Thursday, August 24, 2017

Mast Unveils Bill to Create First Federal Action Plan to Combat Harmful Algal Blooms in Greater Everglades Region

Stuart, FL - August 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today announced the introduction of the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act. The bill will amend existing federal law aimed at combatting harmful algal blooms to require the first-ever specific federal assessment and action plan to reduce harmful algal blooms in the Greater Everglades region.

“Considering the massive damage algal blooms have caused in our community, it’s ridiculous that a federal program specifically designed to combat algal blooms has never done an Everglades-specific analysis,” Rep. Mast said. “This bill is a critical first step to developing a comprehensive plan that forces the state and federal government to work together to keep our water clean.”

The bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act to require an assessment and action plan for reducing harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the Greater Everglades region. Under the direction of this existing federal law, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science have developed numerous reports over the last two decades researching harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River and nationally. However, there has never been an Everglades-specific report.

The South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act directs the task force to complete an assessment that examines the causes, consequences and potential approaches to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the Greater Everglades region, including how ongoing South Florida ecosystem restoration efforts are impacting the distribution of algal blooms. Based on the assessment, the task force is then directed to submit a plan to Congress for reducing, mitigating and controlling harmful algal blooms in the Greater Everglades region.

Maloney Introduces First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act to Help Families Invest in First Home

Middletown, NY - August 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Amid a national rental affordability crisis, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced his introduction of the bipartisan First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act. The bill will allow Americans to withdraw up to $25,000 from their IRA for the purchase of their first home without being penalized when they file their taxes. Experts agree that homeownership is one of the best ways for middle class Americans to save for retirement.

“Rental costs are out of control and housing isn’t getting any cheaper,” said Rep. Maloney. “It doesn’t make any sense for the government to penalize people who want to make a smart investment in their first home, and my bill would fix that.”

“I support this bill wholeheartedly because I have three grown children, and they’re about to look for a permanent place to live,” said Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. “I’m hoping this legislation will pass quickly in Washington – I don’t think anybody could oppose it.”

“Being allowed to invest up to $25,000 is just investing in yourself and your future,” said Orange County Legislator Mike Paduch.“I’m very proud to support it.”

“Homeownership is the American Dream,” said Wallkill Town Councilman Eric Johnson. “At the local level, it builds communities that we need, it builds a tax base, it builds a foundation that makes a safe place to grow up and for families to live.”

“I am thrilled to see Rep. Maloney’s continued and consistent efforts to help residents in the Hudson Valley,” said New York State Association of Realtors Vice President for the Lower Hudson Valley Katheryn DeClerck. “I hope the word gets out to people all around the country to support this bill. Homeownership matters to everybody, it contributes to strong communities, people who purchase a home buy furniture and landscaping and invest in their communities.”

“Homeownership is the foundation of our community,” said Executive Director of the Orange County Rural Development Advisory Corporation Faith Moore. “This provision will be an opportunity to add another tool to our assistance.”

"We strongly support Congressman Maloney's First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act,” said Connie Fagan, Director of the Putnam County Housing Corporation. “Putnam County Housing Corporation's Housing Needs Assessment (January 2014) prepared by the Center for Housing Solutions, Pattern for Progress revealed, Eighty-eight percent (88%) of owners and renters in Putnam county, regardless of income level, are living in Unaffordable and Severely Cost Burdened Housing.' This bill would assist more young individuals and families in realizing the dream of owning a home in their community."

High rents and high housing costs are making it increasingly difficult for first-time homebuyers to save money and invest in a home. Experts agree that home ownership is one of the best ways for middle-income families to achieve retirement security. Yet, first-time homebuyers make up only 32% of all buyers, which is the lowest rate since 1987. Additionally, the number of renters dedicating at least half of their income toward housing hit a record high of 11 million people in 2014, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

In 1997, Congress passed legislation allowing first time homebuyers to withdraw up to $10,000 from their IRA without incurring a penalty. Under current law, individuals who withdraw more than $10,000 from their IRA before age 59.5 incur a 10% tax in addition to having the withdrawal subject to income taxes. Rep. Maloney’s First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act would increase the limit to $25,000 and index it to account for inflation.

Rep. Maloney Reaffirms US Commitment to Denuclearized Korean Peninsula during official Congressional Delegation Visit to Seoul

Washington, D.C. - August 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), who is currently on a Congressional Delegation trip led by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), the senior Democrat on the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee’s East Asia Subcommittee, released the following statement after meetings with U.S. military personnel and leaders of South Korea’s government and military.

“During this Congressional trip, we have been briefed by senior U.S. military officials and leaders of South Korea’s government and military. It is clear that our alliance is stronger than ever and our shared commitment to regional security is unwavering. The U.S. and our allies remain united in condemning North Korean actions and rhetoric that threaten its neighbors and in seeking effective diplomatic approaches to ensure stability in the region.

“It is imperative that we denuclearize the Korean peninsula as quickly as possible. In a world with so much disagreement, all of us – Republicans and Democrats and our partners in countries around the world – agree on this objective. Especially today, that is saying a lot.

