Same-Sex Marriage, Immigration arrest of U.S. Citizen, NRA Alaska Governor Endorsement

For those of you who don't know, the "Respect for Marriage Act" passed the House yesterday with a total of 267 votes, 47 of which were Republican votes.

The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (H.R. 3396) and ensures that marriages valid under the law of the state where they were performed are recognized for purposes of federal law and benefits. It also provides additional legal protections for marriage equality from those fighting against it while acting under the color of state law.

===

Carlos Rios, a United States citizen, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, last week, against Pierce County and Pierce County Jail deputies, seeking declaratory relief and damages for his unlawful imprisonment and violations of his civil rights under federal and state law. He is represented in the case by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), the ACLU of Washington, and Rekhi & Wolk, P.S.

Apparently, he was arrested on a misdemeaner, charges were dropped, but immigration officials ordered him to be held for immigration violation, even though he is a U.S. citizen.

===

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to announce its endorsement of Mike Dunleavy for Governor in the 2022 Alaska Primary.

"Mike Dunleavy has demonstrated steadfast support for our Second Amendment freedoms," said Jason Ouimet, chairman, NRA-PVF. “He has worked tirelessly to secure Alaska's rich hunting heritage and defend our Constitutional right to self-defense."

Gun Violence, Amazon Injuries

Rep. Norcross Hosts Press Conference in Front of Amazon Warehouse, Calls on OSHA to Protect Workers
Source: U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ, 1st)
June 1, 2022
According to an analysis of injury data Amazon provided to OSHA, the overall injury rate at Amazon’s warehouses in New Jersey increased by 54% from 2020 to 2021, and Amazon workers’ serious injuries comprise 55% of all serious warehouse injuries in New Jersey.
Read more...

NEGUSE DELIVERS REMARKS DURING JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MARKUP ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MEASURES
Source: U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO, 2nd)
June 2, 2022
According to an analysis of injury data Amazon provided to OSHA, the overall injury rate at Amazon’s warehouses in New Jersey increased by 54% from 2020 to 2021, and Amazon workers’ serious injuries comprise 55% of all serious warehouse injuries in New Jersey.
Read more...

Price Gouging, Deaf Cards, Baby Formula

O’Halleran Votes to Pass Price Gouging Prevention Act
Source: U.S. Representative Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ, 1st)
May 20, 2022
“Amidst global market instability from COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we’ve seen record-high fuel prices at the pump, and rural Arizonans, who drive more miles than most to get groceries, take kids to school, and go to the doctor, are suffering,” said O’Halleran who, represents one of the largest congressional districts in America. “At the same time, we’ve seen oil companies make record profits and prioritize stock buybacks over investing in lowering prices for American families. I’m glad the House has passed this measure that holds oil companies, fuel wholesalers, and bad actors accountable, and prohibits price gouging that leads to artificially high prices.”
Read more...

Governor DeWine Unveils New Communication Card to Help Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals Communicate with Law Enforcement
Source: Ohio Governor’s Office
May 20, 2022
The new card, which can be downloaded onto a phone or printed and stored inside a vehicle, wallet, or purse, includes various pictures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can point to in order to help them more easily communicate during interactions with law enforcement.
Read more...

Rep. Omar Leads Letter Calling for Investigation into Baby Formula Shortage
Source: U.S. Representative Lihan Omar (D-MN, 6th)
May 20, 2022
“We are writing to urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to work with relevant federal agencies to investigate the U.S. baby formula industry and study any unfair or unsustainable practices, like deceptive marketing, price gouging, and stock buybacks, that may be weakening our nutritional formula supply and ultimately harming our constituents,” the members wrote.
Read more...

Overturning Roe Vs. Wade...and MORE, from The Ponder!

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to May 6, 2022

Uterine cancer deaths are rising in the United States, and are highest among Black women
Source: National Institutes of Health
May 5, 2022
Deaths from uterine cancer are rising in the United States, and are highest among non-Hispanic Black women, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The higher death rates are related to the rising incidence of aggressive subtypes of uterine cancer.The researchers found that, from 2010 to 2017, deaths of women from all racial and ethnic groups from uterine cancer overall increased 1.8% per year. Deaths from non-endometroid subtypes of uterine cancer—which are more aggressive than endometrioid cancers—increased by 2.7% per year, whereas endometrioid cancer mortality rates were stable during this period. Black women had more than twice the rate of deaths from uterine cancer overall and of non-endometrioid subtypes compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
Read more...

