Category: Legislative Branch

Budget, History, Legislative Branch February 12, 2019March 3, 2019

It Took Congress 76 Years to Approve Washington Monument

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – It takes an excruciating long time for Congress to hammer out deals. Period. It’s been this way since the first Congress was sworn in on March 4, 1789. There’s no better example of this painstaking political process in a democracy, than the Washington Monument. In fact, the Washington Monument’s regal position smack in the center of National Mall facing the United States Capitol, seems to be a valiant tribute, a constant reminder, of Congress’s eternal battle to collect the many different points of view, persevere with noble determination, slow and steady to the bitter end, when a resilient compromise can finally be reached and delivered to the American people.

It’s much like alchemy. Lots of passionate fire, hammering and molding until the original material is completely transformed into valuable treasure.

George Washington, victorious general who overcame impossible odds in defeating the most powerful army on earth, with his ragtag team of militia, along with support from French allies, to liberate the colonies from British tyranny and become the United States of America. Our two term first president. Farmer. Statesman. Freemason. George Washington died on December 14, 1799, just two weeks shy of a new century. The country was in shock. We were so young. No one was sure if the “American experiment” would make it. But the one thing that every single solitary American was 100% certain of, was that we would build a magnificent statue or monument to honor and pay homage to this incredibly honorable, patriotic Founding Father.

Congress immediately set forth to pass a bill for just such a purpose. Our nation’s new capitol would be opening in Washington DC in 1800. The buildings were far behind schedule, the roads were a muddy mess, this dream looked impossible, yet the monument to George Washington was resolute. With every single member of congress for the bill, backed by every single citizen of America (save for a few hidden loyalists), how could it possibly take 76 years (July 5, 1876) for this bill to pass in Congress?

The devil is in the details. No one could agree on the design.

The Washington Monument should memorialize for Congress that they are indeed alchemists. That there will always be fire, and grit, scrupulous effort, give and take, to eventually arrive at a workable compromise. There are just so many different perspectives in a nation as massive as ours. Thus, we can never shutdown our government out of frustration over this eternal process. Battles to pass bills are the best examples of what democracy looks and feels like. Huzzah!

Climate Change, Environment, Legislative Branch February 9, 2019March 3, 2019

Weekend Climate Change Fight Plan

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – Every Friday, from this day forward, we need to take a moment while chilling after work, and figure out what efforts we can exert over the weekend to aggressively fight the effects of climate change. This should become our new normal, the same way we tackle our other house chores, yard work, and exercise routines. Climate change isn’t going away, it’s only going to get worse.

Typically we feel a great sense of pride when we finish that weekend project. Painting the den. Working in the garden or mowing the lawn. Completing an oil painting. Expanding the family tree on Ancestry.com. Carving out family time for tackling climate change every single weekend will make so much sense once we start. It’ll feel very similar to buying a pet. One day there’s no pet, and the next day there is. The family has to launch immediately. All hands on deck.

Wednesday February 6, 2019, was a significant day on Capitol Hill. The House Natural Resource Committee held it’s first hearing on climate change in more than a decade. Witnesses pleaded their case in support of immediate and aggressive action by Congress to stem the violent and deadly force of climate change. Even the Republicans were convinced in the mandate that Congress has to take action.

Way out in front leading the conversation, was the Governor of North Carolina. North Carolina knows all to well the importance of taking climate change seriously. In September 2018, it was pummeled by Hurricane Florence so massive, it walloped 6 trillion gallons of rain across major sections of the congested coastline turning miles of I-40 into a river, causing $17 Billion in damage. Thirty-six people were killed. The forceful winds and drenching rains reeked havoc more then 100 miles inland, pounding two of the nations largest military bases located in Fayetteville, NC. There’s nothing like the voice of experience to drive home the point about the importance of taking aggressive action in battling the effect of climate change. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is a man on a mission, noting that the state just suffered two “once every 500 years” storms.

“I urge congress… to match the level determination brought to recovery efforts in our fight to reduce the effects of climate change.” ~Gov Roy Cooper (D-NC)

Cimate change is the great equalizer. It effects every single one of us, and it will take every single one of us to curb the brutal impact of an angry Mother Nature.

