Congressional Dish

CISA is law; all private companies have immunity for sharing data with the government for "cybersecurity", so what happens now? In this episode, we examine the plans being discussed and implemented by Congress to secure the data stored by the U.S. Government. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Hearing Highlighted in This Episode Cybersecurity: What the Federal Government Can Learn from the Private Sector, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, January 8, 2016. Watch on C-SPAN Watch on YouTube Witnesses John B. Wood, Chairman and CEO of Telos Corporation Larry Clinton, President and CEO of Internet Security Alliance Author of the Cyber-Risk Oversight Handbook, published by the National Association of Corporate Directors and used by the Department of Homeland Security Ken Schneider, Vice President of Technology Strategy at Symantec Corporation Dr. Martin Casado, Senior Vice President and General Manager, VMWare Sound Clip Sources Podcast Episode: Cyber Insurance, Safe Harbor 2.0, and the Human Capital Crisis, The Cybersecurity Podcast, December 3, 2015. News Report: Hacking as a Business Model: Three Indicted in JP Morgan Hack by NBC News and Reuters, November 10, 2015. Podcast Episode: The Half-life of Secrets, A Golden Age of Surveillance, and the US Military's Starship Enterprise, The Cybersecurity Podcast, August 19, 2015. Additional Reading Article: Obama's Cybersecurity Plan Is Meant to Secure His Legacy by P.W. Singer, Wired Magazine, February 10, 2016. Article: OPM Hack: Government Finally Starts Notifying 21.5 Million Victims by James Eng, NBC News, October 1, 2015. Congressional Research Service Report: The 2013 Cybersecurity Executive Order: Overview and Considerations for Congress, September 15, 2014. Executive Order: Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, February 12, 2013. White House website: The Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, May 2009. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Good news! A new law was signed that creates the Angel Watch Center within the Department of Homeland Security, which will coordinate travel monitoring of convicted sex offenders. In this episode, Jen discusses the new law with Tim Ballard, the Founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad, which is an organization dedicated to saving children from international sex slavery. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Bill Outline H.R. 515: International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders Creates the Angel Watch Center, which will be a part of the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, within the Department of Homeland Security. The Center will process notifications about individuals trying to enter the United Stets who have committed sex crimes. Information received will immediately be shared with the Department of Justice and some information will shared with other Federal, State, and local agencies at the Center's discretion. The Center will use "all relevant databases and sources of information" to inform other countries if a sex offender plans to visit their country The Center will have to immediately send a correction of any inaccurate information transmitted The Center will notify the Department of State of an individual's sex offender status "when appropriate" for passport application purposes. The Center will create an in-house mechanism for receiving complaints about notifications and forward any complaints about other Federal entities. In response to complaints, the Center must confirm errors in writing, take steps not to repeat them, and inform the individual of the steps taken. The United States Marshals Service National Sex Offender Targeting Center is allowed to also transmit and receive travel information about sex offenders. The Attorney General will collect all data regarding sex offender notifications sent by the National Sex Offender Targeting Center Sex offenders will be required to provide detailed descriptions of their international travel plans to the sex offender registries, including: Dates and locations of departures and arrivals Flight numbers Purpose of travel Sex offenders who fail to report their travel will be subject to fines and possibly ten years in prison. The State Department will issue passports to sex offenders only if they contain "a unique identifier" and may revoke passports that don't include one. The sex offender can get a new passport without the identifier if they are taken off of the sex offender registry. Appropriates $6 million per year from 2017 and 2018 to implement the changes. Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Sex Trafficking Victims, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Human Rights, May 14, 2015. Additional Information Article: Speaker Ryan: Not enough votes for TPP trade deal by Rebecca Kaplan, CBS News, February 11, 2016. Recommended Podcasts Subscribe in iTunes to Slave Stealer with Timothy Ballard of Operation Underground Railroad Episode 20 of The Vibin' Higher Podcast with Trevor Bryant: Interview with Jennifer Briney (Subscribe to Vibin' Higher on iTunes) Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

In this special episode, we take a look at the different rules for getting on the ballot for the House of Representatives in all fifty States, and take a look at how some States made it way too hard for Independents to qualify. Executive Producer: Nickolas Zacharias Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Ballot Access Information Alabama Signatures Needed: 3% of the total votes for Governor in the last election in the district 2016 Range: 4,109 - 6,174 Fees: None Filing Deadline: March 1, 2016 at 5pm Alaska At-large state Signatures Needed: 2,854 registered voters Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 15, 2016 (the day before the Primary Election) Arizona Signatures Needed: 3% of qualified electors in the district 2014 Range: 2,784 - 4,381 Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 1, 2016 Arkansas Signatures Needed: 3% of number of people who voted for Governor in 2014, capped at 2,000 Fees: None Filing Deadline: November 9, 2015 California As of the 2012 election, California has had a top-two primary system; in order to get on the General Election ballot, you have to be one of the top two vote getters in the Primary election. [caption id="attachment_1992" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Top 2 Primary clearly benefits Republicans and Democrats[/caption] To appear on the Primary Election ballot, a candidate needs to either collect signatures or pay a fee, or a combination of the two. Signatures Needed: 3,000 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: February 25, 2016 Colorado Signatures Needed: 30% of the number of votes cast in the last election, capped at 1,000 Fees: None Filing Deadline: July 14, 2016 Connecticut Signatures Needed: 1% of the votes cast in the district for the House of Representatives in the last election, capped at 7,500 Fees: None Filing Deadline: Either August 10, 2016 or September 7, 2016 Delaware At-large state Signatures Needed: 1% of the total registered voters in the district as of December 31, 2015 Fees: None Filing Deadline: September 1 at 4:30pm Florida Signatures Needed: 1% of registered voters from anywhere in the state 2016 Range: 3,512 - 5,072 Fees: 4% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $6,960 Candidates can file an undue burden oath and get the fee waived if they don't pay anyone to collect signatures or collect campaign contributions. Filing Deadline: June 24, 2016 Georgia Signatures Needed: 5% of the total registered voters from the district who participated in either of the last two elections cycles Signature range unavailable because the Georgia Secretary of State's