Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) has expressed his support for H.R. 36, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill, which bans abortions 20 weeks or more after fertilization, gives millions of unborn children a chance to live.
“Every life is precious, has value, and is blessed by God,” said Congressman Wilson. “Working together with pro-life leaders such South Carolina Citizens for Life – and its executive director Holly Gatling – I have fought to protect unborn babies, and I will continue to do so, because those who can’t speak for themselves deserve a voice.”
Congressman Wilson delivered a One Minute Speech on the floor of the House in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act on Tuesday afternoon.
Video of Congressman Wilson's floor speech is available at: https://youtu.be/QkGsWkhay6U
According to medical professionals, a fetus that is 20 weeks old can feel pain. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act establishes criminal penalties for anyone who performs or attempts an abortion after the 20-week mark. The bill provides exceptions to save the life of the mother, and in the case of rape or incest.
The Unpopular Truth
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Members Introduce Bipartisan Legislation on the Dangers of Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), along with Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD), Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), Rep. Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-LA), Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA), and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) introduced H. Con. Res. 80, expressing the sense of Congress that legalizing physician-assisted suicide puts the most vulnerable of our society at risk of deadly harm and undermines the integrity of America’s healthcare system. They issued the following joint statement:
“Protecting the vulnerable and providing quality care for all patients are cornerstones of any good healthcare system. Included in that is providing comfort and care for those facing the heart-wrenching challenges of dealing with a potentially terminal illness. In some cases, this commitment to fighting for the best care – even in the face of the most deadly diseases – can result in new and innovative cures, offering the chance of recovery for both the patient and for others suffering in the future. In other cases, it is simply a question of offering end-of-life comfort and support.
Physician-assisted suicide, however, does the opposite. It undermines a key safeguard that protects our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and people experiencing psychiatric diagnoses. Americans deserve better.
We will continue to defend every human being’s inherent dignity, and work to ensure patients facing the end of their lives have access to the best quality and most comprehensive medical care possible, including palliative, in-home, or hospice care, tailored to their individual needs. When governments support, encourage, or facilitate suicide – whether assisted by physicians or others – we devalue our fellow citizens, our fellow human beings. That should not be who we are."
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Nonpartisan patients’ rights and disability rights advocacy organizations across the country have spoken out in strong support of this bipartisan resolution, including:
Patients Rights Action Fund: “Many do not realize that people battling terminal illness, people with disabilities and others are inadvertently targeted by the legalization of assisted suicide. I am grateful to Congressmen Correa, Vargas, Wenstrup and all of the other cosponsors for introducing this Sense of Congress resolution,” said J.J. Hanson, President and a terminal brain cancer patient. “This bill brings attention to this important issue and takes a big step toward protecting me and so many others from a death-too-soon.”
National Council on Independent Living: “Our society places a high value on physical appearance and ability, and stigmatizes significant disability. It's no surprise that those of us who grew up able-bodied and then became disabled might initially see disability as a huge loss of one’s former dreams and physical abilities,” said Kelly Buckland, Executive Director. “When someone is first hit with this, they may feel they’d be better off dead. As one struggles to get basic needs met, some people feel worn down. If assisted suicide had been legal in the past, even if it were supposedly only for those with “terminal” conditions, I might not be here today. I’m grateful that assisted suicide was not legal back then, and I'm committed to keeping it that way. This is an important reason why the National Council on Independent Living opposes assisted suicide laws. NCIL is a leader in the disability rights movement, our political struggle for equal rights. And, among other things, equal rights include equal suicide prevention.”
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): “Where assisted suicide is legal, some people’s lives will be ended without their consent, through mistakes and abuse. No safeguards have ever been enacted or even proposed that can prevent this outcome, which can never be undone,” said Marilyn Golden, Senior Policy Analyst. “The so-called safeguards are very weak, and the lack of oversight hides these dangers from public view. Moreover, assisted suicide laws are a prescription for elder abuse and abuse of people with disabilities. Supporters of assisted suicide say such laws won’t affect disabled people—but they will, whether or not they realize it. But there is a legal alternative: anyone dying in discomfort may legally receive palliative sedation. Under these circumstances, assisted suicide is not real choice, but a phony form of freedom.”
ADAPT: “Disabled people and seniors who need assistance with everyday tasks like dressing and bathing want the choice to get those services at home and to have control over how they’re delivered. We do not want to be forced into a nursing facility, nor forced to live in poverty to qualify. Unfortunately, that choice is not a reality for most of us. In states that have legalized assisted suicide, Oregon data shows, over a third of those who request assistance to die do so because of “feelings of being a burden” and over 90% cite “loss of autonomy” as a factor,” said Stephanie Woodward, Director of Advocacy. “If the only alternative to death is poverty and segregation in nursing facilities, assisted suicide is not a “choice.” Society is failing to ensure access to consumer controlled long-term services. The last thing we need in this time of draconian budget cuts in Medicaid is the legalization of assisted suicide laws, because the untimely deaths of disabled Americans can easily be seen as a cost saving answer.
Not Dead Yet: "As a national, secular, social justice organization, Not Dead Yet strongly supports this bipartisan effort to speak truth to the many myths about legalized assisted suicide," said Diane Coleman, President/CEO. "As Americans with disabilities, we are on the front lines of the nation's health care system that often devalues old, ill, and disabled people. So we are grateful for this Sense of Congress that explains the dangers of mistake, coercion, and abuse under a public policy of assisted suicide."
Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Fund: "Empowering doctors to assist patients in killing themselves has led to an inevitable erosion of trust in the motives of doctors, health care institutions, and insurers. This has been detrimental to patients, degraded the quality of medical care, and compromised the integrity of medical profession wherever assisted suicide has been legalized,” Dr. William F. Toffler, National Director. “The solution to suffering is not to end the life of the sufferer; rather society's focus at the end of life should be to alleviate suffering by improving access to hospice and palliative care whenever it is needed."
“Protecting the vulnerable and providing quality care for all patients are cornerstones of any good healthcare system. Included in that is providing comfort and care for those facing the heart-wrenching challenges of dealing with a potentially terminal illness. In some cases, this commitment to fighting for the best care – even in the face of the most deadly diseases – can result in new and innovative cures, offering the chance of recovery for both the patient and for others suffering in the future. In other cases, it is simply a question of offering end-of-life comfort and support.
Physician-assisted suicide, however, does the opposite. It undermines a key safeguard that protects our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and people experiencing psychiatric diagnoses. Americans deserve better.
We will continue to defend every human being’s inherent dignity, and work to ensure patients facing the end of their lives have access to the best quality and most comprehensive medical care possible, including palliative, in-home, or hospice care, tailored to their individual needs. When governments support, encourage, or facilitate suicide – whether assisted by physicians or others – we devalue our fellow citizens, our fellow human beings. That should not be who we are."
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Nonpartisan patients’ rights and disability rights advocacy organizations across the country have spoken out in strong support of this bipartisan resolution, including:
Patients Rights Action Fund: “Many do not realize that people battling terminal illness, people with disabilities and others are inadvertently targeted by the legalization of assisted suicide. I am grateful to Congressmen Correa, Vargas, Wenstrup and all of the other cosponsors for introducing this Sense of Congress resolution,” said J.J. Hanson, President and a terminal brain cancer patient. “This bill brings attention to this important issue and takes a big step toward protecting me and so many others from a death-too-soon.”
National Council on Independent Living: “Our society places a high value on physical appearance and ability, and stigmatizes significant disability. It's no surprise that those of us who grew up able-bodied and then became disabled might initially see disability as a huge loss of one’s former dreams and physical abilities,” said Kelly Buckland, Executive Director. “When someone is first hit with this, they may feel they’d be better off dead. As one struggles to get basic needs met, some people feel worn down. If assisted suicide had been legal in the past, even if it were supposedly only for those with “terminal” conditions, I might not be here today. I’m grateful that assisted suicide was not legal back then, and I'm committed to keeping it that way. This is an important reason why the National Council on Independent Living opposes assisted suicide laws. NCIL is a leader in the disability rights movement, our political struggle for equal rights. And, among other things, equal rights include equal suicide prevention.”
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): “Where assisted suicide is legal, some people’s lives will be ended without their consent, through mistakes and abuse. No safeguards have ever been enacted or even proposed that can prevent this outcome, which can never be undone,” said Marilyn Golden, Senior Policy Analyst. “The so-called safeguards are very weak, and the lack of oversight hides these dangers from public view. Moreover, assisted suicide laws are a prescription for elder abuse and abuse of people with disabilities. Supporters of assisted suicide say such laws won’t affect disabled people—but they will, whether or not they realize it. But there is a legal alternative: anyone dying in discomfort may legally receive palliative sedation. Under these circumstances, assisted suicide is not real choice, but a phony form of freedom.”
ADAPT: “Disabled people and seniors who need assistance with everyday tasks like dressing and bathing want the choice to get those services at home and to have control over how they’re delivered. We do not want to be forced into a nursing facility, nor forced to live in poverty to qualify. Unfortunately, that choice is not a reality for most of us. In states that have legalized assisted suicide, Oregon data shows, over a third of those who request assistance to die do so because of “feelings of being a burden” and over 90% cite “loss of autonomy” as a factor,” said Stephanie Woodward, Director of Advocacy. “If the only alternative to death is poverty and segregation in nursing facilities, assisted suicide is not a “choice.” Society is failing to ensure access to consumer controlled long-term services. The last thing we need in this time of draconian budget cuts in Medicaid is the legalization of assisted suicide laws, because the untimely deaths of disabled Americans can easily be seen as a cost saving answer.
Not Dead Yet: "As a national, secular, social justice organization, Not Dead Yet strongly supports this bipartisan effort to speak truth to the many myths about legalized assisted suicide," said Diane Coleman, President/CEO. "As Americans with disabilities, we are on the front lines of the nation's health care system that often devalues old, ill, and disabled people. So we are grateful for this Sense of Congress that explains the dangers of mistake, coercion, and abuse under a public policy of assisted suicide."
Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Fund: "Empowering doctors to assist patients in killing themselves has led to an inevitable erosion of trust in the motives of doctors, health care institutions, and insurers. This has been detrimental to patients, degraded the quality of medical care, and compromised the integrity of medical profession wherever assisted suicide has been legalized,” Dr. William F. Toffler, National Director. “The solution to suffering is not to end the life of the sufferer; rather society's focus at the end of life should be to alleviate suffering by improving access to hospice and palliative care whenever it is needed."
WASSERMAN SCHULTZ ON BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement to mark October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
"As we mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we take time to celebrate and remember the millions of individuals and families who have been impacted by this terrible disease.
