9 stories credited to The Manila Times
Latest story Apr 18, 2026 · on ChamberLight since Apr 2026
A story can appear as several articles (copies of the same piece), so counts of stories and of articles differ.
Scores for The Manila Times
Writing quality not enough rated stories yet: 9 of 10. How it is measured
Scores last checked Sep 25, 2026.
Stories ChamberLight collected, by month
Stories credited to The Manila Times, by publication date. ChamberLight collects articles that mention the officials it tracks, so this shows its own coverage of this source, not how much the source publishes.
- Stories from The Manila Times
- Shaded: ChamberLight collected no stories, or almost none, from any outlet (a gap in its collection, not in the outlet’s publishing)
Show as a table
| Month | Stories | All outlets |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 9 | 3,898 |
| May 2026 | 0 | none collected |
| June 2026 | 0 | none collected |
| July 2026 | 0 | none collected |
| August 2026 | 0 | 1 (collection gap) |
| September 2026 | 0 | 1,320 |
Top topics
Share of this source’s stories tagged with each topic. A story can carry several topics, so the shares do not add up to 100%.
- Budget/Spending5
56% of 9 stories · 31% across all outlets
- Ethics/Corruption5
56% of 9 stories · 58% across all outlets
- Defense/Military4
44% of 9 stories · 25% across all outlets
- Foreign Policy3
33% of 9 stories · 29% across all outlets
- Criminal Justice2
22% of 9 stories · 19% across all outlets
- Economy2
22% of 9 stories · 26% across all outlets
- Healthcare2
22% of 9 stories · 8% across all outlets
- Environment/Climate1
11% of 9 stories · 5% across all outlets
The thin mark on each bar is the topic’s share across all outlets.
Who they cover
Party of the officials these stories are mainly about, across all 18 officials named. A story counts once for each official it is mainly about, so the split is over 22 story–official pairs, from 9 stories.
- Democrat45% · 10 pairs
- Republican45% · 10 pairs
- Independent5% · 1 pair
- Party not recorded5% · 1 pair
Most covered
Stories mainly about each official, and their share of the source’s 9 stories.
- 1Donald TrumpR3 stories · 33%
- 2Charles FleischmannR2 stories · 22%
- 3Debbie DingellD2 stories · 22%
- 4Bernard SandersI1 story · 11%
- 5Brian MastR1 story · 11%
- 6Charles SchumerD1 story · 11%
- 7Cory MillsR1 story · 11%
- 8Eric SwalwellD1 story · 11%
- 9Gregory MeeksD1 story · 11%
- 10Jeanne ShaheenD1 story · 11%
+ 8 other officials (8 story–official pairs)
Article tone
ChamberLight’s article analysis assigns each story a tone toward the official it covers. It describes the coverage of that official, not The Manila Times’s stance, and reader votes do not change it. 9 stories.
- Good Look
- 4 (44%)
- Mixed
- 4 (44%)
- Informational
- 0 (0%)
- Bad Look
- 1 (11%)
Challenges to these scores
No one has challenged a score on this page yet. Anyone can; editors publish every outcome here.
Articles served from manilatimes.net
22
Senate extends surveillance powers until April 30 after chaotic votes in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate approved a short-term renewal until April 30 of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, following a chaotic, post-midnight scramble in the House to keep the authority from expiring in a matter of days. The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote Friday, without a formal roll call — the same way it was approved hours earlier in the House — as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline and send it to President Donald Trump for his signature. Senate Majority Leader John Thune gave a nod to the political difficulty ahead as they assess options when the temporary extension expires at the end of the month. “We’ll be preparing accordingly,” the South Dakota Republican said. It’s all setting up another showdown, in a matter of weeks, as Congress dives into the surveillance tool that pits Americans’ privacy rights against what U.S. officials have long said is a uniquely effective program for the security of the country. The stopgap came after House Republican leaders hurriedly unveiled an ambitious five-year extension late Thursday with revisions to appease skeptics of the surveillance program — a sharp pivot from the clean 18-month renewal Trump and GOP leaders had pushed all week. But both those Republican bills collapsed, failing to advance, forcing leaders to pivot. Early Friday, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a longtime critic of the surveillance system, stalled further action in the Senate as he pressed for changes. Wyden said he has never seen this level of support on both sides of the political aisle — and in both chambers of Congress — for real revisions to the surveillance tool, although he did not stand in the way of a short-term extension, for now. “It’s not making a choice between security and liberty. That’s garbage,” Wyden said. “We’re going to show that the two aren’t mutually exclusive.” Chaotic, late-night House votes end in failure Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House had spent the week trying to line up support for an 18-month renewal of the spy tool with no changes. But holdouts held firm, forcing a late-night scramble. GOP leaders in the House rushed lawmakers back into session late Thursday for a series of back-to-back votes that fell apart before pivoting to a stopgap to keep the program from expiring Monday. First, they came out with a new plan that would have extended the program for five years, with revisions. Among the changes were new provisions to ensure that only FBI attorneys could authorize queries on U.S. people, and to require the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to review such cases, said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., during the debate. That plan also would enhance criminal penalties on those who unlawfully conduct such inquiries or disclose the surveillance information, Scott said. It provides a way for members of Congress and certain staff to access the proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court, which handles such requests. But the final product, a 14-page amendment, did not go far enough for some holdouts in either party. GOP leaders then tried to salvage a shorter 18-month renewal that Trump had demanded and Johnson had previously backed. It failed as well, with some 20 Republicans joining most Democrats in blocking its advance. Shortly after 2 a.m., they quickly agreed to the 10-day extension. “We were very close tonight,” Johnson said after the late-night action. But Democrats assailed the middle-of-the-night voting as amateur hour. “Are you kidding me? Who the hell is running this place?” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., during a fiery floor debate. Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, a member of the House Freedom Caucus that helped stall votes throughout the week, said the outcome was predictable after the procedural votes fell short. “We warned them that this was gonna happen,” Ogles said. “Unfortunately, here we are at 2 in the morning.” Surveillance program fight is a debate over privacy and security At the center of the standoff is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant. In doing so, they can incidentally sweep up communications involving Americans who interact with foreign targets. U.S. officials say the authority is critical to disrupting terrorist plots, cyber intrusions and foreign espionage. Extending the program is a recurring fight, as lawmakers weigh civil liberties concerns against intelligence officials’ warnings about national security risks. “There are a lot of opinions,” Johnson said Thursday. “We want to make sure that we have this very important tool for national security, but we also do it in a way that jealously guards constitutional rights.” Opponents of the surveillance tool point to past misuses. FBI officials repeatedly violated their own standards when searching intelligence related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and racial justice protests in 2020, according to a 2024 court order. Trump and his allies had lobbied aggressively all week for a clean renewal of the program, without changes. A group of Republicans traveled to the White House on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe spoke directly with GOP lawmakers. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Thursday there had “been negotiations late into the night with the White House and some of our members.” “I am asking Republicans to UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social this week. “We need to stick together.” They didn't.
