Latest news with #DEMS
The Hill
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Chaos, progress for Congressional Republicans
REPUBLICANS on Thursday moved closer to clawing back billions in federal spending and passing a package of crypto bills, advancing more pieces of President Trump 's agenda. The GOP is speeding toward the end of another chaotic but productive legislative week, even as the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files consumes Washington (more on that below). The biggest line item from Thursday is the Senate's passage of a rescissions package with $9 billion in cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting. Congress once again worked past midnight, with Republicans squeaking the clawbacks through with a 51-48 vote just after 2 a.m. Thursday. The vote came after last-minute dealmaking between the White House and Senate Republicans over funding for a global anti-AIDS initiative, which will remain in place. Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) were the two GOP holdouts. The rescissions package now heads back to the House with the clock ticking toward a Friday deadline for passage. The rescissions bill will cut funding to PBS and NPR, a top wishlist item for conservatives, who have long argued the outlets have taken a left-leaning ideological bent. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday celebrated the rescissions package, describing PBS and NPR as 'two media organizations that have ridiculously used federal dollars to push a partisan, left-wing agenda for many years.' Also on Thursday, House Republicans finally overcame internal divisions to move forward with a trio of cryptocurrency bills following a two-day saga driven by another revolt among hardline conservatives. 'This legislation is going to make America the crypto capital of the world,' Leavitt said, adding the White House had already planned a signing ceremony for Friday. The vote to move forward on the crypto bills was open for hours, as lawmakers negotiated behind the scenes. It's the longest vote in House history, surpassing a previous record set earlier this month when the House was working to overcome a procedural vote on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' 'I will say again, I'm tired of making history, I just want normal Congress, but some people have forgotten what that looks like,' Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Punchbowl News. 'But as long as we get it done, it doesn't matter to me how long a vote is held open. We just got to get the votes and we did.' BATTLES WITH DEMS AWAIT The GOP has largely been fighting itself, but fresh fights with Democrats are coming. Democrats are furious over the rescissions, saying they threaten bipartisan negotiations to fund the government ahead of a September shutdown deadline. 'How are we supposed to negotiate a bipartisan deal if Republicans will turn around and put it through the shredder in a partisan vote,' Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said on the Senate floor earlier this week. Most Republicans don't want to get in the habit of passing rescissions bills, as they worry about ceding Congressional authority over spending to the Executive Branch. However, White House budget chief Russ Vought said Thursday the administration is likely to send another rescissions package to Congress soon. Murkowski on Thursday said Vought 'disrespects' Congress' annual funding process after he said it should be 'less bipartisan.' 'I think he thinks that we are irrelevant,' Murkowski said. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee walked out of a Senate hearing in protest on Thursday, as Republicans gave their approval to two controversial Trump nominees. The committee gave its approval to Emil Bove, one of Trump's former criminal defense attorneys who is now in the No. 3 spot in the Justice Department, and to Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host confirmed as a nominee for U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. DEMS LOOK AHEAD TO MIDTERMS Democrats are largely powerless to stop the Trump agenda with minorities in both chambers, although they hope their fortunes will change in the 2026 midterm elections. A new CNN poll finds Democrats are more motivated to vote next year, although favorable views of the party are at their lowest in decades. Liberals have organized another round of street protests this weekend to draw attention to the GOP's Medicaid cuts and Trump's immigration policies. The New York Times interviewed Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) about the way forward for Democrats. 'You cannot win a game, a war, anything, just by playing defense,' Slotkin said. 'You can't just point at Donald Trump every day and point out the bad things that he's doing. You have to show a positive, affirmative vision of what you're going to do if you're in power.' MORE POLITICS… • CNN commentator Scott Jennings, who has amassed a following on the right for his spirited debates with Democrats, says he'd run for Senate to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) if Trump wants him to. • Arizona Democrats voted to oust their state party chair amid infighting. • Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) asked Trump to endorse him in his Senate primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, but Cornyn says Trump is 'not ready' to endorse anyone yet. • The Hill's Caroline Vakil has five takeaways from the latest campaign finance reports. 💡 Perspectives: • The Hill: Rescission package is a chance to get serious about spending. • The New Republic: How to fix Dem messaging. • Free Press: Independence Day for NPR. • The Hill: Dem fence-sitters had better dump Mamdani before it's too late. • Tablet: Why I'm leaving Columbia. Read more: • 10 GOP senators come out against latest Trump school funding cuts. • GOP senators appear to have deal to allow FBI to stay in DC. • PBS chief: Funding cuts will be 'devastating' for rural areas. • Democrats seek to close social media gap with GOP, Trump. CATCH UP QUICK President Trump underwent medical testing for 'mild swelling' in his legs and bruising on one of his hands, which revealed a vein condition that is common in individuals over the age of 70. The Department of Justice is seeking a one-day prison sentence, already served, for a Louisville police officer convicted in connection with the raid that resulted in Breonna Taylor's death. Migrants are suing to bar the Trump administration from arresting people making appearances at immigration court proceedings. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Alcatraz on Thursday as they consider plans to reopen it for use as a federal prison. NEWS THIS AFTERNOON Trump administration stuck in Epstein quagmire President Trump has been trying for days to escape GOP doubts about the government's story surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but Trump's denials and attacks on his own supporters have only fueled demands for more transparency. 'I have to disagree with the president,' Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said on 'Good Morning BT with Bo Thompson & Beth Troutman.' 'I don't think human trafficking of young teenage girls being exploited by billionaires on a private island is boring. I think it's despicable, and I believe that anybody who had anything to do with it or knowledge of it should be held accountable.' 'Just release the damn files,' Tillis added. 'So many powerful people want that list suppressed,' Musk posted. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), a Trump ally who has called for a special counsel investigation, explained her position: 'People are frustrated. We want to know if there's more information,' Boebert said in an interview on NewsNation 's 'On Balance.' 'I don't know exactly what [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has seen or what she hasn't seen,' Boebert continued. 'I've seen just as much that has been released from her as you have. And so I'm saying maybe someone else needs to take a look at this.' The White House said Thursday that Trump 'would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case.' Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel sought to close the book on the matter earlier this month, releasing the results of an investigation concluding that there is no official Epstein 'client list.' That determination brought howls of protest from the right, where many of Trump's most vocal supporters in the media had tantalized their audiences with the promises of transparency and bombshell revelations of a vast conspiracy of powerful people. Many of Trump's allies remain fixated on the case, even as Trump describes it as a 'hoax' and blasts his 'past supporters' as 'weaklings' for not letting it go. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained Thursday why Trump has taken to describing the Epstein files as a 'hoax.' 'The president is referring to the fact that Democrats have now seized on this, as if they ever wanted transparency when it came to Jeffrey Epstein, which is an asinine suggestion for any Democrat to make,' Leavit said. 'The Democrats had control of this building for four years and they didn't do a dang thing.' Leavitt argued that Trump directed Bondi and Patel to undertake an exhaustive review in an effort to be transparent, and that their findings closed the book on the matter. 'These are great patriots, some of the most trusted voices in the Republican Party movement…and they spent many months going through all the files,' Leavitt added. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who introduced a bill with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to force a vote on releasing all government files pertaining to Epstein, says he nearly has enough GOP co-sponsors to pass the legislation through the House. Still, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he's not seeing a groundswell in the Senate to back the effort to release the files. 'I'm not hearing it,' Thune said. The Hill's Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell report that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is considering backing a measure to disclose more information on the case, as he seeks to quell GOP outrage. Epstein's former lawyers are speaking out, saying there never was a 'client list.' 