MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) introduced Lulu’s Law in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lulu’s Law is named after Lulu Gribbin of Mountain Brook, Alabama, who was attacked by a shark in June 2024.

Only 90 minutes prior to Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust being attacked, another woman was attacked by a shark a few miles away. Lulu’s Law would codify the ability for authorities to quickly deploy wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to the public if someone has been attacked by a shark or if the conditions for a shark attack are present.

“If there is a commonsense solution to keeping Americans safe and out of harm’s way, we should capitalize on it. Had an alert gone out on June 7, 2024, the dreadful shark attack on Lulu could have been prevented,” said Rep. Palmer. “Lulu’s tremendous strength, faith, and bravery throughout her healing journey has inspired many. By passing Lulu’s Law, we would be creating a practical solution to prevent future attacks from occurring and keeping beachgoers safe.”

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

“Last June, the unthinkable happened when Lulu suffered a devastating shark attack. When Lulu woke up, she said, ‘I made it’ and since then, she has only continued to prove her resilience,” said Sen. Britt. “I’m incredibly proud of her faith, her courage, and her strength – she truly personifies both grace and grit. Lulu’s Law would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harm’s way. This is a commonsense measure aimed at keeping families safe – a cause that I know people can rally around, just like her local community, our great state, and the entire nation have rallied around Lulu.”

The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and sends out local alerts in an effort to provide emergency information to the public. Other WEA alerts include extreme weather warnings, amber alerts, and more.

Read the bill here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, March 3, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) introduced H.R. 1776, the New Health Options Act. Rep. Palmer released the following statement:

“Our healthcare system under Obamacare is broken and leaves Americans with unaffordable plans and high prices,” said Rep. Palmer. “The New Health Options Act puts patients first and directly addresses the broken issues in our healthcare system. This bill proves that it is possible to allow families and individuals to have consumer choice, healthcare affordability, and price transparency without having to sacrifice one over the other.”

“The New Health Options Act is about giving working Americans coverage options that work for them. This parallel marketplace operates alongside the subsidized exchange and offers more tailored, transparent, and cost-effective plans so working individuals and families can choose the coverage that fits their needs at a better price,” said Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability. “I’m grateful to Rep. Palmer for boldly leading the charge on this long overdue health care reform. With this bill, health care affordability is finally within reach.”

The New Health Options Act aims to provide Americans tired of the broken Obamacare system another option to choose for their healthcare needs. It does this by creating the New Options market separate from the Affordable Care Act marketplace, requiring the disclosure of cash price if it is lower than the negotiated rate, and offering flexibility for Americans stuck in narrow provider networks, all while providing guaranteed coverage for preexisting conditions at a lower cost.

Read the bill here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) and Patrick Ryan (NY-18) introduced the Standard Fees to Expedite Evaluation and Streamlining Act (Standard FEES Act) in an effort to streamline the application process for placing communication facilities on federal property by removing equivocal and confusing fees. Upon introduction of the Standard FEES Act, Rep. Palmer released the following statement:

“The goal of the Standards FEES Act is to help streamline the application process for placing communication facilities on federal property,” said Rep. Palmer. “The process has long been characterized by complex and ambiguous fees. This leads to the application process being riddled with confusion for businesses. The Standard FEES Act requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish a standard fee schedule so businesses can have more clarity and certainty in their application processes.”

“The Standard FEES Act will enable federal dollars for broadband deployment to flow faster and will make the deployment process more efficient. The digital divide in America leaves too many behind—I’ll always fight for practical solutions that bring high speed internet to every household,” said Rep. Ryan.

If passed, the Standard FEES Act would establish a common fee for the processing of applications for deploying communication facilities on federal land. The fee would be competitively neutral and would be allowed to cover the costs of granting an easement, right of way, or lease.

Read the text of the bill here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Each December, Congressman Gary Palmer partners with his Academy Advisory Board to interview and nominate outstanding students from Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District for an appointment to our nation’s service academies. U.S. Service Academy recruiters laud the level of preparedness and exceptional achievements of cadets from this district. Students who are accepted as cadets and midshipmen will be receiving the highest levels of education, athletic conditioning, leadership building, and training to defend the Constitution and America’s freedoms alongside an extensive network of academy alumni.

The application process for most U.S. Service Academies involves receiving a nomination from their U.S. House Representative, U.S. Senator, the Vice President or the President. These academies include: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Once the nomination is confirmed, the academy will review the whole candidate for enrollment consideration. Students who enroll become scholar soldiers, joining among the most prestigious traditions in America.

This year, 13 students received congressional nominations from Congressman Palmer. They are as follows:

Nate Brisco of Hewitt Trussville High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy;

Kennedy Doyle of Indian Springs School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy;

Rex Everette of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy;

Annie Gregory of Marion Military Institute, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;

Ruby Harris of Indian Springs School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy;

Hagen Holley of Spain Park High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;

Jackson Kalnoske of Chelsea High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;

Truman Lee of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U. S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy;

Jason Love of Briarwood Christian School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy;

Millie McCormick of Pelham High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy;

Braydon Saylor of Thompson High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy;

Jude Smith of Mountain Brook High School, is nominated for U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy;

Emily Spooner of Vestavia Hills High School, is nominated for U.S. Military Academy;

Congratulations to these impressive students, who seek to achieve at the highest levels in order to serve our country. If you or someone you know is interested in attending a military service academy, please visit palmer.house.gov and select Services: U.S. Service Academy Nominations for more information. Eligible applicants must be at least 17 years old, a U.S. citizen, have a strong academic background, proven leadership skills, and be of good moral character.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06)’s bill to reverse the Biden-Harris Administration’s ban on natural gas water heaters passed in the House of Representatives. Following the bill’s passage, Rep. Palmer released the following statement:

“In November, the American people gave the Republican party a mandate to put the people first. By passing H.J. Res 20, we are fulfilling that mandate,” said Rep. Palmer. “This is a major step towards undoing the previous administration’s attack on home appliances and reinstating the importance of consumer choice. Not only does this bill protect gas water heaters, but it protects all natural gas appliances. I look forward to seeing this bill pass in the Senate and eventually land on President Trump’s desk.”

H.J. Res 20 passed by a vote of 221 – 198 – 2.

Read more information on Rep. Palmer’s bill by reading this article from Fox Digital, or this article from Yellowhammer News.

Watch Rep. Palmer’s floor speech in favor of the bill here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) released the following statement after attending President Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress Tuesday night: 

“The days leading up to tonight’s joint address will be studied for decades,” Rep. Rose said. “President Trump has managed to secure our borders, restore our standing on the world stage, and cut billions in waste, fraud, and abuse in just 43 days. I, along with countless Tennesseans, am thrilled by the change he’s bringing to Washington.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) led a letter to Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the Department of Commerce to finalize robust tariffs on Indian ceramic tile imports. The tile manufacturing industry, which has a direct presence in the Upper Cumberland, has been negatively impacted by the unfair and uncompetitive trade practices of Indian tile exporters, threatening good-paying manufacturing jobs in Tennessee. 

The letter comes after the U.S. Department of Commerce announced in May the initiation of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on ceramic tile from India. Recently, Commerce published its primary determination in the countervailing duty investigation, which the signers argue should be reevaluated and revised. The antidumping duty investigation preliminary determination is expected in late November.

The letter says, “As the Department of Commerce continues its investigations, we urge the Department to properly assess the data and finalize robust duties on Indian ceramic tile imports. In order to solidify and stabilize domestic manufacturing, we must ensure American manufacturers have the upper hand in the market and prioritize their needs above all others.”

U.S. Rep. Rose released the following statement:

“Tennessee jobs are at risk due to India’s unfair and uncompetitive trade practices in the ceramic tile market,” said Rep. Rose. “Tennessee’s manufacturers deserve a fair shake on the world stage, and India’s underhanded subsidization and dumping of ceramic tile is upending the domestic market and hemming in American manufacturers. The Department of Commerce should use the tools at its disposal to aggressively counteract these nefarious trade practices to protect Tennessee jobs and domestic manufacturing.”

Read the full letter below and here: 

Dear Secretary Raimondo: 

On May 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce), through the International Trade Administration, announced the initiation of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on ceramic tile from India.  As you are aware, Commerce published its preliminary determination in the countervailing duty investigation on September 24, 2024. The Department announced its preliminary decision in the antidumping investigation on November 22, 2024.

In its preliminary countervailing duty determination, the Department determined Win-Tel Ceramics Private Limited receives a 3.05 percent subsidy, Antiqua Minerals receives a 3.15 percent subsidy, and all other exporters receive a 3.08 percent subsidy on Indian ceramic tile imports to the U.S.  However, it is clear these determinations should be reevaluated and revised to accurately portray the subsidization of products in the U.S. market. We understand the Department, oddly, decided to “penalize” the Indian Government’s lack of cooperation in Commerce’s inquiry into the provision of subsidized natural gas by adopting an inference that inadvertently benefited the Indian exporters and eliminated any natural gas tariff. The United Nations (UN) trade data utilized by Commerce was not comprehensive and failed to identify the ongoing natural gas subsidization for Indian tile production. Therefore, we urge the Department of Commerce to thoroughly examine petitioners’ comments and continue diligent antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of India-produced ceramic tiles before the nonextended final determination deadline on February 5, 2025.

Over the past decade, India’s tile sales in the U.S. increased from 344,000 square feet in 2013 to approximately 405 million square feet by the end of 2023. In April 2024, U.S. ceramic tile manufacturers sounded the alarm on Indian ceramic tile flooding the U.S. market and requested the imposition of an antidumping and countervailing duty. The industry estimated reasonable tariffs between 408 percent and 828 percent would offset India’s ongoing unfair advantages.  However, Commerce’s preliminary determination in the anti-subsidy investigation failed to fully and adequately examine important issues, including natural gas subsidies and the undisclosed affiliations of Indian producers. Meanwhile, Domestic manufacturers continue struggling against cheaper imports, losing their market footprint. We trust the Department will devote sufficient attention to Indian dumping prior to its final determination.

From 2022 – 2023, the volume of tile imported from India increased by 42.6 percent to over 404 million square feet, and India comprised 20.3 percent of the total tile imports to the U.S. by the end of 2023.  Moreover, between 2021 – 2023, the value of Indian tile imports increased significantly by more than $70 million.  Since 2022, India has handily driven down imports from Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico by hefty margins and has taken control of tile importers in the U.S.

Between 2013 and 2018, China accounted for 29 to 32 percent of ceramic import value in the U.S. Therefore, on June 1, 2020, the U.S. took action and imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on ceramic tile from China, ranging from 229.04 to 356.02 percent. As a result, Chinese tile imports dropped to 0.4 percent in 2020 and 0.1 percent in 2021 of the total U.S. title imports. India has bolstered itself as the dumping frontrunner and should be confronted with the same aggressive response to ensure stability and prosperity for American tile manufacturers.

As the Department of Commerce continues its investigations, we urge the Department to properly assess the data and finalize robust duties on Indian ceramic tile imports. In order to solidify and stabilize domestic manufacturing, we must ensure American manufacturers have the upper hand in the market and prioritize their needs above all others. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to engaging with you on this issue.

The letter was co-signed by U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02).

Background: 

Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District is home to multiple successful tile manufacturing companies: StonePeak Ceramics and Crossville Tile in Crossville, TN, Portobello America in Baxter, TN, and Colorobbia, USA in Cookeville, TN. While StonePeak is not headquartered in Tennessee, the company’s manufacturing division operates adjacent to Crossville Tile. 

