Latest news with #ClayHiggins
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senate slams door on reconsidering older split-jury convictions
Getty Images Persons imprisoned in Louisiana through unconstitutional split-jury verdicts still won't have an avenue to challenge their convictions following a state Senate vote Wednesday. Republicans in the chamber overwhelmingly rejected a bill from Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, to allow people convicted by non-unanimous juries before 2018 to petition for their cases to be reviewed. The proposal failed on a 9-26 vote despite having the support of the Louisiana Republican Party and GOP Congressman Clay Higgins, who's long campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform. Louisiana and Oregon were the last two states to allow split-jury verdicts in the prosecution of violent felonies. Voters in Louisiana amended the state constitution in 2018 to eliminate non-unanimous juries, though it didn't apply to such convictions before the change. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled split-jury convictions were unconstitutional, but justices allowed Louisiana and Oregon to determine if their ruling would apply retroactively to older cases. Split juries originated during the Jim Crow era, when the law was created to silence the voice of newly enfranchised Black citizens who were allowed to serve as jurors for the first time. This is a developing story that will be updated.
E&E News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Natural Resources looks to advance trove of bills
Several House Natural Resources subcommittees will hold hearings this week on legislation dealing with energy, forest management, water and other issues. The committee is ramping up its activity after passing its portion of the Republicans' budget reconciliation package, which would encourage more drilling and mining, and accelerated permitting. The Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee will consider H.R. 513, the 'Offshore Lands Authorities Act,' by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), which would overturn former President Joe Biden's ban on new offshore drilling in about 625 million acres of the Outer Continental Shelf. Advertisement The executive order creating the withdrawal, signed in the waning days of the Biden administration, has been panned by Republicans on Capitol Hill but lauded by Democrats and greens.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Racehorse Health And Safety Act Reintroduced; Legislation Designed To Replace HISA
The following press release details the reintroduction of a bill to replace the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Named the "Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA)," the bill was first introduced in 2023 and never made it to a hearing. The release is written by supporters of the RHSA. Today, on the heels of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), a bipartisan, bicameral effort to deliver a constitutional solution to safety regulation in the horse racing industry. The legislation is backed by industry organizations representing tens of thousands of horsemen and is endorsed by the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA), the United States Trotting Association (USTA), the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV), and RHSA would establish an interstate compact to develop nationwide rules governing scientific medication control and racetrack safety for horse racing. The RHSA would replace the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 (HISA), which has been found unconstitutional by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and awaits a decision on whether the Supreme Court will take up the case.'Government should be a partner to Americans, not a predator. While the federal government initially passed HISA with the intention of bringing uniformity to the horse racing industry, it proved to be a well-intentioned disaster that plagued the industry with confusion and disruption. The Racehorse Health and Safety Act is a solution to the problem. It is rooted in science and draws from industry experts. It is of horsemen, by horsemen, and for horsemen. This legislation protects horses and horsemen while reasserting state sovereignty and pushing back against federal oppression,' said Rep. Clay Higgins. 'Congress must prioritize the establishment of equitable and consistent standards within the horse racing industry. In pursuit of this, we are supporting legislation that promotes improved safety regulations through a thoughtful and pragmatic framework,' said Rep. Don Tom Cotton stated, 'The RHSA will provide horse owners and racetracks flexibility, while also bringing safe and effective regulation to the horseracing industry.'The RHSA establishes the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO), with a Board of Directors appointed by the state racing commissions. Five board members will be appointed by the racing commissions in the states with the most racing days, and four members will be appointed by racing commissions in the remaining states. The RHSO Board will establish three Scientific Medication Control Committees, one for each racing breed: Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and Quarter Horses. Committee members will be selected by industry associations and the Board. The RHSO Board will also establish one Racetrack Safety Committee comprised of board- and industry- appointed members that will recommend breed-specific rules to the board. The Board will have the final say on all rules adopted, but it must justify its decisions with scientific evidence. Further, the RHSO will be granted the power to investigate rule violations, but the state racing commission of each participating state will retain enforcement power unless it requests the RHSO to assist with enforcement. Finally, the RHSO will be funded through annual fees from the participating state racing commissions, which will be specific to each breed. Because enforcement will be returned to state racing commissions, the RHSA will drastically reduce the fees placed on horsemen. States will have two years to decide whether to participate in the compact, but only participating states will be allowed to export simulcast signals for interstate, offsite betting. The RHSA would repeal HISA in its addition to being found unconstitutional twice by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, HISA proved ineffective in other 2024, HISA's enforcement arm came under fire for punishing innocent owners and trainers for miniscule amounts of substances in a horse that have no effect on its performance or health. Over 1,000 horsemen signed a petition by the National HBPA to the Federal Trade Commission to require HISA to establish no-effect thresholds, which would ensure that respected horsemen do not have their reputations and careers ruined over incidental exposures to everyday substances. "As a veterinarian, I believe the Racehorse Health and Safety Act is a critical step toward ensuring a scientifically sound and constitutionally valid regulatory framework for horse racing,' Doug Daniels, DVM and President of the National HBPA, stated. 