Latest News
Casey Probes Impact of Trump Tax Law on Fraud Victims
By Federal Newswire | Dec 19, 2023
Reports have emerged showing that fraud victims are facing significant tax bills following the repeal of the casualty and theft losses deduction by the 2017 Trump tax law. U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, has taken action by sending a letter to Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel, calling on the agency to provide information about how fraud victims are being affected by the repeal of this deduction.In the letter, Senator Casey expressed concern over the removal of the provision that allowed victims of...
CBO: Democrats’ $17 Minimum Wage Bill to Cost 1.4 Million American Jobs
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released a report indicating that the Democrats' Raise the Wage Act of 2023, which seeks to increase the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour, could result in the loss of up to 1.4 million American jobs over the next ten years. The CBO estimates that the bill would also increase the deficit by $46 billion over the same period, with a significant portion of the cost coming from increased expenses to Medicare and Medicaid.According to the report, the legislation would not only lead to job losses but also result in increased prices...
Comer Condemns Biden Administration's Rule on Project Labor Agreements
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has expressed his strong opposition to the Biden Administration's final rule implementing President Biden's Executive Order 14063, "Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects." In a statement released today, Comer criticized the rule, calling it "anti-growth" and "inflationary."According to Comer, the rule discriminates against contractors based on their labor affiliation, giving preferential treatment to labor unions. He argues that this will not only raise taxpayer costs...
Risch, Cardin Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Peaceful Free and Fair Elections in Senegal
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) have introduced a bipartisan resolution emphasizing the significance of the U.S.-Senegal relationship and urging the Senegalese government to hold free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections on February 25, 2024.Ranking Member Risch expressed concerns about the political climate in Senegal, stating, "Though president Sall's commitment not to seek an unconstitutional third term was widely applauded, I remain concerned about closing political space, repression of the political opposition, and lack of...
Senator Manchin Seeks Legal Opinion on Treasury Department's Clean Vehicle Tax Credit Guidance
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
Washington, DC - Senator Joe Manchin, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has requested a legal opinion from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the guidance issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for implementing section 30D of the Inflation Reduction Act. In a letter to the GAO, Senator Manchin expressed concerns about the Treasury Department's recent guidance on the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, specifically its impact on American taxpayers and the country's reliance on foreign nations for battery and vehicle...
VSO Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act Helps More Veterans Get Critical Services
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
Veteran service organizations (VSO) play a crucial role in supporting veterans as they transition back to civilian life and take care of military families. These organizations provide a community that honors the sacrifices made by veterans during their time in the armed forces. However, under current law, donations to VSOs are not tax-exempt if more than 10 percent of their membership are not classified as "wartime veterans."This unfair distinction has a particularly negative impact on VSOs that serve veterans of recent wars, such as those who have served in Iraq and...
Foxx Torches Raise the Wage Act Following New CBO Report
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed her strong opposition to the Raise the Wage Act of 2023, following the release of a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. In her statement, Foxx criticized the proposed legislation, calling it a "bureaucrat's daydream" that would have detrimental effects on the American economy.Foxx stated, "Bad ideas take their first breath in the Democrat-controlled Senate—that much is clear. S. 2488 might have a glossy exterior and a poll-tested title, but it’s nothing more than a bureaucrat’s...
Education Committee Slams Education Secretary for Failing to Protect Jewish Students
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
Today, the Education and the Workforce Committee, led by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, expressed its disappointment with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for delaying rulemaking that would protect Jewish students from antisemitism on college campuses. The Department's decision to postpone the implementation of President Trump's Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism, which was expected this month, has drawn criticism from the Committee.In a letter addressed to Secretary Cardona, the lawmakers stated, "This is particularly egregious in the face of increased anti-Jewish...
Foxx: President Biden Kicks America’s Workforce in The Shin
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
WASHINGTON - Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman of the Education and the Workforce Committee, has criticized President Biden's final rule implementing Executive Order 14063. According to Foxx, this rule benefits union bosses at the expense of American workers, contractors, and taxpayers. Foxx stated, "Whenever union bosses call President Biden to do their bidding, he picks up on the first ring." She argues that the rule, which promotes project labor agreements on federal construction projects, is lopsided and unfair.Foxx further expressed her concern that the rule excludes...
Cantwell Announces Long-Sought Win for WA: I-5 Bridge Replacement Project Wins $600M Grant
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
On Friday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced that the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program will receive a $600 million federal grant to replace the I-5 Bridge connecting Portland, Oregon, and Southwest Washington. The grant comes from the Department of Transportation's Mega program, which was authored by Sen. Cantwell to fund large and complex transportation projects that drive regional and national economies.Sen. Cantwell expressed her satisfaction with the funding, stating, "Today marks a mega win for the State of Washington: Finally, the...
