AGUILAR INTRODUCES BILL TO MONITOR PRIVATE JET TRAVEL BY

Source: House Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA, 31st)

This week, Rep. Pete Aguilar introduced H.R. 3974, the Justifiable and Efficient Transportation Substitutes (JETS) Act.  This bill prohibits most cabinet officials from using taxpayer money for official travel on private planes until a system is developed to provide the necessary oversight and accountability for private air travel. The bill also includes a public disclosure provision, allowing the American public to track exactly how their tax dollars are being spent. The bill was introduced in the wake of revelations that Trump Administration officials have been regularly misusing taxpayer money to charter private flights, including for nonofficial business.

“To think that a cabinet official would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on private jets, and then stick taxpayers with the bill, is appalling,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “This bill is about demanding accountability from this administration. The president’s cabinet has made it clear that they intend to travel around the country by private jet, and we need a system that provides a check on this kind of reckless spending.”

The JETS Act establishes a moratorium on the use of taxpayer funds for private jet travel by cabinet officials until the president issues guidelines for the use of private jets. The bill provides exclusions for national security officials such as the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence.

Statements on Immigration Legislation: Priorities and Principles

Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke

"When crafting the Administration's immigration principles, the President asked us to focus on measures that will assist the Department of Homeland Security’s law enforcement personnel with what they need to enforce our immigration laws, secure our border, and protect American communities across this country.

"DHS frontline personnel identified many of the principles outlined today, including closing loopholes in our ability to enforce immigration laws and eliminating the magnets for illegal immigration.  I look forward to working with Congress on legislation that will enact many of these common sense and necessary reforms that will inevitably better secure our nation.”

House Representative Nanette Barragan (D-CA, 44th)

“These principles are a slap in the face to Dreamers everywhere who hoped Trump would stop treating them like bargaining chips.

Dreamers need the Dream Act, not another useless round of talk about a border wall, which would be ineffective and wasteful. Time is running out to find a solution for nearly 800,000 young men and women who came here as children. We should be looking for bipartisan areas of agreement. Instead, we got a  cruel wish list of repressive and anti-immigrant measures. 

My colleagues and I will not stop fighting for the Dream Act. Now the real fight begins.”

House Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th)

“President Trump released a list of immigration principles that include building a border wall, hiring additional ICE officers, discouraging Sanctuary cities from their unconstitutional practices, and eliminating incentives for illegal immigrants who break the law to come here. I am confident that, if enacted by Congress, these actions would secure our open borders and reduce incentives for illegal immigrants to remain in or enter the United States. We are a nation of laws, and those laws must be enforced to defend our national security and protect the sanctity of our statutes. President Trump committed to enforcing these laws if he were to become President, and he is following through with his words and oath of office.

“For too long, Congress has talked about border security to remain in office, but Members have reneged on their promises once back in Washington, D.C. The American people are tired of these flip flops, and we must give them the results they deserve – before any other reforms are enacted.

“One of the major hindrances to accomplishing these goals is the Senate’s 60-vote rule, which allows a minority of Senators to directly block these vital issues of national security from even coming to the floor. I pray that the Senate does the right thing for the good of the nation and removes the 60-vote rule to allow these policies to receive up-or-down votes.”

Governor Abbott Statement On Texas Tech Shooting

Source: Texas Governor Gregg Abbott

Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement on the shooting that occurred at Texas Tech University:
 
“First and foremost, our hearts go out to the family of the police officer killed at Texas Tech University. I have spoken to Chancellor Robert Duncan to offer my condolences, and I have mobilized the Texas Department of Public Safety to offer any assistance to the Lubbock Police Department. As the Texas Tech campus deals with this heartbreaking tragedy, Cecilia and I pray for the continued safety of the students and the entire community."

Right-to-Life Groups Across the Country Call for Opposition to Pain-Capable Legislation

Source: Personhood Alliance

Minneapolis, MN - October 12, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- On October 3, 2017, the House passed the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) with several serious flaws. Two of these flaws, say multiple right-to-life leaders, are detrimental to the common goal shared among the diverse factions of the pro-life movement--to protect and defend all human life, from conception to natural death.

"As a person concerned with defending human rights," explains Daniel Becker, president of Personhood Alliance, "I want to let my fellow pro-lifers know that it's okay to oppose laws Republicans put forth and national organizations support, when those laws go against our shared goal as a movement. You're NOT 'not pro-life' for speaking up. In fact, by opposing this flawed legislation, you're upholding the values that we all fight for every day."

The first flaw, notes Christopher Kurka, executive director of Alaska Right to Life, is the lack of standard language that prevents activist judges from using the law to create a right to abortion. "A simple clause," says Kurka, "stating that 'no right to abortion shall be established in this law' is completely missing. Combine that with language that specifically carves out exceptions to the 20-week rule and explicitly permits all abortions before 20 weeks, denying those younger babies personhood, and we've just set ourselves up for SCOTUS to keep Roe intact indefinitely."

