Source: Shelley Moore Capito - (R-WV)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, governors across the country and 11 national medical member organizations, urging them to utilize provisions of the Reducing Unused Medications Act in their efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Introduced by Senators Capito and Warren, the bipartisan bill passed in 2016 as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. As a result of the senators’ work, federal law now allows prescriptions for Schedule II opioid medications, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, to be partially filled by pharmacists at the request of patients or doctors, reducing the number of unused painkillers in circulation.
Senator Capito also sent a separate letter to West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. In the letter, she asked Governor Justice to describe the status of partial fill implementation in the state, strategies for increasing awareness of the new policies among the general public and health care professionals and additional federal efforts that would help in limiting the amount of unused medications in homes.
“Encouraging prescribers to embrace the partial fill option for their patients can help to reduce the number of opioids left over in homes across the country,” the senators wrote to Commissioner Gottlieb. They requested that the FDA’s Opioid Policy Steering Committee “consider how the new partial fill law may help advance the FDA’s goals of better managing the risk of opioids and requiring greater prescriber education.”
In their letter to governors, the senators wrote, “As public officials work together to address the opioid epidemic, we must continue to build partnerships, take creative approaches, and look for every opportunity – big or small – to implement policies that prevent addiction and save lives.”
Additional letters were sent to the leaders of 11 national medical member organizations that play a critical role in reducing the number of unused medications that wind up in bathroom cabinets across the country. “We hope that you encourage your members to embrace partial filling options, which encourages honest conversations between patients and their doctors about their pain, as well as how much medication they feel comfortable having in the home,” the senators wrote.
The organizations included the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Association Medical Colleges (AAMC), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Dental Education Association, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the American Pharmacists Association and the American Dental Association.
To read the letter to Governor Justice, click here.
To read the letter to Commissioner Gottlieb, click here.
To read the letters to governors, click here.
To read the letters to medical member organizations, click here.
The Unpopular Truth
Friday, September 8, 2017
Brown Calls on Equifax to Remove Forced Arbitration from Credit Monitoring, Following Data Breach
Source: Senator Sherrod Brown- (D - OH)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – is calling on Equifax to immediately remove forced arbitration from all services offered to customers following a data breach that exposed 143 million Americans to identify theft. Equifax is currently touting free credit monitoring and identify protection services for victims of the breach through its TrustedID product. However, Equifax included forced arbitration clauses in the terms of use agreement customers must agree to when signing up for the services – effectively forcing victims of the breach to sign away their rights to seek access to court.
“It’s shameful that Equifax would take advantage of victims by forcing people to sign over their rights in order to get credit monitoring services they wouldn’t even need if Equifax hadn’t put them at risk in the first place. If Equifax is genuine about wanting to protect customers, it must remove forced arbitration immediately from TrustedID and any other services offered to victims of the data breach,” Brown said. “This is just one more example why the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule banning forced arbitration is badly needed to protect the rights of working Americans.”
Many victims of the Equifax breach were likely enrolled through their credit card company or another third-party credit provider, and may not even know they are customers of Equifax.
Brown is cautioning victims of the breach to carefully read all fine print before signing up for TrustedID or other Equifax products.
The arbitration clauses contained in Equifax’s terms of use agreement to TrustedID are highlighted below. The complete agreement is available here.
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – is calling on Equifax to immediately remove forced arbitration from all services offered to customers following a data breach that exposed 143 million Americans to identify theft. Equifax is currently touting free credit monitoring and identify protection services for victims of the breach through its TrustedID product. However, Equifax included forced arbitration clauses in the terms of use agreement customers must agree to when signing up for the services – effectively forcing victims of the breach to sign away their rights to seek access to court.
“It’s shameful that Equifax would take advantage of victims by forcing people to sign over their rights in order to get credit monitoring services they wouldn’t even need if Equifax hadn’t put them at risk in the first place. If Equifax is genuine about wanting to protect customers, it must remove forced arbitration immediately from TrustedID and any other services offered to victims of the data breach,” Brown said. “This is just one more example why the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule banning forced arbitration is badly needed to protect the rights of working Americans.”