office does not provide the necessary voter registration statistics online and would not provide the signature requirements by phone or email. Fees: $5,220 Can be waived if the candidate turns in a "pauper's affidavit" Filing Deadline: July 12, 2016 Hawaii In Hawaii, candidates, regardless of party, need to run in the Primary Election and receive at least 10% of the votes cast for the office or receive a vote equal to or greater than the lowest vote received by the partisan candidate who was nominated. Signatures Needed: 25 registered voters Fees: $75 Filing Deadline: June 7, 2016 Idaho Signatures Needed: 500 registered voters Fees: None Filing Deadline: March 11, 2016 Illinois Signatures Needed: 5% of the total voter turnout in the district for the last General Election Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 27, 2016 Indiana Signatures Needed: 2% of people in the district who voted for Secretary of State in the last election Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 30, 2016 Iowa Signatures Needed: 375 people in the district (do not need to be registered) Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 19, 2016 Kansas Signatures Needed: 4% of registered voters in the district, capped at 5,000 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman plus $10 2016: $1750 Filing Deadline: August 1, 2016 at noon Kentucky Signatures Needed: 400 registered voters in the district Fees: $500 Filing Deadline: August 9, 2016 at 4pm Louisiana Signatures Needed: 1000 eligible voters in the district Fees: $600 Filing Deadline: July 22, 2016 Maine Signatures Needed: 2,000 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 1, 2016 Maryland Signatures Needed: 1% of the registered voters in the district 2016 Range: 4,624 - 5,155 Fees: $100 Filing Deadline: August 1, 2016 Massachusetts Signatures Needed: 2,000 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 2, 2016 Michigan Signatures Needed: 3,000 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: July 21, 2016 at 4pm Minnesota Candidates need to collect signatures or pay a filing fee to be on the General Election ballot Signatures Needed: 1,000 registered voters in the district Fees: $300 Filing Deadline: May 31, 2016 Mississippi Signatures Needed: 200 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: January 8, 2016 Missouri Signatures Needed: 2% of the number of people who voted for the House of Representatives in the district in the last election, capped at 10,000 2016 Range: 3,073 - 4,622 Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 1, 2016 Montana At-large state Signatures Needed: 5% of the votes cast for the winner of the last election in the district 2016: 10,194 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: May 31, 2016 Nebraska Signatures Needed: 10% of the total votes cast for Governor in the district during the last election, capped 2,000 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: September 1, 2016 Nevada Signatures Needed: 1% of the total votes cast in the district in the last election 2016 Range: 803 - 1,863 Fees: $300 Filing Deadline: June 3, 2016 New Hampshire Signatures Needed: 1,500 registered voters in the district Fees: $50 Filing Deadline: September 7, 2016 New Jersey Signatures Needed: 100 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 7, 2016 New Mexico Official petition counts will not be released until March 2016. Signatures Needed: 3% of the total votes cast for Governor in that district in the last election Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 30, 2016 New York Signatures Needed: 5% of the votes cast for Governor in the last election, capped at 3,500 2014 Range: 3,058 - 10,591 Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 2, 2016 North Carolina Signatures Needed: 4% of the total number of registered voters in the district as of January 1 of the election year 2014 Range: 15,493 - 24,709 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: June 9, 2016 at 5pm North Dakota At-large state Signatures Needed: 1,000 "qualified" voters in the State Fees: None Filing Deadline: September 6, 2016 at 4pm Ohio Signatures Needed: 1% of the votes cast in the district for Governor in the last election Fees: $85 Filing Deadline: March 14, 2016 (the day before the Primary Election) Oklahoma In Oklahoma, candidates need to pay a filing fee or collect signatures in order to appear on the General Election ballot Signatures Needed: 4% of the registered voters in the district Approximately 15,000 signatures Fees: $750 Filing Deadline: April 15, 2016 Oregon Signatures Needed: 1% of the number of votes cast for President in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 30, 2016 Pennsylvania Signatures Needed: 1,000 registered voters in the district Fees: $150 Filing Deadline: August 1, 2016 Rhode Island Signatures Needed: 500 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: July 15, 2016 South Carolina Signatures Needed: 5% of the registered voters in the district, capped at 10,000 signatures Fees: None Filing Deadline: July 15, 2016 at noon South Dakota At-large state Signatures Needed: 1% of the total votes cast for Governor in the last election 2016: 2,774 Fees: None Filing Deadline: April 26, 2016 Tennessee Signatures Needed: 25 registered voters from the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: April 7, 2016 Texas Signatures Needed: 500 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 23, 2016 Utah Signatures Needed: 300 registered voters from the district Fees: $485 Filing Deadline: March 17, 2016 Vermont Signatures Needed: 500 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: August 4, 2016 at 5pm Virginia Signatures Needed: 1,000 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 14, 2016 at 7pm Washington As of the 2008 election, Washington has had a top-two primary system; in order to get on the General Election ballot, you have to be one of the top two vote getters in the Primary election. To qualify for the Primary Election: Signatures Needed: The same number as the filing fee Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: May 20, 2016 West Virginia Signatures Needed: 1% of the votes cast for the office in the last election 2016 Range: 1,404 - 1,543 Fees: 1% of the salary for a Congressman 2016: $1,740 Filing Deadline: August 1, 2016 Wisconsin Signatures Needed: 1,000 registered voters in the district Fees: None Filing Deadline: June 1, 2016 Wyoming At-large state Signatures Needed: 2% of the votes cast for the U.S. House in the last election 2016: 3,302 Fees: $200 Filing Deadline: August 29, 2016 Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

War ahead! While the country was busy preparing for a giant snowstorm, the leader of the Senate quietly made an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) eligible for a vote in the Senate, fast tracking it through normal Senate process. In this episode, take a look at the details of this AUMF and find out what the war mongers in charge might be planning to do with it. To get the most out of this episode, listen to RadioLab: 60 Words and Congressional Dish: CD108 Regime Change Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Bill Texts S.J. Res 29: A joint resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and its associated forces (Lindsay Graham's AUMF) "The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force in order to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, its associated forces, organizations, and persons, and any successor organizations." President has to submit a report to Congress every 60 days. President Obama's Proposed AUMF "The President is authorized, subject to the limitations in subsection (c), to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate against ISIL or associated persons or forces as defined in section 5." (c) "The authority granted... does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces in enduring offensive ground combat operations." Section 5: "The term "associated persons or forces" means individuals and organizations fighting for, on behalf of, or alongside ISIL or any closely-related successor entity in hostilities agains the United States or its coalition partners" Duration: "This authorization for the use of military force shall terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, unless reauthorized." Repeal: "The Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 is hereby repealed." 