His Excellency Mr. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China,
His Excellency Mr. Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science of the Republic of Zambia,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I thank the Governments of China and Zambia for organising this High-level Meeting on International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence.
We stand at a truly pivotal moment. Artificial Intelligence is developing at an unprecedented rate, transforming our world in ways we are only beginning to comprehend.
It has the potential to help rescue the SDGs and usher in a more durable and equitable future. Recent studies show us that AI can help accelerate nearly 80 per cent of the SDGs.
Yet, we face a stark reality: AI opportunities are not evenly shared.
Today, AI capacities are concentrated in a handful of powerful companies – and even fewer countries. The leaders of these companies are exclusively men, and the algorithms they are building risk reinforcing gender and geographic biases.
Meanwhile, too many countries face significant challenges in accessing AI tools, and too many women and girls lack access to education that could be a platform for careers in this emerging field.
Excellencies,
To truly harness AI’s potential, we need international cooperation – and solidarity. We must urgently bridge the AI capacity gap for developing countries and for women and girls. The risks posed by AI are equally uneven.
Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides – once again disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable.
Excellencies,
Technology should benefit everyone.
AI should be a tool for closing the developmental divide, the digital divide, and the gender divide.
As we build AI capacity, we must also develop shared knowledge and digital public goods.
This can be achieved through networks where expertise and AI training data are pooled and made available to everyone who needs them.
Interconnected AI centres across different countries and continents can accelerate the advancement of AI, promote data diversity and inclusivity, and foster cooperation rather than competition.
Last week, the Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on AI issued its final report, with a series of recommendations including:
• Creating an AI Capacity Development Network to connect AI centres and provide expertise and training data especially for developing countries;
• Establishing a Global Fund on AI for the Sustainable Development Goals.
• And developing a Global Data Framework, so that local AI ecosystems can flourish.
Many of the recommendations from this Body have been integrated into the recently agreed Global Digital Compact – a landmark agreement that will advance global digital cooperation.
The Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence.
It also supports networks and partnerships to build capacity on AI in developing countries:
Commits governments to establish an independent international Scientific Panel on AI;
And it represents the first collective effort to reach agreed interoperability standards.
Excellencies,
The United Nations is uniquely placed to promote digital cooperation and support the global exchange of best practices for AI capacity building.
I urge you all to promote a collaborative AI, and to engage in flourishing partnerships – in line with the Global Digital Compact.
Together, let us develop innovative and inclusive tools for AI governance and cooperation – and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all, where no one is left behind.
Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
September 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, introduced five pieces of legislation aimed at combatting the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in America’s agriculture and financial sectors.
“The CCP is the single greatest threat to America’s national security and financial independence,” said Senator Ricketts. “A CCP-led world would mean coercion instead of choice, tyranny instead of liberty, and dictatorship instead of democracy. The only way to combat this threat is with a strong, strategic, all-of-government approach. These bills move us closer to that.”
The Securing American Agriculture Act bolsters and protects our domestic food and agriculture supply chains and reduces America’s reliance on foreign adversaries.
The Protecting Endowments from our Adversaries Act disincentivizes endowments from investing in adversarial entities flagged by the U.S. Government as threatening to our national security.
The No Capital Gains Allowance for American Adversaries Act eliminates tax breaks for investments made in companies based in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Belarus.
The PRC Military and Human Rights Capital Markets Sanctions Act prevents Wall Street firms from using Americans’ investment dollars to effectively underwrite the CCP’s human rights abuses and aggression.
The No China in Index Funds Act prevents index mutual funds from holding Chinese stocks.
The bills were first covered by Fox News here.
BACKGROUND:
Securing American Agriculture Act – The PRC’s strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chain poses a serious national security threat. In recent years, the PRC gained significant market share in the production of essential agricultural inputs like vitamins, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and crop protection tools. China now controls over 90% of vitamin C and vitamin B6 production and up to 85% of amino acids used in animal feed.
Losing access to these key inputs could drastically reduce agricultural productivity, increase food prices, and undermine domestic food security. A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater study found that, if left unchecked, the PRC’s domination of the amino acids market would destroy 30,000 U.S. jobs and reduce economic activity by $15 billion per year. The Securing American Agriculture Act bolsters and protects our food production supply chain.
Specifically, the bipartisan bill:
Requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce, to conduct an annual threat assessment of critical food and agricultural supply chains.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate potential threats from the PRC and for legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers to domestic critical input production.
U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07) haveintroduced companion legislation in the House. The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mike Braun (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Eric Schmitt (R-MI).
A one-pager on the bill can be found here. Bill text is available here.
Protecting Endowments from Our Adversaries Act (PEOAA) – U.S. University endowment dollars have helped fund technology behind the CCP’s surveillance of Uyghur Muslims in China. Many endowment fund portfolios own Chinese stocks listed on American exchanges, either directly or indirectly. Tax-advantaged endowment dollars are supposed to be used to lower tuition costs and improve education, not to fund our adversaries.
Specifically, the bill:
Imposes a 50% excise tax on initial investments in adversarial entities on the Entity List, Military End User List, Unverified List, or FCC Covered List.
Imposes a 100% excise tax on the realized gains derived from listed investments one year after an entity is listed.
Applies to private college and university endowments over $1 billion.
U.S. Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC-3) has introduced companion legislation in the House. The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) And Deb Fischer (R-NE).
One-pager can be found here. Bill text is available here.
No Capital Gains Allowance for American Adversaries Act – According to a comparative analysis of capital gains tax rates by the Law Library of Congress, many countries have investment incentives not applicable to some foreign investments. For example, China provides investment incentives through its tax code, but foreign investments are eligible only with the pre-approval of the Chinese government. The No Capital Gains Allowance for American Adversaries Act stops subsidizing our adversaries’ investments in the United States.
Specifically, the bipartisan bill:
Eliminates the capital gains tax break for investments in companies based in China, Russia, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea.
Eliminates a related tax break, the “step-up in basis” at death, for investments in such companies.
Requires disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that no tax breaks are available for these stocks.
U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA-32) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05) haveintroduced companion legislation in the House.
One-pager can be found here. Bill text is available here.
People’s Republic of China (PRC) Military and Human Rights Capital Markets Sanctions Act – A recent report identified 144 Chinese companies, or their affiliates, whose practices were so adverse to U.S. interests that it is illegal for Americans to buy their products. Most of these companies have been found to violate human rights. Others play an integral role in the CCP’s military-industrial complex. While buying the products of these companies is illegal, it is still legal to buy their stock. The PRC Military and Human Rights Capital Markets Sanctions Act fixes this problem.
Specifically, the bipartisan bill:
Prohibits Americans from purchasing, selling, or holding publicly-traded securities of companies that appear on sanctions lists or have an affiliate on the sanctions list.
