WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: In 2023, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) continued to advance the priorities of Missourians in the Senate, while standing up to the Biden-Schumer agenda. As a voice for Missouri, Senator Hawley acts on his constituents' needs and delivers on casework wins. 2023 Quick Facts 184 bills, resolutions, and amendments cosponsored 32 pieces of legislation introduced 1 bill signed into law by President Biden: th  more

SEATTLE, Washington, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: A 30-year-old New York City man was convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of three counts of wire fraud and two counts of bank fraud related to his abuse of the COVID-19 Pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Donte Jamal McClellon was a resident of Seattle when he submitted fals  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- AdventHealth, Altamonte Springs, Florida, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 28, 2023, and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Michael E. Griffin, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Secretary Xavier Becerra. * * * On behalf of AdventHealth, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Department of   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Advocate Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS. *   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- AHIP has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Danielle A. Lloyd, Senior Vice President, Private Market Innovations and Quality Initiatives. The comment was on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001. * * * AHIP appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the 21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Commi  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- America's Essential Hospitals has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 22, 2023, and posted on Dec. 27, 2023. The comment was signed by Bruce Siegel, President and CEO. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Secretary Xavier Becerra. * * * Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above-captioned proposed rule. America's Essential Hospitals appreciates the Department of  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- America's Physician Groups has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was Signed by Susan Dentzer, President and CEO. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Micky Tripathi, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS. * * * I. Re: 21st  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The American Academy of Dermatology Association, Des Plaines, Illinois, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Terrence A. Cronin Jr., President. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Joan Kegerize, Vice President, Reimbursement and Scientific Affairs, American Clinical Laboratory Association, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 22, 2023, and posted on Dec. 27, 2023. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. * * * T  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- B. Hadley Wilson, President, American College of Cardiology, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was posted on Dec. 27, 2023. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, * * * The American College of Cardiology (ACC) appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback the Office of the National Coor  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The American College of Emergency Physicians has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Aisha T. Terry, President. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrat  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. * * * The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), representing more than 62,000 physicians and partners in women's health and the hea  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The American Gastroenterological Association, Bethesda, Maryland, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Barbara H. Jung, President. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- American Medical Association has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 21, 2023. The comment was signed by James Madara, CEO, Executive Vice President, on behalf of the physician and medical student members of the American Medical Association. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Mic  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The American Optometric Association has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Ronald Benner, President. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. * * * The American Optometric Association (AOA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed rule 21st  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The American Psychiatric Association has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Saul M. Levin, CEO and Medical Director. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS. * * *  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- AMGA: Advancing High Performance Health, Alexandria, Virginia, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Jerry Penso, President and Chief Executive Officer. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Info  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Inspector General issued the following memorandum (No. OIG-A-2024-003) on Jan. 5, 2024, entitled "Quality Control Review of the Independent Audit of Consolidated Financial Statements for Fiscal Ended 2023:" * * * To: Jeffrey R. Moreland, Chairman, Audit and Finance Committee, Amtrak Board of Directors; Tracie A. Winbigler, Executive Vice President, Business Transformation and Chief Financial Officer From: Kevin H. Wint  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 10, 2024: Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing on the National Park Service's (NPS) deferred maintenance backlog. "The National Park Service is facing a significant and growing maintenance backlog that threatens the very infrastructure and natural resources of our nati  more

CHEVY CHASE, Maryland, Jan. 12 -- The American Society of Addiction Medicine Advocacy issued the following news release: Happy New Year! ASAM Advocacy is kicking off 2024 with a preview of the biggest regulatory developments we expect to track this year. Keep in mind that this preview is not a definitive list of everything we may see come out of the Biden Administration this year, but rather an early look at the big-ticket items. You can also download this 2024 Federal Regulatory Preview here   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Jonathan Jaffery, Chief Health Care Officer, Association of American Medical Colleges, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 29, 2023, and posted on Jan. 2, 2023. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Office of the National Coordinator; and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and   more

