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Why Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver Opposed the PMRC

Why Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver Opposed the PMRC

The 1980s marked a significant period of cultural debate in the United States, particularly concerning the content of popular music. At the heart o...
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Frank Zappa Warned Congress That Music Labels Threatened Civil Liberties

Frank Zappa Warned Congress That Music Labels Threatened Civil Liberties

The mid-1980s witnessed a heated national debate over the content of popular music, pitting concerns about children's welfare against the principle...
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Senator Murkowski Champions Four Energy and Natural Resources Bills to Bolster Alaska's Energy Security

Senator Murkowski Champions Four Energy and Natural Resources Bills to Bolster Alaska's Energy Security

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) recently held a hearing to consider 24 bills, including four sponsored or co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). These legislative measures aim to enhance Alaska's energy security by addressing various aspects of energy development and grid resilience. Specifically, the bills seek to reduce costs and regulatory hurdles for hydropower and geothermal projects, improve the stability of the electric grid, and expand efforts to map critical mineral and other natural resources. The next procedural step for these bills is for the ENR Committee to report them to the full Senate for further consideration at a future business meeting. One of the key bills, S. 4870, proposes to reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) for five years, expanding its scope to include natural hydrogen. Another bill, S. 456, the Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms Act (STEAM), aims to expedite geothermal exploration and develo...
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House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman Supports Bill to Extend Fort Peck Rural Water System Authorization

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman Supports Bill to Extend Fort Peck Rural Water System Authorization

The U.S. Senate has passed H.R. 7250, Congressman Troy Downing’s legislation to extend the authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System through 2028. This bill, which previously passed the House, now heads to the President’s desk for signature. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman praised the passage of H.R. 7250, emphasizing its importance for strengthening water infrastructure in northeastern Montana. The legislation amends the existing authorization, extending its expiration from 2026 to 2028. The Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000 was established to provide safe and reliable municipal, rural, and industrial water to tribal and non-tribal communities across Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, and Valley counties through two interconnected systems: the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System. H.R. 7250 extends the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to support the construction of essential water infrastructure in...
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Senator Eric Schmitt Advances Resolution to Recognize 1960 Missouri Tigers as National Champions

Senator Eric Schmitt Advances Resolution to Recognize 1960 Missouri Tigers as National Champions

Senator Eric Schmitt Advances Resolution to Recognize 1960 Missouri Tigers as National Champions
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House Passes Pappas's Bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, Moves to Senate for Consideration

House Passes Pappas's Bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, Moves to Senate for Consideration

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, introduced by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), has unanimously passed the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation aims to classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This measure is designed to combat the illicit use of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, as a cutting agent in deadly drugs like fentanyl, which exacerbates the opioid crisis. The bill also includes provisions to protect the legal use of xylazine by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers, ensuring they can continue to use the drug for its intended purpose. The legislation now advances to the Senate for further consideration.
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U.S. House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, Advancing to Senate

U.S. House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, Advancing to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979) by voice vote under suspension of the rules. This bipartisan legislation, reintroduced by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in 2025, aims to mandate the inclusion of AM radio in new vehicles. The bill garnered 317 House cosponsors and cleared the House Energy & Commerce Committee with a 50-1 vote. This development follows over three years of advocacy by broadcasters, including the Colorado Broadcasters Association, which actively campaigned for the bill after several automakers announced plans in 2023 to remove AM radio from new vehicles. The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.
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Senator Tuberville Co-Sponsors Ratepayer Protection Act to Shield Alabamians from Data Center Energy Costs

Senator Tuberville Co-Sponsors Ratepayer Protection Act to Shield Alabamians from Data Center Energy Costs

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has co-sponsored the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation designed to prevent American families and small businesses from bearing the financial burden of energy infrastructure required for new data centers. This bill, which has a companion version already passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, aims to ensure that data centers and other large electricity consumers pay the full cost of the power plants, transmission lines, and grid upgrades built to serve their substantial energy demands. Senator Tuberville emphasized that while data centers can be beneficial for communities, he understands concerns about increased energy costs for residents. The Act proposes standards for state regulators when integrating large-load customers, defined as those with a demand of 100 megawatts or more, onto the grid. These standards include the recovery of full, incremental upgrade costs by the large-load customer through special rate charges and financial assurances to cover necessa...
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US Senate panel approves bill to bar government officials from pressuring networks on free speech

US Senate panel approves bill to bar government officials from pressuring networks on free speech

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S.
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The Protect College Sports Act Could Bring Both Order and Chaos

The Protect College Sports Act Could Bring Both Order and Chaos

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) at some point over the next couple of weeks. Late Tuesday, the Senate voted 74-23 to invoke cloture on a motion to proceed with PCSA, a precursor to a final vote on the bill. Sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and […]
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Analysis-Crypto bill's defeat shows limits of industry's political machine

Analysis-Crypto bill's defeat shows limits of industry's political machine

By Hannah Lang and Michelle Price WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S.
USA TodayUSA Today
Long-shot push for AI 'kill switch' bill fails in the Senate

Long-shot push for AI 'kill switch' bill fails in the Senate

Sen. John Kennedy said his bill would order AI companies to build kill switches into their advanced models.