Congressional News

CAGW Names House Energy-Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann August 2023 Porker of the Month

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023

Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named House Energy-Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) our August 2023 Porker of the Month for receiving $273.3 million in pork-barrel earmarks.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named House Energy-Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) our August 2023 Porker of the Month for receiving $273.3 million in pork-barrel earmarks.
  • Rep. Fleischmann has received almost 90 percent more in earmarks for fiscal year (FY) 2024 than the second highest member of the House of Representatives.
  • The $273.3 million in earmarks is also 10 times the amount that Rep. Fleishmann secured in FY 2023.
  • For more than two decades, Porker of the Month is a dubious honor given to lawmakers and government officials who have shown a blatant disregard for the taxpayers.

Senator Ron Wyden and Senior Officials Join ESS to Celebrate a Year of Achievement in American Clean Tech Manufacturing

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 16, 2023

ESS CEO Eric Dresselhuys, Senator Wyden and Dr. Saldaña delivered remarks on the IRA’s contributions to the state’s and nation’s clean energy economy and ESS’ leadership in scaling domestic production of innovative energy storage technology.

Key Points: 
  • ESS CEO Eric Dresselhuys, Senator Wyden and Dr. Saldaña delivered remarks on the IRA’s contributions to the state’s and nation’s clean energy economy and ESS’ leadership in scaling domestic production of innovative energy storage technology.
  • “What I saw here at ESS only reinforced the importance of the clean energy provisions that I fought to get passed in the Inflation Reduction Act — strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting clean technology innovation,” said Senator Wyden.
  • This legislation is driving demand for American-made clean energy technologies, such as the long-duration energy storage systems that we manufacture right here in Oregon and deliver for clean energy projects worldwide,” said Eric Dresselhuys, CEO of ESS.
  • ESS’s battery technology is safe, sustainable, resilient, domestically produced and vital for America’s 100% clean energy future.

Meadows Center's September 7 Conference to Explore Texas' Wicked Climate Challenges

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230815271871/en/
    “The complexities of climate change demand a diverse, collaborative approach to tackle the multi-faceted nature of the Texas climate crisis,” Meadows Center Executive Director Robert Mace said.
  • Mann will offer attendees lessons from Earth’s past that could pave the way for navigating our climate crisis.
  • The conference will be held at the LBJ Grand Ballroom at Texas State University.
  • For conference updates, follow #meadowsclimateTX on social media.

 VIQ Solutions Closes Oversubscribed Private Placement Financing

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2023

VIQ Solutions Inc. (“VIQ”, “VIQ Solutions” or the “Company”) (TSX and Nasdaq: VQS) today announces that it has closed a non-brokered, oversubscribed, private placement of 5,800,000 units of the Company (“Units”) at a price per Unit of US$0.31 for aggregate gross proceeds of US$1,798,000 (the “Offering”).

Key Points: 
  • VIQ Solutions Inc. (“VIQ”, “VIQ Solutions” or the “Company”) (TSX and Nasdaq: VQS) today announces that it has closed a non-brokered, oversubscribed, private placement of 5,800,000 units of the Company (“Units”) at a price per Unit of US$0.31 for aggregate gross proceeds of US$1,798,000 (the “Offering”).
  • Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a “Common Share”) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”).
  • Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of US$0.31 per Common Share until June 30, 2024.
  • VIQ intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund additional proprietary domain specific AI models, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Sabin Center Launch Model Environmental Justice Bills

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

In an effort to advance environmental justice solutions across the U.S., WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law launched a suite of model local and state environmental justice bills today for legislators and advocates to adopt and introduce in their state’s 2024 legislative sessions.

Key Points: 
  • In an effort to advance environmental justice solutions across the U.S., WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law launched a suite of model local and state environmental justice bills today for legislators and advocates to adopt and introduce in their state’s 2024 legislative sessions.
  • “Legislators and other advocates interested in environmental injustice face myriad constraints with their time and the most effective ways to address constituent concerns,” said Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
  • WE ACT brought this partnership idea to the Sabin Center to leverage New Jersey and New York’s cumulative impacts legislation to impact other communities positively.
  • The work with WE ACT was part of an initiative the Sabin Center took in alignment with its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (DEIA) plan .

