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118th US Congress Rules & Investigations The Serious You: How Current Events Affect You
Started 2/11/23 by WALTER784; 68360 views.
Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
House Republicans Establish New Select Subcommittees Focused on Pandemic and “Weaponization of the Federal Government”
January 12, 2023
On January 9, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted its rules package1 for the 118th Congress (“House Rules”) by a vote of 220 to 213. While much attention has been given to the provisions that would significantly limit the traditional power enjoyed by the Speaker of the House2, the House Rules contain a number of provisions that will shape the House Republicans’ oversight agenda and investigative priorities in the new Congress. Most notably, the House Rules and accompanying authorizing resolution establish two new select investigative subcommittees:
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability3 (H. Res. 5 § 4(a)); and
The House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government as a select investigative subcommittee of the Committee on the Judiciary (H. Res. 12).4
Republican leaders of key House committees, including incoming Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (R-KY) have publicly stated that the Biden Administration will be their primary oversight target in the new Congress. However, private sector stakeholders should also anticipate being targeted for investigation, directly or collaterally. Last Congress, Rep. Comer launched multiple COVID-19 inquiries while serving as Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee (now renamed “Oversight and Accountability”)5, including, for example, investigating research facilities and universities that participated in gain-of-function research.6 In December 2022, former House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jordan sent letters to the leading technology and social media companies requesting information about the “nature and extent of your companies’ collusion with the Biden Administration.”7
Although the select subcommittees are formally part of the House Oversight and Accountability and House Judiciary Committees, respectively, they have broad investigative functions and authorities that empower them to conduct active and aggressive oversight.
THE HOUSE SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is the Republican response to the “House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis” established by the Democratic majority in April 2020 during the pandemic (emphasis added). Pursuant to its authorizing resolution, the Democratic-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis issued its final report in December 2022.8 Aside from his primary focus on the origins of COVID, incoming House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Comer has announced other priorities, such as investigating technology and social media companies’ engagement with federal agencies in responding to the pandemic. In a December 27, 2022 tweet, Comer stated, “Big Tech shouldn't be in the business of hiding facts. Americans deserve the truth about the origins of COVID-19. It is our Constitutional duty to conduct oversight & thoroughly examine the facts so this type of risky research & bad behavior never happens again.”9
Under the House Rules, the new select subcommittee will have broad jurisdiction and resources, as detailed below, albeit somewhat more limited in comparison to its Democratic-led predecessor.10 Nevertheless, private sector entities in particular should take note of the following Subcommittee functions and authorities:
- Investigative Functions: The Select Subcommittee is authorized and directed to investigate and report on:
Origins of the Coronavirus pandemic, including federal funding of gain-of-function research;
Waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer funds in pandemic relief programs;
Vaccine development and treatment; and
Executive branch policies and actions, including internal and external communications, related to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Investigative Authorities:
Subpoena Power: Unlike its Democratic-led predecessor in the last Congress, the Select Subcommittee does not have subpoena authority, only the full Committee may authorize and issue subpoenas.
Deposition Authority: Select Subcommittee counsel are authorized to conduct depositions without a Select Subcommittee Member present.
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Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
Comer Widens Investigation into Biden’s Involvement in His Family’s Business Schemes
Published: Feb 9, 2023
Calls on Hunter and James Biden, Eric Schwerin to provide documents, records, and communications
WASHINGTON—House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is calling on Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerin to provide documents, communications, and records related to President Biden’s involvement in his family’s business schemes.
“Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerin are key witnesses in our investigation of Joe Biden’s involvement in his family’s international and domestic business schemes. Evidence obtained in our investigation reveals the Biden family business model is built on Joe Biden’s political career and connections. Biden family members attempted to sell access around the world, including individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to enrich themselves to the detriment of American interests. If President Biden is compromised by deals with foreign adversaries and they are impacting his decision making, this is a threat to national security.
“The American people deserve transparency and accountability about the Biden family’s influence peddling. The Oversight Committee is committed to exposing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has taken place at the highest levels of our government. Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerin’s documents, records, and communications are critical to this investigation,” said Chairman Comer.
The Oversight Committee is investigating President Biden’s knowledge of and role in his family’s foreign business deals to assess whether he has compromised national security. Additionally, the Committee will examine drafting legislation to strengthen federal ethics laws regarding public officials and their families. The Committee will also analyze and make recommendations regarding federal laws and regulations to ensure that financial institutions have the proper internal controls and compliance programs to alert federal agencies of potential money laundering activity.
The letters sent can be found in the link below:
FWIW
Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
Biden, Hunter make presidential history as first father-son duo under separate investigations
Published January 20, 2023 12:00pm EST
Special counsel investigating Biden's improper retention of classified records, as US attorney investigates Hunter's tax affairs and foreign business dealings
Former Hunter Biden business partner speaks out on planned House probe
Tony Bobulinski joins 'Hannity' to sound off on Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.'s investigatory plans.
President Biden and his son Hunter have made history as the first president-son duo to be simultaneously – but separately – under federal investigation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland last week appointed former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to investigate the president’s possible unauthorized removal and improper retention of classified documents and records discovered at the Penn Biden Center in Washington D.C., and in his private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.
Separately, Hunter Biden has been under federal investigation since 2018 for his tax affairs – an investigation that was predicated, in part, by suspicious activity reports (SARs) regarding some foreign transactions. Those SARs, according to sources familiar with the investigation, involved funds from "China and other foreign nations."
