Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: Can a Bat Catch Prey on a Mirror? A Bat's Expert Foraging Skills Revealed Using a Robot
PANAMA CITY, Panama, Jan. 17 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
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Acoustic Mirroring
Can a bat catch prey on a mirror? A bat's expert foraging skills revealed using a robot
Researchers demonstrate the first plausible mechanism for the acoustic mirroring effect in tropical bats
By Benjamin Marcus
Scientists built a robot to help explain how a tropical bat spots insects perched on leaves using echolocation, a highly sophisticated behavior that requires precise, split-second decision making on the part of the hunting bat. In a study published in the
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PANAMA CITY, Panama, Jan. 17 -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
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Acoustic Mirroring
Can a bat catch prey on a mirror? A bat's expert foraging skills revealed using a robot
Researchers demonstrate the first plausible mechanism for the acoustic mirroring effect in tropical bats
By Benjamin Marcus
Scientists built a robot to help explain how a tropical bat spots insects perched on leaves using echolocation, a highly sophisticated behavior that requires precise, split-second decision making on the part of the hunting bat. In a study published in theJournal of Experimental Biology, a bat researcher at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) teamed up with two robotics engineers from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Antwerp, respectively, to provide the first plausible explanation for how the common big-eared bat (Micronycteris microtis) can efficiently determine whether a leaf is occupied by a silent insect amidst the dense, cluttered understory of the tropical rainforest using only sound.
Co-author Inga Geipel, a research associate at STRI, previously suggested that M. microtis detects silent prey by scanning leaves with sound from an angle, akin to a human viewing a mirror from the side, and listening for an echo that indicates prey is there. If the leaf is unoccupied, then the bat's sounds will bounce off the leaf and away from the bat, and the bat will not hear an echo. If the leaf is occupied by prey, then most of the echo will reflect away from the bat, but some will bounce off the prey and back to the bat, signaling it has found a meal.
But Geipel's theory suggests that for the bat to know the angle at which it should approach a leaf to be able to detect prey, it first needs to know the orientation and position of each leaf. Taking those measurements, however, would cost the bat significant time and energy, so the researchers proposed that the bats can zoom in on the interesting leaves merely by taking advantage of the steadiness of the echoes originating from their prey perched upon them.
"I always have been amazed how these small animals can not only navigate the complex entanglement of a forest understory in complete darkness, but also how they find and catch tiny insects with an incredible accuracy, using their own sounds," Geipel said. "Still, we only have a limited understanding of how bats hunt in this crowded environment, and our study helps explain how they are able to accomplish this challenging task."
Using a Robot To Model Foraging Behavior
To model the bats' hypothesized foraging technique, the research team built a robot and programmed it to emit ultrasonic signals and follow the echoes from carboard leaves--without measuring the size or orientation of the leaves themselves. The robot randomly explored a set of these model leaves, one of which featured a fake dragonfly, until it detected an echo, and it moved in the direction of the echo. If the echo got too weak--which in nature, would indicate the leaf is unoccupied--the robot would move on.
"Behavioral experiments had already suggested how these bats might solve the problem of finding prey-occupied leaves, but we wanted to know whether that explanation was actually sufficient to make the behavior work," said Dieter Vanderelst, the paper's lead author and an associate professor of biology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. "By building the bat's hypothesized foraging strategy into a robot and testing it in the physical world, we could ask whether a simple, elegant solution can succeed under complex acoustic conditions."
Using the described algorithm, the robot was able to distinguish between leaves occupied by the dragonfly model and vacant leaves. It successfully detected the dragonfly 98% of the time and wrongly signaled the presence of prey on unoccupied leaves only 18% of the time. As it swept across the leaves, the robot collected data that demonstrated how it made the distinction: If a leaf was unoccupied, the echo volume peaked and dropped quickly as the robot approached the smooth leaf from different angles, while an occupied leaf produced stable echoes regardless of the angle, since the three-dimensional insect reflected the echo in many different directions. The robot was most accurate when approaching the leaf from the angles at which these bats typically approach leaves in nature. This model demonstrates that bats could detect prey using a leaf as a mirror without having to determine the leaf's position and orientation first.
"What fascinates me most is that by flying at a well-chosen height, the bats can use leaves as mirrors to automatically restrict their attention to particular leaves of interest," said Herbert Peremans, the study's senior author and a professor of robotics at the University of Antwerp. "This example nicely shows that nature doesn't evolve components; it evolves systems. It is the dynamic interaction between the bat and the environment--through SONAR--that makes this hunting behavior work."
