THE LONG GAME: At last, a speaker; Stand-alone Israel aid bill
Ending three weeks of infighting among House Republicans, GOP lawmakers finally elected a new speaker on Wednesday when they chose heretofore little-known Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) for the post. Just hours earlier, it appeared that Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) had a lock on the job. However, that was before former president Donald Trump weighed in, calling Emmer a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only) due in large part to the Minnesotan’s vote to certify President Biden’s election. By contrast, Johnson was a key behind-the-scenes player in the effort to overturn the 2020 election results, helping draft an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit that contested President Biden’s victory. Johnson, who previously had supported a nationwide abortion ban and had authored legislation modeled on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” measure, quickly made news in his first full interview following his election. He said on Fox News that mass shootings—like the one that had just occurred in Maine—were a problem of the “human heart” rather than a problem caused by guns. The White House responded saying that the comment was an “offensive accusation that gun crime is uniquely high in the United States because of Americans’ ‘hearts’.” In a subsequent interview,
Johnson said that he was “looking at” supporting a subpoena of Hunter Biden.
The House appears poised to take up aid to Israel as a stand-alone bill this week, separating the assistance from additional funding for Ukraine. This puts the House on a collision course not only with the White House, but with many Senate Republicans, who prefer to deal with funding for both countries’ defense needs in one package. Furthermore, Johnson is taking the extraordinary step of insisting that the proposed $14 billion in aid to Israel be offset with other spending cuts. Specifically, the bill would rescind funding for the IRS contained in the president’s signature Inflation Reduction Act. The White House pushed back, saying that "politicizing our national security interests is a nonstarter.” Other Democrats were similarly enraged. “Speaker Johnson’s political games are offensive to all pro-Israel Americans,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
Washington Watch is published weekly when Congress is in session. Published monthly during extended recess or adjournment.
Spotlight on Puerto Rico
Vieques and Culebra ferry rates to increase next year
The Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI) announced that rates will increase for tourists traveling by ferry to the islands of Vieques and Culebra by early next year. The ATI says that the exact date will be determined in coordination with the municipalities to ensure that local residents are not impacted. Rates will also increase for freight and motor vehicles, with the expectation that the cost of taking a small car to the island will jump from $13-$15 per trip to as much as $40 to $50 per trip.
President Biden and Secretary Raimundo announce new Tech Hub in Puerto Rico
President Biden and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced last week the designation of 31 communities across the country as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs, or “Tech Hubs.” These tech hubs include the PRBio Tech Hub in San Juan. The funds are the result of the CHIPS and Science Act, authorizing direct investments into high-potential U.S. regions with the aim of turning them into globally competitive innovation centers. The PRBio Tech Hub is a consortium led by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust. As a designated Tech Hub, PRBio will now be eligible to apply for tens of millions of dollars in the coming years as officials seek to promote the region as a global leader in biotechnology and medical device production.
EPA announces $2.4 million for new Puerto Rico projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week $2.4 million in new funding for four projects in Puerto Rico to advance environmental justice initiatives. The projects will support historically disadvantaged communities and focus on community outreach, climate resilience, and nature-based programming, among other goals. Three projects will receive $500,000 each: the Atma Connect in San Juan for its Grassroots Leadership, Education, and a Safe Water Quality Network; the PathStone Corporation for its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Project in Arecibo, Baceloneta, and Utuado; and the Sociedad Ambiente Marino in San Juan. Additionally, the municipality of Vega Baja received over $978,0000 for its project assisting communities in identifying, preventing, and eliminating blighted properties and associated health and environmental risks.
View From The White House
President Biden issued a sweeping executive order Monday aimed at regulating the potential risks that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to national security, the economy and public health.
The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security announced that they will partner with colleges to combat anti-Semitism after an alarming uptick in incidents and threats on campuses nationwide.
Biden will visit a family farm in Minnesota on Wednesday, a trip that will highlight how infrastructure and climate policies are impacting rural communities
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