AFGE Urges Congress to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

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by: The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following statement:

The nation's largest union representing federal and D.C. government workers, AFGE, strongly supports legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act.
The nation's largest union representing federal and D.C. government workers, AFGE, strongly supports legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act.
"AFGE thanks Representative Karen Bass of California for her leadership in introducing legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act, HR 1585. Congress first passed this law in 1994 to protect survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, but as a result of the government shutdown the law expired and must be reauthorized. Every day that Congress fails to reauthorize this bill is another day that victims of domestic and sexual abuse go without the help they need. AFGE strongly supports this legislation and urges Congress to pass this bill without delay.

"This important legislation establishes a coordinated response to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and similar crimes that includes victim advocates, law enforcement, the judicial system, and community partners. As reauthorized, this bill would provide additional grant money to strengthen how the health care system responds to these issues, help save lives by restricting gun ownership by domestic violence offenders, and expand existing protections to include transgender victims.

"Millions of Americans experience domestic or sexual violence each year. This type of violence and abuse affects victims in the short-term and chronically, and it imposes a significant economic burden on victims and communities.

"AFGE represents more than 700,000 federal and D.C. government workers who deserve to live in a world where they do not experience violence at the hands of their partners. This is a women's and civil rights issue that impacts our members and all workers across the country. AFGE stands with all victims of domestic assault and urges Congress to pass HR 1585 and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act."

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.

Journalists, political leaders agree on blueprint to rebuild public trust in institutions

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by: National Press Club Journalism Institute

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Journalists, elected officials and government communicators committed to concrete steps aimed at increasing trust and civility in public life following two days of intensive conversations at the National Press Club.

Hosted by the club's nonprofit Journalism Institute and facilitated by the National Institute of Civil Discourse, the "Dialogue in a Divided Democracy" brought together more than 60 people —news media leaders and the people they cover—for face-to-face conversations about the challenges facing key American institutions. PEN America and the Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership partnered in the event.

Among steps participants agreed to take:

Engage in a practice of "radical transparency." Journalists will open up newsrooms and their decision-making processes to the public and do a better job explaining the difference between opinion and news, as well as identifying more clearly "who is a journalist," while elected officials will also commit to greater transparency and accessibility;

Provide better training for new journalists and congressional staff who work with the press and offer opportunities for them to get to know peers in other parties and across the journalism/politician divide;

Make more time to get to know each other and build relationships;

Take a series of steps to de-escalate danger and increase security for journalists and public officials alike;

Avoid inflammatory language.

These commitments represent the results of dialogues that began at a Monday night dinner followed by a day of small group discussions on topics suggested by a series of speakers.

"We didn't agree on everything or solve all of our problems but we did agree that we want to keep working to de-escalate the hostility in public life and do a better job for the public that we all serve," said Barbara Cochran, president of the NPC Journalism Institute.

Carolyn Lukensmeyer, executive director emerita of the National Institute of Civil Discourse, described it as an important first step towards changing the political ecosystem.

"The experience brought renewed hope that we can rebuild the public's trust in our democratic institutions," she said.

The audience heard from authors of two recent studies that document the declining confidence of Americans in key democratic institutions: The Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy, and The Democracy Project, a joint effort of the George W. Bush Institute, the Penn Biden Center and Freedom House.

Speakers cited a number of factors for the decline in trust and civility, including incentives for elected officials and media that reward speed and conflict -- with a news cycle that offers little time for nuance, context, reflection or relationship-building. "We should all think twice, or three times, before tweeting," said Thomas O. Melia, Washington Director of PEN America, and one of the dialogue's facilitators, "and maybe eliminate comments about people altogether, and stick to issues and ideas."

Former White House press secretaries Mike McCurry and Ari Fleischer pleaded for less breathless incrementalism in news coverage: "When you cover every pitch, you miss the game," said Fleischer.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., and former Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said the same lack of deliberation has cheapened discourse in the political sphere. "There's a reward for snarkiness and nastiness and little for thoughtfulness and analysis," Flake said. Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., raised concerns about political activists who masquerade as members of the press. "They use the title of journalist," he said, urging reporters: "Hold those folks accountable too."

