Homeland Security Bill Passes House Unanimously

Source: House Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI, 8th)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Will Hurd that empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve intelligence information sharing capabilities among its many component agencies. The DHS Data Framework Act codifies an effort at DHS to develop a data framework to incorporate all DHS component agency data related to homeland security, terrorist information, weapons of mass destruction, and national intelligence, into one system, thereby alleviating the current costly, cumbersome process of searching and vetting information against multiple databases with different log-ins, passwords, and legal restrictions.

After the bill passed, House Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI, 8th) said, “I was proud to spearhead bipartisan legislation that gives our intelligence analysts the skills they need to keep citizens in Northeast Wisconsin and across the country safe.” Gallagher continued, “We live in increasingly dangerous and uncertain times, and this bill is a significant step in making sure our analysts have the robust skillsets necessary to combatting the threat of terrorism and cyber-attacks, securing our borders and infrastructure, and strengthening our defenses.”

Rep. Gallagher is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, where he sits on the Counterterrorism and Intelligence, as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittees. Earlier this year, Rep. Gallagher was named Chairman of the Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States by the Committee’s chairman, Rep. McCaul.

“Sixteen years after the 9/11 attacks by al-Qaeda terrorists on Homeland, most Americans would be dismayed that information-sharing stovepipes still exist,” said House Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX, 23rd), who served as an undercover officer in the CIA for almost a decade. “The DHS Data Framework Act will allow DHS personnel to both share and vet information in a more efficient manner without undermining the security of sensitive information. DHS officials need to be able to quickly and safely share information in today’s fast-paced environment, and this bill provides the framework for that to happen without compromising our nation’s secrets.”

The data framework created in the bill also will be replicated on a classified network to allow for more efficient classified analysis and vetting of law enforcement data against intelligence information.

Click here to read more about the bill.

Google Appears to Be Manipulating Its Search Engine Results to Defend Internet Law that Enables Sex Trafficking, Consumer Watchdog Finds

Source: Consumer Watchdog



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Internet giant Google appears to be manipulating its search engine results to favor opposition to bipartisan efforts seeking to amend a key Internet law so websites like Backpage that facilitate online sex trafficking can be held accountable, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Three of the top four links returned under the news tab for the search term "Section 230" were to articles from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a staunch opponent of amending the Internet law, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Consumer Watchdog found.

Searches for news results for "Section 230" on competing search engines Bing and DuckDuckGo gave links to articles presenting all sides of the issue. View screenshots of the results from the three search engines by clicking HERE.

"Google is supposed to be an unbiased gatekeeper to information," said John M. Simpson Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Project Director. "Instead they appear to be stacking the deck to favor their own purposes. You can forget their motto; this is evil."

Google is leading Tech industry efforts to block any amendment to Section 230, which protects websites from liability for material posted by third parties on their sites. The companies and other defenders of Section 230 claim it promotes and protects free expression on the Internet, but a U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations staff report shows that sites like Backpage aid and abet under-age sex traffickers using the blanket protection of the Act. By one count 73% of child trafficking reports in the United States involve Backpage.com.

The bipartisan Senate bill, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017 (SESTA) was introduced by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). Its 27 cosponsors include Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO). The House bill, Rep. Ann Wagner's H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, has 111 co-sponsors. Both would amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

"We already know that Google manipulates its search results to favor its own services," said Simpson, noting the Internet giant faces a $2.7 billion fine from European antitrust authorities for that monopolistic practice. "I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that they use their clout to surreptitiously influence a public policy debate."

Unified Tech opposition to narrowly amending Section 230 is changing, Consumer Watchdog noted. Last week Tech giant Oracle and CoStar Group, which operates Apartments.com, both endorsed S. 1639 and H.R. 1865.

In letters supporting the measures Kenneth Glueck, Oracle Senior Vice President wrote:

"As your and other investigations have demonstrated, sex trafficking has exploded in large part due to nefarious Internet actors that knowingly facilitate and profit from it. We agree that congressional action is necessary to put an end to this tragic exploitation of human beings and hold its online accomplices to account."

In his letter Andy Florence, CoStar CEO, wrote:

"As a Technology company, we believe in, and have benefited from, the growth of the Internet. We understand that an unregulated Internet provides fertile ground for the development of important new and innovative business models, and we will continue to strongly defend that openness. But when we see those driven by greed take advantage of that freedom by facilitating sex trafficking, we cannot be silent.

