Newser | JK Rowling Goes Biblical on Mike Pence Newser On Sunday, Rowling retweeted a December 2015 tweet in which Mike Pence said "calls to ban Muslims from entering the US are offensive and unconstitutional," per Mashable. Rowling's commentary on Pence's tweet was a single biblical quote: "For what will ... JK Rowling slams Mike Pence with a Bible verse |
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"Life is winning," Pence declared Friday at the March for Life rally in Washington.
His address to the anti-abortion rally marked the highest ranking US official to speak to the group in person. It's also not the first time he has addressed the group.
"More than 240 years ago, our founders wrote words that have echoed through the ages. They declared these truths to be self-evident, that we are all endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," he said to a sizable crowd who braved the cold for the speeches.
Pence referenced the Supreme Court case of Roe vs. Wade, saying the court had "abandoned" ideals in the first amendment but now things were turning around with the new administration.
"That is evident in the election of pro-life majorities in the congress of the United States of America. But it is no more evident in any way than in the historic election of a president who stands for a stronger America, a more prosperous America, and a president who I proudly say stands for the right to life," the vice president said, joined by his wife, Second Lady Karen Pence, and daughter, Charlotte.
It was friendly territory for the former Indiana governor, whom many viewed as an evangelical and conservative Christian presence on the Republican ticket. Pence spoke often and freely of his opposition to abortion on the campaign trail, which is deeply linked to his Christian faith.
Friday's message follows President Donald Trump re-signing the so-called Mexico City executive order, banning non-governmental groups from performing and promoting abortions.
In one of his biggest solo appearances on the campaign trail in October, Pence received a standing ovation from Liberty University students as he declared, "I'm pro life and I don't apologize for it."
During his speech, Pence said, "I believe a society can be judged by how it deals with its most vulnerable. The aged. The infirm. The disabled. And the unborn."
Pence promised on the trail that if elected, he and Trump would "embrace a culture of life in America" and sign a bill banning late-term abortions.
He also promised to uphold the Hyde Amendment, which he said would prevent the use of taxpayer dollars to fund "that which millions of Americans find to be morally objectionable."
During the Voter Values Summit in September, Pence told a Washington ballroom of conservative activists that he would "send Roe versus Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs," a line that elicited cheers and applause to the hundreds of attendees. The line was a constant crowd-pleaser on the trail ranging from Iowa to Florida.
Pence, who described himself on the stump as "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican," said at the time, "I'm truly grateful for Donald Trump's strong commitment to the sanctity of life. He understands the moral imperative of advancing the cause of life, and we've spoken of it many times."
He also frequently referenced his anti-abortion rights initiatives as governor of Indiana, pointing to millions of dollars of additional funding that he provided to crisis pregnancy centers so that "women facing crisis pregnancy have more choices before them and can choose life."
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Vice President Mike Pence speech right at home at March for Life - CNN
An old assertion of Vice President Mike Pences raised eyebrows over the weekend as it emerged from the annals of Twitter and stood as a direct contradiction to President Donald Trumps new executive order banning immigration from Muslim-majority countries.
Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional, then-governor Pence tweeted at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 8, 2015.
Pence even went so far as to double-down on those comments later that same day in northwest Indiana, telling reporters: The United States cannot, and should not discriminate on the basis or religion.
The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of our constitutional guarantees for all persons in this country, he concluded.
Read: Giuliani says Trump asked him how to legally ban Muslims
While some outlets have reported that Pence deleted the tweet amidst Trumps current agenda, it remains archived on his gubernatorial Twitter page.
The irony of the more than year-old statement was not lost on the internet, where Pence was hung out to dry.
Governor Mike Pence with some strong words for Vice President Mike Pence, wrote user Josh Jordan.
Pences surprising declaration was unearthed mere hours after the new VP stood behind President Trump, smiling and clapping as the POTUS signed an executive order barring travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries from coming into the U.S. for the next 90 days.
This report originally appeared in NYPost.com.
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New life for Mike Pence's tweet calling Muslim ban 'offensive and unconstitutional' - MarketWatch
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PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. Criminal-sentencing reform proponents in Congress are hopeful that Vice President Mike Pence will be an ally, helping them towork with thenew law-and-order administration to pass legislation to cut mandatory minimum sentencing for drug-law offenders.
Ive got reason to be hopeful, House Oversight Committee ChairmanJason Chaffetz told reporters at a morning session of the Seminar Network, a large group of wealthy libertarian and conservative donors gathered in Palm Springs by Charles and David Koch.