Speakers from the world of journalism cited the collapse of employment in the industry — more than 25,000 newsroom jobs have been lost since 2008, according to the Knight Commission — as a major factor in the loss of community cohesion and urged a recommitment to local news. "I learned to be a journalist covering local news," said Politico Editor Carrie Budoff Brown. "I don't believe there are as many of those opportunities for reporters."

Rick Hutzell, editor of the Capital Gazette, the newspaper in Annapolis that lost five employees when a gunman attacked the newsroom last year, said he has been heartened to find out how much his organization means to the community. Key to that relationship is a willingness to "keep talking," he said.

"Lean into criticism," he advised reporters. "Listen to what they are saying, even if they're wrong."

Several editors said they are having success working for non-profit news operations that enlist the community in identifying and dissecting difficult stories.

Resolve Philadelphia provides a platform for 22 local newsrooms to work "from the same bank of resources" on stories ranging from the reintegration of released prisoners into society, the city's persistent poverty rate, and municipal elections, said Cassie Haynes, the program's co-executive director.

Acknowledging that sometimes journalists have "acted like jerks," Doug Oplinger said that as head of the journalistic collaborative Your Voice Ohio he urged them to act like members of the community. Journalists shouldn't be afraid to say "I want the world to get better," and offer ideas for solutions to the problems they uncover, said the former Akron Beacon Journal editor.

It was in that spirit that the National Press Club Journalism Institute decided to sponsor the Dialogue for a Divided Democracy, said Kathy Kiely, Lee Hills Chair of Free Press Studies at the Missouri School of Journalism and an organizer of the program.

"Journalists are not enemies of the people. We are their eyes, their ears and their advocates," said Kiely, who wrapped up her tenure as the Journalism Institute's first press freedom fellow at the event. "We cannot and will not be neutral bystanders when the democracy in which we are so deeply embedded is at risk."

With this summit, the Institute is launching an initiative to convene communities who share a commitment to building trust across differences in a divided democracy, and to growing journalism in the public interest, said Julie Moos, who joined the National Press Club Journalism Institute as Executive Director in January. "There is a coalition developing with a clear call to consistent action, and the public requires us to succeed."

Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019

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by: Raul Grijalva (D-AZ, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva introduced the Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2019. The legislation would establish a veteran visa program that would allow for eligible deported veterans to permanently return to the United States as lawful permanent residents.

“It is unconscionable that the phrase ‘deported veteran’ even exists,” said Rep. Grijalva. “If you’re good enough to enlist in our military and fight for this country, you’re good enough to become a U.S. citizen. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to ensure that we honor our commitments to all veterans and end this shameful practice of deporting them even after they serve time for the offense they committed.”

While very little data exists on the number of veterans deported, advocates estimate that more than 2000 veterans are currently living in Mexican border towns after their deportation. Under current law, the only way that deported veterans can return to the United States is only in death, for a burial in a veteran’s cemetery. By allowing deported veterans to return, this legislation will reunite families and allow veterans access to their hard-earned VA benefits.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

“Men and women willing to wear our uniform shouldn’t be deported by the same nation they risked their lives to defend,” Sen. Duckworth said. “These pieces of legislation will help Servicemembers become citizens and help Veterans like Miguel who have been deported return to this country, enabling them to live here with their families and ensuring they can access the life-saving VA care they earned through their tremendous sacrifices.”

The Veterans Visa and Protection Act is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Legion.

Representatives Jesús “Chuy” García and Adriano Espaillat Call Foul on USCIS Office Closures

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by: Jesus Garcia (D-IL, 4th)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) led more than 60 of their colleagues in an effort to prevent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from closing its international field offices. Last month, the agency announced it would close nearly two-dozen offices in 21 countries around the globe that assist with refugee and asylum cases, help Americans who are adopting children from abroad, and process applications to reunite families. The offices also work to combat immigration fraud.

