Elections, Oil, Nurses, COVID-19, Testing, Religion, Prisons, Unemployment, Taxes, Trump Administration, Cuba, PPE

DFA praises Sanders “transformational” campaign, is “100% committed” to ensuring Biden beats Trump
Source: Democracy for America
April 8, 2020
Sen. Bernie Sanders just announced the suspension of his 2020 campaign for President. Democracy for America endorsed Sanders in 2016 and fought along his side from early in the campaign all the way to the convention. The grassroots progressive group endorsed Sanders again prior to the Super Tuesday contests following a vote of DFA members.
Read more...

HEAT Members Urge Saudi Crown Prince to Restore Global Oil Market Stability
Source: U.S. Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC, 3rd)
April 8, 2020
“The United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have an important strategic partnership that ensures regional stability, counters Iran’s malign activity, and defeats terrorists that threaten our security,” the letter reads. “The United States also remains committed to maintaining the strong economic ties between our two countries. We are concerned, however, with the Kingdom’s actions to artificially distort global crude oil markets as countries around the world struggle to address a growing economic and health crisis fueled by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.”
Read more...

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s Loyalty Program, to Offer ENA Members Free Hotel Rooms
Source: Emergency Nurses Association
April 8, 2020
The initiative, which also includes members of the American College of Emergency Physicians, offers free hotel room nights to nurses and physicians in several targets cities currently in the greatest need, including New York City, Newark, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Detroit and New Orleans. ENA and ACEP will oversee the matching of their respective members in those cities with accommodations at participating hotels.
Read more...

We Need True Positives, True Negatives: Doggett and DeLauro Press FDA for Data on the Accuracy of COVID-19 Tests
Source: U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX, 35th)
April 9, 2020
U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, pressed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for information regarding the precautions they have taken to assure the accuracy of COVID-19 tests, as well as for manufacturers’ data provided to the FDA on false positives and false negatives in administered tests thus far.
Read more...

Davids Statement on Kansas’ Reversal of Order Limiting Mass Religious Gatherings During Coronavirus
Source: U.S Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS, 3rd)
April 9, 2020
“The decision to overturn Governor Kelly’s executive order is not only outrageous and irresponsible – it’s putting lives at risk. Rather than work to ensure the health and safety of Kansans, extremists in the state legislature have created chaos and confusion and endangered our public health.
Read more...

======


======

DPA Leads Vast Coalition of Public Health Orgs & Professionals Calling on the CDC to Adopt Decarceration & Expanded Health Care Access in Guidance to Slow Spread of COVID-19
Source: Drug Policy Alliance
April 9, 2020
The letter follows troubling reports of rapidly escalating outbreaks within the country’s jails, prisons and youth and immigration detention centers. These institutions have failed to maintain control of the spread of COVID-19, reduce capacity to allow for social distancing, offer necessary hygienic supplies or personal protective equipment to ward off infection, and ultimately provide adequate access to healthcare for those who need it; the results of which have proved fatal.
Read more...

Ernst Statement on Senate Democrats Blocking Funding for Small Businesses
Source: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
April 9, 2020
“After hearing from Iowans and seeing the overwhelming response of small businesses across the country, it’s clear we need to bolster the Paycheck Protection Program. We don’t have time for political games; we’re in a crisis. Workers and employers in Iowa and across the country need this relief now more than ever, so let’s put aside the politics and swiftly get this specific additional support for small businesses approved so money can keep flowing, Iowa workers can continue to collect a paycheck, and our state’s small businesses can stay afloat,” said Senator Ernst.
Read more...

ENA Foundation Announces COVID-19 Relief Fund
Source: Emergency Nurses Association
April 9, 2020
ENA members who need financial assistance due to personal hardship experienced as a direct result of COVID-19 may apply for a one-time individual relief grant of $599 to assist themselves and their family during this difficult time. Priority consideration will be provided to nurses serving in targeted hot spot areas.
Read more...

16.8 million apply for unemployment benefits in three weeks
Source: Economic Policy Institute
April 9, 2020
Between March 15 and April 4, 16.8 million workers applied for unemployment insurance (UI), according to new Department of Labor (DOL) data. That means that in the last three weeks alone, more than one in 10 workers have applied for UI benefits. The labor market has been upended.
Read more...

DelBene Secures Tax Extension for Non-profit Hospitals, Universities, Other Tax-exempt Organizations
Source: U.S. Representative Suzan Delbene (D-WA, 1st)
April 10, 2020
“The IRS made the right decision to extend the tax filing and payment deadline for tax-exempt organizations,” said DelBene. “Just like individuals and businesses, COVID-19 continues to create significant financial disruption for tax-exempt organizations, such as non-profit hospitals, and universities. Many of these organizations are on the front lines of responding to this pandemic in Washington state and around the country. They deserve relief and now will receive it.”
Read more...

======


======

Delgado Statement on Removal of CARES Act Oversight Committee Head
Source: U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (D-NY, 19th)
April 8, 2020
“Two weeks ago, a broad, bipartisan coalition voted to pass the vitally important emergency relief legislation with the inclusion of critical oversight measures to ensure the faithful stewardship of federal dollars. Removing a key government watchdog from overseeing the largest stimulus package in our nation’s history is deeply concerning and runs counter to a unified message of placing emergency relief above partisan politics. Americans need relief now, not divisive partisanship.”
Read more...

What COVID-19 Means for End-of-Life Care: Experts Answer Your Questions
Source: Death with Dignity
April 10, 2020
Over the past several weeks, we have been receiving a growing number of inquiries about end-of-life care, advance directives, and other critical issues. With the help of experts, we have taken some time to answer those questions and compiled some resources. Experts come from a number of fields:
Read more...

DEFAZIO PUSHES TO PROTECT INTEGRITY OF INSPECTORS GENERAL FROM TRUMP POLITICAL RETALIATION
Source: U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th)
April 10, 2020
In the letter to Michael Horowitz, the CIGIE Chair, the lawmakers write, “Unlike any President in modern history, President Trump has engaged in offensive and unjustified attacks against Inspectors General, criticizing them for following the law, and retaliating against them for telling the truth…[The president’s actions] reflect a campaign of political retaliation and reward that is antithetical to good government, undermines the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and degrades the federal government’s ability to function competently.”
Read more...

DEFAZIO ANNOUNCES NEW TOOL TO HELP NON-FILERS ACCESS COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS
Source: U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th)
April 10, 2020
After the 2008 financial crisis, 3.5 million of our nation’s most vulnerable did not receive a stimulus check because of bureaucratic red tape,” said Rep. DeFazio. “We cannot allow the same thing to happen now, which is why I called for a method to help those who need it most access economic impact payments. This new tool will give those who do not usually file, including those with too little income, a simple, free and secure way to provide the IRS with basic information so they can receive their Economic Impact Payments as soon as possible. While I will continue to push Treasury and IRS to automatically provide payments to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and to individuals who receive Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pensions, this is an important first step towards helping vulnerable populations weather these uncertain times.
Read more...

As Lawmakers Fall Ill, Congress and State Legislatures Must Enact Continuity Plans
Source: Demand Progress
April 10, 2020
Demand Progress calls on Congress and state legislatures to institute continuity of governance plans immediately, before the COVID-19 crisis worsens and the legislatures become unable to act. Many members of Congress have been exposed to the virus, it was announced that two New York state lawmakers had contracted the virus, and it’s likely many others have contacted it as well. Overseas, the European Union Parliament in Strasbourg was closed and reconvened in Brussels, and about 10 percent of Iranian parliamentarians have tested positive, while two have died.
Read more...

======


======

Democracy for America backs Jeff Merkley for reelection to the U.S. Senate
Source: Democracy for America
April 10, 2020
DFA was a strong supporter of Sen. Merkley in his first reelection bid in 2014 and, over the last six years, has worked closely with him on everything from progressive fights for filibuster reform and Medicare for All to battles against war with Iran and Donald Trump’s right-wing Supreme Court nominees.
Read more...

Chairman Deutch Calls for Stronger US Response to Idlib Humanitarian Catastrophe
Source: U.S. Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL, 21st)
April 10, 2020
In the letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, the Members acknowledge the humanitarian impact of escalating violence in Idlib on its roughly three million residents, most of whom are children. In addition to the conflict's devastating effect on civilians, the Members fear that Syria's limited health care facilities and professionals, already operating under dire conditions, may be ill-prepared for any spread of COVID-19.
Read more...