Senate extends surveillance powers until April 30 after chaotic votes in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate approved a short-term renewal until April 30 of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, following a chaotic, post-midnight scramble in the House to keep the authority from expiring in a matter of days. The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote Friday, without a formal roll call — the same way it was approved hours earlier in the House — as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline and send it to President Donald Trump for his signature. Senate Majority Leader John Thune gave a nod to the political difficulty ahead as they assess options when the temporary extension expires at the end of the month. “We’ll be preparing accordingly,” the South Dakota Republican said. It’s all setting up another showdown, in a matter of weeks, as Congress dives into the surveillance tool that pits Americans’ privacy rights against what U.S. officials have long said is a uniquely effective program for the security of the country. The stopgap came after House Republican leaders hurriedly unveiled an ambitious five-year extension late Thursday with revisions to appease skeptics of the surveillance program — a sharp pivot from the clean 18-month renewal Trump and GOP leaders had pushed all week. But both those Republican bills collapsed, failing to advance, forcing leaders to pivot. Early Friday, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a longtime critic of the surveillance system, stalled further action in the Senate as he pressed for changes. Wyden said he has never seen this level of support on both sides of the political aisle — and in both chambers of Congress — for real revisions to the surveillance tool, although he did not stand in the way of a short-term extension, for now. “It’s not making a choice between security and liberty. That’s garbage,” Wyden said. “We’re going to show that the two aren’t mutually exclusive.” Chaotic, late-night House votes end in failure Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House had spent the week trying to line up support for an 18-month renewal of the spy tool with no changes. But holdouts held firm, forcing a late-night scramble. GOP leaders in the House rushed lawmakers back into session late Thursday for a series of back-to-back votes that fell apart before pivoting to a stopgap to keep the program from expiring Monday. First, they came out with a new plan that would have extended the program for five years, with revisions. Among the changes were new provisions to ensure that only FBI attorneys could authorize queries on U.S. people, and to require the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to review such cases, said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., during the debate. That plan also would enhance criminal penalties on those who unlawfully conduct such inquiries or disclose the surveillance information, Scott said. It provides a way for members of Congress and certain staff to access the proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court, which handles such requests. But the final product, a 14-page amendment, did not go far enough for some holdouts in either party. GOP leaders then tried to salvage a shorter 18-month renewal that Trump had demanded and Johnson had previously backed. It failed as well, with some 20 Republicans joining most Democrats in blocking its advance. Shortly after 2 a.m., they quickly agreed to the 10-day extension. “We were very close tonight,” Johnson said after the late-night action. But Democrats assailed the middle-of-the-night voting as amateur hour. “Are you kidding me? Who the hell is running this place?” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., during a fiery floor debate. Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, a member of the House Freedom Caucus that helped stall votes throughout the week, said the outcome was predictable after the procedural votes fell short. “We warned them that this was gonna happen,” Ogles said. “Unfortunately, here we are at 2 in the morning.” Surveillance program fight is a debate over privacy and security At the center of the standoff is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant. In doing so, they can incidentally sweep up communications involving Americans who interact with foreign targets. U.S. officials say the authority is critical to disrupting terrorist plots, cyber intrusions and foreign espionage. Extending the program is a recurring fight, as lawmakers weigh civil liberties concerns against intelligence officials’ warnings about national security risks. “There are a lot of opinions,” Johnson said Thursday. “We want to make sure that we have this very important tool for national security, but we also do it in a way that jealously guards constitutional rights.” Opponents of the surveillance tool point to past misuses. FBI officials repeatedly violated their own standards when searching intelligence related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and racial justice protests in 2020, according to a 2024 court order. Trump and his allies had lobbied aggressively all week for a clean renewal of the program, without changes. A group of Republicans traveled to the White House on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe spoke directly with GOP lawmakers. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Thursday there had “been negotiations late into the night with the White House and some of our members.” “I am asking Republicans to UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social this week. “We need to stick together.” They didn't.
Senate extends surveillance powers until April 30 after chaotic votes in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate approved a short-term renewal until April 30 of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, following a chaotic, post-midnight scramble in the House to keep the authority from expiring in a matter of days. The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote Friday, without a formal roll call — the same way it was approved hours earlier in the House — as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline and send it to President Donald Trump for his signature. Senate Majority Leader John Thune gave a nod to the political difficulty ahead as they assess options when the temporary extension expires at the end of the month. “We’ll be preparing accordingly,” the South Dakota Republican said. It’s all setting up another showdown, in a matter of weeks, as Congress dives into the surveillance tool that pits Americans’ privacy rights against what U.S. officials have long said is a uniquely effective program for the security of the country. The stopgap came after House Republican leaders hurriedly unveiled an ambitious five-year extension late Thursday with revisions to appease skeptics of the surveillance program — a sharp pivot from the clean 18-month renewal Trump and GOP leaders had pushed all week. But both those Republican bills collapsed, failing to advance, forcing leaders to pivot. Early Friday, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a longtime critic of the surveillance system, stalled further action in the Senate as he pressed for changes. Wyden said he has never seen this level of support on both sides of the political aisle — and in both chambers of Congress — for real revisions to the surveillance tool, although he did not stand in the way of a short-term extension, for now. “It’s not making a choice between security and liberty. That’s garbage,” Wyden said. “We’re going to show that the two aren’t mutually exclusive.” Chaotic, late-night House votes end in failure Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House had spent the week trying to line up support for an 18-month renewal of the spy tool with no changes. But holdouts held firm, forcing a late-night scramble. GOP leaders in the House rushed lawmakers back into session late Thursday for a series of back-to-back votes that fell apart before pivoting to a stopgap to keep the program from expiring Monday. First, they came out with a new plan that would have extended the program for five years, with revisions. Among the changes were new provisions to ensure that only FBI attorneys could authorize queries on U.S. people, and to require the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to review such cases, said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., during the debate. That plan also would enhance criminal penalties on those who unlawfully conduct such inquiries or disclose the surveillance information, Scott said. It provides a way for members of Congress and certain staff to access the proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court, which handles such requests. But the final product, a 14-page amendment, did not go far enough for some holdouts in either party. GOP leaders then tried to salvage a shorter 18-month renewal that Trump had demanded and Johnson had previously backed. It failed as well, with some 20 Republicans joining most Democrats in blocking its advance. Shortly after 2 a.m., they quickly agreed to the 10-day extension. “We were very close tonight,” Johnson said after the late-night action. But Democrats assailed the middle-of-the-night voting as amateur hour. “Are you kidding me? Who the hell is running this place?” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., during a fiery floor debate. Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, a member of the House Freedom Caucus that helped stall votes throughout the week, said the outcome was predictable after the procedural votes fell short. “We warned them that this was gonna happen,” Ogles said. “Unfortunately, here we are at 2 in the morning.” Surveillance program fight is a debate over privacy and security At the center of the standoff is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant. In doing so, they can incidentally sweep up communications involving Americans who interact with foreign targets. U.S. officials say the authority is critical to disrupting terrorist plots, cyber intrusions and foreign espionage. Extending the program is a recurring fight, as lawmakers weigh civil liberties concerns against intelligence officials’ warnings about national security risks. “There are a lot of opinions,” Johnson said Thursday. “We want to make sure that we have this very important tool for national security, but we also do it in a way that jealously guards constitutional rights.” Opponents of the surveillance tool point to past misuses. FBI officials repeatedly violated their own standards when searching intelligence related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and racial justice protests in 2020, according to a 2024 court order. Trump and his allies had lobbied aggressively all week for a clean renewal of the program, without changes. A group of Republicans traveled to the White House on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe spoke directly with GOP lawmakers. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Thursday there had “been negotiations late into the night with the White House and some of our members.” “I am asking Republicans to UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social this week. “We need to stick together.” They didn't.
Senate extends surveillance powers until April 30 after chaotic votes in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate approved a short-term renewal until April 30 of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, following a chaotic, post-midnight scramble in the House to keep the authority from expiring in a matter of days. The measure cleared the Senate by voice vote Friday, without a formal roll call — the same way it was approved hours earlier in the House — as Congress raced to meet a Monday deadline and send it to President Donald Trump for his signature. Senate Majority Leader John Thune gave a nod to the political difficulty ahead as they assess options when the temporary extension expires at the end of the month. “We’ll be preparing accordingly,” the South Dakota Republican said. It’s all setting up another showdown, in a matter of weeks, as Congress dives into the surveillance tool that pits Americans’ privacy rights against what U.S. officials have long said is a uniquely effective program for the security of the country. The stopgap came after House Republican leaders hurriedly unveiled an ambitious five-year extension late Thursday with revisions to appease skeptics of the surveillance program — a sharp pivot from the clean 18-month renewal Trump and GOP leaders had pushed all week. But both those Republican bills collapsed, failing to advance, forcing leaders to pivot. Early Friday, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a longtime critic of the surveillance system, stalled further action in the Senate as he pressed for changes. Wyden said he has never seen this level of support on both sides of the political aisle — and in both chambers of Congress — for real revisions to the surveillance tool, although he did not stand in the way of a short-term extension, for now. “It’s not making a choice between security and liberty. That’s garbage,” Wyden said. “We’re going to show that the two aren’t mutually exclusive.” Chaotic, late-night House votes end in failure Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House had spent the week trying to line up support for an 18-month renewal of the spy tool with no changes. But holdouts held firm, forcing a late-night scramble. GOP leaders in the House rushed lawmakers back into session late Thursday for a series of back-to-back votes that fell apart before pivoting to a stopgap to keep the program from expiring Monday. First, they came out with a new plan that would have extended the program for five years, with revisions. Among the changes were new provisions to ensure that only FBI attorneys could authorize queries on U.S. people, and to require the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to review such cases, said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., during the debate. That plan also would enhance criminal penalties on those who unlawfully conduct such inquiries or disclose the surveillance information, Scott said. It provides a way for members of Congress and certain staff to access the proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court, which handles such requests. But the final product, a 14-page amendment, did not go far enough for some holdouts in either party. GOP leaders then tried to salvage a shorter 18-month renewal that Trump had demanded and Johnson had previously backed. It failed as well, with some 20 Republicans joining most Democrats in blocking its advance. Shortly after 2 a.m., they quickly agreed to the 10-day extension. “We were very close tonight,” Johnson said after the late-night action. But Democrats assailed the middle-of-the-night voting as amateur hour. “Are you kidding me? Who the hell is running this place?” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., during a fiery floor debate. Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, a member of the House Freedom Caucus that helped stall votes throughout the week, said the outcome was predictable after the procedural votes fell short. “We warned them that this was gonna happen,” Ogles said. “Unfortunately, here we are at 2 in the morning.” Surveillance program fight is a debate over privacy and security At the center of the standoff is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant. In doing so, they can incidentally sweep up communications involving Americans who interact with foreign targets. U.S. officials say the authority is critical to disrupting terrorist plots, cyber intrusions and foreign espionage. Extending the program is a recurring fight, as lawmakers weigh civil liberties concerns against intelligence officials’ warnings about national security risks. “There are a lot of opinions,” Johnson said Thursday. “We want to make sure that we have this very important tool for national security, but we also do it in a way that jealously guards constitutional rights.” Opponents of the surveillance tool point to past misuses. FBI officials repeatedly violated their own standards when searching intelligence related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and racial justice protests in 2020, according to a 2024 court order. Trump and his allies had lobbied aggressively all week for a clean renewal of the program, without changes. A group of Republicans traveled to the White House on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe spoke directly with GOP lawmakers. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Thursday there had “been negotiations late into the night with the White House and some of our members.” “I am asking Republicans to UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social this week. “We need to stick together.” They didn't.
Kairos Power Breaks Ground on Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., April 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Kairos Power broke ground on the Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn. - the company’s first commercial-scale reactor and the first-ever power-producing Gen IV reactor to receive a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). (Photos and video) Hermes 2 is Kairos Power’s first deployment under its landmark deal with Google to develop an advanced reactor fleet. The plant will supply up to 50 megawatts of clean electricity to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) grid, helping to decarbonize Google data centers in Tennessee and Alabama. Through Kairos Power’s iterative development approach, Hermes 2 will build on lessons learned from the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor (Hermes 1), which commenced nuclear construction at the same site last year. The Hermes series will be the first fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (KP-FHRs) ever built, incorporating proven nuclear technologies that originated in Oak Ridge-including TRISO coated particle fuel and Flibe molten fluoride salt coolant-which simplify the reactor’s design, lower capital costs, and yield robust inherent safety. As the immediate precursor to Kairos Power’s full-scale commercial plants, Hermes 2 will further advance technology, licensing, supply chain, and construction certainty for the company’s future deployments. The groundbreaking event was not only a celebration of Hermes 2 but also a recognition of the cumulative progress Kairos Power has made to date at its Oak Ridge reactor demonstration campus. Key stakeholders, including elected officials, community members, and commercial partners, gathered to hear remarks from leaders and to tour the site. Guests observed foundation work now in progress for Hermes 1 - currently the only Gen IV reactor under active nuclear construction in the U.S. - and saw firsthand the supporting infrastructure Kairos Power has built to enable testing and construction activities that will help drive down costs for the fleet. Barnard Construction Company, Inc. (Barnard) is serving as the general contractor for both Hermes reactor projects. Kairos Power will fabricate Hermes 2 reactor equipment modules at its Manufacturing Development Campus in Albuquerque, N.M., and ship them to Oak Ridge for assembly, pioneering a factory-built small modular reactor (SMR) concept with the potential to transform nuclear project delivery. The Hermes 2 civil structure will leverage modular construction methods, incorporating precast concrete and a seismically isolated foundation. The construction methods piloted with the Hermes series are expected to shrink project timelines, lower nuclear construction costs, and enable a standardized, repeatable design. Hermes 2 will be built on the footprint of the former Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant at the K-33 site, which the U.S. Department of Energy reclaimed through a historic cleanup effort and returned to the community for economic development. Kairos Power acquired the land in 2021, along with the adjacent K-31 site, for its reactor demonstration campus. Quotes "For nuclear projects to be successful, we need more than just the right technology. We need to understand every aspect of project delivery. Hermes 2 is where that all comes together," said Mike Laufer, Kairos Power CEO and co-founder. "Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is our hub for nuclear construction and operations. We're training a real workforce to do nuclear construction, learning from the Hermes 1 experience, and translating that knowledge to the Hermes 2 project next door." "We're excited to start construction on Hermes 2. It represents a major inflection point for the company," said Edward Blandford, Kairos Power Chief Technology Officer and co-founder. "Hermes 2 culminates all of the lessons learned from Kairos Power's iterative hardware demonstration program. It's our first power-producing plant, the first delivery under our master plant development agreement with Google, and a long-term commitment to the Oak Ridge community." "Kairos Power has made significant investments in this community and is creating high-quality jobs that will support families and strengthen the regional economy,” said U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, Chairman, Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. "Their commitment to workforce development and partnerships with our universities, community colleges, and national laboratories is helping build the talent pipeline necessary for long-term success.” "Kairos Power represents a decisive step forward for America’s nuclear leadership,” said Matt Rasmussen, TVA Senior Vice President, and Chief Nuclear Officer. "With Hermes 2 moving into construction, we’re demonstrating how advanced nuclear will strengthen our nation’s energy