Homeland Security, Trillion Trees, Sexual Assault, Pebble Mine, Veterans, SNAP, Innovation, Public Lands, Roger Stone, D.C. Statehood, AI, Rice

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to February 17, 2020

CHAIRMAN THOMPSON: TRUMP AGAIN USING HOMELAND SECURITY TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS, INFLICT REVENGE AS HE SENDS BORDER PATROL TO MAJOR U.S. CITIES
Source: House Committee on Homeland Security
February 14, 2020
"It is truly alarming that President Trump is moving resources away from the border just to ratchet up his cruel immigration agenda, throw meat to his base, and inflict revenge on states that don't do what he says. Doing so undermines our homeland security and will only help drug smugglers and those that seek to do us harm. The President is again using the Department of Homeland Security to score political points to help him win reelection. He must be stopped."
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Nat. Resources Committee Holding Feb. 26 Hearing on Chair Grijalva’s Public Lands and Waters Climate Change Bill, Rep. Westerman’s “Trillion Trees Act
Source: House Committee on Natural Resources
February 14, 2020
The Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Feb. 26 at 10:00 a.m. in Longworth 1324 on two bills introduced by Committee members designed to address climate change.
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All Democratic Committee Members Object to DeVos’ Proposed Rule Harming Student Survivors of Sexual Assault
Source: House Committee on Oversight and Governmental Reform
February 14, 2020
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, led all Democratic Members of the Committee in a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos requesting information about a proposed rule that would encourage schools to pursue fewer investigations of sexual harassment and assault. The Department is poised to finalize the rule soon.
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Chair DeFazio Responds to Army Corps Environmental Impact Statement on Pebble Mine
Source: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
February 13, 2020
“The Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental analysis of the Pebble Mine was flawed from the start, and recent reports indicate it isn’t improving. When the Chief of the Corps told me the Corps was taking its statutory responsibilities seriously and it was better to do the job right than do it fast, I took him at his word. However if recent reports about the current state of review of this project are true, it appears the Corps has, again, missed the mark,” said Chair DeFazio. “If the Pebble Mine is built- the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon run will be placed in jeopardy and likely destroyed, as well as the culture and livelihood of the tribes, fisher people, and communities that depend on this abundant resource. As Chairman of the Committee responsible for the Corps and the Clean Water Act, I will do everything in my authority to ensure this doesn’t occur.”
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CHAIRMAN TAKANO, 77 MEMBERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO GRANT RELIEF TO 190,000 ILL VETERANS
Source: House Committee on Veterans Affairs
February 13, 2020
In their letter, Members call on the president to accept scientific evidence and add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, parkinsonism, and hypertension to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs list of presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. This change would provide lifesaving benefits to more than 190,000 veterans currently in need of VA resources and healthcare.
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HUDSON HOSTS PRESS CONFERENCE ON VETERAN CAREGIVER ACT
Source: U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC, 8th)
February 13, 2020
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg’s Congressman and a voice for North Carolina veterans, hosted a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Building to discuss the Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act (H.R. 5701), bipartisan legislation he introduced with Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-04) on Jan. 30. The Caregiver Act will further modernize the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers so that veterans and their families can better access the Caregiver program. Rep. Hudson was joined by Rep. Rice, veterans, veteran caregivers, stakeholders and member organizations of the National Military & Veterans Alliance, a nonpartisan umbrella organization of 35 veteran- and military-serving organizations.
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Fudge: Trump Budget Illustrates Administration’s Cruel Priorities
Source: House Committee on Agriculture
February 12, 2020
“Going to such lengths to gut programs like SNAP, once again, reveals the Administration’s insensitivity to the needs of the people the office is entrusted to serve,” said Chairwoman Fudge. “The proposed budget is nothing more than an assault on vulnerable Americans, particularly people in marginalized communities. Eliminating programs that ensure seniors have access to food, recipients receive nutrition education, and next generation anti-hunger advocates are trained will have devastating effects on the quality of life of countless citizens.”
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Chairman Yarmuth Opening Statement at Budget Hearing on The President's 2021 Budget
Source: House Committee on the Budget
February 12, 2020
