Stories by Bob Pepalis on Federal Newswire


Culver: Department of Labor works to ensure 'the integrity of employee benefit programs'

An Atlanta-based architecture and interior design firm must restore $540,658 to its employee stock ownership plan under a federal court order.


Savit: National Defense Strategy 'is light on details and practical solutions'

The Biden administration's recently released National Defense Strategy reportedly lacks defined details and practical solutions on how to deal with the growing China threat, according to Adam Savit of the America First Policy Institute.


Olidort on the National Security Strategy: 'The words “equity” and “inclusion” appear more often than the word “adversaries”, which tells you where the Biden Administration’s focus is'

A foreign policy expert with the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) criticized the Biden Administration’s National Security Strategy for prioritizing climate change, “equity” and “inclusion” over actual national security.


Spinrad: NOAA 'committed to ensuring that the next 50 years of our conservation efforts build on our heritage'

The head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marked the 50th anniversary of three historic laws which have been the foundation for ocean and coastal conservation efforts in the United States.


Posobiec: 'Emperor Xi just had his predecessor Hu Jintao hauled out of the CCP summit on live TV'

A former member of the Office of Naval Intelligence shared a video showing the former president of China being removed from the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.


Banks: 'National security decisions shouldn’t be left to people who only count in dollars and cents'

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has introduced a bill aimed at strengthening export controls and ensuring that China doesn't acquire sensitive technology related to U.S. national security.


Chang: 'China's severe problems are about to become our severe problems'

Xi Jinping made it clear at the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party that he is going to push the world closer to a conflict regarding Taiwan, according to Gordon Chang, the Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities at Stanford University.


Rogers: Biden administration 'lacks a clear plan' to deter China, Russia, North Korea and Iran

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) said the Biden administration’s National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review and Missile Defense Review missed the mark on laying out a plan to deter threats from China and other hostile nations.


Jensen: Ohio tile company 'continues to put profit before safety'

An Ohio vinyl tile manufacturer faces $1,232,705 in potential fines after inspectors from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration were called after a worker was severely hurt after becoming entangled in a machine April 28.


Banks on National Security Strategy: White House produces mediocre document of 'empty slogans'

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) criticized the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy for prioritizing climate change over taking action to deter China and other hostile nations.


Senators condemn fraud charges by Chinese Community Party: 'Jimmy Lai is a man of integrity and character'

Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) condemned the fraud charges against a British pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong through a statement released in conjunction with other members of the Foreign Relations Committee.


DOL recovers back wages, damages from business that 'shortchanged' workers

The owner of a California car wash who paid employees two checks per pay period to avoid paying overtime now has to pay more than $200,000 for violating federal labor laws.


Graves: Hyundai plant will 'strengthen the U.S.-South Korean partnership'

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves thanked Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Sens. Jon Ossof and Raphael Warnock for supporting Hyundai Motors.


Walsh: Employers 'who deny their legal obligations will be held to account'

A federal court placed a Pennsylvania poultry processing facility in contempt for failing to pay $162,359 in fines from citations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.


Price: U.S. 'condemns the Oct. 25 verdict against Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai'

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the U.S. condemned the Oct. 25 verdict against Hong Kong pro-democracy journalist Jimmy Lai.


Murray: Airline 'workers should not have to choose between their jobs and their health'

A federal court ordered Mesa Air Group, based in Arizona and operating Mesa Airlines on regional routes for American and United Airlines, to comply with federal law and change its pay policy.


McCarty: 'We are delighted to have the opportunity to support EDA’s once-in-a-generation investment'

The American Rescue Plan provided $3 billion in additional financing for the Economic Development Administration, an investment that helps communities all around the country recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.


Blanco: 'Wages and hours afforded to migrant workers in the H-2A program cannot shortchange U.S. workers'

A California grape producer violated federal law by providing H-2A agricultural employees with more hours and higher wages than those offered to American workers.


Blinken: Russia's denial of Griner appeal 'another failure of justice'

U.S. Sec. of State Antony Blinken released a statement on Twitter Oct. 25 condemning a Russian court's denial of WNBA player Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence and reiterating that her release is a U.S. priority.


Pompeo: Lai conviction 'a miscarriage of justice'

A Hong Kong court convicted pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai of fraud for allegedly violating a lease by operating a consulting firm out of an office owned by a government-owned entity, NBC News reported.