WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: (Click here to download and here to watch) Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor highlighting the strain rising flood insurance premiums are placing on families during the holiday season. Cassidy also demanded action to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) before it expires on December 20, 2024, and called for reforms to make the flood insurance progr more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 17, 2024: Today, the House Appropriations Committee released H.R. 10445, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025. The bill is expected to be considered on the House floor this week. Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "The American people gave Congress a clear mandate: secure the border, lower costs, and e more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. IF12854) on Dec. 18, 2024, by American national government R. Eric Petersen: * * * Fourth Circuit Holds That Certain Medicaid and State-Funded Health Plans Discriminate by Refusing to Cover Treatments for Gender Dysphoria Several states have considered the extent to which transgender individuals should have access to certain medical treatments to address a discordance between more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on House Republicans abandoning a bipartisan agreement to keep the federal government open and deliver desperately needed disaster aid for North Carolina: "At the last minute request of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, House Republicans have gone back on their word to keep the government open putting in jeopardy the paychecks of mi more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Department of Education (DOE) is seeking applications from parent organizations for its Special Education Parent Information Centers (PTIs) program. This initiative aims to empower parents of children with disabilities by providing them with essential training and resources. Funding Available for Parent-Led Organizations The program prioritizes applications from parent organizations with diverse leadership encompassing parents of children with disabilities, special e more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond issued the following Beige Book on Dec. 4, 2024: * * * Summary of Economic Activity Economic activity expanded slightly this cycle. Consumer spending on retail, travel, and tourism was flat to up slightly in recent weeks. Areas of the Fifth District that were impacted by Hurricane Helene saw a decline in consumer spending and leisure travel but also a pick-up in repair services and hotel occupancy from out-of-town workers. P more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service issued a request for comments in the Federal Register on Dec. 16, 2024, entitled "Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct scientific research to promote conservation or other activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangere more ST

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: HICKORY, N.C. Amid a busy holiday season, Tropical Storm Helene survivors who applied for FEMA assistance should continue to stay in touch with the agency to update application details with any new information. It is critical to keep FEMA advised. Missing or outdated material could delay your getting help. Information that needs to be updated may include: Your more PR

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Dec. 19 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina issued the following news release: Antoine Durel Reid, 39, of Catawba, N.C., was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release today for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Exp more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSres) -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release: The U.S. National Science Foundation and The Lemelson Foundation have awarded funding through the NSF Research in the Formation of Engineers program for five projects to integrate sustainability topics into engineering curricula. Supported in part by a $3 million, three-year investment from The Lemelson Foundation, this partnership aims to prepare future engineers to address critical challenges li more PR

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: CAMP ASAKA, Japan America's First Corps serves as the U.S. Army's primary executor of Operation Pathways working with Allies and partners across a vast Indo-Pacific driving readiness in this complex region. As a campaigning initiative, Operation Pathways reflects the U.S. Army's broader objective of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. Each year, Pathways can result anywhere fr more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded congressional passage of the S.4367, the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which will help maintain clean drinking water across the country and includes key provisions to support the local oyster industry, strengthen Virginia's coastal resiliency, improve recreational access to Virginia's waterways, and encourage the dred more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded congressional passage of the S.4367, the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which will help maintain clean drinking water across the country and includes key provisions to support the local oyster industry, strengthen Virginia's coastal resiliency, improve recreational access to Virginia's waterways, and encourage the dredg more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: Vermont experienced devastating flooding, severe storms July 2023 & July 2024 Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement: "This comprehensive disaster aid is the result of months of bipartisan work. It is vitally necessary to Americans in red states and blue states alike and will help folks in Vermont who were hit by catastrophic flooding, just as it will help folks in North Carolina, Iowa more PR