New PSAs focus on the importance of adopting teenagers from foster care

Source: Administration for Children and Families

New public service advertisements (PSA’s) launched today by the Children’s Bureau at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in partnership with the Ad Council, AdoptUSKids and KBS, highlights the importance of adopting teens from foster care and emphasizes that adoptive and potential adoptive parents do not have to be a perfect parent in order to adopt youth from foster care.

Older children in foster care, particularly teenagers, have a hard time being adopted from foster care. Of the estimated 428,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system, 112,000 youth are currently waiting for adoptive families. Youth between the ages of 15 to 18 years old currently represent 43 percent of all children actively photo listed on AdoptUSKids.org, and only five percent of all children adopted in 2015 were between the ages of 15 to 18 years old.

“All of us – and that includes teens in foster care who are waiting to be adopted – need and want families to support us and to give us the connections, relationships, and sense of belonging that are so critical to our well-being,” said Jerry Milner, associate commissioner at the Children’s Bureau, and the acting commissioner for the Administration on Children, Youth and Families.”

The PSA’s features the theme of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting… A Teenager” to recognize that being there for a teenager is the most important role that an adoptive parent can play as well encouraging the adoption of teens from foster care.

“The parents and families who adopt older teens from foster care enrich their own lives while providing an incredible impact on the lives of the adopted children and teens at a time when it is needed most,” said Milner. “We are proud to sponsor the Adoption from Foster Care campaign to encourage adoptions of teens nationwide.”

KBS collaborated with the authors and illustrator of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” on the PSA’s, which includes TV, out-of-home, print and digital materials. The PSA’s features videos of well-intentioned moms and dads attempting to give new parents of teens step-by-step parenting tutorials in the What to Expect When You’re Expecting tone – namely how to wake up your teen and how to teen-proof your home. The print, digital and out-of-home creative parodies the original book cover and illustrations by humorously showing common scenarios parents can expect when adopting a teen, such as confusing text messages, binge-watching and prom proposals.

“We’re excited to infuse this very successful campaign with the cultural relevance of What to Expect When You're Expecting,” said Michele Kunken, Executive Creative Director at KBS. “We were really lucky that the authors of What to Expect When You’re Expecting were so passionate about this cause and were willing to partner with us. We’re hoping this new take on the ‘Perfect Parent’ campaign will bring AdoptUSKids even more awareness and lead to even more adoptions from foster care.”

The Children’s Bureau provides funding to AdoptUSKids to raise public awareness about the need for families for children in foster care, and assist states, territories and tribes to recruit and retain foster and adoptive families and connect them with children. Since the initial launch of the campaign in 2004, the campaign has received more than $565 million in donated media support across television, radio, print, out-of-home and digital media.

The PSAs direct audiences to visit AdoptUSKids.org or to call 1-888-200-4005 (English) or 1-877-236-7831 (Spanish) to receive information about the foster care system and the adoption process.

“The many thousands of teens in foster care are there at no fault of their own and are just as in need of family as anyone,” said Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “This project has already helped more than 28,000 youth find their forever families and experience the many milestones teens first encounter. We hope that this new work inspires prospective parents to consider adopting teens from foster care and become the pillar of stability and love every teen needs.”

Pro-life centers ask court to halt law that forces them to promote abortion

Source: Alliance Defending Freedom

The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, together with Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor’s “A Place for Women” pregnancy care center, filed suit on July 12 to challenge the new law, Senate Bill 501, which went into effect the previous day.

“No one should be forced to provide free advertising for the abortion industry, least of all pro-life centers that exist to help women choose life for their babies,” said Connelly. “Freedom of speech also means the freedom to not express views that violate your conscience. Yet, under this law, the state is forcing pro-life centers and doctors to, in effect, provide free advertising for the abortion industry. Because of the First Amendment’s protections, courts have repeatedly rejected these types of laws as unconstitutional, and accordingly we are asking the court in this case to halt enforcement of this law while our case moves forward.”

SB 501 requires pro-life pregnancy care centers to direct women to a state agency that provides abortion referrals and funding. Specifically, the law requires the centers to post large signs or provide notices which advertise that the “state of Hawaii provides free or low-cost access to comprehensive planning services,” including abortion-inducing drugs. The law also forces the centers to include both a website address and phone number for accessing these services. ADF attorneys point out that the centers are subject to the law regardless of whether they offer free ultrasounds and other prenatal care to women, making the law even more egregious for the centers that don’t provide medical services.