======
Help us Celebrate National Nurse's Month at The Stuff Gazette! ======

NILC Statement on the Supreme Court Majority Draft Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade
Source: National Immigration Law Center
May 3, 2022
“The National Immigration Law Center stands in solidarity with leaders in the fight to ensure equitable and safe access to life-saving health care, which includes access to abortion and other reproductive health care services. We will continue to fight for our fundamental rights to be protected under the law."
Read more...

Nurses: Likely Supreme Court ruling on reproductive rights poses major threat to patients’ health, security
Source: National Nurses United
May 3, 2022
“Nurses will stand with women and gender justice supporters across this country to oppose political, legal, and employer restrictions on women’s health services, including the right to reproductive and other family planning services,” said NNU President Jean Ross, RN.
Read more...

======
May 2-6, 2022 is Teacher Appreciation Week! ======

National Right to Life on the Politico Article Regarding Supreme Court Draft Opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson
Source: National Right to Life Committee
May 2, 2022
In response to the Politico article claiming to have a copy of the initial draft of the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, National Right to Life agrees with the statement of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch who said, “We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the Court’s official opinion.”
Read more...

Small Business, Health Worker Shortage, Education Loans, Cattle Market, Immigration, Educator Pay, Pharmacy, Police

NFIB Statement on President Biden’s Small Business Roundtable
Source: National Federation of Independent Business
April 28, 2022
“Small businesses continue to face numerous challenges including historic inflation, high gas prices, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and threats of significant tax hikes,” said Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations. “These challenges are dragging down small business optimism and outlook, as expectations of better business conditions is at a 48-year low, according to NFIB’s Research Center. The administration, along with Congress, should focus on solutions to promote and accelerate the fragile small business recovery and reject any legislation, such as the Build Back Better Act, that increases taxes and imposes unaffordable mandates and penalties on Main Street, which threaten to worsen the small business challenges.”
Read more...

States Collaborate To Combat Health Worker Shortage
National Governor’s Association
April 28, 2022
“Every state is facing health workforce challenges, and the pandemic has revealed how quickly the challenge can become a crisis when the system is strained – especially for rural communities,” said Timothy Blute, director of the NGA Center. “Governors are leading on this critical issue, and we look forward to working with states to develop and share creative solutions.”
Read more...

Advocates Applaud ED Approval of $238M Discharge for Marinello School of Beauty Borrowers
Source: National Consumer Law Center
April 28, 2022
“Today’s actions could be a turning point in how the Department of Education provides relief to borrowers who were scammed by their schools. For the first time in over five years, ED has finally deployed its group discharge authority to provide loan cancellation to defrauded borrowers without requiring them all to submit borrower defense applications. This shift is long overdue.
Read more...

NCBA President Urges Congress to Adopt Broadly Supported Cattle Market Policies
Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
April 28, 2022
“The only people who know exactly how cattle producers should navigate these uncertain times are the individuals who work around the clock, day in and day out, to raise the safest and highest quality beef in the world—in other words: cattle producers,” said Schiefelbein.
Read more...

======
Visit Shonda Ponder Enterprises by clicking HERE!
======

Speakers Call for Consensus on Border, Immigration
Source: National Immigration Forum
April 27, 2022
“Without question, we need border-management and immigration solutions,” said Laurence Benenson, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the National Immigration Forum. “With the release of the Department of Homeland Security’s border plan on Tuesday, the Biden administration has added some important detail to its post-Title 42 strategy. But the need for legislative reform is stronger than ever. Members of Congress should come together in good faith and reach agreement on immigration reforms.”
Read more...

======
Visit The Stuff Gazette by clicking HERE
======

NEA Unveils New Nationwide Data on Educator Pay and School Funding
Source: National Education Association
April 26, 2022
“For decades, America’s educators have been chronically underappreciated and shamefully underpaid,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Throughout this persistent and ongoing pandemic, they have demonstrated their commitment to all students, no matter their ZIP code, the language they speak, or the gender with which they identify. After persevering through the hardest school years in recent memory, our educators are exhausted and feeling less and less optimistic about their futures.
Read more...

