News Bytes to Ponder...(horses, water, firearms, guns, maternity, outsourcing, Medicaid, illegal immigrants, )

A coalition of leading animal welfare groups has endorsed bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Vern Buchanan to permanently ban the killing of horses for human consumption in America and end the export of live horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses.

The SAFE Act (Safeguard American Food Exports) is co-sponsored by Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Ed Royce, R-Calif., and Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M.

Congressman Ken Buck (CO-04) introduced H.R. 519, the Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2017 (WATER Act), a key legislative priority that Buck shepherded through committee last year and hopes to see on the House Floor in the 115th Congress. The legislation permits mutual water and storage delivery companies to retain their non-profit status even if they receive more than 15% of their revenue from non-member sources. The additional non-member revenue raised under the act must be used for maintenance, operations, and infrastructure improvements. By allowing these companies to raise additional revenue from non-members, they can invest in infrastructure improvements that allow them to offer more affordable water resources to their members.

Freshman Representative Ted Budd co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. This bill provides law-abiding citizens with concealed carry permits the legal protection to carry in other states that recognize their own residents’ right to concealed carry.

The House of Representatives passed the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act (H.R. 315), introduced by Congressman Michael C. Burgess M.D. (R-TX), Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA). The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act would increase data collection by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help place maternity care health professionals working in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) throughout geographic regions experiencing a health professional shortage.


Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) introduced her first piece of legislation in the 115th Congress, continuing her focus on growing our economy and boosting our region’s manufacturing industry. She also held a press conference with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and colleagues from the industrial heartland to discuss the legislation.

The Overseas Outsourcing Accountability Act would require President-elect Donald Trump to develop a national strategy to stop outsourcing and allow Congress to measure its success through a review every two years. This legislation does not require Trump to follow a prescribed path; however, it would rein in his inconsistent behavior by requiring him to put a real strategy down on paper for working families to evaluate.

U.S. Representatives G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), David E. Price (NC-04), and Alma Adams (NC-12), the Democratic members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation, sent a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in strong support of a State Plan Amendment to expand Medicaid in the State of North Carolina.

Medicaid expansion is a core provision of the Affordable Care Act. Under North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s proposal, North Carolina will receive $4 billion in federal funding while saving over $330 million in uncompensated care. Studies have shown that expanding Medicaid in North Carolina will provide access to care for over half a million state residents, streamline care delivery, and create tens of thousands of new jobs.

Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) reintroduced legislation aimed at preventing criminal illegal immigrants from being released from custody. The Help Ensure Legal Detainers (HELD) Act, H.R. 514, would require localities to adhere to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers.

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Representative Earl L. "Buddy" Carter, R-Ga.-01, introduced legislation in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to expand and protect Fort Frederica National Monument located on St. Simons Island, Ga.

Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03) along with Rep. John Carter (TX-31) introduced a bill to cut through the red tape on owning firearm suppressors. The Duncan-Carter Hearing Protection Act will remove suppressors from the scope of the National Firearms Act (NFA), replacing the outdated federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check )NICS). The bill also includes a provision to refund the $200 transfer tax to applicants who purchase a suppressor after October 22, 2015, which was the original date of introduction. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use.

First Responders, Transparancy, Sanctuary Cities, Whistleblowers, Tsunamis, Russia and Weather

U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) took to the House floor to speak on his legislation, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act (H.R. 437). The bill would help boost medical countermeasures for first responders in the event of an emergency, like a terrorist attack or hurricane.

========

H.R. 5 was passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. The six bills included in H.R. 5 include:
Regulatory Accountability Act: Requires agencies to use less costly regulations to achieve a given objective. (Title I—Regulatory Accountability Act )

Separation of Powers Restoration Act: Repeals the Chevron and Auer doctrines and enables judges to “end judicial deference to bureaucrats’ statutory and regulatory interpretations.” (Title II – Separation of Powers Restoration Act)

Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act: Requires agencies to explain how their actions affect small business owners, employees, and customers. (Title III—Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act)

REVIEW Act: Prevents new rules with billion-dollar annual costs from taking effect until litigation against them has been resolved. It would not affect current regulations. (Title IV—REVIEW Act)

ALERT Act: Requires agencies to publish already-mandatory transparency reports that they regularly dodge. (Title V—ALERT Act)

Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act: Requires agencies to publish summaries of their new rules in plain English. (Title VI—Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act)


Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) introduced H. J. Res. 100, a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would provide states with the authority to repeal any federal rule or regulation if two-thirds of the states are in agreement.