BROOKLYN, New York, Jan. 12 -- Brooklyn Law School issued the following news: By Teresa Novellino New York State Chief Deputy Inspector General Lynn Tabbott '86 has retired from the Offices of the Inspector General (OIG), bidding goodbye to a satisfying career in public service and to her team, although Tabbott joked that at a December farewell party, colleagues were openly "taking bets" on whether she actually could stop working. Besides energy, Tabbott displayed impressive range in her leg  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The California Hospital Association, Sacramento, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Megan Howard, Vice President, Federal Policy. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology,   more

FRESNO, California, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 38, a Mexican national residing in Arvin, was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in March 2021, Gomez delivered 26 pounds of methamphetamine to  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- California University, Riverside, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 21, 2023, and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Rodolfo H. Torres, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-OASH-2023-0014-0001, was sent to Sheila Garrity, Director, Office of Research Integrity. * * * This letter is submitted on behalf of the University of Califo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Tracy J. Wilson-Holden, Research Integrity Officer, Assistant Vice President, Research Integrity, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, has issued a public comment to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 27, 2023. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-OASH-2023-0014-0001, was sent to Sheila Garrity, Director, Office of Research Integrity. * * * This letter is submitted on behalf of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate on Jan. 10, 2024, for the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2882): * * * Bill Summary H.R. 2882 would reauthorize appropriations for three different purposes, as follows: * The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Trust Fund, which supports the Udall Foundation, an independent federal agency that provides scholarships and fellowships. The trust fund also supports the Native Nations I  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Cleveland Clinic has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 27, 2023, and posted on Dec. 28, 2023. The comment was signed by Melissa Myers, Chief of Staff, Government Relations, and Senior Director, Policy. The comment was on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001. * * * Cleveland Clinic is a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare system dedicated to patient-centered care, teaching, and research. With a foo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (Rep.) -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Here's what to watch for from House Republican committees during the week: Education and Workforce On Thursday, January 11, the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing called "Lowering Costs and Increasing Access to Health Care with Employer-Driven Innovation." * * * Energy and Commerce On Wednesday, January 10, the Subcommittee on Environmen  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11709) on Jan. 8, 2024, by natural resources policy analyst Mark K. DeSantis. Here are excerpts: * * * Department of the Interior Law Enforcement Programs Overview The Department of the Interior (DOI) employs law enforcement officers (LEOs) for a variety of purposes including fostering public safety, protecting natural and cultural resources, and enforcing federal laws and regulations  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. LSB11102) on Jan. 11, 2024, by legislative attorney Kelsey Y. Santamaria: * * * Humanitarian Parole Authority: A Legal Overview and Recent Developments Parole authority under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1182(d)(5)(A) has garnered recent attention by lawmakers. Section 1182(d)(5)(A) grants discretion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to temporarily "parole" an alien who is applying for ad  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R45122) on Dec. 4, 2023, entitled "Afghanistan - Background and U.S. Policy:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * U.S. Policy Impacts of the Taliban's Return to Power Renewed Taliban rule in Afghanistan has implications for a number of U.S. policy interests. It has created opportunities and challenges for the various terrorist groups that have a presence in Afghanistan, and has forced the Unite  more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two New York men were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford for engaging in a wide-ranging mortgage fraud scheme involving 24 mortgage loans on numerous multifamily housing properties in Hartford totaling nearly $50 million. J  more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Jan. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut issued the following news release on Jan. 10, 2024: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OLAJUWON HARRINGTON, also known as "OJ Harrington," 31, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for his theft of pandemic unemploymen  more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Boston Division, Acting Inspector General Heather M. Hill of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Connecticut will receive federal funding to purchase 50 electric school buses for two school districts as the Biden administration continues rolling out its infrastructure plans. A Connecticut-based bus company is one of 67 recipients to receive an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition, which aims to improve air quality for students and   more

