US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released the following statement announcing he will vote to confirm Tulsi Gabbard to serve as the 8th Director of National Intelligence.
“President Trump chose Tulsi Gabbard to be his point person on foreign intelligence,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I will trust President Trump on this decision and vote for her confirmation.”
Source: US State of South Carolina
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Recent statements made by Congresswoman Nancy Mace regarding the conduct of the South Carolina Attorney General are categorically false. Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the Attorney General. At this time, our office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters. Additionally, the Attorney General and members of his office have had no role and no knowledge of these allegations until her public statements.
Congresswoman Mace and the Attorney General have been at multiple events together over the last six months. She also has the Attorney General’s personal cellphone number. Not once has she approached or reached out to him regarding any of her concerns.
Regarding her claim that the Attorney General refused to receive evidence of a crime from a victim’s attorney, it is important to clarify that the Attorney General is the chief prosecutor. For this reason, the Attorney General would always direct any citizen to provide evidence of a crime to the appropriate law enforcement agency, which would be responsible for the investigation.
Since stepping into office, the Attorney General has made it a priority to strengthen the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, establish the Human Trafficking Task Force, which is now considered a model nationwide, led efforts to reform the state’s domestic violence laws, and created the Crime Victim Services Division, which makes it easier for victims to receive help. Before serving as Attorney General, Alan Wilson served as an Assistant Solicitor and Assistant Attorney General, successfully prosecuting many heinous crimes against women and children.
It is clear that Attorney General Alan Wilson has built his career on protecting the most vulnerable in our state; any statement otherwise is blatantly false and politically motivated.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today introduced the Fixing Exemptions for Networks Choosing to Enable Illegal Migration (FENCE) Act, legislation to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations that engage in a consistent pattern of providing financial assistance, benefits, services, or other forms of material support to individuals they know to be unlawfully present in the United States.
“It’s absurd that our federal government has been giving tax exemptions and federal funding to NGOs that have helped facilitate record illegal immigration and carry out the far-left’s agenda, while cloaked as charities,” said Senator Hagerty. “President Trump’s executive order requiring a review of federal funding to NGOs will expose this malpractice that has occurred for too long. I’m pleased to introduce this legislation that will augment the President’s work to hold these NGOs accountable by revoking their tax-exempt statuses.”
Background:
The Biden Administration’s immigration policies have drawn significant attention to the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in facilitating illegal immigration. Many of these organizations have been involved in efforts to transport and harbor illegal aliens, actions that undermine the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its ability to enforce federal immigration laws. In numerous cases, these activities have also raised concerns about risks to American citizens’ safety and security.
Despite their tax-exempt status and, in many cases, access to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, these NGOs continue to play a significant role in aiding illegal migration into the United States. Taxpayers have been double-funding these organizations, once through resettlement grants and again through tax exemption.
In March 2024, Hagerty forced the Senate to take a vote to stop taxpayer dollars from going to NGOs who were facilitating resettlement of illegal aliens in American cities. Unfortunately, every Senate Democrat voted against the proposal, which would have shifted funding away from NGOs flying illegal aliens into U.S. cities and toward deportation flights to send them back to their country of origin.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
Washington, D.C.— Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) applauded President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the Senate floor last Thursday for revealing millions in taxpayer dollars spent on government waste, fraud, and abuse.
During her speech, Lummis said, “Here are some of the ways the last administration have wasted your money: more than $4.5 million to combat disinformation in Kazakhstan… $20 million for a new Sesame Street show in Iraq, $25 million for Deloitte to promote green transportation in the country of Georgia…”
“Speaking on behalf of the people of Wyoming, I want to say thank you,” Lummis continued. “Thank you, President Trump, thank you for bringing in a group of people to help us shine a light on how we can make America better in just the way the American people yearned for, wanted, expect, and celebrate.”
Click here to watch the full video.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
February 10, 2025
“Donald Trump ran his campaign on lowering costs for working families…now he and his co-president, Elon Musk, have tried to shut down the agency that has delivered $21 billion to hardworking families.”
“Congress built [the CFPB], and no one other than Congress — not Donald Trump, not Elon Musk, no one – can fire the financial cops.”
Video of Remarks
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA), delivered remarks at the headquarters of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in defense of the agency. The rally comes in response to billionaire Elon Musk and Project 2025 architect Russ Vought attempting to shut down the CFPB.
Transcript: Rally to Defend the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
February 10, 2025
As Delivered
Senator Elizabeth Warren: I am so glad to be here with you today. My name is Elizabeth Warren, and I’m here with you to fight for our Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The CFPB is the cop on the beat, and that cop is the one that caught the crooks and, so far, has made them give back $21 billion.
That cop is the one that put that $21 billion right back into the hands of the American people who got cheated.
That cop is the one who has worked, day by day, to get your money back when some slimeball decided they could cheat you and there wouldn’t be anything you can do about it.
Now, the CFPB is the little agency that has fought for us, and we’re here today to fight for the CFPB. Let’s give a huge cheer for the CFPB!
Donald Trump ran his campaign on lowering costs for working families. Yeah, now, he and his co-president, Elon Musk, have tried to shut down the agency that has delivered $21 billion to hardworking families. $21 billion to people who got cheated—and Trump and Musk want to just take that agency away.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk have told the financial cops at the CFPB to stand down. Now, think about this – I want you to think about this for a minute – no matter how big the scam, no matter how bold the trap, they have said just stand by and let the Wall Street boys take your money.
Well, we are here to fight back! We want our financial cops back on the beat!
This is a fight – and I want you to watch who this fight is between – this is a fight between millions of hardworking people, who just don’t want to get cheated, and a handful of billionaires like Elon Musk who want the chance to cheat them.
So here’s how we have to think about this: for every person who wants to buy a home without getting scammed, this fight is your fight.
For every family that doesn’t want to get put out on the street in an illegal foreclosure, this is your fight.
For every student who wants to borrow money to go to school without getting defrauded, this is your fight.
For every member of our military who doesn’t want to get trapped by some sleazy payday lender – say it with me: this is your fight.
For every person who borrows money to buy a car and doesn’t want to get trapped in the fine print, this is your fight.
For every American who doesn’t want to see Wall Street crash our economy again, this is your fight.
And for every American who doesn’t want some weird Elon Musk suck-up searching through your personal, private data, this is your fight.
Your fight, my fight, our fight—and we will win this fight!
Because, understand this – this fight is about more than one little agency.
This fight is about more than just our financial rules and regulations.
This fight is about more than just Democrat versus Republican politics.
This fight is about hardworking people versus the billionaires who want to squeeze more and more and more money out of them. And now, now is our time to put a stop to this!
Look, these damn billionaires are making their moves right out in the open. Look at Elon. Please. No, just look. He invested $288 million to buy an election for Donald Trump. And now he is right here to collect on that investment.
Elon Musk owns “X,” which has been losing money like crazy. So Elon has a plan for a new payment platform called “X Money”. Elon wants X Money to touch every part of your financial life.
But Elon has got a problem: the financial cops. The CFPB is there to make sure that Elon’s new project can’t scam you or steal your sensitive personal data. So Elon’s solution? Get rid of the cops. Kill the CFPB.
This is like a bank robber trying to fire the cops and turn off the alarms just before he strolls into the lobby.
We are here to fight back!
So I’ve got to ask: are you ready to stand up to the scammers?
Are you ready to push back against the fraudsters?
Are you ready to say no to Elon Musk?
Look, after the 2008 financial crash and the big bank bailout, Congress created the CFPB to protect people from getting swindled.
Congress built it, and no one other than Congress — not Donald Trump, not Elon Musk, no one can fire the financial cops.
We are fighting back, and understand this: there is power in fighting back. Real power. We, the people, not Elon Musk, we the people have the real power in this country—and we are going to use that power.
So here it is: are you ready to fight for the little agency that fights for us? Are you ready to fight the billionaires who are trying to take over this country? Are you ready to say no to Elon Musk?
