Transportation

Buttigieg writes op-ed calling on Congress to enact railroad safety initiatives in communities that rely on them

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently penned an op-ed, published in TIME, addressing the urgent need to improve the nation's railroad system. This comes in response to a train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio. Buttigieg also appealed to Congress to enact comprehensive legislation that would enforce industry accountability towards workers and communities nationwide through the bipartisan Railway Safety Act.

DOL to provide community colleges with $65 million to help meet employer demand of skilled workers

Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a grant of $65 million, aimed at providing training to colleges working with infrastructure-related sectors to develop skilled workers. The funds will be managed by the department’s Employment and Training Administration.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has taken a strong stance following the fatal raid conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in Little Rock, Arkansas. In a letter addressed to ATF Director Steven Dettelbach, Chairman Jordan demanded transparency regarding the ATF's actions leading to the death of Bryan Malinowski during the execution of a search warrant.Describing the events of the early morning raid on March 19, 2024, Chairman Jordan expressed concerns about the ATF's handling of the situation. He...

Collins Urges Colleagues to Recognize Perilous Times, Pass National Security Supplemental

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, recently delivered a passionate speech on the Senate floor, urging her colleagues to support the national security supplemental appropriations package. Collins emphasized the importance of the legislation, which aims to strengthen the military, rebuild the defense industrial base, and assist allies during volatile times in world history.Collins highlighted the critical components of the national security package, which includes funding for defense, assistance to...

Rep. Arrington: 'we must root out the rampant fraud and abuse of a wasteful and bloated bureaucracy'

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) has expressed concern over what he termed as "rampant fraud" and a "bloated bureaucracy" in Washington. This comes in the wake of a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that estimated financial losses due to fraud ranging from $233 billion to $521 billion. Arrington made these remarks in a press release issued by the House Budget Committee on April 17.

Latest News

Diverse Perspectives on American Progress: Joel Kotkin's Outlook for the Country

Joel Kotkin was a reporter at the Washington Post and is a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. He is the author of “The New Class Conflict,” “The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050,” and “The Coming of Neo-Feudalism: A Warning to the Global Middle Class.”

Cornerstone Advisors Research Director: ‘Credit Card Competition Act’ could create a ‘fraudster’s dream come true’

Glenn Grossman, the director of research at financial advisory firm Cornerstone Advisors, said the pending federal “Credit Card Competition Act of 2023” (CCCA) could lead to an increase in credit card fraud.

China's Strategy in Africa Unlocked: Dr. Joshua Eisenman Explores the Impact on US Geo-Politics

Dr. Joshua Eisenman is a senior fellow for China Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC, and an associate professor at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. His latest book is, “China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement.”
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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.
New research conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that the vast majority of US-born Hispanics predominantly consume news in English and prefer it that way. In contrast, a significant percentage of Hispanic immigrants, those born outside the United States, primarily consume and prefer their news in Spanish.
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.