Interior Newswire Report News
Manchin, FERC Commissioners Agree: Ongoing Need for Coal in America’s Energy Mix
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
On May 4, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to conduct oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). During the hearing, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Committee, asked witnesses about the future of coal in the U.S. electric grid, the need to consider reliability when bringing new energy sources onto the grid, the pace of FERC decision making and the need for comprehensive, bipartisan energy permitting reform that includes transmission. The hearing featured all four FERC Commissioners: Chairman Willie L. Phillips, Commissioner James Danly, Commissioner Allison Clements and Commissioner Mark C. Christie.
Manchin to Vote to Approve Solar Tariff Resolution to Decrease Reliance on Foreign Nations
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
On May 3, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that he will vote to pass H.J. Res. 39, a joint resolution of disapproval of the Administration’s rule allowing tariff waivers for solar modules and cells from four Southeast Asian countries. Chairman Manchin is the only Democratic co-sponsor of the identical Senate resolution, S.J. Res. 15.
Manchin Moves Ball Forward on Permitting Reform
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
On May 2, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Building American Energy Security Act of 2023, the text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment that was supported by 47 Senators (40 Democrats and 7 Republicans) in a tied floor vote in December 2022.
Manchin Questions Haaland About Interior’s Leasing Plans and Failure to Meet Deadlines
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
On May 2, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to examine the President’s budget request for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for fiscal year 2024.
Manchin Co-Sponsors Resolution to End Solar Tariff Waivers, Onshore Energy Supply Chains
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
On April 26 U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, co-sponsored Senator Rick Scott’s (R-FL) S.J.Res.15, a joint resolution disapproving of the Administration’s attempts to pause tariffs on solar imports from four Southeast Asian countries.
Senator Collins Questions USAID Administrator about Preventing Maternal and Child Deaths
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned the Administrator of USAID, Samantha Power, on the effectiveness of the Reach Every Mother and Child Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced last Congress, that would strengthen the United States’ efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns, and young children in the developing world by 2030. Specifically, Senator Collins emphasized the critical reforms needed to increase the success and impact of USAID's maternal and child survival programs.
Manchin Invites Entrepreneur and Shark Tank Host Kevin O’Leary to West Virginia to Tour America’s Energy Powerhouse
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to Mr. Kevin O’Leary, Chairman of O’Shares Investments, inviting Mr. O’Leary to visit West Virginia - America’s energy powerhouse. Mr. O’Leary recently expressed interested in building a $14 billion refinery in the United States.
Senator Collins Questions Veterans Affairs Secretary on Need to Support Veterans’ Homes Without Delay
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary Denis McDonough on the importance of Veteran Affairs (VA) partnering with rural communities and supporting their veterans’ homes. Senator Collins also questioned Secretary McDonough on the delays in VA rulemaking, highlighting her legislation, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act. Despite it being signed into law December 2020, the VA is still in the rulemaking process two years after the bill’s enactment.
Senator Murray at NIH Budget Hearing: We Cannot Afford to Slash Our Investments in Lifesaving Research
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, discussed how investing in the scientific research NIH conducts and supports produces breakthroughs that change patients and their families’ lives, prepares us for pandemics and other health threats, and ensures the U.S. continues to be the global leader in biomedical research.
Senator Murray Discusses Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and many of her Democratic colleagues to discuss a new legislative effort to bolster U.S. competitiveness and reiterate the importance of her work as Appropriations Chair to craft and pass funding bills to keep pace with our competitors and keep America on the cutting edge. In her remarks, Senator Murray also warned of how House Republicans' steep cuts would undermine our nation's ability to compete with China.
At EPA Budget Hearing, Senator Murray Highlights How House Republicans’ Cuts Threaten Clean Air & Water, Efforts to Combat PFAS Contamination
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with Administrator Michael Regan, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted the vital importance of delivering the funding needed to ensure families have clean air and water, protect people from forever chemicals, tackle the climate crisis, and protect the ecosystems our fishers, farmers, and economy depend on.
Senator Murray: Investing in Lowering Energy Costs, Protecting Our Grid, and Cutting-Edge Scientific Discovery is a No-Brainer
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development subcommittee hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE), including the National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted the importance of providing robust funding in a bipartisan way to support the Department’s array of programs that help lower energy costs, protect the stability of our grid, and produce scientific breakthroughs.
At Hearing on Army Budget, Senator Murray Stresses Importance of Supporting Military Families—and of Keeping Pace with Global Competitors’ Investments
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Army, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, underscored the importance of passing bipartisan funding bills in a timely way to ensure our investments don’t fall behind our competitors’—and of delivering the support our servicemembers and military families are counting on and deserve.
Murray Emphasizes Role Commerce Department Plays Ensuring Competitive U.S. Economy
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s FY24 budget request for the Department of Commerce, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about the need to build on investments that keep the U.S economy competitive, support innovation, and strengthen trade partnerships.
Senator Murray: Our Water Resources Are Too Critical to Shortchange or Take for Granted
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s FY24 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about the need to protect and maintain the nation’s ports, waterways, energy infrastructure, and other water resources as well as the importance of responding to the threats posed by climate disasters like droughts, flooding, and more. She also reiterated the importance of passing bipartisan funding bills to do exactly that.
At Hearing on VA Budget, Murray Underscores Commitment to Fully Funding VA Through Regular Order, Asks VA Secretary About Veterans’ Medical Care, Implementing PACT Act, EHR
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), who Chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies subcommittee, spoke about how, as the daughter of a WWII veteran, ensuring veterans have the care and support they deserve is a top priority for her—and she reiterated her commitment to passing bipartisan funding bills that uphold our nation’s promise to our veterans. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough testified at the hearing.
At Hearing on Capitol Police Budget, Senator Murray Underscores Commitment to Support Those Keeping Our Capitol Safe
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
At a Senate Appropriations Legislative Branch subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Sergeant at Arms (SAA) and Doorkeeper of the Senate and the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, thanked Senate Sergeant at Arms Karen H. Gibson and U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger for their agencies’ tireless work keeping the Capitol safe and running—and reiterated her commitment to passing bipartisan funding bills that ensure the two agencies have the necessary resources they need to fulfill their critical missions.
Mace To Hold Hearing on Risks of Aging Federal IT Systems
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) will hold a hearing titled “Risky Business: Costly Inaction on Federal Legacy IT.” The hearing will examine the need to replace aging information technology (IT) systems used by the federal government and will explore the dangers in the continued operation of these legacy systems, as well as solutions to accelerate their overhaul.
ICYMI Comer on Hannity: A Credible Whistleblower Raises Concerns that then-Vice President Biden Allegedly Engaged in a Bribery Scheme
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) joined “Hannity” on Fox News and emphasized that a legally protected, highly credible whistleblower has provided Congress information raising concerns that then-Vice President Joe Biden allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme with a foreign national. Given the severity of the allegations, Chairman Comer acted swiftly and highlighted his decision to subpoena the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for an unclassified record the agency possesses that allegedly details an arrangement involving an exchange of money for policy decisions.
Comer Presses Remus on White House’s Unraveling Narrative About Biden’s Stashed Classified Documents
By Interior Newswire Report | May 7, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) today is pressing Dana Remus, former White House Counsel, about information that contradicts important details from the White House’s and President Biden’s personal attorney’s statements about the discovery of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center, including the timeline, location, and security of the classified documents. In a letter to Dana Remus, Chairman Comer requests documents and communications related to the documents stored at Penn Biden Center and requests she appear for a transcribed interview.