Military

Today's News about Military Issues

Bill would restore rights of servicemembers injured by medical malpractice
Source: American Association for Justice
April 26, 2019
An outdated Supreme Court decision from 1950 established the Feres Doctrine, which prevents active duty military from holding the government accountable for injuries sustained during service, including medical malpractice. The bipartisan bill would restore the right of servicemembers to hold the U.S. Government accountable for non-service-related injuries including surgical items left inside patients, failure to diagnosis advanced cancer, and maternal death following childbirth. This is a right available to all U.S. citizens, except active duty military.

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Mast Introduces Bill To Prevent Hundreds Of Military Rapists From Being Freed From Jail
Source: Brian Mast (R-FL, 18th)
April 26, 2019
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) announced that he is introducing legislation named Harmony’s Law, which will help prevent hundreds of rapists—who were convicted and found guilty of rape in the military—from being freed from jail on a misconstrued technicality. The bill is named after Harmony Allen, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., who was raped during her third month in the Air Force by her instructor. Despite being found guilty and sentenced to jail time, he was subsequently freed due to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces misinterpreting the Congressionally-mandated statute of limitations.

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Hate Crimes

Today's News about Hate Crimes

U.S. designation of Muslim Brotherhood as terror organization is a crucial milestone for StopAntisemitism.org watchdog
Source: StopAntisemitism.org
May 1, 2019
Yesterday's landmark announcement that the Trump administration is pursuing a foreign terrorist organization designation for the Muslim Brotherhood exemplifies the broad success of StopAntisemitism.org, the watchdog group announced today

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Rep. Peters Statement on Chabad of Poway Synagogue Shooting
Source: Scott Peters (D-CA, 52nd)
April 29, 2019
“Today also marks six months to the day of the tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Enough. Enough hate. Enough gun violence. I stand with all Jewish Americans today, especially those in Poway and San Diego.”

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Neal Statement Following Poway Synagogue Shooting
Source: Richard E. Neal (D-MA, 1st)
April 27, 2019
"I am deeply disturbed by the shooting that took place in a CA synagogue yesterday on the last day of Passover where innocent people were killed and injured. We must continue to speak out against anti-semitism in all of its forms."

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REP. JOHN LEWIS DECRIES RAMPANT VIOLENCE IN PLACES OF WORSHIP
Source: John Lewis (D-GA, 5th)
April 27, 2019
“It has come to a point where the people of this nation, and citizens of the world, cannot attend church or safely worship at synagogues or mosques. Violence is so pervasive in our society and in the world community that it has broken through the consecration of the sanctuary and violated our most sacred spaces. How many more lives do we need to lose before we decide to do all we can to bring an end to wanton gun violence in this country?

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Vietnam

Today's News about Vietnam

Congressmen Lowenthal, Correa, and Rouda Commemorate 44th Anniversary of Black April
Source: Alan Lowenthal (D-CA, 47th)
April 29, 2019
On April 30, 1975, Saigon, the capitol of the Republic of Vietnam, was invaded by communist forces in an event that became known as “Black April” or the “Fall of Saigon.” Following the collapse, millions of Vietnamese were forced to leave their homeland in search of freedom. Many found their way to the U.S., where today they comprise a vital and vibrant part of our diverse American family. Each year, Black April is somberly commemorated in Vietnamese American communities across the United States.

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VIETNAM BEFORE THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
"ORIGIN AND MEANING OF THE NAME VIETNAM," by Thai Van Kiem

Vietnam should be correctly written as Viet Nam. Viet is the name of the people, which covers the 54 different ethnic groups in the country. Nam means South. Viet Nam means the Viet people living in the South -- according to Vietnam Online

Domestic Violence

Today's News about Domestic Violence

Hoyer Discusses the Importance of Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act
Source: Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD, 5th)
April 29, 2019
"I was proud to be an original cosponsor of VAWA when it was introduced in 1994 and bring a bill to reauthorize VAWA to the Floor earlier this year," continued Congressman Hoyer. "It's critical that the Senate passes the reauthorization legislation to improve economic assistance and security for survivors of domestic abuse and expand existing grants that make our communities safer. I appreciated today's discussion, and I will continue to work in Congress to advocate for women and families throughout the Fifth District."

