Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz discusses his group's 2024 "Congressional Pig Book" and journalist Rachel Janfaza discusses "The Up and Up" a Substack newsletter she founded focusing on Gen Z and youth political culture.
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner and board chair Anthony Coscia testified on passenger rail oversight and safety before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Several topics were discussed, including modernization efforts and infrastructure investment, mitigating railroad crossing deaths, increasing intercity passenger rail, and investment in high-speed rail. They also addressed funding challenges and the importance of state and local partnerships.
Officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the Justice Department joined policy advocates and medical professionals to testify on youth vaping and illegal e-cigarette enforcement before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Several topics were addressed, including smoking cessation measures, health impacts of vaping, prohibiting the marketing of e-cigarettes to children and teens, and the need for stronger regulation of the e-cigarette market. They also addressed holding manufacturers of illicit e-cigarette manufacturers accountable, specifically the illegal products produced by Chinese manufacturers that have flooded the market the last few years.
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan testified on the Coast Guard Academy's alleged mishandling of sexual assault investigations during a public hearing before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. She said, "our failure to share the report with Congress was a mistake that prevented appropriate oversight and further eroded trust," alluding to the Coast Guard's "Operation Fouled Anchor" investigation, which ultimately determined the academy mishandled dozens of sexual assault allegations from the late 1980s until 2006. This investigation happened from 2014 to 2020, but it was not disclosed to Congress or the public until June 2023. Admiral Fagan said the concealment of this report was "a mistake," but not evidence of misconduct, and that she remained committed to proper accountability. She is the Coast Guard's first female commandant and began her tenure in June 2022.
House lawmakers debated a resolution finding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena to provide audio files of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker testified on Boeing manufacturing and aviation safety before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Several topics discussed included Boeing's implementation of safety protocols, the role of FAA inspectors, employee concerns, and workforce challenges at Boeing. Other topics dealing with aviation safety as a whole included traffic control employment challenges, airport modernization, and airport safety and delays.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor Molly Worthen taught a class about the history and the intellectual underpinnings of Protestant fundamentalism in 20th century America. She began with the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, which pitted the teaching of evolution versus creationism in public schools and gained national attention. Later she delved into the origins and growth of Pentecostalism, which strives for a personal connection with the Divine and includes such aspects as faith healing and speaking in tongues.
Senator John Kennedy (D-MA) accepted his party's presidential nomination at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. His remarks became known as the "New Frontier" speech.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) addressed the 1980 Democratic Convention in New York City after earning more than seven million votes during the primaries. Kennedy later released his delegates and endorsed President Jimmy Carter for re-election.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor Molly Worthen taught a class about the history and the intellectual underpinnings of Protestant fundamentalism in 20th century America. She began with the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, which pitted the teaching of evolution versus creationism in public schools and gained national attention. Later she delved into the origins and growth of Pentecostalism, which strives for a personal connection with the Divine and includes such aspects as faith healing and speaking in tongues.
Senator John Kennedy (D-MA) accepted his party's presidential nomination at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. His remarks became known as the "New Frontier" speech.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) addressed the 1980 Democratic Convention in New York City after earning more than seven million votes during the primaries. Kennedy later released his delegates and endorsed President Jimmy Carter for re-election.
