Latest News
New bill from U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz requires Treasury to accept bitcoin
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced legislation to require the U.S. Treasury to accept bitcoin as payment for federal income taxes. The legislation was announced in a June 25 news release.
National Park Service seeks public comments on historic places nominations
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that it is seeking electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before June 22, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted electronically by July 17, 2024.
EPA settles Safe Drinking Water Act claims with power company in Southern California
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Sunrise Power Company regarding claims of Safe Drinking Water Act violations at the company's Sunrise Power Plant in Kern County, California. The company has agreed to pay a penalty of $55,788 to resolve permit violations related to the Underground Injection Control Program.
Justice Department reaches settlement on discriminatory practices in Wichita Public Schools
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
The Justice Department announced a settlement agreement today to resolve its investigation into race and disability discrimination in Wichita Public Schools, Kansas' largest school district. Under the settlement, the district will revise practices to prevent discrimination in discipline and referrals of students to law enforcement, end the use of seclusion, reform restraint practices, and improve services to students with disabilities in certain schools and classrooms.
CCIA Europe submits comments on Spanish cloud market consultation
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
In its submission to the Spanish Competition Authority’s (CNMC) public consultation on the cloud market, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) highlights restrictive licensing practices by legacy software vendors as a key factor that prevents customers from changing their cloud providers.
FTC blocks $4 billion merger between Tempur Sealy and Mattress Firm
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has unanimously voted to block Tempur Sealy International, Inc.’s proposed $4 billion acquisition of Mattress Firm Group Inc. The Commission issued an administrative complaint and authorized a lawsuit in federal court to halt the acquisition, alleging that Tempur Sealy—the world’s largest mattress supplier and manufacturer—would gain the ability and incentive to suppress competition and raise prices for mattresses for millions of consumers.
Biden-Harris Administration announces next funding round for tech hubs
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced a new funding round of approximately $504 million in implementation grants to 12 Tech Hubs. This initiative aims to scale up the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.
ITIF urges Congress to fund Tech Hubs adequately
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
Following the announcement of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs implementation grant winners, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading think tank for science and technology policy, released a statement from Robert D. Atkinson, president of ITIF.
Biden-Harris administration approves ninth U.S. offshore wind project
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
The Department of the Interior announced its approval of the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project, marking the ninth commercial-scale offshore wind energy project approved under President Biden's administration. With this approval, the Department has sanctioned over 13 gigawatts of clean energy from offshore wind projects, sufficient to power nearly five million homes.
DEA Special Agent: Cartels 'not slowing down production and distribution' of fentanyl
By Federal Newswire | Jul 2, 2024
Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), stated that cartels have not ceased the production and distribution of fentanyl despite recent drug seizures. Pullen made this statement in a DEA press release on July 1.
National Transportation Safety Board: Mechanical and communications failures led to East Palestine train derailment
By Nicholas Malfitano | Jul 2, 2024
According to a recently-released National Transportation Safety Board report executive summary, a combination of mechanical failures and communications technology issues both caused and then exacerbated the severity of the February 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio.
Weekend Interview: Advocating for taxpayers, Brandon Arnold discusses the IRS, tax policies, and future reforms
By Federal Newswire reports | Jul 1, 2024
Brandon Arnold is Executive Vice President of the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization based in Washington, DC.
Supreme Court rules against Florida and Texas social media laws
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
The Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that the First Amendment prohibits Florida and Texas from dictating what social media applications and websites may display. In CCIA’s joint challenge to two Florida and Texas social media statutes, several lower courts found that these statutes likely violate the First Amendment. The Supreme Court confirmed that online speech, including editorial decisions about online speech, deserves First Amendment protection.
Senator Murray supports Biden's supplemental funding for disaster relief
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement on President Biden’s supplemental funding request submitted to Congress today. The request includes updated funding to address urgent disaster relief needs across the country, building on the President’s previous domestic supplemental funding request from October.
Nigerian writer on ex-federal agent detained in Abuja: 'the U.S. now begins to look bad'
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
Nigerian writer Cheta Nwanze stated that the ongoing imprisonment of former U.S. federal agent Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria could reflect poorly on the U.S. government. Nwanze shared his statement on a June 17 episode of the Nigerian Politics Weekly podcast.
Commission to hold closed meeting on July 1 for law enforcement matter
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
The Commission will hold a closed meeting on July 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM EDT via Zoom to consider a nonpublic law enforcement matter. The decision to close the meeting was unanimous, with a vote of 5-0. The urgency of the matter necessitated consideration with less than seven days' notice to the public.
Federal aid announced for Iowa storm victims
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for Iowa, following severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that began on June 16, 2024. President Biden has issued a major disaster declaration for Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth, and Sioux Counties.
U.S. Secretary of State congratulates Canada on its 157th anniversary
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, issued a statement on July 1, 2024, extending congratulations to Canada on behalf of the United States as the country celebrates its 157th anniversary of confederation.
Justice Department announces major crackdown on health care fraud
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
Health care fraud is a crime that impacts every American. It siphons off hard-earned tax dollars meant to provide care for the vulnerable and disabled. When health care providers and executives place greed above patients’ needs, it increases the cost of care for all Americans. Even worse, as the prosecutions announced on Thursday highlight, health care fraud can harm patients and fuel addiction.
Attorney General Garland commemorates 60th anniversary of Civil Rights Act
By Federal Newswire | Jul 1, 2024
The Justice Department issued a statement today from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:
