Congress

2020-10-08 14:32:14
by Tom Ramstack
IRS Makes Plea for Upgrade to Improve Tax Collections

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers joined the Internal Revenue Service’s commissioner Wednesday in making a plea to upgrade the computers and staff... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers joined the Internal Revenue Service’s commissioner Wednesday in making a plea to upgrade the computers and staff that collect the nation’s taxes. They said budget cutbacks and the coronavirus have resulted in shortcomings in the agency’s ability... Read More

2020-10-07 13:59:48
by Reece Nations
American Farm Bureau Applauds Spanberger’s Efforts on Behalf of Ag Community

WASHINGTON – United States Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., received the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award from the American Farm Bureau... Read More

WASHINGTON – United States Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., received the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award from the American Farm Bureau Federation on Tuesday.  Spanberger, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee and as chair of the Subcommittee on Conservation and... Read More

Democrats Call for Congress to Rein In, Break Up Big Tech

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers are calling for Congress to rein in Big Tech, possibly forcing Facebook, Google, Amazon and... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers are calling for Congress to rein in Big Tech, possibly forcing Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple to break up their businesses, while making it harder for them to acquire others and imposing new rules to... Read More

Q&A: The Century-old Filibuster May End. Here’s Why It Matters

WASHINGTON — If Democrats win control of the Senate and White House in November, many progressives want to get rid... Read More

WASHINGTON — If Democrats win control of the Senate and White House in November, many progressives want to get rid of a long-standing Senate rule — the legislative filibuster — to ensure that their agenda in a Joe Biden presidency... Read More

2020-10-06 21:22:56
by Dan McCue
Trump Halt of COVID-19 Relief Talks Draws Sharp Rebuke on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON — Anger on Capitol Hill boiled over Tuesday after President Donald Trump called an abrupt end to negotiations with... Read More

WASHINGTON — Anger on Capitol Hill boiled over Tuesday after President Donald Trump called an abrupt end to negotiations with House Democrats over additional coronavirus relief, delaying action until after the election. Trump announced he was walking away from the... Read More

2020-10-06 17:39:18
by Tom Ramstack
State Attorneys General Try to Soften SBA Crackdown on Business Loans

The attorneys general from 18 states are pushing back against the Small Business Administration for what they describe as an... Read More

The attorneys general from 18 states are pushing back against the Small Business Administration for what they describe as an overly zealous crackdown on fraud in the coronavirus relief loans. They are bothered by the SBA's proposed appeal process for... Read More

2020-10-05 20:20:18
by Sara Wilkerson
New Bill Seeks to Safeguard Federal Workers’ Annual Leave

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and his House colleagues recently introduced the Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act of 2020, legislation that... Read More

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and his House colleagues recently introduced the Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act of 2020, legislation that will allow all federal workers to carry over their earned annual leave received during the coronavirus pandemic. Approximately 2 million... Read More

2020-10-05 20:18:12
by Sean Trambley
Conservation Enhancement Act Set to Be Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON - This week, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act achieved final passage in the U.S. House of Representatives with support... Read More

WASHINGTON - This week, the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act achieved final passage in the U.S. House of Representatives with support from a wide swath of bipartisan lawmakers.  The ACE Act helps conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat, including by reauthorizing the... Read More

2020-10-05 13:51:20
by Dan McCue
The Looming Supreme Court Confirmation Battle, Explained

WASHINGTON - "What you're about to witness will be a kind of a Kabuki theatre," Ron Bonjean said the other... Read More

WASHINGTON - "What you're about to witness will be a kind of a Kabuki theatre," Ron Bonjean said the other day. The communications Sherpa during Justice Neil Gorsuch's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, he was reflecting on that experience... Read More

2020-10-02 15:05:12
by Sean Trambley
O’Halleran Urges Action On Forestry Management During Hearing on Wildfires

WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D- Ariz., criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a recent House hearing on the... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D- Ariz., criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a recent House hearing on the western wildfires, saying “forest management has long been on the backburner at the federal level.” Halleran made his observation during... Read More

2020-10-02 15:00:21
by Sean Trambley
Bipartisan Senate Resolution Would Designate Malnutrition Awareness Week

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Chuck Grassly, R-Iowa, would designate Oct. 5-9 “Malnutrition... Read More

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Chuck Grassly, R-Iowa, would designate Oct. 5-9 “Malnutrition Awareness Week.” Malnutrition is a significant problem in the United States and results from eating a diet which does not... Read More

2020-10-01 19:10:14
by Tom Ramstack
Government Small Business Loans Subjected to Widespread Fraud

WASHINGTON -- A Small Business Administration inspector general defended his agency Thursday during questioning from members of Congress about reports... Read More

WASHINGTON -- A Small Business Administration inspector general defended his agency Thursday during questioning from members of Congress about reports of widespread fraud in government loans to employers. The loans are supposed to help small businesses stay afloat during the... Read More

Mnuchin Virus Relief Plan Includes More State, Local Funds; House Delays Vote

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered a $1.62 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal in talks with Speaker Nancy Pelosi on... Read More

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered a $1.62 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal in talks with Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, offering more state and local assistance than GOP negotiators have to-date in a sign of potential progress toward a... Read More

Senate Passes Stopgap Funding Legislation, Hours Before Deadline

WASHINGTON — The Senate easily cleared a stopgap funding measure Wednesday that would avoid a partial government shutdown in the... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Senate easily cleared a stopgap funding measure Wednesday that would avoid a partial government shutdown in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 elections. On an 84-10 vote, the Senate sent to President Donald Trump’s desk... Read More

2020-09-30 20:40:13
by Tom Ramstack
Medical Community Warns Congress About Politicizing Vaccine Development

WASHINGTON -- A congressional committee sought assurances from medical experts Wednesday that the COVID-19 vaccines pharmaceutical companies plan to distribute... Read More

WASHINGTON -- A congressional committee sought assurances from medical experts Wednesday that the COVID-19 vaccines pharmaceutical companies plan to distribute soon will protect the public from the disease. Lawmakers were concerned that political pressure would force the companies to sacrifice... Read More

2020-09-29 21:36:10
by Dan McCue
Senate Votes to Advance Stopgap Spending Bill

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted to advance a stopgap spending bill Tuesday night, the penultimate step to avoiding a government... Read More

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted to advance a stopgap spending bill Tuesday night, the penultimate step to avoiding a government shutdown at midnight Wednesday. The vote to limit debate on the measure paves the way for a final vote in... Read More

2020-09-29 20:22:37
by Reece Nations
Blue Dogs Endorse Fifth Coronavirus Relief Package With Bipartisan, Bicameral Support

WASHINGTON – The Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced its support for an emergency funding bill to help municipalities withstand the... Read More

WASHINGTON – The Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced its support for an emergency funding bill to help municipalities withstand the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation, introduced in the House by Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., provides $500 billion... Read More

2020-09-29 20:19:41
by Tom Ramstack
Congress Tries to Root Out White Supremacy Among Police

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers and witnesses at a congressional hearing Tuesday urged greater vigilance of police departments to weed out officers... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers and witnesses at a congressional hearing Tuesday urged greater vigilance of police departments to weed out officers with White supremacist tendencies. They said the White supremacists create a risk of inflaming racial tensions in a way that... Read More

2020-09-28 13:48:52
by Kate Michael
CBO Long Term Outlook Report ‘Doesn’t Look Good’

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office recently released two new outlook reports. These projections are an update of the U.S.... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office recently released two new outlook reports. These projections are an update of the U.S. deficit, debt, spending, and revenue over the next decade and beyond, given current laws in place. The pair of reports... Read More

2020-09-27 16:39:42
by Dan McCue
What They Are Saying about Amy Coney Barrett and the Future of the Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump nominated U.S. Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court Saturday afternoon, capping a... Read More

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump nominated U.S. Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court Saturday afternoon, capping a dramatic first-term reshaping of the federal judiciary that he hopes will provide a needed boost to his re-election effort. Barrett,... Read More

2020-09-25 18:57:04
by Dan McCue
Select Committee Makes Final Recommendation on How to Fix Congress

WASHINGTON - An 18-month effort to make Congress work better and retain staff more effectively came to an end Thursday,... Read More

