The House Science Committee unanimously advanced Tuesday the National Science Foundation for the Future Act (HR-2225), setting up a likely showdown on whether the chamber will approve that bill rather than the rival Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S-1260). Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, prefers HR-2225’s approach to countering Chinese tech R&D. S-1260 would establish an NSF Technology Directorate; HR-2225 would establish a generalized Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions.
The House Science Committee unanimously advanced Tuesday the National Science Foundation for the Future Act (HR-2225), setting up a likely showdown on whether the chamber will approve that bill rather than the rival Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S-1260). Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, prefers HR-2225’s approach to countering Chinese tech R&D. S-1260 would establish an NSF Technology Directorate; HR-2225 would establish a generalized Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions.
The U.S.-European Union joint statement on trade says: "We will engage in discussions to allow the resolution of existing differences on measures regarding steel and aluminum before the end of the year. In this regard, we are determined to work together to resolve tensions arising from the U.S. application of tariffs on imports from the EU under U.S. Section 232." It also says, "We commit to ensure the long-term viability of our steel and aluminum industries, and to address excess capacity."
The Commerce Department published its spring 2021 regulatory agenda for the Bureau of Industry and Security, including two new mentions of emerging technology rules and new export controls on certain camera systems.
Emergency management agencies are backing FCC-proposed changes to emergency alerts. And we're told next week's vote on the draft order and Further NPRM (see 2105260076) should be noncontroversial.
Call centers struggle to move to next-generation 911 because of longstanding funding and other issues, but the FCC hopes many reconfigure their systems to take vertical location information on wireless calls. On June 3, the agency reached agreements with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to start transmitting the data -- where possible (see 2106030086).
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., set a Monday vote to invoke cloture on FTC nominee Lina Khan, setting up a likely final vote as soon as Tuesday. The House Commerce Committee, meanwhile, voted 30-22 Thursday to advance the Consumer Protection and Relief Act to restore FTC Act Section 13(b) consumer redress authority to the commission. House Commerce Republicans echoed their earlier displeasure with HR-2668 (see 2105270067) during the markup.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., set a Monday vote to invoke cloture on FTC nominee Lina Khan, setting up a likely final vote as soon as Tuesday. The House Commerce Committee, meanwhile, voted 30-22 Thursday to advance the Consumer Protection and Relief Act to restore FTC Act Section 13(b) consumer redress authority to the commission. House Commerce Republicans echoed their earlier displeasure with HR-2668 (see 2105270067) during the markup.
Emergency broadband benefit providers are encountering problems enrolling eligible households in the program through Universal Service Administrative Co.’s national Lifeline accountability database, representatives said in interviews and FCC filings. Industry groups said it prevented some consumers from taking advantage of the temporary benefit when the EBB launched in May.
The U.S. extended the national emergency authorizing sanctions against Belarus for one year beyond June 16, 2021, the White House said June 8. It said Belarusian government actions “continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy.