https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/12/06/president-donald-j-trumps-proclamation-jerusalem-capital-state-israel
“My announcement today marks the beginning of a new approach to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.” – President Donald J. Trump
RECOGNIZING JERUSALEM: President Donald J. Trump is following through on his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and has instructed the State Department to begin to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Today, December 6, 2017, President Trump recognized Jerusalem, the ancient capital of the Jewish people, as the capital of the State of Israel.
In taking this action, President Trump fulfilled a major campaign promise of his and many previous Presidential candidates.
The Trump Administration is fully coordinated in supporting this historic action by the President, and has engaged broadly with both our Congressional and international partners on this issue.
President Trump’s action enjoys broad, bipartisan support in Congress, including as expressed in the Jerusalem Recognition Act of 1995. This Act was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote of the Senate only six months ago.
President Trump has instructed the State Department to develop a plan to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Departments and Agencies have implemented a robust security plan to ensure the safety of our citizens and assets in the region.
STATUS OF JERUSALEM: President Trump recognizes that specific boundaries of sovereignty in Jerusalem is highly sensitive and subject to final status negotiations.
President Trump recognizes that the status of Jerusalem is a highly-sensitive issue, but he does not think the peace process is aided by ignoring the simple truth that Jerusalem is home to Israel’s legislature, supreme court, President, and Prime Minister.
President Trump recognizes that the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final status negotiations between the parties.
President Trump reaffirms United States support for the status quo at the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al Sharif.
COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS: President Trump is committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.
President Trump remains committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and he is optimistic that peace can be achieved.
Delaying the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has not helped achieve peace over the past two decades.
President Trump is prepared to support a two-state solution to the dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians, if agreed to by the parties.
US STATE DEPT: President Trump's Decision to Recognize Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
Press release issued 12/ 6/ 17https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2017/12/276304.htm
President Trump‘s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital aligns U.S. presence with the reality that Jerusalem is home to Israel’s legislature, Supreme Court, President’s office, and Prime Minister‘s office.
We have consulted with many friends, partners, and allies in advance of the President making his decision. We firmly believe there is an opportunity for a lasting peace.
As the President said in his remarks today, “Peace is never beyond the grasp of those willing to reach it.”
The President decided today, as Congress first urged in the Jerusalem Embassy Act in 1995, and has reaffirmed regularly since, to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The State Department will immediately begin the process to implement this decision by starting the preparations to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The safety of Americans is the State Department’s highest priority, and in concert with other federal agencies, we’ve implemented robust security plans to protect the safety of Americans in affected regions.
Point of history: Truman Recognizing Israel When the arabs invaded. (video)
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4010891/truman-recognizing-israel
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NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO D.C
Kilmer Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Remove Protections from Millions of Acres of Public Land
Press release issued 12/ 4/ 17http://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-statement-on-president-trumps-decision-to-remove-protections-from-millions-of-acres-of-public-land
WASHINGTON, DC– Today, Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) made the following statement after President Donald Trump announced he will remove protections from nearly two million acres of public land in Utah:
“This is a short-sighted decision that takes us in the wrong direction,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “National monuments – in our state and around the nation – have not only protected environmentally and culturally sensitive areas, they have also proven to be significant economic drivers. That’s why Democrats and Republicans have, for decades, supported these designations. The Administration’s decision will have irreversible consequences that reach far beyond these first two monuments. I am disappointed in this attack on our public lands, and I will continue fighting to protect these national treasures.”
Kilmer and Colleagues Introduce Resolution Calling for Increased Computer Science Education in K-12 Schools
Press release issued 12/ 4/ 17http://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-and-colleagues-introduce-resolution-calling-for-increased-computer-science-education-in-k-12-schools
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), joined by Reps. Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Scott Taylor (VA-02) introduced a resolution calling for an increase in public-private partnerships that expand computer science education to more K-12 classrooms.
“Education is the doorway to economic opportunity,” Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) said. “Efforts to strengthen computer science programs will provide more job opportunities for our kids, more qualified employees for local employers, and more economic resiliency for our communities and our country. That’s why this resolution makes sense.”
"Right now, only forty percent of schools teach computer programming, even though computing jobs are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs," stated Congressman Scott Taylor. "The job landscape in America is rapidly changing. We need to equip our children with the skills to be competitive in a 21st Century global economy."
“I'm happy to join with Rep. Taylor in introducing this legislation which recognizes the great contributions of so many private institutions who work with our schools to bring more and better computer science learning opportunities to students," said Congressman Dan Lipinski. "This includes organizations like Girls Who Code, which operates clubs that give girls opportunities to develop coding skills and build apps through after-school and weekend programs. We need partners like this if we’re going to meet the tremendous demand for computer science talent in the job market of today and tomorrow.”
“In the 3rd District of Tennessee and around the nation, there are an increasing number of job openings with state-of-the-art technology that require specialized technical training. However, I constantly speak to employers who voice concern that our workforce supply cannot meet this demand. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 1 million vacant computing jobs with a significant lack of technically trained candidates to fill these positions,” Congressman Fleischmann said. “To address this pressing issue, public and private sectors need to make a greater investment in high skill technical education and workforce development training. This effort must begin in our K-12 classrooms, so we can equip our future generations with the training necessary to fill the increased demand for technical jobs.”
