These are not all of the statements available, just all I had time to compile today.
Senator Robert P.Casey, Jr. - (D - PA)
"While we pray for the victims of this horrific attack and their families, it is not sufficient to just offer thoughts and prayers. The nation’s security continues to be at risk because Congress refuses to take real, meaningful action to curb gun violence. Congress must engage in a robust debate about commonsense ways to keep guns, particularly military-style weapons, out of the wrong hands. Congress should take up and vote on legislation to ban military-style weapons, limit the size and capacity of magazines, which contribute to deadly mass shootings, and put in place universal background checks. If Congress continues to fail its most basic obligation to keep America safe, then these mass shootings will continue to occur.”
Senator Michael F. Bennet - (D - CO)
"Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas was a devastating act of domestic terrorism. As investigations continue into the gunman's motives, we should restart a national conversation about gun violence that does not devolve into partisanship and demagoguery. Although we cannot prevent all evil acts, we can do our part to make them less likely-beginning with meaningful action from Congress to keep the wrong weapons out of the wrong hands. A reasonable first step should be a commonsense universal background check system that already has bipartisan support in the Senate. There is nothing more important than keeping our families and communities safe."
Senator Richard Burr - (R - NC)
“My heart is with the people of Las Vegas and their first responders today. This morning’s tragic violence has absolutely no place here in America. As we wait for a full accounting of events, Brooke and I will be praying for those lost and their families.”
Sendator Benjamin L.Cardin - (D - MD)
“I am heartbroken by the terror in Las Vegas. With the entire country, I am grieving for the senseless loss of life and praying for the victims, their families, and all those who were injured, whether by gunshot or the chaos that ensued. Much thanks also goes to the first responders who saved countless lives by helping those around them and running toward danger instead of away.
“Thoughts and prayers console victims and their families, but actions speak much louder. We must all be outraged at this latest shooting and we must act. Congress must act. States must act. Weapons of war should not be in the hands of civilians. We see the deadly results in Las Vegas just as we saw it in Orlando and Blacksburg, San Bernardino, Aurora, Sandy Hook, the streets of Baltimore, and elsewhere across this great country. We need to do everything in our power to stop the carnage of these shootings.
“How high does the death toll have to get before we enact real bipartisan reforms that will make the American public safer and reduce the risks that come from allowing such easy access to dangerous weapons primarily designed for the battlefield? Assault weapons are not needed to hunt deer or ducks; they are only meant to kill people – and they do far too often in this country. I urge my colleagues to be bold and fight to break the cycle of what can only be described as a callous disregard for the victims of gun violence. More talk and more prayers will not save lives. Only action and real changes in our federal and state laws can.”
Senator Thomas R. Carper - (D - DE)
“This morning, along with millions of people across the country, my heart sunk as I awoke to dreadful news. As innocent people came together in celebration of one of life’s simplest pleasures, the joy of music, their lives were ripped away in an abhorrent act of hate. I’m praying for the victims of this attack and for their loved ones, who are now living in a nightmare. My thoughts are with the people of Las Vegas. I am grateful for the law enforcement officers and first responders who jumped to action to save lives last night, and for the hospital staff who are working to heal the wounded this morning.
“It’s critical that federal, state and local law enforcement officials work together to get to the bottom of this attack. This is yet another brutal reminder that we must be vigilant here at home against threats of terrorism and face the grim reality that our gun safety laws need to be reexamined.
“I will continue to monitor this situation closely as we learn more information.”
Senator Cathrine Cortez Masto - (D - NV)
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and wounded in last night’s vicious and senseless attack outside the Mandalay Bay Resort. I thank the first responders for taking down the gunman and working tirelessly to treat the wounded. I am working with the City of Las Vegas and Clark County to ensure that local officials have the resources they need to support our community and investigate these tragic events.”
Senator Mike Crapo - (R - ID)
"As our nation mourns and remembers the lives lost in Las Vegas, we gather in solidarity to uplift those left to heal and those left to grieve. I commend the selfless actions of first responders and everyday citizens who rushed to save, protect and care for their fellow man. Instances like this heinous crime seek to destroy our sense of security and aim to divide. May we unite in the fight against evil with an ever-vigilant drive toward peace."
Senator Richard J. Durbin - (D - IL)
“Gun violence is a public health crisis. There is no single law or policy that would prevent every tragic shooting, but let’s start working together to do something,” said Durbin. “We can’t stop the shootings that have already happened in Las Vegas, Chicago, Roseburg, Oregon, and across the nation. We failed to respond in time for those victims and their families. But if we work together, we can stop shootings in the future. That is something we should all strive to do. We must do all that we can to spare families the unimaginable pain that so many in Las Vegas are feeling in the aftermath of this horrible tragedy.”
Senator Dianne Feinstein - (D - CA)
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, the deadliest ever. With more than 50 dead and more than 500 wounded—many seriously—it’s clear that families and friends of the victims will need our support and compassion.
“We must not allow ourselves to become numb to these massacres that can snuff out so many lives in such a short time. It should shock every American that one individual, with easy access to weapons and ammunition, can inflict such devastation.
“As we learn more in the days to come, we should all think deeply about the circumstances of this shooting and work together to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
The Unpopular Truth
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Gardner, Markey Introduce Expanded North Korea Policy and Sanctions Legislation
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity, introduced comprehensive bipartisan legislation to economically and diplomatically pressure North Korea and its enablers, and authorize efforts to combat Pyongyang’s widespread human rights and labor trafficking abuses, to support and enhance efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the threat of North Korea’s accelerating development of nuclear weapons and the missiles that deliver them. The legislation titled, the Leverage to Enhance Effective Diplomacy Act of 2017, expands on sanctions legislation introduced earlier this year by Gardner and Markey.
“The Administration has taken positive steps in recent weeks to impose additional sanctions and working with governments to diplomatically isolate this heinous regime.” said Gardner. “Senator Markey and I are going to continue working in a bipartisan manner to give nations and companies a clear choice – do business with the United States or do business with North Korea. This legislation will give the Administration the needed additional tools to peacefully denuclearize the North Korean regime.”
“There is no military solution to the threat of a nuclear North Korea,” said Markey. “While the effort to economically and politically isolate North Korea will be essential for a diplomatic strategy to succeed, we must also recognize that pressure, without diplomatic engagement, will quickly become counterproductive. Our diplomatic strategy must combine economic pressure with talks to convince Kim Jong-un that the United States is not the threat he believes us to be and that he does not require nuclear weapons to survive.”
“The Administration has taken positive steps in recent weeks to impose additional sanctions and working with governments to diplomatically isolate this heinous regime.” said Gardner. “Senator Markey and I are going to continue working in a bipartisan manner to give nations and companies a clear choice – do business with the United States or do business with North Korea. This legislation will give the Administration the needed additional tools to peacefully denuclearize the North Korean regime.”
“There is no military solution to the threat of a nuclear North Korea,” said Markey. “While the effort to economically and politically isolate North Korea will be essential for a diplomatic strategy to succeed, we must also recognize that pressure, without diplomatic engagement, will quickly become counterproductive. Our diplomatic strategy must combine economic pressure with talks to convince Kim Jong-un that the United States is not the threat he believes us to be and that he does not require nuclear weapons to survive.”
Ernst Effort to Cut Former Presidents’ Perks Passes Senate Committee
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2017 passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and now awaits full Senate consideration. This legislation reforms the outdated system that provides former U.S. Presidents with post-presidency benefits by establishing first-ever limits on the taxpayer support they receive.
“Our national debt now exceeds $20 trillion; this bipartisan effort is another important step toward reigning in Washington’s out-of-control spending,” said Senator Ernst. “It is ridiculous to continue asking taxpayers to help foot the bill for former presidents’ perks at a time when they already rake in millions of dollars from book deals, speaking engagements, and more. I look forward to seeing this commonsense legislation considered by the full Senate, and eventually signed into law.”
Currently, under the Former Presidents Act, former presidents receive a generous pension as well as a monetary allowance to cover expenses such as travel, staff, communications, and office space – all funded by taxpayers. Nowadays, with former presidents earning millions of dollars through a myriad of lucrative opportunities, the Former President’s Act should be updated to take into account the modern financial standing of former presidents.
U.S. Congressman Jody Hice (R-GA) introduced the companion legislation to the Presidential Modernization Act of 2017 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on September 13, 2017.
Senator Ernst first introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Presidential Allowance Modernization Act on May 21, 2015. After passing both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives with unanimous support, it was ultimately vetoed by President Obama.
“Our national debt now exceeds $20 trillion; this bipartisan effort is another important step toward reigning in Washington’s out-of-control spending,” said Senator Ernst. “It is ridiculous to continue asking taxpayers to help foot the bill for former presidents’ perks at a time when they already rake in millions of dollars from book deals, speaking engagements, and more. I look forward to seeing this commonsense legislation considered by the full Senate, and eventually signed into law.”
Currently, under the Former Presidents Act, former presidents receive a generous pension as well as a monetary allowance to cover expenses such as travel, staff, communications, and office space – all funded by taxpayers. Nowadays, with former presidents earning millions of dollars through a myriad of lucrative opportunities, the Former President’s Act should be updated to take into account the modern financial standing of former presidents.
U.S. Congressman Jody Hice (R-GA) introduced the companion legislation to the Presidential Modernization Act of 2017 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on September 13, 2017.
Senator Ernst first introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Presidential Allowance Modernization Act on May 21, 2015. After passing both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives with unanimous support, it was ultimately vetoed by President Obama.
New Duckworth-Schneider STRANDED Act Would Help Communities with Stranded Nuclear Waste
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the Sensible, Timely Relief for America’s Nuclear Districts’ Economic Development (STRANDED) Act to help communities struggling with the impacts of stranded nuclear waste. Their bicameral legislation would create grants to incentivize economic development and provide federal assistance to offset the economic impacts of stranded nuclear waste for the dozens of communities that are affected across the country – and the dozens more that will be stranded over the coming years. Specifically, the legislation would provide 15 dollars for each kilogram of nuclear waste, revive an expired tax credit for first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in a community with stranded waste and include stranded nuclear waste communities to the existing New Markets credit eligibility.
Duckworth and Schneider announced their new legislation this weekend in Zion, Illinois, where a decommissioned nuclear power station has housed more than 1,020 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel on valuable lakefront property since the plant’s closure in 1998. A photo taken at the announcement is available here.
“For years communities have been forced to house this waste without consent or compensation, despite the immeasurable negative impact to their local economies,” Duckworth said. “Since the federal government has failed to open a permanent repository and it could take years to move the waste after one is agreed upon, the STRANDED Act will help affected areas around the country that are facing hardship now. Communities like Zion can’t wait any longer.”
“Zion and communities like it have been unfairly saddled with storing our nation’s stranded nuclear waste – forced to shoulder the burdens of storage with no compensation in return,” Schneider said. “The federal government needs to make right by these communities. This bill I’m introducing with Sen. Duckworth would bolster Zion’s economic development by finally compensating the city for its storage of the waste, offering tax incentives to encourage private investment and homeownership, and better ensuring access to all available federal resources. Addressing this issue is a matter of basic fairness for the communities paying the price for our government’s failure to find a permanent solution for spent nuclear fuel.”
In addition to encouraging economic development and providing financial support, the STRANDED Act would establish a task force to identify the programs that currently exist for communities with stranded nuclear waste, simplifying the process and making it easier for communities applying for government assistance. The bill would also help identify a long-term solution for nuclear waste by directing the Department of Energy to examine other options for hosting decommissioned nuclear waste and to determine if secure sites that house decommissioned nuclear waste can be used for other purposes like hosting secure servers as well.
Duckworth’s post on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources gives her jurisdiction over nuclear energy, and she is committed to using that post to improve areas with stranded nuclear waste.
