Category: Government
6 Questions officials still haven’t answered after weeks of hearings on the Capitol attack
More than 15 hours of testimony failed to answer fundamental questions about the Capitol attack. Among them: Why national security officials responded differently to BLM protesters than to Trump supporters. by Joaquin Sapien and Joshua…
Schumer vows to push through ‘Republican obstruction’ and confirm Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary
The Senate majority leader said he “just filed cloture to move ahead” with the New Mexico congresswoman’s nomination. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Tuesday, March 9, 2021 As Republican U.S. senators continued attempts to obstruct Rep….
Peace advocates welcome Biden move to limit war powers
‘We Need to Make Sure It’s Done Right’ The president and Congress, said one leading anti-war campaigner, “must work together to actually end the decades long fighting, killing, dying, and spending that is on automatic pilot.”…
Politicians face off over ESG investing
by Wade Rathke Friday, March 5, 2021 New Orleans Free marketeers are caught in a crisis of contradictions. They want to pretend that market forces exist independent of any interference from government or other factors,…
After a wave of violent threats against election workers, Georgia sees few arrests
For nearly a year, election administrators across the country weathered the pandemic while facing attacks and threats — leading many officials to resign or retire. In Georgia, little was done to prevent it from happening again….
FCC approves program to help poor families overcome digital divide during pandemic
‘Life-Changer for Millions’ “As the pandemic nears its one-year mark, it’s only gotten harder for many people to afford essential internet connections to the remote learning, work, and healthcare services they need.” by Jessica Corbett, staff…
From ‘aliens’ to ‘noncitizens’ – the Biden administration is proposing to change a legal term to recognize the humanity of non-Americans
by Kevin Johnson, University of California, Davis Wednesday, February 24, 2021 If a proposed law passes, this group of immigrants apprehended at the U.S. border near Mission, Texas, would be called ‘noncitizens,’ not ‘aliens.’ Sergio Flores…
After Trump was allowed to let lobbyist run Interior Dept., Manchin called to ‘Do what’s right’ and confirm Haaland
“The opposition to Congresswoman Haaland’s confirmation is narrow and guided by money, not the qualifications or historic importance of what the nomination of Deb Haaland will do for this country.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Tuesday,…
“Power companies get exactly what they want”: How Texas repeatedly failed to protect its power grid against extreme weather
Texas regulators and lawmakers knew about the grid’s vulnerabilities for years, but time and again they furthered the interests of large electricity providers. by Jeremy Schwartz, Kiah Collier and Vianna Davila, ProPublica/Tx Tribune Tuesday, February 23,…
‘Indian Country’ is excited about the first Native American secretary of the interior – and the promise she has for addressing issues of importance to all Americans
by Traci Morris, Arizona State University Tuesday, February 16, 2021 U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland speaks in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Oct. 1, 2018. Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images President Biden’s nomination of U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland of…
The IRS cashed her check. Then the late notices started coming.
A mountainous backlog of paperwork at the IRS continues to wreak havoc on America’s tax collection system — which especially hurts lower-income filers. by Lydia DePillis, ProPublica Kathy Brenneman hears plenty of taxpayer horror stories in…
Deb Haaland faces GOP backlash over role in pipeline protests
Opposition to fracking and fossil fuel pipelines “are the exact reasons Deb Haaland is the right pick for Interior secretary,” said one advocacy group. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Republican Sen. John…
“I don’t trust the people above me”: Riot squad cops open up about disastrous response to Capitol insurrection
Interviews with 19 current and former officers show how failures of leadership and communication put hundreds of Capitol cops at risk and allowed rioters to get dangerously close to members of Congress. by Joaquin Sapien and…
The return of the Regulators
Like them or revile them, federal agencies seem poised to regain some of their traditional powers under the new administration. But it’s not clear how far President Biden wants them to go. by Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica…
Auditor says DHS knew ‘zero-tolerance’ would split families at border
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Thursday that the 2018 policy followed a test program in west Texas in which officials were not immediately able to reunite separated…
Congressional report reveals manufacturers ‘knowingly’ sold toxin-tainted baby food
“This is what happens when you let the food and chemical companies, not the FDA, decide whether our food is safe to eat.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, February 5, 2021 Leading baby food manufacturers…
‘Eviction moratorium is not enough’: 200+ groups demand rent cancellation, debt relief
“To prevent an eviction disaster and the public health crisis that would come with it, we need immediate action that provides full debt relief.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Thursday, January 4, 2021 A diverse coalition…
Biden boots ‘union busters and anti-government ideologues’ from key labor panel
Labor leaders called for replacements “with a background in labor-management relations who are not hostile toward unions.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, February 4, 2021 In another early win for organized labor, President Joe Biden…
Despite Biden moratorium, ICE and CBP deport hundreds
‘Get These Agencies Under Control Immediately’ “Don’t. Look. Away. We can’t trust ICE and CBP, even if their boss is a Democrat.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, February 2, 2021 “How many more lives must…
As GOP Senators push smaller Covid-19 relief package, Dem leaders move to advance Biden’s bolder plan
“Congress must pursue a bold and robust course of action. It makes no sense to pinch pennies when so many Americans are struggling,” said the Senate majority leader. by Jessica Corbett, staff write Monday, February 1,…
‘There must be consequences for her actions’: demands for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s removal grow
“Marjorie Taylor Greene is a seditious, hateful, QAnon-supporting, racist, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic congresswoman and she deserves to be expelled from the House.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Saturday, January 30, 2021 Demands that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene…
Biden withdraws Trump rule attacking Social Security Disability recipients
“Wonderful news,” said one activist. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, January 28, 2021 Social Security defenders on Thursday celebrated news that the Biden White House has withdrawn a regulation pushed by the Trump administration that,…
Are We Living in a Failed State?
by Wade Rathke January 27, 2021 New Orleans The inauguration was hardly a week ago, and the honeymoon is already over. Ok, you’re right. There was absolutely no honeymoon ever! Who is surprised? Probably no…
Inspector General launches probe into whether DOJ officials tried to overturn Presidential Election
“Unconscionable a Trump Justice Department leader would conspire to subvert the people’s will,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in response to allegations against former Acting Assistant AG Jeffrey Clark. by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Monday,…
