Senator Markey Joins Legislation Repealing 2016 Law After Reports It Prevented Aggressive DEA Enforcement of Opioid Distributors

Source: Senator Edward J.Markey - (D - MA)

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) announced his co-sponsorship of Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D-Mo.) legislation repealing the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2016 after reports‎ from The Washington Post and 60 Minutes indicated that it had dramatically restricted the ability of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to crack down on opioid distributors suspected of wrongdoing.
 
“Wholesale opioid distributors have the capacity to put massive numbers of addictive painkillers in the hands of bad actors, and we need to make sure they are held to account,” said Senator Markey. “We need the DEA to have the tools and authority it needs to fully investigate violations and disrupt the flow of illicit opioid pharmaceuticals into our communities.”
 
The 2016 bill purported to “improve enforcement efforts related to prescription drug diversion and abuse” by altering DEA procedures for revoking or suspending registrations for opioid distributors under the Controlled Substances Act. However, the effect of these changes‎, according to media reports, has been to significantly curtail the ability of DEA to bring enforcement actions against drug distributors.
 
Additionally, ‎Senator Markey joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in leading a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the DEA requesting information on the impact of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act. Current law requires the DEA Administrator to submit a report to Congress identifying any residual issues with diversion efforts, including information on whether coordination between the industry and law enforcement has helped with diversion. This report is past-due, and the Senators want HHS and the DEA to provide the information so they can determine the best action to take to ensure the DEA has the tools it needs to fight the opioid epidemic.
 
“In light of these reports and as Congress evaluates this law taking into account the nation’s addiction epidemic, it is critical that we have all the information necessary to ensure the federal government is doing everything it can to help support our states and local communities in our collective fight against this epidemic,” write the Senators in their letter. “We want to ensure the Drug Enforcement Administration and other related agencies have all of the tools necessary to fight this epidemic.”
 
A copy of the letter can be found HERE.
 
The letter is was also signed by Senators Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn..), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) Chris A. Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Gary C. Peters (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.).

MANCHIN STATEMENT ON MINER DEATH IN RALEIGH COUNTY

Source: Senator, Joe Manchin, III - (D - WV)

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement on the death of a coal miner in Raleigh County.

“I am heartbroken to learn of the loss of James Adkins in Raleigh County today. We are again reminded of the incredible sacrifices made by our coal miners and their families each and every day. Gayle and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of Mr. Adkins.”

Related news:

Raleigh miner killed on job, becomes year's 7th coal-mining death in WV

Chairman Leahy Statement On Emergency Supplemental Appropriations For Recent Disasters

Source: Senator  Patrick J. Leahy - (D - VT)

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- No one in this chamber is immune from disaster.  Six years ago, Marcelle and I watched with great alarm as communities around Vermont felt the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Irene.  That storm washed away entire communities in our state, tearing down homes, local landmarks and bridges alike.

Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, from across the country, stood by Vermont’s side then to help us rebuild.  Because that is who we are as Americans.  We lift each other up in times of disaster.

Today, in California and across the West, families are returning to the charred ruins of their homes.  In Florida and Texas communities are trying to put their lives back together after Hurricane Harvey and Irma. And in Puerto Rico, hundreds of thousands are still without potable water, electricity, cell service, or adequate medical supplies following Hurricane Maria.  Millions of Americans need us to work together to help lift them up.

That is why it is so disappointing that President Trump seems more concerned with claiming credit for a job well done than the actual situation on the ground, particularly in Puerto Rico.  President Trump has given himself a “10 out of 10” for the Administration’s response to the devastating hurricane, but let’s look at some numbers that really matter. 

It has been 48 days since Hurricane Irma made landfall in Puerto Rico, and 34 days since Hurricane Maria tore through the island. These storms wreaked havoc on those who live there, destroying houses, and killing at least 49 people.  Yet 48 days later nearly 80 percent of the island is still without power, and over 30 percent of the population is without clean drinking water.  Roads are impassable.  Bridges are down.  Hospitals operate on generators.

The Administration was slow to respond to the disaster, and to claim that they get a “10 out of 10” for their response is to ignore the facts.  This is not a reality TV show where the participant with the highest score advances to the next round.  These are people’s lives.  These are people’s homes.  This is the hard part of governing.  This is where we roll up our sleeves and dig in for the long haul.

Today we will vote to advance a disaster package containing $36.5 billion in additional emergency relief.  The bill includes $18.7 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund, $16.0 billion for National Flood Insurance Program debt forgiveness, $1.2 billion for nutrition assistance, and $576.5 million to address wildfires in the Western United States. 

As Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.  If we do not act, the Disaster Relief Fund and the Flood Insurance Program will run out of resources in a matter of days.  This money will allow FEMA, the Department of Defense, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies to continue their work in all of the devastated communities, and families to begin rebuilding their homes. 

But this is still just the next step on the path to recovery.

Last week I met with the Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló.  He detailed the unique challenges facing Puerto Rico.  The electric grid was almost completely destroyed.  Its infrastructure was demolished.  Houses were flattened.  At the same time, Puerto Rico faces a fiscal situation that will make it nearly impossible for it to provide the federal match required for most disaster assistance programs, and it faces a Medicaid funding crisis that may leave nearly one million people without health care in just a matter of months.

Our response cannot be business as usual.  Going forward we need to tailor disaster assistance to meet Puerto Rico’s unique challenges.  We may need to consider legislation to address its unique needs.  And, most importantly, we need to think long term.  To simply replace and repair what was destroyed would be short-sighted.

We must help Puerto Rico recover and rebuild to be more resilient and better prepared.  We should invest in the 3.4 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and their infrastructure so the next disaster is not a humanitarian crisis.

This opportunity is not unique to Puerto Rico.  We must acknowledge that historic storms are now annual occurrences, and we must respond accordingly.  Across the country, from the wildfires in California to the flood damage in Florida, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we can invest in technology, conservation and infrastructure that will mitigate further damage and make our communities more resilient.

This will require a commitment from the United States Government that is not measured in days, or weeks or months, but in years.  A commitment that does not waiver, and a commitment that does not depend on whether you live in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Today, I urge all Senators to support this emergency supplemental that will provide much needed assistance to disasters across the country.  But this is still just the next step on the path to recovery.

The Trump Administration has committed to putting forward a third, more comprehensive disaster package in the coming weeks.  As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I intend to hold the Administration to that commitment.

King, Healthcare Advocates Emphasize Importance of Preparation for ACA Open Enrollment Period

Source: Senator Angus S. King  Jr. - (I - ME)

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) spoke at the Opportunity Alliance in South Portland to urge Maine people to prepare for the Affordable Care Act 2018 Open Enrollment Period, which begins November 1st. Senator King was joined by healthcare advocates, application assisters, healthcare providers and insurers to highlight the continued availability of ACA healthcare plans, as well as reinforce the shortened enrollment window to sign up for coverage.

“Reports of the Affordable Care Act’s death have been greatly exaggerated,” said Senator King. “The fact is, the ACA is still the law of the land, and the marketplace offers a variety of plans to help the people of Maine find affordable healthcare that can protect them from the financial risk that accompanies an illness or injury. As the Open Enrollment Period approaches, I urge eligible individuals to take steps to finalize the necessary information and ensure that you can get covered before time runs out.”

With the opening of the enrollment window nine days away, Senator King presented four steps that individuals can take to make sure they have the correct materials to enroll in coverage. These steps are:

1. If you have a Marketplace account, make sure you have your login info or reset your password if you can’t remember it.

2. Get income documents (i.e. pay stubs, last tax return) for everyone you file taxes with.

3. If you are offered health coverage through a job, get information about it.

4. Create  a list of the doctors and prescriptions you want your plan to cover.

Senator King’s visit to the Opportunity Alliance comes after months of efforts from the Administration to undermine the ACA, including reducing the length of Open Enrollment from 12 weeks to 6 weeks and announcing a 12-hour shutdown of the ACA website over weekends. Despite these changes, the Affordable Care Act’s benefits and assistance with enrollment remain available for those who sign up within the shortened time period.   

Senator King has been outspoken in his desire to improve the Affordable Care Act through legislation. He has also been a vocal advocate for bipartisan solutions to protect coverage for the millions who currently rely on the ACA for affordable healthcare, and is a cosponsor of the bill introduced by Senators Alexander and Murray to stabilize the individual health insurance marketplace. 
Senator King was joined at the Opportunity Alliance by representatives from AARP, Community Health Options, Harvard Pilgrim, Consumers for Affordable Healthcare, Maine Health, the Opportunity Alliance, and medical professionals. Following the press conference, Senator King met with Opportunity Alliance leadership.

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Grassley Statement on Iowa’s Obamacare Stopgap Waiver Withdrawal

Source: Senator Chuck Grassley - (R - IA)

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa made the following comment on the State of Iowa’s withdrawal of its Section 1332 waiver, also known as the Iowa Stopgap Measure.
 
