Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Lots of Newsbytes to Ponder: What has the New Administration been up to and How has the House Responded?

On January 24, the House of Representatives passed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (H.R. 7). The bill will codify into permanent law prohibitions such as the Hyde Amendment barring federal dollars to pay for abortions. Currently, these prohibitions must be passed on an annual basis through the appropriations process.

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U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) released the following statement after President Trump signed executive orders to advance the Keystone pipeline and Dakota Access pipeline:

“For the last eight years, politics have been put before people when it comes to these projects and the jobs they will create,” said Davis. “We have an opportunity to bring back energy and manufacturing jobs that have historically provided a better life for middle class Americans and their families. I look forward to working with the administration to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy.”

“I’m pleased to see our new president so quickly reversing the previous administration’s rejection of Keystone XL, which received broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. America needs jobs, economic and energy security, and this project promises to deliver in these areas. As we move forward, I will monitor progress to ensure it’s implemented in a safe and environmentally-sound way that Americans deserve.” said Jeff Denham (R-CA, 10th)

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Reps. Susan Davis (CA-53) and Jim Renacci (OH-16) j introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing January as National Mentoring Month, celebrating the quality mentoring programs throughout the nation and the mentors to our young people that provide crucial support and guidance as they develop into our next generation of citizens and leaders.

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House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation to help fund an earthquake early warning system that could save lives, reduce injuries, and mitigate infrastructure damage from the devastating effects of a major quake off the Oregon Coast. DeFazio’s bill, the “Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017,” was introduced in advance of the 317th anniversary of the last major Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake which will occur on January 26, 2017.

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The House of Representatives unanimously passed the EPS Improvement Act (H.R. 518). The bill clarifies the statutory definition of “external power supplies” set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and amends the conditions under which the Energy Department could undertake a rulemaking in the future. The EPCA caused the drivers for Light Emitting Diodes and Organic Light Emitting Diodes to be categorized as external power supplies. With subsequent development of LED and OLED technology and its rising popularity for previously unforeseen uses, the standards need to change.

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Senate Democrats announced a comprehensive infrastructure plan funded by direct federal spending. For the last four years, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has been the leading advocate in Congress for using revenues from international tax reform to pay for rebuilding America’s infrastructure.

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President Trump has decided to reinstate the “Mexico City Policy,” also known as the “Global Gag Rule,” which restricts federal funding for organizations that provide basic health care and family planning services around the world.

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Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) and Congressman Mark Walker (Chairman of the Republican Study Committee) reintroduced a resolution that urges the Trump Administration to commence negotiations with the United Kingdom to establish a new bilateral trade agreement, the North Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (NATIP).

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Rep. Ron DeSantis (FL-06) has introduced the No Exemption for Washington from ObamaCare Act. The No Exemption for Washington from ObamaCare Act will require members of Congress and congressional staff to abide by the terms of ObamaCare and discontinues taxpayer subsidies that were engineered by an Obama administration rule but which are not authorized by the law.

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Days after the seven year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) joined Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) in re-introducing the Democracy for All Amendment. This constitutional amendment would help to reverse the concentration of political influence held by large corporations and the wealthiest Americans capable of spending millions of dollars in American elections. To help get big money out of politics and restore democratic power to the American people, this amendment would affirm the right of the people to pass state and federal laws regulating spending in elections.