=====

Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) and Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. The legislation, introduced with the support of 59 House cosponsors and the backing of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), would withhold key federal funding streams from jurisdictions that forbid their law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials.

=====

The House of Representatives unanimously approved Congressman Rod Blum’s legislation to protect whistleblowers in the federal government by reauthorizing the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) through 2021.

The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for protecting federal employees from retaliation for whistleblowing on violations of law, mismanagement of funds, abuse of authority, or other prohibited practices within the federal government.

=====

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has introduced bipartisan legislation to help prepare coastal communities for tsunami. Several other Congressional members have sponsored the bill with Bonamici, including Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Don Young (R-AK), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Denny Heck (D-WA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Charlie Crist (D-FL), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA). This legislation will strengthen tsunami detection and warning systems, improve response and resiliency, and better protect communities vulnerable to tsunami. The legislation would complement local and state efforts to prepare for tsunami.

=====

Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Oversight Committee, released the following statement regarding the recent allegations of Russian possession of incriminating material involving President-elect Donald Trump and his campaign’s coordination with Russian officials:

“If true, the intelligence report outlining allegations of Russia’s possession of compromising personal and financial information about President-elect Donald Trump is beyond unsettling and sheds great light on Mr. Trump’s oddly sympathetic approach to Russia and its meddling in our election, as determined by our intelligence community. If substantiated or verified, I will call for a formal, bipartisan congressional investigation into these scandalous and disturbing allegations.”

=====

On January 4, 2017, the U.S. House passed H.R. 21, the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017, a bill designed to provide greater congressional oversight of burdensome regulations issued during the final days of a president’s term.

=====

The U.S. House unanimously approved H.R. 353, the Lucas-Bridenstine Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act. This legislation prioritizes protecting lives and property.

This legislation is the product of a bipartisan effort. It directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to focus resources and effort to:

Rebalance NOAA funding to place a higher priority on weather-related research and activities;

Emphasize developing accurate forecasts and timely warnings of high impact weather events;

Create programs to extend warning lead times and improve forecasts for tornadoes and hurricanes;

Develop a plan to utilize advanced technology to regain U.S. superiority in weather modeling and forecasts;

Increase focus and continue development of seasonal forecasts and how to maximize information from these forecasts; and

Enhance coordination among various federal government weather stakeholders.

The legislation also authorizes and extends a NOAA pilot program already under way thanks to a partnership between the House Science Space and Technology and the House Appropriations Committee. Under this pilot program, NOAA has already issued two contracts to procure commercial satellite weather data. This pilot program could bring about a paradigm shift in how NOAA makes decisions about future procurement of critical weather data.

Deporting Aliens, Obamacare and Religion in the Military

Rep. Babin Re-Introduces Criminal Alien Deportation Enforcement Act

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On the first day of the 115th Congress, U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) reintroduced his Criminal Alien Deportation Enforcement Act (H.R. 82), a common-sense bill that will withhold foreign aid and travel visas from any country that refuses to take back one their citizens who has been criminally detained and ordered to be deported from the United States. Last Congress, the legislation (H.R. 5224) received over 50 co-sponsors, including one Democrat.

Under President-elect Trump, the bill faces renewed interest as he has voiced his strong support for punishing countries that refuse to accept deportations. The President-elect states in his ten-point immigration plan that we need to “Ensure that other countries take their people back when we order them deported.”

“There is absolutely no reason that criminal aliens should be released back onto America’s streets, yet that is exactly what is happening by the thousands each and every year because their countries of origin refuse to take them back,” said Rep. Babin. “My bill upholds the rule of law and holds these countries accountable by stripping their foreign aid and travel visas if they fail to cooperate. President-elect Donald Trump has announced that deporting the roughly 2 million criminal aliens in our country would be a top priority for his presidency – and this legislation is a critical component to any such effort.”

According to a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee report, 86,288 illegal immigrants who committed 231,074 crimes were released by the Obama Administration since 2013. Among them was an illegal immigrant named Jean Jacques, whose native Haiti refused to accept him back after he served seventeen years for attempted murder. Within six months of his release from a U.S. prison, Jacques murdered Casey Chadwick, a 25 year-old young woman in Connecticut. Had Haiti been compelled to take Jacques back, Casey would be alive today.

“For the sake of Casey and thousands of other Americans who have been victimized, it is time we start putting the safety of our citizens first and stop this revolving door that is allowing dangerous criminals who should be deported back onto our streets,” said Rep. Babin.

Specifically, H.R. 82 would:

Withhold foreign aid to uncooperative countries that refuse to take back their citizens who are criminal aliens;
Suspend visas for countries that are deemed non-cooperative in repatriating their own citizens who are criminal aliens;
Make it easier to track non-cooperative countries by mandating that the Department of Homeland Security submit to Congress a report every three months listing the uncooperative countries; and
Provide the victims of crimes committed by criminal aliens standing in federal court to sue for deportation of such criminal aliens.

Congressman Andy Biggs Introduces "Grant's Law"

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) introduced Grant’s Law to end the “catch and release” of illegal immigrants who have been arrested for deportable crimes. This bill ensures that these illegal aliens are not released back into our communities, which would prevent potential harm to law-abiding Americans. Rep. Biggs released the following statement:

“Grant Ronnebeck was gunned down on January 22, 2015 at a convenience store by an illegal immigrant in Mesa, Arizona. The illegal immigrant, a convicted felon, was free on bond while facing deportation. Grant’s Law would have prevented this terrible tragedy.

“I have had the privilege of getting to know Grant Ronnebeck’s family and want to express my sincere condolences to them – and to the families of all victims of violence perpetrated by illegal immigrant criminals.

“Without the Obama administration’s abject failure to protect innocent American lives, Grant’s murder would not have occurred. I am introducing this law in Grant’s memory to prevent this senseless violence from occurring again.”

Grant’s Law was introduced as the Stop Catch and Release Act in the 114th Congress by Congressman Matt Salmon.

BARLETTA CALLS FOR AMERICAN EMBASSY IN ISRAEL TO MOVE TO JERUSALEM

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) has joined 101 of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in urging President-Elect Donald J. Trump to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. During the presidential campaign, the president-elect strongly supported the move to Jerusalem, which Israel considers to be its capital city. Currently, the U.S. embassy in Israel is the only American embassy not located in the capital as identified by the host nation. The members of Congress sent a letter to Trump, urging him to take “swift action” on the matter after he is sworn in on January 20, 2017.

“During your campaign, you made a forceful pledge to move our American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which is the eternal capital of the Jewish people and the state of Israel,” the letter reads. “We write to express support for this policy and to urge you to take swift action to relocate our embassy to Jerusalem as soon as you take office.”

The support for the change in the U.S. embassy’s location comes less than three weeks after the Obama Administration failed to veto a stridently anti-Israel resolution before the United Nations Security Council. It had been the longstanding policy and practice of the U.S. to oppose or veto any resolutions condemning Israel at the U.N., a tradition Obama himself had observed until he allowed the anti-Israel vote two days before Christmas.

“This action is all the more urgent in light of the anti-Israel Resolution 2334, adopted by the United Nations Security Council on December 23, 2016,” the letter continues. “The resolution invites renewed diplomatic hostility and economic warfare against Israel, and we must act urgently to mitigate its consequences and to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to Israel.”

Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, passed by Congress, the embassy was to be relocated to Jerusalem by 1999. The legislation provided the president the authority to indefinitely delay the move, which is what has happened since its passage. The Trump Administration could move the embassy using its existing authority granted by Congress.

Congresswoman Beatty Votes Against House Republican Rules Package

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- On January 3, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives enacted The Rules Package for the 115th Congress, H.Res. 5, on a party-line vote of 234 to 193. The adopted rules package will impose a fine against a Member of Congress for the use of electronic photography, audio, visual, recording or broadcasting on the House Floor—an unprecedented move by House Republicans in reaction to the House Democratic sit-in to force votes on gun violence prevention legislation on June 22 and 23. Following passage of the resolution, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) stated,
“Although Congressional Republicans finally reversed course on their plan to eliminate the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, they refuse to budge on a provision that will hamper a Member of Congress’ ability to fully voice the concerns of their constituency. The politically-motivated provision inserted into the House Rules Package was designed to punish House Democrats, including me, who spoke out on the need for gun violence prevention legislation, but in reality it will actually affect Democrats and Republicans alike. I refuse to support such an unprecedented move.”

Prior to full consideration by the House, Congressional Republicans also included language in the rules package to eliminate the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, preventing it from reviewing anonymous complaints and placing its authority under control of the Committee on Ethics which is controlled by Members of Congress. Reaction to the Republicans’ plan to gut the independent ethics committee was met with swift pushback from Americans across the political spectrum, forcing Republicans to make a late change to the rules package only hours before the scheduled vote on the House Floor.

India Caucus Chair Rep. Ami Bera Calls Army Religious Accommodation Policy Change ‘Strong Step Forward’ for Sikh Americans

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Ami Bera (CA-7), Chair of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, applauded the Army’s Religious Accommodation Policy as an important step forward for Sikh Americans in the Army.

The January 3 update allows for Sikh Americans in the Army to receive career-long accommodations to wear articles of faith, such as a turban or beard, and to gain that approval from a brigade-level commander. Observant Sikhs must avoid shaving their beards, and maintain their hair uncut under a turban.

“This is an important step in ensuring that our military can draw on the best and brightest patriots our nation has to offer, no matter what their faith or culture,” said Rep. Ami Bera.

Prior to the announcement, Sikhs were required to submit to a religious accommodation process granting them limited, impermanent permission to wear articles of faith through the Secretary of the Army.

Last month, in concert with the Sikh Coalition, Bera advocated for a constituent from California’s 7th District, Private Shabaddeep Singh Jammu, to obtain long-term religious accommodation.

“Ever since I was 18, I’ve wanted to enlist, so this is a dream come true,” said Shabaddeep Singh Jammu. “This is a step toward showing America that as Sikhs we love this country, that this is really our country, and I hope to see one day that every Sikh can serve in the military without needing a religious accommodation,” said Shabaddeep Singh Jammu.

“As a patriotic Sikh American, the ideals of service and moral character that Private Jammu holds are both prized by the Army and integral to his faith. We are better served when Private Jammu is serving the country that he loves, and I’m happy that all Sikhs in the army will be eligible for that same long-term accommodation,” said Rep. Ami Bera.

Since taking office, Bera has led a years-long effort on behalf of Sikhs in law enforcement, sport, and the military.

Bera, along with Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), pushed the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to change its policy requiring Sikhs and other players to remove articles of faith during international competition, in addition to multipleletters signed by dozens of Members of Congress urging FIBA’s board to end its discriminatory policy against players who wear turbans.

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler Urges Replacement Health Care Solutions to Accompany ACA Repeal Efforts

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Jaime Hierrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd) sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan urging him to ensure Congress pursues replacement health care solutions simultaneously with efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The text of Jaime’s letter to Speaker Paul Ryan follows:

Dear Speaker Ryan:

As Congress approaches the significant task of undoing the damage that has been done to Americans’ health care and the U.S. economy by repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), I urge you to undertake the implementation of replacement health care solutions with equal urgency and purpose.

I know we share the same vision when it comes to Americans’ health care: to make it more affordable, accessible and higher quality for all citizens. Your leadership with regard to the ACA to this point should be commended; you’ve recognized that rather than trying to patch the massive problems of a fundamentally flawed program, we must take aggressive action before the system falls in on itself. However, please keep in mind that repealing the ACA is only one step in the process -- not our final goal.

It’s vital that we move forward with replacing the ACA in a manner that doesn't cause additional disruption to those families who have already endured higher costs and the loss of their doctors and plans since the ACA was forced upon them. As such, any action to repeal on the U.S. House floor should be accompanied by a simultaneous and immediate strategy for replacing it. For instance, as we unravel the portions of the law that did not reduce health care costs, but instead sought to make prices artificially low through taxpayer-funded subsidies, we should simultaneously debate and vote on a replacement solution that would eliminate the restriction on a citizen of Washington state from purchasing a health care plan from another state that costs less and better suits her specific needs.

