Norton to Introduce Bill to Remove Statue of Confederate General Pike from Judiciary Square

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she will introduce a bill to remove a statue of Confederate General Albert Pike located in the District of Columbia after she had the opportunity today to meet with Sovereign Grand Commander Ronald Seale of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, which originally donated the Pike statue to the federal government. Norton sees a difference between the Pike statue, located on federal land under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS) near Judiciary Square, and similar Confederate statues located in the U.S. Capitol and around the country, particularly given the Freemasons publicly-expressed support for removing the statue. Because the statue was installed by an act of Congress, congressional action must be taken for it to be removed.

“I appreciate the meeting I had with Mr. Seale today to discuss General Pike’s statue in Judiciary Square,” Norton said. “Mr. Seale had already said publicly prior to our meeting that the Freemasons ‘strive to bring people of all races and creeds together in harmony,’ and that, because of its potential divisive nature, his organization would support an ‘action…to remove the statue.’ Our meeting was very amicable and productive, and bodes well for future action.”

Pelosi Sends Letter to Speaker Ryan Calling For Immediate Creation of Select Committee on Gun Violence, Passage of King-Thompson Background Check Legislation

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Ryan calling for the creation of a Select Committee on Gun Violence and to bring the King-Thompson Background Check Legislation to the House Floor for a vote following the attack in Las Vegas, the largest mass shooting in our history.

As Leader Pelosi writes, “I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to study and report back common sense legislation to help end this crisis. The bipartisan committee would make recommendations to prevent unspeakable tragedies such as the mass shooting in Las Vegas and to restore confidence in the safety of our communities. Today is a day for prayer, mourning and love, but it must also be a day for action.”

Full text of the letter can be found below:

October 2, 2017

The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
H-232, United States Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

The epidemic of gun violence in our country continues to challenge the conscience of our nation.

Today, our nation woke up to news of the worst mass shooting in our history, claiming the lives of at least 58 innocent men and women in Las Vegas. Nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings in 2017 – one for each day of the year. On average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across America.

Congress has a moral duty to address this horrific and heartbreaking epidemic. Charged with the solemn duty to protect and defend the American people, we must respond to these tragedies with courage, unity and decisive action.

First, Congress must pass the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation to strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands. But this is only a first step.

I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to study and report back common sense legislation to help end this crisis. The bipartisan committee would make recommendations to prevent unspeakable tragedies such as the mass shooting in Las Vegas and to restore confidence in the safety of our communities.

Today is a day for prayer, mourning and love, but it must also be a day for action. As Members of Congress, our words of comfort to the families of the victims of the Las Vegas massacre will ring hollow unless we take long overdue action to ensure that no other family is forced to endure such an unimaginable tragedy.

Thank you for your solemn and swift consideration of this request.

best regards,

NANCY PELOSI
Democratic Leader

From what I understand, a machine gun was used. Am I wrong in remembering that machine guns are against the law already? Your laws did not prevent the killer from using it. What good is it going to do to put more regulations on law-abiding Americans?

Pocan Statement on Mass Shooting in Las Vegas

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) has released the following statement regarding the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to early news reports, the shooting claimed the lives of at least 50 people, surpassing the 2016 mass shooting in Orlando, Florida and making it the deadliest mass shooting in American history.

“My thoughts are with the victims of this senseless tragedy, their friends and families, and the City of Las Vegas. Much like the shooting in Orlando, these innocent Americans were doing something many of us have done, attend a concert. This attack was an act of terror and no one should have to experience a tragedy like the one that unfolded in Las Vegas.

“Members of Congress have the power to do something and we must do more than hold a moment of silence. We said never again after the shootings in Newtown, Charleston, San Bernardino, Orlando, and so many others. These events have become far too common and we can’t stay silent when thousands of Americans die from firearms every single year.

“As long as Congress fails to act, it is complicit in the deaths of innocent Americans. We must take commonsense actions like reinstating the assault weapons ban, ending the sale of high-capacity magazines, and closing loopholes in the background check system. For too long, Congress has rolled over when confronted by the NRA and the gun lobby and it’s time to finally take a stand. Congress must act now.”

