Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted about an 800-person drop in unaccompanied alien children (UAC) apprehensions at the Southwest border between December and January, a DHS spokesman said Feb. 7 that number is still too high. “Once again, this month we saw an unacceptable number of UACs and family units flood our border […]
Congress
Vetting Center, MS-13 Top Trump’s Weekday Agenda
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum Feb. 6 to calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, in conjunction with secretary of state, attorney general, and director of national intelligence to establish a National Vetting Center. “The United States must protect its people from terrorist attacks and other public safety threats,” the memo stated. “Vetting […]
Government Shutdown Threat Looms Over DOD Budget
In Congress, one member can keep any piece of legislation from being voted on or even force a federal government shutdown. In October 2013, for example, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) led the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party to force a partial government shutdown for more than two weeks over ending funding for the […]
McCain-Coons Immigration Bill Falls Short for Trump
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) announced Feb. 5 his intention, along with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) to introduce new immigration legislation, and President Trump almost immediately rebuffed it. “Our legislation, which already has broad support in the House of Representatives, would address the most urgent priorities of protecting Dreamers, strengthening border security, alleviating the backlog in […]
Trump Request Eliminates Chemical Safety Board
Bloomberg Politics reported Feb. 1 that President Trump’s 2019 budget request will include a provision that eliminates the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Trump’s 2018 budget request also proposed its elimination, but appropriators disagreed and included it. CSB investigates chemical accidents across the nation. “The CSB conducts root cause investigations of chemical accidents at fixed […]