WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on April 11, 2024: Today, Congresswoman Lee, Congressman Deluzio and U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman announced that they secured $6,669,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support the "Protect the Parkway" Floodwall Improvements Project making major safety improvements to I-376 (the Parkway East), including the flood-prone "Bathtub" in downtown Pittsburgh. The grant fo  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Robert Casey Jr., D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: Additional funding follows recent flooding that closed the critical route The Members secured $142.34 million for the highly congested thoroughfare in December 2023 100,000 daily travelers on the two arteries will see upgrades including bridge rehab, flood mitigation, traffic congestion reduction New floodwall will finally drain "the Bathtub" in downtown Pittsburgh The Members have delivered b  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued the following news release on April 10, 2024: Today, the Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development is holding a hearing on the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the issues arising from changes to the form under the Department of Education's implementation of the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act. Among students of color, 88% of   more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Department of Justice announced a new rule that would reduce the number of firearms sold without a background check and address the fire sale loophole. "For too long, families across our country have been ripped apart by the scourge of gun violence. Under the Biden Administration,  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown joined colleagues in calling on the Biden Administration to investigate China's unfair trade practices in commercial shipbuilding that undermine American workers and jeopardize our national security. Brown is supporting the United Steelworkers (USW) petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to call on United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai to initia  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) secured new investment to expand training and skills development at Columbus State Community College and Stark State College. The investment will help prepare students for good-paying jobs in growing industries in Ohio including infrastructure-related sectors like construction, transportation, high speed internet expansion, and renewable energy, and advanced manufactur  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Devex: New bill aims to give DFC watchdog law enforcement power Today, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Enhancing Development Finance Corporation Oversight Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that would grant law enforcement authority to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in order to improve  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced $3 million in Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) funding for infrastructure improvements at DiMillo's Marina in Portland and Peaks Island Marina. Funding for BIG is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and was reauthorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which C  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today applauded notice that the City of West Memphis will receive a $16,155,550 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Congressman Cohen has been active in generating support for the funding, whi  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: US Congressman Russ Fulcher joined House Energy Action Team Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) and 55 other House Republicans in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the EPA to revise the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act's so-called methane fee. In the letter, House Republicans said, "The EPA's proposed rules blatantly violate Congression  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-New York, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced a $560,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support the Allegany County Comprehensive Sewer Study Project. This crucial funding will enable Allegany County to address long-standing sewer infrastructure deficiencies. "Improving our essential infrastructure enhances the quality of life for residents, ensures the economic vitality  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) today reintroduced the Climate Change Education Act, which would establish a Climate Change Education Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide grants and technical assistance to state and local education agencies, institutions of higher learning, professio  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: At today's hearing, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, called out the Biden administration's out-of-touch child care tactics which are hurting workers and small businesses. As a mother and new grandmother, Ernst urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to pursue practical solutions to support families with small children, including bipartisan efforts lik  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: Today, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Enhancing Development Finance Corporation Oversight Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation that would grant law enforcement authority to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in order to improve oversight and accountability of U.S. foreign aid progra  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: Westchester Yard Contains 49 Trains That Are Operated By The MTA 6 Train Line U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are announcing $33.2 million in federal funding to strengthen the resiliency of the 6 train line by installing a complete stormwater drainage system at Westchester Yard in the Bronx where Pelham Bay 6 line subway trains are stored. The 6 train se  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: The Philippines, a treaty-based ally of the U.S., faces growing military threats from China and plays an important strategic role in advancing security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act of 2024 (PERA Act),a bill to strengthen and mod  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release: Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act, legislation to avert changes in an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement action that would block state child support agencies from utilizing contractors for the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program. Were they to take effect, these changes would greatly disrupt states' ability to administer c  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Biofuels Caucus co-chairs, and twenty-two other members urged the Biden Administration to allow drivers the option to choose the cleaner, cheaper E15 fuel during the summer driving season. Allowing more renewable fuels options at the pump will lower fuel prices, which have increased over 50% since President Biden took office. "Home-grown, American bi  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: United States Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act of 2024 (PERA Act), a bill to strengthen and modernize the U.S.-Philippines alliance through significantly increased U.S. security assistance. The bipartisan legislation follows increased aggression by Beijing in the South China Sea and co  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Kathy Manning, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Representatives Kathy Manning (D-NC-6), Chris Smith (R-NJ-4), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), and Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), alongside U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), respective Co-Chairs of the House and Senate Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, introduced the bipartisan Countering Antisemiti  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is receiving $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Future Grants (EFG) Program to advance river and energy system models adapted to the Columbia River Basin that will strengthen the protection and restoration efforts of native salmon. "Indigenous peoples in the  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is receiving $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Future Grants (EFG) Program to advance river and energy system models adapted to the Columbia River Basin that will strengthen the protection and restoration efforts of native salmon. "Indigenous peoples in the Pa  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release: BISMARCK - The National Park Service (NPS) announced an award of $110,950 to North Dakota from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). These funds are authorized by Congress through LWCF and allows the state to further allocate these funds to support local public parks projects, state conservation, and expand outdoor recreation access. The grants will be distributed to the following projects in N  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: 'The current debate is not even whether or not Secretary Mayorkas is guilty as charged, but whether we should even examine the question. Or whether, instead, as the Majority Leader reportedly plans to