Washington, May 22 (IANS) Democratic senators have raised national security and press freedom concerns over a proposed media merger that could allow sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to acquire major stakes in Paramount Global and its broadcast television assets, including CBS-owned stations and potentially CNN.In a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, six senators led by Maria Cantwell and Ben Ray Lujan urged a “ri…
Latest Maria Cantwell News & Updates
Washington, April 25 (IANS) Surging jet fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict are forcing US airlines to cut flights and raise fares, triggering a sharp exchange in Congress over energy policy and cuts to alternative fuel programmes.At a Senate hearing, Maria Cantwell pressed Energy Secretary Chris Wright on rising costs and the administration’s decision to scale back incentives for sustainable aviation fuel.“Front page of the Seattle Times this morning – flights canceled because of the …
Washington, March 3 (IANS) A fierce political battle erupted in Washington over President Donald Trump’s military campaign in Iran, with senior Republicans defending the action as lawful and necessary, while top Democrats accused the President of launching a war without Congressional approval.Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed criticism that the administration had failed to properly notify lawmakers.“Why not notify Congress?!” Rubio told reporters at the US Congress.“We can’t notif…
Washington, Feb 28 (IANS) US Senate Democrats accused President Donald Trump of deepening a farm and food affordability crisis, arguing that his tariff policies have handed China leverage in global agriculture while driving up grocery prices at home.Releasing a new report titled “Trump’s Broken Promises: Devastating America’s Farmers and Working Families,” Democrats said Trump’s trade war with Beijing has sharply curtailed US export markets and forced American farmers into financial di…
Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) US lawmakers and child development experts have warned that artificial intelligence chatbots pose new and potentially more dangerous risks to children than social media, urging Congress to move quickly to impose safeguards as the technology spreads.Testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee at a hearing titled “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth,” experts said AI-powered “companion” chatbots are being designed to encourage …
Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) Widespread smartphone and social media use among children is driving a sharp rise in depression, anxiety and suicide, top American lawmakers and experts have said calling it a public health crisis that demands urgent government action.Parents are increasingly alarmed by the amount of time children spend on screens and the nature of the content they consume, said Senator Ted Cruz, during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of T…
Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) US lawmakers and child development experts have accused major technology companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to keep children hooked, telling a Senate panel that addictive algorithms — not parental failure — are driving a worsening youth mental health crisis.At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing this week titled “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth,” Chairman Ted Cruz said parents were struggling to protec…
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) A bipartisan group of US senators introduced legislation to renew and expand a federal programme aimed at strengthening American leadership in quantum technology.The bill would reauthorise the National Quantum Initiative, a programme first approved in 2018 to coordinate federal research in quantum computing, networking and sensing.Senators backing the measure said sustained government investment is needed to protect US national security and economic competitiveness as ot…