Political News - Los Alamos Daily Post

Udall Urges Protection Of New Mexicans Right To Due Process, Opposes Civil Asset Forfeiture

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 15, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee to protect New Mexicans’ constitutional due process rights by defunding the practice of seizing – without a hearing – property that law enforcement believes is connected to a crime.

The practice, known as civil asset forfeiture, violates due process protections outlined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the lawmakers wrote to the leaders of the Senate Appropriations

Heinrich Questions DOD Nominees On Domestic Violence Reporting Loophole, Other Key Issues

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 15, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participated in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to consider the nominations of Anthony Kurta to be Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, James McPherson to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army, and Gregory Maggs to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

VIDEO: Heinrich Questions Army Nominee On Domestic Violence Loophole

During the hearing, Heinrich

Pearce Votes To Increase Pay For Troops And Modernize Defense Department

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 15, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018:

“The NDAA is by far one of the most important pieces of legislation that comes before Congress each year. It authorizes crucial training, equipment, and resources our nation’s military relies upon to complete its mission. This year’s bill places a special

Udall Leads Indian Affairs Committee Hearing On Safeguarding Tribal Objects Of Patrimony Act

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 14, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a legislative hearing to review the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, a bill to curb the theft, illegal possession, sale, transfer, and export of Tribal cultural items.

Tribal cultural items have immense historical, traditional, and spiritual importance. It is illegal under federal law to own or sell Tribal cultural patrimony domestically, but federal law does not explicitly prohibit

Los Alamos Democrats Host Monthly Meeting Tonight!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 13, 2017

POLITICAL News:

The Democratic Party of Los Alamos is hosting its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at UNM-LA Building 05, 4000 University Dr.

Topics on the agenda include the organization’s budget and plans for the upcoming 2018 campaign season.

Luján Introduces Two New Bills To Address Veterans

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 13, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) has introduced two bills to address the needs of the nation’s veterans.

Luján’s bills would raise the minimum wage for veterans attending school through the GI Bill, and reauthorize a program that provides rental assistance to Native American veterans experiencing homelessness.

“As we gather this weekend in communities large and small to honor those who have served our country, we must remember that the true measure of how we honor our veterans will be determined

State Auditor Releases Audit Of UNM Athletics

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 13, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― State Auditor Tim Keller released a special audit of the University of New Mexico (UNM) Athletics Department Friday and its related institutions including the UNM Foundation and the Lobo Club.

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) initiated the audit in May after receiving multiple complaints from concerned citizens. The audit reviews transactions from July 2014 through June 2017 and finds a structure lacking adequate transparency and accountability for financial decisions; and makes recommendations

Luján Introduces Legislation To Improve Deployment Of High Speed Internet In New Mexico And Rural Areas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 12, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) has introduced the Broadband Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (BFIA), a bill that leverages public-private partnerships and uses a fresh approach to spur deployment of high-speed internet in New Mexico and other parts of the country.

Lujan’s bill is especially important for rural communities where broadband infrastructure often lags behind urban areas.

Luján’s bill will beef up low interest financing opportunities for public-private partnerships,

Udall, Heinrich Urge USDA To Use Clear, Consumer-Friendly On-Package GMO Labeling

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 12, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich have pressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clearly label genetically engineered food to ensure all New Mexicans have the right to know what is in their food.

In a letter, the senators urged USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to prioritize clear, consumer-friendly on-package text labels and discouraged the use of electronic codes and labeling that would require access to a smartphone or broadband internet and would not help the thousands of New Mexicans living in rural

Luján: Thank Them For All They Do

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 11, 2017

By U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces, who stood guard for our nation at home and abroad, and who fought to protect our freedom and uphold our democracy.

On Veterans Day, we thank them. We show gratitude to those who put the good of others ahead of their own. They risked life and limb to protect our country, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Our freedoms should never be taken for granted and they all rest upon one fundamental truth: the ultimate price was paid innumerable times for our benefit.

