Saturday, March 10, 2018

CHPP The Daily Brief: Legislative Snapshot Saturday, March 10, 2018



Tonight: Please remember to
change your clocks, going forward
for one hour.
(Spring FORWARD; fall BACK)

Also: Be sure not to miss reading
this article today! Praise the Lord!


Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
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The Daily Brief:
Legislative Snapshot
Saturday, March 10, 2018

"Now therefore,
Arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place,
You and the ark of Your strength.
Let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation,
And let Your saints rejoice in goodness."

(2 Chronicles 6:41,42)



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"Standing United Together . . . Under the Cross of Christ"

News from the White House

News from the White House:

Headlines for Prayer


1. Trump signs tariffs on steel, aluminum as national security 'necessity'
- The White House

"In a meeting with factory workers at the White House, [President Donald J.] Trump said the tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum keep his campaign pledge to rescue the domestic industries and protect national security," Dave Boyer reports in The Washington Times.

"We want our workers to be protected. We have to protect and build our steel and aluminum industries," President Trump said before he signed the two proclamations in the Roosevelt Room.

Click here to read more.


2. Trump Creates Prison Reform Council - Free Beacon

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to create a new, interagency federal council to report on federal prison reentry policy, continuing the administration's ongoing focus on prison reform.

The Federal Interagency Council on Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry will bring together representatives from 11 executive departments and offices, ranging the Department of the Education to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The representatives appointed to the council will be responsible for producing recommendations for evidence-based reforms to improve federal support for programs which cut offending and recidivating.

Those programs include both pre-offense programs-including support for mental and behavioral health services-and access to resources for inmates to help them reintegrate with society once their time is served. Those resources would include better access to education, mentorship, substance abuse treatment, and mental and behavioral health treatment. (Read more)


3. President Trump is About to Defund Planned Parenthood Again By Yanking Its Sex Ed Funds - Lifenews.com

The Trump administration has put a pro-life advocate in charge of one of Planned Parenthood's major taxpayer funding streams. And, unsurprisingly the abortion chain is very angry about it.

Politico reports Valerie Huber, a Trump appointee to the Department of Health and Human Services, will have the final say about the groups that receive money from the $286 million Title X program, which funds family planning services. Huber, a longtime leader in sexual risk avoidance programs, is the acting deputy assistant secretary for population affairs at HHS. Pro-life organizations praised President Donald Trump for nominating her and other pro-life leaders to his administration last year.

According to Politico, the HHS office recently made several policy changes related to the Title X program, including the funding approval process. Previously, a regional health official, the HHS deputy assistant secretary for population affairs and the assistant secretary for health gave the final approval; however, now the final decision is solely Huber's. An HHS spokesperson said the policy change will "streamline administrative function" and make the process similar to other government grant programs.

But the move has the top abortion chain in America (Planned Parenthood) worried about its future. (Read more)


4. This Year Marks the Strongest Average Monthly Job Growth in Over Two Decades - The White House

The U.S. economy continues to show signs of a strong economy in the second month of 2018.

The monthly Employment Situation Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released this morning shows that nonfarm payroll employment rose by 313,000 in February. Paired with strong job growth in January, February's numbers mean 2018 has now registered the strongest average monthly job growth since 1997. Since January 2017, 2.5 million jobs have been added to the economy.

Today's BLS report suggests that the President's pro-growth policy agenda continues to translate into increased employment opportunities for American workers. (Read more)


5. President Trump agrees to meet North Korea's Kim Jong-un - The White House

Security Advisor Chung Eui-Yong delivered news that President Donald J. Trump's maximum pressure policy-together with international solidarity driven by American leadership-had brought the North Korea situation to an important juncture.

"Today, I had the privilege of briefing President Trump on my recent visit to Pyongyang, North Korea," Chung said. "In our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue."

Kim also expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump "as soon as possible." The President said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.

"Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!," President Trump tweeted last night. (Read more)

- Father God, we thank You for this amazing breakthrough in the delicate negotiations with North Korea President Kim Jong-un! This report comes after many years of passionate prayer have been offered before Your Throne of Grace, leading to this moment. We ask continued wisdom for President Trump and his advisors as they plan for this meeting, in Your Name, amen.

- "Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD."
(Psalm 117:1,2)


6. AIPAC News: Vice President Pence and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley Address the Conference - The White House

The 18,000+ attendees at the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) showered praise upon the Trump Administration speakers for their unflinchingly pro-Israel remarks. Read and watch them here:

Remarks by Vice President Pence

Video of the Vice President's Remarks

Video of Remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley(Go here)


Prayers and President Trump

Letters Came in the 'Hundreds':

The Prayer Notes the President Reads 'Every Day'


The Bible calls for people to pray for our leaders, so one congressman went to the people of his district to make that happen. It was meant to be a positive gesture, but not everyone on the internet saw it that way.

Congressman Mike Bost, R-IL, didn't like what he was seeing in our country at the beginning of 2017. Protests were happening everywhere and many well-known people made it clear they did not support the new administration. So his wife had an idea: They should collect thoughts and prayers to encourage President Donald Trump.

"We thought maybe we'd get 30, whatever," Rep. Bost told CBN News. "It came back - there were hundreds."

People from age five to almost 100 wrote the president encouraging messages. Before sending them off to the White House, the Bosts read through all of them to make sure only uplifting messages made it through.

"There was a 90-year-old woman that on it said, 'I have never written to a president, but I'm depending on you, and I pray into you every day that you'll straighten this country out - it needs it so bad,' " recalled Bost.

Bost had the letters delivered to the White House and had no idea if they'd be read or not. Then, a few months later, he was invited to the White House with about 20 other congressmen to see the president sign a bill into a law. While they were in the Oval Office, Trump wondered aloud why Rep. Bost's name sounded so familiar.

"He all of the sudden turns at me and goes, 'Bost, Bost, prayer cards!' " recounted Bost. "And I said, 'Wow, yeah we sent you some prayer cards over.' "

A White House aide then pulled the bag of prayer cards off a shelf in the Oval Office and brought them over.

"He said, 'You know we use these every day.' And I said, 'What?' And he said, 'Yeah, that's why they're here. We use them every day,' " continued Bost.

And it wasn't just the president reading them.

"I turned, and honest to goodness, I turned and hit chest to chest with the vice president, and he goes, 'Mike, he's not joking. We read these every day and they're so wonderful,' " said Bost.

. . . Bost says he knows firsthand the impact thoughts and prayers can have on lawmakers.

"Scripture is pretty clear that we need to pray for our leaders," says Bost. "You know what? You never go wrong when you pray for somebody." (CBN) Read more


Supreme Court ALERT

CRITICAL SUPREME COURT CASE COMING SOON!

NIFLA v. Beccara: Challenging our Right to Freedom of Speech
Endangering Pro-Life Activities at Crisis Pregnancy Centers in the State of California!


[Note: NIFLA stands for National Institute of Family and Life Advocates]


THREE DAYS OF TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC PRAYER

March 19, 20, 21

AT, IN, AND FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT

1. On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Oral Argument in the case of NIFLA v. Becerra .

The issue is whether the State of California can force Christian pregnancy resource centers to advertise for and be compelled to pr ovide information to women where they can obtain free abortions from the State of California, (and similar issues). This form of compelled speech violates the Free Speech Clause of the Constitution which not only protects your right to say what you want to say, but prevents the government from telling you to say things which are contrary to your conscience or your religious beliefs.


2. We are calling for three days of concentrated prayer for the Supreme Court on March 19, 20, and 21.

If you can be in DC during this time period and you are an experienced intercessor, we are urging you to pray respectfully in accordance with Supreme Court conduct and decorum rules inside the Supreme Court on those days. If you are interested in participating in that team, our staging area will be the American Center for Prayer and Revival at 117 Second Street, NE, in the basement. You can gather there first for communion, prayer and instructions on how to behave properly in the U.S. Supreme Court and then be sent into the C ourt. If you are interested in this, contact Allan Parker at info@txjf.org


3. If you can only come for one day , we urge you to pray outside the Supreme Court with the large Christian rally that is being organized on the day of the Oral Argument, March 20, beginning at 9:00 am and continuing until noon. We need people there in large numbers.