dominance by delivering affordable, reliable power at scale. Kairos Power’s disciplined approach to next‑generation reactor design, paired with TVA’s first‑of‑its‑kind power purchase agreement, underscores how American innovation can set the pace for global nuclear advancement. This project shows what’s achievable when industry and technology leaders align to expand U.S. nuclear capability and secure a stronger, more resilient energy future for our country.” "The groundbreaking of Hermes 2 is a major leap forward in our efforts to accelerate the commercialization of affordable, carbon-free energy,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy, Google. "By pioneering a standardized, repeatable design, Kairos Power is addressing the historical challenges of nuclear construction costs. This shift toward a more efficient, factory-based manufacturing approach is a proven path toward lower-cost, cleaner power for our operations and the communities we serve." About Kairos Power Kairos Power is a mission-driven nuclear technology, engineering, and manufacturing company singularly focused on commercializing the fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) - a clean energy solution that can be deployed with robust safety at an affordable cost to enable deep decarbonization. Founded in 2016, the company is unique in applying a rapid iterative development approach and vertical integration strategy to bring advanced reactor technology to market. Kairos Power’s Hermes demonstration reactor is the first non-water-cooled reactor approved for U.S. construction in over 50 years. Kairos Power’s mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy while improving people’s quality of life and protecting the environment. Learn more at kairospower.com. Contact information: Elena Hale, elena@piper-communications.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f2a8a33-1086-49a4-b1c2-b406ae49cbed
House rejects Iran war withdrawal measure; Republicans stick with Trump
WASHINGTON — The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump's operation. Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks. The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The US and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump's use of military force. “We're standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.” Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical. Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president. “When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. ... That's the hypocrisy.” Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days — a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war's end. While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump's actions. “Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 US troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.” Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people. “President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable," said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. In Thursday's vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing US forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure. The first House vote to curb Trump's miliary action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.
House rejects Iran war withdrawal measure; Republicans stick with Trump
WASHINGTON — The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump's operation. Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks. The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The US and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump's use of military force. “We're standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.” Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical. Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president. “When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. ... That's the hypocrisy.” Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days — a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war's end. While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump's actions. “Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 US troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.” Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people. “President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable," said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. In Thursday's vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing US forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure. The first House vote to curb Trump's miliary action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.
House rejects Iran war withdrawal measure; Republicans stick with Trump
WASHINGTON — The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump's operation. Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks. The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The US and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump's use of military force. “We're standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.” Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical. Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president. “When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. ... That's the hypocrisy.” Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days — a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war's end. While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump's actions. “Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 US troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.” Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people. “President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable," said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. In Thursday's vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing US forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure. The first House vote to curb Trump's miliary action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.
House rejects Iran war withdrawal measure; Republicans stick with Trump
WASHINGTON — The House rejected a resolution Thursday requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. It was the latest such vote that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump's operation. Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks. The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The US and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump's use of military force. “We're standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.” Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical. Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president. “When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. ... That's the hypocrisy.” Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days — a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war's end. While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump's actions. “Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 US troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.” Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people. “President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable," said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. In Thursday's vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing US forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure. The first House vote to curb Trump's miliary action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.
CORRECTION: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) Hosts First Capitol Hill Briefing: "Frontotemporal Degeneration: Shining a Light on a Little-Known Dementia”
The event brought together Hill staffers with caregivers, advocates, researchers, and federal leaders to raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and highlight the urgent need for greater investment in research and support services. Emma Heming Willis, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Susan L-J Dickinson Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) poses for a photo with advocate Emma Heming Willis and AFTD CEO Susan L-J Dickinson. Rep. Dingell spoke during the briefing to highlight the urgent need of care partners across the United States. Emma Heming Willis Delivering Remarks During Briefing Advocate Emma Heming Willis delivers prepared remarks during the congressional briefing. Heming Willis shared her personal experiences as a care partner on the FTD journey to illustrate the challenges families face. Washington, DC, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) hosted its first Capitol Hill briefing, Frontotemporal Degeneration: Shining a Light on a Little-Known Dementia, on April 14 in the Rayburn House Office Building. The event brought together Hill staffers with caregivers, advocates, researchers, and federal leaders to raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and highlight the urgent need for greater investment in research and support services. A recording of the Capitol Hill briefing is available on AFTD's YouTube channel. AFTD was honored to be joined by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Chair of the Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus, who provided remarks highlighting the critical role of caregivers and the need for policies that better support them. Rep. Dingell emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting family caregivers, particularly those caring for individuals with complex conditions like FTD. "Today’s briefing with the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration called attention to just how important it is that we support caregivers, like those caring for individuals living with FTD, who face extraordinary emotional, financial, and practical challenges, often while balancing careers and raising families,” said Congresswoman Dingell. "Supporting caregivers is a core tenet of AFTD’s mission, and I am proud to work alongside them in advancing policies like the Credit for Caring Act and strengthening federal resources. We must continue working together to ensure that every caregiver receives the support, benefits, and recognition that they deserve.” The briefing featured remarks from Dr. Amy Adams, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Dr. Frank Shewmaker, FTD Program Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Dr. Chiadi Onyike, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and Chair of the AFTD Medical Advisory Council; and Natasha Jasso Smith, an advocate living with FTD. Susan Dickinson, CEO of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, served