Pence and President Donald Trump ran a campaignwith a frequent law and order theme, includingpromises to crack down on violent crimeandto help communities hit by the scourge of opioid addiction. His pick to lead the Department of Justice, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has been a stanch congressional opponent of federal-level reform, maintaining thatthe problem of over-criminalization is at the state not federal level.(RELATED: Three Republican Senators Kick Off Kochs First Massive Donor Conference In Age Of Trump)
Speaking to reporters alongside Sen. Mike Lee, also of Utah, Chaffetz said, Gov.Pence, having been a governor,he understands this. In the end, hes done some wise things. And Ialso think you you will see concertedsupport from conservative governorswho will buoy up any support in the White House.
If youregoing to be toughon crime, you better be smart about it. And there are hardened criminals who do need tospend the rest of their lives in prison.
But, he added, we need to fix the problem of repeat offenders spending years in prison for drug crimes.
Doug Deason,aSeminar Network donor with an interest in sentencing reform, highlighted the White Houses new legislative director, Marc Short, as anotherreason to be hopeful. Before joining the administration, Short was a longtime adviser to Pence and a lead deputy in the libertarian Koch network. He cares passionately about criminal justice reform, Deasonsaid.
Deason, a Texas businessman who is president ofDeason Capital Services, was lessenthusiastic about Sessions, telling reporters,Im glad they got him out of the Senate, they got him out of the way!
Chaffetz defended Sessions, however,pointing to the Fairness in Sentencing Act the Alabama senator shepherded through in 2010, reducing the difference between sentencesfor crack cocaine and powder cocaine.
Ithink last year we were caught up in presidential politics and Ithink hes in a different position now, Chaffetz said.
Criminal-sentencing reform isa tricky business with no guarantees. Right now, the prospects for such legislation seem good, given that lawmakers from both parties have been wrangling with a reform bill for months, Politico reportednearly two years ago, in July 2015.(RELATED: Mike Lee Is Certain The Senate Will Confirm TrumpsSupreme Court Nominee)
We were so closelast time, Lee, a member of the SenateCommittee on the Judiciary, lamented toreporters at the seminar.
Aclose friend of Sen. Ted Cruz, Leeurged Trump to quit in October and declined to endorse him throughout the election. Chaffetz went back and forth, endorsing, then withdrawing afterthe publication of a video showing Trump making lewd sexual comments, then deciding to vote for him without endorsing.I will not defend or endorse [Trump], but I am voting for him, Chaffetz tweetedat the end of Octover. [Hillary Clinton] is that bad. [Clinton]is bad for the USA.
Both menrepresent Utahs quieter, more conflict-adverse, Mormon Republican electorate.
Held twicea year, the seminars are a gathering place for the Seminar Network,a large group of wealthy donorsinterested in libertarian causes. This weekends seminar, held in thetemperate desert outside of Los Angeles, will be the first since Trumps election and inauguration. The network spent hundreds of millions on advertising and advocacy for limited-government politicians namely, Republicans running forthe U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, but notablystayed out of the presidential primaries and race. The network is co-chaired by Charles Koch Institute President Brian Hooks and Mark Holden, generalcounsel for Koch Industries.(RELATED:As Trump Presidency Dawns, Kochs Plan To Bring Hundreds Of Millions To Bear On Next Two Years)
Called A Time to Lead, the meeting is hosted at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa, and is focused on local, grassroots initiatives Americans can take inwhat Hooks called the key institutions of society education, community, business and government.(RELATED:Charles Koch Calls For Action: We Might Not Have An Opportunity Again Like We Have Today)
There are around 550 individuals included in the principals network meeting, which requires at least $100,000 donation to the network. In addition to these invited people, there are approximately 150 staff and speakers, Seminar Network spokesman James Davis told reporters. There is also a larger press presence than any previous conference has allowed.
FollowBedfordonTwitter
Editors Note: Christopher Bedford was a fellow at the Charles KochInstitute in 2010.
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Want Drug-Sentencing Reform? Look To Mike Pence, Congressman Says - Daily Caller
The Bicentennial Plaza at the Indiana State House is ready to be enjoyed by the public. The plaza is centered on the intersection of Senate Avenue and Robert D. Orr Plaza. The new Plaza creates a public space that can be used by government center employees, along with all citizens and visitors to Indiana. The design is intended to make the Plaza an engaging space that includes a water feature and two public art pieces, one representing elements of the Torch and another as a figurative interpretation of a time capsule. (Photo: Matt Kryger/IndyStar)Buy Photo
Vice President Mike Pence has a new home in Washington, D.C.,and an office in the White House, but back in Indiana, state officials are still scrambling to figure out how to pay for several bicentennial construction projects Pence initiated as governor without a solid financing plan.
