Investigation into Alleged Pill Dumping in West Virginia Amid Opioid Crisis

Source: House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and other Energy and Commerce Committee leaders have sent a letter to Miami-Luken, a drug distributor, expanding on their investigation into alleged pill dumping in West Virginia. The letter requests documents regarding what steps the company has taken to comply with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations regarding suspicious orders for drugs, as well as information about the dosage and amounts of drugs the company had shipped to regional pharmacies.

Signing the letter along with DeGette were Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Rep. David McKinley (R-WV).

The committee has been investigating alleged pill dumping in West Virginia since earlier this year. This work stems from news reports by the Charleston Gazette-Mail and The Washington Post detailing an unusually large opioid presence in the state of West Virginia.

“It would appear that the state of West Virginia may have received extraordinary amounts of opioids from distributors beyond what the population could safely use,” the five members of Congress wrote

“There are specific allegations in the public domain relating to Miami-Luken’s distribution of opioids,” they added, noting that the DEA was seeking to revoke the company’s ability to operate in West Virginia because it allegedly failed to maintain effective controls over distribution there, including the disclosure of suspicious orders for controlled substances including oxycodone and hydrocodone.

The lawmakers set a deadline of October 9 for the company to respond to their letter.

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Democrats Move to Force Vote on DREAMERS

Source: House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Democrats took action to protect Dreamers and force a vote on the bipartisan DREAM Act, which would provide a permanent solution to allow young undocumented immigrants brought here as children to remain in this country legally.

Over 100 House Democrats signed a discharge petition. Once the petition is signed by a majority of members, the House would be forced to take a vote on the legislation. Rep. Davis is also urging her Republicans colleagues to participate in this effort to force a vote.

“For Dreamers, America is the only country they truly know, having lived here nearly their whole lives,” said Rep. Davis, who is a cosponsor of the DREAM Act. “They are contributing in a positive way and are an essential part of building our country’s future. I hope every member – both Democrat and Republican – will do the right thing and uphold our highest American values and join in signing this petition to bring this bipartisan, bicameral bill to the House floor for a vote.”

According to a press release by Susan Davis (D-CA, 53rd), the San Diego region is home to nearly 40,000 recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects them against deportation. They are among 800,000 Dreamers across the nation. President Trump’s recent decision to end DACA has these young people and their families now living in fear unless Congress acts.

Davis says that there is a real economic impact if the Dreamers were to be deported. California would lose more than $11 billion in economic activity. Nationwide, it would mean almost half a trillion dollars lost. One study showed that employers would spend over $4 billion dollars to recruit and replace Dreamers who are deported.

Rep. Davis has met with Dreamers from the 53rd and participated in events in the community calling attention to the unique challenges they face, including the many who know no other home than the United States and may not even speak the language of their countries of birth.

H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, is bipartisan, bicameral legislation which would permanently protect DREAMers from deportation. It was originally introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).

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Davidson Introduces "CBO Show Your Work" Act

Source: House Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH, 8th)

Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Mark Walker (NC-06) introduced the “CBO Show Your Work” Act in the House on Monday pushing for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to disclose the formulas it uses when providing budget and economic information to Congress and the public.

"Transparency provides a strong safeguard against errors, omissions and bias.

"The algorithms, datasets and methodologies in use by the CBO should be readily available for everyone to inspect and use at their own discretion. Having this data available will save precious time and staff resources as it lets congressional offices vet their legislation before submitting a final product to the CBO.

“The CBO’s delay in providing timely analysis to the House and Senate during efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare punctuates a long list of reasons why transparency and peer review are essential," said Davidson.

Claudia Tenney (NY-22) and Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) are co-sponsors to the “CBO Show Your Work” Act H.R.3822.

Background: Davidson’s bill requires the Congressional Budget Office to make the fiscal and mathematical models, data, and other details of computations used in cost analysis and scoring publicly available online.

In the Senate, Sen. Mike Lee introduced The CBO Show Your Work Act of 2017 on August 4, 2017 which is a companion to Davidson’s bill. The bill has 14 co-sponsors including, Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Rand Paul (R-KY), David Perdue (R-GA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

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Pelosi Says Dems Won't Approve Hurricane Tax Relief Until DACA Reinstated.