'I don't believe for a second there's a client list out there,' attorney David Schoen said on NewsNation 's 'Cuomo.' 'That wasn't Jeffrey Epstein.' 💡 Perspectives: • The Free Press: What the Epstein fight is really about. IN OTHER NEWS © AP Photo/Alex Brandon/Rick Bowmer Roundup: Trump backs off Powell firing threats – for now President Trump has backed away from threats to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, but senior administration officials are keeping the heat on the central bank chief. Earlier this week, Trump told a small group of GOP lawmakers he'd fire Powell 'soon.' The president then said publicly that there's no point in firing Powell, whose term ends in less than a year. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg TV that Trump 'is not looking to fire' the Fed chair. The president cannot legally fire Powell for policy differences but he can fire him for 'cause.' Democrats believe the Trump administration is laying the groundwork for termination as Republicans investigate cost-overruns to renovations taking place at the Federal Reserve building in Washington. Administration officials have accused Powell of lying to Congress about the $2.5 billion refurbishment. White House Budget adviser Russ Vought said Thursday the project had experienced $700 million in cost overruns. 'We want to get a sense for the difference between his statements and the plans that were submitted to the National Planning Commission,' Vought said. 'It has implications for the country's fiscal situation,' he added. Republican senators are warning Trump against firing Powell, saying it would send 'shockwaves' through the economy. 'I do not believe a president, any president, has the authority to fire the Federal Reserve chair,' said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Fed. 'I believe strongly in the independence of the Federal Reserve,' he added. 'Some countries in the world don't have independent central banks. Ask Turkey how that's been working out for them. At one point Turkey had inflation at 30 percent.' The conservative editorial board at the Wall Street Journal echoed that sentiment. 'Love or loathe Mr. Powell, Mr. Trump chose him,' the board said. 'Mr. Trump also chose the tariff taxes, and a multitude of no-growth tax and spending handouts in the new budget bill. Now the President has to live with his choices.' In its July Beige Book, the Federal Reserve board warned of inflation, saying businesses 'passed on at least a portion of cost increases to consumers through price hikes or surcharge.' Powell has refused Trump's demands to lower interest rates, citing the threat of inflation from tariffs. 'Despite all of the doom-casting from the so-called experts that these tariffs would be the end of the world as we know it, the opposite has occurred,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. 'Tariffs are not inflationary, as President Trump has said all along. In reality, tariffs are a source of massive revenue.' Leavitt said tariff revenue has totaled more than $113 billion so far this year. • Trump's approval rating on immigration is at the lowest point of his second term, according to a new survey from Reuters/Ipsos. Only 41 percent approve, down from 50 percent in March, as immigration raids and mass deportations dominate headlines. White House border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday the Trump administration is considering changes to immigration policy pertaining to farm and hospitality workers. Last week, Trump announced a new program intended to support the agriculture industry, as farmers complain that deportations are disrupting their business, which often rely on migrant workers. Trump insisted the program would not provide 'amnesty,' though details are scant. The Wall Street Journal reports: 'President Trump's aggressive deportation policies are spawning a new GOP-led policy push in Congress: Specific immigration-law changes to help protect the workforce in the agriculture industry, which relies heavily on unauthorized laborers.'
Politico
16-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Dems move to rein in presidential library fundraising
With Daniel Lippman DEMS TARGET LIBRARY DONATIONS: More than two dozen congressional Democrats have signed on to a new bill aimed at injecting transparency into funding for presidential libraries — a move that comes as President Donald Trump rakes in tens of millions of dollars in pledges from corporations whose business Trump has immense say over. — Unlike with fundraising for political campaigns, there are virtually no restrictions on when and how presidents can raise money for their libraries. And there are no disclosure requirements apart from the rules that govern all tax-exempt nonprofits. That makes the endeavor rife with ethics concerns, according to Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), the co-authors of the Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act. — 'Allowing wealthy donors that may seek policy benefits from a sitting President to bankroll the President's legacy raises serious ethical concerns,' the lawmakers wrote in a one-pager on their bill. 