The Indian Panorama

Tag: American Politics

  • Indian American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal welcomes court ruling on DACA

    Indian American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal welcomes court ruling on DACA

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Indian American Rep. Pramila Jayapal has applauded a ruling by US District Judge John Bates asking the Trump administration to continue accepting DACA applications without ending the program.

    “I’m thrilled that Judge Bares uphold the rule of law and force Trump administration to resume accepting DACA applications,” wrote Jayapal. “Donald Trump created this crisis. He single-handedly made DACA recipients deportable and rejected the bipartisan proposal that would have helped these young people.”

    The ruling of the federal judge is a blow to the Trump administrations, which decided to end the DACA program on April 24.

    In addition to overturning the move to end DACA, the judge also ruled that the government should accept new DACA applications.

    The DACA program allows those undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children by their parents to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation.

    Urging Trump to stop trying to strip DACA recipients of their right to live in the United States, the Washington Democrat said she would continue to push for a clean Dream Act in Congress, so that these young people who know only the United States as their home can live without the fear of deportation.

    “Time and again courts have determined that the inhumane decision to end DACA was ‘arbitrary and capricious.’ We will continue to loudly say that immigrants are welcome here,” read Jayapal’s statement.

    Earlier, Trump had said that he will protect the DACA recipients and allow them to stay in the country if Congress approves his campaign promise to build the border wall and make changes to the immigration system.

     

  • Indian American Hiral Tipirneni loses a close race in Arizona special election

    Indian American Hiral Tipirneni loses a close race in Arizona special election

    ARIZONA(TIP): Indian American Tipirneni on April 24threceived more than 82,300 votes (47.4 percent), roughly 9,000 fewer than Lesko, who received nearly 91,400 (52.6 percent) .The Arizona Secretary of State’s websitereports that Democrat Hiral Tipirneni came within six percentage points of her Republican rival Debbie Lesko in special election to Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.

    The special election was warranted because Rep. Trent Franks, who represented the district for several terms, resigned in December after he was embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal.

    Tipirneni wrote on twitter, “whatever happens tonight or tomorrow, we’re not giving up. Regardless of the outcome, we’re taking this to November.”

    That she came within 6 percentage point in a district that was carried by President Trump with more than 21 percentage points in the last presidential election should give Tipirneni a lot of momentum if she wins the Democratic Party nomination again.

    She did it without much of a support from the House Democratic campaign arm. On the other hand, Lesko received help from the GOP House campaign committee to the tune of $1 million. Trump also recorded robo calls urging voters to back Lesko.

    The narrow margin of Lesko’s victory leaves Republicans with much to ponder as they prepare for a tough midterm election in November.

    Tipirneni, a former emergency room physician, won her party’s nomination after defeating Brianna Westbrook in the primary.

    Tipirneni’s campaign had focused on issues such as affordable healthcare, strengthening the economy, retirement security, quality education, and government accountability.

    Tipirneni, born in India, came to the United States with her family at the age of three. According to her campaign website, she earned her medical degree through an accelerated, competitive program at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She chose to pursue emergency medicine because of the wide variety of challenges it presented, and it allowed her to be the first point of contact for patients.

     

  • Indian American Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai sues Cambridge, MA, for asking him to remove signage

    Indian American Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai sues Cambridge, MA, for asking him to remove signage

    CAMBRIDGE, MA(TIP): Indian American Shiva Ayyadurai, who is running for the US Senate from Massachusetts, has sued Cambridge city officials for sending him a notice to remove his campaign signs that called his Democratic opponent Sen. Elizabeth Warren a “fake Indian.”

    Ayyadurai is a staunch critic of the incumbent senator, has been attacking Warren for claiming Native American ancestry. He and GOP critics of Warren say the senator lied about her Native American heritage for securing jobs, including one as a Harvard law professor. Claiming that he is a real Indian from India, Ayyadurai terms Warren as a “fake Indian.”

    On April 22nd, he filed a suit against the City of Cambridge alleging that by asking him to take down the signage, the city is encroaching upon his constitutional right to free speech.

    Ayyadurai has a campaign bus with photos of himself and Warren with words juxtaposed saying “Only a REAL Indian Can Defeat the Fake Indian.”

    According to reports, the vehicle has been stationed for more than a month next to a building owned by Ayyadurai which also happens to be in the neighborhood of Warren.

    The Cambridge building inspector Branden Vigneault had earlier this month issued Ayyadurai a notice asking him to remove the inappropriate signage from the vicinity as it lacked prior “approvals and permits.”

    The Ayyadurai campaign said that the building inspector threatened to fine $300 per day and additional legal proceedings if the signs are not removed within a stipulated period.

    “We will not remove the slogan from our bus,” Ayyadurai told The Washington Times. “We will defend the First Amendment, and we will fight this egregious attack on the First Amendment, at any cost.”

    His campaign managers have told the media that building regulations don’t apply to the current circumstance as the signage is on a bus.

  • Senate approves Pompeo as US Secretary of State

    Senate approves Pompeo as US Secretary of State

    WASHINGTON(TIP): The US Senate voted on Thursday, April 26 to approve former CIA director Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State after a bruising battle by Democrats against President Donald Trump’s nominee.

    Pompeo, who was confirmed on a 57-42 vote, was sworn in early Thursday afternoon by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, according to State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

    Trump applauded Pompeo’s confirmation, hailing him as a “patriot” with “immense talent, energy and intellect” who will be an asset for the United States.

    Pompeo, who has earned Trump’s confidence after a year at the CIA, was accused by Democrats as being too bellicose and harboring deep anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ sentiments.

    The approval came in time for Pompeo to arrange a summit between Trump and Kim in the coming months.

