News about Trumpcare, Obamacare, Keystone XL Pipeline, Wiretapping, Israel, Campaign Finance

REP. TOM O’HALLERAN READY TO WORK ON BIPARTISAN HEALTH CARE LAW
Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ, 1st)
March 24, 2017
Today, following news that Congressional leaders cancelled votes on the American Health Care Act, Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) called the move a positive opportunity to start on real work for rural Arizona, those nearing retirement, and hardworking families.
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Pallone on Keystone XL Approval
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ, 6th)
March 24, 2017
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement upon news that the Trump administration granted a permit authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline this morning:
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We Can Provide The American People A Better Solution
Gary Palmer (R-AL, 6th)
March 24, 2017
“After hearing from me and many of my colleagues the Republican leadership decided not to hold the vote on the American Health Care Act. I believe pulling the bill from the House floor was the right call. The American people have suffered for the last 7 years under Obamacare, and I know we can provide them a better solution that will put healthcare decisions back in their hands, not in the hands of the Federal Government. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and President Trump to do just that. Working together we can still pass a bill that allows Americans to access the doctors they want, decide the coverage they need, and lower their healthcare expenses.”
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PANETTA STATEMENT ON THE DECISION TO PULL THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
Jimmy Panetta (D-CA, 20th)
March 24, 2017
“It is understandable that the AHCA was pulled from a vote on the House Floor by Speaker Paul Ryan not only because of the division in the majority, but because it was a quickly and carelessly crafted bill. I opposed this legislation because if passed, it would have taken health care away from millions, and forced families to pay more for less care,” said Congressman Panetta. “Moving forward, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle must come together to build upon the progress the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made in protecting the most vulnerable Americans. We must address insurance cost increases, and make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans.”
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Rep. Pascrell Statement Pulling of Republican Health Plan
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ, 9th)
March 24, 2017
"As this rushed process unfolded, it became clear that Republicans could not present workable health care policies but instead were constructing an incoherent hodgepodge of proposals," Rep. Pascrell said. "Fortunately, the American people vigorously responded and derailed this destructive legislation. This was a case of political expedience over sound policy ideas. Rather than coming together with Democrats to make basic fixes to the ACA Marketplaces, they opted for a 'repeal' plan centered around gutting Medicaid and shifting costs onto vulnerable populations in order to give a windfall to the wealthy."
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Payne, Jr. Statement After House Republicans Pull TrumpCare
Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ, 10th)
March 24, 2017
“Given the devastating consequences it would have on access to affordable, quality health care, the collapse of TrumpCare is welcome news. The bill would strip 24 million Americans, including more than 50,000 of my constituents, of their health care while driving up costs for millions of others and taxing older Americans. Republicans aren’t serious about health care, and it shows in their rush to pass one of the worst pieces of legislation ever introduced. The Affordable Care Act isn’t perfect, but it has improved the lives of so many of my constituents, and I will fight every day to defend it."
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PEARCE STATEMENT ON AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
Steve Pearce (R-NM, 2nd)
March 24, 2017
“I am disappointed that we were unable to get to an agreement this week on a plan that would bring affordability and accessibility back to health care marketplaces in the state of New Mexico and around the nation. The failing Obamacare system has reduced choices and increased prices in the state of New Mexico."
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Perlmutter Statement on Delay of AHCA Vote
Ed Perlmutter (D-CO, 7th)
March 24, 2017
“This is a good day for the thousands of Coloradans and millions of Americans who were at risk of losing affordable healthcare coverage under the Republicans’ disastrous healthcare plan. Republicans have spent the last seven years criticizing and undermining the ACA, and now it is time for the White House and Congressional leadership to come to the table and work with Democrats to improve the Affordable Care Act.”
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Perry, House Conservatives Fight for Full ACA Repeal
Scott Perry (R-PA, 4th)
March 24, 2017
“I ran on repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - or “Obamacare” – not two-thirds of it, but the entire thing. The replacement bill - the American Health Care Act, as currently written - repeals the individual mandate and the employer mandate, but fails to end government control of personal health care. The fundamental problem with the ACA was the government takeover of personal health care decisions. Until we address that key point, we’ll never get to the root of the issue of rising costs and providing people with greater choice and flexibility in their health care coverage. During my four years in Congress, more people than I can count have told me – repeatedly – that they can’t afford health care. We simply must get costs down, and that starts with removing one-size-fits-all federal mandates. Instead of trying to get this done quickly, let’s get it done right. I’ll continue to work with the President and my House colleagues to get a reasonable proposal through the House to repeal the ACA once and for all.”
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Rep. Peters Helps Stop Reckless Healthcare Repeal Bill from Getting a Vote in the House
Scott Peters (D-CA, 52nd)
March 24, 2017
U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) marked the defeat of the Congressional Republicans’ reckless healthcare repeal, lauded the progress made under the Affordable Care Act, and reasserted his commitment to fixing what needs fixing in our nation’s current health care law and system. Republican leadership cancelled the vote on their healthcare repeal bill just minutes before it was scheduled because it didn’t have the support it needed to pass. The bill would have dismantled many of the protections of the Affordable Care Act, gutted funding for Medicaid and Planned Parenthood, raised out-of-pocket costs for seniors and working families, and led to 24 million fewer Americans having health insurance.
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Pingree Calls Trumpcare’s Failure in House a Victory for Mainers, Millions of Americans
Chellie Pingree (D-ME, 1st)
March 24, 2017
