FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Dec. 18 -- The Defense Health Agency issued the following news: * * * 13 military hospitals, clinic receive Leapfrog's top annual awards for patient safety and quality * The Defense Health Agency had 12 military hospitals and one clinic receive the 2025 Leapfrog Top Hospital award and Top Ambulatory Surgical Center award, respectively, annual accolades for the nation's highest-performing medical facilities, during an awards dinner Dec. 15. While less than 6% of hosp more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Don Beyer, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Beyer Returns To House Science Committee * Rep. Don Beyer, previously a longtime member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Committee, was re-appointed to that committee by Democratic Leader Jeffries this week. Beyer departed the Committee after serving on it for his first four terms when Democrats lost slots at the beginning of the 118 th Congress. His appointment became official more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Blumenthal Applauds Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Bill with Wins for Connecticut * [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) welcomed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Blumenthal championed a number of provisions in the NDAA that promote U.S. national securit more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Dec. 18, 2025: * * * Name of Product: TopHomer Pool Drain Covers Hazard: The recalled drain covers violate the entrapment protection standards of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), posing entrapment and drowning hazards to swimmers and bathers. Remedy: Refund Recall Date: December 18, 2025 Units: About 1,040 Consumer Contact: TopHomerUS by email at Tophomer.recall@outl more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * Interagency Senior Leaders Discuss Tactics on Advancing Counter UAS Efforts * Joint interagency and law enforcement senior leaders met to establish a shared understanding of counter-small unmanned aerial system threat detection and mitigation best practices during a law enforcement symposium hosted by the Joint Task Force National Capital Region at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, Dec. 11. The joint more PR

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Dec. 17 -- The Defense Health Agency issued the following news: * * * Invisible invasion: What service members need to know about microplastics * Service members face health risks both while at home and when deployed, and the emerging global threat of micro- and nanoplastics, or MNPs, may have long-term impacts on their health. "We're beginning to appreciate that microplastics are everywhere and likely contaminating everything we eat, drink, and touch," said Dr. Mar more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of War issued the following news: * * * Joint Interagency Task Force Integrates Skills, Creates Layered Counter-Drone Defense * Small unmanned aircraft systems, once largely confined to overseas battlefields, are increasingly being exploited by criminal organizations, cartels and terrorist networks inside the homeland. In response, the War Department is leading a coordinated, whole-of-government effort to strengthen counter-unmanned aircraft syste more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: * * * Justice Department Highlights Nationwide Crackdown on Tren de Aragua * WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice announced the unsealing of multiple indictments against more than 70 individuals, including leaders and members of designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA), linked to various violent crimes inside and outside the United States, including murder, robbery, extortion, kid more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine & Banks Introduce Bill to Eliminate Antiquated Tax on Student Loans * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (D-VA) and U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Student Loan Tax Elimination Act, legislation to remove antiquated "origination fees" for federal student loans. "Student loan debt is holdin more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine, McCormick Introduce Legislation to Preserve and Protect America's Historic Battlefields * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Dave McCormick introduced the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the preservation of historic battlefields associated with wars fought on American soil. "From Yorktown to Appomattox to  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, issued the following news release: * * * Kelly-Shaped Defense Bill Set to Become Law, Securing Major Wins for Arizona, Servicemembers, and National Security * Bill blocks staffing cuts to Fort Huachuca's Electronic Proving Ground and protects Arizona's role in electronic warfare Delivers major Arizona military construction projects at Davis-Monthan, Luke Air Force Base, and MCAS Yuma Includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military service  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Marine Corps issued the following official news: * * * Marine Corps announces updated physical fitness standards * MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VIRGINIA The Marine Corps is implementing changes to its Physical Fitness Test and body composition standards in accordance with the Secretary of War's Military Fitness Standards memorandum issued on Sept. 30, 2025. These changes, announced in MARADMIN 613/25, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The Marine Corps will  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * McClellan Statement on the Republican Health Care Bill * Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted on the health care bill brought forward by Republicans that does not include an extension of the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA): "For months, I have sounded the alarm on the devastat more PR

