REPRESENTATIVES WOODALL AND SCOTT TEAM UP TO ADVOCATE FOR GEORGIA FARMERS

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by: Robert Woodall (R-GA, 7th)

Lawrenceville, GA - April 19, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Last week, the House Rules Committee met to consider H.R. 2021, the “Investing for the People Act.” Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) testified about his amendment to H.R. 2021, which would have provided emergency disaster assistance funding to farmers, ranchers, and others who were harmed by 2018 natural disasters.

In October, Hurricane Michael devastated parts of South and Middle Georgia. Since then, the entire Georgia Congressional Delegation has worked to secure federal assistance for not only Georgia, but for other areas impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters during 2018. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to advance disaster aid legislation due to ongoing policy disagreements. Representative Scott’s amendment was a new attempt to secure disaster aid following continued obstruction by Senate Democrats who refuse to support the compromise legislation drafted by Georgia’s Senators Isakson and Perdue.

“Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts and pecans in the United States. Our state is the second largest producer of cotton, has the fourth largest amount of total forest land area, and 24.4 million acres of available timberland for commercial use in our country,” said Congressman Woodall. “Farmers from California to New York and all the way down to Georgia work day and night to fill the refrigerators for all Americans. Each year, our farmers take enormous risks on our behalf, and as Americans, we should do everything we can to stand behind these hardworking men and women who are willing to put their family’s well-being on the line.”

“For months, I have received calls from farmers and the lenders they rely on that the financial impacts from Hurricane Michael were becoming increasingly more difficult to bear. The truth is, if Hurricane Michael had hit Americans who weren’t farmers or farmers who aren’t Americans, the stories of Washington’s apathy to get this done would be the front page of every paper,” said Congressman Austin Scott. “For months, we have stressed the magnitude of the damage to our colleagues, and for months we were promised that this was a priority for the White House and Congressional leadership from both sides of the aisle. Those were nothing but empty promises. American farmers work day-in and day-out to feed and clothe America and the world, and I will continue fighting for them until the White House and Congress keep the promises we made to them.”

Click here to watch Representative Scott’s testimony and Representative Woodall’s motion to include the disaster relief amendment in H.R. 2021.

Representatives Watson Coleman and French Hill Propose Federal Savings Accounts for Taxpayers

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by: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ, 12th)

Washington, D.C. - April 19, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Congressman French Hill (R-AR) announced the introduction of legislation that would allow taxpayers the option to defer a portion of their taxes into an account that earns interest for six months. The bill, The Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act, seeks to give more families the flexibility to handle minor emergencies.

“For too many families, a blown tire, a burst pipe, or even a few days off with the flu result in hard financial decisions — whether to risk your credit score by skipping a payment, miss the month’s rent or mortgage payments, or even pass on needed healthcare,” said Watson Coleman. “Since my first term, I have worked to get more families out of this hole, and the Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act would do just that. Working Americans are living on the brink. We have to find solutions that will give them a stronger financial footing.”

“We have a savings crisis in America,” said Hill. “In order to change the culture of saving money in states like Arkansas, innovative opportunities are needed to make it easier for Americans to build up savings for unexpected expenses. The Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act is a unique and inexpensive solution that can put low-income earners, who may have never saved money before, on the path to financial stability. Giving hardworking families the option to save will unleash more economic prosperity.”

The Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act would allow tax filers receiving a refund via direct deposit to defer up to 20 percent of their refund to a Treasury-held account to accumulate interest. After six months, the refund, plus interest earned, would be transferred to the direct deposit account, encouraging more people to set aside emergency savings.

The bill also creates a pilot program to evaluate matches for low-income tax filers, redeploying the existing Assets for Independence match program with expanded flexibility to allow localities to identify best practices without increasing federal funding.

Last year, the federal Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households report found that 40 percent of Americans couldn’t cover an unexpected expense greater than $400 — an improvement on the same statistic from 2013. The Refund to Rainy Day Savings Act, a companion to legislation introduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Doug Jones (D-AL), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Todd Young (R-IN), would strengthen the financial foundation of these families.

To see the text of the bill, click here.