“This is a huge win for tens of thousands of Mainers who made their voices heard and rely on the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood. This bill was bad from the start and got worse as President Trump and House Republicans negotiated behind closed doors. Trumpcare would have increased costs for older, rural, and low-income Mainers, stripped funding from Planned Parenthood health centers, and given billions in tax breaks to health insurance companies and the wealthiest Americans. Since the bill did not pass today, I hope President Trump commits to giving the ACA the support it needs to continue protecting and covering millions of Americans."
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CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ON FOX NEWS:‘WE NEED TO TAKE A LESSON FROM RONALD REAGAN’
Robert Pittenger (R-NC, 9th)
March 27, 2017
“(Democrats) shouldn’t be cheering when next month they’re going to have an increase in rates again. The reform that they passed is collapsing on its own weight. When Aetna says it’s on a death spiral, when Humana says they’re leaving next year, there is no opportunity for this health care plan they passed to succeed, and it has to be reformed.”
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Forty Members of Congress Tell Trump to Apologize to Obama Over Baseless Wiretapping Lies
Mark Pocan (D-WI, 2nd)
March 27, 2017
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) led a letter with 39 Members of Congress to President Trump demanding he apologize for repeatedly spreading a lie that President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. Last week, the Chair of the House Intel Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, tried to spin Trump’s widely debunked wiretapping claims by releasing new unconfirmed information to the press concerning surveillance of associates to Trump. Yesterday, in an interview on FOX News Sunday with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Chris Wallace asked if Trump was ready to apologize regarding his accusations of wiretapping.
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REP. POLIQUIN CONTINUES TO WORK TOWARD HEALTH CARE RELIEF AND SOLUTIONS
Bruce Poliquin (R-MN, 2nd)
March 24, 2017
“I agree that all legislation, especially a proposal for such an important policy change, must have enough time to be thoroughly reviewed by the American people and all lawmakers of all political parties. As I said, I have pushed to ensure those nearing retirement and in rural areas receive support in any proposed legislation.
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Polis statement on health care victory
Jared Polis (D-CO, 2nd)
March 24, 2017
“Power to the people! Today is about each and every person in my district who spoke up and said, ‘Not my health care, not today.’ Health care policy is high stakes. It’s life or death for many, and I am so very happy that political games didn’t win out over the health and wellbeing of Americans. We have work to do going forward, but with my community by my side, I have no doubt we will continue the progress of making sure all Americans have access to affordable, comprehensive health care,” Polis said.
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Rep. Posey’s Statement on the Health Care Bill
Bill Posey (R-FL, 8th)
March 24, 2017
“Early on in the Obama Administration I met with then-Secretary of Health and Human Services Sebelius. I asked if we could move forward together with legislation to address three areas of health care with a bipartisan consensus: helping people with pre-existing conditions, allowing young people to stay on a parent’s insurance plan, and preventing insurance companies from dropping people when they fell ill. Unfortunately, Secretary Sebelius stated that Administration would not work with Congress in these three areas. Instead, they planned to transform America’s health care in its entirety. "
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PRICE LEADS 191 BIPARTISAN MEMBERS IN SUPPORTING TWO-STATE SOLUTION
David Price (D-NC, 4th)
March 24, 2017
Representatives David Price (D-NC) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) sent a bipartisan letter signed by 191 of Members of Congress urging President Trump to reaffirm support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “There must be absolute clarity regarding the United States’ continued support for a negotiated settlement leading to a sustainable two-state solution,” Price and Connolly said.
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QUIGLEY STATEMENT ON DECISION TO PULL TRUMPCARE FROM HOUSE FLOOR
Mike Quigley (D-IL, 5th)
March 24, 2017
“Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act seven years ago, we have seen two things: an increase of quality, affordable care for millions, coupled with empty Republican threats to roll back this undeniable progress. Today, House Republicans tried – and failed – to deliver on their shameful, years-long pledge to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Their efforts to force a vote on TrumpCare had far less to do with the health of the American people, and much more to do with fulfilling a misguided campaign promise, no matter the devastating consequences. Under their replacement plan, up to 24 million Americans would lose health care coverage over the next decade and premiums would skyrocket, not only for those in the marketplaces, but those across our health care system. I am not surprised that President Trump and Speaker Ryan decided to pull this dangerous bill once they realized that it could not pass in the House. I would encourage them to take this opportunity to pursue a bipartisan plan to improve and strengthen the Affordable Care Act so it works for even more hardworking Americans.”
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American Samoa not Affected by Federal Health Care Vote
Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa, At Large)
March 24, 2017
“Although House leadership has pulled the bill for now it would not have affected American Samoa in the first place,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Because this is a reconciliation bill, only those provisions included in the 2010 Affordable Care Act can be considered in this bill. The reason reconciliation is being used, is to make it easier to pass in the Senate where it will only require 51 votes instead of the usual 60. The good news is that there is a three step process and the territories will be considered in step three,” continued the Congresswoman.
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REP. RASKIN INTRODUCES ‘GET FOREIGN MONEY OUT OF U.S. ELECTIONS ACT’
Jamie Raskin (D-MD, 8th)
March 21, 2017
Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) has introduced the ‘Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act’ (H.R. 1615). The bill would close a campaign finance loophole that allows foreign-owned, foreign-controlled, and foreign-influenced corporations to funnel unlimited cash into U.S. elections.
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Roby Statement on Withdrawal of Health Care Bill
Martha Roby (R-AL, 2nd)
March 24, 2017
“The American people gave Republicans a tremendous opportunity to deliver results on their behalf. Our Republican majority’s failure to rally around this priority and keep good faith on the promise we made is disappointing to say the least,” Roby said. “Today I was prepared to keep my promise and vote ‘yes,’ and I am disheartened that I did not have the chance to be a voice for the people I serve. I fought hard for this bill, and I will continue to fight for those burdened by Obamacare. The status quo is simply unacceptable, and I appreciate that President Trump and Speaker Ryan worked diligently to build support for this plan.”
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The Ponder News Answers Your Questions!

