Hearing

The hearing marks a key hurdle Kevin Warsh must overcome in order to succeed Jerome Powell when his term ends on 15 MayHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Reserve will commit to protecting central bank independence on interest rates at a crucial confirmation hearing later today.Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, resigned from her role with the administration. She said it was “an honor and a privilege to serve” to serve and that she would take on a job in the private sector. The departure came after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. Democrats celebrated, writing “this administration is imploding”.Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged excessive drinking and absences. Patel has sued the magazine for defamation with his attorneys calling the article a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday. The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign. Meanwhile, the California Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks continued to urge candidates trailing in the polls to exit the race. Continue reading...

Former SAS soldier charged with five counts of war crime murder to learn whether he will be be released from Silverwater prisonFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBen Roberts-Smith was planning to move overseas – and had not told authorities investigating him – when he was arrested at Sydney airport last week, at Sydney court has heard.Roberts-Smith made a bail application before Judge Greg Grogin in Downing Centre local court Friday morning. Continue reading...

Trump ally grilled by lawmakers over ‘terrible decisions’ on vaccines, public health and funding cuts to key programsUS politics – latest updatesVaccines and public health dominated a frequently contentious hearing with Robert F Kennedy Jr on Thursday before the US House ways and means committee.Kennedy, the controversial health secretary and a longtime vaccine opponent, has overseen sweeping changes to routine vaccination recommendations and has promoted misinformation even amid the biggest measles outbreak in decades. Continue reading...

Proceedings brought to halt as protesters condemn Russ Vought for slashing Pepfar program amid sweeping aid cutsProtesters decrying delays to funding in the battle against HIV/Aids charged into a congressional hearing where the Trump administration’s budget czar, Russell Vought, was testifying in Washington on Wednesday.The demonstrators disrupted the proceedings on Capitol Hill and twice brought the hearing to a halt. Continue reading...

Justice department says Bondi will not be at the House deposition since she was ousted as US attorney generalPam Bondi, the former US attorney general, will not appear next week for a scheduled deposition before the House oversight and government reform committee to answer questions about the justice department’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and its release of the Epstein files, the committee said.In a statement Wednesday morning shared with the Guardian, a spokesperson for the House oversight committee said “the Department of Justice has stated Pam Bondi will not appear on April 14 for a deposition since she is no longer Attorney General and was subpoenaed in her capacity as Attorney General”. Continue reading...

Former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross-recipient, who has always denied wrongdoing, did not immediately apply for bail on WednesdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s most decorated soldier, Ben Roberts Smith, has not applied for bail and will remain in custody after being charged with war crimes.The former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross-recipient was expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday after being charged with five counts of war crime – murder in relation to alleged offences in Afghanistan between April 2009 and October 2012. Continue reading...

Doug Evans, a former prosecutor, removed nearly all Black jurors in Terry Pitchford’s 2006 trial, raising legal questionsThe supreme court is hearing arguments on Tuesday about racial bias in jury selection in a death penalty case stemming from Mississippi.Doug Evans, a now-retired prosecutor, removed all but one Black person from a jury that convicted Terry Pitchford of capital murder in 2006. The judge, Joseph Loper, allowed the juror strikes and Mississippi’s supreme court upheld the conviction. Continue reading...

• Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren opened a congressional hearing emphasizing deep-sea exploration's role in US national security, resource management, economic health, and cultural identity. • Advances in deep ocean knowledge support critical national interests amid growing global competition. • Hearing addresses regulatory and scientific challenges in ocean research funding and policy.

• The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on March 18, 2026, focusing on healthcare providers amid ongoing policy debates. • Reported on March 25, the session examined provider challenges, potentially influencing upcoming health legislation in the US Congress. • This follows recent hearings on Medicare fraud, highlighting congressional scrutiny of healthcare delivery and costs.

• The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee held a March 17 hearing on CMS fraud prevention, with Deputy Administrator Kimberly Brandt detailing data analytics and real-time monitoring shifts. • Republicans highlighted improper payments in hospice, home health and Medicaid, calling for stronger oversight; Democrats urged balancing enforcement with patient access. • Lawmakers addressed fraud risks in durable medical equipment amid calls to end 'pay-and-chase' models.

Independent committee to investigate safety standards and whether building practices contributed to worst residential fires in decadesHow the Hong Kong fire unfolded – visual guidePublic hearings in Hong Kong begin on Thursday into a devastating fire that ripped through a housing complex last year, killing 168 people.A judge-led independent committee will investigate whether fire safety standards were inadequate, if construction practices contributed to the fire, and if there were failures on the part of government officers or contractors. Continue reading...

• Markwayne Mullin appeared before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on March 18 for his confirmation hearing as Trump's DHS nominee, replacing fired Secretary Kristi Noem, and pledged to secure funding for the department amid a Democratic standoff over immigration enforcement constraints. • Mullin defended Trump's mass deportation agenda against Democratic concerns about aggressive enforcement operations, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul challenged Democrats' criticism and Mullin stated "We just don't get along" with Paul during heated exchanges. • Democrats, led by Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, expressed reservations about Mullin's readiness, citing reports that DHS officers have been accused of smashing car windows, roughing up bystanders recording activities, and detaining immigrants in poor conditions.

• The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence convenes an open hearing on the 2026 Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment on March 19 at 8:30 AM. • Session addresses global risks including ongoing Middle East conflicts and other geopolitical challenges. • Timing aligns with US-Iran war escalations and fresh intelligence on threats like China-Taiwan dynamics.

• House Committee on Appropriations convenes multiple subcommittees on March 26, 2026, covering agriculture, homeland security, financial services, labor, health, and commerce. • Hearings include Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration at 10:00 AM in Rayburn HOB 2362-A. • Sessions address critical budget areas amid ongoing fiscal deliberations for federal agencies.

• Senate Judiciary Committee convenes hearing on March 17, 2026, titled 'Stealth Stealing: China's Ongoing Theft of U.S. Innovation,' examining intellectual property threats. • The session addresses national security risks from Chinese espionage, amid escalating U.S.-China tensions over trade and technology. • This hearing underscores bipartisan concerns about protecting American innovation, potentially influencing future legislation on tech exports and sanctions.

• The Senate Commerce Committee’s Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee will hold a hearing on March 17, 2026, on radio frequency allocations assigned by NTIA and FCC. • Frequencies are vital for US government and commercial space operations, though often overlooked by the space community. • The event addresses spectrum management essential for space communications and tech developments.

• On March 3, 2026, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee convened a hearing titled 'Less Hype, More Help: AI That Improves Safety, Productivity, and Care' to explore AI's role in enhancing quality of life, jobs, and economic growth. • The hearings underscore Congress's ongoing focus on AI use across sectors, including healthcare, as a major priority for policy. • Recent congressional attention highlights the Administration's interest in regulating AI to balance innovation and safety.

The House Committee on Ways and Means scheduled a hearing for March 17, 2026, titled 'Advancing America's Interests at the World Trade Organization's 14th Ministerial Conference,' to discuss U.S. trade strategies. The session will address tariff policies, global supply chains, and WTO reforms amid ongoing affordability concerns. Lawmakers aim to align positions ahead of the international meeting. This reflects heightened focus on trade legislation influencing domestic economic policy.