HURLBURT FIELD, Florida, April 23 -- The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command issued the following news: By Dawn Hart, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs Air Commandos - Past, Present and Future - were celebrated April 10-13, 2024, when the Air Force Special Operations Command Outstanding Airmen of the Year gathered here for two days of professional development, recognition, and celebration. This year's events were held in conjunction with the Air Commando Association's  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management has issued a rule, published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2024, entitled "Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process." The rule was issued by Steven H. Feldgus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is revising its oil and gas leasing regulations. Among other changes, the final rule implements provisio more ST

BROOKLYN, New York, April 23 (TNSres) -- Brooklyn Law School issued the following news: The wide-ranging findings of major Law School student research projects in health and family law and policy were presented to the Law School community, friends, and family members on April 19 by this year's Health Law & Policy Fellows (under the direction of Professor Karen Porter, Associate Dean for Academic Success and Student Success, and Executive Director of the Center for Health, Science and Public Pol more PR

FRESNO, California, April 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California issued the following news release on April 22, 2024: Antonio Beltran-Chaidez, 54, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in January 2022, Beltran recruited his brother Jose Beltran-Chaidez, 66, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, to deliver approximately 2 pounds more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, April 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release: The United States and the State of California have reached a $7,084,000 civil settlement with Monrovia-based ReNew Health Group LLC, ReNew Health Consulting Services LLC, and two corporate executives for knowingly submitting false Medicare Part A claims for nursing home residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, to conserve hospital beds, the Centers for Medi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Commerce Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-019-A) on April 8, 2024, entitled "NTIA's Award Processes Leave Tribal Broadband Grants Vulnerable to Fraud and Duplication." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Alan Davidson, NTIA Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration FROM: Arthur L. Scott Jr., Assistant Inspector General for Audit and Evaluation SUBJECT: NTIA's Award Processes Leave Tribal Broad more PR

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10795) on April 25, 2024, by foreign affairs analyst Michael A. Weber. Here are excerpts: * * * Global Human Rights: The Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Introduction The State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices are an annual U.S. government account of human rights conditions in countries around the globe. The reports characterize cou more PR

WASHINGTON, April 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10575) on April 25, 2024, by social policy specialist Karen E. Lynch. Here are excerpts: * * * Global Human Rights: Security Forces Vetting ("Leahy Laws") Introduction The "Leahy Laws" prohibit U.S. assistance to foreign security force units when there is credible information that the unit has committed a "gross violation of human rights" (GVHR). Pursuant to the laws, before providin more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a rule (12 CFR Part 1091), published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2024, entitled "Procedures for Supervisory Designation Proceedings." The rule was issued by Rohit Chopra, Director. COMMENT DEADLINE: May 23, 2024 * * * ACTION: Final rule; request for public comment. SUMMARY: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB or Bureau) is updating the CFPB's procedures for designating nonbank covered persons f more ST

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following project announcement (Project No. D2024-DEV0PD-0109.000) on April 15, 2024, regarding the evaluation of efforts to collect & integrate observations, insights & lessons learned From Russia/Ukraine conflict: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER, U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND DIRECTOR, JOINT STAFF DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AUDITOR GENERAL, more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following project announcement (Project No. D2024-DEV0SO-0115.000) on April 15, 2024, regarding external peer review of the National Guard Bureau Internal Review Office: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF, NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU SUBJECT: External Peer Review of the National Guard Bureau Internal Review Office (Project No. D2024-DEV0SO-0115.000) The purpose of this memorandum is to notify you that we plan to begin the subject external pe more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following report (DODIG-2024-074) on April 17, 2024, entitled "Review of the Army's Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Harassment of Soldiers." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS AUDITOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY SUBJECT: Review of the Army's Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Harassment of Soldiers (Report No. DODIG 2024 074) This final report provides the result more PR

WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a request to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate whether the Justice Department is or has been targeting migrants for prosecution based on their religion, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. Public report more PR

BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 26 -- The European Investment Bank issued the following news release: * * * * The EIB and Ukraine are stepping up collaboration in the fight against fraud, corruption and other irregular practices that could affect EIB and EU financial interests in Ukraine. * A new memorandum of understanding between the EIB and the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine also streamlines the exchange of information. * The partnership highlights the importance of transparency and account more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following letter on April 11, 2024, entitled "External Peer Review Report." Here are excerpts: * * * To: The Honorable Sean W. O'Donnell, Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency This required external peer review was conducted in accordance with the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Inspection and Evaluation Committee guidance as contained in the CIGIE Guide for more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following 39-page report (No. 24-E-0032) on April 15, 2024, entitled "The Agency Needs to Improve Institutional Controls at the American Creosote Works Superfund Site in Pensacola, Florida, to Protect Public Health and IIJA-Funded Remediation." Here are excerpts: * * * At A Glance Why We Did This Evaluation To accomplish this objective: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspec more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General issued the following 41-page report (No. 24-E-0033) on April 17, 2024, entitled "Region 7 Did Not Effectively Engage with the Community Surrounding the Findett Corp. Superfund Site." Here are excerpts: * * * Why We Did This Evaluation To accomplish this objective: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General conducted this evaluation to determine whether the EPA adhered to federal  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: Oslo, Norway -The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis officially signed a Memorandum of Cooperation alongside Manny Arabatzis, Chief Risk Officer of Export Finance Australia (EFA), Sristiraj Ambastha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of ECGC India (ECGC), and Atsuo Kuroda, Chairman and CEO of Nippon Export and Investment In more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Office of the Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued the following memorandum (No. 2024-IT-B-011R) on April 10, 2024, entitled "Results of Security Control Testing of the Board's Embargo Application." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM TO: Michelle A. Smith, Assistant to the Board, Chief of Staff, and Director, Division of Board Members, Board of Governors of the Federal Reser more PR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, April 24 -- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following news release on April 23, 2024: Attorney General Ashley Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with the assistance of the Oviedo Police Department, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Orlando Police Department and the United States Customs and Border Protection, today announced the arrest of Debora Behnke and Suman Bhattacharjee for a Medicaid fraud scheme that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars. Behnke more PR

MIAMI, Florida, April 25 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release on April 24, 2024: An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida charging three men for their alleged roles in an approximately $36 million health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering scheme that involved submitting false and fraudulent claims for COVID-19 testing to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and the Health more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: In a new video, a senior advisor to the chief of staff at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is shown claiming Administrator Guzman is actively participating in politically motivated travel with taxpayer dollars and hiding controversial small business policy decisions from members of Congress. In light of the SBA's recent announcement that it finalized the agency's "first-ever voter registration agree more PR

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- The Government Accountability Project issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: On April 23, 2024, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announced its Foundational Rule to codify Flores protections for unaccompanied children. The final Rule establishes standards for the care and custody of noncitizen minors, which have largely been governed by the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement. The Foundational Rule includes provisions f more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The Government Accountability Project issued the following statement on April 23, 2024: * * * Yesterday, Government Accountability Project submitted a statement to Congress in support of the recent April 16, 2024 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, "Legacy of Harm: Eliminating the Abuse of Solitary Confinement." The hearing came more than ten years after our client, Ms. Ellen Gallagher began raising the alarm as an attorney for the Department of Homeland Security's O more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is demanding accountability from the Pentagon after a watchdog report revealed employees may have misspent millions of dollars in taxpayer money during the COVID-19 pandemic. Department of Defense (DOD) officials between March 2020 and January 2022 used Government Purchase Cards (GPCs) for 110,525 purchases, 43,396 of which the DOD Inspector General (IG) estimates employees more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The General Services Administration Inspector General issued the following memorandum (No. A230067-1) on April 19, 2024, entitled "PBS Southeast Sunbelt Region Job Order Construction Contracts." Here are excerpts: * * * TO: JEFFREY SMITH, REGIONAL COMMISSIONER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS SERVICE (4P) FROM: NICHOLAS PAINTER, REGIONAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDITING, SOUTHEAST SUNBELT REGION AUDIT OFFICE (JA-4) SUBJECT: Assessment of a Hotline Complaint: PBS Southeast Sunbelt Reg more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-07-22-03253) on April 1, 2024, entitled "Alabama Claimed Federal Medicaid Reimbursement for Millions of Dollars in Targeted Case Management Services That Did Not Comply With Federal and State Requirements" filed under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit Targeted Case Management (TCM) services assist speci more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Homeland Security Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-21) on April 16, 2024, entitled "Results of an Unannounced Inspection of ICE's Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, Florida." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR: Patrick J. Lechleitner, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement FROM: Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., Inspector General SUBJECT: Results of an Unannou more PR

WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-444) on the A Stronger Workforce For America Act (H.R. 6655), which aims to amend and reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The report was advanced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, on April 5, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 2 of 3) H.R. 6655 Section-by-Section Summary Section 1. Short title/table of contents The short title is "A Stronger Workforce for America A more ST

