News from January 2024
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced revisions to its Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aims to offer rental assistance to 18- to 24-year-olds transitioning out of foster care who are at risk of homelessness.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
Tom D. Homan, the retired director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has voiced his concerns over the Biden Administration's border policies, which he believes jeopardize national security. These views were shared during his recent testimony before the Committee on Oversight and Accountability for the United States' House of Representatives.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
U.S. Department of Education (EDU) Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed his confidence that the Biden administration's decision to forgive nearly $5 billion for an additional 74,000 student loan borrowers will significantly impact their lives. He further stated that the administration remains committed to pursuing further loan forgiveness.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his approval of a federal judge's decision to block JetBlue Airways' planned $3.8-billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had determined that the deal was anticompetitive and would negatively impact airline travelers.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
In a recent impeachment hearing for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-Tenn.) criticized Mayorkas' policies on the southern border, claiming they have contributed to a fentanyl crisis and endangered American lives. Green currently serves as the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents recently seized over 128 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on Interstate 8. The drugs, which have an estimated street value of $192,000, were confiscated as part of the agency's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a press release stating that Ilya Kahn leveraged his business connections in China and other countries to transfer hundreds of thousands of semiconductors to businesses sanctioned by the United States. These recipient businesses reportedly have links to the Russian Military and Russian Intelligence Agencies.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
Kevin Cirilli is host of The Daily Debrief, a contributor to The Hill, and a visiting media fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents from the El Centro Sector recently conducted a traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of nine pounds of fentanyl, as reported in a social media post by USBP Chief Jason Owens. Owens announced the news of the drug bust on X, formerly known as Twitter.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
The Department of the Treasury, in collaboration with President Biden, has announced the approval of federal funds for a significant project. These funds have been allocated through the Capital Projects Fund, a component of the Investing In America Agenda.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has offered nearly 50,000 veterans emergency suicide prevention care free of charge. In the inaugural year of this policy, the department saved service members and veterans over $64 million in healthcare costs.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a public notice stating that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has withdrawn the proposed rule to approve the creation of "Natural Asset Companies" (NACs) on Wall Street. NACs were conceived as a means for investors and governments to generate earnings from protecting natural resources associated with climate crisis policies.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
Gregory Chen, Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), recently provided testimony in a Congressional hearing titled "The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Social Services". The hearing was held before the Immigration Subcommittee of the Committee on the Judiciary. Chen urged for a reform in the current immigration process to sustain American economic prosperity.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 19, 2024
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to avert a government shutdown and pass strong funding bills and a comprehensive national security supplemental package. Speaking at a Senate Democratic leadership press conference, Senator Murray outlined the importance of moving quickly to pass bipartisan, bicameral funding bills."Now that we finally have a spending framework, which allows us to move forward on full-year appropriations bills, I have been working around the...
By Federal Newswire | Jan 18, 2024
The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in collaboration with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is currently probing into grants received by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The scientist is alleged to have affiliations with the CCP. The committees have sent letters regarding this matter to UCLA Chancellor Gener Block, National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the allocation of approximately $150 million in grants to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. These funds are earmarked for the renovation of nearly 4,500 existing EV charging ports and will be distributed among 24 grant recipients across 22 states.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 18, 2024
A recent survey conducted by the School Nutrition Association (SNA) reveals that school meal programs are grappling with funding, procurement, and regulatory challenges. The key findings of the survey were included in a position paper submitted to Congress by SNA, requesting an increase in funding, preservation of effective nutrition standards, and assurance of access to healthy meals for all students.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 18, 2024
On January 17, during an oversight hearing, Chairman James Comer (R-KY) asserted that the Biden Administration is actively undermining immigration law through policies that permit illegal immigrants to be released into the US interior shortly after apprehension. Comer serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 18, 2024
U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-N.J.), chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, extended his congratulations to the newly-elected leaders of Taiwan, underlining the success of Taiwanese democracy. In a press release issued from his Congressional office in Washington D.C., Smith expressed his unwavering support for the people of Taiwan and pledged to collaborate with the country and its new leadership in the future.
By Federal Newswire | Jan 18, 2024
Frank Bowman, III, a professor emeritus at the University of Missouri School of Law, has stated that despite potential disapproval from Congress regarding U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas's actions, impeachment is not warranted. Bowman provided this perspective during his role as a witness in a hearing conducted by the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Homeland Security.
