Oil and Gas, ERA, Automated Vehicles, Mineral Leases, Crypto Mining

Today's News

The District Court of the District of Columbia had decided to revoke oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico.

House Representatives have pushed a resolution that acknowledges the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will be holding a hearing on automated vehicles on February 2, 2022.

The Biden administration has revoked existing mineral leases for the Twin Metals mine in Minnesota.

House Representatives are sending letters to six cryptomining companies raising concerns over their extraordinarily high energy usage. Bitcoin mining alone has consumed as much energy in the past year as whole countries.

Ponder the News January 30, 2022

Today's News

The Treasury Department is planning on scaling back on Emergency Rental Assistance, in spite of the fact that less than two-thirds of the $46 billion of rental aid has been disbursed or allocated over a year after the program launched. (Source)

Apparently, there is currently a lawsuit, West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that is challenging the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). (Source)

North Dakota's Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has passed away. (Source)

Apparently, the Biden Administration has been flying illegal immigrants into the U.S. in the dead of night, on the taxpayers' dime, according to leaked video footage showing federal contractors flying illegal immigrants into New York. This has prompted U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA, 1st) to introduce the "Stop the Betrayal Act", legislation that would prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding secret charter flights transporting illegal immigrants into the interior of the U.S..

Funding Abortion, Oil and Gas, Illegal Immigration

Today's News

Hartzler, Blackburn, Smith, Colleagues Request GAO Report on Federal Funding for Abortion Advocacy Groups
Source: U.S. Representative Yvette Herrell (R-NM, 2nd)
January 18, 2022
"The Biden Administration’s treatment of New Mexico’s energy industry as a political football is both unlawful and counterproductive," said Rep. Herrell. "Energy produced in New Mexico powers our nation and provides needed revenues for education. With every passing day, decisions by the administration put both of these at risk. For these reasons, we call on Secretary Haaland to provide greater certainty to producers and account for the anti-energy decisions she has made to date. My constituents deserve to know the reasoning behind decisions that negatively impact both their family and their community."
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Reps Herrell, Westerman Lead House GOP Demand to Reinstate Oil and Gas Lease Sales
Source: U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO, 4th)
January 19, 2022
A previous GAO report for FY2016-FY2018 found that nearly $2 billion in taxpayer dollars went to three abortion advocacy groups: Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), Marie Stopes International (MSI), and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). Current federal law prohibits federal funding of abortions but has no limitation on funding abortion providers.
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AG Todd Rokita: Recent visits to U.S.-Mexico border and court battles affirm our resolve to protect Hoosiers from illegal immigration
Source: Todd Rokita (Indiana Attorney General)
January 20, 2022
“Indiana may not be a border state,” Attorney General Rokita said, “but the 6 million people I represent are negatively impacted by illegal border crossings due to increased crime, drug use, lack of shared values and through their lawlessness, the deterioration of individual liberties.”
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HERRERA BEUTLER INTRODUCES BILL TO INCENTIVIZE STATES LIKE WASHINGTON TO REVERSE BAD POLICE LAWS
Source: U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)
January 21, 2022
“I’ve had countless conversations with local law enforcement officers and without exception, they point to Washington’s so-called police reform bills as contributors to rising crime in our communities. The stated goals for these bills are admirable, but what has resulted is emboldened criminals, demoralized officers whose jobs are more dangerous, and rising crime,” Herrera Beutler said. “It’s time for Washington to reverse course on failed police laws, which is why I’m introducing the Refund the Police Act in Congress to encourage Washington to pursue policies that support safer communities.”
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CONGRESSMAN HICE ON WHY WE MARCH FOR LIFE
Source: U.S. Representative Jody Hice (R-GA, 10th)
January 21, 2022
Saturday marks the 49th anniversary of the disastrous Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. And today, all across America, even right here in Washington, D.C., thousands of people from various walks of life gather here at the National Mall, and we'll march to the Supreme Court in honor of and in remembering those who have lost their lives. You know, 2021 right here in America alone, some 700,000 babies were killed to abortion, by far the number one killer ­- beyond drugs, beyond accidents, beyond cancer, beyond heart attacks, and yes, beyond any virus – the number one killer, abortion.
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Voting Rights, COVID-19, Vaccine Mandate

