Politics

Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act Advances in U.S. House of Reps

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, pending legislation introduced by Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and others passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 365-42 vote, according to Torres spokesperson, Ben Stanislawski, on April 28. Cosponsors of the legislation were Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), and Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23).

Memorial Day Celebrated Across The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Memorial Day was formally marked across The Bronx on and in the lead up to Monday, May 26, at various venues and at various events. It comes as the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire tycoon, Elon Musk, cut thousands of positions at the VA across the country, as previously reported in February.

UPDATE Elected Officials Pay Tribute to the Former Late Congressman Charles Rangel

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Various New York and Bronx elected officials have paid tribute to the civil rights leader and former Democratic U.S. Congressman Charles Rangal who represented New York’s 13th congressional district from 1971 to 2017 and who died on May 26, at the age of 94, when he was succeeded by Congressman Adriano Espaillat. The district covers Harlem and much of Northern Manhattan, as well as the Western Bronx. 

AOC Leads Reintroduction of Bill to Combat Non-Consensual, Sexually Explicit Deepfake Imagery 

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) led the reintroduction on May 21 of the “Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act” (DEFIANCE Act), bipartisan legislation that would grant survivors the right to take civil action against people who knowingly produce, distribute, solicit and receive or possess, with the intent to distribute nonconsensual, sexually-explicit, digital forgeries.

Gillibrand Announces New Bill Covering Free Childbirth for Families with Private Insurance

By SÍLE MOLONEY
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced on Wednesday, May 21, the introduction of her bipartisan bill, “Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act,” bipartisan law that, if passed, would require insurance companies to fully cover the costs associated with childbirth, including labor and delivery and prenatal, neonatal, perinatal, and postpartum care.

Unity Democrats Announce Endorsements in Upcoming Democratic Primary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Unity Democratic Club announced their official endorsements for multiple political races in the upcoming 2025 primary elections in late February. These included City Council Member Justin Brannan (C.D. 43) who represents parts of Brooklyn for the role of NYC comptroller, a role currently held by Brad Lander, City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. (C.D. 17) for Bronx borough president, a role currently held by Vanessa L. Gibson, Danielle Herbert Guggenheim, a Unity Democrat member and former vice-president, for City Council District 11, a role currently held by Eric Dinowitz, and finally incumbent City Council Member Pierina Sanchez for District 14.