Hmmmm

Bill Clinton has COVID.

Mike Pence may run for president

Hakeem Jeffries made Democratic House Leader

The Appeals Court Ruled Against Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

Kyle Rittenhouse has vowed that he was going to start speaking up.

Ponder the News: November 21, 2022

Scalise: Republicans Are Ready to fix Dems' Self-Made Crises, Hold Biden Accountable
Source: U.S. Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA, 1st)
November 18, 2022
You haven’t seen any oversight into the Biden Administration’s very questionable actions on so many fronts, this being one, and there [are] a lot of others. And we said we would do both. You don’t just do one. We’re going to pass policy. We’re going to have oversight. And it can all go on at the same time, starting on January 3rd, and we’ve been making preparations.
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Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Food Stamp Theft

On Thursday, November 17th, U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-TX, 21st) nominated U.S. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th) to be Speaker of the House.

U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12th) has decided to step down from leadership. U.S. Representative Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD, 2nd) issued a statement about it on Thursday.

On Friday, November 18th, Ruppersberger introduced legislation to reimburse victims of food stamp theft.

Student Loans, Monkey Pox

Chairman Palmer Denounces Biden's Student Loan Bailout Plan
Source: U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL, 6th)
August 24, 2022
“The decision by the Biden Administration to write-off $300 billion of student loan debt this year will make the inflation crisis worse,” said Chairman Palmer. “This is an incredibly insensitive decision that almost entirely benefits higher wage earners who attended college at the expense of everyone else who either paid for their college educations or never attended college. This vote-buying scheme should further expose the fact that Democrats are not the least bit concerned that 61 percent of American households are now living paycheck-to-paycheck. Even Democrat economists like Larry Summers have warned that families all across America are struggling to make ends meet, including senior citizens and others on fixed incomes, and adding another $300 billion in federal spending this year will only make their situations worse.”
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Padilla Joins Local Leaders in San Francisco to Advocate for Additional Monkeypox Vaccines and Equitable Distribution
Source: Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA)
August 25, 2022
“One of the lessons we learned from the COVID pandemic was that a sustained period of limited vaccine availability early in a public health crisis is a recipe for disaster,”said Senator Padilla. “But, unlike COVID, we already have an approved vaccine ready to deploy against Monkeypox. That is why I’ve called on HHS and the CDC to ramp up their efforts to increase vaccine access, and I’ll continue working to ensure that all resources from the federal government are equitably distributed to all corners of California.”
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Inflation Reduction Act, Chalking Tires, Learning Loss

Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement in Support of Inflation Reduction Act
Source: U.S. Representative Lihan Omar (D-MN, 6th)
August 8, 2022
“The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic bill. With the Senate’s passage, we are one step closer to passing the biggest climate bill ever, lowering drug prices, taxing wealthy corporations, and more. The bill includes a much needed tax on corporate buybacks of their own stocks, averts a benefits cliff by extending health care subsidies for 3 years, allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and would reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030.
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Oxfam hails passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in the Senate
Source: OxFam America
August 8, 2022
We are pleased to see the Senate finally take much needed action on climate change, taxes, and healthcare, and we especially praise historic investments to combat climate change. While this legislation is far from perfect, as it makes damaging concessions at the behest of the fossil fuel industry and ignores the care crisis in this country, it does show that government can move the ball forward on key issues. We join activists across the country celebrating this passage, and urge the House of Representatives to quickly pass it as well, and for President Biden to sign it into law.
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Federal Court Finds Tire Chalking Unconstitutional, Orders Payment for Each Swipe of the Chalk
Source: Outside Legal Counsel
August 8, 2022
On August 8, 2022, the US Federal District Court in Bay City, Michigan issued its long-awaited decision and final judgment in the legal challenge to 'tire chalking' - the practice of surreptitiously placing chalk on the tires of privately-owned vehicles (without a valid warrant or consent) to gather information about the movement (or non-movements) of publicly parked vehicles. Federal Judge Thomas L. Ludington today held and confirmed that tire chalking is unconstitutional.
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Owens Introduces Bill to Empower Parents to Solve the Learning Loss Crisis
Source: U.S. Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT, 4th)
August 8, 2022
“As pandemic learning loss continues to crush the academic progress of millions of students across the country, only 7% of the so-called solution – $122 billion in American Rescue Plan funding – has been spent,” said Rep. Owens. “Not only is our nation falling behind as a leader in education, but our one-size-fits-all system is leaving our most vulnerable kids behind and pushing parents out of the driver’s seat. I am proud to introduce the RECOVER Act with Senator Scott to bring parents off the sidelines of their kid’s education by allowing states to reallocate billions in unspent dollars so that low-income students can receive the targeted support they need to reach their God-given potential.”
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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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