Thursday, January 30, 2020

Impeachment, War Powers, Medicaid, Infrastructure, USMCA, Fentanyl

Today's News for January 30, 2020



RESPONSE TO DUCKWORTH’S QUESTION IN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: “WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE” TRUMP ENGAGED IN LEGITIMATE PROCESS FOR WITHHOLDING FOREIGN AID
Source: Senator Tammy Duckworth (D - IL)
January 30, 2020
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D - IL) asked House impeachment managers whether there is any documentary evidence of President Trump gathering information to justify withholding aid to Ukraine. Specifically, Duckworth asked if there was evidence of Trump being briefed by the NSC, DOD or State Department on Ukraine corruption and European cost-sharing or that he requested information on anti-corruption reform measures in Ukraine.
Read more...

Why Did President Trump Continue Holding Ukraine Military Aid Amid Warnings About Legality?
Source: Senator Richard J. Durbin (D - IL)
January 30, 2020
Mr. Patrick Philbin responded to Durbin’s question on behalf of the President’s counsel. He admitted that because of the President’s hold on the funds, $35 million of the military aid was not spent before the end of the fiscal year. Those funds would have expired had Congress not intervened to extend the availability of the fiscal year 2019 funds. Nearly half of the unspent funds were intended for lethal material to assist Ukrainian security forces battling Russian-back separatists.
Read more...

House Action Threatens National Security
Source: The Ponder News
January 30, 2020
“This weekend, the United States Embassy in Iraq was attacked by mortar fire from Iranian backed militias, and today House Democrats voted to remove President Trump’s ability to respond to such attacks. House Democrats are being complete hypocrites. While professing their concerns over national security, they want to strip our President’s and military’s ability to protect our nation and embassies against terrorists who are intent on killing Americans at every opportunity. There’s a reason the Constitution grants this authority to the President and not Congress. With today’s action, Democrats have proven the wisdom of that decision. Today’s vote marks a new low for House Democrats regarding the safety of our service members and diplomats overseas. All Americans are less safe.”
Read more...

'No blank check for war': House votes to curb Trump's ability to strike Iran, other targets
Source: U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI, 12th)
January 30, 2020
In the first House vote, lawmakers approved a bill that would block Trump from using any federal funds for "unauthorized military force against Iran." The final tally was 228-to-175. The House then passed a bill repealing the 2002 Iraq war authorization sought by then-President George W. Bush.
Read more...

ENGEL STATEMENT ON ILLEGAL TRUMP ADMIN. PLAN TO BLOCK GRANT MEDICAID
Source: U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY, 16th)
January 30, 2020
“In yet another attack on Americans’ health care, the Trump Administration has unveiled illegal rules to block grant Medicaid, which will take coverage away from millions of New Yorkers. These rules are part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing agenda to gut the safety-net programs that are critical to helping Americans access health care. Republicans have tried this horrendous policy before as part of their failed efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As we did before, we must stop it again.
Read more...

Reinvesting in Infrastructure Upgrades Good for Workers, Climate, Manufacturing
Source: U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI, 12th)
January 29, 2020
The Moving Forward Infrastructure framework is estimated to create 10 million jobs by investing $760 billion over five years for infrastructure updates and rebuilding. The proposal includes strong “Buy American” protections to support US manufacturing and workers. The framework has a strong focus on reducing carbon pollution, strengthening energy efficiency, advancing renewable energy systems, and addressing the PFAS contamination crisis.
Read more...

Duncan Statement on Historic USMCA Signing
Source: U.S. Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC, 3rd)
January 29, 2020
“President Trump has worked tirelessly since day one in office to put America first, and that’s exactly what USMCA does. It’s a major victory for American workers, job-creation, and our economy as a whole. The USMCA is a historic move to modernize our trade relationships and bring them into the 21st century – something no other President has accomplished. Bravo, President Trump – promise made, promise kept!”
Read more...

U.S. House Expected to Vote This Week on Fentanyl Bill Advocates Say Will Expand Use of Mandatory Minimums
Source: Drug Policy Alliance
January 27, 2020
Nearly 70 organizations representing civil rights, criminal justice, faith and drug policy communities sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlining concerns with a fentanyl-related bill that is expected to receive a vote on the House floor this week. The bill temporarily extends the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “class-wide” emergency scheduling of fentanyl-related substances. The Senate passed a similar bill on January 16th.
Read more...


House Action Threatens National Security

Washington, D.C. - January 30, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Ihe House of Representatives passed legislation prohibiting funds from being used in response to Iranian aggression and removed our troops’ legal authority to engage our enemies in Iraq. U.S. Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL, 2nd) was strongly opposed and released the following statement in response:

“This weekend, the United States Embassy in Iraq was attacked by mortar fire from Iranian backed militias, and today House Democrats voted to remove President Trump’s ability to respond to such attacks. House Democrats are being complete hypocrites. While professing their concerns over national security, they want to strip our President’s and military’s ability to protect our nation and embassies against terrorists who are intent on killing Americans at every opportunity. There’s a reason the Constitution grants this authority to the President and not Congress. With today’s action, Democrats have proven the wisdom of that decision. Today’s vote marks a new low for House Democrats regarding the safety of our service members and diplomats overseas. All Americans are less safe.”