Reece Nations

National Guard leaders are preparing to furlough civilians and cancel training events and drills slated for August and September to cover costs incurred by responding to the Jan. 6 siege on Capitol Hill. The guard’s mission formally ended in May, TWN previously reported, five months after... Read More

One of the more disturbing trends of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the susceptibility of diabetic Americans to the virus. Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso conducted a study that indicates unmanaged diabetes is a decisive element of COVID-19 severity and complications,... Read More

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, met with his Democratic colleagues earlier last week to discuss the proposed budget deal legislation. Democrats are hoping to pass the budget plan using the Senate’s reconciliation process but they will... Read More

WASHINGTON — Government employees tasked with detecting and countering the threat posed to the nation by weapons of mass destruction continue to suffer from low morale and ambivalence about their mission, a new government report shows. The report from the Government Accountability Office is a follow... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a far-reaching executive order promoting competition in the American economy last week, one provision of which encourages the Federal Communications Commission to restore net neutrality rules undone by the Trump administration. Net neutrality refers to the policy of requiring internet... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Once again, Texas Democrats have captured the national political spotlight by breaking quorum to foil the passage of Republican-backed voting legislation. At least 51 of 67 members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state on Monday, TWN previously reported, stalling the... Read More

ARLINGTON, Texas — Susan Wright and state Rep. Jake Ellzey are running in a special election on July 27 to fill the vacancy in Texas' 6th Congressional District. The stage was set by Gov. Greg Abbott in February to fill the seat left vacant by the... Read More

FREDERICK, Md. — Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner announced legislation that would create an Office of Equity and Inclusion in order to address issues of inequity within the county government.  Additionally, the bill establishes the position of chief equity and inclusion officer and creates an Equity... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Incumbent Texas Gov. Greg Abbott now faces a pair of serious primary challengers in the form of former Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West and former state Sen. Don Huffines. In his 25 years in statewide politics, Abbott has never lost a Republican... Read More

KALININGRAD, Russia — Public outcry over privacy policy changes to the open-source digital audio editor and recording application Audacity culminated in its parent company, Muse Group, clarifying how it intends to utilize user data. The application, acquired by Muse Group in May, is a well-known cross-platform... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the first of two special legislative sessions will commence on Thursday, July 8, but the full list of agenda items will be set solely at Abbott’s discretion. The two big-ticket items expected to be brought up in Texas’... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis announced Thursday that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recall election will be conducted on Sept. 14. California residents will head to the polls to vote either to retain or remove Newsom from office after enough petitioners signed on in support... Read More

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Edward Buchanan of Wyoming issued a letter to National Rifle Association Director Brian Gosch, inviting the organization to relocate to their state. Currently headquartered in Fairfax, Va., the NRA was founded in 1871 and operates as... Read More

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his cabinet approved new recommendations on Friday in the country’s annual economic policy guidelines that encourage businesses to allow employees to work four days per week rather than five. The policy’s intent is to improve the national balance between work... Read More

WASHINGTON - Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm requested $201 million in additional funds to fortify her department’s cybersecurity defenses in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. Granholm’s request came in response to a ransomware attack on an American oil pipeline system in May... Read More

After a record-breaking heatwave scorched swathes of the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, excessive heat watches continued to be in effect for regions stretching from Northern California to British Columbia, Canada. The heatwave, which climate scientists say is a one in a 1000-year event or greater,... Read More

WASHINGTON - Third Way, a D.C.- based think tank, hosted a virtual event Thursday with experts examining how the upcoming redistricting battles will define the 2022 midterms. The event featured Genevieve Van Cleve, director of the Texas branch of “All on the Line,” a national anti-gerrymandering... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office issued a report this week addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the Department of Defense inventory management systems used to manage the national defense supply chain. Risks in six inventory management systems run by the Defense Logistics Agency were reviewed in the... Read More

Criminal groups in 16 countries were tracked for years by law enforcement agencies under the guise of a secure smartphone-based messaging application known as “ANOM,” leading to over 800 arrests. ANOM was developed by an individual cooperating with the San Diego branch of the FBI who... Read More

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the nation’s manufacturing capabilities were ill-prepared to respond to the urgent needs of the medical community. As the pandemic’s scope progressed, so did China’s chokehold on supplying countries with personal protective equipment and other front-line... Read More

MINNETONKA, Minn. — UnitedHealthcare announced it would delay plans to implement policy changes that would retroactively deny emergency medical care coverage to its customers if the company determines the reason for the care does not qualify as an emergency. Initially set to take effect on July... Read More

A violent string of mass shootings killed at least 10 people and left another 50 injured in nine separate incidents across six states between Friday and Sunday this past weekend. Mass shootings are typically defined as incidents in which four or more individuals are shot with... Read More

An analysis of the 2020 election conducted by several prominent Democratic advocacy groups determined that voters of color played critical roles in key races, among other findings. The report — conducted jointly by The Collective PAC, The Third Way and Latino Victory — concluded that drop-offs... Read More