'Presidential Libraries should be monuments to history, not backdoor vehicles for influence.' — The bill would ban presidents from raising money for their future library (except from 501(c)3 groups) while in office, which the lawmakers note was the standard adopted by the Obama Foundation. There would be an additional two-year cooling off period for donations from foreign nationals, lobbyists, contractors and pardon seekers, and a ban on straw donations. — It would require quarterly disclosures of contributions of more than $200 for five years after a president leaves office and bar the use of library donations on personal expenses. — The measure, of course, won't be going anywhere in the GOP-controlled Congress. But a report from Warren's office this week found that less than six months into Trump's second term, his library coffers are already flush with commitments of at least $63 million, thanks to eight-figure settlement payments from companies like Paramount, ABC and Meta. — Trump has said the luxury plane gifted to him by the Qatari government earlier this year will be donated to his presidential library after he leaves office, adding another $400 million in in-kind donations. Cash left over from Trump's inaugural fundraising bonanza and the proceeds from high-dollar candlelight dinners with Trump are also expected to flow to the library. — Warren's report didn't just single Trump out. It notes that Bill Clinton and George W. Bush dealt with influence-peddling scandals of their own related to library fundraising. But the frenzy surrounding Trump makes 'glaringly clear the need for common-sense guardrails around donations,' the report adds. Happy Wednesday and welcome to PI. Send lobbying tips: Add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. MCGINLEY BACK ON K STREET: Bill McGinley has registered to lobby for Meta on trade issues in his return to the lobbying world following a stint in the Trump administration. — McGinley was cabinet secretary during Trump's first term before joining the Vogel Group and its sister law firm Holtzman Vogel. He was initially Trump's pick for White House counsel before the president-elect tapped him to be the top lawyer for Elon Musk's cost-cutting effort, DOGE. But McGinley announced just days after Trump was inaugurated that he would be heading back to the private sector. In February, he took the helm of the legal arm of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce. — McGinley began working for Meta in June under the firm McGinley LLC, according to a newly filed disclosure. At the time, Silicon Valley was pressing the Trump administration to intervene on its behalf to push for a rollback of punishing tech competition rules in the EU. After Meta was hit with a €200 million fine in April, top lobbyist Joel Kaplan quickly labeled the fine a 'tariff.' — The day after McGinley started lobbying for Meta, Silicon Valley appeared to notch a big win when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explicitly tied the EU antitrust rules to the outcome of the Trump administration's trade negotiations with the bloc. 'If you want to have a trade deal with us, you're going to take your foot off the necks of the great American companies,' Lutnick said of Trump's trade demands. — Big Tech's trade wins have piled up in the weeks since, with Canada and then the EU both backing away from digital services taxes that would punish U.S. tech giants as part of a global trade war. ANNALS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE: 'IRS Commissioner Billy Long's political action committee paid more than $20,000 to two political research firms in the lead-up to his confirmation hearing,' POLITICO's Jacob Wendler reports. — 'Believe in Life Liberty Yourself, or the BILLY PAC, sent a $19,500 payment to research firm Remington Research Group and $2,500 to Cannon Research Group, both on April 14, according to the leadership PAC's quarterly filing submitted to the Federal Election Commission on Monday.' — 'Long's leadership PAC now has just over $1,650 on hand, having spent the lion's share of its coffers during the filing period.' The research payments from Long's leadership PAC came around the same time as Long was facing questions about another PAC he controlled that raked in more than $100,000 after Trump nominated Long as to lead IRS — 'enough to wipe out the six-figure debt he had racked up on his unsuccessful 2022 Senate bid,' Jacob notes. 