Lawmakers fear turning 144 cities into "micropolitan" areas
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and congressmen is urging the federal government not to approve recommendations to remove 144 cities from the designation of metropolitan statistical areas. Reclassifying them as “micropolitan” would put key federal funding at risk, they said. Doing so would reclassify more than a third of the current 392 metro areas as micropolitan statistical areas. In a separate letter to the Office of Management and Budget, Hoeven said the proposal also would hurt micropolitan areas that were on the cusp of becoming metro areas. “If a metropolitan statistical area is redefined as a micropolitan area, it may fall out of the conversation.
GOP Sen. Hoeven bought up to $250,000 in health sciences fund days after coronavirus briefing
GOP Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., purchased between $100,000 and $250,000 of stock in a fund invested in health sciences companies in late January, just days after attending a briefing on the federal government's response to the coronavirus. "I received the Investor Kit for the Blackrock Health Sciences Trust II fund on January 2nd and contacted Senator Hoeven to recommend he invest in it," Mayer wrote in the email to Capener. Hoeven, though, did not appear to own shares of the previous BlackRock health sciences fund Health Sciences Trust at any point in the last four years for which data is available. Hoeven purchased between $100,000 and $250,000 of stock in a separate BlackRock fund, Science and Technology Trust II, on Nov. 19. Hoeven also owns between $250,000 and $500,000 worth of BlackRock shares, according to his 2018 financial disclosure.
cnbc.comFeds missed 2nd deadline for Congress' tribal safety bills
U.S. officials tasked with carrying out federal public safety policy for tribes missed a deadline to provide input on legislation to curb violence against Native American women for a second straight month. "I was deeply frustrated when DOI and DOJ showed up completely unprepared to our committee's hearing on these critical bills," Udall said in an emailed statement. "Weeks later, the administration still has not delivered on its promised 'renewed commitment' to tribal public safety, failing to meet this deadline even after being granted an extension." Lawmakers need feedback from the Trump administration in their effort to take legislative action to address public safety for Native Americans, Udall said. The Senate's Indian Affairs committee has been seeking immediate comment from federal officials on five specific bills, including Savanna's Act.
chicagotribune.comSen. John Hoeven slams Obama's Keystone veto threat
Sign Up For NewslettersRenewed concern over COVID-19 trajectory, even as vaccinations riseGottlieb says vaccines should provide "pretty big backstop" against new surgeFauci warns against potential new COVID-19 surge as cases remain high5 killed in helicopter crash in Alaska's backcountryEviction moratorium extended to June 30 by the CDCLindsey Graham says he owns AR-15 for protectionHow wealth-hiding experts are creating "grotesque" inequalityNavalny says he's facing solitary confinement "close to torture"Attorney says defense trying to "assassinate" George Floyd's characterCarcinogen above FDA limit found in several hand sanitizer brandsOfficials say cargo ship refloated and on the move in Suez CanalLive Updates: Testimony begins in trial of ex-cop in George Floyd's deathSen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, says the Keystone XL oil pipeline would create jobs, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. Sen. John Hoeven slams Obama's Keystone veto threat Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, says the Keystone XL oil pipeline would create jobs, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. Be the first to knowGet browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not NowTurn On
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