Washington, D.C. - August 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn delivered the following statement during House debate of H.R. 1135 which would reauthorize the HBCU Historic Preservation program for seven years. The bill passed the House unanimously. (as prepared for delivery):
“Mr. Speaker, as a student and former teacher of history, I have worked during my tenure in Congress to preserve and protect our nation’s historic treasures. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, commonly called HBCUs, are some of the most important historic educational institutions in our country.
“There are over 100 HBCUs in the country and eight of them are in South Carolina. I proudly represent seven of them and am a graduate of one. Many of them have buildings and sites on their campuses that have existed for over a century, and are of great historical significance. Unfortunately, many of the historic buildings and sites on these campuses have deteriorated over the years and are at risk of being lost completely if not preserved and protected.
“In 1998, at the request of the Congressional Black Caucus, the U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO) surveyed 103 HBCU campuses to identify the historically significant sites on these campuses and project the cost of restoring and preserving these properties. The GAO identified 712 historic buildings and sites, and projected a cost of $755 million to restore and preserve them. Each of these sites has national significance to American history, and I believe we have an obligation to be stewards of these cultural treasures.
“In 2003, working with our former colleague Jim Hansen of Utah and our current colleague, and my friend, Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee, Congress expanded the program and authorized expenditures of 10 million dollars annually for five years. I have seen the results firsthand. Last year, Allen University rededicated the historic Chappelle Auditorium on its campus in Columbia, South Carolina, which was painstakingly restored thanks to funding from this program. Originally built in 1925, this building was central to the cultural life of African Americans in South Carolina for generations.
“In 1947, Rev. Joseph A. DeLaine attended an NAACP event at Chappelle Auditorium that inspired him to organize Black families in Clarendon County to petition their school district to provide buses for black students who, at the time, were forced to make a daily walk of 9.4 miles to school.
“The legal case that grew from this petition, Briggs v. Elliot, precipitated the frontal attack on segregation in the country and was later combined with four other later cases that became Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas at the U.S. Supreme Court. Overturning the “separate but equal” fallacy, Brown ended legal segregation throughout America.
“This is just a singular example of the history living on HBCU campuses. Because of our past efforts, historic buildings and sites at 59 HBCUs in 20 states have received funding from this program. However many historic structures are still endangered.
“Consequently, in the omnibus appropriations bill for 2017 passed earlier this year, Congress included $4 million for HBCU Historic Preservation. H.R. 1135 continues the progress Congress has made in preserving these unique treasures.
“Last year, the House passed this bill unanimously, but it was not taken up by the Senate. I thank Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva for supporting it again today. This bill is supported by the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The HBCU Historic Preservation Program serves an essential purpose to HBCUs, which have a special place in the fabric of American history, culture and education. Countless individuals have worked tirelessly to cultivate HBCUs, and their legacy is seen in graduates whose achievements adorn the pages of American history. From Booker T. Washington to Mary McLeod Bethune; W.E.B. DuBois to Martin Luther King, Jr., HBCU visionaries and graduates have set powerful examples of leadership.
“The legacy of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is one of significant courage and steadfast determination. The structures on these campuses across the country are living testaments to African American history and deserve to be stabilized and restored. HBCUs are among America’s national treasures that must be preserved and protected for future generations.
The Unpopular Truth
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Congresswoman Clarke Urges State Department to Resist Citizenship Nullification for Dominicans of Haitian Descent
Washington, D.C. - August 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on a letter she and fifteen colleagues sent to the Department of State calling on the agency to resist attempts to nullify the citizenship of Dominicans who are of Haitian descent.
In 2013, the Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court held that the children of parents who are “in transit” (a category that includes undocumented immigrants) are not citizens. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people who were born in the Dominican Republic – many of whom speak Spanish rather than Haitian Creole – have been defined as non-citizens. Hundreds of people have already been deported, and individuals who have remained often experience discrimination.
“These continued attacks on Dominicans of Haitian descent are unacceptable and are in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit rendering persons “stateless.” There are now people born in the Dominican Republic whose first language is Spanish and only know the nation as their homeland. While a number of these people have been defined as non-citizens, effectively stateless non-persons, in their own home and many Haitians came to the Dominican Republic to work or to escape the turmoil that followed the earthquake in 2010, many are descendants of migrant workers born in the Dominican Republic decades ago. Forcing them to return to Haiti would result in needless suffering, quite frankly devoid of any purpose. I am also deeply concerned that the nullification of citizenship for people of Haitian descent was racially or ethnically motivated against individuals of African descent – a rationale that should never form the basis of policy and has no place in this day and age. I urge the Department of State to work with the government of the Dominican Republic to reverse this terrible decision.”
In 2013, the Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court held that the children of parents who are “in transit” (a category that includes undocumented immigrants) are not citizens. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people who were born in the Dominican Republic – many of whom speak Spanish rather than Haitian Creole – have been defined as non-citizens. Hundreds of people have already been deported, and individuals who have remained often experience discrimination.
“These continued attacks on Dominicans of Haitian descent are unacceptable and are in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit rendering persons “stateless.” There are now people born in the Dominican Republic whose first language is Spanish and only know the nation as their homeland. While a number of these people have been defined as non-citizens, effectively stateless non-persons, in their own home and many Haitians came to the Dominican Republic to work or to escape the turmoil that followed the earthquake in 2010, many are descendants of migrant workers born in the Dominican Republic decades ago. Forcing them to return to Haiti would result in needless suffering, quite frankly devoid of any purpose. I am also deeply concerned that the nullification of citizenship for people of Haitian descent was racially or ethnically motivated against individuals of African descent – a rationale that should never form the basis of policy and has no place in this day and age. I urge the Department of State to work with the government of the Dominican Republic to reverse this terrible decision.”
Rep. Chu Denounces Proposed Cuts to Legal Immigration System
Washington, D.C. - August 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- President Donald Trump announced support for the RAISE Act, a bill introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Cotton and Perdue that would dramatically cut America’s legal immigration system by moving from a family-based immigration system to a merit-based system. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:
“The RAISE Act is a direct assault on our longstanding values as a nation of immigrants, and I vehemently oppose this xenophobic bill. This proposal to slash our current legal immigration system by 50% and to create a bureaucratic ‘points’ system will disproportionately impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Although AAPIs comprise 6 percent of the total U.S. population, they account for over 40 percent of the 4.3 million individuals languishing in our current family immigration visa backlogs, often waiting decades to reunite with their loved ones.
“It is clear that moving to a merit-based system that favors English-speaking, high-skilled individuals is only meant to further President Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda by creating a false classification of ‘good’ immigrants versus ‘bad’ immigrants. In reality, these drastic cuts to our legal immigration system would devastate America’s economic growth and threaten our competitive advantage to attract the best talent to our shores.
“America wins when people are welcomed and integrated into our society and given the chance to contribute to the U.S. economy. Immigrant families fill critical gaps in our workforce, open new businesses, and help to create jobs to improve local economies across the country. Instead of advancing proposals driven by fear and hate, Republicans should work with Democrats to focus on comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will reunite families, strengthen our economy, provide a pathway to citizenship, and ensure that America continues to remain the land of opportunity for all.”
“The RAISE Act is a direct assault on our longstanding values as a nation of immigrants, and I vehemently oppose this xenophobic bill. This proposal to slash our current legal immigration system by 50% and to create a bureaucratic ‘points’ system will disproportionately impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Although AAPIs comprise 6 percent of the total U.S. population, they account for over 40 percent of the 4.3 million individuals languishing in our current family immigration visa backlogs, often waiting decades to reunite with their loved ones.
“It is clear that moving to a merit-based system that favors English-speaking, high-skilled individuals is only meant to further President Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda by creating a false classification of ‘good’ immigrants versus ‘bad’ immigrants. In reality, these drastic cuts to our legal immigration system would devastate America’s economic growth and threaten our competitive advantage to attract the best talent to our shores.
“America wins when people are welcomed and integrated into our society and given the chance to contribute to the U.S. economy. Immigrant families fill critical gaps in our workforce, open new businesses, and help to create jobs to improve local economies across the country. Instead of advancing proposals driven by fear and hate, Republicans should work with Democrats to focus on comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will reunite families, strengthen our economy, provide a pathway to citizenship, and ensure that America continues to remain the land of opportunity for all.”
Congressman Cheney Introduces Legislation to Fight Future Coal Lease Bans
Washington, D.C. - August 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Liz Cheney (WY-AL) released the following statement after an Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee hearing that examined H.R. 1778, legislation Cheney sponsored that would require congressional approval of any future moratorium on coal leases on federal lands:
"Obama-era energy policies targeted our fossil fuel industry, killing jobs and devastating communities across the West. In Wyoming, this was not just a war on coal, this was a direct attack on the livelihoods of our people," Rep. Cheney said. "Coal is a national treasure that provides jobs and economic growth in Wyoming and affordable power to homes and businesses all across the country. The people of Wyoming deserve better and American energy consumers and businesses require more certainty. H.R. 1778 will make sure that no future moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands can be imposed without Congressional approval," Cheney concluded.
