congress

The richest man in the world is willing to testify before lawmakers probing anti-competitive business practices in Silicon Valley, according to reports. In a letter obtained by the Wall Street Journal, attorneys for the e-commerce juggernaut pledged to make Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos “available to testify at a hearing with the other CEOs this summer,” …

Rod Rosenstein told Congress on Wednesday that he was not sure that he had read the entire FISA renewal application to surveil Carter Page. Rosenstein, the former deputy attorney general during the Obama administration, made the comments during testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee hearing touched in part on the FBI’s application to …

Congress’ next coronavirus stimulus bill must include liability protections for businesses that try to reopen amid the pandemic, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. There’s a “high likelihood” that lawmakers take another stab at blunting the virus’ economic impact, the Kentucky Republican said, but the bill must shield businesses from virus-related lawsuits to get President …

Republican members of the House Oversight Committee on Monday announced a probe into Chinese funding of programs at American universities and colleges. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, the representatives requested “information, documents, and communications” pertaining to “acceptance or reporting of foreign gifts” by university professors and departments. “This joint inquiry is …

A Texas-based hotel empire begrudgingly pledged to return coronavirus aid for small businesses after the feds threatened to go after big companies that kept the money. The Ashford Group of Companies slammed the Trump administration for shifting the rules of its $659 billion Paycheck Protection Program — as it announced plans to repay the loans …

The House Judiciary Committee wants Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to testify about an allegation that his company uses third-party vendor information to guide creation of new Amazon products. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the internet retail giant has allegedly used information from third-party vendors to guide competing products. For example, Amazon introduced …

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee on Thursday urged Democrats leading the committee to investigate the Chinese government’s influence over the World Health Organization. Ranking member Jim Jordan along with five Republican ranking members on oversight subcommittees sent a letter to Democratic Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney calling on Democrats to investigate China’s sway over the WHO. …

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that it is “highly likely” the next emergency coronavirus package Congress passes will include funding for state and local governments, but cautioned that the relief will come with a condition. “We probably will do another bill. What I’m saying is it won’t just be about money,” McConnell told …

Democratic candidate Kyrsten Sinema speaks to supporters after winning the U.S. Senate race in Scottsdale, Ariz., November 12, 2018. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D., Ariz.) on Thursday called on the Senate to pass emergency funding for federal small business loans as soon as possible, bucking Democratic senators who are pushing for additional demands. The Paycheck Protection …

The $349 billion in emergency funding for small businesses has run out less than one month after it was created as part of the $2.2 trillion phase-three coronavirus economic relief bill. “The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding,” the Small Business Administrations said …