Congressional Leaders Oppose BDS

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by: Steve Watkins (R-KS, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - April 19, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- The Problem Solvers Caucus voted to formally endorse H. Res. 246, a bipartisan resolution opposing the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement targeting Israel. The Caucus’ action, spearheaded by Congressmen Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Steve Watkins (KS-02), unites Democratic and Republican Caucus members behind the effort to denounce the boycott of Israel, and support a two-state solution. Congressman Watkins issued the following statement:

“At a time when anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions are on the rise across the world, I am pleased to see Republicans and Democrats of the Problem Solvers Caucus coming together to endorse this important resolution. The BDS movement only serves to harm and divide communities. As Americans, we must do all we can to protect Israeli sovereignty and their right to exist as a free and democratic people,” said Congressman Watkins.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus issued the following statement:

“BDS is anti-Israel, anti-peace, and harmful to America’s interests. I’m proud that all members of the Problem Solvers Caucus are committed to opposing BDS and standing up for the U.S.-Israel relationship because these should not be partisan political issues. Thanks to the leadership of Congressmen Brad Schneider and Steve Watkins, this bipartisan resolution has even more momentum for a vote on the House Floor.”

Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus issued the following statement:

“Israel is an unwavering ally of the United States and one of our most important strategic partners around the globe. I am proud of our Problem Solvers Caucus members who have to stood up to ensure Jewish people are treated fairly and spoken out to show we care about this great nation.”

AMERICAN CURES ACT AND AMERICAN INNOVATION ACT REINTRODUCED

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by: Lauren Underwood (D-IL, 14th)

Chicago, IL - April 19, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today were joined by researchers from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine to announce their bicameral legislation to restore the United States’ commitment to breakthrough scientific and biomedical research. The American Cures Act and the American Innovation Act would create a mandatory fund to provide steady, predictable funding for breakthrough research at America’s top research agencies, allowing the United States to remain a leader in development and discovery for decades to come.

“The American Cures and Innovation Acts will allow America’s smartest scientists and researchers to spend less time figuring out how to cut their budgets and more time finding new ways to produce clean energy and clean water, as well as develop new cures and treatments for Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease,” said Durbin. “In the last two centuries, U.S. government support for scientific research has helped split the atom, put a man on the moon, create the Internet, and map the human genome. Today we face new hurdles, but continuing to support scientific research is the smartest investment we can make for our health, our future, and our economy.”

“It’s more important than ever that we defend America’s place as a world leader in scientific progress,” Congressman Foster said. “Since World War II, investments in science and technology have helped the U.S. lead the world in new innovations, grow the economy, create millions of jobs, and provide critical advancements to our national security. As we confront new challenges, we need to make sure our scientists have the resources they need to perform their work at the highest levels and help us maintain our role as global leaders in research and innovation.”

“Biomedical and life science research create breakthrough treatments and lifesaving cures, while supporting high-quality jobs and billions in economic output. Federal investment has slipped in recent years, and robust, sustained funding is needed. The American Cures Act will ensure our country’s investment and innovation in world-class life sciences and biomedical research continues, led by Illinois,” said Congresswoman Underwood.

The American Cures Act—of which Representative Underwood is the lead House sponsor—would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program.

The American Innovation Act—of which Representative Foster is the lead House sponsor—would provide annual budget increases of five percent for cutting edge research at five important federal research agencies: The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy Office of Science, the Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Science Directorate. This steady, long-term investment would allow the agencies to plan and manage strategic growth while maximizing efficiencies.

President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget request would devastate funding for medical and scientific research by proposing to cut funding at the National Institutes of Health by $5 billion (or 12 percent), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $750 million (or more than 10 percent), the National Science Foundation by nearly a billion dollars (12 percent), and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science by $1.1 billion (or more than 16 percent) from FY19 funding levels.

Research and development (R&D) funding in the United States has been lagging in recent decades. In 1960’s the United States invested 17 percent of its discretionary budget on research and development—that number is now down to 9 percent. Between 1960 and 1980, federal R&D spending as a share of GDP averaged 1.52 percent per year. However, federal R&D investments now average just under 0.8 percent year. This steady decline has led to a cumulative $1.5 trillion research investment deficit. Meanwhile, China’s research intensity (GDP expenditures on R&D) has increased sharply since the early 2000s – if this trend continues, China will soon surpass the U.S.

The American Cures Act is supported by: the American Heart Association, Research!America, the National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations, the American Association for Cancer Research, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arthritis Foundation, ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, as well as many Illinois health and hospital systems, including Advocate Aurora Health, University of Chicago Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Loyola University Health System, Sinai Health System, Northwestern Medicine, and AMITA Health.

The American Innovation Act is supported by: Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, American Geophysical Union, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Task Force on American Innovation.

Reactions to Release of Redacted Mueller Report

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by: Lori Trahan (D-MA, 3rd)

Washington, D.C. - April 19, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) made this statement following the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s partially redacted report.