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to January 19, 2022

GOA AND GOF SUBMIT OSHA COMMENTS AMID SCOTUS VACCINE MANDATE RULING FOR LARGE BUSINESSES
Source: Gun Owners of America
January 13, 2022
In the comments, GOA and GOF wrote, “The federal government possesses only the few and limited powers set out in the U.S. Constitution. None of those powers give the federal government a general police power to order mandatory vaccines. The federal government has no other source of authority, such as the commerce power, to command health decisions by Americans.” The comments continued to argue that, “if the OSHA vaccine mandate regulations were to be upheld, it could readily open the door to the federal government infringing the rights of Americans in many other areas of their lives, including their right to keep and bear arms, which is why GOA and GOF have a particular interest in these proposed regulations.”
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Congressman Guest: SCOTUS Made Right Call; OSHA Lacks Authority to Enforce Vaccine Mandate
Source: U.S. Representative Michael Guest (R-MS, 3rd)
January 13, 2022
“Vaccine mandates—a prototypical state police power—are not within the purview of the OSH Act, let alone something on which Congress intended OSHA to take unilateral action under its ‘emergency’ powers. The ETS Mandate proposed by OSHA cannot stand,” the amici curiae argue.
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Rep. Grijalva Votes to Protect Voting Rights and Future of Our Democracy
Source: U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ, 3rd)
January 13, 2022
The Senate must pass this ​critical legislation. It’s their turn to fight back against undemocratic policies and to prevent Republicans from overturning the will of the people. ​For Arizona, the stakes are too high. In Arizona and around the nation, we have Republican political candidates running as pawns in Trump’s Big Lie movement using brazen tactics of intimidation and lies to​ sow distrust and undermine the integrity of future elections.
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Guthrie Responds to Supreme Court Rulings on President Biden’s Overreaching Vaccine Mandates
Source: U.S. Representative Brett S. Guthrie (R-KY, 2nd)
January 14, 2022
“While the Supreme Court’s decision is a win for workers at private businesses with 100 employees or more, its ruling to allow the vaccine mandate for health care workers to move forward is disappointing for our health care heroes and the patients they serve. This overreaching mandate could result in the loss of millions of health care workers and cause delays in health care services for Kentuckians most in need. I believe Americans should make the decision that’s best for them with COVID-19 vaccines and will continue to fight against President Biden’s one-size-fits-all vaccine mandates,” said Guthrie.
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GROTHMAN CALLS FOR MORE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENTS
Source: U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI, 6th)
January 18, 2022
Last September, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified states that the federal government would be taking over control of distribution access to mAb treatments. Since then, Wisconsin and other states have experienced significant shortages in access to mAb treatment for COVID-19 patients, despite President Biden’s promise to ramp up distribution.
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Definition of Vaccine: a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a synthetic substitute, treated to act as an antigen without inducing the disease.

The Ponder's View:

What we are receiving is not a vaccine. If it were, it would prevent the virus from invasion, and shut it down before illness occurred.

What we are receiving is a preemptive treatment. It does not prevent the virus, it helps us deal with the virus when we get it.

There is a difference.

Therefore, Biden is mandating us to get a medical treatment, not a vaccine. That is like telling you that you HAVE to go to the doctor if you have a cold to get it taken care of, rather than taking OTC medications.