This weekend’s Climate Change efforts to choose from. These are very simple. It’s okay to choose all:

Tighten taps on all the sinks
Use cold water when washing clothes
replace lightbulbs with LED
recycle
plant a tree… or two
Walk or bike instead of driving
Research green energy and create timeline for transitioning

Guns, Legislative Branch, National Security, Politics February 7, 2019September 22, 2019

HR8 | Bittersweet Gift Planned for February 13, 2019

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – Today House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler announced that the Judiciary Committee will markup HR8 next Wednesday February 13, 2019. This means the divisive committee will decide whether to amend, accept or reject HR8. With a Democratic majority, along with bipartisan support for HR8, it’s expected that the bill will be accepted and move to the House floor for a full vote by the end of May.

The markup for HR8 will be taking place the day before the tragic one year anniversary of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Wednesday February 14, 2018, when seventeen innocent MSJ students were slaughtered at school. Hundreds of survivors became a powerful force, uniting millions of students around the country to let their legislators know that enough is enough. No more thoughts and prayers, they would only accept action, kicking off the forceful March For Our Lives movement that helped fuel the blue wave on November 6, 2018.

HR8 Explained: On January 8, 2019 Representative Mike Thompson of California’s 5th District introduced H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. This simple, common sense gun bill is very basic : To require a background check for every firearm sale.

CALL to ACTION: Contact your Congressional Representative TODAY to let them know: Yes to HR8.

https://www.house.gov/representatives | Search by name or state, must click the correct box. If not sure of Representative’s name, use the search box on top right of page
Text CHECKS to 644-33

Guns, Legislative Branch February 7, 2019September 3, 2019

HR8 | Gaetz Promotes Border Wall at Background Check Hearing, Alarming Indifference to Parkland Parent

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – For the first time in eight years, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing today, Wednesday February 6, 2019, to discuss HR8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. The bill was introduced by Representative Mike Thompson from California’s 5th District and has nine bipartisan co-sponsors. The essence of this common sense gun solution is basic and universal, a background check for every firearm sale, making it difficult to imagine anyone having a contrasting position. But as the morning progressed, there was soon heated debate, shining light on the sharp division this emotional issue triggers.

Survivors of gun violence, family members of those killed by gun violence, gun control advocates, NRA supporters, and gun rights promoters gathered together with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA) and the Judiciary Committee to hear witness testimony discussing whether background checks were a common sense solution in keeping Americans safe, particularly school children. Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School massacre survivor Aalayah Eastmon, spoke of her personal trauma over classmate Nicholas Dworet dying while saving her life:

“After our presentations we began to hear loud pops,” Eastmond said. “When the gunman shot into our classroom, Nicholas Dworet was in front of me.

“The gunman’s bullets killed him and Helena Ramsay. As Nicholas fell, I matched his every movement and hid underneath his lifeless body as bullets riddled my classmates.

“I thought I was going to die,” Eastmond said.

Ranking Member Collins summed up the GOP-NRA argument in opposition to HR8 in his opening statement: “[The] greatest cruelty in the world is to tell people you will help them in their situation through legislation that will do nothing to fix the problems that you claim to fix. In legal terms, that’s called fraud.” Collins didn’t provide any data to support his claim that HR8 background checks “will do nothing,” “nothing” being a hyperbolic word choice, when clearly background checks will curb gun violence. Curbing is not curing, though. No one is claiming background checks to be the cure. Regardless, Collins’ misleading assertion to insist fraud, appears to be his pro-NRA strategy to weaken bipartisan support for the bill, indicating how concerned NRA supporters are that the bill may be approved in the Judiciary Committee and sent to the floor of the House for a vote.

The show-stopper was Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) who tried to use his five minutes to twist the validity of the arguments in support of background checks, asking how background checks would stop violent crimes by illegal aliens. Gaetz claimed that the only real solution for any violent crime anywhere in America was a border wall. The father of Joaquin Oliver, killed in the February 14, 2018 slaughter in Parkland, reacted to this absurdity by jumping up and protesting. Mr. Oliver was reminded that he was a guest of the Committee, and guests were not allowed to speak, and certainly not protest. Representative Jeffries tried to alleviate the tension by asking whether a Committee member was allowed to provide false information during the hearing. Everything snowballed after that with Gaetz threatening to throw Mr. Oliver out of the hearing. Interestingly, in 2008, Gaetz was arrested for DUI, so appears to have a scar in his background that may prevent him from owning a gun.

Millions of Americans across the country were grateful for the hard work and perseverance Representative Thompson exerted in his effort to make this hearing possible, emphasizing the merit of… never, ever give up.