  • Indian American Democrat Suraj Patel raises $1.1 million to challenge incumbent Carolyn Maloney

    Indian American Democrat Suraj Patel raises $1.1 million to challenge incumbent Carolyn Maloney

    NEW YORK(TIP): Indian American Democrat Suraj Patel, who is running for New York’s 12th District, has raised nearly $1.1 million ahead of his primary on June 26, 2018.

    In the Democratic primary, Patel along with three other democratic insurgents will challenge incumbent Carolyn Maloney, who has been representing the District since 2013. A member of Congress since 1993, Maloney now has a formidable challenger in Patel in the June 26 primary.

    The District 12 of New York, which has a long-standing tradition of electing Democrats over Republicans, is also one of the richest in the United States.

    Patel, a businessman and an adjunct professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, is running the campaign in full throttle with 45 interns spreading the word across the 12th District.

    Patel, who has a law degree from NYU, is also an alumnus of the Stanford University and UK’s Cambridge University. He is the president of the Sun Group of Companies, a real estate development and investment firm specializing in the hospitality industry. Patel worked for the Obama campaigns in 2008 and 2013, and also served on the 2013 inauguration committee.

    “I’m not running against her; I’m running against apathy,” Patel said. “Something like 75 percent of young voters in this district voted for president in 2016, and something like 2 percent voted in the congressional primary. Why would you vote, if your only choice is a 25-year incumbent?”

    Even though a majority of Democrats back 72-year-old incumbent Maloney, Patel became her immediate challenger for the primary after he raised more than $500,000 in his first quarter.

    Patel once again surprised his opposition campaigners by raising $525,000, which stood slightly above Maloney’s fund of $500,000.

    Ever since Trump administration took charge of the White House, the prospects of Maloney have faded slightly as Patel campaign has been portraying her as someone who authorized the war in Iraq and as a representative who continues to oppose the Iran nuclear deal.

    Apart from this, the two Democrats have been engaged in social media war for some time.

    At present, Patel seems to be the only strong campaigner who is taking on incumbent Maloney even though two other Democrats, Sander Hick and Peter Lindner, have filed their nominations.

     

     

  • Speaker Paul Ryan Announces Retirement

    Speaker Paul Ryan Announces Retirement

    Does not want to be known by his children as “only a weekend dad”

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Congress’ most powerful lawmaker Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday, April 11th, he would not stand for another term in his Wisconsin district this November.

    Republicans already face a tough challenge from Democrats to keep control of the lower chamber.

    Ryan joins nearly 30 House Republicans who have announced this year they are retiring outright.

    Democrats need 23 seats to take over the House.

    In an April 11 morning news conference, Ryan said the decision was family-related.

    “You all know that I did not seek this job,” he said. “I took it reluctantly.

    “But I have given this job everything. I have no regrets whatsoever for having accepted this responsibility.”

    He continued: “But the truth is it’s easy for it to take over everything in your life and you can’t just let that happen.”

    The 48-year-old father-of-three said he did not want to be known by his children as “only a weekend dad”.

    Ryan said he would retire in January after finishing his congressional term.

  • Special counsel served Paul Manafort with new search warrants in March

    Special counsel served Paul Manafort with new search warrants in March

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Special counsel prosecutors revealed in court filings Thursday, April 5 night that they had obtained on March 9 seven new search warrants against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who has been charged with more than 30 counts of bank fraud, making false statements to investigators and other charges in two criminal cases. Manafort pleaded not guilty.

    The court documents list search warrants against various properties, a storage unit, bank accounts, email addresses and devices. The warrants are not terribly surprising, reports CBS News’ Paula Reid, as Manafort is charged in two criminal cases and investigators have signaled they may bring additional charges as they look to pressure him to cooperate.

    Manafort is accused of lobbying and doing other work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine headed by ousted Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. They are accused of failing to register as foreign agents representing the Ukrainians and also allegedly laundered up to $75 million in payments. The activities date from 2006 through February 2017.

    In March, he was charged with secretly paying European politicians to lobby politicians on behalf of Ukraine.

    Manafort’s business associate Rick Gates pleaded guilty in February on charges of conspiring against the U.S. and of making false statements to the federal government.

  • Scott Pruitt asked to use sirens in D.C. traffic and was told no for non-emergency

    Scott Pruitt asked to use sirens in D.C. traffic and was told no for non-emergency

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator Scott Pruitt wanted to use his vehicle’s lights and sirens to get to his official appointment, but the lead agent in charge of his security detail advised him that sirens were to be used only in emergencies, news reports say.

    The agent who denied Scott the pleasure of his will, was removed in less than two weeks from Pruitt’s detail, and reassigned to a new job within the EPA.

    Pruitt’s lavish travel, which totals more than $182,000, according to the Environmental Integrity Project, has included first class domestic and international flights for him and his security detail, private charters and a military jet. Reports on his expensive travel arrangements began a torrent of negative headlines over the past several months that peaked over the last week with stories examining his housing arrangements and very generous raises for two of his staffers. The bad publicity has cast an ethical cloud over the EPA administrator that’s put him in danger of being the next casualty in the Trump Cabinet.

    “I can’t make any statements about the future of Scott Pruitt,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told Fox News Thursday.

    Recently however, two Democratic senators wrote a letter to the EPA asking, “Under what circumstances did the prior Special Agent in Charge leave?”

    Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Tom Carper also said in the letter that they want to know why Perrotta and one of his business partners received an EPA security contract. Perrotta, they noted, citing the Associated Press, runs a side business called the Sequoia Security Group. His business partner, Edwin Steinmetz, who runs another security company, was awarded a $3,000 contract to sweep Pruitt’s office for bugs. “Two other contracts,” both under the $3,500 threshold for public reporting, “were given for the purchase of biometric locks.”

    “These facts raise questions about Mr. Perrotta’s compliance with EPA regulations and concerns that he may have used his position at the agency to influence the award of EPA contracts to a person or company in which he has a financial interest,” the Senators wrote.

