China is dominating the electric vehicle market, including battery manufacturing. According to Mint, more than half the world’s EV batteries are made in China.  To make those batteries, Chinese-owned companies have to mine a large amount of cobalt. Congressional investigations have found Chinese-owned companies rely on forced labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo…

There are two competing bills in the Senate to curtail “judge shopping,” which consists of efforts by plaintiffs to file lawsuits with judges who are likely to rule in their favor. Democrats and Republicans both want to address the practice, but they view the root of the problem differently and have presented differing solutions.  If…

In July 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned President Biden’s attempt to cancel more than $400 billion in student debt. Biden has since been exploring ways to bypass the ruling. Recently, he announced that over 270,000 individuals enrolled in his income-driven repayment plan (SAVE) will have $7.4 billion in debt canceled. This action brings the…

The Senate took little time to dismiss impeachment charges against the Secretary of Homeland Security. A volcano erupted in Indonesia, prompting evacuations and fears of a tsunami. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, April 18, 2024. Senate dismissed articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas The Senate quickly voted to dismiss…

Congress heard details of ongoing safety failures at Boeing on Wednesday, April 17, as employees described the conditions that led to several deadly incidents involving Boeing planes. Whistleblowers detailed Boeing’s safety culture to the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations during an ongoing inquiry.  “A culture of shortcuts, pressure and hostility,” one employee wrote to describe Boeing.…

In recent months, the need for Ukrainian air defenses has grown more urgent. As U.S. aid is unable to pass through Congress, Ukraine’s European allies have been stepping up to provide what they can. Norway is now the latest nation to pledge F-16s to Ukraine, not only to defend Ukrainian airspace, but also for the…

Senators swear in as jurors Wednesday, April 17, for the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Senate will issue a summons to Mayorkas, informing him of the charges and requesting a written response; he is not required to appear. House Republicans have charged Mayorkas with failing to enforce immigration laws and betraying public trust.…

The first seven jurors are selected in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial, and historic rain in the United Arab Emirates leads to major flooding at the Dubai airport and across the region. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 17, 2024. First 7 jurors selected in Trump hush money…

Key leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard met to discuss the biggest challenges facing their branches in 2024. All three maritime-based branches shared similar concerns over their staffing. Officers said that each branch is still emphasizing hiring to expand the number of enlisted individuals. However, they are looking for candidates with more…

The impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to begin on Tuesday, April 16, two months after he was impeached. The question is, will there be a full trial with a presentation of evidence? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has not tipped his hand as to what he’ll do. Schumer has…