Family Research Council Action to hold Virtual Values Voter Summit to Rally Freedom Loving Americans to Pray, Vote, and Stand

Washington, D.C. - September 19, 2020 - The Ponder News -- On Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m. ET, the 15th annual Values Voter Summit will kick off. Instead of attending in person, this year values voters will join the all-virtual event from their own homes and churches.

Confirmed speakers include President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, Dr. Ben Carson, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Pastor Jack Hibbs, Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.), Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), Michele Bachmann, Gary Bauer, Abby Johnson, Bishop Vincent Mathews, Eric Metaxas, Dr. Albert Mohler, Tim Wildmon, Benjamin Watson, Andrew Wommack, Melissa Ohden, Virginia Prodan, Scott Rasmussen, Abigail Shrier, Dr. Carol Swain, Larry Taunton, and Scott Turner, the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, among others.

This year’s summit will also feature a brand-new episode format. These episodes will feature roundtable discussion and interviews and will stream live September 22-25 from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. Eastern. Additionally, due to the online format, registration is offered at no charge, providing free access to the nightly episodes, as well as the activist training session, which will stream on September 26 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern.

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins issued the following statement:

“This year’s virtual Values Voter Summit will serve as the convention of social conservatives. For each of the last 14 years, thousands have traveled to our nation’s capital to give voice to faith, family, and freedom and hear from our nation’s leaders as they make commitments based on those issues. While values voters won’t be attending in person, they can join the summit virtually and receive the tools they need to engage in what I believe is the most consequential election in our Republic’s history.

“The November election will be a critical test for America. The party platforms offer a stark contrast; the Democratic platform has grown increasingly radical as the far Left expands its influence, while the Republican platform preserves a robust defense of religious liberty, biblical marriage, and pro-life principles. Nothing less than the future of faith, family, and freedom in America is on the ballot this year.

“All freedom loving Americans must register and then get out and vote. It’s time to pray, vote, and stand,” concluded Perkins.

To attend the virtual event, register here: www.valuesvotersummit.org.

Values Voter Summit 2020 sponsors also include AFA Action, American Values, Truth & Liberty Coalition, and Family Research Council. Bott Radio Network is the radio sponsor, and The Christian Post is the first-time media sponsor.

Wildfires, WOTUS, Hydroxychloroquine

At Wildfire Briefing, Trump Scoffs at Climate Crisis: “I Don’t Think Science Knows”
Source: Environmental Working Group
September 14, 2020
Trump has dismissed the climate crisis as “a hoax” and has said the fires are the result of states failing to clean brush from forest floors. When he met today with California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state’s natural resources secretary challenged him to accept the overwhelming scientific consensus on global warming, which is causing record high temperatures and drying out the forests, triggering unprecedented firestorms.
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Ernst, Iowa Farmer Highlight Importance of New, Commonsense WOTUS Rule
Source: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
September 16, 2020
In 2015, the Obama Administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of WOTUS—giving the federal government authority to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa—and creating confusion and burdensome red tape for Iowa’s agriculture industry and many others. Immediately, Senator Ernst took action and introduced legislation that would have nullified the Obama Administration’s rule. After passing both the House and Senate—with bipartisan support—the bill was vetoed by President Obama.
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Eshoo and Pallone Blast Administration for Withholding Info on Hydroxychloroquine
Source: U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA, 18th)
September 16, 2020
“The Trump Administration continues to refuse to release the decision memorandum and denial letter issued by FDA in response to a request for an Emergency Use Authorization for hydroxychloroquine," said Eshoo and Pallone. “The drug has had serious health consequences when used to treat COVID-19, and the public has a right to know the critical scientific information in the agency’s denial of the EUA, especially as the Administration is stockpiling the drug and advancing it during the COVID-19 crisis.”
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DREAM Act, Teachers

Ninety Days Since Landmark Supreme Court DACA Decisions And Following Critical TPS Decision, Durbin Calls On Senate To Pass Dream And Promise Act
Source: Senator Richard J. Durbin (D - IL)
September 16, 2020
“It’s been exactly 90 days since the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s effort to end deportation protections for Dreamers,” Durbin said. “Let’s be clear. The Supreme Court of the United States rejected President Trump’s repeal of DACA. That means DACA returns to its original status and the Trump Administration, under the court order, must reopen the program. And they must do it now. Instead Mr. Wolf is saying that DHS will turn away 300,000 applicants who are Dreamers and eligible for DACA but have not had a chance to apply… This Administration, which is telling America they are dedicated to ‘law and order’ – is in open defiance of the Supreme Court. The stakes are too high—both for the rule of law and just as important, the lives of Dreamers. To ignore this is to ignore a legitimate order of the highest court in the land. Republicans and Democrats in Congress must come together to compel the President to follow the law and immediately comply with the Supreme Court's mandate.”
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Teachers are paid almost 20% less than similar workers
Source: Economic Policy Institute
September 17, 2020
Although teachers on average enjoy better benefits packages than similar workers, Mishel and Allegretto find that benefits only mitigate part of the wage gap. Including benefits, teachers are still left with a 10.2% compensation gap compared to similar workers. While the data in this paper are through 2019 and thus predate the pandemic, our analysis may provide useful insights as schools struggle to reopen.
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Law Enforcement, Boeing, Desegregation, Cyber Crimes, JBS