Representatives Diaz-Balart, Rooney, Mucarsel-Powell Condemn Cuba’s Actions During COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL, 25th)
April 10, 2020
The Cuban regime has shamelessly exploited this COVID-19 pandemic to engage in a misleading medical diplomacy campaign by trafficking doctors from whom they pocket as much as 80 percent of their salaries, confiscate their passports, and impose strict monitoring. The regime is also spreading dangerous disinformation about the virus worldwide with the aim of dividing the international community. These are just the latest examples of the regime’s use of propaganda to build a positive image abroad and distract from its systemic human rights violations against the Cuban people. Like their authoritarian partners around the world, the Cuban regime cannot be counted on as a reliable partner in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more...

Feinstein Calls for Additional Essential Workers Such as Grocery Clerks, Agricultural Workers to Receive Protective Equipment
Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
April 10, 2020
“I write in support of your leadership in procuring 200 million masks a month, so that essential workers on the frontlines across California are protected during the coronavirus pandemic,” wrote Senator Feinstein.
Read more...

======


======

The Navigable Waters Protection Rule

Washington, D.C. - January 24, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The Trump Administration finalized its rule to eliminate protections for wetlands, streams and other bodies of water. The new replacement rule will gut Obama-era regulations that define the waters of the United States (WOTUS) -- the rivers, streams and wetlands that fed into the drinking water supply of 1 in 3 Americans.

“This reckless attack by the Trump Administration represents a generational setback in the country’s battle to safeguard clean water that will harm Virginians and the Chesapeake Bay. It sacrifices the health of over half of America’s wetlands, and puts the drinking water of millions at risk. Once again, President Trump and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler are prioritizing the profits of corporate polluters over working families, businesses, clean drinking water, and vulnerable communities. We must not let this stand; House Democrats will continue to fight for clean water for all Americans," said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA).

“Hoosier farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our state’s economy. Today’s clarification that their farm ditches will no longer be regulated by the federal government as navigable waters is a commonsense change that provides ag producers certainty and ensures a proper balance exists between the federal government and a state’s rights to protect their own water resources. The new rule removes confusion and uncertainty about where federal jurisdiction ends and where state authority begins. I applaud the Trump Administration for keeping yet another promise they made to the American people," stated U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon (R-IN, 8th)

Additionally, the final rule identifies clarifies that “Waters of the United States” are not features that only contain water in direct response to rainfall, groundwater, ditches, including most roadside and farm ditches, farm and stock watering ponds, waste treatment systems, and prior converted cropland.

Senator Benjamin L.Cardin (D - MD) commented, “Clean, safe water is a right of every person in this country. But the Trump administration does not seem to prioritize clean water or public health. Time and again they have shown their sole priority to be protecting polluters at the expense of evidence-based public policies that were built on years-long scientific research.”

Senator Cardin has long urged the Trump administration to protect the Clean Water Rule and protect America’s clean drinking water. In April 2019, he led colleagues in a letter to Wheeler and James during the formal rulemaking comment period urging them to abandon the dangerous proposal.

He continued with, “Continued success of the Clean Water Act requires a clear and scientifically sound definition for determining which bodies of water are protected, while protecting those waters that influence the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters—the goal at the heart of the Act. However, the final rule provides neither the certainty requested by our constituents, nor the clean and healthy waters upon which we all depend. Instead, this rewrite makes it nearly impossible for stakeholders and regulators to easily and consistently define perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams. Far from fulfilling the President’s promise to create a nationally consistent rule, this rule injects ambiguity into the law at the expense of our decades of progress in cleaning up our waters.

“For Maryland and the Chesapeake region, the Trump administration’s latest rollback of federal clean water regulations undermines the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort by eliminating federal protections for thousands of acres of wetlands and some headwater streams. Under the Trump administration’s new water rule, isolated wetlands not connected by surface waters to navigable waterways in an average year will be denied federal protections. This would make them more vulnerable to pollution, and make it harder for state and local governments, farmers, nonprofits and businesses to achieve their nutrient and sediment reduction goals. Also exposed would be streams that flow only after rain or snowmelt, called ‘ephemeral’ streams, that play a critical role in supplying clean drinking water and as tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. In the long run, this rollback will cost American taxpayers money for increased health costs and other harmful effects of increased pollution in our waterways.”

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) had long criticized the Obama-era WOTUS rule for its burdensome and confusing regulations, as well as its infringement on private citizens’ property rights. The rule was considered by many Louisiana farmers, construction workers and energy producers to be a broad overreach of the federal government’s authority.

