[continued from previous message]   
      
   Rolled out sanctions targeting individuals and entities tied to Syria’s   
   chemical weapons program.   
   Directed strikes in April 2017 against a Syrian airfield used in a   
   chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians.   
   Joined allies in launching airstrikes in April 2018 against targets   
   associated with Syria’s chemical weapons use.   
   New Cuba policy that enhanced compliance with U.S. law and held the   
   Cuban regime accountable for political oppression and human rights abuses.   
   Treasury and State are working to channel economic activity away from   
   the Cuban regime, particularly the military.   
   Changed the rules of engagement, empowering commanders to take the fight   
   to ISIS.   
   ISIS has lost virtually all of its territory, more than half of which   
   has been lost under Trump.   
   ISIS’ self-proclaimed capital city, Raqqah, was liberated in October 2017.   
   All Iraqi territory had been liberated from ISIS.   
   More than a dozen American hostages have been freed from captivity all   
   of the world.   
   Action to combat Russia’s malign activities, including their efforts to   
   undermine the sanctity of United States elections.   
   Expelled dozens of Russian intelligence officers from the United States   
   and ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle, WA.   
   Banned the use of Kaspersky Labs software on government computers, due   
   to the company’s ties to Russian intelligence.   
   Imposed sanctions against five Russian entities and three individuals   
   for enabling Russia’s military and intelligence units to increase   
   Russia’s offensive cyber capabilities.   
   Sanctions against seven Russian oligarchs, and 12 companies they own or   
   control, who profit from Russia’s destabilizing activities.   
   Sanctioned 100 targets in response to Russia’s occupation of Crimea and   
   aggression in Eastern Ukraine.   
   Enhanced support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces to help Ukraine better   
   defend itself.   
   Helped win U.S. bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.   
   Helped win U.S.-Mexico-Canada’s united bid for 2026 World Cup.   
   Defense   
      
   Executive order keeping the detention facilities at U.S. Naval Station   
   Guantanamo Bay open.   
   $700 billion in military funding for FY 2018 and $716 billion for FY 2019.   
   Largest military pay raise in nearly a decade.   
   Ordered a Nuclear Posture Review to ensure America’s nuclear forces are   
   up to date and serve as a credible deterrent.   
   Released America’s first fully articulated cyber strategy in 15 years.   
   New strategy on national biodefense, which better prepares the nation to   
   defend against biological threats.   
   Administration has announced that it will use whatever means necessary   
   to protect American citizens and servicemen from unjust prosecution by   
   the International Criminal Court.   
   Released an America first National Security Strategy.   
   Put in motion the launch of a Space Force as a new branch of the   
   military and relaunched the National Space Council.   
   Encouraged North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to increase   
   defense spending to their agree-upon levels.   
   In 2017 alone, there was an increase of more than 4.8 percent in defense   
   spending amongst NATO allies.   
   Every member state has increased defense spending.   
   Eight NATO allies will reach the 2 percent benchmark by the end of 2018   
   and 15 allies are on trade to do so by 2024.   
   NATO allies spent over $42 billion dollars more on defense since 2016.   
   Executive order to help military spouses find employment as their   
   families deploy domestically and abroad.   
   Veterans affairs   
      
   Signed the VA Accountability Act and expanded VA telehealth services,   
   walk-in-clinics, and same-day urgent primary and mental health care.   
   Delivered more appeals decisions – 81,000 – to veterans in a single year   
   than ever before.   
   Strengthened protections for individuals who come forward and identify   
   programs occurring within the VA.   
   Signed legislation that provided $86.5 billion in funding for the   
   Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the largest dollar amount in   
   history for the VA.   
   VA MISSION Act, enacting sweeping reform to the VA system that:   
   Consolidated and strengthened VA community care programs.   
   Funding for the Veterans Choice program.   
   Expanded eligibility for the Family Caregivers Program.   
   Gave veterans more access to walk-in care.   
   Strengthened the VA’s ability to recruit and retain quality healthcare   
   professionals.   
   Enabled the VA to modernize its assets and infrastructure.   
   Signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act in 2017, which   
   authorized $2.1 billion in addition funds for the Veterans Choice Program.   
   Worked to shift veterans’ electronic medical records to the same system   
   used by the Department of Defense, a decades old priority.   
   Issued an executive order requiring the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland   
   Security, and Veterans Affairs to submit a joint plan to provide   
   veterans access to access to mental health treatment as they transition   
   to civilian life.   
   Increased transparency and accountability at the VA by launching an   
   online “Access and Quality Tool,” providing veterans with access to wait   
   time and quality of care data.   
   Signed legislation to modernize the claims and appeal process at the VA.   
   Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, providing enhanced   
   educational benefits to veterans, service members, and their family members.   
   Lifted a 15-year limit on veterans’ access to their educational benefits.   
   Created a White House VA Hotline to help veterans and principally   
   staffed it with veterans and direct family members of veterans.   
   VA employees are being held accountable for poor performance, with more   
   than 4,000 VA employees removed, demoted, and suspended so far.   
   Signed the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act, increasing the   
   number of VA employees that can assist justice-involved veterans.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)