SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
On March 22, the Allahabad High Court had declared the Act as ‘unconstitutional’ and violative of the principle of secularism.
The rise of AI: When will Congress regulate it?
It is said that predicting the future isn’t magic. It’s really just artificial intelligence. If that’s the case, perhaps we should ask AI when Congress might pass a bill to regulate the emerging technology – before it spirals out of control. There’s a push by Congressional leaders to approve a bill regulating AI when lawmakers return to Washington after the election. But the path to passage – and developing a consensus on establishing guardrails for AI – is far from certain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., promised legislative action on AI last year. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: THE HARD STUFF IS YET TO COME “It can’t be days or weeks. But nor should it be years. It’ll be in the general category of months,” said Schumer. The New York Democrat convened multiple AI forums on Capitol Hill to educate senators about the prospects – and dangers – of AI. Schumer brought in tech titans and innovators ranging from Elon Musk to Mark Zuckerberg to Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI. “This is sort of an important, urgent and in some ways unprecedented moment and I think we really need the government to lead,” said Altman at the time. Congress has a mixed record of establishing standards and best practices for new technologies. Samuel Morse – the inventor of Morse Code and developer of the telegraph – brought his new-fangled system to Washington to showcase for the federal government. He stretched a wire between two rooms at the Capitol in the 1840s, demonstrating how to dispatch signals and messages down the line. Morse then strung a telegraph line from Washington to Baltimore in 1844 for a private showing of the technology to Washington power brokers. Morse transmitted the words “What hath God wrought” from the Supreme Court chamber inside the Capitol. But the federal government didn’t buy it. And that’s partly why there has always been private control of telecommunications in the U.S. compared to other nations. And that is precisely what Congress “hath wrought.” USER’S MANUAL ON WHAT HOUSE RACES TO WATCH ON ELECTION NIGHT Congress did intervene in the 1920s and 1930s with this new thing called “radio.” There was no restriction on power, wattage or footprint The signals of various broadcasters stepped all over one another. The broadcasters appealed to Congress to regulate them via legislation. That christened the formal beginning of federal telecommunications policy. However, lawmakers didn’t fare quite as well in the 1990s wrangling the internet, formerly known as “the information superhighway.” There were concerns about the First Amendment and inhibiting innovation. Congress did approve the Telecommunications Act of 1996 – a landmark piece of legislation. But some lawmakers might wish to handle that legislation a little differently today considering the present status of the digital ether. “We know that there is extraordinary potential and possibility with this. But also some peril,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. Johnson and other conservatives are leery of big government quashing the potential of AI. “We want to resist overregulating. The innovation aspect of AI is very important,” said Johnson. “I believe in Reagan’s principle that less government is the solution. Government is the problem itself. So we want to be very careful.” Johnson and others believe that the European Union went too far earlier this year when it approved an AI regulation bill – the first comprehensive legal framework on AI anywhere in the world. The EU law creates four areas of risk in using AI. Banned under the EU’s legislation is “unacceptable risk.” It’s where AI exploits the vulnerabilities of someone due to their race, disability or social status. There’s concern that AI could study biometric data to categorize people. As a result, the EU could manipulate people via subtle techniques. That could prompt them to reach dangerous conclusions or potentially take harmful actions – thanks to engaging with AI. WHO’S IN CHARGE: THE MUDDY HISTORY OF THE 50-50 SENATE The EU also wants a conformity among AI systems which enter the marketplace. This would, in effect, create a “level playing field” for AI users. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., is studying for a master’s degree in AI at George Mason University. He suggests it isn’t just free-market conservatives like Johnson who want to limit the government footprint on AI. “None of us want to imitate the European Union’s AI act, which we see as very regulatory. Very prescriptive. We want to have a light enough touch so that America is still the center place of innovation, imagination and creativity,” said Beyer. But Beyer offers a note of caution. “Some regulation is probably going to be necessary because there will be bad actors,” said Beyer. As to the speed of passing legislation? Beyer says he’s not concerned. A ‘VERY DIFFERENT SCENARIO’ FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTIONS IN 2024 “It’s much faster than what we’ve been able to react on for social media, for example. We’ve done very little. One of the things that’s pending is a major privacy bill. We’ve never had a real Privacy Act in American history,” said Beyer. The House empaneled an AI task force last year. Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., is one of the co-chairs. He says people shouldn’t fear AI. “Unfortunately, AI is a topic that’s been informed by 50 years of science fiction and pop culture. So, if you ask the average American what the biggest downside potential of AI is, they’ll give you something out of a Terminator movie where an army of evil robots rises up to take over the world. That’s not what we worry about,” said Obernolte. But what does concern Obernolte is the potential for AI to spread misinformation, pierce your data privacy and even make malicious financial transactions without your knowledge. “These are all things that keep us up at night. That put together are probably equally consequential as an army of evil robots,” conceded Obernolte. But can Congress act before AI does? “Under Republican control this term in the Congress, we’ve just had trouble
Anti-trafficking activist exposes how ‘slave ledger’ is being used by smugglers to control migrants
An anti-sex trafficking activist who has been sounding the alarm about the smuggling and trafficking of women and children into the United States through the southern border says that a purported ledger of victims shows how calculated smuggling groups are with those being trafficked. Jaco Booyens, who is a director and anti-trafficking activist, spoke to Fox News Digital about a document he says he found among a group of migrants, mostly women and children, who his team followed from the Darien Gap, through Mexico and into the U.S. where they were encountered by Border Patrol in Texas. As some men in the group fled, the logbook ended up being discarded, he says, and picked up by his team. RESIDENTS IN SMALL OHIO VILLAGE REVEAL BIGGEST CONCERNS AFTER COMMUNITY ROCKED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS “It’s for all intents and purposes, it’s a slave ledger,” he says. He says the book is typical of smugglers and shows the names of children being moved across the border, and how much is still owed. “This is how they operate. It’s around $8,500 is the sum. And then whatever portion they can pay. Now, some of the families here pay $50,” he said, adding that they will then owe the rest at a high interest rate to the gangs. He said the discovery showed the lack of a human element of what the smugglers were dealing with. “It’s never been this brazen to where really when you read through this, and you translate it, it’s numbers on a page. There’s a complete lack of humanity in this document,” he said. “When you read a document and it’s names of children and their ages, and you start seeing monetary value next to them, you know, it’s a reality we live through, but the American public don’t understand how human lives are commoditized,” he said. Booyens stressed how migrants who are brought in are not then left by the cartels but are tracked, and will be forced to pay back the money they owe, whether that be through prostitution or other forms of labor. If they don’t check in, they or their family members in their home country could be at risk of violence. “The traffickers know where they are. They have a ledger on them, and they check in. They check in like you do with a parole officer because they are fearful for their family’s lives back home, and they pay a debt. They have a debt to pay, so the system is very organized from that perspective,” he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS “It’s just stark to get a ledger with the names, and say, ‘Hey, this guy has X amount of children on his book. And he’s going to collect,’” he said. Smuggling has increased with the crisis at the southern border. The Biden administration has targeted transnational organizations who are bringing migrants in, often working with Mexico to crack down on the smuggling. But critics have said they have incentivized activity with “open borders” policies. In terms of what can be done to stop the smuggling, Booyens noted a “vicious” demand cycle for children from Americans. But he said that the laws of the U.S. must also be followed to stop incentivizing migrants. “We got to just start with just letting the law be the law,” he said. “We have immigration law, albeit it needs reform. Yes, but we do have law, and the law has been abandoned.” Booyens spoke just days before the presidential election, where border security and immigration reform have been top issues for voters. Polls suggest former President Donald Trump holds a significant lead over Vice President Kamala Harris on the issue, with both candidates dueling over who is better suited to secure the border. Fox News’ Emma Woodhead contributed to this report.
9 million Texans voted early in 2024. Here’s how that compares to previous years.
