Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Medicare

Today's News about Medicare






Shelby Praises CMS Proposal to Adjust Medicare Wage Index
Source: Senator, Richard C.Shelby (R-AL)
April 24, 2019
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement regarding the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule that provides relief from the increasing disproportion of reimbursement to hospitals created by the Medicare wage index. While CMS uses wage index data based on regional labor costs to determine Medicare reimbursement levels for hospitals in a particular area, many hospitals – particularly in Alabama – have been negatively affected as a result of flawed data.

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Abortion

Today's News about Abortion






REP. MARSHALL RESPONDS TO KANSAS ANTI-LIFE SUPREME COURT RULING
Source: Roger Marshall (R-KS, 1st)
April 26, 2019
Congressman Marshall released the following statement on the Kansas Supreme Court 6-1 decision that ruled the state constitution guarantees the right to an abortion.

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Congressman Lamborn's Statement on Title X
Source: Doug Lamborn (R-CO, 5th)
April 25, 2019
On March 4th 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services revised its regulations of the Title X program requiring a clear physical and financial separation between Title X recipients and programs in which abortion counseling occours. Recently, Congressman Lamborn joined 152 of his colleagues standing with HHS and upholding America's longstanding tradition of not using taxpayer money to fund or otherwise subsidize abortion.

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Shaheen Statement on Federal Court Ruling to Block Trump’s Domestic Gag Rule
Source: Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
April 24, 2019
“This is welcome news and I’m relieved for the thousands of Granite Staters who rely on Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics for their health care,” said Shaheen. “The court’s action was urgently needed as the domestic gag rule is rooted in a dangerous partisan effort to interfere in women’s access to reproductive health care services. This is another assault by the Trump administration on women’s Constitutional rights. While I’m encouraged by this temporary injunction, we’re not out of the woods yet. I’ll continue to stand up to the President’s incessant attacks on women’s health and I urge Republicans to join Democrats in this effort to protect health care access for Granite Staters and Americans across the country.”

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Yemen

Today's News about Yemen



Sanders Calls for Veto Override Vote on Yemen Resolution
Source: Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
April 22, 2019
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders called on his colleagues Monday to support a vote overriding President Donald Trump's veto of a resolution directing the removal of United States armed forces from the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.

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Gender Equality

Today's News about Gender Equality



Target pushes for U.S. government to punish churches and Christian business owners
Source: The American Family Association
May 1, 2019
The so-called "Equality Act" is nothing more than a repackaged version of the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). This legislation has been driven for years by rabid homosexual activist groups like Human Rights Campaign and is specifically designed to place sexual liberty above religious liberty and the First Amendment.

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Key Committee Approves Equality Act, House Must Follow Suit
Source: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
May 1, 2019
“Discrimination is wrong and runs counter to the fundamental American values of freedom and equality. Today’s committee vote takes us one step closer to ensuring equal opportunity and dignity for all LGBTQ individuals in America. We applaud Chairman Nadler and Congressman Cicilline for their leadership, and committee members for rejecting amendments that would dilute the legislation’s protections. The Equality Act is long overdue, and the House of Representatives must pass the bill.”

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LEADING RETAILERS URGE PASSAGE OF EQUALITY ACT
Source: Retail Industry Leaders Association
May 1, 2019
"RILA appreciates the opportunity to work with members of the Judiciary committee and stakeholders to advance this important legislation that promotes opportunity and inclusion in America’s workforce. Retail is the first job, second chance, or third act for millions of American workers. RILA and our members are committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all people, whether they are employees, customers, or business partners. We urge the House to pass this important legislation that will help retailers continue to shape an inclusive workforce that is diverse, skilled, and innovative.”

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WHY IS THE EQUALITY ACT IMPORTANT TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY?
Source: National LGBTQ Taskforce
May 1, 2019
Currently, there are no explicit federal protections from discrimination protecting the LGBTQ community. This means that in 30 states, LGBTQ people can be denied housing, jobs, service in public spaces and more, solely because of who they are. This is an issue of national urgency.

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Historic Committee Vote Advances the Equality Act Toward House Floor
Source: Transequality.org
May 1, 2019
The Equality Act—a landmark civil rights bill that would clarify and strengthen basic protections to LGBTQ people nationwide—was successfully voted out of the House Judiciary Committee today.