Since the inception of the law, the ACA has been consistently opposed by a majority of Americans. Despite the problems that have fueled its unpopularity, advocates for the law have stubbornly dismissed or denied the difficulties it has caused. Americans want our party to do better with their health care. If we simply eliminate the ACA without an equal commitment to immediately replacing it with more patient-centered solutions, we risk repeating the Democrats’ mistakes and losing the trust of Americans we’ve worked so hard to earn.

As someone who has worked to improve health care for all residents throughout my career in public service, I offer my time, energy and support to you in pursuit of an immediate replacement plan for the ACA.

Sincerely,

Jaime Herrera Beutler

Member of Congress

Don Beyer: Repealing ACA Would Cost Virginia's Economy Billions Of Dollars And 50,000-100,000 Jobs

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th) pledged to fight any Republican proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as a new study from George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health and the Commonwealth Fund suggested that such a repeal would have dire effects on Virginia’s economy.

“The Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act will have disastrous consequences for Virginia,” said Rep. Beyer. “Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors will lose life-saving, affordable health coverage. The state also stands to lose as many as 100,000 jobs, $30 billion in gross state product, and $50 billion in business output. This is unacceptable and irresponsible.”

The job losses predicted by the Commonwealth Fund/GW study would hit as early as 2019, while the large damage to the state economy is estimated for the first five years (2019-2023) following repeal of the law.

Aguilar Joins Congressional Hispanic Caucus to Warn House Republicans of Consequences of Repealing the Affordable Care Act

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Pete Aguilar joined members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) to warn House Republicans of the ramifications of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“We'll go back to the days when people were denied coverage for having pre-existing conditions, where preventative screenings weren't covered and when simply being a woman was a pre-existing condition. That's shameful. It is unforgivable that House Republicans would choose to go back to that,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “In my community of San Bernardino County, 67 percent of health care recipients are from communities of color…House Republicans have viciously and mercilessly argued against strengthening the ACA because they claim to know better. It's been over six years – what’s your plan?”

According to Health Access California, repealing the Affordable Care Act without replacing it would cause an estimated 20 billion dollar loss to California health care. Recent data shows that nearly 40,000 residents in California’s 31st Congressional district and approximately five million throughout California have enrolled in Covered California since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. Additionally, nearly 200,000 San Bernardino County residents and over 80,000 people in California’s 31st Congressional District now receive health care through Medi-Cal since the ACA expansion.

Rep. Aguilar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He is committed to working with House Democrats and Republicans to improve the Affordable Care Act so it works for all Americans.

Congresswoman Alma Adams’ Speaks Out Against Censorship of Winner of Congressional Art Competition

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) sent a letter to Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-50) expressing her strong opposition and disappointment to the removal of the artwork of Mr. David Pulphus, the high school artist and winner of Missouri’s 1st District Congressional Art Competition, from the exhibit in the U.S. Capitol.

“As a practicing professional artist and retired 40 year college art professor, I am appalled that Congressman Hunter would take any action that would degrade and censor a high school student who was chosen as an official winner of the Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman Adams.

“Representative Hunter’s actions not only disregarded and disrespected Representative Clay’s decision to award Mr. Pulphus with this special Congressional honor, but also silenced the very real experience of those citizens in Mr. Clay’s district- and more specifically this young student’s right as an artist to express himself.

“Our founding fathers enshrined the freedom of speech in the Bill of Rights, but this irreverent action showed, not only a lack of respect for our freedoms and civil liberties, but also a blatant disregard for our Constitution. Freedom of speech, which includes visual expression, press, and a lack of censorship are values that we have not only fought for, but also values that Representative Hunter and I have been elected to protect.”

The next day, after sending this letter, the painting was replaced in its original spot.

Abraham letter to Trump: Move American Embassy to Jerusalem

Washington, D.C. - January 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, joined U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., in leading a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump asking that the United States move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

More than 100 members of Congress signed the letter, which was mailed to Trump on Wednesday. Trump stated during his campaign that he, too, supports putting the American Embassy in Jerusalem.

