World News
Former House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair to lobby on behalf of UNICEF USA on August 16, 2023 at 6:10 pm
The United States Fund for UNICEF (UNICEF USA) hired a new lobbying firm this week for the first time in over two decades, retaining a new team that includes the former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld registered to lobby on child welfare initiatives, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and federal appropriations on behalf of UNICEF USA, which advances UNICEF’s goal to help vulnerable children around the world.
The lobbying team includes former Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), who chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 2011 to 2013.
“It is truly an honor to work with UNICEF USA, an organization that emphasizes an unwavering commitment to prioritizing children’s needs around the world,” Ros-Lehtinen told The Hill in a written statement.
“I am dedicated to advancing its mission and ensuring that children’s rights and well-being remain at the forefront of policy discussions.”
During her three decades in Congress, Ros-Lehtinen also served as chair or co-chair of various subcommittees on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which shapes U.S. foreign policy.
“UNICEF USA is partnering with Akin to support development and implementation of our public affairs strategy, which includes a focus on advocacy for policies and resources that support UNICEF’s global mission in pursuit of one goal: to ensure that every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected and respected,” Wendy Coursen, vice president of public affairs at UNICEF USA, told The Hill in a written statement.
The new registration marks the first time since 1999 that UNICEF USA has retained new outside federal lobbying firepower, and it comes amid a notable downturn in the organization’s federal lobbying spending.
Edington, Peel & Associates registered to lobby on behalf of UNICEF USA at the turn of the millennium to lobby on issues related to federal appropriations, and the firm has lobbied on funding for issues ranging from maternal and child health to iodine deficiency disorder since.
The firm reported receiving $20,000 from UNICEF USA during each of the first and second quarters of 2023, the same amount it received each quarter in 2022 and up from the $15,000 per quarter it reported receiving the previous year.
UNICEF USA’s direct federal lobbying expenditures, on the other hand, dropped precipitously during the first six months of 2023.
UNICEF USA spent a combined $130,000 on federal lobbying during the first six months of 2023, down from $342,000 during the same period over the previous decade, according to federal lobbying disclosures analyzed by OpenSecrets.
The organization seems to have narrowed its lobbying scope from issues including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Mine Ban Treaty last year to focus on humanitarian relief and children’s health, education and nutrition programs, an analysis of federal lobbying disclosures by The Hill found.
The United States Fund for UNICEF (UNICEF USA) hired a new lobbying firm this week for the first time in over two decades, retaining a new team that includes the former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld registered to lobby on child welfare initiatives, the U.S. President’s Emergency…
President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.
What Trump Is Saying
Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.
How Taxes Work Now
Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.
Questions From Experts
Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.
What Congress Must Do
The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.
What It Means Right Now
For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.
The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.
“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.
Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.
The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.
Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.
Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.
As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.
What Happened at the United Nations
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, defending Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. As he spoke, more than 100 delegates from over 50 countries stood up and left the chamber—a rare and significant diplomatic walkout. Outside the UN, thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and call for accountability, including some who labeled him a war criminal. The protest included activists from Palestinian and Jewish groups, along with international allies.
Why Did Delegates and Protesters Walk Out?
The walkouts and protests were a response to Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a significant humanitarian crisis. Many countries and individuals have accused Israel of excessive use of force, and some international prosecutors have suggested Netanyahu should face investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including claims that starvation was used as a weapon against civilians. At the same time, a record number of nations—over 150—recently recognized the State of Palestine, leaving the United States as the only permanent UN Security Council member not to join them.
International Reaction and Significance
The diplomatic walkouts and street protests demonstrate increasing global concern over the situation in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood. Several world leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, showed visible solidarity with protesters. Petro called for international intervention and, controversially, for US troops not to follow orders he viewed as supporting ongoing conflict. The US later revoked Petro’s visa over his role in the protests, which he argued was evidence of a declining respect for international law.
Why Is This News Important?
The Gaza conflict is one of the world’s most contentious and closely-watched issues. It has drawn strong feelings and differing opinions from governments, activists, and ordinary people worldwide. The United Nations, as an international organization focused on peace and human rights, is a key arena for these debates. The events surrounding Netanyahu’s speech show that many nations and voices are urging new action—from recognition of Palestinian rights to calls for sanctions against Israel—while discussion and disagreement over the best path forward continue.
This episode at the UN highlights how international diplomacy, public protests, and official policy are all intersecting in real time as the search for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains urgent and unresolved.
Disney Brings Beloved Characters to ChatGPT After $1 Billion OpenAI Deal
Google Accused Of Favoring White, Asian Staff As It Reaches $28 Million Deal That Excludes Black Workers
