for April 14, 2019

How The Ponder gets news to you:
Because The Ponder can't possibly post all the information we have access to on a daily basis, we look at each press release, and if it is news that has been posted in the last seven days, we post it as we get to it. We go through all our sources in alphabetical order, as we have time to do so, so no news-maker is missed. News that is more than seven days old from people, groups and organizations is not posted at The Ponder. Sometimes this means that you will get information about an issue for seven days straight from different people groups and organizations. The Ponder feels that this serves to help you become more informed with quality information.

Also, The Ponder does not post every press release we receive. Some press releases are too localized, or to general in nature to be of any use. We try to post news that is relevant to our future as a nation as a whole. We do sometimes post localized news if we feel such news should be seen by the nation as a whole.

MITCHELL, CARBAJAL, BACON INTRODUCE BILL TO HELP EDUCATE HOMELESS AND FOSTER YOUTH
by: Paul Mitchell (R MI, 10th)
April 14, 2019
Congressmen Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the Removing Barriers to Foster Youth Success in College Act, which revises certain federal TRIO policies and practices to remove barriers to participation for homeless youth, and students in foster care. Federal TRIO programs are outreach and student service programs designed to identify and aid individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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NH Food Bank Kicks-Off 7th Annual Nothing Campaign April 12, generously supported by Citizens Bank
by: New Hampshire Food Bank
April 14, 2019
In partnership with Citizens Bank and with the support of NH Food Bank’s grocery partners, Granite Staters can help make a difference, starting April 6 and through May 31 purchase Nothing cans for $5 at participating Hannaford®, Harvest Market®, Market Basket®, Shaw’s®, Sully’s Superette® in Allenstown and Goffstown and Vista Foods® in Laconia. Each Nothing can purchased will provide approximately 10 meals, and cans filled with generous donations can help provide approximately 60 meals to your neighbor that faces hunger every day.

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Meeks Issues Statement Regarding Julian Assange
by: Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY, 5th)
April 12, 2019
"There is no question that the actions of Julian Assange and Wikileaks has directly compromised U.S. intelligence and our national security. Not only were Assange’s actions dangerous, they worked to advanced Russian interests by selectively releasing classified information obtained by the FSB to compromise our most sacred of institutions, our free and fair elections.

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Meng Fights to Protect Women and Children
by: Grace Meng (D-NY, 6th)
April 12, 2019
“Protecting women and children from harmful chemicals is a top priority of mine,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Americans are bombarded daily with advertisements to purchase consumer goods from infant formula to menstrual hygiene products. Yet, important safeguards are lacking which undermine consumer confidence that the products they purchase are safe for their loved ones. My bills are commonsense fixes that would greatly help American families. It’s time for Congress to step up and make these issues a priority.”

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Mucarsel-Powell Cosponsors Families, Not Facilities Act to Promote Migrant Child Reunifications
by: Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie (D-FL, 26th)
April 11, 2019
“I am proud to cosponsor a bill that places the welfare of children first. The Administration’s information sharing policy is cruel and results in vulnerable children residing in prisonlike detention facilities, like the Homestead facility in my district, for indefinite periods of time,” said Mucarsel-Powell. “Sponsors who are able and willing to provide safe homes must be free to care for these children without fear of retribution. These children deserve a home, not a prison. In many of these facilities, we have no idea what is going on behind those walls. The Advisory Committee on Shelters for Unaccompanied Alien Children created by this bill is an avenue to address this glaring lack of information. I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that provides increased transparency at shelters like the one in Homestead that are going completely unchecked. These children came here looking for a country to welcome them, and we must make sure they are living in safe environments free from abuse and harm.”

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Top House and Senate Democrats Write to AG Barr About Expectation that Congress Receive Full Mueller Report
by: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY, 10th)
April 11, 2019
Top House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr following his testimony before the House and Senate appropriations committees reasserting their expectation for the full, unredacted Mueller report, along with the underlying evidence, to be provided to Congress. The letter, signed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), also urges the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work with them to find an accommodation on providing the full report from the Special Counsel, with the underlying materials, to the relevant committees.

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As Tax Day Approaches, Reps. Nadler, Lowey, and Suozzi Call for Tax Equity
by: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY, 10th)
April 11, 2019
"The Tax Equity Act is a practical approach to making tax brackets more fair and ensuring they reflect the actual cost of living in New York, San Francisco, Houston, or any high-cost city,” Reps. Nadler, Lowey, and Suozzi said in a joint statement. "One-size-fits-all tax brackets don’t work in the country’s most expensive communities, where residents pay more for housing, food, transportation, and daily costs of life. This bill ensures that taxpayers in our districts – many of whom are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the GOP Tax Scam's reckless cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions - are not hit with additional tax burdens that don't reflect their day-to-day reality..."