Sometimes the Ponder receives questions from our readers, and we would like to address some of them as we get them. Recently, a reader asked:

If this is a Christian Conservative News Blog, then why is there so much information from Democrats?

Answer:
Information is information. Most of the information you will find here come directly from the web sites of those who make the news, not from those who report it.

It is not our job to tell you what to think or how to think. All we, as a news site, can honestly do is tell you what other people think and what other people have to say about a particular issue. With this information, we are praying you, the reader, have the discernment to know right from wrong and can use the information we give you to take action for or against the issue at hand. By denying information from any (and every) source available to us, we deny you the opportunity to create your own opinion, or make an educational decision about the issue.

If you see more from one side than you do the other, you must remain vigilant to wait for both sides of the issue to speak. Only uneducated people tend to "circle the wagon" because they feel that "everybody else is doing it, why not?" The whole idea of conservatism is surrounded by the ability to think for one's self.

Here is an idea, if you think it is unfair that Democrats make more comments than Republicans, or have more ideas, or introduce more laws, and you are a Republican reader, then it is up to you to write your representative and tell him or her to get to work.

We promise you that we are not, as some other sites are apt to do, going to with-hold information from you just because someone we don't like gave it to us, if it is relevant to the times in which we live and the issues we are facing. Besides, if they outright tell a lie, or wish to make a fool of themselves, who are we to keep you from seeing it?

Remember, there are Christians who are Democrats as well as Christians who are Republicans. Besides, don't you want to know what the opposition is up to so you can stop it if it is wrong?

