September 6
This week in MORE POWER:
Detecting Fentanyl
Observing Elections
Putting Congress First
Listing Adversarial Owners
While the Diplomat is Away
Detecting Fentanyl
The House is back in session next week and may vote on a bill to increase the detection of fentanyl and other drugs, as well as disrupt drug smuggling. The bipartisan Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of (DETECT) Fentanyl and Xylazine Act would authorize the Department of Homeland Security to research and develop advanced equipment and technologies, including portable devices and AI-based methods, to help law enforcement accurately and safely detect drugs. Fentanyl is a particularly deadly drug; it is so potent that one can suffer a fentanyl overdose even after accidental exposure.
Observing Elections
Another bill that is scheduled to come up for a vote in the House was written to eliminate Americans’ growing distrust of the election processes. The Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access (COCOA) Act requires states to allow designated congressional election observers to watch all parts of congressional elections, from voting to counting ballots. These observers can't interfere with the process but can ask questions. The law is intended to increase transparency in the election process, but it does not apply to presidential races.
Putting Congress First
A bill designed to promote congressional oversight over the World Health Assembly (WHA), which is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), may also come up for a vote. The bill, No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act, would do so by mandating that any agreement reached by the WHA be ratified by the Senate like a treaty. These agreements can include WHA global treaties and/or conventions that aim to improve how countries prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics. If this bill becomes law, the Senate will have to produce a two-thirds majority favorable vote to ratify WHA agreements.
Listing Adversarial Owners
The House is scheduled to vote next week on the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act. Essentially, this bill is meant to make the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) publish a list, labeling companies that hold FCC licenses and are partially or fully owned by foreign governments or organizations from countries deemed a security risk. Having an FCC license simply means that a company has been given the right to use radio frequencies, operate TV or radio stations, or manage other communication systems in the U.S. So, if this bill becomes law, those companies with FCC licenses that are partially or fully owned by governments or organizations from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Venezuela will be placed on a list available to Americans. This way, Americans can be informed when consuming these companies’ media.
While the Diplomat is Away
This week, John Podesta, who is President Biden’s top climate diplomat, traveled to China for talks on climate policies. Next week, the House is scheduled to vote on several bills pertaining to China.
The Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act would, if made law, reestablish the Department of Justice's China Initiative, renaming it the CCP Initiative, to address threats from the Chinese Communist Party. It will focus on spying, intellectual property theft, protecting U.S. critical infrastructure and more. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act would prohibit colleges and universities from receiving funding from the DHS if the institutions have ties with Chinese entities or Confucius Institutes, which are funded by the Chinese government. If the relationship ends, however, the institutions can become eligible for DHS funding. Use the links above to read more and take action.
What Congress Passed
Nothing – they were on the last week of recess.
Nothing – they were on the last week of recess.
Nothing.
What POTUS Signed Into Law
Nothing.