An analysis of the 2020 election conducted by several prominent Democratic advocacy groups determined that voters of color played critical roles in key races, among other findings. The report — conducted jointly by The Collective PAC, Third Way and Latino Victory — concluded that drop-offs in... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Air Force announced it has designated the United States Space Force as the lead service for its “Rocket Cargo Vanguard Program,” a science and technology effort intended to determine the viability of large commercial rockets for Department of Defense logistics... Read More

LONDON — Finance Ministers from the Group of 7 have struck a landmark agreement to establish a 15% global minimum tax rate, discouraging large multinational companies from shifting profits to offshore tax-havens. The deal, announced over the weekend, was struck by the top economic officials from... Read More

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted its approval to aducanumab, an Alzheimer’s treatment developed by Biogen for use in patients, despite mixed clinical trial results for the drug.  Prescribed under the brand name “Aduhelm,” the treatment is given intravenously and... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Five former Public Utility Commission of Texas commissioners and a senior regulatory advisor published a report detailing recommendations on how to improve the reliability of the state’s electric grid during extreme weather events. In their report, the commissioners identified problems that contributed to... Read More

BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little this week reversed an executive order issued by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin while he was attending a Republican Governors Association conference in Nashville, Tenn.  McGeachin’s order prevented the state and its “political subdivisions,” including public schools, from issuing mask... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — In response to Texas Democrats' quorum-breaking walkout in opposition to overhauls of the state’s elections near the close of the session over the weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would convene a special session this summer. “We will be back — when, I... Read More

A study conducted by the Institute for Policy Studies found that 51 of the 100 S&P 500 firms with the lowest median worker wages last year manipulated pay rules to inflate the salaries of CEOs while their frontline employees struggled. CEO compensation in 2020 averaged $15.3... Read More

WASHINGTON — Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., unveiled legislation that would up the scale of controlled burns to mitigate the effects of severe wildfires nationwide. The bill, entitled the “National Prescribed Fire Act of 2021,” would require... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Agriculture announced it will start making loan forgiveness payments to thousands of minority farmers in June as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Roughly $4 billion was set aside by the economic relief package specifically for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and... Read More

MENLO PARK, Calif. — In an economic analysis of the company’s solar and wind projects that support its data centers across the nation, Facebook iterated its adherence to broader sustainability initiatives.  As of last year, Facebook’s fleet of energy-intensive data centers are powered entirely by renewable... Read More

WASHINGTON — A House Resolution urging the United States Postal Service to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all business and residential customers has received bipartisan support from a total of 118 cosponsors. The resolution, authored by Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., was written in response... Read More

WASHINGTON — Reps. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and Rodney Davis, R-Ill., are sponsoring legislation that would expand a federal tax deduction so K-12 athletic coaches and administrators are eligible for reimbursement should they pay out of pocket to buy equipment and supplies. The bill, authored by Murphy... Read More

WASHINGTON — The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday passed a pair of bills that would limit the president’s ability to expand military operations in the Middle East by repealing decades-old Authorizations for the Use of Military Force, or AUMFs. Legislation that would repeal the 1991... Read More

WASHINGTON — Reps. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Brad Schneider, D-Ill., and Dan Kildee, D-Mich., announced Thursday on a press call with industry stakeholders the introduction of new legislation that would incentivize the airline industry to utilize sustainable aviation fuel.  The bill, entitled the "Sustainable Skies Act,” would... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that a longstanding exception to the Fourth Amendment does not permit police to search private homes without a warrant. The “community caretaking” exception originates from the 1973 case Cady v. Dombrowski, in which a police officer seized a... Read More

National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the United States, issued a rebuke of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated public health recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC’s updated guidance states “fully vaccinated people no longer... Read More

The conception of the United States Space Force developed from the bipartisan consensus that the country needed enhanced military capabilities in the domain of space. When President Ronald Reagan first announced the “Strategic Defense Initiative” in 1983, the concept was disparaged for being impractical and costly.... Read More

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research contends that working from home may be here to stay after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. The paper — authored jointly by Steven Davis of the University of Chicago, Jose Maria Barrero... Read More

WASHINGTON — In coordination with the White House’s American Rescue Plan Implementation Team and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the Treasury announced Friday it would allot $21.6 billion in additional funds for emergency rental assistance.  Additionally, the Treasury Department issued updated... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Agriculture is funding over $15 million in grant proposals directed at developing and expanding “the use of wood products, strengthening emerging wood energy markets and protecting community forests.” The grants will support 60 individual projects covering an array of initiatives, including... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Following hours of debate over amendments proposed by Democratic lawmakers, the Texas House of Representatives approved new restrictions to state election rules early Friday morning. After Democrats proposed more than 130 amendments to the legislation, the lawmakers eventually agreed to revise the bill... Read More

WASHINGTON — After a federal judge ruled on Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evictions exceeded the agency's authority, the Department of Justice announced it would appeal the decision. U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich authored the 20-page opinion accompanying the ruling.... Read More

The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Monday announced the easing of pandemic restrictions on businesses, gatherings and venues in their respective states.  In a joint release, Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York, Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut... Read More

