WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- A coalition of 40 business organizations sent a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor expressing serious concerns regarding compliance issues related to Oregon's Senate Bill S916. The letter requests that the department notify Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek and the state's legislative assembly of potential violations of federal law as mandated by the Social Security Act. Senate Bill S916 permits individuals who voluntarily become unemployed due to a strike  more ST

ROBINS AFB, Georgia, Sept. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command issued the following news: * * * A promise to keep: The beginning of Honor Flight * * Published Sept. 16, 2025 * By Lt. Col. Casey Staheli * Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Editor's Note: This article is the first in a three-part series exploring the origins, impact and enduring legacy of the Honor Flight program. In advance of the historic first Honor Flight to be more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Government Accountability Office has denied a bid protest from Advanced Computer Learning Co. LLC, a small business located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The protest challenged the U.S. Navy's decision to award a contract for support services and data link training to Linchpin Solutions Inc., a small business based in Tampa, Florida. Advanced Computer Learning, the incumbent contractor for the services, argued that the Navy unfairly evaluated Linchpin Solutions' p more ST

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Sept. 17 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: * * * Army updates standards for appearance, grooming, uniform wear in new directive * The U.S. Army announced an update to its appearance, grooming, and uniform wear standards policy in a new directive resulting from a force-wide review of military standards. The updated policy clarifies existing standards and establishes new standards, emphasizing military appearance as a reflection of discipli more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * Blackburn, Senate GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Eliminate D.C. Soft-On-Crime Laws * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) today introduced the Just Incarceration of Criminal Elements (JUSTICE) in D.C. Act, which would eliminate two Washington, D.C. laws - the Incarceration Reduction Act and the Second Look A more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following report (No. USDL-25-1406) entitled "State Job Openings and Labor Turnover - July 2025": * * * Job openings rates decreased in 3 states and increased in 1 state in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires rates increased in 1 state. Total separations rates decreased in 2 states and increased in 2 states. Nationally, the job openings, hires, and  more PR

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Sept. 17 -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the following news release: * * * Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee to meet Sept. 25 * The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee will meet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 by web conference. Agenda items include: * A presentation on the initial recommendations from the Collaboratory Study on the Coastal and Marine Fisheries of the State. * A d more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Concert Health has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urging enhancements to the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) in response to the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. The organization emphasizes the urgent need for alignment in reimbursement policies to bridge the existing gaps in behavioral health services. The letter highlights the introduction of new G more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Pat Harrigan Introduces the Freedom from Automated Speed Enforcement Act * Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408 WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) introduced the Freedom from Automated Speed Enforcement Act of 2025 (link is external), legislation to cut off federal highway funds from states that rely on automated speed cameras as a source of revenue. " more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Pat Harrigan Marks One Year Since Hurricane Helene * Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408 WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene: "One year ago, Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina with historic force--claiming more than 100 lives, displacing thousands of families,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn, Senate GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Eliminate D.C. Soft-On-Crime Laws * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today introduced the Just Incarceration of Criminal Elements (JUSTICE) in D.C. Act, which would eliminate two Washington, D.C. laws - the Incarceration Reduction Act and the Second Look Amendment Act - that have a more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin Deliers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five Judicial Nominations, Nominee To Be The 'Drug Czar' * September 17, 2025 WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the judicial nominations of Rebecca Taibleson, nom more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * EPA marks one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene with visit to Lake Lure, North Carolina, and commitment to remaining a partner in western North Carolina's recovery * Lake Lure, North Carolina (Sept. 17, 2025) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials marked the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene with a tour of Lake Lure, a mountain town struck with more than 22 in more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: * * * Gallego Leads Colleagues in Calling Out Wells Fargo's Union-Busting * WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) led colleagues in writing to Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf to condemn the bank's union-busting tactics and refusal to bargain in good faith with employees. "As Senators representing constituents who are Wells Fargo employees and customers across the country, we write with conce more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Graham, Cornyn, Budd and Blackburn Introduce Bill to Eliminate D.C.'s Soft-On-Crime Laws * Legislation Would Ensure Adults Who Commit Crimes Before the Age of 25 Are Not Prematurely Released WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) today introduced the Just Incarceration of Criminal more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-221) on the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act (H.R. 1107), which aims to amend Title 38 of the U.S. Code to authorize certain heath care professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver, distribute or dispense to veterans certain controlled medications via telemedicine under certain conditions. The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, on July 29, 202 more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The House Veterans' Affairs Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-220) on the Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act (H.R. 1860), which aims to designate Regional Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Care Coordinators to expand the work of the Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The report was advanced by Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, on July 29, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose and Summary H.R. 1860, the "Wome more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 17, 2025: * * * Chairman Smith: Legislation Protects Patients, Seniors, and all Taxpayers Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following opening statement at a Committee markup of health care, tax administration, and Social Security bills. As prepared for delivery. "Before we begin, I want to take a moment to h more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine Leads Colleagues in Calling for PSA Airlines Contract Agreement * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) led his colleagues in sending a letter to PSA Airlines, Inc. urging them to continue contract negotiations and reach a fair agreement with over 1,700 flight attendants. The flight attendants have been bargaining for a new contract with PSA Airlines for over two years. "We  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Joseph Morelle, D-New York, ranking member of the House Administration Committee, issued the following news release on Sept. 16, 2025: * * * Morelle Introduces Climate Resilient Elections Act, Celebrates National Voter Registration Day Today, Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, led all Committee Democratic Members - Congresswomen Terri Sewell (AL-07), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), and Julie Johnson (TX-32) - in introduci more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Ross, Kiggans Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Shortage of Clinical Lab Professionals * Today, Congresswomen Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2025, legislation designed to address the nationwide shortage of clinical laboratory professionals. The bill would expand eligibility for the National Health Serv more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advocating for the inclusion of Food is Medicine (FIM) interventions in the upcoming payment policies for Medicare and Medicaid programs. The organization expressed its commitment to tackling food insecurity and emphasized the importance of integrating nutrition services into healt more ST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Tillis, Durbin Lead Resolution Calling for the Release of Azerbaijani Anti-Corruption Activist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced a resolution commending recent diplomatic progress in peace accords between Armenia more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Administration Committee, posted the following news release: * * * Top Takeaways from Subcommittee Hearing on Maintaining Election Operations in the Face of Natural Disasters The Committee on House Administration held a Subcommittee on Elections Hearing titled, "Maintaining Election Operations in the Face of Natural Disasters." Witnesses: * The Honorable Cord Byrd - Florida Secretary of State * Mr. Stacy "Four" Eg more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS21048) on Sept. 16, 2025, entitled "U.S. Special Operations Forces: Background and Considerations for Congress" by immigration policy analyst Holly Straut-Eppsteiner: * * * Summary Special Operations Forces (SOF) play a significant role in U.S. military operations. In 1986, Congress, concerned about the status of SOF within overall U.S. defense planning, passed legislation (P.L. 99-661) to  more PR

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * UNITAS 2025 Strengthens Southcom Alliances * UNITAS 2025 began with an opening ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Sept. 15. UNITAS, Latin for unity, is the longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise in the world. This year, UNITAS is featuring approximately 8,000 personnel from 25 allied and partner nations, including multiple ships, submarines and aircraft. Forces will conduct operatio more PR