Molly Smith, president of Cleveland Right to Life and board member of Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio, agrees: "Whenever you have a piece of legislation that says 'if you do this and this and this, then you can go ahead and abort the child' it must be recognized for what it is—a bill that further enshrines abortion into law."

Gualberto Garcia Jones, national policy director for Personhood Alliance, explains further. "Forget about how the Supreme Court would analyze this bill, because it will never get past the Senate. Then the pro-life movement will be left with another failed show bill, and a poor one at that. We've already set a dangerously low bar for House GOP members by allowing them to proclaim how pro-life they are, all the while knowing this bill's fate. Now, we do a disservice to our pro-life base by pretending that the Senate, who couldn't even reallocate taxpayer funds away from Planned Parenthood, is going to end abortion after 20 weeks. Instead," says Jones, "We should focus on a real, winning strategy, which is to hold our legislators to a higher standard and replace those that fail to meet it. But sadly, much of the pro-life movement has, once again, lowered its standards in order to have a seat at the table with legislators that are pro-life in name only."

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Patrick Johnston, president of the Association of Pro-Life Physicians explains the second flaw: Exceptions for children conceived in rape and incest. "To permit the killing of some children is to abandon our moral high ground and God's blessing. Our congressmen and women must protect all those they are duty- and constitutionally-bound to protect." Rebecca Kiessling, president of Save the 1 and conceived in rape herself, adds: "My people group feels the pain of discrimination every time so-called pro-life laws exclude us from protection. What's more, women who experience the horrific violation of rape deserve better than a law that promotes a second act of violence as a solution."

Similarly, permitting abortion for children conceived in incest is particularly harmful, as abortion is often used to hide evidence of the crime and give the perpetrator continued access to the victim. "Several studies have shown that abortion is rarely voluntary for incest victims," says Kiessling. "Like the assault itself, abortion is often forced or coerced, which contributes to the victimization. When abortion providers look the other way, and when we explicitly permit this in our laws, we aid and abet this injustice."

Ricardo Davis, African-American pro-life activist and president of Georgia Right to Life, reflects: "A strength of the early Civil Rights movement was its commitment to apply a biblical view of personhood to the plight of Black citizens dehumanized by slavery and faced with daily threats to their lives. Today, we cannot say that HR36 is 'just' when it dehumanizes the majority of preborn children killed by abortion."

"With Republicans in control of the House, Senate, and Oval Office, pro-lifers need to ask themselves some serious questions right now," says Matt Sande, legislative director at Pro-Life Wisconsin. "Why aren't we using this opportunity to put forth legislation that upholds our shared goal? And why are we allowing this current legislation to give cover to our politicians who continue to receive '100% pro-life' ratings while directly undermining our efforts?"

These are questions that leaders across the country are rising up to ask right now. Pro-lifers are encouraged to join them by calling upon their Republican representatives and national pro-life organizations to work toward ending legalized abortion without compromising the foundational principles on which the pro-life movement stands.

Sign our petition calling for Equal Protection.

AG Reverses Policy on Gender-Identity Rights

Source: Liberty Counsel

Washington, D.C. - October 12, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a new memorandum stating that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans gender discrimination, but does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, in the workplace.

Title VII specifically bars employers from discriminating against employees based on sex, race, color, national origin and religion. The Attorney General officially withdrew a 2014 Obama-era policy protecting so-called "transgender" employees from discrimination under Title VII. The Attorney General stated that the Department of Justice will no longer interpret Title VII to mean that the law's protections extend to discrimination based on gender identity. Sessions said the change will apply to "all pending and future matters" relating to "transgender" workers, which means that it could have an immediate impact on open discrimination cases.

Sessions wrote in the memo: "Title VII expressly prohibits discrimination 'because of…sex'…and several other protected traits, but it does not refer to gender identity. "Sex is ordinarily defined to mean biologically male or female. Congress has confirmed this ordinary meaning by expressly prohibiting, in several other statutes, 'gender identity' discrimination, which Congress lists in addition to, rather than within, prohibitions on discrimination based on 'sex' or 'gender.' Accordingly, Title VII's prohibition on sex discrimination encompasses discrimination between men and women but does not encompass discrimination based on gender identity per se, including transgender status. Therefore, as of the date of this memorandum, which hereby withdraws the December 15, 2014, memorandum, the Department of Justice will take that position in all pending and future matters…"

"Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has never included sexual orientation or gender identity," said Mat Staver (photo), Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "We commend Attorney General Jeff Sessions for ending the Obama-era policy that purported to allow Title VII to be interpreted to include so-called "transgender" employee rights," said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

RNC Statement on Pelosi's Shutdown Threat

Washington, D.C. - October 11, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement in response to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s threat to shut down the government:

"Pelosi and her Democrat colleagues’ shutdown threats show they care more about appeasing their rabid far-left base than protecting our borders and fighting for American workers," said Chairwoman McDaniel. "The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s plan to put American workers first while securing our borders and Democrats should stop obstructing on issues that have broad support from the American people. The president is offering common sense solutions to fix our broken immigration system and it’s time for Democrats to end their blindly-partisan opposition."