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Water

Today's News about Water Issues

Harder Announces SAVE Water Resources Act to Address Central Valley Water Needs
Source: Josh Harder (D-CA, 10th)
April 24, 2019
Representative Josh Harder has announced the Securing Access for the Central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Resources Act. The bill provides a wraparound approach to addressing water issues facing the Central Valley by increasing storage opportunities, spurring innovation, and making long-overdue investments in our aging water infrastructure. Although water politics are often adversarial, Rep. Harder has spent months sourcing water ideas directly from a wide array of local stakeholders and experts to ensure the final bill attends to the needs of a diverse set of interests. The bill has broad bipartisan support from over a dozen local organizations and elected officials.

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Energy

Today's News about Energy Issues

REPS LIEU, GONZALEZ-COLON, AND PLASKETT INTRODUCE BILL TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Source: Ted Lieu (D-CA, 33rd)
April 23, 2019
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) introduced the “Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act,” which will empower local communities to develop and use renewable energy sources. The bill creates a grant program for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, smart grids and micro grids projects as well as training local residents. The grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations and the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories may provide technical assistance.

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Coast Guard

Today's News about the Coast Guard

Chairs DeFazio, Maloney, Reps. Garamendi, Larsen, Young Applaud Major Step Forward in Coast Guard’s Plan to Build New Polar Security Cutter
Source: Rick Larsen (D-WA, 2nd)
April 23, 2019
The Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Congressman Don Young (D-AK) applauded the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement that it has awarded a contract for the detail design and construction of the first Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter, the first of six planned polar icebreakers. Chairs DeFazio, Maloney, Reps. Garamendi, Larsen, and Young have long championed efforts to address a substantial gap in the Coast Guard’s operational capability in the High North, citing the importance of heavy icebreakers to ensure national security, facilitate commerce, and conduct scientific research and maritime safety missions. Most recently, the members worked successfully to ensure that Congress included $655 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act to begin work on the first icebreaker, as well as $20 million to begin acquiring long lead time materials for a second icebreaker.

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Endangered Species

Today's News about Endangered Species

Golden Asks NOAA Fisheries to Postpone New Right Whale Management Proposals, Challenges Data Behind Potential New Restrictions on Maine Lobstermen
Source: Jared Golden (D-MN, 2nd)
April 23, 2019
“Given the importance of the lobster fishery to Maine’s economy, I am deeply troubled by the manner in which the TRT intends to carry out its goal of reducing right whale mortalities by sixty to eighty percent and the impact its actions may have on the future viability of our lobster fleet,” wrote Golden. “I find it difficult to understand how a comprehensive strategy to protect an endangered species can be developed and agreed upon when the management tool relies on outdated inputs and was only made available days before the TRT meeting… I encourage NOAA Fisheries and the TRT to postpone its rulemaking so that it can develop an improved risk assessment tool that has the support of impacted stakeholders.”

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UN Arms Treaty

Today's News about the UN Arms Treaty

Trump withdraws from UN arms treaty as NRA crowd cheers in delight
Source: The Guardian
April 26, 2019
Addressing the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Indianapolis, the president said he would revoke America’s status as a signatory of the arms trade treaty regulating conventional weapons including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

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Banking and Finance

Today's News about Banking and Finance Issues

As House Convenes on Predatory Lending, Consumer Advocates Press for Congressional Action on Payday Debt Traps
Source: Americans for Financial Reform
April 25, 2019
The hearing on payday lending comes at a time when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is nearing the end on a public comment period on its plan. The CFPB is proposing to rescind key consumer protections on payday lending, namely the ability-to-repay provision that mandates that lenders offer affordable loans.

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Foster Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Promote Financial Literacy for Students
Source:
April 25, 2019
“In our increasingly complex financial marketplace, young people often find themselves lacking the knowledge to make tough financial decisions that can have profound effects on their futures,” Congressman Foster said. “Studies have shown that promoting financial literacy at an early age helps equip young people to make sound financial decisions that will set themselves up for success.”

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