My family and I are now nearly a decade removed from the day my doctor gave me news I never expected to hear. As a breast cancer survivor, I consider it my responsibility to share my story. As a legislator and Member of the Appropriations Committee, I consider it my obligation to help make lifesaving resources and information available to those battling this disease.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am especially proud that Congress took action this year to extend, until 2019, the PALS Act I introduced to help ensure young women have access to mammograms at age 40. As someone who was diagnosed at just 41 years old, I know how critical it is that women have the information and tools necessary to make decisions about their breast health."
Walorski, Blumenauer, Fitzpatrick, Maloney Introduce Move America Act to Boost Infrastructure Investment
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) on Monday introduced the Move America Act (H.R. 3912) to strengthen public-private partnerships and boost investment in America’s infrastructure. Through expanded private activity bonds and infrastructure tax credits, this bipartisan legislation would attract billions of dollars in capital and give state and local governments greater flexibility to fund critical infrastructure projects.
“A strong American economy depends on a modern infrastructure built for the 21st century,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Public-private partnerships are among the most cost-effective ways to revitalize our aging infrastructure and invest in our nation’s future. The bipartisan Move America Act will give state and local governments the tools and flexibility they need to leverage private dollars for the infrastructure projects most important to our communities.”
“American infrastructure is falling apart and we’re falling behind. It is critical that we consider every approach to fixing our crumbling infrastructure,” said Blumenauer. “The Move America Act will support billions of dollars in much-needed investment to help rebuild and renew our country.”
“This bipartisan bill will help jumpstart our local economies and create a ton of good-paying jobs for people all across the country,” said Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “It will help make real investments in our aging infrastructure and allow us to get a lot done by teaming up with the private sector and that’s just good sense.”
The Move America Act would allow states to issue tax-exempt Move America Bonds to expand public-private partnerships and lower borrowing costs. Incentives for state and local governments to offer these bonds include flexible ownership and management arrangements, favorable tax treatment, and up to five years of unused bond carry-over. They would be allocated to states based on population.
The bill would also create Move America Tax Credits to leverage additional private investment by enabling smaller states to trade in some or all of their bond allocation for tax credits at a 25 percent rate. Credits could be attached to direct investment in a project or used to capitalize state infrastructure banks or revolving funds.
Eligible infrastructure projects include roads, bridges, airports, rail, transit, ports, freight transfer facilities, waterways, sewers, and broadband. The Move America Act would leverage $8 billion in federal funding into an estimated $226 billion worth of bond authority or $56 billion in tax credits over the next decade.
The legislation was introduced in the Senate (S. 1229) earlier this year by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
“A strong American economy depends on a modern infrastructure built for the 21st century,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Public-private partnerships are among the most cost-effective ways to revitalize our aging infrastructure and invest in our nation’s future. The bipartisan Move America Act will give state and local governments the tools and flexibility they need to leverage private dollars for the infrastructure projects most important to our communities.”
“American infrastructure is falling apart and we’re falling behind. It is critical that we consider every approach to fixing our crumbling infrastructure,” said Blumenauer. “The Move America Act will support billions of dollars in much-needed investment to help rebuild and renew our country.”
“This bipartisan bill will help jumpstart our local economies and create a ton of good-paying jobs for people all across the country,” said Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “It will help make real investments in our aging infrastructure and allow us to get a lot done by teaming up with the private sector and that’s just good sense.”
The Move America Act would allow states to issue tax-exempt Move America Bonds to expand public-private partnerships and lower borrowing costs. Incentives for state and local governments to offer these bonds include flexible ownership and management arrangements, favorable tax treatment, and up to five years of unused bond carry-over. They would be allocated to states based on population.
The bill would also create Move America Tax Credits to leverage additional private investment by enabling smaller states to trade in some or all of their bond allocation for tax credits at a 25 percent rate. Credits could be attached to direct investment in a project or used to capitalize state infrastructure banks or revolving funds.
Eligible infrastructure projects include roads, bridges, airports, rail, transit, ports, freight transfer facilities, waterways, sewers, and broadband. The Move America Act would leverage $8 billion in federal funding into an estimated $226 billion worth of bond authority or $56 billion in tax credits over the next decade.
The legislation was introduced in the Senate (S. 1229) earlier this year by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
U.S. House Passes Thompson’s Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson’s bill that protects oil and gas production in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF).
H.R. 2316, the Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act, clarifies existing law relating to energy production in the ANF.
A federal law passed in 1992 required the Forest Service to write new regulations on oil and gas production in the ANF. However, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that the Forest Service does not have the authority to do so because the minerals in the ANF are privately owned.
Rep. Thompson’s bill, which is consistent with the findings of the courts, corrects federal law by repealing the improper 1992 requirement.
“Federal courts have ruled that the U.S. Forest Service does not hold the legal authority to further regulate accessing oil and gas in the Allegheny National Forest,” Rep. Thompson said. “This legislation will prevent future lawsuits that impede oil and gas production and will ensure that individuals with sub-surface rights can access their property. With overwhelming bipartisan support again in the House, I look forward to working with the Senate and the President to have this legislation signed into law.”
The bill also contains protections for timbering and ensures that existing timbering authorities granted to the Forest Service will not be changed. A previous version of the bill was passed by the full House in 2016.