“Clean water and common-sense regulation – President Trump’s WOTUS rule achieves both. Louisiana workers now have needed certainty to plan for their futures and further contribute to our nation’s robust economy,” said Dr. Cassidy.

U.S Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming at large) stated, “The Obama Administration’s attempt to redefine navigable waters was a blatant, unconstitutional power grab aimed at taking federal control over state water laws and private water rights. Thankfully, President Trump and House Republicans made it a top priority to put a stop to this clear abuse of power that threatened precious resources for hardworking ranchers and farmers in Wyoming, and would have devastated our rural economy. I’m pleased to see EPA Administrator Wheeler take the next step to protect our nation’s water resources by clearly defining what is and what is not considered ‘navigable water.’ This new rule, which included input from a wide range of stakeholders, will provide regulatory certainty that respects the water rights of the people of Wyoming.”

Congressman James Comer applauded the Trump Administration’s action, noting that farmers would benefit from less burdensome regulations by saying, “Our farmers have suffered under the heavy-handed regulations put into place by the Obama Administration. Now, President Trump’s plan of deregulation and ending inconsistent regulatory patchwork is becoming a reality through this new definition of WOTUS,” Congressman Comer said. “Farmers and businesses across the nation have been in need of a consistent regulatory framework that allows them to function with clarity and predictability. Finally repealing the 2015 Rule will foster regulatory consistency and allow for important projects to move forward. I’m proud to support President Trump’s plan and I look forward to the effects of this new definition on Kentucky’s agriculture and inland waterway industries.”

Director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment Myron Ebell said, “The rule appears to make several significant improvements to the 2018 proposed rule. In particular, the rule defines the limits of federal jurisdiction over waters and wetlands more carefully and lists more clearly the types of areas that are excluded from federal regulation. The bad old days when the Corps of Engineers used the overly broad and vague 1987 delineation manual creatively to expand federal regulation to lands that might occasionally be moist should be gone for good.

“However, rather than simply adopting Justice Scalia’s clear language in the 2006 Rapanos decision, the final rule still tries to include parts of Justice Kennedy’s ill-considered ‘significant nexus’ test, which he invented in his concurring opinion. This means that it is unlikely to meet EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s admirable goal of having a definition of wetlands that is clear and simple enough that landowners can understand ‘whether a project on their property will require a federal permit or not, without spending thousands of dollars on engineering and legal professionals.’”

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) commented, “During the last Administration, I heard consistent concerns from farmers, ranchers, small businesses, governors, and many others about the extremely broad definition of ‘waters of the United States’ under the Clean Water Act,” said Representative Mike Simpson. “During Congressional hearings and meetings in my office, I received no clarity between federal and state jurisdiction over which waters were regulated by who. That is why I am pleased the EPA and the Corps took note of those concerns and rewrote the rule in a way that maintains critical protections under the Clean Water Act, while also appropriately delegating state and local jurisdictions in charge of regulating smaller bodies of water, as the law was intended. I have great confidence in the State of Idaho given their experience and increased responsibility with State primacy.”

“The Obama Administration's Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule was the definition of federal overreach and an attempt to control Idaho’s waterways. As I’ve followed water policy during my tenure in the Idaho state legislature, I understand that federal mandates do not work for Idahoans," said Representative Russ Fulcher. “I commend the Trump Administration for keeping their promise and reestablishing the appropriate state authority in relation to the Clean Water Act. This new rule will help Idaho farms, businesses, and other job creators so our state can continue to thrive as an economic leader in our nation.”

Background
The Navigable Waters Protection Rule identifies four clear categories of waters that are federal regulated:

The territorial seas and traditional navigable waters;

Perennial and intermittent tributaries to those waters;

Certain lakes, ponds, and impoundments; and

Wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters.

WOTUS is not:

Features that contain water only as a response to rainfall

Groundwater

Many ditches, including most roadside and farm ditches

Farm and stock watering ponds

Prior converted crop land.

More House Statements on Clean Power Act

Continued from this page (click HERE)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt and the Trump Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing the repeal of the Clean Power Plan.

The Clean Power Plan was an Obama Administration policy which sought to reduce the United States’ contributions to climate change. It was proposed by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in June of 2014, and finalized in August of 2015.

The Clean Power Plan is the first and only federal limit on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Supporters of the plan claim that by cutting carbon pollution, it is one of the best available tools to combat climate change and to take steps towards reducing air pollution that harms the public’s health.