We will fight it out in Congress. We will fight it out in the courts. We will fight it out all across this country—and I promise you, we will win.
Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping
“I wish for all children to be free,” says Alfred Orono Orono, former Child Protection Adviser for the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). He understands this need more than most: at age 11, he joined the Tanzanian forces fighting to oust the dictator Idi Amin from his home country, Uganda. As an adult, he worked to prevent children from experiencing similar childhoods.
Today, UNMISS, along with peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) are working to free children from parties to conflict and prevent their recruitment in the face of numbers that have been on the rise.
Armed groups have increased their recruitment and use of children in the wars they are fighting, according to 2024 recent UN reports. Children are used in multiple roles like soldiers, spies, or cooks, or for sexual purposes. This constitutes a grave violation of the children’s rights and takes a devastating toll on their childhoods and their futures.
Children used in conflict are deprived of growing up with their families, can be injured or killed, and can be forced to watch or even participate in atrocious acts of violence. Many are subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, with dramatic consequences, and children returning to their communities often face stigmatization and rejection. Despite their experiences, these children have demonstrated resilience and often see themselves as strong and hardworking. With the right support they can live successfully and in dignity, and many become agents of peace in their communities.
This was the case with Alfred. On leaving the army, he returned to school, eventually attending university in Canada. Later, he worked as a UN peacekeeper, protecting children in conflict-affect South Sudan. He called it his “dream job” despite the challenging and often dangerous environment he worked in.
“I have to see how do I work together with others to ensure that the children do not get recruited into the armed forces? And if the children already in the army, how do I get them out of the army? Which commander should I talk to? How am I going to get there safely? So that my colleagues are not killed, so that they go back home to meet their children, their wives, their parents,” he said in an interview. “I work with children, who when I look at them, I know exactly what’s going on in their minds. And I know how they feel. And I’m part of the solution to their problems.”
Through work like Alfred’s, peacekeeping missions have secured the release of over 100,000 children from armed forces and armed groups since the first Child Protection Adviser was deployed to Sierra Leone in 2001. Today, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, and UNMISS are continuing this critical work.
Once released, the peacekeeping missions work with UNICEF and other partner organizations to ensure the children receive the support they need to rejoin their communities and thrive. Missions provide security and logistical support to allow for the verification of instances of grave violations against children to take place, a task they are uniquely positioned to perform. The data collected lays the foundation for all the UN’s interventions, from high-level political engagement and advocacy with parties to conflicts, to policy and programmatic interventions.
Prevention is also at the heart of peacekeeping’s efforts. UNMISS, MONUSCO and MINUSCA work to address the factors that make children vulnerable to recruitment, and engage with governments, armed groups and other actors to get commitments to end the use of children by armed forces and armed groups.
Every February 12th Red Hand Day raises awareness of the issue and call for urgent political action to end it. This call is more urgent than ever, as the recruitment and use of children has continued, and as growing global conflict places more children at risk. Member States have committed to accelerate the implementation of their commitments under the children and armed conflict agenda: in 2025, we must all ensure these commitments are met.
Learn more about the work of peacekeeping’s Child Protection Advisers here, and about UNICEF, and the work of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict.
Source: US Government research organizations
Since 1964, the deep submergence vehicle Alvin has played major roles in sea discovery, from lost hydrogen bombs to hydrothermal vents and the first survey of the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Kaitlyn Beardshear, electrical engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a pilot of Alvin, discuses the submersible’s history, sea exploration and discoveries in the ocean’s depths.
Source: US Government research organizations
Astronauts, Satellites, Airplanes and Solar Flares
Weather in outer space is unpredictable, high-energy solar particles bombard earth and objects in our orbit with radiation that can endanger the lives of astronauts and destroy electronic equipment.
Is there a way to more accurately predict these dangerous particle bursts? We’ll explore as we look into the U.S. National Science Foundation’s “Discovery Files.”
These cosmic rays are strong enough to reach passengers in airplanes flying over the north pole. Despite scientists’ best efforts, a clear understanding of how and when these flare-ups will occur has remained elusive.
For decades, scientists have believed that the sun’s plasma generates high-energy particles. But these particles move so erratically and unpredictably that until now they have not been able to be simulated.
NSF-supported researchers have created complex 3d computer models that show the exact movements of solar energy particles.
These fully kinetic simulations track ion and electron acceleration from their electric field inception, shedding new light on the origin of particles in space and astrophysical systems.
The findings allow a greater understanding of the origin of solar energy particles, pave the way for more accurate forecasting of dangerous cosmic weather events, and invite future simulations of other celestial bodies.
To hear more science and engineering news, including the researchers making it, subscribe to “NSF’s Discovery Files” podcast, available wherever you get podcast.
Source: US Government research organizations
Completed in 1963 and stewarded by U.S. National Science Foundation since the 1970s, Arecibo Observatory has contributed to many important scientific discoveries, including the demonstration of gravitational waves from a binary pulsar, the first discovery of an extrasolar planet, composition of the ionosphere, and the characterization of the properties and orbits of a number of potentially hazardous asteroids.
More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/arecibo/index.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click
This is an NSF News item.
Source: US Government research organizations
Material That Thinks for Itself
When someone taps your shoulder or brushes your arm, the touch receptors in your skin send a message to your brain, which processes the information and directs you to look in the direction of the contact.
What if you could make a material that is capable of thinking and reacting in a similar manner? We’ll explore as we look into the U.S. National Science Foundation’s “Discovery Files.”
Theorized in the 1930’s and made practical by computer chips created in the 1960’s, integrated circuits are engineers’ realization of information processing similar to the brain’s role in the human body.
Integrated circuits run all types of modern electronics, including phones, cars, and robots.
NSF-supported researchers have created novel, integrated circuit materials made from conductive and non-conductive rubber materials.
When forces is applied to the engineered material, it digitizes the information to signals that its electrical network can advance and assess, allowing the material to react to how the forces are applied to them.
Using this soft materials system, nearly any material around us could act like its own integrated circuit: being able to sense, think and act upon mechanical stress without requiring additional circuits to process such signals.
The soft polymer material has potential applications in autonomous search-and-rescue systems, in infrastructure repairs and even in bio-hybrid materials that could one day be used to identify, isolate and neutralize airborne pathogens.
To hear more science and engineering news, including the researchers making it, subscribe to “NSF’s Discovery Files” podcast.
Source: US Government research organizations
Since 1964, the deep submergence vehicle Alvin has played major roles in sea discovery, from lost hydrogen bombs to hydrothermal vents and the first survey of the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Kaitlyn Beardshear, electrical engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a pilot of Alvin, discuses the submersible’s history, sea exploration and discoveries in the ocean’s depths.
Source: United States Department of Defense
While flying aboard a C-17 from Joint Base Andrews to Stuttgart on February 10, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum renaming Fort Liberty in North Carolina to Fort Roland L. Bragg. The new name pays tribute to Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge. This change underscores the installation’s legacy of recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation.
Attributed to DOD Press Secretary John Ullyot.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
CAMP MAKOMANAI, Japan –
U.S. Army Japan and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force close out North Wind 25, a bilateral cold-weather field training exercise designed to enhance combat readiness and promote interoperability after 10 days of training at Camp Makomanai and the Hokudai-en Hokkaido Large Training Area in Hokkaido, in northern Japan on February 9, 2025.
The exercise was comprised of approximately 190 U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment and approximately 400 members of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade, Northern Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force.
“Northwind Exercise continues to be a terrific opportunity to share individual and small unit tactics and skill craft,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Hanrahan, chief of exercises for USARJ. “The focus of this year’s exercise is squad-level integration containing numerous days and nights in the field environment, which has increased communication, cold weather techniques, bilateral teamwork, and interoperability. This unique opportunity gives the U.S. Army and its allies the ability to fight and win in any environment. This exercise showcases the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan.”
North Wind 25 featured a first of its kind: bilateral field housing. Soldiers from 1-5 IN stayed in tents with their counterparts in the JGSDF. The integration of the units provided more time to exchange techniques, tactics, and procedures.
Not everything was friendly exchanges, participants were also challenged. The culminating event was a three-day field training exercise that was meticulously planned via a rehearsal of concept. This was the JGSDF’s first time participating in this style of planning and it proved invaluable to the success of the mission.
“I got the opportunity to work with my counterparts in the JGSDF staff section,” said 2nd Lt. Richard Hall, a battalion staff officer, 1-5 IN. While the JGSDF may do some things different than their U.S. Army counterparts, there is always an exchange where they learn from each other.
The 1-5 IN is stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska where they regularly endure temperatures as low as -30° Fahrenheit, so the relatively warm conditions of 10° to 40° F during North Wind 25 were business as usual. However, the Northern Army had much more experience than the 1-5 IN in certain tactics like skiing. Working with such an experienced ally, like the JGDSF, gives the Army the opportunity to learn and train together to further increase readiness in the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic.
“If a perfect score is 100, then I would say 200! Japanese and U.S. forces training to this level as one body has exceeded my expectation, which was actually very high. Any short time spent together turns to fulfilling exchange experience,” said Col. Naoki Uehara, Commander of 18th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade, Northern Army, JGSDF. “I believe Japan-U.S. collaboration will be built upon foundation of relationship of trust and mutual understanding.”
North Wind, which is a series of Operation PATHWAYS, is U.S. Army Pacific’s premier annual operation, demonstrating USARPAC and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s commitment to the region. Operation PATHWAYS employs thousands of U.S. Army forces from around the globe to conduct concurrent multilateral security cooperation and training events across the Indo-Pacific. Operation PATHWAYS helps us to see, sense and understand the region, which in turn, assists senior leaders making sound decisions.
There is no more important anchoring frontline ally in this region than Japan, and our commit to the partnership and friendship with their JGSDF is ironclad.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam –
Aircraft from the United States Air Force along with our Allies and Partners line the runway at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for Cope North 25. CN25 aims to enhance the capabilities of partner air forces through training, exercises, and knowledge sharing.
With Allies and Partners taking to the skies of Guam this week for the start of CN25, the main focus of the exercise is the integration and flight operations with the F-35A Lightning and F-35B Lightning II from all three participating nations: Japanese Air Self Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the United States.
“Exercise Cope North [25] will be the showcase for the true integration of 5th gen capability,” said RAAF GPCAPT Darryl Porter, Australian Task Force commander. “Most significantly with this being the first training exercise under the trilateral memorandum of intent signed by Japan, Australia, and the U.S., following the defense minister meeting last year.”
Following the influx of participating fighters and refuelers, CN25 kicked off with a welcoming brief and academics where the commanders of the participating nations took the stage to address military members and civilian participants of the exercise.
JASDF Col. Takeshi Okubo, flight group commander, 3rd Air Wing, addressed the attending participants by stressing the importance of a unified partnership to deter conflict.
“We train together and fight together,” said Okubo. “And together we are an active deterrence to conflict.”
With the idea of deterring conflict and achieving regional security, an emphasis on shared knowledge of 5th generation fighters has taken the spotlight in achieving these objectives. CN25 fosters the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques, and procedures.
“When you have many different nations flying the same aircraft, it’s important to train together so that we learn small differences between how each nation employs, maintains, and C2’s [command and control] those airplanes,” said Schuck. “We’ll never learn those differences without actually exercising together. And the reason that 5th generation is so important is that 5th generation fighters are the forward edge of our fighting force, especially in the Indo-Pacific, so it’s important to practice together with all the nations that fly them.”
With two weeks left in the exercise, USAF and its representing commander are eager for the opportunity to learn with its Allies and Partners, with Schuck saying, “I’m happy to be here and represent the commander of PACAF to our foreign partners and Allies in order to strengthen our resolve, strengthen our alliance in the Pacific and hopefully lead to a stronger fighting force and a more open and freer Indo-Pacific.”
For over 45 years, Cope North has conducted exercises in the Pacific between the U.S. and allied forces, focusing on several aspects of defense and interoperability throughout the Indopacific. As with past iterations, CN25 maintains a dedication to realistic combat training for the success of air and space operations.
Source: China State Council Information Office
Flags of the European Union fly outside the Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
The European Commission on Monday rejected the rationale for new U.S. tariffs on European exports, vowing to protect businesses, workers, and consumers across the bloc.
The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, reigniting fears of a transatlantic trade war.
European Union (EU) leaders swiftly condemned the proposed tariffs, which are expected to be formally announced later on Monday. The Commission said there is “no justification” for the U.S. measures, calling them unlawful and economically harmful, particularly given the deeply integrated EU-U.S. supply and production chains.
With European leaders signaling their readiness to retaliate, concerns are growing that the looming trade dispute could strain economic ties and disrupt global markets.
Tariffs could backfire
The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, strongly criticized the proposed tariffs, warning they would ultimately hurt U.S. businesses and consumers.
“Tariffs are essentially taxes,” it said in a statement, emphasizing that the move would increase costs for American companies, drive inflation, heighten economic uncertainty, and disrupt global market integration. Given the deep interdependence between European and American industries, the EU warned that such measures would be counterproductive, effectively imposing taxes on U.S. citizens as well.
European officials fear a repeat of 2018, when Trump’s previous steel and aluminum tariffs triggered swift EU retaliation. At the time, Brussels imposed countermeasures on U.S. goods such as whiskey, motorcycles, and orange juice.
With the formal announcement of the new U.S. tariffs expected later on Monday, European leaders are bracing for another escalation in trade tensions.
EU weighs retaliation
France was among the first to respond to Trump’s tariff threat, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warning on Monday that the EU would retaliate if the proposed tariffs take effect.
“There is no hesitation when it comes to defending our interests,” Barrot told French television TF1, recalling how the EU countered similar tariffs in 2018 and vowing to take the same approach if necessary.
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is also preparing for action. A spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action stated that while the EU and Germany are working to prevent the tariffs, they stand ready to implement countermeasures if needed.
During a televised debate on Sunday ahead of upcoming elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the EU could “act within an hour” if Trump proceeds with tariffs on European goods.
Industry leaders are also pushing for a firm response. Gunnar Groebler, president of the German Steel Association, urged the EU to react in a “united, strategic, and swift manner” to counter the tariff threat. “The U.S. is the largest buyer of European steel, importing around 1 million tonnes of mostly special steels from Germany alone each year,” he noted.
A lose-lose scenario
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned that tariffs on EU goods would not be in the interests of the United States.
“If Washington imposes tariffs across multiple sectors, it will drive up the cost of goods and fuel inflation in the United States,” Macron said, pointing out that European savings play a crucial role in financing the U.S. economy.
Economic experts share Macron’s concerns. Paul Johnson, director of the London-based Institute for Fiscal Studies, warned that Trump’s planned tariffs could push up interest rates worldwide, having ripple effects on global monetary policy.
“It is going to create additional inflation, at the very least, in the United States, and that will have knock-on effects globally, particularly on interest rates,” Johnson explained.
Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a German automotive expert, argued that Trump is leveraging economic power to siphon off jobs and prosperity from other countries through his tariff policies. “He knows no friends or enemies. Even U.S. car manufacturers GM and Ford would suffer considerably from tariffs on cars from Canada and Mexico,” he said.
Dudenhoeffer noted that U.S. net vehicle imports totaled 5.6 million units in 2024. “Trump might ask how many jobs could be created if all these vehicles were produced domestically,” he said.
Despite the growing alarm, some analysts hold that the impact of Trump’s tariffs may be limited. Christian Helmenstein, chief economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries, described Trump’s plan as an “unfriendly pinprick” but not a severe blow.
He told the Austrian newspaper Kurier that the U.S. imports about a quarter of its steel needs, with much of it coming from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea rather than Europe.
But Harald Oberhofer, an economist at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, described Trump’s tariff plans as “an economically high-risk game.”
He pointed out that the United States was Austria’s largest export growth market last year amid weak overall exports and a trade war could further weaken Austria’s already fragile economy, which is projected to grow by just 0.6 percent this year.
As Trump moves closer to making his tariff announcement official, European leaders are making their stance clear: if the U.S. imposes new trade barriers, the EU stands ready to defend its economic interests with countermeasures.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand published an opinion piece in CoinDesk explaining the need for a bipartisan bill to regulate stablecoins – cryptocurrencies whose values are pegged to national currencies or high-quality financial assets. The op-ed follows the introduction of the bipartisan Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, which she introduced alongside Senators Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, and Tim Scott.
Read the full op-ed here or below:
Why We Need a Bipartisan Stablecoin Bill – Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand | February 10, 2025
The new Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act lays the groundwork for a new era of American exceptionalism, says Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York.
For the past century, the U.S. has reigned as the economic superpower of the world. The key to this sustained economic might is a regulatory environment that encourages and enables technological innovation. From semiconductors to personal computers to internet 1.0 and 2.0, U.S. companies have led in developing cutting-edge technologies because our country empowers its builders and creators. Unfortunately, when it comes to Web3 – the next generation of the internet built on blockchain, digital assets, and cryptocurrencies – we are trailing and are at risk of falling further behind.
In 2023, the European Union passed comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation [americanbar.org], and numerous meaningful provisions went into effect this past summer. China’s central bank has been promoting its digital yuan [forbes.com], which threatens the U.S. dollar’s role as the global reserve currency. The U.S. is just watching, while our opponents move pieces on the chessboard.
It is absolutely essential to our country’s future that the U.S. enact clear and sensible cryptocurrency regulations that foster innovation and keep Web3 jobs within our borders, protect consumers, and maintain the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
We should start with stablecoins.
For newcomers, stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose values are pegged to national currencies or high-quality financial assets. This gives them stability and enables them to play a crucial role in the digital economy, where they combine the transaction speed and low cost of digital assets with the price stability of traditional reserve currencies. The U.S. is already playing a major role in this space. According to one report, more than 95% of stablecoins are “linked to the U.S. dollar.”
The many use cases of stablecoins have earned them support from policymakers across the ideological spectrum. Conservatives value their low-cost, frictionless and instantaneous payment abilities, which can lower costs on merchants and consumers and spur startups and economic activity. Progressives appreciate their use in lowering the cost of remittances and reaching the underbanked and underserved, and their ability to increase access to basic financial services.
It must be acknowledged that, as with any new technology, stablecoins have challenges. Some stablecoins, backed by complex algorithms instead of stable reserve currency, have collapsed due to design flaws. Additionally, unlike bank deposits, stablecoins are not FDIC insured, creating risks should the issuer go bankrupt. While concerns have been raised about money laundering, stablecoins aren’t misused for this purpose any more than traditional cash. But for the public to have confidence in stablecoins, and for businesses to adopt them, we need clear regulations to provide consumer protection, to govern issuers and to guard against money laundering.
The bipartisan Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, which I introduced Feb. 4 alongside Senators Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, and Tim Scott, will address these challenges, and create a clear regulatory environment that enables the cryptocurrency environment to thrive.
It protects consumers by holding stablecoin issuers to strict reserve requirements, requiring them to maintain one-to-one reserves in cash and cash equivalents. The bill prohibits the issuing of unbacked, algorithmic stablecoins, the collapse of which have led to substantial losses. To address their use for illicit purposes, it requires approved stablecoin issuers to comply with U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions rules. Finally, the bill clarifies rules around conservatorship and procedure should a stablecoin issuer experience insolvency.
While this bill will undoubtedly be tweaked as it moves through Congress, it has already received input from a wide swath of stakeholders, including industry participants, academic experts and federal regulators. It’s a true bipartisan effort that will empower innovators and builders while simultaneously rooting out bad actors.
Laying the groundwork for the next century of American exceptionalism is a mission that should unite us all, and positioning the United States at the leading edge of the next iteration of the internet is key to that goal. Stablecoins are already playing an important role, and it’s critical we act now to maintain our position as the leader in global economic competitiveness.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
Access to Education is a Right and Stepping Stone to Success for all Americans
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood alongside union leaders, elected officials, students, parents, and educators to warn of the disastrous consequences of President Trump’s threat to shut down the United States Department of Education (ED). If ED closes, the resulting chaos would mean over 2.6 million K-12 students at 4,800 New York schools could lose federal funding. This includes half a million New York students with disabilities who could lose nearly $1 billion in annual support, as well as nearly a quarter million English learners at New York schools who could be deprived of an annual $66 million that supports their education.
“President Trump’s threat to shutter the Department of Education is a reckless and unconstitutional move that would jeopardize the programs that help New York’s kids, families, schools, and communities thrive,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Trump administration is stealing from our children, our teachers, and our families to give tax breaks to the wealthy. It is jeopardizing our nation’s academic progress and our role in the global economy at the expense of our children, and we cannot stand for it. There should be no debate – defunding education defunds our future, and I will do everything in my power to protect the Department of Education.”
The Department serves students across the country by:
Providing funding to support the nation’s most vulnerable students through Title I grants
Funding special education programs for students with disabilities
Administering Pell Grants for low-income college students
Supporting school improvement programs to improve education outcomes
Funding programs to promote mental health and after-school activities
These programs could be in jeopardy if the Department of Education were shut down. Even a temporary disruption could be devastating for students, their families, and educators.
If ED were shut down, the impact on New York families would be devastating:
Over 2.6 million K-12 students at 4,800 schools throughout the state could lose federal funding
525,000 New York students with disabilities could miss out on $984 million in annual support
Schools could be deprived of $12 million in mental health supports
392,000 New York students could lose the $1.9 billion in Pell Grants that help them afford college
247,000 English learners at New York schools could be deprived of an annual $66 million that support their education.
“I stand with my colleagues across levels of government, advocates, teachers, and students, deeply disturbed by President Trump’s illegal and dangerous threat to dismantle the United States Department of Education. I am deeply concerned about the implication of this decision for federal funding sources our schools and State Department of Education rely on, including Title I and III funds, and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act funding,” said State Senator Shelley B. Mayer. “The fundamental idea that every child, no matter where they come from, what language they speak, or what challenges they may have, is entitled to a free public education is a bedrock of our democracy. I implore my Republican Colleagues in D.C. to reject this threat and join us in the fight to protect public education. I thank Senator Gillibrand for standing up for children across the country and everyone who joined us today and every day in the fight for children’s education.”
“Our students cannot be collateral damage. This administration may want to close buildings or move staff around, but the federal government has a legal responsibility to our children that cannot be dismantled,” said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. “The students who depend on federal support, whether through special education or programs that address poverty, have to be protected.”
“If Donald Trump is truly interested in the success of the next generation, why would he divest the federal government of its role in creating educational opportunity for all kids in America? Dismantling the department—which, by the way, only Congress can do—tells working families that the president doesn’t really care about their children’s futures. And for what? To give billionaires tax cuts so they can become even wealthier. This move, in the middle of CTE month, will only hurt opportunity and exacerbate inequality—and we will fight it tooth and nail,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
“As a former educator and Chair of the City Council’s Education Committee, I know firsthand how devastating the loss of federal education funding would be for our students, families, and schools,” said New York City Council Member Rita Joseph. “President Trump’s reckless threat to shut down the U.S. Department of Education puts the future of over 2.6 million New York students at risk, including half a million students with disabilities and nearly a quarter million English learners. This is an attack on the very foundation of public education, and we will not stand by while our children’s futures are put in jeopardy.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Community Health Centers Across U.S. Are Facing Unexplained Payment Portal Shutdowns, In Other States Forcing Closures & Halting Treatment In Other States – And Healthcare Leaders Fear NY Could Be Next
Schumer Says NY-ers Need Answers, CHCs Cannot Operate On Uncertainty; And With CHC Funding Cliff Next Month If Congress Doesn’t Act 2.4+ Million NY-er’s Could Be Left High And Dry On Healthcare
Schumer: We Can’t Let Funding Freeze Chaos & Confusion Turn Into A Catastrophe For NY’s Community Health Centers
Standing at Schenectady’s Hometown Health Centers Dental Clinic, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer demanded immediate answers from the HHS amid funding delays and recurring portal shutdowns in the fallout of Trump’s funding freeze fiasco. Community Health Centers (CHCs), which uniquely rely on federal funding, are now closing and even laying off staff across the country as a result of these unexplained disruptions, and Schumer said we need these payment systems fixed now to ensure doctors can continue vital healthcare services.
The senator is also sounding the alarm on the looming expiration of CHC’s main federal funding program next month if Congress doesn’t act, which was set to be extended last year, until Elon Musk sunk the bipartisan spending agreement. Schumer said with DOGE and the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate cutting, CHCs are at serious risk of the chopping block, but he is leading the charge to protect this lifeline for 110,000+ in the Capital Region and millions across America.
“Amid Trump’s funding freeze fiasco, Community Health Centers in the Capital Region have been caught in the crossfire. Repeated shutdowns of HHS websites, missed payments, and now we are seeing CHCs across the countries have to layoff staff or close because they are not getting the funding they need,” said Senator Schumer. “Community Health Centers are the backbone of healthcare for Upstate NY. That is especially true here in the Capital Region with Hometown Health Center in Schenectady, Whitney Young in Albany, and Hudson Headwaters in Glens Falls and throughout the Adirondacks. That’s why I’m calling on HHS to take immediate action to ensure CHCs receive the funds and answers they deserve. Doctors cannot provide healthcare with uncertainty and instability.”
Schumer added, “With CHCs facing a looming funding cliff next month, at a time when DOGE is cutting indiscriminately, there is serious concern that chaos and confusion could turn to catastrophe for NY’s Community Health Centers. We need to make protecting this lifeline for millions a top priority and immediate action to provide answers and fixes for the current problems. And I will be leading the charge to ensure DOGE keep their hands off our healthcare.”
Schumer explained CHCs like Hometown Health Centers in Schenectady, Whitney Young in Albany, and Hudson Headwaters in Warren County and throughout the Adirondacks uniquely rely on federal funding, but that if these blackouts continue it could result in disaster for NY like we are seeing in other parts of the country. Schenectady’s Hometown Health Center receives nearly $290,000 a month in federal funding; that’s over $3.5 million a year. Federal funding makes up 17% of its total operating budget, and delays or cuts would have serious impacts on their bottom line and care.
According to CHCANYS, CHCs provide healthcare to 110,000+ people in the Capital Region and over 2.4 million New Yorkers. Community Health Centers in New York and across the country are worried because, following the funding freeze fiasco, many CHCs cannot access federal funds. Trump signed an executive order cutting off funding for some healthcare services, and although that memo was later rescinded, CHCs are confused about what services they can provide without fear that their funding will be cut off.
Some Community Health Centers across the country have been forced to lay off staff or even halt operations, and NY healthcare leaders are worried NY could be next if the situation does not improve, and Schumer said that cannot happen.
Schumer said that if blackouts continue and federal funding is not renewed for CHCs next month in the government funding agreement it would leave many Americans with limited access to affordable healthcare. Last year, Schumer and colleagues negotiated a bipartisan healthcare deal that would reauthorize CHC funding, but Congressional Republicans walked away following pressure from Elon Musk. Schumer said he will be leading Senate Democrats to fight to protect funding for CHCs and Medicaid and called on his colleagues across the aisle to return to their bipartisan agreement to protect Community Health Centers across the country.
Schumer explained the HHS and Medicaid portal shutdowns are part of larger confusion surrounding President Trump’s executive order freezing all federal funding. Recurring portal shutdowns continue to jeopardize reimbursements and healthcare access for nearly 7 million New Yorkers on Medicaid, including 210,000+ people in the Capital Region. Last week, Elon Musk and his “DOGE” gained access to the payment system creating further uncertainty about the status of payments. CHCs are concerned about their ability to pay staff and rent without reliable access to the portal. Schumer is leading the charge for answers on the payment portal shutdowns and demanding reassurance from the administration that Community Health Centers will receive the payments they are owed and need to continue providing healthcare.
A copy of Schumer’s original letter with Senator Wyden to HHS can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing a constitutional amendment to maintain a total of nine Supreme Court justices on the bench at one time.
Once approved by Congress, the amendment would go to the states for ratification.
“Throughout our nation’s history, the Supreme Court has successfully safeguarded our Constitution,” said Crapo. “Packing the Court would unnecessarily increase partisanship within the institution, creating greater challenges in settling the pressing cases that matter to Americans in a constitutional and just way.”
“Democrats’ attempts to pack the Supreme Court with radical appointees undermines our democracy and American confidence in our judicial system,” said Risch. “The Keep Nine Constitutional Amendment would ensure justices focus on upholding the rule of law rather than legislating from the bench.”
“For years, Democrats have openly said they intend to pack the Supreme Court,” said Cruz. “They seek to use the Court to advance policy goals they can’t accomplish electorally. Such a move would be a direct assault on the design of our Constitution, which is designed to ensure the Supreme Court remains a non-partisan guardian of the rule of law. This amendment is a badly-needed check on their efforts to undermine the integrity of the Court.”
Additional co-sponsors of the proposed constitutional amendment include Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska).
Read the complete text of the amendment here.
BACKGROUND:
Senators Crapo and Risch previously co-sponsored this amendment in 2023.
Over the past several years, top Democrats have pledged to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court when they are able to.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
WASHINGTON – After the Biden administration enacted more than $1.8 trillion in regulations that added 356 million new hours of paperwork, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is undoing the damage with legislation aimed at disrupting the bloated bureaucracy.
Ernst’s Prove It Act requires federal agencies to demonstrate that any new regulation is compliant with existing laws and considers both the direct and indirect costs placed on small businesses.
“As chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, unleashing Main Street by slashing red tape is a top priority,” said Ernst. “We are curbing the bloated bureaucracy and empowering job creators to innovate and lead us forward. If Washington thinks more regulations are needed, it will have to prove it.”
Congressman Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I am committed to protecting Main Street business owners in southern Minnesota from costly and burdensome regulations,” said Finstad. “The Prove It Act, which passed the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress with bipartisan support, is commonsense legislation that gives small business owners a seat at the regulatory table and holds federal agencies accountable for the impacts of their regulations. I’m proud to reintroduce this important legislation and look forward to continuing to fight against overregulation.”
The Prove It Act would:
Create a way for small businesses to raise concerns when regulators do not consider both the direct and indirect costs their regulations place on them;
Allow small businesses to ask their chief advocate in government to review agencies’ work and make the government regulators prove they are fully compliant with existing laws;
Exempt small businesses from the agency’s regulations altogether if regulators fail to comply with this review process; and
Ensure small businesses can easily access preexisting guidance documents online and create a way for small businesses to directly raise questions or concerns with their regulators.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (February 10, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Primary Health and Retirement Security Subcommittee of the Health Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) released the following statement today on the Trump administration’s cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“Investments in medical research lead to cures, jobs, and economic growth,” said the Massachusetts lawmakers. “The Trump administration is drastically cutting NIH funding and giving away the United States’ and Massachusetts’ leadership in biomedical innovation to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. These cuts and the chaos this announcement has created is already being felt across the country by hospitals, state universities, and research institutions, by the people whose jobs rely on this funding, and by families who will have to wait longer for treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, diabetes, and more.
