Latest news with #NFA
New York Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Gun rights groups slams Senate parliamentarian's ruling on silencer deregulation: ‘Total garbage'
Gun rights groups fumed Friday after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that a provision deregulating firearm silencers cannot be included in President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Republican lawmakers sought to eliminate a $200 federal excise tax on silencers and remove them from registration requirements under the National Firearms Act, but the parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, determined the measure did not comply with the Senate's Byrd Rule, which prevents the inclusion of measures deemed 'extraneous' to the budget process in reconciliation bills. 'The Parliamentarian's ruling is total garbage,' Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights, said in a statement. 'The [National Firearms Act] is explicitly a tax law. This partisan ruling is just another excuse to protect the unconstitutional tax-and-register regime of the NFA.' Republicans sought to eliminate a $200 tax on silencers and remove the device from the National Firearms Act. AFP/Getty Images Provisions that don't directly affect spending or revenue, as interpreted by the parliamentarian, violate the Byrd Rule. Brown urged senators to bypass the parliamentarian and include the silencer provision in the bill anyway. 'Any so-called 'advisor' who can't see that a tax repeal is a budget item has no business telling Senators how to vote,' Brown said. 'GOP leadership has one option: ignore the parliamentarian and override this nonsense. Anything less is surrender.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has indicated in the past that he's unlikely to ignore the parliamentarian rulings. Therefore, the provision, if not rewritten to comply with the Byrd Rule, would need 60 votes to make it out of the Senate, rather than a simple majority. The National Rifle Association also slammed the parliamentarian, noting that she was appointed by the late Democratic Nevada Sen. Harry Reid. 'We strongly disagree with the Harry Reid-appointed Parliamentarian's ruling that removing suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other arms from the punitive NFA tax regime falls outside the scope of reconciliation,' the NRA said in a statement. 'Nevertheless, we remain committed to working with our allies on Capitol Hill to end the unjust tax burden on these constitutionally-protected arms.' Gun rights groups fumed over the Senate referee's ruling on silencer deregulation in Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill. AP Brown further argued that the Trump-backed bill is the 'biggest chance' gun rights advocates have had in decades to 'start tearing down the NFA.' 'It's not over yet,' he said. 'We expect pro-gun Senators to fight like hell, not cower and run for cover behind bureaucratic opinions.'
Fox News
15 hours ago
- Business
- Fox News
Second Amendment 'setback': Gun tax cuts stripped from Trump's 'big, beautiful bill'
A provision inside President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that would have lessened regulations on certain firearms was one of many stripped policies that did not pass muster with Senate rules. The Senate parliamentarian ruled late Thursday night that policy changes that would delist short-barrel rifles, shotguns and suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) would have to be scrubbed from the Senate Finance Committee's portion of the mammoth bill. The provision would have allowed for those particular guns and accessories to no longer be subject to a $200 federal tax. They would also no longer have needed to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Changes to the NFA were part of the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, a bill pushed by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., in the upper chamber, and Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., in the House. "This is a setback, but we are committed to working with the parliamentarian to protect the Second Amendment in any way we can through reconciliation," Marshall told Fox News Digital in a statement. "'Shall not be infringed' is crystal clear and the rights of gun owners must be respected." Indeed, lawmakers do have the opportunity to rewrite the provision to comport with the Byrd Rule, which governs the budget reconciliation process and allows either party in power to skirt the 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate. Clyde told Fox News Digital in a statement that he disagreed with the ruling, "as the taxation and registration of firearms under the draconian NFA are inextricably linked." "I'm working with my Senate Republican colleagues to rewrite the language so we can retain our 2A wins and deliver the best possible outcome for the American people," he said. "We must seize this rare opportunity to restore our Second Amendment rights." Arguments before the parliamentarian, who many Republicans lashed out at on Thursday following rulings that stripped key, yet divisive, Medicaid tweaks from the "big, beautiful bill," are expected to continue throughout Friday and likely until the last few minutes before the final bill is revealed. The gun provision was one of many tax-related items stripped from the package. Others included subsidies for private schools and carve-outs for religious colleges from the endowments tax, among others. There are other provisions still under consideration, including "Trump Accounts," which would have set aside $1,000 in taxpayer money for newborns, requiring Social Securities numbers for a slew of tax credits, and making tax benefits for those who invest in opportunity zones permanent.
News18
a day ago
- Automotive
- News18
Mahindra Set To Unveil New ‘NU' Platform This Independence Day
Last Updated: The upcoming platform will likely be called NU, replacing its earlier working name, NFA (New Flexible Architecture). Mahindra is all set to make a major announcement this Independence Day. The brand has teased a brand-new vehicle platform, expected to be called NU, ahead of its official debut on August 15, 2025, in Mumbai. Freedom gets a ???????? expression this Independence Day as we showcase a Bold ???????? vision for the future. #FREEDOM_NU #MahindraAuto #MahindraElectricOriginSUVs — Mahindra Automotive (@Mahindra_Auto) June 26, 2025 This comes as part of Mahindra's larger push to introduce future-ready products across various segments. The teaser, released on Mahindra Automotive's social media, hints that the platform—previously known as NFA (New Flexible Architecture)—may support ICE (petrol and diesel), hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. Interestingly, the teaser video also shows the Mahindra Electric Origin SUV logo, suggesting this new platform could serve both traditional and electric models. The NU platform will be built at Mahindra's Chakan plant, which is currently undergoing major upgrades to increase production capacity and prepare for next-gen vehicles, as per NDTV Auto. Next-Gen Bolero and Thar in the Works? Industry insiders believe that Mahindra might launch the upcoming Bolero or Thar Sports on this new platform. Though not officially confirmed, the next-gen Bolero has already been spotted testing, and is expected to feature a monocoque structure, making it lighter and more efficient. Rumours also suggest that Mahindra is working on hybrid technology, focusing on range-extender plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) instead of traditional self-charging hybrids. This would give drivers more electric range and efficiency, without compromising performance. Continuing a Proud Tradition For years, Mahindra has used August 15—India's Independence Day—as a platform to showcase its innovations. This year, instead of launching a new car, the spotlight will be on the foundation for future Mahindra models—a smart, adaptable platform designed for the evolving needs of Indian and global markets.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
NFA seeks return of regulatory powers to help stabilize rice prices
The National Food Authority (NFA) is urging lawmakers to support a proposed bill that will restore its regulatory and market intervention functions—powers that agency officials say are critical to stabilizing rice prices, protecting farmers, and securing the nation's food supply. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson emphasized that bringing back these powers will enable the agency to perform its original mandate of keeping rice prices within reach of both producers and consumers. "Napakahalaga na maibalik yung iba naming functions, lalo na ang market intervention functions," he said. (It's very important to restore some of our functions, especially market intervention functions.) "Ang intention naman is to tame the prices," he added. Under the current setup, Lacson explained, the NFA has limited ability to release rice from its stocks in a timely manner to offset price surges in the market. With market intervention restored, the agency would be able to act more decisively. "Kapag kami ay regular na nakakapaglabas ng aming stocks, mas lalong magiging fresh ang aming stocks dahil mare-replenish. At the same time, gaganda ang daloy ng financial capability namin," he said. (If we can regularly release our stocks, they'll stay fresh because they'll be replenished. At the same time, our financial capacity will improve.) Buying milled rice directly from farmers A major provision in the draft bill allows the NFA to buy not just palay, but also milled rice directly from farmers and cooperatives. "Hindi lamang palay ang pwede nating bilhin sa magsasaka kundi pati yung milled rice na bigas kung kinakailangan," Lacson stressed. (We can now buy not just palay from farmers, but also milled rice if necessary.) "Yung ating mga magsasaka ay mas lalong lalaki ang kita." (Our farmers will be able to earn more.) Lacson added that this setup would also enhance food security, as it allows the NFA to quickly acquire ready-to-distribute rice during supply shocks. Controlled importation to protect local harvest The draft bill also proposes limits on rice importation, especially during harvest season, to protect local farmers from price crashes caused by a sudden influx of imported rice. "Kukontrolin o hindi gagawin during harvest period, so that ang ating mga magsasaka ay hindi maapektohan ng pagbaba ng presyo ng kanilang pinaghirapang palay," he said. (It will be controlled or avoided during harvest, so that our farmers won't be affected by a drop in palay prices.) Setting floor price for palay, selling price for rice To further support farmers, the NFA will set a floor price for palay based on production costs computed by the Department of Agriculture. For consumers, the NFA will set a ceiling price for the rice it releases to the market, to prevent retailers from excessive markups. "Mayroon ding selling price na ise-set kami para sa mga retailers," he said. (We will also set a selling price for retailers.) "Hindi mapapagsamantalahan ang ating mga consumers," he added. (Our consumers will not be exploited.) Restoring regulatory teeth The bill also seeks to restore the NFA's regulatory powers, including licensing and registration of industry players. This would allow the agency to enforce rules and impose sanctions. "Makakaroon ng ngipin. May kapangyarihan ang NFA mag-sanction. Kapag napatunayan na lumalabag sa batas, puwedeng ipasara." (We'll have teeth. The NFA will have the power to sanction. If they are found to be breaking the law, they can be shut down.) Meanwhile, NFA also expressed its committed to expanding support for Filipino farmers grappling with low palay prices and scaling up the government's P20-rice program to reach 15 million households next year. Lacson assured the public that the NFA has sufficient rice reserves to sustain the ongoing P20-rice program, which has been rolled out through Kadiwa stores and local government partners. As of June, the NFA's buffer stock stands at 11.5 days—well above emergency thresholds—with ongoing palay procurement expected to push reserves even higher. 'Next year po, lahat ng target na 15 million households ay mararating natin,' Lacson said. (Next year, we will reach the target of 15 million households.) He also emphasized that the rice being distributed under the P20-rice program has passed strict quality checks, including moisture testing and laboratory inspection, to ensure that it remains safe and suitable for household consumption. — BM, GMA Integrated News
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Lawyers for Daim's widow decry NFA decision as 'unacceptable'
KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyers for Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, widow of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, have described the police's No Further Action (NFA) decision on her report as "unacceptable" and a breach of the rule of law. Lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal said this in a statement after the police classified the case as NFA recently. Na'imah lodged the police report on Sept 30 last year, following a Bloomberg News article alleging political interference in the MACC's investigation against Daim. The article had claimed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki were involved in a coordinated abuse of investigative powers. "This sudden NFA decision was conveyed to us via a letter received on June 21 from the Sentul police chief. "This decision is unacceptable, shocking, and contradicts principles of good governance and the rule of law. "For nine months, the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) remained silent on Na'imah's police report. "The NFA decision came only days after she lodged a complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) over the continued failure of authorities to act on her report. "No information was provided regarding who was questioned, what steps were taken, or the actual reasons behind the NFA decision," said the statement. The statement said the report contained serious matters of public interest and should not have been dismissed without proper explanation or accountability. The decision severely undermines the integrity of the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), and confirms the deterioration of institutional independence under the current federal administration, it said. "We will not remain silent or be deterred in our pursuit of justice. "This matter will be pursued until the truth is revealed and justice is served. "The Malaysian people deserve institutions that serve the rakyat, not those in power," it added. Last year, a Bloomberg report, citing sources, claimed that the MACC was instructed to investigate Daim as well as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his sons. According to the report, the instruction was purportedly given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a claim the Prime Minister's Office denied. Anwar had said that the government was considering legal action against Bloomberg over the report that MACC acted on his instructions during investigations into certain individuals.
