PRO Act, Coronavirus, Voting Rights, Workers Rights, Refineries, Infrastructure, FISA, DOJ, UPS, Rush Limbaugh

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to March 10, 2020

LIUNA endorses PRO Act
Source: Laborers’ International Union of North America
March 4, 2020
Read LIUNA's letter to Senator Bobby Scott (D-VA) voicing support for H.R. 2474, the Protecting Right to Organize (PRO Act). The right to join a union is critical to ensure workers receive fair pay and benefits and safe jobsites.
Read more...

Latta Supports Effort to Combat Coronavirus
Source: U.S. Representative Robert E. Latta (R OH, 5th)
March 4, 2020
Ensuring the American people are safe is the most important job of government. I am relieved House Democrats agreed to put politics aside in order to join House Republicans in providing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and our state and local response efforts the additional tools and supplies they need in order to safely respond to and better prepare for the spread of the coronavirus.
Read more...

U.S. Representative Lawrence Votes to Provide $8.3 Billion in Supplement Funding to Combat the Coronavirus
Source: U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence (D-MI, 14th)
March 4, 2020
“It is of paramount importance that the federal government takes all steps necessary to proactively address the rise in Coronavirus cases in the United States,” stated Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence. “Following President Trump’s underwhelming supplemental funding request, I worked with my colleagues to provide $8.3 billion in new funding to address the Coronavirus, well over the administration’s $2.5 billion request. This is just a first step—I will continue to work with my local, state, and federal partners to ensure all health departments have the information they need to combat the spread of the Coronavirus.”
Read more...

Rep. Andy Levin Votes for $8.3 Billion to Combat Coronavirus
Source: U.S. Representative Andy Levin (D-MI, 9th)
March 4, 2020
“There’s a lot that federal, state and local health agencies can do to combat the coronavirus, but only if their efforts are fully funded,” Rep. Levin said. “Today, House Democrats acted quickly to pass a bill that would meet the challenges posed by COVID-19. The $8.3 billion we approved today will ensure that prevention, treatment and vaccine development happen swiftly using any resources necessary to keep families healthy and safe.
Read more...

LaMalfa Supports Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Package
Source: U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA, 1st)
March 5, 2020
“This package provides the funds necessary for the U.S. to address the virus at home and abroad, including assisting state and local health departments, making diagnostic tests more widely available, investing in the development of a vaccine, and reserving funds to prevent and respond to future diseases. While Americans’ risk of contracting the disease remains low, Congress has taken the right steps to provide for our country’s needs. The Administration has taken the appropriate steps responding to coronavirus so far; I‘m glad that we were able to get this package through.”
Read more...

CORONAVIRUS READINESS
Source: U.S. Representative Al Lawson, Jr. (D-FL, 5th)
March 5, 2020
Congress cleared an $8.3 billion emergency spending package Thursday that's intended to bolster public health resources as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country.
Read more...

Super Tuesday Minority Voters Were Latest Victims of the Voting Rights Act Gutting
Source: League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
March 5, 2020
The calculated effort to suppress the minority vote during Super Tuesday is a danger to our democracy. In my home state of Texas, we heard from hundreds of minority Americans unable to vote due to too many people at too few polls and malfunctioning machines causing long lines. In California, we also saw how a lack of poll workers delayed lines for hours. This is on top of years of blatant attempts to reduce the number of polling sites in places where the Latino and African-American population is growing by the largest numbers through the gutting of the Voting Rights Act.
Read more...

Statement On Senate Passage Of The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental
Source: Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D - VT)
March 5, 2020
This week, Congress showed strong, decisive leadership in addressing the novel coronavirus. As Appropriators often do, and as members of Congress proved they are still capable of doing even in the most partisan times, we put our labels aside and came together for the American people.
Read more...

Rep. Susie Lee, House Pass Pay Raise, Workplace Protections for TSA Workers
Source: U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-NV, 3rd)
March 5, 2020
This bill strengthens the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening workforce employees, or Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) workforce, by affording them the same worker rights, protections, and pay-scale guidelines as other federal workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This bill will offer TSOs full collective bargaining rights, opportunities to effectively raise issues in dispute to an independent third party, and subjection to the General Services wage system.
Read more...

Lankford, Inhofe Applaud President’s Commitment to Save Blue-Collar Refinery Jobs
Source: Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
March 6, 2020
“We’re encouraged by the reports that the administration will appeal the Tenth Circuit’s decision on small refineries,” the Senators said. “Thousands of blue collar workers’ jobs are at stake if the ruling were to stand. We’re grateful for President Trump’s commitment to the hardworking men and women of small refineries, and look forward to working with the administration to ensure follow through on the President’s decision.”
Read more...

LAMB INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
Source: U.S. Representative Connor Lamb (D-PA, 17th)
March 9, 2020
Representatives Conor Lamb (PA-17) and Dan Newhouse (WA-4) introduced H.R. 6097, the bipartisan Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act. This bill expands critical research programs at the Department of Energy for a broad range of commercial nuclear reactors, lowering the price of electricity and extending the lifespan of these critical assets. The legislation also encourages the development of new, advanced reactor designs and funds training programs for the next generation of engineers.
Read more...

Langevin Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Nation’s Infrastructure Workforce
Source: U.S. Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)
March 9, 2020
Congressional leaders on workforce development and transportation policy introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster the nation’s infrastructure workforce by prioritizing strategic long-term planning and investments in career and technical education (CTE) and on-the-job training. The Transportation Workforce Investment Act aims to create a robust workforce pipeline to meet the growing demand for skilled workers to maintain and upgrade the nation’s aging infrastructure. Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI), co-chair of the Congressional CTE Caucus, was joined by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members Troy Balderson (R-OH), Angie Craig (D-MN), and co-chair of the Building Trades Caucus, David McKinley (R-WV), in introducing the bill.
Read more...

Larson Calls for Infrastructure Package to Boost Economy
Source: U.S. Representative John B. Larson (D-CT, 1st)
March 9, 2020
“Industries across the United States are being impacted by the spread of the COVID-19. Now is the time for Congress to invest in a comprehensive infrastructure package to spur the economy and help support our small and medium-sized businesses across the country. This package must also include medical infrastructure funding to help the United States be more prepared for mass-infections like this. Our roads and bridges are crumbling and this funding is sorely needed. Investing in our infrastructure is one step that we can take to provide economic relief,” said Larson.
Read more...

Lee-Leahy Introduce Bipartisan FISA Reform Bill
Source: Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
March 9, 2020
“Our Founding Fathers knew well the danger of a government with the power to snoop through the private communications of law-abiding Americans. They included the Fourth Amendment in the Bill of Rights to limit the government’s ability to spy on its citizens,” Sen. Lee said. “This bill brings much needed common sense reforms to our federal government’s foreign surveillance programs so that Americans’ civil liberties are not violated again.”
Read more...

Rep. Mike Levin Slams DOJ for Lack of Enforcement on Anti-Patient Brokering Law
Source: U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA, 49th)
March 9, 2020
U.S. Representative Mike Levin slammed the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for failing to prosecute any cases under Section 8122 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a sweeping measure to address our nation’s opioid crisis that also prohibits the abusive practice known as patient brokering in the addiction treatment and recovery industries. In response to Rep. Levin’s August 2019 letter requesting information on any Section 8122 cases, the DOJ notified Rep. Levin last month that they have not identified any cases. The DOJ also misstated that the statute was enacted less than one year ago, when it was actually enacted in October 2018.
Read more...

UPS Manager Continues Punishing Drivers for Prayer Meetings
Source: God Inspires
March 10, 2020
In spite of scrutiny, the United Parcel Service (UPS) Myrtle Beach, SC Center manager is now retaliating against employees who sought to voluntarily pray together before work, in the form of strict application of work “rules” and harassment, in response to attention over the prayer meetings.
Read more...

UPS Manager Continues Punishing Drivers for Prayer Meetings
Source: God Inspires
March 10, 2020
In spite of scrutiny, the United Parcel Service (UPS) Myrtle Beach, SC Center manager is now retaliating against employees who sought to voluntarily pray together before work, in the form of strict application of work “rules” and harassment, in response to attention over the prayer meetings.
Read more...

Silent Victory to a Loud Cause
Source: Shonda Ponder Enterprises
March 10, 2020
I HAVE a sense of pride. No one remembers me or my contribution. No one believes all I had experienced during that time. No one will ever know the sacrifices I made to launch those who were still here fighting the good fight for TRUTH, JUSTICE and LIBERTY FOR ALL. But, I know. And, I will stand proud and applaud that the fight is now bigger than ever. And when Rush Limbaugh received his Medal of Freedom at Trump's Speech, I was working at the Pitt Grill, listening to the speech, and I applauded with tears of joy in that silent restaurant in the middle of the night, having moved on to a new life.
Read more...

Protecting Election Integrity

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Last Tuesday, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL, 5th), joined by 22 other Congressmen, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions urging him to devote more resources to protect American election integrity from foreigners who illegally interfere in American elections by illegally voting in them.

Congressman Brooks said, “Every single illegal vote by a foreigner in American elections dilutes and cancels the votes of American citizens and rightful voters! All Americans, whether Democrat or Republican, should agree that foreigners should not be influencing U.S. elections. Unfortunately, too many partisans single out Russian involvement in America’s 2016 election (even though there is no evidence the Russians successfully tricked a single voter into casting a bad vote) while turning a blind eye to the greatest provable foreign influence on American elections: illegal foreigner voting.”

Brooks continued, “Foreigners illegally voting in and influencing American elections threatens our Republic. According to research by the Public Interest Legal Foundation, 3,120 foreigners were registered to vote and/or removed between 2006 and 2018 in just 13 sanctuary jurisdictions (out of thousands of voting jurisdictions in America).”

Brooks continued, “My colleagues and I strongly urge Attorney General Sessions to devote the necessary resources to investigate and prosecute voting fraud by foreigners. After all, we are the United States, not the United Nations.”

Brooks continued, “So-called ‘sanctuary cities’ aggravate illegal foreign influence in American elections. By shielding illegal aliens, sanctuary cities encourage widespread foreigner voting fraud. Making matters worse, sanctuary cities recklessly encourage noncitizen voting by registering them to vote through public assistance agency transactions (a/k/a Motor Voter), registration/petition drives, and registration assistors. The Justice Department should focus investigative resources on these jurisdictions to stop voter fraud.”

Brooks concluded, “One Justice Department prosecutor has already done a fantastic job addressing this important issue. Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced indictments against 19 foreign nationals for illegally voting in the November 2016 elections. Mr. Higdon’s work is exactly what other Justice Department prosecutors should replicate across the nation— maintaining the Rule of Law demands it, maintaining our Republican requires it.”

Click HERE for a PDF of the letter.

Letter signers are:

Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05)

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01)

Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36)

Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11)

Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Congressman Dave Brat (VA-07)

Congressman Paul Cook (CA-08)

Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-08)

Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-03)

Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01)

Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01)

Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04)

Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10)

Congressman Walter Jones (NC-03)

Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-04)

Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05)

Congressman Scott Perry (PA-04)

Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21)

Congressman Daniel Webster (FL-11)

Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-03)

Supreme Court to Hear Argument Concerning Voter Roll Purges in Ohio

On January 10, the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the landmark voting rights case Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute—a challenge to Ohio’s voter roll purges.

In Husted v. Randolph Institute, the Supreme Court is considering whether Ohio’s practice of purging voters who are registered to vote in federal elections from voter rolls based on a registrant’s failure to vote violates the National Voting Rights Act (NVRA).

In Ohio, a registered voter will receive a confirmation notice from the state if he or she fails to vote within a two-year period. If the voter fails to respond to the notice and then does not vote within the next four years, Ohio will nullify that person’s voter registration and require that he or she register again. In 2016, the A. Phillip Randolph Institute filed suit in U.S. District Court, claiming that this practice violates the NVRA, which prohibits states from removing “any person from the official list of voters registered to vote in an election for Federal office by reason of the person’s failure to vote.” The district court upheld Ohio’s voter purge. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the district court’s decision. Ohio asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, and it agreed to do so.

Read more about this at the Constitutional Accountability Center

More information and News:

Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute -- SCOTUS BLOG

Americans for Progress "Rally to Protect the Vote and End Voter Roll Purges at U.S. Supreme Court"

Legislation Introduced to Support Civic Participation and Strengthen Voting Rights

Source: Senator Tammy Ducksworth (D - IL)

Washington, D.C. - September 9, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere (PROVE) Act today to expand voter registration efforts nationwide and increase American citizens’ participation in their democratic process. The PROVE Act would enable citizens who are 16 and older to preregister to be added to voter rolls when they turn 18. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) also introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

“The right to vote is a founding tenet of our democracy, and the strength of our democracy depends upon the participation of the American people,” said Duckworth. “Yet, many Americans still face unnecessary barriers when it comes to casting their vote, and voter turnout continues to lag behind that of many other developed nations. We should be doing everything we can to make it easier – not harder – for Americans to access the ballot box. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to help young Americans become more civically engaged. By allowing Americans to pre-register at 16 years old, we have a chance to increase voter participation and strengthen voting rights for Americans across the country.”

Young people are already allowed to pre-register to vote in twenty states – including Illinois and Maryland – and the District of Columbia. The PROVE Act would nationalize this standard to increase civic participation among young Americans by reducing existing barriers many young people face when it comes to voting in federal elections.

“Too many people still face barriers in voting, and increasing participation in our democratic progress is something we should work toward – regardless of party or political background. The PROVE Act would do just that, ensuring that young people are pre-registered to vote and ready to head to the ballot box when they turn 18 years old,” said Van Hollen. “Maryland has been a national leader on this issue, and this legislation will help move the entire nation forward and ultimately strengthen our democracy.”

Duckworth has been a vocal advocate for strengthening voting rights in Illinois and across the country. In July, she helped introduce the Anti-Voter Suppression Act to repeal President Trump’s Executive Order establishing an “election integrity” commission to investigate widespread voter fraud. Duckworth has been a vocal critic of the commission’s actions, including its intrusive and illegal request for personally-identifiable information on every United States voter, which they temporarily halted amid a growing number of legal challenges.

The PROVE Act, which the Senators introduced during National Voter Registration Month, is endorsed by Common Cause, Fair Vote Action, Head Count, Project Vote and Rock the Vote.

Full text of the bill is available here.

Castro Statement on Texas Voter ID Ruling

Source: House Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX, 20th)

Washington, D.C. - September 1, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement after a federal court granted a preliminary injunction halting Senate Bill 4 from taking effect:

“This preliminary injunction is a relief, but not a surprise – SB 4 is discriminatory and unconstitutional. No one living in or visiting Texas should fear that they will be asked to prove their citizenship just because of their skin color or accent.

“SB 4 would make our communities less safe and drive away businesses. Even local law enforcement chiefs from across the state oppose the law and say it will make it harder for them to protect Texans. Yet, Republican state leaders will continue to challenge today’s ruling. I’m confident that ultimately, this unjust measure will be deemed unlawful.”

Voting

Washington, D.C. - August 29, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Marc Veasey, lead plaintiff in Veasey v. Abbott, released the following statement after U.S. District Judge Nelva Ramos ruled that the Texas voter ID law was enacted with the deliberate intent to discriminate against African American and Hispanic voters:

“Time and time again, our federal courts have ruled that the Texas voter ID law intentionally discriminates against Texas citizens in violation of the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution. As the lead plaintiff in Veasey v. Abbott, I am proud that we have so far successfully challenged and blocked these illegal efforts to restrict voting. It is time for Texas Republican leaders to end shameful efforts to hold power through voter suppression.”

Below are more statements and information regarding Voting (keep checking back for updates):


A Court Strikes Down Texas’s Voter ID Law For the Fifth Time

House Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX, 20th):

"Once again, a federal court has found Texas' voter ID law to be discriminatory and in violation of the Voting Rights Act. Republican state leaders' transparent efforts to make it harder and less likely that some Texans will vote are disgraceful."

Idaho Democrats won't challenge new request for voter data

Boise:Idaho Statesman

Officials with the Idaho Democratic Party say a recent federal court ruling has limited their legal options to fight a second request from President Donald Trump commission investigating possible voter fraud.

Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Bert Marley said Tuesday that the best recourse is for Idaho citizens to ask Secretary of State Lawerence Denney to deny the request.

Read more...

Whitman: Keep your mitts off my voting record (column)

Summit Daily

Folks in my small Western town are divided: die-hard right-wingers on one side and so-called progressives on the other. But both appear to support those "deregistering" from the list of eligible voters for fear of federal intervention in what is a state right.

I see the hard-right folks in Safeway carrying pistols. The progressives hang out in my favorite coffee shop with The New York Times. Both are likely influenced by the myths of the Old West, either consciously or unconsciously. And both are dropping off the voting rolls at an alarming rate; somewhere around 3,000 have deregistered in Colorado so far.

Read more...

Sit In, Immigration, Voting Rights, Osama's Bodyguard, IRS abuse

Members of Congress has decided to stage a sit in in order to get gun control laws passed. They say they are sitting in on the House floor in tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting and all those who have lost their lives or loved ones to senseless gun violence. Check me if I am wrong, but weren't most of the shootings lately done by ISIS extremists? Seems to me that the problem is who's holding the weapon, not the weapon itself.

=====

The Supreme Court has blocked President Obama’s executive actions to shield illegal immigrants from deportation. According to Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL, 15th), “This is a major victory for the separation of powers and the rule of law. The Supreme Court’s ruling reaffirms that Congress – not the president – has the sole power to write laws and that individuals who came to our country illegally remain subject to deportation.”

Democrats are blaming it on not being able to place a new judge on the Supreme Court bench since Scalia's death.

=====

Congressman Marc Veasey, co-chairman of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, introduced H.R. 5557, The Poll Tax Prohibition Act, to ensure the underlying costs of restrictive photo voter ID laws don’t prevent everyday Americans from exercising their right to vote. That is all well and good, as long as it doesn't open the door for illegal immigrants to vote.

=====

Osama bin Laden’s bodyguard Abdel Malik Ahmed Abdel Wahab al-Rahabi has been released from Guantanamo Bay.

======

On June 14, 2016, the U.S. House of Representative passed H.R. 5053, the Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act. This legislation would eliminate the Schedule B form requirements for non-profit, tax-exempt organizations that require the disclosure of personal donor information.

The next day, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed a House Resolution 737 to censure Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen unlawfully targeting conservative tax-exempt organizations.

=====