as moderator. Keynote speaker Emma Heming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis and author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, shared her personal experiences as a caregiver navigating FTD’s profound challenges. Her voice, alongside those of individuals living with the disease, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, underscored both the human toll of FTD and the opportunities to make meaningful progress through policy and research. Mrs. Willis stated, "FTD is non-partisan. It doesn't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat. It walks into homes across America every day, without warning or mercy. The systems families are told to rely on just aren't built for this disease. I appreciate the hard work of Congress members that understand this, and encourage everyone to learn more about FTD. We must keep federal funding and scientific momentum focused on treatments, cure, and caregiver supports." FTD is the most common dementia for people under age 60, though it may be diagnosed in people from their 20s to their 80s. Unlike dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, patients with FTD often experience personality, behavioral, and movement changes. There is currently no treatment for the disease, but research is gaining momentum. Clinical trials underway today provide hope for an approved therapy in the not-too-distant future. FTD is also often misdiagnosed as a mental health condition by medical professionals who are not familiar with the symptoms of the disease; this can sometimes lead to improper treatments and even psychiatric hospitalization. On average, it takes over three and a half years to receive an accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, families often struggle to understand their loved ones’ uncharacteristic and unsettling behavior. Researchers believe the disease is widely underdiagnosed. For more information about FTD or AFTD’s mission to improve the lives of people living with FTD and to fund research toward effective treatments and a cure, visit www.theaftd.org. Attachments Emma Heming Willis, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Susan L-J Dickinson Emma Heming Willis Delivering Remarks During Briefing CONTACT: Meghan Buzby Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration 866-507-7222 mbuzby@theaftd.org
CORRECTION: The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) Hosts First Capitol Hill Briefing: "Frontotemporal Degeneration: Shining a Light on a Little-Known Dementia”
The event brought together Hill staffers with caregivers, advocates, researchers, and federal leaders to raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and highlight the urgent need for greater investment in research and support services. Emma Heming Willis, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Susan L-J Dickinson Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) poses for a photo with advocate Emma Heming Willis and AFTD CEO Susan L-J Dickinson. Rep. Dingell spoke during the briefing to highlight the urgent need of care partners across the United States. Emma Heming Willis Delivering Remarks During Briefing Advocate Emma Heming Willis delivers prepared remarks during the congressional briefing. Heming Willis shared her personal experiences as a care partner on the FTD journey to illustrate the challenges families face. Washington, DC, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) hosted its first Capitol Hill briefing, Frontotemporal Degeneration: Shining a Light on a Little-Known Dementia, on April 14 in the Rayburn House Office Building. The event brought together Hill staffers with caregivers, advocates, researchers, and federal leaders to raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and highlight the urgent need for greater investment in research and support services. A recording of the Capitol Hill briefing is available on AFTD's YouTube channel. AFTD was honored to be joined by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Chair of the Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus, who provided remarks highlighting the critical role of caregivers and the need for policies that better support them. Rep. Dingell emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting family caregivers, particularly those caring for individuals with complex conditions like FTD. "Today’s briefing with the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration called attention to just how important it is that we support caregivers, like those caring for individuals living with FTD, who face extraordinary emotional, financial, and practical challenges, often while balancing careers and raising families,” said Congresswoman Dingell. "Supporting caregivers is a core tenet of AFTD’s mission, and I am proud to work alongside them in advancing policies like the Credit for Caring Act and strengthening federal resources. We must continue working together to ensure that every caregiver receives the support, benefits, and recognition that they deserve.” The briefing featured remarks from Dr. Amy Adams, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Dr. Frank Shewmaker, FTD Program Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Dr. Chiadi Onyike, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and Chair of the AFTD Medical Advisory Council; and Natasha Jasso Smith, an advocate living with FTD. Susan Dickinson, CEO of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, served as moderator. Keynote speaker Emma Heming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis and author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, shared her personal experiences as a caregiver navigating FTD’s profound challenges. Her voice, alongside those of individuals living with the disease, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, underscored both the human toll of FTD and the opportunities to make meaningful progress through policy and research. Mrs. Willis stated, "FTD is non-partisan. It doesn't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat. It walks into homes across America every day, without warning or mercy. The systems families are told to rely on just aren't built for this disease. I appreciate the hard work of Congress members that understand this, and encourage everyone to learn more about FTD. We must keep federal funding and scientific momentum focused on treatments, cure, and caregiver supports." FTD is the most common dementia for people under age 60, though it may be diagnosed in people from their 20s to their 80s. Unlike dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, patients with FTD often experience personality, behavioral, and movement changes. There is currently no treatment for the disease, but research is gaining momentum. Clinical trials underway today provide hope for an approved therapy in the not-too-distant future. FTD is also often misdiagnosed as a mental health condition by medical professionals who are not familiar with the symptoms of the disease; this can sometimes lead to improper treatments and even psychiatric hospitalization. On average, it takes over three and a half years to receive an accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, families often struggle to understand their loved ones’ uncharacteristic and unsettling behavior. Researchers believe the disease is widely underdiagnosed. For more information about FTD or AFTD’s mission to improve the lives of people living with FTD and to fund research toward effective treatments and a cure, visit www.theaftd.org. Attachments Emma Heming Willis, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Susan L-J Dickinson Emma Heming Willis Delivering Remarks During Briefing CONTACT: Meghan Buzby Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration 866-507-7222 mbuzby@theaftd.org
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) Hosts First Capitol Hill Briefing: "Frontotemporal Degeneration: Shining a Light on a Little-Known Dementia”
The event brought together Hill staffers with caregivers, advocates, researchers, and federal leaders to raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and highlight the urgent need for greater investment in research and support services. Emma Heming Willis, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Susan L-J Dickinson Rep. Debbie Dingell poses for a photo with advocate Emma Heming Willis and AFTD CEO Susan L-J Dickinson. Rep. Dingell spoke during the briefing to highlight the urgent need of care partners across the United States. Emma Heming Willis Delivering Remarks During Briefing Advocate Emma Heming Willis delivers prepared remarks during the congressional briefing. Heming Willis shared her personal experiences as a care partner on the FTD journey to illustrate the challenges families face. Washington, DC, April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) hosted its first Capitol Hill briefing, Frontotemporal Degeneration: Shining a Light on a Little-Known Dementia, on April 14 in the Rayburn House Office Building. The event brought together Hill staffers with caregivers, advocates, researchers, and federal leaders to raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and highlight the urgent need for greater investment in research and support services. A recording of the Capitol Hill briefing is available on AFTD's YouTube channel. AFTD was honored to be joined by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Chair of the Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus, who provided remarks highlighting the critical role of caregivers and the need for policies that better support them. Rep. Dingell emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting family caregivers, particularly those caring for individuals with complex conditions like FTD. "Today’s briefing with the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration called attention to just how important it is that we support caregivers, like those caring for individuals living with FTD, who face extraordinary emotional, financial, and practical challenges, often while balancing careers and raising families,” said Congresswoman Dingell. "Supporting caregivers is a core tenet of AFTD’s mission, and I am proud to work alongside them in advancing policies like the Credit for Caring Act and strengthening federal resources. We must continue working together to ensure that every caregiver receives the support, benefits, and recognition that they deserve.” The briefing featured remarks from Dr. Amy Adams, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Dr. Frank Shewmaker, FTD