Today's News for February 28, 2024
HOUSE PASSES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION ADVANCING NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCTION
Source: U.S. Representative Rick Allen (R-GA, 12th)
February 28, 2024
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 6544, the bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act, which aims to incentivize and advance nuclear energy production in the United States. Included in H.R. 6544 is legislation Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) sponsored—the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act, which would improve the licensing review process for future nuclear projects by establishing updated procedures and timelines for reviewing nuclear licensing applications.
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Senator Baldwin Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Big Corporations Shrinking Products Without Reducing Prices
Source: Senator Tammy Baldwin (D - WI)
February 28, 2024
For example, food products like name-brand cereals, chips, and crackers shrank the sizes of some of their products, while keeping the price stable. In the case of Cocoa Puffs, General Mills reduced its “Family Size” from 19.3 ounces to 18.1 ounces of cereal while charging the same price. Frito-Lay also reduced the size of a bag of Doritos from 9.75 ounces to 9.25 ounces, while their profits increased 9 percent from 2021 to 2022. Meanwhile, Mondelez International shrunk a family size box of Wheat Thins from 16 ounces to 14 ounces, but kept the price the same.
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ABC Survey: Biden’s Proposed Apprenticeship Rule Will Strongly Discourage Construction Apprenticeship Program Participation
Source: Associated Builders and Contractors Association
February 27, 2024
According to the results of a new survey of ABC contractor members and chapters published today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s controversial, 180,000-plus word proposed rule overhauling regulations related to government-registered apprenticeship programs—or GRAPs—will discourage apprentices, contractors and ABC chapter apprenticeship program providers from participating in the government-registered apprenticeship system.
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Barrasso: Biden and Democrats Have Taken A Wrecking Ball to America’s Strength
Source: Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)
February 28, 2024
“There's a confluence of crisis all around the world from El Paso, Texas, to Jerusalem, Israel. These terrible crises did not emerge overnight…Joe Biden has failed fundamentally what should be the goal of any president, which is to make America stronger, safer, more secure. As the Commander in Chief, President Biden bears full responsibility for the continuity of the crisis that he has created.”
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BERGMAN CALLS ON SENATE TO PASS HOUSE BORDER BILL
Source: U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI, 1st)
February 27, 2024
“It’s long past time the Senate take up H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, to secure our southern border and end this crisis. Our porous border is teetering on the verge of major catastrophe with the rampant rise of crime, fentanyl overdoses, and illegal crossings. Passing a so-called border bill which only allocates a mere 17% of a $118 billion total to securing our border is not the answer. Instead, we need the national security-bolstering measures in H.R. 2 – from its provisions that would restart construction of a border wall to its elimination of catch-and-release."
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Blackburn, Graham, Senate Judiciary GOP to Secretary Mayorkas: Release Files On Migrant Murder Suspect’s Immigration Parole Status
Source: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
February 28, 2024
By law, immigration parole is only to be granted at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on a case-by-case basis, in instances of “urgent humanitarian reason or significant public benefit.” Ibarra is the suspect charged in the murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley.
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Blumenthal & Murphy Praise VA Expansion of Health Care for All Toxic-Exposed Veterans
Source: Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
February 27, 2024
Millions of veterans exposed to burn pits & toxins during their service will be eligible for health care starting March 5; Historic expansion accelerates progress of PACT Act, makes health care available to all affected veterans
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Booker, Cardin, Meeks, Jacobs Welcome Announcement of High-Level Special Envoy for Sudan
Source: Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)
February 27, 2024
“Having served as Special Envoy for the Great Lakes during the Obama Administration, former Congressman Tom Perriello has a strong track record of diligently working to find solutions to intractable conflicts in Africa, and we look forward to working with him to develop a sustainable path toward peace for the people of Sudan.”
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Ranking Member Boozman to USDA at Oversight Hearing: Help Us Ease Worries, Make Things Right for Farmers and Rural Communities
Source: Senator John Boozman (R-AR)
February 28, 2024
The lede from a February 15th story in Agri-Pulse, reporting on a presentation made by USDA’s Chief Economist at the Ag Outlook Forum, read: “USDA is forecasting lower prices for most major crops this year as input costs remain elevated and farmers face growing export competition”. A week earlier USDA forecasted that net farm income would decrease by 27.1 percent, or $43.1 billion, when adjusted for inflation over the last year. When you consider that since 2022 inflation-adjusted net farm income has dropped by $80 billon, this will be the largest two-year decline in net farm income of all time.
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BOYLE STATEMENT ON SWEDEN CLEARING FINAL HURDLE TO JOIN NATO
Source:U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA, 2nd)
February 26, 2024
“With today’s vote by the Hungarian Parliament, Sweden will become the 32nd NATO ally, dealing a profound geopolitical blow to Vladimir Putin. Today’s outcome is yet another clear example of the world unifying around Ukraine and Europe, and against Vladimir Putin as he continues his brutal and unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation. Sweden's inclusion exponentially enhances NATO's collective strength and safety.”
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