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The Hill
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
AI looms over Google case
The Big Story A federal judge on Friday grappled with the way artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the internet, as he weighed what penalties Google will ultimately face for illegally monopolizing search. © Jeff Chiu, Associated Press Google and the Department of Justice (DOJ) presented their closing arguments following a three-week hearing to determine the proper remedies, after the tech giant was found to have improperly maintained its search monopoly through a series of exclusive agreements. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta peppered both sides with questions over eight hours Friday, focusing heavily on what AI means for Google and the search market. The DOJ has argued that Google's dominance over search gives it a leg up in the AI race. It has pushed for more forward-looking remedies, including forcing the company to sell its Chrome browser. Google has contested this assertion, underscoring the competition it faces in the AI space from the likes of ChatGPT, Grok and DeepSeek. It has suggested a much more limited set of remedies that would bar the company from entering into the exclusive agreements the court deemed anticompetitive. Mehta appeared skeptical of Google's proposed remedies, noting that they 'could have all closed up shop' if he simply needed to issue an injunction blocking the company's exclusive agreements with device manufacturers and browsers. However, the judge didn't seem entirely convinced by the DOJ's wide-reaching proposal either, pushing the government to explain how AI fits into the search case. David Dahlquist, the government's lead attorney, dismissed Google's proposal Friday as 'milquetoast remedies that it knows will maintain the status quo.' He argued the remedies can go beyond the confines of the search market identified in the case to prevent Google from taking advantage of its existing market power, underscoring the way generative AI could drive more users to its search engine. 'We do not have to have complete blinders as to what's going on in the rest of the world and we should not,' Dahlquist said. Read more in a full report at Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, I'm Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: O'Leary: Musk just learned Washington 'an incredibly nasty place' 'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary said Elon Musk learned Washington is 'an incredibly nasty place' after completing his tenure as a White House advisor. The tech CEO led operations for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency responsible for slashing federal spending and reducing the government's workforce. 'I learned a lesson that Elon just learned. No one goes to Washington and returns unscathed. It … FAA demanding investigation after SpaceX Starship breaks up in flight The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is asking SpaceX for an investigation into this week's Starship test flight that ended up spinning out of control and breaking apart. The FAA said the Starship's vehicle and booster debris landed within the designated hazard areas and there were no reports of injuries or damage to public property during Tuesday's flight. 'The mishap investigation is focused … Musk says 'this is not the end of DOGE,' vows to remain adviser to Trump Tech billionaire Elon Musk vowed the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would carry on and he would remain an adviser to President Trump as he bid farewell to his official government role. Musk joined Trump in the Oval Office for a press conference on Friday for what was his final day as a special government employee. That title carries a time limit of 130 days, meaning Musk will no longer serve in an official … The Refresh News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Crypto Corner SEC dismisses Binance case © AP Photo/Matt Slocum Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is dropping its case against crypto exchange Binance, as the agency continues to pull back on enforcement against the digital asset industry under President Trump. The SEC asked a judge Thursday to dismiss the case, which accused the company and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, of operating an unregistered exchange, artificially inflating its trading volume and misleading investors about its surveillance and controls. Binance has had a checkered history with U.S. regulators. Zhao spent four months in prison last year for violating anti-money laundering laws, and his company paid $4 billion to settle a case with the Justice Department in 2023. The exchange has found itself in the news once again in recent weeks, after a Trump family crypto venture announced that its new stablecoin would be used to complete a $2 billion transaction between an Emirati firm and Binance. Binance and the SEC initially asked the court to put the proceedings on hold in February, shortly after Trump took office and Republican commissioner Mark Uyeda took the reins of the agency as acting chair. The case was one of the final remaining Biden-era crypto lawsuits. Binance touted the decision to dismiss the case as a 'landmark moment.' 'We're deeply grateful to Chairman Paul Atkins and the Trump administration for recognizing that innovation can't thrive under regulation by enforcement,' a spokesperson said in a statement. 'The U.S. is back – leading from the front in the future of blockchain. What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Musk appears in Oval Office with black eye Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk appeared in the Oval Office on Friday with a black eye, which he said was the result of his young son punching … Read more Ernst responds to jeers on Medicaid cuts: 'Well, we're all going to die' Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R) pushed back against constituents who shouted out at her recent town hall meeting that cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental … Read more What Others are Reading Opinion related to tech submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you next week!