4. We are also urging continuous prayer on March 21, the day after the Oral Argument to seal the victory and to pray against counter attacks by the enemy.


5. Even if you cannot attend in person , please make a special effort to pray for the Supreme Court during this March 19, 20, 21 time period and beyond until June 30.

> > > To learn more about this event and how you can register to participate in on-site prayer, please go here. Prayer points are included in this document.

Recent Floor Activity

Weekly Digest of the Congressional Record


Related Headlines

Senate advances bipartisan Dodd-Frank reforms
House votes to stop blowing money on oil paintings of federal officials
Three-year DACA, border security deal blocked in Senate

Congress Last Week

National Security

Intel chiefs: China, Russia developing 'attack satellites' to target US 'in a few years'

Foreign Policy

U.S. Intel Chiefs Skeptical That North Korea Wants to Talk Denuclearization

Second Amendment

Rubio Championing Bills To Prevent Mass Shootings After Parkland
Ted Cruz Faces Off Against CNN's Chris Cuomo on Gun Control
Senators introduce federal 'red flag' bill

Immigration

Deadline for 'Dreamers' Resolution Passes With No Action
Trump to Latinos: 'Push' Democrats on DACA Fix
DACA Stalemate Continues on Capitol Hill

Trade

Key U.S. lawmaker wants exemptions for 'fairly traded' steel, aluminum
Ryan: Trump's planned steel, aluminum tariffs too broad

Federal Spending

10 Policy Issues to Watch in Omnibus Spending Bill
With Expectations Low, Select Budget Panel Prepares to Meet
GAO Finds that More Than $1.5 Billion in Tax Dollars go to Abortion Providers
Abortion funding dispute continues to threaten stabilization package
Protecting nurses' conscience: a non-negotiable in the final FY 2018 spending bill

Executive

House lawmakers hammer Senate for not approving Trump's nominee to head NASA
EEOC nominee: “in almost all cases the sexual liberty” should supplant religious liberty

Judiciary

Democrat Obstruction Leads to More Court Vacancies Than When Trump Took Office

Commerce Policy

Warren pledges fight on Senate bill easing rules for small banks
Senate 'Reform' Bill Would Barely Change Dodd-Frank

Health Care Policy

Congress opens new front in war on opioid epidemic

Pending Activity

Committee Activity

GOP Reps. Peter King, Mike Conaway say House Intelligence Committee is 'coming towards the end of' Trump, Russia probe
DOJ Agrees to Give Oversight Panel Fast and Furious Documents
Five cabinet chiefs to testify before Senate on infrastructure

Floor Outlook

US House to Debate Bill to Reduce Violence in Schools
Ryan Says Infrastructure Overhaul To Be Done in 5 to 6 Bills

Senate Floor
Senate Floor Schedule
Program for Monday: Senate resumes consideration of S. 2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, and votes on the motion to invoke cloture on McConnell (for Crapo) Modified Amendment No. 2151, at 5:30 p.m.