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Jan. 9 -- The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: On January 1, 2024, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was officially reorganized into three separate departments in accordance with House Bill 2006. The legislation passed during the 2023 Legislative Session and was signed by Governor Jim Justice on March 6, 2023. Governor Jim Justice appointed Sherri A. Young, D.O.,   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Defense Inspector General issued the following management advisory (DODIG-2024-041) on Jan. 5, 2024, regarding the audit of Remote Maintenance and Distribution Cell-Ukraine restructuring contract award. Here are excerpts: * * * MEMORANDUM FOR AUDITOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY; COMMANDER, U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND SUBJECT: Management Advisory: Audit of Remote Maintenance and Distribution Cell-Ukraine Restructuring Contract Award (Report No. DODIG-2024-041) The pu  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news on Jan. 9, 2024: Inspector General (IG) Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the report titled "Evaluation of the DoD Internal Controls Related to Patient Eligibility and Pharmaceutical Management within the National Capital Region Executive Medicine Services." The report examined the extent to which  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news on Jan. 9, 2024: Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released the "Management Advisory: Audit of Remote Maintenance and Distribution Cell-Ukraine Restructuring Contract Award." This management advisory provides interim results of the DoD OIG's broader review of the extent to which Army contracting personnel fo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Earthjustice with seven collaborators has issued a public comment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The comment was written on Dec. 22, 2023, and posted on Dec. 26, 2023. The comment was on Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0872. * * * Earthjustice, Sierra Club - Lonestar Chapter, Sierra Club, Air Alliance Houston, Midlothian Breathe, Environment Texas, Coalition for Responsible Environmental Aggregate Mining (CREAM), and Texas Health and Environment Alliance, Inc.,   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Brian Vamstad, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Essentia Health, Duluth, Minnesota, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 29, 2023, and posted on Jan. 2, 2023. The comment was on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001. * * * On behalf of Essentia Health, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking propo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General issued the following news on Jan. 11, 2024: Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released the report, "Evaluation of the DoD's Enhanced End-Use Monitoring of Defense Articles Provided to Ukraine." The report found that, while the DoD has improved its execution of enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM) since the full-scale invasion of Ukrain  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Export-Import Bank of the United States Office of Inspector General issued the following news release: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis and Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) CEO Saad Bin Abdulaziz AlKhalb today officially exchanged a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the financing of U.S. exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MOU will encourage collaboration between E  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (TNSRep) -- The Federal Communications Commission Inspector General issued the following xx-page audit report (No. 23-EVAL-05-01) on Jan. 5, 2024, entitled "Fiscal 2023 Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 Evaluation." Here are excerpts: * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Evaluation Purpose ... 2 II. Background ... 2 III. Evaluation Results ... 4 IV. Recommendations ... 6 APPENDIX A: MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE TO DETAILED FISMA REPORT ... 7 APPENDIX B: ACRO  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The Federal Election Commission has issued a rule, published in the Federal Register on Jan. 2, 2024, entitled "Technological Modernization." The rule was issued by Dara Lindenbaum, Chair. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: These final rules modernize Federal Election Commission regulations in light of technological advances in communications, recordkeeping, and financial transactions, such as the making of contributions and expenditures through internet-based payment p  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Federation for American Immigration Reform has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Dan Stein, President. The comment was on Docket No. USCIS-2023-0005. * * * The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) respectfully submits the following public comments to the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) in response to the Department's Notice of Propos  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Federation of American Hospitals has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Charles N. Kahn III, President and CEO. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS; and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. * * * The   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Franciscan Alliance, Beech Grove, Indiana, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2023. The comment was signed by Dick Roskam, Chief Medical Information Officer; Joe Schnecker, Medical Director Informatics; and Lisa Moore, Program Manager, EHR Programs. The comment was on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001. * * * Franciscan Alliance appreciates the opportunity to submit our comments o  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Jodie L. Hurwitz, President, Heart Rhythm Society, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. * * * On behalf of the Heart Rhyth  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 10 -- The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society issued the following news: HIMSS supported the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) proposals for provider disincentives for information blocking and recommended providing resources and education for providers to facilitate appropriate access to electronic health information. These public comments were submitted by HIMSS in response to the 21st Cen  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on Jan. 9, 2024: * * * House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an additional $1 billion in grants for President Biden's electric school bus plan: "The Biden administration is giving away another billion dollars of taxpayer money   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on Jan. 11, 2024: * * * House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to accurately report $7 billion of its fiscal year 2022 spending as revealed in an EPA Inspector General report: "It's outrageous and unacceptable that the EPA canno  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The House Financial Services Committee issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration" at 10 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2024, at 2128 Rayburn House Office Building: Witnesses * The Honorable Marcia Fudge, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Legislation * H.R. 2771, the "Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act of 2023" * H.R. 3405, the "Housing PLUS Act  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: Yesterday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul delivered remarks at the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia's hearing entitled, "Examining the Biden Administration's Afghanistan Policy Since the U.S. Withdrawal: Part II." Following his remarks, Chairman McCaul questioned witnesses on the Biden administration's dis  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following commentary to the Fox News on Jan. 10, 2024: * * * Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) published an op-ed in Fox News explaining why the Committee is this week initiating impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In the op-ed, Chairman Green lays out the evidence gathered   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: In a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) demanded the IRS provide the Committee with a detailed plan regarding how the agency will protect taxpayers' private information following high-profile leaks to news organizations in recent years, including by prov  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today renewed an effort to ensure the long-term integrity of Medicaid by preventing liberal states like California from forcing American citizens in other states to subsidize state programs that expand Medicaid benefits to illegal immigrants. Hyde-Smith is an original cosponsor of the Protect Medicaid Act, which was reintroduced by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Indiana University, Indianapolis, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 21, 2023, and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Russell J. Mumper, Vice President for Research. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-OASH-2023-0014-0001, was sent to Sheila Garrity, Director, Office of Research Integrity. * * * This letter is submitted on behalf of Indiana University in response to the Notice of Pr  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news on Jan. 11, 2024: By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News The Defense Department's inspector general yesterday sent a memorandum announcing a review examining the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to the secretary of defense's recent hospitalization. "[The review will] assess whether the DOD's policies and procedures are sufficient to ensure timely and appropriate notifications and the effectiv  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service issued the following news release on Jan. 9, 2024: The Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners today alerted tax professionals to watch out for a new round of filing season-related email schemes where cybercriminals pose as potential clients. Previously, the IRS observed a surge in these seasonal "new client" scams where identity thieves target accounting groups and tax preparation firms wit  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) Corrections Officer, Robert D. Smith, 38, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of sexual abuse of a ward. "Today, Robert Smith pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a woman in his custody, in violation of the law and his sworn duty as a Federal Bureau of Prisons officer," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. "This prosecution is   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: Clinical laboratory RDx Bioscience Inc. (RDx), of Kenilworth, New Jersey, and its owner and Chief Executive Officer Eric Leykin, of Brooklyn, New York, have agreed to pay to the United States $10,315,023 to resolve False Claims Act allegations involving illegal kickbacks and medically unnecessary laboratory testing. RDx and Leykin will pay an additional $2,934,977 to the State of New Jersey, which jointly f  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 11 -- K&L Gates, a law firm, issued the following news release: Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has added Alicia Hawley as an of counsel in its Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice area. Hawley joins the firm's Chicago office from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. With more than two decades of experience, Hawley focuses on both routine and complex e-discovery matters, best practices, case and narrative development, fact investigations, and discovery strategy. Blen  more