“USCIS International Operations Division field offices provide critical services that aid our immigration process and prospective immigrants. We believe the Trump Administration’s proposal to close these offices runs counter to its stated goal of helping reduce the current backlog Instead, we fear this is an ill-conceived attempt to reduce legal immigration by reducing access to the agencies that implement our immigration laws,” the members wrote in a letter to the Appropriations Committee requesting language in its report to accompany the bill funding the Department of Homeland Security recommending USCIS keep the international field offices fully operational. The Appropriations Committee is expected to consider the bill later this spring.

“This is another example of the president’s broader attack on immigrants. Trump’s decision hurts American families, businesses, and individuals seeking humanitarian relief. His actions fly in the face of our American principles of welcoming people seeking a better life and opportunity,” said Rep. García.

“The Trump Administration will stop at nothing to make it harder for immigrants to come to the United States legally,” said Rep. Espaillat. “This is just another battle in his war on immigrants, and we won’t stand for it. USCIS’s overseas offices provide critical services not only to prospective immigrants, but also to U.S. citizens, and they must remain open.”

The letter continues: “The administration claims it will redistribute resources from closing international field offices to domestic offices in order to reduce caseload backlogs. Yet, at the same time, the President’s Budget request includes proposed increases in visa application fees, including a “deficit reduction” surcharge that would not even fund agency operations. It would seem to be against the interests of prospective immigrants, the mandate of the agency, and the intent of Congress to levy additional fees that will not even help to reduce caseload backlogs. We strongly believe the administration is presenting a false choice – USCIS can continue to operate its international field offices while finding other efficiencies to reduce its backlog of cases.”

The members also recommended increased funding to assist the agency with its growing caseload backlog, which has reached a nearly two-year wait following the filing of a petition.

In addition to this request, Reps. García and Espaillat are crafting forthcoming legislation that would prohibit USCIS from closing international field offices without consulting with Congress.

The Status Quo is Failing, Here's How We Fix It

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by: Mike Gallagher (R-WI, 8th)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Last week, Congressman Mike Gallagher attended the Unrig Summit to discuss his ideas on how to fix our broken Congress. The congressman has been a leader on this issue since he arrived in Congress, and has introduced a number of bills to help drain the swamp. Watch his full remarks above, or read highlights from his speech below.

Congressman Gallagher's three simple ideas to make Congress work again:

“The first is in just changing the schedule through which Congress operates. Right now you fly-in on a Tuesday night, you fly-out on a Thursday. People are raising money all the time, and then we don’t get anything done. Then what do we do in August? We take a big vacation…in what other job would you take a month long vacation having failed to actually do your job? Simply getting rid of the vacation and changing the Congressional calendar so we’re forced to actually stay there and do our jobs would go a long way.
"So what’s the second thing that you could do? Let’s say you get everyone in D.C., they’re working, they can’t go on vacation. Well, you don’t want them to spend that time raising money. How about we disallow fundraising while Congress is in session?

"A third simple thing that I have Democrat and Republican colleagues intrigued by: we all know that people are using political office as a pathway to getting rich. People spend their time there and then they cash out and become lobbyists. How about we just don’t allow former Members of Congress to become lobbyists?"

On the challenges ahead for Congressional Reform:

"Political reform is not popular with people that have spent their entire lives in politics in Washington D.C. because it threatens their power. But change is overwhelmingly popular with the American people. The American people are crying out for serious reform right now…and I believe that it is almost a matter of time before we get it."

CONGRESSMAN MATT GAETZ UNVEILS THE “GREEN REAL DEAL”

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by: Matt Gaetz (R-FL, 1st)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) announced, at a press conference on Capitol Hill, the introduction of the “Green Real Deal,” a plan to address climate change by harnessing the power of free markets, embracing technological innovation and entrepreneurship, and cutting excessive governmental red tape. Congressman Gaetz’s “Green Real Deal” is the preeminent conservative response to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (NY-14) “Green New Deal” introduced earlier this year.

