TD Bank's $3 billion settlement shows Chinese money-broker networks are laundering drug proceeds
TD Bank’s U.S. unit has agreed to pay $3.09 billion in penalties and face growth restrictions following charges it failed to effectively monitor money laundering activities linked to drug cartels and Chinese criminal organizations. The settlement exposes flaws in federal anti-money-laundering (AML) systems related to international schemes by networks based in China.
Congressman Issa introduces legislation targeting abuses in third-party litigation funding
On October 7, Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5) introduced the Litigation Transparency Act of 2024, a bill aimed at reforming third-party litigation funding (TPLF) by mandating the disclosure of financial backers in civil lawsuits. This legislation directly addresses the growing concern that undisclosed financiers, including hedge funds and foreign entities, are driving lawsuits that place higher burdens on small businesses and large industries alike.
OPINION: 30x30 and Natural Asset Companies Are Not in the Best Interest of the American People
OPINION: Federal Approaches Are Placing Western Counties Under Attack
OPINION: Prioritizing Dirt Over People: How 30x30 Leaves Disabled Americans Behind
OPINION: The Backlash Against Big Wind & Big Solar Is Raging Across Rural America
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Today, a new video series titled "Appropriations 101" was highlighted, featuring Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID). The initiative aims to provide insights into the appropriations process by bringing together key members of the committee. The first episode features Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), where both discuss the development and passage of 12 bills each fiscal year.
House Republicans question VA healthcare budget shortfall
This week, two prominent House Republicans addressed a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough. The correspondence, from Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), concerns a reported $12 billion healthcare budget shortfall within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Senator Murray calls for bipartisan talks on full-year funding bills
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, addressed the Senate floor today ahead of the consideration of a continuing resolution. She called on her colleagues to engage in serious bipartisan and bicameral negotiations to pass full-year funding bills before year-end.
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Local opposition driving rejections of wind and solar nationwide
As the federal government is ramping up support for renewable energy through subsidies and mandates, local opposition continues to bring rejection of renewables, particularly at the county and city levels.
White House documents about mining critical minerals raise concerns about national security
Emails and other documents obtained from the White House and various federal agencies suggest that the Biden Administration is not serious about increasing domestic mining of critical minerals needed for energy production.
McCormick on Binance exec and Georgia resident held in Nigeria: 'It's time for him to come home'
As he fights for his life with malaria in a Nigerian prison, the U.S. has called for the humanitarian release of American citizen and former IRS agent Tigran Gambaryan. Yet that doesn’t go far enough for his home district congressman, Richard McCormick, and other lawmakers seeking direct U.S. intervention as in a priority hostage case.
Interior Secretary Haaland Faces Scrutiny Over ‘Secret’ Meetings in Senate Hearing
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland faced inquiries from Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) during a May 2 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about undisclosed meetings between Department of the Interior (DOI) officials and the Wilderness Society concerning the Twin Metals critical minerals project.
The Modern Cold War: An Interview with Dmitri Alperovitch
Dmitri Alperovitch is co-founder and chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, and co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike Incorporated, a cybersecurity company.
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Science of AI Safety partnership created between the United States and the United Kingdom
The United States and the United Kingdom have embarked on a collaborative venture focusing on the Science of AI Safety. This partnership will see the two nations' Safety Institutes joining forces to conduct research, safety evaluations, and provide guidance for AI safety within their respective countries.
Trade and Technology Council Task Force has concluded its work
The United States - European Union Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force has completed its work. Although the Task Force's activities, announced in December 2022, have come to an end, collaboration from the private sector continues.
Pet product expenditures totaled $147B in 2023, APPA report shows
In 2023, U.S. consumers expended $147 billion on pet products and services, as reported by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). The association also predicts steady year-over-year growth through 2030, with anticipated expenditures reaching a staggering $250 billion.
Mortgage Bankers Association's index shows homebuyer affordability decreased in February
The Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Purchase Applications Payment Index (PAPI) data for February indicates a rise in the monthly cost of home ownership. The national median payment applied for by purchase applicants escalated from $2,134 in January to $2,184 in February.
American Bankers Association forecast reveals lower risk of recession with inflation moderating
The Economic Advisory Committee of the American Bankers Association (ABA) this week released a forecast indicating a decreased risk of recession, with inflation expected to moderate and employment gains to remain strong. The committee also predicts a transition to a soft easing cycle by the Federal Reserve, commencing around mid-year.
Despite facing criticism for recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday, President Joe Biden was not alone in his acknowledgement. U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken also chose to honor the day, describing it as "a celebration of the courage and resilience" of transgender individuals worldwide.
Anthony Ruggiero, a senior director at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, testified before the U.S. House Oversight and Accountability Committee about narcotics traffickers in the U.S. and Chinese money launderers.
The United States has reiterated its commitment to assist Armenia in bolstering its democracy and achieving economic prosperity through regional integration. In a meeting with Armenian and European Union (EU) leaders, U.S. Department of State (DOS) Secretary Antony Blinken announced that the U.S. would allocate $65 million towards this initiative.
DOE announces $27 million Energy Future Grants Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the allocation of $27 million in financial and technical assistance to 40 partner teams comprising states, local governments, and Tribes. The funding is provided through the Energy Future Grants (EFG) Program, which aims to support multijurisdictional partnership efforts to foster clean energy programs that enhance affordability, access, and opportunities.
Resources for the Future partners with CGEP and Bezos Earth Fund to fund economic resilience research
Resources for the Future (RFF), in collaboration with the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) and the Bezos Earth Fund, has initiated a program to enhance economic resilience in U.S. regions that heavily rely on fossil fuels. The initiative, dubbed Resilient Energy Economies (REE), is a multi-year project that aims to fund economic research and foster a community of scholars, policymakers, and economic development practitioners.
DOE announces $4B clean energy tax credit initiative
The United States Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) jointly announced a $4 billion tax credit allocation under the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit (48C). With over 100 projects in its purview, this initiative is aimed at propelling domestic clean energy manufacturing and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in industrial settings.
Clean Energy Buyers Association commends DOE's selection of Century Aluminum's clean energy smelter
The Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) has lauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) for selecting Century Aluminum's proposal for a new primary aluminum smelter. The proposed construction site for the smelter is in the Mississippi River Basin, with Kentucky being the preferred location.
DOE announces funding for renewable energy facilities
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an allocation of up to $22 million aimed at enhancing processes related to the planning, siting, and permitting of large-scale renewable energy facilities. The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program is designed to assist local governments and communities in planning for large-scale renewable energy projects, with a second round of funding in the pipeline.
Funds from fiscal year 2023 energy revenues have been allocated to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and their coastal political subdivisions. These funds will enable the recipients to undertake projects related to hurricane protection, coastal restoration, and conservation.
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), a three-member board established in 1988, is dedicated to promoting Tribal economic development and strengthening Tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Tribal lands.
Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs) have been invited to apply for funding through the Heritage Opportunities in Hawaii program. The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, a division of the US Department of the Interior (DOI), has announced $1 million in funding for this initiative.