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force "The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations, or persons." 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force - Iraq Resolution "The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq and enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq." Sound Clip Sources Hearing: U.S. Strategy Against ISIS, Senate Armed Services Committee, December 9, 2015. Witnesses Ashton Carter, Secretary of Defense General Paul Selva, US Air Force, Vice Chairman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hearing: Middle East Strategy, Senate Armed Services Committee, January 20, 2016. Witnesses General Jack Keane, Chairman of the Institute for the Study of War, Board of Directors at General Dynamics Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Dean and Executive Professor at the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Philip Gordon, Former Assistance Secretary of State of European and Eurasian Affairs Video/Article: McConnell Shuts Down Notion That Obama Will Get War Authorization Against ISIS by Ali Weinberg, ABC News, January 10, 2016. Video: Nightmare on Graham Street, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, September 15, 2014. Sen. Chris Murphy addresses the Senate floor, January 21, 2016 (transcript) Additional Reading Webpage: General Dynamics Annual Report and Proxy Statement Webpage: War Powers, Cornell University Law School Article: McConnell's Surprise Move on War Authority by Sara Mimms and Alex Rogers, National Journal, January 21, 2016. Article: Congress Takes a Step Toward Declaring War on ISIS by Clare Foran, The Atlantic, January 22, 2016. Article: Graham's Draft AUMF Snags Spot on Senate Calendar by Rachel Oswald, Roll Call, January 21, 2016. Article: McConnell makes war authorization move by Seung Min Kim, Politico, January 21, 2016. Article: Pentagon may send more U.S. troops to Syria by Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, December 1, 2015. Report: 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force: Issues Concerning Its Continued Application, Congressional Research Service, April 2015. Article: Analysts in Syria debate have ties to defense contractors by Holly Yeagar, Washington Post, October 10, 2013. Listener Recommendations Congressional Dish Voat Subverse TPP Action scripts Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

In the third and final episode in our Trans-Pacific Partnership series, we take a look at the TPP Environment Chapter; would the treaty actually improve enforcement of environmental laws around the world? Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Trans-Pacific Partnership Text Full Text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Office of the US Trade Representative, November 5, 2015. Hearing Highlighted in this Episode TPP Issue Analysis - Environment Chapter, House Ways and Means Committee (Democrats), November 17, 2015. Watch on YouTube Witnesses Dr. Joshua Meltzer Senior Fellow in Global Economy and Development, Brookings Institution Digital Task Force Member at the Atlantic Council June 2015 – January 2016 (8 months) Washington D.C. Metro Area "Provided advice on the digital trade issues between the U.S. and the EU" Subject Matter Expert for the E15 Initiative, World Trade Organization "Expert appointment to the E15 working group developing an agenda for the WTO on climate change issues Former trade negotiator with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Former diplomat to the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C., specializing in trade and climate change issues. Alexander von Bismarck Executive Director, Environmental Investigation Agency "An international campaigning organization committed to investigating and exposing environmental crime" Served in United Nations and World Bank Ilana Soloman Responsible Trade Program Director, Sierra Club Environment Chapter Highlights Article 20.6: Governments "shall cooperate to address matters" related to pollution from ships Article 20.12: "Cooperation" includes "dialogues, workshops, seminars, conferences.. technical assistance, the sharing of best practices on policies and procedures, and the exchange of experts." Cooperative activities "are subject to the availability of funds" and the participating governments "shall decide, on a case-by-case basis, the funding of cooperative activities." Article 20.7: Each government "shall" create sanctions for violations of environmental law that "may include" a right to bring action against the violator for damages or injunctive relief. Article 20.10: "Corporate Social Responsibility": Each government "should encourage" companies to "adopt voluntarily" standards to protect the environment. The voluntary standards "should be designed in a manner that maximises their environmental benefits and avoids the creation of unnecessary barriers to trade." Article 20.13: Each government "shall promote and encourage the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity" The governments "shall cooperate" to address "matters of mutual interest"; 'cooperation' means "exchanging information". Article 20.15: "Transition to a Low Emissions and Resilient Economy" Says the governments recognize that the transition requires collective action Governments "shall cooperate to address matters of joint or common interest" Article 20.16: Each government "shall seek to operate a fisheries management system that regulates marine wild capture fishing and that is designed to prevent overfishing and overcapacity..." Each government "shall promote the long-term conservation of sharks, marine turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, through the implementation and effective enforcement of conservation and management measures." "No Party shall grant or maintain any of the following subsidies..." that negatively affect fish stocks. Gives the governments three years to change their laws to comply. Article 20.17: The governments "commit to promote conservation and to combat the illegal take of, and illegal trade in, wild fauna and flora. The parties "shall exchange information", "undertake joint activities" and "endeavor to implement... resolutions." Such measures "shall include sanctions, penalties... that can act as a deterrent to such trade." "Each Party retains the right to make decisions regarding the allocation of administrative, investigatory, and enforcement resources." Article 20.23: Environmental issues are eligible for the Investor State Dispute Settlement tribunals Additional Reading Article: TransCanada is suing the U.S. over rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline. The U.S. Might Lose. by Todd Tucker, Washington Post, January 8, 2016. Article: White House Releases Text of Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal by Vicki Needham, The Hill, November 5, 2015. Article: The Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Accord Explained by Kevin Granville, New York Times, October 5, 2015. Report: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Negotiations and Issues for Congress by Ian Fergusson, Mark McMinimy, and Brock Williams, Congressional Research Service, March 20, 2015. Article: Geo-engineering: Climate fixes could harm billions by David Shukman, BBC News, November 26, 2014. Article: Michael Froman and the Revolving Door by Felix Salon, Reuters, December 11, 2009. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Need drugs? The Trans-Pacific Partnership is an international treaty that Congress needs to approve. In this episode, find out how the TPP would affect your access to medicine. Would this treaty provide you access to life-saving drugs or would it provide the pharmaceutical industry excessive profits? Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Trans-Pacific Partnership Text Full Text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Office of the US Trade Representative, November 5, 2015. Congress did not stand when President Obama told them to pass the TPP Hearing Highlighted in this Episode TPP Issue Analysis - Access to Medicines, House Ways and Means Committee (Democrats), December 8, 2015. Watch on YouTube Witnesses Stephen Ezell VP of Global Innovation Policy, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Previously worked at the NASDAQ stock market, where he created the NASDAQ Market Intelligence Desk, which keeps companies up to date on their stock prices, and the NASDAQ Corporate Services Network Founder of Brivo Systems, a high-tech services firm, and Lynx Capital, an investment firm. Joseph Damond Senior VP for International Affairs, Biotechnology Industry Organization Former Vice President of International Government Relations at Pfizer Former Deputy Vice President of International Affairs for PhRMA (the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) Rohit Malpani Director of Policy and Analysis, Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) Former Special Advisor to Oxfam America Former Human Rights Advisor for the World Health Organization Former laywer at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Peter Maybarduk Director, Public Citizen Global Access to Medicines Program Intellectual Property Chapter Highlights Article 18.7: Forces all TPP countries to "ratify or accede to" six international treaties if they haven't done so already Article 18.26: Trademark protections will be valid for 10 years Article 18.37: Patents will be available for "new uses of a known product, new methods of using a known product, and new processes of using a known product." Exclusions: Countries can individually exclude surgical methods for the treatment of animals or humans, plants, animals, and biological processes for producing plants and animals from patentability Article 18.52: Patents for biologics will be for a minimum of five years Article 18.63: Copyright terms for performances or phonograms will be the life of the author plus 70 years. If the producer is a company, the copyright protecton will last for 70 years. Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Exploring the Implementation and Future of the Veterans Choice Program, Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, May 12, 2015. YouTube: Literal Drug Commercial by Pineapple-Shaped Lamps Additional Reading Article: White House Releases Text of Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal by Vicki Needham, The Hill, November 5, 2015. Article: The Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Accord Explained by Kevin Granville, New York Times, October 5, 2015. Article: VA to Outsource Care for 180,000 Vets With Hepatitis C by Dennis Wagner of the Arizona Republic (re-posted on USA Today), June 21, 2015. Report: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Negotiations and Issues for Congress by Ian Fergusson, Mark McMinimy, and Brock Williams, Congressional Research Service, March 20, 2015. Article: 24 Highest-paid hosts in the news business: Top Paid News Anchors by Amarendra Bhushan, CEO World Magazine, August 27, 2014. Article: Michael Froman and the Revolving Door by Felix Salon, Reuters, December 11, 2009. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is finished and will be eligible for a vote in Congress in February 2016. In December, the Democrats held a hearing on the Investment chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In this episode, highlights from that hearing and a summary of the provisions in one of the TPP's most important chapters. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Trans-Pacific Partnership Text Full Text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Office of the US Trade Representative, November 5, 2015. Hearing Highlighted in this Episode TPP Issue Analysis - Investment Chapter, House Ways and Means Committee (Democrats), December 2, 2015. Watch on YouTube Witnesses Matt Porterfield Deputy Director and Adjunct Professor of law at the Harrison Institute for Public Law, Georgetown University Law Center Served on the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) Subcommittee on Investment during the Obama Administration Ted Posner Parter at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, an international corporate law firm with 9 offices in the United States and 11 offices outside the country (see News and Announcements for list of clients) Served in the Office of the US Trade Representatives and on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration Served on the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) Subcommittee on Investment during the Obama Administration Michael Smart Vice President of Rock Creek Global Advisors, LLC Director for International Trade and Investment on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration Was a lawyer in the ISDS system as an Associate at Sidley Austin during the George W. Bush administration's early years Was on the Democratic staff of the US Senate Committee on Finance during the early Obama administration years. Former staffer to former Rep. Earl Pomeroy for over nine years. Thea Lee Deputy Chief of Staff, AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million American workers. Vice Chairwoman of the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) Subcommittee on Investment during the Obama Administration Investment Chapter Highlights Article 9.4: Countries can't treat companies from other countries any differently than they treat companies from their own Article 9.6: Countries must provide police protection to foreign companies Article 9.6: Removal of subsidies does not count as a violation of the treaty, even if the company is financially harmed Article 9.7: Countries can nationalize their assets if they pay the companies with interest Article 9.9: Countries can not require companies to use domestic goods or to buy products from within the country ("Buy American") Section B: Conflicts between multinational companies and TPP countries will be settled through the Investor-State Dispute Settlement system Article 9.20: There is a statute of limitations of three years, six months from when the company should have known a "breach" occurred Article 9.21: The three judges will be selected by the company and the government involved (one each) and the third one either agreed upon or appointed by the Secretary General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Article 9.22: The tribunal can award attorney's fees to the case winner Article 9.22: The burden of proof lies with the company making the claim Article 9.23: ISDS tribunal documents will be available to the public Article 9.28: Puts limits on the awards Sound Clip Sources YouTube Video: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Tobacco, February 15, 2015. Additional Reading Article: White House Releases Text of Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal by Vicki Needham, The Hill, November 5, 2015. Article: For Pickens, Wind Claim May Be Last Power Play by Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, October 15, 2015. Article: The Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Accord Explained by Kevin Granville, New York Times, October 5, 2015. Op-Ed: Ron Kind: Why I'm Fighting for a Trade Deal by Rep. Ron Kind, LaCrosse Tribune, April 13, 2015 Article: Bilcon to Sue Canada for $300 Million After Winning NAFTA Ruling on Quarry, The Canadian Press, March 20, 2015. Report: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Negotiations and Issues for Congress by Ian Fergusson, Mark McMinimy, and Brock Williams, Congressional Research Service, March 20, 2015. Report: Reform of Investor-State Dispute Settlement: In Search of a Roadmap, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, June 26, 2013. Article: Michael Froman and the Revolving Door by Felix Salon, Reuters, December 11, 2009. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Cybersecurity or surveillance? What does the language attached at the last minute to the 2,009 page omnibus government funding bill actually authorize? In this episode, we take a close look at what just became law. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Cybersecurity Act of 2015 The Cybersecurity Act of 2015 was attached at the last minute to the "omnibus" government funding bill, which was 2,009 pages long and available to read for less than three days before it became law. This is and outline of what became law: TITLE I: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 Section 102: Definitions "Agency": "Any executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government controlled corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch of Government" Does NOT include the Government Accountability Office, Federal Election Commission, or Government-owned contractor-operated facilities "Cybersecurity threat": An action that "may result in an unauthorized effort to adversely impact the security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of an information system or information that is stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system". "Cyber threat indicator": "Information that is necessary to describe or identify"... Spying, including strange patterns of communications that appear to be collecting technical information Security breaches Security vulnerabilities A legitimate user being used to defeat a security system Malicious cyber command and control "The actual or potential harm caused by an incident, including a description of the information exfiltrated as a result of a particular cybersecurity threat" "Any other attribute of a cybersecurity threat, if disclosure of such attribute is not otherwise prohibited by law" "Non-Federal entity": "Any private entity, non-Federal government agency or department, or State, tribal, or local government (including a political subdivision, department, or component thereof)" Does not include a foreign power, as defined in the FISA law Section 103: Sharing of Information by the Federal Government Procedures for sharing information both within and outside the Federal government will be created by: Director of National Intelligence Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of Defense Attorney General The procedures developed must... Allow real time sharing of information Include requirements for the government to protect the information from unauthorized access Require Federal entities to review cyber threat indicators for information not directly related to the threat that contains information that identifies a specific individual and remove the information Include procedures for notifying "any United States person" whose information has been shared by the Federal government Section 104: Authorizations for Preventing, Detecting, Analyzing, and Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats "A non-Federal entity may... share with, or receive from, any other non-Federal entity or the Federal Government a cyber threat indicator or defensive measure" Non-Federal entities sharing information mush "review" the information for "personal information of a specific individual" and "remove such information" OR have a technical way of removing the information it "knows at the time of sharing" to be personal information. Use of Cyber Threat Indicators by Government State, tribal, or local governments and the Federal Government can use the information they receive for... Cybersecurity Preventing a specific threat of death, serious bodily harm, or specific threat of serious economic harm Investigating, prosecuting, and preventing serious threats to minors, including sexual exploitation and threats to physical safety Preventing, investigating, disrupting, or prosecuting... Identity theft, transfers of stolen identification, possession of false identification, Unauthorized use of any card, plate, code, account number, or any equipment that can be used to transfer funds (fraud), Use of a "telecommunication instrument" that's been altered to obtain unauthorized use of telecommunications services", Hacking and releasing government or banking information, Extortion Harboring a criminal, Collection and/or communication of information about United States defense activities and infrastructure, or failure to report a defense data breach Disclosure of classified information Violations, or attempted violations, of NASA regulations Unauthorized use of trade secrets Information shared will be "exempt from disclosure under any provision of State, tribal, or local freedom of Information law, open government law, sunshine law, or similar law requiring disclosure of information or records" Information shared between private entities can not be considered violations of "any provision of antitrust laws" Section 105: Sharing of Cyber Threat Indicators and Defensive Measures with the Federal Government" Policies will be written by... Attorney General Secretary of Homeland Security Policies must create a way to share information "in an automated manner with all of the appropriate Federal entities" "Appropriate Federal entities" Dept. of Commerce Dept. of Defense Dept. of Energy Dept. of Homeland Security Dept. of Justice Dept. of Treasury Office of the Director of National Intelligence Information may be provided to other Federal agencies Privacy and civil liberties guidelines will be written by... Attorney General Secretary of Homeland Security In consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties oversight board "Private entities with industry expertise as the Attorney General and the Secretary consider relevant" Guidelines will be reviewed at least every two years Information shared with the Federal Government will go to the Department of Homeland Security Information shared with the Federal government can not be used to regulate the lawful activities of any non-Federal entity Section 106: Protection from Liability The courts must dismiss any lawsuits against "any private entity" for monitoring information systems or sharing/receiving "cyber threat indicators" Section 107: Oversight of Government Activities Heads of "appropriate Federal entities" will submit a report Inspectors General of the "appropriate Federal entities" will submit reports every two years The Comptroller General of the United States will submit a report on actions taken by the Federal Government to remove personal information. Report will be due in three years. Unclassified portions of the reports will be available to the public. Section 108: Construction and Preemption Lists what this bill is not intended to do Section 109: Report on Cybersecurity Threats Report will be submitted by the Director of National Intelligence NEW Section 110: Exception to Limitation on Authority of Secretary of Defense to Disseminate Certain Information Specifically allows the Secretary of Defense to share information Section 111: Effective Period These provisions expire on