WHITE HOUSE REFUSES TO SAY IF BIDEN WOULD SIT FOR INTERVIEW WITH SPECIAL COUNSEL IN CLASSIFIED RECORDS PROBE
President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden are both under federal investigation, a presidential first. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)
"This is the first time that in American history we have a sitting president and one of his children – in this case, his son – who are under formal investigation in the United States," Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevin Roberts, a historian of early American history, told Fox News Digital. "In thinking about this, investigating it, and putting all politics aside, I cannot think of an example that even gets close to this."
"I think it is important that as Americans strive to get out of the morass of current politics, and especially the unethical nature it seems of this current administration, that we realize the truth first," Roberts continued. "And in this case, the truth hurts."
It is also the first time in presidential history that a sitting president – Biden – and a former president – Donald Trump, who is running again for the White House in 2024 – are separately, but at the same time, under special counsel investigation for the same matter: retention of classified records.
Former President Trump and President Joe Biden
In November, Garland appointed former DOJ official Jack Smith as special counsel to investigate Trump’s retention of classified records at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, after the FBI conducted an unprecedented raid, seizing documents bearing classification markings, some of which were "top secret."
"It speaks to the era we’re in," Roberts said.
This is the second time Trump has been at the center of a special counsel investigation. During his administration, Special Counsel Robert Mueller was chosen to investigate whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., faced criticism for a meeting he held at Trump Tower in New York City with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya in the summer of 2016.
President-elect Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump at a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Music publicist Rob Golstone offered to broker the get-together with Veselnitskaya, writing in an email that she could provide "very high level and sensitive information" or "dirt" compromising former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s election chances.
"If it’s what you say, I love it," Trump Jr. wrote in response.
That meeting came under scrutiny in Mueller's investigation. But Trump Jr. was never named a subject or target of that special counsel probe, which, after nearly two years of investigating, yielded no evidence of criminal cons
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Host
From: Showtalk
2/11/23
Summary so far (as brief as possible)
1. Reduce spending and increase accountability
2. Impeach Mayorkas
3. Hold China accountable for Covid 19 and ask for $16 billion repayment
4. To investigate and submit policy recommendations on the status of the Chinese Communist Party’s economic, technological, and security progress and its competition with the United States
5. Study weaponization of the federal government
6. Give power to the States to control their own borders and cartel related activities going on within their borders
7. Stop Adam Schiff’s access to classified documents and information
8. Condemn calls to defund or dismantle police
9. Investigate Biden family businesses and practices
Host
From: Showtalk
2/11/23
Are they going to do anything about the Jan 6 committee or the illegal actions taken against Republicans, including Trump?
Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
That is basically a list of some of the things they've already passed bills for in the House. There are others they've passed too.
They have introduced, but not yet passed quite a few bills too.
FWIW
- Edited February 11, 2023 8:22 pm by WALTER784
Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
H. R. 22
To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from sending petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 23 (legislative day, January 3), 2023
Received
January 24 (legislative day, January 3), 2023
Read the first time
January 25, 2023
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
AN ACT
To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from sending petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act”.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON SALES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE TO CHINA.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Energy shall not draw down and sell petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve—
(1) to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party; or
(2) except on the condition that such petroleum products will not be exported to the People’s Republic of China.
Passed the House of Representatives January 12, 2023.
FWIW
Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
H. R. 23
To rescind certain balances made available to the Internal Revenue Service.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 23 (legislative day, January 3), 2023
Received; read the first time
January 25, 2023
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
AN ACT
To rescind certain balances made available to the Internal Revenue Service.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act”.
SEC. 2. RESCISSION OF CERTAIN BALANCES MADE AVAILABLE TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
The unobligated balances of amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for activities of the Internal Revenue Service by paragraphs (1)(A)(ii), (1)(A)(iii), (1)(B), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of section 10301 of Public Law 117–169 (commonly known as the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”) as of the date of the enactment of this Act are rescinded.
Passed the House of Representatives January 9, 2023.
FWIW
Staff
From: WALTER784
2/11/23
H. R. 29
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of aliens, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 9, 2023
Mr. Roy (for himself, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Harris, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Bishop of North Carolina, Mr. Reschenthaler, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Perry, Mrs. Harshbarger, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Cline, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Crenshaw, Mrs. Hinson, Mr. Fulcher, Mr. Ellzey, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Babin, Mr. Gooden of Texas, Mr. Van Drew, and Mrs. Greene of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of aliens, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Border Safety and Security Act of 2023”.
SEC. 2. SUSPENSION OF ENTRY OF ALIENS.
(a) Authority To Suspend Entry Of Aliens At Borders Of The United States.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines, in his discretion, that the suspension of the entry of covered aliens at an international land or maritime border of the United States is necessary in order to achieve operational control over such border, the Secretary may prohibit, in whole or in part, the entry of covered aliens at such border for such period of time as the Secretary determines is necessary for such purpose.
(b) Required Suspension Of Entry Of Aliens.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prohibit the entry of covered aliens for any period during which the Secretary cannot—
(1) detain such covered aliens as required under section 235(b)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)); or
(2) place such covered aliens in a program consistent with section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(2)(C)).
(c) Enforcement By State Attorneys General.—The attorney general of a State, or other authorized State officer, alleging a violation of a subsection (b) that affects such State or its residents, may bring an action against the Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of the residents of the State in an appropriate United States district court to obtain appropriate injunctive relief.
(d) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) Except as otherwise provided, the terms have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2) The term “covered alien” means an alien seeking entry to the United States who is inadmissible under section 212(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(7)).
(3) The term “operational control” has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (8 U.S.C. 1701 note).
FWIW
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