President Donald J. Trump's Weekly Address
White House press release 12/ 9/ 17Transcript:
“Help me, Dad.”
Those were the last words spoken by Kate Steinle as she lay dying on a San Francisco pier – a precious young American woman killed in the prime of her life.
Kate’s death is a tragedy that was entirely preventable. She was shot by an illegal alien and a 7-time convicted felon who had been deported five times – but he was free to harm an innocent American because our leaders refused to protect our border, and because San Francisco is a Sanctuary City. In Sanctuary States and Cities, innocent Americans are at the mercy of criminal aliens because state and local officials defy federal authorities and obstruct the enforcement of our immigration laws.
Last week, in a final injustice, Kate’s killer was acquitted on all of the most serious charges – yet one more reason Americans are so upset by Sanctuary Cities and open border politicians who shield criminal aliens from federal law enforcement and all of the problems involved with the whole concept of a sanctuary city. They’re no good. We mourn for all of the American Families, of all backgrounds, who will have any empty seat at Christmas this year because our immigration laws were not enforced. No American should be separated from their loved ones because of preventable crime committed by those illegally in our country. Our cities should be Sanctuaries for Americans – not for criminal aliens.
Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress not only oppose our efforts to stop illegal immigration and crack down on Sanctuary Cities – now they are demanding amnesty as a condition for funding the government, holding troop funding hostage and putting our national security at risk. We cannot allow it.
Every Senator and Congressman will have to make a choice: do they want to protect American citizens or do they want to protect criminal aliens? Reasonable people can disagree on many things, but there can be no disagreement that the first duty of government is to serve, protect, and defend American Citizens.
People can have different views on the technical details of budget policy or transportation, but no one who serves in elected office should disagree that our highest priority must be the safety and well-being of our nation’s citizens.
Thank you.---President Trump
Reps. Kilmer, Kustoff Pass Bill to Protect Religious Institutions
Press release issued 12/ 11/ 17Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and David Kustoff (R-TN) today applauded House passage of their bill, the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017. This strong bipartisan legislation will increase the federal penalties for bomb threats and other credible threats of violence against religious institutions.
Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA): “Across our country, too many people have been subjected to hate, violence and threats because of the religion they practice. People who have come to a religious community center to take a class, exercise or support their neighbors have faced bomb threats and violence. With this bill, our government is saying with one voice: ‘Enough is enough.’”
Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN): “The dramatic rise in threats against religious institutions is deeply disturbing and makes it clear that existing federal laws do not suitably deter these acts of hate. We must stand united against acts of hate and protect the rights of all Americans to worship freely and without fear. I am proud that our bipartisan bill today passed in the House. I look forward to the Senate’s consideration, so we can send this important legislation to President Trump’s desk.”
Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA): “Freedom in the exercise of religion is a fundamental right that our founding fathers chose to place as the first recognized right in our Bill of Rights. It is as important to protect these rights today. Sadly, we have witnessed many threats and acts of violence against religious institutions and centers and we must ensure our laws appropriately punish those seeking to intimidate people of faith. The Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act strengthens prosecutorial tools to deter acts of hate and violence toward religious institutions so that freedom of religion continues to flourish in America. I thank Congressman Kustoff for his hard work on this bipartisan bill and applaud the House for quickly passing it.”
William Daroff, the Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Director of the Washington Office of the Jewish Federations of North America said: “The Jewish Federations of North America applauds Congress for passing the Combating Anti-Semitism Act of 2017 (H.R. 1730). The rise of anti-Semitism is an existential threat to the Jewish community and this trend is not abating. We are grateful to Representatives David Kustoff and Derek Kilmer for their bi-partisan leadership in sponsoring this legislation, which will help to deter the wave of threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and other religious institutions across the country, and to stand united against religious intolerance.”
In 2017 alone, more than 160 bomb threats and other threats of violence have been made against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) across America. In addition to the fear and terror inflicted upon these religious institutions after a threat, there are tangible ramifications for the centers. Many places of worship are forced to temporarily close their doors as a result of these threats, and families who rely on the center’s services, such as school and early-childhood education programs, have been forced to choose between their safety and their faith community.
This bipartisan legislation would amend the Church Arson Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. § 247) to ensure that individuals who make bomb threats and other credible threats of violence against community religious centers –based on the religious nature of that center will now carry a penalty of up to 3 years of imprisonment if any violations of the statute results in the damage or destruction to religious property.
The Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017 has broad, bipartisan support and was originally co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Ted Poe (R-TX), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Joseph P. Kennedy, III (D-MA). The bill was cosponsored by an additional 40 bipartisan members.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRANSGENDER MILITARY BAN IN LAMBDA LEGAL CASE, AG FERGUSON CASE
Press release issued 12/ 11/ 17SEATTLE — A federal judge today granted a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. The ruling came as part of a challenge brought by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, nine individual plaintiffs and three organizations.
“The Court finds that the policy prohibiting openly transgender individuals from serving in the military is likely unconstitutional,” the court wrote.
Further, the court found that the ban irreparably harms Washington’s interest in “maintaining and enforcing its anti-discrimination laws, protecting its residents from discrimination, and ensuring that employment and advancement opportunities are not unlawfully restricted based on transgender status.”
Washington is the first state to win such a measure. Previously, two federal judges, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly and U.S. District Judge Marvin Garbis, issued injunctions in two cases brought by private plaintiffs challenging the transgender military ban.
“Today’s ruling is a major victory for the thousands of transgender service members who serve their country with honor and distinction,” Ferguson said. “Barring transgender service members from serving based on anything other than their ability and conduct is wrong.”
"All of us owe a debt of gratitude for every American who answers the call of service in our armed forces, and we are grateful for today’s decision which affirms everyone who is able and willing can answer that call regardless of color, religion, orientation, birth place or gender,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. "While this president can attempt the practice of division, our nation’s service members and the sacrifices they and their families make demonstrate the power of America standing together as one."
Gov. Inslee’s Chief of Staff David Postman submitted a declaration in support of Ferguson’s motion focused on the Governor’s relationship with the Washington National Guard.
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MILKING THE SYSTEM
DOJ: Tennessee Staffing Company Operator Convicted of Employment Tax Fraud
Press release issued 12/ 8/ 17A Tennessee temporary staffing company officer was convicted today by a federal jury in Memphis of conspiring to defraud the United States, failing to pay over employment taxes, filing fraudulent employment tax returns, theft of government funds and aggravated identity theft, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee.
According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2005 through 2015, Mark Stinson and his wife, Jayton Stinson, operated a temporary staffing company in Memphis that provided services to businesses in Tennessee and elsewhere. The staffing company’s standard contract with its customers provided that the staffing company was responsible for withholding employment tax from its employees’ wages and paying over the amounts withheld to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The Stinsons failed to pay over $2.8 million in withholdings and other employment taxes due to IRS, failed to timely file employment tax returns and filed false employment tax returns. In an effort to avoid making payments to the IRS the Stinsons changed the name and structure of the company multiple times after accumulating employment tax liabilities, operating as Jayton Stinson Connex Staffing & Janitorial Service, Connexx Staffing Services LLC, Connexx Staffing Services Inc., and Complete Employment Agency.
The Stinsons also conspired to impede efforts by the IRS to collect on the employment tax liabilities owed by their companies. For example, the Stinsons made false representations to the IRS about their control of the staffing company and their knowledge of their responsibility to truthfully account for and pay over the employment taxes, placed the staffing company in the names of nominees who did not have control over the business operations, and established payment arrangements intended to impede an IRS levy placed on their customer payments. The Stinsons used the withheld funds to pay for personal expenses, including a Mercedes-Benz, a Cadillac Escalade, mortgage payments and private school tuition for their children. Jayton Stinson previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with this case.
Mark Stinson also filed a fraudulent tax return for a relative that included a false dependent seeking a refund to which the relative was not entitled. Stinson received a substantial portion of the fraudulent refund.
U.S. District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2018. Mark Stinson faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count of conspiracy, theft of government funds and failing to pay over employment taxes, three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return, and a mandatory two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. Jayton Stinson is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31, 2018.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Dunavant commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Damon Griffin and Trial Attorney Nathan Brooks, who are prosecuting the case.
