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House to Consider Continuing Resolution to Extend Federal Funding Amid Fiscal Uncertainty

House to Consider Continuing Resolution to Extend Federal Funding Amid Fiscal Uncertainty

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider a continuing resolution (CR) this week to extend funding for federal programs until December 4. This measure is intended to prevent a government shutdown as Congress has not finalized the fiscal year 2027 spending bills. The CR would maintain funding at current levels, allowing more time for negotiations. House Democrats, led by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, are awaiting a list of 'anomalies' from the White House, which would identify programs needing short-term funding boosts. The Senate is also preparing a CR, with ongoing debates over spending priorities, particularly between defense and non-defense allocations.

Congressman Davidson Warns of Global Censorship and Surveillance Expansion

Congressman Davidson Warns of Global Censorship and Surveillance Expansion

U.S. Representative Warren Davidson has raised concerns about the global expansion of censorship and surveillance technologies. In a speech to the House of Representatives, Davidson highlighted the increasing use of digital tools by governments to control information and suppress dissent. He cited China's censorship practices as a model being adopted worldwide, including in the U.S., where similar frameworks are being developed. Davidson criticized the establishment of a 'Disinformation Governance Board' and the passage of a digital ID bill in the U.S., warning that these measures could lead to a surveillance state akin to China's. He urged vigilance to protect free speech and individual liberties.

Congress Considers Legislation to Address Rising Energy Costs from Data Centers

Congress Considers Legislation to Address Rising Energy Costs from Data Centers

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering the Protecting Families From AI Data Center Energy Costs Act, which aims to address the rising energy costs associated with data centers. Introduced by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), the bill proposes that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) convene with government entities, utilities, and data center developers to find ways to mitigate the impact of these costs on homeowners. The bill has gained traction with 18 Democratic cosponsors and has been advanced to a full committee markup by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The legislation comes in response to the significant energy demands of data centers, which are expected to increase as more centers are constructed. Currently, there are over 4,000 data centers in the U.S., with Virginia and Texas hosting the largest numbers.

ICE Improperly Shared Medicaid Data with Palantir, Raising Privacy Concerns

ICE Improperly Shared Medicaid Data with Palantir, Raising Privacy Concerns

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shared Medicaid data with Palantir, which was not supposed to be accessed by the firm. This revelation came out in a federal court case brought by Democratic states challenging ICE's access to Medicaid data. The data was used by ICE agents through Palantir's ELITE app to locate noncitizens for deportation. A U.S. District Judge had previously ruled that certain Medicaid data could be shared with ICE, but recent admissions revealed that data beyond the court's order was shared. The Justice Department is seeking to expand the order to allow broader data sharing.

Congress Moves to Ban In-Flight Phone Calls with Quiet Skies Act

Congress Moves to Ban In-Flight Phone Calls with Quiet Skies Act

A bipartisan group of U.S. House members has reintroduced the Quiet Skies Act, aiming to permanently ban voice calls on commercial flights. Currently, in-flight phone calls are not prohibited by federal law but are banned by individual airline policies. The proposed legislation seeks to formalize this ban, requiring regulators to finalize it within 180 days of the bill's passage. The move comes as airlines are upgrading to high-speed satellite WiFi systems capable of supporting phone and video calls, raising concerns about cabin noise and passenger comfort.

Biden's DOJ Investigation Accesses Dusty Johnson's Text Messages, Raising Privacy Concerns

Biden's DOJ Investigation Accesses Dusty Johnson's Text Messages, Raising Privacy Concerns

The U.S. Attorney General's Office has informed the Senate Judiciary Committee that text messages from 44 members of Congress, including Representative Dusty Johnson, were illegally accessed by a former special counsel in the Biden administration. This breach, involving both Democratic and Republican members, has been described as a violation of privacy and the separation of powers. The messages, dating back to President Trump's first term, were accessed without probable cause or a warrant, according to Johnson. The incident has sparked calls for accountability, with Johnson emphasizing the need for law enforcement to adhere to legal frameworks.

America already tried permanent daylight saving time. It lasted less than a year. Could it work now?

America already tried permanent daylight saving time. It lasted less than a year. Could it work now?

The twice-yearly changing of the clocks could be a thing of the past if legislation currently in Congress that calls for permanent daylight time makes it through

Department of Justice Lifts TikTok Ban for Federal Employees, Allowing App on Work Devices

Department of Justice Lifts TikTok Ban for Federal Employees, Allowing App on Work Devices

The Department of Justice has announced that federal employees are now permitted to download TikTok on their government-issued devices. This decision reverses a 2022 law that prohibited the use of the short-form video app on such devices. The change comes after a deal was reached to transfer ownership of TikTok's U.S. operations to a joint venture involving Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with Oracle acting as the security partner. ByteDance, the previous owner, retains a 19.9% stake in the venture. According to a DOJ memo, President Trump has authorized employees of Executive Branch agencies to download TikTok, subject to agency discretion and adherence to workplace policies.

U.S. Prosecutor Will Not Challenge DOJ's Decision to Drop Case Against Gautam Adani

U.S. Prosecutor Will Not Challenge DOJ's Decision to Drop Case Against Gautam Adani

The top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, Joseph Nocella Jr., has stated he will not dispute the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) decision to drop the prosecution of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The case involved allegations of fraud and bribery, with Adani accused of agreeing to pay $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to facilitate the development of a solar power plant by his company, Adani Green Energy. Nocella clarified that he was not the decision-maker in dropping the case and had no reason to believe that the reasons provided by his supervisor, Trent McCotter, were not genuine. McCotter cited the foreign nature of the case and suggested that the DOJ under former President Joe Biden might have left a complex case for their successors. Adani, who has denied any wrongdoing, had previously offered to invest $10 billion in the U.S. as part of a potential settlement.

Congress Targets Organized Retail Crime with New Legislation

Congress Targets Organized Retail Crime with New Legislation

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, which aims to address the growing issue of organized retail crime involving illegally obtained goods. This legislation seeks to create a coordinated federal response to such crimes and expand federal money-laundering laws to include offenses involving prepaid cards and gift certificates. The act comes in response to a rise in sophisticated retail crime schemes, including the use of stolen card data loaded into phone wallets for fraudulent purchases. Law enforcement officials estimate that these organized crime groups may be generating up to $1 billion annually through such activities.

Department of Justice Lifts TikTok Ban for Federal Employees Amid New Security Measures

Department of Justice Lifts TikTok Ban for Federal Employees Amid New Security Measures

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has authorized federal employees to re-download and use the TikTok app on government-issued devices, lifting a ban that was imposed in 2022 due to national security concerns. This decision follows the transfer of TikTok's U.S. operations to a newly formed joint venture, which includes major companies like Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, tasked with ensuring the platform's security. Oracle will serve as the primary security partner, aiming to protect user data and prevent external interference. The DOJ's memo indicates that President Trump has approved this change, allowing executive branch employees to install TikTok, subject to each agency's internal policies.

DOJ Criticized for Handling of Legal Cases and Subpoenas

DOJ Criticized for Handling of Legal Cases and Subpoenas

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing criticism for its handling of legal cases and subpoenas involving major law firms. A federal court in Michigan recently highlighted issues with DOJ's use of AI, which allegedly led to misrepresentations in a case intended to keep an individual incarcerated. Despite these findings, no sanctions were imposed. Additionally, the DOJ's approach to issuing subpoenas to large law firms has been questioned, with doubts about the effectiveness of their strategies.