Politics in Action: H.R. 2028

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H.R. 2028 – Energy and Water Development
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

(Sen. Cochran, R-MS)

The Administration strongly opposes Senate passage of H.R. 2028, making appropriations for energy and water development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes.  Although the bill supports key national security items, the bill drastically underfunds critical investments that develop American energy sources to build a clean and secure energy future; develop and commercialize the emerging technologies that create high-quality jobs and enhance the Nation's economic competitiveness; and improve resilience against current and ongoing climate impacts that threaten our economy, public health, and natural resources.  As a result, it would put at risk U.S. competitiveness in new markets for clean energy industries such as advanced vehicles, advanced manufacturing, energy efficiency for homes and businesses, and domestic renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biomass.  If the President were presented with H.R. 2028, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.

Enacting H.R. 2028 and adhering to the congressional Republican budget's overall spending limits for fiscal year (FY) 2016 would hurt our economy and shortchange investments in middle-class priorities.  Sequestration was never intended to take effect:  rather, it was supposed to threaten such drastic cuts to both defense and non-defense funding that policymakers would be motivated to come to the table and reduce the deficit through smart, balanced reforms.  The Republican framework would bring base discretionary funding for both non-defense and defense for FY 2016 to the lowest real levels in a decade.  Compared to the President's Budget, the cuts would result in tens of thousands of the Nation's most vulnerable children losing access to Head Start, millions fewer workers receiving job training and employment services, and drastic cuts to scientific research awards and grants, along with other impacts that would hurt the economy, the middle class, and Americans working hard to reach the middle class.  

Sequestration funding levels would also put our national security at unnecessary risk, not only through pressures on defense spending, but also through pressures on State, USAID, Homeland Security, and other non-defense programs that help keep us safe.  More broadly, the strength of our economy and the security of our Nation are linked.  That is why the President has been clear that he is not willing to lock in sequestration going forward, nor will he accept fixes to defense without also fixing non-defense.

The President's senior advisors would recommend that he veto H.R. 2028 and any other legislation that implements the current Republican budget framework, which blocks the investments needed for our economy to compete in the future.  The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to reverse sequestration for defense and non-defense priorities and offset the cost with commonsense spending and tax expenditure cuts, as Members of Congress from both parties have urged.

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

Department of Energy (DOE)

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  The Administration strongly objects to the $1.9 billion provided in the bill for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  Overall, this level is $790 million below the FY 2016 Budget request.  Relative to the FY 2016 Budget request, the bill reduces funding for renewable energy by 34 percent, sustainable transportation by 23 percent, and energy efficiency by 35 percent.  These reductions would significantly underfund critical activities that support the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies including wind energy and advanced manufacturing capabilities.  At this funding level, the number of research, development, and demonstration projects supported in cooperation with industry, universities, and the national labs would be reduced, limiting innovation and technological advancement, curtailing solutions to reduce U.S. dependence on oil and reduce energy waste, and undermining the Nation's industrial competitiveness in the future global clean energy economy.  The Congress is urged to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget request of $2.7 billion.

Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).  The Administration objects to the $291 million provided in the bill for ARPA-E, which is $34 million or 10 percent below the FY 2016 Budget request.  This funding reduction would impact investments in transformational technologies that reduce energy-related emissions, increase energy efficiency across multiple economic sectors, and reduce energy imports.

Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.  The Administration objects to the $151 million provided in the bill for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, which is $119 million or 44 percent below the FY 2016 Budget request.  At the funding levels provided in the bill, critical activities supporting a secure, reliable, and modernized electricity grid as well as energy assurance, would go unfunded.  Investments in a modernized grid are necessary to move the Nation to a cleaner more secure energy future.

Fossil Energy and Nuclear Energy.  The Administration notes that the bill includes funding above the FY 2016 Budget request in some areas that are already well established in the market, including for nuclear ($948 million, $41 million or 4.5 percent above the FY 2016 Budget request) and for Fossil Energy Research and Development ($598 million, $38 million or 6.8 percent above the FY 2016 Budget request), yet makes drastic reductions in those areas that are most crucial to the Nation's clean energy future and continued U.S. technology leadership.  The Administration encourages the Congress to fund DOE's energy programs at the requested level, as this balances the portfolio among items of short-, medium-, and long-term progress and accounts for the potential contributions to U.S. leadership in these technology areas.