We, Read More

Reporters Without Borders: After Lack Of Medical Care In Prison, Chinese Blogger Dies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 11, 2017

RSF News:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is saddened to learn that the dissident Chinese writer and blogger Yang Tongyan died this week as a result of inadequate medical care while imprisoned for nearly 12 years by the Chinese state, suffering the same fate as Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo.

Aged 56, Yang Tongyan died Nov. 7 after being “released on medical grounds” in August from Nanjing prison in the southeastern province of Jiangsu and undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.

A well-know member of the pro-democracy opposition who wrote under

Video: Secretary Zinke Honors Vietnam War Fallen

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 11, 2017

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Commander Ryan Zinke participated in the Reading of the Names and the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

The secretary read 60 names. The event marks the 35th anniversary of The Wall. It spans three days and features over 1,000 volunteers reading every name of the fallen who are enshrined on The Wall.

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Leads Hearing On Safeguarding U.S. Financial System

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 10, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Nov. 8 led the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance entitled, “Financial Intelligence and Enforcement: Treasury’s Role in Safeguarding the American Financial System.”

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) plays a vital role in combatting terrorist financing, money laundering, financial crimes, and other threats to our national security.

“TFI, and the bureaus and agencies that comprise it,

Heinrich Statement In Honor Of Veterans Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 10, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

LAS CRUCES – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day:

“Today and every day, I join communities across New Mexico and our nation in offering sincere gratitude for our veterans for their service to our country. Few sacrifices are as selfless as those made by our military service men and women. Their unwavering devotion and extraordinary courage reflect the core principles we share as Americans.

“The tradition of answering the call of duty runs deep in New Mexico’s history. Read More

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall Holds Roundtable Discussion On Opioid Crisis In Indian Country

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 10, 2017

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall:

Presses administration for action to help Native communities fight the opioid epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, hosted a roundtable discussion to hear from and learn about best practices from Tribes, the federal government, and industry for responding to the opioid crisis in Indian Country. Udall pressed administration officials on what specific actions they have taken since the president’s declaration of a public health emergency to help address the Read More

Hall: The Power of Government

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 9, 2017

By MICHAEL L. HALL

Los Alamos

Government has a monopoly on force, transferred to it by the citizens. I don’t seek revenge on a murderer, I rely on government to do it in my stead. I don’t incarcerate those who break laws to harm me, I rely on government to do it in my stead. I don’t retrieve my stolen goods, I rely on government to do it in my stead. Government uses force to carry out the will of the people, and can potentially remove life, liberty, or property from its citizens.

This transferred force is a sacred power, and should not be used lightly.

Governmental force should only be used in situations where Read More

Heinrich Bipartisan Legislation To Safeguard Tribal Items Receives Key Committee Hearing

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 9, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivered opening remarks at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing to consider the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, a bipartisan bill he introduced to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony.

The STOP Act has received widespread, bipartisan support and continues to demonstrate growing momentum. The hearing

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Delivers Keynote Address At Cyber Security Conference

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 9, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich delivers the keynote address Nov. 8 at the 2017 International Conference on Cyber Conflict U.S. in Washington D.C. Courtesy photo

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich honored at Nov. 8 International Conference on Cyber Conflict U.S. in Washington D.C. Courtesy photo

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, delivered a keynote speech at the 2017 International Conference on Cyber Conflict U.S. (CyCon U.S) Read More

Rep. Luján Statement Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 9, 2017

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

SANTA FE ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement today in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month, celebrated each year during the month of November:

“Every November, we come together to recognize the timeless history and heritage of Native Americans in New Mexico and across the country. The foundation of our entire nation has been indelibly shaped by the language, culture, art, and faith of our indigenous brothers and sisters. It is one of my greatest honors

Council Hears From Public On Code Enforcement

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 9, 2017

Helen Milenski, left, and Heather Ortega make a presentation to Council regarding the code enforcement program Tuesday night in Council Chambers. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

It was a full house during the County Council work session Tuesday night. Attendees included Community Development Department Director Paul Andrus and Chief Building Official Michael Arellano, seated in the middle of the front row. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

While there was support Read More

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