Rep. Gaetz’s “Green Real Deal” recognizes that a national commitment to innovation, competitive markets, and the deployment of advanced energy technologies will help the United States as the global leader in clean energy. The Green Real Deal calls for increased investment in clean energy technology and sources, like solar and nuclear power, while improving transparency and accountability for the benefit of customers, investors, and shareholders alike. Pointing to the unprecedented demand for job-creating, American-made clean energy, as well as the need to empower individuals and businesses to come together, the Green Real Deal harnesses the power of the free market to create millions of U.S. energy jobs and secure the nation’s position as a global environmental leader.

A transcript and video of the press conference can be found below, as well as the background information on the “Green Real Deal.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Votes to End U.S. Support for Saudi Arabia’s War in Yemen

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by: Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) voted in support of S.J.Res.7, a resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen. The Congresswoman has been a leading voice in Congress calling for an end to U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen, which Congress has not authorized, and which has created a humanitarian crisis of epic proportion.


Just before the vote, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard spoke on the House Floor urging her colleagues to recognize the urgency of this crisis and to vote to pass the legislation.

The House of Representatives voted 247-175 to pass S.J.Res.7, and it now heads to President Trump for his signature or veto.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said:

“Right now the United States continues to support Saudi Arabia’s genocidal war in Yemen. This support has been ongoing since 2015 and yet has never been authorized by Congress. It must end now.

“U.S. support for this war has resulted in dire consequences. Just last week the Saudi coalition bombed a hospital, they’ve bombed school buses, weddings, markets, funerals. Tens of thousands of Yemeni civilians killed. Millions more are in dire need of humanitarian aid, starving and sick without access to food and water or basic medicine. This has created the worst humanitarian disaster in the world.

“We’re voting later today on an important bill to finally, finally end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. We need to put politics aside. Lives are at stake. We cannot afford to delay. I urge my colleagues to recognize the urgency with which we must act to vote against any attempts to delay or block this bill and vote to pass S.J.Res.7 today.”

Background: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a leading voice for peace in Congress, advocating against counterproductive, regime-change wars. She has called for ending support for Saudi Arabia, pushed for additional oversight on acquisition and cross-service agreements (Section 1271 of the FY19 NDAA), supported three resolutions in the 115th Congress (H.Con.Res.81, H.Con.Res.138, and H.Con.Res.142) that sought to stop U.S. military participation in Saudi Arabia's war against the Houthis in Yemen, in addition to bipartisan legislation (H.R.7082) that would immediately stop all military sales and aid to the government of Saudi Arabia, and more. The congresswoman also led a letter calling on former Speaker Paul Ryan to schedule an immediate vote on a bipartisan resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Last congress, Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Walter Jones introduced H.Res.922, which would reclaim Congress’s constitutional right to declare war by:

Defining presidential wars not declared by Congress under Article I, section 8, clause 11 (Declare War Clause) as impeachable “high crimes and misdemeanors”

Prohibiting the President from perpetuating ongoing wars or supplying war materials, military troops, trainers, or advisers, military intelligence, financial support or their equivalent in association, cooperation, assistance, or common cause without first receiving congressional authorization

CREATES Act

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by: Senator Chuck Grassley - (R - IA)

Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved by a vote of 51-0 its version of the CREATES Act, which is cosponsored in the Senate by Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. The CREATES Act addresses abuses by brand-name drug companies that keep lower-cost generic alternatives from being developed or reaching the market. The legislation is estimated to saves taxpayers roughly $3.9 billion over 10 years. The House committee also advanced by voice vote a bill to end anti-competitive pay-for-delay agreements between brand-name drugmakers and generic manufacturers that keep lower-cost alternative drugs off the market. Grassley is the lead Republican cosponsor of separate bipartisan legislation in the Senate to address pay-for-delay.

