THE
DAILY BRIEF: Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Irma spun into a monster storm Tuesday morning with sustained winds topping 180 mph, becoming the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, National Hurricane Center forecasters said in their 11 a.m. advisory. As the hurricane churns closer to the U.S. coast, its path becomes more certain, with South Florida, particularly the Keys, increasingly likely to take a hit. Tropical storm force winds could arrive as early as Friday. Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties and has all 7,000 members of the state's National Guard to report to duty on Friday.
Because Irma is so large, forecasters urged caution in paying too much attention to its exact track. The storm is continuing to roll west at 14 mph, with winds expected to begin battering the Leeward Islands today. A powerful high pressure ridge is steering the storm and will likely stay in place over the next few days, forecasters said. In five days, a trough moving across the U.S. should begin weakening the western edge of the ridge, allowing the storm to slide north. Where Irma makes the turn will determine impacts to Florida. (Read more)
- Father, in Your mercy, we ask You to sheer off the strength of this storm and protect all the people in its path. We pray it will turn north quickly and do the least harm possible.
- "Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalm 32:6-7)
2. North Korea Nuclear Progress Puts Iran on Renewed Pathway to Bomb - Washington Fee Beacon
U.S. officials are closely monitoring an ongoing meeting between senior North Korean and Iranian officials that comes on the heels of a nuclear test by Pyongyang, according to senior Trump administration officials and other sources who expressed concern that North Korea is helping to put the Islamic Republic back on the pathway to a functional nuclear weapon.
Sources told the Washington Free Beacon that Pyongyang continues to stockpile illicit nuclear material on Iran's behalf in order to help the Islamic Republic skirt restrictions implemented under the landmark nuclear deal. North Korea's latest nuclear test of a hydrogen bomb has roiled Trump administration officials and led President Donald Trump to consider multiple options for war. However, it also has renewed fears among U.S. officials and foreign policy insiders about Pyongyang's long-standing relationship with Iran, which centers on providing the Islamic Republic with nuclear technology and know-how. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Your wisdom to rest on President Trump, his administration and military leaders as they develop plans to contain both Iran and North Korea. Lord, we also pray for the people of these nations, that they would be set free from oppression and come to know You as Lord and Savior.
- "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16)
3. Trump faults Obama for immigration program: 'Young Americans have dreams, too' - Washington Times
President Trump said Tuesday he's eager to solve the challenge of illegal young immigrants "with heart and compassion," but he could not allow former President Barack Obama's illegal and dangerous amnesty program to continue. "In referencing the idea of creating new immigration rules unilaterally, President Obama admitted that 'I can't just do these things by myself' - and yet that is exactly what he did, making an end-run around Congress and violating the core tenets that sustain our Republic," Mr. Trump said in a statement.
The administration announced Tuesday it is ending the program known as DACA, which allowed illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to be shielded from deportation. Mr. Trump said only Congress can make immigration law. "There can be no path to principled immigration reform if the executive branch is able to rewrite or nullify federal laws at will," Mr. Trump said. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Congress will finally act to legislate immigration reform. We pray the final bill will protect and prioritize the interests of American citizens while offering a streamlined guest worker and naturalization process.
- "You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 24:22)
4. Armed with new data, committees ready to ratchet up investigations into Trump's ties with Russia - Washington Times
The progress congressional investigators have made this summer comes into sharp focus this week as House and Senate committees return to work to ratchet up the legal and political clash into any possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin - and whether Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's allies tried to falsely fan the story. During Congress's summer recess, investigators have interviewed key government and Trump campaign figures, received thousands of pages of documents and traveled to London to track down the former British spy who prepared the salacious, unverified dossier on Donald Trump's supposed activities in Russia.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence are all running probes parallel to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference and any coordination between members of the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. Democrats have focused on suspected Kremlin links and well-documented Russian hacking efforts. Some key Republicans are increasingly pursuing a vastly different narrative: that the Obama administration spied on Trump campaign and transition personnel, first to aid Mrs. Clinton and, after her stunning election loss, to smear Mr. Trump and undercut the legitimacy of his victory. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for a quick end to these investigations. We pray for individuals of integrity to come forward and tell the whole truth.
- "Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye." (Psalm 35:19)
5. Menendez corruption case puts other Democrats at legal risk, sidelines senator for trial - Washington Times
As Sen. Robert Menendez prepares to face corruption charges, Republicans are confident and Democrats fearful that the taint of a weekslong trial will snare other prominent Democrats in New Jersey and Washington. The trial kicks off Wednesday in New Jersey, where the 11-year incumbent senator is accused of using his office to try to assist and protect a longtime friend, Dr. Salomon Melgen, in disputes with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
One high-profile Democrat already has been caught in the backwash. Former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, who retired last year, was fingered as trying to help Mr. Menendez in his efforts to derail a federal probe of Melgen. "Who knows who else will be implicated, but it's clear now that the corruption extended beyond Menendez's office," said Michael Ahrens, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee. "It's just as stunning that no Senate Democrat has said Menendez should resign immediately if convicted." (Read more)
- Father, we lift up Senator Menendez, who has always stood for Your people, Israel. We pray his trial will be quick and fair and for You to encourage his spirit.