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Neguse, Ruiz Introduce the Veterans Conservation Corps Act
by: Joe Neguse (D-CO, 2nd)
April 11, 2019
This bill provides transitional assistance for veterans, through employment opportunities for those that would like to work in conservation, resource management, firefighting, law enforcement, or historic preservation. The initiative has been widely praised by veteran and environmental advocates, as well as nonprofit and state-run conservation corps.

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Governor Mike DeWine Signs Ohio's Heartbeat Bill
by: Ohio Right to Life
April 11, 2019
“Pro-life Ohio thanks Governor DeWine for taking a courageous stand on behalf of unborn children with beating hearts,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “Governor DeWine continually stated throughout his campaign that he would sign the Heartbeat Bill, and he made good on that promise today. Ohio Right to Life thanks our legislative and statewide pro-life leaders for prioritizing this important legislation."

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CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE VOTES TO RESTORE NET NEUTRALITY PROTECTIONS AND MAINTAIN FREE, OPEN INTERNET FOR ALL
by: Joseph Morelle (D-NY, 25th)
April 10, 2019
“In today’s high-tech world, the internet is a right, not a privilege – one we must ensure is available to every American,” said Rep. Morelle. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to help ensure the internet remains a level playing field that is free, accessible, and reliable for all.”

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Norcross Votes for a Free & Open Internet
by: Donald Norcross (D-NJ, 1st)
April 10, 2019
“We need to preserve consumer freedom online, protect small businesses and promote competition – and the Save the Internet Act does all of these things. It balances our need to provide fairness for users and, at the same time, encourage innovation in the tech industry.

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O’HALLERAN VOTES FOR FREE AND OPEN INTERNET
by: Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ, 1st)
April 10, 2019
“Across rural Arizona, communities of every size have little to no access to quality broadband internet, and this is hurting their competitiveness and making it impossible to grow and thrive. Today, Congress took an important step to ensure our internet remains free and open for consumers and businesses, but we cannot stop here,” O’Halleran said. “We need to start seriously investing in broadband infrastructure that prioritizes rural America. These communities have been left behind for too long.”

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OTI Applauds Historic House Vote to Restore Net Neutrality
by: New America's Open Technology Institute
April 10, 2019
“Today's vote shows that support for net neutrality just keeps growing. Congress can no longer ignore the fact that the American people overwhelmingly support these rules and want them back. For years, Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon have tried to outmaneuver public opinion with backroom lobbying and campaign donations. Today's vote is yet another sign that the cable industry's grip on Washington is weakening, and that the American people won't give up until net neutrality is restored as the law of the land.

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Moulton, Buchanan Introduce Bill to Combat Chinese Opioids
by: Seth Moulton (D-MA, 6th)
April 10, 2019
“Fentanyl has become the leading illegal drug in the opioid crisis in our country, and it’s time we attack the source,” Moulton said. “While China’s ban on producing fentanyl is a promising start, Congress should hold China to its word. This bill will target the fentanyl producers worldwide who profit from the overdose deaths happening in communities across our country, including Massachusetts where fentanyl is the leading cause of opioid-overdose deaths. Congress must act quickly.”

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Neal Statement on IRS Failure to Meet April 10 Deadline
by: Richard E. Neal (D-MA, 1st)
April 10, 2019
“I received a letter this evening from Secretary Mnuchin related to my request to the IRS commissioner. The department has decided not to allow the IRS to comply with my request by the April 10 deadline. I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response to the commissioner in the coming days.”

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Olson Joins Trump In Support Of American Energy
by: Pete Olson (R-TX, 22nd)
April 10, 2019
“As America’s global energy dominance continues to grow, we must ensure we have the infrastructure and laws in place to support the expansion of American Liquid Freedom,” Rep. Pete Olson said. “I was proud to stand with President Trump in Houston, the epicenter for energy production, as he signed these executive orders today. Streamlining the permitting and transportation of American energy will ensure we continue to grow as an energy super power by supporting current and future energy projects.”

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What’s Wrong at NYC Margaret Sanger Planned Parenthood? 5 Women Hospitalized in 7 Weeks
by: Operation Rescue
April 10, 2019
Four more medical emergencies at New York’s Margaret Sanger Center Planned Parenthood abortion facility have surfaced, with one pro-life activist telling Operation Rescue that she has observed a dramatic increase in women leaving the clinic with difficulty walking, and sometimes even vomiting, as well as a troubling increase in ambulance transports of abortion patients.

