Category: Senate

Top Democrat Senator’s Bill Would Slap 21 Percent Surtax on Oil Profits

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), an ally of President Joe Biden in the Senate, proposed a bill to punish U.S. oil companies by placing a 21 percent surtax on profits that exceed 10 percent, a spokesperson said. “Our broken tax code is working for Big Oil, not American families,” Wyden claimed to CNN on Tuesday. “The…


Republican Senator Defends Red Flag Provision in Senate Gun Control Agreement

One of the main Republican co-sponsors of a Senate gun-control bill defended his choice to introduce it, claiming there is “a lot of misinformation” around the provision around red flag laws. “I want to be clear because there’s been a lot of misinformation, misunderstanding on this point. None of what we are proposing would create…


Sen. Joe Manchin Announces Support for Compromise Gun Control Bill

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in a June 13 interview signaled his support for the gun control package hammered out after negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats, saying that the package should not concern law-abiding gun owners. A bipartisan group of senators on June 12 announced the legislative package of gun control measures that include more…


Sen. McConnell Praises Senate Gun Control Agreement

The top Republican in the Senate on June 12 praised the bipartisan agreement reached on gun control. The compromises announced hours earlier, including giving funding to states that impose so-called red flag laws, “show the value of dialogue and cooperation,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement. McConnell after the mass shooting…


Senate Panel Backs Michael Barr, Biden Pick as Fed Regulator

WASHINGTON—The nomination of Michael Barr, President Joe Biden’s choice to be the top regulator on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, was approved Wednesday by a congressional committee and sent to the full Senate. Barr, who served as a top Treasury Department official in the Obama administration, is considered likely to be confirmed by the…


Michigan Senator Criticized for Touting Electric Car, Dismissing Surging Gas Prices

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) received criticism this week after she told a Senate panel that gas prices don’t impact her because she drives an electric vehicle. “I just have to say, on the issue of gas prices, after waiting for a long time to have enough chips in this country to get my electric vehicle,…


Padilla Wins California U.S. Senate Primary, Will Face Meuser on Nov. 8

Appointed U.S. Sen Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) has secured his spot on the Nov. 8 ballot after taking a solid lead over opponents in the June 7 state primary election. Padilla also won the special vacancy election to serve out the remainder of the current Senate term, ending Jan. 3, 2023. He was appointed by California…


Minister Moves to Outlaw Modern Slavery by Backing Senate Forced Labour Bill

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan today moved to clamp down on modern slavery by backing a bill making Canadian companies ensure they are not using forced labour or exploiting child workers overseas. O’Regan is giving government backing to a private member’s bill requiring Canadian firms and government departments to scrutinize supply chains with the aim of…


California U.S. Senate Midterm Race Heats Up Over Border Crisis, Inflation, Crime

IRVINE, Calif.—Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is facing criticism from Republican candidates over illegal immigration, parental rights, and vaccine mandates as he campaigns in two separate races for the same U.S. Senate seat in the state primary election on June 7. Because Padilla was appointed by California Gov. Newsom to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy left by…


Senate Republicans Reject Domestic Terror Bill, Claim Democrats Are Creating ‘Thought Police’

Senate Republicans on May 26 filibustered controversial House-passed legislation designed to combat “domestic terrorism,” but critics say that the bill is a thinly-veiled effort to create “Thought Police” for members of the military and law enforcement officers. The 47–47 vote comes as little surprise, as Republicans have long been skeptical of efforts by Democrats to…