House passes pro-union bill after 20 Republicans defy party, in latest move to bypass GOP leadership

Washington — House Democrats, with the help of several Republicans, bypassed GOP leadership on Tuesday to force a successful vote on legislation that would accelerate negotiations on newly-formed unions’ first collective bargaining agreements.  The legislation, titled the Faster Labor Contracts Act, was introduced in September by Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross of New Jersey. It passed in a 230 to 193 vote, with 20 Republicans voting in favor.  In late April, Norcross launched a discharge petition, seeking to bring the bill to the floor.

The procedural maneuver allows members to circumvent leadership and force a floor vote on legislation if they secure a majority support — 218 signatures. The petition hit the threshold within a month, with seven Republicans signing on.  Norcross’ discharge petition is the seventh this session to hit the threshold, a sign of discontent with GOP leadership.  The measure would amend the National Labor Relations Act and require employers to begin contract negotiations with newly-certified unions within 10 days of receiving a written request. It also sets a timeline for mediation and lays out next steps if no agreement is reached after 90 days. 

“Right now, employers can delay negotiations on first contracts for years,” Norcross said in a statement in April, adding that his bill “will force employers to act in good faith and come to the negotiating table quickly.”  During debate on the bill, GOP Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan argued the measure would fast-track “government intrusion into private workplaces” and erode “workers’ rights faster than we have ever seen before.”  “It is the latest attempt to put workers under the thumb of the federal bureaucrats,” Walberg said, referring to the arbitration process laid out in the bill. 

Source: House passes pro-union bill after 20 Republicans defy party, in latest move to bypass GOP leadership – CBS News

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Acts 1:8

The Distraction of Fear

Fear has a way of making tomorrow feel more real than today. But you were never meant to live inside a future that hasn’t happened yet,…

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Secret Service shoots armed man near White House; as Trump holds business event inside

the white house in autumn

Secret Service officers engaged an armed man near the White House on Monday in what turned into a shootout that left the suspect and a juvenile bystander injured, according to the agency. The incident unfolded a few blocks south of the White House, along the National Mall and near the Washington Monument, when plainclothes agents on patrol “identified a suspicious individual that appeared to have a firearm,” Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn said during a press briefing.

After spotting the “visual print of a firearm” on the suspect, the plainclothes agents called in support from uniformed Secret Service police. 

“Upon making contact, that individual fled briefly on foot, withdrew a firearm and fired in the direction of our agents and officers,” Quinn said. 

Secret Service officers returned fire and struck the suspect, who was transported to a local hospital.  

Source: Secret Service shoots armed man near White House — as Trump holds business event inside

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:35-36

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Van Drives Through White House Barricade, Driver Apprehended

elegant view of the white house in washington dc

A driver has been apprehended after a van drove through a barricade near the White House early Wednesday morning, according to police. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told Newsweek that officers were assisting the U.S. Secret Service after the incident at Connecticut Avenue and H Street, Northwest at around 6.37am ET.

Source: Van Drives Through White House Barricade, Driver Apprehended – Newsweek

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10

Cougar spotted roaming Minnesota community

Forty miles west of Minneapolis, Howard Lake mixes water recreation with country living. But a couple weeks ago, the small town got a visit from an unexpected feline guest. A security camera captured video of what appears to be a cougar strolling through a neighborhood.  “Generally, it’s pretty quiet. People like to get out on their four-wheelers…

Older article but awesome; Photographer captures rare white loon in Canada

Waterfowl on lakes and rivers are a common sight. But it’s the not-so-common loon that when seen in person is often the apple of a photographer’s eye, especially for Chris Whitty. “I’ve been taking pictures of loons and birds on the various lakes for a long time,” he said. Capturing wildlife on camera is one…

Dangers of the Deep: Tracking Sharks Along the New York Coast

New shark-spotting technology has been on full display this summer—and for good reason. With shark activity on the rise, the Nassau County Police Marine Bureau is on the front lines, using new technology to patrol local waters and help keep beachgoers safe. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reports from Lido Beach, New York. Source: Dangers…

Warning from wildlife expert after Wisconsin bear attack

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the hospital. What You Need To Know The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the…

Roseville bear sighting reported a day after Rocklin alert

A bear was spotted in Roseville on Wednesday morning, one day after police in neighboring Rocklin issued an alert about a similar sighting. Roseville Fire said the bear was seen near Foothills Boulevard between Blue Oaks Boulevard and Pleasant Grove Boulevard. Roseville police said they received three reports of a bear sighting, all between 2…

Over half a dozen sharks seen on video near popular Maine beach in two days

More than half a dozen white sharks have been spotted close to shore in Scarborough, Maine over a 48-hour period, prompting warnings and increased monitoring near a popular beach. The sightings have generated interest from both beachgoers and biologists. Scarborough Marine Resource Officer Daryen Granata said many of the sharks spotted in the area are…

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