Source: Asia Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marie-Eve Loiselle, Lecturer in Law, Macquarie University
Last month, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered a one-hour address on the danger of illegal immigration to the United States. His stage was the US-Mexico border in Arizona and the set piece of his performance was the border wall.
The message was simple: with their border policy, Democrats have “unleashed a deadly plague of migrant crime”. Trump has ratcheted up the tensions on immigration further since then, repeating wild conspiracy theories about Haitian immigrants eating pets and, more recently, claiming migrants are “attacking villages and cities all throughout the Midwest”.
What the US needs, Trump has repeatedly stressed, is a closed border, a walled border.
The US-Mexico border wall, which is currently around 700 miles in length in various stretches, has loomed large in American politics in recent decades, especially since the 2016 US presidential campaign. Yet, current stories about the wall mostly overlook its history.
Most importantly, the media ignore the long-standing appeal of the wall as a tool of spatial and cultural division in the making of the US-Mexico border.
In my forthcoming book, I trace the origin of the border wall to the early 1900s, when the US Immigration Service and other federal agencies called for the construction of barriers at the border.
Congress answered their appeal by adopting an act in 1935 that authorised the secretary of state to construct and maintain fences between the US and Mexico. For decades following its adoption, US officials stood before Congress almost yearly, asking for funding for the construction of border fences.
This trend culminated in the 1940s with two parallel projects: the Western Land Boundary Fence Project (576 miles or 926 kilometres of fencing from El Paso, Texas, to the west) and the Rio Grande Border Fence Project (415 miles or 668 kilometres of fencing along the Mexico-Texas border).
Neither one of these projects was ever fully realised. But if they had been built, they would have surpassed the length of the current border wall.
What is telling when looking at the history is how similar the arguments supporting such fences in the early 1900s were to those deployed today. Immigration, disease and crime have been recurring justifications for the wall, both then and now.
Indeed, there is an uncanny likeness to Trump’s rhetoric surrounding the US-Mexico border — including during his August speech in Arizona — and the narratives justifying a border wall in the mid-20th century.
High on the list of justifications was the need to deter “juvenile delinquents”, “thieves”, “beggars”, undocumented workers, narcotic smugglers, “wetbacks” (a derogatory term for Mexicans), and Mexican nationals seeking medical care in the US at public expense.
These arguments appeared regularly in government reports and during congressional hearings from the 1930s to the late 1950s.
A 1934 report by the Immigration Services on the feasibility of a short border fence between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, for example, said it would stifle illegal immigration that took employment opportunities from American workers, while lowering wages in the borderland area.
Reminiscent of recent analogies between the borderland and a “war zone”, the report noted that sending agents to patrol the border without proper equipment was pointless. It was akin to:
put[ting] a body of troops in the field in an enemy’s theatre of operation without artillery, observation planes, trucks, ammunition and other weapons.
The fence was “the correct solution to the problem.”
At times, the fear of the undocumented merged with the fear of contagion. A foot and mouth disease outbreak in Mexico in 1946, for example, provided additional rhetorical support for the wall. As Texas Senator Tom Connally said when the Committee on Foreign Relations considered the issue:
It has been a dream of the Department of State for many years to have this fence, not because of the hoof and mouth disease, but for immigration and customs and smuggling and all of that sort of thing.
The 1935 act has long been forgotten. In fact, by the end of the 1950s, only a few hundred miles of fencing had actually been built.
These earlier walling plans failed for a range of reasons, including opposition by Texan landowners and industries relying on illegal Mexican labour. Perhaps most importantly, there were serious reservations back then about the efficiency of fences in curbing immigration.
Yet, these doubts have not weighed in to the same extent in contemporary debates about the border wall. This underscores the performative role of the wall in today’s politics.
In fact, close to 700 hundred miles (1,126 kilometres) of fencing has been built under the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This includes large portions of the wall built under the presidency of Barack Obama and, to a lesser extent, Trump’s.
What has filtered through, however, is the racialised narrative that paints Mexicans nationals in a disparaging way.
This rhetoric relied on generalisations and stereotypes on themes such as criminality, licentiousness and disease. It transformed Mexico into a threat to be curtailed and became a frame of reference that has permeated politics for decades – and is now a defining issue in the upcoming presidential election.
Marie-Eve Loiselle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Before Trump, there was a long history of race-baiting, fear-mongering and building walls on the US-Mexico border – https://theconversation.com/before-trump-there-was-a-long-history-of-race-baiting-fear-mongering-and-building-walls-on-the-us-mexico-border-238425
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V:WHN) (“Westhaven” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. (the “Agent”) to act as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with a best efforts, private placement (the “Marketed Offering“) for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000 from the sale of the following:
Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a “Unit Share”) and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Charity FT Unit will consist of one Traditional FT Share and one half of one Warrant. Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a “Warrant Share”) at a price of C$0.22 at any time on or before that date which is 24 months after the closing date of the Offering (as defined below).
The Agent will have an option, exercisable in full or in part, up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to sell up to an additional C$1,000,000 in any combination of Units, Traditional FT Shares and Charity FT Units at their respective offering prices (the “Agents’ Option” and together with the Marketed Offering, the “Offering”).
Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”), those Units, Traditional FT Shares and Charity FT Units representing gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000 (the “LIFE Securities”) will be offered for sale to purchasers in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan (the “Canadian Selling Jurisdictions”) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the “Listed Issuer Financing Exemption”). The Unit Shares, Traditional FT Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to the sale of the LIFE Securities are expected to be immediately freely tradeable under applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers resident in Canada. The Units may also be sold in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “U.S. Securities Act“), as amended.
Any Units and Charity FT Units sold in excess of gross proceeds of C$5,000,000 as well as the Traditional FT Shares (collectively, the “Non-LIFE Securities”) will be offered by way of the “accredited investor” and “minimum amount investment” exemptions under NI 45-106 in the Canadian Selling Jurisdictions, or in the case of the Units, also in offshore jurisdictions and the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. The Unit Shares, Traditional FT Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares issuable from the sale of Non-LIFE Securities will be subject to a hold period ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the closing date of the Offering under applicable Canadian securities laws.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of Units for working capital and general corporate purposes. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the Traditional FT Shares and the Charity FT Units will be used for Canadian exploration expenses on the Company’s mineral projects in British Columbia and will qualify as “flow-through mining expenditures”, as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Qualifying Expenditures”), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2025 and renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024 in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the Traditional FT Shares and Charity FT Units.
The Offering is scheduled to close on or around October 15, 2024, or such other date as the Company and the Agent may agree, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
The Company will pay to the Agent a cash commission of 6% of the gross proceeds raised in respect of the Offering (the “Agents’ Commission”). In addition, the Company will issue to the Agent warrants of the Company (each warrant, a “Broker Warrant”), exercisable for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date, to acquire in aggregate that number of common shares of the Company which is equal to 6% of the number of Offered Securities sold under the Offering at an exercise price equal to C$0.15 per Common Share.
There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company’s profile at http://www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at http://www.westhavengold.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.
To the extent that any directors and/or officers the Company participate in the Offering, such participation will constitute a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“). The Company expects any participation by directors and officers in the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 based on the fact that neither the fair market value of the Units, Traditional FT Shares or Charity FT Units subscribed for by directors and officers, nor the consideration for such securities to be paid by them, will exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.
The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, as amended, or any state securities law, and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
WESTHAVEN GOLD CORP.
“Gareth Thomas”
Gareth Thomas, President, CEO & Director
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
About Westhaven Gold Corp.
Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration company advancing the high-grade discovery on the Shovelnose project in Canada’s newest gold district, the Spences Bridge Gold Belt. Westhaven controls 60,950 hectares (609.5 square kilometres) with four gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose property is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which translates into low-cost exploration. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhaven’s website at http://www.westhavengold.com
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws, which is based upon the Company’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. The forward-looking information included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s expectations with respect to the Offering; the use of proceeds of the Offering; completion of the Offering and the date of such completion. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, and without limitation: that the Offering may not close within the timeframe anticipated or at all or may not close on the terms and conditions currently anticipated by the Company for a number of reasons including, without limitation, as a result of the occurrence of a material adverse change, disaster, change of law or other failure to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Offering; the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to complete its planned exploration program; that the Company will not derive the expected benefits from its current program; the Company may not use the proceeds of the Offering as currently contemplated; the Company may fail to find a commercially viable deposit at any of its mineral properties; the Company’s plans may be adversely affected by the Company’s reliance on historical data compiled by previous parties involved with its mineral properties; mineral exploration and development are inherently risky industries; the mineral exploration industry is intensely competitive; additional financing may not be available to the Company when required or, if available, the terms of such financing may not be favourable to the Company; fluctuations in the demand for gold or gold prices generally; the Company may not be able to identify, negotiate or finance any future acquisitions successfully, or to integrate such acquisitions with its current business; the Company’s exploration activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate licenses, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents, which may be withdrawn or not granted; the Company’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; there is no guarantee that title to the properties in which the Company has a material interest will not be challenged or impugned; the Company faces various risks associated with mining exploration that are not insurable or may be the subject of insurance which is not commercially feasible for the Company; the volatility of global capital markets over the past several years has generally made the raising of capital more difficult; inflationary cost pressures may escalate the Company’s operating costs; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; social and environmental activism can negatively impact exploration, development and mining activities; the success of the Company is largely dependent on the performance of its directors and officers; the Company’s operations may be adversely affected by First Nations land claims; the Company and/or its directors and officers may be subject to a variety of legal proceedings, the results of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company may be adversely affected if potential conflicts of interests involving its directors and officers are not resolved in favour of the Company; the Company’s future profitability may depend upon the world market prices of gold; dilution from future equity financing could negatively impact holders of the Company’s securities; failure to adequately meet infrastructure requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the Company’s projects now or in the future may be adversely affected by risks outside the control of the Company; the Company is subject to various risks associated with climate change, the Company is subject to general global risks arising from epidemic diseases, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising inflation and interest rates and the impact they will have on the Company’s operations, supply chains, ability to access mining projects or procure equipment, supplies, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all is uncertain; as well as other risk factors in the Company’s other public filings available at http://www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in the Company’s expectations, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this offering document is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Source: Asia Development Bank
The paper also finds that labor income will play a smaller role in funding the region’s old-age needs, while public and private transfers will play a larger role. While expanding public transfers will contribute toward old-age economic security, the region must carefully plan such expansion and avoid unsustainable generosity to safeguard the macroeconomic stability that underpinned its rapid economic growth and development.
MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Republic of France in FrenchThe French Republic has issued the following statement:
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Fake news
Published on September 26, 2024 – Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Does fasting really help fight cancer? Is collagen really effective in fighting pain? The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) helps you decipher fake news, this false or deliberately biased information, contributing to misinformation, which circulates on the internet and social networks in terms of health.
Image 1Credits: Krakenimages.com – stock.adobe.com
When spread en masse, false information can affect the power of discernment and influence public opinion in a negative way.
To combat disinformation, Inserm is setting up a series to promote scientific discourse: Detox Channel. You will find short videos and tips to help you decode the news and verify the information circulating in the field of science and health.
This new campaign aims to encourage citizens to turn to scientific sources for information.
Here are some examples of fake news covered in the Inserm series:
Namely
Do you want to report illegal content on the Internet? Go to Pharos, the Ministry of the Interior’s portal dedicated to reporting illegal content on the Internet. Do you have questions about your child’s use of digital tools? You can consult the platform I protect my child.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The ACCC will not oppose Stockland and Supalai’s proposed acquisition of 12 Lendlease (ASX: LLC) residential masterplanned community projects after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking.
The undertaking requires Stockland to divest the Forest Reach masterplanned community project in the Illawarra region of New South Wales.
Lendlease, Stockland, and Supalai are developers of masterplanned community (MPC) projects. Lendlease has 16 masterplanned community projects in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, 12 of which Stockland and Supalai are proposing to acquire.
“Without the divestment, the proposed acquisition would bring together the two largest masterplanned community projects in the already concentrated Illawarra market,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
“This could have resulted in increased prices, delayed supply, or reduced quality of housing lots in the Illawarra region, to the detriment of prospective homeowners.”
The ACCC’s investigation found that there were few alternative masterplanned community projects to constrain Stockland in the Illawarra and that prospective entrants faced challenges, including delays in the availability of essential infrastructure such as sewer and water services.
To address the ACCC’s concerns, Stockland offered an undertaking to the ACCC to divest its Forest Reach masterplanned community project near Dapto in the Illawarra.
“The ACCC considers that the divestiture undertaking given by Stockland addresses the competition issues that would arise from Stockland owning both Forest Reach and having an interest in Lendlease’s nearby Calderwood Valley project as a result of the proposed acquisition,” Dr Williams said.
The ACCC is also satisfied that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to cause serious competition concerns in other areas.
Accordingly, with the undertaking, the ACCC considers the proposed acquisition is not likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in any market. This includes markets for the supply of residential masterplanned community housing in North West Perth, Ipswich, and Moreton Bay, where the ACCC considers there are sufficient alternative developments available to constrain Stockland and/or the joint venture.
Further information, including the undertaking accepted by the ACCC, can be found on the ACCC’s public register: Stockland Supalai Residential Communities Partnership Pty Ltd – Lendlease Group.
Masterplanned community projects are residential property developments on greenfield land which are typically delivered in phases over multiple years. They are characterised by access to amenities with a focus on ‘community living’, such as open spaces, recreational facilities, education and community hubs, as well as commercial or retail centres.
“Greenfield” is a term that refers undeveloped land.
Background
Stockland Supalai Residential Communities Partnership Pty Ltd (SSRCP) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of a special purpose acquisition vehicle owned by Stockland Communities Partnership HoldCo Pty Ltd (Stockland) and Supalai Australia Holdings Pty Limited (Supalai)) proposes to acquire 12 masterplanned communities from Lendlease Group (Lendlease).