'We must prioritize equine health and welfare through veterinary, evidence-based research into medication control and racetrack safety standards. The RHSA will provide the industry with the stability it needs. It is our responsibility — as horsemen, veterinarians, and racing commissions — to collaborate in protecting both the integrity of the sport and the welfare of our human and equine athletes."'The RHSA is a commonsense bill that is beneficial for both harness racing and Standardbreds,' Russell Williams, President of the USTA, said. 'It achieves the goal of rule uniformity while respecting the unique characteristics of different racing breeds. Above all, it embraces the principle that the welfare of the horse must always come first. The USTA is proud to endorse this important legislation.'The North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians fully supports the Racehorse Health and Safety Act,' said Dr. Nicholas Meittinis, President of the NAARV. 'The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is a deeply flawed institution-- one that not only harms the industry but also restricts veterinarians from providing the best possible care to their equine athletes.'As the Triple Crown season continues, we hope that many other congressional leaders and stakeholders will step into the starting gate alongside Reps. Higgins and Davis, and Sen. Cotton and race to support an industry in urgent need. With your help, horseracing can continue for another 151 years. National Horsemen Benevolent and Protective Association (National HBPA) United States Trotting Association (USTA) North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV) Alabama HBPA Arkansas HBPA Arizona HBPA Charles Town HBPA, West Virginia Delaware Standardbred Owners Association Finger Lake HBPA, New York Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Harness Horse Association of Central New York Harness Horsemen's Association of New England Illinois Harness Horseman Association Illinois HBPA Indiana HBPA Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, Pennsylvania Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc. Minnesota HBPA Monticello Harness Horsemen's Association, Inc., New York Nebraska HBPA Oregon HBPA Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association Pennsylvania HBPA Standardbred Owners Association of New York Tampa Bay HBPA, Florida Virginia HBPA Washington HBPA Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Youngsville Student wins Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON () – A local high school student has been recognized for artistic achievement by the U.S. Congress, according to Congressman Clay Higgins (R-La.). Higgins announced yesterday that Cole Ritter, a senior at Southside High in Youngsville, is the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Louisiana's 3rd District. Ritter's piece is titled 'La Dame Blanche Du Bayou,' which is translated to The White Lady of the Bayou. The color pencil piece features a white egret that seems to be sitting in bayou water with its reflection showing below it. The U.S. House of Representatives sponsors an annual art competition for high school students. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition. This is Ritter's second time to display his winning work at the U.S. Capitol. Youngsville student honored in Congress, wins art contest Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Youngsville Student wins Congressional Art Competition Trump announces trade agreement with UK Fan sues NFL for $100M after Shedeur Sanders' late draft pick Salt Lake City, Boise seek to skirt laws banning Pride flags by adopting them as city emblems Leonville woman arrested after several drugs allegedly found during traffic stop Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers under fire for pushing bill to allow dangerous substances in everyday products: 'Lethal if inhaled'
Proposed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives would reopen a loophole closed last year that officially halted the quick approval of "forever chemicals." It has been criticized because it would allow the toxic substances to be "used and sold with little effective scrutiny," The Guardian reported. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, and William Timmons, R-South Carolina, introduced the resolution. Higgins represents a district that borders the so-called Cancer Alley, where industrial companies — and an "identifiable and preventable" human health crisis — reign. He cited a threat to chemical manufacturers and refiners in a news release about the bill. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances do not break down and have been linked to birth defects, immune disorders, and cancer, as well as a host of other health problems. They are used to make nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, cosmetics, and more and have been found everywhere. The Guardian pointed out that a PFAS approved before the loophole was closed was noted by the Environmental Protection Agency to be "lethal if inhaled" and "corrosive to the skin." Even minimal exposure to some PFAS could lead to "irreversible injury," and single or repeated exposure could lead to "life-threatening, permanent, or major injury." Humans are exposed to PFAS via everyday items but also through contaminated air, soil, drinking water, and seafood. Some states, including New Hampshire, are moving to ban them from certain uses, while others, such as Tennessee, are going the way of this resolution. The "low-volume exemption" loophole allowed PFAS to reach the market in less than a month if their annual production did not reach 22,000 pounds. Companies used it as "a preferred route … to push highly toxic chemicals through with virtually no regulation," and over 600 chemicals followed this path from 1985 to 2020, all per The Guardian. "The loophole allowed PFAS and chemicals produced in small enough quantities to be sent to the marketplace with virtually no review from federal regulators," according to the newspaper. In addition to state bans, companies such as 3M are phasing out their use of forever chemicals. Still, advocates argue that a total ban is necessary to ensure complete protection for people, animals, and the planet. In the meantime, you can reduce your exposure by avoiding nonstick cookware, opting for natural products, and filtering your tap water. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
