Sen. Murray Blasts House Republicans’ Latest Attack on Women’s Reproductive Rights as “Irresponsible & Out of Touch to a New Extreme” With Urgent Challenges Facing Country
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 3/ 17 (link source)
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, submitted the following remarks for the record on H.R. 36, extreme House conservatives’ latest unconstitutional attempt to restrict women’s access to safe, legal abortion.
“This is a time for Congress to be focused on solutions—working together—and doing everything we can to help those who are suffering rebuild and recover. That’s why I could not be more disappointed at what is going on in the House of Representatives this afternoon…House Republican decision to prioritize politics right now—of all times—is irresponsible and out of touch to a new extreme. It’s exactly what women and families are rightly sick of—and it’s a waste of precious time…let me be clear: this bill is as dead on arrival in the Senate. Just like it was the last time Republicans tried to pander to their extreme base by playing this particular political game with women’s health.”
Sen. Murray Statement on Las Vegas Mass Shooting
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 2/ 17 (link source)
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S history:
“Yet again, Americans awoke today to news of a horrific, senseless shooting that left so many innocent people dead and forced our first responders to risk their lives and run head first into chaos. As a mother and grandmother myself, my heart hurts for the many parents who just got the call that their child is among the victims. These calls are far too familiar to families in every corner of our country, including my home state of Washington, where community after community has been turned upside down by violence. That includes Freeman High School in Spokane County, where families are still dealing with the aftermath of a deadly shooting that happened barely two weeks ago.
“No parent should have to worry whether their child will return home safe from a day at school. No child should have to worry about whether their parent will return home safe from a night at a concert. And none of us should fall back on justifications, blame, or tweeted thoughts and prayers and think we’ve done enough to keep our families, friends, and neighbors safe.
“Like so many people, I refuse to believe the politics are too tough to come together to enact common sense policies and do whatever we possibly can to keep our children safe—or that we should sit by as innocent Americans suffer rampant gun violence that is unmatched in any other country in the world. Many people may read this and say now is not the time to talk about gun safety, but like so many moms and dads in our country, I want to know – if not now, when?”
Cantwell, DelBene, Luján Introduce Smart Cities Bill
Legislators Champion Bicameral Legislation To Bring U.S. Communities Into The 21st Century
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 2/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced legislation to promote the advancement of smart cities.
“We can’t afford to replace aging infrastructure with anything but smart infrastructure, and our bill does just that. The bill makes this technology accessible to local governments so they can make smart investments that attract businesses, create jobs, and improve critical infrastructure while boosting services, livability and the health of residents,” said Senator Cantwell. “In a time of shrinking local government budgets this bill allows us to bring smart technologies to our cities so that communities of all sizes can better serve their citizens.”
“The United States has been an unmatched leader in innovation, and if we want to stay on top, we need to be proactive about the huge opportunities that come with investing in emerging smart city technologies,” Rep. DelBene said. “At a time when so much of the public discourse is about supporting the jobs of tomorrow and making government work for the citizens it serves, the chance to build smart communities in every corner of America should be something we can all agree on. The investments and policy improvements we propose here can improve the quality of life in our communities, reduce pollution and spur job-growth in 21st century jobs.”
“Smart infrastructure has the potential to make our communities safer, more efficient, healthier, and more sustainable. But these advances shouldn’t just be reserved for major cities and Silicon Valley,” noted Rep. Luján. “Our legislation will help guarantee that smaller and rural communities aren’t left behind and will prevent the creation of a new digital divide by testing smart infrastructure solutions in communities of all sizes. The bill also provides assistance to communities that want to implement and develop these solutions, and will promote the development of a technology skilled workforce,” said Rep. Luján.
The bill was developed in collaboration with cities across the country, as well as telecommunications and information technology companies, and authorizes $220 million for each of 5 years.
Cantwell Statement On The DOI Investigation Into Secretary Zinke's Lavish Taxpayer Funded Travel
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 2/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General opening an investigation into Secretary Ryan Zinke’s use of taxpayer-funded charter planes:
"When reports surfaced of Secretary Zinke’s use of private charters I said that the taxpayers deserve answers. I look forward to reviewing the Inspector General's report and if it concludes that Secretary Zinke misused public funds, he should promptly reimburse the taxpayers."
Cantwell Remarks on Ajit Pai’s Nomination to Serve as FCC Commissioner
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 2/ 17 (link source)
Sen. Cantwell: Madam President, I come to the floor to speak about the vote that we're going to have at 5:30, but I want to give my condolences for those impacted by the horrific shooting in Las Vegas. To the families, to the victims of this horrific incident, I want them to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them as our whole nation turns to this situation. My thoughts and prayers also go out to at least one Washington family that I know is one of those who have been impacted and was at this event. We may find out that there are others, but we are thinking and praying for their recovery and I hope that everybody will take time to say some thoughts and prayers for those people who have been impacted by this incident.
