Communications

ISAKSON FIGHTS FOR RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS
Senator Johnny Isakson - (R - GA)
April 11, 2017
Under current rules, Universal Service Fund (USF) support for broadband in rural areas comes with the outdated requirement that customers also sign up for traditional landline phone service. When rural customers decide they no longer need traditional landline phone service in favor of wireless or Internet-based phone services, rural communities served by smaller telecommunication providers lose access to USF support for broadband deployment, even if the customer continues to pay for broadband Internet service.
Read more...

Fischer, Klobuchar Lead Bipartisan Letter to FCC on Rural Broadband
Senator Deb Fischer- (R - NE)
April 11, 2017
In the letter, addressed to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, and FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, the senators urged the agency to take additional steps to continue advancing broadband deployment in our nation’s rural areas. They also expressed concerns about the high cost of these critical services in many rural communities and stressed that more Americans should have the opportunity to purchase affordable broadband to keep them connected.
Read more...

=====

Taxes

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Trump Administration’s Tax Reform Outline
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
April 26, 2017
“As an advocate for pro-growth tax reform, the U.S. Chamber welcomes the White House’s strong push today to advance tax reform. We’ve got a once-in-a-generation chance to do tax reform, and if we do it right, it can be the single most important step our leaders take to drive economic growth.
Read more...

=====
Alibris: $4 off orders of $50+, with code 4OFF valid 5/16 - 5/31
=====

RETAILERS RESPOND TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S TAX PLAN
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
April 26, 2017
"We welcome President Trump's outline for tax reform. Retailers pay among the highest effective tax rates of all U.S. businesses and provide jobs to more Americans than any other industry. Reform that substantially lowers the rates that retailers ultimately pay will generate job growth and benefit American families in countless ways. The President's tax reform plan recognizes the importance of a globally competitive tax code that allows American businesses to compete around the world and grow, and for consumers to have more money to save or spend. We will continue to fight back against the harmful border adjustment tax proposed by House Republicans and look forward to working with President Trump to exact pro-growth tax reform this year," said Brian Dodge, senior executive vice president for public affairs."
Read more...

RNC Statement on President Trump’s Tax Reform Proposal
Republican Party
April 26, 2017
“This proposal represents a bold step to enact much needed tax reform,” said Chairwoman McDaniel. “For too long businesses and people in this country have been burdened by an unnecessarily complex and overreaching tax code that has stifled wage and job growth. President Trump’s proposal will go a long way toward restoring economic prosperity by prioritizing middle class tax cuts, enacting business tax reform, and encouraging investment and job growth.”
Read more...

COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS STATEMENT REGARDING WHITE HOUSE TAX CUT STATEMENT
Council on Foundations
APRIL 26, 2017
“Today’s White House statement on its tax reform position clarifies the first step in what will be a long process towards meaningful tax reform. We are especially pleased to see the White House recognize the importance of the charitable deduction. We look forward to seeing even greater clarity from the White House in the coming months on its position."
Read more...


CLUB FOR GROWTH ON TRUMP TAX PROPOSAL: THIS IS WHAT PRO-GROWTH TAX REFORM LOOKS LIKE
Club for Growth
April 26th, 2017
“The Trump Administration’s tax reform proposal is massively pro-growth,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “Cutting rates and eliminating deductions will put the U.S. squarely on the path of sustained economic growth, and allowing small and mid-size businesses to use a new 15% business tax rate is crucial to that growth. This is the tax plan that the American people supported when they elected President Trump, so House Republicans would do well to give it their full support.”
Read more...

Tax cuts increase take-home income, grow economy and create jobs
Americans for Limited Government
April 26, 2017
“President Trump’s outline for cutting taxes for individuals makes sense and will lead to most Americans enjoying more take home pay than they do today. Lowering the number of tax brackets and the associated top and lowest rates, along with increasing the standard deductions, keeping the home mortgage and philanthropy deductions while changing the maximum deductibility of state and local income taxes makes sense.
Read more...

