News from December 2023
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith has expressed concern over the high interest rates that are negatively impacting families and small businesses, attributing them to President Biden's inflation crisis. Following the December meeting of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee, Chairman Smith stated, "Even the Federal Reserve remains concerned about inflation, deciding to keep interest rates at levels that have locked families out of buying a house and small businesses from expanding. This is not a win."Despite the Federal Reserve raising rates...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Washington, D.C. — In a significant step towards finding treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the bipartisan Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. The legislation aims to provide hope to the one million Americans affected by this debilitating disease.House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) expressed their appreciation for the passage of the bill. They highlighted the...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Nuclear Fuel Security Act has received broad support from various stakeholders, marking a significant step towards securing the future of American nuclear fuel production. The inclusion of this legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) emphasizes the importance of a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and aims to decrease reliance on foreign sources, particularly Russia.U.S. Senator John Barrasso, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, expressed his satisfaction with the inclusion of the Nuclear Fuel...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has passed an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, that aims to help military survivors maintain certain benefits even if they remarry after the death of their spouse in military service. The amendment was included as part of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).Under current law, surviving spouses are granted certain benefits from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, if they remarry before the age of...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) have written a letter to President Biden urging his administration to take immediate action to hold former Argentinian Vice President Cristina Elisabet Fernández de Kirchner and her family members accountable for acts of significant corruption.In their letter, the senators described Fernández de Kirchner as a "convicted kleptocrat who stole billions from state coffers and enabled malign actors like China and Iran to deepen their...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has voiced her support for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan legislation that aims to provide school food service providers with simplicity, flexibility, and choice in serving all types of milk, including whole and 2 percent milk.In her remarks on the House Floor, Chairwoman Foxx highlighted the significance of whole milk during the Christmas season and its nutritional benefits for Santa Claus. She stated, "The nutrients in whole milk—like protein, calcium, and vitamin...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
U.S. Representative Jim Banks, Chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, delivered his opening remarks at a hearing focused on "Recruiting Shortfalls and Growing Mistrust: Perceptions of the U.S. Military." Banks expressed his gratitude to the witnesses present and highlighted the importance of the hearing in addressing the challenges faced by the military in sustaining the All-Volunteer Force and increasing trust in the institution.Banks acknowledged the success of the All-Volunteer Force, stating that it is the most highly trained and proficient military force in...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed a resolution, H. Res. 927, condemning antisemitism on campuses and the testimony of university presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The resolution comes amid rising concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students on college campuses.According to the Anti-Defamation League and Hillel International, there has been a significant increase in antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish students. Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) highlighted this issue on the House floor, stating, "Jewish...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
In a hearing held by the Select Subcommittee, Chairman Wenstrup expressed his concerns about the World Health Organization's (WHO) response to the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the need for immediate reform. Wenstrup highlighted the WHO's failure to serve all of its members equally and its susceptibility to political influences."When it was most essential that the W.H.O. step up and help everyone, it bowed to political affiliations over global public health," said Wenstrup. He pointed out that instead of conducting independent investigations into the origins of...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
During a recent Oversight Subcommittee hearing on the "Growth of the Tax-Exempt Sector and the Impact on the American Political Landscape," concerns were raised about the potential for tax-exempt charities to influence the political process. Subcommittee member Representative David Schweikert expressed his alarm at the flow of large sums of money from foreign nationals into U.S.-based 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s that are then used to influence American politics.Schweikert highlighted the loophole that allows foreign nationals to indirectly donate to U.S. candidates for...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
Oberlin College has taken action against Professor Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, following a year-long investigation into his alleged ties to the Iranian regime. The decision to place Mahallati on "administrative leave" comes after Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Congressman Jim Banks demanded answers from Oberlin College regarding the professor's connections.The allegations against Mahallati are deeply concerning. He has been accused of being involved in covering up the mass murder of thousands of Iranian political prisoners in 1988. These...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
December 13, 2023Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) expressed his support for the House of Representatives' decision to formally launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The vote signifies Congress's constitutional authority to demand documents and testimonies regarding an investigation into President Biden's involvement in his family's foreign business dealings and potential campaign finance violations during his 2020 presidential campaign.In a statement, Chairman Smith emphasized the importance of transparency and the need for...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) of the House Committee on Small Business has expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment of Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) to serve on the Committee. In a statement, Chairman Williams warmly welcomed Rep. Maloy, stating, "I want to welcome Congresswoman Maloy from the great state of Utah to the Committee on Small Business. She is a fighter and came to Congress to advocate on behalf of her district's families and small businesses."Chairman Williams emphasized the value of Rep. Maloy's presence on the committee, highlighting her...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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...