Just six short months ago, the President signed a bipartisan two-year budget deal into law. It does everything the President’s proposal fails to do -- it set rational discretionary toplines allowing strong investments in our national and economic security; it had bipartisan support – including the Ranking Member and myself; and it set Congress up for a successful appropriations process. But now, the President is going back on his word. Instead, he is, once again, proposing deep cuts to critical programs that help American families and prepare our nation for the future. Once again, he is breaking his promises and lying to the American people.
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Crow Looks to Strengthen Innovation Pipeline Between Universities and Small Businesses
Source: House Committee on Small Business
February 12, 2020
“Products like lifesaving drugs, groundbreaking medical devices, and advancements in agriculture are the result of collaboration among faculty, students, and the business community,” said Chairman Crow. “These innovations – only made possible by public investment – are needed now more than ever as technology is rapidly changing every sector of the economy. However, as more and more states cut funding for research-based universities, the federal government’s role in supporting innovation at our nation’s colleges and universities is more important than ever.”
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Crow Looks to Strengthen Innovation Pipeline Between Universities and Small Businesses
Source: House Committee on Ways and Means
February 12, 2020
When American patients and their families receive medical care, they shouldn’t have to lie awake at night worrying about the hidden fees or unexpected bills to come. That’s why the House Committee on Ways and Means has offered its solution to end surprise medical bills once and for all.
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HUFFMAN BILL PASSES AS PART OF MULTI-STATE PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT PACKAGE
Source: U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA, 2nd)
February 12, 2020
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s Wilderness Act, a massive new public lands management package that would permanently protect 1.37 million acres of federal land and 1,000 river miles in three states. Representative Jared Huffman’s (D-San Rafael) bill, the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act was approved as part of this legislative package.
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Committee Advances Bipartisan Solution to Ban Surprise Billing
Source: House Committee on Education and the Workforce
February 11, 2020
“Surprise medical billing is a troubling and all-too-common product of our complex health care system. The status quo is unacceptable. Patients are getting hit with astronomical bills and both payers and providers are facing an uncertain future.” said Chairman Scott. “The Ban Surprise Billing Act is a bipartisan solution that protects patients from unexpected, often significant out-of-pocket costs while being fair to both providers and payers. I want to thank Dr. Foxx and all members of the Committee for working together to advance a proposal that provides patients and their families the consumer protections they deserve.”
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Chairman Schiff Statement on Roger Stone Sentencing
Source: House Committee on Intelligence
February 11, 2020
“I do not take a position on the proper prison term for Mr. Stone, but it would be a blatant abuse of power if President Trump has in fact intervened to reverse the recommendations of career prosecutors at the Department of Justice.
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Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Ahead of DC Statehood Bill Markup and Committee Vote
Source: U.S. Representative Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD, 5th)
February 11, 2020
“I have long been a supporter of and urged that the District of Columbia’s representative have a real vote in the Congress of the United States. Now when I was Majority Leader the first time, we assured that the representative of the District of Columbia and other non-voting Members of the Congress of the United States would have a vote in what we call our Committee of the Whole. Under the Constitution however, we could not extend that fully. Unfortunately, when the Republicans took back the Majority, they eliminated that vote, [which was] an act of disrespect, not only to the residents of the District of Columbia, but towards our democracy.
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Hurd Praises Administration’s Request for Increased AI and Quantum Funding
Source: U.S. Representative Will Hurd (R-TX, 23rd)
February 11, 2020
“America must lead in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other technologies that will define the 21st century,” said Hurd. “I applaud the Administration for recognizing the importance of AI and quantum research and will continue to work with my colleagues to prepare our nation for these challenges and ensure America remains the most important economy in the world.”
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MISS. SENATORS PROMOTE U.S.-GROWN RICE IN U.K. TRADE TALKS
Source: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
February 11, 2020
The Mississippi Senators are among a group of Senators from rice-producing states who have signed a letter that encourages U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer “to take advantage of the rice demand in the U.K. to achieve increased market access for U.S.-grown rice through your upcoming negotiations.”
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Sexual Assault, Michigan, Immigration, PG&E, Freedom of Speech, Coronavirus