Prohibits Americans from purchasing, selling, or holding publicly-traded securities that are derivatives of securities issued by a sanctioned company.
Prohibits Americans from purchasing, selling, or holding securities that provides investment exposure to a publicly-traded security issued by a sanctioned company or affiliate.
Requires divestment from the prohibited securities within 180 days.
U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA-32) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05) haveintroduced companion legislation in the House.
One-pager can be found here. Bill text is available here.
No China in Index Funds Act – Index mutual funds minimize their expenses by simply investing in all the companies in a certain market sector, without looking closely at the individual companies. There are unique difficulties in evaluating the risks of investing in Chinese companies. Americans should not invest in these companies without carefully evaluating the risk. The No China in Index Funds Act will keep these hard-to-evaluate Chinese stocks out of index mutual funds.
Specifically, the bipartisan bill:
Prohibits index funds from investing in Chinese companies.
Requires index funds to divest from such investments within 180 days.
U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA-32) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05) haveintroduced companion legislation in the House.
One-pager can be found here. Bill text is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
M. President: Over 4 months ago, Steward Health Care and the more than 30 hospitals it owns in 8 states declared bankruptcy with some $9 billion in debt.
This bankruptcy has caused devastating harm to patients, health care workers and entire communities from Massachusetts to Arizona.
In July, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (the HELP Committee) that I chair voted to authorize a bi-partisan investigation into the financial mismanagement of Steward Health Care.
On that same day, the HELP Committee also voted to subpoena Ralph de la Torre, the CEO of Steward Health Care, to testify at a hearing on this very important issue on September 12th.
Sadly, Dr. de la Torre made the unfortunate and unacceptable decision not to show up at this hearing in defiance of a Congressional subpoena.
So, last week, the HELP Committee voted 20-0 on two resolutions to hold Dr. de la Torre accountable for his failure to appear at this hearing.
The first resolution instructs Senate Legal Counsel to bring a civil suit in the District Court for the District of Columbia to require Dr. de la Torre’s compliance with the subpoena and his testimony before the HELP Committee.
The second resolution would refer this matter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia to criminally prosecute Dr. de la Torre for failing to comply with the subpoena.
In a few moments, I will be asking unanimous consent to pass the second resolution which seeks to hold Dr. de la Torre in criminal contempt for failing to comply with the Congressional subpoena.
But before I do that let me take a moment to briefly explain why the HELP Committee believed it was so important for Dr. de la Torre to testify before Congress.
First, we wanted Dr. de la Torre to explain to us how it could happen that at least 15 patients at hospitals owned by his company died as a result of a lack of medical equipment or staffing shortages and why at least 2,000 other patients were put in “immediate peril” according to federal regulators.
That is something that the American people deserve to know.
But, perhaps most importantly, we wanted to know how it could happen that while thousands of patients and health care workers suffered and communities around the country have been devastated as a result of Steward Health Care’s financial mismanagement, Dr. de la Torre and the companies he owned were able to receive at least $250 million in total compensation over the past 4 years.
For months, Senator Cassidy, the Ranking Member of the HELP Committee; Senator Markey, the Chair of our healthcare subcommittee; and I have asked Dr. de la Torre to testify before our committee to answer these questions.
And time after time he has arrogantly refused.
That is absolutely unacceptable.
So, today, I will ask the Senate to unanimously adopt this resolution seeking to hold Dr. de la Torre in contempt of Congress.
Let me take this opportunity to thank Ranking Member Cassidy and his staff for working with me and my staff on this important issue.
The passage of this resolution by the full Senate will make clear that:
Even though Dr. de la Torre may be worth hundreds of millions of dollars;
Even though he may be able to buy fancy yachts, private jets, and luxurious accommodations throughout the world;
Even though he may be able to afford some of the most expensive lawyers in America, no. Dr. de la Torre is not above the law.
If you defy a Congressional subpoena, you will be held accountable no matter who you are or how well-connected you may be.
The goal of the HELP Committee throughout this entire process has been to make sure not only that we have a complete understanding of the financial chicanery surrounding Steward Health Care, but to do everything we can to make sure that such a travesty never happens again.
M. President: I ask unanimous consent that two letters be printed in the congressional record—one from Dr. de la Torre’s attorneys to the Committee, and a response letter from Ranking Member Cassidy and me.
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
Today, with colleagues, I introduced Joint Resolutions of Disapproval seeking to block certain arms sales to Israel. The Senate will vote on these resolutions when it reconvenes in November. Let me explain why these arms sales must not proceed.
Israel clearly had the right to respond to Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th, which killed 1,200 innocent Israelis and took hundreds of hostages. But Prime Minister Netanyahu’s extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged all-out war against the Palestinian people, killing more than 41,000 Palestinians and injuring more than 95,000 – 60 percent of whom are women, children, or elderly people. Netanyahu has bombed hospitals and schools, starved children, destroyed infrastructure and housing stock, and made life unlivable in Gaza. The United States must end its complicity in this atrocity.
Sending more weapons is not only immoral, it is also illegal. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act lay out clear requirements for the use of American weaponry – Israel has egregiously violated those rules. American weapons have been used indiscriminately, and several of the systems included in these sales are responsible for a large number of civilian casualties. There is a mountain of documentary evidence demonstrating that these weapons are being used in violation of U.S. and international law. It is also clear that Israel has blocked U.S. humanitarian aid, making it ineligible for U.S. security assistance under Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act.
There are also clear policy reasons not to proceed with these arms sales. For months, the Biden Administration has been trying to reach a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of the hostages and allow more aid to flow into Gaza. Every time an agreement appears close, Netanyahu introduces new demands and sinks the deal. It is clear that Netanyahu is prolonging the war to cling to power and avoid prosecution for corruption. Meanwhile, his government has also overseen record illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank and unleashed a wave of violence there that has killed nearly 700 Palestinians, including 150 children, and several Americans over the last 11 months.
And now the world must contend with the dramatic escalation in Lebanon.
President Biden has emphatically called for de-escalation and said that a “full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest.” He has underlined that a ceasefire for hostage deal in Gaza is the key to a diplomatic solution to the wider conflict. That is the policy of the United States: to pursue a ceasefire for hostage deal that will prevent further escalation, stop the killing and the rocket attacks, allow displaced people to return to their homes sooner, and finally bring the hostages home.
Netanyahu has resisted these calls. Instead, at every stage of this conflict, when presented with the choice between military escalation and diplomacy, Netanyahu has chosen to escalate to preserve his coalition at home.
For all of these reasons – moral, legal, and strategic – sending more weapons to Netanyahu’s extremist government is unacceptable. That is why many of our closest allies have already stopped offensive arms transfers. Congress must now act to uphold U.S. and international law and use our leverage to advance U.S. policy goals.