do, we should hide the evidence from the American people and avoid discussing this Administration's failures at all costs. Why? Because this is an election year. If the Majority Leader wishes to honor and pr  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on April 11, 2024: This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) helped to pass bipartisan reforms to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) that will help promote economic security and grow the middle class. The Stronger Workforce for America Act includes measures Budzinski pushed for to improve assistance to workers facing layoffs. "When workers at Akorn Pharmaceuticals and U.S. Ste  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) today delivered remarks on the Senate floor to call on lawmakers in Congress to pass additional disaster relief funding for Maui and other disaster-impacted communities across the country. "Eight months on from the devastating fires on Maui, the needs remain enormous. Thousands of people are still living out of hotels and vacation rentals, unable to rebuild their lives. Road  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, issued the following news release: Folkston, Ga. -- U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is continuing his years-long push to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Yesterday, Sen. Ossoff submitted a comment to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) opposing permits for a strip mine near the Okefenokee during the agency's public comment period, which concluded yesterday. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the agency rec  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following testimony by Meryl Harrell, deputy under secretary of Agriculture for natural resources and the environment, involving a hearing on March 12, 2024, entitled "Examine the Findings and Recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission": * * * Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discu  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following testimony by Joan Mooney, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Interior for policy, management and budget, involving a hearing on March 12, 2024, entitled "Examine the Findings and Recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission": * * * Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on the Wi  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following testimony by Cody Desautel, executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, involving a hearing on March 12, 2024, entitled "Examine the Findings and Recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission": * * * Good morning Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso and members of the Committee. I am Cody Desautel, Executive Director for the Confederated  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following testimony by Madelene McDonald, a member of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, involving a hearing on March 12, 2024, entitled "Examine the Findings and Recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission": * * * Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso, and distinguished members of the Committee, I am pleased to be invited to speak with you today to provid  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following testimony by Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, involving a hearing on March 14, 2024, entitled "U.S. Strategy in the Pacific islands Region": * * * Chairman Cardin, Ranking Member Risch, and Members of the Committee: thank you for the opportunity today to discuss how the Department of Defense (DoD) is contributing to peace and security with U.S. partners across the Pa  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following testimony by Richard M. Nephew, coordinator on global anti-corruption at the State Department, involving a hearing on March 21, 2024, entitled "Implementation of the U.S. Anti-Corruption Strategy": * * * Chairman Cardin, Ranking Member Risch, members of the Committee, thank you for holding this hearing. I am honored to testify about how the State Department is implementing the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corrup  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following testimony by Shannon Green, assistant to the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, involving a hearing on March 21, 2024, entitled "Implementation of the U.S. Anti-Corruption Strategy": * * * Chairman Cardin, Ranking Member Risch, and distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for your leadership on fighting corruption and the op  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following written testimony by Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development Bureau for Asia, involving a hearing on March 14, 2024, entitled "U.S. Strategy in the Pacific islands Region": * * * Chairman Cardin, Ranking Member Risch, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for inviting me to testify on the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands and how USAID is working to  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: Bill would establish an education and grant program in NOAA to educate the next generation of climate leaders Bill Text (PDF) Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, and Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today reintroduced the Climate Change Education Act, which would establish a Climate Chan  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $4,889,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for the Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board. The funds would be used to help complete the unfinished 8.4 miles of the Cross Range Expressway from east of Taconite to Pengilly, MN. It is the only highway that connects many cities and their estimated 50,000 popula  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $1,200,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for a project to construct the Fourth Street Southeast and 19th Avenue roundabout in Rochester. This grant will help transform this controlled 4-way intersection into a roundabout, improving traffic operations and increasing safety for all users. Klobuchar and   more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $5,000,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for the Wabasha Resiliency Project. This grant will be used to reroute Highway 60 to improve flood mitigation. Additionally, the new route will add new public infrastructure to allow for new residential and commercial developments surrounding it. "By rerouting  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $2,560,000 in federal funding for the City of Loman's Highway 11 Rainy River Slide Realignment and Resiliency Project. The project addresses two critical slope failures that threaten to close portions of Highway 11 along the Rainy River. The project will realign 1.2 miles of t  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) - members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee - introduced the Honoring Veterans' Legacies and Burial Benefits Enhancements Act to improve memorialization and burial benefits for veterans and their families. This legislation would establish a nonprofit entity that would be able to accept pri  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: Representative Angie Craig led a group of House Republicans and Democrats urging President Biden to take the steps necessary to permit the year-round sale of E15, a biofuel alternative cheaper than traditional gasoline. In their letter, the Members urged the President to issue the emergency waiver needed to allow the year-round sale of E15 to occur. The Members argued that doing so would help bolster Ame  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) introduced the Ag Vets Act. This bipartisan bill will codify an existing Ag Vets program to direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to prepare veterans for entering the farming and ranching industries. "Food security is national security," said Congressman Van Orden. "Given the previous nature  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, issued the following news release: Sen. Ossoff urges Congress to boost funding for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant Program Federal grant program helps local agencies hire officers, purchase equipment, and fund trainings Senator Jon Ossoff is urging Congress to increase funding for law enforcement. Yesterday, in a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Ossoff urged Congress to significantly increase resources for the  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release: This week, Ways and Means Republican Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced legislation, the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act, to avert changes in an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement action that would block state child support agencies from utilizing contractors for the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program. Were they to take eff  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: BOSTON, MA - Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and members of the Massachusetts delegation to celebrate the announcement that General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport in Boston will receive $22.1 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements. These projects are funded under the Bipartisan Infra  more