Whistleblower Protections Passed in the House

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 passed the House by a bipartisan vote. The legislation is named after former Veterans Affairs Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick who took his own life after being disciplined by the VA after he suggested that other members of the VA were overmedicating their patients.  The discipline led to Dr. Kirkpatrick’s mental health declining and he was ultimately let go by the VA and then he took his own life.  An investigation by the VA into the death of a veteran due to “mixed drug toxicity” confirmed Dr. Kirkpatrick’s initial concerns of overmedication.

The bill provides enhanced protections and expedites investigations of instances in which probationary federal employees are fired for whistleblowing; enacts reforms to ensure that managers who retaliate against whistleblowers are held accountable; provides the Office of Special Counsel with adequate access to information from federal agencies to allow for complete investigations and better protect whistleblowers; ensures that all federal employees are informed of their rights as whistleblowers and provides training to managers on protections; and establishes measures to hold VA employees that improperly access the medical records of their fellow VA employees accountable.

Blow or statements from House Representatives on the subject:

Barbara Comstock (R-VA, 10th)

“The case of VA Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick is heartbreaking and should have never happened.  Our dedicated federal employees need enhanced whistleblower protections and the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act will give those necessary protections by holding those who take action against whistleblowers accountable.  Since I was a staffer of Congressman Frank Wolf, I have worked with government whistleblowers and strongly believe that if someone in our federal workforce sees wrongdoing they should have the necessary protections and feel comfortable reporting it.”

Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

“Retaliation against government employees like Dr. Kirkpatrick who are doing the right thing by exposing the mistreatment of our veterans and other abuses of government power is unacceptable and demands a response by Congress,” said Cramer. This bill adds necessary protections for whistleblowers and ensures stronger accountability in the VA system and among all federal agencies. Government employees should be able to report bad behavior in their workplaces without the fear of losing their job.”

Reps. Cohen and Jones Introduce the Bipartisan Horse Transportation Safety Act

Source: Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) today introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act. This bipartisan legislation would prohibit interstate transportation of horses in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another. It would also create civil penalties of at least $100 for each horse involved. 

“When we allow animals to be mistreated or disrespected, we also devalue our own humanity,” said Congressman Cohen. “Horses cannot be safely or humanely transported in double-deck trailers that are built for much smaller animals, and our laws should reflect that. I am proud to sponsor the Horse Transportation Safety Act, which will ensure that these beautiful creatures are treated humanely.”

“As a longtime owner of horses, I know the importance of safe and secure transportation for these precious animals. Double-deck trailers and similar motor vehicles are not it,” said Congressman Jones. “Horses are incredible creatures that deserve the most humane treatment. Thank you Congressman Cohen for introducing legislation to ensure just that.”

On November 7, 2007, the United States Department of Agriculture issued a statement recognizing the inhumane practice stating that, “double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for equines, with the possible exception of foals and yearlings. We do not believe that trailers that have two or more permanent levels that are not collapsible can be adequately altered to accommodate adult equines, especially tall equines.”

The Horse Transportation Safety Act would close a regulatory loophole whereby drivers have an incentive to inhumanely transport horses to assembly points then reload them into single level trailers just outside their final destination.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has approved the National Agriculture Safety Database’s research calling for at least 7’-8’ ceiling clearance for horses when traveling.  The average horse stands 7’ (15 hands) high and when traveling should at least have adequate headroom to stand with normal posture. 

Original cosponsors of the legislation include: Reps. Joyce Beatty, Donald S. Beyer, Earl Blumenauer, Mike Capuano, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Katherine Clark, Gerald Connolly, Elijah Cummings, Susan Davis, Mark DeSaulnier, Ted Deutch, Elizabeth Esty, Raul Grijalva, Andy Harris, Alcee Hastings, Walter Jones, Bill Keating, Derek Kilmer, Peter King, Barbara Lee, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Alan Lowenthal, Nita Lowey, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Jim McGovern, Jerry McNerney, Martha McSally, Jerrold Nadler, Grace Napolitano, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mark Pocan, Jared Polis, David Price, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Adam Schiff, Carol Shea-Porter, Albio Sires, Louise Slaughter, Adam Smith, Jackie Speier, Dina Titus, Nikki Tsongas, Nydia Velazquez, Peter Welch

The Horse Transportation Safety Act has been endorsed by the Animal Welfare Institute, the Humane Society of the United States, the National Black Farmers Association, and Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation.