“Few proposals get unanimous support these days. Yesterday’s broad, bipartisan action by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to advance the CREATES Act is a major win for consumers. I look forward to advancing this bill because it will cut down on abuses in the system that keep prices high for patients. I’m also pleased that the committee advanced a bill to address pay-for-delay schemes. Although that bill is not identical to the bill I’ve sponsored in the Senate, the bill’s movement shows that the committee is serious about addressing the pay-for-delay problem. I’ll continue to push for legislation to address abuse and improve competition in the prescription drug market. I’ll also continue working to bring transparency to the business model and supply chain that is causing unnecessarily high prices for American patients and taxpayers,” Grassley said.

Grassley held two hearings this year on drug pricing in America, including one with seven leading drug manufacturers, and has scheduled a hearing with five pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for next week. He is also leading a bipartisan investigation with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden into the recent spike in the price of insulin.

Freedom Partners: U.S.-Mexico Trade Too Critical to Economy to Jeopardize by Closing the Border

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by: Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce

Arlington, VA - April 4, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- In response to reports that the Trump administration is considering closing the U.S.-Mexico border, Freedom Partners urged administration officials to preserve commerce between the two nations.

Freedom Partners Executive Vice President Nathan Nascimento issued the following statement:

“Trade with Mexico and other nations is a big reason why the American economy is as strong as it is today. The flow of goods and people is integral to the larger American economy and central to improving lives and removing barriers to opportunity. Closing down the border would devastate American businesses, families and workers. We urge the administration to support more trade with Mexico, not impose new barriers to it. While immigration reform is long overdue, it’s best addressed by the administration and Congress together – not by punishing Americans.”

Tennessee On the Brink of Becoming First State to Pass Anti-LGBTQ Legislation This Year

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by: Freedom for All Americans

Nashville, TN - April 4, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Tennessee lawmakers advanced two dangerously discriminatory bills this week, both part of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ slate of bills in the nation. The anti-LGBTQ slate of bills includes legislation that would allow businesses and taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and legislation that would undermine the ability of public school districts to provide transgender students with equal protections.

“Tennessee is on the brink of becoming the next North Carolina – and the first state in the nation to pass anti-LGBTQ legislation this year,” said Kasey Suffredini, President of Strategy at Freedom for All Americans. “Tennessee can’t afford to face the economic consequences of passing laws that discriminate against LGBTQ people. The anti-LGBTQ bills advancing in Tennessee are some of the most dangerous in the nation, and we stand with our local partners in opposition to these dangerous attacks on LGBTQ Tennesseans.”

“Year after year, a small group of Tennessee lawmakers appear bound and determined to undermine the rights of LGBTQ people,” said Chris Sanders, executive director of Tennessee Equality Project. “This anti-LGBTQ slate would have catastrophic consequences for our state – and those consequences would hit our young people the hardest. We’ve seen time and again that children pay the price when states pass legislation that allows private child welfare agencies to turn away loving, qualified couples using state funds. All students deserve the same opportunities to participate fully in school activities, including transgender youth. Even with the amendment, HB1274 takes Tennessee down a dangerous road. This slate strikes at the dignity of LGBTQ people in Tennessee and adopting any of these bills would do lasting damage.”

Three out of six anti-LGBTQ bills are moving at lightning speed towards Governor Lee’s desk, who has indicated support for at least one of the proposals so far.

On Monday, the Tennessee House approved HB 836, which would allow taxpayer-funded child welfare services to discriminate against LGBTQ people and people of minority faiths, among others. Its Senate companion, SB 1304, is expected to be heard next week.

The Tennessee House Civil Justice Subcommittee also passed HB 1274 on Monday, which would encourage school districts to pass discriminatory anti-transgender restroom policies and requiring the Attorney General to pay all legal costs to defend theses policies in court, even as amended.

A third bill (HB 563) has already passed the House floor and would prevent local governments from providing business incentives to companies on the basis of their internal policies, such as LGBTQ-inclusive antidiscrimination protections.