News published on Federal Newswire in September 2023

News from September 2023


Gov. Abbott: 'Texas is prepared to take this fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court'

A federal court halted Texas' Operation Lone Star's Rio Grande buoy barrier initiative, citing Rivers and Harbors Act violations. Gov. Greg Abbott criticized the ruling, hinting at a potential Supreme Court battle.


Research on the fentanyl Crisis from the Mexico Institute reveals statistics on drug smuggling and Mexican Cartels

An Aug. 29 piece by the Mexico Institute of the Wilson Center writes on the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. and its relation to other drugs. The article shows how the increase in fentanyl is not correlated to other drugs and is linked to two main cartels.


Modi: 'Had an excellent meeting with Mr. Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang to discuss NVIDIA's role in India's rapidly growing technology industry, ahead of hosting leaders from the G20 group.


DOE: $15.5 billion allocated to facilitate a robust and equitable shift towards electric vehicles

DOE: $15.5 billion Allocated to Facilitate a Robust and Equitable Shift Towards Electric Vehicles


Wadhwa: 'The SEC will continue to vigorously enforce the books and records provisions of the federal securities laws'

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (CGMI) is facing charges from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for recordkeeping failures concerning underwriting expenses, according to a press release. The SEC revealed resolved cease-and-desist actions against this broker-dealer.


Liu: 'Today’s proposed resolution sends a clear signal that the FTC and its state partners will scrutinize pharmaceutical mergers that enable such practices'

Amgen, the biopharmaceutical giant, is set to resolve FTC and state concerns regarding its acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics, according to a press release. The settlement terms will prevent Amgen from using its drug portfolio to unfairly compete with rivals and will mandate pre-approval for related product acquisitions.


Newland: 'The Interior Department recognizes the crucial role of utilizing indigenous knowledge in our biggest resource conservation and management challenges'

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of the Interior has allocated $5 million to support restoration of bison populations and grassland ecosystems in Tribal communities, according to a press release. The funding comes from President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda.


Oversight Committee Calls on DOT to Tackle Alarming Rise in Aviation and Rail Safety Failures


The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has recently announced a $30,000 investment in the Cold Stream Watershed located in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. This grant comes from the OSMRE's Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program, which aims to reduce pollution in various watersheds across the country.


Korn: "I want to thank Douglas County, Western Rivers Conservancy, and the many partners and staff that worked to make these acquisitions possible."

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently announced the acquisition of 216 acres of land along the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River, thanks to funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). BLM Swiftwater Field Manager Mike Korn expressed his gratitude towards Douglas County, Western Rivers Conservancy, and other partners and staff who made this acquisition possible. These lands will now be available to the public, ensuring their preservation for future generations.


FTC's Henry Liu: 'This deal as originally structured would have reduced competition in key areas of the mortgage origination process, raising costs for lenders and homebuyers'

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached an agreement with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and Black Knight to address antitrust concerns arising from ICE's $13.1 billion acquisition of Black Knight, the FTC said in an Aug. 31 press release.


FTC's Samuel Levine: 'Baiting renters with fake reviews and bogus listings harms those trying to find an affordable place to live and cheats honest competitors'

The FTC, along with state partners, has obtained a proposed order that would prohibit Roomster and its owners from utilizing deceptive reviews. Roomster employed fabricated reviews and fraudulent listings to attract consumers to its platform, as stated by the FTC and various states.


Antonia Apps, New York Regional SEC director: 'Without registration, investors of all types are deprived of the protections afforded them by the robust disclosures and other safeguards long provided by our securities laws'

The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Los Angeles-based media and entertainment company Impact Theory of conducting an unregistered offering of crypto asset securities, specifically non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The company, headquartered in Los Angeles, managed to raise around $30 million through this endeavor.


U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: '15-day public comment period for Cachuma Operation & Maintenance Board second contract amendment'

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced a 15-day comment period on a proposed amendment to the Cachuma Operation & Maintenance Board's second contract, which the BOR says is needed to allow work to continue at some facilities, a Sept. 7 press release said.


 Sen. Grassley questions DOJ on questionable actions taken against Los Chapitos

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sharply criticized the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on recent actions investigating the fentanyl network of the Los Chapitos cartel in an Aug. 21 letter to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, saying the DEA administrator "appears to have coordinated more with the press than with other federal agencies," and the DOJ seems to have taken a back seat.


Newsom: “Fentanyl is a deadly poison ripping families and communities apart"

Governor Newsom amplifies efforts to curb the fentanyl crisis, announcing a 50% increase in CalGuard forces at U.S.-Mexico border ports of entry, according to a press release. This strategy aims to significantly hinder narcotics trafficking.


Grassley: “It’s unthinkable that U.S. officials could allow bad actors in the Mexican government to put taxpayer resources into the hands of cartel bosses"

In a press release issued September 7, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chair of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, revealed significant lapses in the U.S. strategy to counter drug cartels in Mexico, primarily highlighting the alleged misuse of U.S resources by corrupt officials in the Mexican government.


Simonton: "We will not rest until we dismantle those trafficking networks”

A recent press release dated September 6th from the Northern District of Texas Department of Justice revealed U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton announcing federal charges against seven individuals implicated in a cross-border gun trafficking ring.


EPA's Martha Guzman: 'These settlements demonstrate EPA’s commitment to enforcing critical environmental laws that protect clean air and public health'

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has settled cases with businesses in California, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington State for unlawfully selling emissions control "defeat device" items, modifying vehicle emission controls, the agency said in a recent press release.


EPA unveils Phase II Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) final rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled its Phase II Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) final rule.