Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) introduced the Addiction Recovery for Rural Communities (ARRC) Act, a bipartisan bill that will help rural communities bolster their efforts to fight the opioid and addiction epidemic. Joining Congresswoman Bustos to lead the legislation in the House are Representatives Rick Crawford (AR-01), Roger Marshall (KS-01) and Dwight Evans (PA-02) – all fellow members of the House Agriculture Committee. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Luther Strange (R-AL) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) also introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
In 2015, more than 50,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, which are now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50. This addiction crisis – particularly for heroin, opioids and prescription drugs – has been even more pronounced in rural America. In fact, drug-related deaths are nearly 50 percent higher in rural areas. But too often, rural communities lack the much-needed health care infrastructure to address this crisis.
That’s why the Addiction Recovery for Rural Communities Act would help rural Americans better leverage United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development programs to combat opioid and heroin use. Specifically, the legislation would set aside 20 percent of the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program grant funding for substance abuse treatment. It would also prioritize USDA Community and Facilities Direct Loan and Grant applications focused on substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services – which will help incentivize the establishment of new treatment centers. Finally, it will prioritize USDA Rural Health and Safety Education grant funding for applicants seeking to improve education and outreach on opioids and other substance abuse issues.
“Rural communities in the Heartland are facing an addiction epidemic, and Congress must give them the resources they need to fight back,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that folks in small towns have access to the health care, education and tools they need to combat the drug abuse and overdoses that are devastating too many of our families and communities. The heroin and opioid epidemic knows no boundaries, and I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me to address this pressing issue.”
“The cost of opioid addiction goes beyond the heartbreaking individual loss of life: there’s also law enforcement and health care costs that weigh on all of us,” Congressman Crawford said. “But in rural America, treatment can be hard to administer, and the same tactics that work in urban areas aren’t as effective in places like the 1st District. We want to do our part at the federal level to help the folks at home who are dealing with this problem day in and day out.”
“We in Congress have a responsibility to provide our rural communities with the resources necessary to fight opioid abuse,” Congressman Marshall said. “Across Kansas, organizations are doing the important work of helping people escape addition and find hope – it is my goal to aid those groups in this ongoing fight.”
“I am proud to stand with my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to combat the scourge of opioid and other harmful drug use in rural communities across the country,” Congressman Evans said. “We must approach this effort with a dedicated urgency as neighborhoods across rural Pennsylvania and nationwide have been ravaged by the use of opioids. As we look to put in action comprehensive solutions to tackle this devastating epidemic, it is critical for Congress to provide funding from other programs to immediately provide the lifesaving treatment to those most in need.”
“Our rural communities have been hardest hit by the opioid crisis,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. “NRHA supports the Addiction Recovery for Rural Communities Act because it will allow rural communities that have been devastated by opioid addiction to receive prevention and treatment programs locally.”
“Targeted investments in telemedicine and extension services fill a void for rural communities that lack access to health care facilities and treatment programs,” said Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union. “As the opioid crisis grips rural communities across the country, the Addiction Recovery for Rural Communities Act will provide increased access to vital health care services in many of these areas. NFU applauds Reps. Bustos, Crawford, Evans and Marshall for their work in ensuring rural communities can become more proactive in their response to this crisis.”
The Unpopular Truth
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Reset Act of 2017 Introduced
Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Reset Act of 2017. The Reset Act calls for a review of all major federal regulations and allows Congress the option of overturning any regulation through a majority vote of both the House and Senate. This legislation follows on the success of the Congressional Review Act, which has been used 14 times in 2017 to overturn major federal regulations.
“We all have to answer to someone. Members of Congress do so every two or six years during elections. What I’ve heard at home is that unelected bureaucrats and rulemakers in Washington seem to answer to no one. What my bill does is allow Congress to review every major rule on the books and overturn them if they are not needed. If this bill goes into law, we will have taken a significant step towards a more accountable and responsive system.”
“We all have to answer to someone. Members of Congress do so every two or six years during elections. What I’ve heard at home is that unelected bureaucrats and rulemakers in Washington seem to answer to no one. What my bill does is allow Congress to review every major rule on the books and overturn them if they are not needed. If this bill goes into law, we will have taken a significant step towards a more accountable and responsive system.”
Ken Buck Joins Letter Asking Speaker Ryan to Cancel August Recess
Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Ken Buck signed a letter, with several of his colleagues, asking Speaker Ryan to cancel August recess unless the House can complete several vital legislative goals. Buck wants the House to complete the annual budget, the annual appropriations process, and to reform the tax code.
“If we can’t get our work done, we shouldn’t be going on recess,” Congressman Ken Buck stated. “Leaving for August recess before we’ve completed our appropriations bills and tax reform will fail to boost our economy and imperil the people’s trust in Republican governance.”
Republicans promised the American people that a unified government would allow for the achievement of several policy priorities, the letter notes. The Congressional Budget Act also requires the House to remain in session in July until all appropriations bills have been passed, meaning the House has a duty to follow the spirit of the rule by disallowing any recess.
The text of the letter is below:
June 30, 2017
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
H-232 The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Ryan,
We request that you cancel Congress’s current plans to recess for the month of August to ensure there is enough time to address the long list of pressing issues on our docket.
During the 2016 elections, President Trump and Republican candidates running for the House and Senate promised the American people that with unified Republican government we could achieve many of the policy priorities that have been mere wishes for the last several years. We vowed to repeal Obamacare, pass pro-growth tax reform, reign in federal spending, and work towards balancing the budget. The American people put their faith in us and are counting on us to carry out these goals.
Prior to September 30, we must also find a path forward on passing a federal budget and appropriating funding for fiscal year 2018, reviewing the federal debt limit, and consider reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the National Flood Insurance Program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and more.
Our constituents expect us to work hard and will be disappointed if we shut down for four to five weeks when we could move our agenda forward. We have achieved some notable accomplishments you have rightly called singles and doubles, but working during August could facilitate hitting some home runs.
We are not under the illusion that any of these things will be easy to accomplish, but we fully intend to work in good faith to remain true to our constituents in our respective districts. We cannot afford to lose any of the momentum we have and therefore request that you cancel August recess.
“If we can’t get our work done, we shouldn’t be going on recess,” Congressman Ken Buck stated. “Leaving for August recess before we’ve completed our appropriations bills and tax reform will fail to boost our economy and imperil the people’s trust in Republican governance.”
Republicans promised the American people that a unified government would allow for the achievement of several policy priorities, the letter notes. The Congressional Budget Act also requires the House to remain in session in July until all appropriations bills have been passed, meaning the House has a duty to follow the spirit of the rule by disallowing any recess.
The text of the letter is below:
June 30, 2017
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
H-232 The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Ryan,
We request that you cancel Congress’s current plans to recess for the month of August to ensure there is enough time to address the long list of pressing issues on our docket.
During the 2016 elections, President Trump and Republican candidates running for the House and Senate promised the American people that with unified Republican government we could achieve many of the policy priorities that have been mere wishes for the last several years. We vowed to repeal Obamacare, pass pro-growth tax reform, reign in federal spending, and work towards balancing the budget. The American people put their faith in us and are counting on us to carry out these goals.
Prior to September 30, we must also find a path forward on passing a federal budget and appropriating funding for fiscal year 2018, reviewing the federal debt limit, and consider reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the National Flood Insurance Program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and more.
Our constituents expect us to work hard and will be disappointed if we shut down for four to five weeks when we could move our agenda forward. We have achieved some notable accomplishments you have rightly called singles and doubles, but working during August could facilitate hitting some home runs.
We are not under the illusion that any of these things will be easy to accomplish, but we fully intend to work in good faith to remain true to our constituents in our respective districts. We cannot afford to lose any of the momentum we have and therefore request that you cancel August recess.
House Passes Brownley Bill Expanding Child Care Program to Improve Veterans’ Access to Healthcare
Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act (H.R. 95), legislation introduced by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) to make it easier for veterans to receive healthcare. This bill makes permanent the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program and expands it so that qualified veterans who are primary caretakers have a convenient, cost-free option for child care when they have VA medical appointments.
“We owe our nation’s veterans a great debt for their service to our country, and that includes ensuring they receive the care they need and deserve,” said Congresswoman Brownley.
“The lack of affordable and convenient child care is a major barrier for veterans trying to make their appointments at VA facilities. This is especially problematic for women veterans, who are more often the primary caretakers of young children. The VA’s Child Care Pilot Program has been a major success story, so making it permanent and expanding it nationwide is simply commonsense.”
“I want to thank Congressman Brian Higgins for his steadfast support of this bill, and my bipartisan colleagues on the VA Committee who have backed this proposal every step of the way. Today the House sent a clear message: better access to child care means to better access to health care. I am pleased to see this bill advance to the Senate, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this to the President’s desk.”
Currently, the Child Care Pilot Program offers free child care for qualified veterans using VA healthcare services at a limited number of participating sites around the country and has cared for over 10,000 children. Congress has reauthorized this popular pilot program three times, but it is set to expire on October 1, 2017. The Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act would make the pilot program permanent and expand it to include every VA facility in the nation.
According to a VA Satisfaction Survey of veterans who have used the pilot program, a majority responded that without the available child care they would have brought their children to their appointment or cancelled their appointment altogether.
This legislation is supported by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Easterseals, and the Fleet Reserve Association.
“We owe our nation’s veterans a great debt for their service to our country, and that includes ensuring they receive the care they need and deserve,” said Congresswoman Brownley.
“The lack of affordable and convenient child care is a major barrier for veterans trying to make their appointments at VA facilities. This is especially problematic for women veterans, who are more often the primary caretakers of young children. The VA’s Child Care Pilot Program has been a major success story, so making it permanent and expanding it nationwide is simply commonsense.”
“I want to thank Congressman Brian Higgins for his steadfast support of this bill, and my bipartisan colleagues on the VA Committee who have backed this proposal every step of the way. Today the House sent a clear message: better access to child care means to better access to health care. I am pleased to see this bill advance to the Senate, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this to the President’s desk.”
Currently, the Child Care Pilot Program offers free child care for qualified veterans using VA healthcare services at a limited number of participating sites around the country and has cared for over 10,000 children. Congress has reauthorized this popular pilot program three times, but it is set to expire on October 1, 2017. The Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act would make the pilot program permanent and expand it to include every VA facility in the nation.
According to a VA Satisfaction Survey of veterans who have used the pilot program, a majority responded that without the available child care they would have brought their children to their appointment or cancelled their appointment altogether.
This legislation is supported by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Easterseals, and the Fleet Reserve Association.
Legislation to Prevent President from Reopening Russian Spy Compounds Introduced
Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) and members of the Maryland Delegation, including Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger and John P. Sarbanes (all D-MD), introduced legislation to prohibit the use of funds to return certain property and interests in property to the Government of the Russian Federation. In December of 2016, the Obama Administration – after concluding that the Russian government meddled in U.S. elections and in response to repeated harassment of U.S. diplomats by Russian security services – closed two Russian diplomatic compounds located within the states of Maryland and New York, and ejected 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States. However, the Trump Administration has expressed interest in return the compounds to the Russian government. Congressman Brown’s bill (H.R. 3527) would ensure the President Trump cannot use federal dollars to reopen the facilities, and would build on the new Russia sanctions legislation passed overwhelmingly by Congress earlier this week.
“Our top intelligence agencies have all agreed that Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections. Since taking office, President Trump and his Administration have failed to send a strong and coordinated response to the meddling in our democracy,” said Congressman Brown. “The state of Maryland should not be a base for foreign adversaries looking to spy on the United States and undermine our national security. As questions continue to linger on whether members of the Trump team colluded with the Kremlin, Congress must ensure the Administration does not advance President Putin’s agenda. It goes against the interests of every American to reverse punishment on Russia and reopen these compounds.”
“Giving these compounds back to Russia so that they can potentially spy on us from within our own country makes absolutely no sense,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “The Russians are not our friends and we should not do anything that makes Putin’s job easier, especially with our own tax dollars.”
“In Maryland and across the country, many Americans are asking, ‘Whose side is President Trump on?’” said Congressman Sarbanes, Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force. “Until President Trump releases his tax returns, until he truly separates himself from his businesses and until special counsel Robert Mueller completes his investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives during the 2016 election, many people will continue to question the president’s priorities. This bill is an important step toward holding President Trump accountable and ensuring that he puts the American people and our country first.”
H.R. 3364 Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act - which passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the President’s signature or veto - included a provision that could make the return of the Maryland and New York compound subject to Congressional Review.
“Our top intelligence agencies have all agreed that Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. elections. Since taking office, President Trump and his Administration have failed to send a strong and coordinated response to the meddling in our democracy,” said Congressman Brown. “The state of Maryland should not be a base for foreign adversaries looking to spy on the United States and undermine our national security. As questions continue to linger on whether members of the Trump team colluded with the Kremlin, Congress must ensure the Administration does not advance President Putin’s agenda. It goes against the interests of every American to reverse punishment on Russia and reopen these compounds.”
“Giving these compounds back to Russia so that they can potentially spy on us from within our own country makes absolutely no sense,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “The Russians are not our friends and we should not do anything that makes Putin’s job easier, especially with our own tax dollars.”
“In Maryland and across the country, many Americans are asking, ‘Whose side is President Trump on?’” said Congressman Sarbanes, Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force. “Until President Trump releases his tax returns, until he truly separates himself from his businesses and until special counsel Robert Mueller completes his investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives during the 2016 election, many people will continue to question the president’s priorities. This bill is an important step toward holding President Trump accountable and ensuring that he puts the American people and our country first.”
H.R. 3364 Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act - which passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the President’s signature or veto - included a provision that could make the return of the Maryland and New York compound subject to Congressional Review.
Brooks and Murphy Introduce Bill that Prioritizes Better Access to Care for Female Veterans
Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Representatives Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) and Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) introduced H.R. 3558, the Improve Access to Care for Our Female Veterans Act. This bill, a product of efforts by the Bipartisan Working Group, ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is better equipped and prepared to provide female veterans with the care and services they have earned and deserve.
“Since first elected to serve the Fifth District in Congress, I have heard from men and women in different branches of the military and from different veterans service organizations (VSOs) that when it comes to access to care, our female heroes face far greater challenges than their male counterparts,” said Brooks. “More women are joining the military, and therefore, we need to ensure the services and standards at the VA are capable of properly supporting the increasing number of female veterans. Access to mammograms, maternity care and routine gynecology visits are crucial for ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of our female vets.”
According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, women are the fastest growing population among the entire veteran community. The VA currently has policies in place to help ensure the privacy, safety, and dignity of women veterans when they receive care at its medical facilities, yet there have been many instances where the VA has not respected such policies. This bill provides accountability standards, instructing the VA to improve their services to better reflect the needs of not only men, but women. Members of the Bipartisan Working Group met with officials from GAO to discuss hundreds of reports on how the VA can improve.
“As a member of the Bipartisan Working group, I have met with the GAO and discussed the findings in their reports. One report that caught my attention specifically focuses on what we can do to provide our female veterans with appropriate care and better access to services that could save their lives,” continued Brooks. “We need to act on these recommendations from the GAO to ensure the VA works more efficiently. I am encouraged by Secretary Shulkin’s efforts to improve the VA, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House on a bill that prioritizes the best care for our female veterans.”
“Since first elected to serve the Fifth District in Congress, I have heard from men and women in different branches of the military and from different veterans service organizations (VSOs) that when it comes to access to care, our female heroes face far greater challenges than their male counterparts,” said Brooks. “More women are joining the military, and therefore, we need to ensure the services and standards at the VA are capable of properly supporting the increasing number of female veterans. Access to mammograms, maternity care and routine gynecology visits are crucial for ensuring the overall health and wellbeing of our female vets.”
According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, women are the fastest growing population among the entire veteran community. The VA currently has policies in place to help ensure the privacy, safety, and dignity of women veterans when they receive care at its medical facilities, yet there have been many instances where the VA has not respected such policies. This bill provides accountability standards, instructing the VA to improve their services to better reflect the needs of not only men, but women. Members of the Bipartisan Working Group met with officials from GAO to discuss hundreds of reports on how the VA can improve.
“As a member of the Bipartisan Working group, I have met with the GAO and discussed the findings in their reports. One report that caught my attention specifically focuses on what we can do to provide our female veterans with appropriate care and better access to services that could save their lives,” continued Brooks. “We need to act on these recommendations from the GAO to ensure the VA works more efficiently. I am encouraged by Secretary Shulkin’s efforts to improve the VA, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House on a bill that prioritizes the best care for our female veterans.”
Rep. Brat Introduces WIC Improvement Legislation
Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Brat issued the following statement after introducing the WIC Improvement Act, H.R. 3529. This legislation would allow for multivitamin dietary supplements to be included in WIC food packages.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition for Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC provides nutritional food, education, and services to eligible low-income women. The program gives beneficiaries monthly benefits to be used to supplement their families diets.
“The goal of WIC is to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants. Including multivitamin dietary supplements in the list of acceptable products that can be purchased is simply a common sense reform to improve the effectiveness of the program. While there is never a good substitute for the nutrients found in whole foods, I believe multivitamin dietary supplements can help fill nutrient gaps. My legislation will empower mothers with the choice to purchase multivitamin dietary supplements to compensate for potential nutrient deficiencies so we have healthier moms and healthier babies.”
??? Ya. Right. Go ahead and encourage people who already can't afford to feed themselves to have more babies.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition for Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC provides nutritional food, education, and services to eligible low-income women. The program gives beneficiaries monthly benefits to be used to supplement their families diets.
“The goal of WIC is to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants. Including multivitamin dietary supplements in the list of acceptable products that can be purchased is simply a common sense reform to improve the effectiveness of the program. While there is never a good substitute for the nutrients found in whole foods, I believe multivitamin dietary supplements can help fill nutrient gaps. My legislation will empower mothers with the choice to purchase multivitamin dietary supplements to compensate for potential nutrient deficiencies so we have healthier moms and healthier babies.”
??? Ya. Right. Go ahead and encourage people who already can't afford to feed themselves to have more babies.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Rep. Black Statement on North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Launch
Washington, D.C. - July 31, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) responded to North Korea’s ballistic missile launch with the following statement:
“It is our responsibility in Congress to protect our citizens and hold North Korea accountable for their actions. This latest ballistic missile launch continues North Korea’s alarming escalation of aggressive acts, and we will not tolerate it,” said Congressman Black. “Just this week, the House passed H.R. 3364, the Countering Adversarial Nations Through Sanctions Act, in a bipartisan vote sending the message that continued missile development and nuclear activity by North Korea is unacceptable. I urge President Trump to sign this legislation into law as quickly as possible.”
“It is our responsibility in Congress to protect our citizens and hold North Korea accountable for their actions. This latest ballistic missile launch continues North Korea’s alarming escalation of aggressive acts, and we will not tolerate it,” said Congressman Black. “Just this week, the House passed H.R. 3364, the Countering Adversarial Nations Through Sanctions Act, in a bipartisan vote sending the message that continued missile development and nuclear activity by North Korea is unacceptable. I urge President Trump to sign this legislation into law as quickly as possible.”
Beyer, Conyers, House Democrats Introduce Security Clearance Review Act
Washington, D.C. - July 31, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and John Conyers (D-MI), Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, today introduced the Security Clearance Review Act. The bill would authorize the Director of the FBI to revoke the security clearance of an employee of the Executive Office of the President if the Director deems such actions necessary to national security. Their legislation was cosponsored by 19 additional Representatives.
“Donald Trump’s refusal to hold his senior staff accountable for their deceptions on Russia have sadly made this legislation necessary,” said Rep. Beyer. “Despite all we have learned about his secret meetings with Russians, Jared Kushner apparently continues to hold his clearance. Jared Kushner’s case and that of disgraced former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn make it clear that we need further protections when it comes to security clearances for the President’s family and closest advisers. I thank my colleague, Ranking Member Conyers, for working with me to craft legislation to protect our national security.”
“The Trump Administration has a very poor track record when it comes to their handling of classified information—and those are only incidents we know about,” said Rep. Conyers. “Given that several senior officials appear to have failed to disclose their contacts with foreign governments on their applications for a security clearance, given that President Trump is related by marriage to at least one of these officials, and given that the President himself appears to have played fast and loose with sensitive intelligence, it is imperative that the authority to revoke these clearances extend beyond the President, to include the Director of the FBI.”
The cosponsors of the bill are Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Norma Torres (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), David Cicilline (D-RI), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).
Rep. Beyer has led congressional attempts to hold Jared Kushner accountable for “omitted” meetings with Russian officials from his SF-86 form since Kushner’s failure to disclose those meetings was revealed. In April, Beyer and four other Representatives asked the Administration to suspend Jared Kushner’s security clearance.
The FBI’s response to that letter alerted the Representatives to the surprising fact that the President alone holds final authority to suspend or revoke employees of the Executive Office of the President.
Beyer subsequently led over 50 Members of Congress in calling for immediate revocation of Kushner’s security clearance following revelations that the Special Prosecutor was investigating Kushner’s meetings with Russian officials.
Earlier this month, Beyer led nearly two dozen Representatives seeking FBI scrutiny of White House adviser Ivanka Trump over possible omissions on her SF-86.
“Donald Trump’s refusal to hold his senior staff accountable for their deceptions on Russia have sadly made this legislation necessary,” said Rep. Beyer. “Despite all we have learned about his secret meetings with Russians, Jared Kushner apparently continues to hold his clearance. Jared Kushner’s case and that of disgraced former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn make it clear that we need further protections when it comes to security clearances for the President’s family and closest advisers. I thank my colleague, Ranking Member Conyers, for working with me to craft legislation to protect our national security.”
“The Trump Administration has a very poor track record when it comes to their handling of classified information—and those are only incidents we know about,” said Rep. Conyers. “Given that several senior officials appear to have failed to disclose their contacts with foreign governments on their applications for a security clearance, given that President Trump is related by marriage to at least one of these officials, and given that the President himself appears to have played fast and loose with sensitive intelligence, it is imperative that the authority to revoke these clearances extend beyond the President, to include the Director of the FBI.”
The cosponsors of the bill are Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Norma Torres (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), David Cicilline (D-RI), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).
Rep. Beyer has led congressional attempts to hold Jared Kushner accountable for “omitted” meetings with Russian officials from his SF-86 form since Kushner’s failure to disclose those meetings was revealed. In April, Beyer and four other Representatives asked the Administration to suspend Jared Kushner’s security clearance.
The FBI’s response to that letter alerted the Representatives to the surprising fact that the President alone holds final authority to suspend or revoke employees of the Executive Office of the President.
Beyer subsequently led over 50 Members of Congress in calling for immediate revocation of Kushner’s security clearance following revelations that the Special Prosecutor was investigating Kushner’s meetings with Russian officials.
Earlier this month, Beyer led nearly two dozen Representatives seeking FBI scrutiny of White House adviser Ivanka Trump over possible omissions on her SF-86.
REP. BARRAGÁN CO-SPONSORS AMERICAN HOPE ACT
Washington, D.C. - July 31, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro) has co-sponsored legislation that would resolve the immigration status of 800,000 young Americans enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The American Hope Act of 2017 offers a pathway to citizenship to DREAMers—the young people who are studying, working and contributing to our society and who have greatly benefited from DACA.
“In my district, there’s a young woman named Diana Medel who has been able to attend college and become a passionate community leader because of DACA.
Separating her from her life in Wilmington by deporting her to Mexico, a country she hasn’t lived in since age seven, would be an act of extraordinary cruelty. She and the hundreds of thousands of people like her are why my colleagues and I are fighting hard to protect DACA.
Earlier this month I urged then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to stand with me and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in supporting a DREAMer law.
Mr. Kelly said he supports the DACA program. He has stood by Speaker Ryan’s side to publicly support anti-immigration legislation. Especially now that he’s at the White House, he should come back to Capitol Hill to take a stand with us to say that people like Diana Medel are Americans, and that they’re here to stay.”
The American Hope Act of 2017 offers a pathway to citizenship to DREAMers—the young people who are studying, working and contributing to our society and who have greatly benefited from DACA.
“In my district, there’s a young woman named Diana Medel who has been able to attend college and become a passionate community leader because of DACA.
Separating her from her life in Wilmington by deporting her to Mexico, a country she hasn’t lived in since age seven, would be an act of extraordinary cruelty. She and the hundreds of thousands of people like her are why my colleagues and I are fighting hard to protect DACA.
Earlier this month I urged then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to stand with me and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in supporting a DREAMer law.
Mr. Kelly said he supports the DACA program. He has stood by Speaker Ryan’s side to publicly support anti-immigration legislation. Especially now that he’s at the White House, he should come back to Capitol Hill to take a stand with us to say that people like Diana Medel are Americans, and that they’re here to stay.”
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