Madam President, I also want to come to the floor and speak in opposition to the nomination of Ajit Pai to have a second term as the chairman of the F.C.C. And the reason why we're out here speaking about this vote that's going to happen in a short period of time is because we're concerned about the future of innovation, the future of where consumers plan the decision-making of how they access content, and the future of our economy. And what I'm worried about is that in the short period of time that Chairman Pai has been at the F.C.C., that instead of the policies that would have been enabling consumers, he's taken actions that I think will have consumers paying more for less access, that media concentration will be more enabled, and that plans to protect net neutrality in an open internet will be reversed.
Cantwell Statement on Mass Shooting in Las Vegas
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 2/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement regarding the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada:
“My heart breaks for the victims and the families affected by the senseless violence that took place last night in Las Vegas. I thank the police officers, first responders, and everyone who bravely stepped forward to protect lives.
“I refuse to accept today’s tragedy or last month’s school shooting outside Spokane, Washington as our new normal. Once again, families are forced to bury their loved ones. We must come together as a country to face this challenge.
“Now is the time to turn our thoughts and prayers into action. We must take common sense steps to end gun violence. We must put an end to this endless cycle of grief and agony.”
FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, JAY INSLEE:
Inslee: now is the time to talk about gun violence, now is the time to act
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 3/ 17 (link source)
“Once again, we are mourning the violent loss of innocent lives to a man who had access to weapons no civilian should have access to. It’s impossible to know how to stop every act of gun violence, but I know with my whole being that our nation’s leaders aren’t even trying.
“It’s a different story here in Washington state. Voters have overwhelmingly approved common-sense laws to strengthen background checks and empower families to keep guns away from a loved one in crisis. Our legislature has supported efforts related to mental health and suicide prevention. I issued an executive order to look further at background checks and other gaps in the way we collect and share data relating to people who attempt to purchase guns. It’s a good start, but we can – and must – do more.
"This session the legislature needs to ban bump-stocks and other devices that turn legal semi-automatic firearms into lethal fully-automatic machine guns. We must make sure people intent on causing mass destruction and loss of life won’t be aided by lax laws that give them unfettered access to military-style weaponry.
“To those who say we can’t talk about machine gun massacres right after the massacre: I’m done waiting for the ‘right time’ to talk about it. The ‘can't talk about it now’ crowd is killing us.”
MILKING THE SYSTEM
DOJ: Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Disaster Assistance FundsPRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 4/ 17 (link source)
Acting U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson, who also serves as the Acting Executive Director of the National Center for Disaster Fraud, announced today that Joe W. Jones, 65, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to theft of $13,807 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds in relation to the 2016 Baton Rouge flooding.
Following the 2016 flooding that affected 12 parishes in south Louisiana, FEMA funds were available to people who had emergency needs for food, shelter, and clothing because of the flood. In order to qualify for assistance based on home ownership, an individual must have, among other things, resided in the home at the time of the storm.
On Oct. 3, Jones entered a plea of guilty to theft of government funds. According to documents submitted to the court, in August 2016, Jones filed a fraudulent claim with FEMA seeking disaster assistance funds for a home in Baton Rouge that he claimed was his primary residence at the time of the storm. At the time of the storm, however, Jones was residing elsewhere and was renting his home to a tenant, whose own FEMA application as a renter was delayed because of Jones’ fraudulent claim.
Acting U.S. Attorney Amundson said, “Unfortunately, Louisiana is not only targeted by storms that cause extensive damage to lives and property, it is also targeted by fraudsters who seek to steal disaster assistance funds that are intended for true victims. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, together with the National Center for Disaster Fraud and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will work tirelessly to catch individuals who submit fraudulent claims for disaster assistance and ensure that such assistance funds are available to individuals truly victimized by disasters.”
Special Agent in Charge David Green, Houston Field Office, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General said, “We all suffer when federal assistance programs are undermined by fraud. This defendant’s conviction should send a clear message that our Department will not tolerate any type of fraudulent activity, and we will relentlessly pursue those responsible for criminal acts related to disaster assistance funds.”
Members of the public who suspect fraud involving disaster relief efforts, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721. The telephone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to disaster@leo.gov (link sends e-mail). Learn more about the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud at http://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.
This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul L. Pugliese.
WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS FROM REUTERS
After British PM May's speech fiasco, her party puzzles: Who next?LONDON (Reuters) - It was meant to be the speech that rescued Theresa May’s premiership, but her public humiliation before the assembled Conservative Party has thrust her own future into doubt.
French, Nigerien forces operating where three U.S. soldiers killed
NIAMEY (Reuters) - French and Nigerien troops were conducting operations on Thursday in a region of Niger where three U.S. Army Special Forces members were killed the day before, becoming the first American soldiers to die in West Africa in decades.
Las Vegas massacre probe focuses on gunman's arsenal, history
LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - The Las Vegas gunman who killed 58 people and himself in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history stockpiled weapons and ammunition over decades, and meticulously planned the attack, authorities believe.
U.S. interior secretary raised political funds on government trip: report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Department of the Interior came under further scrutiny on Thursday amid a media report that he had attended a Republican fundraiser in March during a government trip to the Caribbean.
Daily Bible Verse: Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Isaiah 55:6 NKJV
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