Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Supreme Court Decision Regarding EPA's New Mandate on Power Plants


The Supreme Court delivered Promising News for Americans who want Cleaner Air and Lower Energy Bills.

In October, the High Court allowed a New Federal Rule Targeting Pollution from Power Plants, to move forward despite Challenges from 27 States and Industry Groups. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New Rule requires Coal and Gas Power Plants to Significantly Reduce their Air Pollution over time.

Power Plants will need to Capture and Safely Store Carbon Dioxide, which Traps Heat in our Atmosphere, rather than Releasing it into the Air we breathe. This Matters because these Plants currently create a Quarter of All Climate-Warming Pollution in the U.S.

The Rule Specifically requires Coal Plants operating after 2038 and certain New Gas facilities to Cut their Pollution 90% by 2032.

While Industry groups claimed this Technology is still being prepared for Widespread use, the EPA Affirmed it's Proven and Feasible at the needed Scale.

This Decision, opens the door for Meaningful Progress in Cleaning up One of America's Biggest Sources of Air Pollution.

Power Plants don't just Contribute to a Warming Planet. Their Exhaust directly Hurts the Air Quality in nearby Communities, affecting People's Health and Well-Being. By Requiring these Facilities to Capture Harmful gases, we're Protecting both Human Health and Community stability.

The Rule builds on Decades of successful Clean Air Regulations, that have made our Air Healthier to breathe while spurring Innovation in the Power Sector. And as we've seen time and again, when Power Companies invest in Cleaner Technology, they often find ways to generate Electricity more Efficiently. Savings that can be Passed on to Consumers.

While the Supreme Court's Ddecision allows this Specific Rule to move forward, it's part of a Broader Transition toward Cleaner Power Generation that's already well underway.

Many Utility Companies are Investing heavily in Renewable Energy and Modern Grid Technology, finding it increasingly Cost-Effective compared to Older Plants.

For everyday Americans, this Ruling Reinforces the Benefits of Electrifying our Homes with Modern, Efficient, Appliances that Run on increasingly Clean Electricity.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


DHS Flies Illegal Migrants Back to China


The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deported a large number of Undocumented Chinese Migrants back to their Home Country on November 16th. 109 Chinese Nationals were Removed on a Charter Flight. It is the Third large Chartered Removal Flight to China, within Six months after more than 100 Migrants were Returned in June, and 131 Chinese Nationals were Deported in October.

"DHS is enforcing U.S. immigration laws and delivering tough consequences for those who enter unlawfully or without authorization," according to a Statement issued by Homeland Security Officials. "This removal flight is yet another example of the Department's ongoing cooperation with the PRC [People's Republic of China] and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration through enforcement of immigration law," the Statement reads.

The June Flight was the First Major Charter flight for Deportations since 2018, coordinated with China's National Immigration Administration. The Flight carried 116 Chinese Nationals who were Deported back to China, for living in the U.S. Illegally, marking the First Significant Deportation Flight of the year.

It came after outgoing President Biden (D) issued a Proclamation to Temporarily Suspend the Entry of Undocumented Migrants across the Southern Border. According to DHS, Border Patrol Encounters have Dropped by more than 52% following the June 4th Proclamation. Over the last year, DHS has removed Undocumented Citizens from Countries: China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Mauritania, Peru, Senegal, and Uzbekistan.

More Undocumented Migrants were Removed or Returned in the Fiscal Year 2024, than in any year since Fiscal Year 2010, according to DHS.

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2022, approximately 90,000 Chinese Nationals Entered the U.S., making China the Third-Largest source of Immigrants after Mexico and India. Human Rights Groups are concerned with the Dangers facing Vulnerable Ethnic Groups such as Uyghurs.

Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, said: "Amnesty is concerned with the resumption of deportation flights between the U.S. and China. CBP [Customs and Border Protection] does not track ethnicity, leaving authorities no way to confirm whether the U.S. is returning Hongkongers, Uyghurs, or other vulnerable minorities."

Nash said more Chinese People were coming to the U.S.-Mexico Border to seek Asylum. However the CBP One App run by Customs and Border Control, which is meant to allow Non-Citizens without Appropriate Documents who wish to enter the U.S., to submit Information at Land Points of Entry, lacks Chinese Languages. This creates Language Barriers for Chinese Nationals, "forcing" them to enter Illegally, according to Amnesty International.