Statements on the EPA’s Proposed Rule to Withdraw from the Obama Clean Power Plan

Source: Republican National Committee (RNC)

Below are statements on on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to sign a proposed rule withdrawing from the Obama Clean Power Plan:

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel

"I applaud the EPA’s proposal to rescind the Obama Clean Power Plan," said Chairwoman McDaniel. "This plan was nothing but a power grab by the EPA to impose more regulations that would ultimately devastate America’s electricity industry, raise prices on consumers, and wreak havoc on our economy. This is a positive first step towards restoring the EPA to its’ traditional scope of authority while returning decision-making power back to the states."

U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu

“We are disappointed in the Administration’s decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan and would urge them to rethink their position. The Clean Power Plan would have set the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants, which are the largest single source and are responsible for approximately 40 percent of the carbon pollution in the United States. The Clean Power Plan would have also encouraged the development of cleaner, safer energy, creating jobs and spurring economic growth.”

“We acknowledge the detrimental impact that climate change already has, and will continue to have on our communities and our planet. Mayors will continue to lead the way and we will work with the private sector to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in order to remain economically competitive and energy independent.”

“Despite this setback and just like we did when the Administration pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, the nation’s mayors will continue to stand for what’s right. We will redouble our efforts and broaden our partnerships with the business community to fill the leadership void as we work to effectively mitigate the impact of climate change and reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

House Representative Nanette Barragan (D-CA, 44th)

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro) issued the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt took steps today to repeal the Clean Power Plan:

"Scott Pruitt's decision to undo the Clean Power Plan is a step backward for public health and the environment.

By rolling back these regulations, the administration will ensure our air is more polluted and greenhouse gases continue to pile up in the atmosphere. America’s future needs to be clean, renewable energy and the jobs those new technologies are creating.

We count on the EPA to protect our air and water. Administrator Pruitt appears more interested in doing the bidding of the fossil fuel industry than in upholding the mission of the agency he swore to lead. Pruitt’s decision is regressive and will disproportionately hurt low-income and communities of color. Vulnerable communities, including those in my district, tend to breath the unhealthiest air and bear the brunt of the worst effects of climate change.

Simply put, Scott Pruitt's misguided actions threaten the health of American families.”

House Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12th)

“The White House’s short-sighted, dangerous decision to dismantle the Clean Power Plan is a direct assault on the health of our nation’s children. Yet again, the Trump Administration is showing its disregard for the health and security of the American people, and is demonstrating its failure of leadership to combat the surging storms, devastating wildfires and other catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis.

“From the start, this Administration has furiously fought to roll back all climate protections, without any concern for the impact on the jobs and health of hard-working Americans. From pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord to pushing an EPA budget purpose-built to gut protections for the American people to openly denying the scientific reality of the climate crisis, the White House has made clear its complete disinterest in advancing a healthier, stronger clean energy economy that creates the good-paying jobs of the future.

“The Trump Administration and this Congress have a sacred obligation to preserve the beauty of God’s creation for future generations. Democrats will continue to fight for real, bold action to safeguard the future of our climate and children.”

Read more about this:

Coal industry supporters celebrate EPA repeal of Clean Power Plan

Public Advocate, Other Ministries Attacked By Southern Poverty Law Center AGAIN

Source: Public Advocate

Washington, D.C. - October 11, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Public Advocate president Eugene Delgaudio said "The Southern Poverty Law Center is filled with scummy low life practioners of the art of slander and backstabbing falsehoods that seeks to drive Christianity and moral values from the public debate in America.

The SPLC is the destructive arm of the Homosexual Lobby and will fail in their attempts to promote wreckless acts, potential murder attempts on me and other Christians and they will also fail with their other wrongful libels and hysterical mistruths about our peaceful programs."

And yet another group was attacked at the same time:

"Leftist Agenda Attacks Christian Ministry's Online Donations"

- Secularists have used several tactics to attack Christian bakeries, filmmakers, and more. Now they have a universal weapon against Christian businesses: online payment providers. Most recently, biblical worldview ministry American Vision, Inc. reports being targeted.

This week American Vision's (www.AmericanVision.org) president, Dr. Joel McDurmon, reported "a major online payment service, Stripe Payments, refuses to allow American Vision to use its services for donations due to an alleged violation of its Terms of Service. This constitutes a major setback to our recurring donations and future finances."

