News published on Federal Newswire in February 2024

U.S. Representatives Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) have penned a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate whether the International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, is unlawfully representing the government of Iran. The letter was made public on Banks' Congressional site.

OPINION: Actual Security vs. Security Theatre

By Austin Campbell | Feb 9, 2024

“Even $1 of funding to Hamas is too much,” I was told, in a private meeting with a good friend at a major US regulator, to explain the antipathy of some US politicians towards crypto.

Green Bay-based cleaning and laundry product manufacturer fined $194,000 by OSHA for workplace violations

Tufco LP, a Green Bay-based industry leader in the manufacturing of branded and industrial wet and dry wipe products, has been fined $194,000 for violating federal regulations. The violation pertains to an incident involving the amputation of an employee’s fingertips last summer. It was also discovered that the company neglected to report the incident as mandated by federal law.

Navigating the Maze of Accountability: Ryan Young Examines Regulatory Dark Matter

Ryan Young is a senior economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

DHS and Lyft partner together to help combat human trafficking

Lyft, Inc. has joined forces with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on an initiative known as the Blue Campaign, designed to combat human trafficking. Lyft drivers will now have access to information about human trafficking via the Blue Campaign in the company's app.

The Department of the Treasury has released an analysis on the return on investment from the Inflation Reduction Act

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has published an analysis indicating that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has yielded a substantial return on investment.

The US Department of the Treasury has released a 2024 national risk assessment

The United States Department of the Treasury has published its 2024 national risk assessments, focusing on terrorist financing, proliferation financing, and money laundering. The report underlines the most substantial financial threats currently confronting the United States.

A False Claims Act has been filed against former president of Illinois' Cardiac Imaging

The U.S. Department of Justice has lodged a complaint against the former president and co-owner of Cardiac Imaging Inc., via the U.S. District Court, under the False Claims Act (FCA). The company is known for providing mobile cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

AZ State Rep. Austin Smith calls for fed government to return Arizona land to the state

Smith, along with other House Republicans, has initiated a series of bills intended to counteract President Joe Biden’s 30x30 initiative. Having been elected to the state House of Representatives in 2022, Smith introduced House Concurrent Memorial 2005. This legislation calls upon Congress and Biden to endorse the Reverse 30x30 initiative, which aims to return 30% of federally controlled lands to their respective states by 2030.

Zero Knowledge Consulting founder on terror financing: 'We need to focus on actual security, not security theater'

Austin Campbell, founder and managing partner of Zero Knowledge Consulting, a firm specializing in data processing systems design, has offered his perspective on the ongoing debate about cryptocurrency and its potential use in financing terrorism. Campbell suggests that it is crucial for the government to clarify whether its objective is specifically to target funding for Hamas or to shut down all possible funding channels, a move which could potentially exacerbate the situation.

The Justice Department has secured a $13.5 million agreement with First National Bank of Pennsylvania to resolve redlining claims

The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) and the state of North Carolina have secured a $13.5 million agreement with the First National Bank of Pennsylvania to settle claims of redlining in North Carolina. Redlining is a discriminatory practice that involves systematic denial of services to residents of certain geographic areas based on their race.

HUD awards $20 million to tribal communities to enhance infrastructure projects

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has pledged approximately $20 million to Native American communities in a bid to bolster infrastructure projects. This initiative forms part of HUD's commitment to uphold its responsibilities towards tribal Nations, respecting their sovereignty while enabling them to flourish.

Alejandro Mayorkas: 'There are no known, credible, specific threats to the Super Bowl'

Employees from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been diligently preparing for over a year-and-a-half to ensure the smooth execution of this weekend's Super Bowl in Las Vegas. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas visited the city this week to review assessments with city and local officials.

Columbia Business School professor: 'It’s not crypto that is a threat to our financial system'

Omid Malekan, an author and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, has expressed concerns about the impact of U.S. regulatory agencies on both the cryptocurrency industry and the traditional financial sector. In a statement posted on X, Malekan singled out U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for her role in the difficulties faced by U.S. banks with ties to the crypto industry.

Chief Patrol Agent Modlin: 'Migrants often resort to camouflage tactics to evade detection and capture'

In a recent incident, Border Patrol Agents in the Tucson Sector apprehended migrants who were attempting to blend into the desert surroundings by wearing camouflage. This revelation was shared on social media by Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin.

New York City-based hospital system fined $4.75 million for HIPAA violations

A non-profit hospital system based in New York City has consented to pay $4.75 million for contravening the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The inquiry was led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), an agency within HHS that implements federal civil rights, privacy, and security laws in health care.

Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act Provides $17.6 Billion in Military Assistance

The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act was released today by Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert, providing $17.6 billion in military assistance for Israel. This measure also includes important funding for U.S. Forces in the region. Subcommittee Chairman Calvert is joined by Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik as original cosponsors of the bill.The House took action in response to the October 7th...

Murray Remarks on Bipartisan National Security Supplemental

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), discussed the Senate's bipartisan national security supplemental package in a press call today.During the call, Senator Murray highlighted the key provisions of the package. She emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Putin's invasion, stating, "As Ukraine runs low on ammunition to fend off Putin's brutal invasion, we need to finally extend our support."...

Kansas Sheriff Jeff Richards: 'Small and rural agencies are not immune from the negative impacts caused by the activities of drug cartels'