Alabama DOC asks if COVID-19 funds can be used for prison enhancements
The Alabama Department of Corrections asked the U.S. Treasury Department this past week whether the state could use COVID-19 recovery funds for better, enhanced, and/or extended infrastructure to address the fallout from the pandemic in the prison system.
The letter from ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn, which framed the request as enhancing health care and programming for inmates, reflects ongoing discussions by legislators about using pandemic recovery funds for prison construction, following the collapse of Gov. Kay Ivey s proposed build/lease program for new facilities. The issue that will likely be the focus of a special session later this summer.
President Joe Biden's pick to lead the CIA, William Burns, largely skated through his confirmation hearing Wednesday, receiving bipartisan praise from lawmakers on the Senate Intelligence Committee who made clear they intend to support his candidacy as the first lifelong diplomat to serve as director of the nation's preeminent spy agency.
WASHINGTON – William Burns appeared to glide through his confirmation hearing to become CIA director on Wednesday, winning marquee endorsements and frothy support from senators in both parties. I can t think of anybody that has the breadth of experience that you ve had in the world, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told Burns at one point.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who has been a vocal critic of some CIA tactics, joked that the hearing risked becoming a full-fledged bouquet throwing contest as he heaped praise on Burns human rights record.
The hearing opened with auspicious endorsements from two bold-named statesmen. The confirmation should be a bipartisan no-brainer, former Secretary of State James Baker told the Senate Intelligence Committee. Baker said Burns helped lead the country through the end of the Cold War, the reunification of Germany and combating Iraqi aggression.
William Burns: Biden s CIA director pick set to face senators in confirmation hearing msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.