Duckworth and Schneider announced their new legislation this weekend in Zion, Illinois, where a decommissioned nuclear power station has housed more than 1,020 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel on valuable lakefront property since the plant’s closure in 1998. A photo taken at the announcement is available here.
“For years communities have been forced to house this waste without consent or compensation, despite the immeasurable negative impact to their local economies,” Duckworth said. “Since the federal government has failed to open a permanent repository and it could take years to move the waste after one is agreed upon, the STRANDED Act will help affected areas around the country that are facing hardship now. Communities like Zion can’t wait any longer.”
“Zion and communities like it have been unfairly saddled with storing our nation’s stranded nuclear waste – forced to shoulder the burdens of storage with no compensation in return,” Schneider said. “The federal government needs to make right by these communities. This bill I’m introducing with Sen. Duckworth would bolster Zion’s economic development by finally compensating the city for its storage of the waste, offering tax incentives to encourage private investment and homeownership, and better ensuring access to all available federal resources. Addressing this issue is a matter of basic fairness for the communities paying the price for our government’s failure to find a permanent solution for spent nuclear fuel.”
In addition to encouraging economic development and providing financial support, the STRANDED Act would establish a task force to identify the programs that currently exist for communities with stranded nuclear waste, simplifying the process and making it easier for communities applying for government assistance. The bill would also help identify a long-term solution for nuclear waste by directing the Department of Energy to examine other options for hosting decommissioned nuclear waste and to determine if secure sites that house decommissioned nuclear waste can be used for other purposes like hosting secure servers as well.
Duckworth’s post on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources gives her jurisdiction over nuclear energy, and she is committed to using that post to improve areas with stranded nuclear waste.
Cotton Statement on the Expulsion of Cuban Diplomats from U.S. Soil
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) has released the following statement on the expulsion of Cuban diplomats from U.S. soil:
"I encouraged the president to expel Cuban diplomats from U.S. soil, and I'm glad that he did. The Castro regime has shown no respect or concern for the safety of our diplomats, and until the regime brings those responsible for these attacks to justice, every one of those Cuban diplomats should be declared persona non grata. It's time we held the Castro regime responsible for its crimes against both the Cuban and the American people."
"I encouraged the president to expel Cuban diplomats from U.S. soil, and I'm glad that he did. The Castro regime has shown no respect or concern for the safety of our diplomats, and until the regime brings those responsible for these attacks to justice, every one of those Cuban diplomats should be declared persona non grata. It's time we held the Castro regime responsible for its crimes against both the Cuban and the American people."
Budget Committee Begins Work to Advance Tax Reform
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On the Senate floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the Senate Budget Committee’s mark-up of the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2018 which will lay the foundation for tax reform. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video of his remarks can be found here.
“Beginning today, the Senate Budget Committee will take the next step in our effort to enact pro-growth tax reform, this time by marking up a budget resolution. The Committee's work follows the release last week of our unified framework, the tax blueprint on how to create jobs and how to put more money back in the pockets of the hardworking Americans that earn it.”
“The best way to accomplish meaningful tax reform is to lower rates and simplify provisions across the board to give Americans more take-home pay and have to spend less time hiring somebody just to complete their tax return. We can't simply throw up our hands and do nothing and accept the status quo because American workers and job creators can't afford the status quo. I'm optimistic… about the framework and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Finance Committee in the days and weeks ahead.”
“Beginning today, the Senate Budget Committee will take the next step in our effort to enact pro-growth tax reform, this time by marking up a budget resolution. The Committee's work follows the release last week of our unified framework, the tax blueprint on how to create jobs and how to put more money back in the pockets of the hardworking Americans that earn it.”
“The best way to accomplish meaningful tax reform is to lower rates and simplify provisions across the board to give Americans more take-home pay and have to spend less time hiring somebody just to complete their tax return. We can't simply throw up our hands and do nothing and accept the status quo because American workers and job creators can't afford the status quo. I'm optimistic… about the framework and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Finance Committee in the days and weeks ahead.”
