News from May 2023
Comer: ESG is Just Window Dressing for Liberal Activism and Far-left Ideology
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 10, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled “ESG Part I: An Examination of Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices with Attorneys General.
Wenstrup to Hold Hearing on COVID-19 Nursing Home Policy Failures
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) will hold a hearing titled “’Like Fire Through Dry Grass’: Nursing Home Mortality & COVID-19 Policies” to gather facts about pandemic-era, nursing home policy decisions — specifically in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — that led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. Instead of protecting the most vulnerable population, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) and other state officials disregarded available options and mandated that nursing homes and long-term care facilities accept thousands of positive COVID-19 patients.
Hearing Wrap Up: FDA’s Food Safety Director Acknowledges ‘Less Than Ideal’ Slow Response to Formula Crisis
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 11, the Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services held a hearing titled “FDA Oversight Part II: Responsibility for the Infant Formula Shortage.”
Hearing Wrap Up: Lack of Commercial Investment, Unclear Goals, and Manufacturing Failures Have Given Maritime Advantage to China Over U.S.
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
The Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held a hearing titled, “Strengthening the Fleet: Challenges and Solutions in Naval Surface Ship Construction.”
McClain: The FDA Must Act to Improve Internal Controls and Prevent Crises from Happening Again
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) opened a subcommittee hearing titled “FDA Oversight Part II: Responsibility for the Infant Formula Shortage” by discussing how today’s hearing is crucial in continuing the subcommittee’s investigation into the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) response to the infant formula crisis.
Wenstrup: COVID-19 Naturally Acquired Immunity Could Have Been a Force Multiplier for Good
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) opened today’s hearing on “Investigating Pandemic Immunity: Acquired, Therapeutic or Both” by asking why naturally acquired immunity was never considered in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Wenstrup called attention to global research and data that quickly proved those who contracted COVID-19 had antibodies that provided some level of immunity against reinfection.
Grothman: U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Capacity Must Compete With China & Russia
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) opened today’s subcommittee hearing on “Strengthening the Fleet: Challenges and Solutions in Naval Surface Ship Construction ” by outlining how the Navy has struggled to produce a coherent long-term, 30-year shipbuilding strategy that is able to compete with China and Russia.
Hearing Wrap Up: Coronaviruses Confer Robust Natural Immunity, Government Officials Should Have Considered in Policy Decisions
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing titled “Investigating Pandemic Immunity: Acquired, Therapeutic or Both” to examine the role COVID-19 vaccinations and naturally acquired immunity played in public health discussions and final government policies.
Comer, Foxx, Sessions: Department of Education’s Student Loan Self-Certification Opens Door to Fraud
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), and Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) today are calling on Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to provide answers about the Department’s decision to waive income verification requirements for student loan borrowers who enroll in income-driven repayment plans.
Senator Murray: Living Up to Our Nation’s Commitments to Tribes Includes Delivering on Key Federal Investments—Not Slashing Them
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 10, at a Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for Indian Country, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, discussed the need for the federal government to better live up to its commitments to our Tribes, which includes providing key federal funding for Tribal communities across Washington state and the country—not slashing vital support for Tribes, as House Republicans have voted to.
Senator Murray Makes Clear Delivering Resources FBI and DEA Need is Mission-Critical to Keep Communities Across America Safe
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 10, at a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about the need to ensure our federal law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep communities safe and protect our rights, and about her commitment to working with her colleagues to strengthen—not weaken—the FBI and DEA’s ability to fulfill their critical missions.
At Hearing on Defense Budget, Senator Murray Underscores Importance of Passing Timely Funding Bills to Keep Pace with Competitors and Support Military Families
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 11, at a Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted the importance of timely appropriations to keep pace with our competitors’ investments, keep our country secure, and deliver the support our servicemembers and military families are counting on—and deserve.
Senator Murray Highlights Critical Importance of Strong Investments in Education and Workforce
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 11, 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 Department of Education, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about the need to invest in education in order to ensure our kids can live up to their full potential and to strengthen our workforce and keep the American economy competitive.
Senator Collins Calls for Increased Funding for Alzheimer’s Research & Broader Access to Alzheimer’s Therapies
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
At a hearing to review the fiscal year budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, called for increased funding for Alzheimer’s research.
Senator Collins Calls for Continued Support from FBI, DEA to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Maine
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
During hearing, Senator Collins discussed Auburn restaurant that received $3M worth of fentanyl last month
Senator Collins Underscores Critical Need to Support Ukraine, Calls for Accelerated Delivery of Abrams Tanks
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, called on the Administration to provide Ukraine with swift support.
Senator Collins Questions Secretary of Defense on Terrorism Threat From Afghanistan
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
“We can't lose sight of the fact that Afghanistan is once again a safe haven for many terrorist groups.”
Manchin Rallies Senators Around Bipartisan Permitting Reform Bill
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 11, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to examine opportunities for Congress to reform the permitting process for energy and mineral projects.
Manchin: New Guidance Rewards Chinese Control Over the Solar Supply Chain
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
On May 12, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the below statement following the release of guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury that would allow solar cells composed of Chinese materials to count toward an extra tax credit bonus under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
House & Senate Republican Energy Leaders Request GAO Evaluate DOE Mismanagement of Strategic Petroleum Reserve
By Interior Newswire Report | May 15, 2023
U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluate the Department of Energy’s (DOE) mismanagement of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).