WASHINGTON, July 30 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12520) on July 29, 2025, by Legislative Attorney Milan N. Ball: * * * What Is a "Church" for Federal Tax Purposes? Entities that are "churches" under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 170(b)(1)(A)(i) also qualify as "religious organizations" under IRC Section 501(c)(3) and thus are generally exempt from the federal income tax under IRC Section 501(a). However, "churches" rece more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Nineteen State Attorneys General submitted a public comment letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting its proposed rule on "Air Plan Approval; South Dakota; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period." The Attorneys General stated that the agency's policy for evaluating state plans respects the Clean Air Act, state sovereignty, and furthers a commonsense approach to energy generation. The Attorneys General affirmed that a state's plan pre more ST

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, July 29 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * Air Force Accessions Center welcomes new commander * JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Air Force Accessions Center held a change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on July 18, 2025, as Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Nelson assumed command from Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein. Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, commander of Air Education and Tra more PR

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, July 30 -- The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command issued the following news: * * * Air Force solicits interest in establishing a Restoration Advisory Board at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico The Air Force is seeking community interest in establishing a Restoration Advisory Board, or "RAB," at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. Would you like to learn more about environmental cleanup projects at Cannon Air Force Base? If yes, then please conta more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The Allied Pilots Association, Fort Worth, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation expressing opposition to a petition for exemption filed by Airlines for America. The petition seeks a limited exemption from regulations regarding installed physical secondary barriers (IPSB) on aircraft. APA, representing professional airline pilots, stated it has firsthand insight into airline operation requirements and advocates for pilot and  more ST

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following program update: * * * APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Areas in Texas * Subject: APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly ( Anastrepha ludens ) Quarantine Areas in Texas To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Between July 1 and July 14, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Arrington Celebrates One Big Beautiful Bill at West Texas Legislative Summit * San Angelo, TX - Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) participated in the West Texas Legislative Summit, where he was interviewed by Republican Study Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) on the tremendous victories accomplished in Arrington's H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. "Honored to join my good f more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release on July 29, 2025: * * * Chairman Babin Applauds EPA Action to Overturn 2009 Endangerment Finding House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin released the following statement after the EPA announced it will overturn the 2009 Endangerment Finding: "President Trump and Administrator Zeldin are making good on their promise to b more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following news release on July 28, 2025: * * * Chairman Williams Introduces Legislation to Promote Small Business Innovation House Committee on Small Business Chairman Roger Williams (R-Texas) introduced the House version of the Investing in National Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and Technological Excellence (INNOVATE) Act. This legislation largely mirrors more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn Encourages FCC to Review Emergency Alert Infrastructure at Upcoming Meeting in Aftermath of Texas Floods * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr ahead of the agency's upcoming August Open Commission Meeting discussion on, "Modernization of the Nation's Alerting Systems," encouraging the Commission to review emergency s more PR

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn Raises Alarm on New World Screwworm Threat, Previews Amendment * WASHINGTON - Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) called attention to the growing threat of the New World screwworm to not only the Texas agriculture industry but cattle production nationwide, previewed an amendment he plans to offer during the appropriations process, and called for additional federal resources to combat the more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn, Hassan, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Combat Scams Targeting Veterans * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Boozman (R-AR), and Angus King (I-ME) today introduced their Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, which would establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist with fraud and scam prevention,  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn, Whitehouse, Colleagues' Bill to Equip Law Enforcement with Trauma Kits Passes Senate * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statements after their Improving Police Critical Aid for Responding to Emergencies (CARE) Act, which would equip law enforcement officers  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Daikin Comfort Technologies North America Inc., Waller, Texas, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in response to a request for information concerning energy conservation standards for consumer furnace fans. Daikin recommended that the agency not amend the existing standard, asserting that doing so would not economically benefit consumers and would increase manufacturer burden. Daikin, a member of the Daikin Group, the largest HVAC man more ST

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The East Harris County Manufacturers Association, a coalition representing over 120 petrochemical and manufacturing sites, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The association expressed strong support for granting Class VI primacy to the State of Texas, emphasizing that this action would empower local oversight, accelerate the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and ensure Texas maintains its leadership more ST

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst, Williams Partner on Bill to Spur Golden Age of Innovation * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and House Committee on Small Business Chairman Roger Williams (R-Texas) are partnering to reauthorize and improve the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Williams introduced co more PR

DALLAS, Texas, July 29 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: * * * Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Reports Second Quarter 2025 Operating Results * DALLAS, TEXAS, July 29, 2025--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) today reported net income of $149.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. In comparison, for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2024, the Bank reported net income  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas issued the following Beige Book on July 15, 2025: * * * Summary of Economic Activity Economic activity in the Eleventh District economy was up slightly over the reporting period. Nonfinancial services activity grew modestly while manufacturing production held steady. Retail sales declined notably. Loan volumes expanded at a moderate pace. Oil well drilling and completions declined, but production remained flat. Housing market activity  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following letter on July 29, 2025: * * * Mr. Scott Kupor, Director, Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415-0001 Re: Review of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Agency Actions July 14, 2025, through July 25, 2025 Dear Director Kupor: The Office of Personnel Management sent a continuing request to the employees of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FE more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The Fort Worth Chamber, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expressing strong support for the State of Texas' application for Class VI well primacy. The Chamber believes granting Texas this authority is a critical step for advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, which are seen as essential for expanding domestic energy production, strengthening the industrial economy, and meeting rising energy demands wh more ST