- But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. (Psalm 3:3)
6. In Texas, Concerns About Damage To Flooded Toxic Waste Sites - NPR
Officials are still trying to confirm whether Texas floodwaters have spread contamination from decades-old toxic waste sites, as water recedes and residents return to homes that, in some cases, were flooded with water that passed over known contaminated areas. The Environmental Protection Agency says 13 Superfund sites were flooded and potentially damaged by Hurricane Harvey. In addition to two sites determined to be undamaged over the weekend, the EPA said Monday that personnel had inspected the Highland Acid Pit, U.S. Oil Recovery and the San Jacinto Waste Pits, but did not announce results of those inspections.
The agency said earlier in the day it had not been able to inspect eight other sites yet: Bailey Waste Disposal, French LTD, Geneva Industries/Fuhrmann Energy, Gulfco Marine Maintenance, Malone Services, Patrick Bayou, Petro-Chemical Systems and Triangle Chemical. EPA spokesperson Liz Bowman wrote in a statement on Monday, "EPA teams are in place to investigate possible damage to these sites as soon flood waters recede, and personnel are able to safely access the sites." NPR found little or no water left around three of the remaining sites on Sunday. (Read more)
- Father, we lift up this situation to You and pray dangerous chemicals have not and will not leach from these sites.
- "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them." (Psalm 89:11)
7. Colonial gasoline pipeline that supplies DC and New York returning to service after Harvey - Washington Examiner
The Colonial Pipeline that supplies gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel from the Gulf Coast to Washington, D.C., is returning to service following flooding that shuttered refinery capacity after Hurricane Harvey. Operators of the Colonial Pipeline reported Monday night its Line 2 had resumed transporting refined oil products from Houston to locations east. The company said it plans to restart a portion of its Line 1 pipeline between Houston and Lake Charles, La., by Tuesday.
"We have been working diligently and expeditiously to complete the repair work and restore service following Hurricane Harvey and the unprecedented flooding in the Gulf Coast last week," the company that operates the pipeline said in a statement. The 5,500-mile pipeline is a major supply artery, linking 100 million gallons per day of refined fuels from Gulf Coast refiners to markets in the Southeast and north to the Mid-Atlantic states, all the way to Washington and New York City. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for restoring this major pipeline. We pray the Gulf energy producers will be able to restore their operations quickly.
- "You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth." (Psalm 71:20)
8. Trump Picks Oklahoma Congressman To Head NASA - NPR
President Trump's pick for the next leader of NASA is a fighter pilot who wants Americans to return to the moon but doesn't believe that humans are causing climate change. Rep. Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma has to be confirmed by the Senate before taking charge of NASA, and the two senators who represent Florida's Space Coast have already publicly objected to the choice of a politician as head of the space agency. Bridenstine is a Republican congressman who was elected in 2012 after working as executive director of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum & Planetarium. He's a veteran Navy combat pilot who served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who currently serves in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.
As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Bridenstine has focused on trying to revitalize NASA, with his American Space Renaissance Act. He's spoken out against space junk, calling the problem of orbital debris "absolutely huge. It's a problem that cannot be ignored any longer." (Read more)
- Father, we pray Representative Bridenstine will effectively lead and revitalize NASA. We pray for his replacement to be a man or woman of integrity and represent the state of Oklahoma well.
- "So I took the wise and respected men you had selected from your tribes and appointed them to serve as judges and officials over you." (Deuteronomy 1:15)
9. 'Truly miraculous': Virginia abortion facility is about to undergo a serious transformation - The Blaze
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington plans to transform a former abortion facility in Manassas, Virginia, into a free medical clinic for those in need, the diocese recently announced on its website. Catholic News Agency reported that the former Amethyst Women's Health Center averaged 1,300 abortion procedures each year. In 2013, local pro-life activists learned that the widowed owner of the abortion clinic was open to closing the facility but "felt trapped" because she needed to sell the building in order to retire. So they raised the funds necessary to purchase the building with the goal of turning it into a free medical clinic.
A spokesperson for the diocese said in a statement that the clinic will utilize volunteer nurses and doctors to offer medical care to those without health insurance. It will offer other free services such as "counseling, emergency assistance and referrals for workforce development and immigration support." The spokesperson added that they want to "offer a form of redemption to the space that once served such a sad and dark purpose. We are excited to bring new life and a bright future to this location," the spokesperson said. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for an end to abortion in our nation. Open our minds to the wonder of Your creation within us, causing us to love and protect the unborn.
- "So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:21)
10. Woman appeals being fired for observing Passover - WND
A woman contesting her firing by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority - for observing the Passover - is taking her complaint to the nation's highest court. The Becket Fund, which has pursued the case brought by Susan Abeles with friend-of-the-court briefs, warns of the consequences of allowing her termination to stand. "Talk about chutzpah," said Eric Rassbach, deputy general counsel at Becket.
The controversy developed because Jewish religious law prohibits work during the first two and the last two days of Passover.
"Despite following the MWAA's leave policy for decades, Ms. Abeles was accused of not following protocol and forced into retirement in 2013. She sued the MWAA, which claims it is exempt from both the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Virginia religious freedom laws, giving it free rein to avoid all anti-discrimination laws," the group said. "The Airports Authority claiming to be above the law adds insult to injury," said Rassbach. "The Supreme Court should take this case to ensure that people of all faiths can observe their deeply held beliefs in the federal workplace without facing discrimination or being forced out of their jobs." (Read more)
- Lord, there is no excuse for this attitude against federal law. We ask for a reversal of this decision and pray for You to bring repentance to these agencies.
- "For behold, Your enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered." (Psalm 92:9b)
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