Daines: I'll Always Back the Blue. We Must Defend the Police, Not Defund Them
Source: Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
September 16, 2020
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today gave a speech on the Senate floor in support of Montana's law enforcement, thanking the men and women who wear the badge for their service and dedication to keeping Montanans safe. Daines' speech follows his co-sponsorship of a Senate resolution expressing support for the brave men and women of law enforcement and condemns the perpetrators, instigators, and celebrators of targeted violence against law enforcement..
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Rep. Sharice Davids’ statement on Boeing 737 MAX final report
Source: U.S Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS, 3rd)
September 16, 2020
“Our investigation uncovered serious problems in the FAA’s safety certification process and revealed that Boeing repeatedly put profit over safety in the development of the 737 MAX. The 346 victims of both tragic crashes and their families now expect and deserve Congress to act. We must strengthen aviation safety and transparency and hold corporations much more accountable so that the tragedy of the Boeing 737 MAX is not repeated.”
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Davis Votes in Support of Diversity and Desegregation Grants for Schools
Source: U.S Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL, 13th)
September 16, 2020
“66 years after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, many schools in our country are still facing problems of segregation,” said Rep. Davis. “Even schools like District 186 in Springfield are still operating under decades-old federal desegregation consent decrees. The Strength in Diversity Act works to change that by providing federal grant funding to support voluntary local efforts that encourage diversity and desegregate schools. I’m proud to support this legislation because it will provide new opportunities for minority schoolkids and improve educational outcomes and social cohesion.”
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Seven International Cyber Defendants, Including “Apt41” Actors, Charged In Connection With Computer Intrusion Campaigns Against More Than 100 Victims Globally
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
September 16, 2020
In August 2019 and August 2020, a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., returned two separate indictments charging five computer hackers, all of whom were residents and nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with computer intrusions affecting over 100 victim companies in the United States and abroad, including software development companies, computer hardware manufacturers, telecommunications providers, social media companies, video game companies, non-profit organizations, universities, think tanks, and foreign governments, as well as pro-democracy politicians and activists in Hong Kong
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DeLauro Statement in Support of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7’s Protest Against OSHA’s ‘Fine’ on JBS
Source: U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
September 16, 2020
“OSHA’s meager $15,615 fine on JBS is a slap in the face to all who believe in the difference of right and wrong,” said DeLauro. “My deepest sympathies are with the UFCW 7 victims and their families who have been failed by their employer and the federal agencies tasked with regulating them. No worker should ever have to sacrifice their life for a paycheck.”
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Pebble Mine in Alaska should receive a fair review without extra regulatory obstacles

Fairfax, VA - July 22, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning sent the following letter and comments to U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oreg.), U.S Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) urging reconsideration of objections to the Pebble Mine project in Alaska:

“The tundra wasteland that is the site for the proposed Pebble Mine was originally federal government property. However, the federal government decided to swap this less valuable land with the state of Alaska for the acreage that subsequently became Lake Clark National Park and Preserve via the Cook Inlet Land Exchange. The land was fine to give away when it had zero value for land that was suitable to be declared a national park, and it takes an incredible amount of hubris for the federal government to put additional restrictions on the use of the barren wasteland after more than hundreds of millions of dollars has been spent by private companies to create a plan to responsibly extract the strategic minerals that the federal government chose to trade to the State of Alaska.

“No one is urging that the NEPA process not be followed to ensure that the mine meets federal requirements, and once it does, then turn the decision over to the authorities in the state of Alaska. However, your complaints amount to little more than grandstanding as you want the goal posts to be moved in an obvious effort to renege on the original agreement when the land for Lake Clark National Park was obtained.

“After almost a decade, it is time to allow the owners of Pebble deposit to have their opportunity to present their engineering studies and mining plans for fair and honest federal scrutiny. When, and if, the NEPA process is successfully completed, the decision will lie where it rightfully should – with the state of Alaska which traded for this land and zoned it for mining in the first place.”

See Also:

Letter and Comments to U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, U.S Rep. Jared Huffman, U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, July 21, 2020

U.S. Army Corps poised to recommend approval of Alaska's Pebble Mine
Source: Reuters
July 20, 2020
The Pebble Mine would, if brought online, produce 70 million tons of gold, molybdenum and copper ore a year and create a pit 1,970 feet (600 meters) deep. A new road, pipeline and power plant would be built, according to the mine plan.
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Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Issues Proposed True Lender Rule

Washington, D.C. - July 22, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has proposed a rule that would determine when a national bank or federal savings association (bank) makes a loan and is the “true lender” in the context of a partnership between a bank and a third party.

