Source: House Representative Steve Russell (R-OK, 5th)
Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Russell (OK-5) introduced the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2017, a bill to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from certain federal firearms licensees (FFLs), and to criminalize the theft of a firearm from a gun range or shooting club.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that FFLs nationwide have seen a 48 percent increase in firearms burglaries over the past five years. Firearms robberies have increased by 175 percent during that same period. Roughly 7,758 firearms were stolen from FFLs in burglaries and robberies in 2016. The ATF and the firearms industry are rightly concerned by these statistics.
In order to curb this alarming trend, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2017 would strengthen criminal penalties for theft of firearms from FFLs and impose mandatory minimum sentences for these crimes. This legislation would send a strong message to criminals to think twice before attempting to burglarize or rob FFLs. The theft of firearms is a serious threat to public safety. Deterrence of firearm theft will prevent firearms from falling into criminal hands.
The Unpopular Truth
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act Passes House
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act has passed the House. Keith Rothfus (R-PA, 12th) had this to say:
He added: “The time for the Senate to act is now. Waiting until the continuing resolution runs out in December is irresponsible and dangerous for our country.”
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday condemned the decision by House Majority leadership to block an amendment to H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. The amendment, offered by Representatives Ruppersberger, Serrano, Khanna, Grisham, Jeffries, and Meng, would have offered $10 million in supplemental funding to state and local governments to dismantle and fight domestic white supremacist organizations.
“It’s unbelievable that House leadership refused to even consider our common sense measure that would empower local police to identify and dismantle radical hate groups across the nation,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “In the last year, we’ve seen the resurgence of white supremacists and other hate groups in the public sphere who have hate in their hearts and the goal of hurting innocent Americans. The events in Charlottesville demonstrated the tragedy that can come at the hands of these well-organized and well-armed white supremacy groups. It’s unfortunate and beyond disappointing that my colleagues are unwilling to recognize this threat to our American values.”
U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) released the following statement:
“For the past several months, the House has been working around the clock to craft common-sense spending policies that secure our borders, provide for the common defense, invest in our country’s infrastructure, and spur economic growth,” said Rep. Scott. “While this legislation is certainly a step in the right direction in reining in and cutting wasteful government spending, I will not stop pushing for continued efforts and reforms.”
Included in passage of H.R. 3354 is an amendment authored by Rep. Scott supporting multi-national efforts to reduce the flow of drugs from Central and South America into the U.S. by providing training and technical assistance to partners in the hemisphere to enhance regional security capabilities. Rep. Scott commented:
“As it is here in the U.S., local law enforcement often serves as the foundation for interdiction and counter-drug operations in Central American and Caribbean countries,” said Rep. Scott. “By increasing funding for training and assistance activities conducted by Colombian police and military forces, we enable Colombia to train even more regional police forces to function independently and efficiently, addressing the threats transnational criminal organizations pose on our country and bolstering our successful partnerships to tackle the narcotics issue and save the lives of countless Americans.”
Ahead of a vote on his amendment last week, Rep. Scott spoke on the House Floor urging his colleagues to support the measure. Click here to watch his remarks.
This legislation included Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bills for several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of the Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Social Security Administration, and Department of Transportation Housing and Urban Development, among others.
U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, released the following statement after supporting the passage of all 12 appropriations bills:
“Under Republican leadership in the House, we have effectively held the line on spending while responsibly funding the government. Today the House once again upheld our constitutional duty by passing all 12 spending bills. I strongly supported this package because it includes important conservative policies that override years of destructive Obama-era regulations. From cutting the EPA to below 2006 funding levels, to stopping the enforcement of the Department of Labor’s harmful and misguided Fiduciary Rule, to reining in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to putting an end to the IRS’ previous practices of targeting conservative groups, these are just a few of the ways this bill rights the many wrongs of the past eight years. Additionally, in light of the recent catastrophic hurricanes in my home state of Texas and in the south, this bill also ensures that FEMA has the resources they need to continue addressing the many needs of these devastated communities.
“I applaud Chairman Frelinghuysen and his entire team’s diligence and hard work throughout this process. I believe he produced a sound product that was bolstered by the 468 amendments that we made in order at the Rules Committee. While I understand the Senate moves at a slower pace than we do, I sincerely hope that they can move this critical package so we can implement these conservative policies and get our country back on track.”
To learn more about H.R. 3354, Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, click here.
Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act has passed the House. Keith Rothfus (R-PA, 12th) had this to say:
“This is the first time the House has passed all 12 appropriations bills with open input from its members before the September 30th deadline since 2004. This is an objective that I have long supported,” said Congressman Rothfus. “This year’s spending bills include many important provisions such as protections for the sanctity of life, increased funding for our military, and significant reforms to our financial services sector. The bills also provide funding for our veterans, programs to combat the opioid epidemic, and cancer research.”
He added: “The time for the Senate to act is now. Waiting until the continuing resolution runs out in December is irresponsible and dangerous for our country.”
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday condemned the decision by House Majority leadership to block an amendment to H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. The amendment, offered by Representatives Ruppersberger, Serrano, Khanna, Grisham, Jeffries, and Meng, would have offered $10 million in supplemental funding to state and local governments to dismantle and fight domestic white supremacist organizations.
