News from December 2023
Members Open Investigation Into How DOI Calculates Energy Royalties
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
The House Committee on Natural Resources has initiated an investigation into the methodology employed by the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) in calculating federal royalties from energy production on federal lands and waters. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of internal controls at ONRR, which may lead to conflicts of interest and uncertainty in the determination of federal royalties.In a letter addressed to ONRR Director Howard Cantor, Chairman Bruce Westerman, Chairman Paul Gosar, and Chairman Pete Stauber expressed their apprehensions. They...
Senator Manchin Applauds Oil and Gas Lease Sale 261 for Energy Security
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
Washington, DC – Senator Joe Manchin, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, expressed his support for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 261 in a statement released today. The sale, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), highlights the United States' commitment to utilizing its abundant resources to enhance energy security.According to Senator Manchin, the IRA is an all-encompassing energy security bill that not only strengthens the country's current energy production but also invests in innovative and clean energy technologies. He...
Collins' TRANQ Act Gets Signed Into Law by the President
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
Legislation known as the Testing, Rapid Analysis, and Narcotic Quality (TRANQ) Research Act has been signed into law by the President of the United States. The bill, authored by Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins, marks a significant achievement for the freshman congressman.H.R. 1734, the TRANQ Research Act, was the first bill introduced by Representative Collins and received unanimous support throughout the legislative process. It was reported out of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee on March 29 with a vote of 36-0. The bill then passed...
McCaul, Risch Statement On Prisoner Swap With Criminal Maduro Regime
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID) expressed their concerns regarding the recent prisoner swap between the Biden administration and the Maduro regime in Venezuela. In this exchange, 11 wrongfully detained Americans were released in return for the freedom of Alex Saab, a Venezuelan-Colombian businessman with ties to cartels and terrorist organizations.While Chairman McCaul and Senator Risch acknowledge that it is a positive development that the imprisoned Americans are returning...
Foxx Slams Harvard for Plagiarism Double Standard
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has criticized Harvard University for its alleged double standard in handling plagiarism allegations against President Claudine Gay. In a letter addressed to Harvard Corporation Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker, Foxx demanded more information about the university's handling of the allegations and the unequal application of Harvard's Honor Code.Foxx expressed concern about the inconsistent application of standards, stating, "Our concern is that standards are not being applied consistently,...
Chairs Rodgers and Duncan Express Concerns Over Use of Wartime Authority to Subsidize Energy Industries
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan have raised concerns regarding the Department of Energy (DOE) and President Biden's use of a wartime statute to subsidize favored energy industries. In a letter addressed to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the committee chairs questioned the use of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) subsidies to support the Biden administration's rush-to-green agenda.The DOE recently announced the allocation of $169 million for nine projects aimed at...
Chairs Rodgers and Bilirakis Press China-Based Online Marketplaces on Potential Data Privacy and Human Rights Violations
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have raised concerns over data privacy and security risks, counterfeit products, and human rights abuses on China-based e-commerce marketplaces. These marketplaces, including TikTok, TaoBao, Pinduoduo, Temu, Alibaba, AliExpress, and Shein, have gained popularity in the U.S.The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mandates that all Chinese tech companies grant access to user information, which raises serious concerns about data privacy...
Risch, McCaul Statement on Prisoner Swap with Criminal Maduro Regime
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
U.S. Senator Jim Risch and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul have expressed their concerns and disappointment regarding the recent prisoner swap between the Maduro regime in Venezuela and the Biden Administration. In a joint statement, the lawmakers highlighted their unease over the release of 11 wrongfully detained Americans in exchange for Alex Saab, a Venezuelan-Colombian businessman with connections to cartels and terrorist organizations.While acknowledging the relief that comes with the return of the imprisoned Americans, Senator Risch and Representative McCaul...
Capito and Barrasso Urge FERC to Address Concerns Over EPA's Clean Power Plan 2.0
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and John Barrasso have called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0 and address potential threats to electric reliability. In a letter to FERC Chairman Willie L. Phillips and Commissioners James Danly, Allison Clements, and Mark C. Christie, the Senators expressed concerns about the impact of the plan on electric reliability and urged the Commission to engage with the EPA to ensure that the final rule does not jeopardize the...
