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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we explore H.R. 115, the Midnight Rules Relief Act. This legislation seeks to amend the Congressional Review Act to allow Congress to pass joint resolutions disapproving multiple agency regulations issued during the final year of a presidential term. By enabling en bloc consideration of such rules, the bill aims to streamline oversight and provide Congress with a stronger mechanism to counteract what it deems overreach in executive rulemaking.

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris as theydelve into the implications of this proposed legislation, discussing how it could impact the balance of power between Congress and federal agencies, the efficiency of government oversight, and the potential risks of curbing regulatory processes. Join us as we break down this contentious bill and its broader significance in the context of administrative law and separation of powers.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we navigate through S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024. This comprehensive bill addresses critical issues in water resource management, from improving the nation’s rivers and harbors to enhancing stormwater management and tackling invasive aquatic species. The legislation also focuses on flood risk mitigation, coastal restoration, and drought resilience, emphasizing both economic and environmental benefits.

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris as they unpack the key provisions of this transformative legislation, highlighting its potential impact on infrastructure, public safety, and environmental conservation. Learn how the act seeks to modernize water resource projects and support underserved communities while addressing challenges like climate change and resource sustainability.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we delve into H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act. This bill directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop and disseminate a civic education curriculum aimed at high school students. The curriculum focuses on increasing awareness of communism’s historical atrocities, highlighting its impact on over 100 million victims worldwide, and fostering an understanding of how these political ideologies conflict with the principles of U.S. democracy. (The committee report on the bill can be found here).

Join Brian Barnes & our AI hosts, Avery and Iris, as they break down the key components of the bill, exploring its potential to shape civic education by addressing critical gaps in students’ knowledge of communism and totalitarianism. Learn how this legislation could influence the next generation’s understanding of freedom, democracy, and civic responsibility.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we examine H.R. 10127, the Restoring Trade Fairness Act. This bill proposes a dramatic shift in U.S.-China trade relations by suspending China’s normal trade relations stat us and imposing increased tariffs on goods imported from the country. Aimed at countering China’s predatory trade practices, intellectual property theft, and human rights violations, the legislation also seeks to bolster American economic resilience and reduce reliance on adversarial nations.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts, Avery and Iris as they break down the intricacies of this bold legislative move, analyzing its potential impacts on supply chains, U.S. manufacturers, and the global trade landscape. Tune in to understand how this bill fits into broader efforts to recalibrate America’s economic strategy amid rising tensions with China.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we explore H.R. 7409, known as the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act along with the committee report (118-722) This bill proposes amendments to the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, aiming to cut red tape around geothermal drilling on non-federal lands. By waiving federal permit requirements for specific geothermal projects, the HEATS Act seeks to accelerate the development of geothermal energy while sidestepping some aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts, Avery and Iris, break down the bill’s details, examining how these regulatory changes could impact energy independence, streamline renewable energy projects, and advance geothermal as a clean energy source. Tune in for a straightforward look at the potential benefits—and controversies—surrounding this legislation.

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we explore H.R. 8046, the Rosatom Sanctions Enforcement Act, a bill that aims to sever the United States’ dependency on Russia’s nuclear energy sector amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This legislation imposes sanctions targeting Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, to disrupt its revenue streams and diminish its influence globally.

Join Brian Barnes as our AI hosts, Avery and Iris, unpack the details of this bill, discussing the potential impacts on the nuclear industry, the international implications for allies reliant on Russian nuclear technology, and the steps outlined for the U.S. to aid allies in finding alternative nuclear suppliers. Tune in to understand the critical facets of this legislation and the broader geopolitical stakes at play.

**Note - Congress is out of session the week of October 28, 2024. As such we are reviewing bills from earlier in the cycle that have major impacts on you. Congress will be back in session on November 12th**

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In this episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we take a deep dive into two critical pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening U.S. border security and combating fentanyl trafficking.

First, we explore S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, which provides emergency supplemental appropriations for border security measures and the fight against fentanyl. The bill includes significant funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, increased immigration detention capacity, and heightened enforcement activities along both the southern and northern borders.

Next, we analyze H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which calls for the resumption of border wall construction, enhanced border technology, and stricter immigration enforcement policies. The act outlines a comprehensive strategy to achieve operational control of the southern border, utilizing advanced technology to curb illegal crossings and drug trafficking.

Join Brian Barnes along with AI hosts Avery and Iris as they break down these important bills and discuss their potential impact on national security, immigration policy, and the ongoing battle against the fentanyl crisis.

**Note - Congress is out of session the week of October 21, 2024. As such we are reviewing bills from earlier in the cycle that have major impacts on you. Congress will be back in session on November 12th**

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In this special bonus episode of The Weekly Congressional Report, we dive into the 14 lawsuits filed against TikTok by a coalition of state attorneys general, alleging that the platform’s addictive algorithms are contributing to a mental health crisis among adolescents. Led by New York and California, the lawsuits claim TikTok has violated state laws by misleading the public about the platform’s safety, particularly for young users. From harmful beauty filters to challenges that have resulted in injuries and even deaths, TikTok’s practices are coming under intense scrutiny.

Join Brian Barnes and AI hosts Avery and Iris as they break down the allegations, exploring how TikTok’s “For You” feed exploits the human brain’s dopamine response to keep users engaged—and how states are seeking accountability for the harm caused to young people. Whether you’re a concerned parent, a policy enthusiast, or a TikTok user, this episode sheds light on the growing legal battle against one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.

Senator Blumenthal's Letter

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