Latest news with #CommerceCommittee
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump pulls NASA nomination of Musk ally Jared Isaacman just days before vote
The Trump administration is pulling the nomination of commercial astronaut and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to be the next NASA administrator just days before he was scheduled to get a confirmation vote in the Senate, according to Semafor. Isaacman went through the hearing process with the Senate's Commerce Committee last month, and the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, took action to have votes take place on his nomination as the Senate returns next week after the Memorial Day recess. The Commerce Committee voted on April 30 to advance Isaacman's nomination to the full Senate. 'The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump's bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars,' White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Semafor. 'It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.' The entrepreneur took to X on Saturday night to say that he's 'incredibly grateful to President Trump ... the Senate and all those who supported me throughout this journey.' 'I have not flown my last mission---whatever form that may ultimately take--but I remain incredibly optimistic that humanity's greatest spacefaring days lie ahead,' he added. 'I'll always be grateful for this opportunity and cheering on our President and NASA as they lead us on the greatest adventure in human history.' Isaacman's supporters started sharing their concerns earlier on Saturday regarding the notion that the White House could pull the nomination. Montana Republican Senator Tim Sheehy responded to an X post by rightwing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, in which she said that 'deep state operatives' were trying to 'derail' the nomination. She added that Isaacman was 'facing retaliation because of his friendship' with billionaire and former head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, who left the Trump administration after a final press conference on Friday. 'Astronaut and successful businessman @RookIsaacman was a strong choice by President Trump to lead NASA. I was proud to introduce Jared at his hearing and strongly oppose efforts to derail his nomination,' Sheehy wrote. Isaacman is a business partner of Musk's, and in April, he worked to alleviate worries from some legislators regarding his closeness to the Tesla CEO. He took a step away from Musk during his confirmation hearing and said he would emphasize a lunar landing if confirmed, a goal that Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has referred to as a 'distraction.' Former NASA administrator Bill Nelson left the post on January 20, and the space agency hasn't had a Senate-approved administrator since. This comes as found that the president's budget proposal would see funding cuts for the agency as well as reductions in its workforce. Isaacman, the billionaire CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company, has had a long-standing relationship with Musk, which has been a point of criticism for Senate Democrats. SpaceX is one of NASA's most significant contractors. The Wall Street Journal reported in March that Musk had requested that Isaacman lead NASA, something Democrats focused on during his confirmation hearing.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump pulls NASA nomination of entrepreneur Jared Isaacman just days before vote
The Trump administration is pulling the nomination of commercial astronaut and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to be the next NASA administrator just days before he was scheduled to get a confirmation vote in the Senate, according to Semafor. Isaacman went through the hearing process with the Senate's Commerce Committee last month, and the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, took action to have votes take place on his nomination as the Senate returns next week after the Memorial Day recess. The Commerce Committee voted on April 30 to advance Isaacman's nomination to the full Senate. 'The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump's bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars,' White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Semafor. 'It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.' More follows...
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Trump pulls NASA nomination of entrepreneur Jared Isaacman just days before vote
The Trump administration is pulling the nomination of commercial astronaut and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to be the next NASA administrator just days before he was scheduled to get a confirmation vote in the Senate, according to Semafor. Isaacman went through the hearing process with the Senate's Commerce Committee last month, and the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, took action to have votes take place on his nomination as the Senate returns next week after the Memorial Day recess. The Commerce Committee voted on April 30 to advance Isaacman's nomination to the full Senate. 'The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump's bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars,' White House spokesperson Liz Huston told Semafor. 'It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.'