"Under current border policies, the only way for people to seek safety is to wait months for an appointment in the CBP One mobile application. This app is only available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, making it entirely inaccessible for Chinese nationals who speak none of those languages. As a result, they are forced to cross into the U.S. irregularly, with an extraordinarily high risk of danger, crossing through deserts or over border walls," the Oorganization said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


GOP Senators Reject Replacing FBI Background Checks for Trump Nominees


Trump’s Transition Team has Bypassed Traditional Background Checks for some of Trump's Cabinet Nominees, using Private Companies to Vet the Choices instead. Trump’s Team has Circumvented the FBI, because of Concerns it would move too Slowly and bog down the President-Elect’s push to Confirm His Cabinet quickly.

in late October that Trump’s Advisers circulated a Memo suggesting that if Trump Won, many of His Appointees should gain Security Clearances immediately without having to go through time-consuming FBI Background Checks. The Proposal was pushed by Boris Epshteyn, among others.

Epshteyn was One of the Trump Advisers who supported Trump's choosing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL. 1st District) to serve as Attorney General, despite a House Ethics Committee investigation of alleged Sexual Misconduct and illicit Drug use by the Lawmaker.

Senate Republicans are Rejecting a Proposal floated by some Advisers to Trump, to take the job of conducting Background Checks for High-Level Nominees away from the FBI and give it to Private Investigators.

Doing so could make it easier for some Nominees to win Senate Confirmation, but GOP Senators say the FBI should retain its Leading Role in conducting Background Checks. They argue its Agents have Access to Criminal Information that Private Investigators simply can’t match. And while many Trump Allies don’t trust the FBI, many GOP Senators think the Agency sets the Gold Standard for Professionalism and Credibility in Law Enforcement.

The FBI also leads the Nation’s Domestic Counterespionage efforts, serving as the Lead Agency for Investigating and Preventing Foreign Intelligence gathering activities in the U.S. Republican Senators think that Role puts it in a good position to Vet Nominees who would have access to the Nation’s most Sensitive Secrets.

“The FBI should do the background checks, in my judgement,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who serves as the Ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and as a Senior Member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued that the FBI has Access to Information gathered by Law Enforcement on the Federal, State, and Local levels that Private Firms don’t. “If you wanted to supplement it with a private firm, I’d say OK. But the FBI does have access to information that probably a private firm wouldn’t have, even a really good savvy one,” He said.

Cramer said a Private Firm could help the FBI in its Background Investigations, but He “sure wouldn’t leave it” entirely outside the FBI’s hands.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) argued “it’s just been routine” for the Nation’s Top Law Enforcement Agency to handle Background Checks for High-Level Appointments. “It is important to do these background checks, and the FBI has done this” for Decades, She noted. “It’s just been routine that they have been the one that has handled it. You don’t go to an outside private investigator, right?

“It’s not just for the [executive branch] positions. If you’re a Senate staffer seeking to get that security clearance you go — we all go through — that same process,” She said. “I get there is distrust by some of different agencies and the FBI is not immune from that, but I do think it is vitally important, particularly from a national security perspective, that you have a level of vetting that is thorough,” Murkowski added. “What agenda does the private investigator have?” She asked.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said Not having the FBI conduct Background Checks for High-Level Nominees, by the time Trump formally Appoints them next year “would come under scrutiny at the congressional level.” He said Lawmakers “would want to know the validity of those individuals doing the background checks. Just because the White House doesn’t request a background check out of the FBI wouldn’t then mean perhaps some committees might not ask for it,”.

Pete Hegseth, whom Trump Nominate to serve as Secretary of Defense, paid a Woman who accused Him of Sexual Assault as part of a Nondisclosure Agreement. A Lawyer for Hegseth said the Incident was Consensual.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump Nominated to Head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been Accused by a former Harvard University Classmate of Selling Cocaine when they were Students. Kurt Anderson, a best-selling Author, claims that Kennedy poured out a line of Vocaine for Him to sample in a Dorm room, and He paid $40 for a Gram of Powder.

Another Trump Pick who might be Headed for a Lengthy Background Investigation, is former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI, 2nd District), who is slated to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Republican and Democratic Lawmakers want to know more about Gabbard’s Secret Four-Day Trip to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2017. Syria is on the State Department’s List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Il), who has Jurisdiction over the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI, argued the FBI brings a Level of Credibility that Private Firms can’t match.

“The notion that we’re going to eliminate FBI background checks, we’re going to have recess appointments, no questions asked, is to ignore a body of experience in Congress and law that suggests that’s the height of irresponsibility. The bottom line is the FBI has been doing this for decades, and they’re credible, they’re an important part of the process. You pick a private firm, and I’ll tell you, you’ll find a conflict of interest,” He said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


House Democratic Leadership Election


Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI, 6th District), will continue to serve as the Chairwoman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX, 30th District) Tuesday. The Tally results were 152 for Dingell and 59 for Crockett.

Crockett launched Her Challenge for DPCC Chairwoman on Nov. 15th, not giving Her much time to Rally Support among Her Fellow House Democrats, many whom have established Relationships with Dingell over the years.

Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA, 19th District), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM, 2nd District), and Gwen Moore (D-WI, 4th District), as well as Rep.-Elect Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI, 8th District), gave Nominating Speeches for Dingell, while Crockett was the Only One who Spoke.

Ahead of the DPCC Election, Dingell said She reached out to every Member of the Democratic Caucus. A House Democrat said Dingell’s Calls involved Her asking how She can Help and what Members need from Her moving forward.

Crockett’s Challenge to Dingell, signaled a New Generation of House Democrats looking to bring Fresh Blood into the Leadership, particularly after the 2024 Election, when many Democrats felt the Party lacked effective Messaging to get Vice President Kamala Harris (D) Elected.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Trump Nominates Linda McMahon to Lead Education Department


Trump (R) announced on Tuesday, that He will Nominate Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of the Education Department, on Tuesday.

McMahon is Co-Leading Trump’s Transition Team. She was considered a Front-Runner to Lead the Department of Commerce, and Her Co-Lead on the Transition Team, Howard Lutnick, is expected to be Named for that Role.

McMahon previously led the Small Business Administration (SBA) during Trump’s First Term.

“As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families,” Trump said in a Statement.

The Mominee will have big shoes to fill, as Trump has laid out Multiple Plans for the Agency, including Abolishing it.

The Lead of the Department of Education, will also be Tasked with Changing the Definition of Title IX again, after Biden Amended it to include Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, a move that was highly Criticized by Republicans and numerous States Sued.

McMahon was named in a Lawsuit last month, along with Her Husband, Vince McMahon, accusing World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Leaders of allowing years of Sexual Abuse of young Boys by a Ringside Announcer.

She Co-Founded WWE with Her Husband, and left in 2009 to Run for a Senate Seat in Connecticut.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


GOP Absences Help Democrats Move Judicial Nominees


Senate Republicans aired Frustrations Tuesday, after Vice President-Elect Vance (R-OH)) and other Party Members skipped Votes Monday, greasing the skids for Democratic-backed Judicial Nominees, to be Greenlighted as part of a Final push to fill the Bench with Lifetime Appointees before Trump (R) takes office.

Republicans on Monday, attempted to Slow Down an effort by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY),to Advance more than a Dozen Judicial Nominees, which Democrats have Prioritized before ceding Power at year’s end.

However, they were Unable to Stop them as a Handful of their GOP Colleagues did Not show up to the Capitol for Votes, which stretched until close to Midnight.

Headlining that Group were Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Trump’s choice to Lead the State Department, angering GOP Members during their weekly Tuesday Policy Luncheon.

“If we don’t show up, we lose,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who was visibly Frustrated by the Lack of Attendance and spoke out at lunch. “I don’t care what the reasons were. We have fewer than 15 scheduled legislative days. You have to show up. Period. End of story. There’s nothing more important.”

The Group of Nominees includes Embry Kidd, who was Confirmed to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in a 49 to 45 Vote.

GOP Members were Incensed at the No-Shows, which stretched into Tuesday, as Vance did Not Show-Up for the Morning Vote.

Other Senators, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), tagged along with Trump to the SpaceX Starship Launch in Brownsville, Texas, further Exacerbating the Situation, as Schumer prepared to hold another Long Night of Nomination Votes on Tuesday.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker


Trump Picks Mehmet Oz Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator


Trump said on Tuesday, that he had chosen Celebrity Doctor Mehmet Oz, to serve as Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Oz, known as "Dr. Oz", Unsuccessfully Ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022.

Trump, who endorsed Oz in that Race, said He would work Closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been Nominated to Lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump said the Pair would take on "the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake" as well as Cutting what He called Waste and Fraud.

"Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Country’s budget," Trump said in a Statement. Saying Oz would be a Leader in "incentivizing disease prevention".










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker