Politics in Action: H.R. 5856 and H.R. 6020

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H.R. 5856 – Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2013

(Rep. Rogers, R-KY)

The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 5856, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year (FY) ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.

Last summer, the Congress and the President came to a bipartisan agreement to put the Nation on a sustainable fiscal course in enacting the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA).  The BCA created a framework for more than $2 trillion in deficit reduction and provided tight spending caps that would bring discretionary spending to a minimum level needed to preserve critical national priorities.  Consistent with last summer's budget agreement, the FY 2013 Budget request provides the resources that the Department of Defense (DOD) needs to effectively meet the Nation's security requirements.  By adding unrequested funding for defense, the House of Representatives departs from the bipartisan understanding reached a year ago.  Upending the balance in the BCA has negative consequences that will, for example, cost jobs and hurt average Americans, especially seniors, veterans, and children – as well as degrade many of the basic Government services on which the American people rely such as air traffic control and law enforcement.  In addition, these cuts were made in the context of a budget that fails the test of balance, fairness, and shared responsibility by giving millionaires and billionaires a tax cut and paying for it through deep cuts, including to discretionary programs.

Taking this into account, passing H.R. 5856 at its current funding level would mean that when the Congress constructs other appropriations bills, it would necessitate significant and harmful cuts to critical national priorities such as education, research and development, job training, and health care.  Furthermore, the bill undermines key investments in high-priority programs, impeding the ability of the Secretary of Defense to carry out the defense strategic guidance issued earlier this year, and hindering the ability of the Armed Forces to carry out their missions consistent with the new strategy.  The Administration also strongly objects to the inclusion of ideological and political provisions that are beyond the scope of funding legislation.

If the President were presented with H.R. 5856, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

The Administration would like to take this opportunity to share additional views regarding the Committee's version of the bill.

Administration Priorities.  The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for certain priorities, including:  funding for Overseas Contingency Operations; the requested pay raise for military personnel; DOD's program of basic research; the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; and air and missile defense programs, including support for the Government of Israel to purchase additional Iron Dome missile systems. 

Limitations on Retirement of Aircraft.  The Administration strongly objects to sections 8116 through 8118 of the bill that would restrict the Air Force and Army from divesting, transferring or retiring unneeded aircraft, including C-27Js, C-23s, and RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).  These provisions would force DOD to operate, sustain, and maintain aircraft that are in excess to national security requirements, as defined by the new defense strategy, and are not affordable in an austere budget environment.  They also would impair the ability of the Secretary to manage the Department and, by retaining large numbers of under-resourced aircraft in the fleet in today's fiscally constrained environment, could contribute to a hollow force.

Unnecessary Funding.  The Administration is concerned about the billions of dollars the bill provides for items DOD did not request and does not need, as well as section 8006 of the bill, which makes spending on these unnecessary items statutorily required.  This diverts resources from more important defense programs and limits the Secretary's flexibility to manage the Department efficiently.

Incremental Funding.  The Administration strongly opposes the use of incremental funding, which undermines program stability and cost discipline.  The bill would provide incremental funding for Space-Based Infrared System satellites rather than full funding through advance appropriations, as the Administration requested in the FY 2013 Budget request.  In addition, the bill provides less than half of the $911 million requested to deactivate the USS Enterprise.

Army Depot Maintenance.  The Administration strongly objects to the reduction in the Army's depot maintenance program as specified in section 8087 of the bill.  The reduction of nearly $2.5 billion from the FY 2013 Budget request would create long-term delays in modernization and readiness for helicopters, radars, and the Stryker combat vehicle.  Additionally, with this funding reduction the Army would not meet core depot logistics requirements for many of its systems.  This cut would directly reduce Army readiness.

Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).  The Administration strongly objects to the Committee's decision to omit funding for MEADS.  If the Congress does not appropriate the funding in the FY 2013 Budget request, there is a high likelihood that this action would be perceived by our partners, Italy and Germany, as breaking our commitment under the Memorandum of Understanding.  This could harm our relationship with our Allies on a much broader basis, including future multinational cooperative projects.  It also could prevent the completion of the agreed Proof of Concept activities, which would provide data archiving, analysis of testing, and software development necessary to harvest technology from U.S. and partner investments in MEADS.

TRICARE Fees and Co-Payments.  The Administration is disappointed that the Congress did not incorporate the requested TRICARE fee initiatives into either the appropriation or authorization legislation.  The Administration asks the House to reconsider the TRICARE fee proposals, which are essential for DOD to successfully address rising personnel costs.  The $1.8 billion in savings are part of a carefully balanced FY 2013 Budget request.

Advanced Drop-In Biofuel Production.  The Administration objects to the reduction of $70 million from the FY 2013 Budget request intended to support the development of a domestic capability to produce cost-competitive advanced drop-in biofuels at a commercial scale, which is important to the country's long-term national security.  Developing large-scale capacity to produce biofuels, in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture and Energy, would help insulate the Nation as a whole, as well as the military, from price shocks arising from supply disruptions and price volatility of petroleum products.

MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV.  The Administration opposes the $66 million reduction from the FY 2013 Budget request for the Fire Scout upgrade, which would enable the Special Forces to track potential targets at greater distances and for longer periods.  The proposed reduction would prevent the Navy from fielding a system that meets the needs of the Special Forces in FY 2014. 

Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB).  The Administration opposes elimination of funding for AFSB.  The $38 million requested in the FY 2013 Budget request is needed for advanced procurement of AFSB, which would meet Combatant Commanders' requirements for special operations and mine clearance.  Further, AFSB is critical to the health of the shipbuilding industrial base as it is the only auxiliary ship in the Navy's shipbuilding plan until FY 2016.

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Systems.  The Administration objects to the 56-percent reduction from the FY 2013 Budget request for the CWMD Systems program, which integrates intelligence information about weapons of mass destruction for senior government officials.  The Military Departments and Combatant Commands have repeatedly identified data fusion as a critical capability gap.  The full $54 million requested in the FY 2013 Budget request is needed to start fusion center operations by the end of FY 2013.  The proposed reduction would cause the Department to assume significant tactical, operational, and strategic risk.

Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF).  The Administration opposes the reduction of $224 million from the FY 2013 Budget request for DAWDF.  Failure to provide the full request of $274 million would require DOD to collect from other budget accounts the shortfall between the appropriation and the statutory minimum for DAWDF.  The reduction in the appropriation would put unnecessary stress on the Operation and Maintenance budget at a time when funding levels are already constrained.

General Transfer Authority.  The Administration opposes the reduction of general transfer authority provided in section 8005 of the bill.  The $3 billion limit provided by the Committee significantly restricts DOD's ability to accommodate changing circumstances and to respond to urgent requirements in support of deployed forces, such as for force protection, in a timely manner.  DOD needs sufficient transfer authority in order to match individual accounts to programmatic needs.

Intelligence Community Management Account.  The Administration opposes the exclusion of section 8045 proposed in the FY 2013 Budget request, which provides critical language to authorize the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE) to transfer funds to other Federal departments and agencies.  Without transfer authority, PM-ISE would lose its ability to leverage agency efforts and work effectively with non-Federal partners to improve the performance of the information sharing environment in support of national security. 

Classified Programs.  The Administration understands that there could be problematic funding adjustments contained in the Classified Annex to the bill and looks forward to providing its views on this annex once it becomes available.

Civilian Pay Freeze.  The Administration objects to section 8119 of the bill, which does not fund the 0.5 percent civilian pay raise for calendar year 2013 proposed in the FY 2013 Budget request.  As the President stated in his FY 2013 Budget, a permanent pay freeze is neither sustainable nor desirable.

Riders

The Administration strongly opposes problematic policy and language riders that have no place in funding legislation, including, but not limited to, the following provisions in this bill:

Limitation on Reimbursement of the Government of Pakistan.  Section 9015 would require the Secretary of Defense to certify Pakistan's cooperation on issues outside of his purview and would severely constrict DOD's ability to respond to emergent war-time coalition support requirements, negatively affecting our campaign in Afghanistan.

Veterans Memorial Object Transfer.  Section 8120 would prohibit the transfer of a veterans memorial object to a foreign country or an entity controlled by a foreign government without specific authorization in law.  This provision would restrict the President's ability to take actions to demonstrate goodwill toward foreign allies and partners by lending or giving historical artifacts in instances where doing so would serve the national security interests of the United States.

Detainee Matters.  The Administration strongly objects to and has constitutional concerns about the provisions of sections 8108 and 8109 that limit the use of funds to transfer detainees and otherwise restrict detainee transfers.  Section 8108 undermines national security and this unnecessarily constrains the Nation's counterterrorism efforts, particularly where Federal courts are the best – or even the only – option for incapacitating dangerous terrorists.  For decades, presidents of both political parties have leveraged the flexibility and strength of this country's Federal courts to incapacitate dangerous terrorists and gather critical intelligence.  The continued prosecution of terrorists in Federal court is an essential element of counterterrorism efforts – a powerful tool that must remain an available option.  Additionally, the restrictions in section 8109 on the transfer of detainees to the United States and to the custody or effective control of foreign countries or entities in the context of an ongoing armed conflict may interfere with the Executive Branch's ability to determine the appropriate disposition of detainees and to make important foreign policy and national security determinations regarding whether and under what circumstances such transfers should occur.  The restrictions or interferences in both these sections would, in certain circumstances, violate constitutional separation of powers principles.  

In addition, the Administration strongly opposes section 8110 which would prohibit the use of funds to construct, acquire or modify a detention facility in the United States.  This would constrain the flexibility that the Nation's Armed Forces and counterterrorism professionals need to deal with evolving threats, intruding upon the Executive Branch's ability to carry out its mission.

The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress as the FY 2013 appropriations process moves forward.

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H.R. 6020 – Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2013

(Rep. Rogers, R-KY)

The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 6020, making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year (FY) ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.

Last summer, the Congress and the President came to a bipartisan agreement to put the Nation on a sustainable fiscal course in enacting the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA).  The BCA created a framework for more than $2 trillion in deficit reduction and provided tight spending caps that would bring discretionary spending to a minimum level needed to preserve critical national priorities.  Departing from the bipartisan agreement reached in the BCA and departing from these caps, the House of Representatives put forward a topline discretionary funding level for FY 2013 that, for example, would cost jobs and hurt average Americans, especially seniors, veterans, and children – as well as degrade many of the basic Government services on which the American people rely such as air traffic control and law enforcement.  In addition, these cuts were made in the context of a budget that fails the test of balance, fairness, and shared responsibility by giving millionaires and billionaires a tax cut and paying for it through deep cuts, including to discretionary programs.