The turnout rate doped more than 8 percentage points compared to four years ago — a highwater mark for the Lone Star State.
JD Vance suggests new campaign slogan for Kamala Harris: ‘Nothing comes to mind’
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, shared some political advice for Vice President Harris during a rally in Atlanta on Monday. “Remember, her whole argument of her campaign is that she doesn’t even know who Joe Biden is, even though she’s the sitting vice president. And ‘The View’ host asked her, ‘What would you have done differently over the last four years? Would you have done anything differently than Joe Biden?’ And Kamala Harris says, ‘Nothing comes to mind,’” Vance said. “The Harris-Walz slogan could be ‘Nothing comes to mind.’” ‘ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VOID’: GEORGIA JUDGE STRIKES DOWN NEW ELECTION RULES AFTER LEGAL FIGHTS Vance was referencing the vice president’s recent interview with ABC’s “The View” where she conceded she would not have done much differently than President Biden has during their administration so far. Harris said during the sit-down last month, “There is not a thing that comes to mind in terms of – and I’ve been a part of most of the decisions that have had impact, the work that we have done.” The Trump campaign and its allies immediately pounced on the clip as proof of their warnings that Harris would continue Biden’s most unpopular progressive policies if she wins the White House after Election Day on Nov. 5. HOUSE GOP LEADERS RIP ACTBLUE AFTER DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT HIT WITH SUBPOENA Speaking to voters in deep-blue Atlanta the night before, Vance also used the quote to accuse Harris of a lack of clear policy positions. “Think about this, Kamala. What would you do to fix the broken policies to make groceries and housing more affordable? ‘Nothing comes to mind.’ Kamala Harris, what would you do to secure that southern border? ‘Nothing comes to mind,’” Vance said. “That’s what Kamala Harris’s campaign slogan could be.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for a response. Both the Trump and Harris campaigns have detailed policy platforms available on their websites. Harris’ says relatively little about the border, though she has shown support for the bipartisan border deal that collapsed against Republican opposition this year. MIKE JOHNSON KICKS OFF SWING-STATE TOUR AS GOP CLINGS TO HOUSE CONTROL Vance’s 11th-hour appeal to Georgia voters comes at the end of an election cycle where both campaigns poured enormous time and resources into the Peach State. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Biden won the traditionally red state by less than 1% in 2020. Democrats also made gains there in 2022, cementing its status as a key battleground. More than 4 million Georgia voters have already cast ballots going into Election Day, roughly 55.5% of the state’s active voters. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Harris-Trump showdown: Where they stand on this top issue for voters
As the 2024 presidential election looms, immigration and border security have repeatedly been cited by voters as a top issue — but where do Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump stand on securing the border? Former President Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration his breakout issue in 2016, calling for a massive wall at the southern border and promising a tougher stance against Mexico. With a massive migrant crisis at the southern border, which exploded under the Biden administration, Trump again made the issue one of his top focuses on the 2024 campaign trail. He has promised to finish the wall, over 450 miles of which were built during his administration. He has also promised to launch the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” to deport millions of illegal immigrants. TRUMP SAYS HE WILL CARRY OUT THE ‘LARGEST DOMESTIC DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY’ IF ELECTED He has also pledged to terminate “every open borders policy of the Biden administration.” On the issue of migrant crime, he has said he will invoke the Alien Enemies Act to remove gang members, drug dealers and others to end the “scourge of illegal alien gang violence once and for all.” “I’m announcing today that upon taking office, we will have an operation Aurora at the federal level to expedite the removals of these savage gangs, and I will invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Think of that, 1798. This was put there, 1790. Yeah, that’s a long time ago. Right?” Trump said last month. “To target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil.” Meanwhile, he has looked to go beyond illegal immigration and also shut down migrant parole policies that have been used by the Biden administration to bring in hundreds of thousands of migrants via humanitarian parole. “They use a little technicality so we don’t call ’em, but that to me, that’s illegal,” he said Monday of the parole processes for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. It would likely involve the limiting of the CBP One app, which was expanded by the Biden administration to allow migrants to make appointments