Napolitano’s Statement on Mass Shooting in Las Vegas

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) released the following statement on the mass shooting last night near the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, NV:

“This morning we learned yet another horrific act of gun violence had occurred in America; the deadliest mass shooting in our nation’s history. We grieve the tragic loss of over 50 innocent lives and extend our sympathies to all of the families and friends of the victims of the massacre. We pray for the more than 500 individuals who suffered injuries and those who are still waiting to hear from loved ones during this time of shock and horror. We thank all first responders who bravely rushed to the scene to rescue those in peril and prevent further casualties.

“The carnage that occurred breaks our hearts and confounds our minds. Additional counseling and supportive mental health services should be made available for all concert-goers, first responders, and the entire Las Vegas community. While we do not yet know all of the details, including the gunmen’s motive, we refuse to accept gun violence. Together we must act boldly to stop this epidemic and prevent tragedies. Our hearts remain with the city of Las Vegas and all Nevadans today.”

Napolitano serves as a Vice Chair of the House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She was appointed to the Task Force following the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT in 2012 to address mental health as a component of gun violence prevention. Napolitano is also the founder and Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990.

And even more Tax Reform Statements from The House of Reps

Lamborn Statement on GOP Tax Reform
Doug Lamborn (R-CO, 5th)
“This new framework overhauls the 1986 tax code to reflect where we have come as a nation, taking tried and true principles and applying them for the biggest economic benefit. The code is not only simplified, but includes several measures that will help all Americans. Most notably it provides immediate expensing, which means businesses can immediately write off the cost of new investments for at least five years. This is an unprecedented opportunity for businesses to grow. Also, families at all levels of the tax bracket will benefit from the simple and fair new model with income tax rate cuts. It retains incentives, gives businesses deductions, brings trillions of dollars stranded overseas back home for investment, and creates more jobs with bigger paychecks.”
Read more...

Lance Statement on Tax Reform Outline
Leonard Lance (R-NJ, 7th)
“There is a lot I agree with in the tax reform outline announced today. Lower individual rates on middle-class families and a competitive corporate rate will unleash tremendous economic growth and job creation. These reforms will have a positive effect on take-home pay in every state and should enjoy large bipartisan support. I hope these items are included in the final package.
Read more...

Levin Statement on GOP Tax Reform Framework
Sander Levin (D-MI, 9th)
“While critical details have been left out, the general trajectory of the Republican tax plan is clear – too much help for the wealthy and an enormous deficit tax for everyone else.
Read more...

Lewis on Tax Reform: Our Families Need Relief
Jason Lewis (R-MN, 2nd)
“American families and businesses suffer under some of the highest tax rates in the world, and consequently families have less income and businesses create fewer jobs. Our economy has been stuck in low gear for years, growing far slower than the post-WWII average of 3.3%. As a result, median family incomes have failed to keep pace since the 2007 recession.
Read more...

MARSHALL PRAISES TAX REFORM BLUEPRINT
Roger Marshall (R-KS, 1st)
More than anything else, the most common complaint I hear about the existing tax system is it's complexity. With this in mind, we aim to make it possible to file your taxes on a postcard. This simpler, quicker and easier system will give working and middle class Kansans the same access to the tax code as someone who has hired teams of accountants and lawyers to seek out every loophole.
Read more...

House Freedom Caucus Supports Tax Reform Framework, Will Support House GOP Budget
Mark Meadows (R-NC, 11th)
"President Trump has delivered a forward looking tax reform framework that will let hard working Americans keep more of their money, simplify our system, end carve outs for special interests, and will help make our businesses competitive abroad. The Freedom Caucus looks forward to sending a final bill based on this framework to President Trump's desk as soon as possible."
Read more...

GOP Tax Framework a “Serious, Thoughtful Path to Revamping a Broken Tax Code”
Pat Meehan (R-PA, 7th)
“Our tax code is a mess,” said Congressman Meehan. “It’s riddled with overlapping and conflicting provisions that leave taxpayers frustrated and confused. Its rates are too high, and too many loopholes enable the elites to avoid them. It’s holding us back in the modern economy. Too much of a middle class family’s paycheck is going to Washington. A top-to-bottom rewrite is long overdue.”
Read more...