IBERIABANK Agrees to Pay Over $11.6 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for Submitting False Claims for Loan Guarantees---DOJ press release issued 12/ 8/ 17
The Justice Department announced today that IBERIABANK Corporation, IBERIABANK and IBERIABANK Mortgage Company (collectively, IBERIABANK) have agreed to pay the United States $11,692,149 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying they were complying with Federal requirements in order to obtain insurance on mortgage loans from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). IBERIABANK Corporation is headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, with branches across the Southeast, including Arkansas.
“Mortgage lenders must follow FHA program rules designed to avoid putting federal funds at risk and increasing the chances that borrowers may lose their homes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department will continue to hold accountable lenders that knowingly violate material program requirements that cause the government to guarantee ineligible loans.”
During the time period covered by the settlement, IBERIABANK participated as a direct endorsement (DE) lender in the FHA insurance program. A DE lender has the authority to originate, underwrite and endorse mortgages for FHA insurance. If a DE lender approves a mortgage loan for FHA insurance and the loan later defaults, the holder of the loan may submit an insurance claim to HUD, FHA’s parent agency, for the losses resulting from the defaulted loan. Under the DE program, the FHA does not review a loan for compliance with FHA requirements before it is endorsed for FHA insurance. DE lenders are, therefore, required to follow program rules designed to ensure that they are properly underwriting and certifying mortgages for FHA insurance, to maintain a quality control program that can prevent and correct deficiencies in their underwriting practices, and to self-report any deficient loans identified by their quality control program. FHA rules also prohibit the payment of commissions to lender underwriting staff in order to avoid improper incentives. DE lenders such as IBERIABANK certify compliance with material FHA requirements.
Owner of Home Health Agency Sentenced in Absentia to 80 Years in Prison for Involvement in $13 Million Medicare Fraud Conspiracy and for Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns---DOJ press release issued 12/ 8/ 17
The owner of a Houston home health agency was sentenced today to 80 years in prison for his role in a $13 million Medicare fraud scheme and for filing false tax returns.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region and Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of the Houston Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.
Ebong Tilong, 53, of Sugarland, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon of the Southern District of Texas. In November 2016, after the first week of trial, Tilong pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, three counts of healthcare fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, three counts of payment and receipt of healthcare kickbacks, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. In June 2017, Tilong pleaded guilty to two counts of filing fraudulent tax returns. Tilong failed to appear for his original sentencing, which was scheduled for Oct. 13, 2017.
According to the evidence presented at trial and Tilong’s admissions in connection with his guilty plea, from February 2006 through June 2015, Tilong and others conspired to defraud Medicare by submitting over $10 million in false and fraudulent claims for home health services to Medicare through Fiango Home Healthcare Inc. (Fiango), owned by Tilong and his wife, Marie Neba, 53, also of Sugarland, Texas. The trial evidence showed that using the money that Medicare paid for such fraudulent claims, Tilong paid illegal kickbacks to patient recruiters for referring Medicare beneficiaries to Fiango for home health services. Tilong also paid illegal kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries for allowing Fiango to bill Medicare using beneficiaries’ Medicare information for home health services that were not medically necessary or not provided, the evidence showed. Tilong falsified medical records and directed others to falsify medical records to make it appear as though the Medicare beneficiaries qualified for and received home health services. Tilong also attempted to destroy evidence, blackmail a witness, and suborn perjury from witnesses, including a co-defendant while in the federal courthouse, the evidence showed.
According to the evidence presented at trial and his admissions to the tax offenses, from February 2006 to June 2015, Tilong received more than $13 million from Medicare for home health services that were not medically necessary or not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
In connection with his guilty plea to the tax offenses, Tilong admitted that to maximize his gains from the Medicare fraud scheme, he created a shell company called Quality Therapy Services (QTS) to limit the amount of tax that he paid to the IRS on the proceeds that he and his co-conspirators stole from Medicare. According to his plea agreement, in 2013 and 2014, Tilong wrote almost a million dollars in checks from Fiango to QTS, purportedly for physical-therapy services that QTS provided to Fiango’s Medicare patients. The evidence showed that QTS did not provide those services. According to his plea agreement, in 2013 and 2014, Tilong’s fraudulent tax scheme caused the IRS a tax loss of approximately $344,452.