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Meals on Wheels, Military Obscenity, Budget, Bereavement, Veterans Administration, Healthcare, Wiretapping, Hate Crimes, Todd Young, Tax Reform

Meals on Wheels could take funding hit in Trump budget
CNN
March 16, 2017
The preliminary outline for President Donald Trump's 2018 budget could slash some funding for a program that provides meals for older, impoverished Americans.
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Bipartisan Group of House Members Seek Additional Information on Marine Obscene Photo Sharing Scandal
Lois Frankel (D-FL, 22nd)
March 15, 2017
A Bipartisan group of Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis seeking additional information on the reports that as many as 30,000 Marines are being investigated as part of their involvement in distributing and commenting on obscene photos of female Marines. The Members are specifically requesting “an update to the investigation conducted by NCIS and a detailed explanation of actions taken to date by the Marine Corps, Navy, and DoD.”
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Chairman Frelinghuysen statement on President's FY18 budget blueprint
Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ, 11th)
March 16, 2017
U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, made the following statement today on the release of the President’s budget blueprint:
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Goodlatte Praises Committee Approval of Legislation to Honor Vietnam Veterans
Bob Goodlatte (R-VA, 6th)
March 16, 2017
Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement upon House Judiciary Committee approval of the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 (S. 305) by voice vote:
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Reps. Gosar, Beyer, McSally, Schneider, Suozzi, Comstock Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Parents Time Off to Mourn Loss of a Child
Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ, 4th)
March 16, 2017
Today a bipartisan group of Representatives including Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Martha McSally (AZ-02), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03) and Barbra Comstock (VA-10) introduced the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act. This legislation would add “death of a child” as a life event that would qualify for unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allowing a grieving parent up to 12 weeks to deal with the trauma and then return to work.
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Rep. Tom Graves: Start Cleaning House at the VA
Tom Graves (R-GA, 14th)
March 16, 2017
Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) voted for and the House passed the VA Accountability First Act (H.R. 1259), which increases accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
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Democratic Senators Ask Ethics Watchdog if Trump Trademarks Run Afoul of Constitution and Anti-Bribery Laws
Senator Tom Udall - (D - NM)
March 16, 2017
After President Trump and the Trump Organization were granted 38 trademarks by the Chinese Government, U.S Senators Tom Udall, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of 17 other senators wrote the Office of Government for guidance on whether the award betrays ethics laws, policies, or established norms. The senators also asked whether or not the government ethics watchdog was even consulted before the trademarks were sought or granted.
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Joint Statement from Senate Intel Committee Leaders on Wiretapping Evidence at Trump Tower
Mark R.Warner - (D - VA)
March 16, 2017
“Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016.”
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Senator Warren: Cruel GOP Health Care Bill Will Hurt Efforts to Address Opioid Crisis
Senator Elizabeth Warren- (D - MA)
March 16, 2017
In a Senate floor speech on Wednesday, Senator Elizabeth Warren raised concerns about how the Republican health care bill would hamper efforts in Massachusetts and across the country to address the opioid crisis.
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WHITEHOUSE STATEMENT ON TRUMP ‘SKINNY’ BUDGET
Sheldon Whitehouse- (D - RI)
March 16, 2017
“Looking at these pages makes me wonder what ‘America First’ means to President Trump. This proposal would gut programs that support jobs, education, and public health for all Americans, while handing out favors to the wealthy and big corporations. And it would abdicate American leadership in the world. It’s light on details, but it’s chock full of terrible ideas.
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Wyden, Merkley Join Congressional Members to Introduce “NO HATE” Act
Wyden, Ron - (D - OR)
March 16, 2017
Following a national surge in hate crimes, Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley joined Democratic legislators in the House and Senate to introduce legislation that would strengthen federal laws combatting hate speech, threats and attacks.
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Senator Young's statement on confirmation of Senator Dan Coats
Senator Todd Young
March 16, 2017
"Senator Coats will be an effective Director of National Intelligence. He has made our state proud, and I know he will serve our country well."
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Smith Statement on President Trump’s Budget Blueprint
House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
March 17, 2017
“Today President Trump took the first step in rebalancing and reprioritizing the federal budget. For far too long, vital programs have fallen by the wayside while climate funding continues to escalate. Hard decisions have to be made to better protect American taxpayers. This new budget continues to fund priority basic research that will enable policy makers to make informed decisions based on sound science.”
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Cafeteria Plans: A Menu of Non-Options for Small Business Owners
House Committee on Small Business
March 16, 2017