H.R. 2316, the Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act, clarifies existing law relating to energy production in the ANF.
A federal law passed in 1992 required the Forest Service to write new regulations on oil and gas production in the ANF. However, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that the Forest Service does not have the authority to do so because the minerals in the ANF are privately owned.
Rep. Thompson’s bill, which is consistent with the findings of the courts, corrects federal law by repealing the improper 1992 requirement.
“Federal courts have ruled that the U.S. Forest Service does not hold the legal authority to further regulate accessing oil and gas in the Allegheny National Forest,” Rep. Thompson said. “This legislation will prevent future lawsuits that impede oil and gas production and will ensure that individuals with sub-surface rights can access their property. With overwhelming bipartisan support again in the House, I look forward to working with the Senate and the President to have this legislation signed into law.”
The bill also contains protections for timbering and ensures that existing timbering authorities granted to the Forest Service will not be changed. A previous version of the bill was passed by the full House in 2016.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Introduces WHEEL Act to Ease Regulatory Burden on Interstate Trucking, Address Growing Trucking Industry Driver Shortage
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) introduced the Waiving Hindrances to Economic Enterprise and Labor (WHEEL) Act, H.R. 3889, to ease the regulatory burden on interstate trucking. This legislation will expand a pilot program to study the safety implications of allowing individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate trucks across state lines. Under current federal law, individuals in this age group may obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in each of the 48 contiguous states; however, they are prohibited from operating trucks across state lines.
“We already allow qualified drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to drive from Long Island to Buffalo without a problem, but prohibit them from crossing the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, New Jersey into New York City. The WHEEL Act is a common sense measure that would ease the burden on these truck operators by sensibly expanding the interstate truck driving pilot program authorized by the FAST Act, while maintaining strong standards for participants. The trucking industry moves most of our nation’s freight tonnage and is vital to the health of our economy. However, by 2024, estimates suggest that the shortage throughout the country could be as many as 175,000 unfilled driving positions. With a truck driving shortage that is only expected to grow more acute over time, we should take all reasonable steps to address the issue including passing the WHEEL Act,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
The FAST Act, which Congress passed in 2016 with bipartisan support, created a pilot program to study the safety implications of allowing individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate trucks across state lines. However, this pilot program has been limited by the strict requirements that participants be veterans or active duty between the ages of 18 and 21, a demographic that has been challenging to recruit in statistically significant numbers for the purposes of this study. To address this issue, the WHEEL Act would broaden the criteria for participation in the pilot program.
In a letter of support, Chris Spear, President & CEO of the American Trucking Associations stated, “The bill, which would amend the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to allow for an expansion of participants within the FAST Act’s younger commercial driver license (CDL) holder pilot program, is a critical step towards addressing the trucking industry’s growing driver shortage. ATA supports this proposed change, and applauds your [Rep. Tenney’s] efforts to address this very important issue facing the trucking industry. We look forward to working with you [Rep. Tenney] to enact this much needed legislation.”
“I applaud Representative Claudia Tenney for introducing legislation to address this critical threat to commerce throughout the United States. Forcing young people to wait until they are 21 years of age before they enter the tractor trailer driving profession discourages them from entering the industry at a critical time in their career decision process. There is currently a shortage of 40,000 to 60,000 CDLA drivers nationally with this number potentially expanding to 200,000 by 2020 according to some estimates. Representative Tenney’s common sense approach to this issue can safely and practically improve this critical situation in a manner beneficial for the industry, for the consumer and quite literally for all involved,” said Terry R. Wood, President & CEO, Willow Run Foods, Inc.
“The Trucking industry faces a severe shortage of qualified commercial drivers. A contributing factor for the shortage is the gap between an individual graduating from high school and their ability to begin a career as a professional driver. With the appropriate training, many of these individuals would safely be able to operate commercial vehicles. We appreciate Rep. Tenney’s recognition of this issue and look forward to continuing to work with her to address the commercial driver shortage,” said Kendra L. Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York.
The updated requirements set by the WHEEL Act will remain stringent – participants must not only possess a valid CDL, they must also have a clean driving record and satisfy the added requirement of completing an additional form of training or certification, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation, that demonstrates aptitude, safety, and suitability. Expanding this pilot program safely through the WHEEL Act will enable a larger pool of qualified individuals to participate and begin their career as a CDL operator earlier, helping to end the driver shortage facing the trucking industry.
“We already allow qualified drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to drive from Long Island to Buffalo without a problem, but prohibit them from crossing the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, New Jersey into New York City. The WHEEL Act is a common sense measure that would ease the burden on these truck operators by sensibly expanding the interstate truck driving pilot program authorized by the FAST Act, while maintaining strong standards for participants. The trucking industry moves most of our nation’s freight tonnage and is vital to the health of our economy. However, by 2024, estimates suggest that the shortage throughout the country could be as many as 175,000 unfilled driving positions. With a truck driving shortage that is only expected to grow more acute over time, we should take all reasonable steps to address the issue including passing the WHEEL Act,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
The FAST Act, which Congress passed in 2016 with bipartisan support, created a pilot program to study the safety implications of allowing individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate trucks across state lines. However, this pilot program has been limited by the strict requirements that participants be veterans or active duty between the ages of 18 and 21, a demographic that has been challenging to recruit in statistically significant numbers for the purposes of this study. To address this issue, the WHEEL Act would broaden the criteria for participation in the pilot program.