Ranking Member Cohen Condemns President Trump’s Statements Attacking the Freedom of the Press

Source: Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today condemned President Trump’s recent tweets challenging the license of NBC and other news networks and his comments attacking the freedom of the press during his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office. During the meeting with the Prime Minister, President Trump said, “It is frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write.”

“President’s Trump’s recent statements and tweets attacking the freedom of the press and NBC News are a direct attack on the First Amendment and continue a dangerous pattern of the President undermining the Constitution,” said Congressman Cohen. “James Madison said the ‘freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.’ Yet this President has continued to make statements and act in a way to disrespect and delegitimize the press. He has referred to numerous media outlets as ‘fake news,’ he has called the New York Times the ‘failing New York Times,’ and has called the Washington Post the ‘Amazon Washington Post.’ President Trump retweeted a GIF of himself wrestling the CNN logo and has taken to twitter to attack media personalities such as Mika Brzezinski, Joe Scarborough and Megyn Kelly. He excluded American journalists from covering his meeting with the Russian Ambassador and Foreign Minister and has limited video and audio access to White House press briefings. President Trump even went as far as to call the press ‘the enemy of the American people.’ President Trump’s reckless, authoritarian-like attacks on the legitimacy and accuracy of the press are alarming. Attacks on the press, along with attacks on the courts, are the first signs of fascism. Keeping the citizenry informed with accurate information about government actions is vital for the effective functioning of democratic government and for ensuring the ultimate sovereignty of the people over their leaders.”

Coffman, Gallego, Bacon & Panetta Introduce New Authorization for Use of Military Force Bill

Source: Mike Coffman (R-CO, 6th)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), in a strong bipartisan effort, have introduced H. J.Res. 118, a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), to provide clear Congressional authorization guidelines for the use of military force.

“The threats we face today are far different than those we faced over a decade ago, and this legislation reflects Congress’s Constitutional role in authorizing the use of military force against terrorist organizations,” said Coffman.

The purpose of an AUMF is to update and clearly define the authority the President has to pursue military action against hostile actors. The last AUMFs were enacted against the backdrop of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the events preceding the Iraq War 16 years ago. The updated AUMF would authorize the use of the U.S. Armed Forces for five years against al-Qaeda, the Taliban, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and any persons associated with these groups, but would specifically prohibit use of military force against nations without additional authorization from Congress.

“For too long, Congress has allowed our armed forces to be used with ever more tenuous links to a vague and obsolete Authorization of Military Force. This bill would refocus our efforts against terrorism and prevent the unauthorized use of our military against other countries or people,” said Gallego.

Specifically, this AUMF also requires the President to submit a set of regular reports to Congress on the progress of ongoing conflicts, contains a 5-year sunset clause, and provides for a full replacement of the previous AUMF. The new AUMF also makes clear the use of force against other persons, entities, or nations will require a further act of Congress.

“Article One of the Constitution bestows on Congress the authority to declare war and Congress needs to do its job,” said Bacon. “Our military must know it has the support of the American citizens we represent and that support is reflected by Congress debating and voting on the use of lethal military force.”

In an October 3, 2017, House Armed Services Committee Hearing, the sitting Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, stated the following in support of a new AUMF, “And as far as the AUMF goes, my point is that we need the unity of the American government and with the Congress involved that brings the unity of the American people to this fight… I think there has got to be -- the U.S. Congress has got to embrace this as our fight. We're all in this…”

“Both the 2001 authorization for use of military force following the 9/11 attacks and the 2002 authorization for use of military force against Iraq are outdated and need to be replaced. In order to best meet the current national security interests of our country, Congress must pass a new and narrow authorization focused on the threat posed by al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS,” said Panetta. “With this bipartisan legislation, we can meet our obligation to provide our service members with clear guidance as they fight to keep us safe. We can also provide our constituents the assurance that, no matter who our commander-in-chief is, Congress will assert its constitutional authority to define the use of our military force around the world.”

H.J. Res. 118, the “Authorization for use of Military Force against Al-Qaeda, The Taliban, and ISIS” will now be referred to the appropriate committee for legislative consideration.