National Security, Rural Hospitals, Voting Rights, Illegal Immigration, Vaccine Mandates, National Preparedness

Congressman Al Green Proudly Stands with President Biden and Vice President Harris in the Fight for Passage of Alleged National Voting Rights Legislation
Source: U.S. Representative Al Green (D-TX, 9th)
January 11, 2022
“S.2747 The Freedom to Vote Act and H.R. 4 The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are both crucial pieces of legislation that are currently at an impasse in the Senate. Both need to pass without deleterious filibustering to preserve our constitutional right to safe, free, and fair elections. Indeed, as Vice President Harris said in her speech, accepting voting restrictions currently in place as normal is dangerous. Complacency with a status quo hostile to voting rights subverts democracy and the founding principles upon which our nation was built. This is why sweeping voting rights legislation must move forward,” Congressman Al Green stated.
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Gooden Demands Transparency on Taxpayer Funds Going to Organizations Promoting Illegal Immigration
Source: U.S. Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX, 5th)
January 13, 2022
The U.S. Department of State, via the United Nations’ International Office of Migration (IOM), provides loans to refugees that are subsequently collected by non-profit organizations acting as resettlement agencies. These non-profits are then permitted to keep 25% of the loans they recoup, giving these organizations a financial interest in the number of refugees brought into the United States. This creates an obvious conflict of interest for organizations advocating for the Biden Administration to lift the refugee admissions cap. Read more...

Rep. Green Issues Statement on Supreme Court Vaccine Mandate Ruling
Source: U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN, 7th)
January 13, 2022
“President Biden had no constitutional authority to mandate sweeping federal vaccine requirements. Today’s #SCOTUS ruling protects the freedom of healthcare choice for millions of hardworking Americans. This is a win for the American people." Read more...

Saving America's Rural Hospitals
Source: U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO, 6th)
January 13, 2022
Facing tighter budgets, rural hospitals have been faced with few good choices. They have to cut costs, find more money, or go bankrupt. Sadly, many have nothing left to cut, no way to find new revenue, and have been forced to close. Since 2005, more than 170 rural hospitals have closed their doors.
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RELEASE: GOTTHEIMER ANNOUNCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN THE STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE, COMBAT SHORTAGES, MODERNIZE HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN
Source: U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ, 5th)
January 14, 2022
U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new bipartisan legislation, the Medical and Health Stockpile Accountability Act, to strengthen the Strategic National Stockpile and ensure the U.S. is better prepared for future crises and pandemics. This legislation will combat equipment shortages and provide near real-time tracking of medical and health supply inventories in New Jersey and nationwide — for supplies that frontline workers desperately need.
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Graham Responds To Shocking Admission By DOJ National Security Leadership
Source: Senator Lindsey Graham (R - SC)
January 15, 2022
“I was shocked to hear the responses this morning from the Assistant Attorney General of the National Security Division at the Department of Justice in charge of domestic and international terrorism as well as the responses from the Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch of the FBI who said she had not visited our southern border."
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OVER $530 MILLION TO REPAIR TEXAS BRIDGES

McAllen, TX - January 15, 2022 - (The Ponder News) -- On Friday, January 14, 2022, U.S. Representative Vincente Gonzalez (D-TX, 15th) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will disperse more than $537.1 million, allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to renovate and enhance bridges across the state of Texas over the next five years. This is largest bridge formula program in American history.

Under the formula, Texas is set to receive $107.4 million for Fiscal Year 2022 that will create good-paying jobs and provide much needed updates to bridges across the 15th District of Texas.

“South Texans know that bridges keep our community moving in more ways than one,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, many of the decrepit bridges within our community will be upgraded to ensure proper safety and reliability. I look forward to working with local leaders, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration to ensure that our roads and bridges keep up with the growth of our region.”

According to the latest data from FHWA, out of the 1,398 bridges in the 15th District of Texas, almost 50% are considered “fair” or “poor”. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will notice local apportionments of the $107.4 million at a later date.

Foreign Ocean Carriers Blamed for High Shipping Costs

Washington, D.C. - December 13, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has roiled supply chains around the world, creating bottlenecks that have added costs and delays for small businesses and consumers. In the global shipping industry, all major ocean carriers are foreign-based and have not played fair with American exporters and importers during this crisis: 30 years ago, the largest foreign-flagged ocean carriers controlled around 15% of traffic. Today, they control 75%. As a result, American businesses have found it difficult to get their goods to market for a fair and reasonable cost, leading to shortages and higher prices.

