Explore

AP NewsAP News
A more perfect union? Congress has been the place where America tries to resolve its problems

A more perfect union? Congress has been the place where America tries to resolve its problems

It’s one thing to issue a Declaration of Independence, but quite another to stand up a working government
VarietyVariety
Congress Begins Drafting 20% Federal Film Incentive With Trump’s Blessing (EXCLUSIVE)

Congress Begins Drafting 20% Federal Film Incentive With Trump’s Blessing (EXCLUSIVE)

Members of Congress are drafting legislation that would create a 20% federal film and TV incentive — with bonuses that could bring it as high as 30% — after President Trump endorsed the idea last week. The bill is expected to be introduced this month, and perhaps as soon as the end of next week, […]
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Representatives Peters and Evans Introduce CLEAR Act to Streamline Transmission Project Approvals and Reduce Electricity Costs

Representatives Peters and Evans Introduce CLEAR Act to Streamline Transmission Project Approvals and Reduce Electricity Costs

Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Gabe Evans (R-CO) have introduced the Certainty in Litigation for Electric Asset Reliability (CLEAR) Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation aims to accelerate the construction of large power line projects by streamlining the permitting process and resolving ambiguities in current law. The bill proposes that Department of Energy (DOE)-coordinated transmission projects adhere to the clear standards of the Federal Power Act, rather than traditional judicial review processes that can lead to lengthy delays. According to Representative Peters, California alone has 201 of 501 approved transmission projects since 2000 still stuck in permitting, with 89 remaining delayed, contributing to a near doubling of electricity prices in the state over the past decade. The CLEAR Act seeks to establish clear rules for stalled projects, providing certainty for developers and stakeholders while offering relief to ratepayers from rising costs.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Republicans Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Defund Federal Surveillance Camera Networks

Republicans Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Defund Federal Surveillance Camera Networks

Two Republican members of Congress, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), have introduced the 'Flock-Off Act' (H.R. 10221). This legislation aims to prevent federal taxpayer dollars from funding extensive surveillance camera networks, such as those operated by Flock Safety, which track vehicles, movements, and biometric information of Americans. The bill specifically targets federal funding used by state and local law enforcement agencies for purchasing, maintaining, or operating automated license-plate readers and other systems that create large databases of citizens' movements. The proposed act would prohibit federal money from supporting cameras capable of identifying vehicle characteristics and biometric surveillance systems, including facial recognition, voiceprints, iris/retinal scans, fingerprints, and gait recognition. It also extends to cloud services storing data from these systems and data-sharing agreements involving such technology. Five additional lawmakers, including Rep. ...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Congressmen Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Ban Federal Funding for Surveillance Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

Congressmen Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Ban Federal Funding for Surveillance Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) have introduced the 'Flock-Off Act' in Congress, aiming to prohibit federal funding for Flock surveillance cameras. This legislative effort comes amidst a growing national debate regarding the balance between public safety and individual privacy. Cosponsor Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has voiced strong opposition to the technology on the House floor, emphasizing concerns about the potential for a surveillance state in America. The debate centers on the use of AI-powered license-plate readers by Flock Safety, which proponents argue are crucial tools for law enforcement in identifying suspects and solving crimes, while opponents fear an expansion of surveillance that could lead to privacy abuses, including the tracking and deportation of undocumented immigrants by agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Several Bay Area cities have grappled with these issues, with some cutting ties with Flock Safety and others, like San Jose, Oakland, and Ri...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
CNN to Host California Gubernatorial Debate Featuring Becerra and Hilton, Moderated by Jake Tapper

CNN to Host California Gubernatorial Debate Featuring Becerra and Hilton, Moderated by Jake Tapper

CNN is set to host a California gubernatorial debate on September 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time, featuring Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra and Republican candidate Steve Hilton. The one-hour debate will take place at CNN's studios in Los Angeles and will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Xavier Becerra, who previously served as U.S. health and human services secretary during the Biden administration, California attorney general, and a U.S. congressman, is emphasizing his extensive government experience. Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, has centered his campaign on affordability issues and a call for reduced bureaucracy. Both candidates emerged from a competitive June primary election. To qualify for the CNN debate, candidates were required to meet specific criteria, including raising or loaning at least $1 million to their campaigns and securing at least 15% support in two qualifying polls.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Lonnie Bunch to Retire from Smithsonian Leadership Amidst Clashes with Trump Administration