Many victims of the Equifax breach were likely enrolled through their credit card company or another third-party credit provider, and may not even know they are customers of Equifax.
Brown is cautioning victims of the breach to carefully read all fine print before signing up for TrustedID or other Equifax products.
The arbitration clauses contained in Equifax’s terms of use agreement to TrustedID are highlighted below. The complete agreement is available here.
Booker, Lee Introduce Bicameral Bill to Remove Confederate Statues From Capitol
Source: Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a bicameral bill in the Senate and House to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. The Confederate Monument Removal Act would remove all statues of people who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from the National Statuary Hall Collection within 120 days.
“The National Statuary Hall Collection is intended to honor American patriots who served, sacrificed, or made tremendous contributions to our nation,” Senator Booker said. “Those who committed treason against the United States of America and led our nation into its most painful and bloody war are not patriots and should not be afforded such a rare honor in this sacred space.
Booker continued, “The Capitol is a place for all Americans to come and feel welcomed, encouraged, and inspired. Confederate statues do not do this -- they do the opposite. To millions of Americans, they are painful, injurious symbols of bigotry and hate, celebrating individuals who sought to break our nation asunder and preserve the vile institution of slavery. These Confederate statues belong in a museum where they can be given proper historical context, not venerated in the U.S. Capitol." (Audio of this quote can be found here).
“In the wake of Charlottesville, it’s abundantly clear that much work remains to root out racism from our society. Across the country, Confederate statues and monuments pay tribute to white supremacy and slavery in public spaces. These hateful symbols should have no place in our society and they certainly should not be enshrined in the U.S. Capitol,” Congresswoman Barbara Lee said.
“Though we’ve made tremendous progress as a nation in our quest for social, racial and economic justice, we cannot ignore or forget that Confederates fought fervently to preserve the institution of slavery and keep African Americans in chains. It’s past time for Congress to reject these symbols of racism and demand that our public monuments respect and uplift human dignity.”
The National Statuary Hall Collection was created in 1864 with a law that allows states to select two statues of deceased individuals to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Under the Confederate Monument Removal Act, states can reclaim Confederate statues that are currently part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. Statues that are not reclaimed by states would be turned over to the Smithsonian.
The Confederate Monument Removal Act is cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) and 46 members of the House of Representatives.
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a bicameral bill in the Senate and House to remove Confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol. The Confederate Monument Removal Act would remove all statues of people who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from the National Statuary Hall Collection within 120 days.
“The National Statuary Hall Collection is intended to honor American patriots who served, sacrificed, or made tremendous contributions to our nation,” Senator Booker said. “Those who committed treason against the United States of America and led our nation into its most painful and bloody war are not patriots and should not be afforded such a rare honor in this sacred space.
Booker continued, “The Capitol is a place for all Americans to come and feel welcomed, encouraged, and inspired. Confederate statues do not do this -- they do the opposite. To millions of Americans, they are painful, injurious symbols of bigotry and hate, celebrating individuals who sought to break our nation asunder and preserve the vile institution of slavery. These Confederate statues belong in a museum where they can be given proper historical context, not venerated in the U.S. Capitol." (Audio of this quote can be found here).
“In the wake of Charlottesville, it’s abundantly clear that much work remains to root out racism from our society. Across the country, Confederate statues and monuments pay tribute to white supremacy and slavery in public spaces. These hateful symbols should have no place in our society and they certainly should not be enshrined in the U.S. Capitol,” Congresswoman Barbara Lee said.
“Though we’ve made tremendous progress as a nation in our quest for social, racial and economic justice, we cannot ignore or forget that Confederates fought fervently to preserve the institution of slavery and keep African Americans in chains. It’s past time for Congress to reject these symbols of racism and demand that our public monuments respect and uplift human dignity.”
