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. Capitol

Return of earmarks a boon for members of Congress facing midterm battles

By: and - March 10, 2022

Vulnerable lawmakers from throughout the country are set to rake in federal cash for home-state projects after a major spending bill included the first round of earmarks in more than a decade.

Oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico

U.S. Senate Republicans attack Biden on energy costs, regulations after new inflation report

By: - March 10, 2022

Republicans slammed President Joe Biden on Thursday for the sharp rise in consumer prices, calling for policy shifts to increase U.S. energy supply, roll back regulations and curb spending.

National parks leader pledges more inclusion of Native Americans in land management

By: - March 8, 2022

A congressman from Louisiana said the focus of the hearing was an "embarrassment" and that the committee should address more pressing matters.

Biden declares U.S. ban on Russian oil, warns of gasoline price spikes

By: and - March 8, 2022

“The decision today is not without cost here at home,” Biden said. “Since Putin began his military buildup on Ukrainian borders, just since then, the price of gas at the pump in America went up 75 cents. And with this action, it’s going to go up further.”

Jan. 6 protestor inside U.S. Capitol

Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack lives on in hundreds of court cases

By: - March 3, 2022

As Republicans seek to downplay the attack as normal political debate, the Department of Justice continues to spend enormous amounts of time and energy pressing cases against insurrectionists from across the country who tried to overturn a presidential election with violence.

New Mexico’s Luján back and voting in the U.S. Senate after recovery from stroke

By: - March 3, 2022

C-SPAN video showed the New Mexico Democrat’s fellow senators gave Luján a standing ovation when he walked into a Senate Commerce Committee hearing Thursday

Biden OKs release of 30 million barrels of oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve

By: - March 1, 2022

President Joe Biden authorized on Tuesday the release of 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, part of an international boost to the global oil supply that has been disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The reserve is a complex of four sites with deep underground storage caverns in salt domes along […]

White House builds on Russia sanctions, OKs more military aid for Ukraine

By: - March 1, 2022

Tensions between the Biden administration and Russian leaders ratcheted up yet again Monday as Russia continued its unrelenting assault on Ukraine. President Joe Biden authorized an additional $350 million of security assistance to Ukraine over the weekend, bringing the total aid over the past year to $1 billion, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said […]

Ukrainians protest Putin in London

U.S. sanctions Putin’s personal assets, readies forces for NATO deployment

By: - February 25, 2022

President Joe Biden will sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and his top diplomat personally, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday, escalating penalties on the Russian government for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

People wait for buses to evacuate Kyiv, Ukraine.

New U.S. sanctions on Russia target banks, high-tech imports

By: and - February 24, 2022

The United States and Western allies stepped up economic sanctions on Russia following its escalated attack on Ukraine, President Joe Biden said at the White House on Thursday.

Waves of Russian forces launch assault on Ukraine and U.S. prepares added sanctions

By: and - February 24, 2022

President Joe Biden Thursday vowed a “united and decisive” wave of sanctions against Russia after the country’s leaders ordered a military assault on Ukraine.

Members of Congress from both parties urge tough sanctions on Russia

By: , and - February 22, 2022

Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress on Tuesday called on President Joe Biden to impose severe sanctions on Russia after the country declared a broad section of eastern Ukraine independent before sending troops into the region.