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House Chairs Seek Documents from Trump Administration on Sudden Decision to Stop Defending Health Care Law
by: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY, 10th)
April 9, 2019
Five House Committee Chairs sent letters to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the White House requesting documents and information regarding the involvement of White House officials in the Administration’s troubling decision to not defend the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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Chairman Nadler Opening Statement for the Hearing on Hate Crimes and the Rise of White Nationalism
by: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY, 10th)
April 9, 2019
“Hate incidents target victims based on their actual or perceived race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or other immutable characteristics. Some of these incidents may be crimes, and some are not, but all of them harm not only individuals but also our communities and, ultimately, our entire nation. Unfortunately, various statistics confirm what most of us have observed—that hate incidents are increasing in the United States..."

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New Report Reveals Rapid Growth of Homeless Tent Cities Across U.S.

By National Center on Homelessness and Poverty



Washington, D.C. - December 22, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty released a new report, Tent City USA: The Growth of America’s Homeless Encampments and How Communities are Responding, reviewing the rapid growth of homeless people living in tents across the United States over the past decade, as measured by documentation in media reports.

Research showed a 1,342 percent increase in homeless encampments reported between 2007 and 2017, with at least one encampment reported in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Encampments ranged in size, with half showing a size of 11-50 residents, while 17 percent had more than 100 residents. The report tracked the number of unique encampments as reported by the media, acknowledging that there are likely more encampments intentionally hidden or forced to move, and therefore not documented.

As encampments become increasingly common, local governments have enacted laws to prohibit living in tents. Three-quarters of all encampments recorded in the report are prohibited by law; only 4 percent were reported to be legal. Cities such as Denver, CO, Olympia, WA, and San Diego, CA were cited in the report for particularly harsh laws and sweeps that criminalize people experiencing homelessness. The report notes that evicting—or “sweeping”--people from tent communities is costly and ineffective.

“It’s cruel and counterproductive to take away the only shelter homeless people have,” said Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. “The proven solution to homelessness is housing, and ensuring it is available and affordable to people who have fallen on hard times is what will end homelessness, not criminalizing them for trying to survive.”

City officials often refer to shelters as an alternative to encampments, but in most communities they are full. And even when they have space available, people experiencing homelessness say shelters present their own host of problems.

“Agreeing to go to a shelter in that moment means losing many of your possessions. You have to pack what you can into a bag and leave the rest behind, to be stolen or thrown away,” said Eugene Stroman, a homeless person living in an encampment in Houston, Texas. “You give up all this property for the guarantee…of a spot on the floor for one night.”

Eric Tars, senior attorney at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and lead researcher of the report, said, “People shouldn’t have to live in tents, but our report shares principles and practices for how communities can show compassion and meet basic needs in the short term.”

The report can be viewed here.

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (the Law Center) is the only national organization dedicated solely to using the power of the law to prevent and end homelessness. With the support of a large network of pro bono lawyers, we address the immediate and longterm needs of people who are homeless or at risk through outreach and training, advocacy, impact litigation, and public education.

The Law Center thanks the following law firms for their pro bono research support for Tent City USA: Ballard Spahr LLP, Blank Rome LLP, Hunton & Williams LLP, Nixon Peabody LLP, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. The Law Center also acknowledges the generous support of the Buck Foundation, Butler Family Fund, Deer Creek Foundation, and the Oakwood Foundation.

See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site

Report: HUD Significantly Undercounts Homeless Population

Washington, D.C. - December 9, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- In response to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) release of its 2017 point-in-time (PIT) count of the homeless population in the United States, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (the Law Center) released a new report detailing problems with HUD’s methodology that result in a significant undercount of homeless Americans.

Though HUD reported nearly 554,000 homeless Americans on any given night—itself a number that is unacceptably large—the Law Center’s report suggests this number is actually a significant undercount. The report, Don’t Count on It: How the HUD Point-in-Time Count Underestimates the Homelessness Crisis in America, addresses flaws in HUD’s inconsistent methodology, which particularly misses unsheltered homeless people.

“Homelessness is a national crisis, and an accurate count of people experiencing it is essential to developing and adopting policies that can truly solve the problem,” said Maria Foscarinis, founder and executive director of the Law Center. “A visual street count does not and cannot capture the number of unsheltered homeless people living out of sight, nor does it capture people living in the many outdoor locations that are not even included in the count.”