September 30, 2015. TITLE II: National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 Section 203: Information Sharing Structure and Processes The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center will implement the procedures for sharing information that are created by Title I (view this mark-up of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to see changes made by this provision) Adds functions to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center including... "Engaging with international partners... to collaborate on cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents" "Sharing cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and other information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents with Federal and non-Federal entities... and with State and major urban area fusion centers" Participating in national exercises run by DHS Evaluating cyber threats to public safety communication systems Adds tribal governments and private entities to the list of entities that will have representatives in the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center Adds protection from information "disclosure" to list of the Center's principles Orders the Center to work with the "Privacy Officer" to make sure the Center follows the policies and procedures created by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security. The Center will be in charge of creating the automated system for information sharing. The Center may partner directly with any "consenting non-Federal entity" for the purpose of sharing "cyber threat indicators" Orders the Center to publicly publish information on how to share information with the Center within 60 days of enactment Sections 206-209: Reports that will expire after 7 years Subtitle B: Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015 Section 223: Improved Federal Network Security Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop a plan to proactively detect, identify, and remove intruders in agency information systems. The plan will not apply to the Department of Defense, a "national security system" or an element of the intelligence community In implementing the plan, the Secretary of Homeland Security can get access to the information transiting or traveling to or from an agency information system The operation of the technology needed to implement the plan can be privatized The actions taken need to be "reasonably necessary" It is illegal for the private entity operating the system to use the information for anything other than protecting the system but the private entity can not be sued in court for their role in assisting the DHS Section 225: Federal Cybersecurity Requirements The Secretary of Homeland Security will issue binding operational directives for agencies to secure their networks within a year. Agencies will have to... Identify sensitive and mission critical data stored by the agency Assess the need to store that data and determine which individuals need access to it Encrypt the data Implement a single sign-on platform for people using the agency website that requires user authentication Require multi-factor authentication for remote access Agencies will not have to comply if they say it's "overly burdensome to implement" or that it's not necessary. These binding operational directives will not apply to the Defense Department, a "national security system", or the intelligence community. Section 227: Termination The directives and reports on them will expire in 7 years, December 2022. Section 229: Direction to Agencies The Secretary of Homeland Security can order the head of other agencies to take "lawful actions" in response to security threats. TITLE III: Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act Section 303: National Cybersecurity Workforce Measurement Initiative Requires an assessment of all Federal positions that have cyber-related functions TITLE IV- Other Cyber Matters Section 401: Study on Mobile Device Security Orders a study on the security of mobile devices of the Federal Government Section 402: Department of State International Cyberspace Policy Strategy Orders a State Department report on threats from foreign sources and cooperation strategies within 90 days. Section 403: Apprehension and Prosecution of International Cyber Criminals The Secretary of State must consult with government officials in countries where we don't have an extradition treaty to determine what actions they've taken to catch "cyber criminals" with arrest warrant issued by US judges or Interpol. Section 404: Enhancement of Emergency Services Orders the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to create a process for information sharing with Statewide Interoperability Coordinators Section 405: Improving Cybersecurity in the Health Care Industry Requires a report that will include a plan so that "the Federal Government and health care industry stakeholders may in real time, share actionable cyber threat indicators and defensive measures" Additional Reading Article: Meet the Lobbyists and Big Money Interests Pushing to End the Oil Exports Ban by Steve Horn, DeSmogBlog, December 16, 2015. Article: 9 Heinous Items Sneaked Into the Budget Bill Congress Doesn't Want You to See by Tom Cahill, U.S. Uncut, December 19, 2015. Article: Hospitality and Gambling Interests Delay Closing of Billion-Dollar Tax Loophole by Eric Lipton and Liz Moyer, New York Times, December 20, 2015. Article: The CISA Secret to Cybersecurity that No One Seems to Get by Mike Gault, Wired, December 20, 2015. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Available for less than 3 days before the votes, the 2,009 page "omnibus" government funding bill was signed into law. History will not look kindly upon provisions that give private companies immunity for forwarding data to the government, make policing political contributions illegal, repeal a food labeling law, restrict international travel, and allow environmental damage. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Omnibus Outline Division A: Agriculture Section 754: Prohibits the FDA from clarifying foods with partially hydrogenated oils as unsafe before June 18, 2018. Section 759: Repeals Country of Origin Labels for beef and pork products Section 761: Prohibits the sale of genetically engineered salmon until the FDA publishes final labeling guidelines and sets aside at least $150,000 for the labeling program. Section 763: Prohibits the government from prohibiting the transportation, processing, sale, or use of industrial hemp Division B: Commerce, Justice, Science Section 202: Department of Justice money can't be used to pay for an abortion unless the life of the mother is in danger - this is valid unless declared unconstitutional Section 204: The Director of the Bureau of Prisons will have to provide escort services to female names to get an abortion outside the Federal facility. Section 516: "None of the funds made available in this Act shall be used in any way whatsoever to support or justify the use of toruture by any official or contract employee of the United States Government" Section 520: A national security letter can't be used by the Executive branch to stop the FBI from issuing national security letters Section 527: Prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prison inmates to the United States Section 539: Prohibits the transfer of Internet domain name system functions during fiscal year 2016 Section 542: Prohibits Dept. of Justice money from being used to prevent States from implementing their medical marijuana laws. Division C: Defense Section 8002: Puts no limit on the compensation for foreign people working at the Department of Defense in the Republic of Turkey Section 8018: Prevents demilitarization and disposal of certain guns Section 8067: A "buy