Defense

Pompeo’s shifting reasons for killing Soleimani puts the strike on shaky legal ground By Aaron Rupar - 01/07/2020 The Trump administration’s justification for killing Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top military commander, has subtly shifted since last Thursday. But the implications of that shift have profound implications in terms of the legality of an American action… Read more »

Washington Area Officials Respond To Assassination Of Top Iranian Military Leader, Potential War By Esther Ciammachilli - 01/03/2020  Elected officials from around the Washington region are responding to the airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump that killed Iranian Major Gen. Qassem Soleimani early Friday. The drone airstrike occurred in the early morning hours near… Read more »

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that bipartisan legislation to improve the U.S. military’s energy security and reduce carbon emissions has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement approved by the Senate.  The Securing Energy for our Armed Forces Using Engineering Leadership (SEA FUEL) Act would direct the Departments… Read more »

Rep. Don Beyer today hailed a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act conference report which would guarantee twelve weeks of paid parental leave for all federal employees: “This paid parental leave provision is one of the biggest victories for the federal workforce in my lifetime. “Against all odds, Chairman Smith, Majority Leader Hoyer, and the House negotiating team won… Read more »

Yesterday, Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) voted to pass H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act. This strong, commonsense legislation takes decisive and bipartisan steps to fight foreign interference in our elections by strengthening reporting requirements, closing loopholes, and deterring foreign activity in U.S. elections. Its passage… Read more »

Lawmakers warn about threat of political deepfakes by creating one BY CAT ZAKRZEWSKI - 09/27/2019  Rep. Michael Waltz called for Navy to beat Army in this year’s football game. That's essentially treason for a former Army Green Beret. And it's not something he'd ever say in real life: The statement came from a newly released political deepfake -- a video doctored with… Read more »

Today, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Francis Rooney (R-FL) introduced the National Ocean and Coastal Security Improvements Act (H.R. 4093). The bill would support coastal communities’ ability to prepare for and respond to a variety of coastal threats, including extreme weather events, climate hazards and changing ocean conditions by improving coastal infrastructure and supporting coastal… Read more »

Last night the House of Representatives adopted a set of amendments to H.R. 2500, the National Defense Authorization Act, including two offered by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) which would address helicopter noise in the National Capital Region. “Despite widespread complaints from residents across the National Capital Region and our engagement with… Read more »

Last night Rep. Beyer voted for H.R. 3401, a $4.5 billion emergency border supplemental appropriations bill to address the urgent humanitarian situation at our Southern border. The bill, which passed on a bipartisan vote, provides significant funding for priorities to meet the needs of vulnerable children, including food, water, medical services, legal assistance, support services… Read more »

Washington Post |  The House on Monday passed an amendment directing the Federal Aviation Administration to prioritize combating airplane and helicopter noise. The measure was sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who co-chairs the Quiet Skies Caucus, a group of lawmakers who represent districts dealing with issues related to aircraft noise. “Our amendment to direct… Read more »