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Monopoly Round-Up: Congress to Undermine Antitrust Division Budget?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 15241 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Monopoly
  1. There is a proposal to cut $45 million from the Antitrust Division's budget, reducing it by roughly 20%, which could impact their enforcement efforts against monopolies.
  2. The Antitrust Division's funding comes partially from fees paid by corporations involved in mergers, and a recent proposal could subject the Division to the normal appropriations process instead.
  3. The current bill is still subject to modifications, so there is a possibility of adjustments to the proposed budget cut for the Antitrust Division.

Congressional Republicans to Defund the Antitrust Division?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 22689 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Budget Justice Department Legislation
  1. Antitrust Division's budget may be at risk of defunding by Congressional Republicans, impacting its ability to pursue cases against big corporations like Apple and Ticketmaster.
  2. Challenges in Antitrust Division's budget in recent years resulted in limitations on taking action against big tech monopolies like Google and Apple due to lack of resources.
  3. The bipartisan antitrust reform legislation of 2022 aimed to boost Antitrust Division resources for more effective enforcement, but current budget debates, including potential cuts, pose a threat to this progress.

State Department Threatens Congress Over Censorship Programs

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11152 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Transparency Funding Congress
  1. The State Department is threatening Congress over their censorship programs funding, showing resistance to disclosing details on how taxpayer money is being spent.
  2. The Global Engagement Center (GEC) has been involved in anti-disinformation work, which includes backing a UK-based agency that creates digital blacklists for disfavored media outlets.
  3. There is growing pushback against agencies like the GEC that operate with secrecy, with calls for more transparency and oversight, especially in programs that target American media consumers.

Just for Xeets and Giggles (2.10.24)

The Status Kuo • 12539 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Policy Congress Media
  1. In a political event, candidate Dean Phillips experienced unexpected setbacks, despite his initial high expectations.
  2. The talk in the media about Black voters shifting support didn't translate into actual votes for other candidates.
  3. House Speaker MAGA Mike Johnson compared himself to Moses leading the GOP, sparking humor and mockery in response.
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Why Even Democrats Should Care About the “Cooked Intelligence” Russiagate Scandal

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7737 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandal Intelligence Corruption Congress Security
  1. Intelligence reports can heavily influence policy decisions, as seen in past conflicts like the Iraq war, showing the importance of accurate and unbiased information in governance.
  2. The use of selective release of classified information for political purposes, as seen in the Russiagate scandal, highlights the dangers of manipulating intelligence for agenda-driven decisions.
  3. Corruption in intelligence agencies impacts all political ideologies, making it a non-partisan issue that concerns citizens of all affiliations.

Speaker Mike Johnson’s Days Might Be Numbered

Bulwark+ • 6309 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Republicans
  1. Speaker Mike Johnson's position as Speaker of the House may be in jeopardy due to conflicts within the House Republican Conference.
  2. Far-right House Freedom Caucus members and allies are upset over compromises in negotiations, leading to disruptions in regular proceedings.
  3. Rep. Chip Roy from Texas is considering a motion to vacate to potentially remove Speaker Johnson from his position.

A choice Republicans will regret.

Today's Edition Newsletter • 8549 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Congress Legal Foreign Relations Scandal
  1. The House Republicans elected an extreme MAGA candidate, which may backfire for the GOP heading into the 2024 elections.
  2. A New York judge fined Trump $10,000 for violating a gag order, which may jeopardize his legal situation further.
  3. President Biden's stance on Israel may impact his support among certain voters, highlighting the challenge of balancing different interests as a leader.

Could October 7 Bring Down the Squad?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 964 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Congress Lobbying Polls Democrats
  1. Democratic Rep. Summer Lee faced backlash from Pittsburgh's Jewish community for her actions and comments regarding Israel and Hamas.
  2. The Squad members, including Summer Lee, are facing serious primary challenges from well-funded opponents due to their stance on Israel and their support of movements like Ceasefire Now.
  3. The Democratic Party is experiencing internal conflict over attitudes towards Israel, with more moderate Democrats and the pro-Israel lobby opposing the harsh criticism of the Jewish state by some left-wing members of the party.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About the Immigration Mess

The Liberal Patriot • 1749 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Congress Border Asylum Legislation
  1. Immigration in the US is a complicated mess, with conflicting views between parties on how to manage it.
  2. The surge in illegal immigration has strained the country's resources and sparked a political debate.
  3. Proposals to toughen asylum criteria and reform the use of parole are being discussed in Congress, but facing challenges.

They Call It Unconstitutional, But Don't Impeach

husseini • 1257 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Impeachment Congress Foreign Policy
  1. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have called Biden's bombing of Yemen unconstitutional, but no one is pursuing impeachment.
  2. Impeachment is a significant legal remedy that can be used by Congress to address presidential actions that are unconstitutional.
  3. Even with just one member of Congress, introducing an impeachment resolution can have a significant impact on the conversation and uphold the rule of law.

Useless Partisanship Weakens Necessary Partisanship

Drezner’s World • 1100 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Partisanship Congress
  1. Partisanship is important in politics but can become harmful if taken too far, leading to government dysfunction.
  2. Transparency and proper communication are essential in high-ranking government positions, like Secretary of Defense.
  3. Having a functioning opposition party is crucial for proper governance, as it ensures accountability and oversight.

Biden to deploy American boots on the ground in Gaza, in accommodating the demands of a fanatical voting base

The Dossier • 284 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Election Congress National Security
  1. President Biden plans to deploy American troops to Gaza to build a port, risking their safety in a dangerous war zone.
  2. The decision to involve the military in Gaza construction raises concerns over the misuse of resources and lack of Congressional oversight.
  3. Political motives, such as appealing to voters in crucial swing states, may be a driving force behind the deployment of troops in Gaza.

Why Republicans and Democrats in Congress Are Working Together to Lift 400,000 Kids out of Poverty

Michael Shellenberger • 563 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bipartisanship Congress Legislation
  1. Republicans and Democrats in Congress worked together to lift 400,000 kids out of poverty through a new deal on the Child Tax Credit.
  2. Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith and Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden collaborated on this new tax credit package.
  3. The tax deal received significant Republican support in the House of Representatives and is expected to pass through the Senate as well.

When Presidents Show Backbone, Israel Caves

Spoils of War • 589 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Presidents Congress United Nations Aid
  1. U.S. presidents have historically influenced Israel's actions by showing backbone and making clear demands.
  2. Actions taken by U.S. presidents like Eisenhower and Carter have led Israel to comply with international resolutions.
  3. Threats of trade sanctions and aid cutoffs have been effective in pushing Israel to withdraw from occupied territories.

Ukraine "foreign aid" bills are taxpayer-funded stimulus packages for the parasites of the D.C. Beltway

The Dossier • 354 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Aid Congress Government funding
  1. American 'foreign aid' to Ukraine is mostly spent in the United States, benefiting Beltway corporations
  2. Government spending on defense does not create real jobs or value, but adds to the national debt and inflation
  3. These 'foreign aid' bills serve as stimulus for the Beltway elite rather than enhancing national security