The Joint Resolutions of Disapproval are as follows:
Sanders, Welch, Merkley to block the sale of additional Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs);
Sanders, Welch, Merkley to block the sale of 120mm tank cartridges;
Sanders, Welch, Merkley to block the sale of 120mm High Explosive mortar cartridges;
Sanders, Welch, Merkley to block the sale of enhanced JDAM receivers;
Sanders and Welch to block the sale of Modified M1148A1P2 Medium Tactical Vehicles;
Sanders to block the sale of fifty new F-15IA aircraft, associated weapons and parts, as well as upgrade kits for existing F-15 aircraft.
Read the fact sheet, here.
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to press reports that the Navy’s fleet oiler USNS Big Horn was damaged off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea:
“I am troubled about reports that the Navy’s sole fleet oiler in the CENTCOM region has been rendered temporarily inoperable. If we cannot fuel our ships, our capabilities will be greatly diminished,” Senator Wicker. “The Big Horn’s problems also speak to a larger challenge – we are woefully in need of a larger logistics fleet, which is the lifeline for our global military presence. I hope this incident serves as a wake-up call that it is high time to fix our shipbuilding industrial base and support our merchant mariners.”
Senator Wicker posed the following questions to the Department of Defense:
Where did the Big Horn take damage?
What is the initial damage assessment for the Big Horn?
What was the cause of the damage (weather, navigator error, etc.)?
Can the Big Horn operate under its own power?
What is the estimated time required for the repair of the vessel?
Is there another vessel able to fill the capability gap? If so, when will it be in the area?
Does the administration support additional executable funding for fleet oilers in the FY25 appropriations process?
Senator Wicker noted the following facts related to shortfalls in the U.S. Navy’s logistics fleet:
Senator Wicker’s recent “21st Century Peace Through Strength” report calls for adding funds for an additional T-AO fleet oiler, as well as investments into modular CONSOL adapter kits and related equipment to allow commercial ships to replenish Navy vessels.
Senator Wicker’s budget amendment that passed through the Senate Armed Services Committee markup of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act included $398 million for fleet oiler advance procurement.
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following comment in response to reports that the Biden-Harris administration intends to notify Congress that they will tap into the nearly $6 billion remaining in Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) for Ukraine.
The authority to transfer weapons to Ukraine would expire October 1, 2024, unless Congress approves an extension. The administration does not plan to accelerate the transfer of weapons to Ukraine, meaning this nearly $6 billion package will be parceled out through the end of calendar year 2025 at current rates.
“It is unfortunately typical of this administration to wait until the last possible moment to announce full use of the PDA. Brave Ukrainians are fighting and dying defending their country so that Americans and Europeans won’t have to. President Biden needs to expedite the actual transfer immediately. They need weapons, not words,” Senator Wicker said.
Congress granted President Biden extensive use of drawdown authority for two reasons: It enables him as commander-in-chief to deliver weaponry at a much faster rate to Ukraine than most other tools, and it would help the United States fortify its defense industrial base for the long term with replenishment funding.
Senator Wicker also highlighted the following facts:
Almost three years into this war, the Biden-Harris administration has not publicly articulated a strategy for Ukrainian victory, nor any measurement for the speedy delivery of weapons.
Almost three years into this war, the Biden-Harris administration has yet to private or publicly conduct an assessment of how much weaponry the United States could give to Ukraine given that weapons transfers to date have significantly degraded the Russian military.
Utilizing the PDA would expedite the distribution of artillery, air defense interceptors, missiles, and more from our stockpiles.
In 2022, the Biden-Harris administration allowed nearly $3 billion in Ukraine support authority to expire.
The Department of Defense is allowing decisions about weapons deliveries to take months longer than necessary, and some weapons systems contracts are now years behind where they could be.
The spring 2024 national security supplemental was intended to last Ukraine through the election, with an authority to use $7.7 billion in weapons drawdowns. The Biden-Harris administration has not spent close to all of this figure, and is roughly supporting Ukraine at a pace four to six months behind the optimal tempo.
The Biden-Harris administration still has roughly $2.8 billion in “recaptured” drawdown authority that they have not used.
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT), a mission-driven financial services company, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its credit card portfolio to Continental Finance. This transaction reflects a key milestone towards Oportun’s initiative to enhance profitability in 2024 and beyond by simplifying the business and driving performance in its three core products: unsecured personal loans, secured personal loans, and its award-winning Set & Save™ savings product.
The closing date is now anticipated to be on or around November 10, 2024, rather than by the end of the third quarter as indicated on the August 8th second quarter earnings call. Due to the revised closing date, the sale is expected to be accretive by approximately $2 million to Adjusted EBITDA in 2024 as compared to the $4 million previously indicated. Oportun continues to expect that the transaction will result in Adjusted EBITDA favorability of approximately $11 million in 2025.
“We’re pleased to have signed a definitive agreement to sell our credit card portfolio to Continental Finance, a leading U.S. credit card marketer and servicer,” said Jonathan Coblentz, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer of Oportun. “This transaction underscores our commitment to focus on winning in the marketplace with our core product lines, thereby enhancing the value we can deliver to our shareholders.”
Tamer El-Rayess, Continental Finance’s Chairman of the Board, said “Continental Finance is excited to enter into an agreement to acquire Oportun’s Visa credit card portfolio with its partner bank, The Bank of Missouri. The Continental Finance team will be collaborating with the Oportun team to ensure a seamless transition of their customers onto our platform. Our goal is to continue to provide exceptional, personalized service to these valued customers for many years to come.”
About Oportun Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT) is a mission-driven financial services company that puts its members’ financial goals within reach. With intelligent borrowing, savings, and budgeting capabilities, Oportun empowers members with the confidence to build a better financial future. Since inception, Oportun has provided more than $18.7 billion in responsible and affordable credit, saved its members more than $2.4 billion in interest and fees, and helped its members save an average of more than $1,800 annually. For more information, visit Oportun.com.
About Continental Finance With over 5.3 million credit cards managed since its founding, Continental Finance prides itself on excellent customer service and access to bank-issued credit products with innovative features that provide affordable and safe options to consumers with poor or limited credit. Utilizing responsible innovation, Continental Finance works to provide each customer with the necessary educational tools for them to be successful in managing their personal credit.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to future performance and financial position; expectations regarding the impact of the sale of the Company’s credit card portfolio, including expected timelines; our planned products and services; achievement of the Company’s strategic priorities and goals and the plans and objectives of management for our future operations, are forward-looking statements are forward-looking statements. These statements can be generally identified by terms such as “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “predict,” “project,” “outlook,” “continue,” “due,” “may,” “believe,” “seek,” or “estimate” and similar expressions or the negative versions of these words or comparable words, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “likely” and “could.” These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause Oportun’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Oportun has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about future events, financial trends and risks and uncertainties that it believes may affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks and uncertainties include those risks described in Oportun’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Oportun’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, Oportun disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there is no assurance that the events or results suggested by the forward-looking statements will in fact occur, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Investor Contact Dorian Hare (650) 590-4323 ir@oportun.com
Media Contact Michael Azzano Cosmo PR for Oportun (415) 596-1978 michael@cosmo-pr.com
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing fast. One in three older Americans dies with dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And Congress needs to wisely prioritize research dollars to effectively combat Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The fight to find a cure and new treatments for Alzheimer’s got a significant boost this week as the U.S. House of Representatives approved a pair of bipartisan bills backed by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) that previously cleared the U.S. Senate.
Now that they have cleared both chambers, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (AAIA), are headed to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
The NAPA Reauthorization Act reauthorizes NAPA through 2035 as a much needed roadmap for coordinated federal efforts in responding to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Since NAPA was first passed in 2011, Alzheimer’s research funding has increased seven-fold. Today, funding for research into Alzheimer’s and other dementias totals over $3.8 billion.
The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act would require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to submit an annual budget to Congress estimating the funding necessary to fully implement NAPA’s research goals. This will help ensure Congress can make a well-informed decision to determine necessary Alzheimer’s research funding levels.
“This is a positive step toward renewing the nation’s commitment to healthy aging, boosting funding for Alzheimer’s research, and improving dementia care in Rhode Island and nationwide,” said Senator Reed, a cosponsor of both bills. “Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that impacts millions of families. While real progress has been made over the last decade since we enacted NAPA, we’ve got to keep up the positive momentum. These bipartisan bills will help ensure federal research investments into Alzheimer’s and dementia are wisely allocated and can fund breakthroughs, a cure, and effective help for caregivers and families struggling with this disease.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.9 million older Americans – including 22,000 Rhode Islanders — are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2024, a nationwide increase of about 200,000 cases over last year, and the population is projected to nearly double by 2060 to 14 million people.
Alzheimer’s costs the United States an astonishing $360 billion per year, including $231 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, up $15 billion over the previous year
As a member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Senator Reed helped provide a $275 million increase for Alzheimer’s disease research in the fiscal year 2025 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related Agencies Appropriations bill. In 2019, NIH awarded Brown University researchers, along with Boston-based Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), over $53 million in federal research funds to lead a nationwide effort to improve health care and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their caregivers.
In 2011, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) led passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (P.L. 111-375), which Senator Reed supported. NAPA convened a panel of experts, who created a coordinated strategic national plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. The law was set to expire soon and needed to be reauthorized to ensure that research investments remain coordinated, and their impact is maximized.
Police are investigating a break-in at Eyre, where a teenage boy was assaulted.
About 2.30am today (Thursday, 26 September), police were called to a house in Edward John Parade after reports that three people had forced their way into the property and assaulted a 16-year-old boy.
Two of the suspects were armed with machetes.
An 18-year-old man from the house ran out and was chased by the suspects, who may have left the area in a black sedan.
The injured boy was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.
Police suspect the incident was not random and ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au
Police have charged a 60-year-old man with attempted forcible abduction following an incident involving a youth at Queens Domain last night. Detective Sergeant Sam Storer said officers from the Bridgewater Criminal Investigation Branch and members from across the Southern Division quickly responded to reports of a man attempting to force the youth into a vehicle shortly after 8pm “The youth was not physically injured and provided a detailed version of events including the man’s number plate.” “Police located and arrested the man a short time later.” “He was charged and has been detained to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court later today.” Police are calling for any witnesses to the incident to contact them, as well as anyone who was in the area at the time and has dashcam footage. Information can be provided to police on 131 444, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au.
One of the Nation’s Largest Fleets Is on the Path to Going Electric Thanks to NREL Tools, Analyses, and Experience
NREL fleet electrification experts are partnering with the U.S. Army and other agencies within the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate transitioning their nontactical vehicle fleet to electric, like this vehicle plugged into a solar powered charging station at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Photo by Dave Cook
As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow their share of the market, several federal agencies are transitioning their own fleets to EVs, too.
At the U.S. Army, for example, 27% of the new or replacement light-duty vehicles (like sedans, minivans, and pickup trucks) ordered in 2022 were EVs or plug-in hybrids, up from just 1% the year before. To maintain the momentum, they needed to know they were making the right decisions on how many EVs they needed and how to manage their charging needs. So, the Army team and other agencies within the Department of Defense (DOD) turned to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for tools, analysis, and guidance.
“The Army has expertise, resources, and funding for fleet electrification,” said NREL’s Leidy Boyce, a research engineer and federal fleet electrification expert. “But having that additional set of eyes—especially those who can offer decades of experience on charger deployment challenges—is what our partners look for when they come to NREL.”
‘We Connect the Dots’
Crosscutting expertise, advanced tools, longtime experience, and responsiveness make NREL’s EV and charging infrastructure deployment experts the go-to fleet electrification resource. In a single year from 2021 to 2022, NREL researchers helped increase EV acquisitions in the federal fleets nearly sixfold.
“It’s more difficult for DOD agencies to manage the many elements of EVSE [electric vehicle supply equipment] rollout than a private fleet company because these agencies are huge and have a critical responsibility for protecting the country that has to be their primary objective,” said Cabell Hodge, NREL’s Analysis and Vehicle Deployment group manager. “Therefore, they look to experts to consult on these matters, and our team fits the bill.”
NREL researchers have worked with DOD since 2016 when they began helping the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army with site assessments to determine the best locations to install EVSE on its bases. More recently, NREL has engaged in complex projects to assess the potential for bidirectional charging as a resilience strategy with the U.S. Army National Guard, built a web tool for the entire federal government to complete EVSE site assessments remotely, and begun exploring the charging needs for privately owned vehicles at every Army base in the country.
“Working with NREL provides assurance that it will be done right the first time,” Boyce said. “More than likely, we have done it before, we have the skills, and we can connect the dots between technologies and deployment strategies through data.”
Tools for Everyone
An electric vehicle is plugged into a charger at Naval Station Mayport. Photo by David Holt
To achieve the nearly sixfold growth in federal fleet EV acquisitions without visiting every federal site, NREL developed tools to identify easy-to-electrify vehicles, group vehicles by location, identify charging station needs, and generate cost estimates for the chargers.
These tools include the Zero-Emission Vehicle Planning and Charging (ZPAC) tool, which was developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program in planning for future zero-emission vehicle acquisitions, as well as NREL’s marquee EVI-X Modeling Suite of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Analysis Tools.