H.R. 4996, which represents the first major modernization of the global ocean shipping industry since 1998, will:

ensure fairness in ocean shipping by prohibiting ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing to transport American cargo;

strengthen the overseas supply chain by combating unfair and disruptive business practices by shipping companies; and

bolster the Federal Maritime Commission so that it has the resources to hold wealthy shipping companies accountable.

Feenstra Renews Call for COST Act After Biden Signs Executive Order Mandating Zero-Emission Government Vehicle Fleet

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- On Wednesday, President Biden signed an executive order that bars federal agencies from buying liquid fuel vehicles by 2035, including a transition to all electric vehicles for government-owned passenger cars by 2027. Following the signing of this executive order, Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) released the following statement renewing his call for Congress to pass his Comparison of Sustainable Transportation (COST) Act:

“President Biden’s obsession with electric vehicles isn’t based on facts. Producing batteries for these vehicles, on top of the coal-generated power needed to charge them, requires a significant amount of money, energy, and nonrenewable resources. This is a rhetoric-driven decision that completely ignores the positive role biofuels play in reducing costs and emissions.

“In light of this announcement, Congress should immediately consider my COST Act to compare the full financial and environmental impact of choosing electric vehicles over E85 flex-fuel vehicles. Simply put, the Biden administration should not be so quick to jump to electric vehicles when E85 flex-fuel could provide an even cheaper and cleaner option.”

Biden’s executive order comes after the administration dealt a serious blow to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which Feenstra referred to as the “absolute height of hypocrisy” given the administration’s focus on climate change and gas prices.

The COST Act directs the Comptroller General and the Secretary of Energy to compare the financial and environmental costs of replacing federal government gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles or E85 capable flex-fuel vehicles. The bill then requires the Secretary of Energy to report findings to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

CEOS CALL ON CONGRESS TO ADDRESS SURGE OF RETAIL CRIME

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- In a letter to Congressional leadership, 20 CEOs of leading retailers expressed urgent concern over the growing impact of organized retail crime on retail employees and communities across the U.S. The signatories representing apparel, electronics, health and beauty, home improvement, and general merchandise sectors implore lawmakers to pass the INFORM Consumers Act, legislation that will modernize our consumer protection laws to safeguard families and communities from the sale of illicit products.

“Retailers have made significant investments to combat organized retail crime, but as they note in today’s letter, criminals will continue these brazen thefts as long as they are able to anonymously sell their stolen goods via online marketplaces. Fortunately, there is a growing consensus among business leaders, law enforcement, and a bipartisan group of policymakers that INFORM Consumers Act is an important and appropriate step to stemming the tide. Deterring these crimes starts with making it harder for thieves to sell stolen goods online. We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to help protect communities, families, and consumers.”

Retail leaders who signed today’s letter include:

Ken Hicks, Academy Sports + Outdoors

Corie Barry, Best Buy Co., Inc.

Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Richard Johnson, Foot Locker, Inc.

W. Rodney McMullen, The Kroger Co.

Richard Keyes, Meijer, Inc.

Erik B. Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Inc.

Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid Corporation

Brian C. Cornell, Target Corporation

Steve Rendle, VF Corporation

William Rhodes, AutoZone, Inc.

Neela Montgomery, CVS Health

Todd J. Vasos, Dollar General Corporation

Craig Menear, The Home Depot, Inc.

Chip Bergh, Levi Strauss & Co.

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Neiman Marcus, Inc.

Ron Coughlin, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.

Anthony T. Hucker, Southeast Grocers

David Kimbell, Ulta Beauty, Inc.

John Standley, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Brian Dodge, Retail Industry Leaders Association

Read the full letter here.

