President Obama presents the Medal of Honor posthumously to Private
Henry Johnson and Sergeant William Shemin, both of whom served
courageously in World War I.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
State Department Daily Briefing
Marie Harf, acting spokeswoman for the United States Department of State, briefed reporters and responded to questions on a variety of international topics.
IRS Data Theft Testimony
Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen and Inspector
General for Tax Administration Russell George testified on the recent
data theft that compromised the private information of over 100,000
taxpayers.
Hearing on Amtrak Derailment
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal
Railroad Administration, Amtrak, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and Trainmen testified on the May 2015 Amtrak derailment in
Philadelphia that killed eight people.
Takata Air Bag Recall
Witnesses testified at a hearing on concerns that air bags made by
Japanese auto supplier Takata could deploy too forcefully, thus spraying
metal fragments inside the vehicle. In May 2015, the company expanded
its recall in the U.S. to more than 30 million cara. The recall affected
10 automakers, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, and General Motors.
Source: C-Span
USA FREEDOM Act Passed
Statement by the President
For
the past eighteen months, I have called for reforms that better
safeguard the privacy and civil liberties of the American people while
ensuring
our national security officials retain tools important to keeping
Americans safe. That is why, today, I welcome the Senate’s passage of
the USA FREEDOM Act, which I will sign when it reaches my desk.
After
a needless delay and inexcusable lapse in important national security
authorities, my Administration will work expeditiously to ensure our
national security professionals again have the full set of vital tools
they need to continue protecting the country. Just as important,
enactment of this legislation will strengthen civil liberty safeguards
and provide greater public confidence in these programs,
including by prohibiting bulk collection through the use of Section
215, FISA pen registers, and National Security Letters and by providing
the American people with additional transparency measures.
I
am gratified that Congress has finally moved forward with this sensible
reform legislation. I particularly applaud Senators Leahy and Lee as
well
as Representatives Goodlatte, Sensenbrenner, Conyers, and Nadler for
their leadership and tireless efforts to pass this important bipartisan
legislative achievement.
Services for Beau Biden Will Be Open to the Public
Statement by the Office of the Vice President
Later this week, there will be services to honor the life of Beau Biden. These services will be open to the public.
On Thursday, Beau will lie in honor at Legislative Hall in Dover, Delaware between 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET.
On Friday, there will be a viewing at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church in Wilmington, Delaware between 1:00 - 4:00 PM ET and 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET.
On Saturday at 10:30 AM ET,
there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua R.C.
Church in Wilmington, Delaware. President Obama will deliver a eulogy in
honor of Beau Biden at this mass.
Additional details, including media information, are forthcoming.
On
behalf of the Biden family, Hallie Biden has requested that in lieu of
flowers, those wishing to make a contribution in memory of Beau Biden do
so to the Beau Biden Foundation
for the Protection of Children at:
www.beaubidenfoundation.org
Politics in Action: H.R. 2289
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H. R. 2289 – Commodity End-User Relief Act
(Rep. Conaway, R-TX, and three cosponsors)
The Administration is firmly committed to
strengthening the Nation's financial system through the implementation
of key reforms to safeguard derivatives markets and ensure a stronger
and fairer financial system for investors and consumers. The full
benefit to the Nation's citizens and the economy cannot be realized
unless the entities charged with establishing and enforcing the rules of
the road have the resources to do so.
The Administration strongly opposes the
passage of H.R. 2289 because it undermines the efficient functioning of
the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) by imposing a number of
organizational and procedural changes and would undercut efforts taken
by the CFTC over the last year to address end-user concerns. H.R. 2289
also offers no solution to address the persistent inadequacy of the
agency's funding. The CFTC is one of only two Federal financial
regulators funded through annual discretionary appropriations, and the
funding the Congress has provided for it over the past five years has
failed to keep pace with the increasing complexity of the Nation's
financial markets. The changes proposed in H.R. 2289 would hinder the
ability of the CFTC to operate effectively, thereby threatening the
financial security of the middle class by encouraging the same kind of
risky, irresponsible behavior that led to the great recession.
Prior to enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the derivatives markets were
largely unregulated. Losses connected to derivatives rippled through
that hidden network, playing a central role in the financial crisis.
Wall Street Reform resulted in significant expansion of the CFTC's
responsibilities, establishing a framework for standardized
over-the-counter derivatives to be traded on regulated platforms and
centrally cleared, and for data to be reported to repositories to
increase transparency and price discovery. The changes proposed in H.R.
2289 would hinder the CFTC's progress in successfully implementing
these critical responsibilities and would unnecessarily disrupt the
effective management and operation of the agency without providing the
more robust and reliable funding that the agency needs.