“In Iowa and across the country, Americans are witnessing the ‘death spiral’ of Obamacare. Premiums are skyrocketing, provider options are disappearing and people are leaving the market because what is available isn’t affordable. The reason Iowa had to apply for a waiver was because of Obamacare’s flaws, which collapsed the individual market. Obamacare promised to allow states to waive certain portions of the ACA in order to provide affordable insurance options. This turns out to be another broken promise of Obamacare. As written, the law hamstrings the Administration’s ability to help Iowa. I hope Congress will act soon to repeal and replace this unworkable and unaffordable law.”

<B><I><Font Color="Red">makes you wonder why the Democrats keep fighting so hard for it</Font></I></B>

Related News:

Iowa withdraws 'stopgap' plan for Obamacare

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Graham And Cassidy Issue Statement On Alexander Murray Health Care Deal

Source: Senator Lindsey Graham  - (R - SC)

Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) today released this statement on the short-term health care stabilization deal brokered by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Washington).

“Senators Alexander and Murray have worked hard to bring all sides to the table and we appreciate their efforts.  We believe we need a package which stabilizes the market in the short-term and lays the groundwork for a long-term solution like Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson.

“However, we recognize this short-term stabilization will not pass unless concerns of the House are addressed. 

“We are working with Senator Johnson and House members to include more flexibility provisions like the ones found in our legislation, Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson.

“Without a stabilization package, the market will collapse and advance premium tax credits will spike.  This would increase the costs to the American taxpayer.”

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Pass Tax Overhaul That Protects Corporate Profits, Gillibrand Calls On Congress To Close Tax Loopholes That Force Taxpayers To Subsidize Massive CEO Compensation

Source: Senator  Kirsten E.Gillibrand - (D - NY)

New York, NY - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with community advocates and workers and called on Congress to reject the GOP’s tax overhaul that protects corporate profits and the wealthiest Americans, and urged her colleagues to pass her legislation to close tax loopholes that force taxpayers to subsidize massive CEO compensation. Gillibrand’s legislation, the Stop CEO Excessive Pay Act would put taxpayers first by closing the tax loophole that allows companies to deduct part of the amount they spend on executive compensation. Gillibrand’s bill would give shareholders more oversight in determining whether CEOs should receive substantial raises or bonuses. Under the current system, companies can get a tax deduction for excessive CEO pay and pay CEOs massive amounts of money with little input from shareholders.

“We need to simplify our tax system, but we need to do it in a way that rewards work and not just profitable corporations and their CEOs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “A good place to start is by closing loopholes that let corporations deduct excessive CEO pay from their taxes as a business expense. Even while the middle class has been shrinking and workers’ wages have hardly budged, corporations have been paying their CEOs higher and higher salaries – in some cases more than 300 times higher than regular employees. This is unacceptable, and it would not be fixed by the tax plan Republicans are moving to pass, which I urge all of my colleagues to reject. We need to start rewarding work again in this country, and ending taxpayer subsidies of CEO pay is a good start.”

“Corporate greed in this country has led to unacceptable levels of income inequality. Corporations should not be allowed to take advantage of tax laws that force working men and women to subsidize exorbitant CEO pay. It’s outrageous that the same hardworking employees, responsible for making their employers profitable in the first place, struggle to get by, while CEOs receive 347 times what they earn on average. I want to thank Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for spearheading this legislation, which is a positive step toward addressing these inequalities and making profitable companies pay their fair share,” said Mario Cilento, President of the New York State AFL-CIO.

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Durbin Releases Report On Trump's ACA Sabotage Efforts, Promotes November 1 Open Enrollment

Source: Senator Richard J. Durbin  - (D - IL)

Chicago, IL - October 23, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released a new report which details the Trump Administration’s deliberate, year-long efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the impact of this sabotage on patients and families in Illinois. “1,000 Cuts: A Report on the Trump Administration’s Health Care Sabotage” highlights the steps President Trump has taken since Inauguration Day to undermine and create uncertainty in our health care system, including last week’s executive order and the termination of cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments. Sen. Durbin also highlighted resources included in the report to assist Illinois consumers signing up for health care for next year.  

 

“Make no mistake—while spending nine months repeatedly trying and failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Trump was simultaneously sabotaging America’s health care system in order to hurt working families. His tactics are well documented: President Trump issued an Executive Order instructing federal agencies not to enforce the law, cut the open enrollment period in half, cancelled television and radio ads that educated people about how to enroll for insurance, slashed funding for patient navigators and outreach efforts, and terminated the cost-sharing reduction subsidies that help keep health care costs lower for working families, including nearly 200,000 people in Illinois. This act alone will increase premiums 20 percent next year” Durbin said. “Instead of joining in a bipartisan effort to strengthen our current health care system and help Illinois families, President Trump has used every tool at his disposal to raise costs and set up roadblocks between American families and their health care, all to prove some political point.”