Office of Science.  The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for the Office of Science, in particular the support for capable exascale computing.  However, the level of funding provided, which is $0.2 billion below the FY 2016 Budget request of $5.3 billion, would reduce research and development programs throughout the agency and the Administration encourages the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget request.

Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).  The Administration opposes the $200 million level provided for the SPR, which is $57 million or 22 percent below the FY 2016 Budget request of $257 million.  At this funding level, the bill fails to fund activities supporting timely replacement of equipment and physical systems that are necessary to begin to address the backlog of deferred maintenance activities, and to enhance distribution flexibility and reliability.  Absent this funding, the SPR's energy security mission might be at risk.

Energy Information Administration (EIA).  The Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget request of $131 million for EIA to address critical energy data gaps, expand domestic energy data and analysis, and increase energy data integration with Canada and Mexico.

Nuclear Waste.  The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for implementing a workable solution for the management and disposal of the Nation's nuclear waste.

Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act.  The Administration strongly objects to section 312 of the bill, which excludes information technology (IT) spending at DOE labs from the management improvements and accountability introduced by the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act.  This exclusion would constrain the ability of the Secretary and Chief Information Officer to ensure the Department's mission is effectively and efficiently executed by reducing duplicative IT systems, implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity solution, and addressing other IT management issues, which support the President's goal to deliver a Government that is more effective, efficient, and accountable.

Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act).  The Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget request for DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to implement the DATA Act.  This funding would support efforts to provide more transparent Federal spending for data activities, updating IT systems, changing business processes, and employing a uniform procurement instrument identifier.

U.S. Digital Service Team.  The Administration urges the Congress to fund the FY 2016 Budget request for DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop a U.S. Digital Service team.  This funding would support efforts to manage digital services that have the greatest impact to citizens and businesses.

Corps of Engineers – Civil Works (Corps)

Overall Funding.  The bill funds the Corps civil works program at a net level of $5.4 billion.  The Administration believes the more appropriate overall funding levels proposed in the FY 2016 Budget request would limit spending on projects that provide a low return to the Nation.

Office of the Assistant Secretary.  The bill funds the Office of the Assistant Secretary at $3 million, a roughly $2 million, or 35 percent, decrease from the FY 2016 Budget request.  This reduction would not support the staffing necessary to provide oversight of the civil works program.

Corps Regulatory Program.  The Administration encourages the Congress to fund the Corps' regulatory program at the requested level.  A $5 million reduction in funding would inhibit the Corps' ability to issue permits in a timely manner, which could negatively affect business and development, and to protect important aquatic resources, while undertaking needed programmatic improvements, including implementation of the Clean Water rulemaking.

Fill Material under the Clean Water Act.  The Administration believes it is essential to retain Federal Agency discretion to pursue rulemakings they deem necessary to protect America's clean water resources, which are critical to American families and businesses.  The Administration strongly opposes section 104 of the bill, which could hamstring future regulatory work.

Federal Flood Risk Management Standard.  The Administration objects to section 503 of the bill, which prohibits funds from being used to implement, administer, carry out, modify, revise, or enforce Executive Order 13690 entitled "Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input."  If enacted, this provision would undermine Federal agencies' ability to protect Federal investments and could make our communities more vulnerable to flood risks.

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, and Central Utah Project

Overall Funding.  The bill provides $1.1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation and $10 million for the Central Utah Project.  The Administration appreciates the Committee's support of the Bureau and the Central Utah Project.

Indian Water Rights Settlements.  The Administration objects to the $23 million or 23 percent reduction to the FY 2016 Budget request for the Bureau of Reclamation for implementing enacted Indian Water Rights Settlements, including reductions in funding for the Crow settlement of over 80 percent, the Aamodt settlement by more than half, and the Navajo-Gallup settlement by over 10 percent.  The funding requested for these settlements carefully considered funding levels necessary in FY 2016 and future years to meet the dates mandated in the settlement acts.  This reduction would make it difficult to meet Congress' own statutorily-defined deadlines.  Indian water settlement agreements can provide water supply certainty for tribal communities, boost economic growth, and end expensive and protracted litigation.  The Administration urges the Congress to restore funding for this important program to the levels in the FY 2016 Budget request.

San Joaquin River Restoration.  The Administration appreciates the Committee's support of this important program to restore and maintain fish populations and reduce or avoid water supply impacts.  This restoration program is a multi-year effort that is integral to the implementation of Federal legislation that settled 18 years of litigation.

California Storage Projects.  The Administration strongly supports efforts to help alleviate the effects of drought in the West; however, the Administration is concerned with section 207, which establishes deadlines for completing feasibility studies for certain water storage projects.  The provision is unnecessary and the dates provided in the bill could prevent the participation of non-Federal partners in certain of the studies and may inhibit the Administration's ability to consider a full range of options for addressing these issues.

Dam Safety Authorization.  Section 205 of the bill amends the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act to allow new or supplementary non-safety-related project construction in conjunction with Safety of Dams work, provided that the additional costs are allocated to the authorized project purposes.  Any such authorization should ensure that the beneficiaries of the non-safety-related project construction pay their full share of the costs as a condition of construction and that there be no repayment contract for that portion of the project.

Constitutional Concerns

Certain provisions in the bill, including sections 101 and 201, raise separation of powers concerns.

The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress as the FY 2016 appropriations process moves forward. 

Source: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget

America’s Mass-Shooting Capital Is Chicago

 
By Justin Glawe

People living in Chiraq’s worst neighborhoods are more likely to be killed than citizens of the world’s leading countries for murder.

CHICAGO — Four men and two women were shot on April 5 last year, then five weeks later a 15-year-old boy and two men were shot.

Another 15-year-old boy and two men were shot in July. Three men were shot on Aug. 21. Three men and a 73-year-old woman were shot in September. Again in September, two boys ages 12 and 16 were shot along with an 18-year-old man. Two women and one man were shot on that same block on Nov. 19.

These mass shootings didn’t happen in Roseburg, Lafayette, Charleston, or Chattanooga but in Chicago’s worst neighborhoods, where—by one measure—it is more dangerous to live than the world’s most-murderous countries.

West Garfield Park, population 18,000, had 21 murders last year, which makes for a homicide rate of 116 per 100,000 people. The world’s leader in murders, Honduras, has a homicide rate of 90, according to the United Nations.

Following West Garfield Park in lethality was West Englewood and its 73.3 murder rate, more than second-place Venezuela with its 53.7 rate. Chicago’s Chatham (58) beats Belize (44.7); Englewood (52.6) outdoes El Salvador (41.2); South Chicago (48) tops Guatemala (39.9). The United States as a whole has 4.5 murders per 100,000.

Click here for the full article, supporting graph and videos. 

Source: The Daily Beast 

NY Secretary of State Announces 2015-2017 Class of Empire State Fellows

 

State Welcomes New and Diverse Class 

New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales today announced the 2015-2017 class of Empire State Fellows. The program, now in its fourth year, recruits mid-career professionals from the public and private sectors to serve as the new generation of New York State government leaders. The 10 new Empire State Fellows were chosen from a competitive pool of outstanding candidates for their professional experience, leadership potential, creativity and commitment to public service.

“The diverse backgrounds of these Empire State Fellows are an asset to the challenges faced by our State government,” said Secretary Perales, who oversees the program for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “We welcome the new class and look forward to their service and contributions to the people of New York.”

Governor Cuomo appoints each Empire State Fellow to work closely with senior administration officials and participate in the policy-making process. During their Fellowship, the Fellows also engage in educational and professional development programs, including completion of a unique, interactive curriculum developed specifically for the program by the Rockefeller Institute at SUNY Albany in consultation with Cabinet-level officials.

The Empire State Fellows program continues its tradition of selecting outstanding leaders from diverse backgrounds to enter public service. Members of the new class bring expertise from various professional fields, including law enforcement, not-for-profit management, the armed forces, education, and the legal profession.

“We are proud to welcome this new group of leaders into the ranks of State government,” said Jorge I. Montalvo, Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Opportunity. “The Empire State Fellows program has proven to be a successful vehicle to recruit the best and brightest to serve at the highest levels of New York State government and we look forward to another stellar class.” 

