CHANGES

Trump's Advantageous Changes for AMERICA

Anti-illegal immigration lawyers come to Trump's defense, 'long overdue' - Washington Examiner

Outgunned and outnumbered for years by pro-immigration groups in the courts, a new network of pro-border lawyers is coming to the rescue in President Trump's battle to end illegal immigration and limit the number of immigrants from terror-prone nations. Called "Attorneys United for a Secure America," the three-month-old initiative already has showed its muscle in fights involving the president's travel ban and war on sanctuary cities. "This is about making the immigration system work for Americans again. For too long I think we've been concerned about how it's working for other people," said attorney Sarah R. Rehberg, who heads up the project for the Washington-based Immigration Reform Law Institute.

"This is long overdue," [Rehberg] said in an interview. "It's been tough. The opposition has been attacking everything that this administration does left and right. Now we're hopeful that cooler heads may prevail at the U.S. Supreme Court, but until then of course it's going to be an uphill battle," Rehberg said. The network helps to link lawyers with those seeking to help the administration or fight pro-immigration groups in courts. "Our network connects attorneys from all parts of the country who are interested in putting the needs of the American people first when it comes to enforcing U.S. immigration law," according to the group's website.

Jessica M. Vaughan, the policy director for the Center for Immigration Studies, said, "The anti-borders side has long relied on 'lawfare' instead of lawmaking to push its cause and to push the interests of those who have abused our immigration laws." She added that "having an organized group of lawyers who have signed up to defend immigration laws that protect the national interest and the interests of American citizens, and who share information and strategies is critical to fight rogue judges, sanctuary politicians and possibly future administrations that try to undermine the will of the people."

- Father, we pray Your blessing upon this network of attorneys to help re-establish law and order in our nation.

Sessions Says 'Zero Tolerance' For Illegal Border Crossers, Vows To Divide Families

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Monday that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security will partner to prosecute anyone illegally crossing the southwest border and separate children from parents.

In two speeches before law enforcement officials in Arizona and California, Sessions expanded on the "zero tolerance" policy against illegal immigration he first announced last month.

"If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It's that simple," said Sessions. "If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you don't like that, then don't smuggle children over our border."

Sessions' announcement comes as immigration officials are seeing a new surge in illegal border crossings.

- For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:7)

Drug prices drop, Trump crackdown credited - Washington Examiner

Efforts by President Trump's team to halt the unstoppable surge in drug prices appear to be paying off, according to several agencies and healthcare officials. Drug maker Merck, for example, said prices dropped 1.9 percent last year. According to Adam Schechter, Merck's president of Global Human Health, the report proves that "the competitive marketplace for pharmaceuticals is working." What's more, the Food and Drug Administration approved more generics, 1,027, than in any year ever.

The radical change in drug prices and availability, however, hasn't won many headlines, frustrating Trump allies. "The mainstream media hasn't given Trump any credit," said one. One of the stars of the change is FDA chief Scott Gottlieb. Key to changing the FDA's culture has been Gottlieb's embrace of Trump's push to cut regulations and slow the development of new ones. Gottlieb, for example, issued the fewest new rules in 20 years. And over at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, drug company price gouging has been under attack. In a celebrated case, CMS Administrator Seema Verma required Mylan to give bigger price discounts on the EpiPen, the poster child for egregious pricing behavior, resulting in savings for the federal government and states.

- Father, thank You for lifting this burden off our people. We pray our people will look to You, as Lord and healer, for all their needs.

- Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Help of Faith Based Organizations Surges

- Christian Post Over 13.7 million people have been provided with health care and other social services offered by faith-based organizations this past year thanks to President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order protecting religious liberty last year, a new analysis has found. Marking the first anniversary of Trump's signing of an executive order promoting free speech and religious liberty on May 4, 2017, the social conservative advocate group Family Research council released a fact sheet detailing the impact that the order has made in its first year. The report declares that the order, which was praised heavily be FRC and other social conservative groups at the time of its passing, "has had a tangible impact on the protection and priority of religious freedom throughout the executive branch over the past twelve months." Prior to the order, Christian institutions, business owners, federal contractors and even military chaplains who operate with traditional Christian views on issues like marriage and abortion were fearful of how Obama-era regulations and liberal interpretation of discrimination law would impact their businesses or careers. According to the analysis compiled by the the director of FRC's Center for Religious Liberty, Travis Weber, the order in unison with ensuing federal policy changes has protected the rights of dozens on faith-based schools and hundreds of faith-based organizations and nonprofits.

Last Thursday on the National Day of Prayer, Trump signed a new executive order "to ensure that the faith-based and community organizations that form the bedrock of our society have strong advocates in the White House and throughout the Federal Government." The order effectively created a new White House office called the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. The initiative will be led by whoever is appointed to fill the new position of advisor to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. "Unlike past offices, Trump's emphasis is giving faith groups a stronger voice on areas like poverty, religious liberty, education, family, prisoner reform, mental health, and human trafficking," FRC President Tony Perkins said in a statement. "This White House wants religious groups and organizations to have 'strong advocates' across the federal government - which is a radical departure from the presidents of the past.

- Father, we pray every Christian will become informed about these executive orders, and the wonderful impact they have had for religious freedom and improving people's lives.

- If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people (1 Chronicles 13:2)