News from December 2023
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and U.S. Senator Mike Braun have introduced the bipartisan Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act, aimed at providing support and resources for disabled individuals looking to start and expand their own small businesses. The legislation directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate a Coordinator for Disabled Small Business Concerns and collect voluntary data on the disability status of small business owners participating in SBA programs.Senator Shaheen, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) has approved multiple pieces of legislation that support Wyoming's resources. Among the bills approved were two introduced by ENR ranking member John Barrasso (R-WY), namely the Pilot Butte Power Plant Conveyance Act and the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2023, both of which passed out of ENR by voice vote.The Pilot Butte Power Plant Conveyance Act aims to facilitate the responsible resource management of Wyoming's Pilot Butte Power Plant facility. Senator Barrasso explained during the markup, "This...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned $22.5 million in federal funds for the development of a multi-purpose community facility in Washington D.C. This establishment will be instrumental in providing health care, education, and workforce services to the local population.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
The Dannon brothers, residents of Fishers, Indiana, have been sentenced by the U.S. Department of Justice for their attempts to manufacture and distribute machine guns with the intent to support ISIS. In June 2018, the brothers devised a plan to supply stolen firearms to a convicted felon who was collaborating with the FBI.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA) has announced the approval of new Global Internal Audit Standards by the International Internal Audit Standards Board (IIASB). The English version of these standards is slated for release next month.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has voiced concerns about a summer program at the University of Montana, which has links to China. The program includes an actual trip to China and is financed by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF).
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Buffalo sector played a crucial role in the arrest and identification of a man who was allegedly trying to purchase and lure a child into his vehicle. This announcement was made by Chief Patrol Agent Thomas G. Martin on X, formerly known as Twitter.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has reportedly assisted approximately 330,000 individuals in avoiding homelessness this year. This represents a 15 percent increase in grants from the previous year, which were allocated to homeless service organizations.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Eric Sundby, the co-founder and CEO of TerraSpace, a mineral exploration company, recently expressed his views on the United States' potential to benefit from the abundance of critical minerals in outer space. However, he also voiced concerns about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) making strides to seize this opportunity. Sundby's remarks were made during a Dec. 12 House Natural Resources Committee hearing titled "The Mineral Supply Chain and the New Space Race."
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
In a commentary published by Fortune on Dec. 12, authors Omid Malekan and Brian Whitehurst challenged the crime-related labels that many officials have placed on cryptocurrency. They argued that while the unique nature of cryptocurrency presents challenges for regulators, it does not warrant such negative characterizations. Malekan is an author and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, while Whitehurst serves as head of regulatory affairs and regulatory counsel at Lukka, a blockchain data solutions firm.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
As the Biden administration continues to request additional funding from Congress to aid Ukraine in its struggle against the Russian invasion, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced that it will provide a package of military arsenal to the country. This announcement follows indications that the administration is prepared to concede border considerations desired by Republicans in order to secure a new round of funding for Ukraine.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
A Wisconsin family has been implicated in the trafficking of military-grade weapons to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), according to a report by U.S. federal arms-trafficking investigators featured in Reuters. The weapons, sourced from Racine, Wisconsin, have reportedly become a significant part of the arsenal for CJNG.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Richard Teng, the Chief Executive Officer of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has challenged the criticism from major traditional banks regarding cryptocurrency's involvement in illicit activities. According to Teng, data suggests that fiat currency, such as the U.S. dollar, is more extensively used for illegal purposes. His remarks followed comments made by JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon during a Congressional hearing where he claimed that crypto enables malicious actors to bypass anti-money laundering protocols and sanctions.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
A grain company based in Westfield, Illinois is facing a $115,855 fine from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) following two incidents where employees were caught in a grain bin. The first incident occurred in February when a worker was trapped for five hours, and a second incident occurred in July when the company reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that an employee had suffered a partial leg amputation after sustaining leg injuries.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Utah Treasurer Marlo M. Oaks has voiced strong opposition to a proposed initiative by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that may pave the way for the formation of a Natural Asset Company (NAC) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In a press release issued on December 11, Oaks expressed grave concern over the proposal's potential to significantly affect rural economies and public lands.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) has voiced his belief that traditional banks may perceive the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry as a threat. However, he stressed that this should not deter bipartisan efforts to establish regulations for the crypto sector that encourage innovation. These comments were made in response to statements by JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on December 6.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed her support for Conference Chair Elise Stefanik's resolution condemning the recent rise of antisemitism on college campuses. The resolution specifically addresses the testimony given by former President Magill, as well as Presidents Gay and Kornbluth of UPenn, Harvard, and MIT, during a Committee hearing on December 5, 2023.During her speech on the House floor, Chairwoman Foxx highlighted the disturbing response from these university presidents when questioned about their policies regarding...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has announced the establishment of a Committee-run email dedicated to reporting cases of antisemitism on college campuses. The email address, Report.antisemitism@mail.house.gov, is open to college students, faculty, and concerned community members who wish to share incidents of antisemitism.Chairwoman Foxx explained that the creation of this centralized reporting system is in response to the numerous messages received by the Committee from individuals across the country following a recent hearing with...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
In a recent speech on the House floor, Chairman Smith reaffirmed Congress's authority to conduct an impeachment inquiry and gather evidence. He emphasized the importance of transparency and the American people's right to know the truth. Chairman Smith stated, "The American people deserve answers."The focus of Chairman Smith's remarks was President Biden's alleged involvement in his family's overseas business dealings. He accused the President of hiding his knowledge and role in these dealings from the public. Despite overwhelming evidence, President Biden has refused to...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1147, known as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation aims to promote the health, development, and education of young people by providing students, parents, and food service providers with the flexibility and choice of milk options needed for nutritious meals.Chairwoman Virginia Foxx of the Education and the Workforce Committee expressed her support for the bill, stating, "Passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act would be a critical step towards empowering parents and securing...