“It’s unbelievable that House leadership refused to even consider our common sense measure that would empower local police to identify and dismantle radical hate groups across the nation,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “In the last year, we’ve seen the resurgence of white supremacists and other hate groups in the public sphere who have hate in their hearts and the goal of hurting innocent Americans. The events in Charlottesville demonstrated the tragedy that can come at the hands of these well-organized and well-armed white supremacy groups. It’s unfortunate and beyond disappointing that my colleagues are unwilling to recognize this threat to our American values.”
U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) released the following statement:
“For the past several months, the House has been working around the clock to craft common-sense spending policies that secure our borders, provide for the common defense, invest in our country’s infrastructure, and spur economic growth,” said Rep. Scott. “While this legislation is certainly a step in the right direction in reining in and cutting wasteful government spending, I will not stop pushing for continued efforts and reforms.”
Included in passage of H.R. 3354 is an amendment authored by Rep. Scott supporting multi-national efforts to reduce the flow of drugs from Central and South America into the U.S. by providing training and technical assistance to partners in the hemisphere to enhance regional security capabilities. Rep. Scott commented:
“As it is here in the U.S., local law enforcement often serves as the foundation for interdiction and counter-drug operations in Central American and Caribbean countries,” said Rep. Scott. “By increasing funding for training and assistance activities conducted by Colombian police and military forces, we enable Colombia to train even more regional police forces to function independently and efficiently, addressing the threats transnational criminal organizations pose on our country and bolstering our successful partnerships to tackle the narcotics issue and save the lives of countless Americans.”
Ahead of a vote on his amendment last week, Rep. Scott spoke on the House Floor urging his colleagues to support the measure. Click here to watch his remarks.
This legislation included Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations bills for several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of the Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Social Security Administration, and Department of Transportation Housing and Urban Development, among others.
U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, released the following statement after supporting the passage of all 12 appropriations bills:
“Under Republican leadership in the House, we have effectively held the line on spending while responsibly funding the government. Today the House once again upheld our constitutional duty by passing all 12 spending bills. I strongly supported this package because it includes important conservative policies that override years of destructive Obama-era regulations. From cutting the EPA to below 2006 funding levels, to stopping the enforcement of the Department of Labor’s harmful and misguided Fiduciary Rule, to reining in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to putting an end to the IRS’ previous practices of targeting conservative groups, these are just a few of the ways this bill rights the many wrongs of the past eight years. Additionally, in light of the recent catastrophic hurricanes in my home state of Texas and in the south, this bill also ensures that FEMA has the resources they need to continue addressing the many needs of these devastated communities.
“I applaud Chairman Frelinghuysen and his entire team’s diligence and hard work throughout this process. I believe he produced a sound product that was bolstered by the 468 amendments that we made in order at the Rules Committee. While I understand the Senate moves at a slower pace than we do, I sincerely hope that they can move this critical package so we can implement these conservative policies and get our country back on track.”
To learn more about H.R. 3354, Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, click here.
Rep. Royce Circulates Draft Bill to Modernize Anti-Money Laundering Laws
Source: House Representative Ed Royce (R-CA, 39th)
Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), circulated draft legislation, the Anti-Money Laundering Modernization Act, which strengthens the United States anti-money laundering (AML) and countering terrorism financing (CTF) system. Rep. Royce is seeking comments from stakeholders and bipartisan support to move this bill forward.
“Our nation’s anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing regime has been a 40-year work in progress and there is increasing recognition that it needs to be modernized,” said Rep. Royce. “The guiding principle of our anti-money laundering regime must be to protect the national security of the United States and our allies, as well as the integrity of the international financial system. In order to accomplish this end, our regulatory infrastructure must keep pace with the times. Criminal syndicates, rogue nations and terrorist networks are not sitting idly by, and neither can we.”
In July, Representatives Royce and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to the Treasury Secretary with several recommendations for improving the U.S. AML regime. Several of their recommendations are contained in this draft legislation, including adjusting for inflation the thresholds for filing suspicious activity reports (SARs) and currency transaction reports (CTRs) which haven’t been updated since 1996 and 1972, respectively. Doing so would reduce the number of filings which now total over 55,000 per day and allow FinCEN to prioritize those of the highest law enforcement and national security consequence. The draft bill furthermore would expand the ability of financial institutions to share suspicious activity reports within their organization to improve enterprise-wide risk management and require the Treasury Department to improve qualitative feedback for financial institutions and Federal financial regulators on their AML/CTF efforts. Lastly, the legislation would improve FinCEN’s administrative rulings process and require Treasury to explore the potential for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies to help detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
Washington, D.C. - September 14, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), circulated draft legislation, the Anti-Money Laundering Modernization Act, which strengthens the United States anti-money laundering (AML) and countering terrorism financing (CTF) system. Rep. Royce is seeking comments from stakeholders and bipartisan support to move this bill forward.
“Our nation’s anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing regime has been a 40-year work in progress and there is increasing recognition that it needs to be modernized,” said Rep. Royce. “The guiding principle of our anti-money laundering regime must be to protect the national security of the United States and our allies, as well as the integrity of the international financial system. In order to accomplish this end, our regulatory infrastructure must keep pace with the times. Criminal syndicates, rogue nations and terrorist networks are not sitting idly by, and neither can we.”
