Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee held a discussion with abortion rights advocates on the impact of Republican efforts to tighten abortion restrictions in certain states. Topics included fear of legal ramifications following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision limitting abortion access, how restrictions can disproportionately impact black and brown communities, and hesitancy around distribution of an FDA approved abortion pill, mifepristone.
Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su signed memorandums of understanding with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Environmental Protection Agency Chief of Staff Dan Utech at the Labor Department in Washington, DC. The agreements focus on creating union jobs and a clean energy economy. Also, a panel of community stakeholders discussed their experiences in advancing these goals.
Hannibal Ware, inspector general of the Small Business Administration (SBA), testified before the House Small Business Committee on his office's COVID-19 fraud report, which states that about $200 billion in loans were potentially fraudulent. This estimate differs from SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman's approximation of $36 billion in fraud. The SBA has stated that the inspector general's figure is significantly higher, because it is based only on an initial automated screening and includes false positives. Inspector General Ware said this was "absolutely false." Administrator Guzman was absent from the hearing, reportedly due to previously scheduled commitments.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discussed Supreme Court ethics legislation during a event hosted by the Washington Post. Sen. Durbin, who is also the majority whip, said he hopes Chief Justice John Roberts will enact a code of ethics without legislative action. In the mean time, he added the legislation they're considering will move forward. The bill aims to implement stricter financial disclosure rules and recusal requirements..
"I believe AI is the most transformative technology of our time, on par with the internet and mass production of automobiles," said Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler during his remarks on artificial intelligence and financial regulation at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. He spoke on the benefits and risks of AI, warned of potential influence of AI in financial markets and said it's an essential role of the SEC to promote and protect fairness. He also took questions on the use of AI in the federal government and on cryptocurrency regulation.
Journalists and academics participated in a discussion on free speech and due process on college and university campuses. Topics included reducing the number of bureaucrats on college campuses, preserving student rights, and ways alumni could engage with student groups.
Journalists and academics participated in a discussion on free speech and due process on college and university campuses. Topics included reducing the number of bureaucrats on college campuses, preserving student rights, and ways alumni could engage with student groups.
Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang, and witnesses specializing inartificial intelligence (AI) and national security, testified on using AI for military combat before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technology and Innovation. Topics included AI ethics, cyber threats, data used to train AI, the importance of collaboration between allies, and how the use of AI impacts democratic vs. communist values.
Journalists and academics participated in a discussion on free speech and due process on college and university campuses. Topics included reducing the number of bureaucrats on college campuses, preserving student rights, and ways alumni could engage with student groups.