Children, Guns, Legislative Branch February 6, 2019September 3, 2019

HR8 – Bipartisan Bill for Background Checks| Call To Action, Committee Hearing Wednesday February 6, 2019

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – The very first hearing on common sense gun laws in eight years will take place in the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday February 6, 2019. This is a monumental event, just eight days before the one year anniversary of the massacre in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018 when 17 innocent students were slaughtered in the middle of the day, their future positive impact in their communities now a huge, gaping void.

HR8 Explained: On January 8, 2019 Representative Mike Thompson of California’s 5th District introduced H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. This simple, common sense gun bill is summed up in one sentence: To require a background check for every firearm sale.

The bill has nine bipartisan co-sponsors, one of whom is Representative Jerry Nadler from New York’s 10th district. Representative Nadler is also the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Once a bill is introduced, the next step is to be considered in committee, in this case the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday February 6, 2019. The issues are debated and the committee votes whether to approve or reject the bill. If approved it will be reported to the House for a full vote in the upcoming months. If passed in the House, it will it move to the Senate.

CALL to ACTION: Contact your Congressional Representative TODAY to let them know: Yes to HR8.

https://www.house.gov/representatives | Search by name or state, must click the correct box. If not sure of Representative’s name, use the search box on top right of page
Text CHECKS to 644-33

Legislative Branch, Trump February 5, 2019February 5, 2019

SOTU 2019, The Convergence Zone

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – Trump has been eagerly looking forward to the State of the Union 2019 for a month. In fact, he was in a prolonged tug of war with Nancy Pelosi during the shutdown over this important media event, with Pelosi sticking to her objection. As long as there was a shutdown, there would be no State of the Union. Period. Perhaps it was this brutal skirmish that caused the American public to become involved.

In 2018, 45.6 million viewers checked in to hear what Trump had to say about his 2018 Agenda, which was positioned to be a heralding of promised wage increases and job creation following the huge Republican tax overhaul the preceding month. In 2019, however, Trump plans to top that. He seems intent on knocking down Obama’s record of 52.37 million viewers in 2009 following the burst in the housing market which resulted in the stock market crash and a deep recession.

Trump’s been busy stoking the flames. He’s been fanning the drama by threatening another shutdown or even a National Emergency to finally get his wall. Trump’s fueling of the many fierce conflicts that have been swirling around him for months, even years, are all converging onto one moment of time. The clock will strike at 9:00 PM on Tuesday February 5, 2019, and seemingly all hell will break lose. There is a simple caveat that may disrupt Trump’s quest to beat Obama’s SOTU record. Many Democratic viewers will be banning Trump’s State of the Union Address in protest of Trump’s endless lies and bigoted rhetoric about immigrants, the bedrock of our American citizenry.

The Washington Post reports tonight that an unexpected curve ball was thrown by the Southern District of New York, further complicating Trump’s big agenda for tomorrow. “Federal prosecutors issue sweeping subpoena for documents from Trump inaugural committee, a sign of a deepening criminal probe.”

Environment, Health, Legislative Branch February 2, 2019April 27, 2020

Pesticide Chlorpyrifos Lowers Kids IQ | Bill to Ban

Washington (GGM) Analysis | February 2, 2019
by Noreen Wise

Chlorpyrifos was banned from home use in 2000, after years of monitoring its impact on public health. At the time, scientists proved conclusively that chlorpyrifos resulted in a permanent negative impact to public health, particularly children, when exposed. The chlorpyrifos damage to the American public includes:

developmental impairment of a child’s brain
environmental lowering of IQ
reduced working memory
delayed motor development
tremors
cancer
pregnant moms exposed to chlorpyrifos are 60% more likely to give birth to a child with autism spectrum disorder

In March 2017, shortly after Scott Pruitt was sworn in as EPA Director, Pruitt swiftly moved to reverse the late 2015 conclusion by the EPA that any of the existing predetermined tolerances to the exposure to chlorpyrifos were safe. Pruitt’s reversal, empowered farmers to continue the use of chlorpyrifos on our food supply.

The new year brought a breath of fresh, clean air to the federal legislature in DC, sweeping in the Democratic House Majority. On day one, January 3, 2019, Representative Nydia Velazquez of NY’s 7th District introduced H.R. 230: Ban Toxic Pesticides Act of 2019 along with her 55 co-sponsors (54-D, 1-R) in a valiant effort to finally ban chlorpyrifos from farming and the American food supply.

Several big hurdles must be overcome before H.R. 230: Ban Toxic Pesticides Act of 2019 can be enacted and become law.