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 30 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release: * * * Giant Magellan Telescope Advances to National Science Foundation Final Design Phase The advancement is one of the final steps before the telescope becomes eligible for federal construction funding, a critical milestone recognizing the Giant Magellan's scientific merit, construction progress, and alignment with U.S. priorities in science and technology. * The Giant Ma more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following news release on July 28, 2025: * * * ICYMI: Chairman Williams Introduces Legislation to Promote Small Business Innovation and Development of Critical Technologies Today, Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, introduced the House version of the Investing in National Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and Te more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. Doris O. Matsui, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * MATSUI, SEEC COLLEAGUES SLAM EPA EMBRACE OF EXTREME CLIMATE DENIALISM * WASHINGTON, D.C. - The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01 more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Cornyn Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Defend Vulnerable Uyghurs from Being Forcibly Returned to PRC * Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Texas' U.S. Senator John Cornyn today teamed up to introduce new bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on foreign government officials involved in the forced deportation of Uyghurs and other at-risk individuals to the People's Republi more PR

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, July 29 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * Naval Medical Forces Development Command welcomes director for administration * JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - The Naval Medical Forces Development Command welcomed Lt. Cdr. Angel Camacho to the team as the new director for administration on July 16, 2025. Originally from Ecuador, Camacho moved to Brooklyn, New York, when he was 13 years more PR

ARLINGTON, Virginia, July 30 -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release on July 29, 2025: * * * NSF announces $100 million investment in National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes awards to secure American leadership in AI The investment will accelerate open innovation, empower an AI-ready workforce and strengthen U.S. global competitiveness * The U.S. National Science Foundation, in partnership with Capital One and Intel, today announced a $100 million i more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 (TNSrpt) -- The National Science Foundation issued the following news release: * * * NSF announces $100 million investment in National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes awards to secure American leadership in AI The investment will accelerate open innovation, empower an AI-ready workforce and strengthen U.S. global competitiveness * The U.S. National Science Foundation, in partnership with Capital One and Intel, today announced a $100 million investment to supp more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on July 29, 2025: * * * Pallone Slams Trump Administration as "Blatant Grifters" for Rescinding EPA's Longstanding Endangerment Finding Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today slamming the Trump Administration for moving to reverse the Environmental Protection Agency's (EP more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * RELEASE: Cloud and Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) Secure $1.94 Million for the New Maintenance Facility at CCRTA * WASHINGTON-- Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) secured $1.94 million in federal funding for the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA), as part of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * REPS. HILL, CRAWFORD, WESTERMAN, AND WOMACK THANK USDA FOR SWIFT SCREWWORM RESPONSE, ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC PRODUCTION FACILITY TO PROTECT ARKANSAS FARMERS AND RANCHERS * Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), along with Rep. Crawford (AR-01), Rep. Westerman (AR-04), and Rep. Womack (AR-03), sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins thanking the administration for its pro more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: * * * Republicans are Getting America Back on Track * "On critical issues like the economy, inflation, immigration, and national security, Americans trust Republicans. They're right to do so." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor to highlight how Republicans are delivering on the mandate to get America back on track. Click HERE  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: * * * Roma CBP officers seize over $2.8M in cocaine * ROMA, Texas --U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Roma Port of Entry seized more than $2.8 million in cocaine in a single enforcement action. "This substantial seizure of cocaine stands as a testament to the dedication and effectiveness of our officers in disrupting illeg more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on July 29, 2025: * * * Sen. Cruz and Colleagues Introduce ROTOR Act Legislation would put ADS-B safety tech in aircraft and improve air traffic control * Today, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act to improve aviation safety. The bill c more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing ROTOR Act to Mandate the Use of In-Flight Safety Technology * WASHINGTON - On the six-month anniversary of the DCA tragedy, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation - joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today in introducing the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR)  more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Senate Advances Padilla, McCormick, Gallego, Britt Bipartisan Bill to Help House Disabled Veterans * WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs advanced bipartisan legislation co-led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) to ensure that veterans experiencing homelessness and re more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Budd Joins Chairman Cruz, Colleagues in Introducing the ROTOR Act to Improve Aviation Safety Following DCA Crash * Budd delivers remarks at press conference with Secretary Sean Duffy, key transportation leaders, and families of DCA crash victims Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today joined Senat more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall: U.S. Skies Must be the Safest in the World * Senator Marshall Joins Press Conference on Aviation Safety Legislation on the Six-Month Anniversary of the DC Plane Crash Washington - On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined a press conference with conservative leaders to support the introduction of the ROTOR Act led by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas). This legisl more PR

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Marshall & Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Assist Families With Post-Secondary Education Choices * Washington - On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, in reintroducing the College Transparency Act. This legislation ensures that students and famil more PR

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Texas Association of Business President and CEO Glenn Hamer has submitted a public comment letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advocating for Texas to be granted Class VI primacy for carbon capture and storage (CCS) development. The TAB, serving as the state Chamber of Commerce, underscored its commitment to policies fostering economic growth and innovation, and views CCS as crucial for Texas' energy future, national energy security, job creation, and econo more ST

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, July 29 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * TRICARE logins: Know how to access portals, manage your benefit * FALLS CHURCH, Virginia - Whether you need to make an appointment, check a claim, or download forms, knowing where to log in can make using your TRICARE benefits easier. Today's Military Health System relies on multiple online platforms -- each with a specific purpose. Understanding them, and  more PR