“Cafeteria plans are available across the board to large and mid-size companies, non-profits, schools, universities, and the federal government,” said Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access Chairman Dave Brat (R-VA) in his opening statement. “However, one major category of people who are not allowed to participate in a cafeteria plan is small business owners. They can sponsor these plans for their employees, but they cannot personally participate. This provides a disincentive to offering the plan in the first place.”
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House Passes Bill Improving VA’s Ability To Hire, Retain High-Quality Providers
House Committee on Veterans Affairs
March 17, 2017
H.R. 1367, introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, contains a number of provisions that would strengthen VA’s ability to identify staffing shortages, recruit employees to fill vacant positions, quickly on-board new hires, and retain high-performing workers across the country. It also contains provisions that would improve leadership and accountability throughout VA and increase the number of veterans in the federal workforce.
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Support Continues to Grow for the House GOP Pro-Growth Tax Reform Blueprint
House Committee on Ways and Means
March 17, 2017
In his Joint Address to Congress on February 28, 2017, President Trump called for bold tax reform that will allow our country to “compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone.” House Republicans are ready to deliver. Our pro-growth tax reform Blueprint will unleash U.S. economic growth and provide unprecedented simplicity and fairness for all taxpayers.
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NEW POLL REVEALS AMERICANS BELIEVE US IS LOSING THE WAR AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE
Joni and Friends News
March 16, 2017
Less than one week before the Trump Administration’s 68-nation coalition focused on fighting the Islamic State meets in Washington March 22-23, an insightful new survey reveals a plurality of Americans believe we are losing the war against the Islamic State.
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Religious Liberty Law Firm: Chaplain Prayers Are Allowed on Military Base
Liberty Institute
March 14, 2017
On February 6, a special interest group sent a letter to Pease Air National Guard Base, demanding that the base commander forbid military chaplains from performing invocations at military events held on the base. The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, an organization of chaplain endorsers that speaks for nearly half of all chaplains in the military, asked First Liberty Institute, a national religious freedom law firm, to advise the Air Force base on the constitutionality of the practice.
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NASA Acting Administrator Statement on Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposal
NASA
March 16, 2017
“The President mentioned in his speech to both houses of Congress that, ‘American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream.’ NASA is already working toward that goal, and we look forward to exciting achievements that this budget will help us reach."
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NAPO Calls for Resignation of Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala
National Association of Police Organizations
March 17, 2017
On behalf of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) and the more than 240,000 law enforcement officers we represent across the United States, especially those represented by the Florida Police Benevolent Association, we write to you to express our extreme concern and disappointment with your decision not to seek the death penalty for Markeith Loyd, who is charged with murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, and then assassinating Orlando Lieutenant Debra Clayton as she tried to apprehend him.
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Trump Budget Abandons the Nation's Public Schools
National Association of Secondary School Principals
March 16, 2017
“The President’s proposed budget abandons the nation’s public schools at a time when states are working to implement the new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The nation’s school leaders are especially concerned about the elimination of Title II, Part A, which provide $2.4 billion in flexible funding for states and districts to improve teacher and principal quality. More than a decade of intensive research by the Wallace Foundation concluded that quality instruction and quality leadership are the two largest school-based factors in student achievement. As states are ramping up their school improvement plans under ESSA, the president is ramping down support for the very professionals committed to educating our nation’s students, 80 percent of whom are in public schools."
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Addressing the Intersection of Domestic Violence and HIV: What You Can Do To Help Survivors
National Network to End Domestic Violence
March 17, 2017
Since 2010, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has brought awareness to the intersection of domestic violence and HIV through the Positively Safe project. Positively Safe mobilizes domestic violence and HIV service providers and allies by building partnerships, increasing capacity, and enhancing linkage to care for persons exposed to domestic violence and HIV. At nearly double the national rate, 55 percent of women living with HIV have experienced domestic violence, and domestic violence victims have a 4x greater risk of contracting STIs, including HIV.
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Nurses: Proposed Budget Latest Attack on the Public Protections and the Most Vulnerable People
National Nurses United
March 16, 2017
National Nurses United sharply criticized President Trump’s proposed federal budget as a broad attack on public protections that also targets some of the nation’s most vulnerable people while shifting resources to the least needed areas.
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News: Murder, Defense Appropriations, Repealing Obamacare, Women, Eating Dogs and Cats, Missiles, Financial Scams, Wiretapping, Whistleblowers, Education

