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U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford Criticizes Farm Labor Bill for Waiving Penalties for Undocumented Workers

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford Criticizes Farm Labor Bill for Waiving Penalties for Undocumented Workers

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., has voiced strong opposition to a proposed farm labor bill, the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act, despite acknowledging the need for improved foreign labor access for farmers. His primary concern stems from a provision within the bill that would allow workers who have unlawfully entered the United States to seek H-2A visa classification if they are already engaged in agricultural work. Crawford, who previously co-led a bipartisan working group focused on the H-2A visa program, stated that this specific language was not part of the group's recommendations and constitutes an 'unforced error.' He emphasized that such a provision could jeopardize broader immigration reform efforts by being perceived as a pathway to citizenship or amnesty for undocumented individuals. The H-2A visa program enables American farmers to temporarily hire foreign workers, with employers required to meet specific wage and housing standards. Arkansas currently ranks 10th nationally in certified H-2...
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US Homeland Security to ramp up voter fraud investigations this week, CNN reports

US Homeland Security to ramp up voter fraud investigations this week, CNN reports

WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to start expanding its effort to investigate alleged voter fraud this week, CNN has reported, citing federal guidance it reviewed.
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Representative Brittany Pettersen Co-Sponsors Bipartisan 'Restore Trust in Congress Act' to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

Representative Brittany Pettersen Co-Sponsors Bipartisan 'Restore Trust in Congress Act' to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) is a co-sponsor of the 'Restore Trust in Congress Act,' a bipartisan legislative effort aimed at prohibiting members of Congress and their families from buying and selling stocks. This bill, which has 141 co-sponsors including 34 Republican representatives like Lauren Boebert, is distinct from other proposals such as the 'Stop Insider Trading Act.' The 'Stop Insider Trading Act,' supported by Representative Jeff Hurd, has been criticized for containing loopholes, including exemptions for pre-owned stocks and pooled investments, and for only applying to the legislative branch, thereby excluding the executive branch. The 'Restore Trust in Congress Act' seeks a more comprehensive ban on stock trading for congressional members and their families, reflecting a broader push for increased transparency and accountability in government. This initiative comes amidst ongoing discussions about ethical conduct and potential conflicts of interest among elected officials.
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US House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

US House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved legislation to keep federal agencies operating beyond October 1 when existing funds are due to expire with the start of the new fiscal year.
USA Today USA Today
Saving money is hard enough. Stop taxing workers under 25. | Opinion

Saving money is hard enough. Stop taxing workers under 25. | Opinion

The objective isn't permanent tax relief, but delayed taxation, allowing workers to accumulate savings before the government begins claiming a share.
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Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Chris Deluzio Push Bipartisan Bill to Restrict Private Equity in Youth Sports

Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Chris Deluzio Push Bipartisan Bill to Restrict Private Equity in Youth Sports

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) are advocating for a bill designed to limit private equity investments in youth sports. The initiative, which currently has Democratic co-sponsors, aims to address the rising costs associated with youth sports, which many parents find unsustainable. Senator Murphy expressed confidence that the bill could garner bipartisan support in the next Congress, drawing parallels to the bipartisan opposition against AI data centers. He noted that the increasing 'professionalization' of youth sports, driven in part by private equity, is leading to higher expenses for families, pushing young athletes towards pricier options outside traditional recreational leagues. While private youth sports organizations argue that private equity enables investments in facilities like ice rinks, critics contend that it inflates costs, making participation less accessible for many families.
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Smithsonian to put Latino museum in existing building, bypassing Congress approval

Smithsonian to put Latino museum in existing building, bypassing Congress approval

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Smithsonian Institution approved on Monday the conversion of one of its buildings into the National Museum of the American Latino, which will enable it to bypass congressional approval for a new site.
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Congressman Rulli Introduces GRANITE Act to Counter Foreign Online Safety Regulations on U.S. Websites

Congressman Rulli Introduces GRANITE Act to Counter Foreign Online Safety Regulations on U.S. Websites

Republican Congressman Michael Rulli, an ally of President Trump, has introduced the 'Guaranteeing Rights Against Novel International Tyranny and Extortion' (GRANITE) Act. This bill aims to prevent British regulators from enforcing their online safety rules against U.S.-based websites. Additionally, the GRANITE Act seeks to stop U.S. courts from recognizing or enforcing foreign fines related to online speech. Congressman Rulli stated that foreign bureaucrats should not dictate what Americans can say, emphasizing that any foreign judgment attempting to punish an American for speech protected by the First Amendment would be 'dead on arrival' in U.S. courts. The bill addresses concerns that the UK's Online Safety Act, initially intended to protect children, has expanded to infringe upon the free speech rights of U.S. citizens and unfairly target American businesses through the extraterritorial ambitions of its regulator, Ofcom.
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Supreme Court lets Trump's White House ballroom construction continue

Supreme Court lets Trump's White House ballroom construction continue

Acting on an emergency appeal, a divided court said a federal judge wrongly paused the project until a legal fight could be resolved.
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US House Unanimously Passes Bipartisan PAIL Act to Combat Trade Crimes

US House Unanimously Passes Bipartisan PAIL Act to Combat Trade Crimes

US House Unanimously Passes Bipartisan PAIL Act to Combat Trade Crimes
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US to announce sharply lower vehicle fuel economy requirements

US to announce sharply lower vehicle fuel economy requirements

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Trump administration will soon announce sharply lower vehicle fuel-economy standards, reversing a push by the prior administration to force automakers to build more fuel-efficient vehicles, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday.
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Congressional Action Urged to Strengthen USDA Enforcement of Animal Welfare Act with Goldie's Act

Congressional Action Urged to Strengthen USDA Enforcement of Animal Welfare Act with Goldie's Act

Advocates are calling on federal lawmakers to co-sponsor Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349) in Congress, a bill designed to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the Animal Welfare Act as intended. This legislative push follows a tragic incident in Iowa where a golden retriever named Goldie died in a puppy mill due to a lack of fresh food, water, and veterinary care, despite the USDA being aware of her condition. Organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are actively campaigning for the passage of this bill, highlighting the ongoing issue of puppy mills across the country. The bill aims to prevent similar cases of animal cruelty by mandating stricter enforcement of existing animal welfare regulations. Concerned citizens are being encouraged to contact their federal representatives to support Goldie's Act, particularly during Puppy Mill Awareness Month in September.