Jewish Citizen: Congress recalls Tucson victims

Compiled by Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) led the House of Representatives in a moment of silence on Thursday, Jan. 8, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the mass shooting in Tucson that left 6 people dead and injured 13 others, including then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-Arizona). She also released this press statement:

“Four years ago, a vicious attack in Tucson struck at a cornerstone of American democracy and killed 6 innocent people while injuring 13 others, including my dear friend and colleague, Gabby Giffords. In the aftermath, and after many other horrific shootings, we’ve struggled as a nation and accomplished far too little in the fight to enact comprehensive gun control measures. This worthy and much-needed effort that Gabby and her husband, Mark, have taken up with their characteristic resilience and determination is a critical goal that we must achieve to reduce senseless violence and death. I remain committed to being a legislative champion of such sensible efforts.

“Gabby’s progress, poise and strength continue to inspire the nation. I’m proud of my friend and especially proud of her determination to turn her personal tragedy into a bold movement for change. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the victims and their families whose lives were irrevocably altered that winter day four years ago, especially Christina-Taylor Green, an innocent child. In their memory, let us constantly strive to be more pragmatic, more thoughtful, and more engaged citizens.”

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U.S. Senate
STUDENT LOANS — U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), has joined with other members of Congress to reduce from 108 questions to just two the application form students must fill out to be considered for student aid. The questions would be 1) What is your family size? And, 2) what was your household income two years ago? “We can increase access to college and higher education for students simply by making this government form easier to use,” Bennet said. “This long overdue change will encourage more students to apply for college. Students and their families will also learn what aid they’re eligible to receive earlier in the process. Providing parents and students with as much information as possible on how they can afford the rising costs of higher education will allow them to make better long term decisions about their futures.”

SENATOR BOXER — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) reacted to the announcement that Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) will not seek reelection in 2016: “I am proud to call Barbara Boxer a good friend and colleague. She has dedicated her career to serving the people of California and she has never been afraid to stand up and fight for what is right. In both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, she has been a strong, progressive voice protecting the rights of women, children and families, and especially doing all in her power to make the country a cleaner and healthier place for all Americans. I look forward to working closely with Senator Boxer over the next two years. I send special thanks to her family for sharing such a dedicated public servant with our country during her distinguished career.” … Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont said: “Senator Boxer is one of the great senators of our time and I am sorry that this will be her last session in Congress. She has played an especially vital role in protecting our environment. In one critical area above all others, history will judge her as a pioneer in efforts to get Congress to heed the warnings from scientists that we must act boldly to address the planetary crisis of global warming. I have been proud to serve under Chairman Boxer on the Senate environment committee. She is a good friend and an able ally who I look forward to working with during the coming session of Congress on our mutual goal of leaving our children and grandchildren a safer, cleaner planet than we inherited.”… Congressman Brad Sherman (D-California) said: “I’m saddened to learn that Barbara Boxer will not be seeking another term in the U.S. Senate. She is a superb representative of California and a tenacious and effective Senator. Although her time in this body has not yet run out, she has established a tremendous legacy as a champion of environmental protection, women’s rights, and strong progressive values.” … Greg Rosenbaum, chair of the National Jewish Democratic Council’s Board of Directors, stated,“For years, Sen. Boxer has been a tried and true champion for those who have needed her help the most. Her leadership in the fight for protecting the environment, defending civil rights and standing up for our military has been invaluable. Furthermore, Sen. Boxer’s efforts in ensuring the safety and security of the state of Israel have led to an unparalleled level of cooperation between our two countries.”
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POPE FRANCIS — In a flurry of other announcements, Senator Cardin said that he and Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Maryland), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) had introduced a resolution commending Pope Francis for his leadership in helping to secure the release of Alan Gross, and for working with the governments of the United States and Cuba to achieve a more positive relationship….

TAX PREPARERS — Cardin also said that he and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member, Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) had unveiled legislation that provides the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) explicit authority to regulate paid tax return preparers. “With nearly half of all Americans turning to others to prepare their tax filings each year, this bill requires that preparers demonstrate competency in preparing tax returns, claims for refund and related documents,” he said.