Other courts have invalidated or mostly invalidated similar laws in Austin, Texas; Montgomery County, Maryland; Baltimore; and New York City. Additionally, ADF attorneys are representing NIFLA in a case out of California that the U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering for review.

The lawsuit, Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor v. Chin, asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii to halt the enforcement of SB 501 and declare it unconstitutional under the U.S. and Hawaii constitutions. It also asks the court to require Hawaii to return federal funds it received which were conditioned on the state’s commitment not to force pro-life pregnancy centers to make abortion referrals. On Sept. 11, Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor additionally filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with regard to the funding violation.

James Hochberg of Honolulu is among the nearly 3,200 attorneys allied with ADF and serves as local counsel for NIFLA and Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor.

Americans Against Double Taxation

Americans Against Double Taxation, a coalition comprised of state and local government organizations, education and other public service providers, and housing organizations, has come together to launch a robust campaign to preserve the state and local tax deduction (SALT) in any comprehensive tax reform proposal. The coalition, which successfully preserved SALT in the tax reform package signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, today sent a letter to the leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to urge them to ensure that Americans can continue claiming this vital deduction.



Find out more about them by clicking HERE

Statements about Trump's UN Speech

Not too many House Representatives weighed in on their thoughts after the President spoke at the United Nations. I guess most of them were left speechless by the audacity the President showed the world by stating loud and clear that America's priorities were for America FIRST. Below are all the statements I could find so far:

House Representative Tom Cole (R-OK, 4th)

“President Trump’s speech was clearly one of the best and most consequential speeches of his presidency thus far. He gave a spirited defense of American values and interests to the UN, and he put America first.”

“In addition, he sent a direct, blunt and clear message that unambiguously called out North Korea, Iran and Venezuela for activities at odds with the best interests of the civilized world. In doing so, President Trump made it clear that America continues to lead and uphold the international order. He was also quick to remind other countries to do their part in reigning in rogue nations and terrorist organizations.”

“Make no mistake about it, this speech was a major statement defining America’s role on the international stage. I believe historians will look back on this speech as a defining moment in the Trump presidency. It asserted and redefined America’s role as the leader of the free world.”

House Representative Ron DeSantis (R-FL, 6th)

“President Trump’s speech before the UN General Assembly was a tour de force. Trump directly addressed key foreign policy issues and laid out an agenda rooted in America's national interests.

Trump forthrightly condemned those who threaten global security, including the Rocket Man’s suicide mission in North Korea and Iran’s malevolent nuclear ambitions. His speech also empowered those fighting for freedom and democracy in places such as Venezuela and Cuba by acknowledging their courageous struggle against socialist governments.

President Trump bluntly challenged the UN to live up to its mission – something that is sorely needed given the utter fecklessness that the UN has characteristically displayed when confronting serious global problems.”

House Representative Scott DesJarlais (R-TN, 4th)

"I'm heartened to see President Trump reasserting American values and strength. The days of apologizing for our country's greatness and leading role in the world are over. The United States will protect itself and our allies and hold the United Nations to the same promise."

House Representative Daniel Donovan (R-NY, 11th)

“President Trump delivered a forceful and inspired vision for a peaceful and prosperous world order based on sovereignty and mutual interest. President Trump emphasized his commitment to putting America first, and called on world leaders to do the same in their own countries. He’s right to meet provocations from rogue regimes with strength, especially after years of ‘strategic patience’ haven’t stopped Kim Jong-Un.

“International progress comes from the productivity and innovation of the world’s diverse people. They should all be free to pursue their interests within their own countries – countries that respect one another’s sovereign rights to seek peace and prosperity.

“I wholeheartedly support President Trump’s vision. America has been the greatest force for good in history based on the principles he embraced in this morning’s speech.”

House Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, (R PA, 8th)

“I appreciate the President’s strong address to the United Nations today in New York. He was right to call out regimes in North Korea, Iran, Syria and Venezuela; each of these regimes have subjugated their own people and continue to make threats and acts against world order and peace. The UN must help align an international coalition against these states and their leaders. The President also highlighted the importance of reforming the UN to carry out its noble mission of promoting freedom, cooperation and human rights. This is crucial, and something Ambassador Haley has been an outspoken advocate for. I support that endeavor wholeheartedly. I will continue working with both parties in Congress and on the Foreign Affairs Committee to advance an American foreign policy that promotes peace and stability for all people.”

House Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ, 7th)

“President Trump once again delivered an embarrassing performance with the whole world watching. But more than his various cringe-worthy statements, it was his continuing failure to project the kind of calm, steady leadership that the international community has come to expect from American presidents that was most alarming.

“As a veteran, Trump’s speech only served to heighten my grave concerns that he could steer the United States into war through bluster or sheer incompetence.

“At the United Nations, the President implied that he would pull out of the Iran Deal, despite the fact that the agreement has unquestionably slowed or stopped Iranian progress toward a nuclear weapon. Scrapping the deal would isolate us from the world community, encourage Iran to seek a nuclear breakout, and prime the Middle East for a massive conflict. Without the deal, Trump is choosing a nuclear Iran, a war with Iran, or both.

“The President also fundamentally misunderstands what a war with North Korea would entail. There is no ‘winning’ a war with Pyongyang. Destruction of the North is within our power, but doing so would mean the deaths of millions of South Koreans, Japanese, and yes, American troops and civilians in South Korea and perhaps farther away. It could – and likely would – mean war with China. That is no ‘victory.’

“Simply put, every time President Trump opens his mouth, America’s leadership and global standing diminishes.”

It is becoming more and more apparent how unpatriotic and against America's best interest Democrats are.
Just listen every time they open their mouth.

House Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA, 33rd)

“President Trump’s speech to the United Nations will be remembered not for rallying the international community around our common challenges, but instead for threatening another nation with annihilation. Let us be clear: the issue is not whether the U.S. is capable of destroying North Korea, but rather whether we are willing to allow South Korea, Japan, and potentially Guam to be destroyed in the process—along with hundreds of thousands of American lives."

“Name-calling and brash rhetoric make America neither great nor safe. I am also disappointed that President Trump failed to include a single mention of climate change, which poses an existential threat to America and the world.”

North Korea is about to Nuke us, ISIS is taking over the world, people are being kidnapped and sold for sex slaves and people are dying because they are Christian, and this man is focused on climate change. Is there any doubt that the Democrats have the wrong priorities?

House Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN, 4th)

“President Donald Trump’s speech at the United Nations today betrayed America’s values and abandoned our nation’s legacy of global leadership. The world witnessed a provocative, unstable demagogue threaten to start a conflict that would risk nuclear war and imperil millions of lives.

“President Trump’s dangerous rhetoric, coming from a man with the nuclear codes, is a global threat that puts every American at risk. I strongly condemn both his speech and the foundation of ignorance in which it was rooted.”

Thank God it doesn't matter what the Democrats think about Trump. What matters is what the UN thinks about Trump's speech.

House Representative David Price (D-NC, 4th)

“President Trump’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly served only to further alienate the United States from its allies, and to sow doubts among our adversaries and rivals as to our steadfastness and resolve. In an incoherent series of brash threats, the President called on the international community to ‘totally destroy’ a nuclear-armed North Korea, while undermining the international effort to restrain Iran’s nuclear program. Furthermore, the President failed even to mention serious concerns like climate change, cyber-warfare, and heightened tensions with Russia. The President’s hypocritical threats and childish name-calling do nothing to advance American interests or project American strength. Instead, they send a clear signal of incoherence and incompetence.”

Really? I thought he was quite clear and coherent. The only people alienated are those who wish to take away our sovereignty. We will work with anyone to preserve their sovereignty, is it too much to ask for them to do the same? AMERICANS SHOULD BE FOR AMERICA FIRST.

House Representative Todd Rokita (R-IN, 4th)

“President Trump has shown our world tremendous leadership since taking office. His speech to the United Nation’s General Assembly showed a strong, and clear stance in regards to North Korea, Iran and the threats they pose to the United States and the world. As a Member of Congress during this Administration and President Obama’s, I can confidently say that this is a night and day difference from President Obama’s stance eight years ago.”