In the last two years, DOD’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) funded the NREL team to assess where EVs can provide backup power and develop an EVSE site-assessment tool and cost estimator called EVI-LOCATE for federal fleets.
“NREL has been a great partner in DOD’s efforts to electrify our nontactical vehicle fleet,” said Tim Tetreault, the Installation Energy and Water Program manager with ESTCP. “In addition to the tools they’ve developed, like ZPAC and EVI-LOCATE, their expertise and analytical capabilities are helping the department keep pace with the rapidly changing technology and evaluate how the department can potentially gain new capabilities with the transition to EVs.”
“Developing EVI-LOCATE required our team to tap into expertise from many disciplines,” said Ranjit Desai, an electric vehicle charging researcher at NREL. “We relied on the lab’s expertise in fleet operations and on how federal fleets work, our team’s understanding of the duty cycles and operations of DOD fleets, and our analysis capabilities such as financial modeling—all that had to come together to build the tool.”
The NREL researchers also had to be prepared to pivot. As part of developing EVI-LOCATE, the team conducted stakeholder engagement to understand how agencies using the tool needed it to work. DOD fleet managers shared that they needed to transmit EVI-LOCATE results—site recommendations and cost estimates—to a specific government form to request funding from agency leadership to install EVSE. To streamline the process, they wanted EVI-LOCATE to generate results formatted to easily be inputted into the form, rather than the existing generalized report output. In response, the NREL team is crafting a solution to get the tool’s output directly into the form’s format, making the tool even more applicable and valuable for DOD’s specific use case.
The federal fleets team is currently creating a public version of EVI-LOCATE—expected to roll out later in 2024—that will let people anywhere plan for commercial charging stations.
Beyond providing analysis and tools for planning zero-emission vehicle acquisitions and charger installation, NREL researchers use their experience with EVSE deployment to provide recommendations for DOD on which combination of charger power levels is appropriate. Level 1, Level 2, and direct-current fast charging all have different levels of power, charging speeds, and requirements for installation. Deciding what distribution of chargers to use depends on when EVs are being used, the length of each vehicle’s shift, and the number of shifts, among other factors. NREL experts are helping DOD identify the most cost- and energy-efficient mix of chargers.
Additionally, NREL is helping DOD assess how their sites will have to adapt to prepare for increased electricity demand from more EVs. Adapting could mean adjusting charging strategies to balance demand over periods of time or expanding the electrical distribution grid. A potential NREL-developed tool can help entities like DOD select the strategies that work for them.
One of the reasons Hodge enjoys working with DOD is that the resulting analyses and tools can propel the entire industry forward.
“The work tends to be on the cutting edge,” Hodge said. “DOD wants us to conduct critical analysis such as using bidirectional chargers as backup power for critical loads. The analysis and tools we develop for them can then be scaled and shared to support many others interested in EV adoption.”
Desai agreed.
“The DOD fleet is one of the largest fleets in the United States,” he said. “If DOD can transition their nontactical vehicles to zero emissions, that is a high-profile success story for vehicle electrification.”
Learn more about NREL’stransportation and mobility research. And sign up for NREL’s quarterly transportation and mobility research newsletter, Sustainable Mobility Matters, to stay current on the latest news.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted in favor of a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown and fund the federal government at current levels through December 20, 2024. Despite Republican infighting, House Democrats united to responsibly keep the government open. Sadly, 82 House Republicans followed former President Trump’s orders and attempted to shut down the government over disproven election lies.
“I voted for this continuing resolution because it would prevent the costly and devastating effects of government shutdown. But make no mistake, the failure of House Republicans to fund the government through the regular appropriations process is leaving many of our federal agencies without adequate funding to serve the American people,” said Rep. Sewell. “For example, this measure would prolong Republicans’ $47.5 million cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, hurting the agency’s ability to combat gun violence in our communities.”
“While Democrats have shown again and again that we are focused on governing, it is disappointing that so many House Republicans would rather take orders from Donald Trump than do what is best for the American people,” continued Sewell.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) alongside Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08) announced a bipartisan bill, The Access to Claims Data Act, which would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a program that allows clinician-led clinical data registries access to Medicare claims data for research, quality of care measurement, and reporting. Clinician-led clinical data registries are data repositories operated by physician groups that collect information about particular diseases and therapies.
“As a doctor, I understand how beneficial and effective quality data is for physician researchers to develop best practices so that all physicians can provide their patients with the best care possible,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this commonsense, bipartisan legislation which will help improve patient outcomes in both the immediate and long-term future.”
“When it comes to health information, nobody is more qualified to assess and evaluate than those who provide direct patient care,” said Congressman Bucshon, M.D. “That is why I am proud to introduce the Access to Claims Data Act—commonsense legislation that will increase transparency of health care reimbursement claims, better informing clinicians and ultimately improving outcomes for patients.”
“Folks in our region deserve a federal government that is providing them with access to affordable and effective healthcare,” said Congressman Kilmer. “That’s why I’m supporting bipartisan legislation that will help support the necessary research to ensure that today’s medical treatments and interventions are effective, accessible, and reliable, by providing medical professionals with the information they need to make informed decisions about the best course of action for their patients. Having these decisions based on data and facts will better serve people across the country in the long run and allow for advancements in patient safety and outcomes.”
“The reintroduction of the Access to Claims Data Act is a pivotal step towards enhancing patient care and advancing longitudinal research,” said Jennifer Romano, MD, MS, President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). “By providing surgeons and other providers with comprehensive access to federal claims data, we can identify trends, improve treatment protocols, and ultimately ensure better patient outcomes. This legislation empowers clinicians with the information necessary to make informed decisions, driving quality and efficiency in our healthcare system.”
“The American College of Cardiology has led the field in clinical data registries for more than two decades, helping the cardiovascular community measure and improve the quality of care they provide by ensuring evidence-based practices. The Access to Claims Data Act would further enable clinician-led data registries to improve the ability to perform research and data analyses that will inform treatment choices; assist in the evaluation of practice patterns and the dissemination of best practices; and inform future research endeavors,” said ACC President Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC. “The ACC strives to transform cardiovascular care and improve patient outcomes in all our endeavors. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this legislation as the entire medical community works to provide the best possible care for all our patients.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) led her colleagues in a moment of silence for the victims of the Birmingham Five Points South shooting on the House Floor. Rep. Sewell was joined by her colleagues of the Alabama delegation and other representatives whose districts have been affected by gun violence.
Watch it on YouTubehere.
Rep. Sewell: It is with great sadness that I rise to recognize the victims of the horrific mass shooting that rattled Birmingham, Alabama’s community over the weekend.