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: A Larue County, Kentucky, couple was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months in federal prison today for conspiring to steal hydrocodone and oxycodone from a pharmacy to sell. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett,  more

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana, Jan. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana issued the following news release on Jan. 12, 2024: Former Shreveport Police Department officer Jeffrey L. Peters, 55, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby presided over the guilty plea hearing which was held in United States District Court. While employed as a Lieuten  more

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana issued the following news release: United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Chassidy Bell, 34, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting healthcare fraud. Bell pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby on January 10, 2024. Bell was employed as a Mental Health Specialist at Community Health Care Solutions, LLC (Community Healt  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Jonathan Lips, Vice President, Legal Affairs, LeadingAge, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Jan. 2, 2024, and posted on Jan. 3, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. * * * On behalf of our members and partners   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Chris Van Hollen (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) - joined by Virginia Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) urge Senate and House Appropriations leadership to  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Rep. C.A. 'Dutch' Ruppersberger, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: The Democratic members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation - Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David J. Trone, and Glenn Ivey - joined by Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Representative Bobby Scott urge Senate and House Appropriations leadership to prioritize funding of NASA G  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: The Democratic members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation - Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David J. Trone, and Glenn Ivey - joined by Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Representative Bobby Scott urge Senate and House Appropriations leadership to prioritize funding of NASA Goddard, which al  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Deborah Adair, Executive Director, Health Information Management, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, Massachusetts, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Jan. 2, 2024, and posted on Jan. 3, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. * * * On behalf of Mass General Brigha  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release on Jan. 10, 2024: U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Reginald Alphonso Hopkins, age 52, of Prince George's County, Maryland, today to two years in federal prison, followed by one year of home confinement as part of three years of supervised release, for a wire fraud conspiracy relating to the submission of fraudulent claims for the Paycheck Protection Prog  more