In order to respond quickly to market
events and market participants, the CFTC needs funding commensurate with
its evolving oversight framework. The Administration looks forward to
working with the Congress to authorize fee funding for the CFTC as
proposed in the FY 2016 Budget request, a shift that would directly
reduce the deficit. User fees were first proposed in the President’s
Budget by the Reagan Administration more than 30 years ago and have been
supported by every Democratic and Republican Administration since that
time. Fee funding would shift CFTC costs from the general taxpayer to
the primary beneficiaries of the CFTC’s oversight in a manner that
maintains the efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of
the Nation’s futures, options, and swaps markets, and supports market
access for smaller market participants hedging or mitigating commercial
or agricultural risk.
If the President were presented with H.R. 2289, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
FBI Confirms Wide-Scale Use Of Surveillance Flights Over U.S. Cities
By Jack Gillum, Eileen Sullivan and Eric Tucker
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is operating a small air force with scores
of low-flying planes across the U.S. carrying video and, at times,
cellphone surveillance technology — all hidden behind fictitious
companies that are fronts for the government, The Associated Press has
learned.
The planes' surveillance equipment is generally used
without a judge's approval, and the FBI said the flights are used for
specific, ongoing investigations. In a recent 30-day period, the agency
flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states across the country, an AP
review found.
Full article and video available here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/02/fbi-surveillance-flights_n_7490396.html
Source: Associated Press
Politics in Action: H.R. 2578
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H.R. 2578 — Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016
(Rep. Rogers, R-KY)
The Administration strongly opposes House
passage of H.R. 2578, making appropriations for the Departments of
Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2016,
and for other purposes. The bill drastically underfunds critical
investments in research and development that are key to advancing U.S.
economic competitiveness and reducing taxpayer costs for securing
essential weather satellite data and conducting an effective 2020
census. It also severely underfunds State and local criminal justice
assistance that helps ensure the safety and well-being of individuals
and communities, and underfunds programs that would increase the use of
body-worn cameras by law enforcement, expand training, provide
much-needed police department reform, and multiply the number of cities
where the Department of Justice facilitates community and local law
enforcement engagement. It also cuts support for NASA’s Commercial Crew
Program that will help end our reliance on Russia for transporting
astronauts, critical space technology investments that will help pave
the path to reaching Mars, and earth science research that is helping us
understand how our climate is changing and how to respond to
earthquakes, droughts, and severe weather events. Furthermore, the
legislation includes highly objectionable provisions, including
provisions that continue unwarranted restrictions regarding detainees
held at Guantanamo Bay that will undermine our national security,
severely inhibit efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking, and put in
place non-germane foreign policy restrictions related to Cuba. If the President were presented with H.R. 2578, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
Enacting H.R. 2578 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, more than two million fewer workers receiving job
training and employment services, and thousands fewer scientific and
medical 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. 2578 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 Commerce
Census Bureau Periodic Censuses and Programs (including 2020 Decennial Census).
The Administration strongly objects to the inadequate funding provided
to the Census Bureau to produce robust economic and demographic data and
prepare for the 2020 Decennial Census. The Committee's proposed funding
level would increase taxpayers' cost of conducting the 2020 Decennial
Census by billions of dollars by preventing the Census Bureau from
developing, testing, and implementing critical cost saving innovations.
In addition, the reductions in funding for the American Community Survey
threaten the data availability and coverage for rural communities and
communities with small populations, depriving businesses and policy
makers of the data necessary to make informed decisions.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Labs.
The Administration urges the Congress to fund NIST research at the
requested level given the important contributions that NIST makes to the
U.S. economy. Instead, the bill would eliminate funding for the
lab-to-market initiative, constraining benefits to commercial entities
and taxpayers from moving cutting-edge technologies out of Federal labs
into the market. It would also reduce NIST funding for research that can
strengthen U.S. leadership in the industries of the future, such as
cyber-physical systems and biomanufacturing.
Manufacturing Programs.
The Administration strongly objects to the lack of funding provided for
manufacturing programs at NIST that would strengthen U.S. manufacturing
at a time when an historic resurgence in U.S. manufacturing is taking
hold. In particular, the Committee provides none of the requested funds
for the Department of Commerce to establish two manufacturing institutes
as part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation that are
designed to bridge the gap between basic research and product
development for technology areas. These institutes encourage investment
and production in the U.S. creating good jobs now and preparing American
workers for future opportunities in the advanced manufacturing sector.
In addition, the funding level in the bill would not allow the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership to provide its services to
additional small and medium-sized manufacturers.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Infrastructure.
The Administration objects to the bill's funding level for NOAA's
Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction program, which precludes
needed long-term infrastructure investments to collect critical
environmental data. While the bill includes the requested funding for
the current generation of critical weather satellites, it fails to
provide the necessary resources to initiate the development of the next
generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites. The continuity of these
satellites has been highlighted as a high risk by independent groups
and the Government Accountability Office. In addition to informing the
day-to-day operations of businesses and individuals, weather data from
NOAA satellites help predict the potential impact of extreme weather
events, which lets communities and emergency responders prepare. Not
only would the bill heighten the risk of a gap in satellite coverage,
but its shortsighted reductions mean that the next generation of
polar-orbiting weather satellites would cost taxpayers more. In
addition, the Administration urges the Congress to provide the funding
necessary to acquire a NOAA research vessel. NOAA's aging research fleet
plays a critical role in the research and management of marine
resources, directly supporting coastal economies and environmental
stewardship.