The 2015-2017 Class of Empire State Fellows

Amir Bassiri Amir Bassiri comes to the Empire State Fellows program after four years at Urban Upbound, a not-for-profit organization committed to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City. As Director of Development, Amir oversaw a variety of the organization’s financial, strategic and operational matters. During his time at Urban Upbound, Amir developed several public/private partnerships, including one that led to the creation of a worker-owned cooperative. Additionally, Amir led and managed the creation of a living financial model to assess program and contract profitability and to guide strategic decision making. A California native, Amir graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics and Psychology (Double Major), before earning a Master’s in Social Enterprise Administration (M.S.W) from Columbia University. Amir is also fluent in Farsi. Placement: Executive Chamber

Luana Y. Ferreira Luana Y. Ferreira joins the Empire State Fellows program with a background in education and professional development in diversity affairs. She began her career as a New York City Teaching Fellow, working with school districts as a teacher, staff developer and data specialist. An advocate for closing the achievement gap, Luana has also worked for Summer on the Hill, the I Have a Dream Foundation and Alianza Dominicana’s Summer Youth Employment programs, all not-for-profit entities that support student success. Luana was a research assistant for the Research Institute for the Study of Languages in Urban Settings (RISLUS) in New York, where she helped develop and administer diagnostic tools to assess English proficiency levels of immigrant Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE). Additionally, she served as a lead for strategic planning and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives, presenting at the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) and the National Dominican Student Conference at Wharton. Luana received her B.A. from SUNY New Paltz, her M.S. Ed. from the City College of New York and a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from the CUNY Graduate Center. Recently, Luana taught at CUNY Lehman and Teachers College. She speaks Spanish, French and Portuguese and was born and raised in Washington Heights, New York. Placement: Department of State

Dora Fisher Dora Fisher brings a decade of experience in aging and public health to the Empire State Fellows program. She joins us following her role as the Director of Older Adult Programs for Oral Health America, overseeing the aging strategies for this national organization and conceptualizing community-based public health aging programs implemented across the country. Prior to that, she held a research position as a gerontologist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, writing and researching peer-reviewed publications on aging and disability health promotion. Before her role as a gerontological researcher, she oversaw health programming for older adults at a community health center in Chicago, worked in advocacy for senior centers in New York City, and was a policy analyst for the Office of the NYC Public Advocate. She has a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. Dora originally hails from Connecticut and the Boston area, and she is excited to return closer to home after many years in Chicago. Placement: Office for the Aging

Daniel Friedman Daniel Friedman joins the Empire State Fellows program following a career in political consulting and communications around the country. Daniel was a campaign manager and communications director for candidates for public office and institutions in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southwest. As a campaign manager, Daniel helped candidates build winning organizations from the ground up, including fundraising, organizing and communications strategy. As an advisor to policymakers and political candidates, Daniel wrestled with politically sensitive policy matters in a variety of high-stakes settings, including health care, transportation and immigration law. Daniel earned his Bachelor's in Political Science at American University and his Master's in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University where he studied management and public finance. Placement: Empire State Development

Aaron Gladd Aaron Gladd comes to the Empire State Fellows program as a former Active Duty United States Army Officer and combat Veteran whose service included Operation Enduring Freedom. Assigned to the 2^nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division, Aaron served as a Sapper Platoon Leader where he led 41 Soldiers in Counter Improvised Explosive Device Operations throughout Eastern Afghanistan. Aaron also served as his Battalion’s dismounted tactics Master Trainer, with training oversight of over 400 Soldiers. Before enlisting in the service, Aaron ran legislative and budget operations in the New York State Senate under the Deputy Leader and was a New York State Senate Graduate Fellow. Aaron also worked for U.S. Congressman Michael McNulty. A native of Saranac Lake, Aaron holds a B.A. in Public Law from the University at Albany, an M.P.A. in Local Government Management and Finance from the Nelson Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, and is a graduate of the United States Army Infantry School and the United States Army Engineer School. Placement: Department of State

