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Comer threatens to subpoena SEC chair over lack of transparency
On the Hill

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer has threatened to subpoena Gary Gensler, chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), if Gensler does not provide documents that Comer requested in June. Comer and Senator Tim Scott, ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, sent a letter to Gensler on June 5 requesting documents related to the SEC's involvement in the development of social engineering initiatives in the European Union (EU).


Krishnamoorthi: 'Past approaches to combatting IUU fishing by the PRC and efforts to stop forced labor have been insufficient'
On the Hill

Illinois Representative and Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Raja Krishnamoorthi, along with fellow legislators, are opposing the illicit fishing activities orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The lawmakers claim continuous violations and mismanagement on the part of the People's Republic of China (PRC).


AOC appeals to Biden Administration over border wall decision
On the Hill

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York's 14th District has expressed her concerns and criticism regarding the Biden Administration's decision to accelerate the construction of certain portions of the border wall. In a strongly worded statement, Ocasio-Cortez stated, "The Biden administration was not required to waive several environmental laws to expedite the building of the border wall. The President needs to take responsibility for this decision and reverse course."


Krishnamoorthi: 'Professor Dawut and all other illegally imprisoned individuals must be released immediately'
On the Hill

Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), joined the Committee's Chairman, Mike Gallagher, in condemning the CCP's sentencing of Uyghur scholar Rahile Dawut to life in prison.


McCarthy ousted  as U.S. House Speaker, setting off 'scramble' for successor
On the Hill

The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday ousted Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the first time in U.S. History that a sitting speaker has been removed, The Wall Street Journal reported.


Joint press availability highlights a fortified partnership between U.S. and Mexico
On the Hill

Top officials from the United States and Mexico gathered for a joint press availability on September 29, highlighting the strengthening economic ties and collaborative efforts between the two countries. The meeting included U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Mexican Secretary of Economy Raquel Buenrostro, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.



DOE sets new residential furnace efficiency standards
On the Hill

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has established new energy efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces, according to a press release. These standards, which are expected to take effect in late 2028, will ensure a minimum annual fuel utilization efficiency of 95 percent for residential gas furnaces. This means that the furnaces will efficiently convert gas into heat for living spaces, resulting in a significant reduction in waste.


Policymakers are urged by a new report to address obstacles to data sharing
On the Hill

Good quality data is increasingly important for enhancing outcomes in healthcare, education, and a myriad of other areas of the economy and society, according to a press release shared on Sep 25th. A new analysis from the Center for Data Innovation urges policymakers in the United States to address obstacles to data sharing in order to advance the nation's social and economic development.


Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.): 'The Subcommittee on Federal Lands is committed to improving access to our public lands'
On the Hill

On September 19, the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands met to discuss four bipartisan bills aimed at improving access to public lands. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany expressed the committee's commitment to enhancing access to public lands, stating that the bills would lead to greater recreational opportunities on federal lands.


Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.): 'According to this precedent, President Biden's failing border policies are coming to a park near you'
On the Hill

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman criticized the Biden Administration's use of National Park Service lands for migrant camps. Westerman expressed his dissatisfaction with the National Park Service's absence in defending their decision to Congress and accused them of relying on the Biden administration for support. He emphasized Congress's duty to conduct oversight and voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of policy decisions on the national parks.


U.S. Department of Commerce shared $5.7 million commitment to support business expansion and create jobs in West Virginia
On the Hill

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo declared that West Virginia business expansion projects would be supported with grants totaling $5.7 million from the department's Economic Development Administration. Raimondo stated, "As part of the Biden Administration’s commitment to investing in America, we’re making sure that communities in West Virginia and across the country have the resources they need to grow and diversify their economies."


Texas will benefit from a $6.7 million investment from the U.S. Department of Commerce to increase access to healthcare and support business growth
On the Hill

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) will invest $6.7 million in Texas. This investment aims to improve healthcare access and support business growth in the state.


Gallagher: 'Ford needs to call off this deal for good'
On the Hill

Wisconsin Representative Mike Gallagher, who is also the Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has commented on the recent reports regarding an investigation into Ford's agreement with CCP-affiliated battery company Contemporary Amperex Technology, Co. Limited (CATL). According to the reports, Ford may only temporarily suspend the agreement.


Fitzgerald: 'We must push back on the CCP's BRI'
On the Hill

On September 21, Wisconsin Rep. Scott Fitzgerald introduced the "Thwarting Regional Adversary Investments Now (TRAIN) Act," which is the fourth in a series of bills introduced by him aimed at countering Chinese Communist Party aggression. Fitzgerald's bill seeks to provide training and protection to non-adversarial government officials in South and Central Asia against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) predatory lending practices through its Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).


In coordination with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce released the New Methane Abatement Handbook on September 27.
On the Hill

On September 27, the Methane Abatement for Oil and Gas: Handbook for Policymakers has been released, according to a joint announcement from the Department of State's Bureau of Energy Resources Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt and the Department of Commerce's Commercial Law Development Program Chief Counsel Stephen Gardner.


Gov. Walz; 'I am pleased to see both local and federal efforts in enhancing Oak Park Heights' water infrastructure'
On the Hill

The city of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, will receive a $1.5 million grant from the Department's Economic Development Administration for water infrastructure upgrades, including a new municipal well and pumphouse to ensure continuous water service throughout the city, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced on September 26.


"Investigating hotel and resort discounts offered by the Armed Forces Vacation Club for Veterans"
On the Hill

Finding opportunities to unwind and revitalize is crucial for Veterans who have served our country, according to a press release distributed on Sept. 27. Veterans can take well-earned vacations without breaking the bank thanks to the Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC), a useful tool."For Veterans who have served our nation, finding opportunities to relax and rejuvenate is essential," said Denis Mcdonough.The Armed Forces Vacation Club, also known as the AFVC, offers free membership to all active-duty, retired, and veteran military personnel. "We sincerely think that the best...


Veterans are quickly trained by ATDM for lucrative, in-demand defense manufacturing employment
On the Hill

Office of Veterans Affairs Jobs in the defense manufacturing industry present a viable new career option. In addition to providing a solution, the ATDM program (Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing) also shows promise as a way to go forward with the transition to civilian life. Denis McDonough, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, emphasized the potential of defense manufacturing jobs as a thriving new career path.