=====
TBdress 10% off , code: TBMay, Buy Now!.
=====

TESTER SPONSORS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE TAXPAYER-FUNDED PORTRAITS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Senator Jon Tester - (D - MT)
April 20, 2017
Tester's bipartisan Eliminating Government-Funded Oil-Paintings (EGO) Act will end a long-time perk for politicians by prohibiting federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars to commission official portraits of government employees. The federal government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars since 2010 on official oil-painting portraits of former employees.
Read more...

Taxpayers Pay Twice
Senator Rand Paul - (R - KY)
April 20, 2017
Americans collectively spend countless hours pouring over paperwork to make sure their taxes are correct, and they can keep as much of their own money as possible. While one would hope the agency that collects those taxpayer funds would show the same diligence, today’s Waste Report tells the story of an IRS that failed to recover over $76 million in “unallowable expenses” to government contractors. Though the IRS spent nearly $6 million more of taxpayers’ money for audits to identify those costs, the agency often failed to take basic steps in response and lacked vital details needed to thoroughly track and evaluate the recovery efforts.
Read more...

Shelby Introduces Legislation to Establish Flat Tax
Senator, Richard C.Shelby - (R - AL)
April 18, 2017
“On Tax Day, the American people are reminded that our nation’s tax code is unnecessarily complex, confusing, and inefficient. The SMART Act is a straightforward solution that would require taxpayers to only file a simple postcard size return, which would save Americans time and money. The SMART Act would also allow businesses to redirect resources away from tax compliance and instead focus on expanding their businesses and creating jobs.”
Read more...

On Tax Day, Senators Ask Government Watchdog to Review Tax-Time Products
Senator Tammy Ducksworth (D - IL)
April 18, 2017
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) today in asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the tax-time financial products most commonly used by taxpayers, as well as the transparency of and fees charged for these financial products.
Read more...

Not appropriate for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to engage in PR piggybacking
Senator Michael B. Enzi - (R - WY)
April 11, 2017
“We do not believe the CFPB has the authority to use the IRS as a conduit to solicit Americans’ stories about money. Additionally, since the CFPB is funded by a transfer of non-appropriated funds from the Federal Reserve System’s combined earnings, we question whether it is appropriate to use taxpayer dollars …to advertise the CFPB,” the senators wrote. “The CFPB is supposed to be an independent organization, we do not believe the Treasury Department should be soliciting information on behalf of the entity. We respectfully request that Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service curtail this practice...”
Read more...

=====

Jobs

ALPA Applauds Congressional Support for Effort to Save U.S. Airline Jobs, Stop Anti-U.S. Worker Schemes
Airline Pilots Association International
April 26, 2017
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) announced its strong support of the Flags of Convenience Don't Fly Here Act (H.R. 2150), legislation to save American airline jobs, stop global offshoring schemes, and ensure a level playing field for U.S. aviation workers. H.R. 2150 was introduced by Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), and Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) in the U.S. House of Representatives today as a bipartisan commitment to ensuring aviation jobs stay in America.
Read more...

Durbin, Kelly Introduce Legislation To Address Youth Unemployment In High Poverty Areas
Senator Richard J. Durbin - (D - IL)
April 18, 2017
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today unveiled two pieces of legislation they will introduce when Congress is back in session next week to expand and increase access to employment opportunities for at-risk youth. The Helping to Encourage Real Opportunity (HERO) for At-Risk Youth Act and the Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act will increase federal resources for communities seeking to create or grow employment programs and provide tax incentives to businesses and employers to hire and retain youth from economically distressed areas.
Read more...

Daines Works to Protect Montana Manufacturing Jobs
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
April 18, 2017
U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Acting United States Trade Representative Stephen Vaughn to include the trade dispute related to Chinese solar panels and US polysilicon manufacturers in any “100 day plan” negotiations with China.
Read more...

=====

Iran

Cotton Statement on the Iran Deal Compliance Certification
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
April 19, 2017
“This certification is shaky, and it doesn’t mean that the intentions behind Iran's nuclear program are benign. Because the deal doesn’t guarantee even standard verification measures, we cannot know the full extent of Iran's nuclear activities. And as Iran inches closer to a threshold nuclear breakout, it's also continuing to develop ballistic-missile delivery systems and sponsor terrorism. What all this tells us—and what no certification of the terrible Obama deal can change—is that Iran remains a grave threat to our security."
Read more...