McDurmon continues: "This is now the FIFTH major company or service to terminate with us for the same reason. It began with Amazon Smile, which rejected us from its charitable services program because American Vision is listed on the Southern Poverty Law Center's ridiculous and notoriously biased 'hate group' list which is used to target conservative Christian organizations who dare to stand up for truth, liberty, and justice."

Then PayPal followed.

The most recent attacks came after CNN promoted the SPLC's list, which includes American Vision. Almost coincidentally, Apple Pay refused service. Briefly afterward, Stripe refused as well. Then Facebook removed their store which is powered by Stripe.

Each of the services' letters of notice allege only a vague, unspecified infraction. When asked for explanation, all communication stops. Were the infractions legitimate, the only way a client could fix them would be if they were specified. The refusal to communicate suggests there are ulterior motives.

McDurmon states, "THEY WANT TO SHUT US DOWN BY REFUSING PAYMENT SERVICES TO US. They control the pipeline, and they wish to cut off our supply of funds."

"The supply of funds is of course the lifeline for any ministry. What they've done to American Vision they could do to any ministry they disagree with. Is there any recourse? "says McDurmon.

Save-A-Suit and Raytheon Partner to Gift Suits to Veterans Nationwide

Source: Sav-A-Suit

Many military veterans face barriers when transitioning to civilian life. In particular, finding a civilian career after they finish their service can be a challenge. Looking the part and dressing professionally is essential to feeling confident in any job interview. Studies have shown making a good first impression depends a lot on appearance. After wearing the same military uniform for several years, veterans need assistance with looking the part so that they may interview with confidence.

Save-A-Suit, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Bethel, CT, has made it their mission to give men and women veterans the resources they need to succeed in the workforce by outfitting them with professional business clothing. The charity was founded by Air Force veteran, Scott Sokolowski in 2010.

Despite serving over 3,000 people since 2011, the charity receives thousands of new requests from veterans across the country.

Save-A-Suit has partnered with Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems Business, a major U.S. defense contractor, to launch their "Ship-A-Suit" program to serve the needs of veterans nationwide. Raytheon recently awarded the organization a $10,000 grant to support the program. "We receive so many requests, but the lack of funds make it a challenge to serve all the veterans who need our services," says Jessica Ewud, Executive Director and Founding Partner of Save-A-Suit. "Shipping suits is costly and the generous gift from Raytheon will help us get on the right track to fulfilling these requests in a timely a manner."

The suits will also ship with key interview and resume building tips from Raytheon. "When veterans complete their military service, we want to help provide the confidence they need to obtain valuable careers. The work Save-A-Suit is doing in the community supports that mission and we are excited to be part of it," says Samantha Sullivan, head of Community Relations at Raytheon.

Save-A-Suit hosts events quarterly as well as ships suits to veterans nationally. The charity is looking for additional support for their national shipping program. This includes companies who are interested in donating funding or hosting suit drives. Interested corporations or individuals can visit their website www.saveasuit.org.

FRC: President Trump to Address 12th Annual Values Voter Summit

Source: Family Research Council

Washington, D.C. - October 11, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On Friday, October 13, President Donald Trump will address the 12th annual Values Voter Summit taking place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. President Trump will be the first sitting president to address the Values Voter Summit. This will be Donald Trump's third trip to the Summit, including last year when he attended VVS as the Republican presidential nominee.

"Values voters have waited eight years for a leader who puts America's mission first and respects the values that made America into a great nation," said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

"Values voters are coming to our nation's capital thankful to hear from a president who is fulfilling the promises that he campaigned on. Since the early days of the campaign, President Trump allied himself with values voters, promising to put an end to the 8 years of relentless assault on the First Amendment," added Perkins.

"President Trump's executive order on religious liberty and the follow up actions last week by HHS and DOJ, demonstrate that he is committed to undoing the anti-faith policies of the previous administration and restoring true religious freedom," concluded Perkins.

Thousands of grassroots activists from around the country will gather in the nation's capital to hear from President Trump and other confirmed speakers which include House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), RSC Chairman Mark Walker (R-N.C.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Dr. Bill Bennett, Laura Ingraham, Dana Loesch, "Duck Dynasty's" Phil Robertson, Todd Starnes, Steve Bannon, Judge Roy Moore, Sebastian Gorka, Lt. Col. Oliver North, and more.

FRC Action's Values Voter Summit is co-sponsored by AFA Action, American Values, Christian Healthcare Ministries, Association of Mature American Citizens, The D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship, The Heritage Foundation, United in Purpose, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Family Research Council. An exhibit hall, book signings, radio row, media row, and much more will be packed into this three-day conference.

For a schedule and more information on this year's Values Voter Summit, please click HERE