on the app at ports of entry. A Trump administration would also likely seek to restore the 2019 Remain-in-Mexico policy and bring back down the number of refugee admissions. On Monday, he announced an additional policy, promising to slap a 25% tariff on incoming goods from Mexico. “I’m going to inform [the Mexican president] on day one or sooner that if they don’t stop this onslaught of criminals and drugs coming into our country, I’m going to immediately impose a 25% tariff on everything they send into the United States of America,” he said. Border security has been a thorny topic for Vice President Harris, who was given the nickname of “border czar” by the media and some critics when she was given the assignment of leading diplomacy to tackle root causes of migration in early 2021. In that role, she visited Mexico, Guatemala and El Paso, Texas. Recently, she visited Arizona as part of her presidential campaign. Her office has touted a project to rally private-sector investment in the region via a call to action that has seen more than $5.2 billion committed since May 2021 from over 50 companies and organizations to tackle root causes. She has also been dogged by her past of more radical stances when serving as a California senator and 2020 presidential candidate, including a promise to end government contracts with private prisons and decriminalize illegal crossings. A Harris campaign adviser told Fox that her positions have been “shaped by three years of effective governance as part of the Biden-Harris administration.” KAMALA HARRIS AND THE SOUTHERN BORDER CRISIS: A TIMELINE But as she has sought to present herself as the candidate best suited to handle the border crisis, she has emphasized her past as a prosecutor going after transnational criminal organizations. “As Attorney General of California, Vice President Harris went after international drug gangs, human traffickers and cartels that smuggled guns, drugs, and human beings across the U.S.-Mexico border. She has also repeatedly hammered Trump over his alleged role in torpedoing a bipartisan border security bill that was introduced in the Senate in January, accusing him of having “killed the border deal for his political gain.” That bill, which failed to pick up enough support to pass the chamber, would have provided additional funding to the border, including for 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, over 4,300 new asylum officers, 1,200 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and 100 new immigration judge teams. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS It also included an emergency authority to allow officials to shut down entries at the southern border when they reach a certain level — but conservatives say it would solidify high levels of illegal immigration. The bill would also expedite work permits for migrants released into the interior and tighten language for credible fear screenings into the U.S. Harris has said she will sign the bill if it is passed when she is president. However, she has also retained her support for a 2021 bill introduced by the Biden administration, which includes a massive amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants. She has reiterated that she still wishes to see a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants passed if she is elected to the White House. “We need a comprehensive plan,” Harris said in September. “That includes what we need to do to fortify not only our border but deal with the fact that we also need to create pathways for people to earn citizenship.”
‘Trojan horse’ amendment could allow illegals to vote, New York experts say
New York conservatives are warning that New York’s Proposition 1 on the ballot today is a “Trojan horse” to enshrine an array of abuses into the state constitution, including allowing illegal immigrants to vote. Those in favor of the proposition say it is necessary to protect abortion rights in the state. However, opponents say it has nothing to do with abortion, which they say is already protected by New York law. “It’s being portrayed as necessary to protect abortion rights, but that’s false,” John Faso, an attorney and former New York state representative, told Fox News Digital. “Abortion was legalized in New York State by the legislature in 1970, 54 years ago. And it’s not under any threat whatsoever, regardless of what your position is on it.” NY BALLOT INITIATIVE COULD BLOCK PARENTS FROM SAY IN CHILD’S TRANS SURGERY, CRITICS WARN IN FIERY CAMPAIGN Abortion is currently legal in New York through 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, a woman can still obtain an abortion if her medical provider decides the unborn baby is not viable or the woman’s life or physical or mental health is at risk. According to information on the website for New York Attorney General Letitia James, “people of all ages have the absolute right to abortion” in New York. Faso said that “to argue that somehow abortion rights are at risk in New York State is just a complete lie.” If passed, the proposition would amend the state constitution to prohibit any discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care and autonomy. HUNDREDS OF NEW YORK TIMES TECH STAFFERS