By The Iowa Statesman
Every day, we read through our email inbox in order to present you with the information from the political press releases that are most pertinent to you.
Short disclaimer: not all candidates send out press releases to us, so if your favorite isn’t showing up here, don’t get mad at us. We have told them all that we’d be more than happy to publish their releases. Also, we only make minor edits to clean up grammar and punctuation; the language and tone come directly from the campaigns themselves.
So, let’s rifle through today’s Morning Dump …
Grassley: Immigrants with suspected gang ties skip court date, murder teen
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is requesting details regarding the September 4, 2015, murder of 17-year-old Virginia boy allegedly by three individuals who entered the United States in 2013 as unaccompanied minors at the southern border. Two of the three suspects may have gang ties, according to news reports. All three suspects allegedly were ordered to appear in immigration court in August, but skipped the hearing.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Grassley is seeking more information regarding the suspects’ immigration statuses, their criminal histories and any efforts by immigration officials to remove them.
“Unfortunately, incidents such as this have become too common. It is now customary to hear stories of undocumented or gang-affiliated criminal aliens who are discretionarily released from custody, fail to honor their [Notice to Appear], and receive protection in sanctuary jurisdictions. As a result, American citizens have been subject to preventable violent criminal acts. It is clear that the federal government has failed in its role to prevent great risk to the public safety,” Grassley said in the letter.
Earlier this year, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson stated that known gang members should not receive immigration benefits and “should be considered priority for removal.” However, Johnson also admitted that lapses in background check procedures allowed a known gang member to receive deferred deportation. That gang member is now charged with four counts of 1st degree murder. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also confirmed that between 2010 and 2014, 121 people who entered the country illegally have been charged with murder after immigration officials failed to deport them following previous criminal convictions.
The full text of Grassley’s letter follows.
Ernst says vote for CISA protects personal privacy, prevents cyberattacks
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement after voting in support of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation to improve America’s cybersecurity through voluntary information sharing.
“The cyber threat against our nation is one of the most severe threats we face in the 21st century.
“CISA is an important first step to improve our cybersecurity capabilities in both the private and public sectors. This bipartisan legislation achieves an important balance – including both rigorous oversight to ensure Americans’ privacy is protected, as well as procedures to bolster the government’s ability to deter, detect, and defend against cyberattacks.
“Cyberspace has provided hackers, terrorists, and our adversaries around the world with the capability to cause massive damage and greatly impact our way of life with a few keystrokes on a computer. If we do nothing, cyberattacks are sure to continue, leaving our information and national security at greater risk.
“Our cybersecurity experts must be able to gain a technological advantage and have the means necessary to prevent future attacks. CISA confronts these challenges by creating a voluntary framework to promote real time information sharing across the government and private sector in order to keep our systems secure and help to prevent cyberattacks before they happen.”
Huckabee blasts debt deal
Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee released the following statement in response to the proposed debt limit deal, which borrows $150 billion from the Social Security Trust Fund but fails to meaningfully address waste, fraud and abuse in the disability insurance program.
“I am appalled that Washington’s latest budget deal will raid $150 billion from the Social Security Trust Fund. Social Security is a promise to America’s seniors-not a piggybank slush fund for Washington politicians. Americans shouldn’t sacrifice their Social Security benefits so we can bailout irresponsible Washington politicians.
“This is typical Washington, like when ObamaCare raided $700 billion from the Medicare Trust Fund.
“I have a better idea, let’s reform the disability insurance program, which is full of endless waste, fraud and abuse. Instead of stealing benefits from seniors, let’s protect Social Security, preserve Medicare and keep our promises to seniors.”
Grassley sponsors legislation after alleged NOAA sexual misconduct
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is cosponsoring legislation to address and prevent sexual harassment and assault at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The proposal follows allegations of sexual assault involving NOAA staff and contractors, and addresses inadequate reporting and protection protocols for victims.
“The trauma faced by victims of sexual abuse and harassment shouldn’t be compounded by inadequate and obsolete procedures and protocol for reporting abuse,” Grassley said. “This bill will help ensure that victims have an advocate and a place to go where they can feel safe.”
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