Explore

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

See Trump's actual Lake America executive order: What it says about renaming Lake Ontario

See Trump's actual Lake America executive order: What it says about renaming Lake Ontario

The order directs the Interior Department to update federal records and requires federal agencies to use “Lake America” on maps, contracts and other official materials.

Department of the Interior Accused of Skirting Laws and Mismanaging Public Funds

Department of the Interior Accused of Skirting Laws and Mismanaging Public Funds

The Department of the Interior (DOI), under Secretary Burgum, is facing accusations of skirting laws and oversight, bending its mission to serve oil and gas, mining, and ranching interests, and working to please President Trump. According to PEER.org, the agency's actions are undermining public lands and the system of government. Examples cited include a lawsuit against the DOI for failing to release records on 'Freedom 250,' a private Trump-aligned entity reportedly diverting $100 million in taxpayer funds for America's 250th anniversary. PEER's Senior Counsel Aaron Lloyd stated that the DOI intentionally hides how it spends taxpayer dollars under Secretary Burgum's leadership. Additionally, Secretary Burgum is accused of using the National Park Service (NPS) as a 'piggy bank' for President Trump's 'vanity projects,' including inflated no-bid contracts for fountain renovations in front of the White House. PEER's Senior Counsel Tony Irish is also investigating the DOI's use of the federal Judgment Fund to ...

ICE operation in Connecticut highlights how arrests are rising even in blue states

ICE operation in Connecticut highlights how arrests are rising even in blue states

Federal immigration authorities have arrested dozens of people in the city of Danbury, Connecticut, this week, despite intense opposition from elected officials and protesters

President Trump Issues Executive Order to Secure U.S. Energy Grid from Foreign Equipment Risks

President Trump Issues Executive Order to Secure U.S. Energy Grid from Foreign Equipment Risks

On August 26, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to protect the U.S. bulk-power system from foreign-produced electrical equipment. This order specifically targets components such as transformers, generators, inverters, and associated software that could potentially contain hidden communication devices or unauthorized remote access pathways. The executive order is a response to national security concerns, including reports of rogue communication devices found in solar inverters and cyberattacks on U.S. water facilities. The order invokes emergency powers, using the legal language of an "unusual and extraordinary" foreign threat, which grants the executive branch broader authority to act without new legislation from Congress. The Department of Energy has been given 120 days to issue implementing regulations, and the Secretary of Energy will have the authority to evaluate existing at-risk equipment and mandate mitigation measures, ranging from software patches to physical...

US officials discuss ways to protect farms from cuts in refinery biofuel waivers, sources say

US officials discuss ways to protect farms from cuts in refinery biofuel waivers, sources say

By Jarrett Renshaw Aug 27 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump and top U.S. officials discussed on Wednesday a plan to shield the Farm Belt from an expected expansion of waivers of biofuel laws, which his administration is considering as a way to lower gasoline prices during the Iran war, two people

Lawmakers Propose Lifting Payroll Tax Cap to Prevent Social Security Benefit Cuts

Lawmakers Propose Lifting Payroll Tax Cap to Prevent Social Security Benefit Cuts

Lawmakers are actively discussing proposals to prevent a projected 22% cut in Social Security benefits, which is anticipated to begin in six years. A key proposal, championed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), involves lifting the current cap on the Social Security payroll tax. This cap presently applies to income up to $184,500. The senators argue that removing this limit would ensure that wealthier individuals contribute the same percentage of their income to Social Security as the majority of the population. Another initiative, led by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), seeks to increase taxes on high earners' investment gains. These legislative efforts are aimed at enhancing the long-term solvency of the Social Security program and averting future reductions in benefits for millions of Americans. The bipartisan nature of some of these proposals highlights a growing recognition of the urgency to address the program's financial outlook.

Congress Urged to Cosponsor H.R. 7361 to Exempt Restored Social Security Benefits from Federal Taxes

Congress Urged to Cosponsor H.R. 7361 to Exempt Restored Social Security Benefits from Federal Taxes

Retirees are being called upon to contact their congressional representatives to urge cosponsorship of H.R. 7361, the 'No Tax on Restored Benefits Act.' This bill, introduced by Congressman Lance Gooden of Texas, aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude certain Social Security benefits, restored under the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, from gross income. The initiative highlights the financial burden faced by many retired educators and public servants who, after years or decades of delayed or reduced Social Security benefits, are now receiving lump-sum payments. Without this legislation, these restored benefits could be subject to federal income taxes, diminishing the relief intended for these individuals who often live on fixed incomes. The call to action emphasizes the urgency of the matter, encouraging retirees to send letters to nine specific representatives to garner support for the bill's advancement.