“President Trump reminded the rest of the world that we have fought for them, and we have lost American lives because of this fight. We continue to support our allies and the rest of the world. But, the American people must always come first just like the citizens of each other country should come first for their government. This is the way to achieve peace and I am proud to stand with President Trump to work towards this goal.”

“Our great friend and ally, the State of Israel, was also in the audience for the President’s speech. Israel is represented by another great leader, Prime Minister Netanyahu.”

Dems Worried Trump will Pardon Himself

by Shonda Ponder

Of all things for the Democrats to worry about, now they're worried that Trump is going to pardon himself or his family members for something. I don't think President Trump has done anything wrong to pardon himself for, but I guess they think he might. In a press release from Karen Bass (D-CA, 37th), the Democrats have decided to create a resolution that will prevent this from happening.

“Due to the current President’s proven willingness to slander the truth and exploit legal ambiguity for personal gain, we must explicitly forbid the possibility of a pardon for himself or his family,” Rep. Bass said. “Throughout this presidency, I’ve heard from thousands of constituents concerned about pardon power. The recent pardon of Joe Arpaio only amplified those concerns. Millions of Americans face the consequences of their own unlawful actions, and they repay their debt to society. If any president of any party or their family commits federal crimes, benign or extreme, they too must suffer the consequences of their actions. I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to uphold our civic duty to protect our justice system.”

I think the Democrats need to stop focusing on how much they hate Trump, and start worrying about how they are going to get re-elected. The future doesn't look too bright for them these days, unless they know a bunch of dead Democrats.

My view on DACA -- by Shonda Ponder

by Shonda Ponder

According to Wikipedia,

The DREAM Act bill, which would have provided a pathway to permanent residency for unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States upon meeting certain qualifications, was considered by Congress in 2007. It failed to overcome a bipartisan filibuster in the Senate. It was considered again in 2011. The bill passed the House, but did not get the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster in the Senate.In 2013, legislation that would have comprehensively reformed the immigration system, including allowing Dreamers permission to stay in the country, work and attend school, passed the Senate but was not brought up for a vote in the House. The New York Times credits the failure of Congress to pass the DREAM Act bill as the driver behind Obama's decision to sign DACA.

On June 15, 2012, President Barack Hussein Obama announced his decision to sign an Executive Order that allowed these children of illegal immigrants to escape deportation and obtain work permits for a period of two years, which could be renewed if they behaved. Limitations were applied to the bill. Those who enrolled

had to be younger than 31 on June 15, 2012

must have come to the U.S. when they were younger than 16

and must have lived in the U.S. since at least 2007.

All of this was because Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act.

As a staunch conservative, it is my observation that Executive Orders, which is an executive power given to the President, have been used in the past to address a present and very great need at the time. When the executive order is no longer needed or is seen as doing more harm than good, the next President has the power to rescind it at will through his own executive power.

Obama's executive order met with criticism from those who were oppressed by illegal immigrants were taking up needed space in the job market, getting public assistance, and not paying taxes. In the year 2012 alone, over 400,000 illegal immigrants were deported.

This was in the year 2012 ALONE. Let that sink in.

This is only a portion of the over 11 million illegal immigrants that are still here.

According to statistics, there are only around 800,000 DREAMERS affected by DACA. These are children who were brought here by illegal immigrants who grew up in an environment they learned well to assimilate in because that is all they know. These children were brought up as Americans. Sending them back to a country that their parents were fleeing from, that they know nothing about, is seen as cruel by those who are for DACA. However, those against DACA argue that their short-sighted parents are to blame for the demise of their own children by their determination to illegally enter and live in and take advantage of what the United States has to offer at the cost of the legal citizens who live here. By any definition, all that amounts to theft of services.

Obama gave Congress a mandate to pass immigration reform. Congress failed. If our own representatives in Congress cannot work together to enact much needed reform, then the President has the power to act, whether we like it or not. Congress then has the power to override any veto or action by two-thirds of Congress in favor of the override.

If Congress doesn't like the fact that President Donald Trump has rescinded DACA, then, why have they not voted to override him rather than screaming in the Fake News Media's TV cameras?

Donald Trump has said the same thing Barack Obama said, Congress needs to pass an immigration bill. After rescinding DACA, Trump gave the Democrats six months to come up with something workable before DACA is enacted. He said, “Chuck and Nancy would like to see something happen, and so do I, and I said if we can get something to happen, we’re gonna sign it, and we’re gonna make a lot of happy people."

