Support Startup Businesses Act Passes House

Source: Ben R. Lujan (D-NM, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Legislation authored by Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) designed to assist small startup businesses secure funding for early-stage innovation and development was approved today by the U.S. House of Representatives. Luján introduced the bill, H.R.2789 - the Support Startup Businesses Act, earlier this summer along with U.S. Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL). The bill makes a number of improvements to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, existing federal programs specifically intended to help startups.

Improvements in the bill include:

·         increasing overall funding to help startups take their ideas from concept to commercialization;

·         creating more flexibility in funding guidelines for technical and business assistance grants;

·         expanding the number of local vendors eligible to provide services to awardees.

Luján noted the rate of startup creation in the United States has fluctuated greatly in the past 30 years. The United States now ranks 12th among developed nations in terms of business startup activity.

“One of my top priorities in Congress is creating good jobs in our state, and there is no doubt that innovative small businesses are key to our economic growth,” said Luján. “This bill will make it easier for local businesses to access the resources they need to bring their research to market, and I also hope it will foster stronger partnerships between our those businesses and our national labs, who play a critical role in developing advanced technologies. I’m very pleased that the House has approved this legislation targeted at helping start-ups succeed.”

The two programs central to Luján’s legislation, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program are federal assistance initiatives, coordinated by the Small Business Administration, created to support scientific excellence and technological innovation and intended to help small startup businesses conduct research and development; take products from concept to commercialization; and build a strong national network of small startup businesses.

Republicans Oppose Langevin Effort to Stop Multi-million Dollar Gun Giveaway

Source: Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- On Thursday, Congressman Langevin offered a Motion to Instruct House conferees on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to reject provisions that would transfer surplus Army pistols to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The motion was rejected 237-184.

“We have the opportunity in this year’s NDAA to stop tens of thousands of Army pistols from being transferred to an obsolete private corporation,” said Congressman Langevin. “This constitutes a multi-million dollar government giveaway that would serve only to make our streets more dangerous. In voting down this motion, Republicans ignored their own rules regarding earmarks and continued their pattern of refusing to take any action to reduce gun violence.”

“The daily tragedy of gun violence challenges the conscience of our nation,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “Congressman Langevin’s commonsense proposal would have prevented tens of thousands of guns from being unleashed in our communities. It is deeply disturbing that House Republicans instead decided to push their dangerous gun giveaway and stick taxpayers with the multi-million dollar bill.”

The CMP was established in 1903 following the Spanish-American War, when the American militia demonstrated several marksmanship and operational failures. With the advent of a professional military, the CMP was no longer essential to national security, and Congress privatized the Program in 1996. At the time, the Army was authorized to provide the CMP with an initial endowment of surplus rifles, ammunition and other spare parts that the CMP could sell to fund its activities, with the intention that it would eventually become self-sufficient.

The FY18 House-passed NDAA contains a provision requiring the Army to transfer surplus M1911A1 pistols to the CMP. The CMP would then be able to sell the pistols to support its activities. Langevin’s motion would have directed conferees to reject the House language and to support the removal of a waiver in the Senate-passed NDAA preventing the pistols from being melted down and repurposed. The conference committee will make a final decision on what language to preserve before final passage of the defense authorization later this year.

Legislation to Limit High-capacity Ammunition Magazines Introduced in the House

Source: Ruben Kehuen (D-NV, 4th)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Kihuen took part in a press conference to introduce the Keep Americans Safe Act, legislation that would prohibit the transfer, importation, or possession of magazines able to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. The Congressman joined his colleagues from the Nevada Congressional delegation, as well as House members committed to ending gun violence that affects communities across the country.

“Last week, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place in the heart of the community where I grew up. We know that high-capacity magazines, which allow shooters to fire dozens of shots without having to reload, directly contributed to the deadliness of this horrific event. The American people are counting on us to take steps to reduce the tragic gun violence affecting communities across the country. That’s why I am proud to help introduce the Keep Americans Safe Act. Congress should take decisive action and pass this legislation to help prevent unnecessary loss of life caused by gun violence.”

Resolution to Retain the Debt Limit Introduced in the House

Source: Walter B. Jones (R-NC, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Eliminating the debt limit has long been a cause of liberal commentators, media elites and Washington insiders.  The subject was reportedly broached by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at a September meeting with President Donald Trump.  In addition, three Senate Democrats recently introduced legislation to get rid of the debt limit.          

Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) disagrees.  This week, Congressman Jones continued his fight to protect the fiscal future of the United States, and introduced H.Res. 564, which reaffirms the importance of retaining the federal debt limit.  H.Res. 564 states that “removing limitations on the debt would – (A) inappropriately cede Congress’ constitutional authority; (B) remove a critical check on future increases in deficit spending and the national debt; and (C) potentially exacerbate the already unsustainable fiscal position of the United States, and as a consequence, its national security.”

“Eliminating the debt limit is a very troubling proposition,” said Congressman Jones. “America is over $20 trillion in debt, and running $700 billion annual deficits. We cannot keep spending this way.”

“Article I, Section 8 of our United States Constitution explicitly delegates to Congress the power of the purse, including the power over the debt,” continued Congressman Jones.  “The debt limit is a critical tool that Congress can use to check future increases in deficit spending and the national debt.  Doing away with it will only enable the big spenders in Washington and hasten America’s bankruptcy.”

The full text of H.Res. 564 is attached.  Cosponsors include Congressmen Ted Budd (R-NC), Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Thomas Massie (R-KY).

Congressman Jones has devoted his time in service to sounding the alarm about wasteful spending and the rising debt.  He has consistently voted against raising the debt limit and wasteful spending bills.  He is the only member of Congress to vote against every bloated budget over the past 13 years. Over that time the national debt has grown nearly $13 trillion, over $1 trillion a year.

U.S. District Court Protects Prayer to Open Congress

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) --  Mike Johnson (R-LA, 4th) issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court’s decision in Baker v. Conroy rejected a challenge to Congress' ability to open its meetings with a prayer:

“As an attorney who defended legislative prayer for many years prior to being elected to Congress, I am thankful for the court’s decision invalidating this latest atheist challenge to our cherished tradition. As the Supreme Court has acknowledged many times, 'we are a religious people, whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.' I look forward to continuing to start our work in Congress each day as our founders did, with a prayer to God.”

Congressman  Walter B. Jones (R-NC, 3rd) praised the U.S. District Court’s decision and released the following statement:

“I am very happy to see the district court in our nation’s capital reaffirm the important role of prayer in our legislative branch,” said Congressman Jones. “Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values.  For 243 years, our Congress has opened its day with prayer, and I will fight to make sure that never changes.”

Congressman Jones is a long time member of the House Values Action Team and has consistently supported and defended religious freedom.

FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017 Passes House

Source: Darrell Issa (R-CA, 49th)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation he introduced with Congressman Gerald Connolly (D-VA) that would extend and improve landmark legislation they passed in 2014 to reduce waste, and streamline the way the federal government purchases computer technology. The FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017 (H.R. 3243) which passed today extends three provisions of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition and Reform Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. 

According to estimates from the Government Accountability Office, as much as 75% of the federal government’s $80 billion yearly information technology budget is spent on maintaining out-of-date or obsolete systems. Other reports from the government’s watchdog regularly show that many of the federal government’s IT investments frequently fail or underperform from a lack of oversight.

Issa and Connolly’s landmark federal IT reforms (FITARA) help correct these problems and reduce waste by implementing strong oversight standards, encouraging consolidation of programs within the government, requiring agencies report their progress on initiatives to consolidate and modernize data centers, creating metrics to evaluate the performance of programs, encouraging modernization, and creating a clear line of responsibility, authority, and accountability over IT investment.

“This legislation is critical to ensuring FITARA’s benefits are seen through to their fullest potential,” said Congressman Darrell Issa. “FITARA has made incredible improvements to how the federal government manages its information technology by cutting waste, saving taxpayer dollars, improving security, and bolstering accountability. Yet, as is often the case in government, it has become clear that our problem with wasteful, forgotten, or duplicative data centers is far bigger than was even imagined. When we first started looking into this problem in 2009, it was estimated the government was running only roughly 1,000 data centers. By 2015, it was uncovered it was running as many 10 times the number initially estimated. As these modernization efforts continue being implemented, we can’t miss out on potential taxpayer savings by simply allowing agencies to run out the clock until the requirements expire the end of next year.”

The legislation follows the Representatives’ “dual track” approach to extending FITARA. In addition to the stand-alone bill passed today, Congressman Issa and Congressman Connolly passed a similar amendment to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act in July of this year.

The FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017, specifically extends the reporting requirements for data center consolidation, which is set to expire in 2018, and eliminates 2019 sunset provisions for PortfolioStat reviews (which are face-to-face reviews of an agency’s IT portfolio including potentially duplicative programs or investments that do not appear aligned with the agency’s mission) and the Information Technology (IT) Dashboard (which is a tool that allows the public and officials to track investment and performance of more than 7,000 federal IT investments).

Congressman Issa authored the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act which was signed into law in 2014.

Rep. Huffman Announces Suspension of ICE Enforcements; Urges All Sonoma and Mendocino Residents to Follow Evacuation Orders & Safety Recommendations

Source: Jared Huffman (D-CA, 2nd)

Sonoma County, CA - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has suspended all non-criminal immigration enforcement operations at wildfire evacuation sites or shelters due to the devastating fires that continue to burn throughout the North Bay and the North Coast.

Rep. Huffman urges all residents, regardless of immigration status, to seek shelter and follow public safety and evacuation warnings, without any threat of action by ICE.

"During this wildfire crisis plaguing our community, I am grateful that ICE has announced they will place public safety first and suspend immigration enforcement in the impacted areas," said Rep. Huffman. "That means shelters and foodbanks and other assistance centers are open to everyone, including undocumented individuals and DACA recipients, without fear of deportations or other immigration repercussions. My message to everyone in the North Coast and North Bay community, no matter their immigration status: stay safe, vigilant, and continue to follow all public safety warnings."

The full text of ICE’s announcement, which Congressman Huffman requested yesterday that the agency issue, can be found below:

“ICE is deeply concerned by the devastation wildfires have caused in significant portions of northern California. Our thoughts remain with those impacted by this tragedy, while our highest priority remains the preservation of life and safety wherever possible. In consideration of these distressing circumstances, ICE will continue to suspend routine immigration enforcement operations in the areas affected by the fires in northern California, except in the event of a serious criminal presenting a public safety threat. Likewise, immigration enforcement will not be conducted at evacuation sites, or assistance centers such as shelters or food banks."

House Approves SBIR/STTR Improvements Act, Higgins Amendment to Prioritize Cybersecurity

Source: Clay Higgins (R-LA, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The U.S House of Representatives today unanimously approved the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2017 (H.R. 2763), sponsored by Rep. Steve Knight (R-Calif.), vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and chairman of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce for the House Committee on Small Business. The bill includes amendments by Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) and Clay Higgins (R-La.). This legislation updates and strengthens the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Rep. Higgins: “Some of the most innovative ideas and products for cyber warfare originate from American startups and small businesses. We need to harness that expertise to prevent, mitigate, and defend against cyberattacks. That’s why I am encouraged to see my amendment, which identifies cybersecurity as a priority field for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants, included in this bill. I want to thank Chairman Smith and Congressman Knight for their leadership and work to pass H.R. 2763.”

Rep. Knight: “H.R 2763 is one step closer towards a more transparent and safe government. This bill would give the opportunity for America’s small businesses to participate in the national security needs for innovation in our country. Small businesses are essential to America’s economic competitiveness and industrial base. Supporting programs like SBIR and STTR is important for the safety and economic stability of our nation. These programs sponsor developments that allow us to compete in the international marketplace and provide innovative tools supported and created by local entrepreneurs that contribute to American security.”

Chairman Smith: “Innovation is a critical component of small business success. The SBIR and STTR programs, through their $3 billion in annual awards to small businesses, spur many innovations and create thousands of jobs. This legislation updates these crucial programs. I thank Congressman Knight for taking the initiative on this issue.

H.R. 2763 was approved unanimously by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on June 22.

H.R. 2763 was approved by the House Committee on Small Business on June 15 by a vote of 19-0.

Congressman Al Green's Statement on Impeachment

Source: Al Green (D-TX, 9th)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- On Wednesday, October 11, 2017, Congressman Al Green (D-TX) released a statement on impeachment:

“I love my Country, I salute my Flag. I say the Pledge of Allegiance and I believe in liberty and justice for all as declared in the pledge.

“I also believe that to acquire liberty and justice for all, some must stand alone.

“Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I believe that the “truest measure of a person is not where you stand in times of comfort and convenience,” when the world is with you, but rather, where do you stand in times of challenge and controversy, when you may stand alone.

