Tuesday, November 29, 2016

On Price Nomination to HHS Secretary

Washington, D.C. - November 29, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant (R-TX, 24th) issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Budget Chairman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA, 6th) as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Congratulations to Dr. Tom Price on being selected as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services,” said Marchant. “Tom Price is the most qualified member of Congress I know to fill this position. I’ve had the honor of calling Tom a close personal friend and classmate, as well as a fellow Ways and Means member. Dr. Price has fought as hard as anyone to repeal and replace Obamacare with patient-centered solutions. With his ideology of putting patients first, Congress could not ask for a better partner in addressing our nation’s health care challenges. I commend President-elect Trump for his selection and look forward to working with Dr. Price in his new role.”

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Washington, D.C. - November 29, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN, 4th) released the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) to be Secretary of Health and Human Services:

“The nomination of Republican Chairman Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services is clear proof that the guarantee of Medicare for seniors will be a top target for the Trump administration.

“Chairman Price has repeatedly supported budgets that would turn Medicare into a voucher program, raising costs for seniors and potentially leaving some uninsured. On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump claimed to oppose these proposals, but the Price appointment shows he is now embracing the Republican Party’s radical Medicare privatization agenda.

“In addition to his work to dismantle the promises we have made to seniors with Medicare, Chairman Price has sought to undermine the Affordable Care Act and slash funding for Medicaid. He has also attacked women’s health care, including misguided and dangerous attempts to defund Planned Parenthood and limit millions of women’s access to preventive health care.

“In the coming months, I will strongly oppose the Trump-Republican health care proposals in Congress. At the same time, seniors — and all Americans who care about quality, affordable health care — will need to rally together and fight to protect Medicare and all of our vital health care programs.”

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Washington, D.C. - November 29, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- US Senator Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA) released the following statement on President-Elect Trump’s nomination of Representative Tom Price (R-GA) as Secretary of Health and Human Services

“As a fellow physician, Dr. Price understands the problems of Obamacare and is committed to fulfilling the promise of repealing it. I look forward to working with Tom on what comes next for health care."

During his time in the House of Representatives, Dr. Cassidy worked closely with Dr. Price and plans to continue this relationship in future health care reform initiatives.

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Washington, D.C. - November 29, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

“I offer my congratulations to U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) on his selection as HHS Secretary. We have worked closely with him throughout his 11 years in Congress and have found him to be a committed conservative who has led the way in the effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. He has been a strong advocate for legislation that would ensure Americans are not forced to subsidize elective abortion, and has worked to halt overbearing HHS mandates.

“I applaud President-Elect Trump for selecting a HHS secretary who is well-suited to implement an alternative to Obamacare and reverse the damage done by President Obama’s worst policy failure. As a doctor who worked in private practice for two decades, Dr. Price will pursue a health care system that is market-focused and patient-driven,” concluded Perkins.

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Washington, D.C. - November 29, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services:

Tom Price is an excellent choice to serve at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services. He is a principled, conservative reformer who knows better than most the difficult challenges facing our nation’s important entitlement programs and health care system. He also understands that work is the best tool to fight poverty. He will play an invaluable role in delivering patient-centered health care, strengthening our social safety net, and helping more families achieve a lifetime of success. Tom is a close friend, and I congratulate him on this nomination.

Rep. Meadows Introduces the ALLOW Act

Washington, D.C. - November 15, 2016 (The Ponder News) -- On Monday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC, 11th) introduced the Alternatives to Licensing that Lower Obstacles to Work (ALLOW) Act—a bill that will make targeted changes to federal licensure policy by reducing unnecessary licensing requirements.

Some of the most significant burdens on innovation in the job market are heavy licensing barriers placed on small business owners, entrepreneurs, and young Americans entering the workforce. Since 1950, the number of Americans working in jobs that require a license has increased by 500%, with government officials often citing health and safety concerns as the reason for the increased requirements. Acquiring a license can be a both lengthy and costly process, while studies show that most of the health and safety concerns can be address through much less burdensome means, such as certification, registration, and others.

The ALLOW Act will limit the creation of occupational license requirements on federal installments, including areas on army bases and those in the District of Columbia, to those circumstances where licensure is the least restrictive means of protecting public health, safety, or welfare.

“Anytime we look at regulations like licensing requirements, we should have a goal to be as efficient as possible while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on hard-working Americans,” Rep. Meadows said. “And I think when we look at licensing regulations, it’s very clear that many of the rules and requirements go beyond protecting health and safety standards and instead serve as a barrier to jobs for otherwise qualified people. My hope is that this bill can refocus our licensing requirements on only the most pertinent situations.”

Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA, 7th) is an original cosponsor of the bill.

“Too many hardworking Americans are barred from work due to unnecessary and duplicative rules and regulations,” said Rep. Brat. “I co-sponsored this legislation because it cuts through some of that red tape and will help small business owners, entrepreneurs, and young people to secure jobs.”

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Motor Sports Endangered by EPA

H.R. 4715, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 or “RPM Act” was introduced by Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC, 10th) in March as a response to attempts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate modified motor vehicles used for racing.

At the time, the EPA had proposed a rule under the Clean Air Act that would have made it illegal for automotive enthusiasts to use modified street vehicles—like the late model car McHenry drove today—as race cars even though Congress never intended for race cars to be subject to the Clean Air Act.