  • Senator Vin Gopal honors 11 members of South Asian Community

    Senator Vin Gopal honors 11 members of South Asian Community

    PISCATAWAY, NJ(TIP):  Senator Vin Gopal was honored to recognize several outstanding members of the South-Asian American community Friday, March 30 at the Deewan Banquet Hall.

    The 2018 honorees include: Entrepreneur of the Year Chirag Patel, Amneal Pharmaceuticals; Non-Profit of the Year SKN Foundation; Organization of the Year Indian Business Association, Iselin, NJ; Physician of the Year Dr. Sumul Raval; Public Servant of the Year Shanti Narra, Middlesex County Freeholder; Restaurateur of the Year, Harpal Obhan, Deewan Banquet Hall; Attorney of the Year Satish Poondi, Wilentz Law Firm; Educator of the Year Dr. Khyati Joshi, Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University; Pharmacist of the Year Sam Maddali, United Pharmacy Network; Student of the Year Krina Shah, Freehold, NJ; and Rising Star Shariq Ahmed, Edison, NJ.

    “I am awed by the incredible work that the South-Asian community does in our great state every day,” said Sen. Vin Gopal.

    “The leadership of South-Asian American business owners, scientists, doctors and students has reinvigorated local economies, provided fresh insight into complex problems and exemplified the service and passion of citizenship. As the state’s first South-Asian American Senator, I am extremely proud to represent this community and serve as their voice in Trenton.

    “These honorees truly embody and exemplify the passion, determination and talent that defines our community. It is my great privilege to recognize each of these incredible honorees who stand as pillars in our community. I thank each of our honorees for their work and service and join our community at large in congratulating them on their very well-deserved awards.

    “Thank you to Harpal Obhan for hosting our award ceremony at your beautiful establishment, the Deewan Banquet Hall, as well as Ritesh Shah, chairman of the South-Asian American Caucus in Monmouth County, for his dedication to civil service and public activism. I would also like to thank my co-MC for the evening, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.”

    The South-Asian community is comprised of individuals of Indian, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Maldivian, Nepali, Pakistani and Sri Lankan descent.

  • Indian American Republican Aakash Patel raises $25K for Hillsborough Commission Campaign in March

    Indian American Republican Aakash Patel raises $25K for Hillsborough Commission Campaign in March

    FLORIDA(TIP): Indian American Republican & entrepreneur Aakash Patel has raised $25,500 for his campaign in March.

    “I am extremely excited about the continued momentum of our campaign. Our hard work is reflected in the fundraising totals and the tremendous support we have been receiving,” Patel wrote on his official Facebook handle.

    According to a report, Patel has so far raised $378,751 including $288,601 for his campaign account and $90,150 for his political committee, Elevate Tampa.

    The report said that the bulk of the funds that Patel received in February came from 60 contributors amounting to $19,886.

    Earlier in the week, Patel had announced that he received the endorsement of former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Will Weatherford.

    “I am so very honored to have the support of such a true conservative leader as Speaker Will Weatherford. I’m truly humbled to have members of the business community come forward with such strong support of my campaign,” Patel said.

    Patel, a first-time candidate, is reportedly far ahead of his Republican rival Todd Marks when it comes to raising funds for the campaign. His Democratic counterpart, Tampa Democratic Rep. Janet Cruz, has not released the latest reports of her campaign funding.

     “I have known Aakash Patel through our work in the business community and have witnessed his efforts to enrich economic growth in Hillsborough County. I believe he will be an asset to the community and that he will instill his strong conservative beliefs as he continues his work for greater economic development, improved transportation and many other issues important to the community,” Speaker Weatherford said.

    Patel studied his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English Literature at Florida State University. During this time, he also worked at The Tampa Bay Times, Tallahassee Bureau. He is also a graduate of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Tampa (2012), FBI Citizen’s Academy (2012), Tampa Police Citizen’s Academy (2012), Tampa Bay Public Leadership Institute (2013) Leadership Tampa Bay (2011), and Tampa Connection (2010), and College Leadership Florida (2005). He is enrolled in City of Tampa’s Mayor’s Neighborhood University, according to his LinkedIn profile.

    An expert networker, Patel recently received the endorsement of Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. In August, Gaetz, who is the son of former lawmaker Don Gaetz, tweeted, “Proud to support my longtime friend @pateltimes in his run for the Hillsborough Commission!”

  • Indian American Niraj Antani endorsed by Ohio Chamber of Commerce

    Indian American Niraj Antani endorsed by Ohio Chamber of Commerce

    OHIO (TIP): Ohio Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (OCCPAC) has endorsed Indian American incumbent Niraj Antani for the upcoming House of Representatives, District 42 Republican primary to be held on May 8.

    Founded in 1893, OCC is one of Ohio’s oldest organizations to represent businesses by pitching in for free enterprise, economic competitiveness, and growth for the benefit of business organizations in Ohio.

    Announcing the endorsement on Twitter, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee tweeted, “OCCPAC endorses Rep. @NirajAntani for House District 42 in the May 8 Primary Election.”

    Earlier, Ohio Chamber of Commerce (OCC) had acknowledged the efforts made by Antani who introduced HB 450 to amend the existing health insurance law.

    “Health care mandates increase the cost of health insurance, leaving less money for companies to expand & hire new workers. Thanks, Rep. Niraj Antani for introducing HB 450 to provide #MandateRelief,” OCC posted on its official Facebook handle.

    Antani is a cosponsor of the bill that was passed by the House in July 2017. The bill is currently before a state Senate committee and proposes “to provide an opportunity for a concealed handgun licensee or qualified military member to avoid charges for carrying a deadly weapon into a prohibited place if the person leaves upon request, and to penalize failure to leave upon request or returning with a firearm.”

