Source: Reason Foundation
by Marian L. Tupy
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Trump administration announced earlier this month that the United States will be leaving the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the end of 2018.
The United States previously withdrew from UNESCO in 1984, because of "corruption" and what it saw as the organization's "ideological tilt toward the Soviet Union [and] against the West." George W. Bush, in his wisdom, reversed Ronald Reagan's decision in 2002.
The State Department has long complained about the organization's anti-Israeli bias and the U.S. stopped paying America's membership fee after UNESCO admitted Palestine as an independent member in 2011.
The stated causes of the United States decision to withdraw aside, it is difficult not to marvel at the goings on at the United Nations, and the U.S. should look at other U.N. organizations to exit.
The U.N. Human Rights Council, for example, currently includes Qatar, which imposes the death penalty for such crimes as apostasy and adultery and flogging for alcohol consumption. Venezuela, which censors its press, and tortures and kills its political prisoners, is on the council. So is China, which does not permit basic human freedoms, including those of religion, speech and assembly, and occupies Tibet. Rwanda, which kills the ruling regime's opponents at home and abroad, is in, and so is Saudi Arabia, a medieval kingdom that, among countless other transgressions against civilized norms of behavior, beheads homosexuals.
And then there's the World Health Organization, which last week appointed the 93-year-old Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe, as its "goodwill ambassador." Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Ethiopian director-general of the organization, has previously praised Zimbabwe for "its commitment to public health" and said that Zimbabwe "was a country that "places universal health coverage and health promotion at the center of its policies to provide healthcare to all."
After a public outcry, Adhanon rescinded Mugabe's appointment. That said, let's ponder the WHO action for a moment, since, in the long line up of the world's most destructive leaders, Mugabe surely belongs to the top five.
First, consider the gaping abyss between the rhetoric of universal health coverage and the reality of life in many countries. Critics of the U.S. healthcare system often point to some God-forsaken nation that claims to "provide healthcare to all." The American left has for decades lauded Cuba as an example of a free and universal healthcare system for its citizens, ignoring that country's ramshackle hospitals, primitive medical instruments, lack of basic medicines, phlegmatic staff, dirty linen, and lack of food. Michael Moore even made a Goebbelesque propaganda movie about it.
Second, consider the actual legacy of Mugabe's rule on the health of ordinary Zimbabweans. There are, of course, many examples to choose from, but the following is pertinent for it involves the well-fed and handsomely remunerated invertebrates who stalk the hallways of the United Nations and staff the organization's many offices throughout the world.
In 2005, the Mugabe government nationalized Zimbabwe's water supply, then quickly ran out of money to treat the water and maintain the infrastructure. The government ended up shutting down the water supply altogether and people had to drink from ponds and sewers. In 2008, cholera broke out. The United Nations stepped in to help the cash-strapped country, but moved at a glacial pace.
The government's official line, after all, was that there was "no cholera" in Zimbabwe. Georges Tadonki, who headed the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Harare, noted that the United Nations "didn't want to anger the host government, which was trying to convince the world in general and Africa in particular that all was well in Zimbabwe."
Agostinho Zacarias, who headed the overall U.N. mission in Zimbabwe, refused to give the go-ahead for anti-cholera measures for four months, which was crucial, for "cholera is highly contagious, has an incubation period between one and two days and can kill soon afterwards." By the time the United Nations finally intervened, I wrote at the time, there were already "over 4,000 deaths, more than 100,000 people sick of cholera and millions [of] people affected directly or indirectly not only in Zimbabwe, but also in neighboring South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique."
The United Nations is a sick organization and the Trump administration would be fully justified to look at America's participation in its other offshoots, well beyond the hapless UNESCO.
Marian L. Tupy is a policy analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity and editor of www.humanprogress.org
The Unpopular Truth
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
The 'Honest Ads Act' Would Help Expose the Special Interests Behind Online Political Ads
Source: Free Press
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Sens. Amy Klobuchar, John McCain and Mark Warner introduced the “Honest Ads Act.” The bill is Congress’ first effort since last year’s election to introduce some transparency and accountability in the massive online political-advertising market on platforms like Facebook, Google and Twitter.
The bill requires online platforms with a monthly average of at least 50 million unique monthly visitors to maintain a searchable record of ads “made by or on behalf of a candidate” and of those communicating a “message relating to any political matter of national importance.”