Today's News for February 1, 2020

As Reports of Sexual Assault Spike at Military Academies, Ernst Leads Calls for Answers
Source: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
January 31, 2020
Following an alarming spike of reports of sexual assault at U.S. military academies, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, is leading a bipartisan group of senators in calling for answers from the Department of Defense (DOD). An annual report from the DOD detailed a 32 percent increase in sexual assault reports at the academies during the 2018-19 school year as compared to the year before.
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EPI Policy Center applauds Michigan Governor for moving to restore overtime pay for Michigan’s workers
Source: Economic Policy Institute
January 30, 2020
In 2016, the Obama administration published a federal rule that would have increased the overtime threshold to roughly $51,000 in 2020—a modest figure that was well within historic norms. However, the Trump administration abandoned this rule and published a much weaker version that sets the salary threshold at $35,568. In doing this, they cost more than eight million workers overtime protections—totaling $1.2 billion in lost wages. The United Way’s ALICE report on financially struggling households shows that Michigan families need about $61,000 a year to afford the basics. A strong rule would raise the salary threshold for workers who earn up to $61,000 and would also be indexed to inflation to keep pace with overall wage growth.
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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Statement on Expansion of the Dangerous “Remain in Mexico” Policy to Brazilian Asylum Seekers
Source: Veronica Escobar (D-TX, 16th)
January 30, 2020
“Today, one year after the Trump administration announced the implementation of the dangerous and unlawful Remain in Mexico policy, DHS began depriving Brazilian asylum seekers due process and endangering their lives by sending them to Mexico, a country proved ill-equipped to safeguard the wellbeing of migrants.
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Eshoo Demands Accountability from PG&E at Congressional Hearing
Source: U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA, 18th)
January 29, 2020
“I don’t presuppose that everyone in Washington D.C. knows who PG&E is or what they’ve done. Now, Californians know it, I certainly know it, and my constituents have lived it,” Rep. Eshoo said to PG&E CEO Bill Johnson. “In your testimony on page three you indicate it will take 12 to 14 years—12 to 14 years—to harden and strengthen the grid. That time frame implies that you’ve deferred a lot of the maintenance over the last 10 years. So, my first question is: why did the deferred maintenance happen and why was this allowed to happen?”
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Victory! Lawsuit Challenging FOSTA Reinstated by Court
Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
January 24, 2020
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that two plaintiffs in the lawsuit—brought by Woodhull Freedom Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Alex Andrews, the Internet Archive, and Eric Koszyk to block enforcement of the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA)—had “standing” to pursue their constitutional challenge to the statute. The lawsuit argues that the act expansively criminalizes online speech related to sex work and removes important protections for online intermediaries in violation of their First Amendment rights. The plaintiffs are represented by EFF, Davis, Wright Tremaine LLP, Walters Law Group, and Daphne Keller.
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Emergency Nurses Association Monitoring Novel Coronavirus Developments
Source: Emergency Nurses Association
January 24, 2020
The two confirmed U.S. cases follow an outbreak in China that has prompted several U.S. airports to implement public health entry screenings. As new information develops, ENA President Mike Hastings, MSN, RN, CEN, called on emergency nurses to follow their current policies and best practices when screening patients for infectious diseases, and to revisit the use of personal protective equipment to limit exposure should a patient show symptoms of novel coronavirus.
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Governor Baker Signs Executive Order Reaffirming and Reconstituting the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

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by: Massachusetts Governor’s Office

Boston, MA - April 12, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Governor Charlie Baker signed an Executive Order Reaffirming and Reconstituting the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced the Executive Order and the 2019 Action Plan at a meeting of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“I thank the Council and Lt. Governor Polito for their dedication to continue working together to end domestic violence and sexual assault here in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am confident that the addition of the Transportation and Veterans’ Services secretariats will bring valuable voices to the conversation surrounding both prevention and assisting survivors.”

“I am proud of the progress the Council has made over the last four years, from providing law enforcement with important tools, to the kickoff of our Public Awareness Campaign that will educate the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am pleased to announce our 2019-2020 Action Plan and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to keep all residents of Massachusetts safe.”

This new Executive Order builds upon the Council’s accomplishments of the last four years and will serve as the roadmap of the Council for the second term of the Baker-Polito Administration with several structural and procedural changes to more effectively support the Council’s mission.

Establishes the Secretary of Transportation as a member of the Council to serve as a resource with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to aide in the Commonwealth’s human trafficking efforts.

Establishes the Secretary of Veterans’ Services as a member of the Council to lead on several new initiatives generated from the Veterans, Military, and Families subcommittee.

Increases membership to bring additional subject matter expertise to the Council and expands the Council’s regional representation.

The executive order identifies key priorities for the next two years. The Council will focus on assessment and response; human trafficking; prevention and education; military, veterans and families; housing stability; and self-sufficiency. A report will be submitted to the Governor at the end of each two-year cycle.

To read the executive order, click here.