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Our time is NOW We Will Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment
Source: National Organization for Women
May 1, 2019
The ERA, which was first introduced nearly 100 years ago, would be a strong prohibition against any government action that would discriminate on the basis of sex. Furthermore, it would encourage the adoption of other laws and policies that aim to end sex-based discrimination. There is abundant evidence that those in power often seek to pass laws or promote policies that disadvantage women. The ERA would be a powerful antidote to those abuses, particularly those aimed at immigrant women, women working in low-wage jobs, women of color, women with disabilities and the LGBTQIA community.

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Tell The Truth About ERA
Source: Eagle Forum
May 1, 2019
Democrats led a sham hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties chose six panelists to argue the points in favor of the ERA. The panel was stacked in Democrats’ favor. The panelists included two Democrat Congresswomen, one ERA activist, one liberal celebrity, and one professor of law. While the professor, Elizabeth Foley, argued that the ERA would not hold up in court due to the seven-year deadline that passed in 1979, she expressed her support for the substance of the amendment. ERA opponents were shut out and not allowed to give testimony.

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Patricia Arquette, Alyssa Milano Join Members and Advocates in Call for ERA
Source: Jackie Speier (D-CA, 14th)
May 1, 2019
Congresswoman Speier is the House sponsor of H.J. Res. 38, the ERA joint resolution to remove the arbitrary deadline to ratify that was included in the preamble of the original constitutional amendment in 1972. The United States is just one state shy of meeting the three-fourths threshold set by Congress for ratification of the ERA

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Rosen Holds Equality Act Press Conference with LGBTQ Nevadans, Calls on Congress to Pass the Equality Act
Source: Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
April 23, 2019
“It is shameful that in this day and age members of the LGBTQ community still face discrimination. I am a proud cosponsor of the Equality Act, which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, jury service, public accommodations, and the use of federal funds.” said Senator Rosen. “This Administrations recent ban of transgender individuals from military service is the latest in a long line of assaults on the rights and liberties of LGBTQ people. I will continue to support legislation that promotes respect and tolerance for all of our fellow Americans."

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Iranian Oil

Today's News about Iranian Oil





Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Trump’s Iran Sanctions Increase Tensions, Escalating His March to War Against Iran
Source: Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming at large)
April 23, 2019
“President Trump seems determined to go to war with Iran, even after he campaigned on the platform of ending regime change wars. Trump’s move yesterday to deny sanctions waivers to countries purchasing Iranian oil drives us closer to war with Iran, increasing tensions in the region, and putting the U.S. at odds with many of our allies. His actions make our country less safe, damaging our non-proliferation efforts and negotiations to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “The Trump Administration continues to do the bidding of Saudi Arabia without regard for our own national security and economic interests. It is in our national security interest to rejoin the Iran nuclear agreement, and in that regard, lift the sanctions that are hurting the Iranian people. Whatever concerns we may have apart from Iran’s nuclear program can be dealt with in separate agreements.”

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Cheney Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Zero Out Iranian Oil Exports
Source: Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming at large)
April 22, 2019
“The Trump Administration today took an essential step in its maximum pressure campaign against the hostile regime in Tehran. Oil is a significant source of revenue for Iran. By not granting these exceptions for the import of Iranian oil, the President is underscoring a clear message: when it comes to depriving Tehran of funding for its terror network, nothing is off the table. With this move, the Trump Administration is rightfully putting those who continue to import Iranian oil on notice.”

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Senator Markey Opposes Trump Administration’s Decision to End Sanctions Waivers for Countries Importing Iranian Oil
Source: Senator Edward J.Markey (D-MA)
April 22, 2019
“Today’s announcement is bad for U.S. foreign policy and bad for American consumers,” said Senator Markey. “We should have stayed in the Iran deal, which was working. This administration’s tunnel vision on Iran has already cost us in terms of credibility by going back on our word. Having already harmed our relationship with Europe, the Trump administration is now choosing to punish our allies South Korea and Japan as we try to face the threat posed by North Korea.

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2nd Amendment

Today's News about the 2nd Amendment





Auction of firearms for noted outdoorsman's estate draws over 1,000 bidders
Source: The Ponder News
May 1, 2019
For decades, Dwight "Boob" Goble was widely known as a legendary marksman, trapshooter and collector of fine firearms. So when Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company offered more than 375 firearms from the Goble estate's collection, the response was beyond enthusiastic.

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Rep. Meeks Reintroduces Investor Choice Against Gun Proliferation Act
Source: Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY, 5th)
April 27, 2019
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) reintroduced the Investor Choice Against Gun Proliferation Act. In recent years, mass shootings have prompted many companies to sever ties with the National Rifle Association (NRA). This bill would require public companies to disclose their financial relationships with manufacturers, dealers and other entities in the gun industry, to increase transparency and help investors make informed decisions.

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The Ponder suggests that if we do this, then we also need an Investor Choice Against Planned Parenthood Act to go with that, as well as other Investor Choice Acts.

REP. JOHN LEWIS DECRIES RAMPANT VIOLENCE IN PLACES OF WORSHIP
Source: John Lewis (D-GA, 5th)
April 27, 2019
“It has come to a point where the people of this nation, and citizens of the world, cannot attend church or safely worship at synagogues or mosques. Violence is so pervasive in our society and in the world community that it has broken through the consecration of the sanctuary and violated our most sacred spaces. How many more lives do we need to lose before we decide to do all we can to bring an end to wanton gun violence in this country?

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Sen. John Kennedy Issues Statement On Advancement Of Pro-Second Amendment Bill
by: Senator Michael F. Bennet (D-CO)
April 24, 2019
“We don’t need banks that ask you how you voted before they’ll do business with you. We don’t need red banks and blue banks. I applaud Rep. Miguez for his bill,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In Washington, I’ve filed the Freedom Financing Act to prohibit big banks from refusing to do business with customers who legally sell firearms. I’ve also filed the No Red and Blue Banks Act to stop discriminatory banks from receiving federal contracts. I’m just sorry that bills like this are necessary to protect law-abiding Louisiana citizens’ constitutional rights.”

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Census

Today's News about the Census




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Supreme Court shows split during arguments on census citizenship question
Source: UPI
April 24, 2019
A divided Supreme Court heard opening arguments Tuesday about whether the 2020 U.S. census should include the controversial question about citizenship status, a landmark case that can affect elections and federal funding for years.

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Conservative justices signal willingness to allow census citizenship question
Source: The Hill
April 23, 2019
Conservative justices on Tuesday appeared in favor of allowing a Trump administration-backed effort to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census.

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ENGEL STATEMENT ON SCOTUS HEARING HOUSE ARGUMENTS AGAINST CITIZENSHIP QUESTION ON 2020 CENSUS
Source: Eliot Engel (D-NY, 16th)
April 23, 2019
“Today, the House presented oral arguments to the Supreme Court in opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposed citizenship question on the 2020 census. We feel strongly that adding this question would drive down response rates, leading to an inadequate count and undermining the entire purpose of the census. We also believe the true intent of this maneuver is to further stress immigrant communities, which continue to be vilified by this Administration, and to punish certain states that did not support the President in the 2016 election. Adding this citizenship question would have real consequences for New Yorkers across the board by reducing our congressional representation and our share of federal resources over the next decade. We hope the Supreme Court will see through this Administration’s petty ploy and deem the question unconstitutional.

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U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2018 Voting and Registration Data
Source: The U.S. Census Bureau
April 23, 2019
Today the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2018 voting and registration table package. These November 2018 election data come from the Voting and Registration Supplement to the Current Population Survey, which surveys the civilian noninstitutionalized population in the United States.

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Border Security


Today's News About Border Security





Defund Hate Coalition Rejects Calls for Additional ICE and CBP Funding
by: Defund Hate Watch Network
May 1, 2019
“We reject calls for any additional funding for ICE, CBP, and other agencies involved in immigrant detention and processing, who already have bloated budgets to carry out the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.

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NIJC Urges Members Of Congress To Reject White House Request For More Money For Immigration Jails And Border Militarization
by: National Immigrant Justice Center
May 1, 2019
“Congress must not fall for this administration’s rhetoric that building more prisons and infrastructure to block asylum seekers and other immigrants from protection is somehow ‘humanitarian aid,’” said NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy. “Conflating this administration’s policies with real humanitarian aid is an insult to the communities and humanitarian organizations who have actually worked to support the people whose lives have been torn apart by violence and, increasingly, by the U.S. government’s failed anti-immigrant policies. We call on members of Congress to dismiss this request out of hand.”

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Border Situation Requires Long-term Solutions
by: Immigration Forum
May 1, 2019
The White House has requested $4.5 billion in emergency aid from Congress to address the increasing number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the dire need for sustainable solutions.

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Chairman Thompson Statement on the Emergency Supplemental Budget Request
by: Committee on Homeland Security
May 1, 2019
“House Democrats understand that there is a humanitarian crisis at the border, and we stand ready and willing to provide necessary resources to help fix this challenge and alleviate the suffering of thousands. But this crisis is one largely of the Trump Administration’s own making, and we will not appropriate more funds that will add to the chaos and make the problem worse. We cannot forget that this Administration has acted in bad faith when it comes to all issues related to the border.

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CWS Denounces Trump’s Plan to Dismantle Asylum Protections for Families Seeking Safety
by: Church World Service
May 1, 2019
Asylum saves lives. President Trump will stop at nothing to block families fleeing violence from their right to rebuild their lives in safety. A great nation, the most generous nation in the world, does not punish or charge families who have lost everything for life-saving protection. The president’s proposed restrictions are heartless and un-American.

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Members of Congress Visit the U.S.-Mexico Border in Yuma, Arizona
by: Andy Biggs (R-AZ, 5th)
April 24, 2019
Last week, Congressman Andy Biggs led a congressional delegation to the U.S.-Mexico border to better understand the escalating crisis caused by illegal immigration. Congressman Biggs was joined by Rep. Matt Gaetz, Rep. Sean Duffy, Rep. John Joyce, Rep. Duncan Hunter, Rep. Dusty Johnson, and Rep. Pete Stauber. During the trip, the delegation met with Angel parents, Border Patrol agents, DEA officials, ICE agents, Immigration Court judges, and Customs officers. Members of the delegation released the following statements:

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Trump makes new threat to send soldiers to US-Mexico border
by: Senator Michael F. Bennet (D-CO)
April 24, 2019
President Donald Trump made a new threat Wednesday to send armed soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Texas border experts call foul on rules of engagement for troops at border
by: Conservative Review
April 24, 2019
Mexican soldiers detaining and disarming our active-duty soldiers on our own soil is a bigger story than what either the government or media is making of it. We spend roughly $716 billion on the military every year and spent trillions in the Middle East, but our own territory remains unsafe not only for our ranchers, but evidently for our own active-duty military.

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Militia leader at the border said members were training to kill Obama, Clinton and Soros, FBI said
by: Washington Post
April 23, 2019
The leader of an armed militia that scours the southern border for undocumented migrants had once claimed that his group was training to assassinate former president Barack Obama, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and billionaire Democratic donor George Soros, the FBI said.

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Armed volunteer militia group detains migrants at the border
by: Mass Live
April 20, 2019
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wants members of a volunteer militia group arrested for detaining immigrants at gunpoint and impersonating U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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Gay Adoption


Today's News About Gay Adoption






Christian adoption agency in Michigan reverses LGBTQ policy
by: The Hill
April 23, 2019
A Christian adoption agency in Michigan announced that it would be changing a longstanding policy and will now allow LGBTQ parents to adopt.

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Federal Court Punishes Philly Faith-Based Foster Care Agency Over Biblical Views on Marriage
by: CBN News
April 22, 2019
A federal appeals court has upheld a new Philadelphia city policy that forbids Catholic Social Services from placing foster children with families due to the agency's longstanding religious beliefs about marriage.

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Sex Education in California


Today's News About Sex Education in California






Pedophilia Being Taught As “Sexual Orientation” in California Schools
by: New American
April 23, 2019
Government school officials in California think it is “really important” to teach children about pedophilia and pederasty in the classroom because it is a “sexual orientation.” That is according to a top official for California's Brea Olinda School District, who admitted to parents that it was being done — and that it would continue, despite the outrage. The implications are mind-blowing.

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CA mom helps draft 'opt-in' law to help other parents
by: NE News Now
April 23, 2019
Shocked parents are learning about California’s explicit sex-ed curriculum including one mother who helped write an “opt-in” bill that gives parents more control over what their children are exposed to by the State of California.

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CALIFORNIA PARENTS CONFRONT STATE LAWMAKERS OVER 'SEXXX ED' AGENDA THAT 'WOULD MAKE SAILORS BLUSH'
by: Breaking Christian News
April 22, 2019
"Under this law, the state has approved six curricula to date. I've read all six, everyone with content that would make sailors blush. Kids are being exposed to sexually explicit lessons against the will of their parents. Those who pushed these laws through our Legislature, without parents knowing it, made sure it's illegal for districts to allow an opt-in model." -Rebecca Friedrichs, former public school teacher

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California school district says parents can’t pull kids from new LGBT sex ed
by: The Burning Platform
April 19, 2019
California is about to implement new abortion- and homosexuality-promoting sex education lessons, and one school district has told parents they have no choice but to expose their children to them.

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EDUCATION CA teacher: Unions force 'far left' abortion, sex ed programs
by: NE News Now
April 17, 2019
A 28-year veteran teacher in the California public school system exposed the ultra-liberal abortion and sex ed programs being pushed by teachers unions working with “far-left” groups to indoctrinate students in their radical agenda.

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