"Israel is one of the United States' closest allies and stands alone in the Middle East for its commitment to democratic ideals. Moving the embassy will strengthen the unique alliance between Israel and the United States and send a clear message to the world that we support Israel in recognizing Jerusalem as its eternal capital," wrote the members.

The letter comes less than a week after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution that condemned the United Nations for its recent anti-Israel actions. Dr. Abraham was an original cosponsor of that resolution.

Dr. Abraham has visited Israel twice since taking office and has become one of the country's strongest allies in Washington. He most recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November where the two discussed the threats Israel faced from radical Islamic terrorists and how America and Israel can improve relations that have been strained over the past eight years by the Obama administration.

"Israel and her citizens live under the daily threat of attack from Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Nothing would send a stronger message of 'America stands with Israel' than to move our embassy to Jerusalem. Israel is the strongest democracy in the entire region, and as the global leaders of democracy, America must stand shoulder to shoulder with our Israeli allies," Dr. Abraham said.

Read the letter here.

More News from the House on January 5, 2017

U.S. Representative Mark Walker (R-N.C.) today spoke at a press conference to introduce the Republican Study Committee's plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. The bill, the American Health Care Reform Act of 2017 (AHCRA), is sponsored by U.S. Representative Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) and was introduced today in the House.

=====

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, led nearly 60 of their colleagues Wednesday to introduce resolutions in the Senate and House stating the sense of Congress that President-elect Donald Trump should comply with the Constitution and follow the precedent established by prior presidents and convert his assets to simple, conflict-free holdings, adopt blind trusts managed by an independent trustees, or take other equivalent measures.

The resolutions note that in the absence of such actions by the President-elect before he assumes office or without specific authorization by Congress, Congress will regard dealings by Trump-owned companies with any entity owned by a foreign governmental actor as potential violations of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.

Right to Know Act Passes House

In the first week of the 115th Congress, Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI, 7th) introduced and passed his first piece of legislation for the new session, which will provide the American people with a better understanding of how their tax dollars are spent. H.R. 71, the Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act, requires each federal agency to annually report online an inventory of its federal programs and provide a description and cost of each program. The bipartisan bill was introduced on Tuesday along with Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) and unanimously passed the House today. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is leading this effort in the Senate.

I think this is a great move by Congress, who is starting to recognize that We the People are tired of being fooled and robbed.

God is hearing our prayers:

Ephesians 4:25
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

Other Newsmaker Headlines

Stop Hunger Now, NC State University Announce Clinton Hunger Leadership Award Winner

TLMA Files Letter of Support in BMT O&G v. Clayton Williams Energy - November 2016

Obama Attempts to Ban Offshore Drilling by Executive Fiat

Majority of States Score 6 or Lower Out of 10 Indicators in Report on Health Emergency Preparedness

Paris Climate Accord Points Way to Future Jobs, Markets, Secretary-General Says, Recalling Challenging Decade in Southern Illinois University Speech

Largest military solar energy project in Northeast breaks ground on JB MDL

USCIS Publishes Interim Rule on T Nonimmigrant Status

Headlines from the House and Senate

Department of Defense Fails to Protect Servicemembers from Exposure to Blasts


Congressman Smith Statement on President-Elect Trump’s Continued Alarming Conflicts of Interest

Smith Issues Regulation Rewind Report

'Christian refugees escaping ISIS get visit from N.J. Rep. Chris Smith'

Sherman Requests Classified Briefing on Russian-led Hacking

Lame Duck President Continues War on Coal

Manufacturing Bill Cosponsored by Collins, King Set To Become Law

Comment of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On POTUS Announcement Banning Drilling in Parts of Atlantic and Arctic Oceans

Senators Markey and Booker Praise Obama Administration Move to Permanently Ban Offshore Drilling in Parts of Arctic and Atlantic Oceans

INDEFENSIBLE: SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN EXPOSES $13 BILLION IN WASTEFUL DEFENSE SPENDING IN NEW AMERICA’S MOST WASTED REPORT


McCaskill-Warren GAO Report Shows Shocking Increase in Student Loan Debt Among Seniors