Source: https://nackpets.wordpress.com/category/government/
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 20:08:56+00:00

Document:
President Donald Trump just blindsided Congress and found all the border wall money that he needs — and billions more.
According to Faulkner, unobligated balances were used by President Lyndon Johnson to help fund his Great Society, by both Johnson and Nixon to help with funding for the Vietnam War, to assist with Carter’s expanding domestic programs, to go toward Reagan’s work to bring down the Soviet empire, to help fund both Iraq wars by Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, and by President Clinton to help him stay within Republican congressional budget limits.
President Obama never used a budget sweep, allowing $914.8 billion in unspent, unobligated balances to continue to accrue. As a result, there will be an estimated $1.156 trillion in unobligated balances by the end of F.Y. 2019 if these balances are permitted to languish.
Any funds that President Trump can reallocate to building the border barrier without the need for approval to reprogram those funds from the Democrat-controlled House should be allocated for the barrier. However, if President Trump can take the unobligated balances and have the Treasury reclaim that money, it can be used to fully pay for a border barrier, additional border security personnel, and accompanying technology.
Further, other funding can be used to fund other critically important initiatives that would not receive Democrat support. Much of the over $1 trillion in unobligated balances could be used toward paying down the national debt that is currently close to $22 trillion.
This plan would certainly work on multiple levels.
It would not only fully fund the entire wall, but it also appears that there’s nothing Democrats could do to stop Trump.
On top of that, a president using the unobligated funds to finance a project is hardly unprecedented, as detailed by Lepor in the piece above.
It appears all Trump would need to do is order the Treasury Department to reclaim the funds, and then he can use a portion of the $2 trillion in unused federal and trust funds to build the entire wall.
Donald Trump came before the American public the other night with a deal he was proposing for Democrats to re-open the government. On the surface it says a lot…and it shows why he’s the ultimate dealmaker.
Let’s take a quick look at what he said. He wants to get $5.7 billion for the wall…or fence…or added border protection in the form of a barrier along the southern border. That’s been his line in the sand all along. He is giving over 700,000 DACA kids a three year reprieve in hopes Congress can get their problem solved in that time. He’s also giving those that moved to the United States temporarily when natural disasters hit their homeland another three years to live here without the threat of deportation.
An advocate of Big Coal and chemical companies could soon be in charge of environmental protection in the United States. Andrew Wheeler’s beliefs about climate change and the environment make him unfit to lead the EPA. Sign this petition to ask the Senate to reject this unqualified and utterly inappropriate nominee.
Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – On behalf of the Hopi Tribe, we urge you to work with Congressional leadership to immediately end the partial government shutdown. This shutdown violates the trust obligations of the United States government to our Hopi-Tewa people.
Allan SmithAllan Smith is a political reporter for NBC News.
While Republicans praised the proposal and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to bring it before the full Senate for a vote this week, Democrats panned the deal because it did not ensure permanent protections for those two vulnerable populations and funded a border wall they say is unnecessary. Additionally, some on the far-right complained that the deal amounted to &quot;amnesty&quot; for those 1 million immigrants.
It didn’t take long for Nancy Pelosi to open mouth and insert foot. The new Speaker of the House did so by letter this time around, suggesting that Donald Trump either delay the scheduled January 29th State Of The Union Address to Congress because of the partial government shutdown, or give it from the Oval Office, or better yet (in her eyes) just write it out and send it on over.
It was quickly rebuffed by members of both the House and Senate on both sides of the aisle, and the thought that Pelosi had that because of the government shutdown, that they couldn’t provide “enough security” was even walked back by Pelosi herself, almost as soon as she said it.
Why did Pelosis have all of her children and grandchildren – 93 family members going with her on her trip to Egypt, Afghanistan and Brussells? And 7 congress members? Who takes 93 family members (mostly children) on a secret government business trip on military aircraft, paid for by tax payer dollars?
What ideas were rolling around in her head? If true, as so much gets spinned, what was she thinking? Doing?
Do We Care About The Shutdown?
Well, that’s the long and the short of it. I think Americans get used to stuff happening in their lives pretty darn quickly, and they end up accepting it maybe a little too quickly. That’s the way it is in the government shutdown department.
When the government shut down during Bill Clinton’s administration, public approval of both Congress and Clinton dropped substantially. When the government shut down during Obama’s term, both took a hit, but Congress took almost three times the hit that Obama took. That was because he blamed the Republicans in Congress for the shut down. It didn’t hurt them in the elections however.
Moments ago, President Trump wrote a scathing letter to Speaker Pelosi in which he canceled her overseas trip to Brussels and other foreign countries. According to reports, her flight was supposed to leave ONE HOUR before Trump blasted out this letter.