Flight School Association Supports H.R. 3935 Amendment Helping Pilots

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) announced its full endorsement of the U.S. House FAA reauthorization bill amendment sponsored by Congressman Jay Obernolte of California’s 23rd Congressional District.

Key Points: 
  • The Flight School Association of North America (FSANA) announced its full endorsement of the U.S. House FAA reauthorization bill amendment sponsored by Congressman Jay Obernolte of California’s 23rd Congressional District.
  • 3935 addresses a major bottleneck in pilot training – scheduling a practical flight test.
  • The amendment calls for resources to reduce that to 14 days, allowing pilots to complete the final step in their training regimen without delay.
  • 3935 and this amendment, the association extends its appreciation to Congressman Obernolte for his significant efforts,” Rockmaker added.

Voiceitt celebrates 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by endorsing groundbreaking Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Voiceitt, a leading provider of speech recognition technology for non-standard speech, today endorsed the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA).

Key Points: 
  • Voiceitt, a leading provider of speech recognition technology for non-standard speech, today endorsed the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA).
  • Voiceitt was founded with the aim to build breakthrough and affordable speech recognition to help people with disabilities be understood by voice and live more independently.
  • “As we celebrate the anniversary of the groundbreaking Americans with Disabilities Act, we must ensure our accessibility laws keep pace with the digital age.
  • “This bill stands as a powerful advocate for the empowerment of Americans with speech disabilities, and we are proud to be part of this landmark legislation.

Report Underscores Unique Role of Long-Term Care Pharmacies in Assuring Patient Safety and Improving Health Outcomes

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 25, 2023

The report, “The Role of Long-Term Care Pharmacy in Supporting Individuals with Long-Term Services and Supports Needs,” features case studies of three LTC pharmacies that offer different service models to home-based patients in various markets: Geritom (Minnesota), Maine Veterans’ Homes Pharmacies (Maine), and Grane Rx (Pennsylvania).

Key Points: 
  • The report, “The Role of Long-Term Care Pharmacy in Supporting Individuals with Long-Term Services and Supports Needs,” features case studies of three LTC pharmacies that offer different service models to home-based patients in various markets: Geritom (Minnesota), Maine Veterans’ Homes Pharmacies (Maine), and Grane Rx (Pennsylvania).
  • The case studies outline the patient populations these pharmacies serve, the pharmacies’ relationships with and satisfaction among patients and families, and the pharmacies’ services, care delivery models, and potential impacts on care costs and quality.
  • “Long-term care pharmacies play an essential role in communities across the U.S., particularly as more of our population ages,” said Alan Rosenbloom, President and CEO of the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition.
  • This will lead to better patient safety, improved health outcomes, and more cost-effective care in the communities LTC pharmacies serve,” added Rosenbloom.

AIME’s Congressional Fly-In Celebration Propels the Vision of ‘Funding the Future’ on National Mortgage Brokers Day

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 24, 2023

The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), a non-profit trade association representing independent mortgage brokers nationwide, proudly celebrated National Mortgage Brokers Day (NMBD) with the successful culmination of a fly-in event on Capitol Hill.

Key Points: 
  • The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), a non-profit trade association representing independent mortgage brokers nationwide, proudly celebrated National Mortgage Brokers Day (NMBD) with the successful culmination of a fly-in event on Capitol Hill.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230724613443/en/
    Over 100 independent mortgage brokers were in Washington D.C. to advocate for homebuyers nationwide.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    NMBD is observed annually on July 18th, recognizing the important role that mortgage brokers play in the housing industry and the tremendous value they bring to consumers seeking mortgage solutions.
  • Katie Sweeney highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “The Capitol Hill fly-in event for National Mortgage Brokers Day was a tremendous success.

The Federal Reserve announces that its new system for instant payments, the FedNow® Service, is now live

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023

The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced that its new system for instant payments, the FedNow® Service, is now live.

Key Points: 
  • The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced that its new system for instant payments, the FedNow® Service, is now live.
  • “The Federal Reserve built the FedNow Service to help make everyday payments over the coming years faster and more convenient,” said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell.
  • As an interbank payment system, the FedNow Service operates alongside other longstanding Federal Reserve payment services such as Fedwire® and FedACH®.
  • Additional information is available on the Federal Reserve Financial Services website .