Prism Group's Daily Summary

A NOTE FROM PRISM GROUP...
We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragedy at Reagan National Airport. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, families, and first responders involved, and we are grateful for those working to ensure safety in the aftermath.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS SPENDING FREEZE STILL IN EFFECT... The Office of Management and Budget rescinded a memo yesterday that had ordered a "temporary pause" on federal funding and had sparked backlash, as well as a lawsuit and court order. But as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X, only the memo has been rescinded, while an underlying executive order remains in effect. It's unclear what exactly Leavitt meant, as it was the now-rescinded memo — not the executive orders Trump signed previously — that outlined the pause.
GALLABOX RAISES $3.5 MILLION TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES CREATE AI AGENTS... Gallabox raised $3.5 million in a seed round to strengthen the capabilities and expand the geographic footprint of its platform that enables small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to use artificial intelligence to automate their communication on WhatsApp. The platform enables any business, regardless of their technical expertise or budget, to deploy sophisticated AI agents on WhatsApp, helping them convert every conversation into a business opportunity within minutes.
LABOR SECRETARY PICK LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER MAY NEED DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT... Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who was tapped by President Trump to lead the Department of Labor, is garnering a mix of support and skepticism due to her record of supporting unions. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) estimates that at least 15 Republicans will not vote to confirm her, meaning she may need to gain the support of more Democrats. Her confirmation hearing has yet to be scheduled.
NEW ERA NEW SKILLS... According to a Lightcast report, one-third of the skills required for the average U.S. job have changed during the last three years, with roles in STEM fields driving those changes. Demand for skills in AI, cyber, and other emerging technologies will only grow as we advance into the fourth industrial revolution, complicating skilled talent shortages employers continue to face.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:
Forty-five states are in regular session. Tennessee is in special session.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced a proposal to provide free community college tuition, fees, books, and supplies for New York residents aged 25 to 55 pursuing associate degrees in high-demand fields. The initiative was part of her 2025 State of the
State, and will work to boost workforce development and support industries like semiconductor manufacturing.
Wisconsin’s employment reached a record 3.08 million in December, with nearly 32,000 more people working than the previous year, according to state labor data. Despite the growth, the state’s unemployment rate edged up to 3%, remaining well below the national average of 4.1%.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... is not in session today.
The Senate... convenes today at 12:00 PM. The full schedule may be found here.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The House...
Check back Monday for possible updates.
The Senate...
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing TODAY, 1/30 at 10:00 AM entitled “Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services.”
Senate Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing TODAY, 1/30 at 9:30 AM entitled “Nominations.”
BILLS OF INTEREST
Check back Monday for possible updates.
AT THE AGENCIES
The U.S. Department of Labor
Check back Monday for possible updates.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury
Check back Monday for possible updates.
The U.S. Department of Commerce
Check back Monday for possible updates.
The U.S. Trade Representative
Check back Monday for possible updates.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
Check back Monday for possible updates.
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