BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Andrew #Cuomo has announced his resignation effective in 14 days following findings of sexual harassment investigation and criminal complaint – https://t.co/68KtNYZc3s pic.twitter.com/V6bSYooh8Y
— News 12 New York (@News12) August 10, 2021
Thune Statement on Senate Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3684, the infrastructure proposal considered by the Senate:
“For months, senators from both sides of the aisle engaged in good-faith negotiations to produce an infrastructure bill for the Senate to consider, and I applaud them for their tireless efforts,” said Thune. “I have said from the very beginning that this bill should be fully paid for, and unfortunately, that is not the case. While I support investments in our nation’s infrastructure, I could not support this final product that will further increase the national debt and financially burden future generations.”
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Reps. Johnson, Garamendi Introduce Ocean Shipping Reform Act
Bipartisan Bill Overhauls Federal Rules for Global Ocean Shipping Industry to Better Support U.S. Exports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021. This bipartisan legislation is the first major update of federal regulations for the global ocean shipping industry since 1998. The legislation would support American exports by establishing reciprocal trade opportunities to help reduce the United States’ longstanding trade imbalance with China and other countries.
“Foreign ocean carriers aren’t playing fair, and American producers are paying the price,” said Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD). “It’s time for updated rules of the road. That’s what our bill does.”
“Foreign businesses’ access to the American market and its consumers is a privilege, not a right. California’s agricultural exporters and other businesses are willing to pay to ensure that American-made products reach key markets in the Asia-Pacific. In turn, companies looking to offload foreign-made products at West Coast ports must provide opportunities for American exports. Even during a global pandemic, trade must be mutually beneficial, and that is exactly what our bipartisan bill ensures,” said Congressman Garamendi (D-CA). “Congress has not updated federal regulations for the global ocean shipping industry since China was granted permanent, normalized trade relations under the World Trade Organization in 2001. Now is the time to ensure reciprocal opportunities for American exporters in trade with other countries to reduce the United States’ trade imbalance with cheap Asian imports.”
On March 9, 2021, Congressmen Johnson and Garamendi joined over 100 Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter to the Federal Maritime Commission urging action on unfair, anti-competitive, and likely illegal business practices by some ocean carriers. Dozens of agricultural exporters contacted the Congressmen’s offices reporting that ocean carriers refused to accept cargo bookings for U.S. exports, instead choosing to send empty canisters back to the Asia-Pacific, as quickly as possible to refill with foreign exports during the pandemic.
The Congressmen serve together on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and announced their intention to pursue this legislation during a Subcommittee hearing on June 15, 2021.
On July 20, 2021, the Federal Maritime Commission established a new audit program to assess ocean carriers’ compliance with federal regulations on detention and demurrage and to step up the federal agency’s monitoring of the marketplace for ocean cargo services.
The “Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021” would:
Congress last updated the Federal Maritime Commission’s authority to regulate the global ocean shipping industry under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-258). The People’s Republic of China was granted permanent normal trade relations with the United States, so-called “most-favored nation” status, in December 2001 following the country’s admission to the World Trade Organization.
In late April 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission announced “Fact Finding No. 29” to investigate congestion, bottlenecks, and fees at our ports. In November 2020, the Commission expanded this investigation (Fact Finding No. 29) to include reports of ocean carriers declining to ship American exports.
On July 20, 2021, the FMC launched a new audit program to assess ocean carriers’ compliance with federal regulations on detention and demurrage and increase the agency’s monitoring of the marketplace for ocean cargo services. This action underscores the need for legislation.
The following organizations have endorsed the “Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021”:
The full text of the legislation is available here.
A section-by-section summary of the legislation is available upon request.
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From Facebook, after working to negotiate a better bill, US Senator Mike Rounds has stepped away from the Infrastructure measure because Democrats packed it with progressive mandates and clawbacks:
From Beth Warden at Dakota News Now:
Main floor: seats 112 people, more space in the balcony. #MikeLindell @dakotanews_now folks are chatting & eating breakfast at the Cyber Symposium in #SiouxFalls #SouthDakota pic.twitter.com/cEmZ7j9Bu6
— Beth Warden (@bethwarden) August 10, 2021
After the media debacle from this past weekend with the Citizens for Liberty out in Rapid City, you would think that former Trump Lawyer Sidney Powell would be looking for some good press at the motorcycle ride event she was being featured at. Like I said, you would think:
After the motorcade made its way to the hotel, Powell’s team set up her merchandise table where she met rally goers, took pictures with them and signed books and shirts for donations to her PAC, Defending the Republic. All the proceeds from the barbecue ticket sales went toward the PAC.
and..
Powell met and spoke to attendees but was closely guarded for the entire event. Reverend Scott, from Rapid City, represented the South Dakota Proud Boys chapter to provide security detail for Powell. He said he was in town for the Sturgis rally and was asked by his chapter’s leadership to join the ride and help out for the day.
It must be quite the barbecue if it requires a security detail.
The auction announced earlier today is over, and the painting of Governor Noem atop her horse has raised an eye-popping $55,000 for Treasured Lives, a group helping victims of human trafficking.
Wow!
Governor Noem Appoints Jennifer Mammenga to 2ndCircuit Court
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will appoint Jennifer Mammenga to serve on the South Dakota 2nd Circuit Court.
“Jennifer has worked hard to build an impactful career, both as an Assistant US Attorney in the federal courts and in the state Attorney General’s office,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “She understands that the role of a judge is to interpret the law as written, and I know she will make an excellent addition to the bench.”
Jennifer has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota United States Attorney’s Office since 2016, where she serves as the district’s Opioid Coordinator. Prior to that role, she served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and Assistant Attorney General for the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
“I am honored to accept Governor Noem’s appointment and I look forward to serving the people of South Dakota in this role,” saidJennifer Mammenga.
Jennifer is a native of Sioux Falls. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with bachelor’s degrees in English and journalism. She received her law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2010.
Jennifer was named the Midwest High Intensity Drug Task Force Outstanding Prosecutor in 2015. She lives in Sioux Falls with her husband and two children. A photo of Jennifer can be found here.
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Well, that’s not a headline I expected to write today. As we tick off the hours until Mike Lindell’s Cyber Symposium kicks off, it’s sounding crazier and crazier. From the Raw Story:
“And also have the American people come in and they can watch it like a gladiator fight,” Bannon said. “This is like Gladiator 2. This is the sequel we always wanted. Mike Lindell and his cyber gladiators.”
“Well, yeah,” Lindell agreed.
Bannon also asked Lindell if Chinese Communist Party officials would be invited to the event since he has accused the Chinese government of conspiring to hack U.S. voting machines.
“Absolutely,” Lindell replied. “They can sit right next to [Georgia Gov.] Brian Kemp and [Arizona Gov.] Doug Ducey in the front row.”
Is anyone taking bets as to whether any Congressional or statewide officeholders from any state are going to actually show up?