The masterplanned communities are located in greenfield growth areas across Greater Sydney, South East Queensland, Greater Melbourne and Greater Perth.
The ACCC Statement of Issues, published on 4 July 2024, raised preliminary concerns with the proposed acquisition in relation to the supply of residential masterplanned community housing in four regions – the Illawarra, North West Perth, Ipswich and Moreton Bay.
In the Illawarra region, SSRCP proposes to acquire Lendlease’s Calderwood Valley project.
Stockland is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stockland Corporation Limited (Stockland Group) (ASX: SGP), an ASX-listed diversified Australian property group that owns, funds, develops and manages portfolios of investment properties. Stockland Group has interests in 30 masterplanned communities developments across NSW, ACT, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
Supalai is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Supalai Public Company Limited, which is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Supalai Public Company Limited principally operates as a property developer. Supalai has investments in various masterplanned communities in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia through joint ventures with other developers, including Mirvac, Stockland, Satterley, Peet and ICD Property.
Lendlease is an ASX-listed global real estate business.
Source: Weather Warnings – Australia
Skip to main content (press enter)
25/09/2024
UPDATED: 4.30PM 25 September 2024
There is NO tsunami threat to Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology today (Wednesday 25 September 2024) issued test posts on the BOM Weather app between 11AM-12PM AEST.
The test warnings were issued to the public in error as part of tests to tsunami early warning system software.
The Bureau acknowledges and apologises for any confusion that this test has caused.
The test warnings were sent to the BOM Weather app for various locations. The test warnings were cancelled immediately after they were issued.
Testing ensures the Bureau and partners are prepared for real tsunami threats.
The Bureau is part of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) and this is operated 24 hours a day to detect, monitor, verify and warn of any tsunami threats to the coastline of Australia and its offshore territories.
The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre is the national authority and provides the most accurate tsunami warning information for Australia.
The Bureau will continue to issue forecasts and warnings via the website and BOM Weather app.
[ENDS]
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Langworthy (NY-23) honored the life of Chautauqua County Undersheriff Richard Telford during a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Undersheriff Telford, a respected public servant, passed away following a battle with cancer after more than 30 years of service in law enforcement.
Watch the full speech here.
Transcript:
“Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to honor the life and service of Chautauqua County Undersheriff Richard Telford, a dedicated public servant who spent over three decades protecting and serving the people of our county.
Rich’s passing is a profound loss for Chautauqua County. Those who had the honor of knowing him, say they knew they could always count on Rich. In remembering him Sheriff Quattrone said, “Rich was a man of integrity, he could always be counted on to do the right thing.”
Throughout his service, his sense of duty and commitment to the community he grew up in ran very deep.
After graduating from Jamestown High School and studying criminal justice at Jamestown Community College, Rich began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as a deputy, a sergeant overseeing the county’s 911 center, a lieutenant, and later a supervisor for court security. His hard work and leadership were undeniable, and in 2021, he was appointed undersheriff of Chautauqua County—a role in which he continued to lead by example.
Rich’s dedication to the community wasn’t limited to his badge. He is remembered as a family man, a loving family man, devoted to his wife Amanda and their three children, Katelynn, Andrew, and Alex.
Throughout his career, Rich embodied the qualities we look for in our public servants—integrity, courage, and respect. His actions over 33 years spoke louder than any words. Whether it was investigating fires with the department’s fire investigation team or attending the prestigious FBI National Academy, Rich never stopped pushing himself to be better for his community.
Mr. Speaker, our hearts are heavy today, but we are filled with gratitude for the life and legacy of Rich Telford. His dedication and service to Chautauqua County will not be forgotten.
Your family is in our prayers, Rich. You will be missed, but your contributions will live on through the many lives you’ve touched.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01)
Washington, D.C., September 25, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) released the following statement after voting against the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025:
“I voted no on today’s ‘clean’ continuing resolution (CR) because it neither reduced spending, nor resulted in substantial policy wins that we would not have otherwise gotten through regular order. And, it only provided funding through December 20th. Congress must take fiscal responsibility seriously and return to a full-year appropriations process that results in 12 bills that are crafted, evaluated, and debated with thoughtful input from Members both in committee and on the House floor.
“Last week, Speaker Johnson proposed a compromise plan I supported that would have funded our government while also providing leverage to pass critical election integrity reform through the Democrat-run Senate. Unfortunately, that measure fell short, leading to today’s ‘clean’ CR. I commend Speaker Johnson’s work crafting legislation narrow enough to prevent Senate Democrats from packing it full of wasteful spending and pet projects, but I do not believe a vote for today’s spending bill would have accurately represented the values of East Texas. As such, I could not support it.”
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)
WASHINGTON – Today, at a press conference, Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) joined Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jennifer McClellan (VA-03), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) to reintroduce the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. Pettersen also introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act with Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19).
These pieces of legislation would address critical aspects of the affordable child care crisis by increasing access to quality care. Additionally, these bills would strengthen the workforce by providing incentives to recruit and retain skilled educators, while ensuring high-quality, age-appropriate instruction for young children.
“As a working mom of a four-year-old son with another child on the way, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable child care and the struggles families in my district are facing, especially in more rural communities,” said Pettersen. “That’s why I’m proud to help reintroduce these two pieces of legislation to bolster our child care workforce, help lower costs for parents, and ensure every family can access the care they need for their children to thrive.”
“I’m also grateful for Congressman Molinaro’s partnership on the Creating Childhood Leaders Act. Early childhood education lays the groundwork for lifelong learning, and this bill ensures school leaders focus on children from birth to age eight, building a strong foundation and fostering long-term success,” said Pettersen.
Background:
The Child Care Infrastructure Act would create a grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide funding to states for building or renovating child care facilities and help ensure safe, high-quality learning environments for children. Additionally, the legislation calls for a nationwide assessment of the current condition of child care facilities. Bill text is available HERE.
The Child Care Workforce Development Act would create a student loan repayment program for early childhood educators and establish a grant program for individuals pursuing a childhood development credential. This would help attract and retain skilled educators, addressing workforce shortages in early education and ensuring that young children receive high-quality care and instruction during their most formative years. Bill text is available HERE.
The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act would modify Title II of the Higher Education Act by mandating that school leadership programs receiving federal Teacher Quality Partnership grants incorporate training on early childhood development and effective instructional leadership for children from birth to age eight. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mitt Romney (R-UT). Bill text is available HERE.
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To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)
Source: Amnesty International –
People defending the right to abortion have revealed what it’s like to provide life-saving healthcare in the face of violence, repression and stigma, as part of Amnesty International’s second season of On the Side of Humanity podcast.
The three-part series – slated for release on International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September and available via all good podcast apps – features stories from healthcare workers and activists who are defending the right of women, girls and anyone who can get pregnant to take control over their own bodies and to get the best available healthcare when they most need it. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes.
“Everyone has the right to safe abortion. However, with anti-abortion narratives and legislation gaining ground around the world, people who need abortions, or who make them happen, face increasing, life-changing risks,” said Fernanda Doz Costa, Director of the Gender, Racial Justice, Migrants and Refugees Programme at Amnesty International.