Rep. Chu Reintroduces Legislation to Connect High-Need Schools with Quality Teachers

Source: Judy Chu (D-CA, 27th)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) reintroduced the Equal Access to Quality Education Act. This bill works to close the education inequality gap by helping high-need schools attract, train, and retain the best teachers. Rep. Chu released the following statement

“Ensuring our children receive quality education is one of our greatest responsibilities. And a good education begins with a good teacher. Yet high-need communities are also the ones that have the hardest time attracting and retaining profession-ready educators. The Department of Education found that schools with mostly African-American students are twice as likely to have teachers with only one or two years of experience, compared to predominately white schools in the very same district. Inexperienced teachers lead to lower academic achievement scores, and this maintains cycles of poverty that disproportionately affect people of color. It is unconscionable to allow these race- and class-based disparities to continue.

“That is why I am re-introducing the Equal Access to Quality Education Act. This bill creates a partnership between high-need schools and schools with teacher training programs to provide support for new teachers while decreasing future turnover. Together, the programs in this bill will ensure that all students, regardless of income or race, have access to teachers who are fully prepared to help them succeed.”

Original cosponsors of the Equal Access to Quality Education Act include Reps. Mark Takano (CA-41), Dina Titus (NV-1), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), and Madeleine Bordallo (GU).

Disaster Aid Passes House

Source: Joaquin Castro (D-TX, 20th)

Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement after voting in favor of S. 585, legislation providing $36.5 billion of emergency disaster aid that passed the House of Representatives:

“From the hurricanes that ravaged Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the wildfires that continue to blaze across California and other Western states, recent natural disasters have violently upended the lives of millions of Americans. In the wake of this widespread devastation, I’m relieved Congress approved supplemental aid for the ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts. Affected regions will need continued federal support in the months and years ahead, and we must not hesitate to provide those additional resources moving forward.”

Trump signs executive order on Healthcare

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order directing his Administration to craft new policies increasing competition, choice, and affordability for health care across the American workforce.

According to the White House, the order:

1. directs the Secretary of Labor to consider expanding access to Association Health Plans, which could potentially allow American employers to form groups across State Lines;

2. directs the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services to consider expanding coverage through low cost shorter-term limited duration insurance; and

3. directs the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to consider changes to Health Reimbursement Arrangements so employers can make better use of them for their employees.

Below are statements from House Representatives about the executive order:

Buddy Carter (R-GA, 1st)

"Thanks to dysfunction in the Senate, Congress has not been able to deliver on our promise to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered system." said Carter. "While I would have preferred these moves come from Congress, I am grateful President Trump acted today to deliver relief to Americans suffering under Obamacare. This Executive Order works to deliver choice and control back to patients and is a good step towards lowering health care costs. I look forward to continued work with President Trump to finally repeal Obamacare and lower health care costs for all Americans."

Judy Chu (D-CA, 27th)

“Donald Trump will do anything to avoid working with Democrats to improve the healthcare of Americans – including intentionally sabotaging our country's healthcare system. That is what he is doing with this executive order. It is a craven attempt by the President to justify his party’s attacks on the ACA, which has been successful at increasing coverage for millions. That is why Republicans have been unable to pass a repeal of the law. But refusing to accept his failure, Trump is trying to double down with this plan to peel healthy individuals away from the ACA marketplaces and make costs rise for consumers. By offering cheap plans with poor coverage, he is ensuring that only healthy people will buy them – leaving the sick and elderly with more expensive options. This signals a return to the segmented healthcare system we had before the ACA, where being sick could mean bankruptcy or worse. And it is the most vulnerable Americans who will pay this price to salve Trump’s ego.” 

David Cicilline (D-RI, 1st)

“The American people are hurting. And President Trump continues to fail them. This executive order will sabotage the health care market and drive up costs for working people. The President should be working with Democrats to make the Affordable Care Act even stronger. Instead, he’s creating chaos and undermining access.”

Katherine Clark (D-MA, 5th)

“Make no mistake: Trump and Republicans will risk the lives of our most vulnerable to fulfill a dangerous political promise to their base. Trump is using the highest office in the nation to sabotage our healthcare system and ignore the will of the majority of Americans who rejected Trumpcare. Republicans are bent on dragging us back to the days when insurance companies decided who lived or died, and I will fight this every step of the way.”

Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO, 5th)

“Instead of working with Congress to determine what’s best for Americans and their health care, the President has decided to force his political agenda on the American people. There is a reason why the GOP effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has failed time and time again. The President wants to blame Democrats but the truth is, the proposed health care changes will hurt millions, regardless of their party affiliation. These changes are designed to allow loopholes around ACA core requirements, such as the coverage of essential health benefits.