NOAA Operations. The
Administration appreciates the Committee's support for the National
Weather Service; however, the Administration opposes the funding levels
provided for the National Ocean Service and climate research programs,
which are 15 percent and 32 percent below the FY 2016 Budget request,
respectively. The reductions impact two high priority programs that help
communities prepare for the effects of natural disasters and other
ramifications of climate change and provide the science necessary to
inform their preparations. The Administration also urges the Congress to
provide the requested funding to support infrastructure permitting
consultations, which would reduce project timeframes and support
economic development.
International Trade Administration.
The Administration urges the Congress to provide the requested funding
level of $497 million, which would allow for the expansion of the
Interagency Trade Enforcement Center and SelectUSA. These investments
directly support businesses trying to compete in a global economy by
ensuring a level playing field and helping secure new investments in
local communities.
Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for EDA's
Economic Development Assistance Programs. However, the Administration
urges the Congress to provide the resources necessary for EDA to provide
greater technical assistance to local communities and to make more
effective use of a range of Federal economic development programs. The
FY 2016 Budget request for EDA furthers the agency's goal of creating
new jobs by expanding EDA's capacity to help communities develop and
implement comprehensive strategies for regional economic growth, work
across silos of Federal, State, and other sources of assistance, and
leverage scarce resources to maximize economic and community development
opportunities.
U.S. Digital Service Team. The
Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget
request of $6.4 million for the Department of Commerce to develop a U.S.
Digital Service team. This funding would support the Department's
efforts to manage the agency's digital services that have the greatest
impact on citizens and businesses, including increasing the availability
of key data sets and improving the Department's interactions with the
public.
Internet Governance Transition.
The Administration strongly objects to the provision that prevents the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration from using
funds to relinquish its responsibility with respect to internet domain
name system functions, a commitment the U.S. Government made more than a
decade ago. The successful transition of these functions would
facilitate a free and open internet managed through a multi-stakeholder
governance structure.
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Federal Law Enforcement. The
Administration appreciates the Committee's support for Federal law
enforcement. The bill provides $13.6 billion for the Department's law
enforcement components and adequately funds key priorities including
counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybersecurity, and combatting
illegal drugs and the trafficking of firearms. The Administration also
appreciates the investments in gun safety, including Now is the Time
Comprehensive School Safety.
Community Policing Initiative.
The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for elements of
the President's Community Policing Initiative, but strongly urges the
Congress to fully fund the request. As the Nation has observed in
Baltimore and other communities, trust between law enforcement agencies
and the people they protect and serve is essential. However, compared to
the FY 2016 Budget request, the bill substantially underfunds the
body-worn camera program and related research, providing just $15
million of the requested $50 million for these purposes. Without these
critical investments, the bill fails to fully support law enforcement
and improve relations between communities and police. The Administration
looks forward to working with the Congress to fully fund this important
initiative.
State and Local Grants. The
Administration strongly objects to the inadequate funding level provided
for criminal justice assistance. The bill provides $1.9 billion for
State and local grants, which is approximately $500 million below the FY
2016 Budget request. The Administration strongly objects to the lack of
funding for traditional COPS programs, including the COPS hiring
program, which could result in an estimated 1,300 fewer officers and
diminish the capacity of the Nation's first responders. While the Edward
Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is formula-based, the
COPS Hiring Program provides hiring and retention assistance directly to
communities most in need. In addition, the bill provides no specific
funding for the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice
Statistics; allocating funding out of the grant appropriations for these
research and statistical programs would reduce grant programs by an
additional $114 million from the FY 2016 Budget request. The
Administration is also concerned with the significant reduction to
juvenile justice programs. These programs help reduce juvenile
delinquency and crime, protect public safety, hold offenders
accountable, assist missing and exploited children and their families,
and provide treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs
of juveniles and their families.
Legal Representation for Unaccompanied Children.
The Administration opposes the Committee's failure to provide for
greater access to legal representation and services for unaccompanied
children in our immigration court system. We need every element of the
court process to work effectively to accomplish the goal of both
honoring humanitarian claims and processing those individuals who do not
qualify for relief. Although this bill supports some Administration
immigration priorities, including the hiring of 55 additional
Immigration Judge Teams, it fails to provide $50 million requested for
legal representation for unaccompanied children in removal proceedings.
Without this funding, our efforts to process cases involving this
vulnerable population will be less efficient and effective.
Violence Against Women. The
Administration appreciates the support for the Community Teams to Reduce
the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog and Improve Sexual Assault
Investigations Program. However, the Administration urges the Congress
to provide adequate funding for the VAWA 20/20 Initiative and the Campus
Program in order to address critical needs in the fight to stop
violence against women, for the Tribal Special Domestic Violence
Criminal Jurisdiction Program to support grants to assist tribal
governments in exercising special domestic violence criminal
jurisdiction, and for research into reducing the backlog of sexual
assault kits. Investments in these programs would help to improve victim
safety, save lives, and establish practices that can be sustained in
the coming years.
General Legal Activities. The
Administration is concerned that the bill neglects to provide the
requested increases for civil rights, environmental protection,
healthcare fraud enforcement, human trafficking disruption, cybercrime
prosecution, or international law enforcement training and justice
development. Given the recent events involving the mounting distrust
between communities and law enforcement, the work of the Civil Rights
Division in police reform is more important than ever. The bill provides
$885 million for General Legal Activities, $152 million below the FY
2016 Budget request. This funding is insufficient to support the
Administration priority to improve the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
process, jeopardizing law enforcement access to information on
international criminal and terrorist organizations.
Guantanamo Detainee Restrictions.
The Administration strongly objects to sections 527 and 528, which
would prohibit the use of funds for the transfer of detainees to the
United States and for the construction, acquisition, or modification of
any facility to house Guantanamo detainees in the United States. The
President has repeatedly objected to the inclusion of these and similar
provisions in prior legislation and has called upon the Congress to lift
the restrictions. Operating the detention facility at Guantanamo
weakens U.S. national security by draining resources, damaging U.S.
relationships with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent
extremists. These provisions are unwarranted and threaten to interfere
with the Executive Branch's ability to determine the appropriate
disposition of detainees and its flexibility to determine when and where
to prosecute Guantanamo detainees based on the facts and circumstances
of each case and U.S. national security interests. Section 527 would, moreover, violate constitutional separation-of-powers principles under certain circumstances.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
The Administration strongly objects to numerous provisions that would
inhibit efforts to combat illegal gun activities, including unlawful
trafficking, particularly where there has been little or no meaningful
engagement with ATF on the provisions and their application. The
Administration also urges the Congress to repeal a number of other
unnecessarily restrictive provisions made permanent in prior years.
Restrictions on Foreign Relations with Cuba.
The bill includes unrelated language regarding Cuban foreign policy,
prohibiting funding to "facilitate, permit, license, or promote exports
to the Cuban military or intelligence service."
Executive Office of the President
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The Administration urges the Congress to provide the requested funding
level of $56.3 million for USTR. The reduced funding level in the bill
would limit USTR's ability to conduct major trade negotiations, enforce
trade agreements, and pursue new and existing trade disputes.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
Legal Services Corporation. The
Administration strongly opposes the Committee's deep reductions to LSC,
which would deny legal assistance to more than 350,000 low-income
Americans—including military families and veterans—and undercut the
fundamental American commitment to equal justice for all. By reducing
LSC's funding to the lowest level in 15 years, the bill would cause
layoffs of more than 1,000 staff, including more than 430 attorneys at
local programs, and the closure of 85 legal aid offices nationwide.
International Trade Commission (ITC).
The Administration is concerned that the
bill does not fully fund ITC's lease expiration and housing plan. The
requested level provides necessary funds to reduce ITC's footprint,
reduce operating and rent expenses, and achieve efficiencies in the long
term.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Commercial Crew Program. The
Administration is disappointed that the Committee underfunded NASA's
Commercial Crew program by $243 million. This would delay the date for
launching U.S. astronauts to the space station with U.S. rockets and
force a continued reliance on Russian capabilities, which currently
require payments to Russia of approximately $500 million per year.
Space Technology. The Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget request for NASA Space Technology. Compared to the request,
the bill reduces funding for these investments by $100 million, or 14
percent, delaying development of a cutting-edge laser communication
system; advanced, high power solar electric propulsion; and other space
technology demonstrations, slowing progress on the journey to Mars, and
impacting the international competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space
industry.
Earth Science Missions. The
Administration opposes the bill’s reductions of Earth Science by more
than $200 million, jeopardizing missions that are helping us respond to
earthquakes, droughts, and severe weather events and understand how the climate is changing. The bill also eliminates the launch of a key instrument used by western States to manage water supplies—while at the same time adding $500 million above the requested level for the Space Launch System rocket.
Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act).
The Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget
request for NASA and the National Science Foundation to implement the
DATA Act. This funding will support the agencies' efforts to provide
more transparent Federal spending data, such as updating information
technology systems, changing business processes, and employing a uniform
procurement instrument identifier.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Topline Funding. The
Administration strongly objects to the $7.4 billion funding level
provided for NSF. This level is $329 million below the FY 2016 Budget
request. The bill would lead to about 600 fewer research grants,
affecting about 7,900 researchers, technicians, and students. Especially
hard hit by this reduction would be the geosciences and social,
behavioral, and economic sciences, which would be reduced by 20 percent.
The Committee's allocation of resources to specific disciplines would
interfere with NSF's ability to respond to scientific opportunity.