“I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate,” Mr Trump said his letter.
SPECIAL OFFER: Get Your “Build The Wall” Coin For 50% And We’ll Send Nancy Pelosi A Foam Brick!
According to Fox News, the trip cancellation was announced just an hour before the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives was scheduled to leave on Thursday afternoon.
In conclusion, Trump told Pelosi that she could FLY COMMERCIAL if she still wants to go on her trip!
“Obviously if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative”, Trump added.
It had been previously unannounced – Trump broke the news of her trip on Twitter as he canceled her trip.
Trump tells her to “fly commercial” instead.
Because Presidents and members of Congress have continued to use financially devastating Federal shutdowns to advance political agendas, we call for the Congress to immediately draw up a constitutional amendment to prevent this from ever happening again. The latest Trump shutdown is destroying the lives of millions of families of federal workers and contractors. These furloughs are hurting our businesses that employ many Americans.
The scenes of trash at our national parks and monuments make us the laughingstock of the world.
The politicians listed below have proven their ability to reach across the aisle. The expertise of constitutional law professors CongressmanJamie Raskins, my Maryland Congresspersonhi and President Obama will be invaluable in shaping this amendment. They must begin research on this critical issue IMMEDIATELY.
Because President Trump has threatened an unprecedented shutdown for years over the border wall, this Committee must go to work immediately to draft this critical piece of legislation.
Because many of our supporters believe that human efforts to solve this crisis have utterly failed, we call for a Higher Being to help and intervene. In order to receive truly Divine Guidance for ending this Shutdown, it is our prayer that the current high level meetings between Trump and Democrats be opened with prayer. We know from our personal religious experiences that this simple recognition of the sovereignty of God will bring this shutdown nightmare to a conclusion.
Weather permitting, concerned citizens and furloughed workers are asked to join us on Capitol Hill for a picket/protest and prayer vigil rally for No More Shutdowns and a Constitutional Amendment to Prevent Future Shutdown on Tuesday, January 8 from 1 to 3 PM in front of the US House of Representatives.
WE NEED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PREVENT FUTURE FEDERAL SHUTDOWNS NOW!
SIGN OUR URGENT PETITION NOW!
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Lujan Grisham released the following statement to Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) announcement that the agency would suspend the sale of several leases within 10 miles of Chaco Canyon. Rep. Lujan Grisham had previously urged BLM to maintain a 10-mile protection zone around Chaco Canyon and to not include it in any future lease sales.
“While the BLM has removed parcels for the December lease sale near Chaco Canyon, the March 2019 lease-sale is still on the horizon. BLM’s delay is a step in the right direction but we must ensure that there are long-term protections put in place for the Greater Chaco landscape. Our ancestral homelands remain at risk and the All Pueblo Council of Governors continues to call on the administration to protect this UNESCO world heritage site and all cultural sites in the region,” said All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman Edward Paul Torres.
We the People of the United States petition the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach Judge Gloria M. Navarro of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada for committing treason and collaborating in the insurrection against the Constitutional authority of the federal government pursuant to Article I Section 8 Clause 15, Article 3 Section 3 and Article 2 Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, 18 U.S.C. § 2831 and 18 U.S. § Code 2383.
Whereas Judge Navarro, at the direction of the FBI, BLM, and other federal agencies, is unlawfully detaining (Amendment VIII of the Bill of Rights & 18 U.S.C. § 3142), and has been for over nine months, prominent activists within the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom political movement for exercising their First Amendment protected rights—protesting against federal government overreach [the fact it had sold 9,000 acres of public land bordering Bundy Ranch and other people who own grazing rights to the division to a Communist Chinese energy firm represented by Rory Reid (Harry Reid’s son), EMM, for $4.5 million, $34.1 million less than its value, and began rounding up the Bundy’s cattle and holding them in inhumane conditions … at least 60 purportedly suffering death or missing]—and, in order to suppress C4CF ‘s education of the People, they have been charged by the FBI for violating 18 U.S.C. § 371 – Conspiracy to Commit an Offense Against the United States; 18 U.S.C. § 372 – Conspiracy to Impede and Injure a Federal Officer; 18 U.S.C. § lll(a)(l) and (b) – Assault on a Federal Officer; 18 U.S.C. § 115(a)(l)(B) – Threatening a Federal Law Enforcement Officer; 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) – Use and Carry of a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence; 18 U.S.C. § 1503 – Obstruction of the Due Administration of Justice; 18 U.S.C. § 1951 – Interference with Interstate Commerce by Extortion; 18 U.S.C. § 1952 – Interstate Travel in Aid of Extortion; 18 U.S.C. § 2 – Aiding and Abetting. Among the political prisoners are Cliven, Ammon, Ryan and Mel Bundy, Peter Santilli (a journalist), Ryan Payne, Blaine Cooper, Eric Parker and Jerry DeLumus—all of whom provide C4CF with necessary influence.