The National Statuary Hall Collection was created in 1864 with a law that allows states to select two statues of deceased individuals to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Under the Confederate Monument Removal Act, states can reclaim Confederate statues that are currently part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. Statues that are not reclaimed by states would be turned over to the Smithsonian.
The Confederate Monument Removal Act is cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) and 46 members of the House of Representatives.
Blumenthal Statement on Senate Vote to Raise the Debt Ceiling, Fund the Government, and Provide Disaster Relief for Hurricane Victims
Source: Senator Richard Blumenthal- (D - CT)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling, extend government funding through December 8th, and provide $15.25 billion in disaster relief for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
“Today's vote falls far short of a long-term solution for any of the fiscal challenges facing our nation, but it is a positive step that will keep the lights on. The Senate acted swiftly to provide critical emergency funding for communities devastated by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, but much more is needed. We funded the government for another three months, but short-term funding measures are no way to run a government,” said Blumenthal.
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling, extend government funding through December 8th, and provide $15.25 billion in disaster relief for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
“Today's vote falls far short of a long-term solution for any of the fiscal challenges facing our nation, but it is a positive step that will keep the lights on. The Senate acted swiftly to provide critical emergency funding for communities devastated by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, but much more is needed. We funded the government for another three months, but short-term funding measures are no way to run a government,” said Blumenthal.
Congress Urged to Pass Wildfire Funding Fix in Any Future Disaster Aid
Source: Senator Michael F. Bennet - (D - CO)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- With fires blazing across the West, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and a bipartisan group of senators urged Senate Leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer to include a wildfire funding fix in any future disaster aid legislation that passes through Congress.
This week, Congress passed a bipartisan funding bill that helps with the cost of fighting the wildfires across western states this summer. However, the funding bill did not fix the long-term problem of consistently underfunding fire suppression, which currently forces federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service to steal funds from fire prevention and other non-fire programs to fight fires, so-called "fire borrowing."
Wildfires have burned almost 8 million acres of land across the West this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate from their homes, and the U.S. Forest Service has already spent more than $1.7 billion this year to put out fires.
"We stand ready to work with our colleagues in a bipartisan way in Congress to do everything we can to ensure the victims of Hurricane Harvey get the assistance they need," the bipartisan group of senators wrote. "As we work to assist Texas and Louisiana on the road to recovery, please do not forget about wildfires - the natural disaster currently raging through the West.
"We ask that any disaster aid package or other must-pass legislation that passes through Congress include a wildfire funding fix. This fix is long overdue and people throughout the West desperately need our help."
In addition to Bennet, the letter's signers include Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID) Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jon Tester (D-MT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Tom Udall (D-NM).
Click HERE for a copy of the letter.
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- With fires blazing across the West, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and a bipartisan group of senators urged Senate Leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer to include a wildfire funding fix in any future disaster aid legislation that passes through Congress.
This week, Congress passed a bipartisan funding bill that helps with the cost of fighting the wildfires across western states this summer. However, the funding bill did not fix the long-term problem of consistently underfunding fire suppression, which currently forces federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service to steal funds from fire prevention and other non-fire programs to fight fires, so-called "fire borrowing."
Wildfires have burned almost 8 million acres of land across the West this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate from their homes, and the U.S. Forest Service has already spent more than $1.7 billion this year to put out fires.
"We stand ready to work with our colleagues in a bipartisan way in Congress to do everything we can to ensure the victims of Hurricane Harvey get the assistance they need," the bipartisan group of senators wrote. "As we work to assist Texas and Louisiana on the road to recovery, please do not forget about wildfires - the natural disaster currently raging through the West.
"We ask that any disaster aid package or other must-pass legislation that passes through Congress include a wildfire funding fix. This fix is long overdue and people throughout the West desperately need our help."
In addition to Bennet, the letter's signers include Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID) Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jon Tester (D-MT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Tom Udall (D-NM).
Click HERE for a copy of the letter.
U.S. SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN CALLS FOR SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON EQUIFAX DATA BREACH
Source: Senator Tammy Baldwin - (D - WI)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has called on leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee to hold a hearing on the Equifax data breach.
