Criminal Records and Rehabilitation

Today's News about Criminal Records and Convict Rehabilitation Issues

Norton Introduces Bills to Remove Halfway House Subsistence Fees and Co-pays for Federal Inmates During Second Chance Month
Source: Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
April 29, 2019
In recognition of Second Chance Month, which is in April, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has announced she has introduced two bills regarding Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmates and returning citizens. First, she introduced the Fairness in Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Care Act of 2019, which would remove the copay BOP inmates are required to pay to visit a BOP-provided doctor. Currently, BOP inmates are required to “pay a fee for health services of $2.00 per healthcare visit.” While $2.00 may seem insignificant, when inmates earn only twelve to forty cents per hour on their work assignments, $2.00 is substantial.

Read more...

Blunt Rochester, Reschenthaler Introduce Bipartisan Federal Second Chance Legislation
Source: Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware at Large)
April 24, 2019
Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14) introduced H.R. 2348, the Clean Slate Act. The bipartisan bill would automatically seal an individual’s federal criminal record if they have been convicted of simple possession or any federal nonviolent offense involving marijuana, and it would create a groundbreaking new procedure that allows individuals to petition the United States Courts to seal records for nonviolent offenses that are not automatically sealed.

Read more...

Broadband Infrastructure

Today's News about the Broadband Infrastructure

USDA Opens Application Portal for New ReConnect Rural Broadband Infrastructure Program
Source: Jack Bergman (R-MI, 1st)
April 23, 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting online applications for funding through the new ReConnect Rural Broadband Pilot Program. These funds will enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload.

Read more...

Housing

Today's News about Housing Issues

Congresswoman Beatty Celebrates Fair Housing Month
Source: The Stuff Gazette
April 24, 2019
“Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, Americans have the right to live where they choose, regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, and family status. But the dream of equal housing opportunity is far from fulfilled; still today, it is legal to refuse housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and institutional racism continues to make it very difficult for people of color to access affordable, quality housing. I will not rest until every hardworking family in Central Ohio and beyond can access housing that best meets their needs.”

Read more...

Israel

Today's News about Issues Relating to Israel

Reps. Allen and Lieu Introduce Bipartisan Resolution in Support of U.S.-Israel Economic Relationship
Source: Rick Allen (R-GA, 12th)
April 22, 2019
“I am proud to join Congressman Lieu today as we work in a bipartisan manner to introduce H. Res 324, which recognizes the significance of our nation’s strong and meaningful economic relationship with the state of Israel. Israel has been one of our most beloved allies and we must continue to stand in solidarity with this beacon of democracy. I look forward to advancing our mutually beneficial friendship and partnership with Israel for years to come.”

Read more...

Forest Management

Today's News from the Lawmakers

O'HALLERAN JOINS DELEGATION TO URGE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO ADDRESS ARIZONA FOREST HEALTH
Source: Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ, 1st)
April 26, 2019
“In recent years, fires have ravaged Arizona communities and destroyed our precious natural resources, which is why I have worked tirelessly to expedite the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) through the Farm Bill, the appropriations process, and in conversations with the United States Department of Agriculture,” Congressman Tom O’Halleran said. “4FRI is important for the responsible management of our forests and the protection of our state from the effects of fires. I am glad to see members of the delegation joining together to support my efforts to protect Arizona’s forests and water.”

Read more...

Wyden, Merkley Press USDA to Ensure Timely Implementation of Conservation and Forest Management Programs
Source: Senator Ron Wyden- (D - OR)
April 24, 2019
“While the desire to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely is commendable, we worry that this additional and extraordinary review of routine agreements will have serious effects on field operations,” the senators wrote. “With busy and potentially dangerous summer months quickly approaching, it is imperative the USDA and their partners begin seasonal programming, including necessary wildfire prevention efforts.”

Read more...

Jobs and Employment

Today's News about Jobs and Employment Issues

VAN HOLLEN, LEE CALL ON OPM TO RESCIND POTENTIAL NEW HIRING RULES
Source: Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
April 24, 2019
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) have written to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Margaret Weichert urging her to revoke the current Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 84 FR 5733, which would expand the seven-year criminal background check lookback to include participation in any pretrial diversion or intervention programs.

Read more...

Small Business

Today's News about Small Business

Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Small Businesses Restructure Debt
Source: Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
April 22, 2019
“The current one-size-fits-all method that dictates the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process unfairly disadvantages small businesses. This bipartisan legislation is a common sense approach to streamlining existing bankruptcy procedures while also providing new tools for small businesses looking for a successful path through restructuring,” said Senator Tillis.

Read more...

Medicare

Today's News about Medicare

Shelby Praises CMS Proposal to Adjust Medicare Wage Index
Source: Senator, Richard C.Shelby (R-AL)
April 24, 2019
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement regarding the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule that provides relief from the increasing disproportion of reimbursement to hospitals created by the Medicare wage index. While CMS uses wage index data based on regional labor costs to determine Medicare reimbursement levels for hospitals in a particular area, many hospitals – particularly in Alabama – have been negatively affected as a result of flawed data.

Read more...

Abortion

Today's News about Abortion

REP. MARSHALL RESPONDS TO KANSAS ANTI-LIFE SUPREME COURT RULING
Source: Roger Marshall (R-KS, 1st)
April 26, 2019
Congressman Marshall released the following statement on the Kansas Supreme Court 6-1 decision that ruled the state constitution guarantees the right to an abortion.

Read more...

Congressman Lamborn's Statement on Title X
Source: Doug Lamborn (R-CO, 5th)
April 25, 2019
On March 4th 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services revised its regulations of the Title X program requiring a clear physical and financial separation between Title X recipients and programs in which abortion counseling occours. Recently, Congressman Lamborn joined 152 of his colleagues standing with HHS and upholding America's longstanding tradition of not using taxpayer money to fund or otherwise subsidize abortion.

Read more...

Shaheen Statement on Federal Court Ruling to Block Trump’s Domestic Gag Rule
Source: Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
April 24, 2019
“This is welcome news and I’m relieved for the thousands of Granite Staters who rely on Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics for their health care,” said Shaheen. “The court’s action was urgently needed as the domestic gag rule is rooted in a dangerous partisan effort to interfere in women’s access to reproductive health care services. This is another assault by the Trump administration on women’s Constitutional rights. While I’m encouraged by this temporary injunction, we’re not out of the woods yet. I’ll continue to stand up to the President’s incessant attacks on women’s health and I urge Republicans to join Democrats in this effort to protect health care access for Granite Staters and Americans across the country.”

Read more...

Yemen

Today's News about Yemen

Sanders Calls for Veto Override Vote on Yemen Resolution
Source: Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
April 22, 2019
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders called on his colleagues Monday to support a vote overriding President Donald Trump's veto of a resolution directing the removal of United States armed forces from the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.

Read more...