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House Passes Legislation Mandating AM Radio in New Vehicles for Emergency Preparedness

House Passes Legislation Mandating AM Radio in New Vehicles for Emergency Preparedness

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which mandates that all new passenger vehicles manufactured in or imported into the U.S. must include AM radio capabilities as standard equipment. This legislation requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule ensuring that these vehicles have devices capable of receiving and playing content from AM stations or digital audio AM stations without an additional fee. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a sponsor of the bill, emphasized that AM broadcast radio is a critical public safety resource, especially during national or natural disasters when electricity and cell service may be unavailable. The bill aims to prevent car manufacturers from removing AM radio as a feature, a trend observed in some electric vehicles and potentially other new models. U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) highlighted that AM broadcast stations are specifically designed to withstand major weather events and act as primary entry points for t...

Rep. Alma Adams Introduces Bill for Faith-Based Affordable Housing Grants

Rep. Alma Adams Introduces Bill for Faith-Based Affordable Housing Grants

Representative Alma Adams has introduced the "Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act." This proposed legislation aims to establish a five-year pilot program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program would provide competitive grants specifically for the early-stage costs associated with developing affordable housing projects by faith-based organizations. The bill has garnered support from several key organizations, including the Faith-Based Housing Initiative, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and Lutheran Services in America. This initiative seeks to leverage the resources and community ties of faith-based groups to address the ongoing need for affordable housing across the nation. The focus on predevelopment costs suggests an effort to remove initial financial barriers that often hinder such projects from moving forward.

Coalition Demands Emergency Congressional Hearing on Student Loan System Chaos

Coalition Demands Emergency Congressional Hearing on Student Loan System Chaos

A coalition of 89 national and state labor unions, civil rights organizations, consumer protection groups, and student and borrower advocates has sent an urgent letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees overseeing federal student loans and servicers. The letter demands an emergency hearing to address the widespread chaos and confusion experienced by borrowers over the past year. This situation has been exacerbated by the Trump Administration's implementation of significant cuts to financial aid and student loan repayment programs under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA). The advocates included a memo with their letter, detailing borrower stories from the 'One Big Bill' campaign, which highlight skyrocketing payments and persistent servicing issues following the act's implementation. The coalition is seeking immediate congressional attention to the deteriorating state of the student loan system and its impact on borrowers.

Exclusive-Trump approval falls to record low of 32% as high costs bite, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

Exclusive-Trump approval falls to record low of 32% as high costs bite, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

By Jason Lange WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's approval rating fell to 32% - the lowest of his political career - as his fellow Republicans soured on his handling of the cost of living amid the unpopular Iran war, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

U.S. House Approves Rep. Ed Case's Bill to Combat Invasive Species, Boosting Guam's Efforts

U.S. House Approves Rep. Ed Case's Bill to Combat Invasive Species, Boosting Guam's Efforts

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved Rep. Ed Case's (D-HI) National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act with a vote of 371-33. This bill aims to expand federal efforts to combat invasive species that threaten the nation's environments. For island communities like Guam, invasive species are a significant concern, impacting ecosystems, agriculture, and the economy. Guam Del. James Moylan, a co-sponsor of the bill, highlighted that once an invasive species establishes itself on an island, eradication costs can be enormous, and the damage may be irreversible. The bill proposes to authorize $10 million annually from fiscal year 2027 through 2033 to support ongoing initiatives for invasive species control.

President Trump Discusses Stalled Ratepayers Protection Act with Senator Thune Amid AI Data Center Expansion Concerns

President Trump Discusses Stalled Ratepayers Protection Act with Senator Thune Amid AI Data Center Expansion Concerns

President Trump announced on Friday, September 18, that he is in discussions with Senate Majority Leader John Thune regarding the Ratepayers Protection Act. This legislation aims to prevent the costs associated with the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers from being passed on to residential electricity consumers. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the bill with a vote of 417 to three, demonstrating rare bipartisan support. However, the bill's fast-track approval in the Senate was blocked by Senator Martin Heinrich, who argued that the proposal relies on voluntary commitments rather than binding obligations for data centers to cover their increased energy infrastructure costs. The President made these comments during a White House press conference primarily focused on drug prices, where he also touched upon an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump emphasized the critical role of data centers in maintaining U.S. competitiveness with China in the field ...