    In the Republican primary, incumbent Antani will battle out with fellow Republicans Sarah Clark and Marcus Rech, and the winner of the election will represent the party in the general election to be held on November 6.

     

     

     

  • The Indian American Impact Fund endorses Sri Preston Kulkarni and Hiral Tipirneni

    The Indian American Impact Fund endorses Sri Preston Kulkarni and Hiral Tipirneni

    DALLAS (TIP): The Indian American Impact Fund has endorsed Sri Preston Kulkarni and Dr. Haral Tipirneni, two Indian American Democrats running for the United States House of Representatives.

    Kulkarni, who finished first in the Democratic primary in Texas’s 22nd Congressional District with nearly 32 percent of the vote, will be facing fellow Democrat Letitia Plummer in the May 22 runoff. If he wins, he will challenge the incumbent Republican Pete Olson.

    A majority-minority district, the Texas 22nd also includes the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, which is home to a large Indian American community.

    Dr. Tipirneni, who won Arizona’s 8th Congressional District special primary election with 60% votes in February, is running to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Trent Franks in the elections to be held on April 24th.

    Tipirneni is an emergency room physician, cancer research advocate, and community leader. Last month, she won her primary decisively with 60% of the vote.

    “In an incredibly competitive year for Congressional candidates, Sri and Hiral have demonstrated the passion, tenacity, and drive it takes to run, win, and lead,” said Raj Goyle, co-founder of Impact and a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives. “Now it’s up to all of us to help them across the finish line.”

    The Impact Fund had earlier endorsed two other Indian American candidates — Aftab Pureval in Ohio and Aruna Miller in Maryland.

    According to an official release from Impact Fund, it continues to closely monitor the campaigns of over 60 Indian Americans on the ballot in 2018 and will issue further endorsements in coming weeks.

    “As a community, we are extraordinarily proud of the four Indian Americans already serving in the House of Representatives,” said Deepak Raj, co-founder of Impact and chair of the Impact Fund. “By electing Sri and Hiral, in addition to Aftab and Aruna, we will double our ranks in Congress this November and send a powerful signal that the Indian American community has truly arrived.”

    A political action committee, Impact Fund works with experienced operatives, campaign strategists, and donors to endorse candidates based on their viability and commitment to advocating for the needs and values of the Indian American community.

    Last week, the Fund celebrated its first victory of the 2018 cycle when its endorsed candidate Ram Villivalam won his primary for the Illinois State Senate.

     

     

  • In yet another ouster, Trump fires Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin

    In yet another ouster, Trump fires Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin

    WASHINGTON (TIP): US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, March 29 fired his Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and nominated White House physician, Admiral Ronny Jackson as his replacement.

    Trump made the announcement on Twitter and later issued a separate statement thanking Shulkin for his services.

    “I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs….,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

    “I appreciate the work of Dr. David Shulkin and the many great things we did together at Veterans Affairs, including the VA Accountability Act that he was helpful in getting passed. He has been a great supporter of veterans across the country and I am grateful for his service,” Trump said in a later statement.

    Early this month, Trump had unceremoniously fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and nominated Mike Pompeo, the CIA Director, for the top diplomatic position in his cabinet.

    Both the cabinet positions need to be confirmed by the US Senate.

    “In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!” Trump said in another tweet.

    Trump said Jackson was highly trained and qualified.

    “As a service member himself, he has seen firsthand the tremendous sacrifice our veterans make and has a deep appreciation for the debt our great country owes them,” he said in a separate statement.

    Wilkie, who will serve as the Acting Secretary for the department, is currently the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Department of Defense and overseas health affairs, welfare and quality of life for military families.

    Jackson has served as the White House physician during the past three administrations of Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

    Since arriving at the White House, he has directed the Executive Health Care for the President’s Cabinet and Senior Staff, served as physician supervisor for the Camp David Presidential Retreat, held the position of physician to the White House and led the White House Medical Unit as its director.

    A native of Texas, and a graduate from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology; Jackson began his active duty naval service in 1995 and went on to become the honor graduate of the Navy’s Undersea Medical Officer Program in Groton, Connecticut.

    The opposition Democratic Party expressed concern over the firing of Shulkin.

    Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Shulkin’s dismissal “a troubling step in the Trump Administration’s ultimate goal of VA (Veterans Affairs) privatization”.

    “From day one of this administration, the president has openly encouraged and embraced Koch Brothers-led forces as they work around Congress and behind closed doors to dismantle veterans’ health care,” Pelosi said.

    She urged the members of Congress to join hands against any effort to privatize VA.

    Senator Johnny Isakson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said Shulkin had made a tremendous impact toward improving the lives of veterans during his time at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

    “He has been instrumental in all that we have accomplished in the last year, and I thank Dr. Shulkin for his dedicated service to our country and our veterans,” he said.

    Concerned Veterans for America executive director Dan Caldwell said Shulkin made significant headway in reforming the department, but ultimately became a distraction from the important task of improving health care for the veterans.

    “The Trump administration has made great progress over the last year reforming and fixing the VA, however there is still much work to be done,” he said.

    (Source:  PTI)

  • Indian American Ram Villivalam wins Illinois State Senate District 8 primary

    Indian American Ram Villivalam wins Illinois State Senate District 8 primary

    CHICAGO (TIP): Former congressional aide Ram Villivalam won the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 8, thereby running unopposed in the general election to be held on November 6, 2018.

    Villivalam, who challenged 20-year incumbent Ira Silverstein, won the primary getting 13,350 votes that account to a total of 51.86 percent.

    Incumbent Ira Silverstein could secure only 29.05 percent, giving a clear majority to Villivalam.

    Other Democrats who ran for the election were Caroline McAteer-Fournier and David Zulkeywas, who could only secure 13.81 percent and 5.28 percent votes, respectively.