Omar J. Herrera Omar J. Herrera comes to the Empire State Fellows program from his role as Trustee & Deputy Mayor of the Village of Ossining, NY, in Westchester County. As Trustee, he and his colleagues adopted a “Complete Streets Policy” which ensured that all future roadways are strategically designed to consider pedestrian safety, access and equitable mobility for all. Omar also voted on a successful resolution supporting Governor Cuomo’s “Raise the Age” initiative to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18; restored the previously censored video recording and airing of public comment section during board meetings making the actions of the Board more transparent; and, launched virtual and mobile office hours for community outreach. Prior to his work in public office, Omar was a legislative assistant at the Westchester County Board of Legislators, where he worked on constituent affairs, case management, legislative research and community outreach. In addition, he served as the Public Relations Director for the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and was a small business owner of an event management firm. Omar received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Pace University Dyson College of Arts & Sciences. Placement: Executive Chamber

Giancarlo Pellegrini Giancarlo Pellegrini comes to the Empire State Fellows program from Sidley Austin LLP, where he served as an Associate in the firm’s Litigation practice. During his five years in private practice, Giancarlo primarily represented financial institutions in federal investigations related to the trading of equities and fixed-income products. Giancarlo also has handled pro bono cases in an array of areas including tenants’ rights, voter fraud protection, immigration asylum claims, veterans’ benefits, and advocacy at the United Nations related to alleged war crimes. Giancarlo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Lehigh University where he graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Giancarlo is admitted to practice law in New York, the District of Columbia, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Giancarlo is also a member of the American Bar Association and is proficient in Italian. Placement: Executive Chamber

Michael-Sean Spence Michael-Sean Spence joins the Empire State Fellows program after a career as an Assistant District Attorney for the Queens County District Attorney's Office in Queens, New York. As a criminal prosecutor, Michael-Sean led various inter-agency investigations into organized tax evasion, organized commercial theft, identity theft and related crimes. During Michael-Sean's tenure, the Crimes Against Revenue Unit collected more than $3 million in restitution for State and local governments, as well as seized evidence valued in excess of $4.5 million. Michael-Sean is a regular speaker to youth and community organizations to help the community better understand their rights and the criminal justice system. Michael-Sean received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland-College Park and his law degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Placement: Division of Criminal Justice

Allison Weingarten Allison Weingarten served as program director of the Queens Community House (QCH). In the face of severe financial challenges to the organization and after school program, Allison skillfully kept the program open and led an effort to successfully restore government funding in 2015. Prior to working for QCH, Allison served as Legislative Director of the Subcommittee on Workplace Safety under its Chair Assembly Member Rory Lancman (now, a New York City Councilman).  Allison earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a master’s degree in Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Allison has spent the last ten years of her life in Ithaca and Queens, New York and she is excited to return to her hometown of Niskayuna, New York. Placement: Division of the Budget

Ron Zacchi Ron Zacchi joins the Empire State Fellows from a position as the Assistant Director of Communications and Development for the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). Before joining CUCS, he worked at the Center for Social Inclusion on initiatives designed to dismantle structural racism.  Ron served as Executive Director for Marriage Equality New York (MENY) where he led a successful statewide grassroots campaign for equal marriage rights in New York State. Before moving into the not-for-profit sector, Ron worked for nearly a decade in the private sector as a marketing executive. Ron received his Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from Baruch’s Executive Program in the School of Public Affairs and his Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University School of Communications. Placement: Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance

The Empire State Fellows program is one of the three parts of Governor Cuomo’s New NY Leaders Initiative that prepares a new generation of leaders to serve in State government. The Excelsior Service Fellowship Program brings highly talented recent graduates to serve throughout the State government, and the New NY Leaders Internship Program offers hundreds of college students an opportunity to work in State government. Information regarding the Empire State Fellows program is available here.