In response to the introduction of the RPM Act, the EPA on April 15th withdrew its proposed regulation. Despite the EPA decision to withdraw the proposed rule, McHenry continues to advocate for Congressional action on the RPM Act to ensure this misguided regulation is stopped for good. - See more by clicking HERE

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Other Newsmaker Headlines

AAPS Doctors Urge Donald Trump to “Fire” Architects of Healthcare “Reform”

State, hospitals, and nuns challenge new transgender regulation

Kline: Private Capital Must Play Role in Infrastructure Plan


Gangster Disciple Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison


Interior Department Officials to Remove Liens on Tribal Lands Returning More Than $14 Million in Proceeds to Tribes

How Trump's Plan to Deport Criminal Illegal Aliens Would Work


CLUB FOR GROWTH SAYS “NO” TO REPUBLICAN EFFORT TO RESTORE EARMARKS


#VAFAIL – VA CHARGING OVERWHELMING FEES FOR FOIA REQUESTS


Headlines from the Senate

Ayotte Congratulates Sessions on Nomination to Be Attorney General


After Efforts by Blumenthal, Murphy, & DeLauro, Defense Department Seeks to End Reliance on Russian-Made Helicopters for Afghan Forces


Blunt Statement on Senator Jeff Sessions

Booker Statement on President-elect Trump’s Intention to Nominate Sen. Jeff Sessions as Attorney General

Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Nomination of Pompeo to CIA

Cantwell Calls for FTC Investigation into Reports that Office Depot Pushes Unnecessary Computer Repairs on Consumers

Cardin Statement on Trump National Security Positions

IRS Warns of Fake Tax Bills

Cassidy Comments on Administration's Plan to Halt Arctic Resource Exploration


Headlines from The House


Jeff Sessions was Trump's selection as United States Attorney General


Bill against Midnight Rules was passed

The Midnight Rules Relief Act, H.R 5982, amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to allow Congress to pass one piece of legislation disapproving multiple regulations issued by a president in their final year of office

"No U.S. Financing for Iran Act"

REP. LIEU STATEMENT ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S NEW OFFSHORE DRILLING PLAN


Long statement on Obama administration's five-year plan for offshore oil and natural gas lease sales


LOVE VOTES TO RE-AUTHORIZE IRAN SANCTIONS ACT



LOWEY STATEMENT ON SELECTION OF GEN. MICHAEL FLYNN AND SEN. JEFF SESSIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS


Luetkemeyer Supports Bill to Ensure Congress Can Stop Midnight Regulations

Lujan Grisham Joins Colleagues in Request to President-Elect to Withdraw Bannon Appointment

LUJAN CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Lynch Again Calls on FERC to Halt Pipeline Projects in West Roxbury and Weymouth Following Pipeline Explosions










Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Interesting Headlines (November 15)

JOYCE NURSING REAUTHORIZATION BILL PASSES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Jordan statement on IRS denying Albuquerque Tea Party non-profit status

BUTTERFIELD, JONES CALL ON DOT TO DESIGNATE U.S. HIGHWAY 264 AS A FUTURE INTERSTATE

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas Statement Denouncing Planned Ku Klux Klan Victory Parade in North Carolina

Hurd Fights to Hold Iran Accountable

Hudson, Butterfield Bipartisan Life-Saving EMS Bill Passes House

Hill Statement on Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Contributions Act
What this is doing is assessing the total $ made from the sale of hunting, fishing, and camping (etc) equipment like guns, tents, flashlights, etc. in order to note the feasibility of taxing these items in order to pay for the care of wildlife refuges without charging Americans more for the use of these areas. Of course, it doesn't say that.

Hastings Urges House Leadership to Bring H.Res.752, Condemning the Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, China, and Urging China to End the Dog Meat Trade to the Floor For a Vote

House Passes Guthrie Bill to Help Local Industry
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act (H.R. 985), a bill introduced by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) to allow the concrete masonry industry to conduct research, education, and promotion regarding their products.

Reps. Grijalva, Huffman, 21 Members of Congress, Recommend Steps to President Obama to Deescalate Tensions at Dakota Access Pipeline

Rep. Tom Graves Statement on House GOP Leadership Elections

Goodlatte Statement on Secret Service Inspector General Report

Gohmert’s Statement on Speaker Ryan Caucus Vote

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Other Interesting News Releases for November 9

Four WWII Veteran Judges, All in 90s, Still Going Strong

ActionAid USA Reaction To U.S. Elections

ALPA Congratulates President-Elect Donald Trump, New Congress


AAM (Alliance for American Manufacturing) Statement on Donald Trump’s Election


Free Market and Limited Government Principles Prevail Across the Nation

AJC CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP, URGES QUICK STEPS TO UNITE NATION AND REASSURE ALLIES

POST-ELECTION MESSAGE BY ROBERT BANK, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE

American Life League Statement on the 2016 Presidential Election

APA (American Psychiatric Association) Congratulates President-Elect Donald Trump on Winning the Election; Pledges to Work With New Administration


ATA (American Trucking Association) Congratulates President-elect Trump





Interesting stuff from House Members November 9, 2016

Click the Headlines to read the articles

Cohen Praises DOJ for Sending Election Monitors to Shelby County


COLLINS STATEMENT ON FBI'S DECISION TO END CLINTON RE-INVESTIGATION


Cooper Statement on Presidential Election


Courtney Announces EPA Has Issued A Final Rule Establishing A New Eastern Long Island Sound Dredging Disposal Site



CRAMER: BOBBY VEE’S NORTH DAKOTA LEGACY LIVES ON IN HIS MUSIC



Cárdenas: "DOJ Allegations Against AT&T Are Troubling"


Rep. Peter DeFazio Statement on 2016 Presidential Election Results


DeGette, Brooks Seek Details from FDA on Cybersecurity for Medical Devices



Dingell on Death of Second Recruit at Parris Island: “We Must Get to Root of this Issue”


On Secretary Clinton's Speech Today