Washington Reporter Sens. Tom Cotton and Mike Lee want to crack down on Chinese
spies at national labs, Wisconsin lawmakers on POTUS’s whole milk push, and
more!

Unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
|Mark as Junk
<[link removed]>

<[link removed]>


January 16th, 2026

In this edition


[1] INTERVIEW: FCC Chair Brendan Carr tells us FCC order on disclosure coming,
discusses mergers and affordability
[2] Heard on the Hill
[3] EXCLUSIVE: Trump and lawmakers celebrate affordability wins, tout American
manufacturing comeback duringFord visit
[4] EXCLUSIVE: Dozens of Democratic and Republican members of Congress back
Trump administration "publicly condemning the Iranian regime's violent
repression of protesters"
[5] EXCLUSIVE: Cotton and Lee lead GOP effort to ban foreign spies from
American labs
[6] SCOOP: "Do-Nothing Marcy" under fire for taking credit for millions of
dollars in grants she opposed
[7] SCOOP: Trump Kennedy Center explains why it ended Washington National Opera
partnership
[8] SCOOP: Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee on a financial proposed rule: "risks
turning a core piece of public market infrastructure into a private monopoly"
[9] SCOOP: Wisconsin lawmakers hail Trump's whole milk push
[10] OPINIONATED: Rep. Michael Flanagan on the possible Netflix merger with
Warner Brothers,Sarah Chamberlain on the lessons from fraud in Minnesota, and
Rachael Bade with a warning to the GOP on health care
If you have a tip you would like to anonymously submit, please use our tip form
<[link removed]> — your anonymity is guaranteed!


A message from our sponsor.

<[link removed]>
In America, parents—not the government—should decide what's best for their
kids.

The App Store "Accountability" Act strips away your choice, forcing app
stores to share your child's personal information with apps.

Tell Congress to keep parents in control of their families online.

Learn more at netchoice.org/keepappstoressafe
<[link removed]>




[1] INTERVIEW: FCC Chair Brendan Carr tells us FCC order on disclosure coming,
discusses mergers and affordability
By: Matthew Foldi

Last year was "such a banger of a year," Brendan Carr, the chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), told theWashington Reporter in an
interview, reflecting on his successes in deregulation, implementing new
restrictions on foreign-manufactured drones, and abolishing the agency's DEI
protocols.

Carr began the year by mandating that the FCC's staff return back to the
office. "It's really impressive how much the whole FCC team got done," he said.
"It started from when we came into the leadership position in the building in
January; at that point the FCC was still operating under COVID-era work from
home rules where you could fling the Code of Regulations around this building
and not be in fear of hitting anybody. Now, we're all fully back, and folks are
being really productive."

Carr also made news by telling the Reporter that the FCC is "mov[ing] to a
final order" on national security disclosure requirements when asked about
Senator Joni Ernst's call to investigate the router company T.P. Link.

One of Carr's first moves was "end[ing] the FCC's promotion of DEI. We'd been
spending millions and millions of dollars promoting DEI. We had it listed as
our second or third highest strategic priority, rather than just connecting
people. So we right away had to reverse course on some harmful policy and
personnel issues that had been running during the Biden years."

