Stuff in the News: Apache Land Swap, Min Wage, Native American Suicides, Gun Free Military Sites, Student Financial Aid

Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) joined lawmakers, religious leaders and members of the San Carlos Apache tribe at a Capitol Hill gathering this week on his bill to reverse the unjust Resolution Copper land giveaway included in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Grijalva’s bill, the Save Oak Flat Act, would cancel the mandated land swap that threatens the sacred Apache Leap site with environmental damage from nearby high-risk copper mining.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) and 28 of their colleagues introduced the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act today, which raises the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020.

Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) has re-introduced the Native American Suicide Prevention Act to more actively curtail the alarming rate of suicide amongst Native American populations. This cost-free legislation directs state or state-sponsored organization to make a reasonable effort to consult with Native American Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian organizations in the crafting and implementation of suicide intervention and prevention strategies.

Congressman Guinta joined a bipartisan group of legislators in support of H.R. 3115 – the Enhancing Safety at Military Installations Act – to repeal the ban on military personnel carrying firearms on bases and recruitment facilities. This legislation would require the Department of Defense to issue a directive permitting those in the Armed Forces who have received firearms training and are authorized to use firearms to carry military-issued firearms on bases and recruitment facilities. H.R. 3115 is supported by every member of the Tennessee delegation; and, currently has 17 cosponsors.

A bipartisan bill led by Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) in the 113th Congress was reintroduced. H.R. 3179 (H.R. 4984 in the 113th Congress), the Empowering Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act, will reform the current guidelines to require annual counseling for student borrowers and enhance their understanding of financial aid.