NBC News
17-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Republicans seek to boost AI while tightening grip on social media and online speech
Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation over the last week that could give the federal government a tighter grasp on some tech platforms, while easing up government scrutiny on artificial intelligence. The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee's budget reconciliation bill was introduced Tuesday and would give the federal government the ability to update IT systems as well as use AI systems at the Commerce Department. The bill would also put a pause on states' ability to enforce AI regulations for the next decade to allow the American AI market to grow and be studied. While some politicians have been skeptical and critical of AI, the Trump administration has been vocal about seeking to encourage the growth of the AI industry in the U.S. with few guardrails. On Friday, to cap off President Donald Trump's Middle East trip, the administration announced a deal with the United Arab Emirates to build a massive data center in the country that will serve American tech companies. While Republicans have worked to protect AI, lawmakers have also introduced bills that would tighten regulations on some tech companies. Two of the bills could make rules for tech platforms and their users more restrictive with the intent of making children safer online. On May 8, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA), which would update 'the legal definition of obscenity for the internet age,' Lee said in a statement. IODA was first introduced in 2022, and again in 2024, but failed to become law. IODA would change the definition of obscenity, which applies a three-pronged test to content, to anything that 'appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion,' and 'depicts, describes or represents actual or simulated sexual acts with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person.' It's currently illegal to transmit obscene content via telecommunications if it's intended as harassment or abuse. The bill would remove the requirement for that 'intent,' meaning it could criminalize any content deemed obscene that is transmitted via telecommunications systems. Despite the bill lacking bipartisan support or additional recorded co-sponsors, it has gained attention online and in the media for language that could make pornography something that can be prosecuted under laws pertaining to obscenity. However, proponents of the law hope it will prevent children from viewing lewd and obscene content. Currently, social media platforms are granted a 'good faith' immunity under Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which means they can't be held legally liable for most content posted on their sites, aside from a few exceptions. Although a news release from Lee about IODA didn't specify who would be held legally responsible for newly obscene content, it said the bill is meant to create a uniform definition of obscenity, so it would be easier to identify and prosecute obscene content. 'Obscenity isn't protected by the First Amendment, but hazy and unenforceable legal definitions have allowed extreme pornography to saturate American society and reach countless children,' Lee said in the statement. 'Our bill updates the legal definition of obscenity for the internet age so this content can be taken down and its peddlers prosecuted.' On Wednesday, the bi-partisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would hold websites accountable if they host content that is harmful to children, was reintroduced in the Senate. KOSA was first introduced in 2022 by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., but failed to make it out of the chamber. During the 2023-2024 congressional term, KOSA was introduced again with amendments to address concerns over the vague wording in the bill. In July, KOSA passed in the Senate, but by the end of 2024, it had failed to advance in the House. The latest version of KOSA states that the bill would require social media platforms to 'remove addictive product features,' give parents more control and oversight of their kids' social media, create a duty for platforms to mitigate content focused on topics like suicide and disordered eating, and require transparency from social media platforms to share the steps they're taking to protect children. Those who are in favor of the bill say it would hold platforms legally accountable if they host harmful content that minors should not view. Opponents said it could inadvertently affect sites that host LGBTQ content. They're also concerned it could lead to more censorship online. 'Sponsors are claiming—again—that the latest version won't censor online content. It isn't true. This bill still sets up a censorship regime disguised as a 'duty of care,' and it will do what previous versions threatened: suppress lawful, important speech online, especially for young people,' Joe Mullin, senior policy analyst for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said in a statement. However, updates made to the bill help to make its reach less broad and remove attorneys' general ability to prosecute platforms. It also makes more precise the harm it expects social media and other websites to protect against. This has led to some opponents of the bill changing their stance. The bill was reintroduced with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., signing on. Last year, the bill passed in the Senate, 91-3, but died in the House. The current bill has been backed by Apple and Republican figures including Trump and Elon Musk. In a statement, Apple's senior director of government affairs for the Americas, Timothy Powderly, said the company was happy to offer its support for the bill, adding that everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe online. He also acknowledged the concerns around KOSA and praised the senators for working to improve the bill. 'As longtime advocates of privacy as a fundamental right, we believe these improvements are important, and hopefully the first steps towards comprehensive privacy legislation that ensures everyone's right to privacy online,' Powderly said. Critics have pushed back on both bills as some say they could result in overly policed speech online. Matt Navarra, a social media consultant and analyst who has worked with companies like Google and the U.S. and U.K. governments, said the bills — particularly KOSA — could have significant ramifications for social media platforms and the way people use them. Navarra said KOSA would force platforms to 'rethink recommendation engines, notifications, data tracking works for minors.' 'For engagement-driven platforms like TikTok or Instagram, that's a radical shift — it's not just about what's allowed, it's about how addictive and immersive experiences get redesigned or dismantled,' he said. 'So KOSA is less about content policing and more about an algorithmic detox especially for teens.' Adults would likely also see a major change in what is accessible online if IODA becomes law. 'In terms of the things that people are concerned about with the bill, particularly around censorship, KOSA does sort of introduce a duty of care that sounds good in theory but in practice could push platforms into over-moderating or flat-out removing content just to avoid the risk,' Navarra said. 'And the obscenity bill wraps this up even more.'
Politico
14-05-2025
- Health
- Politico
Inside the marathon megabill markup
THE MEDICAID DEBATE BEGINS — Congressional Republicans began their sprint Tuesday to pass President Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill' by Memorial Day. Democrats are making the process as painful as possible. Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are more than 17 hours into what could be a record-setting debate over their portion of the GOP's tax, energy and national security legislation. Democrats have been using the hearing to force a flurry of votes on doomed amendments. The exercise, says Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who sits on the committee, is putting pressure on vulnerable House Republicans. Democrats are 'building public awareness and we're getting receipts,' Auchincloss told Playbook over the phone between votes Tuesday. 'And it matters because, frankly, their proposals have already changed over the last three months as they come under public pressure,' he said. The proposal the committee is still voting on meets Republicans' goal of finding $880 billion in savings, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. But it would leave around 7.6 million people uninsured and it could create a big hole in state budgets. That's a potential calamity for Massachusetts. 'There isn't the money at the state level to backfill this,' said Auchincloss, who's been in touch with Gov. Maura Healey and state House and Senate budget writers on the topic. In an interview on WBUR that aired Tuesday, Healey warned that 'people are going to die,' if cuts come to fruition. Democrats opened the hearing Tuesday afternoon by spotlighting people from their districts who they said could be impacted by Medicaid cuts in the Republican spending plan. Rep. Lori Trahan, who also sits on the committee, highlighted a Haverhill resident, Philip, who has a disability and uses Medicaid-funded programs to help him build job skills. Auchincloss described a family who relied on personal care attendants paid via Medicaid after the son was paralyzed in an accident and his father suffered a stroke. Republicans argue the changes would streamline Medicaid and shift the focus to serving the most vulnerable beneficiaries. But Auchincloss says the idea that waste, fraud and abuse is rampant in the federal health program isn't true. 'It's not that there aren't things that you can do to tighten up the program,' he said. Still: 'If Republicans were interested in improving Medicaid, there's a host of bipartisan initiatives they could work on with Democrats – but they're not interested in that.' GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. POLITICO's Congress team has live coverage of the markups or you can tune in to the debate here. TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey delivers the open remarks at the ClimaTech 2025 Conference at 10:15 a.m. in Boston. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll moderates a panel on grid resilience at the conference at 11:15 a.m., chairs a Governor's Council meeting at 12:25 p.m. at the State House and joins a webinar on the state's new accessory dwelling unit law at 1 p.m. Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks at Boston Spirit Magazine's 17th annual LGBT Executive Networking Night at 7 p.m. in Boston. Sen. Elizabeth Warren hosts a forum at 2:30 p.m. in D.C. as part of her 'Save Our Schools' campaign. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a press conference on the city's bond rating at 10 a.m. downtown, speaks at a reception for people who have opened a new family child care over the past three years through the Office of Early Childhood licensing program at 5:30 p.m. in Bacon Hill and attends the MassDems 'Chinatown Banquet Dinner' fundraiser at 6 p.m. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ DATELINE BEACON HILL — Healey unveils plan to target billions in savings for Mass. energy bills by Sabrina Shankman and Samantha J. Gross, The Boston Globe: 'In an effort to tackle [electricity and heating] costs, Governor Maura Healey proposed multiple changes and new initiatives for how energy is bought, financed, and billed in Massachusetts, measures that she said would save ratepayers some $10 billion over the next decade. Among the proposals: removing or drastically reducing charges now on utility bills, such as fees to subsidize energy efficiency programs, so that consumers are only charged for the costs of delivering energy to their homes, increasing accountability of utilities, and making it easier to add cutting-edge nuclear energy technologies to the grid.' — Scheduling underway for meeting with Canadian premiers in Boston by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'Gov. Maura Healey's administration said 'nearly all' of