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>



[2]
Heard on the Hill

* ALL ABOARD IN NEBRASKA: Labor Secretary and friend of the Washington
Reporter Lori Chavez-DeRemer made a stop in Nebraska as part of her 50-state
"America At Work" tour, visiting Union Pacific Railroad to spotlight the
company's investments in jobs and economic growth amid its pending merger with
Norfolk Southern. Chavez-DeRemer praised the rail giant's role in keeping
American commerce moving and signaled the Trump administration's willingness to
work with industry to get major projects across the finish line. "We want
America to be number one, and that's what we're focused on," she told Union
Pacific CEO Jim Vena, adding that the administration wants to help companies
navigate compliance as they expand. "This next merger is a big deal, and we
want to make sure that we can help you get all the way across the country and
do all of those things."
* GENESIS MISSION MILESTONE: The National Nuclear Security Administration
inked a major contract with Amazon Web Services for a pilot to "validate
<[link removed]> core AI
concepts and will inform the design of the broader initiative." Administration
sources tell theWashington Reporter that the Genesis Mission is one of the
administration's top priorities to demonstrate how AI can save the government
trillions while making it work better, so expect more action and praise to come
for the companies leading the way on this innovation.
* FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER CONTROVERSY: A little-known judicial agency made a
big splash this week after Mike Fragoso'sarticle
<[link removed]>
in the National Review showed how the Federal Judicial Center (FJC) published
a "Reference Manual" to help judges "understand climate science." To say the
manual is biased would be an understatement: it's written to encourage judges
to rule in favor of climate plaintiffs suing energy companies. Sources on the
Hill tell us that the article has made the rounds quickly among staff on the
Appropriations Committee who are asking why taxpayers should fund an agency
acting like a far-left political organization.
* HEALTH CARE CONTROVERSY: During this week's hearing held by the Senate's
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee chaired by Sen. Bill
Cassidy (R., La.), the Democrats' witness repeatedly failed to answer questions
from Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) about whether men can get pregnant. Following
the hearing, the American Association of Pro Life OBGYNs set the record
straight: "the FDA's own data shows that roughly 1 in 25 women who take
mifepristone will end up in the emergency room. We also know that there is a 4x
higher risk of complications than with surgical abortions – and this is under
controlled circumstances where women are examined by a physician, and the drugs
are not given beyond 9 weeks of gestation," it noted.
* SENATE SHENANIGANS: Seth Bodnar, the President of the University of
Montana, is reportedly looking at running for Senate as an independent as part
of a plot by former Sen. Jon Tester (R. Mont.) to unseat Sen. Steve Daines (R.,
Mont.) next year.
* FCC FACT CHECK: Rep. Darren Soto (D., Fla.) claimed to be "fighting to
protect the 1st Amendment and news stories about Trump's rampant corruption,"
but FCC Chairman Brendan Carr pushed back on Soto's claim, noting that Soto
"repeatedly pressured the Biden FCC to block the sale of a Florida radio
station due to the political viewpoints of the owners Dems argued that blocking
it was key to their electoral odds. The deal didn't go through."
Share This ➝ <[link removed]>


[3] EXCLUSIVE: Trump and lawmakers celebrate affordability wins, tout American
manufacturing comeback during Ford visit
By: Matthew Foldi

President Donald Trump visited a Ford plant in Michigan to showcase how his
administration and Republican policies are working to make American-made cars
and trucks more affordable.

While touring the Ford River Rouge Complex, the president highlighted
multiple affordability wins for working families, pointing to falling vehicle
prices, lower gas costs, and new tax relief aimed squarely at buyers of
U.S.-built vehicles. Trump and the White House have used Ford's trucks to show
how "America First" policies are delivering results for consumers. The White
House praised Ford for leaning into affordability and investing billions to
make vehicles at home.

"President Trump pledged to restore American auto industry dominance and turn
the page on Joe Biden's economic disaster," White House Spokesman Kush Desai
said. "Much work remains, but with inflation cooling and billions in auto
manufacturing investments flowing into the United States, President Trump's
visit to Michigan showcased the difference that strong, commonsense leadership
makes."

Lawmakers and Republican officials said that Trump's visit and remarks were a
sign of the administration's commitment to lower costs for Americans.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>



[4]
EXCLUSIVE: Dozens of Democratic and Republican members of Congress back Trump
administration "publicly condemning the Iranian regime's violent repression of
protesters"
By: Matthew Foldi

A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants the Trump administration, and Secretary
of State Marco Rubio in particular, to continue its pressure campaign against
the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on protesters. The support for Iranian
protesters comes at a critical junction in their campaign against their regime,
with the Trump administration reportedly weighing a series of military options
to help the anti-Ayatollah demonstrators.

In a letter obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, Rep. Randy Weber
(R., Texas) led 59 of his colleagues in writing to Rubio, noting that "the
Iranian people have made clear their demand for a secular, democratic,
non-nuclear republic grounded in political pluralism and respect for human
dignity."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned the Iranian regime against
murdering its own civilians, and yet reports emerging from Iran suggest that
upwards of 10,000 have been slaughtered.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>



[5] EXCLUSIVE: Cotton and Lee lead GOP effort to ban foreign spies from
American labs
By: Matthew Foldi

Sens. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) and Mike Lee (R., Utah) are leading Senate
Republicans' effort to ban foreign spies from American laboratories, a letter
obtained exclusively by theWashington Reporter shows.

