On Watch in Washington

In This Issue:
GOP MOVES TO REPEAL HEALTHCARE
FDA TO START FOOD SAFETY OVERHAUL
STATES TARGET BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
COURT RULES CA CROSS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
GBAGBO STILL NOT PERSUADED TO STEP DOWN

GOP MOVES TO REPEAL HEALTHCARE
“Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. …the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (2 Tim. 2:5-7)
Pray for the lawmakers to proceed with integrity and wisdom as they challenge the health care law. Intercede for the Lord to guide their decisions.
House GOP sources told CNN that they plan to hold a critical procedural vote this Friday to repeal the health care law. As they claim the majority today, Republicans vow to waste no time in their intentions to unveil repeal legislation and appease voters’ frustration with the new law. The final House vote may take place as early as next Wednesday, but CNN predicts that the repeal is unlikely to pass the Senate.

“The fact that this will be taken up by the full House so soon without committee hearings will likely draw scorn from Democrats, since Republicans have pledged to make the House more open and transparent.

But, GOP sources insist the health care law has been litigated for two years, and say that they do intend to conduct health care hearings. Along with legislation for repeal will be instructions for key House committees to hold hearings on what new health care law should replace it.”

“Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), has made repealing Obamacare Congress' first priority this year. The House Rules Committee will meet this Thursday to begin a process leading to a January 12th vote on repeal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has written Boehner promising to block any repeal effort. Boehner, who has said ObamaCare will kill businesses "by a thousand cuts," hopes to kill the law outright, but if not, by a thousand legislative cuts, chipping away undesirable measures one at a time. Pro-lifers want to repeal measures in the law providing for abortion and its funding, but abortion advocates are already gearing up to stop them.”

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

Pray for all who are involved in the outcome of this decision, that they would proceed with wisdom and anticipate how the legislation will impact consumers and producers. Ask the Lord to guide the FDA as they make plans to implement regulations.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed legislation that gives the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to impose new measures to prevent contamination. The bill is thought to be the most massive overhaul of America’s food safety policies since 1938’s passage of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Officials predict that consumers will not notice any impact until three years from now, after the FDA finishes composing rules required by the legislation. The most immediate result may be higher food prices.

The legislation aims to produce faster recalls on unsafe food. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one out of every six Americans suffers from foodborne illness each year, and an estimated 3,000 die.

“The legislation gives the federal Food and Drug Administration the authority to impose new rules to prevent contamination and allows the agency to order, rather than simply suggest, the recall of tainted foods. It also authorizes the creation of a food tracking system to quickly pinpoint the source of outbreaks.

The legislation requires producers to assess ways in which their products could be contaminated and to take steps to prevent such problems. It also requires importers to verify the safety of all foods they bring into the country.”

STATES TARGET BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-8)
Intercede for state lawmakers as they consider citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. Pray that they would have an accurate interpretation of the constitution and govern wisely.
Arizona politicians joined with lawmakers from other states today to unveil legislation that will force federal courts to determine the constitutionality of granting citizenship to children of illegal immigrants under the 14th Amendment. At least 14 states stated they are committed to approving the legislation, and officials predict that at least seven states will pass bills similar to Arizona’s anti-illegal-immigrant bill, SB-1070.

“The draft bill defines who is and isn't a citizen of a particular state. But it also says that state citizenship doesn't carry with it any special rights, benefits, privileges or immunities under law. Babies born to illegal immigrants in states that pass the legislation would not be stripped of any of the current rights or benefits they receive, the lawmakers said.

Instead, the bill, if passed, is designed to draw a legal challenge from immigration advocates over the definition of a U.S. citizen and force the issue into the federal courts for clarification of the 14th Amendment.”

“The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.” (Psalm 19:9)

Pray for the federal court in San Diego to be granted understanding as they approach this case regarding the Mt. Soledad cross. Intercede that the Lord’s presence would guide the decisions of judges and give them a reverence for Christ Jesus.

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the 43-foot Mt. Soledad cross war memorial in San Diego violates the Establishment Clause and may need to be altered or moved. The ruling stated that the cross is the dominant feature of the memorial and “carries an inherently religious message [creating] an appearance of honoring only those servicemen of that particular religion.” The Latin cross – erected in 1913 and part of the historic landscape of San Diego – will now return to the federal court in San Diego for further debate.

Gbagbo Still Not Persuaded to Step Down
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.” (Prov. 28:2)
Pray for the Ivory Coast – for peace and safety for its citizens and any who may be in danger during this volatile standoff. Ask the Lord to soften the heart of President Laurent Gbagbo and to grant wisdom to neighboring African leaders as they help negotiate. Pray for strength for Christians in the Ivory Coast, that they would shine the light of Christ.
An African Union representative along with three representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met twice this week with self-declared Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo. Their goal was to convince Gbagbo to step down from power, but although the discussions are still underway, there is little evidence that are succeeding. The post-election standoff has brought the country dangerously close to renewed civil war.

An election observer in the Ivory Coast's November 28 election for the Carter Center offered a dour interpretation of Monday's events. "It doesn't look like he will take an offer from these leaders today, and that's a real problem, it's a tragedy," John Stremlau, told CNNI in a telephone interview. "He is being obstinate right now."

The leaders' apparent failure to make progress leaves the West African community with little recourse but to strengthen the U.N. presence, he said. "There has got to be a resolution of this, but it should not betray the wishes of the Ivorian people," he said.

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On Watch in Washington Editorial Team:
Dave Kubal | Nicole Arnoldbik | William Lee