At issue are $53.5 million in new projects Pence sought as part of the states 200th birthday celebration last year. They included a new $2 million Bicentennial Plaza at the Indiana Statehouse, a $2.5 million education center at the neighboring State Library, a new $25 million state archives building and a $24 million inn at Potato Creek State Park in St. Joseph County.
Construction on the plaza with its two large sculptures and water features and the education center already are complete. Some design workfor the archives building also has occurred. So far, the state has spent more than $5 million.
Skeptical lawmakers allowed Pence to spend taxpayer money on the projects as part of the state's 200th birthday celebration after he assured them he could pay for projectsby leasing excess space on the Indiana's 340 state-owned cell towers.
But two years after those assurances were made,a cell tower deal has yet to materialize.
Now, Gov. Eric Holcomb, Pence's successor and fellow Republican,is trying to find a way to fill the $5.5 million hole thoseprojects left in the state budget.
He initially proposed dipping into a fund traditionally reserved for public health initiatives, but is now reworking that plan after questions from IndyStar.
The need to find $5.5 million for the bicentennial projects comes at a time when Holcomb is already grappling witha $378 million revenue shortfall compared to what lawmakers had originally budgeted for this year.
"We did the projects. We have to pay for the projects," said Stephanie Wilson, Holcomb's spokeswoman.
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A Pence spokesman did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
In the two-year state spending plan Holcomb sent to lawmakers earlier this month, he sought to use money from the state's Tobacco Master Settlement fund to pay for the projects.
Money in that fund comes from a 1998 multistate lawsuit settlement with big tobacco companies over the health impact of their products. Indiana receives about $128 million a year from the settlement.Other states have used their share of the settlement for unrelated purposes, but Indiana traditionally has reserved the funds for public health initiatives such as childrens health insurance, community health centers, mental health treatment and programs to combat HIV and AIDS.
Holcomb's proposal to use the fund to pay for bicentennial projects raised concerns among public health advocates given the states HIV outbreak last year, a sharp uptick in opioid abuse and deathsand the state's12th-highest-in-the-nation smoking rate.
That money was intended for health-related programs and thats where it should go, said Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis. Our governor talks about having an honestly balanced budget with no gimmicks. I think this would be a nice gimmick.
He and other lawmakers raised concerns when Pence first proposed funding the projects with a cell phone tower deal. Even Republican fiscal leaders expressed doubts about Pence's proposed funding mechanism after IndyStar exposed last year that any cell tower deal likely wouldfall short of fully funding the projects.
Im going on faith," Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, said last year."They assured me they can get this done.
Amid such concerns and in the heat of the presidential campaign Pence announced in September that a cell phone tower deal had been reachedwith Ohio-based Agile Networks. The deal would provide the state with $50 million upfront and more during the life of the 25-year lease, his administration said.
This agreement, if approved, will put underused assets into full play, enhance Indianas communication capabilities throughout the state and fund the states bicentennial projects, Pence said at the time.
What Pence didn't say was that the deal with Agile Networks was far more expansive than advertised. Not only would it have given Agile control over the state's cell phone towers, it also would have allowed the company to use the state's vast fiber network.
That stirred fierce opposition from the state's cable and broadband trade groups, which represent companies such as AT&T, Comcast and Time Warner.
A spokesman for Agile declined comment for this story.
The deal was supposed to go before the state budget committee for final approval in December, but it did not end up on the agenda amid the behind-the-scenes controversy.
Now, the fate of the deal is uncertain.
Wilson said the governoris reviewing "the entire deal."
"Its not done," she said."We dont know if or when it will be done."
In the meantime, Holcomb is backingoff his initial proposal to pay for the bicentennial projects with money from the tobacco settlement fund.
Wilson said Tuesday that Holcomb is now asking House lawmakers to change the funding source for the projects to the general fund.
The tobacco settlement money will instead be used to support a planned increase in funding for the states adult protective services, which an IndyStar investigation found last year is woefully understaffed and ineffective in protecting vulnerable adults exposed to abuse and neglect.
This is in keeping with the governors commitment to using health-related funds for health-related purposes, Wilson said.
When asked about the bicentennial funding problem, fiscal leaders in the General Assembly tried to cast it in diplomatic terms.
"Lets say we had some friendly jousting going on between me and the (Pence) administration over the bicentennial projects," Kenley said. "At one time I said, 'Im not sure I can afford to celebrate our bicentennial.' But we went ahead and celebrated. Now that weve celebrated, weve got to pay the bills."
Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter:@indystartony.
The state has spent about $5.5 million of the $53.5 million in planned bicentennial projects under then-Gov. Mike Pence. Here are the projects, their expected cost and their status:
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Elusive funding for Pence's bicentennial projects dogs state - Indianapolis Star