“People defending the right to abortion, including those providing essential health services such as nurses, midwives, doctors, as well as activists distributing abortion-inducing pills, are being stigmatized, intimidated, attacked and subjected to unjust prosecutions, making their work increasingly difficult and dangerous to carry out. It’s time to shine a light on their stories through Amnesty’s new podcast and show them the support they deserve.”
Those featured in Amnesty’s new podcast are no different – having faced a tirade of abuse, simply for supporting those in need of an abortion. Some have even been imprisoned, such as Venezuelan teacher and human rights defender Vannesa Rosales, whohelped her 13-year-old student who had been raped to get access to a safe abortion.
“They raided my house and confiscated a grooming kit for my pets with scissors in it,” said Vannesa. “It was used as evidence that I was operating a clandestine abortion clinic. Immediately after, they arrested both of us, the girl’s mother and myself. She was facing up to five years in prison and I up to 15 years.”
Alongside Vannesa’s story, the podcast features abortion rights defenders including Verónica Cruz Sánchez, founder of Las Libres – a feminist Mexican organisation that coordinates a network of daring activists sending free abortion pills to women in the USA; midwife Sylvia Hamata from Namibia advocating for safe abortion access and battling against abortion stigma in her country; eminent Maltese gynaecologist and Professor of Medicine Isabel Stabile; gender rights activist and Amnesty’s campaign partner Stephanie Willman Bordat; world-renowned gynaecologist and former president of FIGO (The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran; as well as Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard.
Criminalization of abortion is the biggest contributing factor to the estimated 35 million unsafe abortions happening every year. It means healthcare staff are constantly caught in the conflict between the ethical and professional duty to provide the best available care and being criminally liable if they do not follow harmful laws.
“Research over several decades has shown that being able to control one’s reproduction and to exercise reproductive autonomy affects all spheres of life. It is central to the achievement of gender equality and social, racial, gender and economic justice. As part of our global campaign on the right to abortion, Amnesty International calls on states around the world to fulfil their obligations to protect the right to safe and legal abortion for all, and to respect and protect the right of all those who defend the right to abortion,” said Fernanda Doz Costa.
On the Side of Humanity, Season Two, is available to stream on Spotify, Apple and Deezer.
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Met Sets Out New Strategy to Protect Children from Crime
Today (Thursday 26th September) the Metropolitan Police has launched its new Children’s Strategy to keep children in London safe, build their trust and bring to justice those who abuse and exploit them.
Around 2 million children live in London and the policing challenges they present are wide ranging: from a 13 year old being exploited and forced to transport drugs to an 8 year old growing up amid domestic abuse, or a violent 17 year old with a knife. In 2023, there were approximately 61,000 child victims of crime and 51,000 children who were suspected of committing a crime.
This new five year strategy will ensure that police officers have the tools, systems and training they need to effectively manage the range of very different ways that children experience crime.
As part of the strategy all officers will receive new training in childhood vulnerability and adultification bias. This training will ensure the force can effectively implement a “Child First” approach while continuing to take tough action where communities or individuals (including children) are put at risk.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:
“This is a major milestone in our mission to keep children in London safe from crime. It will give officers the training and support they need to recognise vulnerability and safeguard individual children, while ensuring that they can still effectively protect the public from criminal behaviour.
“Importantly, the strategy also recognises what the Metropolitan Police has not always got right in the past: that in policing the line between vulnerability and criminality, we may have sometimes focused too hard on the criminality we can see, not the vulnerability that lies behind it. This does not mean a free pass for childhood criminality, rather it will ensure we are taking a “Child First” approach to policing which takes into account the unique needs of children impacted by crime and brings to justice those who exploit or abuse them.”
London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, said:
“I welcome the Met’s new strategy to protect children from crime which will rightly place greater emphasis on recognising the vulnerabilities of young people as well as being able to respond appropriately to criminal behaviour.
“Enhanced training for all officers will help ensure a “Child First” approach is embedded in policing in London – which the Mayor and I have long called for – and will fulfil a key recommendation from the Baroness Casey and HMICFRS reviews.
“This new approach is an important step forward in the Met’s work to keep vulnerable young people in our city safe, rebuild their trust in the police and bear down on anyone who abuses or seeks to exploit them in our communities and online. The Mayor and I will continue to do everything we can to support the Met and key partners to build a safer, fairer London for everyone – where no child is left unprotected.”
Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives and former Children’s Commissioner for England, said:
“The Centre for Young Lives is pleased to have supported the development of this children’s strategy by providing the Met with the opportunity to hear the experiences and insights of children and young people.
“Children want to be confident that the Met are there to protect and to serve them.
“Ensuring the Met understands the experience of young people and the challenges they face and interacts with them in a respectful and safe way is a crucial part of building trust.”
Ade Adetosoye CBE, Chair of the London Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive, said:
“On behalf of the London Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive, I welcome the publication of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Children’s Strategy and their commitment to improving the experience of London’s children when they engage with the police. This strategy provides an opportunity for the police to reset its relationship with children and young people. As a board, we welcome and support the Metropolitan Police Service`s Children’s strategy and we look forward to continuing to work with the Metropolitan Police as they continue their improvement journey.”
In addition to new training for all officers, the Met will undertake work to improve relations between officers and children in London, as well as work better in partnership with agencies whose primary responsibility is to keep children safe. The Children’s Strategy also commits to:
The full Children’s Strategy including all 36 actions the Met Police are taking can be found in the full strategy (see below).
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Aqneursa (levacetylleucine) for the treatment of neurological symptoms associated with Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 15 kilograms.
“This is the second treatment the FDA has approved for NPC within the span of a week. Today’s action further underscores the agency’s commitment to support development of new treatments for rare diseases,” said Janet Maynard, M.D., M.H.S., director of the Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine, in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “This approval again demonstrates the FDA’s commitment to work with the scientific community to overcome the unique challenges that may arise with rare disease drug development.”
NPC is a rare genetic disease that results in progressive neurological symptoms and organ dysfunction. It is caused by changes in either the NPC1 or NPC2 gene, affecting the necessary transport of cholesterol and other lipids within a cell. As a result, these cells do not function as they should, ultimately causing organ damage. On average, individuals affected by this devastating disease only live for about 13 years.
The safety and efficacy of Aqneursa for the treatment of NPC were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period, 24-week crossover study. The duration was 12 weeks for each treatment period. The study enrolled 60 patients. To be eligible for the study patients had to be 4 years of age or older with a confirmed diagnosis of NPC and at least mild disease-related neurological symptoms. Participants could receive miglustat, an enzyme inhibitor, as background treatment in the study.
The primary efficacy outcome was a modified version of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), referred to as the functional SARA (fSARA). The fSARA consists of the gait, sitting, stance and speech disturbance domains of the original SARA with modifications to the scoring responses. On average, participants treated with Aqneursa for 12 weeks showed a better outcome in the fSARA score compared to when they were treated with placebo.
The prescribing information contains a warning that Aqneursa may cause embryo-fetal harm if used during pregnancy. Females should inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy before taking Aqneursa.
