News from December 2023
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, celebrated the passage of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as it heads to be signed into law by President Biden. The NDAA authorizes policies, programs, and spending for the Department of Defense and includes provisions that address national security threats and strengthen the military.Chairman Gallagher emphasized the importance of the NDAA in the current geopolitical landscape. He stated, "We are in the window of maximum danger when it...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON—Sen. Mike Braun, Ranking Member of the U.S. Special Committee on Aging, delivered opening remarks at the committee’s hearing entitled, “Understanding a Growing Crisis: Substance Use Trends Among Older Adults.” He also released a report titled "The Silent Epidemic: Fentanyl and Older Americans," which addresses the increase in overdose deaths among older Americans due to the dangers of fentanyl.During the hearing, Senator Braun emphasized the importance of focusing on older Americans when it comes to substance use, as they are often overlooked. He highlighted...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul recently delivered remarks at a full committee markup, discussing bills aimed at restricting the flow of critical technologies to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and authorizing the expansion of the Starr-Camargo Bridge near Rio Grande City, Texas.During the markup, several bills were offered to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and prevent the continued flow of American national security technologies to the CCP. Chairman McCaul emphasized the threat posed by the CCP to national security and the ongoing...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx has expressed concerns over the United States Postal Service's (USPS) changes to its privacy policy. Foxx has raised questions about the potential release of customers' personal information to labor unions.In a letter addressed to USPS Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy, Foxx expresses her astonishment at the possibility of such a breach of personal information. She seeks clarification on USPS's collection and dissemination of information to labor unions.Foxx highlights that USPS has...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Kevin Cramer, Markwayne Mullin, Pete Ricketts, and Dan Sullivan have written a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan expressing their concerns about the agency's proposed 'subpart W' rule on methane emissions reporting. The senators are urging the EPA to reconsider and revise its proposal.In the letter, the senators argue that the EPA's proposed revisions to subpart W go against the mandates of the statute and will increase the tax burden on American energy. They state that the proposal would expand...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie, and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith, on behalf of the Health and Oversight Republicans, have sent a follow-up letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf. The letter addresses a previous request for information regarding the FDA's foreign drug inspection program and comes in the context of the committee's efforts to address drug shortages. The FDA has yet to respond to the committee's request.In the...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC - The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has called for urgent action after Hong Kong authorities placed bounties on the heads of pro-democracy activists, including an American citizen.In a joint statement, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) expressed their concern over the actions of the CCP-controlled authorities in Hong Kong. They stated, "Last night, CCP-controlled authorities in Hong Kong issued bounties on five Hong Kongers living...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Washington, DC - Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced today that the Jefferson County Courthouse in West Virginia has been designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL). The NHL designation is the highest federal recognition of a property's historical, architectural, or archaeological significance."As West Virginians, we take great pride in the history of our state," said Chairman Manchin. "The designation of the Jefferson County Courthouse as a National Historic Landmark means that this piece of West Virginia heritage will be preserved for generations to come. This...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has expressed his support for the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2024 fiscal year, which recently passed the House with bipartisan support. In a statement, Chairman McCaul emphasized the importance of strengthening the military and providing necessary resources to combat growing threats from adversaries.McCaul highlighted several provisions included in the NDAA that were championed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC). One such provision focuses on defense cooperation with Australia...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost and Majority Whip Tom Emmer recently hosted a roundtable discussion with Speaker Mike Johnson and various Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). The purpose of the discussion was to address the needs and priorities of our nation's veterans and their families.Chairman Bost expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to hear directly from the VSOs, stating, "As Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I always appreciate hearing from our Veteran Service Organization partners to keep a pulse on what’s important to...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic recently held a hearing to discuss the need for reform within the World Health Organization (WHO) and to address its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing highlighted the flaws within the WHO framework and the Chinese Communist Party's lack of transparency in sharing information about the virus.Chairman Brad Wenstrup opened the hearing by pointing out four instances where the WHO bowed to political pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized the importance of holding China accountable for its...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have expressed their views on the Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) decision to reselect Sierra Leone for a potential future compact agreement. In a joint statement, the senators acknowledged the progress made by Sierra Leone's government and the primary opposition party in restoring confidence in the country's democratic institutions following what they described as "flawed elections in June."The senators highlighted the significant commitments made by the government and opposition party as...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened today to address pending legislation and appoint members to subcommittees for the 118th Congress. Several measures were ordered reported, covering a range of issues related to conservation, wilderness areas, water rights, and land management.One of the bills discussed was S. 594, which aims to prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. According to Mr. Heinrich, the bill's sponsor, this legislation is essential for protecting and preserving the natural beauty...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Ted Cruz, along with Senator Jerry Moran and Senator Ted Budd, has requested unanimous consent to pass a temporary extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization. This attempt was blocked by Senator Michael Bennet. The lawmakers' goal is to ensure that air travel and air cargo during the holiday season are not severely impacted.Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of extending the FAA's authorities, stating, "A seamless travel experience depends on airlines, air traffic controllers, airport managers, and TSA screeners all...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
In new letters to top Senate Appropriations leaders, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr., and Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force detail the severe repercussions that a first-ever full-year continuing resolution (CR) for the Department of Defense (DoD) would have on national defense strategy, servicemembers and their families, and military readiness.The letters were sent to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) ahead of the upcoming funding...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON— Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and several Subcommittee Republican members are urging the Biden Administration to rejoin the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health and Strengthening the Family. The lawmakers have written a letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken, expressing their concern over the U.S.'s removal from the accord and requesting the U.S. to rejoin the declaration."We are concerned by President Biden's decision to remove the United States from...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senator John Barrasso, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, expressed his views on pending legislation at a committee business meeting in Washington, D.C. Senator Barrasso highlighted the importance of passing bipartisan bills and specifically mentioned the Pilot Butte Power Plant Conveyance Act, which he had introduced. The act aims to transfer ownership of a hydropower plant in Wyoming to a local entity that can repair and bring it back into operation.In his remarks, Senator Barrasso emphasized the benefits of this transfer,...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Senators Mike Braun and Bob Casey have sent a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA), expressing their concern over the agency's lack of compliance with congressional and executive direction to allow electronic signatures for transactions when possible. The outdated wet signature requirement not only adds unnecessary burden to SSA employees but also affects anyone filling out forms.In the letter, the Senators highlight that there have been multiple congressional and executive branch authorizations providing federal agencies with the flexibility to allow and...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act has passed the House, bringing greater accountability to the oversight of legislative branch entities. House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil praised the passage of the bill, emphasizing the importance of Congress having the sole responsibility in selecting new leadership and holding bad actors accountable.Chairman Steil stated, "This bill is a win. Passing the AOC Appointment Act will bring greater accountability to our oversight of legislative branch entities. This bill gives Congress the sole responsibility in...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member, Mike Braun, has released a report titled "The Silent Epidemic, Fentanyl and Older Americans," which highlights the alarming increase in overdose deaths among older Americans. The report sheds light on the dangers of fentanyl, a synthetic drug primarily smuggled across the southern border, and its contribution to the rising number of fatalities. Over the past two decades, overdose deaths among Americans aged 65 and older have quadrupled.Speaking about the issue, Sen. Mike Braun stated, "We often talk about fentanyl...