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-448) on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5202), which aims to reauthorize the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The report was advanced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, on April 5, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose and Summary H.R. 5202, the "Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act," was introduced by Represent more ST

WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs issued the following testimony by David J. Bier, associate director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, involving a hearing on April 16, 2024, entitled "How the Border Crisis Impacts Public Safety": * * * Chairman Grothman, Ranking Member Garcia, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is David Bier. more PR

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. John Rutherford, R-Florida, issued the following statement on April 20, 2024: * * * Today, Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05) released the following statement regarding the House passage of national security legislation: "Protecting Americans and providing for our national defense is the fundamental duty of the federal government. As deadly and violent conflicts escalate on three world stages, I voted in support of the national security package passed today by th more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General issued the following report (No. 2024-FO-0005) on March 29, 2024, entitled "Risk Assessments of Charge Card Programs." Here are excerpts: * * * To: Vinay Singh, Chief Financial Officer, F; Jimmy Fleming-Scott, Chief Procurement Officer, N From: Kilah S. White, Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Office of Inspector General, GA Subject: HUD Charge Card Programs Risk Assessments Attached is more PR

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, April 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana issued the following news release: Christopher Markham, 40, of Westfield, Indiana, has been charged with one count of wire fraud after allegedly defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA). According to court documents, Markham was employed by the SSA and assigned to an office based in Anderson, Indiana. Between February 13, 2019, and June 17, 2022, Markham allegedly engaged in a sch more PR

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, April 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa issued the following news release: Ashley Brown, DNP, ARNP, from Des Moines, Iowa, has agreed to pay $52,560 to the United States to resolve allegations that she violated the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3729, by signing hundreds of medically unnecessary prescriptions for expensive orthotic braces in exchange for kickback payments of $20 per patient. The full claims against Brown are contained  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Justice Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-060) on April 16, 2024, entitled "Superfund Activities in the Environment and Natural Resources Division for Fiscal 2021 and 2022." Here are excerpts: * * * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Objective The objective of this audit was to determine if the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) provided an equitable distribution of total labor costs, Other Direct Costs, and indirect costs to Superfund cas more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: A Florida man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston to conspiring to use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds. Hector Garcia, 52, of Ocala, Fla., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority issued the following news release on April 25, 2024: With unanimous Board support, Michelle A. Zamarin was formally appointed Metro's new Inspector General today. She will serve a three-year term. Ms. Zamarin will be sworn in at a special Board of Directors meeting in June and will join the Metro team on June 17, 2024. Ms. Zamarin currently serves as Litigation Counsel in the Trial Unit of the Enforcement Division at th more PR

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, April 23 -- Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued the following news release on April 22, 2024: Today, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that the U.S. Office of the Inspector General (OIG) awarded Missouri's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with the Inspector General's Award for Excellence in Fighting Fraud, Waste and Abuse as a result of the Unit's performance in 2023. The Unit had especially high case outcomes for its size of 19 total staff, who w more PR

MOODY AFB, Georgia, April 25 -- The U.S. Air Force Moody Air Force Base (23rd Air Wing) issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Whitney Gillespie In support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office hosted a SAPR Real Talk event at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, April 22, 2024. "Beneath the Uniform" seminar taught healthy boundaries, emotional intelligence, trauma-informed care and how to build, maintain, and foster professional relationships. more PR

NEWARK, New Jersey, April 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on April 24, 2024: Two men have been charged in connection with their roles in a large-scale mortgage fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Christopher J. Gallo, 44, of Old Tappan, New Jersey, and Mehmet A. Elmas, 32, a U.S. citizen who resides in Turkey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. They appea more PR

ROCHESTER, New York, April 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York issued the following news release on April 23, 2024: U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ralph Minni, 54, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five more PR

NEW YORK, April 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MANISHKUMAR PATEL pled guilty today in connection with a $50 million health care fraud and kickback scheme involving the sale of fraudulent prescriptions for durable medical equipment, among other medical supplies, to suppliers, pharmacies, and laboratorie more PR

NEW YORK, April 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York issued the following news release: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOHN COSTANZO JR. was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken to four years in prison for participating in a scheme in which his co-defendant, MANUEL RECIO, and others funneled tens of thousands of dollars to COSTANZO in exchange for COSTANZO providing sensiti more PR

