MASERU, Lesotho, March 17 -- The U.S. Embassy in Lesotho issued the following news release on March 16: On March 15, 2020, Peace Corps Director Judy Olsen announced the suspension of all volunteer activities globally due to the COVID-19 outbreak and related travel constraints and school closures. Following on evacuations that have taken place in certain countries, all Peace Corps volunteers worldwide are now being evacuated. As a result of this announcement, Peace Corps Lesotho will temporarily more PR

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., has introduced legislation (S. 3530) to amend the National Security Act of 1947 "to require the President to designate an employee of the National Security Council to be responsible for pandemic prevention and response." The bill was introduced on March 18. It was referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. For more information, Sen. Edward J. Markey, 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 2051 more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., has introduced legislation (S. 3528) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 "to suspend the inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits." The bill was introduced on March 18. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. For more information, Sen. Edward J. Markey, 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-2742; or in the state at 975 President John F. Kennedy Federal Bldg., 222 Milliken Blvd., Ste more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., has introduced legislation (S. 3527) to waive required minimum distribution rules for retirement plans in 2020. The bill was introduced on March 18 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., and Steve Daines, R-Mont. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. For more information, Sen. Edward J. Markey, 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-2742; or in the state at 975 President John F. Kenn more ST

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has introduced legislation (S. 3514) to "ensure that facilities of the Indian Health Service, facilities operated by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or inter-tribal consortium, and facilities operated by an urban Indian organization receive items from the strategic national stockpile and qualified pandemic or epidemic products directly from the Department of Health and Human Services." The bill was introduced on March 17 and was co-s more ST

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has introduced legislation (S. 3510) to "transfer all border wall funding to the Department of Health and Human Services and USAID to combat coronavirus." The bill was introduced on March 17. It was referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. For more information, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 309 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510; 202/224-4543; or in the state at 2400 President John F. Kennedy Fe more ST

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The White House Historical Association issued the following news release on March 19: Twice every year, in the fall and spring, the President and First Lady open the White House grounds to visitors for self-guided tours of the South Lawn. In the spring, cherry blossoms bloom, and the landscape is filled with stunning greenery. In the fall, trees at the White House reflect the changing season by turning beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red, providing a wonderful opp more PR