Rep. Messer Urges Support for Tax Cuts During President Trump’s Visit to Indiana
Luke Messer (R-IA, 6th)
"This is a great day for Indiana's workers and a great day for the American economy," Messer said. “President Trump's tax plan will bring more jobs, fairer taxes and bigger paychecks to Hoosiers. I’m excited the President is here in Indiana, where we’ve led the nation in delivering the kind of tax cuts and pro-growth policies that get our economy moving. I look forward to working closely with him and anyone else ready to deliver for Hoosier workers."
Read more...

MCMORRIS RODGERS VOTES FOR SHORT-TERM EXTENSION OF TEACHING HEALTH CENTERS PROGRAM

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) voted in favor of legislation to provide for a 3-month extension of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program at current funding levels. She released this statement following passage of the legislation:

“I’m glad we moved forward with a short-term extension of the THCGME program, but we also must advance a long-term solution to provide certainty for our teaching health centers, their residents, and their patients—which is what my bill, the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act would do. Without a sustainable funding level of $157,000 per resident, per year, as recommended in the HRSA funded study published last year, the program will unravel.”

During debate on the legislation, the Congresswoman gave remarks on the House floor on the importance of the THCGME program, but also the need to support long-term reauthorization at sustainable funding levels. In case you missed it, you can watch her full remarks here:

The short-term extension was included in H.R. 3823, the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017.

In July, the Congresswoman introduced the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017 to reauthorize the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program for three years. This legislation will also allow for the expansion of new programs within existing centers or the creation of entirely new teaching health centers while emphasizing the importance of establishing sustainable funding. The Congresswoman will continue to work to see this bill advanced and provide long-term certainty for the Spokane Teaching Health Clinic, and all those who rely on this important program.

McKinley Praises Move to Protect Reliability, Resiliency of Electric Grid

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) issued the following statement on the Department of Energy’s proposal to protect the reliability and resilience of the electric grid:

“The proposal released today is a clear recognition that reliability, resiliency, and fuel diversity are vital to our economic and national security. Coal and other baseload energy sources have attributes that are essential to the reliable delivery of electricity, and we must ensure that they remain part of our energy mix.

“From the Polar Vortex to Hurricane Harvey we’ve seen how weather and other external factors can stress our energy supply and threaten the grid. The federal government must take steps to reward energy sources that can guarantee they will be there in times of need.

“Today Secretary Perry took a bold step to protect the reliability and resiliency of our electricity infrastructure. Regulatory overreach and market challenges have led to hundreds of coal plants shutting down in the past few years. This proposal is an important move to protect existing plants and acknowledge the valuable role they play for our economy and our national security.”

The Department of Energy (DOE) requested the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop a rule that will address threats to our nation’s electrical grid reliability.

Namely, the proposed rule allows for the recovery of costs of fuel-secure (such as coal, nuclear, and hydropower) generation units frequently relied upon to make our grid reliable and resilient. Such resources provide:

Reliable capacity;

Resilient generation;

Frequency and voltage support; and

On-site fuel inventory.

McHenry and Booker Introduce Fintech Bill to Automate Income Verification

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10), the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the IRS Data Verification Modernization Act of 2017. This bipartisan bill will require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to automate the Income Verification Express Services process by creating an Application Programming Interface (API) allowing small businesses and consumers to access accurate credit assessments more efficiently. Joining McHenry as an original cosponsor of H.R. 3860 is Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D, OR-03), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

“Innovation in financial services has created more convenient and secure ways to meet the demands of American consumers," said Congressman McHenry. "For financial innovation to succeed, however, Washington must update its information technology infrastructure to keep up with the growth and creativity in the private sector.

"Our federal government needs to do a better job in updating and securing its technology to make lending more accessible for all Americans," McHenry continued. "In light of the recent SEC and Equifax breaches, now is the time for Congress to take a leading role in creating a more safe and affordable process so that consumers are protected.  This bill takes a small but important step in that direction by modernizing one of the most important processes in the financial system: income verification.”