In July, Representatives Royce and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to the Treasury Secretary with several recommendations for improving the U.S. AML regime. Several of their recommendations are contained in this draft legislation, including adjusting for inflation the thresholds for filing suspicious activity reports (SARs) and currency transaction reports (CTRs) which haven’t been updated since 1996 and 1972, respectively. Doing so would reduce the number of filings which now total over 55,000 per day and allow FinCEN to prioritize those of the highest law enforcement and national security consequence. The draft bill furthermore would expand the ability of financial institutions to share suspicious activity reports within their organization to improve enterprise-wide risk management and require the Treasury Department to improve qualitative feedback for financial institutions and Federal financial regulators on their AML/CTF efforts. Lastly, the legislation would improve FinCEN’s administrative rulings process and require Treasury to explore the potential for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies to help detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Rogers Votes for Bill to Improve Firefighter Health
Source: House Representative Harold Rogers (R-KY, 5th)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) applauds the House of Representatives for passing the bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017, (H.R. 931), by a unanimous voice vote.
The bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a "Firefighter Registry" to track cancer rates among firefighters. The information will be collected on a voluntary basis to help the CDC learn more about smoke inhalation and other factors impacting the health of our volunteer and career firefighters.
"Most of the men and women who respond to fire emergencies in southern and eastern Kentucky voluntarily risk their lives to save others and protect local homes and businesses as volunteer firefighters," said Rogers, who cosponsored the bill. "This registry is a step in the right direction to help protect their health, while also providing medical experts with more information about cancer."
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Click here to read the bill.
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) applauds the House of Representatives for passing the bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017, (H.R. 931), by a unanimous voice vote.
The bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a "Firefighter Registry" to track cancer rates among firefighters. The information will be collected on a voluntary basis to help the CDC learn more about smoke inhalation and other factors impacting the health of our volunteer and career firefighters.
"Most of the men and women who respond to fire emergencies in southern and eastern Kentucky voluntarily risk their lives to save others and protect local homes and businesses as volunteer firefighters," said Rogers, who cosponsored the bill. "This registry is a step in the right direction to help protect their health, while also providing medical experts with more information about cancer."
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Click here to read the bill.
Rogers on Passage of The Homeland Threat Assessment Act
Source: House Representative Mike (AL) Rogers (R-AL, 3rd)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after the House passage of his legislation, H.R. 2470, The Homeland Threat Assessment Act yesterday.
“The 9/11 Commission revealed that a “failure of imagination” contributed to our country’s inability to identify the emerging threat posed by al Qaeda. As a result, we were blind to the approaching tragedy.
“Sixteen years later, our ability to accurately identify and evaluate threats to the Homeland remains stunted. Though talented professionals across federal agencies and at the State and local level are hard at work gathering and analyzing threat information, there is not a formalized process that evaluates homeland threats in a meaningful, comprehensive way.
“H.R. 2470 closes this gap by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release an annual, comprehensive homeland security threat assessment. This will provide a common threat picture across DHS and for Federal, State and local partners. I believe the best way to honor the memory of those who lost their lives that day and since in the fight against terrorism is to hold our government to a high standard.”
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after the House passage of his legislation, H.R. 2470, The Homeland Threat Assessment Act yesterday.
“The 9/11 Commission revealed that a “failure of imagination” contributed to our country’s inability to identify the emerging threat posed by al Qaeda. As a result, we were blind to the approaching tragedy.
“Sixteen years later, our ability to accurately identify and evaluate threats to the Homeland remains stunted. Though talented professionals across federal agencies and at the State and local level are hard at work gathering and analyzing threat information, there is not a formalized process that evaluates homeland threats in a meaningful, comprehensive way.
“H.R. 2470 closes this gap by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release an annual, comprehensive homeland security threat assessment. This will provide a common threat picture across DHS and for Federal, State and local partners. I believe the best way to honor the memory of those who lost their lives that day and since in the fight against terrorism is to hold our government to a high standard.”
Roby: We Must Crack Down on Violent Criminal Alien Gangs
Source: House Representative Martha Roby (R-AL, 2nd)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) spoke in support of H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, and said Congress’ first priority must be to keep Americans safe.
H.R. 3697 would combat criminal alien gang violence by amending existing law to make a person’s history of involvement in a criminal gang grounds for inadmissibility into the United States and allow law enforcement agents to automatically detain and deport anyone found to be a criminal alien gang member.
“Gangs of criminal aliens are terrorizing American communities, and it is our responsibility to do something about it,” Roby said. “Our first priority must be to keep Americans safe. Our laws and policies should reflect our commitment to this responsibility.”
Roby serves on the Judiciary Committee, which this year has prioritized working with the Trump Administration to crack down on illegal immigration. The House has previously passed measures to defund sanctuary cities, increase penalties for illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes, and begin construction of a border wall.
H.R. 3697 is scheduled to be voted on by the House later this week.
The full text of Rep. Roby’s remarks as prepared is below.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation, H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act.
I want to thank Chairman Goodlatte and my fellow Judiciary Committee colleagues for prioritizing cracking down on illegal immigration on the Committee this year.