In a letter of support, Chris Spear, President & CEO of the American Trucking Associations stated, “The bill, which would amend the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to allow for an expansion of participants within the FAST Act’s younger commercial driver license (CDL) holder pilot program, is a critical step towards addressing the trucking industry’s growing driver shortage. ATA supports this proposed change, and applauds your [Rep. Tenney’s] efforts to address this very important issue facing the trucking industry. We look forward to working with you [Rep. Tenney] to enact this much needed legislation.”
“I applaud Representative Claudia Tenney for introducing legislation to address this critical threat to commerce throughout the United States. Forcing young people to wait until they are 21 years of age before they enter the tractor trailer driving profession discourages them from entering the industry at a critical time in their career decision process. There is currently a shortage of 40,000 to 60,000 CDLA drivers nationally with this number potentially expanding to 200,000 by 2020 according to some estimates. Representative Tenney’s common sense approach to this issue can safely and practically improve this critical situation in a manner beneficial for the industry, for the consumer and quite literally for all involved,” said Terry R. Wood, President & CEO, Willow Run Foods, Inc.
“The Trucking industry faces a severe shortage of qualified commercial drivers. A contributing factor for the shortage is the gap between an individual graduating from high school and their ability to begin a career as a professional driver. With the appropriate training, many of these individuals would safely be able to operate commercial vehicles. We appreciate Rep. Tenney’s recognition of this issue and look forward to continuing to work with her to address the commercial driver shortage,” said Kendra L. Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York.
The updated requirements set by the WHEEL Act will remain stringent – participants must not only possess a valid CDL, they must also have a clean driving record and satisfy the added requirement of completing an additional form of training or certification, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation, that demonstrates aptitude, safety, and suitability. Expanding this pilot program safely through the WHEEL Act will enable a larger pool of qualified individuals to participate and begin their career as a CDL operator earlier, helping to end the driver shortage facing the trucking industry.
Suozzi Proposes Legislation to Close “Official Acts” Loophole that Resulted in Overturned Political Corruption Convictions
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Tom Suozzi has introduced the Close Official Acts Loophole (COAL) Act, a bipartisan bill with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) aimed at clamping down on corruption by elected officials. Suozzi’s bill is in response to the recently overturned corruption convictions of former New York State Senate Leader Dean Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, along with the recent indictments of elected officials on Long Island.
Last year, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the legal definition of “official acts” by elected politicians. The Court’s decision was cited in the vacated convictions of Skelos and Silver.
“We can’t allow corruption convictions to be overturned based on legal technicalities,” said Rep. Suozzi. He added, “Passage of the bipartisan COAL Act would clarify Congressional intent and close the loophole opened by the Supreme Court. Those who profit on the public’s trust for personal gain must never be allowed to avoid punishment when we have the power to fix it. While the bill will not have an impact on the existing cases involving Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver, we must close this loophole to stop this from happening in the future. I am open to hearing additional suggestions from prosecutors and others on how to further strengthen anti-corruption laws in New York State and the United States,” said Suozzi.
“As a former FBI anti-corruption special agent who put politicians from both parties behind bars, I saw firsthand the need to strengthen the statutory language governing political corruption cases. Corruption can and does take many different forms, and we must provide investigators and prosecutors with all the tools they need to combat the erosive effects that corruption has on our system of government,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and national supervisor for the FBI’s Political Corruption Unit.
Last year, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the legal definition of “official acts” by elected politicians. The Court’s decision was cited in the vacated convictions of Skelos and Silver.
“We can’t allow corruption convictions to be overturned based on legal technicalities,” said Rep. Suozzi. He added, “Passage of the bipartisan COAL Act would clarify Congressional intent and close the loophole opened by the Supreme Court. Those who profit on the public’s trust for personal gain must never be allowed to avoid punishment when we have the power to fix it. While the bill will not have an impact on the existing cases involving Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver, we must close this loophole to stop this from happening in the future. I am open to hearing additional suggestions from prosecutors and others on how to further strengthen anti-corruption laws in New York State and the United States,” said Suozzi.
“As a former FBI anti-corruption special agent who put politicians from both parties behind bars, I saw firsthand the need to strengthen the statutory language governing political corruption cases. Corruption can and does take many different forms, and we must provide investigators and prosecutors with all the tools they need to combat the erosive effects that corruption has on our system of government,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and national supervisor for the FBI’s Political Corruption Unit.
Stefanik Applauds Over 175 Bipartisan Cosponsors on Community Health Bill
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) applauded continued support for her bipartisan legislation, the Community Health Investment, Modernization and Excellence (CHIME) Act of 2017, which has 177 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.
“I thank my colleagues for quickly rallying around this important measure to protect funding for Community Health Centers that provide critical healthcare and preventative services for families across our nation,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am pleased this momentum is turning into action, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has announced a markup tomorrow on legislation to extend funding for these critical healthcare facilities. In my district alone, Community Health Centers like Hudson Headwaters Health Network, North Country Family Health Center, and the Community Health Center of the North Country serve over 95,000 patients and it’s critical this funding be extended to serve the needs of our community.”
In response to support for Rep. Stefanik’s efforts to reinstate Community Health Center funding, it was announced that that the House Energy and Commerce Committee will be marking up legislation tomorrow, which includes the Community Care Act, a provision to extend funding for Community Health Centers at $3.6 billion a year for two years. Congresswoman Stefanik is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
“I thank my colleagues for quickly rallying around this important measure to protect funding for Community Health Centers that provide critical healthcare and preventative services for families across our nation,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am pleased this momentum is turning into action, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has announced a markup tomorrow on legislation to extend funding for these critical healthcare facilities. In my district alone, Community Health Centers like Hudson Headwaters Health Network, North Country Family Health Center, and the Community Health Center of the North Country serve over 95,000 patients and it’s critical this funding be extended to serve the needs of our community.”
In response to support for Rep. Stefanik’s efforts to reinstate Community Health Center funding, it was announced that that the House Energy and Commerce Committee will be marking up legislation tomorrow, which includes the Community Care Act, a provision to extend funding for Community Health Centers at $3.6 billion a year for two years. Congresswoman Stefanik is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
Beyer, Speier, 78 House Dems Challenge Sec. Price, Trump Administration Over Healthcare.Gov Shutdowns During Open Enrollment
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representatives Speier and Beyer have sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price urging him to minimize the damage from shutdowns of Healthcare.gov during open enrollment period. HHS recently announced that it would shut the site down for 12-hour periods on every Sunday but one throughout open enrollment. The letter was signed by 78 Democratic Representatives.
The Representatives wrote:
“The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods…
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period.”
Added together, the scheduled Healthcare.gov shutdowns would shorten open enrollment by three days. The Trump Administration previously announced that it would cut the duration of open enrollment in half to 45 days after 2016’s 90-day period.
A signed copy of the letter is available here and text is below.
The Honorable Thomas E. Price, M.D.
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Price:
We are writing to request that you modify the planned maintenance on HealthCare.gov to avoid unnecessary disruption of the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplaces. We have great concern over the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to shut down HealthCare.gov every Sunday but one for a twelve-hour time window during the six-week open enrollment period. We therefore ask HHS to limit these outages and tailor them to ensure that outages are not scheduled during times with historically higher traffic or, conversely, add additional days onto open enrollment to make up for the extensive amount of lost enrollment time.
The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods.
This is just one of a series of troubling decisions made by HHS to limit Americans’ access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration is spending 90 percent less on advertising to enroll people in the health insurance marketplaces despite clear evidence that advertising is an essential catalyst for enrollment. Also, 41 percent less funding will be allocated to navigators, the individuals who help people sign up for coverage. Most recently, HHS decided to no longer send regional representatives to assist in state-based open enrollment events, a clear move by the Trump Administration to purposefully weaken marketplace enrollment efforts. Therefore, we are extremely troubled by the decision to further limit the opportunity for those who wish to sign up for health coverage.
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period. For an agency whose stated mission is “to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans,” we ask that you fulfill your mission and adjust the maintenance window to ensure that Americans are able to access care. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
The Representatives wrote:
“The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods…
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period.”
Added together, the scheduled Healthcare.gov shutdowns would shorten open enrollment by three days. The Trump Administration previously announced that it would cut the duration of open enrollment in half to 45 days after 2016’s 90-day period.
A signed copy of the letter is available here and text is below.
The Honorable Thomas E. Price, M.D.
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Price:
We are writing to request that you modify the planned maintenance on HealthCare.gov to avoid unnecessary disruption of the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplaces. We have great concern over the recent announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to shut down HealthCare.gov every Sunday but one for a twelve-hour time window during the six-week open enrollment period. We therefore ask HHS to limit these outages and tailor them to ensure that outages are not scheduled during times with historically higher traffic or, conversely, add additional days onto open enrollment to make up for the extensive amount of lost enrollment time.
The recent announcement by HHS regarding planned shut downs of HealthCare.gov during the 2018 Open Enrollment Period is incredibly concerning. These shut down periods will amount to a full three days in which Americans will not be able to enroll and access health coverage. Furthermore, this does not take into account that HHS has already reduced the time that Americans will be able to enroll this year by 47 days (a 51 percent time reduction) as compared to the 2017 Open Enrollment Period. By contrast, the HealthCare.gov website was online 99.9 percent of the time during the 2015 and 2016 open enrollment periods.
This is just one of a series of troubling decisions made by HHS to limit Americans’ access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration is spending 90 percent less on advertising to enroll people in the health insurance marketplaces despite clear evidence that advertising is an essential catalyst for enrollment. Also, 41 percent less funding will be allocated to navigators, the individuals who help people sign up for coverage. Most recently, HHS decided to no longer send regional representatives to assist in state-based open enrollment events, a clear move by the Trump Administration to purposefully weaken marketplace enrollment efforts. Therefore, we are extremely troubled by the decision to further limit the opportunity for those who wish to sign up for health coverage.
On behalf of the millions of Americans who will have more difficulty or will not be able to sign up for and access health insurance coverage because of the many decisions made by HHS and President Trump, we ask that you take the simple step of tailoring website maintenance to shorter durations during times with low traffic or compensating for the lost hours due to maintenance by adding time to the end of the open enrollment period. For an agency whose stated mission is “to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans,” we ask that you fulfill your mission and adjust the maintenance window to ensure that Americans are able to access care. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Representatives Smith and Jayapal Introduce Legislation to Reform Deeply Flawed Immigration Detention System
Washington, D.C. - October 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, legislation to reform the systemic problems in our immigration detention system. Our current system is inhumane, unjust, and driven by private, for-profit corporations like The GEO Group, which operates the Northwest Detention Center located in Tacoma, Washington. This bill will end the use of private facilities and repeal mandatory detention, while restoring due process, oversight, accountability, and transparency to the immigration detention system.