The Small Business Administration began accepting applications on Monday for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a program authorized in March by the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act. To receive funding, businesses must submit their application to the SBA on a first-come, first-served basis at restaurants.sba.gov.... Read More

WASHINGTON — In a covert operation to undercut hacking groups’ attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s Exchange email program, the FBI has begun accessing hundreds of vulnerable computers in the United States to remove malicious web shells.  Web shells, interfaces that grant control over a web... Read More

WASHINGTON — Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee were warned by CIA Director William Burns that American intelligence operations in Afghanistan will be kneecapped by the United States’ imminent withdrawal from the region.  Burns, confirmed as the head of the CIA by the Senate last month,... Read More

NEW DELHI — President Joe Biden vowed to help Prime Minister Narendra Modi secure medical resources to help India combat the rampant spread of COVID-19 during a diplomatic call on Monday, affirming the United States’ support for its ally after a delay in response drew national... Read More

LOS ANGELES — Former Olympic athlete and reality television star Caitlyn Jenner announced Friday in a press release she will launch a campaign to become the next governor of California. Jenner, a Republican, has been a vocal critic of current Gov. Gavin Newsom throughout his tenure.... Read More

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a new division of the Missing and Murdered Unit will operate within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services. The new unit will direct federal resources in unsolved investigations into cases of missing and murdered... Read More

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan delegation of governors is urging Congress to pass legislation that would allow banks and credit unions to provide services to licensed cannabis dispensaries.  The governors of 20 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands circulated a letter on Monday to congressional leaders in... Read More

WASHINGTON — As the industry continues to rally back from the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions, some passenger airline companies are still struggling to retain full-time employees. February employment figures for airlines were down nearly 1% from January, according to a monthly report by the Department... Read More

WASHINGTON — Americans took to social media Thursday after President Joe Biden announced measures to curb the rampant spread of gun violence by restricting access to firearms. The measures, lauded by some and condemned by others, were laid out in a six-point plan of action involving... Read More

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The United States Space Force announced Thursday it will establish a Space Systems Command headquarters at Los Angeles Air Force Base to oversee and coordinate all military space programs. The Space Systems Command of the USSF will supervise technological developments related to... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans are moving to pass their own set of limits on voting as legislation restricting early voting access awaits a House committee assignment.  The Texas bill, one of 361 bills pending nationwide with restrictive provisions, passed along party lines in the Senate... Read More

ELOY, Ariz. — Detainees at an immigrant detention center in Arizona are alleging they experienced mistreatment, slurs and abuse by the staff after a Department of Homeland Security audit of the facility.  Immigrants held at the La Palma Correctional Center told DHS Office of Inspector General... Read More

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Friday instituting a forensic science task force as an advisory body within the Michigan Department of State Police.  The task force’s role will be to provide recommendations to improve the use of forensics as a... Read More

ATLANTA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring COVID-19 variants of concern as genetic mutations threaten to muddle the country’s progress in repelling the virus. There are three known major variants of the virus that the CDC is eyeing — “B.117,” “B.1.351”... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office released its long-term budget outlook last week projecting federal debt held by the public will exceed the nation’s gross domestic product by the year’s end.  The CBO painted a complicated picture in its analysis as the non-partisan agency predicts the... Read More

WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans have painted their Democratic colleagues’ push for election reform legislation as a devastating grab for power ahead of its consideration for passage in the Senate.  The bill, entitled the “For the People Act of 2021,” seeks to overhaul the existing elections process... Read More

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Miami Beach Interim City Manager Raul J. Aguila declared a state of emergency Saturday lasting through April 12 as spring break crowds overwhelm the popular tourist destination. Officials have imposed strict curfews to curb the partygoers' access to surrounding hotspots four nights... Read More

ATLANTA - Parents adapting to prolonged bouts of remote learning were more likely to report emotional stress and concerns for their children, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey released Thursday.  The survey was conducted nationwide by telephone and online from Oct. 8... Read More

WASHINGTON — Prior to her November 2020 election victory to represent Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., repeatedly indicated support for political violence against prominent Democrats in 2018 and 2019.  Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., introduced a resolution on Friday that would expel Greene... Read More

WASHINGTON — Democrats are poised to capitalize on their legislative momentum by passing a pair of immigration bills that would grant legal status to millions of immigrants if enacted.  Conversely, congressional Republicans are capitalizing on the surge of migrant border crossings to fuel their own momentum... Read More

While the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic has had drastic ramifications for the United States’ economy, its toll has been unevenly harsh for the country’s poorest citizens.  Following a recession, a “K-shaped recovery” occurs when different segments of the economy recuperate at different rates, times,... Read More

DALLAS — Texas’ Fifth District Court of Appeals ruled Thursday in favor of a former Tarrant County College District employee who claimed she was fired from her job after disclosing her sexual orientation to a supervisor. Amanda Sims alleged in her discrimination suit against the district... Read More