“I am deeply troubled by Attorney General Barr’s partisan handling of the Mueller reports’ release, including his March 24th summary, his testimony before Congress last week, and his attempt to spin the report in a press conference earlier this morning before the public or Congress was able to view the document. The Attorney General of the United States is not the President’s personal defense attorney, but you wouldn’t know that based on Mr. Barr’s performance today. The sum of his actions bring into question his independence and impartiality. I believe that the unredacted parts of the report paint a grim picture – particularly in terms of obstruction – that must be fully vetted. In my view the only way to begin restoring public trust in the handling of the Special Counsel’s investigation is for Special Counsel Mueller himself to provide public testimony in the House and Senate as soon as possible. The American people deserve the truth, and Congress must take steps to assure that they get it.”

See More about the Mueller Report:

TURNER Statement on Special Counsel Report

Thompson Reacts to Release of Redacted Mueller Report

CONGRESSWOMAN TITUS STATEMENT ON REDACTED MUELLER REPORT

Torres Statement on the Release of the Mueller Report

Rep.Veasey on the Redacted Mueller Report

Greg Walden statement on public release of Mueller report

Wasserman Schultz on Mueller Report

Chairwoman Waters Statement on the Release of the Redacted Special Counsel Report by Attorney General Barr

Congresswoman Wexton on the Release of the Redacted Mueller Report

Congressman Wilson Statement On Release Of Mueller Report

Womack Statement on Public Release of Mueller Report

SHLB Welcomes Introduction of Digital Equity Act

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by: Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition

Washington, D.C. - April 18, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition applauds Senator Patty Murray, (D-WA), and her colleagues for introducing the Digital Equity Act of 2019. The bill promotes diverse digital equity projects to address gaps in technology access and rural broadband adoption.

“The SHLB Coalition is pleased to support the Digital Equity Act. The bill recognizes the important role that libraries and anchor institutions play in ensuring that every person in every community benefits from the opportunities offered by high-quality Broadband. Community anchor institutions are uniquely suited to take the lead in closing the pervasive gap in broadband adoption.,” said John Windhausen Jr., executive director of the SHLB Coalition. “Digital inclusion is not a partisan issue, so we’re looking forward to working with Congress to enact this legislation.”

RETAILERS SUPPORT WHITE HOUSE FOCUS ON COUNTERFEIT GOODS, URGE SIMILAR EFFORT ON STOLEN MERCHANDISE AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

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by: Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)

Arlington, VA - April 18, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the trade association for America's leading retailers, today sent a letter to the White House expressing support for the President's commitment to curbing the sale of counterfeit products online, and urged the White House to include combatting the sale of stolen goods as an Administration priority.

"Counterfeit goods undermine intellectual property, pose a serious safety risk for consumers and employees, and help perpetuate organized retail crime," said Jennifer Safavian, RILA executive vice president of government affairs. "Similarly, sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly using online platforms to quickly and discreetly fence stolen goods. For these reasons, we welcome the Administration's crack down on the sale of counterfeit goods online and urge a parallel effort to combat the theft and sale of stolen goods."

From the letter:

"Preserving American brands and protecting our customers are of paramount importance to the entire retail industry, and we wholeheartedly support your directive to coordinate the efforts of the federal government to crack down on the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods."

"Retailers collectively invest billions each year in preventative security measures, but the vacuum of law enforcement and relative ease of selling stolen goods online has led to increasingly brazen and organized attempts to steal, tragically putting some retail employees in danger when confronted thieves turn violent.

"We ask that any strategic effort to hold online sellers accountable for the sale of counterfeit goods also include a crackdown on criminal networks using online marketplaces to sell stolen property. Both are a threat to the retail community and the future growth of the economy."

The full letter can be read here.

RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

Girl Knees Boy In Groin Blocking Her Bathroom Door

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by: Public Advocate USA

Fairbanks, AK - April 18, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- "This is what happens when you have liberals running the school system and eliminating one entire sex, the entire female gender, off of the human race in favor of political correctness, " says Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate.

WCNC reports:

A girl was suspended by her high school after kneeing a boy in the groin after a group of boys went into the girls' bathroom and blocked the door, according to reports.

The Fairbanks Daily News Miner reported Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, criticized North Pole High School for the act.

"I said, 'Good for her,'" Wilson said. "I would have taught my daughter to do the same."

The seven boys reportedly went into the girls' bathroom to protest their bathroom being used by another student who is transitioning from female to male, KUTV reported.

