Mail Bombs, Opiods, Healthcare and More News...

There are too many headlines for me to individually post, but here are the latest:

Suspicious Explosive Devices

Faso Statement on Discovery of Explosive Devices

Congressman Al Green's Statement on Bomb Threats

Griffith Statement on Political Violence

CONGRESSWOMAN HANABUSA’S STATEMENT ON MAIL BOMBS

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Condemns Attempts to send Potential Explosive Devices to the Homes of Former Presidents Clinton and Obama, and to CNN

Rep. Jeffries Statement on Acts of Domestic Terror Targeted At Perceived Adversaries of the Current Administration

Statement from Congressman John Katko on Threats Made Today

Congressman Krishnamoorthi On Mail Bombs To CNN And Public Figures: “Our Opposition To Political Violence Is A Fundamental Tenet Of Our Democracy”

Isn't it funny how this happened JUST before the election?

Opioids

Kelly-Backed Opioid Package Signed into Law

Fitzpatrick Opioid Legislation Signed into Law

GUTHRIE OPIOID BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

Hill: ‘Today Marks Successful Progress in Our Fight Against Opioid Epidemic’

TRUMP SIGNS HUDSON'S BIPARTISAN OPIOID BILLS

KENNEDY STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S OPIOID CRISIS CELEBRATION

Kuster Statement on Signing of Comprehensive Opioid Legislation

Isn't it funny how everyone wants to take credit?

Healthcare

Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Signed into Law

Harris Commends President Trump for Signing the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act Into Law

Other News

Congressman Frelinghuysen statement on viral outbreak in Haskell, NJ

Congressman Matt Gaetz Issues Statement in Response to Deputy AG Rosenstein Suggesting to Secretly Record President Trump, Invoke 25th Amendment

USACE RECEIVES SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT LASALLE PARK SHORELINE PROTECTION PROJECT

Hollingsworth Highlights National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

National Capital Region Democrats To Zinke: Extend Comment Period For Rule Limiting Free Speech On The National Mal

Congresswoman Johnson Receives Top Voter Score From The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

STATEMENT: REP. KHANNA APPLAUDS TIM COOK’S PROPOSAL FOR U.S. PRIVACY LAWS

Rep. Ron Kind Announces Nearly $79,000 Grant to Stevens Point Fire Department

Russian Indicted for Election Interference

Related News: Read the criminal complaint against Russian charged with election interference

Washington, D.C. - October 23, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY, 16th), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Friday, made the following statement regarding the indictment of a Russian woman, Elena A. Khusyaynova, for attempting to interfere in the upcoming election:

“Today’s (Friday's) announcement is an important reminder that Russia is continuing its efforts to undermine the sanctity of our democracy and must face consequences for these actions.

“We must also shore up the security of our electoral system. The only people who should get a say in our elections are Americans. At the start of the next Congress, I intend to reintroduce the SECURE Our Democracy Act which would punish any foreign interference in our elections.”

The Ponder wants to know: Does this "security" include photo IDs of voters? Not saying you are wrong for wanting better election security, and I agree that only U.S. Citizens should be involved in the U.S. election process, but it is hypocritical to address one problem without also addressing the other.

REP. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT VOWS TO FIGHT EFFORT TO END SUPPORT TO HONDURAS

New York, NY - October 18, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Adrianno Espaillat (D-NY, 13th) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s tweet, this morning, threatening to end USAID support for Honduras.

“President Trump is the epitome of ‘man's inhumanity to man’ as he threatens, yet again, another policy that would devastate individuals fleeing poverty and violence in Honduras, their home country, in search of a better life here in the United States,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).

“First, the President separated children from their families, in some cases only months old, orphaned, and now this. The Trump Administration has continuously put forth policies aimed against immigrant communities and against vulnerable women, men, and children seeking asylum in the United States. Our nation is the land of hope, freedom and opportunity.

“I vow to continue to fight the hate-based rhetoric and anti-immigrant policies from this administration and will champion our efforts to protect the rights of people seeking protection from persecution and asylum here in the United States,” he concluded.

President Signs Peters, Risch, Evans Bill Helping Small Businesses Access Patent Protection

Washington, D.C. - October 18, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- President Donald J. Trump has signed into law legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Risch (R-ID), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee and Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02) aimed at helping small businesses safeguard their intellectual property with expanded education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will build upon existing outreach programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to better inform small businesses on domestic and international intellectual property protections.

“Michigan’s small businesses are creating some of the most innovative goods and services in the world, but many have difficulty navigating the domestic and international patent system with limited resources and expertise,” said Senator Peters. “Under this new law, entrepreneurs who can’t afford a team of patent lawyers will have more assistance in protecting their intellectual property so they can continue to grow their businesses here at home.”

“Idaho has become a hot-spot for tech start-ups, filled with new ideas to grow their small businesses,” said Chairman Risch. “Now these innovative entrepreneurs will have easier access to information on protecting their intellectual property as they navigate the market and manage their businesses, earning back the money they spent on their inventions and creating more jobs. This was truly a bipartisan, bicameral effort and I’m glad the President has made it law.”

Congressman Dwight Evans, D-PA, who introduced the legislation in the House as H.R. 2655, thanked Sens. Peters and Risch for their collaboration and said, “We know that small businesses are critical to job creation and the overall economic strength of our country, both in the middle neighborhoods in cities like Philadelphia, and in the new and growing tech-based economy. Creating and supporting their growth is essential to helping entrepreneurs prosper.”

“Small businesses drive American innovation and job creation, and intellectual property is often the ‘secret sauce’ that give them an edge when they’re fledgling companies,” said Frank Cullen, Vice President of U.S. Policy, U.S. Chamber Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC). “This legislation will help small business owners better understand the important role IP plays in their company’s success, and in turn, help them better leverage and protect those key assets. We commend Sen. Gary Peters and Sen. Risch, as well as all those who supported this measure, for helping make our nation’s small businesses more competitive by increasing IP educational programs and resources at the Small Business Administration and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.”

U.S. intellectual property is estimated to be worth over $5 trillion, and sixty percent of all U.S. exports are driven through intellectual property-intensive industries. Patent protection helps innovators recoup the cost of research and development, profit off their inventions, hire new employees, and bolster their local economy.

Small businesses that do not register in foreign markets, such as China, receive no intellectual property protections. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will help educate small businesses on the need and resources available to best secure an international patent.

The Small Business Innovation Protection Act directs the SBA and USPTO to maximize current intellectual property education and training programs in order to reach more small businesses. Specifically, the bill would:

Require the SBA and USPTO to develop partnerships in order to develop high quality training relating to domestic and international intellectual property protection by leveraging existing training materials developed for small business and inventor education, which may be conducted in person or online; and

Require the SBA and USPTO to enter partnerships in order to increase the effectiveness of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) by providing training that addresses small business concerns related to domestic and international intellectual property protections which may be conducted in person or online.

ENGEL & ROS-LEHTINEN TO ECUADORIAN PRESIDENT: HAND OVER JULIAN ASSANGE TO PROPER AUTHORITIES

Washington, D.C. - October 18, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Representatives Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chair Emeritus of the Committee, called on Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno to ensure that Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange is removed from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and handed over to the proper authorities. The bipartisan letter to President Moreno follows the recent news that Mr. Assange’s Internet access at the embassy has been restored.

“Many of us in the United States Congress are eager to move forward in collaborating with your government on a wide array of issues, from economic cooperation to counternarcotics assistance to the possible return of a United States Agency for International Development mission to Ecuador. However, in order to advance on these crucial matters, we must first resolve a significant challenge created by your predecessor, Rafael Correa – the status of Julian Assange,” the members wrote in their letter.

Read the letter by clicking HERE

Diaz-Balart Cosponsors Legislation Supporting Specialty Crop Growers

Washington, D.C. - October 18, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL, 25th) joined Congressmen Carlos Curbelo (R-FL, 26th) and Al Lawson, Jr.(D-FL, 5th) as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Trade Agriculture Improvement Act. The bill would make it easier for our Florida agriculture industry to combat unfair trade practices internationally. Florida Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio have introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

“This bipartisan bill will help Florida's farmers, ranchers, and growers remain competitive. Agriculture is one of Florida's leading industries, employing thousands of people and contributing $12.2 billion to our state economy. I am grateful to be working with Reps. Curbelo and Lawson on this legislation that protects our specialty crop growers, and the jobs and economic impact they create in Florida. Our state is home to some of the best produce and livestock, and I am proud to represent and advocate on behalf of these thriving farms, groves, and ranches,” said Diaz-Balart.

“Congress and the Administration are well aware that our growers have suffered more than most under the original NAFTA. Years of harm from unfair trading practices such as dumping and subsidies have caused family farms that have operated for generations to close their doors. Without relief, Florida’s specialty crop industry will continue to suffer and shrink. We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Diaz-Balart in joining Reps. Curbelo and Lawson in their strong support of Florida specialty crop growers,” said Mike Stuart, President of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

DeLauro Statement on Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Chicken

Washington, D.C. - October 18, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd) released the following statement after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a strain of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella has been found in contaminated raw chicken products, causing 92 people illnesses across 29 states, including Connecticut.

“Five years ago to the day, I wrote a letter with my former colleague, the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, to CDC and USDA regarding their mismanaged investigation and lack of action in response to an antibiotic-resistant strain of Salmonella that contaminated chicken products across the country. 634 were infected across 29 states. Now, five years later, CDC has informed the public of another outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in chicken that has been going on since January. It has already affected 92 people, 21 of which have been hospitalized. That is completely unacceptable.”

“The federal government and the poultry industry need to take this problem seriously. Déjà vu is not an acceptable policy for dealing with food safety. We need to be proactive. People’s lives are on the line. That is why Congress needs to act on the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which would ban the use of medically important antibiotics in food animal production unless they needed to treat livestock illness. The overuse of antibiotics in the livestock sector only makes this problem worse, and it is long past time we deal with the problem head-on, instead of going through the same issues over and over again.”

Earlier this year, DeLauro assumed sponsorship of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which Congresswoman Louise Slaughter championed during her time in Congress. DeLauro is the lead Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for funding the CDC and a senior Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittees responsible for funding USDA and FDA.

Congressman Cleaver Applauds Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO, 5th) applauds the congressional passage of S.3021, America’s Water Infrastructure Act, commonly referred to as WRDA. This bill would give the Army Corps of Engineers the authorization to begin navigation, flood control, storm damage and other water infrastructure projects across the country. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, H.R. 8, by a vote of 408-2 on June 6, 2018. House and Senate committee leaders negotiated a compromise bill, which became S. 3021. Now the bill will go to the President for his signature.

“This is an effort that spans several years in the making. I’ve worked with my Republican colleagues to make sure that language was included to ensure smooth coordination of the two major parts of our local Kansas City Levees project. I’m glad we could work together to support this project and make sure several Kansas City areas are protected from flooding ,” said Congressman Cleaver.

The bi-partisan bill would include several important elements:

• Extend annual authorizations for dam and levee safety activities through fiscal 2023.

• Authorizes $110 million a year for watercraft inspections in the Columbia, Missouri, Colorado, South Platte, and Arizona river basins to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species into those watersheds.

• Authorize $75 million to the Corps to conduct a 10-year pilot program to award single contracts for multiple hurricane and storm damage reduction projects in an area.

• Authorize $125 million to be used in each of fiscal 2020 and 2021 for state public water system supervision programs.

• Establishes a task force on stormwater infrastructure funding.

• Authorizes $225 million in Fiscal Year 2019 and in 2020 for grants to states for projects to prevent combined sewer overflows and address stormwater.

Congressman Cleaver has been an advocate for improving flood control projects in the Kansas City area under WRDA for many years. With recent appropriations and the WRDA bill, several flood control projects in the Kansas City area will have enough funding to be completed.

• Turkey Creek Basin is fully funded and expected completion is in 2020.

• Dodson Industrial District (Blue River Basin) is fully funded and will be completed in summer of 2020. This project will provide 500-year flood protection for 1,500 people and $380 Million in property for local businesses.

• Swope Park Industrial Area was fully funded this year and will be completed in 2022. The new bridge over the levee will provide safe passage for over 400 people who work in the area.

• Kansas City Levees was fully funded with the supplemental appropriations package earlier this year. This legislation would be the second WRDA measure to be enacted under the process established by the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act.

Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act Introduced in The House

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressmen Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th) and Lamar Smith (R-TX, 21st) has introduced legislation to protect consumers from unfair taxes on digital goods and services like those purchased over the internet or on smartphones. The Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act ensures that digital goods and services are not taxed at a higher rate than their tangible counterparts.

“Digital goods and services have become a driving force in our national economy,” said Congressman Cohen. “We should make sure consumers are treated fairly and not double-taxed.”

Congressman Smith said: “In our modern economy, more and more consumers are buying digital goods and services rather than tangible items. But as technology advances, it is important that tax policies do not unfairly penalize consumers who choose to download digital goods rather than purchase their tangible counterparts. This legislation promotes tax fairness and ensures that consumers are not discouraged from purchasing digital goods.”

This legislation would prevent the taxation of MP3 and software downloads, for example, at a higher rate than the tax on music and software CDs. The bill would prevent tax discrimination for consumers who chose to purchase a good or service in digital rather than tangible form.

A Senate version of the measure was introduced Thursday by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ron Widen (D-OR).

Rep. Chu Bill Will Block Implementation of Proposed Public Charge Rule

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA, 27th) introduced H.R. 7052, a bill to prevent any federal funds from being used to implement President Trump’s proposed “public charge” rule. The rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on September 22, 2018, greatly expands the list of programs that could be considered when an immigrant is applying for a green card. The rule change could cause individuals to disenroll from public benefits like nutrition assistance and healthcare out of fear it could make it more difficult to be reunited with loved ones, even though Chu says many of these immigrants have a legal right to these services to which they contribute through their taxes. Rep. Chu, who introduced the bill along with 49 other members of the House, released the following statement:

“In one of the more outrageous, callous, and openly xenophobic proposals of this administration, President Trump and Stephen Miller devised an immigration policy that would leave hungry children behind while doing nothing to address our country’s real immigration challenges at all. As always, their approach to immigration starts and ends at attacking and isolating immigrants.

“The so-called ‘public charge’ rule is a blight. It creates two distinct classes of tax payers, creating an unfair “pay-to-play” system. Benefits like SNAP are proven at reducing poverty and improving future achievement, but now, Trump is trying to stigmatize the program – and others like it –so that immigrants will be afraid to use it. Immigrants are our neighbors and co-workers, and play a vital role in our communities. This proposed rule only makes their lives more difficult solely based on where they were born. It is a hateful policy devoid of merit or morality and not one dollar of federal money should be used to implement it, should it become finalized. I’m proud that so many of my colleagues have joined me to stop Trump’s attempt to weaponize federal policy in his hateful war on immigrants.”