"The absolute immunity under section 230 of the CDA can no longer be justified at the expense of the exploitation of children."

Backpage's abuses and the fight by its victims to hold it accountable are the subject of the documentary film, I am Jane Doe, which is now available on Netflix or can be downloaded from Google Play, iTunes or Amazon.

Religious Liberty is the Cornerstone of All Other Human Freedoms

Source: House Representative Trent Franks (R-AR, 8th)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In response to a report by the National Review that Senate Democrats were counting judicial nominees’ orthodox Christian faith against them during confirmation hearings, Congressman Trent Franks released the following statement:

“Article VI of our Constitution makes it crystal clear that ‘no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.’

“It is breathtaking that Senate Democrats are counting individuals’ orthodox Christian faiths as a demerit when evaluating them for official posts. By interrogating Amy Coney Bennett about her Catholic faith, they are arrogantly abrogating their oath of office to the United States Constitution.”

“Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights.’ Jefferson knew that religious liberty is the cornerstone of all other human freedoms, thus religious liberty became the first freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

“America’s religious diversity and religious freedom have motivated charitable groups from all denominations to selflessly served their fellow human beings -- establishing hospitals, operating homeless shelters, providing counseling services and running agencies for adoption and foster care. More than that, religious institutions provide essential meaning and happiness to their members along with the attending stability that blesses our entire society.

“If America loses her unequivocal commitment to religious freedom, we will face a dark future.”

Introduction of Farm to School Act

Source: House Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE, 1st)
Source: House Representative Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH, 11th)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), together with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), introduced the Farm to School Act of 2017 to enhance the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School Grant program. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate.

“Linking America’s farms to schools to provide local nutritious options for children is an exciting policy goal,” said Fortenberry. “The Farm to School program adds fresh, healthy meal choices for students and teachers, brings ag education to the classroom for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and prioritizes food to tribal schools from tribal agricultural producers. Building upon previous efforts to connect local farmers and students, it expands market opportunities for our beginning farmers and veteran agricultural producers.”

The bill covers a range of dynamic new options for schools and expands participation of the program to include preschools, after-school programs, and summer food service sites.

Cohen’s Statement on Recent Natural Disasters in the United States

Source: House Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) released the following statement on the recent natural disasters in the United States, including Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Harvey and wildfires in the West:

“My thoughts go out to the people affected by Hurricane Irma in Florida and across the Southeast, as they did for the people affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana and the people affected by massive wildfires in the West. These victims have experienced suffering, loss of property and, in some cases, loss of life. In addition to the irreplaceable human lives lost, each of these natural disasters have and will cost American taxpayers billions of dollars in cleanup, search-and-rescue and reconstruction costs. They have had an extraordinary economic and environmental impact, which I believe has been exacerbated by climate change and will only get worse in time. We should come together as a country to aid victims of natural disasters, just as the country came to the aid of Memphians during past flooding and tornado events.

We need stronger infrastructure and better laws to protect against flooding and prohibit building housing in flood plains. Now is not the time to cut funding for climate change research. Now is not the time to consider cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans. We should be reforming our tax structure to ensure middle- and lower-income Americans have more disposable income to stimulate the economy and the federal government has sufficient funds to respond to natural disasters and international crises without taking funding from health care and other essential life preserving programs.”

U.N. Security Council Adopts of New Sanctions against North Korea

Source: United Nations Security Council
Source: House Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX, 20th)

Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The UN Security Council has adopted new sanctions against North Korea. The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General welcomes the adoption of a new Security Council resolution in response to the sixth nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Maintaining unity in the Security Council is crucial in tackling security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

This firm action by the Security Council sends a clear message that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must comply fully with its international obligations. The Secretary-General urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abide by the decisions of the Council and allow space for the resumption of dialogue, and calls upon all Member States to ensure the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary-General has taken note of the Security Council’s desire for a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation, as well as its urging of further work to reduce tensions. He reaffirms his commitment to working with all parties to this end and to strengthening communication channels.

Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement after the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2375 to strengthen sanctions against North Korea:

“The adoption of these strengthened sanctions shows that there are still diplomatic avenues to pursue as the United States works with the global community to address North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons. We must capitalize on this moment of unanimous agreement and leverage these more comprehensive sanctions to pressure North Korea into ceasing its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs. This progress would allow us to forge a path towards negotiations with the Kim regime.”

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Bill Introduced to Expand Orthotic and Prosthetic Care for Veterans: The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act

Source: Matthew Cartwright (D-PA, 17th)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve orthotics and prosthetics care for service members and veterans. The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act would support colleges and universities seeking to establish degree programs to train specialists in orthotics and prosthetics.

“There is an urgent need for orthotics and prosthetics practitioners to care for our service members who have undergone amputations as a result of combat-related injuries,” said Rep. Cartwright. “We are challenged to support the grueling recovery for far too many veterans, and we have a moral obligation to provide our heroes with the best health care available. This bill makes strides toward this goal by expanding orthotic and prosthetic training opportunities to ensure veterans have access to quality care.”

In the past decade, the skill set to provide this state-of-the-art care has become increasingly complex. Unfortunately, there are only around 7,100 prosthetists and orthotists nationwide, with one in five either past retirement already or eligible to retire in the next five years. Current degree programs are not widespread enough to meet this demand for new practitioners and should these degree-granting programs continue at their current rate, they will only be able to replace around two-thirds of the clinicians who retire in the next 20 years.

The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act authorizes a competitive grant program to help colleges and universities develop master’s degree programs focusing on orthotics and prosthetics. Each institution receiving one of these grants will require students to rotate through facilities run by the Departments of Veterans Affairs or Defense, or that hold VA contracts. This bill also requires the VA to establish a Center of Excellence in Prosthetic and Orthotic Education to provide evidence-based research on the knowledge, skills, and training that clinical professionals need to care for veterans.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Bill Introduced to Protect Jobs for Americans and Legal Workers

Source: Ken Calvert (R-CA, 42nd)



Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42), Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21), and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-6) introduced the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 3711) to preserve jobs for citizens and legal workers by requiring U.S. employers to check the work eligibility of all future hires through the E-Verify system.

“Mandatory E-Verify is long overdue,” said Rep. Calvert. “The program is ready to go mandatory and the Legal Workforce Act will deliver on the promise to ensure that American jobs go to American workers and those authorized to work in the U.S. Chairman Smith and Chairman Goodlatte continue to demonstrate tremendous leadership in advancing the use of E-Verify and protecting American workers.”

In 1996, Rep. Calvert authored the legislative language that created the E-Verify program, the only tool available for employers to voluntarily check the legal work status of newly hired employees. Since then, Rep. Calvert has worked steadily over the years to expand E-Verify and pushed to make it mandatory.

E-Verify is operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), E-Verify checks the social security numbers of newly hired employees against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security records to help ensure that they are genuinely eligible to work in the U.S. The program quickly confirms 99.8% of work-eligible employees and takes less than two minutes to use. Nearly 740,000 American employers currently use E-Verify. A summary of key components of the Legal Workforce Act can be found here here.

With Back-to-School Season Underway, Brownley Introduces BEST Act to Encourage Bilingual Proficiency Among High School Graduates and Improve U.S. Workforce Competitiveness

Source: House Representative Julia Brownly (D-CA, 26th)



Washington, D.C. - September 11, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) reintroduced the Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act. The bill establishes a federal grant program to help states establish a Biliteracy Seal program that encourages and recognizes high school students who achieve proficiency in English and a second language, and that better enables these young people to compete in the global workforce.

“With back-to-school season underway, it is an important time to be focused on setting up America’s young people to succeed,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “We all know how much being proficient in a second language can give you a leg up in today’s globalized, competitive economy. Students in other countries are receiving strong multilingual educations, and America must do more to ensure our young people can compete. Helping states nationwide adopt a Biliteracy Seal program will better prepare our children to succeed in the global workforce and sends a clear signal that our nation is seriously committed to this endeavor.”

California’s State Seal of Biliteracy program was first established in 2011 when legislation sponsored by then-Assemblywoman Brownley was signed into law. Since then, over 146,000 students from California have graduated with this seal. In the 2015-2016 school year, 843 schools across 291 school districts in California participated in the program. The program has also been replicated in 26 states and the District of Columbia, which have each approved and established their own statewide Biliteracy Seal programs.

The BEST Act is cosponsored by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Rick Nolan (D-MN). It is also supported by the California Association for Bilingual Education, California School Board Association, Californians Together, Early Edge, the National Council for Languages and International Studies, and Unidos Us.

“California has recognized the talents and gifts of over 146,000 graduating seniors who speak English and over 30 other languages by granting them the State Seal of Biliteracy,” said Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, Executive Director of Californians Together. “These students are a valuable resource to our state and nation. The BEST Act will encourage states across this nation to join California and 26 other states in valuing multilingual students who will be our future teachers, doctors, lawyers, and business and community leaders.”

“The success and growth of the Seal of Biliteracy in 27 states and the District of Columbia demonstrates that over half of our nation recognizes how important and enriching it is to be proficient in English and another language,” said Jan Gustafson-Corea, CEO of the California Association for Bilingual Education. “Communicating and performing academically in more than one language opens doorways of opportunity for our students, and offers our nation broader opportunities for global success, national security, and economic growth. Let’s provide this opportunity for all students in all 50 states!”

Democrats Introduce Bold Legislation to Broadly Expand Access to Higher Education

Source: House Representative Anthony Brown (D-MD, 4th)



Washington, D.C. - September 11, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Representative Susan Davis (CA-53), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, and Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Anthony Brown (MD-04), introduced the America’s College Promise Act of 2017, which would make two years of community college free and provide an affordable pathway to a four-year college degree for low-income students.

“Students and families are faced with the overwhelming burden of figuring out how to pay for college,” said Rep. Scott. “This bill will help more families gain access to quality, affordable higher education opportunities. For low-income students, this bill creates a clear pathway to a four-year degree. At a time when families feel that it is almost impossible to get a college degree at an affordable price, America’s College Promise (ACP) is a bold investment in our students to ensure they gain the skills they need to compete in a 21st century economy.”

The bill provides a federal match of $3 for every $1 invested by the state to waive community college tuition and fees for eligible students before other financial aid is applied. America’s College Promise would also help to cover a significant portion of tuition and fees— for either the first two years or last two years of college—for low-income students who choose to attend qualifying HBCUs, HSIs, AANAPISIs and other MSIs.

This legislation is a cornerstone proposal included in House Democrats’ Aim Higher initiative, a package of legislative initiatives focused on providing all students with access to a meaningful degree that costs less money and leads to a good paying job.

“Community college can be a springboard to a 4-year degree or an opportunity to develop critical workforce skills,” said Rep. Davis. “We must be expanding education opportunities at every level to allow students to find the education paths that work best for them. The America’s College Promise Act will open up even more opportunities for Americans to thrive in higher education and the workplace.”

“I’m a product of community college – it’s what took me from construction work to Congress. I know firsthand that we need to invest in our community colleges as affordable alternatives. We must encourage students to embark on a pathway that leads to a good-paying job,” said Rep. Norcross, an electrician by trade who attended Camden County College and an IBEW apprenticeship program. “Plus, as a father and grandfather, I know about the sticker shock of trying to put children through college. The cost of higher education is one of the greatest financial challenges facing American families today. It’s dragging down our economy and, more importantly, our children. The America’s College Promise Act gives our children a fair shot in the classroom and our families a fair break from that sticker shock.”

ACP was originally introduced in the 114th Congress with the goal of making community college as universal as high school. This Congress, eligibility has been expanded to allow both new and returning students to participate in America’s College Promise, in response to similar expansions in state-led Promise programs. Additionally eligibility for participation in the Pathways to HBCUs and MSIs portion of the bill has also been expanded to allow institutions to serve low-income students who may have qualified for a federal Pell Grant but were ineligible due to their immigration status.

"Far too many students are taking on the economic burden of attending college without the skills necessary to complete their degree,” said Rep. Moulton. “This bill will help provide our children the opportunity to be successful in the modern economy by eliminating barriers that stand in the way of a good education.”

“Every American should be able to earn the education and skills to compete and get ahead in the 21st century economy,” said Rep. Brown. “Community colleges are pathways to the middle class for millions of young people graduating high school, workers looking to get new skills and veterans transitioning back to civilian life. This game-changing bill will make community college free for responsible students, and create new affordable educational opportunities at diverse four-year colleges for low-income students – because in America, a quality education should be a right for everybody willing to work for it.”

ACP is supported by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).