WASHINGTON - An 18-month effort to make Congress work better and retain staff more effectively came to an end Thursday, when the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress announced its final list of recommendations. Created by an overwhelming... Read More

2020-09-25 14:48:51
by Tom Ramstack
Democrats Push for Climate Change Bills Similar to Biden’s Proposals

WASHINGTON -- Congressional Democrats used a hearing on climate change Thursday to advocate for pending clean energy bills that would... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Congressional Democrats used a hearing on climate change Thursday to advocate for pending clean energy bills that would revamp a big swath of federal regulations. Record-setting wildfires in western states and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast are adding... Read More

2020-09-24 20:39:54
by Dan McCue
Report Highlights Series of Proposals to Reverse Capitol Hill Brain Drain

WASHINGTON - In their recent report of Capitol Hill staffing issues, authors Alexandra Furnas and Timothy LaPira paint a harrowing... Read More

WASHINGTON - In their recent report of Capitol Hill staffing issues, authors Alexandra Furnas and Timothy LaPira paint a harrowing picture of a culture that basically pushes its best resource -- its people -- to the private sector and away... Read More

2020-09-24 20:15:19
by Dan McCue
Report: Bad Pay, Long Hours, Lure of Greener Grass, Leads to Capitol Hill Exodus

WASHINGTON - Thanks to its woefully low pay and long hours, Capitol Hill is proving to be a "funnel" to... Read More

WASHINGTON - Thanks to its woefully low pay and long hours, Capitol Hill is proving to be a "funnel" to lucrative jobs in lobbying, leaving congressional offices in a perpetual state of brain drain, a new report has found. Published... Read More

2020-09-24 18:19:29
by Reece Nations
Delgado Receives Perfect Score From Environmental Group

WASHINGTON – In its second report ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives for their votes on legislation related... Read More

WASHINGTON – In its second report ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives for their votes on legislation related to toxic chemicals, the Environmental Working Group Action Fund presented Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., with a perfect score. Much of... Read More

2020-09-24 14:11:00
by Tom Ramstack
Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Gain Support in Congress

WASHINGTON -- A congressional panel sought assurances Wednesday that veterans’ claims of illnesses from exposure to toxins in the Middle... Read More

WASHINGTON -- A congressional panel sought assurances Wednesday that veterans’ claims of illnesses from exposure to toxins in the Middle East will be addressed promptly. A House Veterans Affairs subcommittee was responding to a National Academy of Sciences report this... Read More

2020-09-23 17:47:07
by Tom Ramstack
Economists Say Pandemic Needs to End Before U.S. Economy Returns to Normal

WASHINGTON -- Economists warned Congress Tuesday of long-term damage to the U.S. economy if the coronavirus pandemic is not brought... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Economists warned Congress Tuesday of long-term damage to the U.S. economy if the coronavirus pandemic is not brought under control soon. They cautioned during two separate congressional hearings that the slow improvement to the economy since the pandemic... Read More

Stopgap Funding Bill Set for House Vote

WASHINGTON — The House will vote Tuesday on a short-term funding bill written by majority Democrats without support from Republicans,... Read More

WASHINGTON — The House will vote Tuesday on a short-term funding bill written by majority Democrats without support from Republicans, increasing the odds of a partial government shutdown in less than 10 days when current spending authority expires. The Democrats’... Read More

2020-09-22 13:58:45
by Dan McCue
McConnell, Schumer, Trade Barbs Over GOP Plans to Rush Ginsburg’s Replacement

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is refusing to back down from what is sure to be an... Read More

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is refusing to back down from what is sure to be an intense fight over who will fill the Supreme Court seat now vacant after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.... Read More

2020-09-18 19:05:44
by Kate Michael
Fixing Unemployment Insurance for Better Economic Recovery

WASHINGTON — Emergency expansions to Unemployment Insurance provided critical support to workers across the country during the early months of... Read More

WASHINGTON — Emergency expansions to Unemployment Insurance provided critical support to workers across the country during the early months of the pandemic. But the major component of these expansions, an additional $600 in weekly benefits, expired at the end of... Read More

1 ... 48 49 50 51 52 ... 73
Straight From The Well
scroll top