Banks’ lending relationships with third parties can facilitate access to affordable credit. However, the relationships have been subject to increasing uncertainty about the legal framework that applies to loans made as part of these relationships. This uncertainty may discourage banks and third parties from entering into relationships, limit competition, and chill the innovation that results from these partnerships—all of which may restrict access to affordable credit.

The proposed rule would resolve this uncertainty by specifying that a bank makes a loan and is the “true lender” if, as of the date of origination, it (1) is named as the lender in the loan agreement or (2) funds the loan.

The deadline for comments on the rule is September 3, 2020.

Related Links

Federal Register Notice (PDF)

OCC Plan Would Destroy State Protections on Predatory Lending
Source: Americans for Financial Reform
July 20, 2020
“The OCC proposal is nothing more than a plan for unleashing predatory lenders to peddle dangerous financial products nationwide by eviscerating the power of state usury laws. Many states have interest rate caps that are very effective guardrails against predatory lending. They are highly popular among voters in diverse states, many of whom put the limits in place through ballot initiatives. This destructive rule would only serve the interest of high-cost lenders, who have been very active in lobbying this administration to enable them to expand abusive practices. The OCC has chosen to eliminate safeguards at a time when many communities are particularly vulnerable as they navigate the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With other financial regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, joining together to enable predatory lending in their own ways, we need Congress to step in and impose a national rate cap to protect all Americans from the harm of the debt trap.”
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) De-regulated

Washington, D.C. - July 16, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)’s final rule updating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations:

“Rural Oregonians know too well the burdens of our dated, slow and tedious NEPA regulations. They’ve watched for years as special interest groups have hijacked the process to drag out needed forest and range management projects that would improve the health of our public lands and reduce the threat of wildfire on our communities. A lot has changed in the last 40 years and a fresh look at these regulations is long overdue. President Trump’s actions to streamline this process will help ensure that we can better manage our forests, protect our communities and improve our nation’s transportation and energy infrastructure into the future.”

For more information on what NEPA is and what it means to the country, read National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)


See also: Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act

House Judiciary Committee Holds Oversight Hearing on Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability

Washington, D.C. - June 11, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Gregory W. Steube (R-FL, 17th) made remarks at the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing titled, “Oversight Hearing on Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability.”

“While officers like David Dorn and Dave Underwood have been targeted and murdered during these so-called ‘protests,’ it is extremely troubling that many of my colleagues on the left have failed to condemn the violence and rioting in our cities and communities across the country,” Steube said. “Protests are peaceful. Looting, killing, stealing, destruction and burning some of the very cities where their leaders just weeks ago were arresting people for violating stay-at-home orders is absolute lawlessness.”



"Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Floyd, I would offer my personal condolence to you in the loss of your brother. I can’t imagine having to watch your family die needless and merciless passing. I feel confident that not only will justice be served for him, but I think that significant and necessary reforms will come of this tragic incident.

And I wish Ms. Underwood-Jacobs was here, but I also want to give my condolence to her, hopefully she’ll watch the video. I have a brother and father in law enforcement and I cannot imagine the pain that you are experiencing knowing that someone intentionally targeted him simply because he was an officer. I’m very sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and your family and with Mr. Floyd’s family. In my prayers this morning Phillipians 4:13 came to mind so I hope you all can reflect on that.

This is a dangerous, dangerous time for law enforcement and their families. Just in a conversation I had with my brother yesterday he said he had 2 of his deputies quit because of all the issues they are facing, threats, targeting, being reconed at their home and their vehicles being looted and broken at their homes.

And speaking of law enforcement officers, I would also like to give condolences to the family of the Retired Police Captain David Dorn, who was fatally shot last week trying to prevent a pawn shop from being looted during what the left is calling a peaceful protest. His life mattered as well and I commend his service to his community as a law enforcement officer and wish that there was a member of his family here represented today to give their remarks in his passing.

While officers like David Dorn and Dave Underwood have been targeted and murdered during these so-called protests, it is extremely troubling that many of my colleagues on the left have failed to condemn the violence and rioting in our cities and communities across the country.

Protests are peaceful; looting, killing, stealing, destruction and burning some of the very cities where their leaders just weeks ago were arresting people for violating stay at home orders is absolute lawlessness. And the hypocrisy of these leaders arresting those violating stay-at-home orders for say, going surfing, or other activities, gathering in a synagogue with ten or more people. The hypocrisy of these leaders arresting those individuals for violating stay-at-home orders but sitting by while their cities burn is outlandish to me.