Lt. Governor Polito also announced the Council’s 2019-2020 Action Plan which includes:

Public Awareness Campaign:

Small panel of experts to work with a vender to assist in developing acampaign; identify the audience and resources for support; & assist in monitoring the quality of the project

Response and Assessment:

Coordinate attendance for Regional Chief's Meetings across Massachusetts to discuss DV Toolkit

Coordinate and establish distribution process of guidelines/best practices for domestic violence high risk teams

Explore and identify opportunities to expand safety nets for victims and perpetrator accountability

Housing Stability and Self Sufficiency:

Explore and provide recommended safety nets for victims’ housing protections

Increase collaboration between SA/DV and shelter/housing systems and subsidized housing models to promote existing best practice solutions and expand housing options

Human Trafficking:

Continue to work towards expanding Child Sexual Exploitation training/policy/practice to DYS, DCF and DMH

Identify opportunities for increased collaboration between the High Risk Victims Unit (HRVU) of the Massachusetts State Police and District Attorney's Offices

Research the strategies/best practices associated with the identification, safe recovery and ongoing supports of child victims

Prevention and Education:

Complete “Skills Chart” across educational sectors and identify opportunities for adoption and implementation

Identify opportunities to support launch and sustainability of consistent messaging for the Statewide

Public Awareness Campaign

Veteran/Military Families:

Collaborate with OVC TTAC in creating best practice military-civilian SA/DV Tools

Explore and identify opportunities to expand Military & Civilian response training/ policy/ practice to DPH, DCF, and Veteran Services

Governor Baker signed Executive Order 563 on April 27, 2015, which re-launched the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and elevated the Council to the Governor’s Office. Over the last four years, with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito as Chair, the Council has successfully worked to support effective implementation of key provisions of Chapter 260: An Act Relative to Domestic Violence and advanced other important initiatives, such as in undertaking a 2018 Action Plan to address five priority areas: Assessment and Response; Child Trafficking; Military, Veterans, and Families; Housing Stability and Self-Sufficiency; and Prevention and Education.

SAFER Act Signed into Law

By Senator John Cornyn- (R - TX)



Washington, D.C. - January 9, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after President Trump signed his Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting (SAFER) Act into law. The SAFER Act reauthorizes, strengthens, and extends the Sexual Assault Forensic Reporting program to help fight the nationwide rape kit backlog.

“Victims of sexual assault shouldn’t have to live in fear while evidence that could bring their attackers to justice goes untested,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will assist in the efforts of our state and local law enforcement agencies to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits so survivors can get the justice and closure they deserve.”

The SAFER Act was introduced by Senators Cornyn, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Rob Portman (R-OH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) were cosponsors of the legislation. The SAFER Act also ensures pediatric forensic nurses are eligible for training, which addresses the need for pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners in responding to children suffering from abuse. A one-page summary of the bill is available here.

Sens. Cornyn and Bennet were the authors of the Sexual Assault Forensic Reporting Act, a 2013 law creating the SAFER Program which has helped law enforcement reduce the rape kit backlog through existing funds under the Debbie Smith Act. The legislation increased the amount of these funds spent on untested kits by 35 percent and allowed 5-7 percent to be used on SAFER program audits. It helps state and local law enforcement agencies address both the laboratory and storage backlogs by providing funding to conduct one-year audits of untested sexual assault evidence, which has uncovered tens of thousands of untested rape kits on shelves and in labs across the nation.


See more headlines at The Ponder News Web Site

Trump supporter Joy Villa says she filed a sexual assault complaint against Corey Lewandowski

Source: Fox News



Singer Joy Villa, an outspoken Trump supporter, is accusing the president’s former campaign manager of sexual assault following an alleged incident at a Trump International Hotel party last month. Villa says she's filed a report with the Metropolitan Police Department stating Corey Lewandowski smacked her on her rear end twice.

Villa, 31, told Politico she met Lewandowski through a mutual friend at an invite-only party in November. However, after a photo opportunity, she claims Lewandowski smacked her on the butt.

Read more about this at Fox News by clicking HERE

The Title IX Protection Act Introduced in the House

Source: Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), sponsor of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA), today joined Rep. Jackie Speier(CA-14) as she introduced H.R. 4030, The Title IX Protection Act, which will codify Title IX protections for sexual assault survivors. Rep. Maloney is an original cosponsor of the bill.