“I write today to urge you to hold a hearing on an issue impacting the lives of millions of Americans – the recently reported data breach at Equifax, one the nation’s largest consumer credit reporting agencies,” wrote Senator Baldwin, a member of the Commerce Committee. “American consumers deserve answers about this breach and the actions of Equifax executives before this breach was made public.”
Senator Baldwin’s letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chair John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) is available here
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has called on leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee to hold a hearing on the Equifax data breach.
“I write today to urge you to hold a hearing on an issue impacting the lives of millions of Americans – the recently reported data breach at Equifax, one the nation’s largest consumer credit reporting agencies,” wrote Senator Baldwin, a member of the Commerce Committee. “American consumers deserve answers about this breach and the actions of Equifax executives before this breach was made public.”
Senator Baldwin’s letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chair John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) is available here
Senate Passes 3 Public Health Bills to Help More American Families Lead Healthier Lives
Source: Senator Lamar Alexander - (R - TN)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Senate this week passed three bipartisan public health bills to help more American families lead healthier lives. The three bills were overwhelmingly approved in April by the Senate health committee, chaired by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.).
“These bills each take important steps to help more American families lead healthier lives,” Alexander said. “These bills work to support states in screening and linking to follow-up care for infants with hearing loss; improve federal programs to prevent diabetes and other diseases; and improve public health preparedness to combat the Zika virus. I am glad the Senate has passed these important pieces of legislation, and I urge the House to do the same.”
The three bills passed by the Senate health committee in April and this week by the full Senate include:
· Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) – Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (S. 652): If you’re a parent with a newborn, infant, or young child, this bill will support state-based efforts to screen them for hearing loss and ensure proper follow-up care, including diagnosis and early intervention.
· Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) – National Clinical Care Commission Act (S.920): This bill will create a commission of leading experts to study complex metabolic or autoimmune diseases, like diabetes. The commission will recommend improvements to federal programs that work to help prevent diseases like diabetes or educate patients on their condition.
· Sens. Angus King (I- Maine), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) – Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act (S.849): This bill will improve public health preparedness capabilities to help combat the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases that threaten public health by reauthorizing and strengthening key programs that support state and local mosquito surveillance and control efforts and response activities to protect against infectious diseases, such as the Zika virus.
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Senate this week passed three bipartisan public health bills to help more American families lead healthier lives. The three bills were overwhelmingly approved in April by the Senate health committee, chaired by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.).
“These bills each take important steps to help more American families lead healthier lives,” Alexander said. “These bills work to support states in screening and linking to follow-up care for infants with hearing loss; improve federal programs to prevent diabetes and other diseases; and improve public health preparedness to combat the Zika virus. I am glad the Senate has passed these important pieces of legislation, and I urge the House to do the same.”
The three bills passed by the Senate health committee in April and this week by the full Senate include:
· Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) – Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act (S. 652): If you’re a parent with a newborn, infant, or young child, this bill will support state-based efforts to screen them for hearing loss and ensure proper follow-up care, including diagnosis and early intervention.
· Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) – National Clinical Care Commission Act (S.920): This bill will create a commission of leading experts to study complex metabolic or autoimmune diseases, like diabetes. The commission will recommend improvements to federal programs that work to help prevent diseases like diabetes or educate patients on their condition.
· Sens. Angus King (I- Maine), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) – Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act (S.849): This bill will improve public health preparedness capabilities to help combat the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases that threaten public health by reauthorizing and strengthening key programs that support state and local mosquito surveillance and control efforts and response activities to protect against infectious diseases, such as the Zika virus.
DHS Signs Jones Act Waiver
Source: Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In recognition of the severity of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke approved a waiver of the federal Jones Act. This waiver will ensure that over the next week, all options are available to distribute fuel to states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, both historic storms. The waiver will be in effect for seven days after signature and is specifically tailored to transportation of refined products in hurricane-affected areas.