I personally would support DACA on any bill passed by Congress that also includes getting rid of the illegal aliens who are not DACA children -- this includes their parents. Their parents knew what they were doing. These children are of age now to make a decision whether or not to stay or go. If they choose to return to their home country with their parents, then so be it. Our sympathy for them ends there. If they choose to stay, they must also choose not to hate us for enforcing the law that is enacted for all of our long-term benefit, including theirs; and, they must take immediate action to become LEGAL citizens within the proper time allowed, and through the proper channels.

If the Democrats keep screaming about how evil President Trump is, they are never going to pass such a law, and the DREAMERS then have no one to blame for their demise than the Democrats themselves. It's time to quit talking an start acting, Democrats. DACA needs you.

Pondering: Price Gouging,Terrorism, Nursing Home, Single Payer Health Care, Equifax, DACA, Retirement, Transportation, Education, Human Trafficking, Automatic Knives, Health Insurance

After airline ticket fares skyrocketed before and following Hurricane Irma, legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives to cap airfares when a disaster has been declared. Under the proposed bill, the “AirFAIR Act”, when a state, territory or U.S. possession makes a disaster declaration, airlines would be prohibited from making price hikes exceeding 30%. Furthermore, the Department of Transportation would have authority to further reduce the maximum allowed price increase during catastrophes.

As the nation contends with the aftermaths of Harvey and Irma and prepares for Hurricane Jose, there have been multiple reports of airlines drastically increasing prices. Some consumers noted price increases from $547 to over $3200. Other travelers posted on social media fares of $1,738 for flights between Miami and Indianapolis and a $2,370 flight between Miami and Los Angeles. Airlines have contended that they did not change their pricing structure and that price changes are dictated by computer algorithms on the companies’ booking websites.

Another bill has been introduced to fight terrorism and force the United Nations to define "international terrorism."

The Define It To Fight would withhold ten percent of United States funding to the United Nations (U.N.) until the intergovernmental organization adopts a definition for "international terrorism." Instead, those funds would be directed to the U.S. Treasury for the purpose of reducing the national debt – which now stands at more than $20 trillion.

The U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1373 on September 28, 2001, which created the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) to become the lead U.N. agent in the war on terror. Since then, the CTC has failed to name a single terrorist, terrorist organization or state-sponsor of terrorism. The three U.S.-identified state sponsors of terror – Iran, Syria and Sudan – have submitted reports to the CTC about their compliance with Resolution 1373. In the absence of any U.N. definition of terrorism, all three states have readily proclaimed that they are engaged in a vigorous campaign to combat terrorism despite clear and irrefutable evidence to the contrary.

The United States is the largest contributor to the U.N., providing about $3.3 billion a year to finance U.N. activities and financing 22 percent of their budget.

Eight patients at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills tragically lost their lives because of a ‘prolonged power failure’ that shut down the facility’s air conditioning system. After the first three patients died, more than 100 others were evacuated to various medical facilities, one of which is just across the street from the nursing home.

John Barrasso (R - WY) believes Senator Bernard Sanders' (I - VT) single-payer health care bill, S. 1804, is not only a government takeover of health care, but would also put financial burdens on the American people. He has requested the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide a full cost estimate of the bill.

In the wake of the Equifax breach, legislation has been introduced to require accountability and transparency for data brokers like Equifax who are collecting and selling personal and sensitive information about consumers. The Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act allows consumers to access and correct their information to help ensure maximum accuracy. The legislation also provides consumers with the right to stop data brokers from using, sharing, or selling their personal information for marketing purposes. The bill additionally requires data brokers to develop comprehensive privacy and data security programs and to provide reasonable notice in the case of breaches. The legislation empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the law and promulgate rules within one year, including rules necessary to establish a centralized website for consumers to view a list of covered data brokers and information regarding consumer rights.

President Trump has rescinded Obama's DACA program, causing much outcry from those who supported it. However, rumors have been abounding lately that Trump is making a deal with the Democrats to keep it. When confronted with the news, Trump said that no deal had been reached, and the only way he would even consider making the deal would be if the Democrats agreed to fully fund the Wall.