Lonnie Bunch to Retire from Smithsonian Leadership Amidst Clashes with Trump Administration

Lonnie Bunch is stepping down from his role as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at the end of the year, following a period of tension with the Trump administration. Since 2019, Bunch has led the Smithsonian, but his tenure has been marked by the administration's efforts to influence the portrayal of U.S. history by the Smithsonian museums and other cultural entities. A White House report two months prior to Bunch's announcement criticized the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History, labeling them as 'radical activists' and questioning their ability to present history in an 'inspiring, unifying, and worthy' manner. This report led to President Trump ordering signs to be installed at the U.S. history museum, informing visitors that some exhibits were inaccurate. Anthea M. Hartig, the director of the National Museum of American History, publicly challenged these claims during congressional hearings, asserting that the report did not accurately...
ReutersReuters
OpenAI pushes for mandatory national AI safety rules

OpenAI pushes for mandatory national AI safety rules

By Chandni Shah Sept 9 (Reuters) - OpenAI said on Wednesday it was pushing for mandatory national AI safety requirements in the United States on concern the technology could accelerate its own development, after some of its own AI agents went rogue.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
California Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Corporations to Disclose Slavery-Era Ties, Awaiting Governor Newsom's Veto Decision

California Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Corporations to Disclose Slavery-Era Ties, Awaiting Governor Newsom's Veto Decision

The California Legislature has passed AB 2599, a bill that mandates all corporations operating in California with annual worldwide gross receipts of $100 million or more to disclose any past involvement or profit from slavery-era transactions. These disclosures, which must be submitted as sworn affidavits subject to perjury penalties, would be made public in a searchable state database. The bill passed along party lines and is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's decision on whether to sign it into law. Critics argue that the bill is a 'virtue-signaling money grab' and question its practicality, given that California entered the Union as a free state in 1850 and slavery officially ended in the U.S. in 1865. The legislation would require companies to research their own and any acquired entities' activities from up to 170 years ago, a task many believe is impossible due to record availability and the sheer volume of historical data.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Katie Zacharia Rises in Conservative Media and California Politics, Joins Richard Grenell's Fix California

Katie Zacharia Rises in Conservative Media and California Politics, Joins Richard Grenell's Fix California

Katie Zacharia, a lawyer and political strategist, has become a prominent figure in conservative media and California politics. She is known for her regular appearances as a contributor on Fox News and a political analyst on Newsmax, covering topics such as election law, voter integrity, immigration policy, and California state politics. Zacharia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2007 and a Juris Doctor in 2011 from Pepperdine University. Her early career included internships with the Republican National Committee and the White House Office of Political Affairs during President George W. Bush’s second term, and she practiced corporate law internationally at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing, China. In January 2024, Zacharia joined Fix California, a conservative nonprofit associated with Ambassador Richard Grenell, as Chief Advancement Officer and General Counsel. She also became a Senior Advisor to Richard Grenell, focusing on election integrity, voter registration, and legal challenges to Cali...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Pacific Legal Foundation Challenges Native Hawaiian Programs, Citing Ancestry-Based Discrimination

Pacific Legal Foundation Challenges Native Hawaiian Programs, Citing Ancestry-Based Discrimination

The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), a conservative public interest law firm, is actively challenging programs designed to benefit Native Hawaiians, arguing that these initiatives are unconstitutional due to their ancestry-based requirements. Two lawsuits have been filed by PLF. One seeks to block the eviction of David Kalahiki and Linda Twitchell from their apartments in a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) property, contending that removing residents based on ancestry is unconstitutional. The second, broader lawsuit aims to dismantle the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act's blood quantum requirements entirely, which would open up leases to all Hawaii residents regardless of Native Hawaiian ancestry. PLF asserts that the U.S. Constitution mandates a 'colorblind' approach to government benefits and burdens, citing the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This legal strategy is part of a larger national campaign by conservative and libertarian groups to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion p...
AP NewsAP News
One attack, many Americas: Why 9/11 and its many griefs land differently 25 years later

One attack, many Americas: Why 9/11 and its many griefs land differently 25 years later

The September 11 attacks 25 years ago left a lasting impact on the United States, affecting not just those who lost loved ones but the entire nation