 

From his first day in office, Trump has orchestrated a deliberate campaign to sabotage the ACA. This effort has occurred in tandem with repeated efforts by congressional Republicans to repeal the ACA, the threat of which has created instability in the individual market where approximately 12 million Americans—including 350,000 Illinoisans—purchase their insurance.

 

The most recent sabotage actions include last week’s executive order which promotes “bare-bones” plans, that lack coverage of important essential health benefits – such as mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and maternity/newborn care – and the termination of CSR payments, which help working class families afford health insurance in the individual market. Without the CSR payments, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that one million people will lose insurance, insurers will flee the individual market, and premiums will increase 20 percent next year alone.

 

Despite the President’s ongoing efforts to destroy our health care system, open enrollment for 2018 begins on November 1 and lasts until December 15. Illinoisans in need of individual market plans for next year should plan accordingly. The final page of Durbin’s report includes resources for the open enrollment process.

 

More than 20 million uninsured Americans have gained health coverage under the ACA – including one million in Illinois – bringing our nation’s uninsured rate below 10 percent for the first time in history. Thanks to the ACA, insurers can no longer deny coverage due to a pre-existing condition, discriminate based on gender or health status, or impose annual or lifetime caps on benefits. Insurers must now cover important health care: maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and hospitalizations. The ACA also expanded Medicaid to cover millions of newly eligible Americans—650,000 in Illinois—and provided enhanced federal funds to help pay for the expansion population.

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Companies shipping American jobs abroad to lose tax cuts

Source: Senator Joe Donnely - (D - IN)

Washington, D.C. - October 23, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- The Senate has agreed with U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly in affirming that companies that ship American jobs to foreign countries shouldn’t get tax breaks. Following a Donnelly speech on the Senate floor calling for support, the Senate unanimously adopted Donnelly’s amendment. A budget resolution is non-binding, but does serve as a blueprint and statement of congressional priorities.

Transcript of Donnelly’s speech in the Senate today:

I rise today in support of the amendment I offered to address the outsourcing of American jobs.

Currently, American companies that ship jobs to foreign countries can still claim massive tax breaks. That’s wrong and we should claw back incentives and prohibit companies from receiving tax breaks for outsourcing jobs.

My End Outsourcing Amendment is common sense for taxpayers—supporting companies that invest in American workers, not those shipping jobs to foreign countries. I urge all of our colleagues to support my amendment.

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Wildland Fires Act of 2017 Introduced in the House

Source: Senator Mike Crapo - (R - ID)

Washington, D.C. - October 23, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- In the wake of another historic wildfire season, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have cosponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to better prepare for and prevent costly wildfires.

The Wildland Fires Act of 2017 will help further the Federal and State firefighting agencies’ “National Cohesive Fire Strategy”  by authorizing additional funding for at-risk communities and directing Federal agencies to treat their most-at-risk forests to better protect communities and to reestablish natural fire regimes.  

Crapo and Risch, along with other bipartisan Senators, have been pressing leadership to include a long term solution to the problem of fire borrowing in any upcoming disaster aid legislation.  In addition to those ongoing efforts, Crapo and Risch have cosponsored Cantwell’s bill to bolster their efforts in the urgent need to reform how wildfires are prevented and fought moving forward. 

The Wildland Fires Act of 2017: 

• Directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to provide up to $100 million in funding to at-risk communities to plan and prepare for wildfires; 

• Establishes a pilot program that directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to treat their top 1% most-at-risk, least-controversial lands over the next 10 years (and in doing so install fuel breaks in the wildland-urban interface and, outside of the WUI, conduct prescribed fires); and 

• Authorizes longer-term contracts to provide stability to companies involved in restoration projects on Federal land, and gives a preference for companies that will use forest products to create mass timber, e.g., cross-laminated timber; 

• Authorizes the Federal agencies to re-purpose unused wildfire suppression funds to conduct preparedness projects to get ahead of the problem. 

“Throughout the American west, we have felt firsthand the devastation wildfires have on our habitat, our health and our way of life,” Crapo said.  “Congress must continue to pursue efforts aimed at reducing the risk and severity of wildfires, end the fire borrowing that takes funds from other Forest Service maintenance priorities, and improve the response, prevention and mitigation efforts.” 

“We need to actively manage our forests to reduce the fuel available for fires to burn,” Risch said.  “This bill is a step in the right direction to increase that desperately needed forest management.” 

In addition to Crapo, Risch, and Cantwell, the measure is cosponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

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