Constitutional Concerns
Several provisions in the bill,
particularly sections 509, 519, 531, and 540, would raise constitutional
concerns in certain applications by intruding upon the President's
constitutional authority over international diplomacy. The
Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to address
these constitutional concerns.
The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress as the FY 2016 appropriations process moves forward.
Politics in Action: H.R. 2577
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H.R. 2577 — Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016
(Rep. Rogers, R-KY)
The Administration strongly opposes House
passage of H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016,
and for other purposes. The bill freezes or cuts critical investment in
transportation that creates jobs, helps to grow the economy, and
improves America's roads, bridges, transit infrastructure, and aviation
systems, benefiting towns and cities across the United States, as well
as investments in ending homelessness, strengthening communities, and
providing rental housing assistance for poor and vulnerable families. At
a time when only one in four families who are eligible for housing
assistance actually receives it, the bill would set back efforts to end
homelessness and shortchange housing support for very low-income
households, including families with children, the elderly, and the
disabled. The bill also reduces funding for other vulnerable
populations, such as low-income children at risk of lead poisoning, and
for programs that invest in public housing to revitalize distressed
communities. Furthermore, the legislation includes highly objectionable
provisions, including provisions that would restrict travel to Cuba,
undercut public safety, and limit State and local choices to enhance
passenger rail. If the President were presented with H.R. 2577, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
Enacting H.R. 2577 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, more than two million fewer workers receiving job
training and employment services, and thousands fewer scientific and
medical research awards and grants, adversely impacting the pace of
discovery and innovation, 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. 2577 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 Transportation (DOT)
Surface Transportation Funding.
The Administration strongly opposes the reductions in funding for
surface transportation programs, which would essentially preclude new
investments while freezing or reducing most major capital accounts below
prior-year funding. The President's
FY 2016 Budget request is a fully-paid-for plan for six years of
increased investment in America's infrastructure. The $478 billion
multimodal proposal includes essential program improvements that would
improve safety, support critical infrastructure projects, and create
jobs while improving America's roads, bridges, transit systems and
railways in cities, fast-growing metropolitan areas, small towns and
rural communities across the United States. The Administration looks
forward to working with the Congress to enact the GROW AMERICA proposal.
Amtrak and Rail Safety. The Administration strongly urges the Congress to support the President's
FY 2016 Budget request for current passenger rail service, totaling
nearly $2.5 billion, and fully fund the request for the Federal Railroad
Administration's (FRA) Safety and Operations account. The requested
funding for passenger rail service would help bring Amtrak's Northeast
Corridor infrastructure and equipment into a state of good repair,
implement Positive Train Control on Amtrak routes, and support rail
service at a time of record ridership. Rather than including funds for
those critical investments, the bill reduces Amtrak grants by more than
$1.3 billion below the FY 2016 Budget request and $250 million below
last year's level. In addition, the bill holds FRA's Safety and
Operations account flat at FY 2015 levels, denying resources for
additional safety inspectors and other improvements.
Restricting Travel to Cuba. The
Administration strongly objects to language in sections 193 and 414 that
would restrict flights and cruise ships from going to Cuba and would
place unnecessary restrictions on options for educational, religious, or
other permitted travel to Cuba.
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants.
Compared to the FY 2016 Budget request, the bill would reduce funding
for competitive TIGER grants by over a billion dollars, reducing TIGER
funding to about 80 percent below the lowest level since the program
began in FY 2009. This is despite the fact that the program is vastly
oversubscribed due to strong State and local interest, supports some of
the most transformative highway, port, and transit projects in the
United States, and helps State and local partners leverage public and
private dollars.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grants.
The Administration strongly urges the Congress to fund the requested
$3.25 billion for the FTA Capital Investment Grant Program, which
provides a share of funding for locally planned, implemented and
operated transit capital investments that improve capacity in
communities nationwide.
High Speed Rail. The
Administration also strongly objects to language in section 192 of the
bill prohibiting the Surface Transportation Board from taking any action
to approve subsequent phases of the California High Speed Rail project
between Los Angeles and San Francisco unless the Surface Transportation
Board issues a permit for the entire project. The Administration
believes passenger rail can play an important role in addressing
transportation needs in many parts of the Nation and opposes any
attempts to limit State and local choices to enhance passenger rail.
Infrastructure Permitting Center.
The Administration is concerned that the bill does not provide the
requested funding level of $4 million for the Interagency Infrastructure
Permitting Improvement Center, which is essential for developing and
implementing reforms that will accelerate and improve the permitting and
review of major infrastructure projects. These funds are also
critically needed to develop and deploy information technology tools to
help track project metrics and schedules that will lead to greater
accountability and transparency.
Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Facilities and Equipment account.
The bill provides $2.5 billion for the FAA Facilities and Equipment
account, $355 million below the FY 2016 Budget request and the lowest
funding level in 15 years, even before taking into account inflation. At
this level, the FAA would be hampered in its ability to maintain the
capacity and safety of the current National Airspace System and would be
required to slow the modernization of the Nation's air traffic system
through NextGen—the next generation of air traffic control technology.
