Latest News
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
U.S. Senator John Barrasso has called for a comprehensive investigation into the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) due to concerns about favoritism and inappropriate outside influence. In a letter to the Inspector General of the DOE, Barrasso highlights questions about the impartiality of the LPO's operations and its Director, Jigar Shah.Barrasso specifically urges the Inspector General to investigate the relationships and interactions between Director Shah and the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR), an organization he founded. Barrasso...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Washington, D.C. — Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) has expressed his approval of the inclusion of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) Security Partnership provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This partnership, championed by Chairman McCaul and other representatives, aims to counter the increasingly aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific region.Chairman McCaul highlights the importance of having reliable allies like Australia and the United Kingdom, who have a history of fighting alongside the United...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The American Medical Association (AMA) and other medical associations across the country are rallying in support of newly proposed legislation aimed at preventing a 3.37% Medicare payment cut scheduled for next year. If not reversed, this will mark the fourth consecutive annual reduction.
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has successfully negotiated the inclusion of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) reauthorization legislation as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which has passed both the Senate and House this week, now heads to the president's desk.The reauthorization legislation, totaling $1.35 billion, aims to modernize ports, maritime infrastructure, and shipbuilding while also expanding workforce education and training....
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has expressed his satisfaction with the House passage of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a statement, Rogers emphasized the importance of the NDAA in addressing the unprecedented threats faced by the nation."Our nation faces unprecedented threats – the National Defense Authorization Act has never been more vital," said Rogers. He further highlighted that the passage of the FY24 NDAA sends a strong message to the country's adversaries. The bill, according to...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, celebrated the passage of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as it heads to be signed into law by President Biden. The NDAA authorizes policies, programs, and spending for the Department of Defense and includes provisions that address national security threats and strengthen the military.Chairman Gallagher emphasized the importance of the NDAA in the current geopolitical landscape. He stated, "We are in the window of maximum danger when it...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON—Sen. Mike Braun, Ranking Member of the U.S. Special Committee on Aging, delivered opening remarks at the committee’s hearing entitled, “Understanding a Growing Crisis: Substance Use Trends Among Older Adults.” He also released a report titled "The Silent Epidemic: Fentanyl and Older Americans," which addresses the increase in overdose deaths among older Americans due to the dangers of fentanyl.During the hearing, Senator Braun emphasized the importance of focusing on older Americans when it comes to substance use, as they are often overlooked. He highlighted...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul recently delivered remarks at a full committee markup, discussing bills aimed at restricting the flow of critical technologies to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and authorizing the expansion of the Starr-Camargo Bridge near Rio Grande City, Texas.During the markup, several bills were offered to amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and prevent the continued flow of American national security technologies to the CCP. Chairman McCaul emphasized the threat posed by the CCP to national security and the ongoing...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx has expressed concerns over the United States Postal Service's (USPS) changes to its privacy policy. Foxx has raised questions about the potential release of customers' personal information to labor unions.In a letter addressed to USPS Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Louis DeJoy, Foxx expresses her astonishment at the possibility of such a breach of personal information. She seeks clarification on USPS's collection and dissemination of information to labor unions.Foxx highlights that USPS has...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Kevin Cramer, Markwayne Mullin, Pete Ricketts, and Dan Sullivan have written a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan expressing their concerns about the agency's proposed 'subpart W' rule on methane emissions reporting. The senators are urging the EPA to reconsider and revise its proposal.In the letter, the senators argue that the EPA's proposed revisions to subpart W go against the mandates of the statute and will increase the tax burden on American energy. They state that the proposal would expand...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie, and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith, on behalf of the Health and Oversight Republicans, have sent a follow-up letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf. The letter addresses a previous request for information regarding the FDA's foreign drug inspection program and comes in the context of the committee's efforts to address drug shortages. The FDA has yet to respond to the committee's request.In the...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC - The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has called for urgent action after Hong Kong authorities placed bounties on the heads of pro-democracy activists, including an American citizen.In a joint statement, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) expressed their concern over the actions of the CCP-controlled authorities in Hong Kong. They stated, "Last night, CCP-controlled authorities in Hong Kong issued bounties on five Hong Kongers living...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Washington, DC - Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced today that the Jefferson County Courthouse in West Virginia has been designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL). The NHL designation is the highest federal recognition of a property's historical, architectural, or archaeological significance."As West Virginians, we take great pride in the history of our state," said Chairman Manchin. "The designation of the Jefferson County Courthouse as a National Historic Landmark means that this piece of West Virginia heritage will be preserved for generations to come. This...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has expressed his support for the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2024 fiscal year, which recently passed the House with bipartisan support. In a statement, Chairman McCaul emphasized the importance of strengthening the military and providing necessary resources to combat growing threats from adversaries.McCaul highlighted several provisions included in the NDAA that were championed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC). One such provision focuses on defense cooperation with Australia...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost and Majority Whip Tom Emmer recently hosted a roundtable discussion with Speaker Mike Johnson and various Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). The purpose of the discussion was to address the needs and priorities of our nation's veterans and their families.Chairman Bost expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to hear directly from the VSOs, stating, "As Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I always appreciate hearing from our Veteran Service Organization partners to keep a pulse on what’s important to...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic recently held a hearing to discuss the need for reform within the World Health Organization (WHO) and to address its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing highlighted the flaws within the WHO framework and the Chinese Communist Party's lack of transparency in sharing information about the virus.Chairman Brad Wenstrup opened the hearing by pointing out four instances where the WHO bowed to political pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized the importance of holding China accountable for its...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have expressed their views on the Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) decision to reselect Sierra Leone for a potential future compact agreement. In a joint statement, the senators acknowledged the progress made by Sierra Leone's government and the primary opposition party in restoring confidence in the country's democratic institutions following what they described as "flawed elections in June."The senators highlighted the significant commitments made by the government and opposition party as...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened today to address pending legislation and appoint members to subcommittees for the 118th Congress. Several measures were ordered reported, covering a range of issues related to conservation, wilderness areas, water rights, and land management.One of the bills discussed was S. 594, which aims to prioritize the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. According to Mr. Heinrich, the bill's sponsor, this legislation is essential for protecting and preserving the natural beauty...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Ted Cruz, along with Senator Jerry Moran and Senator Ted Budd, has requested unanimous consent to pass a temporary extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization. This attempt was blocked by Senator Michael Bennet. The lawmakers' goal is to ensure that air travel and air cargo during the holiday season are not severely impacted.Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of extending the FAA's authorities, stating, "A seamless travel experience depends on airlines, air traffic controllers, airport managers, and TSA screeners all...
By Federal Newswire | Dec 14, 2023
In new letters to top Senate Appropriations leaders, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr., and Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force detail the severe repercussions that a first-ever full-year continuing resolution (CR) for the Department of Defense (DoD) would have on national defense strategy, servicemembers and their families, and military readiness.The letters were sent to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) ahead of the upcoming funding...