    Interestingly, no Republican candidates filed to run for election and Villivalam will run unopposed. The last date for a candidate to file papers was on December 4, 2017.

    Speaking to his supporters at the 90 Miles Cuban Cafe in Lincolnwood, the first-time candidate Ram Villivalam, declared victory over incumbent Ira Silverstein in the 8th District State Senate race.

    “I am incredibly proud of – and humbled by – the coalition we’ve brought together and the work we’ve done over the last four months,” Villivalam told a group of supporters gathered at 90 Miles Cuban Café in Lincolnwood. “This win belongs to each of you.”

    The 8th Senate district has the highest concentration of Asian Americans in Illinois. It includes 21 Chicago neighborhoods, among them, all of Devon Ave.’s business district, popularly called “Little India” — and the suburbs of Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, Des Plaines and Glenview.

    “This campaign was never about me. It has always been about working together to empower and raise the voices of the voters of the 8th State Senate District, one conversation at a time. Today, those voters spoke clearly: they’re ready for a new generation of effective progressive leadership. Thank you to my wife, Elizabeth, my family, my staff, and the hundreds of volunteers who have been a part of this campaign.” Villivalam added.

    Villivalam’s parents immigrated from India in the 1970s. He was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago, where he continues to live. The area is part of the 8th district.

    “As the son of Indian immigrants who came to this country to seek out a better quality of life and opportunities for their children, I feel the responsibility to step forward and speak out on the important issues that working and middle-class families are experiencing every day,” Villivalam told the Bazaar earlier.

    He had also attacked his opponent, Silverstein, saying he was reprimanded by an independent inspector general for violating the legislative ethics act and behaving in a manner “unbecoming of a legislator.”

    Villivalam’s experience includes working as a legislative coordinator for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), where he fought to protect home care for seniors and people with disabilities, child care for working families, and Medicaid for those in need. Prior to that, Villivalam was the Outreach Director for Rep. Brad Schneider, D-IL, where he signed people up for the Affordable Care Act and put on job fairs.

  • Indian American Democrat Sameena Mustafa loses Illinois 5th District Primary

    Indian American Democrat Sameena Mustafa loses Illinois 5th District Primary

    CHICAGO (TIP): Sameena Mustafa, an Indian American democrat who challenged incumbent Mike Quigley in the 5th Congressional District of Illinois, was defeated in the Democratic primary election held on Tuesday, March 20.

    Mustafa finished second in the primary getting 23.87 percent votes against Quigley’s 62.3 percent, thus eliminating her chances to become the first Indian American Muslim representative in the Congress.

    Besides Mustafa, two other Democrats — Benjamin Thomas Wolf (9.66 percent) and Steve Schwartzberg (4.05 percent) — challenged Quigley, who’s held that office for nearly a decade.

    Mustafa is a real estate broker working with nonprofits and small businesses. She was also active in the city’s comedy scene. In 2015 she cofounded Simmer Brown, a South Asian comedy collective.

    She is graduate of Northwestern University.

  • John Dowd resigns as Trump’s personal lawyer in Mueller probe

    John Dowd resigns as Trump’s personal lawyer in Mueller probe

    WASHINGTON (TIP): President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, the lead outside attorney providing advice to the president on the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, said Thursday, March 22,  that he has resigned.

    In a brief statement to NBC News, attorney John Dowd confirmed his move and said, “I love the president and wish him very well.”

    News of Dowd’s resignation was first reported by The New York Times.

  • Trump replaces national security adviser McMaster with John Bolton

    Trump replaces national security adviser McMaster with John Bolton

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Readers of The Indian Panorama will recall the news we published last week that President Trump had made up his mind to give marching orders to his national security adviser H.R. McMaster. And we have been proved right, as Trump ousted McMaster who is to be succeeded by John Bolton, a former ambassador.

    The president announced the news in a tweet on Thursday, March 22, saying that Bolton would take the job starting April 9, making him Trump’s third national security adviser in the first 14 months of his presidency. In dismissing McMaster from the job, Trump praised the Army general for his “outstanding work” and said he would “always remain his friend.”

    Bolton, 69, served in the George W. Bush administration in a key arms-control job. Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell said he was strongly encouraged to take Bolton by Vice President Richard B. Cheney, who shared Bolton’s belief in American military power.

    On March 13, Trump had fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and signaled in recent days that a shake-up at the top levels of his administration was not over.

    “I’m really at a point where we’re getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want,” Trump told reporters after Tillerson was fired.

  • Trump has decided to remove his national security adviser, says Washington Post

    Trump has decided to remove his national security adviser, says Washington Post

    Trump has complained that H.R. McMaster, a three-star Army general, is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant, the Post reported.

    WASHINGTON (TIP): U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, but the move is not expected to be made immediately, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, March 15.

    Citing five people with knowledge of the plans, the Post said Trump was considering several possible replacements, including former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and Keith Kellogg, the chief of staff of the National Security Council.

    On Tuesday, Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the president has signaled in recent days that a shake-up at the top levels of his administration was not over.

    “I’m really at a point where we’re getting very close to having the Cabinet and other things that I want,” Trump told reporters after Tillerson was fired.

    McMaster is not expected to be ousted immediately, the Post reported. Trump is willing to take his time making the change to avoid humiliating McMaster and carefully choose a strong replacement, the Post said.

    Trump never personally gelled with McMaster and the President recently told White House Chief of Staff John Kelly that he wanted McMaster replaced, according to the Post.

    Trump has complained that McMaster, a three-star Army general, is too rigid and that his briefings go on too long and seem irrelevant, the Post reported.