=====

Charities

Cortez Masto Tours Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Delivers Meals with Meals on Wheels
Cathrine Cortez Masto - (D - NV)
April 17, 2017
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada’s facilities in Las Vegas and delivered meals to seniors with Catholic Charities’ Meals on Wheels program. The tour and deliveries highlighted Catholic Charities and Meals on Wheels’ essential contributions to our community and the need to protect their federal funding from the Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts.
Read more...

=====

Foreign Aid

ICYMI: Associated Press: Corker, Coons Say Food Aid Constraints Delay Help Amid Famine
Senator Christopher A .Coons - (D - DE)
April 15, 2017
Following a visit to the world's largest refugee settlement in northern Uganda with the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware told The Associated Press on Saturday that the U.S. "can deliver more food aid at less cost" through foreign food aid reform.
Read more...

CORKER, COONS VISIT WORLD’S LARGEST REFUGEE CAMP TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) - (R - TN)
April 17, 2017
U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday visited the Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Uganda, where more than 270,000 people reside after fleeing war-torn South Sudan. The senators witnessed firsthand one of the countries hardest hit by the current global food crisis in which 20 million people in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen are at risk of starvation. They sought to elevate international attention on the historic and desperate nature of the humanitarian situation while also making a plea for other donor countries to join the U.S. in meeting the unprecedented need. The senators also called out governments and non-state actors who are blocking delivery of aid and reiterated support for long-needed reforms of U.S. international food aid programs.
Read more...

=====

Seniors

New York Times cites effort led by Senator Collins to combat financial abuse of older Americans and her bill, the Senior $afe Act of 2017
Senator Susan M. Collins - (R - ME)
April 17, 2017
U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ efforts to protect older Americans against financial fraud were featured today in a New York Times article titled “Declaring War on Financial Abuse of Older People.” Senator Collins, who is Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, introduced legislation, the Senior $afe Act of 2017 to help protect American seniors from financial exploitation and fraud by providing support to regulators, financial institutions, and legal organizations to educate their employees about how to identify and prevent financial exploitation of older Americans.
Read more...

=====

Food and Drug Administration

Free KY Amish Farmer Samuel Girod
Kentucky Free Press
March 30, 2017
Samuel Girod and his family have been making and selling three all-natural herbal products for nearly 20 years.

No one has ever been harmed by the products, the Girods have pages of testimonials and scores of repeat customers.

Similar products are currently made and sold online worldwide (including on Amazon) by other people using the same or similar basic ingredients. The recipes are online as well, you can make them in your kitchen.

In 2001, an FDA agent informed Sam that his product labels were making medical claims regarding healing certain conditions. Sam had to change his label or do very expensive testing proving the claims.

Sam changed the label, removing any medical claims.

Sam did not receive any further communication from the FDA until 2012 when someone called the FDA and reported that a store in MO was selling Sam’s products and that medical claims were being made.

The “medical claims” were in fact customer testimonials contained in a brochure about Sam’s products!

Then the FDA claimed to have found a customer who had been harmed by Sam’s bloodroot salve. This customer has never been identified or produced, yet a federal judge put an injunction on Sam’s products with three stipulations: none could be sold until all medical claims were removed (referring to the brochures), the bloodroot salve could never be sold again ever (1), and Sam had to allow inspection of his property where the products were made.

Read more...

Banking and Finance

Senators Cantwell, Warren, McCain, and King introduce 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act
Senator Maria Cantwell - (D - WA)
April 6, 2017
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), John McCain (R-AZ), and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act, a modern version of the Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall) that reduces risk for the American taxpayer in the financial system and decreases the likelihood of future financial crises.
Read more...

=====

Criminal Justice System

Paul, Booker, Cummings Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Fix Broken Criminal Justice System
Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)
April 5, 2016
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) today re-introduced the REDEEM Act (Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment Act), a bipartisan, bicameral bill to help fix our broken criminal justice system. While the U.S. is home to less than five percent of the world’s population, it is responsible for almost 25 percent of the world’s prison population. Our crippled system wastes massive sums of taxpayer dollars to make our streets less, not more safe.
Read more...

=====