Immigration

Today's News from the Lawmakers

Pascrell Applauds McAllister Decision
Source: Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ, 9th)
April 26, 2019
“The decision by the Homeland Security Department to allow Mr. McAllister to remain in America is terrific news. Mr. McAllister and his family have set roots in our community. America is where he belongs. I thank Secretary McAleenan for granting a stay. Common sense and human dignity prevailed in his decision. We have fought for decades and will continue to fight and use this time to work towards a permanent resolution for this case.”

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Trump to allow Malachy McAllister to stay
Source: Irish Central
April 26, 2019
Kevin McAleenan, President Trump’s newly-appointed acting secretary of Homeland Security, has granted a request from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to stay the deportation of McAllister, the Washington Examiner reports.

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Native Americans

Today's News about Native Americans

CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCHWEIKERT SUPPORTS TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN OPPORTUNITY ZONE REGULATIONS
Source: David Schweikert (R-AZ, 6th)
April 29, 2019
“I am pleased to see tribal lands will be included in the economic success opportunity zones will bring to local communities. Tribal communities have long supported local businesses by leasing their land to community members. Now, they will be able participate in the benefits that opportunity zones provide. Thank you to the IRS and Treasury for working to include tribal communities during the comment period for these zones.” said Congressman David Schweikert

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Law Enforcement

Today's News from the Lawmakers

Reschenthaler, Dean Introduce Bill to Support Law Enforcement Officers, Improve Mental Health Care
Source: Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA, 14th)
April 29, 2019
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities,” said Reschenthaler. “These men and women routinely endure extremely stressful situations, yet the federal government does little to address the consequences of this taxing work. This stress can cause high blood pressure and post-traumatic stress disorder, and has resulted in a suicide rate that is 50 percent higher than the national average. I am proud to work with Congresswoman Dean to fix this wrong and support police officers and their families.”

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Farmers

Today's News about Farmers

PETERSON STATEMENT ON USDA’S DECISION TO EXTEND DEADLINE FOR THE MARKET FACILITATION PROGRAM
Source: Collin C. Peterson (D-MN, 7th)
April 29, 2019
“In my district and across the Midwest, it’s easy to see that weather and other conditions have prevented many farmers from getting their 2018 crop out of the ground. Many of them have raised their concerns with me and this extension is something I’ve been pushing USDA to do. As we’re looking at another round of snow in some parts of Minnesota, this gives those folks more time to finish and certify their harvest from 2018. While these payments are welcome, the Administration needs to stop pretending that the trade bailout will somehow make up for the long-term losses with trade partners like China.”

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Female Genital Mutilation

Today's News about Female Genital Mutilation

Rep. Maloney, Elected Officials, and Women’s Rights Advocates Condemn DOJ Decision to Not Defend Female Genital Mutilation Law and Call for Equal Rights Amendment
Source: Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)
April 25, 2019
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) joined elected officials, and Equal Rights Amendment advocates to condemn a recent U.S. Department of Justice decision to not defend a federal law banning FGM/C, to call for Speaker Pelosi to step in to defend the law, and call for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Congresswoman Maloney is the sponsor of H.J. Res. 35, a bill to restart the ratification process of the ERA.

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Taxes

Today's News about Tax Issues

Tax Hikes are the Wrong Way to Fund Roads and Bridges
Source: Americans for Prosperity
May 1, 2019
“If Congress wants to find money to modernize our roads and bridges, we encourage them to look to their own pockets – Americans have been filling them up for years. Instead of proposing a $2 trillion catch-all ‘infrastructure’ bill and asking hard-working Americans to fund it by paying more at the pump, Washington lawmakers should cut the red tape and stop wasting the tax dollars we give them.”

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Food Retailers Advocate on Tax Reform and Payments with Lawmakers
Source: Food Marketing Institute
May 1, 2019
Grocers and food industry executives will advocate for bipartisan support on “Restoring Investment in Improvements Act” (H.R. 1869 and S. 803), the importance of tax rate reductions and making them permanent, as well as the need to make the payments marketplace more competitive and secure for consumers, merchants, issuing banks and the economy. Attendees will also hear remarks from Deputy Secretary of Treasury, Justin Muzinich, who advised the Secretary on the recent tax reform legislation.

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REPRESENTATIVE MALINOWSKI DEMANDS HOUSE LEADERSHIP PRIORITIZE RESTORING FULL SALT DEDUCTION
Source: Tom Malinowsky (D-NJ, 7th)
May 1, 2019
The letter, sent to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, outlines the burden the cap placed upon the American middle class. The 2017 GOP tax bill directly targeted states like New Jersey and led to the double-taxing of millions of Americans. According to the IRS there are 860,000 middle class households in New Jersey alone that are directly harmed.

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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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Read also:

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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