Washington, D.C. - July 28, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- This week, Congressman Don Bacon (NE02) along with 22 of his colleagues sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to exclude tinplate steel and aluminum for food packaging in any import restrictions initiated under, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This investigation was launched to determine whether steel and aluminum imports threaten or impair our national security.
“As a retired brigadier general who served nearly 30 years in the Air Force, I share the President’s strong commitment to ensuring both America’s security and a level playing field for American manufacturing” said Congressman Bacon. “However, if the investigation does not exclude tinplate steel and aluminum, primary components used in the domestic manufacturing of food packaging, we are concerned it could negatively affect U.S. food processers and increase food prices for consumers.”
Given that tinplate steel makes up approximately 60 percent of the cost of the can, even a tariff as low as 5 percent on imported tinplate steel would increase the cost of goods by $0.042 each. This cost would inevitably get passed on to consumers who in many cases are the most economically vulnerable. This would be unacceptable. Additionally, Congressman Bacon is concerned that the broad scope of the Section 232 investigations may impact aluminum as well.
“The domestic canned food supply chain and flexible packaging industry generates more than $100 billion in total economic activity in the U.S. and employs tens of thousands of American workers,” added Congressman Bacon. “This industry provides some of the safest, most affordable food available to consumers today. We will continue to keep pressing for what we believe is right for America and our constituents.”
The Unpopular Truth
Monday, July 31, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Democrat Governor Scams Taxpayers Out Of $6.4 million, And It’s Not Even His State
American Patriot News
Mississippi officials are demanding repayment of $6.4 million in taxpayer funds doled out to a politically-connected “green car” company that promised to create jobs in the state.
The good news is they know where to deliver the court documents, because the scammer is currently living in the Virginia Governor’s Mansion.
Mississippi officials are demanding repayment of $6.4 million in taxpayer funds doled out to a politically-connected “green car” company that promised to create jobs in the state.
The good news is they know where to deliver the court documents, because the scammer is currently living in the Virginia Governor’s Mansion.
Read more...
Fake Gwinnett attorney accused of bilking immigrants still on lam
Atlanta:Journal-Constitution
Eddi Bueno-Cabrera was not, and is not, a real attorney, Gwinnett County police say.
Nevertheless, the native Dominican set up shop at flea market late last year and, using multiple aliases, began offering legal services.
He told one man he’d help his family get to the States legally and collected $6,000. He agreed to help a handful of foreign workers get legal status and collected $20,000. He promised someone else he’d assist with the immigration process and collected $10,000 more.
Eddi Bueno-Cabrera was not, and is not, a real attorney, Gwinnett County police say.
Nevertheless, the native Dominican set up shop at flea market late last year and, using multiple aliases, began offering legal services.
He told one man he’d help his family get to the States legally and collected $6,000. He agreed to help a handful of foreign workers get legal status and collected $20,000. He promised someone else he’d assist with the immigration process and collected $10,000 more.
Read more...
Japan Imposes Stiff Tariffs on Imported US Frozen Beef
Fumble Board
In unwelcome news for American farmers, Japan said Friday that it was imposing emergency tariffs of 50 percent on imports of frozen beef, mainly from the U.S. The increase, from 38.5 percent to 50 percent, will begin August 1, 2017 and last through March 31, 2018.
Under World Trade Organization rules, Japan can impose safeguard tariffs when imports rise more than 17 percent, year-on-year in any given quarter. The framework was to be scrapped under the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed 12-nation trade deal that included the USA and Japan, but Mr. Trump pulled the US out of the TPP before it went into effect. But U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from that accord after taking office.
In unwelcome news for American farmers, Japan said Friday that it was imposing emergency tariffs of 50 percent on imports of frozen beef, mainly from the U.S. The increase, from 38.5 percent to 50 percent, will begin August 1, 2017 and last through March 31, 2018.
Under World Trade Organization rules, Japan can impose safeguard tariffs when imports rise more than 17 percent, year-on-year in any given quarter. The framework was to be scrapped under the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed 12-nation trade deal that included the USA and Japan, but Mr. Trump pulled the US out of the TPP before it went into effect. But U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from that accord after taking office.
Read more...
Pitkin County, feds working on ATV ban enforcement plan
Aspen News
Come next summer, those who continue to ride off-road, unlicensed vehicles on Aspen Mountain and other Pitkin County roads may be in for a rude awakening.
That's because Pitkin County and U.S. Forest Service officials are working on a plan to hire two rangers to patrol Aspen Mountain and other areas in 2018 to enforce a ban on unlicensed, off-road vehicles on county roads, said Brian Pettet, Pitkin County's public works director.
Unlicensed, off-highway vehicles — which include the popular Razors, four-wheelers and other vehicles that don't have the proper equipment for an official license plate — never have been officially allowed on roads in Pitkin County or the city of Aspen. However, city and county law enforcement have traditionally not enforced the law.
Come next summer, those who continue to ride off-road, unlicensed vehicles on Aspen Mountain and other Pitkin County roads may be in for a rude awakening.
That's because Pitkin County and U.S. Forest Service officials are working on a plan to hire two rangers to patrol Aspen Mountain and other areas in 2018 to enforce a ban on unlicensed, off-road vehicles on county roads, said Brian Pettet, Pitkin County's public works director.
Unlicensed, off-highway vehicles — which include the popular Razors, four-wheelers and other vehicles that don't have the proper equipment for an official license plate — never have been officially allowed on roads in Pitkin County or the city of Aspen. However, city and county law enforcement have traditionally not enforced the law.
Read more...
Yellowstone park cracks down on sex harassment
News of the Day
BILLINGS, Mont. — As many as 10 workers in Yellowstone National Park’s maintenance division will be disciplined after an investigation found female employees were subjected to sexual harassment and other problems.
The move comes as widespread reports of harassment, bullying and other misconduct have tarnished the image of the National Park Service and its parent agency, the U.S. Interior Department.
Investigators have uncovered problems at many of the nation’s premier parks — Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Canaveral National Seashore — as well as inappropriate behavior toward female employees by the Interior Department’s former director of law enforcement.
BILLINGS, Mont. — As many as 10 workers in Yellowstone National Park’s maintenance division will be disciplined after an investigation found female employees were subjected to sexual harassment and other problems.
The move comes as widespread reports of harassment, bullying and other misconduct have tarnished the image of the National Park Service and its parent agency, the U.S. Interior Department.
Investigators have uncovered problems at many of the nation’s premier parks — Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Canaveral National Seashore — as well as inappropriate behavior toward female employees by the Interior Department’s former director of law enforcement.
Read more...
British baby Charlie Gard has died, family spokeswoman says
Arkadelphia Siftings Herald
LONDON — Charlie Gard, the critically ill British baby at the center of a legal battle that attracted the attention of Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump, has died, according to a family spokeswoman. He would have turned 1 next week.
Charlie suffered from a rare genetic disease, mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which caused brain damage and left him unable to breathe unaided.
His parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, raised more than 1.3 million pounds ($1.7 million) to take him to the United States for experimental therapy they believed could prolong his life. But Charlie’s doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital objected, saying the treatment wouldn’t help and might cause him to suffer. The dispute ended up in court.
The case became a flashpoint for debates on health-care funding, medical intervention, the role of the state and the rights of children.
LONDON — Charlie Gard, the critically ill British baby at the center of a legal battle that attracted the attention of Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump, has died, according to a family spokeswoman. He would have turned 1 next week.
Charlie suffered from a rare genetic disease, mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which caused brain damage and left him unable to breathe unaided.
His parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, raised more than 1.3 million pounds ($1.7 million) to take him to the United States for experimental therapy they believed could prolong his life. But Charlie’s doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital objected, saying the treatment wouldn’t help and might cause him to suffer. The dispute ended up in court.
The case became a flashpoint for debates on health-care funding, medical intervention, the role of the state and the rights of children.
Read more...
Uncertainty looms ahead for GOP effort to repeal and replace Affordable Care Act
Alaska Dispatch News
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans on Friday glumly confronted the wreckage of their seven-year quest to abolish the Affordable Care Act, blaming each other and President Donald Trump for the dramatic early-morning collapse of the effort but finding no consensus on a way forward.
Some GOP lawmakers clung to long-shot hopes that some version of the legislation might be revived and that a deal might yet be struck before the fall. But the Senate's rejection early Friday of a last-ditch, bare-bones proposal to roll back just a few key planks of the law left GOP leaders with few options for uniting their sharply polarized ranks.
