WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) introduced the Generate Recordings of All Child protective Interviews Everywhere (GRACIE) Act, which would incentivize states to require the recording of all Child Protective Services (CPS) interviews with children and adults. Modernizing CPS interview protocols would increase the likelihood that child trafficking victims will be identified and  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. IF12854) on Dec. 18, 2024, by American national government R. Eric Petersen: * * * Fourth Circuit Holds That Certain Medicaid and State-Funded Health Plans Discriminate by Refusing to Cover Treatments for Gender Dysphoria Several states have considered the extent to which transgender individuals should have access to certain medical treatments to address a discordance between more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48313) on Dec. 18, 2024, entitled "Overview of the Federal Tax System in 2024" by Public Finance specialists Donald J. Marples and Brendan McDermott. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY This report describes the federal tax structure and system in effect for 2024. The report also provides selected statistics on the tax system as a whole. Historically, the largest component of the federal tax sys more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will receive a grant of $252,285 as an Institutional National Research Service Award from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The funding will support Basic and Translational Research Training in Pediatric Classical Hematology. Congressman Steve Cohen made the following statement: "I am always pleased to se more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: Bill Supports Advanced DNA Technology for Investigative Agencies Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have introduced the Carla Walker Act, bipartisan legislation that would dedicate federal grant funds to support forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) DNA analysis to help solve previously unsolvable cold cases. The bill is named for Carla Walker, a Fort Worth native whose murderer was finally id more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 97 to 1. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on a broad bipartisan basis, with a vote of 399 to 18. WRDA is a biennial bill which authorizes flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, issued the following news release: Today, Representative Sharice Davids shared how her office worked throughout 2024 to make government work for all Kansans, both by delivering bipartisan results for the Kansas Third and connecting directly with Kansans all year long. This year, Davids reached her highest-ever bipartisanship record, with 83 percent of the bills she supported having bipartisan backing. "There's still more work to do before w more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: The bicameral resolution was included in the final Water Resources Development Act, which now heads to President Biden's desk for signature Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today applauded the House and Senate passage of their bicameral resolution, included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, to rename  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: The bicameral resolution was included in the final Water Resources Development Act, which now heads to President Biden's desk for signature Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today applauded the House and Senate passage of their bicameral resolution, included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, to rena more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Mount Rogers Planning District Commission a $100,000 grant. The funding will support disaster recovery efforts and technical assistance to 14 communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: "This ARC grant for $100,000 helps Mount Rogers Planning District Commission coordinate disast more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, based in Saltville, Virginia, a $2,170,696 grant. The funding will support health centers and the health care services they provide. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: "This HHS grant for $2,170,696 helps Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems advance  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: Yesterday, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman-elect of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), appointed Congresswoman Harriet Hageman to chair the Article One Task Force. In this role, Congresswoman Hageman will lead efforts to restore Congress's constitutional authority and combat executive overreach, building on the Loper Mandate established by the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Loper Brigh more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman introduced legislation to protect Wyoming's energy industry and jobs from the federal government's continued weaponization of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Congresswoman Hageman's bill automatically disqualifies certain decisions from being classified as "major federal actions" under NEPA to ensure that new coal, critical mineral, and fluid mineral leas more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is welcoming the Senate's final passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bill that authorizes Army Corps of Engineers water projects in New Mexico and nationwide. Within the bill, Heinrich championed provisions to restore the Middle Rio Grande Bosque, to support more collaborative management of the Upper Rio Grande Basin, renew and expand the nationwide more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: Funding comes from the senators' Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet welcomed the announcement that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Colorado's application for $12.3 million in federal funding to expand affordable high-speed internet in Colorado. The funding is from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: Legislation now heads to president's desk Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and Representative Joe Neguse celebrated passage of their bipartisan Drought Preparedness Act and Water Data Improvement Act. "More than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River for water, food, recreation, and energy," said Hickenlooper. "Our communities, our farms, our environment, all depend on water. These bills e more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-California, issued the following news release: Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would be approving two waivers under the Clean Air Act that grant California permission to phase out gas cars in the state.LaMalfa said: "The Biden-Harris EPA has just done exactly what they promised they wouldn't--telling Americans what kind of cars we can drive. By approving  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, issued the following news release: Fishway will replace local dam, restore native fish populationsThis week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Representative Jared Golden, secured final congressional approval for the replacement and restoration of the Cherryfield Fishway. Passed as a provision of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, the fishway will allow anadromous fish such as herring, alewives, and the end more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: This week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Representative Jared Golden, secured final congressional approval for the replacement and restoration of the Cherryfield Fishway. Passed as a provision of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, the fishway will allow anadromous fish such as herring, alewives, and the endangered Atlantic salmon to migrate upstream. Previously,  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: This week, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Representative Jared Golden, secured final congressional approval for the replacement and restoration of the Cherryfield Fishway. Passed as a provision of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, the fishway will allow anadromous fish such as herring, alewives, and the endangered Atlantic salmon to migrate upstream. Previously, more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: Authorizes projects to address flood and storm risks, improve water infrastructure Washington (December 18, 2024) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) applauded today's passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Reauthorization Act  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD), and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), John Sarbanes (MD-03), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), David Trone (MD-06), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) announced $7,393,350 in federal funding to strengthen security at 50 churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious community centers across Maryl more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Prineville Airport and Pendleton's Eastern Oregon Regional Airport received a combined $1,329,000 in federal funds from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for infrastructure and safety improvements. "Oregon's regional airports serve as vital hubs for our communities supporting local businesses, connecting travelers to world-cl more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced her bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act passed the House and Senate as part of a larger legislative package to support veterans. Baldwin's legislation expands support for County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO), the community-based employees who work directly with veterans to inform them of eligibility for VA programs and services, f more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued the following statement as New Jersey faces the looming threat of a government shutdown due to House Republicans' decision to abandon a bipartisan agreement: "At the start of this week, we had a bipartisan agreement in place to keep the government running and deliver critical relief to communities across the country--including right here in New Jer more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement: "David Scott's historic service to American farmers as the first Black Chair and Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee will be felt for generations. "During his more than 20-year tenure on the Agriculture Committee, Ranking Member Scott has been a steadfast leader for American families, farmers and workers. His relentless effo more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced legislation that would improve cybersecurity standards for hospitals. The Healthcare Cybersecurity Improvement Act (H.R. 10455(link is external)) was introduced in the wake of increased ransomware attacks on hospitals. "When patients put their health in the hands of doctors and healthcare providers, they're also entrusting their most private data to hospitals' cy more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) intends to sign a full funding grant agreement for the Chicago Tra more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: Senator Rosen Secured Funding Authorizations For Water Infrastructure In Nye, Storey Counties Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that she secured several key priorities and funding authorizations for Nevada in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which she helped pass in the Senate. Given the severe drought that Nevada is facing, Senator Rosen worked across party lines to deliver for the more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released an additional $250 million to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) as part of its Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in February. The funding follows February's initial release of $125 million and was delivered after HART completed the contract award for the City Center Gui more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Sen.) -- Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following news release: Schumer Successfully Got The ONSHORE Act, Which He Pushed For Standing At Industrial Sites Across Upstate NY, Added To EDA Reauthorization, Which Is Now Headed To The President's Desk The ONSHORE Act Creates New Fed Grant Program For Bringing Back Critical Supply Chains, Like Semiconductors And Clean Technology, By Improving Infrastructure And Workforce Training To Prepare M more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Sen.) -- Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following news release: Lake Champlain Basin Program, Which Helps Protect Watershed & Wildlife Across Region, Will Now Have Feds Cover 90% Cost Of Projects, Up From 65% Thanks To Schumer's Efforts WRDA Now Headed To President's Desk To Be Signed Into Law A Win-Win-Win Says Schumer: Increasing Fed Funding, Saving Local Conservation Groups $$ And Protecting Lake Champlain U.S. Senate Majority Leader  more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Sen.) -- Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following news release: New NBRC Bill Increases Funding & Expands Program That Has Delivered Millions For Econ Dev & Infrastructure Across Upstate NY To Bolster Healthcare And Childcare Access, Invest In Workforce, New Businesses And More; Also Makes Wyoming And Schoharie County Eligible For Inclusion Legislation Ensures NBRC Will Be Reauthorized For The Next 5 Years So North Country & Upstate NY Ca more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Sen.) -- Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following news release: Watervliet Arsenal Firefighters Keep Troops Safe And Respond To Hundreds Of Calls A Year Helping Surrounding Communities, But Current Aging Fire Station Has Long Needed Upgrades To Meet Mission Requirements & Keep Firefighters Prepared For Emergencies Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ For New Fire Station Is Critical To Ensure Safety At Watervliet Arsenal And Cap Region U.S. Sen more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2024: * * * U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), released the following statement on the Inspector General's interim findings on conflicts of interest in the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO). Barrasso called on the Inspector General to inv more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tom Carper, D-Delaware, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2024: U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), also a member of the EPW Committee, today celebrated inclusion of two pieces of bipartisan legislation focused on improving our natio more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tom Carper, D-Delaware, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2024: U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, along with EPW Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Ranking Member Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), today celebrated Senate more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed their bipartisan Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act. Specifically, the BADGES for Native Communities Act would support the recruitment and retention of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officers, bolster federal missing p more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, issued the following news release: Today, the Senate passed a legislative package containing several provisions that U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) secured to bolster California's water infrastructure and promote economic development. The package includes the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024, and a series of bills to strengthen the General Services A more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-At Large) today celebrated that the bicameral Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act unanimouslypassed the Senate on Wednesday evening. The legislation will protect the ecological, recreational, and economic value of Northern Vermont waterways. This was the first bill Senator Welch introduced more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release: Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) issued the following statements after the Senate passed by a vote of 97-1 the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, biennial legislation that authorizes water infrastructure projects across the country. The bill recently passed the House of Representatives and is now headed to the President's desk. "Protecting and enhancing New Hampsh more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Tina Flint Smith, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced three grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to residents in rural Minnesota. Over 5,000 people will benefit from these awards. Recipients include 139 different businesses and 368 farms across the state. "Internet access is not just a luxury in the 21st century, it's a necessity," said Sen more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tina Flint Smith, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chair of the Senate Housing Subcommittee, and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced over $20 million in federal funding for the Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) to preserve affordable housing in manufactured housing communities and support Tribal communities across the Upper Midwest. This funding, awarded through the Preservation and Reinvestment In more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tina Flint Smith, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: MINNEAPOLIS, MN Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN), celebrated historic funding for clean, reliable and low-cost energy for rural Minnesotans. Connexus Energy will use funding secured by Senators Smith and Klobuchar to produce over 280 megawatts of clean energy through hydro, solar and wind energy that will lower costs for its 146,000 members in rural Minnesota while supporti more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a former fair housing lawyer, (both D-VA) announced $29,151,778.41 in federal funding for Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity, Inc. to preserve long-term housing affordability for residents of the Southwood Mobile Park. The funding is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Co more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today introduced the Global Climate Resilience Act,legislation that would create a program to bolster the United States' ability to provide climate finance and debt relief to countries in the Global South. This new program would enhance the United States' ability to negotiate debt reductions with countries in the Global South that agree to undertake climate resilience initiatives.  more PR