How the Senate Voted on Foreign Aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
The Senate passed a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, potentially leading to a TikTok ban due to bipartisan support and foreign policy concerns. [ more ]
Senate avoids government shutdown, passes funding package
The $1.2 trillion spending package was passed by the Senate after the House's approval, avoiding a government shutdown.
The bill will fund federal agencies like DHS, Defense, and Labor through September, keeping spending steady at 2023 levels with wins for both parties. [ more ]
Bipartisan Tax Bill Is Stuck in Senate Limbo After Broad House Approval
The $78 billion tax package, passed by the House, is stalled in the Senate due to Republican opposition to its focus on low-income families.
Enacting a new tax law would provide President Biden and Democrats with a campaign achievement, which Republicans may want to avoid in an election year. [ more ]
Senate Clears $460 Billion Bill to Avert Partial Shutdown, Sending It to Biden
The Senate approved a $460 billion spending bill for half the federal government, a bipartisan effort. Negotiations are ongoing for the remaining government funding. The bill extends funding through Sept. 30 for various federal programs, maintaining last year's negotiated levels. [ more ]
The right is outraged that Bernie Sanders stopped a fight in the Senate
Sen. Bernie Sanders stopped a potential physical fight between Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin and International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean O'Brien during a hearing.
Some Republicans are upset with Sanders for preventing the fight and view it as an example of liberals going too far in stopping physical altercations in the Senate.
The incident highlights the volatile atmosphere and tensions within the Senate during hearings. [ more ]
House Republicans Announce Bill That Provides More Military Aid to Israel But Leaves Out Ukraine
House Republicans will provide military aid to Israel but leave out help for Ukraine, highlighting challenges in passing a comprehensive national security package.
The Senate is expected to release a broader compromise package including immigration enforcement funding.
The House has already approved a military aid package for Israel in November that the Senate declined to take up. [ more ]
Senate votes down Sanders' push to examine Israel's human rights practices in Gaza
The Senate rejected a resolution that would have forced the Biden administration to investigate potential human rights abuses in Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
Only 11 senators supported moving to a vote on the resolution, indicating strong support for Israel despite allegations of genocide in Gaza. [ more ]
Congress Is Gearing Up To Challenge Biden's Controversial Approach To Gaza
Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for a Senate vote on a resolution requiring a report on Israel's human rights practices.
Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Tim Kaine are championing amendments to military aid for Israel and Ukraine that would represent rebukes to unquestioned assistance to Israel. [ more ]
Biden to veto any efforts to shutter SEC cyber disclosure rules
The White House reaffirmed its commitment to a SEC rule on cybersecurity disclosures and stated that President Biden would veto any efforts to eliminate the regulation.
Lawmakers both in the Senate and the House have proposed measures to nullify the SEC rule, arguing that disclosing cyber incidents could compromise businesses and national security. [ more ]
Senate leaders race to pass stopgap spending bill before potential snowstorm
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer anticipate the passage of a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown.
The Senate is expected to pass the measure on Thursday, followed by the House. [ more ]
Senate to Pass Stopgap Spending Bill as Congress Moves to Avert Shutdown
The Senate is expected to pass legislation to fund the government through early March, putting pressure on the House to follow suit and avoid a shutdown.
The legislation is intended to give Congress time to pass spending bills totaling $1.66 trillion to fund the government through the fall, holding most federal spending steady while bolstering the military. [ more ]
Meta, X, TikTok, Snap and Discord CEOs will testify before the Senate over online child safety
CEOs of Meta, TikTok, Snap, Discord, and X are set to testify in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee on "their failure to protect children online."
Snap, Discord, and X initially refused to have their CEOs participate and were even subpoenaed.
The hearing originally scheduled for December will now take place on January 31. [ more ]
Senate study proposes 'at least' $32B yearly for AI programs | TechCrunch
Senate working group recommends $32 billion yearly federal funding for AI, covering various aspects like infrastructure and national security assessments. [ more ]
IPWatchdog.com | Patents & Intellectual Property Law
Other Barks and Bites for Friday, December 1: Senators Discuss AI and Intellectual Property; EU Report Finds 86 Million Fake Items Were Detained Last Year; USPTO Releases New China IP Rights Toolkit
The USPTO released a revised edition of its China Intellectual Property Rights Toolkit, which provides information on recent changes to China's IP laws and government structure.
USPTO Director Kathi Vidal vacated a PTAB decision that found certain patent claims unpatentable, stating that the Board should have considered evidence of patentability. [ more ]
Senate Passes Reauthorization of Key U.S. Surveillance Program Just After Deadline
The Senate narrowly reauthorized the U.S. surveillance law, Section 702, crucial for national security, after debates on FBI restrictions, ensuring continuity in intelligence operations. [ more ]
Ukraine Aid Falters in Senate as Republicans Insist on Border Restrictions
President Biden's push for funding for Ukraine and Israel is in jeopardy in the Senate due to Republican demands for strict measures on border security.
The clash between Republicans and Democrats over the funding bill is causing prospects for bipartisan agreement to dim. [ more ]
Cambodia's ex-leader Hun Sen unanimously voted in as senate president
Hun Sen became the president of the senate after stepping down from the prime minister's position and handing power to his son.
The Senate in Cambodia, while not a powerful political or legislative body, holds the highest ceremonial role and is a political symbol of the nation. [ more ]
Right-Wing Congressman to Run for Senate in Montana, Igniting G.O.P. Fight
Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana is expected to announce a campaign for Senate, despite plans from top Republican officials to avoid a primary battle.
Montana Republicans view the state as their best chance to win back control of the Senate. [ more ]
Trump activates Senate MAGA caucus to "make leadership sweat" on border deal
Trump's allies are trying to maximize public opposition to the border deal in order to test the loyalty of his endorsers and potentially break with GOP Senate leaders.
They already have 20 senators publicly opposing the bill, and are hopeful that all 31 senators who have endorsed Trump will come out against it. [ more ]
F.B.I. Ransacked' My Home and Broke Down Doors, Menendez Says
Federal agents conducted five searches of Senator Menendez's property and electronic devices during a federal investigation into allegations of accepting bribes.
Menendez's lawyers argue that the warrants for the searches should be tossed out, claiming that prosecutors distorted evidence and misled the judges who issued the warrants. [ more ]