It is projected that by 2020 there will be 1.4 million computer-science-related jobs available, but only about 400,000 computer science graduates to fill them, resulting in a $500 billion opportunity gap. According to the Computer Science Education Coalition, in grades K-12 over 60% of students do not have access to Computer Science education, despite the fact 9 out of 10 parents say they want it taught in their children's schools.
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Senator Murray’s Statement on Latest Franken News: “It’s time for him to step aside”
Press release issued 12/ 6/ 17https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=F9F5079E-98AB-4219-9B35-9AD696E303AE
I’m shocked and appalled by Sen. Franken’s behavior. It’s clear to me that this has been a deeply harmful, persistent problem and a clear pattern over a long period of time.
“It’s time for him to step aside.
“For some time I have talked about returning the word respect to our language, to our actions, and to our politics. That has to start at the top. We must lead by example. Respecting women as equals and not as objects is a critical part of that. Sexual harassment, or assault, or in any way using your power to demean women cannot be tolerated. I want my colleagues, my staff, my constituents, and especially my granddaughters to know that is not acceptable.
“This institution has evolved over centuries, it’s evolved over my nearly three decades of service, and it’s evolving once more before our very eyes. This current evolution is long overdue. It’s time for us as elected representatives to hold ourselves to a higher standard, to set an example, and to live a set of values that is truly representative and worthy of the Congress, our democracy, and our great country.
“To truly accomplish that we must agree that there is no place for discrimination or harassment in the government. We cannot pick and choose based on political party or friendship who we call out. It pains me that in this case it is someone who I think has been a tremendous voice for our party. But that makes it even more imperative that we don’t tolerate this behavior. We cannot allow it to be ok. Or we own the silence women will once again be delegated to.
“Be they political friends or foes, we must call out those who would seek to sweep under the rug behavior that should never be accepted in any family or community. And if we’re serious about that, there’s no way we can condone those who inappropriately touch others, those who force themselves on women of all ages, or those would take their power and weaponize it for their own ends. For those who are tempted to politicize this issue, or try to protect anyone who has crossed the line into an unacceptable place, I would suggest that they speak first with their mom, wife, sister, daughter, or friend, and ask about their own experiences. Find out how pervasive the culture of abuse, silence, and acceptance is. Find out how power is used to abuse. Find out just how hard it is to speak out. And then, rather than justifying one person’s behavior for your own political purposes, join me and so many others in making clear that we will not accept it—regardless of party, position, or celebrity.
“I believe service in politics and government is a noble pursuit, and all those who pursue it are flawed in some way. But I also believe public service demands higher standards – standards we choose to live by the moment we enter public life. And some actions should disqualify you from service, and they should disqualify you as a representative of all the people in a district, state, or even in the entire country.”
Led by Senator Murray, Senate appropriations subcommittee meets to discuss need to provide emergency supplemental funding to combat opioid epidemic
Press release issuedhttps://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=3115D829-AF1F-4010-B117-95827BF4EFAA
(Washington, D.C.) – The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) for Senate Democrats, held a hearing today to discuss the additional funding needed to meaningfully respond to the opioid crisis with experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
As she has traveled around Washington state, Senator Murray has heard from countless patients, families, medical providers, and law enforcement members about the devastating effects of the opioid crisis on local communities.
In her remarks during the hearing and questions with witnesses, Senator Murray called on the Trump Administration to commit to supporting the emergency supplemental funding desperately needed to give States and communities the evidence-based tools to combat the epidemic.
ICYMI—Senator Murray continued to highlight CDC director Brenda Fitzgerald’s absence from yet another hearing on the opioid crisis due to her potential conflicts of interest.
Cantwell Joins 44 Senators Urging President to Swiftly Nominate Aggressive Head of Consumer Watchdog
Press release issued 12/ 5/ 17https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-joins-44-senators-urging-president-to-swiftly-nominate-aggressive-head-of-consumer-watchdog
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of Senate Finance Committee, joined 45 Senate colleagues in a letter urging President Trump to follow the law and swiftly nominate a permanent director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who will put working families ahead of Wall Street.
In their letter, the senators cited the CFPB’s “aggressive enforcement and supervision,” which has resulted in $12 billion in relief to 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies.
The Senators also expressed serious concerns with the White House installing Budget Director Mick Mulvaney as part-time acting director on November 24th , despite clear language in the Dodd-Frank law stating that the Deputy Director, Leandra English, ‘shall’ run the agency in the ‘absence or unavailability’ of the director. Mulvaney has a clear record opposing the CFPB and has sought to abolish it.
In his first act as part-time acting director, Mulvaney moved to freeze the payments to working Americans who’ve been cheated.
“Assigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB’s mission jeopardizes the agency’s independence and effectiveness,” the members wrote. “We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on Wall Street. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference.”
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Daily Bible Verse: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:25 NKJV
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