the six Canadian premiers invited to Boston to discuss the impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs have said they are willing to meet. Healey and five other northeastern governors pitched the Canadian premiers on an in-person gathering as Trump has said he wants to make Canada the 51st state of the United States and has placed tariffs on exports from the country.' — Amid threats to federal funding, seniors push Mass. lawmakers to support housing, in-home care by Meghan Smith, GBH News. FROM THE HUB — Boston City Council set to vote on move to ranked-choice voting system for local elections by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'The Boston City Council is set to vote Wednesday on a home rule petition that seeks to overhaul the city's electoral system by replacing the traditional approach of electing city politicians by popular vote with a ranked-choice voting system. The petition, led by Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and co-sponsored by fellow progressive Democrat Councilors Julia Mejia and Henry Santana, seeks to change the city's voting system for municipal elections for mayor and city council.' THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — Wu administration puts City Hall attorney on leave amid his mayoral run by Gintautas Dumcius, CommonWealth Beacon: 'John F. Houton, the assistant corporation counsel who jumped into the mayoral race earlier this month, said his superiors put him on administrative leave on Friday. City officials also told him that they were looking to hire outside counsel to sort out whether it was possible for him to mount a campaign, according to Houton.' — As Michelle Wu seeks a second term, some fear her commitment to progressive causes has dimmed by Emma Platoff and Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe: 'The Michelle Wu who ran for mayor in 2021 used her platform to call for a municipal Green New Deal and a free T. She had recently advocated for a 10 percent cut to the Police Department budget, and said she would refuse campaign contributions from police officers and police unions. The Wu seeking reelection in 2025 has slammed the brakes on bus and bike lanes and proposed increasing the Police Department budget every year she has been in office. The words 'Green New Deal' rarely pass her lips anymore. And she has touted the endorsement of both the city's biggest police union and District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who just two years ago she snubbed in favor of a more progressive candidate.' — Candidate Kraft offers unclear recusal plan when family's involved in Boston business by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: 'Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft Tuesday failed to explain how he could recuse himself from conflicts of interest involving the city of Boston and his family's multi-pronged business if elected, potentially adding to concerns about the financial implications of his bid to lead the city.' MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — Protesters at City Hall demand 'ICE out of Worcester' as council meeting goes virtual Adam Bass, MassLive: 'Outside of Worcester City Hall Tuesday evening, nearly 100 people rallied against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their recent arrest in Worcester. The protesters gathered on Worcester Common at 5:30 p.m. and called out ICE for its arrest of Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, a Brazilian mother of three currently being held in a Rhode Island facility, on Eureka Street on May 8.' RELATED — Trump's ICE Used a Woman's Kids and Grandchild as 'Bait' To Arrest Her by Asawin Suebsaeng and Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone: 'When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Rosane Ferreira de Oliveira last week in Worcester, Massachusetts, the situation rapidly devolved into chaos and community outrage. Multiple recordings of the incident went viral, but what bystanders did not capture on video was how federal agents were able to draw Ferreira-De Oliveira out in public where they could arrest her in the first place. ICE used Ferreira De Oliveira's loved ones to lure her out of her home — where agents couldn't arrest her — and onto Eureka Street, three people with direct knowledge of the matter and another source familiar with the situation tell Rolling Stone.' ALSO RELATED — Petty: 'Threats of violence' led to decision to close Worcester City Hall by Toni Caushi and Jesse Collings, Telegram & Gazette: 'Mayor Joseph M. Petty says the decision to close City Hall ahead of a May 13 meeting of the City Council followed 'threats of violence' against city officials.' — Two Guatemalan fisheries workers arrested in early-morning operation in New Bedford by