WASHINGTON — Although progressive members of his party continue to push for parliamentary revisions to the Senate’s filibuster rules, it appeared Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., had already made up his mind on the matter.  “Jesus Christ!” Manchin, a self-proclaimed moderate-conservative Democrat, shouted to Capitol Hill reporters... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden-Harris administration announced a plan Friday to ramp up novel coronavirus vaccine manufacturing capacity in India alongside leaders of the Indo-Pacific alliance called “the Quad.”  President Biden announced the plan during a virtual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister... Read More

WASHINGTON — As states begin to consider consumer privacy legislation, Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., is renewing her push for a federal statute on the matter.  California and Virginia have already enacted comprehensive state data privacy laws, but DelBene said a federal standard is necessary for ensuring... Read More

WASHINGTON — Microsoft is placing the blame for a hack on its email software on China after President Joe Biden called on allied nations to create a new set of rules governing cybersecurity threats across the globe. It is believed that a Chinese hacker group known... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has long been an attractive hotspot for individuals fleeing their states in search of low taxes and affordable housing. But the state’s reputation as an economical place to live might be in danger as cost-of-living expenses increase while wages stagnate in its... Read More

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act on Wednesday by a margin of 220 in favor and 212 opposed.  The bill was named after the Minneapolis man killed during an arrest in May 2020 that sparked protests nationwide. The... Read More

WASHINGTON — Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough quashed Democrats’ plans to add a $15 per hour federal minimum wage increase to President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, but some members are not giving up. Democrats are planning to pass the bill by using the reconciliation process... Read More

WASHINGTON — A Trump-era regulation allowing the Department of Commerce to block technology-related business transactions determined to be national security threats will remain in place, against the wishes of some of the country's business stakeholders. The rule, scheduled to take effect this month, derives from a... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Senate cloture rule might be the biggest Legislative obstacle in front of President Joe Biden’s policy agenda.  Simply put, the cloture rule is a debate-limiting procedure that requires 60 Senators to agree before moving on to a vote. This rule is the only... Read More

Although 2020 was an economically woeful year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a joint report by BloombergNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy indicates renewable energy sources made record contributions to the country’s power grid.  The annual report, called the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook,... Read More

WASHINGTON — The House Budget Committee approved reconciliations to President Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion novel coronavirus relief legislation Monday, setting in motion the bill’s final vote in the full House of Representatives expected to follow this week.  If enacted, the legislation would provide $1,400 economic... Read More

WASHINGTON — Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville shared updates and laid out the branch’s priorities in a virtual webinar discussion hosted by The Heritage Foundation on Wednesday.  During the forum, McConville said the Army’s primary upfront investments will be people-focused and geared toward both... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — Rolling blackouts caused by an unprecedented winter storm have delayed the delivery of hundreds of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccinations across Texas, state health officials said Tuesday.  Texas was set to receive 407,650 first doses and 333,650 second doses of COVID-19 vaccines... Read More

Cryptocurrencies have the potential to decentralize systems of commerce across the world, leading to vast peer-to-peer markets absent of manipulation.   In order for this to come to fruition, Sheila Warren, head of data, blockchain and digital assets and member of the executive committee at the World... Read More

PHILADELPHIA — Comcast announced the company would escalate its commitment to address digital equity by closing the digital divide through addressing digital literacy and the homework gap. Since 2011, Comcast has facilitated the largest low-cost Internet adoption program for low-income Americans, known as “Internet Essentials,” according... Read More

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced the first of a series of negotiations Wednesday in a collaborative effort between conservation leaders, fishing organizations and forestry representatives to adapt statewide forest practices.  Brown brokered an agreement between the conservation groups and timber products entities in... Read More

WASHINGTON — Although sparingly used since its ratification in 1996, the Congressional Review Act is expected to be utilized by congressional Democrats to reverse a number of Trump administration rules.  The CRA was enacted to fast-track congressional oversight of the executive branch and empower Congress to... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday, Jan. 28, instructing the Department of Health and Human Services to open a new special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act from Feb. 15 to May 15.  The usual enrollment period began Nov. 1... Read More

WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition showcased their legislative priorities for the first 100 days of the 117th Congressional session on Thursday, Jan. 28, in a meeting held virtually with members of the media.  The most pressing issue discussed was the Coalition’s plan to... Read More

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan House Appropriations Committee Chairman Thomas Albert announced Republicans’ rebuttal to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed COVID-19 recovery plan.  The House Republicans’ plan would provide roughly $3.5 billion in federal and state funds for employers, families, schools and vaccine distribution, according to a statement... Read More

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Polling data from Monmouth University found that 56% of Americans approve of the House of Representatives impeaching former President Donald Trump for his role in inciting a violent mob to storm the United States Capitol.  Public support for Trump’s second impeachment... Read More

WASHINGTON — Americans were more likely to designate the lack of government leadership and unity as the nation’s primary issue this month, according to polling analysis from Gallup.  Tensions stoked by a contentious presidential transition, the impeachment of former President Donald Trump in the House of... Read More

WASHINGTON — On the first full day of his term, President Joe Biden announced his plan to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, entitled “National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness.”  Biden’s strategy includes issuing 10 executive orders to mitigate the virus. In addition to... Read More

Interest groups are pleading their cases to state officials in a bid to expedite their constituents’ access to the novel coronavirus vaccine.  Individuals over the age of 70, frontline health care workers, nursing home residents and staff are the first groups of people to receive the... Read More

WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans surveyed by Gallup predict the incoming Biden-Harris administration will make improvements to the environment and education while likely raising taxes and the national deficit.  Gallup published its findings as part of an ongoing series of “public opinion surveys designed to... Read More

AUSTIN, Texas — The 87th session of the Texas Legislature began Tuesday as lawmakers try to determine how to parse out the state’s estimated $112.5 billion budget for general-purpose spending over the next two years.  Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Monday announced his biennial revenue estimate... Read More

CONCORD, N.H. — A collection of 14 states have now signed amicus briefs backing New Hampshire in the state’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to determine whether jurisdictions may tax the income of remote workers who cannot commute to their workplaces.  In October, New Hampshire... Read More

WASHINGTON — Over half of the Republican House caucus last week voted to object to certifying the results of either Arizona, Pennsylvania, or both state’s electoral college results. Although both chambers of Congress would go on to certify the Electoral College victory of President-elect Joe Biden... Read More

WASHINGTON —President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to address man-made climate change appears poised to benefit from a bicameral party majority. Biden’s plan, outlined on his campaign website, proposes $1.7 trillion in new “federal investments” over the next 10 years that would incentivize private sectors to transition to... Read More

WASHINGTON — United States Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., on Thursday became the first GOP lawmaker to call for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office.  Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution’s 25th Amendment allows the vice president and a majority... Read More

PALO ALTO, Calif. — After initially stating they would freeze President Donald Trump’s access to its services for a 24-hour period, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Thursday the platform would ban the accounts “indefinitely.”  Zuckerberg made the announcement via a post on his personal Facebook page,... Read More

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America CEO Jeremy Butler issued a statement Tuesday condemning Department of Veterans Affairs officials in response to the administration’s handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Butler’s statement was released in response to a MilitaryTimes report revealing the VA’s death totals due... Read More

Georgia voters will decide the balance of power in Congress Tuesday in a pair of high-stakes Senate runoff elections that will help determine President-elect Joe Biden's ability to enact his governing agenda. Incumbent Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler will face Democrats Jon Ossoff and... Read More

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a comprehensive package of criminal justice reform bills Monday that stemmed from policy recommendations by the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration.  The year-long study from key stakeholders and criminal justice experts that led to... Read More

WASHINGTON — Members of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition sent a letter to President-elect Joe Biden Tuesday requesting that he “prioritize bipartisan legislation” dealing with novel coronavirus pandemic response and recovery.  The letter highlighted the coalition’s policy priorities for the 117th Congressional session, including fiscal responsibility,... Read More

WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden announced Kathleen Hicks and Colin Kahl as his nominees for deputy secretary of defense and under secretary of defense for policy on Wednesday.  If confirmed to the positions, they are slated to join Secretary of Defense-designate Lloyd Austin in the Pentagon... Read More

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis would continue its work during the 117th Congressional session with House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., returning as chair of the subcommittee.  Since its establishment in April 2020, the subcommittee... Read More

WASHINGTON — Incoming members of the White House Office of Digital Strategy were announced Monday in a press release from the Biden-Harris transition team.  In the release, the Biden-Harris transition described the incoming members as “diverse, accomplished, and talented individuals” that will work to extend president-elect... Read More

WASHINGTON — In the fourth session of their ongoing virtual national security briefing series entitled “National Security in the Shadow of COVID-19,” Reps. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and John Katko, R-N.Y., hosted retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to discuss how the national security environment has evolved due... Read More

In a virtually-hosted policy analysis presented by the Cato Institute, a panel of experts explored whether the creation of the United States Space Force was ahead of its time.  The Dec. 8 panel featured University of Kentucky senior lecturer Robert Farley, Deputy Director and Fellow of... Read More

WASHINGTON — Although expected to pass with bicameral and bipartisan support, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 is unlikely to contain provisions that would integrate a reserve component or National Guard for the United States Space Force. The act, H.R. 6395, passed the... Read More

In a virtual roundtable event co-hosted Tuesday by the Hutchins Center on Fiscal & Monetary Policy and the Peterson Institute for International Economics, economists discussed what economic policies should be prioritized by the in-coming Biden Administration and Congress.  The panelists who participated in the event, presented... Read More

WASHINGTON – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material conducted a hearing Wednesday exploring the Surface Transportation Board’s part in developments to the country’s passenger rail system.  During the hearing, executive officials from Metra, Amtrak and the STB gave expert testimony... Read More

WASHINGTON – In a virtual legislative hearing Tuesday, the House Natural Resources Committee considered legislation introduced by its chairman, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., that would establish an ocean-based carbon sequestration program among other climate change mitigation measures.  Grijalva’s bill, entitled the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act, endeavors... Read More

Of all the classes of workers who have come to be highlighted as “essential” during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, one group that is often, unfairly overlooked are those who keep the infrastructure of high rise offices and residential buildings functioning -- elevator mechanics. Throughout the pandemic’s... Read More

WASHINGTON – Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., jointly introduced legislation Wednesday that would exclude Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation from the list of benefits that have to be reported in a student’s application for Federal Student Aid.  Under current law, VA disability compensation must... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Republican Attorneys General from 10 states have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the latest legal action in the case to contend the counting of certain mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania. In the brief, the AGs argue the United States Supreme Court... Read More

CHICAGO – Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled an emergency coronavirus relief program for restaurants and bars in Chicago that are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic.  The grant program will reallocate $10 million in CARES Act funds to businesses impacted by “state-imposed mitigation measures,” Lightfoot... Read More

SALT LAKE CITY – Following Tuesday night’s gubernatorial election, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert joined Gov.-elect Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov.-elect Deidre Henderson in the Utah State Capitol in a showcase of their upcoming transition into office. Cox, Utah’s current lieutenant governor, defeated Democratic challenger Chris Peterson,... Read More

Gen. David Thompson, the United States Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations, tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, the Department of the Air Force said in an email.  Thompson was tested Oct. 28 after learning that “a close family member, with whom he had contact, tested... Read More

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Space Force recently launched its Space Operations Command, according to Air Force Magazine. Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting was introduced as the head of the operations command during a ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 21, according to AFM.... Read More

SAN ANTONIO – The military’s newest branch, the United States Space Force, swore in its first recruits Tuesday, Oct. 20. Seven recruits, five men and two women, will commence the force’s inaugural boot camp at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for seven and a half weeks, according... Read More

WASHINGTON – Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., introduced a bill in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support that would guarantee access to the future novel coronavirus vaccine at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill, entitled the “Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally for Seniors Act,” would amend... Read More

WASHINGTON – Newly proposed legislation by Reps. André Carson, D-Ind., Don Young, R-Alaska, and Rick Larsen, D-Wash., in the House of Representatives would support and promote a national aviation center for research, education and training. The “National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2020”... Read More

LANGHORNE, Pa. — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, D-Pa., Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and Gerry Connolly, D-Va., brought forth a bill that would ensure disabled veterans can fully utilize their benefits following disruptions in veterans’ health care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in March 2020, the novel coronavirus... Read More

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., revealed plans to fully repeal the cap on the state and local tax deduction that was included in the Republican-backed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The state and local tax deduction, also known as the SALT deduction, permits... Read More

WASHINGTON – A national survey by the Small Business for America’s Future coalition found that roughly 8 in ten respondents identified something other than the Supreme Court nomination when asked about Congressional priorities. The survey, conducted from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5, took input from 1,511... Read More

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office has released a report indicating employment in New York City’s restaurant industry fell from 317,800 jobs to only 91,000 jobs after pandemic-related restrictions were imposed on businesses. While the industry once accounted for $10.7 billion in... 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 Forestry, was presented the award for... Read More

The United States’ intelligence community is expecting active Russian disinformation efforts to influence the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to analysis by the RAND Corporation. Among the corporation’s key findings was that technological innovation has made widespread propaganda efforts by Russia easier to conduct... Read More

Although still far from happening, United States Space Command leader Maj. Gen. John Shaw said Space Force troops will eventually be sent to space. Shaw’s comments on the Space Force came during the AFWERX Engage Space Conference, which ran from Sept. 29 through Sept. 30, according... Read More

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan delegation of Congressional leaders met Wednesday with National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger to discuss the United States' foreign policy toward China in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “We are grateful to Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger for holding a very constructive... 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 in coronavirus relief funds to “every... Read More

WASHINGTON – In its ongoing commitment to expanding the Democratic Party’s majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund announced six new formal endorsements Monday. The coalition, founded in 1997, is composed of 104 House Democrats and is the largest ideological... Read More

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer jointly released a statement urging Congress to open an oversight investigation concerning “the Trump administration’s politicization of government functions,” that undermined the nation’s pandemic response. In their statement, the governors contend President Donald Trump and his... 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 Delgado’s environmental initiatives concern man-made substances... Read More

MONROE, La. – A live, virtual forum featuring candidates for Louisiana’s 5th congressional district will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. CST. The forum will mark an opportunity for voters to hear from the candidates vying for the seat held by outgoing Rep. Ralph... Read More

WASHINGTON – The federal debt owed by the United States government is expected to grow over the next 30 years to almost twice the size of the nation’s economy, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s Long-Term Budget Outlook report. While the average deficit over the past... Read More

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s “Win the Era PAC and Action Fund” has endorsed 28 candidates for various offices in the November elections. “I’m excited to announce our latest slate of endorsements, which include forward-thinking leaders across our country who are... Read More

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation that would authorize the president to posthumously award U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe the Medal of Honor. Cashe was injured in October 2005 while deployed in Iraq when the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was in... Read More

WASHINGTON – A vote is expected in the House this week on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill that would require employers to provide “reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a... Read More