Source: House Representative Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

Congressman Kevin Cramer issued the following statement after House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, put politics over policy by opposing a six-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration and hurricane tax relief:

“Citing no movement on DACA as a reason to obstruct the otherwise bipartisan FAA reauthorization is not only puzzling, but it’s reckless and it puts the safety of the traveling public at risk. I’m baffled by Nancy Pelosi’s willingness to use DACA individuals as pawns to score political points.”

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program created under the Obama Administration in 2012, which according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, allows certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines to request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.

The Ponder wants to know: What does DACA have to do with the FAA? If this is not a blatant attempt to undermine Trump, once again, I don't know what is. Will voters PLEASE vote these whiney-babies out next election!

I'm sure there are a lot of voters out there stranded because of lack of Hurricane Relief who will remember her -- I hope.

COLLINS STATEMENT ON RESPECTING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Source: House Representative Doug Collins (R-GA, 9th)

Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement in response to the question of how NFL players and representatives choose to respond to America’s national anthem:

“The National Football League is home to some of the most talented athletes in the greatest nation of the world. While I respect their right to protest, I commend to them the examples of their colleagues Pat Tillman and Alejandro Villanueva. These men defended that freedom and their fellow citizens as Army Rangers, and their actions illustrate a patriotism that unifies Americans.

“NFL players have a professional duty to deliver a compelling product on the field. I encourage them to pursue that duty wholeheartedly and can, if need be, recommend a few SEC teams to inspire them on that journey. In the meantime, I’m grateful to stand for an American flag that welcomes diversity and promotes unity more deeply than any jersey has ever done.”

Chabot Statement on Passage of the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act

Source: House Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH, 1st)

Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH), senior Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of H.R. 2061, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017.

“While the rogue regime in Pyongyang continues to threaten the world with its nuclear arsenal, the North Korean people are denied the most basic human rights,” said Chabot. “Public executions, trafficking, forced labor, and starvation plague many North Koreans who know no life outside of their borders. As technology continues to advance, so do our methods of spreading truth. H.R. 2061 modernizes U.S. technology efforts to inform North Koreans and advocate for freedom and democracy.”

Byrne Attends STEM Education Signing at the White House

Source: House Representative Bradley Byrne (R-AL, 1st)

Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, attended a special ceremony at the White House for the signing of a Presidential Memorandum to promote STEM education.

The Presidential Memorandum calls on the Department of Education to devote at least $200 million of its grant funds each year to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs, including computer science.

Byrne said: “I applaud President Trump and his administration for their commitment to advancing STEM education. STEM is no longer a thing of the future, but it is the reality for today’s workforce. By focusing grant funding in this area, we can help ensure that our students are exposed to the skills necessary to excel in today’s 21st Century economy.”

Irma Wipes Out 70 percent of Florida's Orange Crops

Source: House Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL, 16th)

Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- After Hurricane Irma wiped out as much as 70 percent of Florida's orange crop, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan called for immediate action in Congress to help struggling citrus farmers recover.

“Florida farmers are facing an emergency,” Buchanan said. “Between Irma and the devastating citrus greening disease, we can't wait any longer to provide citrus growers with the relief they need.”

Prior to Hurricane Irma, the Florida citrus industry had already experienced a 75 percent drop in production due to citrus greening, an incurable bacterial disease that has infected nearly all of Florida’s commercial citrus groves.

According to Michael Sparks, executive director of Florida Citrus Mutual, Hurricane Irma had a catastrophic effect on Florida citrus. Sparks estimated that nearly every grove in the state has been damaged to some degree by the storm.

Buchanan’s Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act would make it less costly for growers to replace trees damaged by Hurricane Irma or citrus greening. The bill provides tax incentives for farmers who cannot afford to replace damaged trees.

Under current law, growers are allowed an immediate deduction for the cost of replanting trees, but the farmer must bear the full cost. Buchanan’s proposal would allow struggling farmers to use this deduction even if they bring in investors to raise capital for replanting costs, as long as the grower continues to own a major stake in the grove.

“This bill will go a long way toward protecting the livelihoods of the 62,000 hardworking Floridians in our signature citrus industry,” Buchanan said.