Police: Solano County man kills daughter-in-law with hammer
SFGate
March 8, 2017
A 63-year-old man was arrested after confessing that he beat his daughter-in-law to death with a hammer in the garage of their Suisun City home because she disrespected him, police said Wednesday.
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Congressman Andy Biggs’ Statement on Passage of FY17 Defense Appropriations Act
Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th)
March 8, 2017
Today, the House of Representatives passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017. This bill appropriates $577.9 billion for the Department of Defense ($516.1 billion in base discretionary funding and $61.8 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations / Global War on Terrorism funding). After voting on the bill’s passage, Congressman Andy Biggs released the following statement:
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Bilirakis Gives Remarks During Debate on the American Health Care Act
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL, 12th)
March 8, 2017
During a key House committee debate on the American Health Care Act, the bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) highlighted constituents who faced problems due to the ACA.
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Reps. Bishop, Johnson Re-Introduce Bipartisan Mobile Workforce Bill in 115th Congress
Mike Bishop (R-MI, 8th)
March 7, 2017
Congressman Mike Bishop (MI-8) has re-introduced his third bipartisan bill in the 115th Congress with support from Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-4), the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2017. The bicameral legislation, once again led by Senators John Thune and Sherrod Brown, simplifies state income tax requirements for employees who work multiple days per year outside the state of their residence.
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Blumenauer on GOP Health Care Plan: “Stop This Trainwreck”
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR, 3rd)
March 9, 2017
Today, despite stringent opposition from Democrats, the House Ways and Means Committee took its first step in moving the Republican “health care” proposal toward the House Floor. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) voted against the bill and released the following statement:
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Bonamici Statement on International Women’s Day
Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, 1st)
Mar 8, 2017
Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) released the following statement in recognition of International Women’s Day:
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BORDALLO STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam)
Mar 8, 2017
Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today released the following statement regarding International Women’s Day.
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Boyle Introduces Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017
Brendan Boyle (D-PA, 13th)
March 7, 2017
“The fact that this legislation is even necessary today is astonishing. It is past time for us to outlaw such a cruel and barbaric practice once and for all. The Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2017 will finally make it illegal to slaughter animals most of us think of as family members. It is my hope that, with the passage of this bill, the United States will no longer be party to this disgusting practice,” said Congressman Boyle.
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Feinstein, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Veterans’ Recruitment Bill
Senator Dianne Feinstein - (D - CA)
March, 9 2017
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined 7 Senate colleagues to cosponsor the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act, which will prioritize the U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant applications of law enforcement agencies who use that funding to hire veterans. This legislation was introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) and also cosponsored by Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Dean Heller (R-Nev.).
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Senators Introduce Legislation to Limit Spending on Nuclear War-Fighting Missiles
Senator Dianne Feinstein - (D - CA)
March, 8 2017
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 7 other senators in introducing legislation that will limit funding for a new nuclear-armed air-launched missile, also called the Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO). The cruise missile would be more precise and could be launched without warning, putting pressure on other nuclear-armed states to keep their arsenals on high alert and increasing the risk of nuclear war. Cruise missiles also come in both nuclear and non-nuclear varieties, so the use of a non-nuclear missile against another nuclear-armed state could be mistaken for a nuclear strike, leading to unintended nuclear war. The missile and its refurbished warhead will reportedly cost between $20-30 billion over twenty years to build. Specifically, the legislation caps funding for the missile and its warhead at 2017 levels until the Trump administration submits a Nuclear Posture Review to Congress.
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Flake Introduces Resolution to Protect Consumers from Overreaching Internet Regulation
Senator Jeff Flake - (R - AZ)
March 7, 2017
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, today introduced a resolution to repeal economically harmful broadband regulations issued by the Obama administration.
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Senators Gillibrand And Collins Announce New Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Seniors From Financial Scams
Senator Kirsten E.Gillibrand - (D - NY)
March 7, 2017
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced the Senior Financial Empowerment Act, new bipartisan legislation to protect seniors from financial fraud.
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Senators Graham And Whitehouse Request Warrant Applications And Court Orders Related To Possible Wiretapping Of President Trump, Trump Campaign, Or Trump Tower
Senator Lindsey Graham - (R - SC)
March, 8 2017
U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, today sent a letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Acting Deputy Attorney General requesting information on possible wiretapping of President Trump, the Trump campaign, or Trump Tower.
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Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers
Senator Chuck Grassley - (R - IA)
March, 8 2017
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) Reauthorization Act and the Follow the Rules Act Wednesday. These bipartisan pieces of legislation would provide greater protections to federal government whistleblowers.
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Senate acts to protect authority of states to manage their own schools
Senator Michael B. Enzi - (R - WY)
March 9, 2017
The Senate voted today to rescind a Department of Education regulation that directly contradicted a bipartisan education bill Congress passed in 2015, which put control back in the hands of states and parents.
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