Program Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Dr. Chiadi Onyike, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and Chair of the AFTD Medical Advisory Council; and Natasha Jasso Smith, an advocate living with FTD. Susan Dickinson, CEO of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, served as moderator. Keynote speaker Emma Heming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis and author of the New York Times best-selling book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, shared her personal experiences as a caregiver navigating FTD’s profound challenges. Her voice, alongside those of individuals living with the disease, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, underscored both the human toll of FTD and the opportunities to make meaningful progress through policy and research. Mrs. Willis stated, "FTD is non-partisan. It doesn't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat. It walks into homes across America every day, without warning or mercy. The systems families are told to rely on just aren't built for this disease. I appreciate the hard work of Congress members that understand this, and encourage everyone to learn more about FTD. We must keep federal funding and scientific momentum focused on treatments, cure, and caregiver supports." FTD is the most common dementia for people under age 60, though it may be diagnosed in people from their 20s to their 80s. Unlike dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, patients with FTD often experience personality, behavioral, and movement changes. There is currently no treatment for the disease, but research is gaining momentum. Clinical trials underway today provide hope for an approved therapy in the not-too-distant future. FTD is also often misdiagnosed as a mental health condition by medical professionals who are not familiar with the symptoms of the disease; this can sometimes lead to improper treatments and even psychiatric hospitalization. On average, it takes over three and a half years to receive an accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, families often struggle to understand their loved ones’ uncharacteristic and unsettling behavior. Researchers believe the disease is widely underdiagnosed. For more information about FTD or AFTD’s mission to improve the lives of people living with FTD and to fund research toward effective treatments and a cure, visit www.theaftd.org. Attachments Emma Heming Willis, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Susan L-J Dickinson Emma Heming Willis Delivering Remarks During Briefing CONTACT: Meghan Buzby Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration 866-507-7222 mbuzby@theaftd.org
Two congressmen resign as US House braces for rare expulsions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two US lawmakers stepped down Monday and two more faced possible expulsion over a series of scandals that have rattled both parties and thrown the House of Representatives into turmoil. Democrat Eric Swalwell of California, who had already ended his bid to become governor, announced his resignation from Congress on Monday via X, after multiple women accused him of sexual assault or misconduct. Hours later, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales announced plans to retire from office in an X post, amid mounting pressure after acknowledging an affair with a former aide who later died by self-immolation. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders had already urged him not to seek reelection. Lawmakers are still zeroing in on separate controversies involving two Florida lawmakers — Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Republican Cory Mills — in an unusual push for disciplinary action. "Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office," New York Democrat Nydia Velazquez posted on X, calling for all four to resign and adding "if they refuse, they should be expelled." Threshold Expulsion from the House requires a two-thirds majority, a threshold so high that Congress has wielded the sanction only in the gravest cases, removing just six members in its 237-year history. Swalwell's troubles escalated rapidly over the weekend as reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed allegations from four women, including a former staff member who said he sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent. Swalwell has apologized for what he called "mistakes in judgment" while insisting the accusations are false. He suspended his campaign to become governor of California but this did little to calm the uproar in Washington, where calls for him to resign from the House spread across party lines. Late Monday afternoon he announced on X he was resigning his seat. "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make," Swalwell said. Republican Anna Paulina Luna had been set to introduce a resolution Tuesday to expel Swalwell, and support for votes to oust the other three, beginning as early as this week, has come from an ideologically wide group of lawmakers. 'Despicable' "These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress," Florida Republican Byron Donalds told NBC, adding that both Swalwell and Gonzales "need to go home." The Swalwell and Gonzales cases in particular have fed talk on Capitol Hill of a politically symmetrical purge: one Democrat for one Republican, or perhaps two from each party. "Gonzales and Swalwell exploited their staffers' ideals and commitment to public service as a vulnerability. These staffers work incredibly hard and instead of being treated with respect, they were preyed upon," Democratic New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez said. Cherfilus-McCormick is already facing a sanctions hearing after an Ethics Committee subpanel found she committed 25 violations tied to campaign finance and related conduct, and she is also due to face a federal criminal trial next year. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in her criminal case. The Ethics Committee, a bipartisan but notoriously slow-moving body that handles misconduct cases in the House, was investigating Gonzales and on Monday opened a new file, on Swalwell -- but the committee's jurisdiction only extends to sitting members. Mills, meanwhile, is under investigation over allegations ranging from sexual misconduct and domestic violence to campaign finance and gift violations, all of which he denies. Many lawmakers remain skeptical the chamber will act as soon as this week. The House is already operating with an exceptionally thin Republican majority, and any vacancies would trigger special elections whose timing would depend on state governors.
Two congressmen resign as US House braces for rare expulsions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two US lawmakers stepped down Monday and two more faced possible expulsion over a series of scandals that have rattled both parties and thrown the House of Representatives into turmoil. Democrat Eric Swalwell of California, who had already ended his bid to become governor, announced his resignation from Congress on Monday via X, after multiple women accused him of sexual assault or misconduct. Hours later, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales announced plans to retire from office in an X post, amid mounting pressure after acknowledging an affair with a former aide who later died by self-immolation. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders had already urged him not to seek reelection. Lawmakers are still zeroing in on separate controversies involving two Florida lawmakers — Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Republican Cory Mills — in an unusual push for disciplinary action. "Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office," New York Democrat Nydia Velazquez posted on X, calling for all four to resign and adding "if they refuse, they should be expelled." Threshold Expulsion from the House requires a two-thirds majority, a threshold so high that Congress has wielded the sanction only in the gravest cases, removing just six members in its 237-year history. Swalwell's troubles escalated rapidly over the weekend as reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed allegations from four women, including a former staff member who said he sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent. Swalwell has apologized for what he called "mistakes in judgment" while insisting the accusations are false. He suspended his campaign to become governor of California but this did little to calm the uproar in Washington, where calls for him to resign from the House spread across party lines. Late Monday afternoon he announced on X he was resigning his seat. "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make," Swalwell said. Republican Anna Paulina Luna had been set to introduce a resolution Tuesday to expel Swalwell, and support for votes to oust the other three, beginning as early as this week, has come from an ideologically wide group of lawmakers. 'Despicable' "These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress," Florida Republican Byron Donalds told NBC, adding that both Swalwell and Gonzales "need to go home." The Swalwell and Gonzales cases in particular have fed talk on Capitol Hill of a politically symmetrical purge: one Democrat for one Republican, or perhaps two from each party. "Gonzales and Swalwell exploited their staffers' ideals and commitment to public service as a vulnerability. These staffers work incredibly hard and instead of being treated with respect, they were preyed upon," Democratic New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez said. Cherfilus-McCormick is already facing a sanctions hearing after an Ethics Committee subpanel found she committed 25 violations tied to campaign finance and related conduct, and she is also due to face a federal criminal trial next year. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in her criminal case. The Ethics Committee, a bipartisan but notoriously slow-moving body that handles misconduct cases in the House, was investigating Gonzales and on Monday opened a new file, on Swalwell -- but the committee's jurisdiction only extends to sitting members. Mills, meanwhile, is under investigation over allegations ranging from sexual misconduct and domestic violence to campaign finance and gift violations, all of which he denies. Many lawmakers remain skeptical the chamber will act as soon as this week. The House is already operating with an exceptionally thin Republican majority, and any vacancies would trigger special elections whose timing would depend on state governors.