Below are statements by House Representatives concern in the recension of the clean power act rules by the EPA:

Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th)

“Climate change is one of the gravest threats facing the human race in the 21st century. Scientists have carefully and accurately described the causes of climate change, predicted its consequences, and offered solutions. The Clean Power Plan represents a big step in the direction of confronting the dangers of climate change, and it has the added benefit of driving the creation of our clean energy sector, with hundreds of thousands of jobs and a big boost for local economies across the country.

“Turning our back on this progress by ending the Clean Power Plan is dangerous, it will hurt our economy, and it will further damage our reputation around the world. American leadership is urgently needed now, and we cannot ignore or pretend our way out of this crisis. We must stand up, we must fight for future generations, and we must act on climate.”

Diane Black (R-TN, 6th)

"Administrator Pruitt's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan is a victory for communities across the country, and for our own power plants here in Tennessee. The Obama administration's continual executive overreach at the state level is finally being corrected by an Administration committed to giving our local industries the support they need to thrive. By working alongside stakeholders, the Trump administration is putting jobs and those affected by these regulations first rather than a bureaucrat's idealized political agenda.”

Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)

“The Trump Administration’s move to repeal the Clean Power Plan is another representation of a backslide on U.S. and global climate goals. Despite all of its shortcomings, the Trump Administration ought to have little difficulty in grasping the severe economic repercussions of repealing a strategy meant to lessen the wide-ranging damage caused by unchecked carbon emissions and climate change. Instead, EPA Administrator Pruitt and President Trump have decided to burden taxpayers with the costs of climate change, increasingly frequent and severe instances of extreme weather, and air pollution.

“I support the Clean Power Plan and the Paris Climate Agreement. The Trump administration’s retreat from both plans of action will put America on a path toward more instances of extreme and destructive weather, toward more asthma attacks, more missed days of work and school, and more premature deaths caused by carbon pollution.”

Joe Courtney (D-CT, 2nd)

“The decision by Mr. Pruitt is not a pro-growth, pro-economic decision. It is simply responding, unfortunately, to political forces that drove this administration to power from the fossil fuel industry. The only saving grace of Mr. Pruitt's order is that he allows a large and long public comment period for the people of this country -- who do care about clean air and who do care about our environment -- to weigh in on this reckless decision that turns the clock back for public health and safety, and for our economy.”

Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

President Trump and his Administration have come through for North Dakota, and frankly for energy consumers throughout our country. It has always been clear to North Dakotans that the EPA has overreached its legal authority by going outside the fence line of individual power plants and North Dakota is a good example of arbitrary and capricious emissions standards.

Mike Bost (R-IL, 12th)

“The Obama Administration’s addiction to over-regulation threatened to wipe out hundreds of jobs in Southern Illinois and many thousands nationwide,” said Rep. Bost.  “The impact of such a serious hit to the coal industry led to unpredictable home energy prices for hardworking families already struggling to get ahead. I applaud the administration’s decision to secure the reliability and resiliency of America’s electrical grid.”

Trump Instructs DOJ to Protect Religious Freedom

Source: Liberty Counsel

Washington, D.C. - October 9, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The Trump administration strongly protected the free exercise of religion by reversing Obama-era policies with new legal guidance issued to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The Attorney General issued two memoranda. The first addressed to all administrative agencies and executive departments, identifies 20 key principles of religious liberty. The guidance reminds agencies of their obligations under federal law to protect religious liberty, and summarizes twenty key principles of religious-liberty protections that agencies can use in that effort. It explains that agencies should use these principles to protect religious liberty in all aspects of their work, including as employers, rule-makers, adjudicators, contract- and grant-makers and program administrators.

On specific policies, the guidance states that government may not exclude religious organizations from secular aid programs and the IRS may not enforce the Johnson Amendment which restricts tax-exempt organizations, including churches and religious organizations, from endorsing or opposing candidates for elected office.

Attorney Sessions’ second memorandum, addressed to DOJ components and United States Attorney’s offices, directs the implementation of that guidance within the Department.

The 20 key principles are:

1. The freedom of religion is a fundamental right of paramount importance, expressly protected by federal law.

2. The free exercise of religion includes the right to act or abstain from action in accordance with one's religious beliefs.

3. The freedom of religion extends to persons and organizations.

4. Americans do not give up their freedom of religion by participating in the marketplace, partaking of the public square, or interacting with government.

5. Government may not restrict acts or abstentions because of the beliefs they display.

6. Government may not target religious individuals or entities for special disabilities based on their religion.

7. Government may not target religious individuals or entities through discriminatory enforcement of neutral, generally applicable laws.

8. Government may not officially favor or disfavor particular religious groups.

9. Government may not interfere with the autonomy of a religious organization.

10. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 prohibits the federal government from substantially burdening any aspect of religious observance or practice, unless imposition of that burden on a particular religious adherent satisfies strict scrutiny.

11. RFRA's protection extends not just to individuals, but also to organizations, associations, and at least some for-profit corporations.

12. RFRA does not permit the federal government to second-guess the reasonableness of a
religious belief.

13. A governmental action substantially burdens an exercise of religion under RFRA if it bans an aspect of an adherent's religious observance or practice, compels an act inconsistent with that observance or practice, or substantially pressures the adherent to modify such observance or practice.

14. The strict scrutiny standard applicable to RFRA is exceptionally demanding.

15. RFRA applies even where a religious adherent seeks an exemption from a legal obligation requiring the adherent to confer benefits on third parties.

16. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, prohibits covered employers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their religion.

17. Title VIl's protection extends to discrimination on the basis of religious observance or practice as well as belief, unless the employer cannot reasonably accommodate such observance or practice without undue hardship on the business.

18. The Clinton Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace provide useful examples for private employers of reasonable accommodations for religious observance and practice in the workplace.

19. Religious employers are entitled to employ only persons whose beliefs and conduct are consistent with the employers' religious precepts.

20. As a general matter, the federal government may not condition receipt of a federal grant or contract on the effective relinquishment of a religious organization’s exemptions or attributes of its religious character.

The DOJ earlier this year demonstrated a shift in policy from the Obama administration as it commented on Zarda v. Altitude Express at the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals, which contends that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans gender discrimination, but does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, in the workplace. The guidance today demonstrates further that the DOJ recognizes that religious liberty principles are in fact stalwart even when challenged by special interest groups.

“We commend President Trump for instructing Attorney General Jeff Sessions to send a strong message to the rest of America that religious freedom must be protected,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “The President has reversed the Obama-era policies and committed to protecting and promoting the religious freedom upon which this nation was founded. The Department of Justice must now vigorously enforce all Americans’ civil right of free exercise of religious liberty. This is an extremely positive step in the right direction,” said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

CORKER AIMS TO HAVE “BIGGEST IMPACT POSSIBLE” OVER NEXT 15 MONTHS

Chattanooga, TN - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In an interview with Chuck Todd that aired on NBC’s “Meet the Press” today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the Senate Budget Committee, discussed foreign policy, tax reform, and his decision not to seek reelection. Excerpts follow.

On his decision not to seek reelection:

“I told people that I couldn’t imagine serving more than two terms,” said Corker. “And Chuck, I’ve felt a total freedom since I’ve been here to be myself. To speak frankly, to work with the other side of the aisle. That’s obviously needed. I can count. I can do math… And so, I’ve never, ever, ever thought about electoral politics in what I’m doing… I’ve enjoyed the freedom of conducting myself as a businessperson who’s come to Washington to solve problems.”

“And now I’ve got 15 months of even more freedom, in many ways,” added Corker. “And I’m going to do everything I can to have the biggest impact possible.”

On whether he will support tax reform legislation that adds to the deficit:

“I'm willing to accept the realities of where we are, and that is that we have a policy base. In other words, taxes,” said Corker. “It's kind of like the doc fix. You know, we kept making up the fact that this was going to change. So, I'm willing to accept current policy, number one. I think that's rational. And I'm willing to accept a reasonable score on dynamic growth. A reasonable score on dynamic growth. [Joint Committee on Taxation] does those. There're some other groups that do it. But if it, if it looks like to me, Chuck, we’re adding one penny to the deficit, I am not going to be for it, OK? I’m sorry. It is the greatest threat to our nation. The greatest threat to our nation. And so, look, I voted against the NDAA the other day. That was a painful vote. I mean, you know, I support the military. They know that. But when you blow through even the president's budget and you use huge amounts of OCO, overseas contingency operations, to pay for it, I'm sorry, I'm opposed to that.”

“It's like, Chuck, we've entered a party atmosphere here,” added Corker. “You know, everybody was a fiscal hawk, kind of. Not really, but kind of up until the election. Now, it’s like there's a party going on up here, OK? Heck with revenue. Heck with the, you know, constraining spending. So yes, I will remain a deficit hawk until I leave here. And I'm looking so forward to this tax reform debate because the one thing that hasn't been discussed is the $4 trillion in base broadeners that have to occur for this to be successful. And every lobbyist in the world is going to be up here fighting those.”

On North Korea:

“I think that there’s more going on than meets the eye,” said Corker. “I think [Secretary] Tillerson understands that every intelligence agency we have says there's no amount of economic pressure you can put on North Korea to get them to stop this program because they view this as their survival… Should we step it up a little bit? The answer is absolutely yes. I mean, we should step it up. I mean, you know, we're moving to a place where we're going to end up with a binary choice soon.”

“I don't think we're cornering ourselves,” added Corker. “But if we don't ramp up the diplomatic side, it's possible that we end up cornered.”

On the performance of the administration:

“I’m not trying to be critical here, but some of the words have been left out,” said Corker. “What I said is he has not yet demonstrated some of the competence and some of the stability… And that we need for him to be successful. I mean, the country needs for him to be successful.”

“I think that General Kelly has brought in an air of discipline that has been transformative as far as how the White House operates,” added Corker. “I do think they did a great job with Texas and Florida during the hurricane(s). Very professional. I thought it took a lot of courage by the president to change his long held position about Afghanistan. So, I’m seeing changes.”

Trump Administration

Congressman Brown Statement After Firing of FBI Director Comey
Anthony Brown (D-MD, 4th)
May 9, 2017
"The termination of FBI Director James Comey is highly troubling at best, or Nixonian at worst, given that the Director was leading the ongoing investigation into the ties between the Russian government and Trump campaign, and Russian efforts to undermine our democracy. I renew my call for a special counsel and independent commission to fully and impartially investigate Russian interference in our elections. Nothing less will restore trust in our justice system."
Read more...

CLUB FOR GROWTH CELEBRATES 100 DAYS OF PRO-GROWTH PROGRESS
Club for Growth
April 26th, 2017
“Imagine the economic devastation we’d be talking about today if Hillary Clinton had been elected: Higher taxes, more job-crushing government regulations, an expansion of government-run health care, and massive government overreach into the private sector,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “In less than 100 days, President Trump and his administration have not only prevented that nightmare, but they have halted the economic destruction caused by eight years of Obama Administration policies, and have restored consumer and business confidence with strong and effective pro-growth policies (see below). The result of these policies has been a 15% gain in the stock market, which has added at least $2 trillion of wealth to all Americans in their retirement funds and savings.”
Read more...

Citizens Against Government Waste Praises President Trump's First 100 Days
April 24, 2017
Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), America’s largest taxpayer watchdog group, applauded the numerous effective actions taken by President Donald Trump during his first 100 days in office to curb rampant waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the federal government.
Read more...

MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMP DEMANDING RESIGNATION OF SURGEON GENERAL DR. VIVEK MURTHY
Senator Christopher Murphy- (D - CT)
April 22, 2017
“Dr. Murthy is another in a long list of political targets by the Trump administration. U.S. Surgeons General are not supposed to be fired mid-term. They have served administrations of both political parties because keeping Americans safe and healthy isn’t a partisan issue,” said Murphy. “Dr. Murthy helped steer our country through the frightening Ebola and Zika outbreaks, and rightfully focused on the devastation of addiction. He didn’t shy away from speaking the truth about gun violence as a public health crisis. By firing Dr. Murthy, President Trump is politicizing the position of Surgeon General and risking the credibility of our nation's top public health official.”
Read more...

Portman Praises Trump Administration for Acting to Protect Steel Industry Jobs
Rob Portman- (R - OH)
April 20, 2017
“I applaud the Administration for its commitment to protecting the U.S. steel industry and American jobs. Addressing worldwide steel overcapacity is crucial to ensuring that American steel workers have a level playing field. This crisis is particularly acute in Ohio where more than 1,500 steelworkers have been laid off over the last two years. I look forward to continuing to work with the Commerce Secretary and the administration to protect Ohio jobs and stop trade cheats from unfairly trading steel into the U.S. market.”
Read more...

=====