The most common side effects are abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, upper respiratory tract infections and vomiting.
Aqneursa should be taken orally up to three times per day, with or without food. The recommended dose varies depending on the individual’s body weight, as outlined in the prescribing information.
The FDA granted Aqneursa Priority Review, Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations for this application.
The FDA granted approval of Aqneursa to IntraBio Inc.
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Boilerplate
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:
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Boilerplate
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
If a licensed provider wishes to use a service delivery model not on the approved list (Table 1 of the Ministry of Health drug checking webpage), or wishes to use a model not currently licensed for, they will need to satisfy the Director-General of Health (or delegated authority) that the model is safe to implement and fit for its intended purpose. Licensed providers must show that their workforce is competent to use a service delivery model before they will receive approval. New models can only be used by a licensed provider once written approval is received from the drug checking licensing team and the provider is licensed to do so.
Complete this form for any requested addition of drug checking service models to a provider’s licence.
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
If a licensed provider wishes to use a drug checking testing method not on the approved lists (Table 2 and Table 3 on the Ministry of Health drug checking webpage), or to use a method they are not currently licensed for, they will need to satisfy the Director-General of Health (or delegated authority) that the technology is safe to implement and fit for its intended purpose. Licensed providers must show that their workforce is competent to use the drug checking testing methodology before they will receive approval. New testing methods can only be used by a licensed provider once written approval is received from the drug checking licensing team and the provider is licensed to do so.
Complete the following information for any requested additions of drug checking testing methods to a provider’s licence.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon.
This is a moment of maximum danger.
We are on the brink. The precipice. At a few minutes to midnight.
We talk of the risk of full-scale regional war but the truth is we are already witnessing conflict on multiple fronts.
In Gaza. In the West Bank. In Lebanon. And the Red Sea.
The strikes in recent days have taken 550 lives in Lebanon.
The death of civilians, women and children.
The UN workers killed.
The Hizballah rockets that have killed Israelis are just the latest in the cycle of pain, anguish and loss.
President,
As we face the abyss, this Council has a duty to speak with one voice.
And we must say that the rockets must stop now. The air strikes must stop now. Talks must start now. With an immediate ceasefire on both sides now.
It is time to pull back from the brink.
President,
A full-blown war is not in the interests of the Israeli or the Lebanese people.
And that is why within hours of last week’s strikes I called for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel.
Since then, we’ve worked closely with the US and France to formalise a wider demand for the ceasefire and a political plan to implement it.
And at the UN in New York, the Prime Minister and I have been urging our G7 and other partners to do the same.
Our priority must be a political solution in line with Resolution 1701. It is our duty to do all we can to exert maximum diplomatic pressure so Israeli and Lebanese civilians can return to their homes. So lives can be saved. So security can return to Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon. So that daily life can begin to return.
Now let me be clear.
The United Kingdom condemns Hizballah’s attacks on Israel over the last 11 months, which have driven more than 60,000 people from their homes.
There was no justification for these attacks.
They have brought misery to ordinary people in Lebanon and Israel.
And they have done nothing to end the conflict in Gaza or secure Palestinian statehood.
And Iran, nothing justifies supplying weapons to terror groups in defiance of this Council.
We call on Tehran to use its influence and urge Hizballah to agree a ceasefire.
President,
For the people of Israel and for the people of Lebanon, a brilliant, multicultural and tolerant nation taken captive by an armed militia that puts itself before the Lebanese people, we must come together to bring this conflict to an end.
In 2006, this Council acted in the interests of peace and security. All parties need to embody that same spirit today.
By coming together, act now to bring this conflict to an end.
To stop the cycle of destruction.
To stop the loss of yet more innocent lives.
And to stop this conflict from exploding into full-blown war and open a path to peace.
That is what we need.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Pennsylvania Bob Casey
Fair Flood Protection Act caps insurance premiums, cuts fees
Casey bill to provide long-term stability for Pennsylvania homeowners
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation to cap the cost of flood insurance, making homeownership more affordable for working families. Across Pennsylvania, as floods become more frequent and intense, homeowners are struggling to keep up with significant increases in flood insurance costs, which can be as high as thousands of dollars per year. The Fair Flood Protection Act would lower the cost of flood insurance by creating a sliding scale premium cap to ensure that families pay fair amounts based on their income.
“Throughout the Commonwealth, including in my home county of Lackawanna, families’ budgets are being increasingly squeezed by the rising costs of flood insurance. This bill will cut fees and cap flood insurance costs to help ensure that Pennsylvanians can afford to keep their homes safe for generations to come,” said Senator Casey. “Hardworking homeowners should be able to protect their homes without worrying about how to pay the bills.”
With many Pennsylvanians struggling to get by and raise their families, flooding poses a looming financial threat. Most home insurance does not include flood insurance, making the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a key safety net to protect against the devastating impacts of flooding. After hearing concerns about rising costs of flood insurance, coupled with reports of increased heavy rain and flood risk, Casey introduced the Fair Flood Protection Act to help working families protect their homes without breaking the bank. This bill would help make and keep flood insurance affordable and strengthen the NFIP. This legislation would help expand flood insurance coverage by reauthorizing NFIP for ten years, increasing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s authorization to provide funding for flood protection and mitigation projects, and creating a cap for NFIP premiums based on a sliding scale determined by income. Currently FEMA has instituted a premium model that sets rates based on an individual’s flood risk, which can lead to prohibitively high costs of flood insurance. Adjusting premium rates to account for income, rather than risk alone, would help to ensure that working class homeowners are not priced out of flood protection.
Senator Casey has long worked to help Pennsylvania communities mitigate and recover from the devastating impacts caused by floods. Most recently, he successfully pushed President Biden to provide federal disaster relief support to Pennsylvania communities affected by the devastating flooding last month. Additionally, Casey has championed infrastructure investments to improve flood control infrastructure, including through community project funding and FEMA grant programs. Additionally, Casey voted to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which poured billions of additional federal funding into programs like the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program.
Senator Casey has always fought to lower costs for working families in Pennsylvania. From creating tax credits for renewable energy development, to negotiating the price of prescription drugs, Casey has consistently worked to bring prices down Pennsylvania families.
Read more about the Fair Flood Protection Act HERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaii – 2nd District)
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after voting yes on the House bill to prevent a government shutdown.