The bill also includes penalties for noncompliance and requires the platforms to take reasonable measures to reject political ads purchased by foreign nationals. The legislation would strengthen prohibitions in current law against foreign nationals’ involvement in U.S. elections.
Free Press Action Fund Policy Counsel Gaurav Laroia made the following statement:
“This bill represents a necessary first step toward ensuring there are adequate protections against the abuse of social media and other online platforms to shape the news and information we consume and influence the choices we make in a democracy.
“We can’t understand what we can’t see. As online advertising grows, the public must be able to know who is paying to influence our elections. The bill represents the tip of a very large iceberg as new media gatekeepers like Facebook, Google and Twitter come under much-needed scrutiny for their role in our economy and our society. This bipartisan effort to better understand and disclose the forces seeking to influence our elections is a good place to start.”
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Sens. Amy Klobuchar, John McCain and Mark Warner introduced the “Honest Ads Act.” The bill is Congress’ first effort since last year’s election to introduce some transparency and accountability in the massive online political-advertising market on platforms like Facebook, Google and Twitter.
The bill requires online platforms with a monthly average of at least 50 million unique monthly visitors to maintain a searchable record of ads “made by or on behalf of a candidate” and of those communicating a “message relating to any political matter of national importance.”
The bill also includes penalties for noncompliance and requires the platforms to take reasonable measures to reject political ads purchased by foreign nationals. The legislation would strengthen prohibitions in current law against foreign nationals’ involvement in U.S. elections.
Free Press Action Fund Policy Counsel Gaurav Laroia made the following statement:
“This bill represents a necessary first step toward ensuring there are adequate protections against the abuse of social media and other online platforms to shape the news and information we consume and influence the choices we make in a democracy.
“We can’t understand what we can’t see. As online advertising grows, the public must be able to know who is paying to influence our elections. The bill represents the tip of a very large iceberg as new media gatekeepers like Facebook, Google and Twitter come under much-needed scrutiny for their role in our economy and our society. This bipartisan effort to better understand and disclose the forces seeking to influence our elections is a good place to start.”
FAIR Urges Congress to Implement Trump Immigration Priorities Before Opening DACA Talks
Source: Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR US)
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), urging Congress to not consider a controversial DACA amnesty until after President Trump’s immigration priorities are implemented:
“President Trump recently laid out a set of major immigration priorities that are overwhelmingly popular with the American electorate – including enhanced border security, robust interior enforcement, and reducing legal immigration levels while moving to a modern, merit-based system. These are all issues the president was elected on, and therefore should be priorities of the administration and Congress. These priorities seek to implement a long overdue lawful system of immigration – one where laws are enforced, rules are followed, and the needs of Americans citizens come first.
“Unfortunately, the Republican congressional leadership seems headed toward passage of a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) amnesty in exchange for token and ineffective immigration enforcement provisions. This would, in essence, reward illegal aliens who brought their minor children to the United States illegally, or teens who entered the country illegally on their own, without first ensuring that the enforcement framework is in place to prevent the conditions for future illegal immigration and continued mass chain migration.
“Any immigration reform plan that isn’t grounded in the well-being of the nation’s citizens and undermines the rule of law is doomed to fail. That’s why it’s critical that prior to even the consideration of a DACA amnesty, Congress must first pass the reforms outlined in the Trump administration’s immigration principles. Congress needs to avoid making another mistake like the 1986 amnesty where the legalization happened immediately and the enforcement provisions were never put in place.
“The Republicans who now control both houses of Congress and the White House have struggled for legislative success. It would be ironic if their only significant legislative ‘achievement’ this session is the passage of something they and the president ran against: A massive amnesty bill for illegal aliens that delivers nothing of significance for the people who elected them.”
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), urging Congress to not consider a controversial DACA amnesty until after President Trump’s immigration priorities are implemented:
“President Trump recently laid out a set of major immigration priorities that are overwhelmingly popular with the American electorate – including enhanced border security, robust interior enforcement, and reducing legal immigration levels while moving to a modern, merit-based system. These are all issues the president was elected on, and therefore should be priorities of the administration and Congress. These priorities seek to implement a long overdue lawful system of immigration – one where laws are enforced, rules are followed, and the needs of Americans citizens come first.