All the time I hear from constituents who are frustrated by this country’s unwillingness to address our illegal immigration problem. They are also fed up with hearing politicians promise to do something about it, only to offer excuses later.
Mr. Speaker I believe this Congress and this Administration have shown over the last nine months that we are willing to do something about illegal immigration, and this legislation is a great example of our commitment to addressing this problem.
When it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration, I believe most of us agree that we should start by targeting the dangerous criminals who put Americans at risk.
H.R. 3697 is a commonsense measure that does just that by amending existing law to combat gang violence by criminal aliens.
Many Americans may hear this and wonder, “what gang violence?”
The most notorious Latin American gang is known as MS-13, which began in the 1980s and has grown to an estimated 8,000 members in the United States. They have a violent history of organized crime in the areas of drug trafficking, kidnapping, human smuggling, sex trafficking, murder, assassinations, blackmail, and extortion.
To give you an idea of just how violent MS-13 is, the English translation of their motto is “Kill, Steal, Rape, Control.”
Mr. Speaker, gangs of criminal aliens are terrorizing American communities, and it is our responsibility to do something about it.
H.R. 3697 will amend the law to finally make a person’s history of involvement in a criminal gang grounds for inadmissibility into this country. That means involvement in drugs, sex trafficking, kidnapping, murder, or any of the other awful crimes spelled out in the law.
This bill would also allow law enforcement agents to automatically detain and deport anyone found to be a criminal alien gang member.
Our first priority must be to keep Americans safe. Our laws and policies should reflect our commitment to this responsibility.
H.R. 3697 makes it crystal clear that criminal alien gang members are not welcome in this country, and if they should find themselves here, we are dedicated to getting them off the street.
Thank you, and I yield back.
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) spoke in support of H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, and said Congress’ first priority must be to keep Americans safe.
H.R. 3697 would combat criminal alien gang violence by amending existing law to make a person’s history of involvement in a criminal gang grounds for inadmissibility into the United States and allow law enforcement agents to automatically detain and deport anyone found to be a criminal alien gang member.
“Gangs of criminal aliens are terrorizing American communities, and it is our responsibility to do something about it,” Roby said. “Our first priority must be to keep Americans safe. Our laws and policies should reflect our commitment to this responsibility.”
Roby serves on the Judiciary Committee, which this year has prioritized working with the Trump Administration to crack down on illegal immigration. The House has previously passed measures to defund sanctuary cities, increase penalties for illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes, and begin construction of a border wall.
H.R. 3697 is scheduled to be voted on by the House later this week.
The full text of Rep. Roby’s remarks as prepared is below.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation, H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act.
I want to thank Chairman Goodlatte and my fellow Judiciary Committee colleagues for prioritizing cracking down on illegal immigration on the Committee this year.
All the time I hear from constituents who are frustrated by this country’s unwillingness to address our illegal immigration problem. They are also fed up with hearing politicians promise to do something about it, only to offer excuses later.
Mr. Speaker I believe this Congress and this Administration have shown over the last nine months that we are willing to do something about illegal immigration, and this legislation is a great example of our commitment to addressing this problem.
When it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration, I believe most of us agree that we should start by targeting the dangerous criminals who put Americans at risk.
H.R. 3697 is a commonsense measure that does just that by amending existing law to combat gang violence by criminal aliens.
Many Americans may hear this and wonder, “what gang violence?”
The most notorious Latin American gang is known as MS-13, which began in the 1980s and has grown to an estimated 8,000 members in the United States. They have a violent history of organized crime in the areas of drug trafficking, kidnapping, human smuggling, sex trafficking, murder, assassinations, blackmail, and extortion.
To give you an idea of just how violent MS-13 is, the English translation of their motto is “Kill, Steal, Rape, Control.”
Mr. Speaker, gangs of criminal aliens are terrorizing American communities, and it is our responsibility to do something about it.
H.R. 3697 will amend the law to finally make a person’s history of involvement in a criminal gang grounds for inadmissibility into this country. That means involvement in drugs, sex trafficking, kidnapping, murder, or any of the other awful crimes spelled out in the law.
This bill would also allow law enforcement agents to automatically detain and deport anyone found to be a criminal alien gang member.
Our first priority must be to keep Americans safe. Our laws and policies should reflect our commitment to this responsibility.
H.R. 3697 makes it crystal clear that criminal alien gang members are not welcome in this country, and if they should find themselves here, we are dedicated to getting them off the street.
Thank you, and I yield back.
QUIGLEY INTRODUCES THE REDUCING WASTE IN NATIONAL PARKS ACT TO RESTORE OBAMA-ERA GUIDELINES ON WATER BOTTLE SALES
Source: House Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL, 5th)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Vice-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), introduced the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act to combat the Trump Administration’s August 18 announcement instructing the National Park Service (NPS) to reverse an Obama-era guideline banning the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in national park facilities.
