MOODY AFB, Georgia, Aug. 15 -- The U.S. Air Force Moody Air Force Base (23rd Air Wing) issued the following news: By Airman 1st Class Iain Stanley, 23rd Wing Public Affairs The 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron and the 23rd Wing Inspector General office hosted a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) exercise at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, August 12, 2024. While the event did not aim to teach new skills, it concentrated on assessing participants' proficiency in essential tasks su more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service has released the following public communication dated Aug. 8, 2024, from the American Farm Bureau Federation: * * * To: S. Brett Offutt Chief Legal Officer/Policy Advisor Packers and Stockyards Division United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Fair Trade Practices Program 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250 Re: Docket Np. AMS-FTPP-22-0046 Poultry Growe more ST

LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California issued the following news release: The Bloom Firm, a Calabasas-based law firm, and Lisa Bloom and Braden Pollock, members of the firm's senior management, have agreed to pay a total of $274,000 to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly providing false information in support of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application submitted by The Blo more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12305) on Aug. 15, 2024, by foreign assistance analyst Nick M. Brown and foreign assistance and foreign policy Emily M. McCabe: * * * Background Congress has enacted five emergency supplemental funding measures to address Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. These include * the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (FY2022 USAA, P.L. 117-103, Div. N); * the Additional Ukraine  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RL31675) on Aug. 13, 2024, entitled "Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process" by nonproliferation specialist Paul K. Kerr. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report reviews the process and procedures that apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and servic more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following memorandum on Aug. 5, 2024, entitled "Evaluation of the Capabilities to Effectively Carry out Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Operations and Exercises." Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT COMMANDER, U.S. AFRICA COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following memorandum on July 15, 2024, regarding the evaluation of the implementation of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control strategy: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMMANDER, U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. INDOPACIFIC COMMAND DIRECTOR, JOINT STAFF AUDITOR GENERAL, DEPARTMEN more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following memorandum on Aug. 12, 2024, entitled "Evaluation of the Movement of Ukraine and Israel-Bound Equipment through Aerial Ports of Embarkation within the Continental U.S.:" * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND DIRECTOR, JOINT STAFF D more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following memorandum on July 29, 2024, entitled "Evaluation of the Replicator Initiative's Selected All-Domain, Attritable Autonomous Systems' Ability to Meet U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's Operational Needs:" * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OF ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT COMMANDER, U.S. INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INNOVATION UNIT AUDITOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY AUDITOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF TH more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following memorandum on July 15, 2024, entitled "Evaluation of the Spare and Repair Parts Onboard U.S. Navy Ships in the Indo-Pacific Region:" * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ACQUISITION COMMANDER, U.S. INDO-PACIFIC COMMAND COMMANDER, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET AUDITOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY SUBJECT: Evaluation of more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following report project announcement on Evaluation of the Military Departments' Implementation of Prohibited Activity Training to Prevent, Identify, and Counter Extremist Activities, entitled "Evaluation of the Military Departments' Implementation of Prohibited Activity Training to Prevent, Identify and Counter Extremist Activities:" * * * MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS UNDER SECRETARY OF D more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following Quarterly Report to Congress for Operation Atlantic Resolve on Aug. 13, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * We are pleased to present this Special Inspector General (Special IG) report to Congress on Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). This report discharges our quarterly reporting responsibilities pursuant to Section 1250B of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2024 and Lead IG reporting responsibilities under 5 U.S.C. more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following Quarterly Report to Congress for Operation Inherent Resolve on Aug. 1, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * We are pleased to present this Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) report to Congress on Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). This report discharges our quarterly reporting responsibilities pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. 419). The United States launched OIR in 2014 to defeat the Islamic S more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following report (No. DODIG-2024-114) on Aug. 8, 2024, entitled "Understanding the Results of the Audit of the Fiscal 2023 Financial Statements." Here are excerpts: * * * During FY 2023, the DoD underwent its sixth financial statement audit. As in prior years, the DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a disclaimer of opinion on the FY 2023 DoD Agency-Wide Financial Statements, meaning the DoD could not provide sufficient e more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General issued the following news release on Aug. 12, 2024: * * * Audit Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released its summary report, "Understanding the Results of the Audit of the DoD FY 2023 Financial Statements." This report explains the financial statement audits in a way that is understandable to non-auditors, and de more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Transportation Inspector General issued the following audit announcement on Aug. 12, 2024, entitled "Use of Working Capital Funds:" * * * From: Carolyn J. Hicks, Assistant Inspector General for Acquisition and Procurement Audits To: Assistant Secretary for Administration The Department of Transportation (DOT) budgeted approximately $764 million in fiscal year 2023 and $746 million in fiscal year 2024 for its Working Capital Fund (WCF). Managed by the Office of the more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) demanded an explanation from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrienne Todman after a whistleblower revealed a federal employee was paid in full and received no discipline for being arrested for drinking and driving and spending time in jail all while on the clock. In addition to seeking clarity on this incident, Ernst questioned the guardrails HUD has in plac more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. AUD-2024-007) on Aug. 12, 2024, entitled "Agency's Security Controls Were Not Effective to Protect Its Network and Systems Against Internal Threats." Here are excerpts: * * * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE As part of our ongoing oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA or Agency) implementation of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), we more PR

ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia issued the following news release: Mycheal Arnell Brady, also known as "Michael Brady," has been indicted on federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, for stealing COVID-19 relief funds and submitting fraudulent federal tax refunds using the stolen identities of multiple individuals. Brady has also been charged with possession of unauthorized access devices that contained dozens  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (TNSrep) -- The General Services Administration Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A240018/P/R/R24007) on Aug. 12, 2024, entitled "Fire Safety and Accessibility Deficiencies at the GSA Headquarters Building in Washington, D.C." Here are excerpts: * * * Executive Summary Why We Performed This Audit We performed this audit because GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS) plays a significant role in providing a safe, healthy, and secure environment for bui more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-06-22-04004) on July 31, 2024, entitled "CDC Provided Oversight and Assistance, but Recipients Faced Challenges in Implementing a COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Strategy" filed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Pre more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-04-22-02037) on July 26, 2024, entitled "Heluna Health May Not Have Used California's CDC COVID-19 Funds in Accordance With Award Requirements" filed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit Congress approved COVID-19 funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its Epidemiology and more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Health and Human Services Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. A-02-22-02001) entitled "Selected CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program Recipients Generally Complied With Federal Requirements" filed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are excerpts: * * * Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit Chronic diseases and their outcomes disproportionately impact certain racial and ethnic populations and are l more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-580) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8997) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 4 of 10) TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY INTRODUCTION Funds recommended in Title III provide for all Department of Energy (Department) programs,  more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-580) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8997) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 6 of 10) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND SCIENTISTS The Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists program ensures that the nation h more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-580) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8997) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 7 of 10) TITLE IV--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES Appalachian Regional Commission Appropriation, 2024...$200,000,000 Budget estimate, 2025...200,000,000  more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-580) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8997) making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 8 of 10) TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) Section 501 continues a provision that prohibits the use of funds provided in  more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-581) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8998) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 3 of 13) BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION OPERATION OF INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Bureau of Indian Ed more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-581) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8998) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 4 of 13) TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agen more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-581) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8998) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 11 of 13) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND Allowing distribution of funds to purchase services from ot more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Appropriations Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-581) in explanation of the accompanying bill (H.R. 8998) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, on July 11, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 7 of 13) TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) (INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUND more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Budget Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-568) on a concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res. 117) establishing the budget for the U.S. government for fiscal 2025 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal 2026 through 2034. The report was advanced by Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, on June 27, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 2 of 8) THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET: A BRIEF SUMMARY SUMMARY AND MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET REQUE more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The House Budget Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 118-568) on a concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res. 117) establishing the budget for the U.S. government for fiscal 2025 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal 2026 through 2034. The report was advanced by Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, on June 27, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 7 of 8) TITLE II--BUDGET ENFORCEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEC. 201. POINT OF ORDER AGAINST INCREASING LONG-TERM DI more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee Chairman Dan Bishop (R-NC) sent a letter to Deputy Assistant Secretary Robin Dunn Marcos of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A former attorney has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for embezzlement and fraud in connection with the failure of Washington Federal Bank for Savings in Chicago. ROBERT M. KOWALSKI served a key role in an embezzlement scheme at Washington Federal. The bank, which was based in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, was shut down in 2017 after the Offic more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release on Aug. 15, 2024: The owner of a suburban Chicago construction company has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiring to bribe an employee of the Cook County Assessor's Office in return for favorable property assessments. ALEX NITCHOFF, 57, of Lemont, Ill., pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiring to corruptly give something more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2022-CR-035) on July 16, 2024, entitled "USGS Laboratories Remain Vulnerable to Breaches of Scientific Integrity." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: David Applegate, Director, U.S. Geological Survey From: Nicki Miller, Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations Subject: Final Audit Report - USGS Laboratories Remain Vulnerable to Breaches of Scientific Integri more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2023-CGD-011) on July 18, 2024, entitled "Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants Awarded to the State of Alaska by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service From: Melanie Sorenson, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits Subject: Final Audit Report - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Grants Awar more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- The Interior Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 2023-CGD-022) on July 8, 2024, entitled "Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program Grants Awarded to the State of Vermont by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." Here are excerpts: * * * Memorandum To: Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service From: Colleen Kotzmoyer, Director, Contract and Grant Audit Division Subject: Final Audit Report - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Prog more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Aug. 15, 2024: The Justice Department announced today that Kevin Martin, an owner and manager of residential rental properties in and around Athens, Ohio, has agreed to pay $170,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, alleges that more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: The Bloom Firm, a California law firm, and Lisa Bloom and Braden Pollock, members of the firm's senior management, have agreed to pay a total of $274,000 to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly providing false information in support of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application submitted by The Bloom Firm. Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as p more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Aug. 15, 2024: A Michigan company was sentenced today to pay a criminal fine of $6.5 million for its role in conspiracies to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in the State of Michigan. Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists LLC pleaded guilty for its conduct on Jan. 30. According to court documents and proceedings, the company participated in a conspiracy with Al's Asphalt Paving Company Inc. (Al more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, released the following statement after the Department of Defense (DoD) unveiled a new policy to better monitor servicemembers' exposure to blast overpressure and subsequent risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The policy comes after Senator King wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin more PR