OAKLAND, Calif.– Four plaintiffs in a recently-filed California lawsuit allege they endured verbal harassment and discrimination by their supervisors at Mitsubishi Electric U.S., Inc. LeiRoi Bowie, Gabriel Ross, Lavell Roberson and Craig Martin, all plaintiffs in the suit, were consistently forced to do menial labor and... Read More

Two sets of public opinion surveys commissioned by AARP across 11 key battleground states found a majority of likely voters aged 50 and older plan to cast their ballots either absentee or during the early voting period this election cycle. AARP’s poll also found similar levels... Read More

WASHINGTON – Last year, roughly 10.5% of all U.S. households lacked access to enough food for “an active, healthy life for all household members,” according to a report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. This figure is down slightly from 2018’s national food insecurity report, which... Read More

MILWAUKEE – Newly released polling data from the Marquette University Law School indicates that voting preferences and attitudes have changed minimally since its last survey in August. Marquette’s poll in August, conducted before unrest had been caused by shootings and protests in Kenosha, Wis., found former... Read More

RHINEBECK, N.Y. – The United States Chamber of Commerce continues its recent trend of defying tradition by announcing its endorsement of Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., in his first reelection campaign. The chamber is the largest business federation in the world and represents more than three million... Read More

Telehealth services have made substantial progress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite the hardships the health care industry as a whole has had to endure. The concept of telehealthcare is now more widely accepted than ever before. In August, a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced their support... Read More

Pandemic-induced poll worker shortages could potentially wreak havoc on the electorate of vulnerable communities this November. One high-profile effort to combat this issue, “More Than a Vote,” is launching an initiative with professional athletes to recruit poll workers for this year’s election cycle in crucial swing... Read More

ALBANY, N.Y. – Elected officials rallied with voting rights advocates this week in support of New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman’s proposed bill that would authorize election boards to establish absentee ballot drop off locations statewide. The Democratic legislator staged the event Monday, Aug. 31, on... Read More

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been a top lobbying group for decades, with the lion’s share of the organization’s support going to conservative candidates. However, in a surprising change from convention, the chamber is now prepared to endorse nearly two dozen freshmen House... Read More

WASHINGTON – A change in Customs and Border Protection policy that allows the agency to award its own contracts for select U.S.-Mexico border wall construction projects is being questioned by congressional members. In a letter addressed to acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan, Reps. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y.,... Read More

ATLANTA – In cooperation with the Mayo Clinic, Delta Air Lines is implementing a widespread COVID-19 testing program for its employees to fortify the safety of passengers and personnel. The partnership between Delta and the Mayo Clinic has been on-going since June, according to Delta. The... Read More

A new Harris poll found 69% of its respondents would support a priority system – particularly for workers in the health care sector and seniors – for COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. By comparison, 31% of respondents indicated they would rather the vaccine be... Read More

Coinciding with the first day of the Republican National Convention, the Joe Biden for President campaign announced the launch of “Republicans for Biden,” an initiative aimed at courting conservative voters away from incumbent President Donald Trump. Among the 27 prominent Republicans supporting Biden’s candidacy is former... Read More

OKLAHOMA CITY – Republican voters in Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District will determine their party’s candidate to face incumbent Democrat Rep. Kendra Horn in Tuesday’s primary runoff election. Horn, the first Democrat to represent the district in over 40 years, will face off against either entrepreneur and... Read More

In a three-part series entitled “We the People Demand Racial Justice” during the first night of the Democratic National Convention Monday, party leaders teamed with activists to address nationwide racial inequity. The discussion outlined former Vice President Joe Biden’s plan of action for confronting the country’s... Read More

WASHINGTON - Many variables will contribute to how the 2020 presidential election takes shape, however, there appears to be one undecided factor paramount to a successful campaign — suburban voters.  This was made evident in 2016 when President Donald Trump beat former Secretary of State Hillary... Read More

WASHINGTON – New data from the Gallup Center for Black Voices found 61% of Black Americans want the police presence to remain the same in their area. From June 23 through July 6, a Gallup Panel survey asked participants whether they want law enforcement to spend... Read More

For the first time in its history, the Democratic Party has elected not to gather in person to select a presidential nominee, opting instead to convene virtually from Monday, Aug. 17 through Thursday, Aug. 20. The full updated schedule for the Democratic National Convention, dubbed “Uniting... Read More

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program to be included in any upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. The FCC established the program in April 2020 to better provide health care support as the health crisis brought... Read More

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., announced Monday the acquisition of $1.2 million in federal grant funds for the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority’s recruitment efforts, continuing education and health care workforce development. The VHWDA grant will be issued to the organization’s network of Area Health Education Centers,... Read More

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan passed his chairmanship of the National Governors Association to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the association's bi-annual meeting Wednesday. Cuomo will head the new gubernatorial leadership in tandem with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the association’s newly elected vice chair. The first... Read More

WASHINGTON – Two members of Congress have penned letters requesting a probe into the Pentagon’s decision to grant a multibillion dollar moving contract to American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. The three-year, $7.2 billion contract would privately outsource the management of service members’ household goods, according... Read More