The two lawmakers, who chair the Senate's Intelligence Energy and Natural
Resources Committees, respectively, joined with Sens. Jim Risch (R., Idaho),
Jim Justice (R., W-Va.), John Cornyn (R., Texas), John Barrasso (R., Wyo.),
James Lankford (R., Okla.), Dave McCormick (R., Pa.), Jerry Moran (R., Kansas),
Todd Young (R., Ind.), and Ted Budd (R., N.C.) and wrote to Secretary of Energy
Chris Wright, noting that while the Trump administration has shown a "continued
commitment to ensuring American dominance in the field of artificial
intelligence (AI)" via projects like the "Genesis Mission" they have concerns
about the "thousands of Chinese foreign nationals who are granted to, or work
at, our labs."

Lawmakers are "concerned" about the access China's extensive espionage
network in America could give American adversaries, lawmakers said in the
letter. Despite China's well-documented espionage of American intellectual
property, "for decades we continue to give Chinese national scientists access
to our national laboratories, which employ America's best and brightest
scientists who work on critical military, economic, and scientific
technologies."

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>




A message from our sponsor.

<[link removed]>
In America, parents—not the government—should decide what's best for their
kids.

The App Store "Accountability" Act strips away your choice, forcing app
stores to share your child's personal information with apps.

Tell Congress to keep parents in control of their families online.

Learn more at netchoice.org/keepappstoressafe
<[link removed]>


[6] SCOOP: "Do-Nothing Marcy" under fire for taking credit for millions of
dollars in grants she opposed
By: Matthew Foldi

Although Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Ohio) bragged in 2025 about bringing over $11
million in funding projects to her district, Kaptur failed to mention that she
voted against funding mechanisms in the continuing resolutions that sent
federal dollars to her district — through programs like Safe Streets and Roads
for All, Responsible Fatherhood Program, Exploratory/Developmental Grants
program, Rural Energy For America Program (Reap) Renewable And Energy
Efficiency Program, and more.

Kaptur, a member of both the House Budget and Appropriations Committee, noted
as recently as December 2025 that she "secure[d] nearly $1.3 million in new
safe streets funding to bolster vision for a safer NW Ohio." But Kaptur's votes
against legislation that funded the government and sent millions of dollars to
her district strikes the Republicans who want to oust her as hypocritical.

Kaptur's votes against legislation from March and November 2025 will likely
be used by Republicans to paint her as out of step with her district, which
voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, sources told theWashington Reporter.
The November continuing resolution in particular included three full-year
appropriations bills.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>


[7] SCOOP: Trump Kennedy Center explains why it ended Washington National
Opera partnership
By: Matthew Foldi

The Trump Kennedy Center is rejecting reports that its 55-year-long
partnership with the Washington National Opera (WNO) ended poorly.

The center told the Washington Reporter that the decision for the two
institutions to part ways was made by the Trump Kennedy Center, not by the WNO,
in an effort to support the "financial stability" of the center, a spokesperson
said.

"After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part
ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship," a
spokesperson for the center said. "We believe this represents the best path
forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that
support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy
Center."

Under the stewardship of President Donald Trump and Ambassador Richard
Grenell, the Trump Kennedy Center has prioritized balancing the center's
finances, which Grenell has categorized in previous interviews with the
Reporter as "criminal," paying people out of its debt reserves.


Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>



[8]
SCOOP: Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee on a financial proposed rule: "risks
turning a core piece of public market infrastructure into a private monopoly"
By: Julia Duvall

State financial officers are raising concerns over how a not-yet-finalized
Biden-era financial transparency rule may ultimately be implemented, warning
that a proposal intended to give taxpayers more information could instead
consolidate power in the hands of a single private company and drive up costs
for governments and investors.