In addition to the concern outlined above, the Administration strongly opposes the bill as reported by the Committee.  The bill severely undermines key investments in financial oversight and implementation of Wall Street reform to protect American consumers, as well as needed tax enforcement and taxpayer services.  It also hampers effective implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Investing in these areas is critical to the Nation's economic growth, security, and global competitiveness.  The Administration also strongly objects to the inclusion of ideological and political provisions that are beyond the scope of funding legislation.

If the President were presented with H.R. 6020, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

The Administration would like to take this opportunity to share additional views regarding the Committee's version of the bill.

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The Administration strongly opposes the bill's reduction in funding from the FY 2013 Budget request for the IRS.  Freezing funding at FY 2012 levels would continue to erode IRS program performance, significantly reduce revenue, and impair taxpayers' ability to access IRS services.  The Administration also urges the Congress to adopt the FY 2013 Budget's program integrity cap adjustment proposal, to provide additional funding to support high-return activities critical to the Nation's fiscal stability, yielding revenue that is many times larger than the investment. 

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) – Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) and Bond Guarantee Program.  The Administration strongly urges the House to support key CDFI priorities such as HFFI, which is designed to increase the availability of affordable, healthy food outlets in underserved urban and rural communities, and the authorized Bond Guarantee Program, which would expand economic development and opportunity in low-income and disadvantaged areas.

Fiscal Service.  The Administration urges the House to provide a single appropriation for Fiscal Service rather than the Committee's proposal to provide separate funding for the Bureau of the Public Debt and the Financial Management Service.  A single account would enhance the organizational consolidation that is currently underway to streamline Federal financial management processes while improving efficiency and performance.

Other Defense Civil Programs

Selective Service System.  The Administration objects to the 50-percent reduction from the FY 2013 Budget request for the Selective Service System.  This reduction would make it difficult to maintain a viable registration system, which has both military and symbolic significance, andwould require a Reduction-In-Force (RIF). 

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

EOP Funding.  The $23 million reduction from the FY 2013 Budget request in the bill would significantly impact the EOP's responsibilities to assist the President in carrying out his constitutional duties as head of the Executive Branch, including protecting national security interests, developing policies to address the challenges facing the Nation, and providing effective coordination and oversight of Federal agencies. 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  The Administration strongly objects to the bill's funding level for OMB, which represents a ten-percent reduction from the FY 2012 enacted level and is $11 million reduction below the FY 2013 Budget request. Absorbing reductions of this magnitude would require OMB to eliminate approximately 90 full time equivalents (FTEs) a staffing reduction of over 17 percent. This reduction would severely impact OMB's ability to carry out responsibilities that ensure sound use of taxpayer dollars, reduce low-priority spending to live within our fiscal constraints, and improve Government management.

General Services Administration (GSA)

Federal Buildings Fund.  The Administration urges the House to provide the FY 2013 Budget request for the Federal Buildings Fund.  By providing $702 million less than the FY 2013 Budget request, the bill fails to fund repair and alteration projects with exigent needs including fire and life safety repairs, and underfunds GSA's minor repair and alterations allocation, which is needed to meet minimal building repair requirements.  The Committee's funding level for the Federal Buildings Fund's operating activities jeopardizes GSA's ability to pay private lessors, utilities, and janitorial services.

Small Business Administration

Disaster Loan Program.  The Administration urges the House to provide the FY 2013 Budget request of $167 million for the Disaster Loan program's administrative costs through the authorized disaster cap adjustment under the BCA. 

Other Independent Agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  The Administration strongly opposes total resources included in the bill for SEC, which is $245 million below the FY 2013 Budget request, including a provision preventing obligation of funds from the Commission's non-appropriated Reserve Fund.  Taken together with onerous mandated increases in information technology funding in excess of amounts requested, the bill would require SEC to reduce staff policing U.S. securities markets and enforcing Federal securities laws, threatening the stability of our markets and the health of our economy.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  The Administration appreciates that the bill allows FCC increased access to spectrum auction receipts to conduct auctions, enabling FCC to implement the spectrum auctions recently authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act in a manner that best serves taxpayers.  However, the bill also reduces regular appropriated funding for FCC to $323 million.  Funding for FCC is budget neutral and without the proper amount of resources the agency would find it increasingly difficult to manage its responsibilities, such as supporting the build-out of public safety communications networks, overseeing mergers and spectrum transactions, and reforming the Universal Service Fund.

Election Assistance Commission (EAC).  The Administration urges the House to fund EAC at the requested level of $11.5 million to maintain the Commission's ability to fulfill its statutorily required duties and protect the integrity of elections.  The Committee's funding level could require EAC to RIF half of its current employees.

Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS).  The Administration opposes the Committee's decision not to include funding for ACUS, which would deprive taxpayers of the substantial cost savings that result from ACUS's recommendations. 

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.  The Administration opposes the Committee's decision to not include funding for the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.  Without funding in FY 2013, the Board would be unable to begin operations and execute its statutory responsibilities to assist agencies in ensuring that policies and activities properly protect U.S. citizens' privacy and civil liberties.

District of Columbia.  The Administration urges the House to include the provision requested in the FY 2013 Budget that allows the District of Columbia to spend its own local funds collected through local taxes and other non-Federal sources in the event of a lapse in Federal appropriations.  As is true for States, vital District operations that rely solely on non-Federal funds should not be disrupted by inaction of the Federal Government. 

Civilian Pay Freeze

The Administration objects to the exclusion of a provision providing for a Government-wide civilian pay adjustment for calendar year 2013.  As the President stated in his FY 2013 Budget request, a permanent pay freeze is neither sustainable nor desirable.  The Administration encourages the Congress to support the proposed 0.5 percent pay raise for civilian employees, while continuing the pay freeze for senior political officials.  The Administration also urges the inclusion of a provision relating to pay adjustments for prevailing rate employees.

Riders

The Administration strongly opposes problematic policy and language riders that have no place in funding legislation, including, but not limited to, the following provisions in this bill:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Funding Restrictions.  Sections 501 and 502 would terminate Federal Reserve transfers to fund CFPB and subject the agency to the annual appropriations process beginning in FY 2014.  The provision would shred the necessary independence of CFPB set in statute, and would increase the likelihood of underfunding CFPB, reducing consumer protection in the financial services marketplace. 

Internal Revenue Service Affordable Care Act.  Section 106 would impair the IRS' ability to implement the tax laws, specifically those enacted in ACA, by restricting the use of certain funding sources.  This restriction would pose unnecessary risks to proper implementation of the Nation's laws.

District of Columbia Needle Exchange Restriction.  Section 807 restricts the use of Federal funds for the District's needle exchange programs.  This is contrary to current law and the Administration's policy to allow funds to be used in locations where local authorities deem needle exchange programs to be effective and appropriate.

District of Columbia Abortion Restriction.  Section 810 prevents the District of Columbia from using its own funds for abortions, which undermines the principle of States' rights and of District home rule.  Longstanding Federal policy already prohibits Federal funds from being used for abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered. 

Reporting Requirements Related to Wall Street Reform Implementation.  Sections 120, 203, and 503 place additional reporting requirements on the Office of Financial Research, OMB, and CFPB, respectively, that are duplicative of existing reporting requirements and costly to produce. 

Abortion Coverage Under Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Programs.  Section 613 would expand current prohibitions on funding for abortion services and related administrative expenses by the Federal Employee Health Benefits programs health insurance carriers to all carriers under OPM's purview.  Longstanding Federal policy prohibits funds from being used for abortion services, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered. However, this expansion could implicate the Multi-State plans (MSPs) administered by OPM under ACA, and preclude OPM from spending any funds appropriated by this Act for MSPs that cover abortion services under segregated funding requirements that are structured to ensure no Federal funds are used for abortion except in the cases listed above.  This expansion is not necessary to protect Federal funds and restricts private insurance choices.

Sequestration Reporting.  Sections 205 and 206 include requirements for OMB to report on the impact of sequestration.  The Administration urges the Congress to focus on bipartisan, balanced deficit reduction legislation to avoid sequestration.  Should the Congress fail to act, the Administration will be prepared to implement the sequester.

Constitutional Concerns

Multiple provisions of the bill raise constitutional concerns.  Section 204 would prohibit the use of funds for officers or employees of the Executive Office of the President "to prepare, sign, or approve statements abrogating legislation passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed by the President."  Contrary to the implication of section 204, presidential signing statements do not abrogate legislation.  They indicate how the Executive Branch will apply acts of the Congress to ensure faithful execution of the laws.  To the extent section 204 purports to prevent the President from making use of his immediate aides in the Executive Office of the President to prepare any statement articulating the conclusion that a particular provision of law is unconstitutional and therefore will not be executed, in whole or in part, this provision would impermissibly encroach upon the President's constitutional authority to execute and interpret Federal laws, including the Constitution.  Section 622 would prohibit the use of funds for several positions that involve providing advice directly to the President and any "substantially similar positions."  The President has well-established authority to supervise and oversee the Executive Branch, and to obtain advice in furtherance of this supervisory authority.  The President also has the prerogative to obtain advice that will assist him in carrying out his constitutional responsibilities, and do so not only from Executive Branch officials and employees outside the White House, but also from advisors within it.  Finally, sections 713 and 715 are phrased in a manner that could be construed to require the Executive Branch to disclose, without discretion, certain classified and other privileged information, in which case they would intrude on the President's discharge of his constitutional authorities. 

The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress as the FY 2013 appropriations process moves forward.

House Votes 255-67 to Cite Holder for Contempt

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

Top Democrats Abstain and Walk Out in Protest

MSNBC reports “Republicans in the House voted Thursday to cite Attorney General Eric Holder for contempt of Congress in a politically-charged vote stemming from an investigation into alleged gun-running by the U.S. government.”

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

Annan Tries Another Peace Plan for Syria

In the face of the ongoing violence in Syria, Kofi Annan, the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy, is pushing yet another plan to try to end the fighting. A UN conference this weekend is expected to discuss a proposal for a unity government. But Russia says the meeting aims to set conditions for a ceasefire in Syria, and not dictate terms of a transitional government. Charles Stratford has the details. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

President Obama Speaks on Health Reform

Romney Vows to Repeal 'Obamacare'

Video courtesy of http://www.peoplevobamacare.com/.

'This is a Crucial Victory for Our Nation and a Rescue for Our Most Vulnerable'

Statement from Congressman Gregory Meeks on the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) released the following statement on the United States Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act:

“The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a decision today that makes it clear that we must move forward with the implementation of this law.  The ruling of our highest court that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional should put an end to unrelenting politically motivated calls for its repeal.  This is a critical victory for nation and a rescue for our most vulnerable.

“The ACA is the signature legislative achievement of President Obama and the Democratic-controlled 111th Congress.  Democrats have endured the constant resistance and disdain of Republicans who have never embraced the ACA since its passage in 2010.  We prevailed today as do American families who know this groundbreaking legislation is in their best interest.

“This decision elicits a collective sigh of relief from 33 million previously uninsured Americans who will receive coverage under the ACA.   It brings comfort to 77 million Americans that health insurance companies will no longer be able to deny, restrict, or drop from coverage due to a preexisting medical condition.  The same for millions of children − particularly recent high school and college graduates - who will be able to stay on the health insurance plans of their parents until age 26.

“Republicans must act in the interest of Americans now, and put the politics aside.  Instead of rhetoric about repealing the ACA, it is time for Republicans to work toward successful implementation.  I remain ready for a bipartisan effort, but Democrats must push forward even in the face of opposition from those in our nation who want to put politics before progress.”

Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law

Sources:NBCCNNUSATodayTheWashingtonPost
PoliticoTheNewYorkTimes 

By Nathan Byrne and Mallory Perryman
Anchor: Nathan Byrne
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

'I Am Pleased the Supreme Court Upheld This Law'

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo on Today's Affordable Care Act Ruling

"Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and his administration, particularly Secretary Sebelius, the Affordable Care Act will provide access to health care to millions of Americans nationwide and more than one million New Yorkers, and I am pleased the Supreme Court upheld this law. We will continue to move forward with implementing the health exchange that will lower coverage costs for New York's businesses and help ensure that uninsured New Yorkers have access to health care. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Obama administration to ensure accessible, quality care for all New Yorkers."

Colorado is on Fire

A Special Guest Commentary by Julia Olson, Executive Director, "Our Children's Trust" 

This article was submitted courtesy of Ted Glick, National Policy Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, who states the following: 

Reading the article below by Julia Olson made me cry.

One of the big memories of my childhood is a one-month vacation trip my family took when I was 14 years old, driving from Lancaster, Pa. to Colorado and staying in Manitou Springs, just outside of Colorado Springs, for two weeks. Now, Manitou Springs is burning.

And there's no clear end in sight to these spreading fires. No clear end over the coming days and weeks (months?), and no clear end for years and decades, given the certainty that the earth's atmosphere will continue to heat up and regions of the world like much of the U.S. West that are dry and hot will experience the destructive effects accordingly. That is, no clear end except--God forbid--a scorched, forest-less wasteland.

I pray with all my heart that this literally searing fire experience will speed us toward the political tipping point that makes it impossible for even our corrupt national government to deny the truth, that a swelling upsurge of popular outrage leads to the kind of strong action to get off fossil fuels and enact a renewable energy revolution that is desperately needed.

To update the words of labor organizer Joe Hill, "Don't just mourn, organize."

Colorado is on Fire

6-27-12

By Julia Olson, Executive Director, Our Children's Trust

http://ourchildrenstrust.org/article/362/colorado-fire

My home town is burning and my family's houses are on the front lines, with searing temperatures, zero humidity and high winds fueling a climate-driven fire.

On Sunday, June 24, my mom called to tell me that they were evacuating their home in historic Manitou Springs and my 88-year old grandmother was also forced to evacuate her home on the adjacent west side of Colorado Springs, not far from the beautiful Garden of the Gods, at the base of Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak is the most visited mountain in the country and known to be the second most visited mountain in the world. Its beauty inspired Kathleen Lee Bates to write the poem, which became the song “America the Beautiful.”

It’s Tuesday evening now and I just received the heartbreaking news that my grandmother’s neighborhood is on fire in what is now the highest priority fire in the nation: the Waldo Canyon Fire. Over 30,000 residents of Colorado Springs and surrounding towns have evacuated their homes and the fire is uncontained and growing.

A dozen wildfires are burning across my home state of Colorado. Temperatures are reaching historic records of over 100 degrees for days in a row. Creeks are running dry and there is virtually no humidity. Many of the forests are sitting timber boxes of beetle-ravaged pine and drought conditions. Whether started by lightning, arson, or human error, the conditions making these fires so potent is a direct result of climate change.

When I was growing up in the Rockies, with Pikes Peak as my backdrop, we had thundershowers nearly every afternoon bringing moisture and coolness to the summer heat. My friends and I would run through the puddles of water flowing in the gutters. And just as soon as the storm clouds moved in, the sun would reappear. A day of 90 degrees was considered hot. And there were no mosquitoes.

Now, the forests I grew up in and adore are dying from beetle kill, drought and wildfires that burn hotter and more intensely than the natural fires of a healthy forest ecosystem. Mosquitoes are rampant on a summer backpacking trip in the mountains and the thunderstorms arrive infrequently and usually without a drop of rain, just the lightning. Diminished snow pack and water shortages have become commonplace.

One of my closest childhood friends lives only miles from the High Park fire near Fort Collins, which has burned for two weeks and destroyed more than 85,000 acres making it the most costly fire in Colorado’s history. My college-town of Boulder is also under threat by the Woodland Heights Fire. And Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes, Colorado are also burning. We are losing national treasures. Personally, I am losing places of childhood, public property I belong to and that belongs to us all, and private property belonging to my family.

My mom wonders not what will become of her belongings should her home burn, but what will become of the black bear that visits them regularly in the summer months searching for food. She shares the landscape with innumerable wildlife that is losing thousands of acres of habitat. As a nurse, she also worries for the many people with respiratory conditions that make the smoke life-threatening.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a young Coloradoan, understands these threats to his community, too. He has asked his government to reduce the state’s and our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, which are contributing to the warming earth, the drought conditions, the beetle kill, and ultimately the increasing frequency and severity of fires in the west. In the short video below, Xiuhtezcatl tells his story of another recent devastating fire near Boulder. In his decade of life, he already knows well the losses that climate change brings.