“We must fix the injustices in our broken immigration detention system,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “As the Trump Administration continues to push a misguided and dangerous immigration agenda, we need to ensure fair treatment and due process for immigrants and refugees faced with detention. This legislation will address some of the worst failings of our immigration policy and restore integrity and humanity to immigration proceedings.”
“The high moral cost of our inhumane immigration detention system is reprehensible. Large, private corporations operating detention centers are profiting off the suffering of men, women and children. We need an overhaul,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “It’s clear that the Trump administration is dismantling the few protections in place for detained immigrants even as he ramps up enforcement against parents and vulnerable populations. This bill addresses the most egregious problems with our immigration detention system. It’s Congress’ responsibility to step up and pass this bill.”
In addition to repealing mandatory detention, a policy that often results in arbitrary and indefinite detention, the legislation creates a meaningful inspection process at detention facilities to ensure they meet the government’s own standards. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish legally enforceable civil detention standards in line with those adopted by the American Bar Association. With disturbing track records of abuse and neglect, DHS has a responsibility to ensure that facilities are held accountable for the humane treatment of those awaiting immigration proceedings.
Individuals held in our immigration detention system are subject to civil law, but are often held in conditions identical to prisons. In many cases, detained people are simply awaiting their day in court. To correct the persistent failures of due process, the legislation requires the government to show probable cause to detain people, and implements a special rule for primary caregivers and vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and people with serious medical and mental health issues.
"My time in detention in Artesia was a nightmare, a scene in which there is fear, anguish, and desperation in every breath. The immigration detention system harms the lives of thousands of people every day. The solution is not to just improve conditions in these detention centers, the real solution must be a fundamental change. Congress must urgently act to pass this bill and bring change to this tragic system of immigration detention," said Angelina Marquez, survivor of U.S. detention system.
“Being detained was difficult in every way. You are a prisoner. I am speaking out because the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act gives me hope that the U.S. government can find a way to stop the inhumane treatment being given to so many immigrants. We want to live peacefully and safely, and our country’s leaders must remember that all human beings deserve to be treated with dignity,” said Daniel, survivor of U.S. detention system.
“Our government locks away hundreds of thousands of people every year, hidden in remote jails with punishing conditions and no accountability. President Trump is asking Congress to give DHS even more money to super-fund this abusive network of jails. We applaud Representatives Smith and Jayapal for responding to this madness with a plan - a workable, compassionate and rights-respecting alternative to today's shameful reality,” said Mary Meg McCarthy of the National Immigration Justice Center.
“The Trump administration has made it clear that they will aggressively target immigrants for arrest and detention. This bill is an important step toward stemming the unchecked expansion of the immigration detention system, ensuring much needed oversight and accountability over detention operations and providing greater protections for immigrants. We call on Congress to immediately pass this bill in order to end the over-reliance on an inhumane and ineffective system and treat immigrants in detention with fairness and dignity,” said Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns for the American Civil Liberties Union. “Over the past decade, the immigration detention system has grown dramatically without sufficient safeguards against human and civil rights abuses. It is a system known for egregious violations including sexual assault, prolonged solitary confinement, and life-threatening medical neglect. Many of the people detained are fleeing persecution in their home countries, while others have lived in the U.S. for years. They are often detained in for-profit prisons and county jails isolated from family, community and legal support. Many are detained for months without access to an immigration judge and are denied basic rights.”
“Our immigration detention system is a driving force of the U.S. deportation agenda, ruthlessly separating families and communities. For the past three decades the government has put hundreds of thousands of immigrants behind bars at a massive human, financial and moral cost. Under this administration, an already oppressive, inhumane and deadly system of detention has become even bigger, less transparent and less accountable. It is exactly at this moment—as the administration pushes to massively expand the system and further undermine the rights of all immigrants—that Congress must take immediate and decisive action to intervene. While this bill does not fully end the inhumane and unnecessary system of immigration detention, it takes a bold step forward by ending mandatory detention, ending privatized detention, enacting critical safeguards and reversing the trend of constant, unchecked growth,” said Mary Small, Detention Watch Network.
The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act is cosponsored by John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Bobby Rush (IL-1), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Danny K. Davis (IL-7), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Gwen Moore (WI-4), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Keith Ellison (MN-5), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-4), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Jared Polis (CO-2), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Judy Chu (CA-27), Bill Foster (IL-11), David N. Cicilline (RI-1), Suzan DelBene (WA-1), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Colleen Hanabusa (HI-1), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-4), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ruben Gallego (AZ-7), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Kathleen M. Rice (NY-4), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34).