Massachusetts is a national leader in developing groundbreaking treatments and cures, giving hope to patients, families, and caregivers in need of breakthroughs and discoveries. Committed health providers, researchers, and workers drive these innovations, relying on sustainable funding to do their work. The Trump administration’s illegal NIH funding cut is not only going to impede their work to improve our health care system and save lives, but also diminish our competitiveness and cede leadership to China. This action must be reversed.”
In 2024, Massachusetts received nearly 6,000 grants amounting to $3.5 billion, or 9.3 percent of all NIH funding, despite having just 2% of the population.
President Trump’s nominee for NIH director, Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D. will appear before the HELP Committee.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
02.10.25
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.
“Many of Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum have been in place since 2018. Nothing was resolved and they added costs to cars, building materials, and energy projects. Now in 2025, he wants to double down raising costs for Americans even more,” Sen. Cantwell said.
In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. Combined, the state imported $1.21 billion worth of steel and aluminum last year – and the major industries and employers in Washington that rely on steel and aluminum include aerospace, shipbuilding, utilities, and electronics. When President Trump imposed steel tariffs in 2018, our trading partners immediately responded by imposing tariffs of their own on Washington products, especially agriculture, including cherries, apples, pears, and potatoes. Nationally, across all industries, the steel and aluminum tariffs resulted in a decrease in production worth about $3.4 billion per year, according to an ITC report. The United States imports $58.81 billion in steel and aluminum every year.
Last week, Sen. Cantwell also delivered a major speech on the Senate floor last week, arguing that the president’s arbitrary tariffs would threaten domestic job creation and economic growth in an Information Age. She outlined a strategy focused on building coalitions, growing exports, and establishing principles to support innovation in the Information Age.
Sen. Cantwell also voted against advancing the nomination of Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s choice to be Secretary of the Department of Commerce, citing concerns with Lutnick’s support for Trump’s proposed tariffs. More information on how President Trump’s proposed tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China would affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE.
Sen. Cantwell has remained a steadfast supporter of free trade to grow the economy in the State of Washington and nationwide. Sen. Cantwell was the leading voice in negotiations to end India’s 20 percent retaliatory tariff on American apples, which was imposed in response to tariffs on steel and aluminum and devastated Washington state’s apple exports. India had once been the second-largest export market for American apples, but after then-President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in his first term, India imposed retaliatory tariffs in response and U.S. apple exports plummeted. The impact on Washington apple growers was severe: apple exports from the state dropped from $120 million in 2017 to less than $1 million by 2023. In September 2023, following several years of Sen. Cantwell’s advocacy, India ended its retaliatory tariffs on apples and pulse crops which was welcome news to the state’s more than 1,400 apple growers and the 68,000-plus workers they support.
In May 2023, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to help U.S. potato growers finally get approval to sell fresh potatoes in Japan. In June 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), then-chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, in Washington state for a forum with 30 local agricultural leaders in Wenatchee to discuss the Farm Bill.
In 2022, Sen. Cantwell spearheaded passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law to crack down on skyrocketing international ocean shipping costs and ease supply chain backlogs that raise prices for consumers and make it harder for U.S. farmers and exporters to get their goods to the global market.
In August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to then-Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue requesting aid funds be distributed to wheat growers. In December 2018, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the passage of the Farm Bill, which included $500 million of assistance for farmers, including those who grow wheat.
In 2019, Sen. Cantwell helped secure a provision in the $16 billion USDA relief package, ensuring sweet cherry growers could access emergency funding to offset the impacts of tariffs and other market disruptions.
Source: US State of North Dakota
Gov. Kelly Armstrong delivered testimony today in support of legislation that would create a task force to review all state boards and commissions to determine which ones can be combined or dissolved, in keeping with his goal of shrinking government and making it more efficient.
“Today the Governor’s Office oversees more than 150 boards and commissions in state government. That’s too many,” Armstrong said, noting every board carries a cost – even those with volunteer members. “When government stays in silos, it leads to duplicative work. Our goal for the task force is to create efficiencies and make sure each board’s mission is still relevant today.”
Senate Bill 2308 was introduced by Sen. Kristin Roers and co-sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue and Rep. Scott Louser. The bill proposes creating a task force to review the more than 150 boards and commissions in state government and report back to the 2027 Legislature with recommendations on which boards can be combined or dissolved and which ones are essential to the core functions of government.
Armstrong first voiced support for SB 2308 during his State of the State address on Jan. 7, saying that making government services more efficient and user-friendly will be a focus of his administration. To kickstart the effort, he signed an executive order dissolving five groups that hadn’t met in over a calendar year. As currently written, SB 2308 would dissolve 18 existing boards, with state agencies absorbing the boards’ duties and scope in some cases.
“I look forward to continuing to work on this bill with all of you to reduce the footprint of government and save North Dakota taxpayers money,” he said to the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
Source: US State of North Dakota
Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced today he has appointed Levi Bachmeier of West Fargo and Patrick Sogard of Williston to four-year terms on the State Board of Higher Education starting July 1.
“Levi and Pat bring valuable experience in education policy, finance and operations to the State Board of Higher Education as our colleges and universities are being challenged by changing demographics and learning models. Our University System is still the best workforce recruiting tool we have, and we need our campuses to align their offerings with workforce needs, adapt to trends and thrive, not just survive,” Armstrong said. “We’re thankful for their willingness to serve and the passion for higher education shared by all the candidates.”
Bachmeier has served as business manager of the West Fargo School District since 2019. From 2016 to 2019 he served as an education policy adviser and policy director for then-North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Bachmeier previously taught high school social studies for two years with Teach for America and spent a summer as a policy analyst fellow at the U.S. Department of Education. A native of West Fargo, Bachmeier earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. He currently serves on the North Dakota Board of Public Education and North Dakota Career and Technical Education Board, in addition to coaching track and field.
Sogard has chaired the board of American State Bank & Trust Co. in Williston since 2003, also serving as a trust officer from 2000 to 2005. He previously worked as an attorney in private practice from 1986 to 2000. A native of Alamo, N.D., Sogard studied at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned his bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and his law degree from the UND School of Law. He is a past board member of Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Elementary School, both in Williston, and currently serves on the board of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.
Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate. Bachmeier will succeed board member Casey Ryan, a Grand Forks physician who is completing his second term on the board, the maximum allowed by the state Constitution. Sogard will succeed board member Jeffry Volk, a retired Fargo consulting engineer who has served on the board since 2021.
The Board of Higher Education has eight voting members appointed by the governor, including one student member, and two non-voting members who represent the North Dakota University System’s faculty and staff. The board oversees the system’s 11 public colleges and universities.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and the Trump administration’s efforts to unleash American energy abundance and reverse the radical climate policies of the Biden administration, including the freeze on liquified natural gas (LNG) export permits. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“President Biden prioritized the view of climate radicals while the interest of Texas families and our national security were, apparently, an afterthought.”
“Last January, President Biden issued a pause on all American exports of liquefied natural gas in order to conduct a study on the environmental impact.”
“This pause on exports had major repercussions in Texas, which is one of the leaders of the LNG industry.”
“Last fall, the D.C. Circuit Court issued a ruling that revoked a permit for the LNG export terminal at the Port of Brownsville.”
“One of the projects affected by this ruling would have created 6,000 jobs and more than $18 billion of investments in South Texas, but the D.C. Circuit sent them back to the drawing board.”
“President Biden’s energy agenda put Texas workers, and their families, and our national security last.”
“Thankfully, that’s not where the story ends. President Trump and Secretary Wright are now at the helm.”
“On the first day of his presidency, he reversed President Biden’s disastrous LNG pause.”
“I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration to unleash American energy through an all-of-the-above approach so that Texas and the Gulf of America can once again supply the nation and the world with reliable, affordable energy.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
February 10, 2025
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced bicameral legislation aimed at reducing gun violence by preventing the theft of firearms from federally-licensed gun dealers (FFLs). The Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective (SECURE) Firearm Storage Act would address the problem of “smash and grab” gun store burglaries by requiring all firearms to be securely stored when a federally-licensed gun dealer is not open for business. Additionally, the bill would authorize the Attorney General to review and put forth additional security measures to reduce the risk of theft, and require a new section on the FFL application for an applicant to describe security plans before a license can be approved.