GREENBELT, Maryland, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland issued the following news release: U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced Denish Sahadevan, a/k/a "Danny Devan," age 32, of Potomac, Maryland, today to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering, relating to his scheme to defraud lenders and the Small Business Administration ("SBA") of more than $  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Becky Wifstrand, Director of Federal Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Minnesota Hospital Association, St. Paul, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Jan. 2, 2024, and posted on Jan. 3, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. * * * On behalf of our member hospitals and health systems, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) offers the following  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Jan. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Jan. 10, 2024: A clinical laboratory and its owner and chief executive officer have agreed to pay $13.25 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations involving illegal kickbacks and medically unnecessary laboratory testing, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. RDx Bioscience Inc. (RDx), of Kenilworth, New Jersey, and its owner and chief executive o  more

NEWARK, New Jersey, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: A New York man was indicted today for conspiring to illegally obtain over $444,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Jose Tavares, 35, of Bronx New York, is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Tavares' alleged conspirators, Yanira Abreu, 42, of Keasby, New Jersey, and   more

BROOKLYN, New York, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued the following news release: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, former federal correction officer Quandelle Joseph, formerly employed by the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP), pleaded guilty to receiving bribes in exchange for providing contraband to individuals detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. Today's proceeding was held before United States Di  more

ALBANY, New York, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: John T. Cox, age 61, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to mail fraud and stealing money from a federally funded governmental agency. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge o  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Clif Gaus, President and CEO, National Association of Accountable Care Organizations, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2023. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. * * * The National Association of   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The National Center for Health Research, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was posted on Jan. 3, 2024. The comment was on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018. * * * We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the 21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking.   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Margaret E. O'Kane, President, National Committee for Quality Assurance, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Jan. 2, 2024, and posted on Jan. 3, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. * * * The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) thanks you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the 21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of D  more

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Jan. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada issued the following news release: A North Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 19 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for submitting at least 56 fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of himself and others totaling more than $1.1 million dollars over the course of more than six months. Acco  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The Military Officers Association of America issued the following news: [Category: National Defense] This article by Karen Jowers originally appeared on Military Times, the nation's largest independent newsroom dedicated to covering the military and veteran community. Military families in the coming year can expect to see stronger protections for their tenant rights as part of the latest defense policy law enacted in December. A new housing-focused working group, creat  more

ALBANY, New York, Jan. 11 -- Nixon Peabody, a law firm, issued the following news release: Nixon Peabody LLP continues to expand its Healthcare practice on the West Coast with the arrival of counsel Patrick Callaghan, who advises clients across the healthcare industry on transactions and regulatory matters. Based in Nixon Peabody's Los Angeles office, Patrick's clients include health systems and primary care and specialty practices, such as ophthalmology, fertility, behavioral health, and onco  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment was signed by Aaron D. Clark, Chair - Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical Director of Value Based Care, Division of Home and Post-Acute Care, Medical Director/QualityAssurance & Improvement Officer, Ohio State Health Inc. ACO. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-202  more