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Aug. 13 [Category: Media] -- The International Federation of Journalists issued the following news release: On August 9, three Malaysiakini journalists, B Nantha Kumar, Hariz Mohd and Shahrin Aizat Noorshahrizam, were summoned to the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur concerning a news report on a possible leadership shuffle within the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The journalists were questioned for over an hour, with all the Malaysiakini journalists refusing to disclo more PR

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2024: A former owner of the now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc., pleaded guilty today to federal charges related to a June 2019 collision involving one of the company's vehicles that caused the deaths of seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire. Dunyadar Gasanov, a/k/a Damien Gasanov, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to fed more PR

DETROIT, Michigan, Aug. 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2024: Cortez Blake, 23, and Nasir Lewis, 24, both from Detroit, were convicted of kidnapping by a federal jury yesterday, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. Ison was joined in the announced by Special Agent in Charge James M. Deir of the ATF in Michigan. The convictions followed an eight-day jury trial before United States District Judge La more PR

CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire issued the following news release: A Florida man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for his role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of $39.5 million, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Christopher Spellman, 22, of Port Richey, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for Nov more PR

CAMDEN, New Jersey, Aug. 15 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Aug. 14, 2024: An Atlantic County health system entered into a settlement agreement with the United States resolving allegations that the non-profit company violated the False Claims Act by taking a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to which the company was not entitled, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. According to the allegations i more PR

BROOKLYN, New York, Aug. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release: A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging John Bolden and Anthony Carreira, who are detectives employed by the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Jacqueline Johnson and Christian McKenzie with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The defendants were charged with engaging in a scheme to submit fraudulent applications for loans more PR

PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 17 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon issued the following news release on Aug. 16, 2024: A southern Oregon restaurant was sentenced in federal court today for stealing more than $759,000 in federal funds intended to help small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amigos Mexican Cuisine & Cantina LLC, formerly located outside of Medford, Oregon, was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $200,000 and $759,100 in restitution to the U.S. Small B more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 24-043-R24) on Aug. 5, 2024, entitled "Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Program." Here are excerpts: * * * Background To combat money laundering in the United States, Congress enacted a series of laws, collectively referred to as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), requiring financial institutions in the U.S. to assist government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering and other financial more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 23-162-R24) on Aug. 6, 2024, entitled "Evaluation of Freight Auction." Here are excerpts: * * * Background The U.S. Postal Service implemented Freight Auction (FA) in October 2021 to solicit bids to transport mail on an "as needed" basis with the flexibility to schedule trips without requiring contractual changes. The FA program supports the Delivering for America vision with the goal to i more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following white paper (No. RISC-WP-24-006) on Aug. 2, 2024, entitled "Insights into the Unique Laws and Regulations Applying to the Postal Service." Here are excerpts: * * * * The Postal Service's mission is to provide trusted and affordable universal service to the American public. While the agency operates with some of the flexibility of a private enterprise, it retains government ownership and civil service status  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, recently joined several efforts by the Arizona congressional delegation to urge action from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding concerns raised in a recent report by the VA Office of Inspector General. The report was conducted in response to the death of a veteran patient under the Phoenix VA Health Ca more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2024: Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) led the Georgia Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding that he immediately fulfill his legal obligation to seek an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for the agency's recent consolidation process in the Peach State. Earlier this year, the US more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: EAGAN, MN Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig slammed U.S. Postal Service leadership after the agency's FY 2024 third quarter report showed a continued decline in service levels for Minnesota. In Q3, service standard(link is external) for first-class two-day service in the Minnesota-North Dakota region showed 83.3% of mail arriving on time, about 10 points below USPS' target of 93% on-time delivery. In more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement on Aug. 15, 2024: * * * Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after a report from the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration found and the IRS subsequently confirmed it does not plan to decommission and replace the vast majority of the agency's outdated information systems. "Modernization of antiquated IRS systems is badly needed to improve taxpayer service and bett more PR

SEATTLE, Washington, Aug. 16 -- Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, issued the following news: U.S Representative Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, released the following statement after inspecting the Northwest Immigrant Processing Center (NWIPC), formerly the Northwest Detention Center, in response to reports of inhumane conditions experienced by those detained at the facility: "I spent over an hour at the Northwest Immigran more PR

PRINCETON, New Jersey, Aug. 13 (TNSres) -- Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs issued the following news: Princeton SPIA's Research Record series highlights the vast scholarly achievements of our faculty members, whose expertise extends beyond the classroom and into everyday life. If you'd like your work considered for future editions of Research Record, click here (https://wkf.ms/3Haap7f) and select "research project." The Details Author: Deborah Pearlstein, di more PR

