Moms for Liberty's Tina Descovich and National Coalition Against Censorship's Nora Pelizzari discuss book banning efforts across the country, and Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram discuss their podcast "Faithful Politics."
Officials testified before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on the security and reliability of the country's energy pipelines. They answered questions on a number of topics, including mandatory reliability standards, renewable energy sources, cybersecurity threats to energy infrastructure, and energy independence.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) delivered his inaugural address after being sworn in for a second term as governor. Gov. Murphy was the first Democrat re-elected since 1977.
Historians testified on the global rise of authoritarianism before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They spoke about the threat to democracy around the world as well as in the U.S.
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in Federal Election Commission v. Ted Cruz for Senate, a case on whether the senator's campaign can sue to challenge federal law concerning the repayment of personal loans and whether it violates the senator's First Amendment rights to free speech. The 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act allows for a candidate for federal public office to borrow unlimited amounts from third parties or from themselves but it limits the campaign from repaying the candidate's personal loans with post-election contributions to a max of $250,000. One day before the 2018 election, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) loaned his campaign $260,000 in order to establish the groundwork for a legal challenge. The senator and his campaign filed suit in April 2019 alleging the personal loan repayment limit violated the First amendment. A federal district court agreed. The Federal Election Commission filed an appeal with the nation's highest court and got an oral argument date. The justices hav
West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin spoke about his reasons for bucking his party and opposing changing Senate filibuster rules for the voting rights bill.
Senators continued to debate a voting rights bill ahead of a vote to advance the legislation. One of the speakers included Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton, who referenced a 2017 letter in support of maintaining the ability for extended debate in the Senate that was signed by 28 sitting Democrats. Some of those same Senators responded to Sen. Cotton by explaining how their position now is not different from 2017.
Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock talked about the need to pass voting rights legislation to counter the new election laws that were implemented in his state.
Senators debated a change to filibuster rules after a vote to advance voting rights legislation failed to meet the 60-vote threshold. The rule change would have let a simple majority move the bill forward while allowing the minority to voice opposition through what's known as a "talking filibuster." Minority Leader McConnell accused Democrats of ruining the Senate by proposing this rule change, calling it "radicalism." Majority Leader Schumer followed by explaining why this change was necessary, saying it was "time for the Senate to adapt, to meet the challenge of the modern age."
The U.S. Conference of Mayors kicked off their annual winter meeting opening session in Washington, DC, with welcome remarks from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D). Nan Whaley, former Mayor of Dayton, OH (D), spoke about the work she did as mayor and during her tenure as president of the conference. The session ended with a discussion on climate change with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R) - the current president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors - and Bill Daley, former White House chief of staff during the Obama Administration (2011-12).
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and others delivered remarks during the annual winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC. The administration officials spoke about President Biden's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy and infrastructure investments.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors hosted a discussion on immigration issues, including the U.S. relationship with Mexico and the resettlement of Afghan refugees, particularly children. Speakers included Chris Magnus, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, Mexico's Ambassador to the United States.
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta and Charles Ramsey, former police chief for Washington, DC and Philadelphia, joined mayors from around the country for a U.S. Conference of Mayors discussion on law enforcement initiatives and reforms. Several topics were discussed including civil liberty protections, gun violence, restoring community trust, recruitment and retention, and criminal justice reform.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors held a session on city priorities and economic development during their winter meeting in Washington, DC. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) delivered keynote remarks, addressing the challenges cities face, infrastructure, and community investment. Mayor David Holt (R) of Oklahoma City sat down for a conversation on investment and support of micro businesses in the community.
Housing & Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge and Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman spoke about the Biden adminstration's policy agenda before U.S. mayors gathered in Washington, DC for their annual winter meeting.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined mayors from around the country for a U.S. Conference of Mayors discussion on infrastructure and accessing funds from the $1.2 trillion law. The session also focused on childhood health and food security and broadband connectivity.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) delivered his inaugural address after being sworn in for a second term as governor. Gov. Murphy was the first Democrat re-elected since 1977.