GO ON STRIKE AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY Proponents say the amendment will protect all New Yorkers against unequal treatment. Faso, however, said that under this amendment, biological males will have a constitutional right to participate in girls’ sports and parents will no longer be able to fully control the health care decisions for their minor children. He also pointed to a portion of the amendment that states that authorities can enact “laws to prevent or undo past discrimination.” He called this a “reverse discrimination provision” that he said would authorize the state to engage in discrimination programs on the pretext of prior discrimination. “So, we can discriminate against you because years ago [someone] discriminated against someone,” he said. “These kinds of things make no sense. They’re highly controversial, and they’re trying to sneak this into the state constitution without really much public awareness about what’s contained here in this amendment.” Perhaps most shocking of all, Faso said that because of the inclusion of national origin as a constitutionally protected class, the amendment could be used to allow noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote. “Noncitizen voting could become a reality because the argument will be it’s discriminatory based on my national origin that I shouldn’t have a right to vote even though I’m not a citizen,” he explained. Bobbie Anne Cox, an attorney who serves as the spokesperson for a ballot initiative committee called “Vote No on Prop One,” told Fox News Digital that the amendment “opens the door for all of these benefits to be given to these people that are not citizens, are not from our country and some of whom are here illegally.” “When I say this is a Trojan horse, it is a Trojan horse of epic proportions,” she said. Cox also called the proposition a “bait and switch” because she said the language on the ballot does not match the actual amendment. “The language that would go into our Constitution is not on the ballot. What New Yorkers will see on the ballot is a two-sentence summary of the proposal, and that summary is not all-encompassing. It doesn’t tell you the whole story,” she said. “This is a tremendous power grab by the government in New York State,” she went on. “It really upsets me that they are not being honest with the New York voters.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Trump rallies in Pennsylvania city with highest Hispanic population hours before polls open
Just over a week after a comic’s joke about Puerto Rico being an “island of garbage” at a Trump rally attracted days of negative media attention, the former president held another rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, an area rich with Latino pride. Pennsylvania’s fourth-largest city was historically the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, but has in recent decades become home to the highest proportion of Hispanics in the commonwealth. A 2021 report by the Reading Eagle estimated about two-thirds identify as such. During the Monday rally, Trump invited Patty Morin onstage. Morin’s daughter Rachel was raped and murdered in 2023 by a Salvadoran illegal immigrant wanted for murder in his home country. Morin told the crowd everyone in her town loved Rachel, and credited Trump with the proverb, “When the righteous man reigns, the people rejoice.” LIBERTY BELLWETHERS: FIVE COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA TO WATCH Rachel Morin was murdered in 2023 when Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez encountered her on a jogging path in Harford County, Maryland. Before Trump took the stage, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., offered a speech partially in Spanish — remarking he never likes the media’s translation. In Spanish, or dialectically “Cuban,” as the lawmaker joked, Rubio encouraged voters to come out for Trump on Tuesday and laid out a positive vision for the mogul’s second term. Trump later asked the crowd the same question Ronald Reagan had: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” PENNSYLVANIA LEADERS TALK ‘EXCITING’ GROUND GAME ON BOTH SIDES, AS GOP SEEKS TO UNDO DEM GAINS “You built this country; you’re going to save this country too,” he said. “The ball is in our hand, it’s at the two-yard line, maybe the one-yard line.” “Tomorrow, you have to stand up and tell Kamala you’ve had enough… ‘You’re the most incompetent vice president we’ve ever had… Kamala you’re fired — get the hell out of here,’” he boomed. Trump said Harris orchestrated the “biggest betrayal” of the American people, before referring to the U.S. as an “occupied country” due to illegal immigration. Trump also reserved criticism for Sen. Bob Casey, Jr., D-Pa., after inviting challenger David McCormick to speak. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump characterized Casey — in office since defeating Sen. Rick Santorum in 2006 — as a two-decade “survivor” who accomplished little other than retaining his job in Congress. He appeared to suggest Casey simply followed his namesake father’s coattails into office. The elder Casey, of Casey v. Planned Parenthood fame, was governor from 1987-1995.
