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This evening, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, chaired by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) as Ranking Member, held a hearing titled "CCP Transnational Repression: The Party's Effort to Silence and Coerce Critics Overseas". The purpose of the hearing was to shed light on the CCP's intimidation tactics and their impact on individuals and societies worldwide.During the hearing, harrowing firsthand stories of CCP's intimidation tactics were shared by Ms. Anna Kwok, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council,...

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) expressed his support for the recent passage of the resolution authorizing the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden. Comer highlighted the evidence that has been uncovered, which suggests that Biden was aware of and involved in his family's financial dealings.According to Comer, "Evidence uncovered reveals Joe Biden knew about, participated in, and benefitted from his family cashing in on the Biden name. Joe Biden is 'the brand' that allowed the Bidens to rake in millions from China,...

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) emphasized the importance of maintaining American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) during today's Full Committee hearing. In her opening remarks, she stated, "To win the future, America—not China—must remain the global leader in artificial intelligence."Chair Rodgers highlighted the unique position of the United States in fostering responsible AI usage to improve living standards, protect data privacy, and create more opportunities for American citizens. She noted, "There is no better place...

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) has penned an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, in which he criticizes the Biden administration for allowing China to manipulate international climate agreements to gain an unfair economic edge. Barrasso, who is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, argues that China continues to build coal plants despite calls from the international community to phase out coal power.Barrasso highlights the role of President Joe Biden's climate envoy, John Kerry, in enabling China's actions. He points out that Kerry,...

In a hearing held on December 13, 2023, Chairman Smith expressed his concerns regarding tax-exempt charities and their potential influence on the American political process. He stated, "Some individuals are acting like a wolf in sheep’s clothing and setting up tax-exempt organizations for the purposes of affecting our political process."Smith acknowledged the significant growth in the number of tax-exempt organizations in recent years, coinciding with a substantial influx of capital. He pointed out that there are now nearly three times the number of charities in the...

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) delivered a speech on the House floor today, expressing his support for House Resolution 918. The resolution aims to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Comer's remarks focused on allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice by the President.Comer began by highlighting President Biden's alleged lies to the American people regarding his family's business dealings. He accused Biden of falsely claiming that he never spoke to his son about these matters and that there...

WASHINGTON, DC-- Today, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party held a hearing titled, "CCP Transnational Repression: The Party's Effort to Silence and Coerce Critics Overseas." The event was live-streamed on the Select Committee's website and social media, allowing the public to witness the proceedings.Chairman Mike Gallagher opened the hearing with his remarks, setting the stage for the discussion. He emphasized the importance of addressing the Chinese Communist Party's transnational repression tactics, which aim to silence and coerce critics outside of...

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, has called for increased transparency at the Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding its telework policies and the utilization of taxpayer-funded resources. Ernst recently exposed that the SBA is only utilizing nine percent of its headquarters in Washington, D.C., which is maintained using taxpayer money.In a letter to SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, Ernst expressed concern over the high vacancy rate at the SBA headquarters and its impact on small business owners seeking...

A Center for a New American Security (CNAS) report said China has intensified pressure on Taiwan through military and non-military tactics in the gray zone, prompting a need for effective response strategies from policymakers in Washington and Taipei. Jacob Stokes published the December 2023 report for CNAS.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, part of the executive branch of the European Union (EU), has stated that the EU is working towards a relationship with China that is based on mutual benefits. Michel's comments were made during the 24th China-EU Summit held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Dec. 7.

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, addressed the subcommittee in a hearing regarding the F-35 acquisition program. Wittman emphasized the importance of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as the cornerstone of the Department of Defense's future tactical fighter aircraft fleet.Wittman began his remarks by highlighting the National Defense Strategy's focus on China as the nation's pacing threat. He stressed the need to evaluate military capabilities to ensure robust deterrence and the ability to...

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal, members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, have introduced the VA Medical Center Security Report Act. This legislation aims to address security challenges at VA Medical Centers and other sites under the jurisdiction of VA Police.Sen. Moran expressed his concern for the safety and security of veterans seeking care at VA facilities, stating, "I have heard from VA providers in Kansas about the security challenges they are facing that could jeopardize the safety and security of veterans seeking care...

WASHINGTON - The Committee on House Administration recently held a full committee hearing titled, "Looking Ahead Series: Oversight of the Smithsonian Institution." This marked the first wide-ranging oversight hearing of the Smithsonian in three years. The hearing provided a platform for members of Congress to address their concerns and gather insights from Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie G. Bunch III.One of the key takeaways from the hearing was the importance of the Smithsonian rejecting foreign influence. Chairman Bryan Steil raised concerns about the National...

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted an oversight hearing on mineral supply chains and the implications for the next space race. Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) emphasized the importance of the hearing, stating, "Today’s subcommittee hearing on mining in space is more important than some may realize. Our competitors, including China, are far ahead of us. Mining in space is coming and the United States better be prepared."Minerals such as copper, lithium, and cobalt play a vital role in our modern way of life. They are used in various...

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) are celebrating the passage of H.R.4531, the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act of 2023. The bill, led by Subcommittee Chair Guthrie and Rep. Anne Kuster (D-NH), passed the House with an overwhelming majority vote of 386 to 37.Chair Rodgers expressed her gratitude to Subcommittee Chair Guthrie for his leadership on this important bipartisan legislation. She highlighted the bill's aim to offer hope to those battling...

Washington, D.C. - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) expressed her enthusiasm for the passage of the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act during a press conference hosted by House Republican Leadership. The act aims to drive down the price of healthcare for patients through increased price transparency.In her remarks, Chair Rodgers highlighted the significance of price transparency, stating that it is something that 95 percent of Americans support. She emphasized that the act empowers patients and employers to make informed decisions...

The Education and the Workforce Committee has made significant progress in advancing two bills aimed at bridging the gap between education and workforce needs. The bills in question are the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act (H.R. 6585) and the A Stronger Workforce for America Act (H.R. 6655). These bills are designed to help students gain the skills necessary for employment and ensure that workers have the opportunity to succeed in the evolving job market.Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who is leading the Education and the Workforce Committee, expressed her satisfaction with...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) and Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) of the House Committee on Small Business, along with Representatives Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Hillary Scholten (D-MI), have written a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging the Department of Defense (DOD) to enhance the integration of small businesses into the defense industrial base. The committee members expressed concern over the decline in small business participation in government contracting and emphasized the crucial role that small businesses play in promoting...

The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has officially requested a briefing from the FBI on the ongoing investigation into ByteDance, the parent company of social media platform TikTok. Over the past year, legislators have voiced concerns about TikTok, citing potential national security issues.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $42 million initiative named Inertial Fusion Energy Science and Technology Accelerated Research (IFE-STAR). The program is aimed at creating hubs that will promote collaborative efforts in advancing the foundational science and technology of inertial fusion energy (IFE). The projects funded through IFE-STAR will draw on the expertise and resources from DOE’s National Laboratories, academia, and industry to drive the development of inertial fusion energy system components.

Victor Cha has expressed that President Joe Biden's recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while it eased some apprehensions, did not sufficiently mitigate the ongoing global tension and rivalry between the United States and China. Cha's commentary was released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on December 6.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has issued subpoenas to Vanguard and Arjuna Capital as part of the committee's investigation into the sufficiency of current antitrust laws in addressing collusive agreements to promote and adopt left-wing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.The Committee had previously requested documents and communications from Vanguard on July 6, 2023, regarding how the company advances ESG policies, among other key information. While Vanguard has been providing some material on a rolling basis, their...

Chairman Smith of the Energy & Commerce Committee delivered a speech on the House floor today, urging his colleagues to support the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act. The bill, according to Smith, "empowers patients and will lower health care costs for millions of Americans."Smith emphasized the bipartisan nature of the bill, thanking his colleagues on the Energy & Commerce and Education & the Workforce Committees for their collaboration. He acknowledged the struggles that American families face in affording the cost of their health care, stating that the current system...

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) are currently conducting oversight of data sharing agreements between the Department of Treasury (Treasury), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The lawmakers have sent letters to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, requesting documents and communications related to the government's information collection and data sharing activities.According to the...

Washington - Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's top aide, Melissa DeRosa, is facing scrutiny from the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic regarding her alleged involvement in the COVID-19 nursing home death cover-up. Subcommittee Chairman Brad Wenstrup and Representative Nicole Malliotakis are demanding answers from DeRosa after her attorney claimed that she was not involved in New York's deadly COVID-19 nursing home directive.In a letter to DeRosa, Wenstrup and Malliotakis highlighted the contradictions between her attorney's claims and the information...