Emily Jashinsky

The senator outlining inherent issues that result from issuing contracts based on skin color rather than merit.

Democrats, led by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, largely belittling the need for the hearing.

Investigative reporter Luke Rosiak, who has extensively covered fraud within the program, testifying that it no longer serves its original purpose.

Earlier this week, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler issuing letters requiring all 4,300 8A firms to submit financial records covering the last three years, as Senator Ernst has introduced legislation to halt all awards under the program until an audit is complete.

The Trump administration is preparing to require foreign travelers from more than three dozen countries to submit their last five years of social media history before being allowed into the U.S.,

U.S.

Customs and Border Protection on Tuesday filing notice of the proposal in the Federal Register, the government's official public notice system.

The proposal applying to visitors seeking electronic travel authorization, a visa waiver program for certain countries, to enter the U.S.

for up to 90 days.

The current guidelines requiring travelers from countries like Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Qatar, Spain, and the UK to pay $40 and provide a home address, phone number, email address, and emergency contact.

The proposal calling for a more thorough vetting, including all of the traveler's personal and business phone numbers from the last five years, email addresses from the last 10 years, plus names, birthdays, places of birth, and addresses of family members.

The rule now subject to a 60-day public comments period where people can weigh in with questions, comments, and concerns before it can officially take effect.

The new vetting procedure is set to take effect early next year in advance of the World Cup set to begin in June.

Eleven U.S.

cities set to host matches, with Reuters reporting over a million tourists expected to travel to the states to watch the five-week tournament.

Foreign students and H-1B visa holders are subject to similar online presence reviews, critics of the proposal calling it an attack on free speech, though full constitutional protections do not generally apply to foreign travelers seeking entry into the U.S.,

A CBP spokesperson telling AM Update, quote, nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States.

This is not a final rule.

It is simply the first step to starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the American people safe.

The department is constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist attack in Washington, D.C., against our National Guard right before Thanksgiving.