In all of the reporting of the Colorado fires, the media fails to mention climate change or carbon dioxide emissions as a culprit. But let’s get honest. We are heating our planet, our nation, our communities. We are creating conditions friendly to insects that invade our forests and harm human health. We are changing our climate system so substantially that precipitation patterns are altered and drought in the southwest and west is going to be the new norm for generations to come. And yes, we will see more and more devastating wildfires that feed off of heat and drought and dying forest. We can keep trying to put out individual fires, but until we address the underlying coals of a heating nation, we won’t stop the inferno.

This loss is personal for me. And yet it’s just one of the devastating impacts of climate change affecting families around the country and the world.

After yet another disappointing round of international talks on sustainability and climate at Rio+20, and during another season of climate-induced fires and tropical storms, one thing should be abundantly clear: it is time the United States government and our state governments took our life, liberty and property seriously and developed a national climate recovery plan. Climate crisis threatens the very foundation of our Constitution and our nation, which was created to protect our lives, our freedom and the property and resources we hope to leave our children.

Our thoughts are with all of those families in Colorado who are losing places and people they love. And we will continue our work to hold government accountable to the people to protect the very things we hold dear.

Photos courtesy of http://blog.chicagoweathercenter.com.

Photo credit: Tracy Naranjo, Colorado Springs, CO

Barclays Bank Fined $453 Million for Market Fixing

Barclays Bank's share price has plunged by 17 percent earlier, as a rate-rigging investigation gets underway. Barclays has already been fined 453 million dollars for using underhand tactics to rig the markets. More banks could be caught up in the scandal. Laurence Lee has more. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

Obama's Health Care Law Upheld

Supreme Court Ruling a Major Victory for the President and Supporters of Historic Legislation

10:20am - Various news outlets are reporting that the Supreme Court has upheld President Obama's health care law, citing that the individual health care mandate may be upheld under congressional tax authority. 

From The G-Man will provide more information on this breaking news story as it becomes available. 

Top Newsy Headlines: Colorado Wildfire Rages On

Sources:FoxNewsCNNBBCAlJazeera 

By Nathan Byrne
Anchor: Nathan Byrne
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Man Admits to Child Molesting at Police Job Interview

Sources:KSPR-TVKOCOTheDailyMail 

By Newsy Staff
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Second Amendment Conspiracy Suggested in 'Fast and Furious'

Sources:MSNBCNRANewsFoxNews
ABCC-SPAN 

By Matthew Picht
Anchor: Anthony Martinez
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Judge: Pepper-Spray Cop Names Should be Public

Sources:KXTVKMAXTheSacramentoBee
TheLATimes 

By Mallory Perryman
Anchor: Brice Sander
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Seychelles Locking Up Convicted Pirates

Government officials at an international conference on piracy in Dubai say there must be a regional response to the problem. One tiny nation is among a handful of countries to prosecute and imprison pirates. Nazanine Moshiri reports from Mahe Island in the Seychelles. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

Singapore Pastor Charged in $19m Fraud Case

The founder of one of the largest churches in Singapore has been charged over the misuse of church funds. Pastor Kong Hee of the City Harvest Church, allegedly siphoned off 18 million dollars from the church's account, to finance his wife's singing career. Al Jazeera's Stephanie Scawen reports from Singapore. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

Striking Argentines Demand Tax Cuts

Thousands of workers have held a national strike in the Argentine capital, demanding that the government extend tax cuts amid spiralling inflation. The walkout was called by Hugo Moyano, the head of two powerful labour unions and a former ally of President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner. Moyano is currently being investigated on corruption charges, and Kirchner says the tax cut is impossible. Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

Students Take Lead in Sudan Protests

Students have been leading anti-government protests in Sudan. The demonstrations started two weeks ago after tough austerity measures were put in place. From Khartoum, Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr has more. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

Colorado Wildfire Forces 32,000 Evacuations

Sources:GoodMorningAmericaCBSBBCCNN 

By Matthew Picht
Anchor: Megan Murphy
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

New Website Claims 'We Know What You're Doing' on Facebook

Sources:Business2CommunityGizmodoYouTube
DigitalTrendsNakedSecurity

By Lyndsey Garza
Anchor: Megan Murphy
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Criticized Obamacare Thriving in Massachusetts

The U.S. Supreme court will decide whether President Obama's healthcare reform is constitutional on Thursday. Republicans have been criticising the bill. The law is closely modeled on Massachussets reform, which Mitt Romney, a Republican himself, helped desiging when he was governor there. It is the only state that requires all its legal residents to be medically insured, whether paid for by employers, workers or the government. Those who refuse to carry coverage pay a penalty -- an average $1,200 a year. As for Romney, a presumtive nominee for the next US presidential elections, he still defends the state law, yet insists that it should not be forced on the rest of the country. Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports from Boston. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

White House Briefs

Oval Office Chat Session: Obama, Hickenlooper and Bach

President Will Travel to Colorado to Review Wildfire Damage and Thank Firefighters

Today, President Obama called Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper as well as Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach to receive an update on damaging fires that are impacting a number of communities across the state, including the devastating Waldo Canyon fire that is affecting families, homes and businesses in Colorado Springs, CO. 

The President expressed his concern about the extent of damage to homes in the Colorado Springs area, and informed both the Governor and the Mayor that he plans to travel to the area Friday to view the damage and thank the responders bravely battling the fire.

The President reiterated his administration’s focus, through the US Forest Service as well as the Department of Interior and FEMA, on continuing to bring all resources to bear to assist local responders in Colorado and a number of Western States currently being impacted by fires. 

Seventeen air tankers have cycled in and out of firefighting action over the last 48 hours across the western states. 

More than 8,400 personnel, 578 fire engines and 79 helicopters are operating on wildfires around the U.S., with more than half of active federal wildfire-fighting resources are currently staged in Colorado.

Federal support is also being provided to local officials battling fires in Alaska, Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

The President made clear that he has directed his team to remain focused on the fires, and he asked the Governor and the Mayor to identify any additional resources that could be provided and informed both that his thoughts and prayers are with responders and families impacted by these and other fires burning across the western United States.

President, Crown Prince Meet at White House

Leaders Discuss Iran, Syria and Other Issues

The following is a joint statement by the United States and the United Arab Emirates:

The United States and United Arab Emirates remain deeply committed to close consultation and cooperation to promote peace and stability in the Gulf region and broader Middle East.  In their meeting at the White House today, President Obama and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nuhayan reviewed the full range of regional security issues including Iran, Syria, terrorism, and energy security.

   

The President and Crown Prince discussed the ongoing negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program and the three Gulf islands whose sovereignty is disputed between the UAE and Iran. They called upon Iran to meet its international obligations under the Nuclear Nonprolilferation Treaty and relevant United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors resolutions.  They also called for a peaceful resolution of the islands' status, regarding which the United States strongly supports the UAE's initiative to resolve the issue through direct negotiations, the International Court of Justice, or another appropriate international forum.

   

Both the President and Crown Prince expressed the urgent need to implement the Annan plan to prevent further bloodshed in Syria and their support for a transition plan that would meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.  Noting the profound changes taking place in other countries in the Middle East, they called on governments and citizens alike to avoid violence, advance tolerance, and protect human rights-particularly the rights of women.  They highlighted the importance of reforms that support accountable governance, increase civic participation, and promote economic opportunities, especially for young people.

   

The President and Crown Prince pledged to sustain the two countries' joint counter-terrorism and security initiatives in the region.  They discussed programs to counter violent extremism and the ideological roots of terrorism, and welcomed the upcoming launch in October in Abu Dhabi of the new Center for Countering Violent Extremism, a project supported by both countries and the international community.

   

The President and Crown Prince reaffirmed their commitment to strong bilateral defense cooperation to enhance regional security and deter any threat of aggression against the UAE.  They identified a number of mechanisms to continue to deepen this cooperation, including more joint exercises and training, improved combined planning, and future defense equipment sales.  They noted their appreciation that the militaries of the two governments had worked together in multiple coalition operations, including in Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya.  They discussed transition plans for Afghanistan, where UAE Special Forces units have been deployed for 10 years as part of broader coalition military and humanitarian stabilization efforts.  They pledged to enhance multilateral cooperation on regional security issues through the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Cooperation Forum.

   

On energy security, the Crown Prince outlined the UAE's ongoing initiatives to reduce price volatility and ensure reliable supplies to world markets at prices that support global economic growth.   The President and Crown Prince discussed the importance of protecting critical shipping lanes against threats of aggression, terrorism, and piracy.  The President congratulated the Crown Prince on the announcement of the opening of a new 1.5 million bpd oil pipeline that crosses the UAE, thus allowing energy supplies to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, and also expressed his appreciation for the UAE's efforts in the field of renewable energy.

  

The President and Crown Prince welcomed their countries' strong bilateral economic, cultural, and social ties, noting that the UAE is one of the largest trading partners of the United States in the Middle East.  The President thanked the UAE for hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit this December in Dubai, and reaffirmed U.S. support for encouraging broad-based economic growth and opportunity in the region.  The President also noted with appreciation the significant investment by the UAE in the United States, including in a semiconductor manufacturing facility in upstate New York scheduled to open later this year.

Stockton Set to Become Largest U.S. City to File Bankruptcy

Sources:GoodMorningAmericaCBSFoxNews
KCRATheWallStreetJournalTheNewYorkTimes 

By Emily Allen
Anchor: Megan Murphy
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Debby Storms Down on Florida

Sources:CentralFloridaNewsWFLA-TVBayNews9
MSNBCBloomberg 

By Ferdous Al-Faruque
Anchor: Lauren Zima
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Indiana Man Claims TSA Spilled Grandfather’s Ashes

Sources:WRTVKTRKTSAFeralGenius 

By Kerry Leary
Anchor: Neville Miller
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Syria in a 'State of War'

"We are living in a state of war and we are focused on winning it." Syria's President, Bashar al Assad, has now admitted the full scale of the conflict in a meeting with his new cabinet. Within hours of his pronouncement, gunmen stormed a pro-government television station in Damascus, killing seven people and kidnapping several others. The attackers used explosives against the compound. Charles Stratford has the latest on violence edging closer to the Syrian capital. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

Merkel Rebukes Appeal for Debt Action

European leaders appear to be divided ahead of a key summit on Thursday. Germany chancellor Angela Merkel has put her foot down, saying the Eurozone's total debt liability will not be shared, "in her lifetime". She also offered very little comfort to Spain whose Prime Minister has told his parliament that their debt is becoming unbearable. Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reports. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English. 