Utah Business Owner Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Illegally Dealing Firearms and Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns---DOJ press release issued 12/ 7/ 17
A Salt Lake City, Utah, man was sentenced to 4 years in prison today for dealing in firearms without a license and filing fraudulent tax returns, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg, of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah.
According to documents and evidence presented to the court, Adam Michael Webber reached an agreement with the United States in 2007 that barred him from applying for a federal firearms license or engaging in the business of dealing firearms. Between 2007 and 2008, Webber was the sole owner of HK Parts, an Internet gun parts business. In 2008, Webber added firearms to his product line and primarily sold them on the Internet at hkparts.net. He also sold firearms and firearm parts out of the basement of his residence. Webber never held a federal firearms license and, from 2009 through May 2012, illegally sold firearms under the auspices of a company owned by another Utah resident. Webber also sold firearms to undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents on two separate occasions, including selling one firearm for cash in a parking lot. In May 2012, approximately $180,000 in cash, a 70 pound silver bar, silver coins, and firearms were found at Webber’s residence during the execution of a search warrant.
From 2007 through 2010, Webber earned more than $10 million in gross receipts from the sale of illegal firearms and his firearm parts business. For those years, he reported only a total of $183,397 in gross receipts, underreporting his earnings on his 2007, 2008 and 2009 individual income tax returns and underreporting gross receipts on his 2009 and 2010 corporate tax returns. In 2010, Webber paid $670,000 in cash for a new home in Salt Lake County.
In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Court Judge Dee Benson ordered Webber to serve three years of supervised release. Webber paid $1,817,887.05 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service prior to sentencing, and he was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine. Webber was convicted by a jury of the tax offenses in September 2016 and later pleaded guilty to the firearms count. He agreed to forfeit more than 300 seized firearms.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Huber commended special agents of ATF, IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security, who conducted the investigation, and AUSAs Cy H. Castle and J. Drew Yeates and Paralegal Heather Nielson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Trial Attorney Kathleen M. Barry of the Tax Division, who prosecuted the case.
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HUD ANNOUNCES NEW FHA LOAN LIMITS FOR 2018
Loan limits to increase in more than 3,000 countiesPress release issued 12/ 7/ 17
WASHINGTON - The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced the agency's new schedule of loan limits for 2018, with most areas in the country to experience an increase in loan limits in the coming year. These loan limits are effective for FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2018.
FHA is required by the National Housing Act, as amended by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), to set Single Family forward loan limits at 115 percent of median house prices, subject to a floor and a ceiling on the limits. FHA calculates forward mortgage limits by Metropolitan Statistical Area and county.
In high-cost areas of the country, FHA's loan limit ceiling will increase to $679,650 from $636,150. FHA will also increase its floor to $294,515 from $275,665. Additionally, the National Mortgage Limit for FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), or reverse mortgages, will increase to $679,650 from $636,150. FHA's current regulations implementing the National Housing Act's HECM limits do not allow loan limits for reverse mortgages to vary by MSA or county; instead, the single limit applies to all mortgages regardless of where the property is located.
Due to robust increases in median housing prices and required changes to FHA's floor and ceiling limits, which are tied to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)'s increase in the conventional mortgage loan limit for 2018, the maximum loan limits for FHA forward mortgages will rise in 3,011 counties. In 223 counties, FHA's loan limits will remain unchanged. By statute, the median home price for an MSA is based on the county within the MSA having the highest median price. It has been HUD's long-standing practice to utilize the highest median price point for any year since the enactment of HERA.
The National Housing Act, as amended by HERA, requires FHA to establish its floor and ceiling loan limits based on the loan limit set by FHFA for conventional mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Today, FHA's minimum national loan limit, or floor, is set at 65 percent of the national conforming loan limit of $453,100. This floor applies to those areas where 115 percent of the median home price is less than the floor limit. Any areas where the loan limit exceeds this ‘floor' is considered a high-cost area, and HERA requires FHA to set its maximum loan limit ‘ceiling' for high-cost areas at 150 percent of the national conforming limit.