======
Visit God Inspires by clicking HERE!
======

NCPA, State Pharmacy Groups Comment on NAIC’s Rutledge v. PCMA Analysis
Source: National Community Pharmacists Association
April 25, 2022
The National Community Pharmacists Association and 41 state pharmacy associations are providing input to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on educational material it is developing regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s December 2020 decision in Rutledge v. PCMA. In this case the Court unanimously found that federal law does not preclude states from enforcing reimbursement and pricing regulations against pharmacy benefit managers, giving states greater authority to protect their local businesses and patients from PBM overreach.
Read more...

Traffic Stops: Understanding and Addressing Citizens’ Concerns
Source: National District Attorneys Association
April 25, 2022
Across the United States, police departments and policing as a whole are in the spotlight. The horrific event in Minneapolis nearly two years ago has served as the example for many to illustrate systemic issues of racism and violence within the law enforcement profession. This perception of the law enforcement profession sparked discussion about defunding the police and some communities actually implemented this concept. How one views this spotlight on a law enforcement agency depends on one’s perspective. Some law enforcement agencies have become defensive, hoping the winds of change will pass them by or, like a vast majority of law enforcement agencies, view this challenge as an opportunity to bring even greater professionalism and better practices to a profession to which most officers are deeply dedicated.
Read more...

Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act

End Citizens United // Let America Vote Praises Passage of Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act
Source: End Citizens United
April 27, 2022
“This bill will require federal judges, including members of the U.S. Supreme Court, to report all stock trades above $1,000 within 45 days and make all financial disclosure reports publicly available online, putting them in line with other federal officials. Knowing this public information will help ensure that every American who steps foot in a federal courtroom gets a fair and equal trial and that judges are held accountable when overseeing a case where they or their immediate family have significant financial interest.”
Read more...

House sends bill requiring online publication of judges’ financial disclosures to Biden
Source: The Hill
April 27, 2022
If signed into law by Biden, the legislation would amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 by requiring that financial disclosure reports submitted by federal judges be published to an online, searchable database that is available to the public.
Read more...

Orwellian Truth Ministry after Musk Buys Twitter

Biden DHS creates new board to police ‘disinformation’
Source: American Military News
April 27, 2022
On Wednesday, Politico first reported the DHS was establishing an office, called the Disinformation Governance Board. Politico reported the new board will focus specifically on misinformation and disinformation about “irregular migration and Russia.”
Read more...

We all know it doesn't stop there. What happens when the war is over and the "board" gets bored? This is only the beginning. George Orwell, eat your heart out!

President Biden has decided the federal government will launch a Disinformation Governance Board under the authority of the Homeland Security Department Did you just think they would let you have free speech back?
--Jack Posobiec (Host of "Human Events Daily"

The "shadowban" has been lifted at Twitter:

It is both amazing and suspicious how many of us suddenly have tens of thousands more followers.
--Janice Dean (Sr Fox News Meteorologist)

Rep. Adam Schiff says he is 'concerned' that Elon Musk's 'personal views will stop the fight against disinformation on social media'
Source: Blaze Media
April 27, 2022
"Here's my take on the world’s richest man buying Twitter: He makes a great car and rocket. But I’m concerned his personal views will stop the fight against disinformation on social media. The problem on Twitter hasn't been too much content moderation – it's too much hate," Schiff tweeted.
Read more...

DHS Disinformation’ Unit Headed by Woman Who Said Hunter Biden Laptop Story Was Disinformation
Source: Summit News
April 27, 2022
“I shudder to think about if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms, what that would look like for the marginalized communities, which are already shouldering disproportionate amounts of this abuse,” she tweeted in response to Musk’s Twitter takeover.
Read more...

Pres Biden is forming a taxpayer funded disinformation governance board It’s so ridiculous it ought to fall by it’s own weight It’s a threat to free speech & political expression
--Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Will Joe Biden’s “disinformation” czar investigate the President’s claim that gas prices are high because of Russia?
--U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH, 4th)

Out of the Horse's Mouths April 26, 2022

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act resulted in more than $2,000 in tax cuts for the average family of four.

Biden's inflation crisis wiped that out, and added an additional $3,000 in higher costs.

