Senate investigators to probe tumult in Social Security watchdog division
The Senate Finance Committee is preparing to launch a broad, bipartisan inquiry into the Social Security Administration Inspector Generalโs Office as lawmakers are concerned about management failures compromising its mission.
washingtonpost.comSenator seeks FTC probe of data sales to U.S. government agencies
Wyden cited a paragraph in the record of the Justice Departmentโs prosecution of Democratic lawyer Michael Sussmann stipulating that companies associated with a longtime industry entrepreneur had sold browser history data to government agencies.
washingtonpost.comMedicare enrollees warned about deceptive marketing schemes
With Medicareโs open enrollment underway, health experts are warning older adults about an uptick in misleading marketing tactics that might lead some to sign up for Medicare Advantage plans that donโt cover their doctors or prescriptions and drive up their out-of-pocket costs.
LIV Golf heads to Oregon, where local officials aren't happy
Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is getting a chilly reception in Oregon, its first stop in the United States. This coming week, the series, which is paying enormous signing fees for players like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, descends on Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in tiny North Plains, nestled in the rolling hills west of Portland. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is speaking out against the tournament, and some members of the pricy club also are uncomfortable with the situation.
news.yahoo.comProposed changes to retirement system get approval from Senate committee, setting stage for potential passage of โSecure 2.0โ this year
The so-called EARN Act received unanimous approval from the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, making it more likely that 'Secure 2.0' will clear Congress.
cnbc.comDemocrats refocus attention on drug prices after Oregon primary shakeup
There's rekindled interest on Capitol Hill in pushing through prescription drug legislation before the midterm elections โ when Democrats are at risk of losing their congressional majorities and any chance at the sort of aggressive policy they have promised in their campaigns since at least 2006.
washingtonpost.comSenate panel investigates Abbott tax practices after contamination shut down baby formula plant
The closure of the Michigan plant has played a major role in the infant formula shortage that has left parents scrambling to find food for their babies with stores shelves empty in many communities. "The closure of the plant has contributed substantially to a national shortage of infant formula, putting families across the country at risk," the senator said. The company's stock buybacks did not impact its ability to invest in or re-open the Michigan plant, spokesman John Koval said. In February, Abbott closed its infant formula plant in Michigan after the Food and Drug Administration found contamination at the facility from the bacteria Cronobacter sakazakii. Califf will face questions from lawmakers about the infant formula shortage during a hearing in the House Appropriations agriculture subcommittee Thursday.
cnbc.comHarris calls out Senate Republicans for blocking abortion right vote
"Sadly the Senate failed to stand in defense of a woman's right to make decisions about her own body," US Vice President Kamala Harris says after a Democratic drive to make the right to abortion the law of the land failed in the US Senate.
news.yahoo.comSenators issue bipartisan call to restore donors' tax breaks
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers called Thursday for restoring the charitable deduction for donors who donโt itemize their taxes, a priority for nonprofits nationwide, but a key senator was noncommittal on the question of whether to support legislation designed to boost payout from foundations and donor-advised funds.
Senators issue bipartisan call to restore donors' tax breaks
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers called Thursday for restoring the charitable deduction for donors who donโt itemize their taxes, a priority for nonprofits nationwide, but a key senator was noncommittal on the question of whether to support legislation designed to boost payouts from foundations and donor-advised funds. โThe charitable deduction is a lifeline, not a loophole,โ said Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, who said there would be bipartisan support for renewing and expanding the deduction. Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, echoed that call, saying he was โpassionateโ about expanding the charitable deduction.
news.yahoo.comElon Musk hurls insults at Elizabeth Warren over her criticism of his taxes, saying she's like a 'friend's angry mom' who randomly yells for no reason
Musk is escalating his feud with Democrats seeking to aggressively tax the wealthiest Americans. He reportedly paid no income tax in 2018.
news.yahoo.com'Deeply disturbing': House Homeland Security chair on report of CBP investigating journalists and elected officials
Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, joined calls for the Department of Homeland Security to provide information about a secretive unit that was investigating journalists, elected officials and other Americans.
news.yahoo.comAP seeks answers from US gov't on tracking of journalists
The Associated Press is seeking answers from the Department of Homeland Security on its use of sensitive government databases for tracking international terrorists to investigate as many as 20 American journalists, including an acclaimed AP reporter.
Medicare urged to flex its power and slash back premium hike
The head of a Senate panel that oversees Medicare says the Biden administration should use its legal authority to cut back a hefty premium increase soon hitting millions of enrollees, as a growing number of Democratic lawmakers call for action amid worries over rising inflation. Last month, Medicare announced one of the largest increases ever in its โPart Bโ monthly premium for outpatient care, nearly $22, from $148.50 currently to $170.10 starting in January. The agency attributed roughly half the hike, about $11 a month, to the need for a contingency fund to cover Aduhelm, a new $56,000 Alzheimer's drug from Biogen whose benefits have been widely questioned. โRather than assessing the current $21.60 per month ... premium increase in full, I urge you to reduce the amount,โ Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wrote health secretary Xavier Becerra.
news.yahoo.comSenator slams CBP for investigating journalists and demands internal report be turned over to Congress
Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden is demanding that the Department of Homeland Securityโs watchdog turn over its investigation into employees involved in a leak investigation of a reporter and a congressional staffer.
news.yahoo.comNative American confirmed as head of National Park Service
The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved the nomination of Charles โChuckโ Sams III as National Park Service director, which will make him the first Native American to lead the agency that oversees more than 131,000 square miles of parks and other landmarks.
Mitch McConnell slams Democrats' proposal to tax billionaires, calling it a 'hair-brained scheme' to penalize people who 'invested wisely'
Democrats are floating a "billionaires' tax" to fund their social spending bill that would include measures like affordable child care and paid leave.
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