The next steps for Representative Nydia Velazquez and co-sponsors:

consider the bill in committee
bring to House floor for a vote
bring to Senate floor for a vote
signed by the President

CALL to ACTION: The American people must unite in support of this vital, life-saving ban on toxic chemicals. Call or email Congressional Representatives and Senators, as well as post on their Facebook Pages, to let them know that we demand their support for this critical Ban on Toxic Chemicals.

Guns, Legislative Branch, National Security, Public Safety February 1, 2019September 4, 2019

Assault Weapons Ban of 2019

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – The one year anniversary of the slaughter of 17 innocent lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2018 is two weeks away. Dozens of traumatized young survivors channeled their anguish and anger into a powerful force that propelled the American public to demand action from our elected representatives and pass common sense gun laws that respect the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, but also acknowledge and honor the second and third words of the 2nd Amendment, “well regulated” … the very words that make it all work in our free and open society.

In the past 12 months, numerous states have responded to the public outcry of “enough is enough.” Common sense gun laws relating to background checks, concealed carry permits, and assault rifles are working their way through state legislatures from coast to coast. Red Flags laws have also begun passing in states.

On January 9, 2019, Senior Senator Dianne Feinstein of California again Sponsored and Introduced S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019. This is a bill “to regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.”

Earlier versions of Assault Weapons Ban were introduced on November 8, 2017, following theOctober 2, 2017 Las Vegas slaughter of 58 using an assault rifle, and on March 14, 2013, three months after the world-altering Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of 28 elementary school students and several teachers. If these shockingly vicious annihilations didn’t wake-up our representatives, we can’t give up… we simply must try harder. Case in point, the shutdown outrage became so forceful, that it even brought Mitch McConnell back to life.

The next step for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 is to be considered by the judiciary committee. Unbelievably, the bill only has a 3% chance of being enacted.

There are 28 Democrat co-sponsors of the ban, all 28 joined the day it was introduced. There are no GOP sponsors.

S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 co-sponsors:

Blumenthal, Richard (D-CT)
Booker, Cory (D-NJ)
Cardin, Ben (D-MD)
Carper, Tom (D-DE)
Casey, Bob (D-PA)
Duckworth, Tammy (D-IL)
Durbin, Richard (D-IL)
Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY)
Harris, Kamala (D-CA)
Hassan, Maggie (D-NH)
Hirono, Mazie (D-HI)
Klobuchar, Amy (D-MN)
Markey, ED (D-MA)
Menendez, Bob (D-NJ)
Merkley, Jeff (D-OR)
Murphy, Chris (D-CT)
Murray, Patty (D-WA)
Reed, Jack (D-RI)
Sanders, Bernie (D-VT)
Schatz, Brian (D-HI)
Schumer, Chuck (D-NY)
Shaheen, Jeanne (D-NY)
Smith, Tina (D-MN)
Van Hollen, Chris (D-MD)
Warner, Mark (D-VA)
Warren, Elizabeth (D-MA)
Whitehouse, Sheldon (D-RI)
Wyden, Ron (D-OR)

Legislative Branch, National Security, Russia, Senate, Trump January 16, 2019January 16, 2019

Impeachment is Easier Than It Seems

“A likely impossibility is always preferable to an unconvincing possibility.” ~Aristotle

The world has been traumatized by Trump’s delusion, and McConnell’s support of Trump’s delusion, for two painfully slow, long years. This feeling of continuous cognitive dissonance while we’re forced to endure these two self-serving cowards as they pretend to lead our massive nation, in the midst of defrauding us, ignites that effervescent American spirit that fills us with motivation, and the “can do” determination, on these toughest, darkest days.

Trump and McConnell appear to have a quid pro quo relationship. Kentucky is the largest coal producing state in the country. Trump has gone all in on promoting coal, and passing legislation that benefits coal producers while harming the health and well-being of millions of Americans. In return, McConnell has pledged his loyalty to trump in equal measure.

This is corruption. And this is why we have a twisted stalemate during this government shutdown that’s been a traumatic event for 800,000+ Americans.

According to The Hill today (Tuesday January 15, 2019), McConnell boldly blocked a “House bill to reopen government for second time.” Additionally, The Hill published the scoop that McConnell vowed “the senate won’t override Trump veto on shutdown fight.”

Which brings us to an historic crossroad. We’re forced to make a choice.

Unconvincing possibility? | McConnell and or Trump doing the right thing… proceeding forward with ending the shutdown because it’s what’s best for America.
Likely impossibility? | Expel McConnell so that we can impeach Trump which will end the shutdown. Perhaps Amazon and Apple and several states could front a loan to pay the 800,000 furloughed federal employees until this is over.

