News published on Federal Newswire in March 2022

News from March 2022


DOE Launches Solar Industry Communications Awards

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the launch of a new award program to recognize solar industry communications campaigns that reach underrepresented audiences and have the potential to increase the diversity of solar adopters and the solar workforce.


Department of Energy Announces $34.5 Million for Improved Bioenergy Resource Recovery and Conversion Systems

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new $34.5 million funding opportunity to improve the current science and infrastructure for converting waste streams, often disproportionately located in underserved communities, into valuable biofuels and bioproducts that can benefit the local energy economy.


Russian Oligarch Charged With Making Illegal Political Contributions

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J.


Bogalusa Rapper Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Gun Control Act

AVORIOUS SCOTT, aka JAYDAYOUNGAN, age 23, a Bogalusa resident and rapper pled guilty on March 16, 2022 before United States District Judge Sarah S.


Bridgeport Tax Return Preparer Pleads Guilty

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that TORISE BAKER, 38, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to a tax fraud offense.


Former Long Beach Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Distribution of Child Pornography

A former Long Beach Police officer pleaded guilty today to a federal criminal charge for distributing child pornography, including when he was on duty as a law enforcement officer. Anthony Brown, 57, of Lakewood, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.According to his plea agreement, Brown used his smart phone to log into MeWe, an internet-based messaging application, including when he was on duty as a Long Beach Police officer.


Durbin, Leahy, Padilla, Merkley, Colleagues Encourage Biden Administration's Efforts to Provide a Just Resolution for Families Separated Under the Former President's Cruel "Zero-Tolerance" Policy

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration; and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today sent a letter to President Biden joined by 16 Senate colleagues voicing their support for his Administration’s continued efforts to provide a just resolution for families who were separated under former President Trump’s cruel and ineffective “zero-tolerance” policy.


E&C Announces Additional Details on FCC Oversight Hearing

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) announced additional details today on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) on oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks, and Nathan Simington will testify.


E&C Announces Health Legislative Hearing on MDUFA Reauthorization

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G.


E&C Announces Hearing on Upgrading America’s Drinking Water Infrastructure

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) announced today that the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Tuesday, March 29, at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) on federal efforts to update our drinking water infrastructure.


Pallone Questions Vaping Companies Over Marketing of Synthetic Nicotine Products to Teens

E&C Chairman Raises Concerns with Four Companies Regarding Their Roles in the Rise of Youth Vaping Following Passage of Legislation Empowering FDA to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine Following the recent enactment of federal legislation clarifying the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate all tobacco products, including those containing synthetic nicotine, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to four leading vaping companies that sell synthetic nicotine products to request information regarding the health and safety of their products.


E&C Democrats Outline Priorities on Implementation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Broadband Investments

Members Highlight Opportunities to Help Close the Digital Divide Through The $65 Billion Investment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Seventeen Democratic members of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee wrote to Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), today outlining their recommendations and priorities as the agency implements the broadband programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.


E&C Leaders Demand Answers from Utility Companies on Alarmingly High Shutoff Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) wrote to six utility companies today demanding answers for high customer shutoff rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.



Durbin Questions Judge Jackson on the False, Debunked Claims Made by Senator Hawley

U.S.U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on her nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.


Pallone Opening Remarks at Public Health Legislative Hearing

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following opening remarks today at a Health Subcommittee hearing titled, “The Future of Medicine: Legislation to Encourage Innovation and Improve Oversight:”


Pallone Asks Oil Company Executives to Testify and Answer for Rising Gas Prices on April 6

E&C Chairman Expresses Concern Oil Industry Is Exploiting the War in Ukraine for Its Own Economic Gain Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to six oil and gas companies today expressing concern that the industry is taking advantage of the crisis in Ukraine and global market shocks to keep prices artificially high and increase their own profits.


Pallone Opening Remarks at Hearing on America's Wireless Future Frontier

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following opening remarks today at a Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing titled, “5G and Beyond: Exploring the Next Wireless Frontier:”


Sitting Supreme Court Justices Denounce Court Packing. Will Judge Jackson?

Supreme Court justices have denounced Democrats’ and their dark money allies’ desire to add seats to the Supreme Court in order to change its ideological balance. “Nine seems to be a good number.


E&C Announces Hearing on America’s Wireless Future Frontier

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) announced today that the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) on facilitating the advancement of next-generation wireless technologies, including 5G, to ensure the United States uses wireless technology to serve consumers and remains a global leader in this important economic sector.