Latest news with #innovate
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Greene says she'll oppose Trump's ‘big beautiful bill' if AI provision isn't removed
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is calling on the Senate to eliminate a provision that would ban state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) from President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' arguing it violates states' rights. 'Full transparency, I did not know about this section on pages 278-279 of the OBBB that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years,' Greene wrote Tuesday in a post on the social platform X. 'I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there.' 'We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous,' the Georgia Republican added. Greene said she will not vote for the bill when it comes back to the House for final approval unless the provision is eliminated, complicating the math for House GOP leaders. In the razor-thin House GOP majority, Republicans can currently only afford to lose three votes on any party-line measure. Two Republicans voted against the bill when it passed the House last month: Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Warren Davidson (Ohio). 'We should be reducing federal power and preserving state power,' she said. 'Not the other way around. Especially with rapidly developing AI that even the experts warn they have no idea what it may be capable of.' Greene's opposition comes as the Senate prepares to tackle Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, which passed the House late last month. The legislation, officially titled the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and boosts funding for border and defense priorities, while cutting spending on programs such as food assistance and Medicaid. The proposal calls for a 10-year moratorium on state laws regulating AI models, systems or automated decision systems. This includes enforcement of existing and future laws on the state level. Proponents of the moratorium believe a patchwork of state laws can be confusing or burdensome to technology companies to innovate in multiple parts of the country. Several House Republicans supported the measure, though some emphasized the need for a federal framework to preempt state laws. Various Democrats and several tech watchdog groups are concerned a federal framework could take too long and jeopardize the safety of AI systems. Earlier Tuesday, a group of 260 state lawmakers wrote to House and Senate members to sound the alarm over the AI provision, arguing it would 'undermine ongoing work in the states' over the impact of the emerging technology. Some senators are also warning the provision may not pass the Byrd Rule, a procedural rule prohibiting 'extraneous matters' from being included in reconciliation packages. This includes provisions that do not 'change outlays or revenues.' The measure was included in a section ordering the Commerce Department to allocate funds to 'modernize and secure federal information technology systems through the deployment of commercial artificial intelligence.' The Senate parliamentarian will determine whether the moratorium violates the Byrd Rule. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Business
- The Hill
Greene calls on Senate to strip AI provision from ‘big, beautiful bill'
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is calling on the Senate to eliminate a provision that would ban state regulation of artificial intelligence from President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' arguing it violates states' rights. 'Full transparency, I did not know about this section on pages 278-279 of the OBBB that strips states of the right to make laws or regulate AI for 10 years,' Greene wrote in a post on X Tuesday. 'I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there.' 'We have no idea what AI will be capable of in the next 10 years and giving it free rein and tying states hands is potentially dangerous,' the Georgia Republican added. Greene said she will not vote for the bill when it comes back to the House for final approval unless the provision is eliminated, complicating the math for House GOP leaders. In the razor-thin House GOP majority, Republicans can currently only afford to lose three votes on any party-line measure. Two Republicans voted against the bill when it passed the House last month: Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Rep. Warren Davidson (Ohio). 'We should be reducing federal power and preserving state power,' she said. 'Not the other way around. Especially with rapidly developing AI that even the experts warn they have no idea what it may be capable of.' Greene's opposition comes as the Senate prepares to tackle Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, which passed the House late last month. The legislation, officially titled the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and boosts funding for border and defense priorities, while cutting spending on programs like food assistance and Medicaid. The proposal calls for a 10-year moratorium on state laws regulating AI models, systems or automated decision systems. This includes enforcement of existing and future laws on the state level. Proponents of the moratorium believe a patchwork of state laws can be confusing or burdensome to technology companies to innovate in multiple parts of the country. Several House Republicans supported the measure, though some emphasized the need for a federal framework to preempt state laws. Various Democrats and several tech watchdog groups are concerned a federal framework could take too long and jeopardize the safety of AI systems. Earlier Tuesday, a group of 260 state lawmakers wrote to House and Senate members to sound the alarm over the provision, arguing it would 'undermine ongoing work in the states' over the impact of AI. Nonetheless, the provision faces an uphill battle in the Senate, with some members already expressing concerns it may not pass the Byrd Rule, a procedural rule prohibiting 'extraneous matters' from being included in reconciliation packages. This includes provisions that do not 'change outlays or revenues.' The measure was included in a section ordering the Commerce Department to allocate funds to 'modernize and secure federal information technology systems through the deployment of commercial artificial intelligence.' The Senate parliamentarian will determine whether the moratorium violates the Byrd Rule.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Big brands are staying quiet this Pride Month
For the last several years, Pride Month was a splashy marketing event for big brands. Stores adorned windows with rainbow flags, displayed LGBTQ-themed t-shirts and coffee mugs at their entrances, changed their logos on social media accounts, and spotlighted donations to LGBTQ rights groups. But this Pride Month, many retail chains and brands are going quiet. Companies are treading lightly, avoiding prominent campaigns and visible public support. Thirty-nine percent say they plan to scale back public Pride Month engagements this year, according to a survey of more than 200 corporate executives by Gravity Research, a risk management advisory. That includes sponsoring Pride events, posting supportive messages of LGBTQ rights on social media and selling Pride-themed merchandise. Consumer brands are wary of provoking right-wing customers and activists, and they fear reprisals from President Donald Trump's administration. Federal agencies have threatened to investigate companies with diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Many businesses are tightening their advertising spending due to economic uncertainty over Trump's tariffs. But businesses cited pressure from the Trump administration as the primary reason for changing their Pride Month approach, according to the survey. 'It's clear that the administration and their supporters are driving the change,' said Luke Hartig, the president of Gravity Research. 'Companies are under increasing pressure not to engage and speak out on issues.' The subdued approach marks a shift for businesses, which used to turn the annual June celebration of LGBTQ Americans into a branded holiday. It's part of a broader pivot in corporate America, with many businesses scrapping some of their programs to advance diversity in the workplace under pressure from the Trump administration and Republican activists. Advocates for gay, lesbian and transgender Americans say the Trump administration's opposition makes it harder for businesses to compete, innovate and attract talent. They also warn that companies risk losing business by downplaying support for their growing number of gay, lesbian and transgender customers and workers. The proportion of American adults who identify as LGBTQ has risen to 9.3% of the population. 'By weaponizing federal agencies like the EEOC and the Justice Department to intimidate companies that support LGBTQ+ inclusion, this administration is creating an anti-business, anti-worker atmosphere,' said Eric Bloem, the vice president of corporate citizenship at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Many businesses have stopped participating in the Human Rights Campaign's scorecard on corporate policies and benefits for LGBTQ employees due to backlash. 'Companies that show up only when it's convenient, or backtrack the moment there's political pressure, risk losing trust and credibility,' Bloem said. Companies are actively preparing for Pride-related backlash this year from conservative activists and consumers. Sixty-five percent of companies in Gravity Research's survey said they were preparing strategies to respond to blowback. A growing number of chains, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, have also been warning investors about the risks of consumer boycotts over corporate positions on social issues. Anger from the right over Bud Light and Target's marketing efforts, in particular, has had a chilling effect on corporate strategies for Pride Month. Bud Light sales tanked in 2023 after the company's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney sparked anti-trans backlash and boycotts. Bud Light's tepid response also angered LGBTQ rights advocates. In 2023, activists and customers on the right attacked Target on social media for its LGBTQ-themed merchandise during Pride Month. Target employees faced threats over items such as bathing suits designed for transgender people, and the company removed them from stores. Misinformation spread on social media that the swimsuits were marketed to children, which they were not. The backlash led to a drop in sales and lawsuits from Republican-aligned legal groups. Last year, Target sold Pride products in fewer stores and offered the full merchandise collection online. Target is again taking a muted approach to Pride Month this year. In 'select stores,' Target is selling a 'multi-category collection including home, pets, books, vinyl and adult apparel and accessories' to celebrate Pride, the company said in an email to employees viewed by CNN. Target is selling the full Pride product selection online. 'We are absolutely dedicated to fostering inclusivity for everyone – our team members, our guests, our supply partners, and the more than 2,000 communities we're proud to serve,' a Target spokesperson said. 'As we have for many years, we will continue to mark Pride Month by offering an assortment of celebratory products, hosting internal programming to support our incredible team and sponsoring local events in neighborhoods across the country.' But Target's Pride merchandise is limited and displayed less prominently in stores than in previous years, said one Target senior leader who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Target store employee and customer excitement for Pride Month has dissipated as a result of the company's shift, according to the senior leader. 'It feels like we have catered to the direction of the administration,' this person said. Other companies are also dialing back public pronouncements, donations and merchandise in support of Pride Month. Last year, Kohl's launched a 'Pride capsule collection' of merchandise and donated $100,000 to The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth. 'As we use this month to embrace love in all forms, we simultaneously create more spaces for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to live out loud,' Michelle Banks, Kohl's-then chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer, said in a news release. (Banks is now Kohl's chief inclusion and belonging officer.) Kohl's has not announced any Pride Month plans this year and did not respond to CNN's requests for comment. Macy's last year touted that it hosted a donation campaign for The Trevor Project, spotlighted LGBTQ-owned brands, and set up displays in select Macy's windows and at local Pride marches nationwide. Macy's is supporting Pride events this month in a similar way, including participating in Pride events nationwide and raising money for The Trevor Project. But unlike previous years, the company is not making official announcements about its plans. Nordstrom, Gap and several other brands that highlighted their Pride Month efforts last year appear not to have repeated them this June. The companies did not respond to CNN about their plans. But a quieter marketing approach to Pride Month does not necessarily mean companies are abandoning support for LGBTQ employees or customers. 'I do see there's pivoting happening (for Pride Month). What I don't see is corporates walking away from the LGBTQ community,' said Sarah Kate Ellis, president of advocacy group GLAAD. 'They don't want to be caught in the crosshairs of this presidency, and they don't want to become the headline like Target or Bud Light.' Many companies are instead working behind the scenes to engage their LGBTQ employees and strengthen employee recruitment and retention strategies. Just 14% of companies reported plans to reduce internal engagement during Pride Month, according to Gravity Research. Corporate employees are providing counter-pressure to keep brands active on LGBTQ issues. 'Companies are going deeper and wider, rather than supporting an event,' Ellis said. 'They're finding better ways to thread their work supporting the LGBTQ community into their organizations.' Sign in to access your portfolio
Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
California's Ban on Gas-Powered Cars is Dead
Senate Republicans last Thursday voted to repeal California's rule banning the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. The 51-44 vote, pushed through using the Congressional Review Act, nullifies a waiver granted under the Clean Air Act - something Congress has never done in the law's 50-year history. California's rule was part of an aggressive plan to shift the auto market toward electric vehicles, and 11 other states had intended to adopt it. Together, those states represent about 40% of U.S. auto sales. The decision marks a major victory for the oil and gas industry and a setback for climate advocates hoping to use state-level policy to push the national market toward cleaner technologies. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state would sue the Trump administration over what they called an "unlawful" congressional action. "This is about our economy, it's about our health, it's about our global competitiveness," Newsom said. "It is, Donald Trump, about our national security, and it's about our ability to continue to innovate and outpace competition all across the globe." Legal experts argue that the Congressional Review Act should not apply to California's waivers, which only affect one state. But Republicans said California's standards essentially dictated national policy, given how many automakers follow them. The Senate also voted to block California rules requiring half of new trucks sold by 2035 to be electric and limiting emissions of nitrogen oxide, a key contributor to smog. All three measures passed the House earlier this year and are expected to be signed into law by President Trump. In response, Senator Alex Padilla of California placed a hold on several EPA nominees and warned of future retaliation. "All bets will be off" next time Democrats hold a majority, he said. While some automakers, like Ford and Honda, had agreed to California's emission standards, the industry as a whole pushed back against the 2035 mandate. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said the targets were "never achievable," citing infrastructure gaps and market readiness. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan was the lone Democrat to vote with Republicans, pointing to concerns from automakers in her state. The ruling leaves California scrambling to revise its climate strategy. Officials may look to cut emissions from factories and refineries or increase incentives for EV purchases. They may also consider penalties for gas car usage, such as higher registration fees. But a clause in the Congressional Review Act prevents California from adopting any rule "substantially the same" as the one just repealed - a potential legal roadblock that could tie the state's hands for years. "We're going to have to think pretty innovatively," said Dean Florez of the California Air Resources Board. "But there will still be a massive hole." Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Armstrong World Industries Releases 2025 Sustainability Report, Showcasing Initiatives in Decarbonization, Circularity and Community Impact
LANCASTER, Pa., May 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE: AWI), a leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions, today announced the release of its fifth annual Sustainability Report. The report highlights strides made in 2024 across AWI's three sustainability pillars: Healthy and Circular Products, Healthy Planet and Thriving People and Communities, all aligned with the company's purpose of making a positive difference in the spaces where people live, work, learn, heal and play. "Sustainability has been a fundamental part of Armstrong since its founding 165 years ago and continues to be central to our value creation strategy," stated Vic Grizzle, President and CEO of AWI. "This report reflects the dedication of our team to further embed sustainability throughout our operations and innovate products that support our customers' sustainability goals. This includes our focus on innovative products, such as our Templok® Energy Saving Ceilings and Ultima® Low Embodied Carbon ceiling panels, which aim to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions generated by the construction and operations of buildings. I am proud of the dedication our team has shown to advance our sustainability goals and to further strengthen the resilience of our company." Key highlights from AWI's 2025 Sustainability Report include progress on reducing the use of chemicals of concern in materials; launching the Ultima® Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) ceiling panels, which reduce material-related carbon emissions by 43% compared with standard Armstrong Ultima® ceiling panels; and further expanding our Templok® Energy Saving Ceilings portfolio, providing more options for customers to reduce energy costs and operational carbon in buildings. Armstrong also contributed nearly $1 million in total community giving through the AWI Foundation and corporate initiatives. AWI prepared this report in accordance with the GRI Standards and has also aligned its reporting with the following frameworks and standards: Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Construction Materials Standards, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. This report also serves as Armstrong World Industries United Nations Global Compact Communication on Progress. View the complete report here to explore AWI's full 2024 sustainability performance and future commitments. About Armstrong World Industries Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions. For more than 160 years, AWI has delivered products and capabilities that enable architects, designers and contractors to transform building design and construction with elevated aesthetics, acoustics and sustainable attributes. With $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024, AWI has approximately 3,600 employees and a manufacturing network of 20 facilities, plus seven facilities dedicated to its WAVE joint venture. AWI has been recognized one of America's Greenest Companies and one of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for 2025. View source version on Contacts Theresa Womble, VP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communicationstlwomble@ or (717) 396-6354 Sign in to access your portfolio
