United Auto Workers Go On Strike
On Friday, September 15th, about 13,000 US auto workers stopped making vehicles and began their strike after failures to negotiate between United Auto Workers (UAW) and Detroit's big three automakers. Members of UAW began picketing at a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis Jeep in Toledo, Ohio.
The Rise of Geothermal Energy
Geothermal has historically struggled to make a name for itself in the clean energy space. However, in recent years, various companies and projects have emerged that are dedicated to exploring the possibilities that geothermal energy presents.
Congress Returns to Busy Schedule
The Senate returned from August recess this week and faces an overflowing legislative agenda packed with Party priorities and legislative responsibilities. The House returns from recess on September 12. Let's take a look at what is on the horizon.
Breaking News: USTR Extends China Section 301 Tariff Exclusions
Today, September 6, USTR announced it is extending 429 tariff exclusions in the China Section 301 Investigation until December 31, 2023. The exclusions were previously scheduled to expire on September 30, 2023.
EPA Amends "Waters of the United States" Rule
On Tuesday, August 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA.
FDA Names Inaugural Dep. Commissioner for Unified Human Foods Program
On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the selection of James 'Jim' Jones to serve as the agency's first Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. Jones is scheduled to begin at the FDA on September 24.
HHS Announces Medicare Price Negotiation List
On August 29, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced for the first time ever ten drugs selected for Medicare price negotiation. Read the list and HHS’s future plans here.
Medicare to Release Drug Price Negotiation List, Drug Giants Respond
The Biden administration is preparing to announce the first 10 medicines it will target under a program that allows the government to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical giants.
Price Check: Labor Day Holiday Offers Opportunity for Travel Costs Assessment
As Labor Day Weekend approaches and many families seek to enjoy the final few weeks of summer vacation, lets take a look at where fuel costs for transportation are impacting the cost of travel this Summer compared to recent years.
Judge Rules in Favor of Montana Youth in Landmark Environment Trial
In a landmark case, a Montana state court decided Monday in favor of young activists who alleged the state violated their rights to a clean and healthful environment by promoting the use of fossil fuels. The court decided that a provision in the Montana Environmental Policy Act harmed the environment by preventing the state from considering the potentially harmful effects of some energy projects.
Commerce Department Sets Tin Mill Tariffs for Food Cans
On August 17, the Department of Commerce announced its preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of tin mill products from Canada, the People’s Republic of China (China), Germany, the Republic of Korea (Korea), The Netherlands, Taiwan, the Republic of Turkey (Turkey), and the United Kingdom.
Congress Tackles Permitting Reform
The last week of July saw new activity in the U.S. Senate on the issue of additional permitting reform for pipelines and electric transmission. Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) held a hearing and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) chided the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for not utilizing their existing authority to expedite new electric transmission. Here is an overview of where permitting reform stands as August recess comes to an end.
Insight into the Appropriations Process
With Congress out for August Recess, we wanted to provide an overview of the appropriations process that has been underway this past Summer and will pick up again in September. Until the chambers reconvene, here is some background information on the daunting appropriations process that takes place each fiscal year.
SCOTUS Summer Recap
With Congress back in their respective states and districts during the August recess, we would like to step back and reflect on this Summer's U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) cases that took a backseat in the news cycle while major pieces of legislation were being considered and voted on.
Congress Tackles Permitting Reform
This last week featured new activity in the U.S. Senate on the issue of additional permitting reform for pipelines and electric transmission.
Legislative Sprint to August Recess
Lawmakers return to Washington this past week, kicking off a three-week legislative sprint before they return to their states and districts for the August recess.
UPS Workers Vote to Strike - What that Means to Americans
UPS and the Teamsters Union walked away from the negotiating table this week inching closer to a possible strike. The last time UPS Teamsters went on strike was in 1997 and that 15-day strike was devastating for the company and created significant disruptions across the country. A strike now at UPS is even more of a threat to American supply chains and our economy.
House and Senate Complete Markups for Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA FY 24 Appropriations Bills
The full appropriations committees of both the House and Senate have now approved the Agriculture-RD-FDA appropriations bills in votes during markup hearings in June. Constitution Partners provides initial analysis of these countering proposals in this writeup.
Energy Independence in 2023
As we celebrate American independence and the great freedoms that come with it, it is also a time to recognize America’s greater energy independence in 2023. Why do we say that since we clearly still import energy? And what does it mean to be energy independent anyway? What is the importance? The Constitution Partners team answered all these questions and more in the sections to follow.
Advances in Artificial Intelligence Has Washington Worried
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) laid out a long-awaited framework on Wednesday to regulate artificial intelligence, hoping to create a path for lawmakers to adopt guardrails many industry insiders say are needed on a technology many members of Congress admit they do not understand.