“Every day, we see the consequences of stolen guns being used in crimes that devastate families and communities across this country. Gun dealers need to take simple steps to secure their inventory, just like any other business that sells dangerous products. It’s about basic responsibility—if you’re selling deadly weapons in your store, you should have to lock them up when you close.” said Murphy.
“Thousands of guns disappear each year during gun store burglaries – posing a serious public safety threat when these firearms show up again in the wrong hands. Responsible gun storage requirements for gun retailers are critical to preventing senseless and unnecessary deaths in our communities. I am proud to support the SECURE Firearm Storage Act, which strengthens sensible safety standards and would save countless lives, and I will continue to fight to put an end to the scourge of gun violence,” said Blumenthal.
Gun thefts from FFLs are a significant problem across the country. In 2023, FFLs reported 13,301 guns to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as lost through burglaries, larceny, robberies, or simply missing from inventory. These guns frequently end up being used in crime; one study found that between 2012 and 2018, nearly 14,800 guns recovered in crimes had been reported as lost or stolen from gun dealers.
Thefts of guns from FFLs can be deterred by reasonable security measures, and FFLs that fail to take such measures have been the targets of recent burglaries. For example, last September, multiple suspects allegedly broke into a gun store in Springfield, Maryland, and stole 14 guns. Last May, a 14-year-old was arrested and charged with 16 counts of firearm theft stemming from a FFL burglary in New Castle, Delaware. Last February, two suspects allegedly burglarized a store in Virginia, taking six handguns. Such thefts could be deterred or prevented if FFLs ensured that their guns were stored securely.
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) also cosponsored the legislation.
The legislation has been endorsed by Brady United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, and GIFFORDS.
To decrease the loss or theft of guns from FFLs, the SECURE Firearm Storage Act would take several commonsense measures to reduce firearm loss by:
Requiring FFLs, when their premises are closed, to secure all firearms in their inventory either by fastening them to an anchored steel rod or storing them in a locked safe or gun cabinet;
Requiring FFLs to store all paper records of firearms transactions in a secure location so the records can be preserved in case they are needed for crime gun tracing investigations;
Authorizing the Attorney General to prescribe regulations with additional security requirements relating to alarm and security cameras, site hardening on FFL premises, and security of electronic records;
Ensuring that an FFL that fails to follow these security requirements would face a civil penalty for the first violation; possible FFL license suspension for the second violation; and possible license revocation upon a third violation; and,
Adding a new section to the FFL application for applicants to describe how they will comply with these security requirements, and directing the Attorney General to ensure that an applicant’s plan will be compliant before approving a license application.
Full text of the legislation is available HERE.
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The State Highway Summer Maintenance programme remains in full swing with State Highway 1 between Newlands and Tawa the next in line for attention over the next month.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington / Top of the South for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says to date it has been a big maintenance season for the Wellington region, and there is still a lot of work to do.
“State Highway 1 into Wellington is a critical link, and it needs regular maintenance. So, for the second half of February our road crews will be hard at work resurfacing the highway’s northbound lanes between Johnsonville and Glenside.
“These are heavily used routes – for State Highway 1, on an average day, more than 30,000 vehicles use the northbound lanes. That is a lot of wear and tear, which is why this resurfacing is necessary. It is all about ensuring the highway remains safe and reliable,” Mr Owen says.
From Sunday, 16 February until Thursday, 20 February – 9 pm to 4:30 am the highway’s northbound lanes will be closed for resurfacing between the Helston Road overbridge and the Grenada/Glenside offramp. A local road detour will be available via Johnsonville and Middleton Road. People who live in Johnsonville who need to travel north will need to use the Glenside northbound onramp. The highway’s southbound lanes will be open at all times.
The week following, contractors will resurface the Takapu Road roundabout at Tawa/Grenada North interchange. We will provide a further update once these details have been confirmed.
“We are doing these works at night when there is less traffic on the road. Closing the road lets us get the job done quicker and reduces traffic management costs. It is also safer for road workers and the public,” Mr Owen says.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
MANILA, Philippines –
80 years ago, on Feb. 3, 1945, the battle for the capital of the Philippines began between Allied Forces and Imperial Japan. The 1st Cavalry Division was one of three divisions under the control of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. It was here that the 1st Cavalry Division earned its nickname, “America’s First Team,” by being the first U.S. Forces to re-enter Manila after its capture in 1942.
The battle and subsequent liberation of Manila and the Philippines, in the spring of 1945, fulfilled a promise made by Gen. MacArthur in the spring of 1942: When President Theodore D. Roosevelt ordered him to Australia, he said, “I shall return.”
On a hot Feb. morning at Adamson University in the heart of the capital, the city government of Manila held a ceremony and wreath-laying in honor of this historic event. The ceremony honored our shared history, ongoing commitment, and continued partnership with the Philippines and the Filipino people.
The Mayor of Manila City, Honey Lacuna Pangan, presided over the ceremony. Commemorating this historical event, several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, China, and Canada, were represented on-site.
The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L. Carlson, participated in the ceremony and placed a wreath in honor of those Americans and Filipinos who laid down their lives for the freedom of the Filipino people and the two countries.
Lt. Col. John Dolan, Commander of the 1st Cavalry Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment “Garryowen,” was on hand to represent the 1st Cavalry Division at the ceremony along with representatives from 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade and I Corps, both based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wa.
“We’re here to honor the courage and sacrifice of so many soldiers and civilians in the liberation of Manila,” said Lt Col. Dolan, “and recognize the bond between both Americans and Filipinos share in our history and the pursuit of freedom.”
As the number of the Greatest Generation dwindles and will soon be gone, continuing to commemorate these events ensures their efforts and history is not lost. The Liberation of Manila’s 80th anniversary honors the past generations’ sacrifices to safeguard freedom while inspiring future generations to carry the torch.
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Donald Trump is moving rapidly to change the contours of contemporary international affairs, with the old US-dominated world order breaking down into a multipolar one with many centres of power.
The shift already includes the US leaving the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords, questioning the value of the United Nations, and radical cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Such a new geopolitical age also involves an assertion of raw power, with Trump using the threat of tariffs to assert global authority and negotiating positions.
While the US is not significantly less powerful, this new era may see it wield that power in more openly self-interested and isolationist ways. As new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it in January, “the post-war global order is not just obsolete – it is now a weapon being used against us”.
With global democracy in retreat, the emerging international order looks to be moving in an authoritarian direction. As it does, the position of New Zealand’s vibrant democracy will come under mounting pressure.
But world orders have come and gone for millennia, reflecting the ebb and flow of global economic, political and military power. Looking back to previous eras, and how countries and cultures responded to shifting geopolitical realities, can help us understand what is happening more clearly.
Previous orders have often focused on specific centres – or “poles” – of power. These include the Concert of Europe from 1814 to 1914, the bipolar world of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, and the unipolar world of American dominance after the end of the Cold War and since the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Periods of single-power dominance (or hegemony) are referred to as a “pax”, from the Latin for “peace”. We have seen the Pax Romana of the Roman Empire (27 BCE to 180 AD), multiple Pax Sinicas around China (most recently the Qing Dynasty 1644 to 1912), Pax Mongolica (the Mongol Empire from 1271 to 1368) and Pax Britannica (the British Empire from 1815 to 1924).
It is the Pax Americana of the US, from 1945 to the present, that Trump seems bent on dismantling. We now live in an international order that is visibly in flux. With autocracy on the rise and the US at its vanguard, a “Pax Autocratica” is emerging.
This is accentuated by the rapid rise of Asia as the main sphere of economic and military growth, particularly China and India. The world’s two most populous countries had the world’s largest and third largest economies respectively in 2023, and the second and fourth highest levels of military spending.