Fox News Politics: Just one more sleep ’til Election Day
Happy Election Eve! Welcome to the Fox News’ Politics newsletter, with the latest political news from Washington, D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. HOW TO WATCH: Tune-in on Election Night for special Democracy ’24 election coverage. Here’s what’s happening… – Iowa poll shows Democrats in a position to flip 2 GOP House seats – On Election Eve, Harris and Trump hold dueling rallies in the biggest of the battlegrounds – Eight states will vote on measures that would explicitly ban noncitizens from voting Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has suggested that if Democrats sweep the 2024 elections, they will control the nation for a century. He predicted that if Democrats win both chambers of Congress and the White House, they will eliminate the filibuster in the Senate, add justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, grant Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico statehood, and establish federal control over elections, redistricting, and campaigns. “Day 1: Nuke the filibuster,” Lee wrote on X. “Day 2: Pack SCOTUS. Day 3: Make DC & PR states. Day 4: Enact federal takeover of elections/redistricting/campaigns. Days 5 – 36,500: Rule America uncontested for 100 years.”…Read more WHERE’S JOE?: First Lady stumps in key battleground state while Biden remains absent from the campaign trail…Read more ‘AMERICA, YOU OWE US’: Harris’ radical pastor could be key player in reparations push if she becomes president…Read more ‘ANOTHER FAILURE’: VP Harris ripped by sheriff for refusing to reveal her vote on anti-crime measure in home state…Read more GAFFE TRAIL: Biden absent from campaign trail in home state after viral ‘smack’ gaffe…Read more BATTLE FOR THE GAVEL: NRCC chair reveals the two most crucial states in the race for the House majority…Read more ‘WHAT A DISGRACE’: Trump taunts McConnell’s endorsement as GOP Senate leader race looms…Read more MIXED SIGNALS: Schumer suggests Nebraska independent candidate would caucus with Democrats…Read more ‘DECREPIT, CORRUPT’: Trump campaign blasts Pelosi as ‘corrupt’ and ‘decrepit’ after she claims Trump’s brain is ‘deteriorating’…Read more CRUZ ON OFFENSE: Texas senators slams Mitch McConnell as ‘one-man dictator’ after Super PAC abandons him in tight reelection race…Read more BEHIND-THE-SCENES BATTLES: Legal challenges that could impact the vote before Election Day begins…Read more ‘PAINSTAKING PROCESS’: Pa. county gives update on probe of suspicious batch of voter formsairs…Read more THE WORLD IS WATCHING: What do Latin Americans, Europeans think about Donald Trump, Kamala Harris?…Read more ‘DO NOT VOTE FOR ME’: RFK Jr., on eve of Election Day, tells voters ‘do NOT vote for me’…Read more CONSPICUOUS ABSENCE: Harris didn’t mention Trump’s name during rally for first time as candidate…Read more ‘EXPANDING THE MAP’: Trump campaign ‘expanding the map,’ Vance says in New Hampshire…Read more EARLY VOTING SURGE: Over 77M voters have cast ballots in 2024 election…Read more HOWARD KURTZ: Trump camp confident, while Black leaders say Harris is struggling…Read more THIRD TIME’S A CHARM: Trump to continue swing state tradition in final campaign event of 2024….Read more FREQUENT FLYERS: Trump, Harris have visited these states the most heading into Election Day…Read more CHANGING RACE: Harris’ late surge in betting odds fueled by outlier poll, but Trump still ‘slightly favored’…Read more WHERE THE RACE STANDS: Harris leads Trump by 4 nationally as both candidates narrow gender gap, poll finds…Read more DEMOCRACY ’24: Alaska, Iowa, Montana, 7 other states end early in-person voting on Monday…Read more ‘DOESN’T SEEM TO GET IT’: Missouri Republicans launch suit to ban feds from monitoring polling sites…Read more NORTH CAROLINA SHOWDOWN: Trump leads Harris by 2% in North Carolina heading into Election Day, poll finds…Read more ‘COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS’: Government, private businesses erect barricades in preparation for Election Day…Read more THROWING HANDS: Head of US Central Command being investigated for getting physical with an airman on plane to Israel…Read more LIBERTY BELLWETHERS: Five Pennsylvania counties to watch on election night…Read more ‘ONSLAUGHT OF CRIMINALS’: Trump threatens a 25% tariff on Mexico if illegal border crossings don’t stop…Read more There will be no Fox News Politics newsletter tomorrow due to our ongoing election coverage. Check in here for Election Night special coverage for the 2024 US Presidential election. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Biden-Harris EPA funding ‘radical, left-leaning’ environmental groups calling to end fossil fuels: report
