Prism Group's Daily Summary
STALLED CR TEXT SHIFTS TIMELINE SLIGHTLY... Lawmakers and other stakeholders had hoped for text of the Continuing Resolution bill to be released Sunday, but as of yesterday, those details were still being hashed out. The new timeline means a House vote might not occur until sometime on Friday, assuming Speaker Johnson sticks to the so-called “72-Hour rule” which was implemented to give lawmakers time to review proposed legislation.
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE LEANING ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT THROUGH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY... In North Carolina, small businesses are leaning on community support through financial difficulty. In addition to reduced business from inflation, many small business owners are also grappling with financial difficulties in the wake of the hurricanes that devastated businesses across the country. Despite some economic headwinds, some U.S. small business owners are optimistic for the future. Last month, the National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index hit its highest level since June 2021.
SOFTBANK ANNOUNCES $100B DOMESTIC INVESTMENT IN AI... President-Elect Trump, along with his nominee for Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnik, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, announced SoftBank will invest $100B over four years in AI and other emerging technologies throughout the United States. The move comes as Trump plans to implement sweeping tariffs, which will likely impact SoftBank’s significant multinational technology investments.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:
Six states are in regular session.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
Alaska is testing generative AI to improve government operations, with State CIO Bill Smith noting staff curiosity and minimal resistance as the technology department continues its exploration and testing.
Kentucky state employees will soon be eligible for up to six weeks of paid leave for childbirth, adoption, fostering, or qualifying medical conditions, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced Thursday. The policy is set to begin next summer, and renews every ten years. The policy will be enacted through administrative regulation without requiring legislative approval.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... convenes today at 10:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here.
The Senate... convenes today at 10:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The House...
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
The Senate...
Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing, TODAY, 12/17 at 10:00 AM entitled “America’s High-Stakes Bet on Legalized Sports Gambling”.
Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing, TODAY, 12/17 at 2:30 PM entitled “Continuing a Bipartisan Path Forward for Antitrust Enforcement and Reform”.
Committee on Finance will hold a hearing, Wednesday, 12/18 at 10:00 AM entitled “Hearing to Consider the Nominations of James Bernard Coughlan, of Illinois, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring December 16, 2030, vice Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, term expired; Halie L. Craig, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for the remainder of the term expiring June 16, 2026, vice Randolph J. Stayin, resigned; and William Patrick J. Kimmitt, of Virginia, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2029, vice F. Scott Kieff, term expired.”
Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, will hold a hearing, Wednesday, 12/18 at 2:00 PM entitled “The RESTORE Patent Rights Act: Restoring America’s Status as the Global IP Leader”.
BILLS OF INTEREST
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
AT THE AGENCIES
The U.S. Department of Labor
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
The U.S. Department of Commerce
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new visa policies that will reduce wait times, increase travel to the United States, and better ensure the success of large-scale sporting events being held in the United States across the next five years. These actions will help create new jobs and economic opportunities for communities across the United States.
The U.S. Trade Representative
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
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