The simultaneous rise of multiple power centres was already challenging the Pax Americana. Now, a new international order appears to be a certainty, with Trump openly adapting to multipolarity. Several major powers now compete for global influence, rather than any one country dominating.
China’s preference for a multipolar international order is shared by India and Russia. Without one dominant entity, it will be the political and social basis of this order, as determined by its major actors, that matters most – not who leads it.
The current (now waning) international order has been underpinned by specific social, political and economic values stemming from the national identity and historical experience of the US.
According to US political expert G. John Ikenberry, former president Woodrow Wilson’s agenda for peace after the first world war sought to “reflect distinctive American ideas and ideals”.
Woodrow imagined an order based on collective security and shared sovereignty, liberal principles of democracy and universal human rights, free trade and international law.
As its dominance and military strength increased in the 20th century, the US also provided security to other countries. Such power enabled Washington to create open global trade markets, as well as build core global institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, United Nations and NATO.
For Ikenberry, this Pax Americana (we might call it a Pax Democratica) rested on consent to the US’s “provision of security, wealth creation, and social advancement”. This was aided by the its more than 800 military bases in over 80 countries.
Trump undercuts the central tenets of this liberal world order and accelerates a slide towards authoritarianism. Like Russia, India and China, the US is also actively constraining human rights, attacking minorities and weakening its electoral system.
This democratic retreat leaves a country such as New Zealand in a global minority. If Trump targets the region or country with economic tariffs, that precariousness might increase.
On the other hand, previous world orders have not been truly hegemonic. Pax Britannica did not encompass the entire world. Nor did Pax Americana, which didn’t include China, India, the former Soviet bloc, much of the Islamic world and many developing countries.
This suggests pockets of democracy can survive within a Pax Autocratica, especially in a multipolar world which is more tolerant of political independence.
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Democracy Index ranked New Zealand, the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Iceland and Ireland highest because their citizens
choose their political leaders in free and fair elections, enjoy civil liberties, prefer democracy over other political systems, can and do participate in politics, and have a functioning government that acts on their behalf.
It is these countries that can be at the vanguard of democratic resilience.
Chris Ogden is a Senior Research Fellow with The Foreign Policy Centre, London.
– ref. As Trump abandons the old world order, NZ must find its place in a new ‘Pax Autocratica’ – https://theconversation.com/as-trump-abandons-the-old-world-order-nz-must-find-its-place-in-a-new-pax-autocratica-249358
Source: China State Council Information Office
On a balmy afternoon on the first day of the Chinese Spring Festival, a queue of nearly 40 people, over half of them being Chinese tourists, snaked around the plain ice cream stall of “Uncle Chieng” on Orchard Road, Singapore.
“Recently, more than half of the customers are Chinese tourists. Around the Spring Festival, I sell about 20 percent more ice cream each day compared to usual,” said Chieng Puay Chui, owner of the stall, which has become one of the must-visit spots for Chinese tourists.
This scene is just a microcosm of the vibrant Spring Festival celebrations that have swept China and beyond, the first Lunar New Year festivities after the Spring Festival was added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
The festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year, with week-long nationwide celebrations around the date, has not only ignited a surge in domestic consumption but also created vast opportunities for international businesses, as Chinese consumers embrace global goods and cultures.
A girl participates in activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Global goods, local celebrations
The Spring Festival, a time for family reunion and feasting, has seen a growing appetite for “foreign New Year goods” among Chinese consumers. From French wine to Chilean cherries, global delicacies have become essential elements of the Chinese New Year shopping list.
France’s Occitanie region, renowned for its wine, has been actively promoting its produce in China through platforms like the China International Import Expo and the “From French Farms to Chinese Tables” initiative. For French wine producers, the Spring Festival is one of the best opportunities to promote their products.
“Ahead of the Chinese New Year, we organized various events to support wine producers from the Occitanie region and importers in distributing their products so that they would be available during the Spring Festival,” said Catherine Machabert, food and wine international director of the economic development agency of the Occitanie Region.
“For the Year of the Snake, distributors have prepared a variety of gift boxes featuring snake-themed designs to promote the wines,” said Machabert, adding that Occitanie has always maintained strong ties with China and recognizes the importance of the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, French confectionery giant Andros has capitalized on the festive season by launching special gift packs and organizing in-store tastings. “Our sales during this Spring Festival are expected to double compared to previous years, setting a new record,” said Maxence Zeng, general manager of Andros China.
Chilean cherries, with their vibrant red hue and symbolic association with prosperity in the Chinese culture, have also become a favorite among Chinese consumers.
China is a very important market for fresh Chilean cherries, not only because it receives more than 90 percent of total exports, “but also because of the friendly relationship that has been built between our cherries and the people of China,” said Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee.
A poster of the animated feature “Ne Zha 2” is pictured at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Feb. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Two-way cultural exchanges
The Spring Festival is not just about shopping and feasting; it’s also a time for travel and cultural exploration. With extended holidays and visa-free policies, Chinese tourists have been flocking to international destinations, while foreign visitors have been arriving in China to experience the festivities firsthand.
On the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania, Chinese tourists Li Chenguang and his wife, Zhao Xue, marveled at the natural beauty surrounding them. “We can witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and even the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro,” Zhao exclaimed with excitement.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport has been bustling as Chinese tourists head to Malaysia for tropical experiences and Malaysian travelers embark on winter adventures in China. “We’re planning to visit Harbin, hike up Changbai Mountain and savor traditional northeastern dishes like Guo Bao Rou (crispy sweet and sour pork),” said Zhou Jinglang, a tour guide of a Malaysian travel agency.
According to the National Immigration Administration, China recorded 14.37 million cross-border trips during the Spring Festival holiday season, a 6.3 percent increase from a year earlier. About 1 million of these trips were made by foreign nationals, marking a 22.9 percent year-on-year rise.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Spring Festival holiday has marked a new milestone for China’s thriving film industry, with box office revenue soaring to an unprecedented 9.51 billion yuan (approximately 1.33 billion U.S. dollars) between Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, according to the China Film Administration.
A staggering 187 million moviegoers flocked to cinemas throughout the holiday week, setting new all-time highs in both box office earnings and audience turnout.
Released on Jan. 29, the first day of Chinese New Year, Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” has shattered multiple box office records, becoming the first film to cross 1 billion dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.
Customers select newly arrived Chilean cherries at a supermarket in Tianjin, north China, Dec. 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
Vast business opportunities
The Spring Festival consumption boom has not only showcased the resilience and vitality of China’s economy but also highlighted the potential for international collaboration. From French dairy products to Chilean cherries, foreign businesses are eager to tap into the vast Chinese market and capitalize on emerging consumer trends.
“Occitanie has always maintained strong ties with China and recognizes the importance of the Chinese market. With its Shanghai office, the regional agency will continue to support wine, agri-food, and cosmetics companies in entering or expanding in the Chinese market,” said Machabert, the trade official of the Occitanie Region.
Meanwhile, Herve Lanoe, chief executive officer of French dairy company Fit Group, noted that Chinese consumers are increasingly prioritizing quality and health. “Butter with a protected designation of origin is highly appreciated by our Chinese client,” he said, adding that the company will try to take advantage of this opportunity.
Over the years, Garces Fruit, Chile’s largest cherry exporter, has been actively expanding its presence in China. “The Chinese market is fundamental for the trade of Chilean cherries,” said Hernan Garces Gazmuri, the export manager of Garces Fruit.
“It is a clear example of win-win,” said Garces Gazmuri, who settled in China in 2017 and opened an office in 2018. “It produces a lot of employment, from the harvests, the packaging, all this positive dynamic is generated thanks to the Chinese market. This industry does not exist without China.”
“We want to continue to explore the market, developing e-commerce and boosting our Garces Fruit brand. I think there is a lot to do,” he said.