The House Select Modernization of Congress Committee held a hearing on the status of recommendations to make Congress more effective, efficient, and transparent. Topics included telework, staffing and committee voting systems.
Atlantic Council's John Herbst, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, discusses U.S.-Russia tensions over Ukraine and the future of NATO, and The Nation magazine's Katrina vanden Heuvel discusses President Biden's first year in office.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified on the state of the rural economy before the House Agriculture Committee. For more than four hours, the secretary touched on a host of topics including supply and demand during the pandemic, COVID-19 relief funds for farmers, food consumption changes, food deserts and trade exports to other countries. On exports, Secretary Vilsack said China is not abiding by its trade commitments on farm purchases, adding the country is $13 billion short and the Biden administration intends to hold them accountable for the shortfall.
President Biden made remarks on the administration's efforts to ease supply chain issues that contribute to the semiconductor shortage. Joined by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, the president touted Intel's plan to invest $20 billion in a semiconductor plant in Ohio as part of those efforts.
President Biden delivered remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting in Washington, DC. He praised attendees for the important work they do for their communities. The president also used the occasion to push his social spending plan, the Build Back Better Act.
United Nations Secretary-General Antoni Guterres delivered remarks at the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York City. The secretary-general laid out his priorities for 2022, which include ending the COVID-19 pandemic, climate action, global financial reform, cybersecurity, and peace and security around the world.
Actor Kirk Cameron, Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), and Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of the late Rev. Billy Graham were among the speakers at the annual March for Life rally in Washington, DC. Last year's rally was virtual due to the pandemic.
Robert Sutton, former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, told the story of a secret military intelligence facility near Washington, DC, where 3,000 high value Nazis were interrogated by U.S. servicemen during World War Two.
Moments before Prime Minister's Questions began, Prime Minister Boris Johnson saw a member of his Conservative Party defect to the Labour Party over the prime minister defying COVID-19 restrictions and throwing parties at 10 Downing Street. Following the defection, the first question asked of the prime minister was whether it was time for him to resign over the scandal. "No," responded Prime Minister Johnson. "I apologize sincerely for any misjudgments that were made." The prime minister was repeatedly asked about the controversy during the session and a member of his own party, David Davis, also called on him to step down.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivered remarks during a virtual session of the World Economic Forum. Topics included the growth of the U.S. economy, the Biden administration's economic policy, as well as inflation and supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robert Sutton, former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, told the story of a secret military intelligence facility near Washington, DC, where 3,000 high value Nazis were interrogated by U.S. servicemen during World War Two.
Moments before Prime Minister's Questions began, Prime Minister Boris Johnson saw a member of his Conservative Party defect to the Labour Party over the prime minister defying COVID-19 restrictions and throwing parties at 10 Downing Street. Following the defection, the first question asked of the prime minister was whether it was time for him to resign over the scandal. "No," responded Prime Minister Johnson. "I apologize sincerely for any misjudgments that were made." The prime minister was repeatedly asked about the controversy during the session and a member of his own party, David Davis, also called on him to step down.
National Guard officials testified on prosecuting sexual misconduct within the branch before a House Armed Services subcommittee. They answered questions about the process for investigating claims and how to improve accountability.
Comedian Jon Stewart joined other advocates to highlight veterans who are battling diseases after exposure to toxic burn pits during a virtual roundtable with the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Historians testified on the global rise of authoritarianism before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They spoke about the threat to democracy around the world as well as in the U.S.
Robert Sutton, former Chief Historian of the National Park Service, told the story of a secret military intelligence facility near Washington, DC, where 3,000 high value Nazis were interrogated by U.S. servicemen during World War Two.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation Center's Jeffrey Butts discusses rising crime and murder rates, and Insider Health Care Reporter Andrew Dunn discusses efforts to develop the next Covid-19 vaccine.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation Center's Jeffrey Butts discussed rising crime and murder rates, and Insider Health Care Reporter Andrew Dunn discussed efforts to develop the next Covid-19 vaccine.