The Hill
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Kennedy takes on ‘conflicts of interest' in medical journals
The Big Story Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to prohibit government scientists from publishing work in medical journals and instead publish work in new 'in-house' publications. © The Hill, Greg Nash During a Tuesday episode of the podcast 'The Ultimate Human,' Kennedy threatened to stop government scientists from publishing in journals like The Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA because they are beholden to the pharmaceutical industry. All three of those journals have published original, peer-reviewed research for decades and contribute to the distribution of scientific information across the planet. Kennedy called the journals 'corrupt,' adding that they only spread propaganda from pharmaceutical companies and are no longer scientifically credible. The forthcoming 'in-house' journals will replace the trio as the pre-eminent scientific journals. 'They are going to become the pre-eminent journals, because if you get NIH funding it is anointing you as a good, legitimate scientist,' he said. The podcast episode aired the same day Kennedy announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would stop recommending the COVID-19 vaccine to children and pregnant women. Kennedy's comments also come a week after the Trump administration released its long-awaited MAHA report, which contradicted several medical conventions related to vaccines and medications previously deemed safe to use. Kennedy has long believed that medications like vaccines and psychiatric drugs are overused in the U.S. and causing some health problems among children. In the report, the Trump administration expresses concern over American children taking too many medications, noting that more children are taking stimulant drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics and asthma medication than they did 30 years ago. 'There is a concerning trend of overprescribing medications to children, often driven by conflicts of interest in medical research, regulation, and practice,' the report reads. 'This has led to unnecessary treatments and long-term health risks.' Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Even low levels of lead exposure may worsen academic performance: Study Academic achievement among adolescents may be affected by early childhood lead exposure at much lower levels than previously assumed, according to a new study. Just a small climb in blood concentrations of this toxic metal — still within the range currently deemed acceptable by public health agencies — was associated with worse performance on standardized tests, scientists found in the study, published Wednesday in Environmental … Texas Senate approves bill strictly defining man and woman based on reproductive organs The Texas Senate has sent legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) that would strictly define genders across state law based on male and female reproductive organs — potentially creating new hurdles for transgender and intersex Texans whose gender identity would revert to the sex they were assigned at birth in state records. Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday that the governor plans to approve the … Missouri Supreme Court leaves abortion ban in place Abortion is now banned in Missouri again after the state's highest court overturned two lower court rulings blocking its abortion ban. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled a district judge used the wrong standard in two rulings — one in December and another in February — that allowed abortions to resume in the state. Abortion has been almost entirely banned in Missouri since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Missourians … In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Senate Democrats preview Medicaid messaging in new ad The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee rolled out a new ad hitting Senate Republicans over President Trump's legislative agenda as the upper chamber prepares to take up the bill. Around the Nation Local and state headlines on health care: What We're Reading Health news we've flagged from other outlets: What Others are Reading Most read stories on The Hill right now: Trump responds to TACO trade criticisms: 'You call that chickening out?' President Trump on Wednesday bristled when asked about a new Wall Street term based on his tendency to reverse his tariff threats, defending his approach … Read more Trump pardons former GOP Rep. Michael Grimm amid clemency spree President Trump on Wednesday took a slew of clemency actions, including pardoning former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and commuting the sentence of … Read more Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Judge halts Trump efforts to ax congestion pricing
The Big Story A judge has temporarily halted a Trump administration effort to kill New York City's congestion pricing program, which imposes a significant toll on cars entering part of Manhattan. © Getty Federal Judge Lewis Liman issued a temporary restraining order barring the Transportation Department 'purporting to terminate' the congestion pricing program. Liman, a Trump appointee, also barred the department from taking actions laid out in an April letter to punish New York for not eliminating the program. The letter threatens to withhold funds and hold up federal project approvals if the program continues. 'Defendants are enjoined from withholding federal funds, approvals, or authorizations from New York State or local agencies,' the order states. The congestion pricing program institutes a $9 toll on cars entering lower Manhattan. Proponents of the idea say it will reduce both traffic and pollution, while opponents raise concerns about the cost to commuters. A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation noted the judge's ruling doesn't necessarily mean the administration will lose its case, but said it will comply with the order while it's in place. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Texas becomes front line of GOP civil war over energy AUSTIN — Texas has become ground zero in a GOP battle over energy, pitting a suburban populist right that seeks to throttle the state's renewables program against the mainline Republican business establishment. Groundwater supplies are plunging across the Colorado River Basin: Study The Colorado River Basin's groundwater supplies are dwindling, thanks to a combination of both natural events and human pumping activities, a new study has found. Gorsuch, Thomas dissent as Supreme Court declines to take up Apache challenge to copper mine The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up a challenge to a land swap enabling mining at a sacred Indigenous site, garnering pushback from conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas. What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Documents Show E.P.A. Wants to Erase Greenhouse Gas Limits on Power Plants (The New York Times) Trump officials order Michigan coal power plant must stay open on eve of shutdown (MLive) What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: The Memo: Trump paints himself into a corner on Putin and Ukraine President Trump has boxed himself into a corner with Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine — and it's not entirely clear how he gets out. Read more GOP fears Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' is 'debt bomb' The fiscal impact of President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' which one prominent budget hawk called a 'debt bomb,' is becoming a significant political concern among Republican lawmakers who have made little progress toward offsetting the $3 trillion projected cost of the legislation. Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
More US troops headed to the Southern border
PRESENTED BY BOEING The Big Story The Pentagon is sending 1,115 additional active-duty troops to deploy to the U.S.-Mexico border, bringing the number of service members there close to 10,000. © Associated Press The troops will mainly help with sustainment engineering, logistics, medical and construction, U.S. Northern Command said in a statement Thursday. The additional service members mark another increase in the military's role in supporting President Trump's aggressive immigration control agenda. There are already just shy of 8,000 active-duty troops at the border, with the added 1,115 bringing the total to nearly 10,000, a figure approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year. Trump, since the start of his administration, has vastly increased the number of troops at the border – by about 7,500 – after he heavily campaigned on minimizing illegal immigration and removing immigrants in the United States without legal status, promising 'mass deportations.' Last month, Trump authorized the military to take control of federal land stretching across three states at the southern border and designate it as 'National Defense Areas' to assist in implementing his immigration crackdown. The move gave the military a more direct role in interacting with immigrants at the border, as it was given the authority to detain and search immigrants lacking certain documentation in New Mexico. In the past decade, troops have traditionally supported law enforcement agencies with immigration issues at the border via logistics, surveillance, security and setting up temporary barriers or fencing, and they were not meant to come into contact with individuals crossing into the United States. But under Trump's second term, the U.S. military has continued to surge troops, armored vehicles, surveillance planes, warships and helicopters to assist in the southern border mission, even as the number of people attempting to enter the country has dropped dramatically. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: FBI investigating Israeli Embassy staffers' slayings as 'act of terror' The FBI is investigating the shooting of two Israeli Embassy aides outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night as an 'act of terror,' according to law enforcement. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a statement Thursday morning the incident has the 'full attention' of the bureau and pledged to pursue harsh penalties in the case, which he suggested could be an act of antisemitic violence. 'Last … CIA reports nonfatal shooting on its property A nonfatal shooting took place outside CIA headquarters in Virginia early Thursday morning, officials said. A CIA spokesperson said law enforcement responded to a 'security incident' outside headquarters in Langley. The main gate is closed until further notice, the spokesperson added. The Fairfax County Police Department said patrol officers responded to the scene at approximately 4 a.m. EDT 'to assist CIA Police with traffic … Israeli Embassy staff killed outside Jewish Museum in DC: What we know The fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., late Wednesday night drew an outpouring of grief as well as a global condemnation of antisemitic violence. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were attending a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) on Wednesday night at the Capital Jewish Museum when they were shot and killed. The two were both staffers at the Israeli … A MESSAGE FROM BOEING Our early warning aircraft are mission tested and battle ready to counter any threat across any horizon eliminating the distance between threats. Learn more. On Our Radar Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Judge says South Sudan deportation flight 'unquestionably' violated his order A federal judge said Wednesday the Trump administration violated his order when it boarded a group of migrants on a flight headed for South Sudan earlier this week and he will issue an order requiring it to be remedied. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy ruled the flight ran afoul of his decision … On Tap Tomorrow Events in and around the defense world: What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets: A MESSAGE FROM BOEING Our early warning aircraft are mission tested and battle ready to counter any threat across any horizon eliminating the distance between threats. Learn more. Trending Today Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump ratchets up battle with Harvard, foreign students: 5 takeaways The Trump administration intensified its battle with Harvard University on Thursday, revoking the storied college's ability to enroll foreign students … Read more House passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' in marathon overnight session House Republicans on Thursday morning passed a sweeping bill full of President Trump's legislative priorities, marking a major win for Speaker Mike … Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
The Hill
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
House ‘big beautiful bill' makes sweeping energy cuts
View Online The Big Story The House overnight voted to approve an updated version of its 'big, beautiful bill' that includes massive cuts to energy tax credits. © Greg Nash Under the updated version, any energy projects that begin producing electricity after 2028 will not be eligible for the climate-friendly credit. Projects also need to start construction within 60 days of the bill's enactment. However, a carve-out is added for nuclear power, which will only need to begin construction rather than begin producing electricity by the end of 2028 to receive the tax credit. There's also a tighter timeline on Chinese components, subcomponents and minerals; any project that starts construction this year needs to be free of them. Republicans have also stripped a controversial provision added during the amendment process that would have allowed the sale of certain public lands in Utah and Nevada. The updated version of the bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Senate sends measure axing California EV mandate to Trump's desk — sidestepping parliamentarian The Senate voted Thursday to axe California's phaseout of new gas-powered cars, making a controversial move to sidestep the parliamentarian in the process. RFK Jr.'s MAHA report targets food, drug, tech industries: Key takeaways The Trump administration issued its long-awaited Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report Thursday, hammering various industries while deviating from mainstream science on key issues including farming practices, vaccinations and psychiatric medications. House sends resolution giving polluters more leeway to Trump's desk The House early Thursday morning voted to eliminate a Biden-era rule that sought to crack down on toxic air pollution, sending the resolution to President Trump's desk. California to sue Trump administration over 'shortsighted' and 'illegal' attempt to upend state's emissions standards California officials announced their intentions on Thursday to file their 23rd lawsuit against the Trump administration — this time, over an attempt to upend the state's stricter-than-federal emissions rules. In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Wildfire smoke exposure is harming pregnant patients who have limited access to health care: Study The U.S. health care system is ill-prepared to treat pregnant patients and their infants who have endured the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure, a new study finds. Many residents of communities prone … What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Earth's major climate goal is too warm for the polar ice sheets, study says (The Washington Post) Hidden source of clean energy could power Earth for 170,000 years (ABC News) What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Supreme Court clears way for Trump to fire 2 independent agency leaders over liberal dissents The Supreme Court cleared the way Thursday for President Trump to fire two Democratic-appointed independent agency leaders, for now, over the dissents of the court's three liberal justices. Read more House passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' in marathon overnight session House Republicans on Thursday morning passed a sweeping bill full of President Trump's legislative priorities, marking a major win for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) but kicking off what's expected to be a bitter battle with the Senate over achieving key parts of the White House's policy agenda. Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