'The Senate confirmed him by a 53-44 vote in June.' FIRST IN PI: Americans for Tax Reform and its 501(c)3 affiliate the Tholos Foundation have ponied up to purchase the downtown D.C. building where the groups are headquartered. The Grover Norquist-led anti-tax group and its research arm have been posted up in the historic Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company Building, which opened on 12th Street NW in 1904, since 2009. HOW PHILANTHROPY ESCAPED FROM OBBB: 'Two Republican senators and a broad bipartisan coalition of funders and nonprofits prevented a 600 percent increase in taxes levied on the endowments of the largest private foundations' as part of the GOP reconciliation law, according to the Associated Press' Thalia Beaty. — Thanks to Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.), 'when Trump signed the bill into law on July 4, taxes went up on the endowments of the largest universities, but not on the endowments of philanthropic foundations.' — 'The move reveals both the power of philanthropic groups, especially conservative ones, to sway legislators and a split in the administration's coalition between those who want to protect the independence of private philanthropy and those who think the sector supports resistance to the president's agenda.' FAMILY MATTERS: 'A senior National Institutes of Health leader was fired Monday amid an investigation into a contract on autism and other topics that could have benefited his spouse, according to three officials familiar with the incident who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly,' per the Washington Post's Carolyn Y. Johnson, Hannah Natanson and Dan Diamond. — 'A $3.3 million NIH contract to a Louisiana company, Argo Chasing, named Trish Duffy Schnabel, the wife of the NIH's chief operating officer on its list of staff, according to the officials. The award, made in early July, supports work on several matters including autism, a topic that is a priority of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.' — 'On Monday afternoon, NIH's chief operating officer, Eric Schnabel, was escorted out of the building just three months into his new job, according to the officials. … On Wednesday morning, Schnabel texted a Post reporter, identifying himself as the former chief operating officer of the NIH. 'I need your help. I didn't do what they said I did,' he wrote. 'This was a political hit job. Please call me.' Schnabel did not answer a follow-up phone call nor a question asking him to expand on his statements.' SPOTTED last night at the Spanish Embassy for an event to honor the NFL's first game in Spain, which will take place in November between the Washington Commanders and the Miami Dolphins, per a tipster: Spanish Ambassador Ángeles Moreno Bau, Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) and Pete Sessions (R-Texas); D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Brendon Plack and Kenneth Edmonds of the NFL, Shawn Whyte of Diageo, ShaShrina Thomas of Reynolds American, Cristina Antelo of Ferox Strategies, Chuck Rocha of Solidarity Strategies, Estuardo Rodríguez of the Friends of the Museum of the American Latino, Brent Wilkes of the Hispanic Federation, Ruben Barrales of Wells Fargo and Bill Anaya of Coupang. — And at The Duck & The Peach for a reception hosted by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld to welcome Kelly Ann Shaw to the firm, per a tipster: Josh Snead, David Giordano and Kyle Perel of the House Ways and Means Committee, Molly Newell of the Senate Finance Committee, Matthew Fontenot and Peyton Harvey of House Speaker Mike Johnson's office, Stephen Simonetti of Sen. Marsha Blackburn's (R-Tenn.) office, Alex Schroder of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis' (R-N.Y.) office, Jacob Danegger of Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso's office, Emma Chance of Sen. Jerry Moran's (R-Kan.) office, Stephanie Lester of The Gap, Jose Mercado of DoorDash, Nickie Currie of Amgen, Zach Sentementes of PhRMA, Chris Ternet of Stanley Black & Decker, Drew Wayne of Siemens Corporation and Abid Qureshi, Dan Walsh, Hunter Bates, Brian Pomper, Virgil Miller, Scott Parven, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Zach Rudisill, Chris Treanor, Jamie Tucker, Tony Pierce and Hans Rickhoff of Akin. Jobs report — John Nagle has joined the Pacific Legal Foundation as a federal policy manager. He most recently was a legislative assistant for Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and is a Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions and Stand Together alum. — Michael O'Brien has joined APCO as a senior director. He was previously a partner and the head of U.S. health care public relations at ICR Healthcare. — Melinda Garrett is now director of working families in the Human Capital program at the Bipartisan Policy Center. She previously was senior adviser for the CHIPS for America strategy team in the U.S. Department of Commerce. — Allison Peters is now the head of U.S. public policy for Discord. She previously was deputy assistant secretary of state for human rights, democracy and labor at the State Department. — Matthew Murray is joining Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies as a principal in the strategic communications practice. He was most recently an executive speechwriter, social media strategist and editor at WPP and is a CQ Roll Call alum. — Lily Adams is joining Orchestra as managing director for the executive advisory practice. She most recently was assistant secretary of the Treasury for public affairs, and is a Democratic campaign and Hill veteran. — Maggie Angel is joining the Illinois governor's office in D.C. as director of federal affairs. She previously was a legislative assistant for Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). — Gordon Larsen is joining 50 State as vice president. He previously was senior adviser to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. — Seven Letter is adding Ashley Smith as senior director of paid media, creative specialist Toni McCullough and paid media specialist Shammah Moise to its Seven Letter Labs arm, Madi Mannes to Seven Letter Insight and Lauren Rinderle as manager of administration. — The American Cleaning Institute has added Emily Trentacope as vice president of sustainability. She was most recently associate national program director for EPA's Safe and Sustainable Water Resources research program. New Joint Fundraisers Josh Cortez Victory (Josh Cortez For Congress, Texas Leadership PAC) New PACs Faith Votes South (PAC) HEIGHTS FOR ALL (Super PAC) Lone Star Futures (Super PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Actum I, LLC: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Adams And Reese, LLP: Tracer Validation, Inc. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Mayne Pharma (USa), Inc. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: Banco Itau International Article One Group, LLC: Actum I, LLC Article One Group, LLC: Data Foundation Axadvocacy Government Relations: Sh130 Concession Company Ballard Partners, LLC: Dr. Jonathan Walker Berni Consulting, LLC: Lilette Advisors On Behalf Of Audubon Nature Institute B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Astellas Pharma US, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Beone Medicines USa, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Gilead Sciences, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Jazz Pharmaceuticals B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Merck & Co., Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Myriad Genetics, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Organon, LLC B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Phlow Corporation B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Group On Behalf Of Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. Obo Fresenius Medical Care North America B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. On Behalf Of Amgen, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. On Behalf Of Eli Lilly And Company B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. On Behalf Of Genentech, Inc. B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. On Behalf Of Grail, LLC B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. On Behalf Of Novartis B Hall Strategies, LLC: Tiber Creek Health Strategies, Inc. On Behalf Of Phrma Boundary Stone Partners: Tokamak Energy Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Desri Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Parts Distribution Express North, Inc. Chartwell Strategy Group LLC: The Cohasset Group On Behalf Of Bluestar Medical Checkmate Government Relations: Kidney Care Access Colaition, Inc. Checkmate Government Relations: Patientsact Cogent Strategies LLC: Satoshi Action Fund Conscience Point Consulting, Inc.: Zeel Networks, Inc. Corcoran & Associates, Inc. Dba Corcoran Partners: Hogan Lovells O/B/O La Societe Du Rhum Barbancourt, S.A. Covenant Government Affairs, LLC: Olin Corporation Cove Strategies: The Mcpherson Group LLP Eis Solutions: Pueblo County Eis Solutions: Teller County Emergent Strategies: Union Pacific Corporation Goldstein Policy Solutions LLC: Federal Hall Policy Advisors, LLC On Behalf Of Solana Policy Institute Healthsperien: Healthtech Partners, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP: Kawerak, Inc. Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP: Rocky Boy Health Board Kadesh & Associates, LLC: Aerlogics, LLC Mcallister & Quinn, LLC: Los Angeles Urban League Mcallister & Quinn, LLC: Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County Mcginley LLC: Meta Platforms, Inc. Megan Mcelwain: The Canadian Chrome Company Michael Best Strategies LLC: Sarepta Therapeutics Ml Strategies, LLC: Giner, Inc. A/K/A Giner Labs Neale Creek, LLC: Coretsu Inc. Perspective Strategies: Ohio Coating Company Ridge Path Strategies: International Registries, Inc. Rio Tinto Services, Inc.: Rio Tinto Services, Inc. Rutledge Policy Group, LLC: Brownstein (Bhfs, LLP) Obo Policy And Taxation Group Sidley Austin LLP: Annexon Biosciences The Kpm Group Dc LLC: Inozyme Pharma The Kpm Group Dc LLC: Rezolute The Kpm Group Dc LLC: The Hs Coalition The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Blr Aerospace, LLC Ulman Public Policy & Federal Relations: Wia Wireless Infrastructure Association Washington Navigators: Vanderbilt University Winning Strategies Washington: Atlanticare Winning Strategies Washington: Centrastate Healthcare System Winning Strategies Washington: Virtua Winning Strategies Washington: Visiting Nurse Association Health Group New Lobbying Terminations Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Acuity International Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Airglades International Airport Cassidy & Associates, Inc.: Cheniere Energy Covenant Government Affairs, LLC: Continental Resources, Inc. Edmund