Barrasso, Capito Urge FERC to Fix EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0
By Federal Newswire | Dec 20, 2023
U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Shelley Moore Capito have sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the agency to address the threats to electric reliability posed by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan 2.0. In the letter, the senators highlight the need for more work to determine how the proposed rule could impair electric reliability."The record developed at the Technical Conference, and the actions taken by the Commission and by EPA after the Technical Conference, clearly show that a majority of...
The FTC and Justice Department publish the 2023 Merger Guidelines
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
The U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have jointly announced the publication of the 2023 Merger Guidelines. These guidelines elucidate the factors and frameworks that these agencies utilize in their review of mergers and acquisitions.
Border Patrol Chief: 'The journey is unforgiving''
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
United States Border Patrol Chief, Jason Owens, recently used the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to report that December has been a particularly challenging month for migrants attempting to cross the border. He highlighted the ongoing risk of death and the necessity for rescue operations associated with illegal entry into America.
Illumina to divest GRAIL after federal appeals court sides with the FTC
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
Illumina, Inc., a biotechnology firm, has announced its decision to divest GRAIL, a company specializing in noninvasive, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) liquid biopsy tests utilizing DNA sequencing. This decision comes in the wake of a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which agreed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that the acquisition could potentially harm competition within the cancer detection test market.
Emmer: Denial of Coinbase's rulemaking petition 'is wrong and a clear violation of the SEC’s mandate'
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its refusal to provide clarity to the cryptocurrency industry, following the denial of Coinbase's petition for rulemaking on December 15. Coinbase, recognized as the largest crypto exchange in the United States, initially filed this petition in July 2022.
DOL seeks punitive damages against Vermont excavation company who used social media to attack ex-employee
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has filed a lawsuit against a Vermont excavation company, Bevins & Son Inc., alleging that the company used social media to retaliate against workers who had been awarded lost wages earlier this year. This development follows a settlement that the department negotiated with the company earlier this year.
Chairman Smith Highlights: In 2023, Ways & Means Committee Advocated for Working Families
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
The Ways and Means Committee of the United States Congress has focused its efforts in 2023 on addressing the needs and priorities of working families, small businesses, and farmers, while also ensuring transparency and accountability in government. Led by Chairman Jason Smith, the committee has made significant strides in advancing solutions to the challenges facing the country.Chairman Smith expressed the committee's commitment to working families, stating, "The Ways and Means Committee hit the ground running in 2023 - refocusing the Committee's work on the needs and...
Sen. Cruz Probes Attempts to Extort Millions from Airlines Over New DC Flights
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has launched an investigation into attempts by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to extort millions of dollars from airlines if Congress changes laws that limit flights into and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The investigation comes after documents revealed that MWAA, at the request of United Airlines, is attempting to transfer the proceeds to United Airlines via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).In a letter addressed to John Potter, President and...
Chairman Jordan Subpoenas Attorney General Garland for Information on the DOJ's Attempts to Spy on Congress
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has taken a significant step by issuing a subpoena to Attorney General Merrick Garland, demanding information regarding the Department of Justice's (DOJ) alleged attempts to surveil Members of Congress and congressional staff. This move comes after Google revealed that the DOJ had subpoenaed their records in 2017, including personal phone records and emails of a former Chief Investigative Counsel to then-Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley.The subpoenaed information not only pertains to the staff member...
Biden Administration Loses the Forest for the Trees
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
Today, the Biden administration has faced criticism for its implementation of burdensome forestry regulations. The administration announced a national old-growth amendment to all 128 forest plans across the nation, making it more challenging to responsibly manage America's forests. This move has been met with opposition from House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, who believes that the administration has failed to address the underlying threats to our federal forests.Chairman Westerman expressed his concerns, stating, "Instead of using proven active...
Cantwell, Cruz Bills to Modernize Nation’s Weather Radio, Deliver Real-Time Emergency Alerts Passes Senate
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills aimed at modernizing the nation's weather communication and radio service. The bills, known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act and the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act, were introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in May 2023 and have now been sent to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act seeks to upgrade the outdated weather radio technology and...