The female student felt threatened, so she kneed one of the boys in the groin. He was sent to the hospital for his injury, KUTV said.

The transgender student and the female student were not connected, the station said.

The school district defended its actions: "We don't advocate violence as a means for students to attain safety. If a student does use force, we have to evaluate that incident."

Counterintelligence Accountability Act Introduced

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by: Elise Stefanik (R-NY, 21st)

Washington, D.C. - April 18, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Elise Stefanik introduced a bill this week that would require the FBI to notify the House and Senate Intelligence Committee when the Bureau opens a counterintelligence investigation into a candidate for Federal office, campaign for a candidate for Federal office, or an individual knowingly associated with a campaign for a candidate for Federal office.

This comes after Congresswoman Stefanik’s questioning of then-FBI Director James Comey at a HPSCI hearing in 2017, where he revealed that he did not follow the proper protocol of notifying Congress about opening a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign in 2016. That questioning can be found here.

“Despite informal protocols followed in the past, James Comey failed to notify Congress about his investigation into the Trump Presidential campaign,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This loophole in the law allows the FBI to circumvent Congress and unilaterally conduct investigations without any congressional oversight. My bill will ensure that the right congressional overseers are informed of sensitive counterintelligence investigations into campaigns for Federal office, and I’m proud to lead this effort for transparency.”

Each Republican on the House Intelligence Committee is a cosponsor of this bill. Click here for a write-up on the bill from the Federalist.

ROBOCOP Act to Require Free Robocall Blocking Technology Introduced

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by: Jackie Speier (D-CA, 14th)

Washington, D.C. - April 18, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) was joined by 14 of her colleagues in the House of Representatives last week to introduce H.R. 2298, the ROBOCOP (Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones) Act. This bicameral legislation would finally require telephone companies to offer free robocall blocking services to all their customers. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

An estimated 22.1 million Americans lost $9.5 billion to Robocall scams in 2016, according to a 2017 study. This epidemic of telephonic harassment skyrocketed in 2018, with the number of robocalls made to Americans exceeding 16.3 billion in the first five months of that year. And thus far efforts like the Do Not Call Registry have had little to no impact, particularly when it comes to scams and call centers located outside of the United States.

“Seldom a day goes by that I am not barraged with calls at home and on my cell phone from automated call services and scam artists. I recently received a call from a con artist claiming to work for the Social Security Administration claiming that there was a problem with my status. These schemes rob Americans, often the most vulnerable among us, of billions of dollars every year,” Rep. Speier said. “It’s clear that the Do Not Call Registry has not solved this problem and Congress can no longer wait for the FCC or telephone companies to take the necessary action. I urge the House and Senate to swiftly take up and pass the ROBOCOP Act.”

“The increase in disruptive and harassing robocalls is out of control. Consumers are demanding that we take action, which is why I’m proud to join Congresswoman Speier in introducing the ROBOCOP Act to help cut down on this vicious onslaught of scam and spam messages by requiring phone companies provide robocall blocking tech and verify that caller IDs are accurate” Sen. Blumenthal said.

The ROBOCOP Act would:

Direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require telecom companies to verify that caller ID is accurate.

Provide an exception for consumers with a legitimate need for altered caller ID, such as medical offices and domestic violence shelters.

Direct the FCC to require telecom companies to offer consumers optional, free robocall-blocking technology.

The technology would not block public safety entities and calls that the consumer consents to receive (e.g., notifications from school districts about closings and messages from doctor’s offices and law enforcement alerts).

Give consumers a private right of legal action against telecom companies that violate this statute.

Require the FCC, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to provide a public report every four years to help determine whether the new rules have successfully reduced unwanted calls.

Authorize the FCC to create a nationwide unblocking system that will ensure consumers are in control of the calls and text messages they receive.

Rep. Speier’s bill has 14 cosponsors and has the support of Consumer Reports.

“The ROBOCOP Act would provide sorely-needed relief from unwanted robocalls, a top consumer complaint. This legislation would address ‘spoofed’ calls that scammers so often use to evade call-blocking services and enforcement efforts, as well as the growing problem of unwanted text messages,” said Maureen Mahoney, Policy Analyst, Consumer Reports. “Consumer Reports commends Congresswoman Speier and Senator Blumenthal for their leadership in addressing this issue and urges Congress to take this measure up quickly.”

The cosponsors of Rep. Speier’s bill are: Representatives Steven Cohen (D-TN), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Raúl Grijalva (D-ZA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Peter Visclosky (D-IN), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

Click here for a copy of the bill text.