Whereas the discovery comprises substantial evidence proving the innocence of the defendants but is being concealed from the public at the order of Judge Navarro (in violation of Amendment VI of the Bill of Rights and Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure). These prisoners have also been subjected to mistreatment by the FBI, U.S. Marshall Service and employees of the correctional facilities.
Whereas Judge Navarro is consciously proceeding with falsified charges filed by the FBI against C4CF and refusing to grant motions to dismiss after learning that Sheriff Douglas Gillespie and many other local, state and federal officials ordered the BLM to return the cattle to the Bundy’s and withdraw from the land, and being presented with relevant laws [Article I Section 8 Clause 17 & Article IV Section 3 Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, Rule 501 of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Nevada Revised Statute 568.225] were presented to her by the defense.
Whereas Judge Navarro is participating in a cover up of the suppression by the FBI (by way of COINTELPRO tactics) of the right to the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, peaceful assembly, and petition the Government for a redress of grievances. One of the main functions of government is to enforce contracts, and in this case not only is the government failing to enforce a contract but it is also the contractor, and have abridged their obligations in addition to preventing the contractee(s) [Cliven Bundy—We the People] from discharging our duties enumerated in Article I Section 8 Clause 15 & 16 of the U.S. Constitution & 10 U.S.C. § 311 and pursuant to Rule 501 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Whereas Judge Navarro has proven herself unfit to be an impartial Federal Judge; Consistent to the extreme bias expressed by her assistance given to the federal government and its usurpation of power and by covering up the inhumane treatment of political activists who are being unlawfully detained for exercising their rights protected by the First Amendment to enforce the rule of law—to establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, guarantee a Republican Form of Government, and secure the right to life, liberty and property, as ordained by the Creator in the U.S. Constitution.
Washington (July 9, 2018) – With fewer than 450 North Atlantic right whales remaining, 17 confirmed deaths in 2017, and no observed calves this year, the species could become functionally extinct in twenty years if immediate action isn’t taken. In light of this crisis, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in co-sponsoring his Scientific Assistance for Very Endangered (SAVE) Right Whales Act (S. 3038) after gaining the support of fishermen, lobstermen, and environmentalists in New England. The SAVE Right Whales Act establishes a new grant program to fund collaborative projects among states, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and members of the fishing and shipping industries to reduce the impacts of human activities on North Atlantic right whales. The bill would authorize $5 million in new funding annually from 2018-2028. In April, Senator Markey led 11 of his colleagues in requesting that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conduct an urgent assessment of the impacts to the North Atlantic right whale from fisheries in Canada.
Other Senators co-sponsoring the legislation include Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
“The SAVE Right Whales Act is an enormous step forward and demonstrates the United State’ commitment to saving this critically endangered species. IFAW applauds Senator Markey’s decision to co-sponsor this bill, his steadfast leadership on this issue, and for creating the opportunity to further expand existing conservation efforts,” said Azzedine Downes, President & CEO of International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Organizations endorsing the legislation include the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, Conservation Law Foundation, New England Aquarium, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Oceana.
A linchpin environmental law is now being scrutinized by the Trump administration and could be targeted for reforms. The National Environmental Policy Act, commonly referred to as NEPA, dictates the environmental planning process for federal agencies. Any changes to the NEPA process could have far-reaching impacts on the vast public lands and infrastructure of the West.
The NEPA reform push broadly traces political dividing lines, as pro-business and anti-regulation Republicans, who want to see NEPA reworked, square off with environmental groups and conservation-minded Democrats hoping to preserve the law and implementation process. Caught between the vocal factions of each party are state governments and federal land managers arguing for a middle ground of limited reform.
An August 2017 executive order, aimed at cutting environmental regulations and speeding up infrastructure projects, key goals of the Trump administration, prompted the ongoing review. The review looks at changing the implementing procedures for environmental reviews and offers some examples of what could be altered, including: limiting the time frame for environmental reviews, changing how agencies consider state and tribal input, and reducing the need to explore project alternatives.