Cornyn: Democrats Attacking Tax Reform Ideas They Once Supported
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On the Senate floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) noted Democrats’ hypocrisy when discussing tax reform efforts, highlighting their previous support for elements in the Big Six framework which they are now criticizing. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video of his remarks can be found here.
“You'd think, given their effusive support for tax reform in the past, our Democratic friends would at least wait to review the legislation before they pounce on it.”
“They are already piling on, and spreading misinformation, and assuming the worst because that's the easy and politically expedient thing to do.”
“What's most striking is that the new framework, unveiled by the so-called ‘Big Six,’ shares many of the core features of previous plans that were widely embraced by Democrats.”
“These changes to our tax code used to be noncontroversial, certainly not partisan. So the Big Six plan isn't just similar to the Wyden one, though. It also shares key features with the so-called ‘Simpson-Bowles’ plan from 2010 that not long ago was embraced by a number of Democrats.”
“Our Democratic colleagues used to think these reforms were long overdue, and they were right then, and they are wrong now.”
“Our colleagues from Ohio, Minnesota, and Missouri have all said in recent years that we should lower the corporate tax rate, not because we love corporations, but because we recognize that that provides incentives for them to stay here and invest in jobs and businesses in America, rather than overseas.”
“There is nothing partisan about wanting an updated and more competitive tax code.”
“You'd think, given their effusive support for tax reform in the past, our Democratic friends would at least wait to review the legislation before they pounce on it.”
“They are already piling on, and spreading misinformation, and assuming the worst because that's the easy and politically expedient thing to do.”
“What's most striking is that the new framework, unveiled by the so-called ‘Big Six,’ shares many of the core features of previous plans that were widely embraced by Democrats.”
“These changes to our tax code used to be noncontroversial, certainly not partisan. So the Big Six plan isn't just similar to the Wyden one, though. It also shares key features with the so-called ‘Simpson-Bowles’ plan from 2010 that not long ago was embraced by a number of Democrats.”
“Our Democratic colleagues used to think these reforms were long overdue, and they were right then, and they are wrong now.”
“Our colleagues from Ohio, Minnesota, and Missouri have all said in recent years that we should lower the corporate tax rate, not because we love corporations, but because we recognize that that provides incentives for them to stay here and invest in jobs and businesses in America, rather than overseas.”
“There is nothing partisan about wanting an updated and more competitive tax code.”
Bill to Protect Children from Online Predators Passes House
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The PROTECT Our Children Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation, which passed the Senate in June, reauthorizes the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies that combat child exploitation across the country. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) were original cosponsors of the legislation.
“As Attorney General of Texas, I saw firsthand how children can be exploited over the internet and what resources are needed to stop these despicable predators. Preventing cyber-crimes like online child exploitation is an increasingly tough task, which is why the ICAC Task Force Program and the support it gives to our law enforcement agencies to combat this heinous crime is invaluable,” Sen. Cornyn said. “I’m proud to see my colleagues in both Chambers recognize the importance of reauthorizing this program, and I will work to see that the Senate clears this legislation for the President’s signature.”
The PROTECT Our Children Act, originally passed in 2008, authorized the ICAC Task Force Program, a coordinated group of task forces representing 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies engaged in reactive and proactive investigations across the country. This legislation built upon work Senator Cornyn began as Texas Attorney General, when he created the Texas Internet Bureau to fight internet crimes like child pornography.
The ICAC Task Force Program helps local and state law enforcement respond to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children, and offers guidance on victim support, forensic investigative components, training and technical assistance, and prevention and community education.
Earlier this year, Senator Cornyn met with local leaders and law enforcement officers working with two of the three ICACs in Texas, the Dallas ICAC Task Force and the Houston Metro ICAC Task Force, to discuss their successes and challenges to preventing online exploitation of children in the state.