“Today, I rise to use the constitutionally prescribed political process of impeachment to speak truth to the most powerful man on earth, the President of the United States of America.

“I do so knowing that the public has been led to believe that a President must commit a crime to be impeached, which is not true. If any President persisted with the lie that “Hitler was right,” he would be, and should be, impeached not for a crime, but for betraying his trust as President.

“I do so knowing that many, of my contemporaries will criticize my actions. Some will castigate me, others may desire to do something more dastardly with hopes of suppressing all embers of courage that might inflame others to speak truth to power or the powerful.

“Ultimately, to again quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I will do that which is “neither safe, nor politic, nor popular.” I will do that which is right and let others do what they may and allow history to judge us all.”

Active Cyber Defense Bill Introduced in the House

Source: Tom Graves (R-GA, 14th)

Washington, D.C. - October 16, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14), along with Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ-09), announced the formal introduction of the Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act (ACDC) (H.R. 4036) today, Friday the 13th. The bipartisan bill makes targeted changes to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) to allow use of limited defensive measures that exceed the boundaries of one’s network in order to monitor, identify and stop attackers.

The CFAA, which was enacted in 1986, currently prohibits individuals from taking any defensive actions other than preventative protections, such as ant-virus software.  

Specifically, ACDC gives authorized individuals and companies the legal authority to leave their network to 1) establish attribution of an attack, 2) disrupt cyberattacks without damaging others’ computers, 3) retrieve and destroy stolen files, 4) monitor the behavior of an attacker, and 5) utilize beaconing technology. The enhanced flexibility will allow individuals and the private sector to develop and use tools that are currently restricted under the CFAA to protect their own network. Additionally, allowing defenders to develop and deploy new tools will help deter criminal hacking.

Although ACDC allows a more active role in cyber defense, it protects privacy rights by prohibiting vigilantism, forbidding physical damage or destruction of information on anyone else’s computer, and preventing collateral damage by constraining the types of actions that would be considered active defense.

This is likely the most significant update to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act since its enactment in 1986.

“While it doesn’t solve every problem, ACDC brings some light into the dark places where cybercriminals operate,” said Rep. Tom Graves. “The certainty the bill provides will empower individuals and companies use new defenses against cybercriminals. I also hope it spurs a new generation of tools and methods to level the lopsided cyber battlefield, if not give an edge to cyber defenders. We must continue working toward the day when it’s the norm – not the exception – for criminal hackers to be identified and prosecuted.”

“I also want to thank the many people who provided feedback throughout the process of drafting this bill,” Rep. Graves continued. “The idea was improved with the help and expertise of many, and I hope each person, whether they support or oppose this approach, will stay engaged in the debate.”

“The Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act gives specific, useful tools to identify and stop cyberattacks that have upended the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans,” said Rep. Sinema. “The recent Equifax data breach shows that cyber vulnerabilities can have real financial and personal implications for Arizona families and businesses. It is our responsibility to find and advance solutions that safeguard the privacy of Arizonans while protecting the security of their data. I look forward to continuing thoughtful conversations as we move forward.”

Click HERE to read the bill text. Click HERE for a two-page bill summary.

The bill is the result of a lengthy feedback process, which began on March 3 when Rep. Graves introduced the first ACDC discussion draft. After incorporating feedback from the business community, academia and cybersecurity policy experts, including recommendations he received at his cybersecurity event in Atlanta, Rep. Graves introduced an updated discussion draft on May 25.  

During the intervening period, Rep. Graves again solicited feedback and suggestions, which resulted in the final version of the bill introduced today.

Key changes to the bill that were made after the release of the second discussion draft are as follows.
.
A voluntary review process that individuals and companies can utilize before using active-defense techniques;
This provision allows defenders to benefit from review of their proposed active-defense measures by the FBI Joint Taskforce, which will assist defenders in conforming to federal law and improving the technical operation of the measure;

The authority to conduct these reviews would exist under a two-year pilot program, and could be amended or renewed at a later date.

Requires notification to the government for the use of active-cyber defense measures that go beyond beaconing;

Clarification that the bill does not interfere with a person’s right to seek damages;

Clarification that the bill does not interfere with a person’s right to seek damages;

Requires an annual report on the federal government’s progress in deterring cybercrime.

The updated legislation also makes other minor and technical changes.