“This is a precautionary measure to ensure we have enough fuel to support lifesaving efforts, respond to the storm, and restore critical services and critical infrastructure operations in the wake of this potentially devastating storm,” said Acting Secretary Duke.
“Hurricane Harvey significantly disrupted the distribution of fuel across the Southeastern states, and those states will soon experience one of the largest mass evacuations in American history while at the same time we’ll see historic movements through those states of restoration and response crews, followed by goods and commodities back into the devastated areas.”
The Jones Act prohibits the transportation of cargo between points in the U.S., either directly or via a foreign port, or for any part of the transportation, in any vessel other than a vessel that has a coastwise endorsement (e.g. a vessel that is built in and owned by persons who are citizens of the United States). The last Jones Act waiver was issued in December 2012, for petroleum products to be delivered for relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
September 8, 2017 Jones Act Waiver (PDF)
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In recognition of the severity of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke approved a waiver of the federal Jones Act. This waiver will ensure that over the next week, all options are available to distribute fuel to states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, both historic storms. The waiver will be in effect for seven days after signature and is specifically tailored to transportation of refined products in hurricane-affected areas.
“This is a precautionary measure to ensure we have enough fuel to support lifesaving efforts, respond to the storm, and restore critical services and critical infrastructure operations in the wake of this potentially devastating storm,” said Acting Secretary Duke.
“Hurricane Harvey significantly disrupted the distribution of fuel across the Southeastern states, and those states will soon experience one of the largest mass evacuations in American history while at the same time we’ll see historic movements through those states of restoration and response crews, followed by goods and commodities back into the devastated areas.”
The Jones Act prohibits the transportation of cargo between points in the U.S., either directly or via a foreign port, or for any part of the transportation, in any vessel other than a vessel that has a coastwise endorsement (e.g. a vessel that is built in and owned by persons who are citizens of the United States). The last Jones Act waiver was issued in December 2012, for petroleum products to be delivered for relief assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
September 8, 2017 Jones Act Waiver (PDF)
Perdue Calls on Congress to Fix Forest Service Fire Funding Problem
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today called on Congress to address the way the U.S. Forest Service is funded so that the agency is not routinely borrowing money from prevention programs to combat ongoing wildfires. Perdue argued that taking funds from prevention efforts only leaves behind more fuel in the forests for future fires to burn, exacerbating the situation. Perdue made his remarks during a ceremonial swearing in of new Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke at the Department of Agriculture.
Currently, the fire suppression portion of the Forest Service budget is funded at a rolling ten-year average of appropriations, while the overall Forest Service budget has remained relatively flat. Because the fire seasons are longer and conditions are worse, the ten-year rolling fire suppression budget average keeps rising, chewing up a greater percentage of the total Forest Service budget each year. The agency has had to borrow from prevention programs to cover fire suppression costs. Perdue said he would prefer that Congress treat major fires the same as other disasters and be covered by emergency funds so that prevention programs are not raided.
Perdue’s verbatim comments are as follows:
“I’ve had serious concerns about an issue. And I want to be very clear about it. You can have the right leadership. You can have the right people. I believe we have the right leadership. I believe we have the right people. I believe that we have the right processes and the right procedures of attacking and fighting fires. But if you don’t have the resources and the means of dependable funding, that’s an issue.
“Every year, when we have to take, in the Forest Service, and hoard our appropriated dollars in order to have money to fight the fires, where we know they are going to be insufficient, that’s wrong. We need with all of our heart and strength and mind, Tony, to appeal to the appropriators in Congress, and the law writers, to fix the fire borrowing problem once and for all.
[Applause]
“As good as you are, and as well as you know the Forest Service, there’s no way you can manage the Forest Service, not knowing what you’re going to have to spend. That is not the way appropriations should work. I’ve communicated that to OMB, I’m communicating that to members of Congress, I’ve communicated that to the president. And by golly, we hope we’re going to get something done about it this year. I think the momentum is there, along with other disasters.
“I met yesterday with [Office of Management and Budget] Director Mulvaney. We described the need and the issue of a permanent fix and I think we’re along our way to get there. Tony’s going to have to meet with members of Congress and to persuade them that’s the ultimate solution so we can manage ahead of time.
“I’ve told people the analogy – it’s like eating your seed corn. You know, when you have to spend so much fighting fires, you can’t spend the money that’s appropriated to prevent forest fires. You know, Smokey wants us to prevent forest fires, don’t you, Smokey?
“You know the facts. Our budget has moved from 15 percent of fire suppression to over half – 55 percent-plus. It may be more than that this year, in having to fight fires. And there’s no way we can do the kind of forest management and the prescribed burning and harvesting and insect control, all those kinds of things that diminish fires.
“Fires will always be with us. But when we leave a fuel load out there because we have not been able to get to it because of a lack of funding, or dependable funding, we’re asking for trouble. We’re asking for disasters, year in and year out. And that’s what we hope to get fixed.
“I want you all to know that I’m fighting hard for that. Tony Tooke’s going to fight hard for that. This whole department at USDA is going to fight hard to communicate to Congress and the administration that we need a permanent fire funding and stop this fire borrowing once and for all. So, thank you all for understanding that and understanding where we need to devote our resources.”
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today called on Congress to address the way the U.S. Forest Service is funded so that the agency is not routinely borrowing money from prevention programs to combat ongoing wildfires. Perdue argued that taking funds from prevention efforts only leaves behind more fuel in the forests for future fires to burn, exacerbating the situation. Perdue made his remarks during a ceremonial swearing in of new Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke at the Department of Agriculture.
Currently, the fire suppression portion of the Forest Service budget is funded at a rolling ten-year average of appropriations, while the overall Forest Service budget has remained relatively flat. Because the fire seasons are longer and conditions are worse, the ten-year rolling fire suppression budget average keeps rising, chewing up a greater percentage of the total Forest Service budget each year. The agency has had to borrow from prevention programs to cover fire suppression costs. Perdue said he would prefer that Congress treat major fires the same as other disasters and be covered by emergency funds so that prevention programs are not raided.
Perdue’s verbatim comments are as follows:
“I’ve had serious concerns about an issue. And I want to be very clear about it. You can have the right leadership. You can have the right people. I believe we have the right leadership. I believe we have the right people. I believe that we have the right processes and the right procedures of attacking and fighting fires. But if you don’t have the resources and the means of dependable funding, that’s an issue.
“Every year, when we have to take, in the Forest Service, and hoard our appropriated dollars in order to have money to fight the fires, where we know they are going to be insufficient, that’s wrong. We need with all of our heart and strength and mind, Tony, to appeal to the appropriators in Congress, and the law writers, to fix the fire borrowing problem once and for all.
[Applause]
“As good as you are, and as well as you know the Forest Service, there’s no way you can manage the Forest Service, not knowing what you’re going to have to spend. That is not the way appropriations should work. I’ve communicated that to OMB, I’m communicating that to members of Congress, I’ve communicated that to the president. And by golly, we hope we’re going to get something done about it this year. I think the momentum is there, along with other disasters.
“I met yesterday with [Office of Management and Budget] Director Mulvaney. We described the need and the issue of a permanent fix and I think we’re along our way to get there. Tony’s going to have to meet with members of Congress and to persuade them that’s the ultimate solution so we can manage ahead of time.
“I’ve told people the analogy – it’s like eating your seed corn. You know, when you have to spend so much fighting fires, you can’t spend the money that’s appropriated to prevent forest fires. You know, Smokey wants us to prevent forest fires, don’t you, Smokey?
“You know the facts. Our budget has moved from 15 percent of fire suppression to over half – 55 percent-plus. It may be more than that this year, in having to fight fires. And there’s no way we can do the kind of forest management and the prescribed burning and harvesting and insect control, all those kinds of things that diminish fires.
“Fires will always be with us. But when we leave a fuel load out there because we have not been able to get to it because of a lack of funding, or dependable funding, we’re asking for trouble. We’re asking for disasters, year in and year out. And that’s what we hope to get fixed.