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

The Power of the Pen: New Bills Signed into Law

 Press Secretary's Statement on H.R. 1020, H.R. 1624, H.R. 2617, S. 136, S. 139, S. 261, S. 565, S. 994, and S. 1707

On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, the President signed into law:

H.R. 1020, the “STEM Education Act of 2015,” (1) which defines the term "STEM education" to explicitly include computer science for the purpose of carrying out STEM education activities at specified Federal agencies; (2) authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue to award grants for informal STEM education; and (3) amends the NSF's Robert Noyce Scholarship Program for training math and science teachers to expand eligibility to teachers with a bachelor's degree;

H.R. 1624, the “Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act,” which recategorizes businesses with 51 to 100 employees from the Affordable Care Act's "small employer" designation to its "large employer" designation, and to make available funding for a Medicare Improvement Fund;

H.R. 2617, which amends the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 to reduce the amount of a scheduled increase in the minimum wage applicable to American Samoa;

S. 136, the “Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015,” to grant parents of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans with "preference eligible" status in the civil service hiring process;

S. 139, the “Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015,” to make permanent an exclusion from Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid income-eligibility tests for certain compensation individuals receive for participating in clinical trials for rare diseases and conditions;

S. 261, which designates the United States courthouse located at 200 NW 4th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the William J. Holloway, Jr. United States Courthouse;

S. 565, the “Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act of 2015,” which requires the head of each Federal agency to encourage the use of remanufactured vehicle parts to maintain Federal vehicles if using such parts reduces costs and does not lower the quality of performance or delay the return of vehicles to service;

S. 994, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Walter Hammond Place in Waldwick, New Jersey, as the Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine Post Office Building; and

S. 1707, which designates the Federal building located at 617 Walnut Street in Helena, Arkansas, as the Jacob Trieber Federal Building, United States Post Office, and United States Court House.

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary

Daniel Newhauser on Republican Leadership Elections

 

National Journal Congressional Reporter Daniel Newhauser talks about the Freedom Caucus' endorsement of Daniel Webster (R-FL) for speaker, a move which complicates Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) bid to replace Speaker John Boehner. 

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span

'Like It Is' with Gil Noble - Drug Addiction

Trailblazers in Black History: Archie Alexander, Mathematician and Engineer

 

Archie Alphonso Alexander (May 14, 1888 – January 4, 1958) was an African-American mathematician and engineer. He was an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa and the first to graduate from the University of Iowa's College of Engineering. He was also a governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

After graduation, Alexander worked as a foreman for a bridge-building company before going into business for himself in 1917. Continuing his education at the University of London, Alexander studied bridge design in and obtained a degree in civil engineering in 1925 from the State University of Iowa.

In 1929, he formed Alexander & Repass, where he would work until his death. They were responsible for the construction of many roads and bridges, including the Whitehurst Freeway, the Tidal Basin Bridge, and an extension to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. With his business partner, George Higbee, Alexander designed the Tuskegee Airfield and the Iowa State University heating and cooling system.

Additional information is available here. 

Source: Wikipedia

Today in History: October 8th

The El Faro Cargo Ship: Tragedy at Sea

Statement from President Obama

The following statement was submitted to From The G-Man on October 7.

The captain and crew of the El Faro were Americans and Poles, men and women, experienced mariners and young seamen.  They were beloved sons and daughters and loving husbands and fathers.  They were dedicated engineers, technicians and a cook.  And these 33 sailors were united by a bond that has linked our merchant mariners for more than two centuries--a love of the sea.  As their ship battled the storm, they were no doubt working as they lived--together, as one crew.  This tragedy also reminds us that most of the goods and products we rely on every day still move by sea.  As Americans, our economic prosperity and quality of life depend upon men and women who serve aboard ships like the El Faro. 

I thank everyone across our government and in the private sector who worked so tirelessly, on the sea and in the air, day after day, in the massive search for survivors.  The investigation now underway will have the full support of the U.S. government, because the grieving families of the El Faro deserve answers and because we have to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our people, including those who work at sea.  Today, 28 American families--from Florida to Maine--and five Polish families are heartbroken.  May they be comforted, in some small way, in knowing that they have the love and support of their neighbors, the merchant mariner community and the American people.  May God bless the men and women of the El Faro.  May He comfort their families.  And may He watch over and protect all those who serve at sea on behalf of us all. 

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary    

More Debris Found From Missing Cargo Ship

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NTSB investigators are searching for the "black box" of the ship that went down in Hurricane Joaquin.

Bill Cosby Set to Answer Questions Under Oath

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62 South Carolina Dams at the Breaking Point

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Crews work around the clock, desperate to stop millions of gallons of water from flooding.