On Saturday night, just after 11:00 p.m., 21 people were shot in Birmingham’s Five Points South entertainment district, and four lost their lives.
Our thoughts are with the families as they endure this unimaginable loss, and we pray for a speedy recovery for those that were injured.
James 2:26 teaches us that faith without works is dead. While our thoughts and prayers are important, only by taking meaningful action can we stem this needless loss of life.
Elected officials at every level must do all we can to eliminate the pandemic, the epidemic of gun violence that is raging in our communities. It’s past time for Congress to act.
I ask my colleagues to join me in a moment of silence for the Birmingham victims of Saturday night’s shooting and their families.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) issued the following statement on H.Res. 1469 – Ensuring accountability for key officials in the Biden-Harris administration responsible for decisionmaking and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was voted on the House Floor today.
“I voted no on H.Res. 1469 because it is nothing but political theater. The instinct to point fingers and place blame is not helpful in understanding the mistakes made in the Afghan withdrawal and only adds to the heated rhetoric that is dividing our nation right now. I am on the record as being critical of how the withdrawal was executed, citing issues with how both this administration and the former made decisions counterproductive to lasting stability and peace. But this resolution does nothing to add to a meaningful or actionable dialog. It’s personally and politically punitive, and I won’t participate in it. Instead of condemning the fifteen people listed in this resolution, I will take this opportunity to name those Americans we lost in the ISIS-K attack outside the Kabul airport:
1. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
2. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
3. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
4. Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez
5. Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W Page –
6. Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez
7. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza
8. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
9. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum
10. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola
11. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
12. Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak
13. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss,” said Houlahan.
Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement after voting for a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 20:
“Voting ‘yes’ on this stopgap funding bill was the right call to keep the government open and avoid the chaos of a shutdown. But that is the bare minimum of Congress’ responsibility. When the House returns to pass the full budget, lawmakers should skip the brinkmanship and embrace the only approach that has worked for the past two years: a bipartisan agreement based on the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s spending levels that have already been signed into law.”
Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)
Senator Braun passed a resolution through the Senate this week celebrating the history of the Wabash & Erie Canal and the volunteer and community efforts in Carroll County to keep that history alive.
The resolution:
celebrates the Wabash & Erie Canal as a historic landmark that preserves the story of the canal systems of the United States and their importance to early settlers for future generations;
recognizes the prominent role that the Wabash & Erie Canal, the second-largest canal in the world as of 2024, had in the growth and expansion of the United States, especially in the Midwest and in the State of Indiana;
recognizes Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc., for its extensive community efforts to preserve the Wabash & Erie Canal while offering educational and recreational services to the public; and
commemorates the 50th anniversary of Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc., that was founded to preserve canal history and make it possible for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the last remaining navigable section of the Wabash & Erie Canal in the State of Indiana.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)
Congresswoman Gwen Moore Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown
“Instead of working with Democrats to advance bipartisan fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding legislation, MAGA Republicans pulled political stunts and advanced extreme bills, which has only wasted time and caused chaos. That is not governance.
Unlike House Republicans’ extreme full FY 2025 proposals, this bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) would largely continue existing federal funding through December 20th, preventing a disastrous government shutdown. I voted to protect access to government services and benefits that our families, our workers, and our communities need and to ensure that our military and our federal employees can continue to be paid.
Yet again, House Democrats had to bail out the House Republican majority and provide the necessary votes to ensure Congress meets its basic responsibility of funding our federal government. Much work remains when it comes to finalizing FY 2025 funding. I hope Speaker Johnson recognizes that the only path forward is working with Democrats in a bipartisan fashion to make sure we invest in critical priorities such as health, education, transportation, housing, and other needs.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after he voted to pass the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act to restore forest health, increase resiliency against wildfires, and expedite forest restoration projects.
The Fix Our Forests Act includes Costa’s Headwaters Protection Act, which reforms the Water Source Protection Program (WSPP) by boosting authorized funding, expanding eligibility for public entities like local water districts, and increasing the federal cost share to increase interest and participation in the program.
“The health of California’s watersheds, waterways, and wetlands are inter-connected to the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural economy. My legislation will empower local water districts and increase funding for critical restoration projects, ensuring healthier watersheds and safer communities. It’s an investment in our natural resources and the well-being of those who depend on them,” said Congressman Costa.
BACKGROUND
The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the Water Source Protection Program (WSPP) to foster public-private partnerships between agricultural producers, businesses, communities, and the U.S. Forest Service to improve forest and watershed health. However, the program has had major flaws, resulting in limited investment.
The Headwaters Protection Act supports public-private partnership-driven restoration projects like the Olam Project in the San Joaquin Valley. The Olam Project is a series of restoration projects within the Pine Flat watershed between the USDA Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, and Unilever. These investments would reduce wildfire risk, improve watershed health, and benefit downstream communities.
In addition, the Fix Our Forests Act makes similar modifications to environmental law included in the Save Our Sequoias Act, of which Costa is an original cosponsor. This involves broadening the types of areas that are exempt from certain regulations, not just for Giant Sequoia trees, but also for places the Forest Service has identified as being at high risk for wildfires.
View the one-pager of the Headwaters Protection Act HERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California
Washington – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement:
“It’s good that we have passed a continuing resolution and avoided a government shutdown. I have never voted in favor of a government shutdown, and to do so is irresponsible. This continuing resolution will allow our government to continue serving the people, and I’m grateful we were able to reach a bipartisan compromise. House Democrats have made it clear that we want to work in a bipartisan manner to meet the needs of our constituents. We will continue to work secure a long-term budget that puts the needs of the American people first.” said Congressman Costa.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California
Rep. LaMalfa, Rep. Fong, and Sen. Padilla Ask Biden for Major Disaster Declaration
Washington, D.C.—Congressman LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after joining Senator Padilla and Congressman Fong in asking for a major presidential disaster declaration for the Park and Borel Fires in California. Earlier today, Governor Newsom submitted the required request to the President for aid.
Rep. LaMalfa said, “The Park Fire is the fourth largest in California history, and the largest arson-related fire we have ever recorded. With over 400,000 acres burned and thousands evacuated, it is imperative that we acquire the federal resources needed to start the rebuild. I look forward to the Biden Administration’s swift approval of this request to help our regions begin the recovery process.”
Read the letter here.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)
RELEASE: REP. HILL VOTES TO AVOID A COSTLY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 9747, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, which continues government funding at current levels through December 20, 2024.
“A government shutdown helps no one and is more costly. I supported today’s continuing resolution because we must keep the government open to finish our work in passing the remaining appropriations bills, protect our national security, and ensure there are no harmful disruptions to crucial programs Americans rely on. As I have said repeatedly, our appropriations process is broken and must be fixed. We need serious reforms to ensure our long-term fiscal stability and resilience.”
Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
Mullin Votes NO on Continuing Resolution After Chuck Schumer Failed to Bring Individual Appropriations Bills to the Floor
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) released the following statement after voting against a Continuing Resolution (CR) to move the government funding deadline to December 20th, 2024, after Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) failed to bring any appropriations bills to the Senate floor on time.
“I’m a no on this CR, because the Senate had every opportunity to fund the government through regular order, but instead, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer willfully abandoned his responsibility and refused to bring appropriations bills to the floor,” said Sen. Mullin. “Unlike Oklahoma’s state government, Washington’s fiscal house is broken, and its far past time Congress makes getting our fiscal house in order the top priority.”
The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia. The Secretary-General and the President discussed the country’s democratic progress as well as the development and peacebuilding agendas, including transitional justice issues.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the United Nations commitment to support efforts to consolidate democracy and sustainable development in Liberia.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which enables wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 states and territories, and the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which support the global conservation of imperiled species, including rhinos, elephants, tigers, great apes and turtles. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
“By passing the WILD Act, the Senate advanced the reauthorization of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program that supports our conservation and habitat restoration efforts throughout the country, including West Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region. I appreciate Chairman Carper for leading on this legislation with me as we help strengthen conservation and wildlife programs in America and around the world,” Ranking Member Capito said.
“Across our nation and around the world, climate change and habitat loss are threatening wildlife,” Chairman Carper said. “The bipartisan WILD Act tackles these threats head-on by enabling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote voluntary conservation efforts. Additionally, this legislation helps to ensure the United States remains a global leader in protecting and conserving wildlife, including some of the world’s most imperiled species. I thank Senator Capito for her partnership on this important legislation and our colleagues for passing it through the Senate.”
The WILD Act is supported by the following organizations: The Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Audubon Society, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Bill Text (PDF)
Washington (September 25, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, along with new co-sponsor Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), applauded the bipartisan momentum behind the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, legislation that would protect warehouse workers by prohibiting dangerous work speed quotas that lead to high rates of worker injuries. The legislation as re-introduced includes new enforcement authority for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as well as an exemption for small businesses. Senator Markey, along with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), first introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act in May.
“The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is about protecting the health and dignity of workers from the scourge of corporate greed at Amazon and other large companies,” said Senator Markey. “This movement is strong and growing, and we will not rest until warehouse workers know when they clock in that they will return home unharmed.”
“Corporations too often prioritize profit over their workers’ safety and well-being, treating them like cogs in a machine. It has to stop. This legislation combats the warehouse industry’s worst practices while ensuring corporations do right by their employees in treating them with the dignity they deserve,” said Senator Hawley.
“The momentum to protect workers is growing. These big companies hold a lot of power, they are literally controlling the lives of workers minute by minute with their productivity metrics and quotas,” said Senator Smith. “With this bill, we are saying, enough is enough. We’re putting accountability into this system and power back in the hands of workers subjected to systems that drive profits for billionaires while they wring workers dry.”
“I have long fought to ensure that workplaces protect the health and safety of their employees. When giant corporations use intrusive surveillance technology and AI to track productivity, they can force warehouse workers to skip breaks and jeopardize their health and the health of their colleagues—all to meet quotas set by algorithms,” said Senator Casey. “By cracking down on dangerous surveillance technology, this legislation will help workers stand up for their own health and safety.”
A copy of the reintroduced legislation can be found HERE.
It is cosponsored by Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).
The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the National Employment Law Project (NELP), the Athena Coalition, and Oxfam America.
A series of webinars from the Bank of Russia will help seniors navigate the world of financial products and services better. Listeners will learn how to manage their property, formalize an inheritance, protect themselves from fraudsters, and use modern financial technologies with more confidence.
The new course for the first time announces the topic “Expanding financial horizons: cash, non-cash, digital money.” In these classes, pensioners will be told in detail how the various forms of national currency differ, what advantages and opportunities they have.
Webinars for the older generation will end on December 13. Participants will be able to receive certificates of completion of the course. To do this, you need to answer a few short questions in the questionnaire at the beginning of each lesson and actively participate in the discussion.
The duration of the lesson is 45 minutes. Broadcasts are held on weekdays, from 01:30 to 16:10 Moscow time, so residents of all time zones will be able to choose a convenient time and date for the online lesson.
The schedule, information about experts, teachers and other materials are published onproject website.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Braun questioned Novo Nordisk CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Tuesday about the high prices of the company’s weight loss drug, Ozempic, in the United States.
“This has everything to do with a system that’s broken with no transparency, no competition, barriers to entry, and by the way a consumer who doesn’t have the tools to really measure what the best value is.”—Sen. Mike Braun
Partial Transcript of Senator Braun’s questions:
Braun: “Are you making a profit on your Ozempic product when you’re selling it to Australia for $87 and you’re selling to the U.S. for $936? Are you making a profit at $87?
Jørgensen: “Yes, we are and the price you mentioned in the U.S. is not what we get. That’s the list price.
Braun: “So what are you getting in the U.S.? What price?”
Jørgensen: “So I mentioned that on average for our products we give 74% in rebates to PBMs.”
Braun: “And that was the chart that Senator Marshall held up that PBMs are making 74% and you’re getting 26%. So, you’ve got a screwed-up industry. Number one, when I’ve talked to other pharma folks, they regret that PBMs ever came into it. It would seem like since you make the product, that you could disassemble them or do something to go around it, if in fact this place won’t do something about it. Have you ever thought of that?”
Jørgensen: “It’s very difficult Senator because they control what insurance is put in front of patients so they have integrated themselves with insurance companies and we negotiate against the PBMs, but they’re owned by the insurance companies so no matter what we do, they decide what products—”
Braun: “Okay- and that’s kind of the conundrum, but you’re making a profit at $87 and of the $936, it would be the list price? Is that total being split between you and the PBM? I know you give big discounts to the PBM. Why do give them such large discounts for them to make that much money?”
Jørgensen: “On this we have a high list price and give them rebates, we are not making it onto the insurance formulary. So, they make a fee based on the list price, you mentioned distribution, they don’t get a flat fee for the distribution.”
Braun: “So, after you give the discounts, and you do everything, what is your revenue on Ozempic, roughly?”
Jørgensen: “I don’t have that number from the top of my head.”
Braun: “That is something that ought to be on the top of your head because most of us would want to see that so you could make the case against PBMs. That basic lack of transparency, that to me comes from the top, that cloaks the system, in general, is what is impacting the future of why in our own country it is 18% of our GDP and from Canada and Europe it is 12% of their GDP, Eastern Europe it is 6 to 7 %. And yes, rationing is maybe going to be one of the results, but it should never be to where something is going to cost that much more here versus there when you’re making a profit on it. Until you figure that out, everyone is going to think your industry is screwed up.”