Hours later, House Republicans gathered in the Capitol to take stock of the situation. Some raised the prospect of abandoning their long-standing pledge to "repeal and replace" the ACA and instead working with Democrats to shore up weak spots in the law known as Obamacare. But Trump signaled little interest in that approach, leaving many lawmakers baffled about how to proceed.
"I'm not a prophet," said Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., who helped push an earlier version of the repeal bill through the House. "I don't know what comes next."
[Democrats urge investigations into Trump administration efforts to pressure Murkowski]
Politically, the collapse of the repeal effort is potentially devastating for Republicans. It leaves Trump without a significant policy achievement in the critical first six months of his presidency; it casts a pall over the party's coming drives to pass a budget and overhaul the tax code; and it exposes GOP lawmakers to rising anger from their conservative base.
WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans on Friday glumly confronted the wreckage of their seven-year quest to abolish the Affordable Care Act, blaming each other and President Donald Trump for the dramatic early-morning collapse of the effort but finding no consensus on a way forward.
Some GOP lawmakers clung to long-shot hopes that some version of the legislation might be revived and that a deal might yet be struck before the fall. But the Senate's rejection early Friday of a last-ditch, bare-bones proposal to roll back just a few key planks of the law left GOP leaders with few options for uniting their sharply polarized ranks.
Hours later, House Republicans gathered in the Capitol to take stock of the situation. Some raised the prospect of abandoning their long-standing pledge to "repeal and replace" the ACA and instead working with Democrats to shore up weak spots in the law known as Obamacare. But Trump signaled little interest in that approach, leaving many lawmakers baffled about how to proceed.
"I'm not a prophet," said Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., who helped push an earlier version of the repeal bill through the House. "I don't know what comes next."
[Democrats urge investigations into Trump administration efforts to pressure Murkowski]
Politically, the collapse of the repeal effort is potentially devastating for Republicans. It leaves Trump without a significant policy achievement in the critical first six months of his presidency; it casts a pall over the party's coming drives to pass a budget and overhaul the tax code; and it exposes GOP lawmakers to rising anger from their conservative base.
Read more...
Drug Task Force to benefit from asset forfeiture case
Andalusia Star News
Last week, the State of Alabama Court of Civil Appeals upheld the condemnation of a home on Snead Street and more than $18,000. The house is expected to be sold and the funds used to provide operating expenses for the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force.
In October, the county learned that the Drug Task Force would not receive funding from an ADECA grant as it had in the past.
During an October meeting of the DTF board, District Attorney Walt Merrell suggested that the group use asset forfeiture money that was fully adjudicated for things such as rent.
Merrell said he would not disclose how much money was in that fund.
Last week, the State of Alabama Court of Civil Appeals upheld the condemnation of a home on Snead Street and more than $18,000. The house is expected to be sold and the funds used to provide operating expenses for the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force.
In October, the county learned that the Drug Task Force would not receive funding from an ADECA grant as it had in the past.
During an October meeting of the DTF board, District Attorney Walt Merrell suggested that the group use asset forfeiture money that was fully adjudicated for things such as rent.
Merrell said he would not disclose how much money was in that fund.
Read more...
AMODEI STATEMENT ON NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT PASSING OUT OF COMMITTEE
Washington, D.C. - July 29, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) released the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee successfully passed H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017:
“I assume no one is surprised this bill started moving,” said Congressman Amodei. “The fact that the vote out of Committee was 49-4, and not a party-line vote, leads me to suspect this is a sign of things to come in the House. Another fact of note – when attempting to predict the future of this legislation – is the fact that Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry was confirmed in the Senate with a recorded vote of 62-37. We will continue to direct our efforts at providing the best possible protection for Nevadans.”
“I assume no one is surprised this bill started moving,” said Congressman Amodei. “The fact that the vote out of Committee was 49-4, and not a party-line vote, leads me to suspect this is a sign of things to come in the House. Another fact of note – when attempting to predict the future of this legislation – is the fact that Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry was confirmed in the Senate with a recorded vote of 62-37. We will continue to direct our efforts at providing the best possible protection for Nevadans.”
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