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - A consent decree approved by the Ramsey County District Court has struck down two key requirements pertaining to vote-by-mail restrictions in Minnesota. The civil suit, filed by a group of individual voter-plaintiffs and the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund, was supported... Read More

WASHINGTON - Thirty-four members of the U.S. Senate have signed a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting an extension of various waivers that allow low-income students access through the upcoming school year to school-provided meals. One-in-seven children lived in a food insecure household... Read More

A new report from a political reform nonprofit has outlined major risks to the nation’s democratic election process.  MapLight, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, examined the most significant risks to the 2020 presidential election in the report. Some of the issues highlighted were turnout decline due to... Read More

MINNEAPOLIS - A panel of community leaders will lead a discussion on systemic injustices in Minneapolis, Minn., on Wednesday as a part of the “Heal America Tour”, a series of events designed to spark productive dialogues on inequality in America. The event, hosted by Bishop Omar... Read More

As part of a $36 million food security program, Massachusetts’ executive administration unveiled $3 million in grants for residents suffering from urgent food instability due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced Wednesday the funding will come as part of... Read More

Since Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Electoral College defeat, public sentiment towards presidential polling numbers often centers around skepticism. Although many were blindsided by that year’s election results, exit polling data tracked closely with popular vote results. Presidential polling leading up to the general election is meant to... Read More

WASHINGTON – Members of the Blue Dog Coalition issued a letter urging congressional leaders to include measures to further protect taxpayer dollars in the next round of pandemic response funding.  The coalition, founded on fiscal responsibility and centrist-ideals, highlighted the fact that more than 1 million... Read More

RICHMOND, Va. – Due to the lack of federal workplace guidelines in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday emergency occupational safety standards to be implemented statewide. The rules, instituted via an executive order, mandate social distancing, sanitation and the use... Read More

Challenges faced by residents of rural and underserved communities regarding barriers to health care were analyzed in a report released by the House Ways and Means Committee. The report, entitled “Left Out: Barriers to Health Equity for Rural and Underserved Communities”, examined many cross-sector and historically... Read More

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia agreed to work collaboratively on hastening the switch to all-electric fleet vehicles in an effort to suppress toxic air pollution Tuesday. Their goal, according to a joint memorandum signed by the states’ governors, is to certify all new medium-duty... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., has joined the growing number of lawmakers calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to explain their decision to upend the educational plans of thousands of international students holding F-1 and M-1 visas. Last week the agency prohibited such students... Read More

WASHINGTON – The NewDEAL Forum has established a task force comprised of state and local officials to devise recommendations on a sustainable recovery from the coronavirus outbreak. The Renewing America Task Force will be led by five Democratic co-chairs including Phoenix, Ariz., Mayor Kate Gallego; Michigan... Read More

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., has been recognized for her support of small business, by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Houlahan, who has represented Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District since 2018, is not only an Air Force veteran, engineer and educator, she’s also the first woman elected to... Read More

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y, with its yearly Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of business-friendly initiatives in the first session of the 116th Congress. The chamber has rated members of Congress based on how they vote on... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, received multiple honors from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week for her efforts on behalf of small business and her constituents.  Fletcher, who was elected to represent Texas’ 7th Congressional District in 2018, serves on the House Transportation &... Read More

WASHINGTON – A group of influential Democratic Senators are urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to deny a confirmation vote of President Donald Trump’s nominee for a vacant United States appeals court seat. The legislators appealed to McConnell in a letter after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved... Read More

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan effort to expand the employee retention tax credit has gained a significant endorsement from a coalition representing 130 small businesses and key industry organizations.  The bill, entitled the “Jumpstarting Our 5 Businesses’ Success Credit Act”, or JOBS Credit Act of 2020, aims... Read More

WASHINGTON - New legislation would commemorate June 19 as a federal holiday 155 years after Major Gen. Gordon Granger issued the order signifying the end of slavery in the United States. In accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, in 1865 Granger would give “General Order No. 3”... Read More

WASHINGTON – Two senators serving on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation introduced legislation designed to improve aviation safety following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.  Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the committee, jointly announced... Read More

As nationwide coronavirus deaths continue to trend downward, a surge of new cases across a multitude of states is complicating plans to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen economies.  Updated data from the Johns Hopkins University tracker indicates 10 states are averaging their highest seven-day increase in... Read More

WASHINGTON - New legislation filed in the House of Representatives would designate June 27 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day and all of June as National PTSI month. The resolution, along with its companion legislation in the Senate, seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental... Read More

A top member of Pennsylvania’s state Republican leadership is stepping down amid claims his party withheld information concerning a GOP representative's coronavirus diagnosis.  Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai announced Wednesday he is leaving the Legislature before his term ends in November. Turzai, who had previously declared... Read More

WASHINGTON – As state governors continue to roll back restrictions on gatherings and business brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Gallup survey indicates at least two-thirds of Americans want to meet specific conditions before they are willing to fully restart the United States’ economy.... Read More