More than 30 states – including Arkansas and Connecticut – have established Century or Centennial Farms designations and awards. However, no federal recognition for 100-year-old farms currently exists. The Century Farms Act that has been introduced in the Senate will direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a program honoring and recognizing the invaluable contributions of century-old farms.

Because of reports that Washington Republicans are looking at cuts to Social Security and Medicare as well as place new taxes on retirement savings accounts that would reduce workers’ take home pay in order to pay for massive tax cuts for Wall Street, Senator Sherrod Brown (D - OH) has promised in front of the Senate Finance Committee to put up "One hell of a fight". He was not the only one who warned the White House and Senate and House leaders against funding corporate tax breaks by slapping new taxes on retirement savings for workers.

Their reasoning is that ‘rothification,’ would take away the freedom Americans currently have to choose the retirement savings plan that works best for them. Instead, it would force everyone into a Roth account. Unlike 401ks, IRAs or other retirement savings plans many Americans currently use, Roth savings are taxed up front, reducing workers’ take home pay and making it more expensive for Americans to save for retirement.

Roth plans are also more expensive for employers to offer and would make it harder for small businesses to provide retirement plans for their employees.

Further, the Senators also pointed out that rothification is fiscally irresponsible and would add to the federal deficit.

The Moving and Fostering Innovation to Revolutionize Smarter Transportation or the Moving FIRST Act, a bill that will enhance the transportation systems of American communities through the use of innovative technology, has been introduced in the Senate. This legislation will establish and build on the successes of the 2015 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Cities Challenge administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) by expanding the opportunity for more communities – both urban and rural – to compete for resources that will fund efficient, creative and innovative transportation projects.

The Middle School Technical Education Program (Middle STEP) Act, legislation that would expose middle school students to career and technical education (CTE) programs focused on career exploration, has been introduced in the Senate. The Middle STEP Act would establish a pilot program that allows middle schools to partner with colleges, other postsecondary institutions, and local businesses to develop and implement CTE exploration programs that give students access to apprenticeships or project-based learning opportunities, which are traditionally not available to students until high school or higher education.

The Senate has unanimously passed the Abolish Human Trafficking Act and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017. The measures will strengthen and reauthorize key programs that support survivors of human trafficking and provide important resources to law enforcement agencies in the fight to end modern slavery. The bills will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Freedom of Commerce Act, S. 1779, which would allow consumers to purchase an automatic knife legal in their state, regardless of where it was manufactured in the U.S has been introduced in the Senate.

Enacted in 1958, the Federal Switchblade Act (FSA) leverages the federal government’s power over interstate commerce to prohibit the purchase, sale and trade of automatic knives between any of the 50 states or U.S. territories. Current federal law prohibits the interstate sale and importation of switchblades, curtailing states’ rights to legislate the legality of certain tools within their borders.

This legislation would repeal certain provisions of the FSA and allow domestic manufacturers to ship and sell their products to buyers in other states, as well as permit the importation certain knife parts. Moreover, the bill would not replace or alter any existing state laws regarding switchblades and other automatic knives. Buck Knives, Inc., a knife manufacturer based in Post Falls, Idaho, supports the legislation.

Currently legal in 27 states, automatic knives are defined based on their opening mechanism and are used primarily by professional trades and outdoor recreationalists

The Small Business Health Plans bill, introduced in the Senate, would allow multiple small businesses to pool their employees, across multiple states, for the purpose of purchasing health insurance coverage for their employees in a large group market. By banding groups of small businesses together, it would provide them with greater negotiating power for better prices and greater benefits for their employees.

House Adopts Tonko Amendment to Upgrade Mental Health Crisis Response Systems

Source: House Representative Paul D. Tonko (D-NY, 20th)

Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to adopt an amendment by New York Congressman Paul D. Tonko that would allocate $12.5 million to states to establish real-time bed registries to assist individuals experiencing a psychiatric or substance abuse crisis.

Rep. Paul Tonko: “When a person is going through a mental health or substance use crisis, getting immediate and effective treatment can be a matter of life and death. Today, many states today lack a reliable system for keeping track of which treatment facilities have space available, meaning vulnerable patients are left waiting while overburdened healthcare workers call each area hospital, one by one, in the hope that they can find an appropriate placement. Even at its best, this is an inefficient and time-consuming process. At its worst, the results are tragic. By streamlining the process of finding the appropriate treatment placement for patients in crisis, this program promises to save lives, increase system efficiency, and provide a higher standard of care for those who urgently need it.”

