Indivar Dutta-Gupta of the Center for Law and Social Policy and Rachel Greszler of The Heritage Foundation discuss the 30th Anniversary of the Family & Medical Leave Act, and Tax Foundation's Erica York discusses the FairTax Act.
Author and community organizer Saket Soni retold the story of how a group of men from India came to the U.S. as guest workers and became trapped in forced labor. He was interviewed by Migration Policy Institute senior fellow Muzaffar Chishti.
Democratic National Committee members debate and vote on changing the order of states voting in the 2024 Democratic presidential primary as well as other party proposals.
Kristin Amerling, chief counsel & deputy staff director of the House January 6 Select Committee said the goal of the body was to "work collaboratively to advance their investigative goal, which was to uncover what happened." Her comments came as she discussed the committee's work and its impact on congressional oversight during a conversation co-hosted by Georgetown University Law Center and the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy. Others joining the conversation included Lisa Desjardins from PBS Newshour and Reginald Brown, a defense attorney who represented several witnesses who went before the January 6 Committee. Other topics discussed included the format of the committee hearings, modernization of Congress and use of technology, and executive privilege.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines delivered keynote remarks on classified information and democracy at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. She covered a variety of topics including efforts to reform the classification system, intelligence shairng in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sharing information with policymakers and the private sector, TikTok, Fentanyl, and promoting trust in the intelligence community.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission held a hearing to examine China's military activities, power and global influence. In this panel discussion, witnesses focused their testimony on China's military capabilities and what it means for the U.S. and the Indo-Pacific region. The commission was created by Congress in October 2000 and is tasked with investigating and authoring an annual report detailing national security implications from U.S. relations with China.
President Biden stressed bipartisanship and respect for one another regardless of differences during remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill. Vice President Harris, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and several other lawmakers from both parties were on hand for the annual gathering. This event dates back to 1953. Congressional members host the event. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) served as the event's co-chairs.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) delivered his State of the State address from the Capitol in Atlanta. His remarks focused on economic growth in Georgia, curbing gang violence and human trafficking, expanding health care, and championing education in the state.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said they are strengthening their ability to hold airlines accountable following recent airline delays and system failures. The secretary, in conversation with Punchbowl News, also discussed the infrastructure law, the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, and congressional oversight. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) and Rhett Buttle, founder of Public Private Strategies, also participated in the conversation. They discussed the impact of the infrastructure law on local communities and implementation at the state and local levels.
President Biden delivered remarks on raill infrastructure investments at the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel located in Maryland. His remarks highlighted the $6 billion dollar investment into the 150-year-old tunnel as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) gave her 2023 State of the State address from the Capitol in Lansing. She announced a three-part plan to lower costs for Michiganders, which includes free preschool, and proposed expanding economic opportunity and "personal freedom," including abortion rights. The governor also discussed continuing investments in public safety, education, infrastructure, and clean energy. She closed her speech by referencing the "Ted Lasso" TV show and quoting President Theodore Roosevelt, to express optimism for the future.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro and Assistant Director for the Secret Service Investigations Office David Smith, testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on federal programs designated for COVID-19 relief. They discussed a variety of topics including how dated IT systems and self-certification contributed to pandemic relief fraud, government accountability, and implementing recommendations to prevent fraud in federal programs.
Rebecca Dixon, executive director of the National Employment Law Project, testified on the benefits of pandemic-related government relief programs before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. She discussed how Congress' quick action helped reduce poverty and stabilized the economy, and recommended ways Congress can help states modernize the unemployment insurance program.
The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library convened a conference to focus on national security, classified material, transparency, and the role of the National Archives in presidential record-keeping. During this conversation, a panel of current and former presidential library directors and historians discussed the relationship between the National Archives and presidential libraries, as well as the declassification process. Among the participants for this discussion were Mark Lawrence, director of the LBJ Presidential Library, and Warren Finch, former director of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library.
The Bipartisan Policy Center hosted a virtual discussion on food security, the 2023 Farm Bill, and federal nutrition assistance programs. Co-chairs of the center's Food and Nutrition Task Force, including chef José Andrés and former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, who served in the Clinton administration, highlighted recommendations to include in the Farm Bill in order to strengthen food security and improve various nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Staff members from both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees also participated. They discussed the process of implementing recommendations into the bill.
The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library convened a conference to focus on national security, classified material, transparency, and the role of the National Archives in presidential record-keeping. During this conversation, a panel of current and former presidential library directors and historians discussed the relationship between the National Archives and presidential libraries, as well as the declassification process. Among the participants for this discussion were Mark Lawrence, director of the LBJ Presidential Library, and Warren Finch, former director of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library.