Two congressmen resign as US House braces for rare expulsions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two US lawmakers stepped down Monday and two more faced possible expulsion over a series of scandals that have rattled both parties and thrown the House of Representatives into turmoil. Democrat Eric Swalwell of California, who had already ended his bid to become governor, announced his resignation from Congress on Monday via X, after multiple women accused him of sexual assault or misconduct. Hours later, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales announced plans to retire from office in an X post, amid mounting pressure after acknowledging an affair with a former aide who later died by self-immolation. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders had already urged him not to seek reelection. Lawmakers are still zeroing in on separate controversies involving two Florida lawmakers — Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Republican Cory Mills — in an unusual push for disciplinary action. "Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office," New York Democrat Nydia Velazquez posted on X, calling for all four to resign and adding "if they refuse, they should be expelled." Threshold Expulsion from the House requires a two-thirds majority, a threshold so high that Congress has wielded the sanction only in the gravest cases, removing just six members in its 237-year history. Swalwell's troubles escalated rapidly over the weekend as reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed allegations from four women, including a former staff member who said he sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent. Swalwell has apologized for what he called "mistakes in judgment" while insisting the accusations are false. He suspended his campaign to become governor of California but this did little to calm the uproar in Washington, where calls for him to resign from the House spread across party lines. Late Monday afternoon he announced on X he was resigning his seat. "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make," Swalwell said. Republican Anna Paulina Luna had been set to introduce a resolution Tuesday to expel Swalwell, and support for votes to oust the other three, beginning as early as this week, has come from an ideologically wide group of lawmakers. 'Despicable' "These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress," Florida Republican Byron Donalds told NBC, adding that both Swalwell and Gonzales "need to go home." The Swalwell and Gonzales cases in particular have fed talk on Capitol Hill of a politically symmetrical purge: one Democrat for one Republican, or perhaps two from each party. "Gonzales and Swalwell exploited their staffers' ideals and commitment to public service as a vulnerability. These staffers work incredibly hard and instead of being treated with respect, they were preyed upon," Democratic New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez said. Cherfilus-McCormick is already facing a sanctions hearing after an Ethics Committee subpanel found she committed 25 violations tied to campaign finance and related conduct, and she is also due to face a federal criminal trial next year. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in her criminal case. The Ethics Committee, a bipartisan but notoriously slow-moving body that handles misconduct cases in the House, was investigating Gonzales and on Monday opened a new file, on Swalwell -- but the committee's jurisdiction only extends to sitting members. Mills, meanwhile, is under investigation over allegations ranging from sexual misconduct and domestic violence to campaign finance and gift violations, all of which he denies. Many lawmakers remain skeptical the chamber will act as soon as this week. The House is already operating with an exceptionally thin Republican majority, and any vacancies would trigger special elections whose timing would depend on state governors.
Two congressmen resign as US House braces for rare expulsions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two US lawmakers stepped down Monday and two more faced possible expulsion over a series of scandals that have rattled both parties and thrown the House of Representatives into turmoil. Democrat Eric Swalwell of California, who had already ended his bid to become governor, announced his resignation from Congress on Monday via X, after multiple women accused him of sexual assault or misconduct. Hours later, Texas Republican Tony Gonzales announced plans to retire from office in an X post, amid mounting pressure after acknowledging an affair with a former aide who later died by self-immolation. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders had already urged him not to seek reelection. Lawmakers are still zeroing in on separate controversies involving two Florida lawmakers — Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Republican Cory Mills — in an unusual push for disciplinary action. "Congress should not tolerate representatives who abuse staff, betray public trust for personal gain, and generally violate their oath of office," New York Democrat Nydia Velazquez posted on X, calling for all four to resign and adding "if they refuse, they should be expelled." Threshold Expulsion from the House requires a two-thirds majority, a threshold so high that Congress has wielded the sanction only in the gravest cases, removing just six members in its 237-year history. Swalwell's troubles escalated rapidly over the weekend as reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed allegations from four women, including a former staff member who said he sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent. Swalwell has apologized for what he called "mistakes in judgment" while insisting the accusations are false. He suspended his campaign to become governor of California but this did little to calm the uproar in Washington, where calls for him to resign from the House spread across party lines. Late Monday afternoon he announced on X he was resigning his seat. "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make," Swalwell said. Republican Anna Paulina Luna had been set to introduce a resolution Tuesday to expel Swalwell, and support for votes to oust the other three, beginning as early as this week, has come from an ideologically wide group of lawmakers. 'Despicable' "These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress," Florida Republican Byron Donalds told NBC, adding that both Swalwell and Gonzales "need to go home." The Swalwell and Gonzales cases in particular have fed talk on Capitol Hill of a politically symmetrical purge: one Democrat for one Republican, or perhaps two from each party. "Gonzales and Swalwell exploited their staffers' ideals and commitment to public service as a vulnerability. These staffers work incredibly hard and instead of being treated with respect, they were preyed upon," Democratic New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez said. Cherfilus-McCormick is already facing a sanctions hearing after an Ethics Committee subpanel found she committed 25 violations tied to campaign finance and related conduct, and she is also due to face a federal criminal trial next year. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in her criminal case. The Ethics Committee, a bipartisan but notoriously slow-moving body that handles misconduct cases in the House, was investigating Gonzales and on Monday opened a new file, on Swalwell -- but the committee's jurisdiction only extends to sitting members. Mills, meanwhile, is under investigation over allegations ranging from sexual misconduct and domestic violence to campaign finance and gift violations, all of which he denies. Many lawmakers remain skeptical the chamber will act as soon as this week. The House is already operating with an exceptionally thin Republican majority, and any vacancies would trigger special elections whose timing would depend on state governors.
Dozens arrested as protesters demand Schumer and Gillibrand block sale of bombs to Israel
NEW YORK — Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration Monday calling on Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to block the sale of thousands of US bombs to Israel. Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the Manhattan offices of the two Democratic lawmakers they accused of abetting Israel’s intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the US-Israeli war on Iran. After demonstrators were blocked by security from entering the building, they stopped traffic outside, chanting “fund people, not bombs” as they were arrested and loaded onto three buses. Among the 90 people taken into custody were whistleblower Chelsea Manning, actor Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés, according to a JVP spokesperson. The demonstration focused on a set of resolutions introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders that could block the sale of more than $600 million in bombs to Israel. Similar measures previously introduced by Sanders, an independent from Vermont, have failed. But the most recent effort this past summer drew support from more than half of Senate Democrats amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Schumer and Gillibrand were not among them. Protesters on Monday said Israel’s air and ground offensive in southern Lebanon, along with the larger US-Israeli war on Iran, added to the urgency of the vote, which is expected later this week. “This is the moment when Schumer and Gillibrand must listen to their constituents,” said Sonya Meyerson-Knox, the communications director with Jewish Voice for Peace. “The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing.” Inquiries to Schumer and Gillibrand were not immediately returned.
