CONGRESS

Congress Contemplating 4-Day Work Week

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California representative Mark Takano is attempting to pass a bill lowering the work week down to 32 hours. He is trying to do this by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act and mandating overtime pay for work done past those four eight-hour days. The reason for this sudden movement is to “increase the happiness of all of humanity,” the politician says.

Takano suggests that more people will be hired to compensate for each individual losing a day. Companies in the U.K. have found that the loss of that fifth day had actually increased productivity after a six-month testing phase. They accordingly decided that they won’t be returning back to the normal five-day work week. Supporters of the movement are also saying that it will increase labor market participation and create healthier competition in the workplace. Takano’s office claims that the average U.S. employee is working over 200 hours more per year than the rest of the developed world. Since they are surviving and thriving, America should also be able to slow down to their level.

Congress Considers Possible Repercussions

Not everyone is on board with the idea right now, though. Some people feel that a 32-hour week will make certain jobs harder. It will also make the businesses that are barely staying afloat since the pandemic crumble from additional labor costs. Others think that the dramatic change may only exacerbate ongoing staffing shortages. The shorter week could also cause some people to fall below the cost of living for the area, leaving them helpless. The critics think that the one-size-fits-all approach Tanako is pushing for won’t work in several cases.

At this time, Americans are eagerly waiting to find out if the bill will be passed by Congress in the near future. It could be denied again like it was the first time that Mark Takano suggested it back in 2021. Back then, the economy was already on the brink from the pandemic, and the government wasn’t comfortable accepting such a major change. However, since there is a bit more stability now, there is a higher chance that it will go through. Check back later for any updates on the situation.

[Via]

California’s Newest Congressman Honored Beyoncé With A Speech On The House Of Representatives Floor

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It’s Women’s History Month, and inarguably, Beyoncé has made plenty of history over the course of her career. Most recently, she became the most-awarded artist in Grammys history, and her list of accomplishments is long and worth celebrating.

That’s precisely what California congressman Robert Garcia did Wednesday, taking the House Of Representatives floor to give an impassioned speech praising the super for her contributions to women’s history (and Black history, since February was also Black History Month).

You can check out a video of Garcia’s speech, courtesy of People, below, along with a transcript.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month by honoring an individual who represents both so well. She’s an icon, a legend, and she is now and forever the moment. I want to celebrate none other than who I believe is the queen of pop and R&B: Beyoncé Knowles Carter.

Now a few weeks ago, this brown-skinned girl out of H-town won her 32nd Grammy, giving her the most Grammy wins of all time. But Beyoncé is so much more than a performer and a singer. She’s a creator and an artist. Beyoncé’s also a role model for millions across the country. She’s stood up for voting rights, for feminism, for women and girls, for my community — the LGBTQ+ community. For my generation and others, she simply is the greatest of all time. Her story is history.

Garcia was elected to the House Of Representatives after serving as the mayor of Long Beach, California from 2014 to 2022. A Peruvian immigrant who moved to the US when he was young, Garcia is the first queer immigrant to serve in Congress.

Former NBA Player Royce White Announced He Is Running For Congress

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Former NBA baller Royce White is running for Congress, he announced Tuesday.  White is running for Minnesota’s fifth congressional U.S. representative seat, currently held by Democrat Ilhan Omar. The former Iowa State player is running as a Republican, one of three vying to square off against her. 

“Ten years ago, I took on the NBA and the establishment,” he said in his video monologue. “I said that mental health was one of the greatest issues we face. And I was willing to give up my dream to fight for people I have never met. I took the lead when others wouldn’t. 

White gained national notoriety for his stances on mental health and those stances ultimately prevented him from having a real shot at an NBA career despite being selected No. 16 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA Draft. He played in only three NBA games for the Sacramento Kings during the 2013-14 season. 

In the years since, White has played professional basketball in several different leagues, including being the No. 1 overall pick in Ice Cube’s Big 3’s 2019 draft. He has also spent the past several years training for a mixed martial arts career.

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Congress Is Investigating Live Nation’s Role In The Astroworld Tragedy

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Travis Scott Astroworld Festival 2021
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Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino received an open letter this morning from Congress asking to talk and provide documents about the Astroworld tragedy. In the letter from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Representatives said that “We are deeply saddened by the deaths that occurred at Astroworld Festival and are committed to investigating what went wrong to inform possible reforms that could prevent future tragedies.”

It’s the next wrinkle in the aftermath of the devastating Astroworld crowd control incident on November 5th that led to 10 attendees losing their lives. Live Nation was the promoter of the event along with Travis Scott and they’ve already raised eyebrows this week for news that they reportedly tried to get part-time staff at the festival to sign liability waivers after the fact. Here are the questions that Congress is seeking to get answers from Rapino and LiveNation about the event:

1. Please provide a narrative detailing the roles and responsibilities for Astroworld
Festival, including, but not limited to, venue security, crowd control,mass
casualty incident planning, emergency communications, and medical care,
between Live Nation Entertainment, its subsidiaries, partners, and subcontractors;

2. Describe any pre-show security assessments, planning, and briefings conducted
by Live Nation Entertainment or its partners, subsidiaries, or subcontractors,
including any details regarding any safety concerns raised prior to the
performance;

3. Please provide details regarding Live Nation Entertainment’s actions in response
to same-day reports of fans breaking through security barriers;

4. What precise time was Live Nation Entertainment first made aware of casualties
on the evening of November 5, and what steps were taken in response to that
information;

5. What precise time was Live Nation Entertainment first made aware that law
enforcement had declared the event a “mass casualty event,” and what actions did
Live Nation Entertainment take between that report and the performance’s
termination at approximately 10:10 p.m.;

6. Please share your assessment of the cause of the stampede and whether it could
have been prevented;

7. Please address reports that Live Nation has withheld pay from Astroworld
employees until they have signed revised employment contracts that release Live
Nation from liability; and

8. What steps does Live Nation plan to take to prevent another injury or death at a
promoted or held event.

What happened at Astroworld was an inexcusable, colossal fail that someone has to be liable for. It looks as though Congress not only wants to address that liability, but they also want to outline steps so that something of this nature never happens again.

You can read Congress’ open letter in full here via TMZ.

Congress Names November Hip-Hop History Month

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US Congress isn’t usually able to agree on much of anything but it looks like the legislative branch has found one thing that Democrats and Republicans won’t fight about: Hip-hop is universal. This November has been declared the inaugural Hip-Hop History Month thanks to a resolution (331) co-sponsored by New York Congressman Jamal Brown and California Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The language of the resolution was reviewed by the Universal Hip-Hop Museum Founder and President Rocky Bucano. UHHM is launching its “Know Ya Hop” campaign to commemorate the occasion.

In a statement from UHHM, Bucano explained his involvement, saying, “Back in July, I was asked by Congressman Jamaal Bowman to help review the language being used to create the Resolution designating August 11th as Hip-Hop Recognition Day and November as Hip-Hop History Month. Little did we know it would pass!”

Congressman Bowman also elaborated on his commitment to the resolution, recalling, “Hip Hop is my life. Hip-Hop saved my life. Hip-Hop gave me knowledge of self. Hip-Hop is who I am. The celebration of Hip-Hop history and the study of it is essential to our democracy, our innovation, our voice, and who we are as human beings. Hip Hop is an honest story of communities around the world and provides the opportunity to increase understanding and create a pathway forward for all of us.”