Organizations who support the PROTECT Our Children Act include the National Association to Protect Children (PROTECT), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the National Children’s Alliance, Rights4Girls, Shared Hope, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the National Sheriffs Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Criminal Justice Association, and the Major City Chiefs Police Association.
“As Attorney General of Texas, I saw firsthand how children can be exploited over the internet and what resources are needed to stop these despicable predators. Preventing cyber-crimes like online child exploitation is an increasingly tough task, which is why the ICAC Task Force Program and the support it gives to our law enforcement agencies to combat this heinous crime is invaluable,” Sen. Cornyn said. “I’m proud to see my colleagues in both Chambers recognize the importance of reauthorizing this program, and I will work to see that the Senate clears this legislation for the President’s signature.”
The PROTECT Our Children Act, originally passed in 2008, authorized the ICAC Task Force Program, a coordinated group of task forces representing 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies engaged in reactive and proactive investigations across the country. This legislation built upon work Senator Cornyn began as Texas Attorney General, when he created the Texas Internet Bureau to fight internet crimes like child pornography.
The ICAC Task Force Program helps local and state law enforcement respond to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children, and offers guidance on victim support, forensic investigative components, training and technical assistance, and prevention and community education.
Earlier this year, Senator Cornyn met with local leaders and law enforcement officers working with two of the three ICACs in Texas, the Dallas ICAC Task Force and the Houston Metro ICAC Task Force, to discuss their successes and challenges to preventing online exploitation of children in the state.
Organizations who support the PROTECT Our Children Act include the National Association to Protect Children (PROTECT), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the National Children’s Alliance, Rights4Girls, Shared Hope, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the National Sheriffs Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Criminal Justice Association, and the Major City Chiefs Police Association.
Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act Passes Senate, Heads to President's Desk
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after his bipartisan legislation to protect seniors from neglect and financial exploitation passed Congress. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act, which he introduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), will help crack down on elder abuse by strengthening oversight and accountability for guardians and conservators.
“Our nation’s senior citizens regretfully are targets for exploitation and fraud, sadly sometimes at the hands of those they trust the most,” said Cornyn. “I’m glad the House passed this bipartisan legislation to strengthen accountability measures for guardians so our senior citizens are protected and this type of abuse can be prevented.”
Sen. Cornyn’s bipartisan legislation passed as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act makes courts eligible for an already existing program designed to protect seniors. Under the program, state courts would be able to apply for funding to assess the handling of proceedings relating to guardians and conservators, and then make the necessary improvements to their practices. For example, the courts could conduct background checks on potential guardians and conservators, or implement an electronic filing system to better monitor and audit conservatorships and guardianships.
“Our nation’s senior citizens regretfully are targets for exploitation and fraud, sadly sometimes at the hands of those they trust the most,” said Cornyn. “I’m glad the House passed this bipartisan legislation to strengthen accountability measures for guardians so our senior citizens are protected and this type of abuse can be prevented.”
Sen. Cornyn’s bipartisan legislation passed as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act makes courts eligible for an already existing program designed to protect seniors. Under the program, state courts would be able to apply for funding to assess the handling of proceedings relating to guardians and conservators, and then make the necessary improvements to their practices. For example, the courts could conduct background checks on potential guardians and conservators, or implement an electronic filing system to better monitor and audit conservatorships and guardianships.
CAPITO, MANCHIN, MCKINLEY, WELCH INTRODUCE AMERICAN MINERS PENSION ACT
Washington, D.C. - October 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and U.S. Representatives David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have introduced the American Miners Pension Act (AMP Act) at a press conference with United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts and retired miners explaining the importance of this legislation and urging quick adoption.
“Earlier this year, we secured a major victory of permanent health care for our miners and their families. But that victory was only half the battle. Today, we took the next step by introducing the AMP Act, which will ensure these hardworking men and women receive the pensions they rightfully earned. I am always proud to stand with our miners through thick and thin—especially our West Virginia miners—and I will continue to stand with them today as we work to deliver the peace of mind they deserve,” Senator Capito said.
