Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/new-house-bills-release-epstein-files-take-citizen-only-census-repeal-health-liability-protections/
US Politics
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act to release related files within 30 days. The Department of Justice’s release of edited prison video footage related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, missing nearly three minutes according to WIRED, has drawn attention given it was originally stated that only 1 minute was missing. Additionally, Rep. Tim Burchett has called for allowing Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before Congress. Some lawmakers caution that such testimony could be perceived as a political maneuver rather than a pursuit of justice.
Separately, CNN reports that President Trump has contacted conservative influencers asking them to temper reporting of his administration’s handling of the case, though specific details were not disclosed. Trump has denied these claims, labeling them as ‘fake news’ aimed at distraction.
On fiscal policy, JD Vance cast a tie-breaking vote to enact $9 billion in DOGE cuts, including $8 billion from USAID and $1 billion from NPR and PBS. Critics warn that these cuts, especially to USAID, could harm international aid efforts and global relations.
Additionally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has proposed a bill to redraw congressional districts based solely on U.S. citizen counts from a revised census and to require proof of citizenship for federal voting, which could impact electoral maps in states like California. The Washington Post notes critics’ concerns that this could disenfranchise eligible voters, citing a lack of evidence for widespread non-citizen voting.
Health
Rep. Thomas Massie has introduced HR 4388 to repeal the 2005 PREP Act, which provides liability protection for corporations during presidentially declared emergencies. In a statement, Massie expressed his view that the act limits accountability in emergency health responses and should be repealed. Opponents argue that repealing the Act could hinder rapid responses to public health emergencies by discouraging corporate participation due to liability risks.
Economy
Nvidia reached a $4 trillion valuation, surpassing tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, as reported by Statista. Its stock has risen over 1,000% in two and a half years, driven by demand in the AI sector, with its market cap exceeding the combined value of Alphabet and Meta.
In legislative news, the House’s ‘Crypto Week’ saw a procedural vote on crypto bills, including stablecoin regulation, fail by a margin of 196-222, according to industry updates. Stablecoin discussions continue, with projections estimating a $750 billion market by 2026, alongside concerns about financial stability in emerging markets. The House is also set to vote on the GENIUS Act, which Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized, alleging it could enable surveillance through a layered Central Bank Digital Currency system, despite its stablecoin framework. However, the Federal Reserve has stated that the Act focuses on stablecoin regulation and does not directly address a CBDC, emphasizing transparency in any future discussions on digital currencies.
Energy
Global oil consumption reached 101.8 million barrels per day in 2024, a 0.7% increase from 2023, driven by demand from non-OECD countries, according to OilPrice.com. The U.S. accounts for 18.7% of global demand, while India’s usage rose 3.1% to 5.6 million barrels daily. China’s consumption fell by 1.2%, which some analysts suggest may indicate a demand peak amid economic changes. Global oil production hit 96.9 million barrels per day, with the U.S. leading at 20.1 million, though its growth has slowed. Russia and Saudi Arabia experienced production declines, attributed to sanctions and strategic cuts, respectively. The Saudi Ministry of Energy clarified that their cuts are strategic to maintain market stability, countering narratives of diminished capacity.
Environment
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that the world’s richest 10% account for two-thirds of global warming since 1990, with their consumption and investments linked to increased risks of heatwaves and droughts. Lead researcher Sarah Schoengart from ETH Zurich stated that the wealthiest 1% contribute 26 times more to extreme heat events compared to the global average, noting that emissions from the U.S. and China are associated with doubled or tripled heat extremes. The study suggests progressive taxes on wealth and carbon-intensive investments as a potential solution, though initiatives like Brazil’s proposed 2% billionaire tax have not advanced. Critics, however, argue that focusing solely on the wealthiest oversimplifies the issue, with outlets like The Wall Street Journal suggesting broader, inclusive policies are needed to address global emissions effectively.
Separately, the AI industry’s growth is reportedly impacting water resources, with data centers—key to AI computation—consuming millions of gallons annually for cooling. According to The Epoch Times, the U.S. has 1,082 data centers in water-stressed states such as Nevada and Arizona, with hyperscale facilities using up to 200 million gallons yearly. Experts have raised concerns about contamination risks from cooling chemicals and competition for water in drought-prone areas, though some companies, like Amazon Web Services, have pledged to adopt water-positive practices by 2030. Industry voices, including TechCrunch, note that innovations like waterless cooling systems and recycled water use are being adopted to mitigate these concerns.
Sources
World’s Richest 10% Drive Two-Thirds of Global Warming, Study Reveals
“Climate action that doesn’t address the outsized responsibilities of the wealthiest members of society risk missing one of the most powerful levers we have to reduce future harm.”
Source | Submitted by 0007
AI Data Centers: A Thirsty Boom Threatening Water Supplies
“Conventional large-scale data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day, equivalent to the daily water use of a town with 20,000 to 50,000 residents.”
Source | Submitted by bcoop
Microsoft’s “Digital Escorts” Risk Exposing Defense Department Data to Chinese Hackers
“We’re trusting that what they’re doing isn’t malicious, but we really can’t tell.”
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Global Oil Consumption Hits Record High in 2024, Driven by Non-OECD Nations
In 2024, global oil consumption–which excludes biofuels but includes coal and natural gas derivatives–reached 101.8 million barrels per day (bpd).
Nvidia Hits $4 Trillion: A Valuation That Dwarfs Tech and Retail Giants
Nvidia officially became the first company to close at a valuation of $4 trillion on Thursday.
‘Crypto Week’ Stumbles on Procedural Vote as Stablecoin Surge Overshadows Bitcoin Buzz
Despite fresh all-time highs in bitcoin, 90% of the conversations were spent talking about stablecoins.
Rep. Thomas Massie Introduces Bill to Repeal ‘Tyrannical’ PREP Act, Ending Medical Malpractice Protections
Today I introduced HR 4388, a bill to repeal the tyrannical PREP Act.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Release Epstein Files Within 30 Days
@RepThomasMassie & I are introducing the Epstein Files Transparency Act –– a bipartisan bill to require the Attorney General to release the files within 30 days.
DOGE Cuts Official: JD Vance Breaks Tie, Slashes $9 Billion from USAID, NPR, and PBS
BREAKING! DOGE CUTS ARE OFFICIAL with JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
DOJ Releases Edited Jeffrey Epstein Prison Video with Nearly 3 Minutes Missing, WIRED Reports
REPORT: The Jeffrey Epstein prison video that was recently released by the DOJ had almost *3* minutes cut out, not just 1 minute like originally reported, according to WIRED.
Trump Reaches Out to Conservative Influencers to Soften Criticism on Epstein Case Handling, Reports CNN
President Trump personally contacted prominent conservative influencers urging them to tone down their criticism of his administration’s handling of the Epstein case, per CNN.
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Bold Bill: Redrawing Districts and Requiring Citizenship Proof for Voting
So I have a bill that calls for a new census. It does count the population. However, it has a second count, and that’s counting American citizens only.
House to Vote on GENIUS Act, Sparking Debate Over CBDC Surveillance Capabilities
This week, the House is voting on the GENIUS Act which lays the groundwork for a layered Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) where Americans interact with stablecoins but behind the scenes there are the functional surveillance capabilities of a CBDC.
Rep. Burchett Urges Congress to Hear Ghislaine Maxwell’s Testimony on Epstein Case
Rep. Tim Burchett has just formally called on Oversight Chair James Comer to allow Ghislaine Maxwell to testify in front of Congress on the Epstein Situation
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, Saudi Ministry of Energy, Federal Reserve, The Hill, Donald J. Trump, The Washington Post, NPR, PBS.