“Unfortunately, the Republican congressional leadership seems headed toward passage of a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) amnesty in exchange for token and ineffective immigration enforcement provisions. This would, in essence, reward illegal aliens who brought their minor children to the United States illegally, or teens who entered the country illegally on their own, without first ensuring that the enforcement framework is in place to prevent the conditions for future illegal immigration and continued mass chain migration.
“Any immigration reform plan that isn’t grounded in the well-being of the nation’s citizens and undermines the rule of law is doomed to fail. That’s why it’s critical that prior to even the consideration of a DACA amnesty, Congress must first pass the reforms outlined in the Trump administration’s immigration principles. Congress needs to avoid making another mistake like the 1986 amnesty where the legalization happened immediately and the enforcement provisions were never put in place.
“The Republicans who now control both houses of Congress and the White House have struggled for legislative success. It would be ironic if their only significant legislative ‘achievement’ this session is the passage of something they and the president ran against: A massive amnesty bill for illegal aliens that delivers nothing of significance for the people who elected them.”
North American Trucking Associations Issue Statement of Support for NAFTA
Source: North American Trucking Associations
American Trucking Associations, along with the Canadian Trucking Alliance and Cámara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga – CANACAR – the three largest trucking industry organizations in North America issued a joint statement encouraging their governments who are currently renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement to craft an updated pact that benefits all nations.
“The trucking industries in Canada, Mexico, and the United States have all benefited significantly from NAFTA and we, the national trucking associations from all three countries, urge negotiators to update the trade agreement in a manner that continues to benefit trade,” the statement reads in part. “We strongly encourage our governments to update NAFTA to keep North America competitive internationally. In this endeavor, making border crossings and rules governing international commercial transportation more efficient is a crucial element that will only help our industries make North America stronger.”
The full statement is available here.
“Trucking and trade are synonymous,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “In the more than two decades since NAFTA was enacted, we have seen strong growth in trade – the majority of which is moved by truck – between the United States, Mexico and Canada. It is vital to the health of our industry and our economy that we maintain and strengthen these relationships.”
“Cross-border trade supports over 46,000 U.S. trucking jobs, including 31,000 U.S. truck drivers, and generates $6.5 billion in revenue for our industry annually,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “As the U.S. renegotiates this agreement with Canada and Mexico, we urge them to keep the tremendous benefits to our economy and our industry in mind.”
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward
American Trucking Associations, along with the Canadian Trucking Alliance and Cámara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga – CANACAR – the three largest trucking industry organizations in North America issued a joint statement encouraging their governments who are currently renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement to craft an updated pact that benefits all nations.
“The trucking industries in Canada, Mexico, and the United States have all benefited significantly from NAFTA and we, the national trucking associations from all three countries, urge negotiators to update the trade agreement in a manner that continues to benefit trade,” the statement reads in part. “We strongly encourage our governments to update NAFTA to keep North America competitive internationally. In this endeavor, making border crossings and rules governing international commercial transportation more efficient is a crucial element that will only help our industries make North America stronger.”
The full statement is available here.
“Trucking and trade are synonymous,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “In the more than two decades since NAFTA was enacted, we have seen strong growth in trade – the majority of which is moved by truck – between the United States, Mexico and Canada. It is vital to the health of our industry and our economy that we maintain and strengthen these relationships.”
“Cross-border trade supports over 46,000 U.S. trucking jobs, including 31,000 U.S. truck drivers, and generates $6.5 billion in revenue for our industry annually,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “As the U.S. renegotiates this agreement with Canada and Mexico, we urge them to keep the tremendous benefits to our economy and our industry in mind.”
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward
Union calls out Rothfus for voting to cut federal LEO wages
Source: American Federation for Government Employees
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The nation's largest federal employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees, is calling out Rep. Keith Rothfus of Pennsylvania for voting to slash wages for federal law enforcement officers as part of the House budget resolution.
A provision in the 2018 House budget, which passed the House on Oct. 5, would cut at least $32 billion in retirement benefits from federal employees. One of the provisions would eliminate supplemental payments to employees who must retire before Social Security payments kick in at age 62, including law enforcement officers and federal firefighters.
AFGE has posted five digital billboards near the local offices of Rep. Rothfus, who represents Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House, to raise public awareness of his vote in favor of these cuts. The billboards are located near his offices in Pittsburgh, Johnstown, and Beaver.