Senator Braun is the leader in the Senate on reforming PBMs and lowering drug prices through transparency:
Senator Braun’s landmark transparency legislation – the Health Care PRICE Transparency Act – would reveal all negotiated rates and cash prices between plans and providers so Americans can know the true cost of health care services before they pan, bringing down prices.
Senator Braun’s Drug Price Transparency Act would end the broken PBM system by requiring insurers and PBMs to pass rebates directly to consumers enrolled in commercial health plans and Medicare Part D.
Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)
WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Braun celebrated the passage of the House version of the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, led by Representative Newhouse. This bill in the Senate was led by Senator Mike Braun and Senator Tommy Tuberville and was co-sponsored by Sen. Manchin, Sen. Cotton, Sen. Tester, Sen. Marshall, Sen. Fetterman, Sen. Grassley, Sen. Blackburn, Sen. Ricketts, Sen. Barrasso, Sen. Britt, Sen. Baldwin, Sen. Young, Sen. Fischer, Sen. Ernst, and Sen. Lummis.
The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 would add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to add another layer of scrutiny on foreign acquisitions of U.S. farmland and agricultural industries and, specifically, flag farmland purchases by foreign adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia and Iran for CFIUS. This will add much-needed extra oversight in this process. According to the USDA, over 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land is foreign-owned.
“The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 has now passed the House, bringing us one step closer to protecting American farmland from foreign adversaries. Now it’s time to pass my bipartisan Senate version.”— Sen. Mike Braun
This bill is sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Growers Association, and the National Cattleman’s Beef Association.
Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)
Braun, Tuberville, Manchin, Cotton, Tester, Marshall, Fetterman, Grassley, Blackburn, Ricketts, Barrasso, Britt, Baldwin, Young, Fischer, Ernst, and Lummis lead Senate version of bill expected to move in House this week
WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Braun, Sen. Tuberville, Sen. Manchin, Sen. Cotton, Sen. Tester, Sen. Marshall, Sen. Fetterman, Sen. Grassley, Sen. Blackburn, Sen. Ricketts, Sen. Barrasso, Sen. Britt, Sen. Baldwin, Sen. Young, Sen. Fischer, Sen. Ernst, and Sen. Lummis introduced the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to add another layer of scrutiny on foreign acquisitions of U.S. farmland and agricultural industries and, specifically, flag farmland purchases by foreign adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia and Iran for CFIUS. This will add much-needed extra oversight in this process. According to the USDA, over 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land is foreign-owned.
Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives is expected to move on this legislation this week.
The House Rules Committee met about this bill Monday, September 9.
“Chinese ownership of American farmland increased more than 20-fold in the past decade. The amount of American soil in the hands of our foreign adversaries will only go up if we do not implement restrictions and oversight, especially on nations that compromise our national security and agricultural supply chains. I’m proud to lead this effort to protect American farms and food security.”— Sen. Mike Braun
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have bowed to China every chance that they get—even when it comes to our agriculture industry. In the last decade alone, we have seen a surge of over 35% in foreign land purchases—including in my home state of Alabama. We can’t give our adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran room to negatively influence our agricultural supply chains and food production. Food security is national security, which is why I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Braun that ensures the Secretary of Agriculture has a seat at the table on CFIUS and the opportunity to push back on proposed foreign ag investments.” – Sen. Tommy Tuberville
“Allowing foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party to purchase American farmland and agribusiness poses an unacceptable risk to our food security and national security,” said Tester. “Congress needs to act, and our bipartisan bill will secure much needed oversight to help stop bad actors who want to undermine our country. I’ll keep working with my Republican colleagues to fully prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing a single inch of American farmland.”– Sen. Jon Tester
“The purchase of American land by our adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party drains our country of resources and puts our national security at risk. We should not allow anyone working on behalf of hostile foreign powers to own a single inch of American soil.” – Sen. Tom Cotton
“The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 is an essential tool for safeguarding our nation’s agricultural resources from foreign threats. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a troubling surge in foreign ownership of American farmland, posing serious risks to both our national security and food security. This commonsense bill gives the Secretary of Agriculture a permanent review role on CFIUS to prevent adversaries who don’t share our values from gaining control over American agricultural assets, which will protect our farms in West Virginia and across the country.”—Sen. Joe Manchin
“When adversarial foreign governments buy up U.S. farmland, it undermines economic opportunities for families across America’s Heartland and presents obvious national security threats. The federal government’s number one job is to protect its citizens. Our legislation would support that fundamental responsibility by taking commonsense actions to address current vulnerabilities.” – Sen. Chuck Grassley
“The Chinese Communist Party has proven over and over again they cannot be trusted. They are our adversary, not our ally. All Americans should be alarmed by the amount of American farmland China and other foreign entities own. Giving our adversaries any control over our agricultural resources is a direct threat to our national and food security. Senator Braun’s legislation will help protect America’s farms and safeguard our food supply.” — Sen. John Barrasso
“Food security is national security and that requires America’s farmland be protected from foreign adversaries, like China.I believe one acre of American farmland owned by the Chinese Communist Party is one acre too many,” said Senator Britt. “To protect Alabama and America’s farmland from being purchased by malign actors, the Secretary of Agriculture must have a seat at the table. This commonsense legislation ensures the Secretary of Agriculture is made a permanent member of CFIUS in order to weigh in on the needs of America’s agriculture industry when reviewing foreign investment and ownership.”—Sen. Katie Britt
“Nearly two-thirds of land in Indiana – and more than half of all land in the United States – is farmland. Recent efforts by China and other adversaries to buy agricultural land across the country could present a national security threat. Indiana is a leader in restricting these purchases, but Congress must act to ensure permanent safeguards are in place in all fifty states.” – Sen. Todd Young
“Food security is national security, and for too long, the federal government has allowed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to put our security at risk by turning a blind eye to their steadily increasing purchases of American farmland. It is not enough to just discuss this issue—we must take immediate action to stop the CCP from further encroachment. By adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS, we can ensure much-needed oversight of agricultural land purchases by foreign adversaries, which will protect American farmers and the industry as a whole. The Chinese Communist Party has long sought to undermine our institutions and very way of life, and I am proud to lead this effort to support farmers in Central Washington and across the nation.”— Rep. Dan Newhouse
The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 would:
Permanently include the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) with respect to covered transactions involving agricultural land, agricultural biotech, or the transportation, storage, and processing of agricultural products.
Authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to report both agricultural land transactions that involve foreign persons of China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, and transactions that require AFIDA reporting to CFIUS.
This bill is sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Growers Association, and the National Cattleman’s Beef Association.