Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to February 14, 2020
REP. HECK ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RETALIATION AGAINST LT. COL. VINDMAN
Source: U.S. Representative Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th)
February 7, 2020
The President’s public humiliation of Colonel Vindman today is beyond shameful. And if there was any doubt that this was an act of petulant retaliation, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, Colonel Alexander Vindman’s twin brother and a National Security Council lawyer, was also dismissed from his position and left the White House alongside his brother. President Trump has shown that he will cruelly retaliate against honorable public servants. All evidence shows that he will continue to do so.
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Senators Hirono, Carper Introduce Bill Requiring Net-Zero U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050
Source: Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D - HI)
February 11, 2020
“The devastating consequences of climate change in Hawaii are clear, and that is why we were the first state in the country to commit to achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2045, which includes 100% renewable power. The Clean Economy Act spurs similar bold action across the country by setting a goal of achieving net-zero U.S. greenhouse gas production by 2050. The bill also requires a focus on public health, innovative and equitable access to worker training, and enhancing America’s global competitiveness, all of which will be essential to address the broad impacts of climate change,” Senator Hirono said.
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Federal Reserve Chairman: U.S. is “Working Hard” on Digital Currency
Source: U.S. Representative French Hill (R-AR, 2nd)
February 12, 2020
Libra lit a fire and it was a bit of a wakeup call that this was coming fast, and could come in a way that is quite widespread and systemically important. Federal Reserve Chairman Confirms Digital Currency Efforts
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President's Budget Increases HIV Support, But Lacks Direction And Funding In Key Areas
Source: HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA)
February 12, 2020
President Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget plan proposes $716 million in funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative – more than double the 2020 request. At the same time, however, it reduces support for federal public health programs that are key to the initiative’s implementation, according to the HIV Medicine Association.
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Trump Stripped of War Powers
Source: Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
February 13, 2020
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting to support S.J.Res.63, a war powers resolution to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional authorization. The resolution passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 55 to 45.
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HOEVEN STATEMENT AFTER SENATE VOTE ON WAR POWERS RESOLUTIONS
Source: Senator John Hoeven (R - ND)
February 13, 2020
“I do not support this resolution because I think it undermines our nation’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran, including diplomatic, economic and military pressure. I believe it sends the wrong message to Iranian leaders that the U.S. is relieving, rather than increasing, pressure on the regime, particularly in the context of widespread anti-government protests in Iran."
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U.S. Reps Herrera Beutler, Kennedy Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen Kids’ Access to Health Care
Source: U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)
February 13, 2020
U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) and Joe Kennedy III (MA-04) reintroduced a bipartisan bill to streamline the enrollment process for care provided to children outside of the state where they are enrolled in a Medicaid program. Cosponsored by Congressman Ben Ray Luján (NM-03), the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act would create a limited pathway for pediatric providers to be screened and enrolled in another state’s Medicaid program to eliminate unnecessary delays in care.
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COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILL, COSPONSORED BY HIGGINS, TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS
Source: U.S. Representative Brian Higgins (D-NY, 26th)
February 13, 2020
Higgins said, “Surprise medical bills for out-of-network care can be financially devastating for patients and their families. This legislation protects consumers from receiving surprise medical bills and removes the unfair mystery associated with billing, giving patients access to the information they deserve relative to the coverage they are entitled to under their plan and the costs they can expect to pay following care.”
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Rep. Horn Votes for ERA Legislation
Source: U.S. Representative Kendra Horn (D-OK, 5th)
February 13, 2020
“A vote for the ERA is a vote for equality,” said Congresswoman Horn. “The ERA enshrines in the highest law of the land the same principles that our founders fought for, that we are all created equal. Women today face continued obstacles to full equality, including unequal pay, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, and inadequate health care access. These are not just women’s issues, they are economic issues and family issues that impact all Oklahomans. Discrimination in the workplace and our state’s wage gap mean less money at home for food, for bills, for doctor’s visits and school supplies. Ending discrimination and affirming women’s equality under the law is the right thing to do, not just for women but for our whole country.”
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Congressman Steven Horsford Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Empower Nevada’s Workers and Businesses
Source: U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV, 4th)
February 13, 2020
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the Skill and Knowledge Investments Leverage Leaders’ Untapped Potential Tax Credit (SKILL UP) Act alongside Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02). The SKILL UP Act would provide businesses with a tax credit for investing in work-based learning for workers with low skill levels.
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