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Representative Zoe Lofgren Co-Introduces DEFEND IP Act Targeting Foreign Pirate Sites, Exempting VPNs

Representative Zoe Lofgren Co-Introduces DEFEND IP Act Targeting Foreign Pirate Sites, Exempting VPNs

Representative Zoe Lofgren, alongside Senator Thom Tillis, has co-introduced the Deterring Extraterritorial Foreign Exploitation of Networks Damaging Intellectual Property (DEFEND IP) Act. This bicameral bill aims to empower copyright holders to compel intermediaries to block foreign pirate sites. The legislation merges previous drafts into a single proposal. Notably, the DEFEND IP Act explicitly exempts Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from its scope, a significant departure from a competing proposal, the American Copyright Protection Act (ACPA), which had included VPNs. Under the DEFEND IP Act, court-ordered blocking would apply to broadband providers with at least 50,000 subscribers and public DNS resolvers generating over $100 million in annual revenue. The bill outlines a two-step legal process: first, a federal court must classify a website as a 'foreign digital piracy site,' and then rightsholders can request a blocking order if it is deemed 'technically feasible and effective.'

Does PA observe daylight saving time? Clocks fall back on this date

Does PA observe daylight saving time? Clocks fall back on this date

See when clocks fall back as daylight saving time ends in Pittsburgh this fall.

Senator Angus King Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Expand Veterans' Access to High-Cost Medications

Senator Angus King Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Expand Veterans' Access to High-Cost Medications

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) has co-sponsored a bipartisan bill, the 'Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act,' aimed at expanding access to high-cost medications for veterans residing in state veterans' homes. The proposed legislation would mandate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse these state facilities for medications exceeding 8.5% of their per diem rate, or alternatively, provide the medications directly. This initiative seeks to align the reimbursement policies for state veterans' homes with those already available to many private nursing homes that contract with the VA. Currently, the VA covers high-cost medications for severely disabled veterans living outside these state facilities but does not extend the same coverage to those within them. Senator King emphasized that veterans should receive consistent care regardless of their chosen living arrangement, stating that if the VA covers medications in private nursing homes, the same should apply to state-run veterans' hom...

Representative Boebert Calls for Temporary Pause on U.S. Diesel Exports

Representative Boebert Calls for Temporary Pause on U.S. Diesel Exports

U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) has advocated for a temporary halt on U.S. diesel exports, proposing the pause extend through January 2027. Following this initial period, she suggests a joint review by Congress and the Administration to assess the necessity of a further three-month extension. Representative Boebert emphasized that American producers, particularly in Colorado, should not be compelled to subsidize foreign markets while facing elevated prices domestically. She highlighted the current situation where farmers are incurring record costs for fuel, and families are grappling with daily affordability challenges, even as the U.S. continues to export diesel. Her call aims to prioritize American energy needs and consumers, providing relief to farmers, ranchers, and truckers.

Congressman George Latimer Blames President Trump and Allies for ICE Policies Amid Community Protest

Congressman George Latimer Blames President Trump and Allies for ICE Policies Amid Community Protest

Congressman George Latimer attributed current U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies to President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress during a community rally in Larchmont. The event, organized by the Coalition for Understanding Racism through Education (CURE) and the Community Resource Center, gathered over 170 attendees, including activists, elected officials, and faith leaders. The protest addressed the detention of more than 500 Westchester residents, including 30 from Larchmont and Mamaroneck, by what speakers described as 'armed and masked agents in body armor.' Latimer characterized the administration's policy as a 'manifestation of outright racism,' drawing a parallel between the 'spirit of ICE today' and the 'insurrectionists of January 6, 2021.' State Assemblyman Steve Otis also spoke, asserting that conditions in detention centers would not be permissible even in prisoner-of-war camps under the Geneva Conventions. Speakers highlighted that over 87% of those detained have...

Congressmen Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Animal Welfare Enforcement

Congressmen Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Animal Welfare Enforcement

Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) have reintroduced the bipartisan Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act (AWEIA). This legislation aims to strengthen the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by preventing animal dealers and exhibitors with prior violations of animal protection laws from receiving federal licenses. Currently, individuals or entities can retain federal licenses despite a history of violating animal welfare regulations. The proposed act seeks to close this loophole by prohibiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from issuing licenses to those found to have violated federal, state, or local animal protection laws. Additionally, the bill would enhance inspection protocols, veterinary care requirements, licensing procedures, and overall enforcement mechanisms under the Animal Welfare Act. The Animal Welfare Institute has endorsed this legislation, emphasizing the need for more robust tools to ensure improved treatment for animals and greater accountabil...

