News published on Federal Newswire in July 2023

The National Defense Authorization Act passed July 14 has faced backlash for controversial amendments targeting abortion access, LGBTQI+ rights and military diversity.

Blackburn and Hagerty urge Biden Administration to respond to Mexican officials “who directly support or enable the cartels”

Sen. Blackburn (R-TN) and Sen. Hagerty (R-TN) said that more needs to be done to convince the government of Mexico to oppose the threat that is the cartels. On June 26, the senators and their colleagues addressed the matter head on in a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Yellen and Secretary of State Blinken.

Rep. Bishop: 'Open borders kill. Illicit drugs, child sex trafficking, cartel violence - all results of the Biden-Mayorkas border invasion.'

In the recent House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), a member of the Committee, brought up two major issues surrounding the southern border: fentanyl and child sex trafficking. Bishop posted on Twitter on July 19 saying that these issues are the results of the Biden Administration’s border policies.

U.S. Reps. Gallagher and Smith question Ford on its new partner's 'attempt to shield its connection to Xinjiang-based companies' and its own 'commitment to advance U.S. battery production'

Mike Gallagher and Jason Smith, Wisconsin and Missouri representatives, respectively, express concerns about a new partnership between Ford and a China-linked battery company. Their remarks are part of a joint letter sent to Ford's CEO on July 20th.

Apps: 'The SEC remains committed to holding accountable those who prey upon innocent investors'

The Securities and Exchange Commission recently issued a release regarding charges brought against Eliyahu Weinstein, a twice-convicted fraudster from Lakewood, N.J., and five other individuals for their involvement in a $38 million Ponzi-like scheme aimed at defrauding investors.

Vedova: 'It’s critical that the market for health care product advertising remains competitive'

The Federal Trade Commission recently initiated legal action in order to block IQVIA's acquisition of Propel Media, with the goal of preventing a significant increase in market concentration within the healthcare programmatic advertising industry.

Fontes Rainer: 'Patients and others should not have to sacrifice the privacy of their health information when using a hospital’s website'

Around 130 hospital systems and telehealth providers received a cautionary letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission, highlighting concerns about the privacy and security risks related to the incorporation of online tracking technologies into their websites or mobile apps.

Hicks: 'Our investments in data and AI are yielding returns much faster than most new defense capabilities'

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks released a statement marking the first anniversary of the Department of Defense's (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).

Stephen Ezell said: 'If nations are willing to pay more for energy to demonstrate their resolve to save the planet from climate change, they should also be willing to pay a bit more for pharmaceuticals to save humanity from the scourge of diseases.'

In a press release issued on July 17, 2023, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the top think tank for science and technology policy, stated that drug price controls in non-OECD countries that are not the United States. Reduce biopharmaceutical research and development by more than $56 billion annually, depriving the world of 25 new medicines each year.

Treviño: 'As Americans suffer, so too do Mexicans themselves'

A new coalition, consisting of organizations like the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Heritage Foundation, calls for a fresh approach to address Mexico's current state.

Levine: We will pursue 'those who prey on individuals struggling with alcohol or other substance use disorders'

The FTC has taken legal action against the manufacturers of Sobrenix supplement, who made deceptive claims about the supplement's ability to reduce alcohol cravings and utilized fraudulent endorsements.

Alioto: 'The merger between Microsoft and Activision would be one of, if not the, largest technology mergers in history'

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan Tuesday recently confirmed the court’s decision to reject an emergency request to block Microsoft and Acitivison Blizzard’s merging deal.

Bibar: 'Seems like $BTCUSD is exhausting many trader’s patience'

With Bitcoin (BTC) prices be particularly volatile of late, a well respected analyst told an industry publication the industry is taxing trader's patience.

LaPlante: 'This is the first time an international body has verified destruction of an entire category of declared weapons of mass destruction'

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced the successful elimination of the nation's entire stockpile of obsolete chemical weapons.

Becerra: Substance-abuse grants are 'one of the pillars of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy'

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced five grant awards totaling $47.2 million to combat substance abuse and the national overdose epidemic.

Jason Oxman said: 'As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and dynamic, cybersecurity labels can provide consumers with clear information about the cybersecurity of smart devices.'

The Biden Administration's introduction of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, a voluntary cybersecurity certification and labeling scheme aimed at making smart products more safe and less susceptible to cyberattacks, was warmly received by the international tech trade association ITI on July 18, 2023. During a roundtable discussion today at the White House, ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman will reaffirm the support of the tech sector for the initiative.

Becker: 'Many of our urban, rural and Tribal communities have identified solutions to the environmental challenges they face'

On July 13th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that applications where open for a $10 million grant opportunity to support environmental justice.

Gallagher: Ford, CATL merger 'suggests that a significant portion of these well-paying jobs will be given to citizens of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) — not Americans'

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), chair of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), co-authored a letter sent to Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley expressing concerns over the company's possible ties to the CCP. Rep. Jason Smith, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, co-signed the letter.

Becerra: 'Work to reduce the dangers of substance use disorder in high-risk rural communities is critically important'

The team of Megan Meacham, Allison Hutchings and Sarah O’Donnell from the HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has been awarded the 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals People's Choice Award for establishing the HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.

FTC's Levine: Patients 'should not have to worry that their most private and sensitive health information' is disclosed online