The Title IX Protection Act codifies into law guidance released under the Obama, George W. Bush, and Clinton Administrations to provide clear standards for sexual harassment and sexual assault prevention and response that colleges and universities must meet under Title IX, which ensures educational equality for men and women. H.R. 4030 is a response to Secretary DeVos’s recent actions to rescind this guidance and allow schools to discriminate against survivors.

“I am proud to join Rep. Speier and many of my colleagues to make permanent Title IX protections for sexual assault survivors. Secretary DeVos’s decision to rollback these protections threatens the safety and wellbeing of college students. This change in policy creates confusion at best, and catastrophe at worst.  Students should never feel they are unsafe on their campuses, and they should be confident that college administrators are held accountable for ensuring their safety. The Title IX Protection Act sets clear standards that a preponderance of evidence be used for Title IX grievances, which is the standard for other civil rights law. It is our duty as lawmakers to make sure that students’ civil rights aren’t infringed upon and that they have a safe environment in which to learn and grow.”

Trump Administration Reviews Department of Education Guidelines on Campus Sexual Assault

Source: Senator Mark R.Warner (D - VA)

Washington, D.C. - September 11, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Trump Administrations has announced that it is reviewing DOE's guidelines on campus sexual assault.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the below statement on the Trump Administration's review of Department of Education guidelines on campus sexual assault:

"The Trump Administration’s review of 2011 guidance about sexual assault enforcement responsibilities on college campuses and at K-12 schools under Title IX should be a red flag for those of us who care deeply about student safety. We should be vigilant in monitoring this process and look for opportunities to engage constructively when possible. Any reconsideration of the current guidance should prioritize the needs of survivors and facilitate improvements in how schools investigate, adjudicate and work to prevent sexual assaults. I hope Secretary DeVos recognizes the gravity of her responsibility: young people across the country are counting on her to get this right."

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News from the House: Travel Ban, Women, EPA, WOTUS, Domestic Manufacturing Deduction, Ben Carson, Science, Sexual Assault

President Trump signed a new executive order restricting travel to the United States from six Muslim-majority countries for 90 days and freezing refugee resettlement for 120 days.

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Donald Trump signed into law the INSPIRE Women Act that will help our girls and young women on the important goal of increasing the number of women who go into the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

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In November of 2016, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began requesting information from oil and gas producers regarding methane emissions from existing production well and facility sites. Though the surveys were requested by the EPA, costly fines would have been assessed on individual oil and gas operators for non-compliance. The EPA has withdrawn this request.

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Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring March as Women’s History Month—the origins of which are rooted in California’s Fifth Congressional District.

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U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) applauded the executive order signed by President Trump to rewrite the Obama-era regulation related to “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) and has introduced legislation to solve the problem permanently. Thornberry’s bill, the “Federal Regulatory Certainty for Water Act,” H.R. 1261, clarifies the definition of “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act (CWA) as waters that are navigable-in-fact or are permanently flowing bodies of water that physically connect to navigable waters.

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Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) introduced legislation that clarifies the appropriate application of the Section 199 domestic manufacturing deduction (DMD) to contract manufacturing. Under current Treasury Department regulations, the DMD is unevenly applied to U.S. companies who utilize contract manufacturing arrangements, which is contrary to Congress’s original intent to incentivize American manufacturing. Tiberi and Neal’s legislation would level the playing field for non-vertically integrated manufacturers who employ U.S. workers so that they can spur needed investment and create jobs.

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About Ben Carson:

“All Nevada families deserve a roof over their heads. I have little reason to believe that Ben Carson can provide that. He admitted he had no government experience and did not want to cripple President Trump by taking a job in the administration. The HUD Secretary must ensure that Nevadans have access to rental and mortgage assistance for individuals, families, the elderly, and disabled. These programs are a vital safety net for at-risk Americans. Our state deserves someone with knowledge and experience in public housing. Ben Carson doesn’t fill that bill. Putting him in charge of urban development reflects Trump’s disdain for the people in cities who voted against him.” --Dina Titus (D-NV, 1st)

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House Science Committee members Representative Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), along with Representatives Niki Tsongas (MA-3) and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), announced the introduction of the Scientific Integrity Act requiring U.S. federal agencies to adopt or strengthen policies to insulate government-directed research from the influence of political pressure and special interests.

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Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3) urged military officials to expand opportunities for military sexual assault victims to revisit and revise their discharge records, following suggestions by male sexual assault survivor advocates.