The Biden-Harris administration is being put on blast for giving billions of taxpayer dollars to fund “radical, left-leaning” environmental groups that seek to eradicate fossil fuels, according to a new House report. The House Energy and Commerce Committee dropped a report “exposing the green group giveaway” by the Biden administration on Monday, breaking down the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding for environmental and climate justice grants. The EPA received $41 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. The agency allocated $2.8 billion from the funds to be managed by the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), which, according to the report, is “using taxpayer dollars to promote the Biden-Harris radical energy agenda.” “The Biden-Harris administration is seemingly using environmental justice grants to funnel public funds towards organizations that promote its policies and galvanize political support for its actions,” the report reads. “Enriching nonprofit organizations to spread radical, left-leaning ideology is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. These programs demand rigorous scrutiny and meticulous oversight.” TRUCKING GROUPS, FARMERS FILE OPENING BRIEF IN LAWSUIT AGAINST EPA: ‘UNWORKABLE MANDATE’ The EPA reportedly funneled the money out to several different environmental groups actively advocating for a rapid transition to green energy. About $50 million was awarded to the Climate Justice Alliance, a group which has called for ending the use of fossil fuels. The group is “engaged in local, state and national work on a wide range of issues from racial justice, energy democracy, food sovereignty, and zero waste.” The CJA also focuses on the “social, racial, economic and environmental justice issues of climate change,” according to their website. Another funding recipient is the Delaware Valley Citizens Council for Clean Air, who want to “phase out fracking,” “make biking, walking, transit, and electric vehicles the primary” sources of transportation, and prioritize ending pollution in “environmental justice communities.” The Southern Poverty Law Center said they are “working with Congress and the Biden administration to ensure a permanent ban on offshore drilling.” SUPREME COURT TO ALLOW BIDEN ADMIN POWER PLANT CLIMATE STANDARDS TO REMAIN IN PLACE – FOR NOW Another group, BlocPower, works to “decarbonize buildings by replacing fossil fuel-burning appliances with modern, all-electric equipment.” About $10 million was also awarded to West Harlem Environmental Action, Incorporated (WE ACT), which is prioritizing “fighting liquified natural gas and false solution infrastructure.” “These policy priorities frequently mirror the radical rush-to-green energy policies that the Biden-Harris administration has pushed,” the report reads. “Some of these selectees promote clear political positions and ideologies, despite claiming to be nonpartisan. Some have embraced obstructionist tactics to undermine energy projects and industries they oppose.” The report also raised concerns over the agency’s ability to properly manage billions of dollars and prevent the misuse of funds. Additionally, concerns were raised over the “vague or open-ended description” of how the groups can use the funds. The taxpayer-funded grants given to these groups can be used for “public outreach” or “public education.” The report claims that this allows the groups to participate in something “akin to a taxpayer-funded lobbying operation” as they are given space to “influence public and elected officials to adopt their often-extreme views.” The EPA responded to the report in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. “All eligible applications submitted for EPA funding go through a rigorous competitive process,” the EPA said. “EPA takes program integrity very seriously and will continue delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s environmental justice goals in a robust and transparent manner. EPA has multiple safeguards in place to ensure grant activities are fully compliant with grant commitments and the laws Congress has directed EPA to implement.”