Travis Deti of the Wyoming Mining Association testified at yesterday's hearing on the impact Congressman Cheney's legislation would have on preventing future coal moratoriums from taking effect in Wyoming without the approval of Congress.
"We believe that Congress should certainly have a say in the matter. For Wyoming, the state most directly and disproportionally affected, this is critical," Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association Travis Deti stated. "This legislation is about shielding America's most abundant, reliable and affordable energy resource from politically motivated administrations."
H.R. 1778 (Rep. Liz Cheney, R-WY) requires congressional approval of any order by the Interior Secretary imposing a moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands. Congress must act within 30 legislative days after the proposed order is received by Congress. The subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, of which Representative Cheney is a member, held a hearing on H.R 1778 today.
Travis Deti is currently the Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association and was present to testify on the impact of this legislation on Wyoming. Mr. Deti grew up in Laramie and holds degrees from the University of Wyoming. Mr. Deti and his wife live in Cheyenne with their two children.
"Obama-era energy policies targeted our fossil fuel industry, killing jobs and devastating communities across the West. In Wyoming, this was not just a war on coal, this was a direct attack on the livelihoods of our people," Rep. Cheney said. "Coal is a national treasure that provides jobs and economic growth in Wyoming and affordable power to homes and businesses all across the country. The people of Wyoming deserve better and American energy consumers and businesses require more certainty. H.R. 1778 will make sure that no future moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands can be imposed without Congressional approval," Cheney concluded.
Travis Deti of the Wyoming Mining Association testified at yesterday's hearing on the impact Congressman Cheney's legislation would have on preventing future coal moratoriums from taking effect in Wyoming without the approval of Congress.
"We believe that Congress should certainly have a say in the matter. For Wyoming, the state most directly and disproportionally affected, this is critical," Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association Travis Deti stated. "This legislation is about shielding America's most abundant, reliable and affordable energy resource from politically motivated administrations."
H.R. 1778 (Rep. Liz Cheney, R-WY) requires congressional approval of any order by the Interior Secretary imposing a moratorium on coal leasing on federal lands. Congress must act within 30 legislative days after the proposed order is received by Congress. The subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, of which Representative Cheney is a member, held a hearing on H.R 1778 today.
Travis Deti is currently the Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association and was present to testify on the impact of this legislation on Wyoming. Mr. Deti grew up in Laramie and holds degrees from the University of Wyoming. Mr. Deti and his wife live in Cheyenne with their two children.
Intelligence Authorization Act Passes House
Washington, D.C. - August 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3180, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018:
“New and evolving threats around the world present grave challenges to the international community and require sophisticated abilities to combat. This legislation helps ensure America’s intelligence agencies have the resources and authorization needed to carry out their sensitive, strategically critical work that advances our nation’s goals and keeps our country safe.
“I’m glad that the bill includes language I submitted that requires the Intelligence Community to brief Congress on our intelligence capabilities in the South China Sea. Ongoing territorial disputes in the sea threaten the principles of a rules-based order and the security of the United States and our allies. The more Congress knows about conditions in the region, the better policymakers will be able to support intelligence priorities there.”
“New and evolving threats around the world present grave challenges to the international community and require sophisticated abilities to combat. This legislation helps ensure America’s intelligence agencies have the resources and authorization needed to carry out their sensitive, strategically critical work that advances our nation’s goals and keeps our country safe.
“I’m glad that the bill includes language I submitted that requires the Intelligence Community to brief Congress on our intelligence capabilities in the South China Sea. Ongoing territorial disputes in the sea threaten the principles of a rules-based order and the security of the United States and our allies. The more Congress knows about conditions in the region, the better policymakers will be able to support intelligence priorities there.”
U.S. Rep. Castor Introduces Legislation to Tackle America's Rising Student Debt
Washington, D.C. - August 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) filed the Student Loan Relief Act (H.R. 3390) to tackle America’s rising student debt, give working families a more affordable path for college and spur economic activity. U.S. Rep. Castor is offering the bill as the U.S. House version of the legislation filed by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
The Student Loan Relief Act will lower the cap on federal student loan interest to 4 percent for undergraduate students, 5 percent for graduate students and 6 percent for parents. It would change the way student loan interest rates are calculated, allow borrowers with loans disbursed before the effective date to refinance their loans at the new rates and eliminate loan origination fees. U.S. Sen. Nelson unveiled the Senate version earlier this month.