Continuing to defer maintenance would deteriorate the current air
traffic control system, and coupling that deterioration with delaying
NextGen could lead to worsening air traffic delays and higher
replacement costs in the future.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
The Administration is strongly concerned about the dramatic reduction
in funding for transit services in the Nation's capital. The bill would
reduce funding for WMATA from the FY 2016 Budget request of $150
million, which is consistent with enacted appropriations for FY 2015 and
previous years, to $100 million. These reductions could jeopardize the
safety improvements that WMATA is in the process of making.
Safe Transport of Energy Products.
The Administration is concerned that the bill does not provide adequate
funding for the Department to continue and further its focus on the
safe movement of energy products throughout the transportation system by
supporting enhanced inspection levels, investigative efforts, research
and data analysis and testing in the highest risk areas. The
Administration appreciates that the bill provides an increase of $8
million for the Hazardous Materials Safety account. However, holding the
Federal Railroad Administration's Safety and Operations account flat at
FY 2015 funding levels inhibits its ability to hire critically needed
safety inspectors to focus on the movement of crude oil across the
Nation.
Highway and Motor Carrier Safety.
The Administration strongly objects to language in sections 124, 125,
126, and 132 that would undercut public safety, including by letting the
trucking industry avoid truck size and weight limits and by preventing
data-driven changes that would improve safety for all travelers by
addressing truck driver fatigue ("Hours of Service"). In particular,
section 132 would undermine the Administration's existing regulatory
work to ensure appropriate standards for commercial truck drivers' rest.
The bill imposes criteria that would in all likelihood be impossible to
meet, therefore preventing critical safety provisions from taking
effect. This provision combined with the troubling changes to truck size
and weight limit could significantly compromise safety on our Nation's
roads.
Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act).
The Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget
request for DOT to implement the DATA Act. This funding will support the
Department's efforts to provide more transparent Federal spending data,
such as updating information technology systems, changing business
processes, and employing a uniform procurement instrument identifier.
U.S. Digital Service Team.
The Administration urges the Congress to fully fund the FY 2016 Budget
request for DOT to develop a U.S. Digital Service team. This funding
will support the Department in managing the agency's digital services
that have the greatest impact to citizens and businesses.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Housing Choice Vouchers. The
Administration strongly objects to the $19.9 billion in funding provided
for the Housing Choice Vouchers program. This funding level is $1.2
billion less than the FY 2016 Budget request and fails to restore the
67,000 vouchers lost due to the FY 2013 sequestration, is insufficient
to renew 28,000 existing vouchers, and does not provide full funding for
tenant protection needs. The bill also provides inadequate funding for
the Voucher program's administrative fees so that Public Housing
Authorities can ensure that units are safe and habitable. These
reductions are only more problematic in light of new research released
recently that found large positive effects of housing vouchers on
long-term educational and earnings outcomes for young children.
Choice Neighborhoods. The
Administration strongly opposes the $20 million funding level provided
for Choice Neighborhoods, a key part of the President's Promise Zones
initiative to accelerate economic mobility and revitalization in
high-poverty communities. This reduction of 75 percent from the FY 2015
level and $230 million below the President's FY 2016 Budget request
would leave the program unable to fund even a single implementation
grant at the average current grant size, leaving dozens of distressed
communities untouched. This reduction is particularly problematic given
how recent research mentioned above and events in Baltimore and other
communities make clear the negative consequences of concentrated poverty
for children.
Homeless Assistance Grants. The
Administration strongly opposes the funding level for Homeless
Assistance Grants, which is $295 million below the FY 2016 Budget
request. Since FY 2010, the Administration has made substantial progress
toward the goal of ending homelessness; the bill would set back these
efforts, supporting 15,000 fewer homeless or at-risk families with rapid
rehousing and 25,500 fewer units of permanent supportive housing
targeted to the chronically homeless.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Administrative Fee and Funding.
The Administration urges the Congress to adopt the proposed new fee on
FHA lenders and provide the full FY 2016 Budget request of $174 million
for FHA administrative expenses. The request would lower taxpayer risks
and improve access to mortgage credit for underserved borrowers by
enabling FHA to both strengthen and clarify its lender oversight and
compliance policies.
HOME/Housing Trust Fund (HTF).
The Administration strongly opposes the $767 million funding level for
HOME, a reduction of more than $130 million from its FY 2015 funding
level, and the bill's diversion of anticipated HTF collections to the
HOME program. By transferring funds from HTF to HOME, the bill
effectively eliminates the HTF program, and provides $283 million, or 24
percent, less than the FY 2016 Budget request for these two programs.
The Administration strongly urges the Congress to support HOME and the
HTF, as each program complements the work of local leaders to develop
affordable housing for both extremely low- and low-income families.
Housing Counseling.
The Administration opposes the $47 million in funding for HUD's Housing
Counseling program, which is $13 million, or 22 percent, below the FY
2016 Budget request. Housing counseling is an important resource in
helping households achieve sustainable homeownership or find quality,
affordable rental housing.