“We have come together today to deliver on an unfinished promise. Earlier this year, we passed legislation to ensure the health benefits of 22,600 miners,” Senator Manchin said. “These benefits are lifesaving to our nation’s miners and their families and I was proud to fight successfully, shoulder to shoulder with them, to secure their health care. But our job isn’t finished. The bill we will introduce today, the American Miners Pension Act, protects the pensions of nearly 87,000 current beneficiaries and another 20,000 eligible coal miners with vested pensions. These miners earned their pensions through a lifetime of the hardest work imaginable. They did so resting in the knowledge that they would find it waiting for them down the road for support in their retired years. Let’s finish what we started and pass this fix to ensure our coal miners keep their hard-earned pensions.”
“Congress needs to keep the promise made to our miners and protect the pension benefits these men and women earned with their sweat. More than 117,000 miners and their families are counting on us. Now that we’ve addressed the immediate threat to retirees’ health care, we need to finish what we started and fix their troubled pension. Our retirees deserve peace of mind that the benefits they earned during their years in the mines will be there when they need them,” Congressman McKinley said.
“For generations, coal miners have risked their lives to keep homes warm, lights on, and factories powered,” Congressman Welch said. “We have a moral obligation to ensure that their hard earned pensions are there when they retire.”
Currently, the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan is on the road to insolvency. The American Miners Pension Act will shore up the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan to make sure that nearly 87,000 retired miners receiving pensions, as well as another 20,000 who are vested, won’t lose the pensions they have paid into for decades. In West Virginia alone, there are 26,967 pensioners who are at risk. The AMP Act would:
Use the provision from the Miners Protection Act to allow transfers of excess funds in the Abandoned Mine Land program to the 1974 UMWA pension plan.
Direct the Treasury Department to loan the Pension Plan funds annually.
Cap the annual loan amount at $600 million and set the interest rate at 1 percent.
Require the fund to pay interest for the first 10 years and then pay back the principal plus interest over a 30-year term.
Require the fund to certify each year that the pension plan is solvent and able to pay back the principal and interest.
“Earlier this year, we secured a major victory of permanent health care for our miners and their families. But that victory was only half the battle. Today, we took the next step by introducing the AMP Act, which will ensure these hardworking men and women receive the pensions they rightfully earned. I am always proud to stand with our miners through thick and thin—especially our West Virginia miners—and I will continue to stand with them today as we work to deliver the peace of mind they deserve,” Senator Capito said.
“We have come together today to deliver on an unfinished promise. Earlier this year, we passed legislation to ensure the health benefits of 22,600 miners,” Senator Manchin said. “These benefits are lifesaving to our nation’s miners and their families and I was proud to fight successfully, shoulder to shoulder with them, to secure their health care. But our job isn’t finished. The bill we will introduce today, the American Miners Pension Act, protects the pensions of nearly 87,000 current beneficiaries and another 20,000 eligible coal miners with vested pensions. These miners earned their pensions through a lifetime of the hardest work imaginable. They did so resting in the knowledge that they would find it waiting for them down the road for support in their retired years. Let’s finish what we started and pass this fix to ensure our coal miners keep their hard-earned pensions.”
“Congress needs to keep the promise made to our miners and protect the pension benefits these men and women earned with their sweat. More than 117,000 miners and their families are counting on us. Now that we’ve addressed the immediate threat to retirees’ health care, we need to finish what we started and fix their troubled pension. Our retirees deserve peace of mind that the benefits they earned during their years in the mines will be there when they need them,” Congressman McKinley said.
“For generations, coal miners have risked their lives to keep homes warm, lights on, and factories powered,” Congressman Welch said. “We have a moral obligation to ensure that their hard earned pensions are there when they retire.”
Currently, the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan is on the road to insolvency. The American Miners Pension Act will shore up the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan to make sure that nearly 87,000 retired miners receiving pensions, as well as another 20,000 who are vested, won’t lose the pensions they have paid into for decades. In West Virginia alone, there are 26,967 pensioners who are at risk. The AMP Act would:
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