Injured Army Veteran Uses Ceramics to Tell His Story of Going to War and Healing at Home

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After suffering multiple head injuries in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Army veteran Jon Meadows articulates his journey of going to war and healing at home through sculpture art.

Syria Extends Major Offensive to Retake Territory in West

 
Reuters, 08/10 14:23 CET

By Sylvia Westall and Tom Perry

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian troops and allied militia backed by Russian air strikes and cruise missiles fired from warships attacked rebel forces on Thursday as the government extended a major offensive to recapture territory in the west of the country.

Rebel advances in western Syria earlier this year had threatened the coastal region vital to President Bashar 

al-Assad’s control of the area and prompted Russia’s intervention on their ally’s side last week.

In a further show of force, the Russian defense ministry said missiles fired from its ships in the Caspian Sea hit weapons factories, arms dumps, command centers and training camps supporting Islamic State forces.

Ground forces loyal to the government targeted insurgents in the Ghab Plain area of western Syria, with heavy barrages of surface-to-surface missiles as Russian warplanes bombed from above, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a rebel fighting there.

It said rebels had shot down a helicopter in Hama province in western Syria. It was unclear if it was Syrian or Russian.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Euronews 

U.S. to Sail Warships Near Disputed South China Sea Islands – FT

Reuters, 08/10 14:04 CET

(Reuters) – The United States is expected to sail warships close to China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea within the next two weeks to signal it does not recognize Chinese territorial claims over the area, the Financial Times reported, citing a senior U.S. official.

The ships will sail within the 12-nautical-mile zones that China claims as territory around some of the islands it has constructed in the Spratly chain, the report said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing on Thursday that China was paying attention to such reports, and that it and the United States have maintained “extremely thorough communication” on the South China Sea issue.

“I believe the U.S. side is extremely clear about China’s relevant principled stance,” she said. “We hope the U.S. side can objectively and fairly view the current situation in the South China Sea, and with China, genuinely play a constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

Click here for the full article.

Source: Euronews

ICC Prosecutor Plans Probe into 2008 Georgia-Russia War

 
Reuters, 08/10 13:36 CET

By Thomas Escritt

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Wednesday that its prosecutor planned to investigate possible crimes committed in the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia, bringing Moscow, an opponent of the court, into its sights for the first time.

Judges must now decide whether to permit the move, which would pit non-member Russia against the European-backed permanent global war crimes court at a time when east-west tensions run higher than at any time since the Cold War.

The Hague-based court is already considering whether to open an investigation into crimes committed in Ukraine, another West-leaning former Soviet republic which is fighting Moscow-backed separatists in its east.

Click here for the full article.

Source: Euronews

Rwanda’s Top Court Clears Way for Kagame Third Term

 President Paul Kagame

Reuters, 08/10 13:11 CET

By Clement Uwiringiyimana

KIGALI (Reuters) – Rwanda’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that President Paul Kagame could run for a third seven-year term, rejecting an attempt by the main opposition party to block changes to the country’s constitution.

In the latest instance of an African leader seeking to extend his days in power, the Kagame-controlled parliament backed a motion in July to let him run again as leader of the east African state.

The constitutional changes must pass a referendum although there is little chance of them failing due to Kagame’s control over the media and many aspects of public life, as well as his popularity as a nation-builder after a 1994 genocide.

“All depends on the opinions of the people,” the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

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Source: Euronews

Nato Ready to Send Troops to Defend Turkey, Says Stoltenberg

Source: Euronews

Syria: We Believe That Russia Has the Wrong Strategy, Says US

Source: Euronews

Netanyahu Bans al-Aqsa Visits from Ministers to Ease Tensions

Source: Euronews

Ebola: Is the Epidemic Over?

Source: Euronews

Tsipras Begins ‘Race to Reform’ Following Greek Confidence Vote

Source: Euronews

White House Press Briefing

 

Spokesman Josh Earnest briefs reporters and responds to questions on a range of issues, including the U.S. airstrike that accidentally hit a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan and Defense Authorization legislation.

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Source: C-Span

U.S.-Germany Relations

President Obama holds a bilateral meeting with President Joachim Gauck of Germany in the Oval Office. The visit by the German president marks the 25th anniversary of German reunification.

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Source: C-Span