Inflation is a hidden tax on Americans who can least afford it.
-- U.S. Representative Bob Gibbs (R-OH, 7th)

While wages increased in 2021, inflation outstripped wage growth, which means many American workers saw a de facto pay cut. They can thank Democrats’ reckless spending.
---Senator John Thune (R - SD)

Fauci will probably ask the CDC to block Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter due to #COVID concerns.
--U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH, 4th)

One billionaire—whose estimated net worth has gotten about 10 times larger since the start of the pandemic—is about to have the power to decide how millions of people can communicate with each other. It’s dangerous for our democracy to have so much power in so few hands.
--Senator Elizabeth Warren (D - MA)

By “free speech”, I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.
--Elon Musk

U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, Workers, Sexual Harassment in the Military, Labor Violation at Dollar Stores, Home Sales

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to April 26, 2022

Sens. Moran, Daines Statements on Secretary Blinken’s Announcement to Reopen the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv
Source: Senator Jerry Moran- (R - KS)
April 25, 2022
“America’s presence and leadership in Ukraine matters,” said Sen. Moran. “Secretary Blinken’s statement to reopen the embassy in Kyiv is a move I called for and support, and I will continue to urge the Biden administration to get this done as quickly as possible. Our European allies have resumed embassy operations in Kyiv, and it is past time for America to do the same and show our full support for a Ukraine whole and free.”
Read more...

Mrvan Testifies Before ITC in Support of U.S. Workers
Source: U.S. Representative Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN, 1st)
April 25, 2022
Congressman Frank J. Mrvan testified before the International Trade Commission (ITC) during their hearing last week entitled, “Distributional Effects of Trade and Trade Policy on U.S. Workers.”
Read more...

======
Visit Shonda Ponder Enterprises by clicking HERE
======

Mullin Co-Leads Bill to Remove Sexual Harassment from the Military Chain of Command on Anniversary of SPC Vanessa Guillén’s Murder
Source: U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin (R-OK, 2nd)
April 22, 2022
This legislation will remove sexual harassment from the military chain of command to a new special trial counsel created by the National Defense Authorization Act of (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2022, as well as require that new, independent sexual harassment investigators created by the FY22 NDAA are outside the chain of command of the victim and are trained in investigating sexual harassment.
Read more...

Senator Murray Pushes to Protect Workers at Dollar Store Chains, After Reports of Egregious Labor Violations
Source: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
April 22, 2022
Dollar General and Dollar Tree have engaged in unacceptable labor practices that have shortchanged workers, created unsafe working conditions, and in some cases, violated federal law—even as the companies have experienced explosive growth in recent years. These companies collectively operate more locations than Walmart, Starbucks, and McDonald’s combined, and continue to expand at a significant pace. In 2020, median annual pay for Dollar General and Dollar Tree workers was just $16,688 and $15,816, respectively, while the companies’ CEOs make 986 and 715 times as much. The dollar store chains have routinely expected employees to work long hours while misclassifying them as managers to avoid paying overtime and have engaged in a host of other shameful practices, like denying employees breaks and discouraging unionization.
Read more...

======
Visit God Inspires
======

Existing-Home Sales Slip 2.7% in March
Source: National Association of Realtors
April 20, 2022
Existing-home sales decreased in March, marking two consecutive months of declines, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Month-over-month, sales in March waned in three of the four major U.S. regions while holding steady in the West. Sales were down across each region year-over-year.
Read more...

Sanctioned by Russia and more...

Today's News for the Week Prior and Up to April 16, 2022

Miller-Meeks Statement on Being Sanctioned by Russia
Source: U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IO, 2nd)
April 15, 2022
“I will not bow down to the thugs in Moscow. The invasion of Ukraine violates international law and cannot go unpunished. I am proud to stand with the people of Ukraine and I am inspired by their bravery and will to fight for their country. I will continue to work with all of my colleagues to hold Russia, Putin, and his cronies accountable for their war crimes against the people of Ukraine.”
Read more...

MOORE, WARREN, BOOKER INTRODUCE MAMAS FIRST ACT
Source: U.S. Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI, 4th)
April 15, 2022
“Medicaid covers 40 percent of all births and 65 percent of Black mothers’ births. As Black mothers continue to bear the burden of our maternal health crisis, dying at 3-5 times the rate of white mothers, making these investments will have an immediate impact on the most vulnerable mothers. Mothers who have access to doulas and midwives are more likely to have healthier outcomes and deliveries free of complications for them and their babies.
Read more...

Moolenaar: "It's a Badge of Honor" to Be Sanctioned By Russia
Source: U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI, 4th)
April 14, 2022
"Being sanctioned by Vladimir Putin’s corrupt government is a badge of honor. I refuse to stand idly by while his government commits genocide, and I have voted to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion. These new sanctions will not deter me from continuing to support the courageous people of Ukraine as they fight for their lives and the country they love,” said Moolenaar.
Read more...