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Jan. 9 -- The Oklahoma Department of Corrections issued the following news: The Oklahoma Department of Corrections signed a lease agreement with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to help reduce ODOC's overall administrative footprint. With this move, ODOC will relocate three Probation and Parole offices and a technology unit to the administrative complex located at 3400 N. Martin Luther King Ave. in Oklahoma City. This move will occur after that building is renovated.   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Dana Director, Vice President for Research Administration & Senior Staff Officer, Institutional Official; and Kara Drolet, Associate Vice President for Research Integrity, Conflict of Interest Officer, Research Integrity Officer." The comment, on Docket No. HHS-OASH-2  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Pennsylvania State University has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 12, 2023, and posted on Dec. 22, 2023. The comment was signed by Debra Thurley, Associate Vice President of Research and Deputy Research Integrity Officer; and Courtney Karmelita, Research Integrity Officer and Executive Director, Ethical Research and Outreach. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-OASH-2023-0014-0001, was sent to She  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following transcript of a news briefing on Jan. 11, 2024, by Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder: * * * MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, everyone. A few things at the top, and then we'll get right to your questions. Secretary Austin remains hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition, according to his doctors. He continues to recover well and is focused on executing his duties as  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following transcript of a news briefing on Jan. 9, 2024, by Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder: * * * MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks very much for your patience. I do have quite a few things to pass along today at the top, so appreciate your patience. Secretary Austin currently remains hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition. By now, you should have seen   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- The Planned Parenthood Federation of America has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Dec. 28, 2023, and posted on Dec. 29, 2023. The comment was signed by Laurel Sakai, National Director, Public Policy. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Tech  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following white paper (No. RISC-WP-24-002) on Jan. 8, 2023, entitled "Postal Retirement Funds in Perspective: Historical Evolution and Ongoing Challenges." Here are excerpts: * * * * Retirement-related costs were 11.7 percent of operating expenses in FY 2023, a significant cost for the Postal Service. * USPS has higher retirement liabilities than other agencies and must pay these costs through revenue rather than thro  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The White House issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in his Administration: * Nelson W. Cunningham, Nominee for Deputy United States Trade Representative * James R. Ives, Nominee to be Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury * Stephen Ravas, Nominee to be Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service * Leona  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Following a recent trip to our Nation's Southern Border with Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican colleagues, Rep. Bergman has continued highlighting the crisis at the border and the failed Biden policies that have led to historic illegal immigration. Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans highlighted 64 instances of the Biden Administration undermining border security policy and encouraging illegal  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., introduced the "7 October Hamas Attack Evaluation and Intelligence Sharing Act" on Dec. 11, 2023. The text of the bill was released on Jan. 9. H.R. 6694. A bill to direct the Director of National Intelligence to take certain actions to evaluate the attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, and related intelligence sharing efforts, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committe  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following statement on Jan. 12, 2024, by Chair Gary Gensler on unauthorized access to the @SECGov X.com account: * * * Based on current information, staff understands that, shortly after 4:00 pm ET on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, an unauthorized party gained access to the @SECGov X.com account by obtaining control over the phone number associated with the account. The unauthorized party made one post at 4:11 pm ET purporting  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) joined U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing legislation to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize Medicaid benefits for illegal immigrants. The Protect Medicaid Act prohibits federal money from being spent on administering state Medicaid benefits paid for by   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., introduced the "Postal Delivery Accountability Act" on Dec. 4, 2023. The text of the bill was released on Jan. 3. S. 3391. A bill to require the Postal Service to implement recommendations from the Inspector General of the United States Postal Service for improving identification and notification of undelivered and partially delivered routes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The bill is cospo  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, introduced the "College Admissions Accountability Act" on Dec. 5, 2023. The text of the bill was released on Jan. 7. S. 3396. A bill to establish the Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education within the Department of Education; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Ted Budd, R-N.C., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: Today, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III regarding the Department's communications while the Secretary was receiving medical care. The Senators expressed their concerns about the lapse in procedure and called for specific issues to be addressed in the Department's f  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: Following the recent Alaska Airlines flight 1282 incident, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today wrote to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker requesting documents and information related to FAA's safety over  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today sent letters to the CEOs of four pharmaceutical companies launching a major investigation into the extremely high prices  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (TNSres) -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 8, 2024: Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a troubling report detailing how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) weaponizes its enforcement power on behalf of unions, enabling American workers to be press  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: Today, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2024, legislation to empower students to file civil rights complaints if they experience violence or ha  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement on the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General's announcement that it will conduct a review of the notification procedures related to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization: "I welcome the Department of Defense Inspe  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Jan. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's New England Division issued the following news release: ST. LOUIS - Two doctors from the St. Louis area were indicted Wednesday and accused of illegally administering ketamine to patients and fraudulently billing Medicare for certain services related to a psychiatric clinic. Dr. Asim Muhammad Ali, 53, and Dr. Mohd Azfar Malik, 70, were each indicted on 22 felony counts: conspiracy to illegally di  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 11 (TNSres) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that, in fiscal year 2023, the Office of the Attorney General ("OAG") recovered more than $200 million from entities and individuals who defrauded the Texas Medicaid system or were accused of doing so. The OAG's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit ("MFCU") and Civil Medicaid Fraud Division released the findings in a joint annual report with the Texas He  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 13 -- The Texas Education Agency issued the following document from Commissioner Mike Morath on Jan. 11, 2024: * * * Subject: School Health and Related Services (SHARS) Reimbursement Category: Finance and Programs Next Steps: Budget planning * * * Appeal Deadline The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) issued School Health and Related Services (SHARS) cost report settlement notices to local education agencies (LEAs) through the State of Texas Automated In  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Barclay E. Berdan, Chief Executive Officer, Texas Health Resources, Arlington, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Jan. 2, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. * * * As one of the state's largest fait  more

LAREDO, Texas, Jan. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release: Two Mexican citizens illegally present in the United States have been taken into federal custody on charges relating to conspiracies to forge I-551 stamps as part of human smuggling activities, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Juan Francisco Reyna-Robles, 52, is set to make an initial appearance Jan. 11 at 9:40 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Q  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (TNSrep) -- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration issued the following audit report (No. 2024-IE-R004) on Jan. 8, 2024, entitled "Assessment of the IRS's Comprehensive Facilities Security Review and Employee Safety and Security Measures." Here are excerpts: * * * Highlights Why TIGTA Did This Evaluation In an August 20, 2022, letter to the IRS Commissioner, the President of the National Treasury Employees Union requested that the IRS assess the security   more

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Jan. 12 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri issued the following news release on Jan. 11, 2024: Two St. Louis, Missouri area doctors were indicted Wednesday and accused of illegally administering ketamine to patients and fraudulently billing Medicare for certain services related to a psychiatric clinic. Dr. Asim Muhammad Ali, 53, and Dr. Mohd Azfar Malik, 70, were each indicted on 22 felony counts: conspiracy to illegally distribute cont  more

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Jan. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa issued the following news release: A former Iowa businessman who defrauded the federal and state governments out of over $150,000 in pandemic benefits, and who also possessed firearms and ammunition after multiple prior felony convictions, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison. Justin Eugene Dowie, age 41, from Cedar Rapids, received the prison term after pleading guilty on July 19, 202  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 -- Dawn A. Bonnell, Senior Vice Provost for Research and Henry Robinson Towne Professor of Engineering and Applied Science, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, have issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written and posted on Dec. 24, 2023. The comment, on Docket No. xxxx, was sent to Sheila Garrity, Director, Office of Research Integrity. * * * This letter is submitted on behalf of the Univers  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Alex R. Currie, Vice President of Federal Relations, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has issued a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The comment was written on Jan. 2, 2024, and posted on Jan. 3, 2024. The comment, on Docket No. HHS-ONC-2023-0018-0001, was sent to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator, Office of the National Coordinator for Health I  more

BECKLEY, West Virginia, Jan. 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia issued the following news release on Jan. 12, 2024: Cody Adam Bays, 32, of Beaver, pleaded guilty today to providing contraband to an in inmate of a federal prison. According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 7, 2022, and February 14, 2023, Bays was a correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Beckley when he provided contraband items  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: Members of CHIPS Investment Team Passed Through Revolving Door Between Government and Wall Street, Risking Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars "Instead of building a broad-based team of experts from different sectors of government and the private sector, the Department has 'been quietly building a small team of elite Wall Street financiers' to dole out (CHIPS) funds." Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Eliza  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The White House sent to the Senate on Jan. 11, 2024, the nominations of the 43 individuals for positions in the federal government: * * * * Jennifer M. Adams, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cabo Verde. * Joseph R. Adams, of West Virginia, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia for the  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., urged the Inspector General of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to open an investigation into the recent hack of the SEC's social media account and the SEC's apparent failure to follow cybersecurity best practices, in a letter released today. On January 9, 2024, the SEC revealed that an unknown party had hacked its  more