“President Trump and Interior Secretary Zinke’s decision to overturn the common-sense plastic water bottle ban in National Parks is a clear reminder that this Administration will continually bow to the agendas of profit-driven corporations at the expense of our National Parks, wildlife, and environment,” said Rep. Quigley. “We know that seventy percent of plastic water bottles find their way to landfills and waterways; and in National Parks, those bottles build up along trails and streams, harming our pristine sites and endangering the plants and animals that call them home. Our National Parks serve as shining examples for how to treat our planet, while allowing Americans and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy our nation’s awe-inspiring natural heritage. Reinstating the sensible, flexible ban on the sale of single-use plastic water bottles helps ensure that these public spaces—from Yellowstone and the Everglades to Yosemite and Zion—are protected for future generations.”
“Rep. Quigley’s bill would ensure the National Park Service can continue building on a successful waste-reduction program,” said Alex Taurel, deputy legislative director at the League of Conservation Voters. “The Park Service has a strong record of conservation, preserving some of our most important cultural and natural resources for more than 100 years. We commend Rep. Quigley’s environmental leadership and his support for innovative programs that help protect our public lands and waters for future generations.”
It is no question that bottled water has a substantial environmental footprint and puts wildlife in danger. The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would reinstate and make permanent the Obama-era guidelines that allowed the National Park Service to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in parks where possible. Our National Parks spread from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and that means many parks are in hot climates or don’t have easy access to running water. This bill addresses the complexity of banning plastic water bottles by allowing NPS regional directors great discretion in how to implement the policy and encourages them to develop a visitor education strategy to explain the rationale for the program.
Following the implementation of the original ban on plastic water bottles, parks that were able to join the effort saw real results. Zion National Park in Utah eliminated the sale of 60,000 water bottles, or 5,000 pounds of plastic waste, by installing bottle-filling stations and selling affordable reusable bottles in their concession stands. This is a prime example of how encouraging the use of reusable bottles and making them readily available can reduce waste and act as a model for best practices in sustainability.
Original co-sponsors of the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act include Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), David Cicilline (RI-01), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Dwight Evans (PA-02), Jared Huffman (CA-2), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA-13), David Price (NC-04), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), and Niki Tsongas (MA-03).
As Vice Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rep. Quigley has long been an outspoken defender of the environment, sustainability efforts, and protecting America’s public lands and wildlife. Earlier this year, he visited Rocky Mountain National Park during his #RepInTheRockies tour to see the impacts of climate change firsthand and learn more about combating global warming through sound science, mitigation, adaptation, and education. Rep. Quigley has continually called on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to engage in a discussion on the merits of man-made climate change and the need to address its causes and consequences. As a life-long member of the Sierra Club with a score of 98% from the League of Conservation Voters’ National Environmental Scorecard, Rep. Quigley consistently leads efforts in Congress to protect the health of our natural environment for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as Vice-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), introduced the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act to combat the Trump Administration’s August 18 announcement instructing the National Park Service (NPS) to reverse an Obama-era guideline banning the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in national park facilities.
“President Trump and Interior Secretary Zinke’s decision to overturn the common-sense plastic water bottle ban in National Parks is a clear reminder that this Administration will continually bow to the agendas of profit-driven corporations at the expense of our National Parks, wildlife, and environment,” said Rep. Quigley. “We know that seventy percent of plastic water bottles find their way to landfills and waterways; and in National Parks, those bottles build up along trails and streams, harming our pristine sites and endangering the plants and animals that call them home. Our National Parks serve as shining examples for how to treat our planet, while allowing Americans and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy our nation’s awe-inspiring natural heritage. Reinstating the sensible, flexible ban on the sale of single-use plastic water bottles helps ensure that these public spaces—from Yellowstone and the Everglades to Yosemite and Zion—are protected for future generations.”
“Rep. Quigley’s bill would ensure the National Park Service can continue building on a successful waste-reduction program,” said Alex Taurel, deputy legislative director at the League of Conservation Voters. “The Park Service has a strong record of conservation, preserving some of our most important cultural and natural resources for more than 100 years. We commend Rep. Quigley’s environmental leadership and his support for innovative programs that help protect our public lands and waters for future generations.”
It is no question that bottled water has a substantial environmental footprint and puts wildlife in danger. The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act would reinstate and make permanent the Obama-era guidelines that allowed the National Park Service to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in parks where possible. Our National Parks spread from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and that means many parks are in hot climates or don’t have easy access to running water. This bill addresses the complexity of banning plastic water bottles by allowing NPS regional directors great discretion in how to implement the policy and encourages them to develop a visitor education strategy to explain the rationale for the program.
Following the implementation of the original ban on plastic water bottles, parks that were able to join the effort saw real results. Zion National Park in Utah eliminated the sale of 60,000 water bottles, or 5,000 pounds of plastic waste, by installing bottle-filling stations and selling affordable reusable bottles in their concession stands. This is a prime example of how encouraging the use of reusable bottles and making them readily available can reduce waste and act as a model for best practices in sustainability.
Original co-sponsors of the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act include Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), David Cicilline (RI-01), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Dwight Evans (PA-02), Jared Huffman (CA-2), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA-13), David Price (NC-04), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), and Niki Tsongas (MA-03).