Eleonora Bianchi, The New Bedford Light: 'Two Guatemalan men — one of whom is waiting for a kidney transplant — never made it to work at a seafood processing plant on Monday. Marvin Yobani Chitic Us, 30, and Justo Rufino Chitic Us, 33, both undocumented immigrants without any criminal history in Massachusetts, were allegedly taken into custody by federal agents before their early-morning shift at Oceans Fleet, where they have worked for years processing scallops. Though they share a surname, they are not related, their families say. YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS BREAKING THE STREAK — Republicans ended their special election winning streak Tuesday night, as Democratic Beverly City Councilor Hannah Bowen cruised to victory in the special election to replace former state Rep. Jerry Parisella. In a statement announcing her victory over Republican Medley Long III, Bowen thanked Beverly and Wenham residents for 'entrusting me to represent them on Beacon Hill.' 'At a time when things seem heavy, this campaign reminded me of what is possible when we bring people together,' Bowen said. More from the Salem News. ENDORSEMENT ALERT — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is backing Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan in the race to replace Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. Flanagan is a 'fighter,' Warren said, who is 'ready to take on corrupt special interests in order to make life better for working people.' 'She is the partner I need in the Senate to make real progress on the issues that matter to you,' Warren said in a video announcing her endorsement. Also in the race for the open seat: Democratic Rep. Angie Craig. — Republican candidate for governor Brian Shortsleeve raises over $135K in first 24 hours, campaign says by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'Brian Shortsleeve, a venture capitalist and former MBTA executive, raised more than $135,000 in the 24 hours since he announced he was running for governor as a Republican Monday morning, his campaign said in a statement to the Herald. Shortsleeve's haul, which cannot be verified with state campaign finance data until fundraising reports are filed at the end of the month, is more than his Republican primary opponent, Mike Kennealy, raised in the first month of campaigning.' MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS — Another departure from the beleaguered cannabis commission by Walter Wuthmann, WBUR: 'Just as the state's cannabis commission seemed to be emerging from months of turmoil, the unexpected resignation of one of its members this week threw it back into uncertainty. Commissioner Nurys Camargo announced Monday that she had 'made the decision to complete my service and step down.' Her term had been set to end Sept. 1. That means the five-member commission will soon be down to just three, because its chair was fired eight months ago and the seat remains vacant. All matters before the commission need three votes to pass, meaning any decision going forward would have to be unanimous.' FROM THE 413 — Easthampton's $62M budget for fiscal 2026 includes no layoffs, wage reductions by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette. — The Pittsfield School Committee is poised to vote on an interim superintendent by Greg Sukiennik, The Berkshire Eagle. THE LOCAL ANGLE — Methuen councilor calls out 'culture of disrespect' by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune: 'A frustrated resident who attended last week's City Council meeting to speak about an issue with a neighbor and a lack of action from the city has raised concerns among city councilors. On May 5, Zenzo Matoga told the council that a city employee in the Inspections Department declined to intervene in a disagreement with his neighbors over their flood lights, which he said are causing his family to struggle with the glare.' MEANWHILE IN RHODE ISLAND — Providence leaders sound alarm over 'jam-packed' summer next year with World Cup by Alexandra Leslie, WPRI: 'Though the 2026 World Cup is expected to generate tourism and revenue in Southern New England next summer, some city leaders are warning about the level of planning that needs to be done in Providence.' HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Natalie Milewski, previously an account executive at Elevate Communications, has joined Prosek Partners. SPOTTED — NCAA president and former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Capitol Hill to talk Name, Image and Likeness legislation with D.C. lawmakers. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Pam Wilmot, Lucy Martirosyan, Samuel Greer, Jeffrey Barrett, Alycia DiTroia, Sophia Nigro and Kylie Harrigan. Happy belated to Mary Garrity and Taylor Sprague, who celebrated Tuesday.
