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Senate to Vote on Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act to Reform Electricity Transmission

Senate to Vote on Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act to Reform Electricity Transmission

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), a bill aimed at significantly reforming the planning, permitting, and construction of electricity transmission lines across the country. According to David Pomerantz, executive director of the Energy and Policy Institute, these reforms could lead to lower energy bills for millions of Americans. The current system often sees utility monopolies obstructing the construction of long-distance transmission lines, which can increase electricity costs, reduce grid reliability, and hinder the integration of clean energy. BAAJA seeks to address these issues by establishing basic planning standards for Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs), requiring regions to plan collaboratively, and mandating FERC to create standards for allocating the costs of new transmission lines. The bill also grants federal regulators at FERC the authority to intervene and approve lines if states cause undue delays or reject projects that be...
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Democratic US senators see hope for permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote

Democratic US senators see hope for permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote

Nov 9 (Reuters) - Democratic US Senators Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island rallied on Monday for a bipartisan energy permitting bill ahead of a preliminary vote, arguing recent changes to the legislation and assurances from the Trump administration on stalled wind
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Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky launches bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky launches bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
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Congressman Joe Courtney Urges Passage of Major Richard Star Act to Restore Veteran Benefits

Congressman Joe Courtney Urges Passage of Major Richard Star Act to Restore Veteran Benefits

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) delivered a speech on the House floor, advocating for the passage of the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). This bipartisan bill aims to rectify an existing injustice that reduces earned retirement benefits for veteran retirees who also receive service-connected disability benefits. Currently, combat-injured veterans forced into medical retirement can only receive either U.S. Department of Defense retirement benefits or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation, but not both concurrently. Congressman Courtney is one of 341 cosponsors of the bill and previously signed a discharge petition to compel a House vote. With the signature threshold met, a vote on the Major Richard Star Act is anticipated on Veterans Day. He emphasized that veterans service organizations consistently highlight the unfairness of denying full retirement and disability benefits to those who suffered combat-related injuries.
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Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Guides Defense Science and Technology Strategy

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Guides Defense Science and Technology Strategy

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This office, established under 10 U.S. Code § 133a, is responsible for setting the strategic direction, policy frameworks, and budgetary priorities for defense science and technology. The USD(R&E) is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation and must possess significant background in science, technology, or engineering. The office oversees three principal divisions: Science and Technology (S&T), Critical Technologies, and Mission Capabilities. It also supervises key defense agencies like DARPA and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The USD(R&E) manages research funding across basic research (Budget Activity 6.1), applied research (6.2), and advanced technology development (6.3), enforcing strict compliance mandates including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) protection, cybersecurity standards, and research security disclosures.
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US Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Designate Diwali as Federal Holiday

US Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Designate Diwali as Federal Holiday

US lawmakers, led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, have reintroduced legislation in the House of Representatives, known as the Diwali Day Act, which seeks to designate Diwali as a federal holiday. The bill has garnered support from 19 lawmakers, including Indian-origin representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, and Ami Bera. Congresswoman Meng, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), stated that the act aims to educate Americans about the significance of Diwali and foster a more inclusive nation that respects diverse cultural traditions. Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is an important annual observance for various religious communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, and is celebrated by billions across South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Indo-Caribbean communities. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
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Trump approval holds at 32%, near lowest of his career, Reuters Ipsos poll finds

Trump approval holds at 32%, near lowest of his career, Reuters Ipsos poll finds

By Jason Lange WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's approval rating held near the lowest level of his political career, depressed by national concerns over rising prices that tanked his Republican Party in last week's midterm elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed
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US Congress gets first post-'Blue Wave' crack at data centers with permitting bill

US Congress gets first post-'Blue Wave' crack at data centers with permitting bill

By Valerie Volcovici and Nichola Groom WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - A sweeping bipartisan energy bill has unexpectedly emerged as the US Congress' first test of how to tackle public anger over data centers and rising electricity costs, which helped to power Democrats to a landslide election victory
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U.S. Companies Achieve Milestones in Advanced Nuclear Reactor Development

U.S. Companies Achieve Milestones in Advanced Nuclear Reactor Development

Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 reactor achieved zero-power criticality in June 2026, marking the first privately developed non-light-water reactor in the United States to reach criticality in over four decades. Shortly after, Valar Atomics’ Ward 250 reactor also reached criticality in June 2026. This achievement is significant as it represents the first advanced reactor authorized by the Department of Energy (DOE) to achieve criticality outside of a national laboratory. These developments signal a resurgence in private sector innovation within the U.S. nuclear energy landscape, focusing on advanced reactor designs that differ from traditional light-water reactors. The criticality events demonstrate the successful culmination of years of research, development, and regulatory navigation by these private entities, pushing the boundaries of nuclear technology in the country.
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Senate Passes Bill to Reshape College Sports Rules, Senator Tuberville Expresses Opposition

Senate Passes Bill to Reshape College Sports Rules, Senator Tuberville Expresses Opposition

Senate Passes Bill to Reshape College Sports Rules, Senator Tuberville Expresses Opposition
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U.S. Offers $20 Million Reward for Information on Iran's Nuclear Program Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

U.S. Offers $20 Million Reward for Information on Iran's Nuclear Program Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

The U.S. government, through its State Department's Rewards for Justice program, has announced a reward of up to $20 million for information concerning Iran's nuclear program. This includes details on facilities, equipment, associated personnel, and the movement of any related items. The announcement comes as diplomatic efforts, mediated by Qatar, continue to address differences between the U.S. and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear activities. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in 2025 that Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity, a level considered a short technical step from weapons-grade uranium. The IAEA has also expressed concerns about a loss of 'continuity of knowledge' regarding Iran's production and inventory of key nuclear components due to non-compliance with safeguards obligations. The U.S. government has reiterated its commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
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NuScale Power Signs Manufacturing Agreement with Doosan Enerbility for SMR Component Fabrication

NuScale Power Signs Manufacturing Agreement with Doosan Enerbility for SMR Component Fabrication

NuScale Power Signs Manufacturing Agreement with Doosan Enerbility for SMR Component Fabrication