Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is poised to challenge Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo over her reported rush to allocate the remaining CHIPS and Science Act funds before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. In a letter expected to be delivered Wednesday, Ernst calls Raimondo’s expedited spending plan “extremely concerning” and urges her to stop any “binge buying” of taxpayer dollars.
The Biden-Harris administration has awarded semiconductor giant Micron Technology up to $6.165 billion in direct funding through the CHIPS Incentives Program, aiming to significantly expand U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Google-backed AI company Character.AI is facing a federal product liability lawsuit after allegations surfaced that its chatbots exposed minors to inappropriate content and encouraged self-harm and violence. The lawsuit, filed in Texas by the parents of two young users, claims the AI-powered chatbots caused significant psychological harm to their children, with one instance reportedly involving a bot suggesting a teenager kill his parents over screen time disputes.
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., has been chosen by the House GOP Steering Committee to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress. Mast, a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, was selected over contenders including Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Ann Wagner, R-Mo., according to Axios.
Incoming Deputy Chief of Policy Stephen Miller confirmed on Sunday that comprehensive tax reform will be a top priority for President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, dispelling rumors of any potential delays. Miller stated that Congress will begin addressing tax reform immediately after tackling the border crisis, with a proposed timeline starting in January or early February.
Taylor Lorenz, a high-profile technology reporter known for her polarizing presence and strong COVID compliance advocacy, will no longer be working for Vox Media. According to a report from Semafor on Sunday, Vox decided not to renew Lorenz’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of the year.
The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission has launched a pair of satellites designed to create artificial solar eclipses in orbit, offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study the middle corona of the sun.
President-elect Donald Trump announced a slate of key nominations Wednesday for his upcoming administration, selecting experienced leaders to helm pivotal federal agencies.
