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Sunday, December 10, 2017

Presidential Proclamations: Jerusalem, National Parks

Here are some recent Presidential Proclamations:
Proclamation 9683: Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel and Relocating the United States Embassy to Israel to Jerusalem
This proclamation was issued on December 6, 2017.  The proclamation recognizes that the capital of Israel is Jerusalem and commits the US to moving the embassy there.  Within the discussion, it references PL 104-45 for which every President since 1995 has twice a year issued a waiver letter, including the current president.  However, for this last time that it is due to be issued, the current President has instead started the process to move the embassy.
Proclamation 9682: Modifying the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
This proclamation was issued on December 4, 2017.  This proclamation modifies Proclamation 6920.  This effectively reduces the side of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.  It provides a slew of arguments as to why it is appropriate to make the reduction.  Fact-checking these arguments is insufficient, this , as well as the proclamation below, are indicative of the philosophy of the administration: reduce government in every way possible.
Proclamation 9681: Modifying the Bears Ears National Monument
This proclamation was issued on December 4, 2017.  Both this and the next proclamation were the result of the process that was started near the beginning of the administration by way of an Executive order or Presidential memorandum, but I have not been able to find the right one.  The Bears Ears National Monument was created via Proclamation 9558 and is modified in many parts via this current proclamation.  It reduces the National Monument significantly.
Proclamation 9680: World Aids Day, 2017
This proclamation was issued on November 30, 2017.  This proclamation does not commit to any new initiatives or does it make any decisions on issues of the day.
Proclamation 9679: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2017
This proclamation was issued on November 30, 2017.  This proclamation does not commit to any new initiatives nor does it announce any significant policy decisions.  In reading it, I have to point out that to some extent it is conflating impaired driving with driving under the influence of alcohol.  There was an opportunity to press further on the issue of opioid addiction and overdose as I am sure that some amount of traffic fatalities involve drivers who are impaired by opioids.  The proclamation even gives the administration a pat on the back that reducing regulations have spurred technology that will address the problem of drunk driving.  I have to point out that implementation of innovative technology that prevents people from driving drunk will only happen if mandated through laws or regulations.

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