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In Lok Sabha speech, PM taunts Congress, defends CAA

Replying to a debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Lok Sabha, Modi also attacked the Congress for its politics in the last seven decades, saying the party's politics of last 70 years has been such that no Congress leader can be self-sufficient.




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Delhi Congress shares list of 7,299 migrants with AAP govt




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Congress flays govt on 'confusion' over corona situation




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‘Congress ready to foot the bill for safe passage of migrants stranded in State’

It urges COVID-19 Task Force Committee chief to approve two Shramik Specials




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Congress wants Centre to roll back value cut in wheat MSP

A black chapter in the exploitation of farmers: Surjewala.




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What is the great urgency for environment notification, asks Congress

Draft has alarming clauses including the concept of post facto clearance, it says.




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Pay for Gulf returnees, Congress asks TS govt.

The Congress has demanded that the State government bring back stranded Gulf labour free of cost, not just on humanitarian grounds but also due to ₹1,




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Maharashtra: Congress announces 2nd candidate, contest likely for council polls

Maharashtra: Congress announces 2nd candidate, contest likely for council polls




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Navjot Singh Sidhu will remain in Congress, says party MLA Verka




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Navjot Singh Sindhu's wishes will be kept in mind as he is a Congressman, says Punjab CM




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Not interested in leaving Punjab, Rahul Gandhi should steer Congress as its leader: Amarinder




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Congress councillor, party workers give food to needy in Amritsar




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Punjab Congress asks people to raise tricolour from rooftops on May 1




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Migrants’ train fare: BJP, Congress slam AAP govt.

It follows letter seeking reimbursement




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Congress picks two for MLC polls

In a surprising turn of events on Saturday, the Congress announced two candidates for the May 21 Legislative Council polls, indicating that it is in n




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Congress Should Create Commission to Examine the Protection of Human Participants in Research

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that examines the regulations governing federally funded research recommends that Congress authorize and the president appoint an independent national commission to examine and update the ethical, legal, and institutional frameworks governing research involving human subjects.




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Study Committee Members Brief Congress on Election Security

As jurisdictions around the nation explore how to shore up their voting systems against vulnerabilities revealed by the 2016 election, Congress held a hearing yesterday to learn more about cyberthreats and options for thwarting them.




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Increasing Women’s Representation in STEMM Fields Will Require Culture Change Driven by Systemic Actions by Higher Education Institutions, Funding Agencies, Congress

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine urges systemic action to change the culture in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) to address the underrepresentation of women in these fields.




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White House Denies Congressional Request For Dr. Anthony Fauci's Testimony

Dr. Anthony Fauci steps out of the West Wing for a briefing on the novel coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House in March.; Credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Alana Wise | NPR

The White House will not allow the leading immunologist on the coronavirus task force to testify to Congress next week, calling the request "counter-productive" to the administration's efforts to contain the virus.

Dr. Anthony Fauci's testimony had been requested by the House Appropriations Committee, as part of an investigation into the White House response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A committee spokesman on Friday said the White House had blocked the doctor from appearing before the panel.

"The Appropriations Committee sought Dr. Anthony Fauci as a witness at next week's Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee hearing on COVID-19 response. We have been informed by an administration official that the White House has blocked Dr. Fauci from testifying," spokesman Evan Hollander said in a statement.

Fauci has become one of the most well recognized experts in the administration's coronavirus response team, often speaking publicly during task force briefings, and at times, seeming to contradict statements made by President Trump.

"While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings. We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.




congres

Congress saves the potato's reputation

The National Potato Council lobbied Congress to include potatoes in the WIC nutritional program, claiming its exclusion sent the wrong message to consumers.




congres

Does Congress have a low energy IQ?

One man says a century of rhetoric on oil shale shows that it's an idea that will never come to fruition.




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A fight with congressional Republicans may just be what Lisa Jackson wants

Republicans are licking their chops about questioning the EPA administrator, but recent history shows that may be exactly what she wants.




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Tea Party is reason for congressman's environmental flip-flops

L.A. Times says the head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee was once a moderate, but he was able to gain this powerful seat by embracing Tea Party princ




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Congress clears the way for space mining

Extraterrestrial business questions about asteroids and spaceflight finally answered.




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A day off from the Rolling Stones tour at the World Parks Congress

Chuck Leavell took a break from his music to discuss global parks and how we can make them better.




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Salazar shares his energy priorities with Congress

During an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, the secretary of the Interior outlines the Obama administration's energy wish list.




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Kentucky congressman says no to mountaintop mining

While politicians in Appalachia are taking aim at the EPA, John Yarmuth is patting the agency on the back.




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Congressman directly asks special interests about government regulation

Rep. Darrell Issa has sent out a letter to Beltway insiders asking for their thoughts about how Uncle Sam should regulate them.




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Costner testifies before Congress about oil filtration technology

Actor and entrepreneur says his centrifuges could make a difference in small-scale oil cleanups.



  • Arts & Culture

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Congress isn't properly funding its food safety act

Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act four years ago but hasn’t given the FDA the money needed to implement the act.




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Folium Biosciences is Pleased to Announce its Sponsorship of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) World Congress Medical Conference in Las Vegas, NV December 14-16, 2017

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) is dedicated to the advancement of tools, technology, and transformations in healthcare that can detect, treat, and prevent diseases associated with aging.




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Mobile World Congress Barcelona Achieves a Great Success in 2018

New wave of innvations




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Intermountain Healthcare Pushes Congress to Reduce Medical Errors With a Nationwide Unique Patient Identifier

Intermountain's chief information officer Marc Probst, a board member for the College of Health Information Management Executives, was one of five experts invited to brief congressional staffers.




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Artificial Intelligence: Discreetly Reported to White House Chinese Plans to Assassinate President Trump, Family, & Members of Congress with AI Micro-Botic Robo Insect Drones, Says The AI Organization

Preventing Harm to President Trump, his Family, Congress, America, the World & all of Humanity with AI guided assassination drone systems. Nefarious Chinese groups are attempting to weaponize cybernetics in every regard, including Dragon Flies.




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Congress Approves Wheat Growers' Request For $1 Million

Funding Falling Numbers Research




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ARA Applauds Congress on Moving SECURE Act Forward, Urges Quick Action

Years in the making, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was included in one of the two "minibus" appropriations bills that fund the federal government for the rest of the 2020 fiscal year




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Former TOPGUN Frank Hecker Files to Run for Congress in Oregon's 3rd District

Navy Veteran Frank Hecker Seeks Republican Nomination in May 19th Primary




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NECA Legislative Top Three 3/6/20: Congress Looks to Modernize National Apprenticeship Act

1. Hearing Held to Reauthorize the National Apprenticeship Act

On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the Higher Education and Workforce investment Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss reauthorizing the National Apprenticeship Act. The National Apprenticeship Act, originally passed in 1937, will be amended to expand the apprenticeship system to include broader forms of apprenticeship programs. This discussion is centered around how to modernize the Act and bring apprenticeships into the 21st century.  

NECA’s Look Ahead: Preserving these valued apprenticeship programs is a priority. NECA continues to work closely with legislators while this bill is being shaped.

2. NLRB Chairman and General Counsel to Testify Regarding Funding     

Next week, the Chairman and General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board are scheduled to testify before the House Appropriations committee. This hearing is anticipated to be contentious with lawmakers inquiring as to the reasons behind the Trump Administration’s request to lower the board’s funding by 10%. At the same time, the NLRB’s regional offices are plagued with under-employment and the board itself is dogged with hearings and legal challenges over ethical conflicts of interest.

NECA’s Look Ahead: While historically the National Labor Relations Board has been a contentious and often politicized place, this hearing is expected to highlight the new level of dysfunction that now riddles the Board. NECA believes that lawmakers should continue to fully fund the NLRB and encourage their leadership to expedite the hiring of their regional offices.

3. Congress Passes Coronavirus Funding Bill

On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, Congress passed a NECA-supported bill, H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

NECA’s Look Ahead: This bill addresses the critical funding issues surrounding the U.S. response to the Coronavirus outbreak. The bill includes the following:

  • $4 billion to make diagnostic tests more broadly available

  • $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a robust response, including:

    • $1 billion exclusively for state and local response efforts
    • $300 million for CDC’s Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund
    • $20 million to administer disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by the virus.
    • $1.25 billion for the State Department and (USAID)
    • $264 million to evacuate Americans and maintain consular operations overseas




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NECA Legislative Top Three 4/24/20: Congress Shores up PPP Funding, Phase IV Next Up

1. Congress Passes Legislation to Increase Funding for PPP

On April 23, 2020, the House passed, in a 388 to 5 vote, the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266 – Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was passed in the Senate by unanimous consent on April 21, 2020. NECA advocated for additional funding and are confident that this amendment will continue to help NECA contractors keep their employees on payroll during this crisis.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The NECA-supported bill is expected to be signed into law by the President immediately. A detailed section by section summary can be found here. NECA has also compiled some FAQs on this loan program. NECA is continuing to work with congressional leaders on upcoming Phases of COVID-19 response bills. A major Phase IV bill is expected sometime in May.

2. NECA Weighs in on Main Street Lending Program

A group of congressional allies sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Vice Chairman for Supervision of Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Randal Quarles, requesting the inclusion of S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships in utilizing the Main Street lending facilities announced by Treasury and the Federal Reserve. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: The letter was organized in response to a coalition letter, which NECA supported, to Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Texas) on the issue. NECA will update its members once we have received a formal response from the Department of the Treasury.

3. Register Today for the Upcoming Government Affairs Webinar

On May 5, 2020 at 2PM ET, NECA’s Government Affairs team will brief participants on NECA’s requests for Congress in the Phase IV coronavirus response legislation, then participants can take action and send a letter to their Member of Congress requesting help for the electrical construction industry to remain viable during this crisis. Participants will also hear messages from key Members of Congress on the current legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Register Today! 




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Statement from Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd Expressing Support for Congressional Efforts to Expedite Payment of Public Safety Officer Benefits to First Responders Who Contract COVID-19

Assistant Attorney General Stephen E. Boyd issued the following statement in support of efforts to streamline payments under the Public Safety Officer Benefit Program (PSOB) to public safety officers fatally injured while working during COVID-19:




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In Response to Self-Executing Congressional Mandates, SEC Adopts Offering Reforms for Business Development Companies and Registered Closed-End Funds

The Securities and Exchange Commission today voted to adopt rule amendments to implement certain provisions of the Small Business Credit Availability Act and the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act relating to business…




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Congressman Cummings Defends Ebola Response In NYC

Some members of Congress say the new Ebola infection in New York City is exposing flaws in the system and raising new concerns.




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Congress Mulls Expanded SBA Loan Authority, Democratic Demands

Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Andy Harris are weighing in.




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Congress Mulls Expanded SBA Loan Authority, Democratic Demands

Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Andy Harris are weighing in.




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DFL congressional endorsements get underway




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Music And Film Organizations Call On Congress To Fix Safety Net In New CARES Act

Leading music and film organizations today sent a new letter to leaders of CONGRESS that highlights how they believe the implementation of the CARES Act has fallen short. The organizations … more




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Nonprofit sector urges Congress to include “Nonprofit Track” in CARES Act 2.0

April 8—The nation’s nonprofits are on the frontlines in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, working tirelessly to serve the people who need our services despite facing challenging circumstances within our own organizations. If we are to...




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Statement: Leaders of nation’s charitable nonprofits urge Congress to go further

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 23) —The organizations highlighted below express thanks to the Senate for taking the first step in recognizing nonprofits in its proposed relief package. However, we believe Congress needs to take further actions to ensure our...




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El sector sin fines de lucro pide al Congreso que incluya la “vía sin fines de lucro” en la Ley CARES 2.0

Sala de prensa de la AHA sobre el COVID-19 WASHINGTON, D. C., 9 de abril del 2020— Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro de la nación están en la primera línea en nuestras comunidades durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Trabajan sin cesar para servir a...




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Congress working remotely highlights need for better broadband connectivity, Loebsack says

CEDAR RAPIDS — Like other members of the United States House, the “new normal” for Rep. Dave Loebsack involves a lot of time on the phone and in video conferences.

Although the Senate returned to Washington this past week, the House may not return to the Capitol until mid-May. As representatives work from their districts, many face the same challenges as their constituents who are working from home via various phone and video meeting platforms.

“They’re clunky, difficult, frustrating at times,” the 2nd District Democrat said after a 90-minute Energy and Commerce Committee teleconference meeting, “but we can get a lot of things done that way without necessarily going into Washington. It’s not the same by any means ... but I think we can get a lot of our work done that we have to get done even though were not there.”

If there’s an upside to the telecommuting downside, it’s that the poor connections, dropped calls and sometimes spotty internet signals highlight an issue Loebsack has been working on — Congress and the country need better broadband connectivity. A member of the Communications and Technology subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues, Loebsack also serves as a co-chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus.

In one meeting, Loebsack said, a fellow committee member was unable to ask questions because the Wi-Fi signal at his home outside of a southwestern city was so poor.

“So I think we’re going to make some progress” convincing congressional colleagues of the need to connect all Americans to reliable and affordable broadband internet, Loebsack said.

“In times like these, when families are at home, millions of K-12 students do not have access to the high-speed internet needed to take classes and complete their assignments online,” he said in an announcement with House Majority Whip James Clyburn and others of a House Democratic plan to connect all Americans to high-speed internet.

When the transmission of COVID-19 slows, the need for high-speed internet connectivity will remain as well as the need for Congress to provide incentives for internet service providers to close the “broadband gap” by extending service to the las mile in rural areas and eliminate what he called “internet deserts” that exist in cities.

The plan calls for an investment of $80 billion over five years for internet infrastructure and another $5 billion over five years for low-interest financing of projects.

With more reliable connectivity, Congress could consider remote voting at times like this when members don’t want to gather in Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been cool to the idea, but Loebsack thinks members are “more open” to voting remotely.

“But we have to make sure that it’s completely secure, that the system can’t get hacked, and that votes are recorded properly,” he said.

Remote voting may be a may be a generational issue, “but I think this is doable.”

“I’m not making that prediction, but I would not be shocked if we move in that direction, especially the longer this (isolation) goes on,” Loebsack said.

Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com