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.

U.S. Senate Democrats urge ‘bold action’ by Biden on abortion rights

By: - June 27, 2022

The one-page letter, led by Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray of Washington and signed by 32 other Democrats, called the decision “an unprecedented assault on women” and pushed Biden “to use the full force of the federal government to protect abortion access in the United States.”

Voters ‘have the final word’ in protecting abortion rights, Biden says

By: - June 24, 2022

'With your vote, you can act. You can have the final word. This is not over,' President Joe Biden said Friday.

Congress roiled by U.S. Supreme Court decision revoking abortion rights

By: - June 24, 2022

The party-line reaction hints at how lawmakers will approach abortion as the issue moves away from the court and more directly to the elected branches of government.

Trump spread claims of election fraud debunked by his own legal team, Jan. 6 panel says

By: - June 13, 2022

Trump’s complaints of electoral conspiracy led to increasingly disturbing threats of violence, ex-Philly City Commissioner Al Schmidt said.

Jan. 6 panel says Trump, far-right groups responsible for insurrection

By: - June 10, 2022

A widely anticipated hearing Thursday by the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol alleged two groups supporting then-President Donald Trump planned the riot to stop the transfer of presidential power — while Trump tacitly endorsed the insurrection and was indifferent to calls to hang then-Vice President Mike Pence. […]

What to know about Thursday’s public hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol

By: - June 9, 2022

Leaders have promised, in general, to unveil new material during the prime-time hearing.

Remote voting in the U.S. House hits a second anniversary, but it may be its last

By: - May 26, 2022

More than a dozen Republicans, including Pa. Rep. Mike Kelly, used proxy voting to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference last year.

Misinformation, violence and a paper shortage threaten midterm elections, officials say

By: - May 20, 2022

'The November 2020 election in Pennsylvania, like every election since, was free, fair and secure,' acting Pa. Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman said

Jan. 6 investigators want Georgia’s Loudermilk to explain pre-attack U.S. Capitol tour

By: and - May 20, 2022

Pa.'s Scanlon also said she saw 'unusual' tour groups in the Capitol in the days before the attack.

U.S. House vote to expand federal firefighters benefits seen as step toward parity

By: - May 14, 2022

The bill has the support of U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District.

PennDOT paving crews (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania photo).

Biden admin vows to speed up environmental permits for infrastructure projects

By: - May 11, 2022

Administration officials said they were seeking to make permitting easier without sacrificing environmental standards.

Vote on abortion rights planned in U.S. Senate next week, but likely will fall short

By: - May 6, 2022

The Senate rejected a similar bill in February. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., joined Republicans to defeat a procedural vote, 46-48.