Savannah Morning News

Sunrise and sunset times in Georgia under permanent Daylight Saving Time

Sunrise and sunset times in Georgia under permanent Daylight Saving Time

Permanent daylight saving time could mean darker winter mornings in GA. See sunrise and sunset times across the state.

U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross Co-Sponsors H-1B Visa Renewal Legislation to Address Delays

U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross Co-Sponsors H-1B Visa Renewal Legislation to Address Delays

U.S. Congresswoman Deborah Ross, a Democratic Representative from North Carolina, is a co-sponsor of the Domestic Visa Renewal Modernization Act. This legislation is part of a three-bill package introduced by Representative Suhas Subramanyam, aimed at overhauling the H-1B visa renewal process and addressing visa-processing delays. The proposed act seeks to allow certain foreign workers, including H-1B professionals, to renew their visas without having to leave the United States. Currently, visa holders typically must travel to a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad to obtain a new visa stamp, a requirement that often leads to lengthy delays and can leave workers stranded outside the country. The Domestic Visa Renewal Modernization Act would expand a 2024 pilot program that permitted some H-1B visa holders to renew their stamps domestically, extending this option to holders of H-1B, H-1B1, E, I, L, O, and P visas. These categories encompass skilled professionals, multinational company executives, investors, jou...

Representative Jared Golden Co-Sponsors Bill to Limit Lawsuit Challenges on Energy Projects

Representative Jared Golden Co-Sponsors Bill to Limit Lawsuit Challenges on Energy Projects

Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, is a co-sponsor of a bill that seeks to reduce the timeframe for legal challenges against energy projects. This legislation, known as the SPEED Act, was passed by the House in December 2025 and proposes a 150-day limit for lawsuits filed under federal environmental and historic review laws. Currently, opponents of energy projects have up to six years to file legal challenges under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposed deal, which Senate negotiators are working on, would significantly shorten this period. The Congressional Progressive Caucus previously opposed the House version of the bill, arguing that a 150-day window is 'unreasonably short.' The bill would require passage in both the Senate and the House, and presidential approval, to become law. President Trump has reportedly offered to ease administrative delays on wind and solar projects to gain Democratic support for such a deal.

Representative Ryan Zinke Introduces Public Lands Bill Amidst Short Congressional Session

Representative Ryan Zinke Introduces Public Lands Bill Amidst Short Congressional Session

Representative Ryan Zinke has introduced 'A River Runs Through It Act,' a public lands bill aimed at creating 132,000 acres of new wilderness, establishing 181,000 acres of forest restoration areas, and authorizing 60,000 acres for motorized and bike recreation. Additionally, 60,000 acres would be designated as Conservation Management Areas, allowing current commercial and recreational use while prohibiting future mining, roadbuilding, or other development. This bill builds upon decades of efforts to protect wild lands in Montana, particularly around the Blackfoot River headwaters. The legislation includes components from previous proposals, such as the Lincoln Prosperity Proposal, and incorporates federal Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) for both commercial work and wilderness designation. The bill also downgrades the Hoodoo and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) to regular national forest status. Zinke's announcement comes as his term is set to expire in January, and he is not seeking re-election...

Representative Nancy Mace Introduces Pesticide Transparency on Federal Land Act

Representative Nancy Mace Introduces Pesticide Transparency on Federal Land Act

Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) has introduced the Pesticide Transparency on Federal Land Act. This legislation aims to mandate federal agencies to publicly disclose all pesticide applications on federal lands and facilities. The bill specifically directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a publicly accessible database for this information. Federal agencies would be required to report pesticide use within five days of application, detailing the location, active ingredient, date, and purpose of the application. The act also seeks to make previously compiled federal pesticide application data available through the EPA's database. A limited exemption for national security concerns is included, though agencies would still report such information to the EPA and notify Congress.

Reps. Westerman and Gluesenkamp Perez Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand VA Home Loans for Rural Veterans

Reps. Westerman and Gluesenkamp Perez Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand VA Home Loans for Rural Veterans

Reps. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) have introduced the Veterans Owner-Builders’ Rights Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding VA home loan access for rural veterans. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a five-year pilot program under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would provide direct housing loans to veterans in rural areas for the construction of new homes. This initiative is designed to allow veterans with relevant skills to utilize their VA home loan benefits to build their own residences, addressing a current limitation where only about 30% of veterans use these loans. The bill also includes provisions for providing blueprints with American wood sourcing requirements, streamlining the permitting process by requiring permits within 45 days and covering associated fees, and offering technical assistance for construction and permit applications. Additionally, it includes a safeguard against home-flipping by requiring veterans to reside in the home for...