Articles by David Shepardson and Richard Cowan

‘Comprehensive Legislation’ Needed to Address AI, Senator Schumer Says

U.S. Senate Majority Chuck Schumer on Wednesday will call for “comprehensive legislation” to advance and ensure safeguards on artificial intelligence (AI). Governments around the world are considering how to mitigate the dangers of the emerging technology. Surging popularity of so-called …

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Urges Federal Safety Probe Into All Major Freight Railroads

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday urged a federal investigation into safety practices of all seven major freight railroads, following the East Palestine, Ohio derailment of a Norfolk Southern Corp. train. In a letter, Schumer urged the National …

Senate Joins House in Passing Ban on Forced Arbitration of Worker Sexual Abuse Claims

The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would ban companies from forcing employees who allege sexual assault or harassment to settle their claims with an arbiter without the option of filing a lawsuit. The bill, which the House …

Republicans Rally Around Call for Legal Immunity for Businesses When They Reopen

The top Republicans in the U.S. Congress displayed a united front on Friday in their drive for coronavirus-related liability protections for businesses, saying such measures will be crucial to talks about future relief legislation. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and …

Congress Close to Deal on Funds to Fight Coronavirus

Negotiators in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate neared a deal on Wednesday on a multi-billion-dollar emergency bill to battle the coronavirus as they narrowed differences over the cost of potential vaccines, congressional aides said. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman …

Trump Signs Month-Long Government Funding That Includes Flood Insurance Program

President Donald Trump signed legislation on Thursday that will extend funding for a wide range of federal agencies through Dec. 20 and avoid partial government shutdowns that otherwise would have begun on Friday. An administration official said Trump signed the …

Trump Pulls Support for Senators’ Bipartisan Deal to Save Obamacare Subsidies

President Donald Trump on Wednesday backed away from a bipartisan deal from two U.S. senators to stabilize Obamacare by restoring subsidies to health insurers, one day after signaling his support for the plan. The agreement reached by Republican Senator Lamar …

Trump Administration Seeks $29B in Hurricane Disaster Relief Funds

The Trump administration on Wednesday asked U.S. lawmakers to approve $29 billion in disaster relief funds to assist victims of recent hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. The aid request includes $12.8 billion in new funds to help …

Senate Republicans Delay Healthcare Vote as Support Wanes

U.S. Senate Republican leaders postponed a vote on a healthcare overhaul on Tuesday after resistance from members of their own party, and President Donald Trump summoned Republican senators to the White House to urge them to break the impasse. The …

President Obama Gets Trade Secret Protection Bill Passed by Congress

The U.S. Congress on Wednesday passed and sent to President Barack Obama legislation strengthening legal protection for companies’ trade secrets, including manufacturing processes and computer methods. The House of Representatives voted 410-2 to approve the “Defend Trade Secrets Act” on …