News from December 2023
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has issued subpoenas to financial giants BlackRock and State Street Global Advisors as part of the committee's investigation into the sufficiency of current antitrust laws in addressing collusive agreements to promote and adopt left-wing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.The committee had previously reached out to BlackRock and State Street on July 6, 2023, requesting documents and communications related to how these companies advance ESG policies, among other important information. While both companies...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Yesterday, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leaders sent a letter to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie Locascio, emphasizing the significance of careful consideration in funding research on artificial intelligence (AI) safety. The letter specifically addressed the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) at NIST, which was mandated by President Biden's October 30 Artificial Intelligence Executive Order.In the letter, the committee members highlighted the importance of NIST awarding...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is calling for more information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after comments from undisclosed Biden Administration authors in documents obtained by the Committee raise concerns about the viability of proposed power plant emissions standards.According to the documents, Biden Administration officials provided comments on an internal draft of the EPA's new proposed power plant emissions standards, casting doubt on whether the EPA's proposed rule is achievable and cost-effective....
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Washington, D.C. – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released its 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, revealing a staggering 12% increase in homelessness compared to the previous year. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed her concern over the rising crisis and emphasized the need for strengthened federal efforts to address the issue."This report makes clear what so many of us already recognize: homelessness is a crisis in every part of our country that is getting worse, and it’s critical we...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (D-PA) recently held a hearing to address the growing crisis of substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults. The hearing, titled "Understanding a Growing Crisis: Substance Use Trends Among Older Adults," aimed to shed light on the increasing rates of SUDs among this demographic, as well as the gaps in coverage and access to treatment and recovery.During the hearing, Senator Casey emphasized the need for policy solutions to address this issue. He highlighted his FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which aims to crack down...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
The Department of Interior (DOI) has released its final five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan, and it is being heavily criticized for its devastating impact on American jobs and innovation. The plan, which is a year and a half late, contains the fewest lease sales in the history of the program, dealing a huge blow to American energy production and national security.In response to the plan, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) expressed his dismay, stating, "The Biden administration’s plan to eliminate American energy production,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
In a recent hearing of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, members discussed the alarming lack of transparency surrounding the influence of money from foreign nationals on the American political system. The focus was on how nonprofit organizations, specifically 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, can funnel millions of dollars from foreign donors into the political system without any trace. This loophole allows foreign nationals to potentially manipulate American elections through tax-exempt charities.One example highlighted during the hearing involved a...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed her concerns about the Department of Labor's (DOL) proposed rulemaking on registered apprenticeship regulations. Foxx criticized the DOL for succumbing to pressure from leftist mobs and implementing woke policies.Foxx stated, "It’s no secret that DOL has been trained like a dog to sit, shake, and roll over on command by leftist mobs. Look no further than the Department’s 779-page notice of proposed rulemaking that’s chock full of pandering buzzwords like ‘equity’ and ‘inclusion’ – telltale...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia has recently announced a significant funding allocation for the Chaplin Hill Gateway Project. The project, which aims to improve traffic, enhance safety, and upgrade core transportation infrastructure in Monongalia County, will receive a total of $54,320,000 through the Mega Grant Program of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.Capito, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, expressed her satisfaction with the funding and highlighted the positive impact it...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Senator Joe Manchin, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has announced that the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection will receive $37,791,464 in grant funding. The funding, provided through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Methane Emissions Reduction Program, aims to reduce methane emissions from low-producing oil and gas wells in the state.The grant funding is made possible by Chairman Manchin's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which seeks to improve the health and safety...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, has issued a statement applauding the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to sustainable aviation fuel. The administration's announcement allows for the use of the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model to measure lifecycle emissions from sustainable aviation fuels.In her statement, Chairwoman Stabenow expresses her enthusiasm for the announcement, calling it "great news" and an "important step" towards reducing the...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
U.S. Senator John Barrasso has called for a comprehensive investigation into the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) due to concerns about favoritism and inappropriate outside influence. In a letter to the Inspector General of the DOE, Barrasso highlights questions about the impartiality of the LPO's operations and its Director, Jigar Shah.Barrasso specifically urges the Inspector General to investigate the relationships and interactions between Director Shah and the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR), an organization he founded. Barrasso...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Washington, D.C. — Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) has expressed his approval of the inclusion of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) Security Partnership provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This partnership, championed by Chairman McCaul and other representatives, aims to counter the increasingly aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific region.Chairman McCaul highlights the importance of having reliable allies like Australia and the United Kingdom, who have a history of fighting alongside the United...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), in collaboration with the non-partisan think tank Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), has announced the release of a "Framework for Identifying Highly Consequential AI Use Cases." The framework aims to assist government officials and industry leaders in identifying potential harms associated with artificial intelligence (AI).
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The American Medical Association (AMA) and other medical associations across the country are rallying in support of newly proposed legislation aimed at preventing a 3.37% Medicare payment cut scheduled for next year. If not reversed, this will mark the fourth consecutive annual reduction.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
A new report by Rob Gordon of the Western Caucus Foundation has uncovered discrepancies within the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as the landmark legislation nears its 50th anniversary. The report, published on Dec.13 and titled The Endangered Species Act at 50, exposes serious flaws in the program's claims of species recovery.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) released a staff research report on Dec. 13 describing how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses repressive tactics to silence its critics, both domestically and around the world. The report was authored by USCC Policy Fellow Andrew Hartnett, Policy Analyst Nicole Morgret, and Senior Policy Analyst Rachael Burton.
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By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
On Dec. 12, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) released a report outlining a strategy for the U.S. to reshape its economic and technological competition with China. The committee is led by Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has successfully negotiated the inclusion of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) reauthorization legislation as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which has passed both the Senate and House this week, now heads to the president's desk.The reauthorization legislation, totaling $1.35 billion, aims to modernize ports, maritime infrastructure, and shipbuilding while also expanding workforce education and training....
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has expressed his satisfaction with the House passage of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a statement, Rogers emphasized the importance of the NDAA in addressing the unprecedented threats faced by the nation."Our nation faces unprecedented threats – the National Defense Authorization Act has never been more vital," said Rogers. He further highlighted that the passage of the FY24 NDAA sends a strong message to the country's adversaries. The bill, according to...