If Aristotle advises that it’s best to go with the “likely impossibility,” well then… let’s just do it. What do we have to lose? Absolutely nothing. The only way we can lose is by doing nothing, or by caving and letting a malicious bully weaken our resolve.

Impeachment is much easier than it appears. Just 3 steps:

(1) House of Representatives debate the Articles of Impeachment against Trump and vote. They need a simple majority.

(2) Expel Mitch McConnell from the Senate. Senators must have 67 votes to succeed at this. McConnell has a super majority opposed to him right now, so this shouldn’t require much persuasion. Fourteen Senators have been expelled from the Senate since the U.S. Constitution was ratified.

(3) Once McConnell is expelled, the Senate will hold an Impeachment Trial:

House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Jerry Nadler, acts as prosecutor and submits evidence
Trump’s lawyers submit his defense
Chief Justice John Roberts presides as judge and rules on whether the evidence is admissible
The Senate acts as the jury, 67 need to say “Aye” to impeach

It seems a very likely impossibility that we can succeed at this if we move swiftly to expel McConnell as soon as possible.

Budget, Constitution, Immigration, Legislative Branch, Mitch McConnell, Trump January 12, 2019December 22, 2019

Longest Shutdown Ever | GOP Senators 2020

Washington (GGM) Analysis | January 12, 2019
by Noreen Wise

It’s Friday night January 11, 2019 just before midnight. Mitch McConnell is already back home in Kentucky, tucked safely away in his expansive homestead, sipping champagne perhaps, while 800,000 Americans are gripped with trauma as we head into the 22 day of the longest shutdown in American history.

This shutdown has no logical justification. It feels like we’ve been viciously attacked by a foreign enemy… similar to the perilous grip of a cyber attack that inflicts grave financial harm.

Mitch McConnell is the Senate Majority Leader and is ultimately the most responsible for this nightmare. After two years of enabling Trump to defy the U.S. Constitution, and two years of McConnell failing at his responsibility to be a check on the Executive Branch, the cumulative result is a treasonous president who’s a threat to American citizens and a danger to the world.

McConnell could easily rally his GOP colleagues to follow through with their oath of office, and yet he defiantly refuses. It’s galling.

The following are 21 GOP Senators who are up for reelection in 2020. May the self-serving, anti-American amongst them, who’ve corrupted their oath of office by their flagrant inaction and indifference that’s traumatizing American citizens, be the final straw that permanently marks them, and makes these their final days in office.

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Susan Collins (R-ME)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Steve Daines (R-MT)
Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MI)
James Inhofe (R-OK)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
David Perdue (R-GA)
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)

Below are what some had to say on the eve of the longest shutdown in US history… a shutdown that strongly resembles a Russian cyber attack.

Senator Mitch McConnell did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019 before heading home for the weekend.

Senator Susan Collins did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans.

Senator Ben Sasse also did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans. But she did retweet the GOP video on January 10, 219.

Senator Lamar Alexander seems to have the right attitude, meeting with constituents on January 11, 2019 to discuss with them the best way to end the shutdown. He’s very atypical compared to his GOP counterparts.

Senator Tom Cotton, no mention of the shutdown on January 11, 2019, but Senator Cotton did bring up the border o January 9, 2019, approximately 24 hours after Trump’s failed Presidential Address.

Senator Bill Cassidy actually has a good idea, but the cartel money should be used for modern technology rather than a pointless medieval wall.

Senator Steve Daines didn’t tweet about the shutdown on January 11, 2019, but he did tweet about protecting public lands and working across party lines which seems to subliminally suggest he’d like to work with Dems to reopen the government.

Senator Mike Enzi is another GOP Senator who showed an air of bipartisanship by cosponsoring bill to end government shutdowns forever. This works.

Senator Joni Ernst did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019 about the shutdown, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans. But she did show complete indifference to the plight of the 800,000 federal employees by tweeting about her own pet project.

Senator Cory Gardner did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019 about the shutdown, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans. But he did show complete indifference to the plight of the 800,000 federal employees by tweeting about his own pet project.

Senator Thom Tillis did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019 about the shutdown, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans. But he did show complete indifference to the plight of the 800,000 federal employees by tweeting about his own pet project.

Senator David Perdue did NOT tweet on Friday January 11, 2019, the eve of what’s to become the longest shutdown in US history, that will harm 800,000 innocent Americans.