Over the past decade, Indian tile sales to the U.S. skyrocketed from just over 340 thousand square feet to approximately 405 million square feet. In April 2024, U.S. ceramic tile manufacturers sounded the alarm and requested the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on Indian tile.

Domestic tile manufacturers are all too familiar with the dumping of foreign tile into the U.S. market. Between 2013 and 2018, China accounted for over 30 percent of ceramic tile import value. However, the U.S. took action to suppress the bloat of Chinese tile imports by imposing a definitive antidumping duty.  

Due to high product demand, employment in the ceramics industry in Tennessee has grown about 25 percent since 2018. Over this time period, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) has helped secure $350 million in capital investment for new ceramic-related location and expansion projects, along with more than 575 new job commitments. For more information about the ceramic tile industry in Tennessee, read here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06), the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, led a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler expressing concerns regarding Prometheum Capital’s “soft-launch” of custody services for Etherum. Representative Rose, who is a Member of both the House Committee on Agriculture Digital Assets Subcommittee and the House Committee on Financial Services Digital Assets Subcommittee, has consistently criticized the SEC and Chairman Gensler’s regulation-by-enforcement approach towards digital assets that have led to widespread confusion amongst industry participants. 

In the letter, the signers say that “Prometheum’s statements and actions with respect to ETH are misleading and have already caused confusion in the marketplace.” Prometheum has previously garnered the attention of Members of the House Financial Services Committee members for its serious national security and data privacy concerns. 

U.S. Rep. Rose released the following statement: 

“Players in the digital assets space deserve certainty from their regulators,” said Rep. Rose. “Yet under Chair Gensler they’ve only received chaos and confusion. I hope while Chair Gensler is cleaning out his office, he can heed our concerns seriously and maybe deliver some real guidance on his way out the door.” 

Read the full letter here:

“We write to express our continued concerns regarding Prometheum Capital’s (“Prometheum”) May 2024 “soft-launch” of custody services for Ethereum, and its stated intention to offer custodial services for Ethereum’s token, Ether (ETH).  As highlighted during the House Committee on Financial Services hearing in September, a special purpose broker-dealer (“SPBD”) registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is not permitted to custody or facilitate trading in digital assets that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or a court has not determined to be securities, including those sold as part of investment contracts. 

“As you know, the SEC effectively acknowledged that ETH is not a security when, in July 2024, it formally approved a number of Ethereum spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs).  In addition, the SEC amended its complaint against Binance to clarify that the term “crypto asset securities” does not apply to the digital assets themselves, and instead applies only to how a digital asset is sold. Such a determination has never been made by the SEC or a court with respect to the sales of ETH. Finally, we note that the SEC recently entered into a settlement with eToro, pursuant to which the company has been permitted by the SEC to continue to offer Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and ETH on its platform.   

“Prometheum, however, has publicly stated that ETH is a security, and that it intends to offer custodial services to retail investors. Following previous letters from Members of Congress to seek clarification on the SPBD requirements, it continues to be unclear to us how, as a SPBD approved by FINRA to custody securities only, Prometheum can custody ETH in compliance with SEC and FINRA rules, and why the SEC and FINRA continue to allow Prometheum to hold ETH out to the public as a security. As Chair Gensler acknowledged during his testimony before the Committee, SPBDs “are not allowed to custody non-securities,” yet that is precisely what Prometheum has done when it soft-launched its custodial services for ETH. 

“As Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture have emphasized on numerous occasions, Prometheum’s statements and actions with respect to ETH are misleading and have already caused confusion in the marketplace.  Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Chairman Rostin Benham has correctly pointed out that Prometheum’s actions have risked adding to the already considerable confusion market participants face when determining whether and how to comply with SEC and CFTC rules.  By allowing Prometheum to continue to falsely state or suggest that ETH is a security or has been sold as part of an investment contract and can be custodied by a registered SPBD, the SEC and FINRA are complicit in perpetuating confusion and uncertainty in the marketplace, which ultimately harms market participants and consumers. 

“The SEC’s and FINRA’s silence are irresponsible and continues to raise troubling questions as it relates to the SPBD requirements and process as well as the SEC’s and FINRA’s ability to oversee broker-dealers and ensure the market’s integrity.”

 

The letter was signed by Reps. French Hill (AR-02), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), William Timmons (SC-04) and Mike Flood (NE-01). 

Background: 

Prometheum is the first digital assets trading platform to receive a Special Purpose Broker Dealer license from the Securities and Exchange Commission, allowing for trading digital asset securities. Prometheum announced in early 2024 that it would offer Ethereum on its platform to retail investors, publicly claiming it is a security. Prometheum’s decision to offer Ethereum as a security does not align with what the SEC has indicated, since it has said Ethereum should be treated as a commodity. Additionally, the license granted to Prometheum only allows it to offer securities and not commodities. 

Earlier this year during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, Rep. Rose asked Chair Gensler whether a SEC-licensed platform could offer a commodity, to which he responded that a licensed platform could only offer securities. As a result, Prometheum’s continued offering of Ethereum appears to be completely misaligned with SEC guidance. Unfortunately, the SEC has made no attempt to offer clear guidance regarding whether Prometheum can offer Ethereum.

For more info, click here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) announced that members of his staff are participating in the House of Representatives’ historic election integrity effort known as the Election Observer Program. The Constitution grants each House of Congress the authority to “be the judge of the Elections, Returns, and Qualifications of its own Members.” The Election Observer Program deploys congressional observers—including members of Representative Rose’s staff—to election sites across the country to record on-the-ground, minute-by-minute, factual information for use during election contests.

Members of Representative Rose’s staff obtained training on how to properly observe election proceedings and administration. They will be on the election day site from the first vote being cast to the last vote being counted. For more information on the Election Observer Program, click here. 

Rep. Rose released the following statement: 
“Tennessee is the national leader for free and fair elections. I have deployed my staff to help ensure that other states are doing their part,” said Rep. Rose. “I am proud to have members of my staff spread throughout swing districts across the country ensuring Americans’ right to vote is safe and secure. Election integrity is of paramount importance to a functioning republic, and this is one tool in our toolbox to ensure Americans can have confidence and trust in the results.”

Background from the House Committee on House Administration: 
As of today, House Republicans have over 200 Republican congressional staffers signed up to participate from over 60 Member and Leadership offices and 12 full committees and subcommittees. The 2024 Election Observer Program is the most robust election integrity effort in House of Representatives history. 

As the issue of election integrity continues to rise to the forefront in voters’ minds, this program is more important than ever to ensure every lawful vote is counted in free, fair, and secure elections where the stakes are highest, including in races with serious election administration issues and in battleground districts where the majority is on the line.
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) introduced a House Resolution condemning President Biden’s remarks calling Trump supporters “garbage” during a pro forma session of Congress.

The resolution reads, “Whereas, on October 29, 2024, President Biden stated, ‘The only garbage I see floating around there is his supporters,’ referring to supporters of President Trump: Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the House of Representatives condemns President Biden’s remarks referring to President Trump’s supporters as “garbage.” Read the full text here. 

Rep. Rose released the following statement: 
“President Biden must be condemned for calling millions of Americans who support Donald Trump garbage,” said Rep. Rose. “First Democrats called half the country deplorables, now they are doubling down calling us garbage. Democrats’ disrespect for half the country’s views and opinions is exactly what is wrong with the leadership of extreme far-left liberals.”

Rep. Rose was joined in introducing the resolution by Reps. Keith Self (TX-03), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Brian Babin (TX-36), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Dan Meuser (PA-09) and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03).