Rep. Diana Harshbarger's Bills on Automotive Security and Event Ticketing Advance Through House Energy and Commerce Committee

Rep. Diana Harshbarger's Bills on Automotive Security and Event Ticketing Advance Through House Energy and Commerce Committee

Two bills sponsored by Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) have successfully advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee and are now headed to the full House for consideration. These measures are the Automotive National and Economic Security Act of 2026 and the MAIN Event Ticketing Act. According to Harshbarger, the Automotive National and Economic Security Act of 2026 aims to address concerns regarding Chinese influence within the U.S. automotive industry, specifically focusing on data and security issues. The MAIN Event Ticketing Act is designed to combat 'ticket bots' and enhance enforcement against scalpers and automated resale tools that manipulate ticket markets. Additionally, Harshbarger recently disclosed fundraising of $45.3K and spending of $63.0K in a Pre-Primary FEC disclosure filed on July 24th, 2026, with $2.0M cash on hand at the end of the filing period. She has also proposed several other bills, including the Dietary Supplement Innovation Act and the Freedom to Home Distil...

U.S. House Unanimously Passes Dale Strong's Bill to Protect American Agriculture from Agroterrorism

U.S. House Unanimously Passes Dale Strong's Bill to Protect American Agriculture from Agroterrorism

The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed H.R. 9394, the Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville). This legislation aims to enhance the nation's preparedness and response capabilities against agroterrorism attacks on the American food and agriculture sector. The bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a nationwide exercise involving federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners, as well as private-sector stakeholders. The primary goal of this exercise is to identify preparedness gaps, strengthen coordination, and ensure a swift and effective response in the event of an agroterrorism incident. Rep. Strong emphasized that America's agriculture and food supply are critical to both national security and the economy, making proactive measures essential.

President Trump to Sign Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, Expanding Tariff Authority

President Trump to Sign Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, Expanding Tariff Authority

President Trump is expected to sign the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law. This legislation, which passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, grants the President expanded authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on nations that continue to purchase crude oil and natural gas from Russia. The Act also targets maritime vessels associated with Russia's 'shadow fleet' and includes a five-year extension of existing sanctions against Iran, a condition President Trump advocated for. While the bill does not automatically apply these duties, it empowers the executive branch to implement them under specified legal conditions. The measure is considered the most significant American legislative package supporting Ukraine since President Trump's return to the White House, breaking a two-year parliamentary deadlock.

U.S. House Passes Iran Sanctions Bill Amid Diplomatic Efforts and War Concerns

U.S. House Passes Iran Sanctions Bill Amid Diplomatic Efforts and War Concerns

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed sweeping sanctions legislation targeting Iran, with a vote of 262-159. This follows the Senate's earlier approval of the bill by 86-11. The legislation grants the President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, and to sanction senior Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, and financial institutions. At President Trump's request, the measure was expanded to include sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors. The passage of this bill coincides with indications that Washington and Tehran might be exploring avenues to end the ongoing conflict. President Trump stated that he hopes the war is nearing its conclusion and that Iran is seeking a deal. He is expected to meet with leaders from six Persian Gulf states on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss the next phase of the war and U.S. proposals for a postwar strategy. Concurrently, China has intensified its diplomatic efforts, with its Foreign Mi...

Senators Young and Peters Introduce Legislation to Boost Roundabout Construction for Traffic Safety

Senators Young and Peters Introduce Legislation to Boost Roundabout Construction for Traffic Safety

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Gary Peters have introduced the Visionary Intersections Modernization Act, a legislative initiative aimed at enhancing traffic safety and providing states and local communities with more options for federal funding to construct roundabouts. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, making the construction of roundabouts an eligible use of these federal funds. Senator Young highlighted that federal infrastructure investments should prioritize safety and empower communities to protect their residents. He cited Indiana's success, particularly Carmel, which has approximately 150 roundabouts and has seen an 80% reduction in injury accidents and a 40% decrease in overall accidents since the late 1990s.

President Trump Nominates Matt Jones as FHA Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of Housing

President Trump Nominates Matt Jones as FHA Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of Housing

President Trump has nominated Matt Jones to serve as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of Housing. Jones currently holds the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If confirmed by the Senate, he would assume a dual role, overseeing both the FHA and the Office of Housing. The FHA, an agency within HUD, is responsible for insuring single-family and multi-family homes. Jones's existing oversight of the Office of Single Family Housing suggests a continuation of current policies in that area, while his new role would expand to include HUD's project-based subsidy programs such as Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, as well as manufactured housing and housing counseling. The role encompasses the oversight of over $2 trillion in HUD-insured mortgages, including more tha...