"Rep. Rothfus should be ashamed of himself for voting to cut the pay and benefits of federal law enforcement officers and other federal civil servants, many of whom live in his district," said Phil Glover, national vice president for AFGE's 3rd District, which includes Pennsylvania.
The billboards, which will be up for the next four weeks, ask residents to call Rothfus' office at 844-669-5146 and complain about the cuts.
"Cutting the pay and benefits of civil servants who in many cases have risked their lives to protect the public is disgraceful," Glover said. "These cuts would affect tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families who live in the congressman's own district."
There are 30,480 federal employees and retirees in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, according to 2014 data from Office of Personnel Management.
In addition to cutting payments for retiring law enforcement officers, the House budget resolution also calls for increasing how much current federal employees pay into their fully funded pension and eliminating the defined pension benefit for new federal workers.
The Senate has passed its own 2018 budget resolution that does not include the cuts to federal employees' pay and benefits.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The nation's largest federal employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees, is calling out Rep. Keith Rothfus of Pennsylvania for voting to slash wages for federal law enforcement officers as part of the House budget resolution.
A provision in the 2018 House budget, which passed the House on Oct. 5, would cut at least $32 billion in retirement benefits from federal employees. One of the provisions would eliminate supplemental payments to employees who must retire before Social Security payments kick in at age 62, including law enforcement officers and federal firefighters.
AFGE has posted five digital billboards near the local offices of Rep. Rothfus, who represents Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House, to raise public awareness of his vote in favor of these cuts. The billboards are located near his offices in Pittsburgh, Johnstown, and Beaver.
"Rep. Rothfus should be ashamed of himself for voting to cut the pay and benefits of federal law enforcement officers and other federal civil servants, many of whom live in his district," said Phil Glover, national vice president for AFGE's 3rd District, which includes Pennsylvania.
The billboards, which will be up for the next four weeks, ask residents to call Rothfus' office at 844-669-5146 and complain about the cuts.
"Cutting the pay and benefits of civil servants who in many cases have risked their lives to protect the public is disgraceful," Glover said. "These cuts would affect tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families who live in the congressman's own district."
There are 30,480 federal employees and retirees in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, according to 2014 data from Office of Personnel Management.
In addition to cutting payments for retiring law enforcement officers, the House budget resolution also calls for increasing how much current federal employees pay into their fully funded pension and eliminating the defined pension benefit for new federal workers.
The Senate has passed its own 2018 budget resolution that does not include the cuts to federal employees' pay and benefits.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Authorize Cooperative Management Agreements Between District of Columbia and the National Park Service
Source: Senator Lisa Murkowski- (R - AK)
Washington, D.C. - October 24, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, recently introduced a bill that authorizes the District of Columbia (District) to enter into cooperative management agreements (CMAs) with the National Park Service (NPS) to more efficiently manage park sites across the District. The bill, S. 1956, is the companion bill to H.R. 2897, which was introduced in June by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.
“Both the District and the Park Service share the mutual goal of providing better, more cost-effective management of our park sites across the nation’s capital,” said Murkowski. “S. 1956 would facilitate the implementation of this goal by extending authority to the District to enter into cooperative management agreements. Residents and visitors will reap the benefits of these agreements, starting with Franklin Park.”
“I am grateful to my friend Senator Lisa Murkowski for introducing her Senate companion bill supporting the District’s efforts to work with NPS to rehabilitate Franklin Park and other underfunded NPS properties across the nation’s capital,” said Norton. “This legislation is a big win for the federal government and the District and will allow residents and visitors alike to enjoy greenspace and amenities right in downtown D.C. Our House bill has already been passed by two committees and is on its way to the floor. I look forward to working with Senator Murkowski to advance this noncontroversial bill through Congress.”
“S. 1956 will enable the District to move forward on projects that will improve Washington, DC for residents, visitors, and businesses, and we are pleased to collaborate with Senator Murkowski on this legislation,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, D-D.C. “With the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements, the District and the National Park Service will be able to restore urban spaces like Franklin Park so that they better represent and reflect the strength and grandeur of our nation’s capital.”
Murkowski is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Click here to view the text of the bill.
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.
To read more about the Affordable Care Act at the Ponder news Click here
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