“A college or graduate degree is an important pathway to higher wages, better jobs and a better future, but can be very expensive for working families,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “Today’s students are facing more debt than ever before and even though unemployment is down, higher wages lag. Student loan debt is growing at faster rates than all other household debt, including 42.3 million borrowers topping $1.3 trillion in federal student loan debt. College graduates in Florida face an average of $25,000 in debt when they graduate.
“Student loans have a chokehold on families legitimately trying to move forward and help their children have a better life than their parents and attain the American Dream. The crushing burden of student loan debt also hurts our economy because such debt forces young Americans to delay major life investments. Instead of buying a home, starting a business or saving for retirement, these educated and talented graduates are being forced to start their lives in the red. A recent survey found that 71 percent of student loan borrowers stated that their crushing debt has delayed their home ownership, prohibiting them from saving for down payments or making them feel too financially insecure to buy a home. Constraining young adults from investing in their future deprives our community and economy of the benefits of their hard work and ingenuity.”
The Democratic-led Congress from 2007-2010 took meaningful steps to help college students, including passing the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which boosted the maximum amount for Pell Grants and created an income-based repayment program. But with states, like Florida, contributing less money for public education and tuition prices increasing much faster than the rate of inflation, students are borrowing more to pay for college. While the Republican-controlled Congress has done little to make this a priority and has not brought any major legislation to the floor for a vote to help students and graduates – such as reducing interest rates or restructuring loan repayment plans – U.S. Rep. Castor has filed or cosponsored numerous bills over the past several years to address student loan debt and has been joined by Tampa Bay’s student leaders to bring attention to this important issue.
“U.S. Sen. Nelson and I are fighting to give students and their families a better deal. Student loan debt is holding back today’s students and young people and their hopes for career success and good-paying jobs. For our country and all of us to prosper we must ensure that higher education is not just a luxury for the few, but an opportunity for all,” said U.S. Rep. Castor. “As students begin preparing for school this fall, we should work to ensure pathways to an affordable education for them. This will spur job growth, strengthen our economy and guarantee a bright and boundless future for our country.”
The Student Loan Relief Act will lower the cap on federal student loan interest to 4 percent for undergraduate students, 5 percent for graduate students and 6 percent for parents. It would change the way student loan interest rates are calculated, allow borrowers with loans disbursed before the effective date to refinance their loans at the new rates and eliminate loan origination fees. U.S. Sen. Nelson unveiled the Senate version earlier this month.
“A college or graduate degree is an important pathway to higher wages, better jobs and a better future, but can be very expensive for working families,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “Today’s students are facing more debt than ever before and even though unemployment is down, higher wages lag. Student loan debt is growing at faster rates than all other household debt, including 42.3 million borrowers topping $1.3 trillion in federal student loan debt. College graduates in Florida face an average of $25,000 in debt when they graduate.
“Student loans have a chokehold on families legitimately trying to move forward and help their children have a better life than their parents and attain the American Dream. The crushing burden of student loan debt also hurts our economy because such debt forces young Americans to delay major life investments. Instead of buying a home, starting a business or saving for retirement, these educated and talented graduates are being forced to start their lives in the red. A recent survey found that 71 percent of student loan borrowers stated that their crushing debt has delayed their home ownership, prohibiting them from saving for down payments or making them feel too financially insecure to buy a home. Constraining young adults from investing in their future deprives our community and economy of the benefits of their hard work and ingenuity.”
The Democratic-led Congress from 2007-2010 took meaningful steps to help college students, including passing the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which boosted the maximum amount for Pell Grants and created an income-based repayment program. But with states, like Florida, contributing less money for public education and tuition prices increasing much faster than the rate of inflation, students are borrowing more to pay for college. While the Republican-controlled Congress has done little to make this a priority and has not brought any major legislation to the floor for a vote to help students and graduates – such as reducing interest rates or restructuring loan repayment plans – U.S. Rep. Castor has filed or cosponsored numerous bills over the past several years to address student loan debt and has been joined by Tampa Bay’s student leaders to bring attention to this important issue.
“U.S. Sen. Nelson and I are fighting to give students and their families a better deal. Student loan debt is holding back today’s students and young people and their hopes for career success and good-paying jobs. For our country and all of us to prosper we must ensure that higher education is not just a luxury for the few, but an opportunity for all,” said U.S. Rep. Castor. “As students begin preparing for school this fall, we should work to ensure pathways to an affordable education for them. This will spur job growth, strengthen our economy and guarantee a bright and boundless future for our country.”