“Our communities can’t afford to lose critical services, but House Republicans have yet again been unable to write or pass legislation to keep the government operating. A shutdown would hurt working families in Hawaiʻi who are already struggling to make ends meet and that’s why I voted today to send this stopgap funding bill to the Senate to ensure our government remains open through December. It is frustrating that while we kept government running, we are continuing to fail our disaster stricken communities like Maui by not passing critical funding or the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. This is a rare bipartisan opportunity to help Americans across the country recover, rebuild and heal, and I will keep fighting to bring home the relief Maui needs.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after voting against today’s Continuing Resolution (CR):
“I voted against the CR to save American agriculture. Instead of cherry-picking Democrat programs from the committee’s farm bill to extend in the CR and playing politics with hungry children and production agriculture, we should be providing our farmers with the resources and certainty they need to do their jobs. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road on a bill that our farmers needed authorized a year ago. I am unwilling to risk everything they have and continue to work for.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Matt Rosendale (Montana)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) voted against H.R. 9747 – Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. He released the following statement after rejecting the most recent continuation of Biden’s runaway spending:
“Instead of following the law and passing the appropriations bills and funding the government properly and transparently, Congress spent the last 100 days negotiating a Continuing Resolution to fund government through December 20th of this year,” said Rep. Rosendale. “I am tired of the Uniparty joining hands and bypassing house rules so Biden and Harris can continue their radical policies and obligate Americans for trillions of dollars we just don’t have. Today is another bad day for America as the GOP has rubber stamped this administrations’ agenda on one of the last opportunities they will have to fight it this Congress.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, LaMalfa, Fong Urge President Biden to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following Park and Borel Fires
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01) and Vince Fong (R-Calif.-20) urged President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the severe impacts of the Park and Borel Fires on Butte, Tehama, and Kern counties.
The fires, both exacerbated by extreme heat across the state from July 24 to August 26, damaged homes and businesses throughout these counties. The extensive harm caused by the Park and Borel fires have stretched local resources thin and disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities.
“The intensity and damages caused by these fires have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts,” wrote the lawmakers. “These fires have caused extensive damage that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians.”
“The severity of these fires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of individual assistance and all additional assistance set forth in the Governor’s request,” continued the lawmakers.
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear President Biden:
We write in support of the State of California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the Park and Borel Fires impacting Butte, Tehama, and Kern counties, and we ask that you approve it expeditiously.
The State has experienced several fires during the extreme heat event beginning July 24, 2024, and lasting through August 26, 2024. The intensity and damages caused by these fires have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts.
These fires have caused extensive damage that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians. The Park and Borel fires damaged homes and businesses throughout Butte, Tehama, and Kern. The brunt of these impacts was born by the most vulnerable communities.
The severity of these fires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of individual assistance and all additional assistance set forth in the Governor’s request.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
September 25, 2024
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted for a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown, fund the federal government through December 20, 2024, and allow work on appropriations bills to continue.
“The federal government’s fiscal year ends every year on September 30th and, despite this fact, Congress once again had to pass a stopgap spending bill. While I am relieved that we were able to come together in a bipartisan fashion to keep the government open, we must bring back regular order in the appropriations process to get our nation on a path to fiscal stability. Our reliance on continuing resolutions wastes taxpayer dollars, weakens our military’s capabilities and limits our economic growth. Hardworking West Virginians and Americans across our country go to work, pay their bills, and live within their means and the federal government should do the same. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver on this essential responsibility of Congress.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, Deluzio Introduce Bill to Protect Voters and Election Workers at Election Centers
WATCH: Padilla champions the right to vote free from intimidation or violenceWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and California’s former Secretary of State, and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.-17) joined election security advocates to introduce bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at the ballot box. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help ensure that every voter and election worker has the right to cast their ballot and conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation.
The bill would update existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) are cosponsoring the bill in the Senate, and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) is cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.
The right to vote is a central pillar of American democracy, but rising political violence against voters and poll workers threatens election security. False allegations of widespread voter fraud have further increased tensions at election centers. 38 percent of election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse as of May 2024.
“In no corner of America should the fear of violence prevent voters from casting their ballot or keep elections workers from showing up to work,” said Senator Padilla. “Unfortunately, we have a long, dark history of voter suppression and intimidation in America, reignited by partisan rhetoric and false narratives about election fraud. That’s why our bicameral bill would keep visible firearms out of election centers to ensure election workers can do their jobs and all Americans feel safe exercising their right to vote.”
“The right to vote is foundational to our democracy, and to protect that right we must keep polling places and official ballot drop sites free from intimidation,” said Representative Deluzio. “With the rising risk of political violence and ongoing attacks on our democracy, it’s clear that we need action to strengthen the sanctity of our elections. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act of 2024 would help protect the rights of America’s voters and election workers so that they can vote and perform their official duties free from intentional intimidation and threats of violence. I’m proud to introduce this bill today alongside fellow election security advocates.”
“The presence of firearms at polling places isn’t just dangerous—it’s a direct threat to our democratic process. As armed extremists fueled by rumors and conspiracy theories increasingly show up at the polls to bully voters and election workers, our message is clear: intimidation has no place at the ballot box. This legislation would take important steps to ensure every American feels safe to make their voice heard on election day,” said Senator Murphy.
“Americans should be able to cast their votes without the threat of intimidation and harassment. That is why I introduced the Vote Without Fear Act,” said Representative Ruiz. “I am excited to help lead the Freedom from Intimidations Act to continue to build on the progress we’ve made working towards a future where polling places are safer for workers and voters.”
Specifically, the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would:
Amend Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person carrying a visible firearm while engaging in election-related activities is engaging in voter intimidation.
Provide civil remedies for individuals who experience this type of intimidation, including an emergency injunction that would allow the voter or election official to carry out their duties in peace.
Recognize an exception for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties.
Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law to create these critical protections in California.
The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is endorsed by organizations including the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Institute for Responsive Government, League of Conservation Voters, Center for American Progress, End Citizens United Action Fund, Common Cause, Defend the Vote Action Fund, Fair Elections Center, Democracy SENTRY, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Faith in Public Life Action, Sierra Club, and Voto Latino.
“Congress must pass the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act. We are grateful to Representative Deluzio, Senator Padilla, and other members of Congress for their work to keep our elections safe for everyone involved in the process. This legislation would bolster federal protections that empower voters, election officials, and election workers to seek legal recourse if they are intimidated. The bill would help protect our democracy by keeping intimidation and violence out of voting,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, Director of the Voting Rights Program, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.
“Over the last four years, election officials have faced unprecedented threats and challenges. Immediately following the 2020 election, there was a deliberate effort to intimidate and terrorize election officials,” said Kathy Boockvar, former Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth and President of Athena Strategies LLC. “This has got to stop. This bill is a critical part of the solution. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act aims to protect voters and election workers by ensuring that voters can cast their ballots — and election workers can do their jobs – free of intimidation, during all stages of the election process from vote casting to canvassing to certification.”
“All of our rights, including our rights to breathe clean air and drink clean water, depend on voters’ freedom to vote, which includes freedom from violence, intimidation, and fear while they make their voices heard,” said Doug Lindner, Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy at the League of Conservation Voters. “LCV is proud to stand with Representative Chris Deluzio and Senator Alex Padilla in support of the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act to ensure every eligible voter can safely register, vote, and have their vote counted.”
“It’s paramount for the health of our democracy that election officials can peacefully administer free and fair elections and Americans are able to exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear or intimidation,” said Center for American Progress Associate Director of Democracy Policy Greta Bedekovics. “Threats towards election officials have continued to persist while federal law enforcement have warned about the possibility of election-related violence. Congressional action like passing the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is desperately needed to protect American democracy and ensure that elections reflect the will of the people. Congress must fulfill its duty to protect the Constitution and that means protecting elections.”
