News from December 2023
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) expressed their disappointment and frustration after Hunter Biden failed to appear for his deposition. In a joint statement, they stated, "Hunter Biden today defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings. We will not provide special treatment because his last name is Biden."The congressmen further emphasized that they were prepared to depose Hunter Biden, but instead of cooperating, he chose to make a public...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill) and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), have introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing the United States' support for the peaceful democratic and economic aspirations of the people of Sri Lanka.The resolution, which has been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, calls on the government of Sri Lanka to hold free and fair local elections as soon as possible and to strengthen good governance, rule of law, corruption, justice,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
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...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) criticized President Biden's union agenda during a hearing titled "Protecting Workers and Small Businesses from Biden's Attack on Worker Free Choice and Economic Growth." Good accused President Biden of favoring unions over workers and job creators, stating that the Biden administration is attempting to micromanage every employer-employee relationship in the country.Good highlighted the role of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which is meant to provide a level playing field...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
The United States Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 with a strong bipartisan vote of 87-13. This legislation has been praised by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed and Ranking Member Roger Wicker for its critical progress in addressing the threats faced by the country.Chairman Jack Reed expressed his satisfaction with the Senate's passage of the defense bill, stating, "I am pleased that the Senate has come together to once again pass a strong, bipartisan defense bill. This is a dangerous moment in the world, and...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
During a recent space subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, emphasized the importance of technology in ensuring safety and advancing innovation in commercial space activities. The hearing included testimony from representatives of various government agencies involved in space regulation and oversight.Senator Cantwell specifically asked the witnesses about the technological challenges faced by the federal government in overseeing space commercialization and ensuring safety. She highlighted...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 13, 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging them to finalize an agreement between the U.S. and Canada to modernize and strengthen the Columbia River Treaty. The letter comes on the 10-year anniversary of a key milestone in the negotiation process.In the letter, Senators Risch and Cantwell emphasize the benefits of a modernized treaty regime, including improved flood response and better management of shared water resources. They also highlight...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
During the COP28, Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, unveiled the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) strategy to combat climate change using nature-based solutions. The DOI also announced that the public would be granted access to a new online nature-based solutions roadmap later in the week.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has disclosed its top 10 state public health policy issues, as part of the Legislative Prospectus Series. The list aims to predict the trends that state legislatures, policymakers, and public health professionals will concentrate on in 2024.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
San Diego Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel has recently voiced her concerns on X (formerly Twitter) about the persistent exploitation of the area by smugglers for human trafficking. This statement was issued in light of recent events where the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Diego Field Office intercepted over 14,000 pounds of narcotics that drug traffickers were attempting to smuggle into the U.S. through California ports of entry in November.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, has announced an update to the National Plan to combat Alzheimer's disease. The National Plan is a comprehensive initiative outlining how HHS and its stakeholders can lead in the development of treatments, research, care provision, support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, and action to mitigate risk factors.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed a fine on Hamm Inc., a sanitary landfill operator based in Lawrence, Kansas, to settle claims of violation of the federal Clean Air Act. The company is expected to pay a civil penalty of $4,206 and allocate approximately $30,000 towards monitoring air pollution emissions.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
The commissioners of Garfield County, Colorado, have formally communicated their concerns about the proposed Natural Asset Company (NAC) ruling to Vanessa Countryman, the secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The letter outlines two primary objections to the rule currently under consideration by the SEC.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has expressed approval for the initial semiconductor manufacturing incentives introduced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. The association indicated that the legislation has already spurred investment and anticipates further projects to commence soon.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently disclosed that it has conducted its eighth removal flight to Venezuela since the resumption of air flight removals in October. This operation is being facilitated with assistance from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
Meg Rithmire is an F. Warren MacFarlan associate professor in the Business, Government, and International Economy Unit at Harvard Business School. She is the author of “Land Bargains and Chinese Capitalism” and “Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia.”
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
A series of recent raids in Paraguay and Brazil have exposed a significant illegal arms dealing ring operating between Europe and South America. The Brazilian Federal Police, in a press release, disclosed that the manufacturers of these weapons were located in Croatia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
U.S. Representative Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) recently announced the passage of her Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. She stated in a press release that the bill aims to combat foreign influence on college campuses.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
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.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 12, 2023
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.
