News: Climate Change, Flood Insurance, Cybersecurity, Veterans, Immigration, Airline Seats, Seniors, Volkswagon

Rep. Cartwright Introduces Bill to Improve Climate Change Resilience
Matthew Cartwright (D-PA, 17th)
March 9, 2017
Congressman Matt Cartwright introduced a bipartisan bill that would strengthen America’s ability to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SUCCESS Act directs NIST to convene an effort to make consistent, authoritative set of climate information available to standard-developing organizations (SDOs).
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Castor, Ross Reintroduce Bipartisan Flood Insurance Bill to Help Homeowners
Kathy Castor (D-FL, 14th)
March 8, 2017
U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, today reintroduced his bipartisan legislation, the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act, which would encourage the development of a robust private flood insurance market that can offer homeowners options in terms of pricing and coverage.
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Castro, Cornyn Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Local Cybersecurity Defenses
Joaquin Castro (D-TX, 20th)
March 10, 2017
Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) yesterday reintroduced The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act, H.R. 1465, legislation that allows non-profit entities, including universities, to work more closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address cybersecurity risks and incidents at the state and local level. Every member of the San Antonio delegation in the House (Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Will Hurd (TX-23), and Lamar Smith (TX-21)) has signed on as a co-sponsor of the measure, and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has also reintroduced the Senate companion bill. Both Rep. Castro and Sen. Cornyn initially introduced the legislation in the 114th Congress, when it passed the House of Representatives with broad support.
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Cornyn, Leahy, Cruz Introduce Bill to Enhance Cybersecurity
Senator Patrick J. Leahy - (D - VT)
March 10, 2017
U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have introduced the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act to authorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to work with the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) to help prepare for and respond to cybersecurity risks at the national, state, and local levels.
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Coffman Introduces Bipartisan ‘Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services' Act (VREASA)
Mike Coffman (R-CO, 6th)
March 10, 2017
U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO) with bipartisan support has introduced H.R. 1445, the ‘Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services Act’. The intent is to correct the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) regulations that unfairly saddle veterans with emergency ambulance payments.
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Curbelo, Coffman, Introduce Recognize American Children Act
Mike Coffman (R-CO, 6th)
March 10, 2017
U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) along with U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) have introduced the Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act, legislation that would provide a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.The bill provides immigrants that have been vetted by The Department of Homeland Security with three pathways toward legalization: higher education, service in the armed forces, or work authorization. Following a 5-year conditional status, these immigrants would be able to reapply for a 5-year permanent status.
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Reps. Cohen and Kinzinger, Senators Blumenthal, Schumer, Markey, Menendez and Feinstein Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral SEAT Act
Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)
March 9, 2017
The SEAT Act would establish a minimum seat size on commercial airlines as well as a minimum distance between rows of seats to protect the safety and health of airline passengers.
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King, Collins, Schatz Introduce Bill to Help America’s Seniors Safely Age at Home
Senator Angus S. King Jr. - (I - ME)
March 9, 2017
As more Americans are choosing to grow older in their own homes, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) today introduced legislation that will help make independent living less burdensome.
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Markey and Blumenthal Statemenet on Volkswagen Guilty Plea
Senator Edward J.Markey - (D - MA)
March 10, 2017
Washington (March 10, 2017) - U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today after Volkswagen pleaded guilty to three felony counts as part of an agreement with the Department of Justice to settle charges related to the automaker’s vehicle emission scandal.
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