Lead Hazard and Healthy Homes.
The Administration strongly opposes the $75 million funding level for
HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. This level, which
is more than 30 percent below its FY 2015 funding level and $45 million
below the FY 2016 Budget request would result in at least 3,400 fewer
low-income children receiving lead hazard control in their homes.
Public Housing Programs. The
Administration opposes the $6.1 billion in funding provided for the
Public Housing Operating Fund and Capital Fund programs. This funding
level is $449 million below the FY 2016 Budget request, and would delay
necessary maintenance and capital improvements that would improve the
deteriorating living conditions of low-income families. The
Administration also urges the Congress to provide the $50 million
requested for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and to eliminate
the 185,000 unit cap on RAD to preserve additional underfunded public
housing properties at risk of loss, by converting them to long-term
Section 8 contracts.
Information Technology (IT) and Digital Services.
The Administration strongly opposes the $100 million appropriation for
HUD's Information Technology Fund, $234 million below the FY 2016 Budget
request. This funding level provides HUD with less than half of the
necessary funding for basic IT operations and would likely require
shutdown of core IT systems as well as cancellation or deferral of all
development, modernization and enhancement projects, putting every
element of HUD's core mission at risk. Further, the failure to fund a
U.S. Digital Service team represents a missed opportunity to improve key
agency services and programs that impact the public.
Technical Assistance and Research.
The Administration urges the Congress to provide sufficient funding for
technical assistance and research, which are critical to support
effective operation of HUD programs and inform sound policymaking. The
bill provides no funding for technical assistance and only $52.5 million
for research, which in total is $77.5 million below the FY 2016 Budget
request.
Energy Efficiency Requirements in HUD-Assisted Housing.
The Administration opposes the inclusion of language in section 232
that would undermine Federal energy efficiency requirements in
HUD-assisted housing by prohibiting the use of FY 2016 funding to
require energy efficiency standards in HUD-funded construction that
exceed that of State or local building codes.
The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress as the FY 2016 appropriations process moves forward.
The President Meets with the King of the Netherlands
President Obama delivers remarks after meeting with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. June 1, 2015.
Iran Nuclear Deal
Former Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and former CIA
Director Michael Hayden deliver remarks on the U.S. strategy in the
negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and Congress' role in reviewing
any possible deal.
Video link: http://www.c-span.org/video/?326317-1/evan-bayh-joseph-lieberman-michael-hayden-iran-nuclear-deal
Source: C-Span
MERS Spreads to China from Korean Outbreak
By Maggie Fox
Chinese officials say the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus, or MERS, has infected a South Korean man traveling there and may well infect more people.
Chinese officials say the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus, or MERS, has infected a South Korean man traveling there and may well infect more people.
It's the first report of MERS in China, and an unusual case of the virus spreading from a country not in the Middle East.
Full article available here: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/mers-mystery/mers-spreads-china-korean-outbreak-n366826
Sources: NBC News, Reuters and the Associated Press
Flood Threat to Millions as Storms Bring Rain from South to Northeast
Millions of Americans were under the threat of flooding Tuesday as
severe storms brought torrential rain from the Gulf Coast to the
Northeast — including areas already waterlogged by recent downpours.
Flood watches and advisories were in place from
Washington, D.C., through to Boston as heavy overnight rain was forecast
to continue until the early afternoon.
Full article and videos here: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/flood-threat-millions-storms-bring-rain-south-northeast-n368181
Source: NBC News
Iraq PM Says Allies Not Doing Enough to Counter Islamic State
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
By John Irish
PARIS (Reuters) – Iraq’s prime
minister on Tuesday accused the international coalition fighting Islamic
State of not doing enough to tackle the group, and said important
members such as Saudi Arabia are not curbing the flow of foreign
fighters to his country.
Western and Middle Eastern countries in the coalition are
meeting this week in Paris. Part of their agenda is to persuade the
Iraqi government to repair its relationship with Iraq’s Sunni minority.
Full article available here: http://www.euronews.com/newswires/3021500-iraqs-abadi-bemoans-lacks-of-international-support/
Source: Euronews
French Police Clear ‘Migrant Camp’ in Central Paris
French police cleared out a so-called migrant camp on Tuesday morning (June 2) in central Paris.
Around 300 migrants, mostly from east Africa, had set up the camp under a rumbling railway bridge backing on to Gare du Nord station.
Full article and video here: http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/02/french-police-clear-migrant-camp-in-central-paris/
Source: Euronews
Monday, June 1, 2015
You'll Be Sorely Missed, Mr. Schieffer.
A Sample of the Master at Work: The Jeb Bush Interview
From The G-Man proudly salutes Mr. Schieffer's incredible and inspiring legacy. Thank you, sir.
From The G-Man proudly salutes Mr. Schieffer's incredible and inspiring legacy. Thank you, sir.