Graber: Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): B Lab Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC (Amc Networks Inc.) Fgs Global (US) LLC (Fka Fgh Holdings LLC): The Big Ten Conference, Inc. Govbiz Advantage, Inc.: Fortress North America Government Affairs Solutions, LLC: National Utility Contractors Association Hogan Lovells US LLP: Growth Energy Impression Strategy, LLC: The Everglades Trust, Inc. Lilette Advisors: Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC Lmh Strategic Solutions: Orchard Therapeutics North America Miller & Chevalier Chartered: Crossharbor Capital Partners LLC The Desner Group, LLC: Commonwealth Fusion Systems The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Caldera Holdings LLC The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Caucasus Democracy Project (Fka Save Armenia) The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Santa Clarita Community College (College Of The Canyons) Woodland Resources: Whitfield Hospital
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Ekurhuleni raises alarm as bitter cold front hits Gauteng
Temperatures in Gauteng are expected to drop below the freezing mark. As a bitter cold front sweeps across the country, the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has raised the alarm on the dangers of heat sources, which in the past have resulted in fatalities. Temperatures in Gauteng are expected to drop below the freezing mark as the cold weather grips most parts of the country. Below zero Gauteng Weather has forecast the mercury in Johannesburg on Friday to drop to -2°C, reaching a high of 11°C. Pretoria is forecast to have a temperature of 0°C, with a high of 13°C. ALSO READ: Get your blankets out: Cold front to hit Gauteng this week The cold weather is a stark reminder that winter has arrived, signalling that South Africans should keep warm. Danger However, the cold weather also poses a danger to residents, especially those living in informal settlements. City DEMS spokesperson Eric Maloka has warned residents to take precautions when making fires and using heaters and braziers (izimbawula), urging them to exercise caution. 'Residents are urged to make necessary arrangements to warm themselves with safer heat sources during this period. 'We therefore would like to encourage our residents to plan when using all heating devices safely.' These include: Electrical heaters Braziers/izimbawula Paraffin Stoves Candles – these should not be left unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during these extremely cold temperatures. 'All three regional fire stations around the city are on high alert to ensure that we effectively respond to all emergencies which might occur during this cold front,' Maloka said. Cold and snow Meanwhile, a strong cold front is expected to arrive in the southwestern Cape on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas. An intense cold front is also expected to affect the Western, Northern Cape and Free State provinces from Wednesday until Friday, Vox Weather forecast. The public and small stock farmers have been advised that very cold, wet, and windy conditions with heavy rainfall, strong interior winds, and gale-force coastal winds, as well as very rough to high seas and light snowfall on the high ground, can be expected. ALSO READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Ekurhuleni strengthens disaster response with NGO partnerships
The CoE, through its DEMS, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several non-governmental organisations to strengthen collaboration in responding to future disasters, in line with the Disaster Management Framework of 2005. The organisations signing the MoU included the Red Cross Gauteng, Meals on Wheels, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Hamnet. Hamnet, a specialist in communication systems, plays a crucial role during disasters by establishing communication channels and maintaining records of epicentres and disaster magnitudes. At the signing ceremony, MMC Sizakele Masuku stressed the importance of mutual aid agreements, saying the municipality must enter into partnerships with organs of State, the private sector, NGOs or communities to provide effective disaster response, relief and recovery within its jurisdiction. 'In line with the Act, all government spheres must assess their capacity for disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery. Where needed, they should strengthen this capacity through mutual assistance agreements with neighbouring municipalities, the private sector, other government entities and communities. This agreement is timely as the city faces a rise in fire-related incidents,' Masuku said. Hamnet specialises in communication systems used during disasters, addressing the common problem of damaged communication infrastructure that hinders rescue and management teams from effectively communicating and keeping records. Meals on Wheels, experts in providing nutritional meals to families and individuals affected by disasters, also joined the agreement. The NSRI, specialising in water-related rescues, explained how it supports inland communities during life-threatening emergencies in rivers, dams, and floods. The South African Red Cross, known for its impartial humanitarian assistance, including first aid, home-based care and support for old age homes and disaster victims, also committed to the partnership with the DEMS. Community Safety Oversight Committee chairperson Clr Lethabo Rachidi said this collaboration would enhance the municipality's response to disaster incidents. For any life-threatening emergency, call the city on these numbers: • 011 458 0911 (normal call rates) • 0177 (toll-free from a landline. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