In a recent letter to federal regulators, state treasurers from across the
country raised objections to the proposed rulemaking under the Financial Data
Transparency Act, arguing that the approach — developed during the Biden
administration — would effectively mandate use of a proprietary financial
instrument identifier controlled by Bloomberg L.P. While the regulation's goal
is greater transparency, treasurers say the structure of the rule could impose
significant costs and operational burdens on market participants, with
taxpayers ultimately footing the bill.

Republican Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee was one of the signatories.
TheWashington Reporter asked her to explain what the letter says, why it
matters, and how states are working to improve transparency without disrupting
existing financial systems:

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>



[9] SCOOP: Wisconsin lawmakers hail Trump's whole milk push
By: Matthew Foldi

President Donald Trump's recently-signed bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy
Kids Act is a "win for everyone," representatives on the Hill told the
Washington Reporter.

"Today is a great day for America's kids and dairy farmers," Rep. Tony Wied
(R., Wis.) told the Reporter. "The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is a
commonsense piece of legislation that I was proud to cosponsor and I am
thrilled to see President Trump sign it into law today. Growing children
benefit from essential nutrients found in whole and 2% milk and farmers will
benefit from greater demand for their products. Simply put this law is a win
for everyone."

Dairy-heavy states like Wisconsin, as well as for Secretaries Brooke Rollins
and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., supported the bill. The bill also is the latest
Trump-era rejection of an Obama-era policy that banned schools participating in
the United States Department of Agriculture's school meals program from serving
whole milk.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>




[10]
OPINIONATED


Op-Ed: Rep. Michael Flanagan: Congress finally confronts Netflix's streaming
empire
By: Rep. Michael Flanagan

Congress's January 7 streaming hearing, in which members heavily criticized
Netflix's proposed takeover of Warner Bros., treated media consolidation as
what it is: a power struggle over who controls production and distribution in
the culture industry.

The Netflix deal under discussion at the hearing forces a simple question:
are Americans willing to accept an entertainment market where fewer and fewer
companies set the terms of how the entertainment industry works? The decisions
— from what gets made; to how it reaches audiences; to how much leverage
creators and consumers have when deals go bad — are increasingly consolidating
into fewer and fewer hands.

President Donald Trump already gave his answer last month when he expressed
his concerns over this deal. Wednesday was Congress' turn.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>




Op-Ed: Sarah Chamberlain: Let Minnesota be a lesson. Taxpayers deserve better
than business as usual.
By: Sarah Chamberlain

Across the country, Americans are working harder and feeling like they are
falling further behind. Groceries cost more. Health care costs more. Housing
costs more. And too many families are left wondering why, after paying their
taxes and playing by the rules, the system still doesn't seem to work for them.

One of the chief reasons is fraud. Not the abstract kind buried in
spreadsheets, but real fraud that drains taxpayer dollars, weakens essential
programs, and erodes trust in government at every level. When fraud runs
rampant, it makes everything more expensive, leaves people feeling cheated, and
convinces too many Americans that elected officials are either unwilling or
unable to protect the resources meant for them.

Republicans are pushing back against that reality. Across Congress and in
statehouses, we are focused on protecting benefits for those who rely on them
and safeguarding tax dollars for the people who earn them. Fighting fraud is
not about cutting programs or punishing those in need. It is about ensuring
that programs work as intended and that bad actors are held accountable.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>




Op-Ed: Rachael Bade: Republicans should shit or get off the pot on health care
By: Rachael Bade

Why keep the spotlight on an issue that plays terribly for the party ahead of
the midterms?

"A pipe dream on magic mushrooms."

That's how one senior House GOP aide recently described to me the odds of
Republicans passing a health care bill in 2026.

So, here's the real question the party should be asking itself: Why on earth
are they keeping this issue in the spotlight during a contentious midterm year?

In the Senate, bipartisan negotiators have been saying for months —
seriously, months! — that they're "close" on a bipartisan health care deal.
Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) has floated the idea of Republicans
drafting their own partisan bill via reconciliation in the House.

Finish Reading ➝
<[link removed]>









© 2026 Washington Reporter. All rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy <[link removed]> | Terms &
Conditions <[link removed]>

Unsubscribe
<[link removed]>