Senate Democrats Propose Funding Deal for DHS Reopening
Senate Democrats presented a new funding counteroffer to the White House aimed at reopening the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since February 14. The Democrats are seeking changes to federal immigration enforcement in exchange for the funding, following incidents involving DHS officers. A White House official confirmed receipt of the proposal and stated it is under review, though details of the offer remain undisclosed.
House Oversight Committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi
Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify on April 14 regarding the Department of Justice's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The committee seeks to question Bondi about compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of unclassified records, and has raised concerns over the DOJ's investigation into Epstein and his associates. This action follows bipartisan criticism of the DOJ's delays in releasing the documents.
House Members to Receive Briefing on Section 702 Expiration
House members are set to receive a classified briefing regarding the impending expiration of Section 702 surveillance powers next month. This briefing comes as discussions intensify around the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, with proposals emerging for reforms aimed at addressing concerns over privacy and the potential misuse of surveillance powers.
US Increases Golden Dome Missile Defense Cost to $185 Billion
The US government has raised the cost estimate for the Golden Dome missile defense shield to $185 billion, an increase of $10 billion, to expedite key space-based capabilities, according to Space Force General Michael Guetlein. Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman have been enlisted as prime contractors for the initiative, which aims to enhance ground-based defenses and introduce advanced space-based systems to detect and counter missile threats. Guetlein emphasized that the funding will support critical programs, including the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, as part of a comprehensive defense architecture to be developed over the next decade.
Postal Service Faces Cash Crisis Without Congressional Action
U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner warned Congress that the U.S. Postal Service could run out of cash by October unless it raises its $15 billion borrowing limit and reforms its operational mandates. Steiner outlined potential cost-cutting measures, including reducing delivery days from six to five, closing unprofitable post offices, or raising first-class stamp prices to $1, while noting that the agency has incurred net losses of $118 billion since 2007 due to a 49% decline in mail volume.
Citigroup lowers bitcoin and ether price targets
Citigroup has revised its 12-month price targets for bitcoin and ether, lowering them to $112,000 from $143,000 and $3,175 from $4,304, respectively, due to stalled cryptocurrency legislation in the United States and reduced expectations for ETF inflows. The bank's analysts noted that the likelihood of passing digital asset legislation this year has decreased to approximately 60%, impacting market dynamics and investor sentiment.