These data expand the understanding of how M. microtis and other bats that catch prey from surfaces, can forage so efficiently. The method by which they scan leaves for prey could potentially help inform the design of new SONAR systems for use in agriculture, such as for the detection of fruit in trees or pests on crops--designs that translate foraging efficiency in bats into efficiency in food production for humans and other animals.
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Original text here: https://stri.si.edu/story/acoustic-mirroring
National Museum of Asian Art Explores the Power of Water in New Exhibition Featuring Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Asian Art issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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National Museum of Asian Art Explores the Power of Water in New Exhibition Featuring Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art will present "Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings," a compelling new exhibition opening April 2, and on view through Aug. 23. This is the first-ever showing of two recent paintings--by artists Hiroshi Senju (born 1958) and Bingyi (born 1975)--that present distinct, hypnotic
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Asian Art issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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National Museum of Asian Art Explores the Power of Water in New Exhibition Featuring Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art will present "Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings," a compelling new exhibition opening April 2, and on view through Aug. 23. This is the first-ever showing of two recent paintings--by artists Hiroshi Senju (born 1958) and Bingyi (born 1975)--that present distinct, hypnoticvisualizations of water. Through their work, these artists explore water's dual essence: permanent yet vulnerable, nurturing yet destructive, mysterious yet mundane.
By acquiring these unique artworks, the museum continues to grow its contemporary collections and showcases the evolving visual cultures of Asia in the 21st century. "The National Museum of Asian Art was the first museum in the United States to have a dedicated program in contemporary Asian art, and this dedication remains a constant for us," said Chase F. Robinson, the museum's director. "The work of today's artists is that much richer when contextualized by history. At the same time, artists like Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi redefine our understanding of Asia and the global art scene."
Senju and Bingyi join a growing roster of contemporary artists represented in the museum's collections, including Xu Bing, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Yayoi Kusama, Do-Ho Suh and Jananne Al-Ani, among many others.
Both artists work in traditional materials but reimagine their cultures' rich artistic traditions with their own bold experiments. Senju reconfigures traditional Japanese painting with contemporary techniques and abstracts real waterfalls into idealized images. Often painting outdoors, Bingyi intuitively channels raw nature but also draws from Chinese ink painting and philosophy. This exhibition offers insight into each artist's creative process, influences, and artistic ethos.
Bingyi's group of three hanging scrolls began with cloth and paper wrapped around an uprooted tree on a beach. As she painted, she let the sea breeze and humidity affect the paper and ink. In this way, she blurs the line between artist and environment. She completed the work in her studio during the COVID-19 lockdown. The paintings' layers of pooled ink and meticulous brushwork conjure an image of peach blossom petals submerged by a torrent and rising to the surface.
"Creation lies beyond all human limitations," Bingyi said. "Like water, art liberates, nurtures, and connects. Showing with Senju at the National Museum of Asian Art means that, in creativity, we are eternally united and liberated."
Waterfalls are the central icon of Senju's oeuvre, and his serial renditions of this subject have been compared to abstract expressionism. In his art practice, he uses a combination of Japanese traditional brushes, spray guns and poured pigment on Japanese paper. His pair of folding screens in this exhibition draws inspiration from the museum's collections, including the dripping glazes on ceramics and Katsushika Hokusai's waterfall prints.
"In my paintings, I am expressing the awe and the joy of living on Earth," Senju said. "On this planet, we have perfect gravity, temperatures creating and sustaining life, and we have water. I am moved by the fact that this is a miracle of the universe."
These two artists exemplify the internationalism of the contemporary art community. Raised in China, Bingyi attended college and graduate school in the United States and now splits her time between the two countries. She holds a doctorate from Yale University in Chinese art history and archaeology and began devoting herself to art in her early 30s. Hiroshi Senju was born in Japan and completed the doctoral course in Japanese-style painting (nihonga) at the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts. He splits his time between Japan and his studio in New York.
Generous support for this exhibition and the museum's Japanese art program is provided by Mitsubishi.
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About Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) is committed to preserving, exhibiting, researching and interpreting art in ways that deepen the public and scholarly understandings of Asia and the world. NMAA opened in 1923 as America's first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. The museum now stewards one of the world's most important collections of Asian art, with works dating from antiquity to the present, from China, Japan, Korea, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the pre-Islamic Near East and the Islamic world (inclusive of Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa). The museum also stewards an important collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art.
