by Jacob Fischler, Idaho Capital Sun April 6, 2022 Democrats blamed the oil industry, Republicans blamed President Joe Biden and oil executives blamed global market forces at a U.S. House hearing Wednesday on how to reverse a dramatic increase in gas prices. Over nearly six hours, members of the House …

In addition to announcing an extension of the pause on federal student loan payments, the Department of Education also announced it would allow all borrowers with paused loans in default to receive a “fresh start” by returning them to good standing when payments resume. According to a statement the Department released, …

by Jacob Fischler, Nebraska Examiner April 5, 2022 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved a procedural measure Tuesday to advance Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court, setting up a final vote on confirmation as early as Thursday. The roll call Tuesday was identical to the tally on …

U.S. Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) announced his retirement in an emotional speech on the House floor Tuesday. Having served 18 terms, Upton is one of the longest-serving Republicans in the House. Upton has served as the U.S. representative for Michigan’s 6th congressional district since 1987. “Even the best of stories has …

Former President Barack Obama joined President Joe Biden on Tuesday at the White House to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare. During the event, President Biden signed an executive order to close the so-called “family glitch,” a loophole in the Affordable Care Act that limits coverage …

The White House is expected to announce on Wednesday that they will extend the pause on federal student loan payments through August 31, 2022, according to reporting from the Associated Press. The repayment moratorium has been extended multiple times since it was first put in place in March 2020 due …

Shefali Luthra Originally published by The 19th Oklahoma’s legislature has voted to ban all abortions, with narrow exceptions if the abortion is necessary to save the pregnant person’s life. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has previously vowed to sign all anti-abortion bills. If …

The Biden administration has announced that it is launching a $500 million Department of Energy grant program aimed at making the nation’s school facilities more energy efficient. The Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure will award grants to school systems so they can carry out building improvements, such as …

by Jennifer Shutt, Missouri Independent April 4, 2022 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate reached a bipartisan deal on pandemic aid funding Monday, settling on $10 billion for added testing, treatment and vaccines. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney released separate statements …

by Jacob Fischler, Idaho Capital Sun April 4, 2022 The U.S. Senate advanced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination in a 53-47 procedural vote Monday evening, hours after the Judiciary Committee deadlocked along party lines. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney …

“A few years ago, I visited the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, which is the site of the Lorraine Motel. I stood on its balcony, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last stood before a hateful gunman took away his last breath fifty-four years ago today. The motel balcony …

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah have both publicly announced they will vote for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation once the vote reaches the Senate floor, bringing the total Republican affirmative votes to three after Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced her intention …

by Jennifer Shutt, Missouri Independent April 1, 2022 WASHINGTON — Congress remains undecided over how exactly to provide billions more to fight the COVID-19 pandemic as a new variant spreads throughout states and public health officials caution the virus doesn’t show signs of fading away. Negotiators were close to an …

An Alabama man was sentenced to 46 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to bringing a truck full of firearms, explosives and other weapons to Washington, D.C., ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Lonnie L. Coffman, 72, of Falkville, was sentenced Friday to nearly …

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russian forces of committing “genocide” near the capital, Kyiv. Russia denied the allegations. What are believed to be the bodies of civilians were found when reporters from Reuters and other journalists entered the town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, after Russian forces withdrew. “This …