Corker Places Hold on Portion of Afghanistan Funding Until Obama Administration Provides Rationale for Alleged U.S. Cash Payments to Karzai
In a fourth letter to the Obama administration seeking a rationale for alleged U.S. cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, announced a hold on $75 million in U.S. government funding for Afghanistan “until such time as I receive sufficient information on these […]
PILT payments go out from Interior to 49 states
PILT payments go out from Interior to 49 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia; a proposal to list all chimpanzees as endangered; a surprising community of sea life is discovered just off the Mid-Atlantic Coast; and new imagery from the Washington Monument earthquake repair project.
We Mustn’t Sacrifice Personal Liberty Under the Guise of National Security
Last Wednesday, the Guardian, a British newspaper, released a leaked copy of a court order from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from April 25, 2013. This order requires Verizon Wireless, one of the United States’ largest cell phone providers, to release the call history, location and duration of their users’ calls to the National Security […]
Disclosure of NSA Surveillance Programs Necessitates Congressional Oversight to Ensure Anti-terrorism Actions Comply with the Law
Following a briefing for senators earlier this week from U.S. intelligence officials regarding the recent disclosure of NSA terrorism surveillance programs encompassing a wide array of Americans’ communications, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Congress must exercise its oversight responsibility to ensure these programs comply with the law, including […]
PTSD Awareness Month
Since 2010, June 27th has been known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day. For the last three years, the National Center for PTSD has worked diligently throughout the month of June to raise awareness of this serious mental health issue, which occurs after an individual has been through a traumatic event like combat, […]
Secretary Jewell kicks off National Fishing and Boating Week, with the help of more than 200 Washington DC students
Secretary Jewell kicks off National Fishing and Boating Week, with the help of more than 200 Washington DC students; it’s the first ever offshore wind energy lease auction, and a green light for three renewable energy projects in Nevada and Arizona; and the menu at more than 250 food sites in National Parks will now […]
Taking Politics Out of Student Loans
We live in the greatest country in the world – a country where we’re free to choose our own career path. Everyone, no matter what their background, is afforded the opportunity to pursue higher education. We have a responsibility to ensure that college is not only accessible, but affordable for all students – including those […]
Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees Issue Financial Review of the Programs
According to a release from the United States Department of the Treasurey, Social Security’s retirement and disability programs have dedicated resources sufficient to cover benefits for the next 20 years, until 2033. After 2033, it is expected that the income from the dedicated payroll tax will be sufficient to finance about three quarters of scheduled […]
Obama administration releases final rules on employment-based wellness programs
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury continued to move forward to implement the health care law today, by issuing final rules on employment-based wellness programs. The final rules support workplace health promotion and prevention as a means to reduce the burden of chronic illness, improve health, and limit growth […]
Treasury Identifies Virtual Currency Provider Liberty Reserve as a Financial Institution of Primary Money Laundering Concern under USA Patriot Act Section 311
The U.S. Department of the Treasury today named Liberty Reserve S.A. as a financial institution of primary money laundering concern under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act (Section 311). Liberty Reserve – a web-based money transfer system or “virtual currency” – is specifically designed and frequently used to facilitate money laundering in cyber space. […]
Corker Reiterates Call for Congress to Update 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Al Qaeda to Address Evolving Terrorist Threats
In advance of President Obama’s address on U.S. counterterrorism policy today at National Defense University, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today reiterated his call for Congress to have a serious debate about updating the 2001 congressional authorization for use of military force against al Qaeda and its […]
Alarming Decline in Amphibian Life within the U.S.
A new study from the USGS shows an alarming decline in amphibian life within the U.S.
Corker Statement in Honor of Memorial Day
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., made the following statement in honor of Memorial Day, Monday, May 27: “My job gives me the opportunity to meet with members of our military serving all over the world. It is humbling and often emotionally overwhelming to be in their presence. On Memorial Day we remember those who made […]
Obama Administration Stonewalls American People on Corker Question about Secret U.S. Cash Payments to Afghan President
At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman stonewalled the American people when asked by U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the committee, whether allegations of secret U.S. cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai help prevent corruption in Afghanistan. “Does delivering cash to an […]
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Republicans Request Hearing on Benghazi
In a letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., committee Republicans including Bob Corker, R-Tenn.; James E. Risch, R-Idaho; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.; John Barrasso, Wyo.; and Rand Paul, R-Ky., requested a hearing on the deadly Benghazi terrorist attacks to examine new revelations “regarding the level of […]
I’m Still Waiting, Mr. President
Last week I joined my colleague Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) to host a field hearing in Concord, North Carolina. The hearing, titled “Health Care Challenges Facing North Carolina’s Workers and Job Creators,” examined how President Obama’s health care law will affect small businesses. Currently, around 160 million Americans receive health insurance through their employer. As […]