    McMaster is Trump’s second national security adviser, succeeding Michael Flynn who was dismissed a year ago for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

  • Rex Tillerson sacking: Rexit and beyond

    Rex Tillerson sacking: Rexit and beyond

    More proof that propriety, protocol, punditry no longer hold sway in the U.S. administration

    Even by his standards for unexpected diktats, U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to fire his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, came out of the blue. Mr. Tillerson, who was the CEO of ExxonMobil Corporation before taking up the role, did not agree with Mr. Trump on fundamental policy matters, the President said. This is widely seen as an allusion to Mr. Tillerson’s preference, contra-Trump, for diplomacy as a means of defusing the North Korean crisis. Also implied was a widening chasm between the two men on the merits of the Iran nuclear deal. With Mr. Tillerson’s departure, the number of senior officials exiting the Trump administration after a little more than a year has reached at least 24. Less than a week before the long-rumored “Rexit”, White House Chief Economic Adviser Gary Cohn, formerly a Wall Street banker, quit his post over his opposition to Mr. Trump’s proposal to levy hefty steel and aluminum tariffs. And, less than a week before Mr. Cohn, White House Communications Director Hope Hicks resigned after admitting to a Congressional panel investigating Russian influence on the 2016 election that she had occasionally told “white lies” on Mr. Trump’s behalf. Rumors now swirl that National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster may also soon be ousted. The question at this point is: does the existing coterie of senior White House officials enjoy the confidence of their President to a sufficient magnitude as to ensure that policies can be executed in a meaningful way?

    In one sense, there does not appear to be cause for alarm over the incessant departures from the White House. It is quite possible that Mr. Trump has used his first year in office to consolidate his vision and attract the right talent to realize his governance paradigm, essentially rooted in a nationalistic, or “America First”, world view. Take the case of Mr. Pompeo: he is far more aligned with Mr. Trump’s hawkish approach towards the Kim Jong-un regime than Mr. Tillerson was. There is a case to be made that Mr. Trump’s hardline stance is what is ultimately bringing the North Koreans to the negotiating table. Mr. Tillerson, insistent on talks, was likely to have been an impediment to this strategy. The deeper message is that the liberal order of the Obama years is gone. Propriety, protocol and punditry no longer hold sway — Mr. Trump had no quarrel with Mr. Tillerson over the Secretary leaving numerous senior State Department posts vacant, but only cared about the top diplomat’s concurrence with his strategy. The President will likely apply this principle — and find himself the right people — in other policy areas as well, such as trade and immigration. Nations that engage with America may glean valuable lessons from this churn.

    (The Hindu)

  • Trump Sets Nov 11 as date for Military Parade

    Trump Sets Nov 11 as date for Military Parade

    No Heavy Tanks, but heavy air component

    WASHINGTON (TIP): President Trump is believed to have decided on the date of his Parade. It is Nov 11 or Veteran’s Day. However, according to a Pentagon memo, the spectacle won’t include tanks, to “minimize the damage done to local infrastructure,” Al Jazeera reported.

    Trump asked the Pentagon to plan a parade in February after he visited France in July for Bastille Day festivities.

    Per the Pentagon memo, which released on Friday, March 9, the parade will travel from the White House to the Capitol in Washington D.C. Instead of tanks, the show will end with a “heavy air component,” which will incorporate older aircraft. While the memo didn’t reveal the parade’s cost, it did mention that it will “highlight the evolution of women veterans from separate formations in World War II to today’s integrated formations.”

    Military parades are unusual in America; the last time we had one was in D.C. in 1991, after the Gulf War. That parade cost $8 million and would cost considerably more today. According to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, Trump’s goal is to have “a celebration” of the military. People have criticized Trump for the idea, comparing the parade to those that occur in China and North Korea.

    And speaking of North Korea: A couple of days after news broke that Trump wanted to plan a military parade, Kim Jong-Un executed his own on Feb. 8, the eve of the opening ceremony of South Korea’s Winter Olympics. Kim’s celebration included troops, missiles, and tanks, the entirety of which traveled to Kim II Sung Square in a large choreographed military display. An estimated 50,000 people assembled to watch the parade, 13,000 of which were troops.

  • Indian American Senator Vin Gopal introduces Firearms Restrictions Bill Package

    Indian American Senator Vin Gopal introduces Firearms Restrictions Bill Package

    Bills concern those convicted of animal cruelty, safe storage of firearms, and seizure of firearms from those considered a threat.

    TRENTON, NJ (TIP): Senator Vin Gopal introduced, March 7, three pieces of legislation to better regulate firearms in the wake of the tragic Parkland, Florida, shooting that claimed 17 innocent lives and the subsequent national outcry for more stringent gun laws.

    The three-part bill package includes a bill that prohibits an individual who has been convicted of animal cruelty from possession or purchasing a firearm; a bill requiring the safe storage of a firearm and establishing penalties for improper firearm storage; and a bill which establishes a process by which a family or household member, law enforcement agency, or an employee of a high school or institution of higher education may petition a court to have a person’s firearms temporarily seized upon finding that the person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others.

    “These are common sense measures designed to keep gun owners, their families and their fellow New Jersey residents safe,” Sen. Gopal said.

    “Animal abuse and human violence tend to be linked. The FBI sees animal cruelty as a predictor of violence against people and considers past animal abuse when profiling serial criminals. In assessing youth at risk of becoming violent, the U.S. Department of Justice stresses a history of animal abuse.

    “There is absolutely no reason for individuals with violent histories towards animals to obtain the weapons necessary to continue their acts of violence against humans.

    “In the Parkland, Florida, shooting, there were multiple institutional failures and as a result, we have seen a national call for increased preventative measures. In keeping weapons out of the hands of individuals who have proven their propensity for violence, or who pose a threat to the safety of others, it is my hope that we can prevent future tragedies and save innocent lives.

    “I implore New Jersey firearms owners to embrace the tenets of responsible gun ownership and keep all weapons stored securely.

    “This is a simple, common sense measure that can and will go a long way in keeping gun owners, their families and their communities safer. If a firearm is not in use, there is no reason for it to be left out and accessible. Responsible gun ownership extends beyond when a weapon is in use. New Jersey gun owners must take responsibility for keeping their firearms secure at all times to prevent unnecessary accidental discharges and the resulting injuries or fatalities.”

    “As we saw in Parkland, school district officials, law enforcement officials, students and staff members were aware of the shooter’s propensity for violent outbursts and troubling behavior. In establishing a process by which those closest to a dangerous individual can petition a court to remove their weapons, citizens are empowered to speak out. If a troubled individual even makes it on to school property with a weapon, we have already failed. By removing a weapon from a troubled individual with a documented history of violence or concerning behavior, we are significantly reducing the likelihood of that individual carrying out a violent attack on a large scale.

    Prohibiting Possession and Purchase of Firearms by Individuals Convicted of Animal Cruelty

    Bill S2239 prohibits a person convicted of animal cruelty from possessing a firearm and from being issued a firearms purchaser identification card or a permit to purchase a handgun.

    Current law provides that a person who is convicted of certain crimes is prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm.  These offenses include, but are not limited to, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, homicide, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, and certain animal cruelty crimes, such as dog fighting, harming or killing a law enforcement animal, and harming or killing a service animal or guide dog.

    The bill provides that a person who has been convicted of any animal cruelty offense also would be prohibited from possessing a firearm.  A violation of the bill’s provisions would be a fourth degree crime. Fourth degree crimes are punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Additionally, the bill disqualifies a person who has been convicted of an animal cruelty offense from being issued a firearms purchaser identification card or a permit to purchase a handgun.

    Safe Storage of Firearms

    In New Jersey, there are storage requirements and penalties that protect minors from accessing loaded firearms when they are not in use in the home.  However, there currently are no general requirements for storing firearms when they are not in use.

    Bill S2240 requires a legal owner of a firearm that is not in use at a premises under the owner’s control to store the firearm: in a securely locked box or container; in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or to secure the firearm with a trigger lock.  If the owner of the firearm fails to properly store the firearm as required under the bill, the owner will be guilty of a disorderly person’s offense punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

    Under current law, the legal owner of a firearm is authorized to lawfully keep or carry a firearm at the owner’s place of business, residence, premises, or other land owned or possessed by the owner, and is permitted to transport the firearm under limited circumstances, as specified under current law.  The bill clarifies that these provisions of current law regarding a legal owner’s right to keep or carry a firearm are not modified by the bill. Current law also provides that the legal owner of a firearm may temporarily transfer a firearm to another person under certain circumstances, whether or not that person has a firearms purchaser identification card or a permit to carry a handgun.  The bill clarifies that its provisions do not apply to or modify current law regarding the temporary transfer of a firearm.

    Process for Seizure of Firearms

    Bill S2238 establishes a process by which a family or household member, law enforcement agency, or an employee of a high school or institution of higher education may petition a court to have a person’s firearms temporarily seized upon finding that the person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others.

    Under the bill, a family or household member, law enforcement agency, or school employee would be permitted to petition the court for an extreme risk protection order which would allow a law enforcement agency to hold a person’s firearms for one year.

    The bill requires a court to hold a hearing and issue an extreme risk protection order upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the person poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others by having a firearm in the person’s custody or control, or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm. In determining whether grounds for an extreme risk protection order exist, the court may consider: a recent act or threat of violence by the person against self or others, whether or not the act or threat of violence involves a firearm; a pattern of acts or threats of violence by the person within the past twelve months; any dangerous mental health issues of the person; and other factors.

    Under the bill, a family or household member, law enforcement officer or agency, or school employee, by motion, may request a renewal of an extreme risk protection order at any time before the order expires.

     

  • Indian American Ram Villivalam running for Illinois state Senate

    Indian American Ram Villivalam running for Illinois state Senate

    CHICAGO (TIP): Indian American, former congressional aide Ram Villivalam is challenging 20-year incumbent Ira Silverstein in the next week’s Democratic primary for the Illinois state Senate 8th district.

    If he wins, Villivalam will be the first Indian American elected to the Illinois statehouse.

    The primary will be held on March 20, next Tuesday.

    The 8th Senate district has the highest concentration of Asian Americans in Illinois. It includes 21 Chicago neighborhoods, among them, all of Devon Ave.’s business district — which is known as a “Little India” — and the suburbs of Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, Des Plaines and Glenview.

    Villivalam, whose parents immigrated from India in the 1970s, believes Illinois needs more diversity in government and a new generation of elected officials like him to lead on challenging issues it faces at the moment.

    Villivalam was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago, where he continues to live. The area is part of the 8th district.

    “As the son of Indian immigrants who came to this country to seek out a better quality of life and opportunities for their children, I feel the responsibility to step forward and speak out on the important issues that working and middle-class families are experiencing every day,” said Villivalam.

    He added that his parents, who were professionals in India, had to work minimum wage jobs before going back to school. They retired with a combined 50 years in public service.

    Villivalam said, based on his own family’s experience, he believes in lowering taxes for middle-class families while raising them for millionaires and billionaires, reducing gun violence, equitably funding public schools, and ending discrimination based on race, gender and religion.

    He pointed out that, his opponent, Silverstein, was reprimanded by an independent inspector general for violating the legislative ethics act and behaving in a manner “unbecoming of a legislator.”

    The taxpayers of the 8th state Senate district deserve a senator who is solely focused on effective representation, he said.

    The candidate said he has both the advocacy and legislative experience to make progress on his agenda in Springfield.

    His experience includes working as a legislative coordinator for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), where he fought to protect home care for seniors and people with disabilities, child care for working families, and Medicaid for those in need.

    Prior to that, Villivalam was the Outreach Director for Rep. Brad Schneider, D-IL, where he signed people up for the Affordable Care Act and put on job fairs.

    Villivalam said he has built a broad coalition of support, including from four members of the Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation — Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jan Schakowsky, Mike Quigley and Brad Schneider. He also has the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Indo-American Democratic Organization. These elected officials and organizations trust his to be the effective, proactive, and truly progressive our community deserves, said Villivalam.

    “As I knock on doors to speak with voters about the challenging issues we face, I hear the frustration people have with business as usual in Springfield,” he said. “Voters want a change. We can’t expect different results if we keep sending the same people down there.”

  • United States Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urges Chicagoans to vote for Illinois primary election

    United States Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urges Chicagoans to vote for Illinois primary election

    “As I have said many times, if you don’t have a seat at the table, then you are on the menu. Registering to vote and voting ensures at your voice is heard and you have a proverbial seat at the table when important decisions are made affecting you.”

    CHICAGO, IL(TIP): A Press Conference for media was held on behalf of United States Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, at Mysore Woodlands on 2548 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL. At this press conference Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi covered a wide range of significant topics including his legislative accomplishments, future legislation agenda and other relevant current topics.

    Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois has urged suburban Chicago residents to vote for Illinois primary election.

    “Indian-Americans and all suburban Chicago residents must register to vote to allow their voices to be heard,” he said and added, “As I have said many times, if you don’t have a seat at the table, then you are on the menu. Registering to vote and voting ensures that your voice is heard, and you have a proverbial seat at the table when important decisions are made affecting you.”

    Volunteers and friends of Krishnamoorthi helped register voters at the Itasca temple last week. The efforts at the event will be replicated by him elsewhere to help increase the number of registered voters in the Indian-American community.

    Fund Raising Efforts

    Meanwhile, Raja Krishnamoorthi continued his incredible fundraising success by bringing in more than $650,000 in the 4th quarter of 2017.

    The first-term Member of Congress from the 8th District of Illinois that includes Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs has more than $3.31 million cash on hand to begin his re-election campaign as of the end of the fourth fundraising quarter that ended December 31.

    United States Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

    “My constituents sent me to Washington to work every day on growing and strengthening the middle class, and that’s what we’ve done,” Krishnamoorthi said. “These resources will help us amplify that message to continue our important work in Congress. Krishnamoorthi and Republican Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania are the two lead sponsors of bipartisan legislation that passed the House of Representatives unanimously to improve career and technical education, as well as to help give Americans the skills they need to compete for in-demand jobs.

    The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353) reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and is the first major overhaul of the program since 2006.

    “As President Trump said in his State of the Union speech, career and technical education is going to be a critical part of our country’s economy, and this legislation will help strengthen and modernize it,” Krishnamoorthi said. “The bill works to close the skills gap by pairing businesses and educators together to establish training programs to prepare students for in-demand careers.” The son of immigrants, Krishnamoorthi was elected to Congress in November 2016 with nearly 60 percent of the vote against his Republican opponent.

    (Photographs and Press release by Asian Media USA)

                

  • Former Nassau County Executive Mangano’s Trial to begin on schedule

    Former Nassau County Executive Mangano’s Trial to begin on schedule

    CENTRAL ISLIP, NY (TIP): Newsday reported March 8 that despite a late turnover of text messages recovered from the star witness against former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and former Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, a federal judge said Thursday, March 8, the corruption trial is on schedule to begin next week.

    Jury selection will take a day to complete on Monday and opening statements will be Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Joan Azrack said.

    Testimony is scheduled to begin Wednesday, most likely with the key witness in the case, restaurateur Harendra Singh, who has pleaded guilty to bribing Mangano and Venditto.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Treinis Gatz said she expected Singh to be on the stand for two days on direct examination, before the defense cross-examines him the following week.

    Mangano has been charged with conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud and extortion. His wife, Linda, has been charged with making false statements, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Venditto is charged with conspiracy, bribery, securities fraud, wire fraud, making false statements and obstruction of justice.

    All three have pleaded not guilty and will stand trial together.

  • Trump’s warning shot: Protectionism can unleash a global trade war

    Trump’s warning shot: Protectionism can unleash a global trade war

    US President Donald Trump appeared to be at his wits’ end when he made a rash comment after his chief economic adviser Gary Cohn put in his papers: “Will be making a decision soon on the appointment of new chief economic advisor. Many people wanting the job — will choose wisely!” It is both a confession of his poor judgment and a desire to have a yes-man. This is an ominous sign of rising protectionism that threatens to disrupt global trade. Although, China appears to be in the President Trump’s direct firing line, India needs to be prepared for collateral damage. The signs are there when the US President in an emotional outburst hauled up India for high import duties on the iconic Harley-Davidson motorbike despite its “insignificant” contribution in the total bilateral trade. Indeed, jingoism in any form is irrational.

    President Trump’s protectionism may, however, hamper the American economy the most. In a last-ditch effort, adviser Cohn tried to make Trump understand that undue tariff protection to domestic steel and aluminum makers would hurt upstream manufacturers like cars and cans. It is unfortunate that the US, which once championed free trade ring-fenced by WTO, is resorting to unilateral trading barriers instead of sharpening the competitiveness of the domestic industry. Apparently under pressure, India has already started importing energy all the way from America, which makes little commercial sense, especially when such resources are freely available in the neighborhood. Indian airlines have placed orders worth several billions of dollars to purchase more than 300 American aircraft.

    President Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports is primarily targeted at Canada and China but the impact will be felt by steel and aluminum producers across the world. The decision has the seeds to unleash a global trade war as the US imports steel from more than 100 countries. China has already communicated that it would retaliate if its interests were harmed. For Indian manufacturers, it is the time to become more competitive. Once the US market gets closed, Chinese exporters would turn towards India in a big way.

    (Tribune, India)