Wheeling Across Africa for the Disabled

Zachary Kimotho lost the use of his legs in 2004 when a gunman shot him in an attempted car-hijacking. He is now wheeling himself 4,000km away from Kenya, to the nearest spinal rehabilitation clinic, in Cape Town. Kimotho hopes to raise 250 million Kenyan shillings to build a rehabilitation centre in Kenya along the way. He also hopes to draw attention to the way disabled people are treated right across this continent. Peter Greste reports from Nairobi. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English. 

South Sudanese Deportees Face Uncertain Future

Israel is continuing to expel undocumented African migrants from the country. A group of South Sudanese has now arrived in Juba, that country's capital, as part of the second wave of expulsions since Israel first launched its crackdown. Many of the returning families face an uncertain future, returning to a homeland that many have not lived in for decades. Al Jazeera's Anna Cavell reports from Juba, South Sudan. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English. 

Economic Equality Still Elusive in South Africa

South Africa's president says the country needs radical economic transformation to promote equality. Jacob Zuma was speaking at the policy conference of the ruling African National Congress. The conference will debate whether or not the government should nationalise mines and banks. In the country's townships, however, citizens they have much more pressing priorities. Al Jazeera's Tania Page reports from Alexandra, a township in Johannesburg. Video courtesy of Aljazeera English.

'Testing Remains a Special Priority'

Statement by the President on National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day highlights the importance of HIV testing and the fight against HIV/AIDS.   Of the over 1.1 million Americans living with HIV, more than 200,000 are unaware of their infection, and may unknowingly be transmitting the virus to others.  Knowing your HIV status is a vital step toward accessing life-extending treatment for HIV, and thanks to ongoing research, that treatment is more effective than ever.

In July 2010, my Administration released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which emphasizes the goals of reducing infections, improving health outcomes, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.  Two years into its implementation, the Strategy continues to focus Federal, State, and local efforts on improving the delivery of HIV/AIDS services, including expanding outreach, testing, linkage to care, and treatment.

  

Testing remains a special priority – and thanks to quick and accurate tests, finding out your HIV status has never been easier.  The Affordable Care Act now requires many health insurance plans to provide recommended preventive health services with no out of pocket costs, giving millions of Americans better access to HIV testing.  Another CDC program, the Expanding Testing Initiative, has conducted 2.8 million tests in its first three years. Together, these and other efforts will help prevent new infections and ensure that people living with HIV lead healthy lives – moving us towards our goal of an AIDS-free generation.

NATO Condemns Downing of Turkish Jet

The Turkish prime minister is warning Syria's army to stay away from its borders, or else face retaliation.   The tough stance comes after Syria shot down one of Turkey's military jets.   NATO allies have promised support, but have steered clear of suggesting an armed response. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reports from Turkey.

Video courtest of Aljazeera English.

'One Card to Rule Them All'

Sources:WallabyFinancialSocialTechTechCrunch 

By Erick Shute and Adam Falk
Anchor: Neville Miller
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Deal Reached on Student Loan Interest Rates

Statement from Press Secretary Jay Carney

We’re pleased that the Senate has reached a deal to keep rates low and continue offering hard-working students a fair shot at an affordable education. Higher education has never been more important to getting a good job. That’s why President Obama has made stopping this rate hike and saving 7.4 million students an average of $1,000 a priority since his State of the Union and has repeatedly called on Congress to act. We hope that Congress will complete the legislative process and send a bill to the President as soon as possible.

FTG - Details on the agreement are available here: The Daily Beast

SWC Urges World Bank President to Launch Investigation

Dr. Shimon Samuels 

Concerns Over Alleged Meeting with Bank's Vice President and Hamas Political Leaders

In a letter to World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre's (SWC) Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, "urged an investigation into the meeting in Gaza, reported last week, of Inger Andersen - his Vice-President for Middle East and North Africa - with Hamas political leaders."

The letter noted that "both the EU and U.S. have designated the political and military wings of Hamas as terrorist organizations, which are at this time daily firing missiles into Israel."

Samuels considered that "Ms. Andersen's statement that Gaza has a fiscal crisis 'could only be facetious'.

However, her comment, 'recognizing that until fundamental changes are made that enable freer movement of people and greater access to resources, efforts to improve investments will be frustrated', requires explanation."

Samuels asked: "Is she arguing for regime change in Gaza?", continuing "if, on the other hand, her remark implies World Bank criticism of Israeli anti-terror security provisions, our Centre calls for appropriate steps."

"Until full clarification, we fear that the World Bank will be perceived as endorsing terrorism and, thereby, encourage further violence in the region", concluded Samuels.

Oval Office Chat Session: Obama and Scott

President and Florida Governor Discuss Tropical Storm Debby and State's Readiness

This morning President Obama called Florida Governor Rick Scott to ensure the state had no unmet needs as the Governor and his team continue to respond to extreme weather and flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Debby. The President expressed his condolences for the loss of life as well as the extensive damage to homes in Florida as a result of the storm, and reiterated that his Administration – through FEMA – would remain in close contact with the state as they continued to respond to this event and stood ready to provide additional assistance if necessary. 

Governor Rick Scott

At the request of the State, a FEMA liaison officer is onsite at the Florida state emergency operations center to support state response efforts as needed. The President asked Governor Scott to continue to identify any additional support his administration could provide, and told the Governor that his thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Florida and the emergency response officials at this difficult time. 

Governor Scott photo courtesy of http://www.flgov.com.