WASHINGTON, July 27 -- A group of scientists has submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) expressing significant concerns regarding the proposed deep-sea mining activities by Impossible Metals in American Samoa's waters. The scientists, who have extensive experience studying the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), highlight potential ecological risks associated with commercial leasing for outer continental shelf minerals. The letter outlines the unique biodiv more ST

WASHINGTON, July 27 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11672) on July 24, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (W more PR

WASHINGTON, July 27 -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * Committee Cliff Notes: Weekly Recap - Week of July 21, 2025 * Here's a recap of key moments from House Republican committees during the week: Agriculture On Tuesday, July 22, the Committee on Agriculture held a full committee business meeting called to consider H.R. 4550, United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025. This markup was for a bipartisan bill to rea more PR

WASHINGTON, July 27 -- The HEAL Food Alliance has submitted a public comment letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding the urgent need for a new standard aimed at preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses in outdoor and indoor work settings. Representing a national coalition of 57 organizations dedicated to ensuring safe working conditions for approximately 21.5 million farm and food chain workers, HEAL Food Alliance is advocating for timely implementation of thi more ST

WASHINGTON, July 24 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, posted the following news release: * * * Hearing Wrap Up: Congress Must Help USPS Address Mail Theft and Crime Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing titled "An Update on Mail Theft and Crime." During the hearing, members examined the pervasiveness of mail crimes, especially theft, and examined ways Congress can support the United States Postal Ser more PR

WASHINGTON, July 24 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Hearing Wrap Up: Taking Action to Protect Vulnerable Children Exploited by the Biden Border Crisis Today, the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee held a hearing on "Catch and Release, Lose and Forget: Addressing the Crisis of Unaccompanied Alien Children - Part I." At the hearing, members began a comprehensive oversight review of the f more PR

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following statement by spokesperson Tammy Bruce on the delivery of a $4 billion foreign military financing loan guarantee to Poland, which a move designed to advance the strategic partnership between the two countries and strengthen NATO's Eastern Flank. * * * Today, the United States is proud to announce a $4 billion Foreign Military Financing (FMF) loan guarantee to the Republic of Poland. This substantial support reflects Poland's  more PR