The Strengthening Community Crisis Response Systems grant program was authored by Rep. Tonko and included as part of the 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law by former President Obama.

Bed registries supported by this legislation would collect and provide real-time Internet-based information regarding available beds, the type of patient that may be admitted, the level of security provided, and any other information that may be necessary to allow for the proper identification of appropriate facilities for treatment of individuals in psychiatric or substance abuse crisis.

These systems include psychiatric hospitals, crisis stabilization centers, first responders, emergency health care providers, primary care providers, law enforcement, court systems, health care payers, social service providers, behavioral health providers, and residential community resources.

Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act Passes House, Opposed by Congress Member

Source: House Representative Dina Titus (D-NV, 1st)

Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District released the following statement after the U.S. House passed H.R. 3697, the so-called “Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act.”

The legislation creates new grounds for removal of “gang members,” but the bill’s poorly-written and broad language captures many individuals who have no involvement in any gang activity: members of the religious community, humanitarian workers, and green-card holders, among others. The bill strips away due process rights by allowing law enforcement to take action based on the mere belief of an association with criminal activity. There have been no hearings, no mark-ups, and no opportunities to offer amendments.

“A vote for this bill is a vote to attack, profile and deport immigrants. I stand with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to say that this legislation’s dangerous and sweeping provisions ignore due process rights and change the definition of ‘criminal gang’ to target nuns, ministers, rabbis, humanitarian workers, and others who harbor immigrants who are often fleeing danger. Instead of infringing on constitutional rights and ramming through bills without normal order, Republicans should work with Democrats to debate and pass comprehensive reform bills to fix our nation’s broken immigration system and fight crime.”

Denies Admission to Individuals on the Mere Belief of Wrongdoing.

The bill denies the admission of many categories of immigrants—including persons sponsored for family- and employment-based green cards, as well as certain lawful permanent residents returning from abroad—based on nothing more than an immigration officer having a “reason to believe” of an affiliation to gang or certain other criminal activity.

Under this bill, many immigrants could be denied admission or even deported with little due process based on no real evidence of a gang affiliation. The “reason to believe” standard is a low burden of proof similar to probable cause, and it does not require a conviction or even an arrest. The government need only have grounds to “believe” an affiliation to certain wrongdoing.

Classifies Religious Workers and Humanitarian Aid Workers as Gang Members.

The bill refers to a broad range of criminal activity, including the “harboring” of immigrants under INA § 274. This “harboring” provision is not restricted to those in the business of smuggling immigrants, but includes anyone who provides shelter, transportation, or support to undocumented immigrants. The federal courts have found that “harboring” includes offering a known undocumented individual a place to stay. This statute has been used against religious workers, as well as persons who live with undocumented family members.

As noted above, the bill would not even require a criminal conviction (or even an arrest) in order to support a finding of harboring for purposes of this provision. Instead, the mere belief of involvement in harboring could be used to classify individuals as criminal gang members.

This provision could thus be used against religious or humanitarian workers who provide aid to undocumented immigrants. The bill thus would turn nuns who assist undocumented immigrants into gang members overnight. And it is retroactive, so any non-citizen religious or humanitarian aid worker who has harbored an undocumented immigrant in the past could be detained and deported.

Bill Introduced to Repeal Obamacare’s Individual Mandate

Source: House Representative Pat Tiberi (R-OH, 12th)

Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH), chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, introduced legislation that would repeal Obamacare’s individual health insurance mandate.

“We need to put patients and families, not the federal government, in charge of their own health care,” said Tiberi. “However, the individual mandate is forcing Americans to purchase plans they don’t want, don’t need, and can’t afford to use. This legislation would provide relief to Americans who are trapped in overpriced and unreliable Obamacare plans and eliminate the threat of an unfair fine from the IRS.”

“Obamacare’s individual mandate fundamentally alters the relationship between the government and the governed, severely limiting individual freedom,” said Burgess. “Since its conception, the individual mandate has been a direct attack on our personal liberty. This bill will provide the American people immediate relief from this overstep.”

Click Here to read H.R. 3725.