E&C Republicans Raise Concerns Over NTIA Allowing States to Regulate Broadband Rates
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
Washington, D.C. - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta, along with 14 other committee Republicans, have expressed their concerns to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson regarding the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) decision to allow states to regulate broadband rates under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.In a letter addressed to Assistant Secretary Davidson, the committee...
Carper, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Expand Access to Vehicle Refueling Infrastructure Tax Credit
By Federal Newswire | Dec 18, 2023
U.S. Senator Tom Carper and a group of senators are calling on the Biden administration to expand access to the 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. The credit, which was extended in the Inflation Reduction Act, provides billions of dollars for eligible refueling infrastructure investments.The senators are urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service to finalize guidance and expand eligibility for the tax credit. They argue that the current threshold is too restrictive and propose recommendations that would cover an...
Chairman Jordan Subpoenas BlackRock and State Street in ESG Investigation
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has issued subpoenas to financial giants BlackRock and State Street Global Advisors as part of the committee's investigation into the sufficiency of current antitrust laws in addressing collusive agreements to promote and adopt left-wing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.The committee had previously reached out to BlackRock and State Street on July 6, 2023, requesting documents and communications related to how these companies advance ESG policies, among other important information. While both companies...
Science Committee Leaders Stress Importance of Diligence in NIST AI Safety Research Funding
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Yesterday, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leaders sent a letter to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie Locascio, emphasizing the significance of careful consideration in funding research on artificial intelligence (AI) safety. The letter specifically addressed the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI) at NIST, which was mandated by President Biden's October 30 Artificial Intelligence Executive Order.In the letter, the committee members highlighted the importance of NIST awarding...
Comer Requests Docs from Biden Admin. Officials Which Cast Doubt on Viability of Sweeping Power Plant Regulations
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is calling for more information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after comments from undisclosed Biden Administration authors in documents obtained by the Committee raise concerns about the viability of proposed power plant emissions standards.According to the documents, Biden Administration officials provided comments on an internal draft of the EPA's new proposed power plant emissions standards, casting doubt on whether the EPA's proposed rule is achievable and cost-effective....
Senator Murray on Record 12% Increase in Homelessness Reported This Year: "No Time to Talk About Slashing Our Investments in Tackling This Crisis"
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Washington, D.C. – The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released its 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, revealing a staggering 12% increase in homelessness compared to the previous year. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed her concern over the rising crisis and emphasized the need for strengthened federal efforts to address the issue."This report makes clear what so many of us already recognize: homelessness is a crisis in every part of our country that is getting worse, and it’s critical we...
Casey Holds Hearing on Substance Use Disorders Among Older Adults
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (D-PA) recently held a hearing to address the growing crisis of substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults. The hearing, titled "Understanding a Growing Crisis: Substance Use Trends Among Older Adults," aimed to shed light on the increasing rates of SUDs among this demographic, as well as the gaps in coverage and access to treatment and recovery.During the hearing, Senator Casey emphasized the need for policy solutions to address this issue. He highlighted his FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which aims to crack down...
Biden Administration Finalizes Worst Offshore Plan in History, Devastating American Jobs and Innovation
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
The Department of Interior (DOI) has released its final five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan, and it is being heavily criticized for its devastating impact on American jobs and innovation. The plan, which is a year and a half late, contains the fewest lease sales in the history of the program, dealing a huge blow to American energy production and national security.In response to the plan, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) expressed his dismay, stating, "The Biden administration’s plan to eliminate American energy production,...
"Groups Hide in Greater Darkness": Foreign Nationals Using Charity Backdoor to Influence American Elections
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
In a recent hearing of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, members discussed the alarming lack of transparency surrounding the influence of money from foreign nationals on the American political system. The focus was on how nonprofit organizations, specifically 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, can funnel millions of dollars from foreign donors into the political system without any trace. This loophole allows foreign nationals to potentially manipulate American elections through tax-exempt charities.One example highlighted during the hearing involved a...
Foxx on DOL’s Latest Apprenticeship Power Grab
By Federal Newswire | Dec 15, 2023
Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed her concerns about the Department of Labor's (DOL) proposed rulemaking on registered apprenticeship regulations. Foxx criticized the DOL for succumbing to pressure from leftist mobs and implementing woke policies.Foxx stated, "It’s no secret that DOL has been trained like a dog to sit, shake, and roll over on command by leftist mobs. Look no further than the Department’s 779-page notice of proposed rulemaking that’s chock full of pandering buzzwords like ‘equity’ and ‘inclusion’ – telltale...