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Dec. 18 -- The National Credit Union Administration issued the following news release: * * * NCUA Board Approves Budget; Receives Update on Share Insurance Fund * Board Action Bulletin Alexandria, VA (December 18, 2025) The National Credit Union Administration Board held its seventh open meeting of 2025 and received a briefing on the agency's operating budgets for 2026-2027. The Board was also briefed on the performance of the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fun more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * New Orleans: Operation Catahoula Crunch Nabs Criminal Illegal Alien Drug Dealers, Hit-and-Run Criminals, and Domestic Abusers * Since the December 3 launch of Operation Catahoula Crunch, DHS has made ~370 apprehensions WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across the New Orleans, Louisiana area during Op more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2025: * * * Ranking Member Shaheen Speaks on Senate Floor to Urging the Senate to Pass Legislation Pressuring Putin's War Machine Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor urging the Senate to advance bipartisan legislation she introduced and supp more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Scott Slams Trump Administration's Absurd Rationale for Boat Strikes, Votes to Stop Military Action in Venezuela * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting for the adoption of H.Con.Res. 61 (link is external), directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Scott Statement on Passing of Rev. A Lincoln James, Jr * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of the Rev. Dr. A Lincoln James, Jr., Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. "Rev. James was a charismatic and influential preacher who had a remarkable career. He led Trinity Baptist Church for several decades and served as  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Scott, Wittman, Kiggans, Elfreth Reintroduce Bill Reauthorizing NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) reintroduced the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, previously known as the Chesapeake Bay Science, Edu more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Marshall Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Pharmacy Benefit Managers Accountable * Washington - On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to establish clear fiduciary responsibilities for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), ensuring they act in the best interests of employers and workers who rely on employer-sponsored heal more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Space Systems Command issued the following news release: * * * Space Force delivers experimental capabilities to orbit under the DoW Space Test Program EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. - The U.S. Space Force's (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) successfully launched the Department of War's (DoW) Space Test Program (STP) S30 mission to deliver four Research and Development (R&D) satellites to low-Earth orbit (LEO) aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket at  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Swingin' Around the Texas Christmas Tree * When it's Christmas time in Texas, as George Strait once sang, we'll be swingin' around the Christmas tree. In his hit holiday single, When It's Christmas Time in Texas, Strait delves into what this festive time of year looks like for Texans. We may not always get snow, and it may feel more like a summer day for some, but it is still Christmas, nonetheless. One tradit more PR

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Dec. 17 -- The Defense Health Agency issued the following news: * * * U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa offers new spinal procedure for pain relief * CAMP FOSTER, Japan Providing health care to the nearly 55,000-person beneficiary population and the 188,768-person Western Pacific-eligible referral population in Okinawa presents unique challenges. One challenge for an overseas medical treatment facility is staffing medical specialties that may not see the same workload or  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Video: Kaine Slams Trump's Reckless & Corrupt Decision to Allow Nvidia to Sell Advanced Chips to China * FULL VIDEO OF KAINE'S SPEECH IS AVAILABLE HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, spoke on the Senate floor sounding the alarm about the Trump Administration's dangerous decision to allow Nvidia to sell more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Vindman Joins Bipartisan Statement from All 25 Jewish House Members on Antisemitic Attack in Australia * Washington, D.C. Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined 24 of his fellow Jewish Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in releasing the following statement in response to an attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia that targeted Jewish people celebrating the first night of Hanukkah more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Vindman Office Delivers Real Results for Virginia's Seventh District in 2025 * Washington, D.C. Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released an end-of-year summary highlighting his office's work delivering results for Virginians across Virginia's Seventh District in 2025 including returning hard-earned tax dollars to constituents, advancing bipartisan legislation, and resolving thousands of more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Vindman, Crenshaw Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Crack Down on Cartel Smuggling Operations at Southern Border * Washington, D.C. U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas-02) today introduced bipartisan legislation to tackle the fentanyl crisis by combatting the flow of illicit firearms and money that fuel cartel operations. "I'm proud to lead this bipartisa more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Vindman, Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help American Workers Better Prepare for Retirement * Washington, D.C. U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-Penn.-15) today introduced a bipartisan bill to help American workers take advantage of their employer-sponsored retirement plans and employer match offers by permitting more frequent opportunities fo more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Virginia Republican Delegation Sends Letter of Support for Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Funding Application * Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Congressman John McGuire (VA-05), Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06), and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09) released a letter they sent in support of the Commonwealth of Virginia's Rura more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner & Kaine Applaud Unanimous Senate Passage of Aviation Safety Legislation, Sending It to the House * WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today welcomed Senate approval of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, sending it to the House of Representatives for consideration. The bipartisan legislation, which passed unanimously out  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner Leads Bipartisan Effort to Push FTC to Crack Down on Surveillance Pricing With Holiday Shopping Season Underway * WASHINGTON - Today, in the thick of the holiday shopping season, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) led Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Richard Blumental (D-CT), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) in pushing the Trump administration to crack down on surveillance pricing, which eliminates a fixed or  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Kaine, McGarvey Introduce Bill to Support Families of Mine Workers Who Died of Black Lung Disease * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act, legislation that would remove barriers to benefits and ensure that families of miners who have died from black lung are properly compensated. A companion bill was introduc more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Kaine, McGarvey Introduce Bill to Support Families of Mine Workers who Died of Black Lung Disease * WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act, legislation that would remove barriers to benefits and ensure that families of miners who have died from black lung are properly compensated. A companion bill was introduced by R more PR