local" requirement for military purchases of beer and wine Section 8079: Says information pertaining to US citizens will only be handled according to the 4th amendment "as implemented through Executive Order No. 12333" Section 8087: Prohibits the retirement, divestment, realignment, or transfer of RQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft Section 8103: Prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prison inmates to the United States Section 8114: Prohibits realignment of forces at Lajes Air Force Base in Azores, Portugal unless determined that it is not "an optimal location for the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex" Section 8116: Prohibits the NSA from conducting "an acquisition" using FISA 702 "for the purpose of targeting a United States person" or from acquiring, monitoring or storing the contents of "any electronic communication" of a US person from a provider of electronic communication services to the public, as determined by FISA 501 Section 8123: Prohibits retirement of A-10 aircraft Section 8129: Prohibits retirement of KC-10 aircraft Section 8130: Prohibits retirement of EC-130 H aircraft Section 8132: Prohibits any base closures War on Terror Section 9002: Allows the Defense Department to transfer an additional $4.5 billion to the War on Terror fund Section 9006: Department of Defense "operation and maintenance" money can be used in Afghanistan and to counter ISIL Section 9007: Prohibits permanent bases in Iraq, control of Iraqi oil, permanent bases in Afghanistan Section 9012: $600 million for Jordan Section 9014: $250 million for Ukraine for "assistance, including training, equipment, lethal weapons of a defensive nature… and intelligence support to the military and national security forces of Ukraine and for the replacement of any weapons or defensive articles provided to the Government of Ukraine from the inventory of the United States" Section 9019: Money can't be used in Syria in contravention of the War Powers Resolution including the introduction of United States armed or military forces into hostilities in Syria without consulting and reporting to Congress Division D: Energy and Water Section 105: Prohibits any changes to the "fill material" in waterways definition Section 110: Prohibits permits from being required for discharges of "fill material" Section 312: Prohibits implementation of energy efficient lightbulb regulations Division E: Financial Services Section 117: Can't redesign the $1 bill Section 127: Prohibits any change to regulations and standards used by the IRS "to determine whether an organization is operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare for the purposes of section 501(c)(4)" Section 613: Prohibits money paying for any health plans for Federal employees that cover abortions Section 614: Unless the life of the mother is at risk or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest Section 622: Defunds White House positions Director, White House Office of Health Reform Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury assigned to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry and Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy White House Direction of Urban Affairs Section 627: Prohibits the government from requiring a telecom from turning over data it is storing Section 629: Prohibits implementation of safety standards for recreational off-highway vehicles Division F: Homeland Security Section 526: Customs and Border Protection can't stop an individual from importing prescription drugs from Canada if they are carrying 90 day supply or less Section 532: Prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prison inmates to the United States Division G: Environment & Dept. of Interior Section 117: Prohibits listing of the sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act Doesn't say "for fiscal year 2016" Section 404: Prohibits acceptance of patents for mining sites Some patents are grandfathered Section 408: Prevents mining within National Monuments Section 417: No money can be used to require permits for emitting carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions from livestock production. Section 418: Prohibits regulations requiring mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. Section 420: Prohibits regulation of lead in ammunition and fishing tackle Division H: Labor, Health, and Education Section 110: Prohibits implementation of a regulation for minimum wages for seasonal workers Section 114: Prohibits enforcement of regulations designed to audit companies that use foreign workers Section 210: Prohibits the promotion of gun control Section 301: Prohibits bussing of kids to overcome racial imbalances Section 303: Forces public schools to allow voluntary prayer and meditation programs Section 508: Prohibits funding for research that creates, destroys, or injures human embryos Section 522: Prohibits funds for ACORN Division J: Military Construction and Veterans Section 412: Prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prison inmates to the United States Division K: Dept. of State $4.7 billion for the "Foreign Military Financing Program", $3.1 billion to Isreal, $1.3 billion to Egypt, $1.27 billion for Jordan, $658 million for Ukraine Section 7007: No money can be given directly to Cuba, North Korea, Iran, or Syria Section 7008: Rules for financing governments after military coups Syria: Money can be used to "establish governance in Syria that is representative, inclusive, and accountable" War on Terror: State Dept. Section 9002: Increased US quota of the IMF fund to 40.8 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDR), about $55 billion as of 12/17 exchange rates Division L: Transportation and Housing Section 133: Continues the suspension of a regulation limiting commercial truck drivers to 60 or 70 hours per week. Division M: Intelligence Section 305: Limits the information the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board will have access to Section 601: Prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay prison inmates to the United States Division N: Cybersecurity Act of 2015 Outline Coming Soon (CD113) Division O: Other Matters Section 101: Repeals the oil export ban Title II: "Terrorist Travel Prevention and Visa Waiver Program Reform" Section 202: Requires people from countries participating in our visa waiver program to have machine readable, electronic passports to enter the US by April 1, 2016. Should have been available since 2005, but people with older passports didn't need new ones. Now they will Section 203: Visas will be required from anyone who traveled to Iraq or Syria and possibly other countries since March 2011 Doesn't apply to military members or government employees Title III: Reauthorizes health program for 9/11 WTC responders through October 1, 2090 Section 402: Reauthorizes and expands 9/11 victim fund to include damages to business and employment opportunities Does not include mental health care Section 411: Increases visa fees until September 30, 2025 for businesses who bring in foreign employees by about $4,000 $1 billion will be used to "implement the biometric entry and exit data system", which will keep track of everyone's exit and entry data electronically Section 404: Creates a new program to give money to some victims of terrorism Money will be handed out by a "Special Master" appointed by the Attorney General Decisions of the Special Master will be "final" and "not subject to administrative or judicial review" Eligible people are US "persons" who won a court case against a "state sponsor of terrorism" Victims of the Iran Hostage Crisis will get $10,000 per day they were held, and their spouses and kids will get a lump sum of $600,000, with a maximum payment of $20 million per person and $35 million per family. The