Senate Committees
Senate Committee Meetings Schedule
Monday, Mar. 12, 2018
Business meeting to consider the nominations of
John F. Ring, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board,
Frank T. Brogan, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, and
Mark Schneider, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the Institute of Education Science, both of the Department of Education,
Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr., of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and other pending nominations.
Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2018
Hearings to examine United States Central Command and United States Africa Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program.
Hearings to examine rebuilding infrastructure in America, focusing on investing in next generation broadband.
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of the Interior.
Hearings to examine the Freedom of Information Act, focusing on the Administration's progress on reforms and looking ahead.
Hearings to examine the cyber posture of the Services in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program; with the possibility of a closed session in SVC-217, following the open session.
Hearings to examine rebuilding infrastructure in America, focusing on state and local transportation needs.
Hearings to examine state fragility, growth, and development, focusing on designing policy approaches that work.
To receive a closed briefing regarding certain intelligence matters.
Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2018
Business meeting to consider the nominations of
David Christian Tryon, of Ohio, to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy, and
Hannibal Ware, of the Virgin Islands, to be Inspector General, both of the Small Business Administration, and other pending calendar business.
An oversight hearing to examine the Parkland shooting and legislative proposals to improve school safety.
Hearings to examine an original bill entitled, "the Agriculture Creates Real Employment (ACRE) Act".
Hearings to examine Somalia's current security and stability status.
A joint hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of multiple veterans service organizations.
An oversight hearing to examine opioids in Indian country.
Hearings to examine Department of Energy atomic energy defense activities and programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program.
Thursday, Mar. 15, 2018
Hearings to examine United States Pacific Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2019 and the Future Years Defense Program.
Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2019 for the Department of State and redesign plans.
Hearings to examine perspectives on the 340B Drug Discount Program.
Hearings to examine the nomination of Lieutenant General Paul M. Nakasone, to be Director of the National Security Agency, Department of Defense.

House Floor
House Floor Schedule
MONDAY, MARCH 12TH
On Monday, no votes are expected in the House.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 4465 – Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. John Curtis / Natural Resources Committee)
2) H.R. 1800 – To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer certain Federal land to facilitate scientific research supporting Federal space and defense programs, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Rob Bishop / Natural Resources Committee)
3) H.R. 3469 – To designate the bridge located in Blount County, Tennessee, on the Foothills Parkway (commonly known as Bridge 2) as the “Dean Stone Bridge” (Sponsored by Rep. John Duncan / Natural Resources Committee)
4) H.R. 4266 – Acadia National Park Boundary Clarification Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Poliquin / Natural Resources Committee)
5) H.R. 1350 – To modify the boundary of Voyageurs National Park in the State of Minnesota, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Rick Nolan / Natural Resources Committee)
6) S. 324 – State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch / Veterans Affairs Committee)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 4909STOP School Violence Act of 2018, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. John Rutherford / Judiciary Committee)
2) H.R. 3996 – Protecting Access to the Courts for Taxpayers Act (Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa / Judiciary Committee)
3) H.R. 506 – Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Rooney / Judiciary Committee)
4) H.R. 3249 – Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock / Judiciary Committee)
H.R. 1116TAILOR Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton / Financial Services Committee)
THURSDAY, MARCH 15TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.
H.R. 4545Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton / Financial Services Committee)
H.R. 4263Regulation A+ Improvement Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Tom MacArthur / Financial Services Committee)
Addtional Legislative Items are Possible

Legislative Program for next week

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, no votes are expected in the House. On Tuesday, the House will meet at noon for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes of the week are expected no later than 3 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a number of suspensions next week, a complete list of which will be announced by close of business tomorrow.
One worth highlighting is H.R. 4909, the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act, sponsored by former sheriff, Representative John Rutherford.
Mr. Speaker, all Members of this House were saddened and horrified by the tragic events in Parkland, Florida. Sheriff Rutherford's bill will provide local communities with critical resources to upgrade our schools and keep our children safe. I look forward to the House speaking with one bipartisan voice next week and passing this important bill without delay.
Mr. Speaker, the House will also consider several bills from the Financial Services Committee. This includes two bills sponsored by Representative Scott Tipton: H.R. 1116, the TAILOR Act; and H.R. 4545, the Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act; as well as H.R. 4263, the Regulation A+ Improvement Act, sponsored by Representative Tom MacArthur.
Taken together, these bills will consider House Republican's work to create an economic environment that is both pro-competition and smart and balanced in its regulatory approach.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, additional legislative items are possible, including potential legislation making further appropriations for FY 2018. I will be sure to inform all Members as soon as any additional items are added to our schedule.
Full floor colloquy on next week's House schedule

Text of Bills for the Week of March 12, 2018


House Committees
House Committee Meetings Schedule
Monday, March 12, 2018

The Historic 2017 Hurricane Season: Impacts on the U.S. Virgin Islands

Disparities in Access to Capital: What the Federal Government Is Doing to Increase Support For Minority Owned Firms