“I want you all to know that I’m fighting hard for that. Tony Tooke’s going to fight hard for that. This whole department at USDA is going to fight hard to communicate to Congress and the administration that we need a permanent fire funding and stop this fire borrowing once and for all. So, thank you all for understanding that and understanding where we need to devote our resources.”
Wright-Patterson AFB to provide safe haven to aircraft in path of Hurricane Irma
Source: The U.S. Airforce
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is receiving aircraft and their associated aircrews evacuating from several military installations threatened by approaching Hurricane Irma.
Eight F-15 Eagles from the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, landed at Wright-Patterson AFB Sept. 7, 2017.
The F-15s are expected to be joined by eight Navy P-8A Poseidons and six Navy P-3C Orions from Patrol Squadron Thirty, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; and three C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Col. Bradley McDonald, 88th ABW commander, spoke to the importance of providing hurricane relief efforts and assistance. He said support was already provided in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by the 88th ABW and Reserve partners, the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB.
"Our hearts go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Irma, and we are grateful that we have the opportunity to help and support those in need," McDonald said. “We have the resources and capabilities to be a safe haven for aircraft, both Air Force and our sister services, that need to move out of the potential path of Hurricane Irma.”
Anticipated aircraft seeking safe haven include KC-130 Super Hercules from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and F/A-18 Hornets from NAS Paxtuxent River, Maryland.
Additionally, the colonel announced that 100 of the base’s medics and equipment are prepared to deploy as part of an emergency medical clinic capability and are awaiting orders.
Base officials here are closely watching the approaching storm’s track and intensity.
Air National Guard responds, too
Meanwhile, a team of six personnel from the 269th Combat Communications Squadron at Springfield-Beckly ANGB, Springfield, Ohio, left Sept. 7, with a truck and trailer full of equipment to provide communications assistance in Puerto Rico.
Capt. Craig Conner, the 269th Combat Communications Squadron detachment commander, is one of the personnel going to Puerto Rico.
“We started preparing at the beginning of this week. We can provide a quick response to enhance much-needed emergency communications,” he said. “It’s something we expect. We understand there is a great need, and we are looking forward to providing assistance.”
Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is receiving aircraft and their associated aircrews evacuating from several military installations threatened by approaching Hurricane Irma.
Eight F-15 Eagles from the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, landed at Wright-Patterson AFB Sept. 7, 2017.
The F-15s are expected to be joined by eight Navy P-8A Poseidons and six Navy P-3C Orions from Patrol Squadron Thirty, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; and three C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Col. Bradley McDonald, 88th ABW commander, spoke to the importance of providing hurricane relief efforts and assistance. He said support was already provided in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by the 88th ABW and Reserve partners, the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB.
"Our hearts go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Irma, and we are grateful that we have the opportunity to help and support those in need," McDonald said. “We have the resources and capabilities to be a safe haven for aircraft, both Air Force and our sister services, that need to move out of the potential path of Hurricane Irma.”
Anticipated aircraft seeking safe haven include KC-130 Super Hercules from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and F/A-18 Hornets from NAS Paxtuxent River, Maryland.
Additionally, the colonel announced that 100 of the base’s medics and equipment are prepared to deploy as part of an emergency medical clinic capability and are awaiting orders.
Base officials here are closely watching the approaching storm’s track and intensity.
Air National Guard responds, too
Meanwhile, a team of six personnel from the 269th Combat Communications Squadron at Springfield-Beckly ANGB, Springfield, Ohio, left Sept. 7, with a truck and trailer full of equipment to provide communications assistance in Puerto Rico.
Capt. Craig Conner, the 269th Combat Communications Squadron detachment commander, is one of the personnel going to Puerto Rico.
“We started preparing at the beginning of this week. We can provide a quick response to enhance much-needed emergency communications,” he said. “It’s something we expect. We understand there is a great need, and we are looking forward to providing assistance.”
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