“Helping small businesses access capital is one of the best things we can do to support their development and grow the economy," said Senator Booker. "Our commonsense bill simplifies the loan process for small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing lenders quicker access to financial records and data, while safeguarding private information. This bill will cut red tape and unreasonably lengthy waiting periods, making the process more efficient in getting much-needed capital into the hands of small businesses.”

Joining Senator Booker as an original cosponsor to the Senate companion legislation to H.R. 3860 is Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID).

Background: As part of the loan and mortgage processes for consumers and small businesses, each applicant completes an IRS form called a “4506-T,” which gives the lender the right to access a summarized version of their tax transcript, which is used to confirm certain data points on their application.  According to industry reports, this manual process at the IRS takes two to eight days, which creates needless delay for fintech companies and banks that rely on leveraging data and technology to make faster, informed decision for consumer and small business lending.

U.S. Rep. McGovern Statement on U.S. Embassy in Cuba, Travel Warning to Cuba

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), a senior House Democrat and leading voice on U.S.-Cuba relations, released the following statement regarding Secretary Tillerson’s recent meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and the decision to withdraw all non-essential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Havana and issue a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to Cuba:

“Keeping our American diplomats safe and secure must always be our first priority. I strongly support U.S. and Cuban efforts to determine who is responsible for the harmful sonar attacks and ensure they are held accountable.

“Today’s announcement and indefinite suspension of visa processing and consular services by the Trump Administration, however, is a dramatic overreaction and the latest example of a White House with a stunning ignorance on how to best conduct foreign policy. This would make it even harder for Cuban and American families to travel and visit loved ones.

“It is essential that the State Department immediately develop practical contingency plans to continue to allow families to travel from Cuba. Americans with family and loved ones in Cuba should not be forced to face such unnecessary barriers, especially when so many are still recovering from the devastating hurricanes that have hit the region.

“Americans cannot afford a return to the failed Cold War isolationist policies that divided families for 50 years. Hundreds of thousands of Americans visit Cuba every year. Our businesses are engaged in agricultural sales and other business opportunities. U.S. and Cuban agencies engage in cooperation on drug trafficking, human smuggling, search and rescue operations, and other security issues. An Embassy presence is vital to maintaining those relationships.

“Any move to sever or diminish diplomatic ties or travel would be a dangerous step backward that would jeopardize the progress our countries have made. Americans need strong leadership, but the Trump administration seems more interested in abandoning diplomacy when we need it most. Our nations must work together to ensure the safety of American personnel without dividing families.”

McEachin Statement Responding to President Trump's Tweets Attacking San Juan's Mayor

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement in response to President Trump’s tweetstorm directed at the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico:

“This morning’s tweets were disappointing, insensitive and unhelpful to say the least. As the people of Puerto Rico despair of having the most basic of life’s needs – food, water and shelter, our President, and their president, I might add, chooses to attack the mayor rather than invest in meaningful solutions to the ever-mounting problems there.

“Today’s tweets were just the latest in a pattern that speaks to excuses and diversions, rather than solutions. He speaks bombastically of his ability to destroy far off North Korea, but then claimed that he can’t get better aid to Puerto Rico because we are separated by an ocean.

“This morning, rather than acknowledge that Puerto Ricans are in dire need and that, every day on our tv screens, we are seeing scenes of horrific devastation and suffering, he attacks the mayor in personal terms and accuses her of partisan politics. Mr. President, when it comes to needless partisan attacks as a diversion, look in the mirror.

“As the President careens from complimenting himself and his administration on their response to Puerto Rico to bombastic insults directed at San Juan’s mayor, Mayor Yulin Cruz continues to make every effort to help her community recover.

“I call on the President to remember that disasters are not Democratic or Republican, that Puerto Ricans are American citizens and that when we see people in need and suffering, our responsibility and history as Americans is to go to their aid, relieve the suffering and leave partisan politics behind.”