VA Healthcare: Maximizing Resources in Puerto Rico

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

H.R. 1116 — TAILOR Act of 2017; H.R. 4263 — Regulation At Improvement Act of 2017; H.R. 4545 — Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

National Laboratories: World-Leading Innovation in Science

CBO Oversight: Perspectives from Outside Experts

FY19 Budget Hearing - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation

DOE Modernization: Legislation Addressing Cybersecurity and Emergency Response

Modernizing Export Controls: Protecting Cutting-Edge Technology and U.S. National Security

Shining Light on the Federal Regulatory Process

Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organizations (FRA, JWV, AFSA, BVA, MOPH, NASDVA, MOAA, TREA, GSW)

Space Warfighting Readiness: Policies, Authorities, and Capabilities

FY19 - Air Force Budget

Post Tax Reform Evaluation of Recently Expired Tax Provisions

Reauthorization of Animal Drug User Fees 2018: ADUFA and AGDUFA

The Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a markup beginning on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10:15 a.m. The Committee will consider the following bills:

  • H.R. 401 (Rep. Liz Cheney), To designate the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, as Devils Tower, and for other purposes;
  • H.R. 3008 (Rep. K. Michael Conaway), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the George W. Bush Childhood Home, located at 1412 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas, and for other purposes. George W. Bush Childhood Home Study Act;
  • H.R. 4609 (Rep. Scott R. Tipton), To provide for the conveyance of a Forest Service site in Dolores County, Colorado, to be used for a fire station. West Fork Fire Station Act of 2017;
  • H.R. 4851 (Rep. Andre Carson), To establish the Kennedy-King National Historic Site in the State of Indiana, and for other purposes. Kennedy-King Establishment Act of 2018;
  • S. 35 (Sen. John Thune), A bill to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain Bureau of Land Management land from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery, and for other purposes. Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act; and
  • S. 466 (Sen. Jeff Flake), A bill to clarify the description of certain Federal land under the Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include additional land in the Kaibab National Forest.
Thursday, March 15, 2018

FY19 Budget Hearing - Department of Transportation

H. Res. 644, H.R. 4681, H.R. 4744, and H. Con. Res. 111

FY 2019 Budget Hearing - Department of Energy

FY19 Budget Hearing - Veterans Affairs

An Overview of the National Science Foundation Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2019

FY19 Budget Hearing - Department of Health and Human Services

Preparedness, Response, and Rebuilding: Lessons from the 2017 Disasters.

The Committee on Natural Resources will hold an oversight hearing titled Policy Priorities at the Department of the Interior and the Administrations Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Proposal.

Strengthening Access and Accountability to Work in Welfare Programs

FY19 - Army Budget

America's Water Resources Infrastructure: Projects and Policies

FY 2019 Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for the Veterans Health Administration

Security Challenges in Europe and Posture for Inter-state Competition with Russia

FY19 Budget Hearing - the Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Agriculture

An Examination of Federal Permitting Processes

Abandoned Hardrock Mines and the Role of Non-Governmental Entities.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2019 Budget: Veterans Benefits Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request on Air Force Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Programs

Bang for the Border Security Buck: What do we get for $33 billion?

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request for National Security Space Programs

Friday, March 16, 2018

Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons


Reference Links
Links to Congressional news and information
Prayer Guide

Prayers and Presidents

Prayers and Presidents:
Our Eleventh President: James K. Polk

(1845-1849)


[Each week, we will publish one prayer that was spoken by each of our presidents, in chronological order. Today's prayer was written by our eleventh president, James K Polk.]


"Our devote and sincere acknowledgments are due to the Gracious Giver of all Good for the numberless blessings which our beloved country enjoys."

(2nd Annual Message to Congress; Dec. 8, 1846)

[Source: Prayers of the Presidents, by Dr. Larry Keefauver, editor; page 48.]

About Capitol Hill Prayer Partners

About Capitol Hill Prayer Partners


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