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, April 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada issued the following news release on April 25, 2024: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General hosted a roundtable yesterday for community members and organizations on Sexual Harassment in Housing. "Tenants should feel safe and not live in fear of sexual haras more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-A-07) on April 11, 2024, entitled "Safety Inspections of Class II Research and Test Reactors." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM TO: Raymond V. Furstenau, Acting Executive Director for Operations FROM: Hruta Virkar, CPA /RA/, Assistant Inspector General for Audits SUBJECT: AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION'S SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH A more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspector General issued the following report (No. OIG-24-A-06) on March 25, 2024, entitled "Security Oversight of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM TO: Raymond V. Furstenau, Acting Executive Director for Operations FROM: Hruta Virkar, CPA /RA/, Assistant Inspector General for Audits SUBJECT: AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION'S SECURITY OVERSIG more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspector General issued the following report (No. I2200187) on March 26, 2024, entitled "Special Inquiry into the Appearance of a Conflict of Interest Involving Members of the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM TO: Christopher T. Hanson, Chair FROM: Robert J. Feitel, Inspector General SUBJECT: SPECIAL INQUIRY INTO THE APPEARANCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING MEMBE more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-161-1-R24) on April 12, 2024, entitled "Impacts Associated with Local Transportation Optimization in Richmond, Virginia." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The Postal Service deployed a major change to operations within the Richmond, VA, area on October 28, 2023, when it implemented its Local Transportation Optimization initiative. The initiative is designed to reduce the overall num more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-164-R24) on April 12, 2024, entitled "Scanning Compliance and Oversight of Dock Operations." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service is working to leverage technology to improve visibility and tracking of mail and packages in near real time for the Postal Service, its customers, and mailers. As it moves through the surface transportation network, mail and packages a more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility issued the following news release: * * * Lawsuit Pried Haskell School Probe Out of Bureau of Indian Education ** * * An investigative report confirming allegations by current and former students and staff of sexual abuse, bullying, and absence of institutional control at a federally-run university for Native American students has finally seen the light of day. Obtained in litigation by Public Employees for Environmenta more PR

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 26 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico issued the following news release on April 25, 2024: Pedro Luis Bones Torres pleaded guilty today to environmental crimes related to the illegal construction and deposit of material into the wetlands and waters of the United States in the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (the "Jobos Estuarine Reserve") and Las Mareas community of Salinas, Puerto Rico. According to court documents, st more PR

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) will host its 2024 Annual Conference beginning Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Washington Hilton. The two-day, in-person event will feature leaders in business, finance, government, policy, and media and will showcase the critical role EXIM plays in bolstering trade and supporting U.S. jobs. "We are eagerly counting more PR

WASHINGTON, April 20 -- Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma, issued the following statement: * * * Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement after voting to support supplemental security funding: "Russia, Iran, and China are seeking to form a new axis of evil, threatening the safety and security of the free world. The national security supplemental provides resources needed to counter the threats we face in each theater. Israel is facing an unprecedented threat from Iran, who just last we more PR

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, introduced the "Consolidated Appropriations Act" on March 6, 2024. The text and summary of the resolution was released on April 23. H. Res. 1061. A resolution providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4366, with an amendment; considered and agreed to. * * * Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker's table the bill, H.R. 4366, with the Sena more ST

WASHINGTON, April 20 -- Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn and his House colleagues voted to pass four bills to aid our Allies. These votes included H.R. 8034 - Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, H.R. 8035 - Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, H.R. 8036 - Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, and H.R. 8038 - 21st Century Peace through Strength Act. "I am pleased to support the government more PR

WASHINGTON, April 25 -- Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following news release on April 24, 2024: Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) sent a letter to Department of Education Inspector General Sandra Bruce raising concerns about considerable fraud within the federal student financial aid system and demanding answers on the Department's efforts t more PR

WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news: Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released its "Review of the DoD Education Activity's (DoDEA) Efforts to Report and Respond to Discriminatory Conduct at Schools." The DoD OIG review found that DoDEA records did not consistently identify that a complaint related to discriminatory conduct. Additio more PR

WASHINGTON, April 17 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news: Today, Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced the release of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General's "Review of the Army's Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Harassment of Soldiers." The objective of this review was to determine the effectiveness of the Army's actions to prevent and respond to harassment of Soldiers, including sexual harassment, bull more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Small Business Administration Inspector General issued the following report (No. 24-14) on April 19, 2024, entitled "Implementation of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Extension Act of 2022." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM To: Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator From: Hannibal "Mike" Ware, Inspector General Subject: SBA's Implementation of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 (Report 24-14) The  more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, April 26 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a request to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate whether the Justice Department is or has been targeting migrants for prosecution based on their religion, national origin, or any other more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Senate on April 16, 2024, published two executive communications from President Biden: * * * EC-4034. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report of the continuation of the national emergency that was originally declared in Executive Order 13694 of April 1, 2015, with respect to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-4068. A communication from the President of th more ST

