House GOPers Challenge Obama Administration Over Gitmo Closure

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Congressmen Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and other high ranking House Republicans Wednesday discussed a letter they sent to President Barack Obama outlining national security concerns raised by the administration's decision to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to prisons in the U.S.

"Throughout this year, a bipartisan majority in Congress has listened to the American people and voted against importing these dangerous terrorist into the U.S,” the letter stated. “Republicans want to work in a bipartisan way on a comprehensive plan to keep America safe, but we will not stand by as your administration defies the will of the American people and brings these terrorist to U.S. soil."

Rep. Hoekstra also introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on his pending bill H.R. 2294, the Keep Terrorists Out of America Act. The bill was introduced earlier this year by House Minority Leader John Boehner and would require the president to notify Congress 60 days prior to the transfer or release of any Guantanamo Bay detainee.

Got Dengue Fever? Blame Climate Change

By Travis Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

As if melting glaciers, higher sea levels and unpredictable weather weren't enough, because of global warming, the human race faces the potential spread of infectious diseases. A panel of climate experts on Monday discussed the possibility of this occurring in North America.

“Climate change will likely alter the current distribution of vectors and/or pathogens,” said Mary Hayden, a scientist with Centers for Disease Control. “Two major climate factors that promote the reproduction of infectious mosquitos are precipitation and temperature.”

Hayden predicts that by 2050, Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, will likely migrate from areas in Mexico to U.S. cities along the Eastern seaboard. Additionally, outbreaks of Dengue fever have already been reported in Key West, Florida.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing that Dengue Fever is increasing in number and severity. In Mexico alone, since 2005, there has been a 600 percent increase in cases, with no known vaccine,” said Hayden.

The panel used years of data that shows correlations between increased rainfall accumulations in Africa and the reproduction of water-thriving mosquitoes, with the spread of diseases including Dengue Fever, Malaria, Cholera and Hantavirus.

According to the World Health Organization's website: “Change in world climate would influence the functioning of many ecosystems and their member species. Likewise, there would be impacts on human health. Some of these health impacts would be beneficial. For example, milder winters would reduce the seasonal winter-time peak in deaths that occurs in temperate countries, while in currently hot regions a further increase in temperatures might reduce the viability of disease-transmitting mosquito populations. Overall, however, scientists consider that most of the health impacts of climate change would be adverse.”

The panel on Monday urged Congress to develop a comprehensive disease control and monitoring system that will help combat the onset of diseases that have increased in recent years.

“I believe Congress should be focused on our ability to monitor and track diseases generally, but particularly with diseases related to climate change,” said panelist Lynn Goldman, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Right now we are doing a good job, but certainly monitoring can be very much improved.”

Alliance For Health Reform Concerned About House Bill's Effect On Children's Health Insurance

By Travis Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

In a panel discussion hosted by The Alliance For Health Reform, area analysts on Friday discussed the recently passed House health care reform bill and its potential impact on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Senior Researcher with the Urban Institute Stan Dorn argued that cutting CHIP entirely would force poverty stricken families to seek alternate insurance options through work-based insurers, which may not guarantee coverage.

“Why would somebody who loves children want to end the CHIP program, because it’s less certain subsidies would be guaranteed for Medicaid in both House and Senate bills... it will bring less complexity and higher paying rates for providers,” said Dorn. “But keeping CHIP around would actually save money by CBO standards...with states knowing the program will stay around through 2019, they will become more likely to invest.”

The panel lauded the successes of CHIP, a program which Congress earlier this year extended until 2013, alloting $32 billion to be used for the renewal.

Jocelyn Guyer with Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute praised CHIP and Medicaid as two affordable outlets for families that reduce childrens' health care costs.

“We really are making extraordinary progress on children and there certainly is more to be done. Increasingly the conversation also is turning to how do we make sure coverage is translated to access, but there certainly is a strong base at which to build,” said Guyer.

U.S. Needs To Bolster Cybersecurity, Says Former Homeland Security Official

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Former Homeland Security Council Chairman Frances Fragos Townsend Thursday examined national security threats that continue to challenge the U.S. government, particularly in the arena of cybersecurity.

“We need the personnel we have inside the U.S. government with technical backgrounds in intelligence agencies who will be collectors who know how to ask the right questions,” said Townsend during a key-note address at the Heritage Foundation.

Townsend said that one of her last tasks as council chair was a $17 billion push for enhanced cyber security. However, Townsend explained that while the funds are now available, hiring new personnel will pose an obstacle since the U.S. will be drawing from a pool of employees who have experience in the private sector and could thus come to the jobs with conflicting interests.

Townsend also called for technical advancement in the analysis of security risks posed by weapons of mass destruction, either by a state or non-state actors. One of these risks, according to Townsend, is detecting those responsible.

“There has to be a degree of certainty on who you’re going to respond to,” said Townsend.

Dodd Releases 'Sweeping' Financial Reform Package

By Travis Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) released his version of "sweeping" financial reform on Tuesday. Dodd's proposal will restructure and create a new architecture to the financial regulatory system.

“It is the job of the Congress to restore responsibility and accountability in our financial system to give Americans the confidence that there is a system in place that works for and protects them,” said Dodd during a press conference.

The 1100-page draft would create a new independent watchdog within the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency. It would also allow for a single financial federal regulator whose job it would be to end “too big to fail” companies and protect businesses and individuals from systemic risks.

“Our plan will stop abusive practices by creating an independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency with one mission: standing up for consumers,” said Dodd.

While Dodd's proposal differs from those put forth by the House Financial Services Committee and the White House, it would address the substantial problems that helped cause America's financial crisis.

Dodd told reporters he hopes to move the bill through committee during the first weeks of December. In the meantime he said, he will be welcoming Republican suggestions on the legislation.