Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
SBA Releases State-Level Analysis of Shutdown Impact on Small Business Lending
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Small Business Administration posted the following news release:
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SBA Releases State-Level Analysis of Shutdown Impact on Small Business Lending
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Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from accessing $170 million in SBA-guaranteed funding.
As a result
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Small Business Administration posted the following news release:
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SBA Releases State-Level Analysis of Shutdown Impact on Small Business Lending
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Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from accessing $170 million in SBA-guaranteed funding.
As a resultof the shutdown, we wanted to notify you that many of our services supporting small businesses are currently unavailable. The agency is executing its Lapse Plan and as soon as the shutdown is over, we are prepared to immediately return to the record-breaking services we were providing under the leadership of the Trump Administration.
If you need disaster assistance, please visit sba.gov/disaster.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/10/21/sba-releases-state-level-analysis-shutdown-impact-small-business-lending
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Mobile Devices and Children's Development: The Case for School Restrictions'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in October 2025 by Tomas Rau entitled "Mobile Devices and Children's Development: The Case for School Restrictions."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
Mobile-device use by children and adolescents has become increasingly common, alongside growing concerns around the world regarding digital distraction in classrooms (Campbell et al., 2024). Teachers and parents are concerned that students are hurt by always-on connectivity in terms of their ability to pay attention and be engaged with their
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in October 2025 by Tomas Rau entitled "Mobile Devices and Children's Development: The Case for School Restrictions."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
Mobile-device use by children and adolescents has become increasingly common, alongside growing concerns around the world regarding digital distraction in classrooms (Campbell et al., 2024). Teachers and parents are concerned that students are hurt by always-on connectivity in terms of their ability to pay attention and be engaged with theirlearning, and indeed experimental evidence does find that multitasking with mobile phones can have significant negative effects on students' learning-outcome performance (Chen and Yan, 2016).
More broadly, excessive screen time has even been found to pose threats to student wellbeing, such as higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (Twenge and Campbell, 2018).
Reacting to such concerns, school systems and governments have increasingly imposed policy to either limit students' use of smartphones during the day or to outright ban it from the school day to reduce distraction and refocus students on learning (Campbell et al., 2024).
However, the empirical evidence on the effectiveness of school cellphone policies is still scarce and inconclusive. Some research shows that banning phones may offer modest academic benefits. For instance, in a study analyzing the causal impact of banning students from using cellphones on academic achievement in English secondary schools, the authors found that banning cellphones led to a significant increase in a school's exam scores, especially among students who were lower-performing before the ban was implemented (Beland and Murphy, 2016). Similarly, a recent study in Spain found that students' scores increased after the introduction of local smartphone bans (Beneito and Vicente-Chirivella, 2022).
Meanwhile, other research has been unable to detect an effect of school phone bans on measures of academic performance. Large-scale research in Sweden found no effect on students' test scores following a national-level smartphone ban (Kessel et al., 2020), in line with null findings from other contexts (Guldvik and Kvinnsland, 2018). Beyond test scores, recent quasiexperimental evidence from Norway shows declines in psychological healthcare utilization and bullying, and improvements in girls' GPA and academic-track enrollment, following smartphone bans (Abrahamsson, 2024). Moreover, aside from this paper, few studies have examined outcomes beyond test scores, leaving uncertainties about how such policies affect daily classroom engagement or student well-being (Campbell et al., 2024). In short, it is still unclear if (or how) restricting students' in-school smartphone use translates into real improvements in their learning conditions or outcomes.
This paper addresses these issues by adopting a multifaceted approach. First, I present a conceptual framework and a review of the prior literature on mobile-device policies and student outcomes, synthesizing findings from both educational and psychological research.
Next, I conduct an original empirical analysis using microdata from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Leveraging cross-country variation in PISA data, I examine whether schools that restrict students' use of smartphones exhibit differences in key outcomes such as classroom distractions, student anxiety, and academic achievement.
I further complement these quantitative results with an overview of international policy experiences, describing how various countries have implemented school cellphone bans and the lessons learned from those initiatives. Finally, drawing on the combined evidence, I offer policy recommendations for educators and decision-makers seeking to manage digital distractions and improve student engagement.
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View full text here: https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Mobile-Devices-and-Childrens-Development-The-Case-for-School-Restrictions.pdf
[Category: IADB]
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Direct-to-Consumer Advertisement and Prescription Contraceptive Choices'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in October 2025 by Carolina Tojal Ramos Dos Santos entitled "Direct-to-Consumer Advertisement and Prescription Contraceptive Choices."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
This paper investigates the effect of direct-to-consumer advertisement (DTCA) on women's prescription contraceptive decisions. The market for prescription contraceptives comprises a large set of consumers,2 and the decision is usually patient-driven (Wu et al., 2016). Unlike anti-cholesterol drugs, which were commonly studied
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in October 2025 by Carolina Tojal Ramos Dos Santos entitled "Direct-to-Consumer Advertisement and Prescription Contraceptive Choices."
Here are excerpts:
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Introduction
This paper investigates the effect of direct-to-consumer advertisement (DTCA) on women's prescription contraceptive decisions. The market for prescription contraceptives comprises a large set of consumers,2 and the decision is usually patient-driven (Wu et al., 2016). Unlike anti-cholesterol drugs, which were commonly studiedto evaluate the effects of DTCA, women can choose products of different types, varying considerably in price, efficacy, and mode of administration. Therefore, it is not clear if DTCA creates product differentiation by directing women only to the specific advertised brand and/or if it generates spillovers to other prescription contraceptives, affecting the decision among the different methods. I address this question using television advertisements and claims data and apply the border approach by Shapiro (2018) to measure the causal effect of advertisements. I find that DTCA increases the demand for short-term drugs, such as pills, but reduces the demand for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, promoting substitution for less effective methods.
Television advertisement on prescription drugs is allowed in only two countries, the United States and New Zealand, and despite being extensively regulated, there is still controversy around this topic. In the United States, until 50 years ago, any information on contraception was considered obscene and banned under federal and many state laws (Bailey and Lindo, 2017). So, DTCA appeared in the 80s as a tool to overcome the stigma that prevented many women from getting information. However, an advertisement can also be misleading. Bayer, producer of the pill YAZ, one of the most popular contraceptive pills in the United States, was punished by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for a deceptive television campaign where the manufacturer overstated the effects and minimized the risks of the drug.
This market also faced major changes in the trends of television advertisement in the past decade. Before 2012, advertisements were dominated by brands of short-term methods, such as pills and vaginal rings, and after, there was an increase in advertisements by brands of LARCs, such as implants and IUDs, and permanent methods. Wu et al. (2016) suggests that this change is related to the reduction in out-of-pocket costs for prescription contraceptives mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that took place in January 2013, since it allowed more women to get access to methods with higher upfront costs. While several studies examine how the ACA provision influenced method adoption (Becker, 2018; Heisel et al., 2018; Sonfield et al., 2015), this is the first to provide evidence of the effect of advertising in this context.
The main challenge in estimating the causal effect of advertising on consumer behavior is that firms target their campaigns to areas where consumers are already more likely to purchase their products, leading to endogeneity concerns. To address this, I adopt the border approach proposed by Shapiro (2018), which leverages quasi-random variation in exposure to local television advertisements. These local commercials are screened only in selected media markets, creating variation in advertising exposure among women living near media market borders. This strategy allows me to isolate the causal impact of advertising on contraceptive choices.
Using television advertisement data and commercial claims from a large health insurer, I find that advertising for short-term methods, such as pills, increases demand for the advertised product but also for other branded and generic products in the same category. I also find that these effects on the advertised product are driven by older women. These results suggest that advertisements may have an informational component, attracting women to products that were not directly advertised.
However, a portion of this increased demand comes from women switching away from LARCs, which are generally more effective. While this substitution may raise concerns, contraceptive choices reflect a range of considerations beyond efficacy--including cost, health status, lifestyle, and personal preferences--so selecting a less effective method is not necessarily suboptimal. I find no significant effect of LARC advertisements on demand for the advertised product or related methods.
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View full text here: file:///Users/moirasirois/Downloads/Direct-to-Consumer-Advertisement-and-Prescription-Contraceptive-Choices.pdf
[Category: IADB]
EPA Orders Cabras Marine to End Sloppy Hazardous Waste Management, Preventing Spills into Apra Harbor
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Orders Cabras Marine to End Sloppy Hazardous Waste Management, Preventing Spills into Apra Harbor
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PITI, Guam (Oct. 22, 2025) - Today, under the authority of the Clean Water Act, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an Order issued to the Cabras Marine Corporation to improve deficient operations and maintenance of their ship repair facility in Guam. Under the agreement, Cabras Marine will make various facility improvements to protect Apra Harbor.
"EPA will take action
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Orders Cabras Marine to End Sloppy Hazardous Waste Management, Preventing Spills into Apra Harbor
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PITI, Guam (Oct. 22, 2025) - Today, under the authority of the Clean Water Act, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an Order issued to the Cabras Marine Corporation to improve deficient operations and maintenance of their ship repair facility in Guam. Under the agreement, Cabras Marine will make various facility improvements to protect Apra Harbor.
"EPA will take actionunder federal law when we see a facility mismanaging waste that puts at risk human health and the environment," said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Amy Miller. "This agreement will strengthen protection of coral reef and aquatic life in Guam."
Cabras Marine operates a ship repair and maintenance facility located on Apra Harbor. On February 6, 2025, EPA conducted an inspection at the facility and found sand blast debris spilling out of the containment structure, with potential release of the debris into the stormwater and Apra Harbor. Additionally, there was a large accumulation of oily and hazardous waste materials, such as oxidizers and flammable materials, improperly labeled and incompatibly stored together. This practice posed a fire risk. During the investigation, EPA identified the buildup and improper storage of waste material as an ongoing issue for the facility since as early as 2017.
Under the Administrative Order on Consent being announced today, Cabras Marine has agreed to:
* Remove and properly dispose of all accumulated oily waste and hazardous waste.
* Construct new storage units to safely store the accumulating hazardous waste, with proper labeling and organization, and install a secondary containment system for spill prevention.
* Conduct inspections of the facility at least twice a month.
* Conduct worker training on proper storage, containment, and handling of hazardous waste.
* Complete a technical evaluation for the collection, storage and disposal of the ships oily wastewater (bilge).
Cabras Marine Corporation can continue daily operations at the facility as it follows the order.
Read about EPA's enforcement program and how to report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Learn about EPA's Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-orders-cabras-marine-end-sloppy-hazardous-waste-management-preventing-spills-apra
EPA Issues Three Class VI Permits to ExxonMobil in Jefferson County, Texas
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Issues Three Class VI Permits to ExxonMobil in Jefferson County, Texas
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DALLAS, TEXAS (October 21, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued three final Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI permits to ExxonMobil for a project in Jefferson County, Texas. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, these permits allow ExxonMobil to convert three existing test wells permitted by the state to carbon dioxide (CO2) storage injection wells for long-term storage.
"Texas has successfully
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Issues Three Class VI Permits to ExxonMobil in Jefferson County, Texas
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DALLAS, TEXAS (October 21, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued three final Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI permits to ExxonMobil for a project in Jefferson County, Texas. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, these permits allow ExxonMobil to convert three existing test wells permitted by the state to carbon dioxide (CO2) storage injection wells for long-term storage.
"Texas has successfullymanaged underground injection wells for decades while protecting drinking water, and I'm confident they'll continue this success with Class VI wells," said EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason. "These permits advance ExxonMobil's Rose carbon storage project, creating jobs and protecting health and the environment through advanced technology. EPA is committed to removing bureaucratic barriers to unleash American energy."
"We appreciate all the work from the EPA, under the Trump administration, to issue these permits for our Rose carbon storage project. It marks an important step in strengthening America's energy industry through safe, permanent CO2 storage," said Barry Engle, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. "We've worked diligently to meet or exceed the rigorous standards set. Carbon capture and storage projects will create growth, jobs and economic opportunity, and we're pleased to play a leading role in advancing their deployment."
Class VI injection wells store CO2 deep underground after it has been captured from an emissions source or the atmosphere. These Class VI permits allow ExxonMobil to inject an average of 1.1 to 1.67 million metric tons of CO2 per year into each well, with a maximum total of 5 million metric tons per year across all three injection wells. Over the 13-year injection period, ExxonMobil would be allowed to inject a maximum of 53 million metric tons of CO2.
EPA regulations require ExxonMobil to conduct comprehensive site analyses ensuring the wells protect the environment during construction and operation, including preventing drinking water contamination and human-induced seismic activity. EPA also mandates that all operational plans meet site-specific conditions, covering construction materials, mechanical integrity, and emergency response protocols.
EPA proposed to approve the permits in August of this year and took public comments and held a virtual hearing. The final permit documents, responses to public comments, and other finalized or updated documents are available on the docket Exit EPA's website.
For more general information on EPA's Class VI Program visit our webpage.
Connect with EPA Region 6 on Facebook Exit EPA's website, X Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website, or visit our homepage.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-three-class-vi-permits-exxonmobil-jefferson-county-texas
Argentina to Expand Healthcare Benefits for Retirees and Pensioners With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Argentina to Expand Healthcare Benefits for Retirees and Pensioners with IDB Support
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $500 million Loan Based on Results to increase healthcare benefits for retirees and pensioners affiliated with the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners.
The operation, which has been approved by the IDB Board of Executive Directors, aims to improve existing comprehensive care policies for chronic diseases, provide more access
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Argentina to Expand Healthcare Benefits for Retirees and Pensioners with IDB Support
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $500 million Loan Based on Results to increase healthcare benefits for retirees and pensioners affiliated with the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners.
The operation, which has been approved by the IDB Board of Executive Directors, aims to improve existing comprehensive care policies for chronic diseases, provide more accessto cancer treatment, expand coverage for people who need long-term care, and enhance affiliates' experience with the services provided by the Institute.
The program will also promote the systematic use of information from institutional systems as input to guide government work. Among other outcomes, the operation aims to expand comprehensive coverage for hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease; reduce waiting times for breast and colon cancer surgeries; and increase access to long-term care for those who need it.
This program will benefit nearly 5.4 million affiliates. The National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners provides comprehensive health coverage and social assistance to retirees and pensioners and their dependents through its own health centers or by purchasing services from public or private entities.
The IDB loan has a 25-year repayment term, a 5.5-year grace period, and an interest rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website: https://www.iadb.org/en.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/argentina-expand-healthcare-benefits-retirees-and-pensioners-idb-support
Amtrak's 'Twice as Nice Sale' Lets Travelers Bring a Companion for Free on Roomette Bookings
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak's 'Twice as Nice Sale' Lets Travelers Bring a Companion for Free on Roomette Bookings
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For a limited time, travelers can bring their favorite plus one for no additional cost
WASHINGTON - Amtrak is making it 'Twice as Nice' to experience long-distance train travel this season on America's Railroad. For a limited time, customers booking a Roomette can bring a companion along for free to explore the country's most scenic routes while enjoying added comfort and privacy on board.
Offer
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak's 'Twice as Nice Sale' Lets Travelers Bring a Companion for Free on Roomette Bookings
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For a limited time, travelers can bring their favorite plus one for no additional cost
WASHINGTON - Amtrak is making it 'Twice as Nice' to experience long-distance train travel this season on America's Railroad. For a limited time, customers booking a Roomette can bring a companion along for free to explore the country's most scenic routes while enjoying added comfort and privacy on board.
Offer: Purchase a Roomette booking and bring a companion free using code C121
When: Available for tickets booked from Tuesday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025
For Travel: Between Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, and Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
Type : Roomette
Routes: California Zephyr, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Floridian, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Meteor, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, the Texas Eagle, and the northbound route of the Auto Train (Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA).
For route specific details, visit Amtrak.com/Train-Routes
Roomettes: For couples, friends, or family members seeking additional space, privacy, and relaxation while on board, a Roomette checks all the boxes. Amtrak Roomette customers receive complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding, turndown service, complimentary meals, access to a restroom and shower, plus luggage assistance. Each Roomette is equipped with newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, linens, and a large picture window for taking in scenic views.
As Heard Here : "Whether it's a weekend getaway with a family member or quality time with a close friend, Amtrak guests who travel in our Roomettes will enjoy comfort, upgraded amenities, and first class service while taking in some of the country's most breathtaking landscapes," said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch. "With our 'Twice as Nice Sale', travelers can share the experience and create lasting memories for two, all for the price of one."
Earn More and Make Your Trip More Valuable: Joining Amtrak Guest Rewards is free, and upon enrollment, members can immediately start earning points toward Amtrak reward travel and other exciting redemption options. Members earn points on every dollar spent on Amtrak travel, plus bonuses for Business Class travel and Acela First Class travel. Members can book reward travel to experience Amtrak Across America with popular city pairs available for as few as 400 points. Join today.
Details : This sale is valid for travel on all Amtrak Long Distance trains, except the southbound Auto Train. Availability is limited and blackout dates apply. For full terms and conditions on Amtrak's Roomette Free Companion Sale and to make a reservation, visit Amtrak.com/promotions/twice-as-nice.html. Customers can also book using the Amtrak app which is free to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2025/10/amtraks-twice-as-nice-sale-lets-travelers-bring-a-companion-for-free-on-roomette-bookings/