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
The RAISE Act Will Cut Legal Immigration In Half—Here’s Why That’s Good
National Economics Editorial
According to reports from the Daily Caller, Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia are working with the White House administration to create a bill (the RAISE Act) that would fundamentally transform, and possibly fix, America’s broken legal immigration system.
The RAISE Act would not only stop the practice of chain-migration, but it would also cut the number of immigrants in half over the next decade. Should the Act eventually get passed, it would be the biggest change to America’s immigration system since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which opened up the US borders to mass migration from the developing world.
Although many Americans believe that we need to curb illegal immigration into the country, the question of legal immigration is more tricky. In fact, many people think legal immigration is not only harmless, but that it’s an integral to America’s survival—many can’t imagine an America without mass-migration.
You’ve heard the mantra: “America is a nation of immigrants”. This is taken as gospel. To disagree is sinful.
But here’s the deal: we’re all sinners. We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about immigration reform, whether legal or illegal. So, very briefly, I’m going to explain why the RAISE Act hits the nail on the head, why America needs to reform its legal immigration system.
According to reports from the Daily Caller, Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and David Perdue of Georgia are working with the White House administration to create a bill (the RAISE Act) that would fundamentally transform, and possibly fix, America’s broken legal immigration system.
The RAISE Act would not only stop the practice of chain-migration, but it would also cut the number of immigrants in half over the next decade. Should the Act eventually get passed, it would be the biggest change to America’s immigration system since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which opened up the US borders to mass migration from the developing world.
Although many Americans believe that we need to curb illegal immigration into the country, the question of legal immigration is more tricky. In fact, many people think legal immigration is not only harmless, but that it’s an integral to America’s survival—many can’t imagine an America without mass-migration.
You’ve heard the mantra: “America is a nation of immigrants”. This is taken as gospel. To disagree is sinful.
But here’s the deal: we’re all sinners. We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about immigration reform, whether legal or illegal. So, very briefly, I’m going to explain why the RAISE Act hits the nail on the head, why America needs to reform its legal immigration system.
Read more...
Idaho Democrats won't challenge new request for voter data
Boise:Idaho Statesman
Officials with the Idaho Democratic Party say a recent federal court ruling has limited their legal options to fight a second request from President Donald Trump commission investigating possible voter fraud.
Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Bert Marley said Tuesday that the best recourse is for Idaho citizens to ask Secretary of State Lawerence Denney to deny the request.
Officials with the Idaho Democratic Party say a recent federal court ruling has limited their legal options to fight a second request from President Donald Trump commission investigating possible voter fraud.
Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Bert Marley said Tuesday that the best recourse is for Idaho citizens to ask Secretary of State Lawerence Denney to deny the request.
Read more...
German court rules against 'Spaghetti Monster church'
Brunswick:News
A German court has ruled that local authorities are entitled to prevent a group calling itself the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from advertising its "noodle Masses" at the entrance to an eastern town.
It's standard practice in Germany for small signs at the entrance to towns to announce there's a Lutheran or Catholic church and detail when it holds services. The "Spaghetti Monster" group, an organization that criticizes religion as intolerant, wanted permission to do the same in Templin, northeast of Berlin.
A German court has ruled that local authorities are entitled to prevent a group calling itself the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from advertising its "noodle Masses" at the entrance to an eastern town.
It's standard practice in Germany for small signs at the entrance to towns to announce there's a Lutheran or Catholic church and detail when it holds services. The "Spaghetti Monster" group, an organization that criticizes religion as intolerant, wanted permission to do the same in Templin, northeast of Berlin.
Read more...
Justice Dept. to use resources to sue universities over discrimination, document says
Bradenton:Herald
The document does not explicitly identify whom the Justice Department considers at risk of discrimination because of affirmative action admissions policies. But the phrasing it uses, “intentional race-based discrimination,” cuts to the heart of programs designed to bring more minorities to university campuses.
Supporters and critics of the project said it was clearly targeting admissions programs that can give members of generally disadvantaged groups, like black and Latino students, an edge over other applicants with comparable or higher test scores.
The document does not explicitly identify whom the Justice Department considers at risk of discrimination because of affirmative action admissions policies. But the phrasing it uses, “intentional race-based discrimination,” cuts to the heart of programs designed to bring more minorities to university campuses.
Supporters and critics of the project said it was clearly targeting admissions programs that can give members of generally disadvantaged groups, like black and Latino students, an edge over other applicants with comparable or higher test scores.
Read more...
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