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 […]
Corker to President Obama: Secret U.S. Cash Payments to Karzai Lack Accountability, Promote Corruption, and Break Trust with Taxpayers
In a letter to President Obama today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requested an explanation regarding recent reports alleging the U.S. has made millions of dollars in secret cash payments to Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the past decade. “Our support for the Karzai administration should have […]
Corker: U.S. Assessment of Chemical Agent’s Use in Syria “Deeply Troubling”
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last week said a U.S. intelligence assessment that chemical agents have been used in Syria is “deeply troubling.” Corker was among a bipartisan group of senators yesterday who sent a letter to the president asking for an unclassified answer to whether “the Assad regime […]
State Treasurers Overwhelmingly Support Maintaining Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds
Forty-two of the nation’s state treasurers are appealing to members of Congress to maintain the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, an issue that has long-term ramifications for state budgets and the nation’s public infrastructure projects. The state treasurers individually signed onto a letter to members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee urging them […]
Bipartisan Group of Senators Urges Financial Regulators to Prioritize Rules and Regulations that Help End “Too Big To Fail”
U.S. Senators Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., David Vitter, R-La., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, this week wrote to Federal Reserve Governor Daniel K. Tarullo, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry, and Chairman of the FDIC Martin Gruenberg, urging them to “proceed deliberately and expeditiously” to finalize rules regarding capital requirements for large financial […]
Corker to President Obama: Senate Must Be Fully Consulted Prior to Expanded U.S. Involvement to Stem Crisis in Syria
In a letter to President Barack Obama, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the Senate must be fully consulted before any decision to expand U.S. involvement to stem the crisis in Syria, including any lethal assistance to Syrian opposition forces or U.S. military action. “As you consider further […]
U.S. Iranian Tensions Rising
Tensions are rising between the United States and Iran, following a confrontation over the waters of the Persian Gulf this week. An Iranian fighter jet came within 16 miles of a U.S. Predator drone. The drone, which was an unmanned vehicle, was being escorted by two U.S. fighters that remained over international waters. No shots […]
Corker: Japan’s Interest in Joining Trans-Pacific Trade Talks Is “Positive Step” Toward Expanded Economic Opportunities for U.S.
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Friday said Japan’s interest in joining trade talks between the U.S. and 10 other nations ringing the Pacific Ocean is a positive step toward an eventual agreement, which would provide significant, expanded economic opportunities for the United States. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) […]