When federal agencies consider timber sales, build bridges, renew licenses on dams, pave highways, permit nuclear facilities or make any decision that will impact the local environment, they trigger the NEPA process. Contractors working on federal projects often commission and pay for NEPA reviews. The NEPA review process has three tiers that determine how rigorous an environmental review must be. The Categorical Exclusion designation exempts actions from environmental review if they are deemed to have no “significant effect on the human environment.” The next tier is Environmental Assessment, which compels agencies to prepare a formal review of potential impacts and decide whether the action has no significant impact or requires an Environmental Impact Statement. The Environmental Impact Statement is the most thorough review process and requires multiple drafts, a public comment period and that agencies explore alternatives to proposed projects.
The Western Governors’ Association recently called for changes to the NEPA process that would give more influence to state governments. In a policy resolution, the association, which represents Western state executives, asked that federal agencies adopt more consistent NEPA planning processes and better engage with state and local governments. The group of Western lawmakers also asked that state environmental impact studies carry more weight in federal decision-making.
Land management professionals say parts of the NEPA process could be reformed, but caution against sweeping changes to the law. Mike Ferguson, a retired Bureau Land Management land planner, first worked on NEPA implementation with the BLM in the 1970’s and has seen the implementation of the law become more convoluted over time. He says tightening the time frame for NEPA actions, clarifying the role of public comments, and investing in training and agency personnel could improve the process.
The commenting period for NEPA reform is slated to be open through Aug. 20, and a comment form can be accessed via the Council on Environmental Quality’s website. To date, the majority of the comments so far have either urged the council to keep NEPA intact or asked for an extended commenting period.
It’s time for Maxine Waters to go.
Waters has crossed a dangerous line, calling for attacks and violence against all Trump officials.
What Waters said, when she called on Americans to “push back” against Trump officials, and make it impossible for them to shop, eat out, or go to gas stations, is one of the most irresponsible statements anyone could have said, let alone a so-called Democrat leader.
It is especially dangerous to call for public attacks at a time in our country when liberals are so wildly unhinged and violent, have no control over their emotions and are brainwashed by fake news and hoodwinked by lying, sleazy politicians like Maxine Waters.
Under the circumstances, censure is not enough for Maxine Waters.
Waters should face expulsion for what she’s done.
It wasn’t until five days after Hurricane Maria made landfall that President Trump tweeted about the devastation. FEMA administrator Brock Long arrived in Puerto Rico that same day — he was among the first Trump officials to get to the battered U.S. territory.
This week, a Harvard study revealed that the September 2017 storm is likely the deadliest disaster in modern U.S. history — with more casualties than Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks combined. The analysis places Puerto Rico’s death toll at somewhere between 4,645 and 5,740 people, 90 times more dead than the government’s widely disputed official death toll.
The president has yet to offer any public condolences on the death count in the new study. He has, however, tweeted vigorously in the wake of Roseanne Barr being fired to Disney CEO Bob Iger demanding an apology for “HORRIBLE” statements made about him on ABC.
“What if 5,000 people in any US state died because of a natural disaster? It would be 24/7 news. Well, that happened in #PuertoRico as a result of #HurricaneMaría, and we are now talking about a mediocre sitcom being cancelled,” tweeted journalist Julio Ricardo Varela.
The president’s inattention, critics argue, contributed to a disaster response that was slow, meager, and ripe with allegations of misconduct and corruption. And rather than drive compassion for fellow Americans, his priorities have helped shift attention elsewhere. Cable news dedicated more than 16 times more airtime to the Roseanne controversy than it did to the Puerto Rico death toll.
And with Hurricane Season 2018 beginning today, there’s still uncertainty about how prepared this administration is for another storm. Puerto Rico’s power authority announced yesterday that it may take another two months to get power back completely on the island, and officials say it’s likely that the electrical grid will crash again with the next hurricane.
On top of that, FEMA is going through a “reorganization,” Bloomberg reported last week, and several key leadership roles are still vacant or temporarily filled.
“What the impacts from the 2017 disasters show is that there is also still work to do in order to build a culture of preparedness across the country at all levels of government, including improved resilience among our critical infrastructure,” FEMA wrote to Grist in an email.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt got ridiculed in front of the nation at a hearing this week, when Senate Democrats took him to task over his excessive spending and alleged ethical missteps.
But that wasn’t enough for the Sierra Club. The environmental group launched a satirical video making fun of Pruitt’s lush life on Friday. The premise of the parody advertisement? That you, too, could live in such a luxurious fashion — as long as you’re cool with doing a little dirty business.
The ad is part of the growing #BootPruitt campaign, the first coordinated effort to kick Pruitt out of office.

References: § 2831
 § 3142
 § 371
 § 372
 § 115
 § 924
 § 1503
 § 1951
 § 1952
 § 2
 § 311