The report determines that HUD’s current methodology not only omits significant numbers of homeless people, it also leads to inaccurate comparisons and trends analyses, since it is often inconsistent between locations and between years. The Law Center offers recommendations on how HUD and communities can improve their methodology. The report also provides suggestions for how to use the numbers reported under the current methodology.

The report is available here


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VA Reverses Plan to Cut Homeless Veteran Funding

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has reversed its decision not to fund homeless veterans. Secretary Shulkin stated:

"There will be absolutely no change in the funding to support our homeless programs.

We will not be shifting any homeless program money to the Choice program.

The President has increased VA homeless program funding by $66 million in his fiscal year 2018 budget.

Over the next six months, I will solicit input from our local VA leaders and external stakeholders on how best to target our funding to the geographical areas that need it most.

Based on that input we will come forward with proposals for fiscal year 2019 on how to improve the targeting of our homeless program funding."

Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), a veteran, issued the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs reversed its decision to change the funding scheme for programs that benefit homeless veterans. This reversal comes after Rep. Lieu and 11 Members of Congress sent a letter to VA Secretary David Shulkin urging him to reconsider the decision, which would have jeopardized the VA’s ability to meet the needs of homeless veterans.

“I commend Secretary Shulkin for protecting funding to help homeless veterans. The Secretary’s commitment to soliciting input from local VA leaders and stakeholders is critical. We need to ensure that funding for crucial programs like joint HUD-VA housing initiatives maintain their special status in the Specific Purpose Fund. This status is crucial for veterans who need affordable, stable housing and access to the services and care.

There is still much work to be done – especially in Los Angeles, where the number of homeless veterans has increased. We need to be doing everything in our power to work towards ending homelessness among veterans."

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Reps. Coffman & Brownley Introduce Homeless Veteran Families Act

Source: Julia Brownly (D-CA, 26th)

Washington, D.C. - October 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4099, the “Homeless Veteran Families Act.” The bill aims to assist community agencies that help homeless veterans with dependents, with housing costs – thus helping keep families together.

The Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program is offered annually by the VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program to fund community agencies providing services to homeless veterans. H.R. 4099 would provide the VA Secretary with the authority to reimburse GPD providers at a 50% rate for the costs of housing minor dependent(s) of homeless veterans while the veteran receives services from the grant recipient.

“As a nation, we have a sacred responsibility to help those who served in uniform,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “It is simply unacceptable that we have veterans and their families living out on the street. I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation, alongside Congressman Coffman, to provide more resources for community-based efforts that serve homeless veterans and their children.”

Currently, the VA does not have the statutory authority to provide the reimbursements for the costs of services for minor dependents of homeless veterans. This in turn makes the GPD provider pay out of pocket for those services. As a result, some homeless shelters actually give preference to non-veteran homeless families because under the HHS program they do get a per diem for the minor dependent(s). A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that this led to a financial disincentive for providers and in turn, limited housing for veterans and their children. This disproportionately affects the female veteran population.

“As a Marine combat veteran, I take pride in being able to help those who have served our nation,” said Congressman Coffman. “The bipartisan ‘Homeless Veteran Families Act’ ensures we can offer homeless veterans and their children a safe shelter during their times of hardship and keep families together.”

The bill received support from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. “Veterans who are homeless with their children have access to permanent housing supports through VA, but the affordable housing crisis our country is facing has lengthened the time it takes them to find appropriate housing with that support. They should not have to stay outside or in unsustainable situations during that period if we can offer them short term bridge housing to get themselves and their families off the street quickly,” said Kathryn Monet, the CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. “The bill proposed by Representatives Coffman and Brownley would provide transitional housing programs funding and flexibility from the VA to provide this critical housing resource to homeless veterans and their families.”

The following Veterans Service Organizations also support this bill: The American Legion, The Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Got Your 6, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and American Veterans (AMVETS).

James Gillespie, who represents the Comitis Crisis Center, a local non-profit in Aurora, Colorado that assists homeless veterans, added, “The brave men and women who fight for our homeland deserve the best our nation has to offer, especially a safe place to call home. We thank Congressman Coffman and Congresswoman Brownley for recognizing that homeless Veterans & their family members should be honored and taken care of through this critical amendment to the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. The best way we can thank our Veterans is by supporting them and helping them to support their greatest treasure, their immediate family members.”

H.R. 4099 will now be referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, on which Coffman and Brownley currently are members.