Author

Jacob Fischler

Jacob Fischler

Jacob covers federal policy as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Based in Oregon, he focuses on Western issues. His coverage areas include climate, energy development, public lands and infrastructure.

(Photo: Marissa Demarco, Source NM)

A default on the U.S. debt would be far worse than a government shutdown. Here’s how.

By: , , and - May 22, 2023

WASHINGTON — A U.S. default on its debt would have a significantly broader impact on federal operations, financial markets and the global economy than recent government shutdowns that have left ordinary Americans largely untouched. While the two have been confused frequently during debate over the debt limit, the federal government has had considerable practice with […]

Democrats eager to speed construction of renewable energy projects and Republicans who complain about the burdens of federal permitting on development are looking for reforms. But there doesn’t seem to be enough time to tie proposals to the push to extend the debt limit. (Getty Image)

Overhaul federal permitting as part of the debt limit deal? Not as easy as it sounds.

By: - May 19, 2023

Congressional leaders negotiating a deal to avoid a catastrophic default on the nation’s debt are talking about including an overhaul of how the federal government reviews projects for their environmental impact. There is bipartisan support for changes to the lengthy environmental approval process among climate-minded Democrats eager to speed construction of renewable energy projects, as […]

Wind turbines rise up above farmland on the outskirts of the state capital on Nov. 19, 2013 near Middleton, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Rural electric co-ops to get $10.7B in USDA funds for clean energy grants, loans

By: - May 16, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin to administer two loan and grant programs worth nearly $11 billion to boost clean energy systems in rural areas, administration officials said Tuesday. Congress approved the federal spending — $9.7 billion for a grant and loan program the department is calling the New Empowering Rural America program, or […]

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters in the U.S. Capitol following passage of the GOP debt ceiling and spending cut legislation on April 26, 2023. Ashley Murray/States Newsroom

U.S. House GOP pushes through debt ceiling increase coupled with massive spending cuts

By: and - April 27, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday struggled but whipped just enough votes to pass their plan to temporarily raise the nation’s borrowing limit and also cut spending by slashing key parts of President Joe Biden’s climate and tax law, potentially risking some veterans’ health benefits and imposing more work rules on the nation’s safety […]

Former Rep. Justin Jones, D-Memphis, concludes his defense prior to the House of Representatives voting to expel him on partisan lines. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Federal judge temporarily blocks new Biden WOTUS rule in two dozen states

By: - April 13, 2023

A federal judge in North Dakota on Wednesday blocked in 24 states the Biden administration’s newly effective definition of waters that can be regulated under the Clean Water Act. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland, a George W. Bush appointee on retired status in the North Dakota District, issued a preliminary injunction in a case two […]

Former President Donald Trump dances during his speech Friday at the Faith and Freedom "Road to Majority" conference at Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Convention Center. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury, according to reports

By: - March 31, 2023

WASHINGTON — A New York criminal grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed following news reports.  A former president has never been indicted before. Trump is also a Republican candidate in the 2024 race for the presidency. “This evening we contacted Mr. Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender […]

Former Rep. Justin Jones, D-Memphis, concludes his defense prior to the House of Representatives voting to expel him on partisan lines. (Photo: John Partipilo)

U.S. House votes to roll back Biden’s WOTUS rule

By: - March 15, 2023

The U.S. House voted last week to undo a Biden administration definition of wetlands that allows for regulations on private lands. The chamber approved, 227-198, a resolution to roll back the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s broader definition of what qualifies as “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, for the purposes of federal regulation under […]

Southwest Air planes parked at Nashville International Airport. (Photo: John Partipilo)

U.S. Senate Democrats back FAA nominee, despite GOP attacks at confirmation hearing

By: - March 2, 2023

(An earlier version of this report misstated the last Senate-confirmed FAA administrator. It was Steve Dickson.) Republicans on a U.S. Senate panel raised several objections Wednesday to President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, while Democrats indicated their support and called the objections “fake scandals” meant only to create a political controversy. […]

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) listen on February 7, 2023 in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The speech marks Biden's first address to the new Republican-controlled House. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images)

Biden in State of the Union address draws boos and shouts from a combative GOP

By: and - February 8, 2023

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden began his State of the Union address Tuesday — his first to a divided Congress — with an appeal to bipartisan priorities, but later criticized parts of the GOP agenda and got a sense of Republicans’ appetite for conflict during one combative stretch. Biden opened the 72-minute speech with an […]

Southwest Air planes parked at Nashville International Airport. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Aviation turmoil shifts attention to stalled confirmation of FAA chief

By: - January 23, 2023

A breakdown in the federal aviation system earlier this month threw a spotlight on the absence of a Senate-confirmed leader of the Federal Aviation Administration, prompting Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to push for the chamber to confirm President Joe Biden’s choice to lead the agency. But key Senate Republicans have raised concerns about that nominee, […]

The rule would apply to any land owned by the federal government, almost all of which is in 11 Western states and Alaska. In practice, it would likely be pertinent mostly to undeveloped tracts. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)

U.S. House GOP would make it easier for feds to give public lands away to states

By: - January 17, 2023

U.S. House Republicans included in the new rules for the chamber they passed this month a provision meant to make it easier for Congress to give away public lands. The provision is a fairly technical piece of the 55-page rules package. It affects internal House accounting and requires that anytime Congress were to give any […]

The legislation would only affect sales from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which stores crude oil to be used in emergencies. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

U.S. House passes legislation barring sales of strategic reserve oil to China

By: - January 13, 2023

U.S. House Republicans wrapped up their first week in the majority Thursday by passing with bipartisan support a bill to prohibit the Energy Department from selling the nation’s stockpile of crude oil to China or affiliated entities. The bill, written by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington, would prevent […]