Associations that band together to buy insurance will be exempt from having to cover certain prescription drug benefits, maternity care, or mental health services. The executive order will allow insurance companies to offer skimpy, short-term plans that don’t actually provide good coverage. This will attract the young and healthy customers at the expense of older or sicker individuals and their families, and will destabilize the insurance markets. The American people have spoken – more than once – and they want Congress to work together to find ways to improve upon the ACA, not continue to roll back patient protections.”

Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly (D-VA, 11th)

"The Trumpcare executive order is the latest act of sabotage on the Affordable Care Act that will threaten coverage of pre-existing conditions and increase costs. Americans have repeatedly rejected Trumpcare. Let’s improve the Affordable Care Act, not leave millions of people more vulnerable."

Jim Cooper (D-TN, 5th)

“Today’s announcement is one of many steps this administration has taken to undermine the Affordable Care Act. It creates an exclusive market for the healthy at the expense of the sick, and is opposed by all kinds of health care experts,” Rep. Cooper said. “In the end, Washington lobbyists stand to benefit the most. This executive order will only hurt Americans, not help them.”

Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

“Given the Senate’s unwillingness to repeal and replace Obamacare, I greatly appreciate President Trump’s decisive actions. While an executive order can never take the place of passing meaningful health care reform legislation, it’s the least we can do until another U.S. Senator decides to put the interests of the American people first by voting to fix our collapsing health care system.”

Kathy Castor (D-FL, 14th)

“I am especially concerned that President Trump supports erosion of coverage for pre-existing conditions and other essential health benefits.  This will prove costly to American families.  After the American people fought off Republican attempts to gut the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, President Trump takes another tack to purposely sabotage affordable health care for hardworking families.  He is unwilling to engage in the difficult work to fix and improve affordable health insurance so instead chooses to raise premiums significantly and price people with pre-existing conditions out of the market.  These measures will hurt my neighbors over the long run as affordable coverage options shrink every year, all so the President can settle a political score.  I am calling on President Trump and his administration to stand on the side of hardworking Americans and stop their cruel sabotage of our health care.”

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Bonamici: ICE Still Silent on Washington County Courthouse Incident

Hillsboro, OR - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) followed up on her calls for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to fully investigate the actions of ICE officers toward a U.S. citizen outside of the Washington County, Oregon Courthouse.

On September 18, 2017, plainclothes ICE officers confronted Mr. Isidro Andrade-Tafolla, a long-time employee of Washington County and a U.S. citizen, and demanded that he show his identification. When they apparently that he was not the person they were looking for, the agents then left without identifying themselves or providing any explanation or apology. Within days, Congresswoman Bonamici asked ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan and ICE Regional Supervisor Elizabeth Godfrey to investigate the incident and provide answers about ICE agency policies for interrogation and apprehension. At the time of this press release, Congresswoman Bonamici has yet to receive any response to her inquiries.

“What happened to Isidro and his wife was inexcusable and ICE failing to answer our questions about the incident is unacceptable. The public deserves to know if these agents followed ICE procedure when stopping and questioning Isidro. On that day, Isidro had no idea who the people confronting them were, or what rights they had to demand personal information. It’s deeply troubling that I have received no indication that ICE officials, either locally here in Oregon or at the leadership level in Washington, are investigating the incident near the Washington County Courthouse. Without clear answers, there is a risk that this will continue to happen. Federal agents should, at the very least, properly identify themselves when interacting with members of the public. Failure to do so is a serious public safety issue.”

More House Statements on Clean Power Act

Continued from this page (click HERE)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt and the Trump Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing the repeal of the Clean Power Plan.

The Clean Power Plan was an Obama Administration policy which sought to reduce the United States’ contributions to climate change. It was proposed by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in June of 2014, and finalized in August of 2015.

The Clean Power Plan is the first and only federal limit on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Supporters of the plan claim that by cutting carbon pollution, it is one of the best available tools to combat climate change and to take steps towards reducing air pollution that harms the public’s health.

Below are statements by House Representatives concern in the recension of the clean power act rules by the EPA:

Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th)

“Climate change is one of the gravest threats facing the human race in the 21st century. Scientists have carefully and accurately described the causes of climate change, predicted its consequences, and offered solutions. The Clean Power Plan represents a big step in the direction of confronting the dangers of climate change, and it has the added benefit of driving the creation of our clean energy sector, with hundreds of thousands of jobs and a big boost for local economies across the country.