Ponder the News... (December 8, 2021)

On December 2, 2021, the House passed a largely partisan spending bill by a vote of 221-212.

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House Democrats also blocked a vote on a Parents Bill of Rights.

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FY22 NDAA has passed with these provisions:

Boosts topline defense spending by $25 billion to reverse President Biden’s woefully underfunded budget

Provides a 2.7% pay raise for and expanded benefits for military families

Ensures historic investments in emerging technology, like AI, quantum computing, and hypersonic weapons

Secures funding to defend our allies from Russian aggression, including $300 million for the Ukraine Security Alliance Initiative and $4 billion for the European Detterence Initiative fund

Invests $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in preparing our military to prevail in conflict with China

Establishes that it is the policy of U.S. to maintain the ability to resist Chinese efforts to seize control of Taiwan

Prohibits a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who refuse a COVID-19 vaccination and requires uniform procedures for vaccine exemptions

Removed language requiring women to register for Selective Service at 18 years of age

Eliminated language establishing an Office of Countering Extremism that would have created an ideological litmus test for servicemembers in violation of their First Amendment rights

Removed dangerous “Red Flag” language that could strip servicemembers’ and veterans’ Second Amendment rights.

Additional provisions may be found in the bill text HERE.

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According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. will co-sign the World Trade Organization’s joint ministerial declaration on gender equality.

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Monday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01), Chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and 29 other members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter urging the Department of Justice to investigate the proposed $43 billion merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia for violations of antitrust laws. In addition, members of Congress are requesting the Justice Department examine whether the proposed merger will reduce diverse content in a more consolidated and less competitive market.

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According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute on Tuesday, "President Biden’s pick for Comptroller of the Currency withdrew today after critics, including the Competitive Enterprise Institute, exposed her many statements sympathetic to communism." We don't have to worry about our bank accounts being made public anymore.

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Last week, Consumer Reports urged Congress in a letter to pass legislation introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Ben Ray Luján that would ban the predatory use of “shopping bots” by scammers to buy up popular products online so they can turn around and sell the items for much more. The Stopping Grinch BOTS Act would protect consumers from these automated software programs and create a more level playing field for shoppers looking to buy the latest gaming consoles or toys topping their kid’s wish list at a reasonable price.

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U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing the Music Under Severe Income Crisis (MUSIC) Act to support the entertainment industry impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. This legislation would expand the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program to include the many support and service companies, including convention and trade show organizers, that work with live event venues and performers and have been impacted by pandemic closures.

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Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with twelve of his Senate colleagues, have introduced the Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act, legislation aimed at eliminating Palestinian “martyr payments.” The bill would deter foreign banks from making these payments by putting at risk their access to the United States financial system. A one-pager about the bill may be found here. Bill text may be found here.

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U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and John Joyce (R-PA) led 17 of their colleagues in requesting a review of the regulation of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising practices for prescription medical products. Over the past several years, an increasing number of companies are selling prescription products, such as contact lenses and orthodontics, directly to consumers. While these companies have the potential to increase convenience and lower costs, reports of poor quality or adverse events have raised concerns among consumers and health care providers.

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U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced the Veterans Justice Outreach Improvement Act, legislation to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand and improve outreach about the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program to ensure every veteran eligible for VJO is aware of the program.

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S. 610, the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act, passed the House on a partisan vote of 222-212 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. This legislation prevents cuts to Medicare for the over 44 million Americans who depend on the program. Without this bill, automatic spending cuts to Medicare, known as “sequestration,” would go into effect at the end of this year.

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In light of the disturbing revelation that the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division created a “threat tag” based on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s October 4 memorandum, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and every Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week sent a follow-up letter to AG Garland demanding that he finally withdraw that memo and make clear that the law enforcement arms of the federal government do not equate concerned parents with domestic terrorists.

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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has sought to pass new legislation imposing sanctions on Nord Stream 2, which if brought online will enable Putin to invade and devastate Ukraine.