Every member of Florida’s 29-member congressional delegation in both the U.S. House and Senate has co-sponsored Buchanan’s legislation, which passed the House by a 400-20 vote in 2016 but did not pass the Senate before Congress adjourned.

The bill has been endorsed by the Bradenton Herald, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Lakeland Ledger, Sun Newspapers, the Panama City News Herald and the Ocala Star-Ledger. The Ledger called Buchanan's legislation a “must pass” while the Bradenton Herald said it was a “no-brainer.”

Experts estimate a 50 to 70 percent crop loss in south Florida from Hurricane Irma. Florida growers are seeing up to 90 percent losses in some places.

Shannon Stepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus, said “before Hurricane Irma, there was a good chance we would have more than 75 million boxes of oranges on the trees this season; we now have much less.”

Buchanan is a senior member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax legislation.

House Extends Critical Veterans Programs That Brownley Is Fighting to Make Permanent

Source: House Representative Julia Brownly (D-CA, 26th)

Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement after House passage of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017, which extends critical veterans programs through September 2019, including the VA’s child care pilot program, women veterans retreats pilot program, and support services for homeless veterans:

“I am happy the House passed bipartisan legislation extending critical veterans programs. Whether it’s ensuring veterans have access to child care when they have VA appointments, to providing mental health services tailored to the unique needs of women veterans, to putting roofs over the heads of those who are homeless, these VA programs are essential parts of our sacred commitment to care for those who served our nation. Today’s vote is a testament to the success, effectiveness, and popularity of these programs, and I will continue fighting to make them permanent so that every veteran gets the care they have earned and deserve.”

Congresswoman Brownley has been spearheading the effort in Congress to secure the future of important veterans programs, including introducing legislation in January to make permanent the VA’s pilot program on retreats for women veterans (H.R. 91), to expand and make permanent the VA’s child care pilot program (H.R. 95), and to make permanent several homeless veterans assistance programs (H.R. 104). H.R. 91 passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in May, and H.R. 95 passed the full House in July.

Trump Extends Travel Restrictions

Source: House Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA, 11th)
Source: The White House

Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, applauded President Trump’s announcement that he will be using his constitutional authority to strengthen security standards for foreign nationals traveling to the United States. President Trump’s enhancement of national security measures per Executive Order 13780 temporarily suspended travel to the United States from eight countries that have strong connections to terrorism, inadequate information sharing services, and poor screening and vetting processes. Five of the countries listed in the executive order have failed to improve their vetting processes to the administration’s baseline standard, and therefore restrictions will be maintained on foreign nationals traveling from these countries. In addition, after further review of our national security protocols, Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela have been added to the original five countries and will also face enhanced restrictions.

Barletta released the following statement:

“We are a compassionate nation, one built on legal and orderly immigration, and one which has always offered a place for people seeking better lives. However, our enemies continuously seek to use our generosity against us, and the president has a duty to protect the American people first. We know that ISIS has expressed their intent to use our refugee program to sneak their fighters and sympathizers into our country because our security measures are lacking. We cannot allow this.

“It is also important to recognize that citizens of foreign nations simply do not have the right to unfettered admission to the United States. In hearings before the House Homeland Security Committee under both the Obama and Trump administrations, numerous national security experts and professionals have stated that we simply cannot accurately screen all foreign nationals because we have no information from their home countries to verify their identities. In many cases, we have no idea who is trying to enter our country. I fully support President Trump’s actions to keep America safe, which I believe are only prudent as we work on a system that allows us to verify the identity and background of applicants.”

President Trump said in a press release announcing the restrictions:

“Our government's first duty is to its people, to our citizens -- to serve their needs, to ensure their safety, to preserve their rights, and to defend their values.”

Other statements:

Source: House Representative Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th)

“Donald Trump cannot camouflage his Muslim Ban by adding new countries to it. Its discriminatory roots are still plainly visible. This policy is an attempt to use racial and anti-religious animus to divide people for political ends.

As with previous bans, the Administration provides no evidence that they enhance public safety. Meanwhile, the ban continues to stigmatize millions of Muslim Americans, as well as our key allies in the war on terror.

This policy has been wrong from the start, it is wrong still, and I will continue to oppose it.”