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee issued the following testimony by Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman involving a hearing on March 20, 2024, entitled "Oversight of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Review of the President's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal": * * * Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Ernst, and distinguished members of the committee, I appreciate the opportunity to join you today to discuss the U.S. Small Bus more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The Senate Special Committee on Aging issued the following testimony by Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O'Malley involving a hearing on March 20, 2024, entitled "Keeping Our Promise to Older Adults and People With Disabilities: The Status of Social Security Today": * * * Chairman Casey, Ranking Member Braun, and Members of the committee: Thank you for inviting me to discuss the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) service delivery, customer experi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), with Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08),and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) today introduced the Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2024 creating the Office of the Inspector General to ensure accountability by justices in the Supreme Court of the United States who are failing to police themselves. "Americans have lost trus more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, April 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: The owner of a Houston-area mental health clinic has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Gwendolyn Gibbs, 72, pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2021. U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge has now ordered Gibbs to serve 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release more PR

HOUSTON, Texas, April 24 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: A 26-year-old woman is set to appear in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Khalia Douglas is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Ho at 2 p.m. According to the criminal information filed April 16, from March 2020 until June 2021, Douglas allegedly submitted false and fr more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-300-019) on April 12, 2024, entitled "Criminal Investigation Had Success With Ghost Employers, While Civil Enforcement Efforts Can Be Improved." Here are excerpts: * * * Highlights Why TIGTA Did This Audit This audit was initiated to review the IRS's efforts for identifying employers that issue Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, to their employees but do not s more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-100-023) on April 11, 2024, entitled "Fiscal 2024 Mandatory Review of Compliance With the Freedom of Information Act." Here are excerpts: * * * Highlights Why TIGTA Did This Audit The overall objective of this audit was to determine whether the IRS improperly withheld information requested by taxpayers in writing based on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exem more PR

LOS ANGELES, California, April 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release: A federal grand jury today indicted a Burbank man who allegedly evaded the payment of nearly $5.8 million in federal taxes over several years by using a shill to illegally collect Medicare reimbursement payments made to his blood-testing company. Armen Muradyan, 58, is charged via indictment with one count of tax evasion. He has been in federal custody sinc more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 27 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on April 26, 2024: Former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Lieutenant Daniel J. Griffin was sentenced today in connection with an overtime scheme dating back to 2015. Daniel Griffin, 60, of Belmont, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. Griffin was also ordered to pay restit more PR

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 24 -- The U.S. Embassy in Pakistan issued the following remarks on April 23, 2024, by Ambassador Donald Blome at the inauguration ceremony of balochistan police training college: * * * AMBASSADOR BLOME: A-Salaam-o-alaykum and good afternoon. Thank you, Chief Minister and Inspector General, for your hospitality and your thoughtful remarks. Today, we celebrate the inauguration of the new Police Training College campus in Quetta, a four-year, $5.35 million dollar part more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following oversight report (No. 23-00111-119) on April 3, 2024, entitled "Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Michigan." Here are excerpts: * * * Report Overview This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) report provides a focused evaluation of the quality of care delivered in the inpatient and outpatient more PR

WASHINGTON, April 21 (TNSrep) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following oversight report (No. 23-00109-121) on April 3, 2024, entitled "Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta." Here are excerpts: * * * Report Overview This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) report provides a focused evaluation of the quality of care delivered in the inpatient and outpatient settings of the VA Main more PR

BURLINGTON, Vermont, April 25 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont issued the following news release on April 24, 2024: A New Hampshire doctor made his initial appearance yesterday afternoon in federal court in Burlington and was arraigned on charges related to his alleged involvement in conspiracies to illegally distribute controlled substances and to commit health care fraud. According to court documents, Adnan S. Khan, M.D., 48, of Grantham, New Hampshire orchestra more PR

WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: Veterans Face Delays and Denials of Benefits due to Private Contractors Inadequate Exams Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) calling out the failures of contracted veterans' compensation and pension (C&P) examinations, following disturbing reports of inadequate and unprofessional treatment of Massachusetts veterans at facilities in the state. Sena more PR