Prior to the passage of HERA, the National Housing Act (NHA) provided that the FHA mortgage limit for any given area be set at 95 percent of the median one-family house price in that area, as determined by HUD. However, the NHA further stated the FHA mortgage limit in any given area cannot exceed 87 percent of the Freddie Mac loan limit (305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)), nor be less than 48 percent of that limit. Since the enactment of HERA and The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which temporarily raised FHA limits even further, FHA's loan limits have been more closely tied to, and at times in excess of, those for GSE-eligible loans.
HUD SECRETARY BEN CARSON LAUNCHES ENVISION CENTER INITIATIVE
Press release issued 12/ 7/ 17Today, Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the launch of EnVision Centers, a new initiative designed to help HUD-assisted households achieve self-sufficiency.
Located on or near public housing developments, EnVision Centers will be centralized hubs that serve as an incubator for the four key pillars of self- sufficiency; character and leadership, educational advancement, economic empowerment, and health and wellness. Through results-driven partnerships with federal agencies, state and local governments, non-profits, faith-based organizations, corporations, public housing authorities, and housing finance agencies, EnVision Centers will leverage public-private resources for maximum community impact.
“While funding for HUD has increased over the last twenty years, the number of households served has remained the same. We need to think differently about how we can empower Americans to climb the ladder of success,” Secretary Carson said. “EnVision Centers are designed to help people take the first few steps towards self-sufficiency. Every household we are able to help graduate from HUD-assistance allows HUD to help one more family in need.”
As a part of the initiative, HUD will launch ten pilot EnVision Centers across the country. HUD is also launching a mobile app to help HUD-assisted households find local resources through the EnVision Center network, and issuing a notice in the Federal Register to get input from the public.
“We have made connecting hard-working Michiganders with high-demand, high-wage careers in the professional trades a priority and I appreciate that my federal partners are doing the same with EnVision Centers,” Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said. “By helping people get the training necessary to succeed in these fields, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is helping individuals earn a great future for themselves and their families while addressing a growing talent gap in the job market.”
HOMELESSNESS DECLINES IN MOST COMMUNITIES OF THE U.S. WITH INCREASES REPORTED IN HIGH-COST AREAS
HUD press release issued 12/ 6/ 17WASHINGTON - Homelessness crept up in the U.S., especially among individuals with long-term disabling conditions according to the latest national estimate by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that 553,742 persons experienced homelessness on a single night in 2017, an increase of .7 percent since last year. Homelessness among families with children declined 5.4 percent nationwide since 2016, local communities report the number of persons experiencing long-term chronic homelessness and Veterans increased.
There is a great deal of variation in the data in different parts of the country, however, and many places continue to see reductions in homelessness. Thirty (30) states and the District of Columbia reported decreases in homelessness between 2016 and 2017. Challenges in some major metropolitan areas, however, have had a major impact on the national trend lines.
For example, the City and County of Los Angeles reported a nearly 26 percent increase in overall homelessness since 2016, primarily among those persons found in unsheltered locations. Meanwhile, New York City reported a 4.1 increase, principally among families in emergency shelters and transitional housing. Excluding these two areas, the estimated number of Veterans experiencing homeless in other parts of the nation decreased 3.1 percent since 2016.
“In many high-cost areas of our country, especially along the West Coast, the severe shortage of affordable housing is manifesting itself on our streets,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “With rents rising faster than incomes, we need to bring everybody to the table to produce more affordable housing and ease the pressure that is forcing too many of our neighbors into our shelters and onto our streets. This is not a federal problem-it’s everybody’s problem.”
“The fact that so many parts of the country are continuing to reduce homelessness gives us confidence that our strategies-and the dedicated efforts of communities to embrace best practices-have been working,” said Matthew Doherty, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council of Homelessness. “At the same time, we know that some communities are facing challenges that require us to redouble our efforts across all levels of government and the public and private sectors, and we are committed to doing that work.”
“Our joint community-based homelessness efforts are working in most communities across the country. Despite a slight increase in overall Veteran homelessness, I am pleased that the majority of communities in the U.S. experienced declines over the past year,” said U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin. “VA remains committed to helping Veterans find stable housing. We will continue to identify innovative local solutions, especially in areas where higher rents have contributed to an increase in homelessness among Veterans.”
HUD’s national estimate is based upon data reported by approximately 3,000 cities and counties across the nation. Every year on a single night in January, planning agencies called ‘Continuums of Care” and tens of thousands of volunteers seek to identify the number of individuals and families living in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs and in unsheltered settings. These one-night ‘snapshot’ counts, as well as full-year counts and data from other sources (U.S. Housing Survey, Department of Education), are crucial in understanding the scope of homelessness and measuring progress toward reducing it.
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Secretary Nielsen Announces the Establishment of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office---Home land Security release dated 12/ 7/ 12
WASHINGTON –Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen today announced the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. The CWMD Office will elevate and streamline DHS efforts to prevent terrorists and other national security threat actors from using harmful agents, such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear material and devices to harm Americans and U.S. interests.
The office consolidates key DHS functions and will lead the Department’s efforts to counter WMD threats. It will also allow for greater policy coordination and strategic planning, as well as provide greater visibility for this critically important mission.
“The United States faces rising danger from terrorist groups and rogue nation states who could use chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents to harm Americans,” said Secretary Nielsen. “That’s why DHS is moving towards a more integrated approach, bringing together intelligence, operations, interagency engagement, and international action. As terrorism evolves, we must stay ahead of the enemy and the establishment of this office is an important part of our efforts to do so.”
The United States faces a rising danger from threat actors who could use chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents to harm Americans or U.S. interests. Intelligence analysis shows terrorist groups are actively pursuing WMD capabilities, are using battlefield environments to test them, and may be working to incorporate these methods into external operations in ways we have not seen previously. Certain weapons of mass destruction, once viewed as out-of-reach for all but nation states, are now closer to being attained by non-state actors. A terrorist attack using such a weapon against the United States would have a profound and potentially catastrophic impact on our nation and the world.
HHS announces the winners of the HHS Opioid Code-a-Thon
HHS press release dated 12/ 8/ 17On December 6 and 7, HHS hosted a first-of-its-kind two-day Code-a-Thon to help turn data into lifesaving solutions to the opioid epidemic.
Fifty teams, comprised of three to five members of computer programmers, public health advocates, and innovators worked for over 24 hours to create data-driven solutions that can have immediate and practical impact on the opioid crisis.
“HHS’ code-a-thon was a major step forward in the efforts to use data to address the opioid crisis,” said Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan. “The innovative ideas developed today could turn into tomorrow’s solutions as we work to combat the scourge of opioid addiction sweeping the nation. On behalf of the administration, I commend all of our technology partners and the HHS staff for their hard work on this unprecedented event.”
HHS Chief Technology Officer Bruce Greenstein said, “We put the call out across the tech and entrepreneur communities to join us in Washington, D.C., so that we might multiply our combined skills and resources to combat the opioid epidemic. Over 300 coders answered the call and 50 teams joined us at HHS Headquarters to create a community that will continue to use data and technology to develop new solutions to address the epidemic.”
NASA Hosts Media Teleconference to Announce Latest Kepler Discovery
Press release issued 12/ 8/ 17NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 14, to announce the latest discovery made by its planet-hunting Kepler space telescope. The discovery was made by researchers using machine learning from Google. Machine learning is an approach to artificial intelligence, and demonstrates new ways of analyzing Kepler data.
The briefing participants are:
Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington
Christopher Shallue, senior software engineer at Google AI in Mountain View, California
Andrew Vanderburg, astronomer and NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Texas, Austin
Jessie Dotson, Kepler project scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley
For dial-in information, media must send their names, affiliations and phone numbers to Felicia Chou at felicia.chou@nasa.gov no later than noon Dec. 14. Questions can be submitted on Twitter during the teleconference using the hashtag #askNASA.
Teleconference audio and visuals will stream live at:
https://www.nasa.gov/live
When Kepler launched in March 2009, scientists didn’t know how common planets were beyond our solar system. Thanks to Kepler’s treasure trove of discoveries, astronomers now believe there may be at least one planet orbiting every star in the sky.
Kepler completed its prime mission in 2012 and went on to collect data for an additional year in an extended mission. In 2014, the spacecraft began a new extended mission called K2, which continues the search for planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, while introducing new research opportunities to study young stars, supernovae and other cosmic phenomena.
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Daily Bible Verse: But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV
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