NY Re-Entry Task Forces to Receive $3.3 Million in Grants to Help Former Inmates
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced $3.3 million for re-entry task forces in 19 counties that coordinate and manage services for formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully transition back to their communities.
“This funding will jumpstart local efforts to help formerly incarcerated individuals build a positive future as they return to their communities,” Governor Cuomo said. “By investing in substance abuse programs, mental healthcare, job training opportunities and similar initiatives, we are making the re-entry process safer for everyone involved. This is all about making New York a stronger and more secure place to live and work, and I am proud to be supporting our partners across the state.”
The task forces are designed to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety by supporting community-based programs. Included is funding to hire a coordinator for each task force, in addition to services for formerly incarcerated individuals that otherwise would not be available.
To receive the funding, each task force was required to detail a plan for delivering targeted, evidence-based programs and services to individuals. This included mandatory cognitive behavioral intervention, which is designed to address risk factors for recidivism and change behavior. Services also include substance abuse and mental health treatment, job training, placement and skill development.
Task forces are located in the following counties: Albany, Broome, Bronx, Dutchess, Erie, Kings (Brooklyn), Monroe, Nassau, New York (Manhattan), Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester counties.
The state Division of Criminal Justice Services administers the funding and works in partnership with the non-profit organizations that received the grants, providing technical assistance, training and feedback to ensure the task forces are implementing evidence-based programs as they are designed.
In 2014, the Governor created the New York State Council on Community Re-Entry and Reintegration to alleviate barriers faced by people with criminal convictions as they seek to reintegrate into society. The Council has surveyed County Re-entry Task Forces to identify regulatory and administrative changes that would improve the prospects for people coming home to their communities. Based on their feedback, the Council is working with state agencies to put into place a number of regulatory and administrative changes that are in final stages of implementation to be announced later this year.
Michael C. Green, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, said, “Our staff has done extensive research to explore programs that work to keep parolees out of prison once they return to their communities, as well as the programs that do not. We are committed to ensuring that programs we fund produce the best results and get the best return, not only in financial but human terms. Effective re-entry programs help offenders change their behavior so they can live productive, crime free lives, which reduces victimization and makes New York a safer place.”
The task forces are made up of local representatives from law enforcement, community supervision, social services, mental health, victim advocacy and substance abuse treatment providers. In each of the 19 counties, the re-entry task forces are chaired by a representative of the county’s chief elected official and a representative from the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo’s continued focus to reduce recidivism rates and I fully support the continued funding of meaningful reentry services for parolees. Under Governor Cuomo, the state’s inmate population has declined to the lowest it has been in more than 25 years. DOCCS will remain committed to ensuring inmates are prepared for release and will encourage parolees to participate in task force services available in their communities."
The funding cycle runs from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, with programs eligible to receive up to four annual renewals. Grants are awarded to counties and/or specific county agencies, which in turn partner with non-profit organizations, or directly to non-profit organizations.
The funding is being allocated as described below:
New York City
- · Bronx County, which partners with The Osborne Association: $100,000
· Kings County District Attorney’s Office: $200,000
· New York County, which partners with the Center for Court Innovation and Fund for the City of New York: $200,000
Long Island
- · Nassau County Department of Social Services, which partners with the Family and Children’s Association: $165,600
· Suffolk County Probation Department: $363,840
Mid-Hudson
- · Dutchess County, which partners with Exodus Transitional Community, Inc.: $100,000
· Orange County Probation Department, which partners with RECAP, Inc.: $141,120
· Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, which partners with Rockland Independent Living Center: $100,000
· Ulster County, which partners with Family of Woodstock, Inc.: $100,000
· Westchester County District Attorney’s Office: $139,680
Capital Region
- · Albany County Department of Mental Health: $195,840
· Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office: $100,000
· Schenectady County, which partners with the Center for Community Justice, Inc.: $118,080
Central New York
- · Oneida County, which partners with the Workforce Investment Board: $114,240
· Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office and Department of Social Services: $270,240
Southern Tier
- · Broome County Department of Mental Health: $101,760
Finger Lakes
- · Monroe County Probation Department, which partners with DELPHI: $353,280
Western New York
- · Erie County Department of Mental Health, which partners with Spectrum Human Services: $367,680
· Niagara County Probation Department, which partners with Community Missions: $100,000
The Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision also are partnering with the Department of Labor to host job summits to support professionals that specialize in re-entry and the work of the task forces. The first summit was held earlier this month in New York City and two others will be hosted in the Capital Region and Western New York in the coming months.
Boko Haram Massacre Survivors Flee Nigeria to Island in Lake Chad
KOULFOUA, Chad — The sounds of gunfire broke out before dawn, waking
Zara as she slept. Boko Haram fighters were attacking her village.
"They came into the town shooting guns. They slaughtered people," Zara said. Her son, Younoussa, was in the street when the ISIS-affiliated fighters arrived.
"They killed him," she said matter-of-factly, making the motion of slitting a throat. "I have seen with my eyes."
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