Short Takes – 6-2-23

Senate approves bill to avert national default, sending it to Biden’s desk. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “Though Schumer and McConnell were able to quell the revolt from Republican defense hawks, it’s uncertain whether they’ll be able to deliver on their promise to get all 12 appropriations bills passed by Christmas or a supplemental spending package to Biden’s desk if necessary.”

Boeing and NASA Delay Launch of Starliner Astronaut Spacecraft Again. NYTimes.com article. Pull quote: “Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, will have to wait months or longer for their test flight aboard the Starliner capsule. The decision came after engineers discovered two new problems with the Boeing spacecraft: an issue with its parachutes, and potentially flammable tape that covers internal wiring.”

Feud Between Russian Warlords Exposes Cracks in Kremlin’s War Machine. WSJ.com article. Pull quote: “The deployment of Kadyrov’s [Chechen] troops, which are officially a part of the national guard but answer directly to him, could undermine Prigozhin’s position both on the battlefield and more broadly in Russian society, where he has gained a following for his public, and often expletive-laden, rants against what he called a corrupt and inefficient Russian military.”

Organization and Functions of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Federal Register CSB Final Rule. Summary: “The revisions to the rule amend the organization, operation, quorum and voting, and office location regulations of the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). The amendments address changes to agency practices in organizational structure, quorum and voting requirements, and office location. The amendments incorporate CSB Board Orders. Board Orders allow the CSB to keep current with changes in organizational operations, like when there is a singular Board member.”