Policymakers

Rep Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), a folksy New York liberal who championed women’s rights and American manufacturing for more than three decades as a Democratic congresswoman, and who became a top lieutenant for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the first and only woman to lead the powerful Rules Committee, died March 16 at a hospital in Washington. She was 88 and the oldest sitting member of Congress. Initially one of just 29 women in the House of Representatives, Rep Slaughter was a flinty advocate of women’s access to health care and abortion.

Apparently, the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, has subpoenaed the Trump Organization to turn over documents, including some related to Russia. The order is the first known instance of the special counsel demanding records directly related to President Trump’s businesses, bringing the investigation closer to the president.

More than a year after entering the White House, President Donald Trump still has not selected his top science and technology adviser, leaving unfilled a critical policy post that guides the administration on issues as varied as artificial intelligence,  climate change and cancer research.

Tully Friedman and Daniel D’Aniello, co-chairs of American Enterprise Institute’s Board of Trustees, announced that Arthur C. Brooks intends to step down as president in the summer of 2019, after a decade of distinguished service. Brooks had asked AEI’s Board of Trustees to commence the search for his successor at the annual executive board meeting, and informed scholars and staff of his decision March 14. Brooks joined AEI as a visiting scholar in 2007 while also teaching at Syracuse University.

The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Gregg C. Sayre, Commissioner, New York State Public Service Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. Commissioner Sayre replaces the Honorable Ronald A. Brise, former Commissioner, Florida Public Service Commission, who vacated his position on the Universal Service Joint Board.

Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai hereby appoints Sarah Freeman, Commissioner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as member to the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The appointment fills the vacancy left by the Honorable Ronald A. Brise, former Commissioner, Florida Public Service Commission.

The Internet & Television Association today announced two new senior hires for the organization. Mark Kulish joins as Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, on March 12th and Robert N. Rubinovitz as Vice President, Research & Analysis, starting April 2nd.

A Q&A with Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission.

Weeks after Donald Trump was elected president, Russia-backed online “trolls” flooded social media to try to block Mitt Romney from securing a top job in the incoming administration, a Wall Street Journal analysis shows. The operatives called the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, then a contender for secretary of state, a “two headed snake” and a “globalist puppet,” promoted a rally outside Trump Tower and spread a petition to block Romney’s appointment to the top diplomatic job, according to a review of now-deleted social-media posts.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway violated the Hatch Act on two occasions, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) informed the Trump administration.  Appearing in her official capacity, Conway endorsed and advocated against political candidates, the watchdog said, referring its findings to President Donald Trump "for appropriate disciplinary action."