The legislation is also supported by the following civil society organizations: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, Center for Community Change, The Center for Victims of Torture, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Church World Service, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, Columbia Legal Services, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC), DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Democracy for America, Detention Watch Network, FIRM, Grassroots Leadership, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Immigration Equality Action Fund, Just Detention International, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Make the Road New York, Make the Road NJ, MoveOn.org Civic Action, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Law Center, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National Network to End Domestic Violence, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, OneAmerica, Our Revolution, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Southern Poverty Law Center, Tahirih Justice Center, United We Dream, Washington Defender Association, Women’s Refugee Commission, 21 Progress
“We must fix the injustices in our broken immigration detention system,” said Congressman Adam Smith. “As the Trump Administration continues to push a misguided and dangerous immigration agenda, we need to ensure fair treatment and due process for immigrants and refugees faced with detention. This legislation will address some of the worst failings of our immigration policy and restore integrity and humanity to immigration proceedings.”
“The high moral cost of our inhumane immigration detention system is reprehensible. Large, private corporations operating detention centers are profiting off the suffering of men, women and children. We need an overhaul,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “It’s clear that the Trump administration is dismantling the few protections in place for detained immigrants even as he ramps up enforcement against parents and vulnerable populations. This bill addresses the most egregious problems with our immigration detention system. It’s Congress’ responsibility to step up and pass this bill.”
In addition to repealing mandatory detention, a policy that often results in arbitrary and indefinite detention, the legislation creates a meaningful inspection process at detention facilities to ensure they meet the government’s own standards. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish legally enforceable civil detention standards in line with those adopted by the American Bar Association. With disturbing track records of abuse and neglect, DHS has a responsibility to ensure that facilities are held accountable for the humane treatment of those awaiting immigration proceedings.
Individuals held in our immigration detention system are subject to civil law, but are often held in conditions identical to prisons. In many cases, detained people are simply awaiting their day in court. To correct the persistent failures of due process, the legislation requires the government to show probable cause to detain people, and implements a special rule for primary caregivers and vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and people with serious medical and mental health issues.
"My time in detention in Artesia was a nightmare, a scene in which there is fear, anguish, and desperation in every breath. The immigration detention system harms the lives of thousands of people every day. The solution is not to just improve conditions in these detention centers, the real solution must be a fundamental change. Congress must urgently act to pass this bill and bring change to this tragic system of immigration detention," said Angelina Marquez, survivor of U.S. detention system.
“Being detained was difficult in every way. You are a prisoner. I am speaking out because the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act gives me hope that the U.S. government can find a way to stop the inhumane treatment being given to so many immigrants. We want to live peacefully and safely, and our country’s leaders must remember that all human beings deserve to be treated with dignity,” said Daniel, survivor of U.S. detention system.
“Our government locks away hundreds of thousands of people every year, hidden in remote jails with punishing conditions and no accountability. President Trump is asking Congress to give DHS even more money to super-fund this abusive network of jails. We applaud Representatives Smith and Jayapal for responding to this madness with a plan - a workable, compassionate and rights-respecting alternative to today's shameful reality,” said Mary Meg McCarthy of the National Immigration Justice Center.
“The Trump administration has made it clear that they will aggressively target immigrants for arrest and detention. This bill is an important step toward stemming the unchecked expansion of the immigration detention system, ensuring much needed oversight and accountability over detention operations and providing greater protections for immigrants. We call on Congress to immediately pass this bill in order to end the over-reliance on an inhumane and ineffective system and treat immigrants in detention with fairness and dignity,” said Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns for the American Civil Liberties Union. “Over the past decade, the immigration detention system has grown dramatically without sufficient safeguards against human and civil rights abuses. It is a system known for egregious violations including sexual assault, prolonged solitary confinement, and life-threatening medical neglect. Many of the people detained are fleeing persecution in their home countries, while others have lived in the U.S. for years. They are often detained in for-profit prisons and county jails isolated from family, community and legal support. Many are detained for months without access to an immigration judge and are denied basic rights.”
“Our immigration detention system is a driving force of the U.S. deportation agenda, ruthlessly separating families and communities. For the past three decades the government has put hundreds of thousands of immigrants behind bars at a massive human, financial and moral cost. Under this administration, an already oppressive, inhumane and deadly system of detention has become even bigger, less transparent and less accountable. It is exactly at this moment—as the administration pushes to massively expand the system and further undermine the rights of all immigrants—that Congress must take immediate and decisive action to intervene. While this bill does not fully end the inhumane and unnecessary system of immigration detention, it takes a bold step forward by ending mandatory detention, ending privatized detention, enacting critical safeguards and reversing the trend of constant, unchecked growth,” said Mary Small, Detention Watch Network.
The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act is cosponsored by John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Bobby Rush (IL-1), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Danny K. Davis (IL-7), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Gwen Moore (WI-4), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Keith Ellison (MN-5), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-4), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Jared Polis (CO-2), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Judy Chu (CA-27), Bill Foster (IL-11), David N. Cicilline (RI-1), Suzan DelBene (WA-1), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Colleen Hanabusa (HI-1), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-4), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ruben Gallego (AZ-7), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Kathleen M. Rice (NY-4), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34).
The legislation is also supported by the following civil society organizations: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, Center for Community Change, The Center for Victims of Torture, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Church World Service, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, Columbia Legal Services, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC), DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Democracy for America, Detention Watch Network, FIRM, Grassroots Leadership, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Immigration Equality Action Fund, Just Detention International, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Make the Road New York, Make the Road NJ, MoveOn.org Civic Action, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Law Center, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National Network to End Domestic Violence, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, OneAmerica, Our Revolution, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Southern Poverty Law Center, Tahirih Justice Center, United We Dream, Washington Defender Association, Women’s Refugee Commission, 21 Progress
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