CANSA launches online support network for cancer survivors
Each June, global attention turns to the impact of cancer on survivors, their caregivers, loved ones, families, and others within their support circle. Often, these individuals simply need someone to talk to about their cancer journey. The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) has launched a new online platform, offering yet another way to connect people to caring cancer communities. This month, people around the world honour those facing cancer and recognise the importance of a supportive community. 'Many cancer survivors report feeling isolated from the moment they are diagnosed,' said Gretchen Minnaar, Cansa's services manager: psychosocial support. 'They often find that friends, colleagues, and even some family members avoid them, rather than offering comfort or simply being present.' Furthermore, a survivor's need for support does not end with a clean bill of health. Many face long-term challenges, including fear of recurrence, depression, pain, memory problems, changes in bodily functions, and relationship issues. Cansa provides extensive support to survivors and others affected by this devastating disease—and the need is significant. Each year, over 115 000 South Africans are diagnosed with cancer, according to the South African National Cancer Registry. Many more cases go unreported or unregistered. To help meet this growing need, Cansa has launched a virtual support group to expand the reach of its existing services, which include face-to-face support groups as well as Facebook and WhatsApp support groups across South Africa. ALSO CHECK: DEMS intensifies winter safety awareness across Ekurhuleni The new virtual support group, launched on May 24, is facilitated by Cansa and held monthly via Zoom. Managed by trained counsellors, each session covers different topics in a relaxed, supportive environment that encourages engagement and input from survivors. Cansa's WhatsApp support groups operate both nationally and regionally. Regional groups are limited to patients in specific areas, while national groups cater to bereavement, caregiver, and newly diagnosed patient support. Additional groups are available for women survivors, men survivors, ostomy patients, and teens aged 13 to 17. On Facebook, Cansa runs three support groups: * Cancer Survivors – Champions of Hope (for cancer survivors in treatment or remission) * Caring for the Caregivers (for caregivers of cancer patients) * TLC – Childhood Cancer Support (for children and their parents/guardians affected by cancer) * Survivor Wendy de Rooij noted that more treatment facilities should inform patients about Cansa's support groups. 'I would not have found my amazing group if it weren't for a desperate late-night Google search,' she said. 'These people have given me far more practical information than any other healthcare group I've encountered since my cancer journey began.' The support groups encourage members to share their stories. 'Interacting with people who understand your lived experience is an invaluable form of support. It's so beneficial to hear about the coping strategies of someone who has been—or is currently—in the same situation as you,' added Minnaar. ALSO CHECK: Germiston audience inspired by blind man's Kilimanjaro climb Ovarian cancer survivor Rina van der Merwe shared that during her treatment and recovery, Cansa's support groups always gave her a safe space to talk. 'And reading about other warriors' journeys also helped me a lot,' she said. Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, family members, and others affected by cancer can join one of these groups by completing a form on Cansa's website at Support is currently available in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and isiZulu. The organisation remains committed to connecting people facing cancer with vital information, day-to-day assistance, and emotional support—ensuring no one has to face cancer alone. Please note: • Patients, survivors, and others affected by cancer must contact Cansa directly for support. • Cansa is not informed of patient treatment by medical centres and requires patient permission to make contact. • Cansa does not provide treatment. • Cansa is not authorised to prescribe or supply medication. • Cansa's clinical specialist nurse offers free advice on managing cancer, pain, and treatment side effects. For more information or to seek support, visit At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
