News from October 2023
House Committee on Natural Resources responds to new USFWS rule
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has responded to a new rule announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that bans the use of lead ammunition and tackle in national wildlife refuges. The rule, which was finalized on Oct. 27, has sparked controversy and concerns about access to public lands and the affordability of alternative equipment.
FTX founder Sam-Bankman Fried claims that spending FTX customers' money was apart of 'risk management'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried claimed that the misplacement of billions of consumers' money was apart of 'risk management' as the trial intensifies on Oct 31st. At the time of the company's bankruptcy, FTX faced a shortfall of $8 billion owed to its customers.
The CFTC announced that the organization awarded more than $15 million to crypto whistleblowers
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
In a press release, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that they awarded over $15 million to crypto whistleblowers, which led to the firm bringing two separate successful enforcement cases. The CFTC commissioner, Christy Goldsmith Romero, stated that the whistleblowers provided significant information and assistance that played a crucial role in the enforcement cases.
Krishnamoorthi: 'The CCP continues to show aggression towards its neighbors'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has criticized the CCP for its aggression towards its neighbors, particularly the recent incident involving Chinese ships colliding with multiple Philippine boats. Krishnamoorthi stated, "The CCP continues to show aggression towards its neighbors, including, most recently, the Philippines. Such actions risk further escalation, and they must stop."
Texas District Court Judge Moses: 'Deterring unlawful activity, including illegal entry, is in the public interest'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
The State of Texas initiated a civil lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal officials, as per the court document. The subject of contention is the alleged destruction by these federal agents of Texas's concertina wire near the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Alia Moses, "Deterring unlawful activity, including illegal entry, is in the public interest".
Miller: 'We are cracking down on the ruthless cartels and criminal organizations that are responsible'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
DHS Announces new strategy to strengthen fight against fentanyl and synthetic drugs
Canegallo: 'No one should listen to the lies of smugglers'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ramped up efforts to directly repatriate Venezuelan nationals without a legal basis to remain in the country. In a press release issued on October 24, 2023, the DHS announced that it facilitated a second charter flight to Venezuela as part of its ongoing removal operations. This comes in addition to frequent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal flights and the ongoing removal of Venezuelans to Mexico.
U.S. and Mexican Authorities announce new list of 10 criminal targets to increase border security
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
According to the press release issued on Oct. 27, 2023 from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the United States and Mexico have announced 10 new individuals to be targeted under their "Se Busca Información" initiative. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry.
NMA's Rich Nolan criticizes China's curbs on mineral exports, calls for U.S. mineral security
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
President and CEO of the National Mining Association (NMA), Rich Nolan, has criticized China's recent restrictions on the export of graphite, a critical mineral used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles. In a statement issued by the NMA, Nolan called for U.S. mineral security in response to China's actions.
AICPA & CIMA unveil new framework to optimize business strategy execution
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) have introduced a new framework aimed at bridging the gap between strategic plans and their execution. The framework, called the Integrated Performance Management Framework, was developed in collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
New Joint Employer Rule sparks controversy in restaurant industry
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
The restaurant industry is bracing for impact following the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) release of its final rule on the definition of a Joint Employer. A new rule proposed by the National Labor Relations Board would increase employer liability, according to the National Restaurant Association. The National Restaurant Association and the Restaurant Law Center (RLC) have come forward in strong opposition to this newly minted regulation, raising concerns about its impact on both franchisors and franchisees within the industry, according to a press release from the...
Forman: 'There is little doubt that key aspects of competition in the healthcare industry are broken'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Andrew J. Forman delivered a compelling speech at the Capitol Forum: Health Care Competition Conference, sounding the alarm on critical issues plaguing the U.S. healthcare industry. Hosted at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 26, Forman's remarks shed light on the urgent need to safeguard competition within this vital sector, which accounts for nearly 20% of the nation's GDP.
HHS Announces Transition in Distribution of COVID-19 Therapeutics
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
According to a letter addressed to COVID-19 therapeutics manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and the healthcare payer community, starting Nov. 1, 2023, Pfizer and Merck will begin distributing their products through traditional healthcare channels.
Becerra: 'This rule is the next step in ensuring we take patients out of the middle of billing disputes between insurers and health care providers'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra was quoted in the HHS release, "The Biden-Harris Administration continues to take actions to protect patients from junk health insurance and unfair billing practices." According to the HHS press release,...
EPA highlights pursuance efforts
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency has highlighted its enforcement actions in 2023 to protect communities from the dangers of lead-based paint. The EPA released a summary of the actions taken by the agency in 2023, emphasizing its commitment to stringent enforcement of lead paint laws.
DHS Initiates visa-free travel to U.S. for eligible Israeli citizens
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
A landmark announcement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that starting immediately, qualified Israeli citizens and nationals can travel to the United States without a visa.
Biden-Harris Administration seeks supplemental funding to address border security and migration challenges
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
The Biden-Harris Administration has requested supplemental funding from Congress to strengthen border security and address the challenges posed by increased migration and the trafficking of fentanyl, according to a recent press release from the Department of Homeland Security. In an official release by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas on Oct. 20, 2023, he urged Congress to equip the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the necessary "resources and support" to fulfill its safety and security mission.
Mayorkas: 'The unprecedented speed of AI's development and adoption presents significant risks we must quickly mitigate'
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
On Oct. 30, 2023, President Joe Biden signed a landmark Executive Order aimed at the responsible and secure development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the nation. The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the significant risks associated with the rapid development and adoption of AI and is taking steps to mitigate them. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will play a key role in implementing the new AI guidelines.
National Taxpayers Union: Google antitrust case 'could be very damaging to American competitiveness'
By Paige Wagenknecht | Oct 31, 2023
Nicholas Johns, senior policy and government affairs manager at the National Taxpayers Union, said the government’s arguments within its antitrust case against Google demonstrate a clear shift from past precedent, which could be very damaging to American competitiveness.
Bitcoin is currently trading for $25,500, but analyst believes that its fair value is $47,000
By Federal Newswire | Oct 31, 2023
Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, believes that Bitcoin is trading at a much lower price than its fair value of $47,200. Bitcoin is currently trading in a tight range between $25,500 and $26,500, but Edwards sees this as a low-risk long-term buying opportunity. According to a news article published by btcnews.biz, Edwards' view is based on Bitcoin's production cost and energy value. Capriole Investments has an energy value theory that gives Bitcoin a fair value price of $47,200, and Edwards reiterated his bullish stance on the cryptocurrency by stating that...