“We will continue to work closely with countries in this region and the United Nations to hold North Korea accountable for any breaches of international sanctions and use every tool at our disposal to get the regime to de-escalate tensions.”

Along with Senator Markey, Rep. Maloney was joined by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and U.S. Representative Ann Wagner (MO-02) to Korea, Japan and China. The lawmakers are meeting with elected leaders, military and government officials, and energy and technology companies, and many others to discuss the threat from North Korea to the region, security issues, diplomatic partnerships and economic development opportunities amongst the countries. The delegation is also visiting the China-North Korea border and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Letter to the Editor: Charlottesville and Toxic Rhetoric

by Tom MacArthur (R-NJ, 3rd)

As an entrepreneur and business owner, I was proud to build a multinational company with thousands of employees representing every gender, ethnicity, color and creed. Our diversity helped the company to grow, helped families to build better lives, and opened doors of opportunity for some people that may not have been open for their parents and grandparents.

I tell that story because in my life, whether it was in business or now in public service, or through the work of our family charitable foundation across the globe, or at our church, and especially when my wife and I adopted two beautiful children from Korea – the color of one's skin or their ethnicity was never the measure of a person for me. What is far more important, as Dr. King reminded us, is the content of one’s character.

The Courier-Post recently published a letter to the editor that stated: "Now people are dead in Charlottesville. Tom MacArthur's hands are still not clean." So, upon entering politics, while I expected to be called many things, an unrepentant racist who was complicit in the murder of innocent people hundreds of miles away wasn't one of them.

But, unfortunately, that's the state of public discourse in America right now. It is toxic and hate-filled. People across the partisan spectrum are increasingly using inflammatory rhetoric to make their point, or attract attention to their agenda or themselves.

We need to be better than this. President Donald Trump must be better; members of Congress and politicians in both parties must be better; the media, which is too often biased and even dishonest, must be better; and Americans on the fringe of the political left and political right must be better. Each has played a role in getting us to this point, and each has an obligation to move us past it.

What happened in Charlottesville was despicable and tragic. Decent people must utterly reject white supremacists, the KKK, and their hateful and perverse ideology. Many of our parents or grandparents fought in World War II to rid the world of Nazism across Europe; allowing it to rise again on our shores is unacceptable. People of good moral conscience must stand against it.

We must call out prejudice, intolerance and violence wherever it exists, whoever perpetrates it, and whatever part of the political spectrum with which they identify.

We, as a nation, should have an open and honest dialogue about all that is dividing us, but let's recognize that this can't happen if we're screaming at and vilifying each other.

Each of us must look in the mirror and honestly consider whether we are helping to heal our nation or widening the divide. May God help us to be healers. I'm asking all of you reading this to help lower the volume. Only then will we be able to hear one another speak.

U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur

R-3rd Congressional District

This Letter to the Editor first appeared in the Courier-Post here

Connecticut Congressional Delegation Presses Administration on "Dangerous Mixed Messages About Americans' Health Care"

Washington, D.C. - August 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Connecticut Congressional Delegation wrote U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price urging the Administration to permanently fund the cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) that are central to the stability and affordability of the individual marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced August 15 that President Trump’s refusal to fund CSRs would lead to a 20 percent spike in health insurance premiums and would increase the federal deficit by almost $200 billion. President Trump has continued to play politics with Americans’ healthcare, threatening each month to refuse funding for CSRs sowing instability in the ACA marketplaces.

Although President Trump announced last week he would fund CSRs for the month of August, continued uncertainty could contribute to substantial premium increases for American consumers. The Trump Administration has yet to announce if they will continue to make these payments, placing severe burdens on the healthcare market and consumers.

“As Connecticut works to finalize rates for next year and insurers make decisions on whether or not to remain on Connecticut’s exchange, it is essential that the Trump administration stop playing political games with the affordability and stability of our health insurance market. We urge you to immediately and permanently fund cost-sharing reductions at least through the end of 2018 so insurers in Connecticut and around the country have the certainty they need to operate effectively on ACA exchanges,” wrote the Delegation.

5G Internet On the Way

Murray Hill, NJ - August 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) used a tour of historic Nokia Bell Labs in Murray Hill, N.J. to showcase the work of the U.S. House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, where he serves as the Vice Chair. Lance welcomed Commissioner Michael O’Rielly of the Federal Communications Commission to help lead a round table discussion on the next generation of wireless networks and 5G technology. Lance also welcomed several businesses from the Seventh Congressional District that are helping to pave the way for 5G innovation, including Nokia, Verizon, AT&T, Qualcomm and Samsung. CTIA, the wireless industry trade association, also participated.

“The Internet touches nearly all aspects of American life and the U.S. economy. Every user wants faster speed, better reliability and affordable options. That’s why I’m working to help make the 5G economy a reality and to keep companies like Nokia Bell Labs at the center of this innovation. New Jersey is leading the world and we need to keep it that way,” said Lance. “Many American households now have a number of mobile devices. And small businesses are fully integrated into cutting-edge technology. We have to make sure the laws coming out of Washington are keeping up and allowing these technological advancements to continue to transform public health, the economy and education.”