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Aug. 14 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina issued the following news release: Benjamin Johnathan Newman, 38, an inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), was sentenced to more than 26 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. Newman has been incarcerated in the state prison system since 2012, serving a 25-year sentence for drug tra more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, issued the following news release on Aug. 15, 2024: On Monday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) sent a letter to Kimberly Howell, Chairperson of the Integrity Committee, which is part of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), after whistleblowers alleged the committee may be inappropriately targeting the Depart more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 7 of 41) TITLE III--OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Subtitle A--Authorization of Appropriations Authorization of appropriations (sec. 301) The committee recommends a provision that would authorize appropriations for operation and mainte more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 13 of 41) TITLE VII--HEALTH CARE PROVISIONS Subtitle A--Tricare and Other Health Care Benefits Health care licensure portability for TRICARE network providers providing mental health services to members of the Armed Forces and cert more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 17 of 41) TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS Subtitle A--Financial Matters General transfer authority (sec. 1001) The committee recommends a provision that would authorize the Secretary of Defense to transfer up to $6 billion of fiscal y more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 20 of 41) TITLE XII--MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS Subtitle A--Assistance and Training Acceptance and expenditure of contributions for multilateral security cooperation activities (sec. 1201) The committee recommends a provi more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 21 of 41) Modification of public reporting of Chinese military companies operating in the United States (sec. 1259) The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defe more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 23 of 41) TITLE XIV--OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS Subtitle A--Military Programs Working capital funds (sec. 1401) The committee recommends a provision that would authorize appropriations for the defense working capital funds at the levels more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-188) on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2025 (S. 4638). The report was advanced by Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, on July 8, 2024. * * * (Continued from Part 38 of 41) DIVISION C--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY AUTHORIZATIONS AND OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS TITLE XXXI--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS Subtitle A--National Security Programs and Authorizations National Nu more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is urging the Department of Education (DeptEd) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate the use of federal funds by colleges and universities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideol more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-202) on the Expanding Whistleblower Protections For Contractors Act (S. 1524), which aims to ensure that whistleblowers, including contractors, are protected from retaliation when a Federal employee orders a reprisal. The report was advanced by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, on July 29, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * I. Purpose and Summary S. 1524, the Expanding Whistleblower Pro more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued a report (S.Rpt. 118-186) on the Government Spending Oversight Act (S. 4036), which aims to establish a Government Spending Oversight Committee within the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. The report was advanced by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, on July 8, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * I. Purpose and Summary S. 4036, the Government Spending Oversight Act of 2024, would  more ST

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 -- The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee released the following testimony by the U.S. Secret Service Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. from a July 30, 2024, hearing entitled "Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump": * * * Good morning, Chairman Peters, Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Paul, Ranking Member Graham, and distinguished Members of the Committees. Thank you for the opportunity t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Senate Judiciary Committee released the following joint testimony by U.S. Secret Service Acting Director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate from a July 30, 2024, hearing entitled "Examination of the Security Failures Leading to the Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump": * * * Good morning, Chairman Peters, Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Paul, Ranking Member Graham, and distinguished Members of the Committees. Thank you for the opportun more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 [Category: National Defense] -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news: Editor's note: This article by Amanda Miller originally appeared on Military.com, a leading source of news for the military and veteran community. Brittany Loy and her soldier husband were moving out of The Villages at Fort Moore, Georgia, this spring as they headed to a new posting in Alaska when they found out they were on the hook for a $2,000 move-out fee. The bill in more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-200-038) on Aug. 7, 2024, entitled "The IRS Does Not Have Specific Plans to Replace and Decommission Legacy Systems." Here are excerpts: * * * HIGHLIGHTS Why TIGTA Did This Audit Legacy systems are critical for many organizations because they support key mission functionalities, but they can also carry significant risks. Successful modernization of systems and t more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 50024-0004-24) on July 12, 2024, entitled "Compliance with Improper Payment and High-Dollar Overpayment Requirements for Fiscal 2023." Here are excerpts: * * * OBJECTIVES Our objective was to determine whether USDA complied with PIIA for FY 2023. We also determined whether USDA fulfilled its high-dollar overpayment reporting requirements, as required by OMB Memorandum M-21-19. REVIEWED  more PR

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (TNSrep) -- The Agriculture Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 50503-0013-12) on July 25, 2024, entitled "Office of the Chief Information Officer, Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Information Security Modernization Act." Here are excerpts: * * * OBJECTIVE The objective of this audit was to determine the effectiveness of USDA's information security program. REVIEWED We evaluated security controls in accordance with applicable legislation, standards and guid more PR

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 17 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah issued the following news release on Aug. 15, 2024: A Utah restaurant owner who obtained over $1.88 million by defrauding the COVID-19 Relief program was sentenced today to 12 months' and one day imprisonment. Giuseppe Mirenda, 29, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nelson, Jr. after pleading guilty in February 2024 to two counts of conversion of government prope more PR