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Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao Leads Wartime Efforts and Maritime Restoration Amidst Congressional Nomination Process

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao Leads Wartime Efforts and Maritime Restoration Amidst Congressional Nomination Process

Hung Cao is currently serving as the Acting Secretary of the Navy, having assumed the role on April 22. His nomination by President Trump to become the 80th Secretary of the Navy was formally transmitted to the Senate on September 14. Cao's tenure as Acting Secretary has coincided with U.S. forces conducting combat operations against Iran in 'Operation Epic Fury,' which includes a naval blockade of Iranian ports and other combat activities. During this period, Cao has focused on maintaining combat power at sea, replacing expended weapons, and sustaining Sailors and Marines. His priorities, as stated to the Senate Armed Services Committee, include taking care of service members, advancing shipbuilding, and defending the homeland. The fiscal year 2027 Shipbuilding Plan, defended by Cao, emphasizes disciplined execution, expanding shipyard and workforce capacity, revitalizing the industrial base, and reforming acquisition processes. He has also made key leadership appointments, including William Toti as Under...

U.S. House Passes National Fraud Enforcement Division Act with Bipartisan Support

U.S. House Passes National Fraud Enforcement Division Act with Bipartisan Support

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026, with significant bipartisan backing. The measure passed with a vote of 352-72, with nine members abstaining. Republican Representative Brad Finstad of Minnesota introduced the bill on July 2, co-sponsored by Kansas Republican Representative Derek Schmidt. The legislation aims to permanently establish the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). This division already exists administratively, having been created earlier this year under President Trump, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche formally announcing it in April as part of a broader federal anti-fraud initiative. The DOJ states that the unit investigates and prosecutes fraud targeting taxpayer dollars, government programs, businesses, nonprofits, and private citizens, also coordinating with various law enforcement partners.

US Senate Democrats seek sanctions over Israeli settlements, bill says

US Senate Democrats seek sanctions over Israeli settlements, bill says

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - A group of US Senate Democrats will introduce legislation on Wednesday to sanction individuals or groups that facilitate Israel's "E1 project," a widely condemned West Bank settlement plan cutting across land the Palestinians seek for a state,

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...

Arizona Republic

Audit of AZ spending is overdue. Now, billions in federal cash at risk

Audit of AZ spending is overdue. Now, billions in federal cash at risk

Arizona has racked up a year-long delay completing federally-required audits of government spending.

Thousands Were Discharged Under Don't Ask, Don't Tell Before Its Repeal

Thousands Were Discharged Under Don't Ask, Don't Tell Before Its Repeal

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) was a significant policy in the United States Armed Forces that governed the service of gay and bisexual individuals...

Representative Ed Case Introduces Bill to Limit Congressional Redistricting Frequency

Representative Ed Case Introduces Bill to Limit Congressional Redistricting Frequency

Representative Ed Case has introduced H.R. 10378, known as the Problem Solvers Transparent Redistricting Under Stable Timelines Act. This bill, which currently has 10 cosponsors, aims to restrict how often states can redraw U.S. House of Representatives district maps between decennial census-based apportionments. Under the proposed legislation, once a state establishes its congressional districts after a census and apportionment, it generally would not be permitted to redraw those districts again until the subsequent apportionment cycle. An exception would be made if a court mandates a redraw to ensure compliance with the U.S. Constitution, a state constitution in effect at the time of the last map drawing, or another federal law. If a court-ordered redraw occurs, the new map must alter existing district lines as minimally as possible while adhering to the court's directive. The bill also includes limitations on court challenges, stipulating that a court can only order a new redistricting if a lawsuit chal...

White House Launches 'Trump TV' Following Ban on Major News Outlets

White House Launches 'Trump TV' Following Ban on Major News Outlets

The White House has launched a 24/7 YouTube channel, dubbed 'Trump TV,' days after President Trump barred reporters from CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from accessing the White House. The new channel, which began streaming on Monday night with the tagline 'The Essentials Station,' aims to consolidate the administration's 'biggest moments all in one place.' Its debut featured President Trump's July 3 speech at Mt. Rushmore. President Trump justified the ban on the three news organizations via a Truth Social post, labeling them 'Fake News' and accusing them of disseminating 'FICTION and LIES' about his administration and the United States. In response, the banned media outlets filed a federal lawsuit against the administration, citing violations of their First Amendment rights to free speech and Fifth Amendment due process rights, arguing they were denied notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision. Other major news organizations, including Fox News Media, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and CNN, issued a j...

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.

House Passes Bill to Restore Tax Relief for Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations

House Passes Bill to Restore Tax Relief for Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Casualty Loss Dedication Restoration Act, a bill aimed at providing tax relief to homeowners affected by crumbling foundations caused by pyrrhotite. The legislation, part of the larger H.R. 9500, passed with a significant bipartisan vote of 408-17. Spearheaded by Representatives John B. Larson (CT-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-02), the bill allows affected homeowners to claim the casualty loss deduction for repair costs. Furthermore, it enables these homeowners to retroactively claim the deduction for repairs made starting in 2021. This initiative addresses a long-standing issue in regions like Connecticut, where up to 35,000 homes have been impacted by this structural damage, often leaving families with substantial repair expenses. The bill builds on previous efforts by Representatives Larson and Courtney, who secured IRS guidance in 2017 allowing the use of the casualty loss deduction, a provision that was later limited by the 2017 tax law.

U.S. House Passes 'AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act,' Bill Advances to Senate

U.S. House Passes 'AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act,' Bill Advances to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the 'AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act,' sending the legislation to the Senate for further consideration. This bill aims to mandate the inclusion of AM radio receivers in all new vehicles. The move comes amidst a push by some electric vehicle manufacturers to remove AM radio from their vehicles, citing potential technical interference from large batteries. However, engineers and proponents of AM radio, such as Dennis Lyle, CEO of the Illinois Broadcasters Association, argue that such interference can be mitigated. Lyle emphasized the critical role of AM radio, particularly in rural areas where it often serves as the most reliable source of information due to geographical restrictions affecting FM signals. He also highlighted AM radio's importance in the Emergency Alert System (EAS), where stations like WTAX act as primary entry points (PEP) to disseminate critical messages during emergencies.

U.S. House Advances Two Rivers Harbor Dredging Project in Water Resources Development Act

U.S. House Advances Two Rivers Harbor Dredging Project in Water Resources Development Act

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Water Resources Development Act, which includes provisions for the Two Rivers Harbor dredging project. Congressman Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin's Sixth District confirmed the inclusion of this project in the federal legislation. Grothman emphasized that he advocated for the project after hearing concerns from local boaters, businesses, and community leaders in Two Rivers regarding the challenges posed by delayed dredging and the necessity of maintaining harbor accessibility. The last time the Two Rivers Harbor underwent dredging was in 2020. While this legislative step is significant, the full completion of the dredging and associated harbor improvements is not anticipated until 2027 or 2028.