Dozens arrested as protesters demand Schumer and Gillibrand block sale of bombs to Israel
NEW YORK — Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration Monday calling on Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to block the sale of thousands of US bombs to Israel. Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the Manhattan offices of the two Democratic lawmakers they accused of abetting Israel’s intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the US-Israeli war on Iran. After demonstrators were blocked by security from entering the building, they stopped traffic outside, chanting “fund people, not bombs” as they were arrested and loaded onto three buses. Among the 90 people taken into custody were whistleblower Chelsea Manning, actor Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés, according to a JVP spokesperson. The demonstration focused on a set of resolutions introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders that could block the sale of more than $600 million in bombs to Israel. Similar measures previously introduced by Sanders, an independent from Vermont, have failed. But the most recent effort this past summer drew support from more than half of Senate Democrats amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Schumer and Gillibrand were not among them. Protesters on Monday said Israel’s air and ground offensive in southern Lebanon, along with the larger US-Israeli war on Iran, added to the urgency of the vote, which is expected later this week. “This is the moment when Schumer and Gillibrand must listen to their constituents,” said Sonya Meyerson-Knox, the communications director with Jewish Voice for Peace. “The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing.” Inquiries to Schumer and Gillibrand were not immediately returned.
Dozens arrested as protesters demand Schumer and Gillibrand block sale of bombs to Israel
NEW YORK — Nearly 100 protesters were arrested during a demonstration Monday calling on Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to block the sale of thousands of US bombs to Israel. Led by the antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, the crowd of hundreds initially attempted to stage a sit-in inside the Manhattan offices of the two Democratic lawmakers they accused of abetting Israel’s intensifying attacks in Lebanon and the US-Israeli war on Iran. After demonstrators were blocked by security from entering the building, they stopped traffic outside, chanting “fund people, not bombs” as they were arrested and loaded onto three buses. Among the 90 people taken into custody were whistleblower Chelsea Manning, actor Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés, according to a JVP spokesperson. The demonstration focused on a set of resolutions introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders that could block the sale of more than $600 million in bombs to Israel. Similar measures previously introduced by Sanders, an independent from Vermont, have failed. But the most recent effort this past summer drew support from more than half of Senate Democrats amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza. Schumer and Gillibrand were not among them. Protesters on Monday said Israel’s air and ground offensive in southern Lebanon, along with the larger US-Israeli war on Iran, added to the urgency of the vote, which is expected later this week. “This is the moment when Schumer and Gillibrand must listen to their constituents,” said Sonya Meyerson-Knox, the communications director with Jewish Voice for Peace. “The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing.” Inquiries to Schumer and Gillibrand were not immediately returned.
Iran war diverts US military and attention from Asia
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2011, President Barack Obama declared it was time for America to leave behind the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and “pivot” to Asia to counter the rise of China. Fifteen years later, the US finds itself still at war in the Middle East and has pulled military assets from the Asia-Pacific as it aims to eliminate the threat posed by Iran's nuclear and missile programs. The demands of the Iran war also caused President Donald Trump to delay by several weeks his highly anticipated trip to China, deepening worries that the US is once again getting distracted at the cost of its strategic interests in Asia, where Beijing seeks to unseat the US as the regional leader. Those skeptical of the US involvement in the Middle East say the war is preventing Trump from adequately preparing for his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month, when economic interests are on the line, and they warn that a failure to focus on Asia and maintain strong deterrence could lead to greater instability, if China should believe the time is ripe to seize the self-governed island of Taiwan. “This is precisely the wrong time for the United States to turn away and be sucked into another intractable Middle East conflict,” said Danny Russel, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “Rebalancing to Asia is highly relevant to America’s national interests, but it has been undercut by many bad decisions.” Others defend the president's approach, arguing that the forceful steps he is taking elsewhere, including in Venezuela and Iran, serve to counter China globally. “Beijing is the chief sponsor for the adversaries that President Trump is dealing with sequentially, and it’s wise to do this sequentially,” Matt Pottinger, who served as a deputy national security adviser in the first Trump administration, said in a recent podcast. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also said conflicts may not be confined to a single theater, suggesting that China could call upon its “junior partners” elsewhere to divert US attention if it should move against Taiwan. “Most likely it will not be limited, something in the Indo-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific,” Rutte said, speaking Thursday at the Ronald Reagan Institute in Washington. “It will be a multi-theater issue.” Repercussions in Asia of the Iran war Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently led a bipartisan group of senators to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, where they heard concerns about the impact of the war on energy costs and about the departure of US military assets, including missile defense systems from South Korea and a rapid-response Marine unit from Japan. She sought to reassure them of the US commitment to deterring conflicts in Asia and shoring up regional stability. “Failure is not an option,” Shaheen told The Associated Press after returning from Asia. “We know China has already said they intend to take Taiwan by force if they need to, and they’re on an expedited time schedule. And we also know that what happened in Europe, in the war in Ukraine, in the Middle East is affecting those calculations.” Kurt Campbell, who served as deputy secretary of state in the Biden administration, said he’s worried that the military capabilities that the US had patiently accumulated in the Indo-Pacific region might not return in full even after the Iran war ends. The longer the conflict goes on, the more it will pull resources and focus away from Asia, said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who studies the US strategy in Asia. He added that future arms sales to the region also will be negatively affected. “The United States has expended substantial numbers of munitions in the Middle East and will have to keep an increased force presence there, some of which has been redirected from Asia,” Cooper said. “Meanwhile, Xi Jinping’s wisdom in preparing a ‘war time’ economy by stockpiling and adding alternate energy sources has shown itself to be beneficial.” Shaheen said the US defense industry will struggle to meet the demand to replenish the weapons stockpile. “We’re working on a number of strategies to improve that, but at this point, timelines for weapons delivery are slipping,” she said. The senator from New Hampshire said she's encouraged that Taiwan, Japan and South Korea are stepping up their own defense. After 15 years and 3 presidents, pivot to Asia remains elusive Obama's strategic rebalance to Asia reflected his understanding that the US must be a player in the Pacific to harness the region’s growth and ensure continued US leadership in the face of China's rising influence. “After a decade in which we fought two wars that cost us dearly, in blood and treasure, the United States is turning our attention to the vast potential of the Asia-Pacific region,” Obama said in a speech to the Australian Parliament. “So, make no mistake, the tide of war is receding, and America is looking ahead to the future that we must build.” But the strategy was set back when a proposed trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership with key US regional partners failed to get through the US Senate. After Trump first took office in 2017, he withdrew the US from the partnership and launched a tariff war with China. His Democratic successor, Joe Biden, kept Trump's tariffs on China and tightened export controls on advanced technology, while strengthening regional alliances to counter China. Middle East again grabs US attention By the time Trump rolled out his national security strategy in late 2025, the US strategy in Asia had been narrowed to military deterrence in the Taiwan Strait and the First Island Chain, a string of US-aligned islands off China's coast that restrict its access to the Western Pacific. The national security document says it's in the economic interest of the US to secure access to advanced chips, which are sourced primarily from Taiwan and are needed to power everything from computers to missiles, and to protect shipping lanes in the South China Sea. “Hence deterring a conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch, is a priority,” the document says. “We will build a military capable of denying aggression anywhere in the First Island Chain.” The Middle East, it says, should be getting less attention: “As this administration rescinds or eases restrictive energy policies and American energy production ramps up, America’s historic reason for focusing on the Middle East will recede." Then came the Iran war.