“Intimidation has no place in our democracy,” Michelle Kanter Cohen, Policy Director and Senior Counsel at Fair Elections Center. “We need changes in our laws that make sure every American voter—no matter what state they live in—can vote safely and freely. We need the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act to help make sure that the election workers who keep our democracy going can serve without fear, and that voters can safely have their voices heard.”
“The League of Women Voters of the United States is proud to support the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act, which will enshrine in law that every voter should have the right to cast their ballot free from fear and intimidation,” said Jessica Jones Capparell, Interim Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation at the League of Women Voters of the United States. “This legislation reflects a growing recognition that the integrity of our elections must be preserved in the face of increasing threats. The chilling reality of armed protesters gathering outside ballot-counting facilities and the armed surveillance of drop boxes during the 2020 election has highlighted the urgent need for stronger legislation and safeguards in this bill. The League of Women Voters stands firmly in support of this bill to ensure that every voter can participate without fear.”
“Passage of the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act will help protect the dedicated Americans who keep our elections running,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, Executive Director, Institute for Responsive Government. “The current threat environment means that election officials are devoting scarce resources to bullet proof glass, metal detectors, and security guards. Effectively protecting election officials from intimidation, which this bill will help to do, will ensure that election officials can allocate money towards core tasks like cybersecurity upgrades and increasing accessibility for eligible voters. We already know elections are severely underfunded, but Congress has the power to make a significant difference for election officials across the nation by supporting the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act. It’s high time Congress puts those who safeguard our democracy above radical weapons of coercion by supporting this bill.”
Senator Padilla is a champion for more robust voting rights, bipartisan election administration reforms, and increased funding to modernize and secure our elections. Last month, Padilla called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division to investigate the recent targeted raids of several Latino voting rights organizers, officials, and candidates by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s election integrity unit. He also joined 21 of his colleagues in urging DOJ to take further action to counter threats targeting election workers ahead of the upcoming election. Additionally, Padilla recently introduced legislation to address the significant impact that election administration-related disinformation, made more pervasive with the use of Artificial Intelligence, has on communities of color. He is a staunch supporter of the Freedom to Vote Act, legislation he and Senate Democrats introduced to improve access to the ballot for Americans, advance commonsense federal election standards and campaign finance reforms, and protect our democracy.
Photos and clips from the press conference are available here.
A one-pager on the bill is available here.
Full text of the bill is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– In case you missed it, earlier this week, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Mark Kelly’s (D-Ariz.) semiconductor plant permitting reform bill cleared the House after unanimously passing the Senate last December. The bill, S.2228 as replaced by the Kelly-Cruz full substitute amendment, is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation would expedite the process to construct semiconductor manufacturing plants by removing burdensome environmental reviews and permits for microchip projects.
The Kelly-Cruz chips permitting reform bill received widespread bipartisan support, including from Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The legislation is a critical step in decreasing dependency on China and creating more jobs and incentives for investment in Texas.
Watch the interview and read more about the legislation below.
Local News Live: Congress passes bill to streamline federal process for chip manufacturing projects in America
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
“Congress passed a bill this week that will streamline federal reviews for some microchip manufacturing projects in America.
“The Building Chips in America Act passed in the House on Monday and is now on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.
“The bill streamlines the environmental review process for semiconductor manufacturing facilities that were incentivized by the CHIPS and Science Act.
“Several projects are in the works but supporters of the bill have said that they have been delayed because of government red tape.
“The bipartisan bill was authored in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
“Cruz said that the passage of the bill will benefit communities across the country where the projects are happening like his home state of Texas.
“‘What this is going to mean is new manufacturing plants will be built in Texas much faster. It will mean billions more dollars invested in the economy in Texas, and it will mean thousands more high-paying jobs in Texas. It’s a great victory for jobs in Texas,” said Sen. Cruz.
“The senator also said the bill will also make America safer by manufacturing the chips domestically.”
The Texas: U.S. House Passes ‘Kelly-Cruz Amendment’ to CHIPS Act, Sent to Biden’s Desk
“The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday aimed at streamlining permitting laws to facilitate the domestic construction of semiconductor factories.
“The bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 257 to 125, with 49 members not voting, and now moves to the president’s desk for approval.
“The bill passed the Senate last year, and was passed in the House of Representatives this week as the “Kelly-Cruz substitute amendment.”
“Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) submitted the amended text of their Senate bill in December 2023.
“When a bill passes as a “substitute amendment” in Congress, the original text is entirely replaced with new content. This new version of the bill, offered as an amendment, becomes the text that is voted on and passed.
“It aims to accelerate the construction of U.S. semiconductor facilities, as the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022 has made over $50 billion available to promote domestic production and innovation.
“It will also streamline federal permitting by designating the Department of Commerce as the lead agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, exempting certain projects from NEPA, providing the Secretary of Commerce with greater authority to expedite reviews in coordination with state and local governments, and limiting court challenge timelines.
“Cruz and Kelly celebrated the amendment’s passage in a joint statement after the House passed it this week.
“‘My number one priority in the Senate is delivering jobs for Texans. When soon signed into law, the Kelly-Cruz legislation will mean tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and hundreds of billions in new investments for the Lone Star State,” wrote Cruz.
“‘I’m proud to have led this effort with Senator Mark Kelly to streamline environmental permitting for semiconductor factories, a crucial step in onshoring jobs and making our country less dependent on China for semiconductors critical to national defense.”
“Cruz continued to exchange jabs with Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX-32), who voted to pass the most recent act, over the past year regarding Cruz’s “no” vote on related legislation last year.
“At the time, Cruz supported one portion of the CHIPS Act but disagreed with another.
“Cruz explained in 2023 that the CHIPS Act consisted of two key parts: the Facilitating American-Built Semiconductors (FABS) Act, offering a tax credit to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing investment, and the CHIPS Act itself, providing billions in direct subsidies to companies. While Cruz co-sponsored the FABS Act, he voted against the CHIPS Act due to his opposition to direct subsidies, favoring the more indirect incentive of the tax credit.
“Following this week’s passage of the Building Chips in America Act, Samsung celebrated by saying that the bill is “ensuring U.S. innovation continues to surge!”
“Texas has seen businesses flocking to the state over the past few years, and semiconductor manufacturers have already started construction on facilities in towns like Taylor and Sherman.
“The ongoing battle for semiconductor supremacy between China and the U.S. is intensifying as both nations invest heavily in domestic chip production and innovation, with the global semiconductor industry projected to reach a value of approximately $1 trillion by 2030.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
September 25, 2024
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $14,507,612 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support infrastructure upgrades and economic development projects across West Virginia.
“Investing in our local communities creates good-paying jobs, spurs economic opportunity and sets up the community for future success,” said Senator Manchin. “These infrastructure improvements will attract new businesses and good-paying jobs, ensuring long-term economic growth across the Mountain State. As a member of the Senate Appropriations, I will continue to fight for meaningful investments to ensure that West Virginia continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Individual awards listed below:
$4,000,000 — Boone County Public Service District
This funding will support waterline extension improvements at the Mountain State Clean Energy complex in Danville, West Virginia.