Senator Heinrich Opposes Exclusive Land Transfer of Sandia Mountains to Pueblo of Sandia

Senator Heinrich Opposes Exclusive Land Transfer of Sandia Mountains to Pueblo of Sandia

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) has stated he will not support an exclusive title transfer of approximately 10,000 acres of the Sandia Mountains from U.S. Forest Service management into federal trust for the Pueblo of Sandia. Instead, Senator Heinrich intends to draft legislation that would establish shared management of the land while ensuring public access is preserved. This announcement comes amidst growing opposition from homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts, organized under the 'Sandias for All' coalition, who voiced concerns at a Bernalillo County Commission meeting. The coalition fears that an exclusive transfer could lead to the loss of federal protections and restrict road access to recreational areas on the western slopes of the Sandias. Sandoval County had previously voted unanimously in June to support the transfer, though Commissioner Katherine Bruch later clarified that the commission aimed to protect access, not endorse exclusive Pueblo ownership, and had not seen the transfer language pri...

Senator Rand Paul Reintroduces 'Six Penny Plan' to Address National Debt

Senator Rand Paul Reintroduces 'Six Penny Plan' to Address National Debt

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has reintroduced his 'Six Penny Plan' federal budget resolution, aiming to tackle the national debt which recently exceeded $40 trillion. The plan, originally proposed in 2018, calls for a reduction of six cents off every dollar projected to be spent over the next five fiscal years. Senator Paul emphasized that this reduction must apply to the entire federal budget, not just discretionary spending, to be effective. He stated on social media that Congress needs to act immediately to address the deficit and balance the budget within a decade. According to Senator Paul, the plan would achieve a balanced budget in five years if fully implemented. He argues that runaway deficits and escalating interest costs necessitate a six percent annual reduction to restore fiscal stability.

Poll Reveals Unpopularity of President Trump and Robert Kennedy Jr.'s Vaccine Policies Amidst Public Health Concerns

Poll Reveals Unpopularity of President Trump and Robert Kennedy Jr.'s Vaccine Policies Amidst Public Health Concerns

Recent polling indicates significant public opposition to President Trump's and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine policies. A substantial 71% of Americans oppose President Trump changing vaccine schedules, with a strong preference for doctors and scientists to make decisions regarding childhood vaccines. The polling also shows that 53% of voters view Republicans in Congress less favorably, and 44% much less so, when policies are tied to debunked allegations about vaccines causing autism. Furthermore, 51% feel less favorable towards Republicans upon hearing that a recent order dismantled 30 years of vaccine practice. This sentiment persists despite the polling sample including a significant number of President Trump and Kamala Harris supporters. Representative Anna Paulina Luna recently appeared at an event in Clearwater with Robert Kennedy Jr., further associating her with these unpopular policies.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland Joins Democratic Effort to Oppose EEOC's Proposed Rule on Demographic Data Collection

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland Joins Democratic Effort to Oppose EEOC's Proposed Rule on Demographic Data Collection

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland is among over 110 House and Senate Democrats who have signed a letter urging the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to reverse its proposed rule. This rule seeks to end the Equal Employment Opportunity reporting requirements for collecting demographic data. The letter, led by Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández and other congressional caucus chairs, argues that the EEOC's proposal would undermine its ability to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The Democrats contend that demographic data, collected for over 60 years, is a foundational tool for identifying and addressing workplace discrimination, including under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The proposed rule claims these data reports are inconsistent with equal employment opportunity law and may raise constitutional concerns, a stance the sig...

What are H-1B visas for skilled workers and what changes loom?

What are H-1B visas for skilled workers and what changes loom?

(Refiles August 25 story to fix hyperlinks in paragraphs 6 and 9; no changes to text) WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - U.S. employers seeking to hire skilled foreign workers can use the federal government's H-1B visa program for a fee, allowing tech and other professionals from abroad to work in the