GOLD STAR FATHERS — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), have reintroduced the Gold Star Fathers Act, legislation that would extend the same federal hiring preference to fathers that is currently available to mothers of service members killed in action or permanently and totally disabled. Parents whose children are killed in action are referred to as “Gold Star parents” because they traditionally display a Gold Star flag as a symbol for their loss and sacrifice. The federal government has long recognized the sacrifice of Gold Star families by granting unmarried and separated Gold Star mothers – and unmarried and separated mothers of totally and permanently disabled veterans – a 10-point hiring preference when they apply for federal jobs. The Gold Star Fathers Act would make this preference gender neutral, extending it to unmarried or separated fathers of service members killed in action or totally and permanently disabled.

House of Representatives

COMMUNITY COLLEGES — U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island) has applauded President Obama’s America’s College Promise plan to make two years of community college free for eligible students. Following the announcement Cicilline stated: “Education is the single most important factor in putting young people on the path to success, and a well-educated workforce is necessary to expand our economy and grow jobs. I applaud President Obama’s bold plan to increase access higher education so that America can remain competitive in the 21st century economy. This exciting new proposal will ensure that many more young Americans fulfill their full potential.”
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KEYSTONE PIPELINE — U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (D-California) opposed legislation approved by the House of Representatives on a 266 -153 vote “to create a special exemption and ignore environmental law over the Keystone XL Pipeline approval process. This bill essentially says that a Canadian company does not have to follow the same rules as American companies,” said Davis. “I cannot recall the U.S. Congress ever working so hard on behalf of a Canadian oil company, TransCanada. Furthermore, Keystone will have virtually no impact on job creation and an unnoticeable effect on gas prices. This project is high on environmental risks and low on reward, and certainly not worth ignoring our environmental laws.” She added that Keystone is currently undergoing the longstanding federal review process required for such projects. “The Keystone Pipeline Act (H.R. 3) would stop the environmental review under dubious claims of job creation and lower gas prices. A report by the State Department says that only about 35 permanent jobs will be created to maintain the pipeline. Plus, there is no guarantee that these jobs will be filled by Americans. Experts agree that Keystone would have an unnoticeable impact on gas prices. The Congressional Research Service reported that increasing access to Canadian oil would not calm the unpredictable oil market, which tends to be influenced by international events. The bill also exempts TransCanada from the 8 cents per barrel contribution to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund that other oil companies have to pay. All but ensuring that TransCanada will not foot the bill to clean up any future oil spills. …. U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Florida) also voted against the measure: “There are better, less risky ways to deliver bigger paychecks to hardworking families,” she said. “Along its route from Canada to Texas, a ruptured pipeline of tar sands could pollute drinking water and destroy ecosystems. To make matters worse, current law exempts TransCanada, the owner of the proposed pipeline, from paying into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is used for cleanup efforts and to pay claims of those who suffer damages. This would leave American taxpayers on the hook, and, as we learned from the BP catastrophe in Florida, that figure could run into the billions of dollars.” … Another nay vote was cast by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill), who said: “Today, I voted against H.R. 3, the Keystone XL approval bill. I did so because the pipeline would threaten public health and the environment while having no beneficial impact on energy security or consumer costs.”
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UNEMPLOYMENT — U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York) said on Friday, Jan. 9: “As we begin the 114th Congress we must do everything we can to help those still in the throes of economic uncertainty. Once again, I renew my call to Speaker Boehner to allow for an up-or-down vote on extending unemployment insurance, and I also hope that as we begin a new year House Republicans will seriously consider other economic measures to help the middle class, like raising the minimum wage.”
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AID TO PALESTINIANS — U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-New York), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, said Friday, Jan. 9, that “Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s recent actions before the United Nations Security Council and the International Criminal Court (ICC) clearly indicate an abandonment of the goal of a negotiated two-state agreement and ignore the necessary compromises that all sides must make for peace. For decades, the United States has been the Palestinian Authority’s partner by generously providing billions of dollars to foster security cooperation with Israel, support economic development, and address the humanitarian needs of the Palestinians. At the same time, our assistance has included specific conditions in order to discourage provocative actions aimed at undercutting the peace process. U.S. law is clear. In the absence of an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians, economic assistance will be suspended if the Palestinians seek and obtain membership in the United Nations or in any of its specialized agencies, or should the Palestinians initiate or actively support an ICC investigation aimed at Israeli nationals for alleged crimes. Years of efforts on behalf of Palestinians for an independent state that peacefully exists side-by-side with Israel are at risk. President Abbas’ retreat from direct negotiations and pursuit of unilateral action threatens to further destabilize an already highly volatile situation.”

California Legislature

OIL COMPANY PROFITS — State Senators Ben Allen, Marty Block, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Mark Leno and Lois Wolk have joined Senate President pro tempore Kevin de Leon, Senator Ben Hueso and 15 other state senators calling upon California Attorney General Kamala Harris to continue monitoring oil companies that set gas prices. The senators asked the attorney general to “launch an investigation if there is any evidence of market manipulation now that transportation fuels are included in the cap-and-trade program. Senator Hueso is also prepared to support his colleagues in oversight hearings if any sort of significant price spikes occur in the near future.”

CALIFORNIA STATE BUDGET — State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) had praise for the education portions of Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed state budget. Said Block: ““As chair of the Senate’s Budget Subcommittee responsible for education financing, I commend the governor’s significant increase in funding for K-12 students. Another $2,600 per student will help restore some of the devastating reductions of years past.Community Colleges, due to Proposition 98 funding, received significant additional funding in the governor’s budget proposal. The increase allows us to invest in our students, part-time faculty and successful programs.I would like to recognize the governor’s continued support for affordable and accessible higher education by freezing student tuition and maintaining the promised 4% increase. My recently introduced SB 15 will expand institutional support and create incentives for success. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature and the governor to craft a budget that best serves our state.”

State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) had this comment about the governor’s budget: “I am extremely pleased that the proposal makes investments in vital areas and that our schools and community colleges will see nearly $8 billion in new funding. As the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am pleased to see that, even as the courts work to improve efficiencies, they will see an additional $180 million in new funding. However, as someone with a CSU and UC campus in their district, I am extremely concerned that there is insufficient additional funding for our UCs and CSUs included in this proposal – a cornerstone of the California dream.”

State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) had words of caution about the budget: ““Unfortunately, despite our successes, much of the state’s economic gain has not been as widespread as it could be. The devastating budget cuts from years past have left many of the neediest Californians – working families, students, children, the disabled and elderly – without critical assistance. We must continue to evaluate which of our General Fund programs and services are most effective and reinvest in them wisely and in a way that benefits Californians who are in the greatest need. The best investments are those that respond to the critical needs of families at the bottom of the economic ladder and provide working people access to education, training and other programs that can help them get ahead. We can make these reinvestments while at the same time preserving the budget stability we have worked hard to achieve, moving California away from a destructive cycle of cutting and borrowing. We have an opportunity and obligation to utilize these good years to create permanent solutions that will keep California growing.”

Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) said: “This proposed budget is a good place to start the dialogue about funding California’s priorities. II am pleased to see that the budget invests in water, flood protection and efforts to combat climate change. We also continue paying down the wall of debt while increasing funding for K-12 public schools and protecting against tuition increases at the University of California. I look forward to working on this in the months ahead.”

Assemblyman Jeff Stone (R-Riverside) said: ““With estimated state revenues coming in higher than expected, the governor needs to continue to pay off California’s debts and not launch new and expensive programs. The growing cost of unfunded public employee pensions and retiree health care obligations need to continue to be addressed and not left as a burden for our future generations. I am also eager to work with the governor to fix our crumbling roads, bridges and highways.”.

State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) said: “As the Chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation, I am pleased that the Governor’s budget prioritizes significant investment in water and flood management. The current drought demonstrates the need to invest in reliable, climate-resilient water supplies to sustain our economy, communities and ecosystems. I look forward to working to ensure we quickly leverage limited Proposition 1 funding to maximize benefits for California. In addition, I am committed to working with the Administration and local governments to develop the necessary governance structure and technical expertise to deliver safe drinking water to small disadvantaged communities.”

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Items referencing Jewish women in Congress are sponsored by Laura Galinson in memory of her father, Murray Galinson.

Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World.  Your comment may be posted in the box provided below or sent to the compiler at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com