As Vice Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Rep. Quigley has long been an outspoken defender of the environment, sustainability efforts, and protecting America’s public lands and wildlife. Earlier this year, he visited Rocky Mountain National Park during his #RepInTheRockies tour to see the impacts of climate change firsthand and learn more about combating global warming through sound science, mitigation, adaptation, and education. Rep. Quigley has continually called on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to engage in a discussion on the merits of man-made climate change and the need to address its causes and consequences. As a life-long member of the Sierra Club with a score of 98% from the League of Conservation Voters’ National Environmental Scorecard, Rep. Quigley consistently leads efforts in Congress to protect the health of our natural environment for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Home-Rule Provision Included in Committee-Passed Presidential Pension Bill
Source: House Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC) home-rule provision to change a 1958 law that treated the District of Columbia government as a part of the federal government, as it was then, was included in a bill passed today by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR). Norton’s home-rule change was included in the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2017 to update a law that keeps former presidents and widows of former presidents from collecting pensions during any period in which they worked for either the federal or D.C. government. The law had not been updated to recognize D.C. as an independent jurisdiction with a locally elected government, which was established by the Home Rule Act of 1973. Last Congress, the same bill passed the House and Senate with Norton’s home-rule change, which she offered as an amendment when OGR marked it up, but it was vetoed by President Obama for reasons unrelated to the D.C. provision.
“I am grateful to Representative Jody Hice (R-GA) and Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) for their hard work on this legislation,” Norton said. “The 1958 law that would be updated is not only out of date, but one of its premises is almost unimaginable. It was designed to keep a president or his or her widow who had worked for the D.C. government from double dipping by collecting both a federal pension and salary from the D.C. government. However, D.C. is an independent jurisdiction that places its locally-raised funds in its own accounts, making the double dipping reason for that provision in the bill an anachronism. This small but significant change ensures that no legislation mischaracterizes the District of Columbia as a part of the federal government.”
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC) home-rule provision to change a 1958 law that treated the District of Columbia government as a part of the federal government, as it was then, was included in a bill passed today by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR). Norton’s home-rule change was included in the Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2017 to update a law that keeps former presidents and widows of former presidents from collecting pensions during any period in which they worked for either the federal or D.C. government. The law had not been updated to recognize D.C. as an independent jurisdiction with a locally elected government, which was established by the Home Rule Act of 1973. Last Congress, the same bill passed the House and Senate with Norton’s home-rule change, which she offered as an amendment when OGR marked it up, but it was vetoed by President Obama for reasons unrelated to the D.C. provision.
“I am grateful to Representative Jody Hice (R-GA) and Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) for their hard work on this legislation,” Norton said. “The 1958 law that would be updated is not only out of date, but one of its premises is almost unimaginable. It was designed to keep a president or his or her widow who had worked for the D.C. government from double dipping by collecting both a federal pension and salary from the D.C. government. However, D.C. is an independent jurisdiction that places its locally-raised funds in its own accounts, making the double dipping reason for that provision in the bill an anachronism. This small but significant change ensures that no legislation mischaracterizes the District of Columbia as a part of the federal government.”
HOUSE SET TO APPROVE MURPHY AMENDMENTS TO FUND THE HELPING FAMILIES IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ACT
Source: House Representative Tim Murphy (R-PA, 18th)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The House approved all but one of Congressman Tim Murphy's (PA-18) amendments to secure the resources needed to stand up programs previously authorized in the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was signed into law last year. This afternoon, the remaining amendment to fund Assisted Outpatient Treatment will be up for a roll call vote.
As Chairman of Oversight & Investigations, Murphy spearheaded a multi-year effort aimed at improving our nation’s broken mental health system by improving our antiquated patchwork of ineffective policies and redirecting $130 billion authorized on mental health and addiction treatment into evidence-based programs and treatment. Finally, last year, Congress succeeded in passing Congressman Murphy's mental health reform bill, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was then signed into law as a part of the 21st Century Cures Act. The next step is to translate the promises Congress made into commitments of action by approving Murphy's amendments to provide the resources needed for the authorized programs.
Murphy’s amendments directed dollars to stand up children's mental health services, pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs, better treatment for individuals in the criminal justice system, development of the mental health workforce, and for a database of inpatient psychiatric facilities to strengthen community crisis response systems.
The last of Murphy’s amendments to be voted on provide full funding for assisted-outpatient treatment (AOT) programs, will be considered later this evening. The timing of the vote on Murphy's amendment has not yet been scheduled, but is expected sometime later this evening. Get live updates here.
“It was a moment of hope for millions of families across the country when Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act,” stated Murphy on the House floor last night. “I am grateful for my colleagues who came together to approve funding for life-saving programs, and ask that as we continue this process, we remember the families in mental health crisis who are counting on us to translate the promises we made into commitments of action.”
When the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was signed into law as a part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the programs included in the mental health reform bill were approved but not yet funded. The next step is the appropriations process, or the actual funding to translate the law from text on paper to programs in communities. Murphy's amendments are attached to the larger appropriations package, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Act, which will continue to move through the House this week.
The House approved the following amendments last night:
111 Amdt. #77 – Increasing Funds for the Mentally Ill Offender Act (MIOTCRA)
Increases funding by $2 million for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) to facilitate collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment system to improve access to effective treatment for people with mental illnesses involved with the justice system. Directs that grants be used to create or expand mental health courts, programs for specialized training to criminal or juvenile justice agency officers and mental health personnel in identifying symptoms to respond to individuals with mental illnesses, and to support cooperation between State and local governments with respect to the mentally ill offenders.
175 Amdt. #91 – Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention and Treatment
Provides $5 million for grants to develop, maintain, or enhance infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment programs, including programs for infants and children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance. These programs are to be evidence-based models and practices that can be replicated in other appropriate settings.
176 Amdt. #89 – Increasing Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care
Provides $9 million in grants that will improve access to behavioral health integration in pediatric primary care by supporting the development and improvement of statewide or regional pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs, and further develop regional pediatric mental health teams to provide consultative support for pediatric primary care.
177 Amdt. #88 – Strengthening the Mental and Substance Use Disorders Workforce
Provides $10 million in funding for a training demonstration program awarding grants to train medical residents and fellows to practice psychiatry and addiction medicine, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, health service psychologists, and social workers to provide mental and substance use disorders services. Recipients will integrate primary care with mental and substance use disorder care services in under-served and community-based settings.
179 Amdt. #86 – Strengthening Community Crisis Response Systems
Provides funding for grants to strengthen community crisis response systems to develop, maintain, or enhance a database of inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, and residential community mental health and residential substance use disorder treatment facilities; addressing a lack of inpatient psychiatric beds. Grant applicants will develop crisis response plans to promote integration and coordination between local public and private entities, including first responders, emergency health care providers, primary care providers, law enforcement, and behavioral health providers.
The House will consider the following amendment today:
155 Amdt. #90 – Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Increases court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) by $5 million to the fully authorized amount of $20 million total to support the severely mentally ill, allowing them to get treatment in the community without incarceration or hospitalization. AOT reduces incarceration, homelessness, and emergency room visits by upwards of 70 percent.
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The House approved all but one of Congressman Tim Murphy's (PA-18) amendments to secure the resources needed to stand up programs previously authorized in the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was signed into law last year. This afternoon, the remaining amendment to fund Assisted Outpatient Treatment will be up for a roll call vote.
As Chairman of Oversight & Investigations, Murphy spearheaded a multi-year effort aimed at improving our nation’s broken mental health system by improving our antiquated patchwork of ineffective policies and redirecting $130 billion authorized on mental health and addiction treatment into evidence-based programs and treatment. Finally, last year, Congress succeeded in passing Congressman Murphy's mental health reform bill, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which was then signed into law as a part of the 21st Century Cures Act. The next step is to translate the promises Congress made into commitments of action by approving Murphy's amendments to provide the resources needed for the authorized programs.
Murphy’s amendments directed dollars to stand up children's mental health services, pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs, better treatment for individuals in the criminal justice system, development of the mental health workforce, and for a database of inpatient psychiatric facilities to strengthen community crisis response systems.
The last of Murphy’s amendments to be voted on provide full funding for assisted-outpatient treatment (AOT) programs, will be considered later this evening. The timing of the vote on Murphy's amendment has not yet been scheduled, but is expected sometime later this evening. Get live updates here.
“It was a moment of hope for millions of families across the country when Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act,” stated Murphy on the House floor last night. “I am grateful for my colleagues who came together to approve funding for life-saving programs, and ask that as we continue this process, we remember the families in mental health crisis who are counting on us to translate the promises we made into commitments of action.”
When the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was signed into law as a part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the programs included in the mental health reform bill were approved but not yet funded. The next step is the appropriations process, or the actual funding to translate the law from text on paper to programs in communities. Murphy's amendments are attached to the larger appropriations package, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Act, which will continue to move through the House this week.
The House approved the following amendments last night:
111 Amdt. #77 – Increasing Funds for the Mentally Ill Offender Act (MIOTCRA)
Increases funding by $2 million for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) to facilitate collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment system to improve access to effective treatment for people with mental illnesses involved with the justice system. Directs that grants be used to create or expand mental health courts, programs for specialized training to criminal or juvenile justice agency officers and mental health personnel in identifying symptoms to respond to individuals with mental illnesses, and to support cooperation between State and local governments with respect to the mentally ill offenders.
175 Amdt. #91 – Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Promotion, Intervention and Treatment
Provides $5 million for grants to develop, maintain, or enhance infant and early childhood mental health promotion, intervention, and treatment programs, including programs for infants and children at significant risk of developing, showing early signs of, or having been diagnosed with mental illness, including a serious emotional disturbance. These programs are to be evidence-based models and practices that can be replicated in other appropriate settings.
176 Amdt. #89 – Increasing Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care
Provides $9 million in grants that will improve access to behavioral health integration in pediatric primary care by supporting the development and improvement of statewide or regional pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs, and further develop regional pediatric mental health teams to provide consultative support for pediatric primary care.
177 Amdt. #88 – Strengthening the Mental and Substance Use Disorders Workforce
Provides $10 million in funding for a training demonstration program awarding grants to train medical residents and fellows to practice psychiatry and addiction medicine, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, health service psychologists, and social workers to provide mental and substance use disorders services. Recipients will integrate primary care with mental and substance use disorder care services in under-served and community-based settings.
179 Amdt. #86 – Strengthening Community Crisis Response Systems
Provides funding for grants to strengthen community crisis response systems to develop, maintain, or enhance a database of inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, and residential community mental health and residential substance use disorder treatment facilities; addressing a lack of inpatient psychiatric beds. Grant applicants will develop crisis response plans to promote integration and coordination between local public and private entities, including first responders, emergency health care providers, primary care providers, law enforcement, and behavioral health providers.
The House will consider the following amendment today:
155 Amdt. #90 – Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Increases court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) by $5 million to the fully authorized amount of $20 million total to support the severely mentally ill, allowing them to get treatment in the community without incarceration or hospitalization. AOT reduces incarceration, homelessness, and emergency room visits by upwards of 70 percent.
Bill Introduced to Support Minority Owned Banks and Increase Access to Affordable Financial Services
Source: House Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY, 5th)
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), and Dwight Evans (D-PA), co-chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus’s Economic Development and Wealth Creation Task Force, introduced HR 3741, which would codify and enhance the Minority Bank Deposit Program (MBDP), which encourages federal agencies to utilize minority-owned banks and low-income credit unions as financial agents and depositories. MBDP was created in 1969 to help minority-owned banks obtain access to reliable and stable sources of funding to better provide loans within their local communities, many of which are underserved and lacking affordable financial services.
Although over 80 minority banks and low-income credit unions are certified to work with the federal government under the MBDP program, most of the certified institutions do not have an existing relationship with the federal government. The Congressional Black Caucus’s Task Force took on the challenge to reform MBDP after recent reports in the Wall Street Journal found that “the 2008 recession hit the black banking sector especially hard…black-owned banks could disappear entirely within the next eight to 12 years.”[1]
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks stated, “Limited access to affordable financial services is a persistent problem in my community, and many other underbanked communities around the US. Since the financial crisis, over 5,000 bank branches have closed their doors, leaving communities like mine with less safe and costlier financial services options. Our bill strengthens minority-owned banks, improves the financial health of the communities in which they serve, and provides more Americans with reliable and affordable banking options. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in this effort.”
“Since the 2008 Financial Crisis, the number of minority-owned and women-owned banks and credit unions have plummeted, leaving countless businesses and families in the surrounding communities with few, if any, financial options to start or grow their business—much less help to get a home or a car loan,” Congresswoman Beatty noted. “That is why it is critical that Congress pass legislation supporting the Minority Bank Deposit Program to ensure all American entrepreneurs and families have equal opportunity at achieving their American Dream.”
Making access to capital and credit a reality for all small business owners and entrepreneurs should be a reality for each and every individual in our neighborhoods. This is an issue too many individuals in our neighborhoods struggle with, specifically in our minority communities,” Congressman Dwight Evans said. “In our Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania MBDA Business Center has generated over $290 million contracts and financing, and created hundreds of jobs since 2004. The numbers don’t lie—they clearly demonstrate the viability of a model that creates jobs, spurs economic growth and facilitates community investment. I am pleased to join with my colleagues to introduce the Minority Banking Deposit Program, which reinforces, strengthens, and modernizes these critical financial institutions.
Washington, D.C. - September 13, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), and Dwight Evans (D-PA), co-chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus’s Economic Development and Wealth Creation Task Force, introduced HR 3741, which would codify and enhance the Minority Bank Deposit Program (MBDP), which encourages federal agencies to utilize minority-owned banks and low-income credit unions as financial agents and depositories. MBDP was created in 1969 to help minority-owned banks obtain access to reliable and stable sources of funding to better provide loans within their local communities, many of which are underserved and lacking affordable financial services.
Although over 80 minority banks and low-income credit unions are certified to work with the federal government under the MBDP program, most of the certified institutions do not have an existing relationship with the federal government. The Congressional Black Caucus’s Task Force took on the challenge to reform MBDP after recent reports in the Wall Street Journal found that “the 2008 recession hit the black banking sector especially hard…black-owned banks could disappear entirely within the next eight to 12 years.”[1]
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks stated, “Limited access to affordable financial services is a persistent problem in my community, and many other underbanked communities around the US. Since the financial crisis, over 5,000 bank branches have closed their doors, leaving communities like mine with less safe and costlier financial services options. Our bill strengthens minority-owned banks, improves the financial health of the communities in which they serve, and provides more Americans with reliable and affordable banking options. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in this effort.”
“Since the 2008 Financial Crisis, the number of minority-owned and women-owned banks and credit unions have plummeted, leaving countless businesses and families in the surrounding communities with few, if any, financial options to start or grow their business—much less help to get a home or a car loan,” Congresswoman Beatty noted. “That is why it is critical that Congress pass legislation supporting the Minority Bank Deposit Program to ensure all American entrepreneurs and families have equal opportunity at achieving their American Dream.”
Making access to capital and credit a reality for all small business owners and entrepreneurs should be a reality for each and every individual in our neighborhoods. This is an issue too many individuals in our neighborhoods struggle with, specifically in our minority communities,” Congressman Dwight Evans said. “In our Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania MBDA Business Center has generated over $290 million contracts and financing, and created hundreds of jobs since 2004. The numbers don’t lie—they clearly demonstrate the viability of a model that creates jobs, spurs economic growth and facilitates community investment. I am pleased to join with my colleagues to introduce the Minority Banking Deposit Program, which reinforces, strengthens, and modernizes these critical financial institutions.
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