On one day alone, on May 31st in Chicago, one city, on one day, saw 18 people murdered due to rioting, in one night. The deadliest day in Chicago in 60 years, there were over 65,000 9-1-1 calls. And can you imagine if we abolished the police department? Those 65,000 people would be calling and nobody would be there to come to the rescue.

That is not America, that is anarchy and when your leaders talk about disbanding police departments you are emboldening criminals to continue to commit crime knowing there we be no one to stop them.

I talked to my brother yesterday and they had an incident at a Walmart where there were thirty individuals looting the Walmart, the Walmart that my wife and I go to on a pretty regular basis. And they only had three officers respond to thirty individuals who had weapons. Well, they’re not going to use three officers to respond to thirty individuals because of the safety risk incurred to those officers. Those thirty individuals got away.

I thought that Pastor Scott had a great statement today in his opening comment: Pastor you said, the prospect of defunding or dismantling our police forces is one of the most unwise, irresponsible proposals made by American politicians. And I would agree.

There are issues in this proposal that we can all agree upon, a law against lynching, which I supported, and this House passed months ago. Which we voted for earlier this year. Ensuring bad cops don’t get rehired at a different agencies - absolutely, that’s an incredible idea. Reporting use of force in an FBI database and creating a commission on the social status of black men and boys based on a Florida program that I participated in as a Florida Senator in the State of Florida. I was proud to be a part of that program.

But there are proposals in this bill that are extremely dangerous for those who protect our communities:

Removing qualified immunity. Qualified immunity is only a protection if officers follow their training and protocols. If they don’t follow their training and protocols, they don’t get to use the immunity because it's ‘qualified.’ If officers do not have qualified immunity to follow their training and protocols, I don’t know a single person who would want to become a law enforcement officer in today's world, knowing that they may or may not be able to use the training and protocols that they would use to apprehend a suspect that is not complying with them. But maybe that’s the goal of the majority, to get less and less people to join our law enforcement offices.

One quick point in the little time I have left, is military equipment, or as Mr. Raskin calls it, the militarization of our police departments. They use bulletproof vests, and bulletproof shields to protect our officers who protect our communities. By stripping them of that ability and stripping them of their ability to use weapons to protect themself is a dangerous, dangerous path to go down. And I don’t think that our country supports that. And Mr. Floyd, I think, said it best. You said, ‘life is precious’ and I would agree with you, and I would contend that all life is precious and all deserves protection. I yield back."

The Stop Evasion of Iran Sanctions Act

Janesville, WI - June 11, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The Republican Study Committee (RSC) has endorsed Bryan Steil’s bill, H.R. 6015, the Stop Evasion of Iran Sanctions Act, as part of RSC’s National Security Strategy: Strengthening America and Countering Global Threats. Steil has been a member of the RSC since 2019 and is a member of the RSC National Security and Foreign Affairs Task Force.

“The United States will not allow Iran to avoid our sanctions and develop a nuclear weapon. My bill enforces sanctions on Iran and on countries that evade our sanctions to financially support the regime. Our National Security Strategy targets Iran’s malign actions and includes the toughest sanctions ever on Iran. I am grateful for RSC’s support of my bill and will continue working with my colleagues to hold Iran accountable and keep America safe. We must keep our eyes on the ball and never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon,” said Steil.

“We are proud to endorse this important legislation to stop the Iranian regime’s attempt at sanctions evasion and to help enhance President Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ campaign on Iran,” RSC Chairman Mike Johnson said. “Iran has shown it will stop at nothing to circumvent U.S. sanctions so it will have the funds to spread terrorism, obtain nuclear weapons, and threaten Israel. Congress can make sure that doesn’t happen by passing The Stop Evasion of Iran Sanctions Act. I thank Congressman Steil for his continued leadership in the national security arena, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to support his smart, tough approach on Iran.”

You can read the RSC’s National Security Strategy here.

In April, Steil penned an op-ed in the Washington Examiner on the need to hold Iran accountable. Steil also joined Spicer & Co. on Newsmax to discuss the importance of ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

The Republican Study Committee (RSC) has served as the conservative caucus of House Republicans and a leading influencer on the Right since its original founding in 1973. It exists to bring like-minded House members together to promote a strong, principled legislative agenda that will limit government, strengthen our national defense, boost America’s economy, preserve traditional values and balance our budget.

Is Voting by Proxy Constitutional?

Washington, D.C. - June 6, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- On May 15th, 2020, Democrats in the House passed H.Res. 965, which allows members of Congress to designate another member to serve as their “proxy” and cast votes on their behalf. Members may vote for up to 10 other members. This is the first time in the Chamber’s history that the House has voted by proxy. The resolution passed, 217 to 189, with no Republicans supporting the measure.

On May 27th, 2020, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) led a lawsuit against Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Democrats over the constitutionality of proxy voting in the House of Representatives.