News from February 2024
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The Biden Administration continues to push for funding to support the Pacific Islands amidst escalating tensions with China. A recent economic aid package of $95 billion was approved to bolster Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. However, the Marshall Islands and other Indo-Pacific region islands were excluded.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have initiated a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on the impact of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers on generic drug shortages. The agencies have set a 60-day period for comments.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
Mike Gallagher, the head of the US House China committee, along with a group of lawmakers, is scheduled to visit Taiwan on February 21. This impending trip is anticipated to stir displeasure in Beijing.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The United States Department of Treasury recently conducted an analysis on the Investing in America Agenda, a program focused on enhancing communities with lower wages, employment rates, college graduation rates, and higher poverty rates. The findings revealed that the Agenda has been instrumental in driving investment to underserved communities in Georgia.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
McKinsey & Company posits that Middle Eastern companies investing in the public cloud could generate billions of dollars in revenue. An analysis conducted by McKinsey, examining cloud use cases applied to the public sector and over 600 companies, suggests that up to $183 billion could be generated by 2030.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
FTX, under the leadership of CEO John Ray III, has announced plans to fully reimburse all former customers who were defrauded. Legal representatives for FTX's bankruptcy estate have informed a judge that they anticipate having sufficient funds to fully repay customers and creditors with legitimate claims against the company.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
Austin Campbell, an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School and former chief risk officer at Paxos, has shed light on the legal issues surrounding Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Speaking to Federal Newswire, Campbell highlighted that the case against CZ bears similarities to failures at major banks, whereas Bankman-Fried stands accused of misusing customer funds and deceiving investors. He also pointed out that U.S. government agencies have recognized many of Binance's historical compliance issues as resolved.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
A memorandum from the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has expressed concerns that the Biden administration's attempts to establish a national valuation system for natural assets, in line with United Nations standards, could potentially jeopardize the governance of federal lands and waters. The hearing is titled "Bidenomics & Land Management: The Misguided National Strategy to Develop Environmental Economic Decisions."
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
Jeremy Mark, a nonresident senior fellow in the GeoEconomics Center at the Atlantic Council, has warned that the Chinese stock market crash could potentially sever many foreign investor relations permanently. He stressed that stability would need to be restored before investors regain confidence in the Chinese market.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has initiated an investigation into potential political campaigning and lobbying by tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entities. The committee is questioning the enforcement capabilities of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and expressing concerns about possible bias in targeting activist groups. U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the committee, announced the probe via a press release.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that it will allocate over $128 million in funds to assist families in their journey towards economic independence. The 2023 Renewal and New Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program grants will be distributed among 835 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) owners.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently organized its inaugural youth summit with a focus on creating a workforce and economy that prioritizes guiding young people towards high-quality jobs. The event provided policymakers an opportunity to engage directly with the youth.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has unveiled a revised Equity Action Plan, aimed at aligning with the Biden administration's objective to ensure fairness and equity are integral principles in the government's daily practices. The report now states, "equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy, and our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths."
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has granted the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) a $11.5 million, three-year grant to administer the California Zero-Emission Solutions for Tomorrow (CAL-ZEST). The initiative is designed to expedite the development of next-generation, heavy-duty, zero-emission vehicles and equipment.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently met with state officials at the site of the Interstate Bridge replacement project, which links Oregon and Washington on Interstate 5 over the Columbia River. In December, the DOT's Mega Program declared that it had allocated $600 million towards a new bridge.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
House Judiciary Chairman Jordan and 44 other Members of Congress have submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Murthy v. Missouri, a significant free speech case. The Congress members are concerned about the violation of the Constitution and the infringement of civil liberties by the Biden Administration. The House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have been investigating the executive branch's collaboration with social media companies to censor speech.Chairman Jordan stated, "The First Amendment is first...
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
In a 70-29 vote, the Senate has approved a comprehensive national security supplemental package aimed at supporting U.S. allies and delivering critical humanitarian assistance. The package, totaling $95.34 billion, received overwhelming bipartisan support.U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed her satisfaction with the Senate's decision. She called on the Speaker of the House to schedule a vote on the bipartisan package immediately, emphasizing the urgency of the situation in Ukraine. Senator Murray stated, "our friends in...
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
A 32-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced to 60 months in prison on charges related to human smuggling and illegal possession of a firearm, as revealed by Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia on social media.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
Last week, Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), joined Congressman Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) at the Rayburn Office Building on Capitol Hill to announce the formation of the new Congressional Digital Health Caucus. The caucus will concentrate on developing policies to promote digital health technologies.
By Federal Newswire | Feb 14, 2024
The House Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has requested that the Departments of Treasury, Defense (DOD), and Commerce investigate two Chinese bio-tech companies with ties to the CCP. The call was made in a letter co-authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the committee, Ranking Member U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), and U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).