$3,801,600 – Wyoming County Economic Development Authority
This funding will support expanding the Rockefeller Industrial Park in Welch, West Virginia.
$3,402,000 – McDowell County Public Service District
This funding will support installing new waterlines and all associated work in the Baker Ridge, Panther Creek Road, Rock Ridge, Lex areas of McDowell County.
$2,506,500 – Kingwood Water Works
This funding will supports making water infrastructure improvements in Preston County.
$797,512 – Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
This funding will support creating and integrating a new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) certification program in Martinsburg.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter today urging Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Willie L. Phillips to appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision vacating permits for the Rio Grande liquified natural gas (LNG) project and Texas LNG project.
In the letter, Sen. Cruz wrote, “The decision sets a chilling precedent that will harm the development of infrastructure for projects related to all forms of energy, directly undermining American energy security and therefore national security. If the permits are not reauthorized, over 7,000 high-paying jobs will disappear, and roughly $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley will be lost.
…
“Since 2016, America has become the largest exporter of LNG in the world, passing competitors such as Russia and Qatar. This achievement was made possible through the work, innovation, and investment of private companies willing to fund and build capital-intensive projects. That progress has now been put at acute risk by the court’s decision.”
Read the full letter here or below:
Dear Chairman Willie L. Phillips:
On August 6, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated reauthorizations for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects and remanded the issue to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for further proceedings.
We write today to urge you to pursue an appeal and seek a stay of the decision pending the outcome of that appeal.
State and local officials across Texas had already done extensive work related to the two projects. The Rio Grande LNG project already started construction a year ago. The Texas LNG project was less than two months away from securing enough offtake commitments for achieving a final investment decision.
The decision sets a chilling precedent that will harm the development of infrastructure for projects related to all forms of energy, directly undermining American energy security and therefore national security. If the permits are not reauthorized, over 7,000 high-paying jobs will disappear, and roughly $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley will be lost.
There is no precedent for this decision. Charles McConnell, the former Assistant Secretary of Energy at the Department of Energy in President Barack Obama’s Administration says “If allowed to stand, the precedent from this ruling would be absolutely draconian to investment progress.”
The decision itself, as well as its unprecedented nature, will have far-reaching and negative cascade effects. The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project, a $400 million project to deepen the Brownsville shipping channel from 42 to 52 feet, will likely stop. Over $20 billion in economic investment and 31 million tonnes per annum of liquified natural gas (LNG) exports will be wiped out. More broadly, if project developers come to believe that federal permits can be overturned due to procedural missteps by the regulator, apart from any actions or fault by the developers, U.S. infrastructure projects will slow and stall.
Since 2016, America has become the largest exporter of LNG in the world, passing competitors such as Russia and Qatar. This achievement was made possible through the work, innovation, and investment of private companies willing to fund and build capital-intensive projects. That progress has now been put at acute risk by the court’s decision. We look forward to your prompt response on this matter.
Sincerely,
/X/
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced a bill that would restrict one of the biggest magnets for illegal immigration into the United States. Graham’s Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024 stops the practice of granting citizenship to both the children of illegal immigrants and the children of non-immigrants in the U.S. on temporary visas.
The exploitation of birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for our national security. The United States is one of only 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship. In 2018, Senator Graham supported President Trump’s executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants on American soil.
“It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,” said Senator Graham. “One example is birth tourism, where wealthy individuals from China and other nations come to the United States simply to have a child who will be an American citizen. When you look at the magnets that draw people to America, birthright citizenship is one of the largest. It is time for the United States to align itself with the rest of the world and restrict this practice once and for all.”
The Biden-Harris Administration’s catch-and-release policies let migrants come into the U.S. illegally and stay for years, while enjoying many of the benefits of living in America.
Illegal immigration has skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris Administration.
In the last 3.5 years, there have been over 8.3 million encounters with illegal aliens at the southern border.
Our adversaries are taking advantage of our laws.
Recently, two individuals from California were found guilty in a “birth tourism” scheme. Predominantly Chinese clients paid the operators of a “maternity hotel” tens of thousands of dollars to come to the U.S. to give birth. Clients were coached on how to lie during the admissions process.
A 2022 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee report found a birthing company catering to the wives of Russian oligarchs, celebrities, athletes, and public figures.
The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024:
Specifies who can receive citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United States, including children born to at least one parent who is either:
A citizen or national of the U.S.,
A lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or
An alien performing active service in the armed forces.
This bill only applies to children born after the date of enactment.
To read the full bill text, click HERE.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the introduction of his new bipartisan legislation to block taxpayer money from being used to subsidize biofuels produced using imported foreign feedstocks such as Chinese used cooking oil and Brazilian ethanol. The bill would also extend the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. Brown announced the bill on a news conference call, where he was joined by Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.
The 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, was intended to make America more energy independent and spur the production of biofuels made with American-produced feedstocks – building new markets for American farmers. But farmers are dealing with a surge in imports of Chinese used cooking oil being used to produce biofuels in the U.S. – and that is displacing the use of American feedstocks. In July, Brown called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Biden Administration to restrict the eligibility of the 45Z Credit to renewable biofuels fuels made from feedstocks sourced domestically. Brown’s bill would ensure eligibility for the tax credit is restricted to biofuels that are produced with domestic feedstocks.
Brown’s legislation would also extend the credit for 10 years, giving the American ethanol industry the time and financial incentive to build up the infrastructure needed to produce sustainable aviation fuel. That will make the U.S. less reliant on foreign fuel, open new markets for farmers, and increase ethanol production across the Midwest.
“American tax dollars should support American farmers – not imported feedstocks. To continue to grow the biofuels industry and open new markets for Ohio farmers, we must stop taxpayer money from subsidizing a surge in Chinese cooking oil or any other foreign feedstock from infiltrating the American market. Our bipartisan bill ensures these investments benefit Ohio farmers and Ohio energy producers,” said Brown.
“Ohio’s family grain farms are strongest when their markets are close to home. Producing low carbon fuels has made them profitable for years, and the future of renewable fuels can keep those family businesses flourishing for generations to come. Senator Brown’s bill gives that market certainty and ensures that our national investment in renewable energy will benefit American energy producers first. That’s commonsense good policy,” said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director, Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.
“Thank you to Sen. Brown and Rep. Kaptur for leading the way on this issue, prioritizing Ohio farmers and reducing the U.S. biofuels industry’s dependence on foreign feedstocks,” said Rusty Goebel, OSA president and Williams County soybean farmer. “While the use of foreign feedstocks can play a role in producing domestically manufactured biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, the American taxpayer-funded 45Z tax credit should only apply to biofuels produced from domestic feedstocks by domestic fuel producers.”
This bill is co-led with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Senators Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tina Smith (D-MN). Representatives Tracey Mann (R-KS-01) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 50 years. He has long been a leader for Ohio’s rural communities.
Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.