President will demand the payment from the offending country before sanctions can be lifted Over $1 billion will be given out during 2017, and the fund will close on January 2, 2026. Attorneys can get 25% of the payments Act of international terrorism = torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, or hostage taking Section 702: Has something to do with exemptions and Wall Street Section 707: "None of the funds made available by any division of this Act shall bemused by the Securities and Exchange Commission to finalize, issue, or implement any rule, regulation, or order regarding the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organization, or dues paid to trade associations" Section 708: Repeals an exemption for the SEC from the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which allowed them to get financial records from banks without the customer's knowledge Section 1001: The budgetary effects of the "Other Matters" division and the Division P tax provisions will not be counted in the PayGo budget Division P: Tax Related Provisions Section 101: Delays the excise tax on high cost employer health plans until 2019. Section 201: Puts a moratorium on a fee on health insurance providers Section 301: Extends until 2020 and fades out tax credits for wind facilities Section 303: Extends until 2022 and fades out tax credits for solar energy Votes Passed the House of Representatives 316- 113 Passed the Senate 65-33 Audio Sources House Rules Committee Hearing: H.R. 2029 - Omnibus, December 16, 2015. Additional Information Article: The big new budget deal, explained by Ezra Klein, Vox, December 18, 2015. Article: Obama Signs $1.8 Trillion Tax and Spending Bill Into Law by Bill Chappell, NPR, December 18, 2015. Article: Congress Just Put Iranian-Americans and Others at Risk for Becoming Second Class Citizens by Murtaza Hussain, The Intercept, December 18, 2015. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Three months of Congress condensed into under one hour. In this episode, we take a look at our new laws, some controversial bills, and the most interesting hearings from September, October, and November. This episode is also a call for feedback: Which hearings sound most interesting to you? Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Hearings Worth Watching Please email your top 2 hearing requests to Jen at congressional dish dot com or Tweet them to @JenBriney House Ways and Means Committee: Trading Views: TPP Hearing - Environment Chapter, November 17, 2015. Witnesses Dr. Joshua Meltzer, Senior Fellow in Global Economy and Development, Brookings Institution Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director, Environmental Investigation Agency Ilana Solomon, Responsible Trade Program Director, Sierra Club Dr. Rashid Sumaila, Professor, Fisheries Economics Unit of the University of British Columbia House Ways and Means Committee: Trading Views: Real Debates on Key Issues in TPP, December 2, 2015 Witnesses: Matt Porterfield, Deputy Director and Adjunct Professor, Harrison Institute, Georgetown University Law Center Ted Posner, Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP Michael Smart, Vice President, Rock Creek Global Advisors LLC Thea Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff, AFL-CIO House Committee on Armed Services: Outside Views on the Strategy for Iraq and Syria Witnesses: John McLaughlin, Former Acting Direction of Central Intelligence Ambassador Ryan Crocker, former Ambassador to Syria and Iraq House Committee on Foreign Affairs: Charting the Arctic: Security, Economic, and Resource Opportunities, November 17, 2015 Witnesses Admiral Robert Papp, Jr., USCG, Retired: U.S. Special Representative for the Arctic, U.S. Department of State Rear Admiral Timothy C. Gallaudet, USN: Oceanographer and NavigatorU.S. Department of Defense Vice Admiral Charles D. Michel, USCG: Vice CommandantU.S. Department of Homeland Security Senate Armed Services Committee: The Future of Warfare, November 4, 2015. Witnesses: Keith B. Alexander Director (Former) National Security Agency Bryan Clark Senior Fellow Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Paul Scharre Senior Fellow and Director Center for a New American Security->20YY Warfare Initiative Peter W. Singer Senior Fellow New America House Committee on Agriculture: American Agriculture and Our National Security, November 4, 2015. Witnesses John Negroponte, Vice-Chairman, McLarty Associates Dr. Tammy Beckham: Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Examining Law Enforcement Use of Cell Phone Tracking Devices, October 21, 2015 House Committee on Energy and Commerce: Update on Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Issues, October 28, 2015. Witnesses: The Honorable Michael Lumpkin, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict The Honorable Matthew Armstrong, Broadcasting Board of Governors Brigadier General Charles Moore, Joint Staff, J-39 House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Energy Security, October 6, 2015. House Committee on Armed Services: Countering Adversarial Propaganda: Charting an Effective Course in the Contested Information Environment, October 22, 2015. Committee on Energy & Commerce: Broadcasting Ownership in the 21st Century, September 25, 2015. National Emergencies Extended National Emergency in respect to Sudan, originally declared in November 1997 National Emergency in respect to the attacks of September 11, 2001, originally declared on September 14, 2001 National Emergency in respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, originally declared in October 2006. Links to Laws, Bills, & Hearings November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 Campaign Contribution Info Rep. Garland "Andy" Barr of Kentucky Rep. French Hill of Arkansas Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri Rep. Todd Rokita of Indiana Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada Rep. Tom Marino of Pennsylvania Rep. Don Young of Alaska Rep. Joe Barton of Texas Additional Reading IMF document: Republic of Congo: Letter of Intent, Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, and Technical Memorandum of Understanding, International Monetary Fund, June 29, 2006. Article: Ward in Congo: U.S. Military will Continue Supporting Security Assistance Activities by Kenneth Fidler, US AFRICOM Public Affairs, April 27, 2009. Article: Joseph Kabila and Where the Election in Congo Went Wrong by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Foreign Affairs Magazine, November 28, 2011. Research Paper: Toward Comprehensive Reform of America's Emergency Law Regime by Patrick Thronson, University of Michigan's Journal of Law Reform, March 23, 2013. Article: NSA Snooping Was Only the Beginning. Meet the Spy Chief Leading Us Into CyberWar by James Bamford, Wired Magazine, June 12, 2013. Article: U.S. Repeals Propaganda Ban, Spreads Government-Made News to Americans by John Hudson, Foreign Policy Magazine, July 14, 2013. Article: Special Report: America's perpetual state of emergency by Gregory Korte, USA Today, October 23, 2014. Article: Tiger Resources' Congo copper mine gets $160 million investment Reuters, October 23, 2015. Article: Congress Acts to Avoid Commuter Rail Shutdown by Daniel Vock, Governing, October 29, 2015. Article: The Best Way to Prevent Drunk Driving? That's Debatable by Daniel Vock, Governing, November 17, 2015. Article: Congress approves $305B highway bill by Bart Jansen, USA Today, December 3, 2015. Article: After a Decade, Congress Passes Transportation Funding by Daniel Vock, GovTech.com, December 3, 2015. Article: Cyber bill's final language likely to anger privacy advocates by Cory Bennett, The Hill, December 7, 2015. Website: Private, For-Profit Demo Project for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations