Nuclear Waste
Reps. Andy Kim, Mike Levin, and Doris Matsui Lead Congressional Letter Opposing Proposed Inspection Cuts to Nuclear Waste Storage
Source: Andy Kim (D-NJ, 3rd)
January 13, 2020
“As Members of Congress with closed and decommissioning nuclear power reactors in our communities, we oppose actions like these that would mean less inspection and oversight of the materials present in our districts,” the Members wrote. “Any reduction in either inspection hours or number of inspections conducted on ISFSI sites may erode public confidence in the Commission’s ability to protect health and safety. We should work to increase the public’s faith in the NRC’s level of due diligence related to safety standards and a proposal such as this runs counter to that mission.”
Manufactured Housing
RELEASE: REPS. KHANNA, AXNE INTRODUCE BILL TO KEEP MANUFACTURED HOUSING COMMUNITIES AFFORDABLE
Source: Ro Khanna (D-CA, 17th)
January 7, 2020
The Manufactured Housing Community Preservation Act directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create a grant program to help nonprofits, resident-formed cooperatives, and other local entities purchase and maintain an MHC through awards of up to $1 million. The legislation includes oversight provisions to ensure rents remain affordable for residents after purchase by grant recipients.
PFAS Chemical Contamination
House Passes PFAS Action Act Including Kuster Legislation
Source: Ann Kuster (D-NH, 2nd)
January 10, 2020
“We know that PFAS chemicals pose a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of communities in New Hampshire and across the country, and we must take action now to protect Americans from these dangerous forever chemicals,” said Kuster. “The PFAS Action Act will help to ensure that Americans have access to clean and safe water free of PFAS chemicals. I was glad to see that this legislation included language from my bill to turn off the tap for new PFAS chemicals making their way through the EPA approval process. I encourage the Senate to bring this commonsense measure swiftly to a vote.”
HOUSE PASSES HISTORIC PACKAGE TO ADDRESS PFAS CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION
Source: Daniel Kildee (D-MA, 5th)
January 7, 2020
Included in the PFAS Action Act is a bipartisan amendment Congressman Kildee authored, along with Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) and Congressman Ron Kind (WI-02), that would promote transparency and streamline EPA resources to help people potentially exposed to PFAS and other contaminants better understand what their water testing results mean. In the U.S., 43 million people get their drinking water from well water that is currently unregulated.
The PFAS Action Act would:
Protect drinking water from PFAS by requiring the EPA to create a drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS within two years.
Protect the Great Lakes, rivers and streams from PFAS pollution by listing PFOS and PFOA under the Clean Water Act within two years.
Protect our air from PFAS by making PFOS and PFOA hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
Require corporate polluters clean up their PFAS contamination by listing PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the CERCLA Act or the Superfund Law.
Kidney Transplants
Reps. Kind and Burgess Introduce Legislation to Protect Kidney Transplant Recipients
Source: Ron Kind (D-WI, 3rd)
January 7, 2020
“Patients and their families shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they can afford the treatment needed to help keep their transplanted kidney. We need to do more to lower costs for these patients, which is exactly what my colleagues and I have worked together to do,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “This bill will provide kidney transplant patients continued access to medication to ensure the success of their transplant while keeping health care costs down by decreasing the need for further dialysis and the likelihood of a re-transplant.”
Iran and War Powers
KENNEDY CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE AUMF REPEAL VOTE
Source: Joseph P. Kennedy, 3rd (D-MA, 4th)
January 6, 2020
“If the past 17 years is any guide, it is that a single War Powers Resolution to restrict military action in Iran will not be enough," said Kennedy. "Executives of both parties have used our existing AUMFs to justify expanding our engagement in the Middle East and around the globe. And for the better part of an entire generation, Congress has abdicated our Constitutional duty and allowed that dangerous mission creep to occur. Now, a reckless Commander in Chief has led our nation to the threshold of yet another war without the approval of the United States Congress and the Americans we represent. Immediately repealing the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs would force both the legislative and executive branch to clearly debate and define any mission we engage in overseas. Our brave men and women in uniform, and all Americans, deserve nothing less.”
Rep. Kinzinger on Iranian Attacks in Iraq
Source: Adam Kinzinger (R-IL, 16th)
January 8, 2020
“America is a beacon of light around the world, standing for freedom and justice. We stand for the oppressed, for those who don’t have a voice. And when we stand united, our message is that much stronger. Last night, Iran fired missiles at Al-Asad and Erbil Airbases in Iraq, where our U.S. troops are stationed. This was an escalation by the Iranians, and a misguided one at that. As a nation, we must stand together in support of our military men and women, and their loved ones. This is not a time for political bias and political posturing; this is a time of unity and showing our support to our heroes in uniform.”
Kaptur Votes to Pass War Powers Resolution
Source: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH, 9th)
January 9, 2020
There is no doubt that Soleimani was a fierce enemy of liberty. However, this attack by the President risks all-out war, greater instability in Iraq and Iran, losing the edge we have gained at such great cost – and some of those names have been put on the record today. We must protect against further attacks on our servicemembers and attacks on U.S. assets wherever they might exist.
Kelly: President Trump Securing Peace through Strength in the Face of Iranian Aggression
Source: Mike Kelly (R-PA, 3rd)
January 9, 2020
"After years of Iranian aggression and the last administration's appeasement policy, America is leading again under President Trump. He has shown the resolve and restraint necessary to confront the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism. It was the right decision to eliminate Iran's top terrorist, Qassam Soleimani, something previous presidents failed to do. Attacks on Americans will no longer be tolerated. I stand behind this president as he pursues peace through strength."
Rep. Robin Kelly to Vote YES on War Powers Resolution
Source: Robin Kelly (D-IL, 7th)
January 9, 2020
The President has demonstrated rash impulses and proven that he is unable to put U.S. national security before his own personal and political interest. Look no further than his attempt to win a political bribe from the Ukrainian president in exchange for releasing Congressional-approved military aid. Keeping that in mind, it is imperative that Congress reassert its constitutional authority in declaring war.
Kilmer Takes Action to Reduce Likelihood of War with Iran, Leads Letter to Demand Clear Strategy
Source: Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th)
January 9, 2020
“The American people do not want – and Congress has not authorized – another war in the Middle East,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I visited our servicemembers and diplomats in the Middle East less than two months ago. Those brave Americans, and others serving throughout the region, deserve a strategy that keeps them safe, enhances our security and those of our allies, and fosters long-term stability in the region. Today’s action is consistent with Article I of the Constitution, making it clear that if the President wants to start a war, he must get authorization from the representatives of the American people.”
King Stands with Commander-in-Chief Trump Against House Democrats’ Attempt to Tie President’s Hands on Iran
Source: Steve King (R-IA, 4th)
January 9, 2020
“President Trump recognizes a sober fact that many of the previous Presidential administrations wanted to ignore: Iran has been in a state of war with us since they took over our embassy in 1979, and they have never been held truly accountable for their continued actions against Americans,” said King. “Leave it to House Democrats, so consumed with hatred for this President, to increasingly bemoan the death of the world’s top terrorist and to introduce bad legislation that seeks to tie the President’s hands should a similar order need to be given in the future. President Trump and Secretary Pompeo have both said that Soleimani was planning additional, imminent attacks, and I support President Trump’s bold decision to take him out. House Democrats might want to send the Iranians pallets of cash like President Appeaser-in-Chief Obama did, but I stand with letting President Trump, our Commander-in-Chief, make the tough calls and take the swift and certain actions that he determines are necessary to protect our nation, our citizens, and our interests from Iranian acts of hostility.”
KUSTOFF VOTES AGAINST DEMOCRAT’S WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Source: David Kustoff (R-TN, 8th)
January 9, 2020
“As Commander in Chief, the President has the Constitutional authority to use force to protect and defend our nation. Soleimani was responsible for violent attacks around the world, killing hundreds of Americans, and our world is safer without him in it. Through President Trump’s swift actions to defend American interests, we eliminated an imminent threat to our national security. Now is the time to come together to support our men and women in uniform and President Trump’s actions to defend our country, not undermine them with this resolution,” said Rep. Kustoff. “This resolution weakens our nation, ignores the Constitution, and sends a message to Iran that the United States is not united behind our President. While Democrats continue to create roadblocks for President Trump, I will continue to stand with him and our troops to ensure the safety of the American people is kept a top priority.”
Rape Allegations
Calls for probe of McClain rape cover-up email grow
Source: Crain's Chicago Business
January 10, 2020
A downstate delegation of Congressional Republicans added to the chorus of calls for investigation into an email from former Commonwealth Edison lobbyist and confidant of House Speaker Mike Madigan about what appears to be a rape cover-up. Republican U.S. Reps.
Darin LaHood, Rodney Davis, John Shimkus, Adam Kinzinger and Mike Bost asked Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to appoint a special prosecutor to "investigate the alleged rape and cover up in Champaign."