The panel discussed the potential 5G innovation has to revolutionize wireless communications and the American economy and how the private and public sectors should work together to speed deployment. There was broad agreement among the industry and government stakeholders that removing barriers to deployment such as federal siting rules for small cells and a robust spectrum pipeline are essential to deploying 5G. Head of Policy and Government Relations at Nokia, Brian Hendricks, thanked Congressman Lance for his advocacy on the issue, “Congressman Lance's leadership on technology policy has been an important part of creating a positive investment environment to enable deployment of the next generation of broadband. It will be critical for Congress and the FCC to remain aggressive in removing regulatory barriers to deployment and freeing additional spectrum for mobile broadband.”

Bernardsville Mayor Kevin Sooy attended and highlighted how Bernardsville is one of 11 cities nationwide that Verizon is using to test 5G service. New Providence Mayor Al Morgan also attended and coined #5GinNP. “Thank you to the Nokia Corporation of Murray Hill and Congressman Leonard Lance for inviting me to participate. 5G Technology can potentially improve data rates and speeds for consumers, and for commercial applications in the health, energy, and manufacturing industries. We here in our district will be a hub of 5G development, leading the effort to maintain the United States as a leader in wireless innovation. Very cool indeed!”

Lance sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee and is Vice Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee. The committee is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad jurisdiction over the commerce of the United States, including the telecommunications and technology industries, through its oversight of the Federal Communications Commission. One of the top priorities of the Committee this Congress is increasing access to broadband internet and encouraging private innovation.

LABRADOR APPLAUDS TRUMP’S COMMITMENT TO BORDER SECURITY & IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Washington, D.C. - August 24, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- House Representative Raul R. Labrador (R-ID, 1st), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, released the following statement in advance of President Trump’s speech in Arizona:

“I agree with President Trump that border wall funding must be included in the next government funding bill. President Trump would never have become President without his promise to enforce our immigration laws, and I want to do everything I can to help him succeed. Securing the border is a critical step, but not the only step, in ending illegal immigration as we know it. The House has already passed Kate’s Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, with my support. Now it’s time for the Senate to act. We also need a House floor vote on the Davis-Oliver Act, which I introduced in May to bolster interior enforcement. The time for excuses is over, and the time for action is now.”

On May 24, the House Judiciary approved Rep. Labrador’s bill, H.R. 2431, the Davis-Oliver Act. This bill gives states and localities the authority to enforce federal immigration laws, strengthens the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to do their job, and makes it more difficult for terrorists and criminals to enter our country.

On June 29, Rep. Labrador voted for and the House passed Kate’s Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. Kate’s Law increases penalties for deported felons who return to the U.S. The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act combats dangerous sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants from federal immigration enforcement. These bills include provisions from the Davis-Oliver Act.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

OUTRAGEOUS Racist Remarks in Carson's Hometown Newspaper

I never thought I'd see the day when a well established newspaper in Michigan would be so blatantly racist and offensive. In The Michigan Chronicle, the headline reads, "Shame of Detroit Ben Carson competes for House Negro of the Year Award".

As if that wasn't enough, the first paragraph is even more offensive than the headline:

Being appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and being a House Negro are two different things. It now appears HUD Secretary Ben Carson is imminently qualified to be a House Negro, but remains as unqualified as ever to lead HUD.

I wonder if the Trump conservatives are going to just sit and take this, or are they going to go on a letter writing frenzy, subscription cancelling frenzy like they need to. Are they going to contact the justice department and report the hate speech and put them under investigation? Are they going to protest outside the Michigan Chronicle office? Write letters to their Senator, House Representative? Demand an apology on Carson's behalf?

Something needs to be done.

Or, will they be content to let the media rage, the irate minority gain ground because they are louder than we are?

There isn't more of them. They are just louder, and the Main Stream Media helps them.

If you want to read the article for yourself, click HERE!

Donald Trump in Phoenix, Arizona

For those of you who want to know what Donald Trump is really thinking, watch this speech.

Why is there a Shortage of Doctors?

Washington, D.C. - August 23, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representative Ruben J. Kihuen released the statement below following a press conference addressing the shortage of doctors in Nevada. The event highlighted H.R. 2267: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2017, which would expand the current cap on the number of Medicare-supported training slots for doctors, helping to grow a strong physician workforce and address the nation’s looming doctor shortage.

“The Affordable Care Act helped improve Nevada’s healthcare system, but we still rank among the worst states in the nation. Too often, hard working Nevadans are getting left behind when it comes to getting reliable and affordable health coverage. All of Nevada's 17 counties have been designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. New academic programs like those offered by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas medical school will help alleviate this doctor shortage long term. However, our graduates will still have a tough time finding a hospital in Nevada to complete their required training because of a lack of Medicare-supported residency training programs. Passing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act is the first step in addressing our doctor shortage crisis in Nevada by helping expand the number of residency slots for doctors. It is unacceptable for anyone to be forced to wait months to access vital healthcare services. I look forward to working with community stakeholders and my colleagues in Congress to help Nevadans finally get the care they deserve.”

Why is there a shortage of doctors?

Primary Care Physician Shortage Requires Bold Action