“Turning our back on this progress by ending the Clean Power Plan is dangerous, it will hurt our economy, and it will further damage our reputation around the world. American leadership is urgently needed now, and we cannot ignore or pretend our way out of this crisis. We must stand up, we must fight for future generations, and we must act on climate.”

Diane Black (R-TN, 6th)

"Administrator Pruitt's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan is a victory for communities across the country, and for our own power plants here in Tennessee. The Obama administration's continual executive overreach at the state level is finally being corrected by an Administration committed to giving our local industries the support they need to thrive. By working alongside stakeholders, the Trump administration is putting jobs and those affected by these regulations first rather than a bureaucrat's idealized political agenda.”

Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)

“The Trump Administration’s move to repeal the Clean Power Plan is another representation of a backslide on U.S. and global climate goals. Despite all of its shortcomings, the Trump Administration ought to have little difficulty in grasping the severe economic repercussions of repealing a strategy meant to lessen the wide-ranging damage caused by unchecked carbon emissions and climate change. Instead, EPA Administrator Pruitt and President Trump have decided to burden taxpayers with the costs of climate change, increasingly frequent and severe instances of extreme weather, and air pollution.

“I support the Clean Power Plan and the Paris Climate Agreement. The Trump administration’s retreat from both plans of action will put America on a path toward more instances of extreme and destructive weather, toward more asthma attacks, more missed days of work and school, and more premature deaths caused by carbon pollution.”

Joe Courtney (D-CT, 2nd)

“The decision by Mr. Pruitt is not a pro-growth, pro-economic decision. It is simply responding, unfortunately, to political forces that drove this administration to power from the fossil fuel industry. The only saving grace of Mr. Pruitt's order is that he allows a large and long public comment period for the people of this country -- who do care about clean air and who do care about our environment -- to weigh in on this reckless decision that turns the clock back for public health and safety, and for our economy.”

Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

President Trump and his Administration have come through for North Dakota, and frankly for energy consumers throughout our country. It has always been clear to North Dakotans that the EPA has overreached its legal authority by going outside the fence line of individual power plants and North Dakota is a good example of arbitrary and capricious emissions standards.

Mike Bost (R-IL, 12th)

“The Obama Administration’s addiction to over-regulation threatened to wipe out hundreds of jobs in Southern Illinois and many thousands nationwide,” said Rep. Bost.  “The impact of such a serious hit to the coal industry led to unpredictable home energy prices for hardworking families already struggling to get ahead. I applaud the administration’s decision to secure the reliability and resiliency of America’s electrical grid.”

U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Sudan

Source: Karen Bass (D-CA, 37th)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after an announcement by President Trump that he signed an Executive Order to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan. This action builds on President Obama’s Executive Order 13671, which partially lifted executive-branch sanctions on Sudan and established criteria for the complete revocation of sanctions after a review period of six months. In July, President Trump extended the deadline on whether to lift sanctions.

"During the past year, there has been notable progress in areas outlined by the Five Track Engagement Plan (5TEP), including: Opening humanitarian access throughout the country; maintaining a cessation of hostilities in Darfur and the Two Areas (Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile State); ceasing support to South Sudanese rebel movements and cooperating on threats to regional security.  While some are concerned that lifting sanctions on Sudan will cause it to lose interest in continued progress or alternatively, that the U.S. will lose key leverage points, neither is likely. Critical actors, particularly those in Congress, are committed to ensuring that Sudan continues on its path to improving the lives of the Sudanese people.

"Now that we have a final decision, it is vital that our future engagement emphasize human rights and respect for religious freedoms. In addition, we should look toward partnering with Sudan and the international community to create sustainable peace in the country.

"The first US sanctions were imposed on Sudan more than 20 years ago.  Since then, the country has come a long way from state-sponsorship of terrorism and internal conflicts such as atrocities and genocide perpetrated by the government.  Ultimately, the lifting of sanctions is a positive development for the Sudanese people and will enable a constructive dialogue to advance mutual security and economic interests in the region.  Given that 46.5 percent of Sudan’s population lives below the poverty line, with sanctions relief Sudan can better develop its economic engines, including agriculture, which employs 80 percent of the workforce.  Furthermore, the removal of sanctions will also significantly improve the business environment, encourage foreign investment and make conducting business in the country easier."