Today, NMAA is emerging as a leading national and global resource for understanding the arts, cultures and societies of Asia, especially at their intersection with America. Guided by the belief that the future of art museums lies in collaboration, increased access and transparency, NMAA is fostering new ways to engage with its audiences while enhancing its commitment to excellence.
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum is free and open 364 days a year (closed Dec. 25). The Smithsonian, which is the world's largest museum, education and research complex, welcomes 20-30 million visitors yearly. For more information about the National Museum of Asian Art, visit asia.si.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-asian-art-explores-power-water-new-exhibition-featuring-hiroshi
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: Report Calls for Increased Focus on Mariner Health and Well-Being, Prohibition of Alcohol for Crew of U.S. Vessels
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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Report Calls for Increased Focus on Mariner Health and Well-Being, Prohibition of Alcohol for Crew of U.S. Vessels
The U.S. maritime industry plays a critical role in the nation's economy and defense, but existing policies and practices fail to meet the needs of this large and crucial workforce. In recent years, high-profile instances of sexual misconduct involving alcohol use have put a spotlight on these challenges and prompted the need for action.
A new congressionally
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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Report Calls for Increased Focus on Mariner Health and Well-Being, Prohibition of Alcohol for Crew of U.S. Vessels
The U.S. maritime industry plays a critical role in the nation's economy and defense, but existing policies and practices fail to meet the needs of this large and crucial workforce. In recent years, high-profile instances of sexual misconduct involving alcohol use have put a spotlight on these challenges and prompted the need for action.
A new congressionallymandated report (https://www.nationalacademies.org/publications/29213) from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for the prohibition of alcohol possession and use by crew on ships registered in the United States and systemic reforms to prevent interpersonal violence, including sexual misconduct, and to improve mariner health and well-being. With a focus on actions that can be taken by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the report also makes recommendations to improve training, credentialing, and recredentialing at maritime academies and throughout a mariner's career.
"Promoting health and wellness and preventing harm will drive long-term, meaningful change in the maritime industry," said Joshua M. Sharfstein, vice dean for public health practice and community engagement and distinguished professor of the practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "Our recommendations seek to protect our mariners and ensure they have a work environment free of substance misuse and sexual misconduct."
Updating Policies on Alcohol Use and Intake
Misuse of alcohol on maritime vessels has led to accidents and incidents of harmful and dangerous behaviors, including sexual misconduct. The report recommends a prohibition of alcohol possession and use by crew on U.S.-flagged vessels and says the Coast Guard should also update maritime policies to align with those of other transportation industries on acceptable blood alcohol content (BAC) limits and institute reasonable-cause tests to identify mariners in violation of those policies. Alcohol should also be included in random testing programs, and monitoring and compliance practices should meet industry best practices.
Mariner credentialing should be updated to incorporate validated screening tools for alcohol and other substance misuse to help identify applicants at risk of impairment and assist in guiding them to appropriate interventions, the report says. Credentialed mariners should be required to disclose new convictions or administrative actions related to alcohol and substance misuse, which should be considered prior to credential renewal periods.
Prevention, Response, and Accountability
The committee found that existing policies pertaining to substance misuse and sexual misconduct are disjointed and often do not meet the standards of other safety-critical, high-reliability industries. The report urges the Coast Guard to implement better reporting policies that include appropriate amnesty for individuals reporting substance misuse and sexual misconduct, protecting people from retaliation, and mandatory trauma-informed training for personnel responding to such cases. Accountability mechanisms for captains and other senior leadership need to be strengthened, and research and guidelines on best practices should be developed and implemented.
Established in 2021, following allegations of sexual misconduct on commercial vessels, the Every Mariner Builds a Respectful Culture (EMBARC) program is a voluntary sexual-assault prevention and response initiative. The committee examined EMBARC and recommended that MARAD study the program further to determine its effectiveness in preventing sexual misconduct and other prohibited behavior on vessels. Additionally, the Coast Guard should identify and adopt industry-wide standards for sexual misconduct prevention and response that apply to all U.S.-flagged vessels, not just those that participate in EMBARC.
Mariner Well-Being and Mental Health
In addition to practical barriers that limit access to physical and mental health services while on duty, there are policies that can prevent mariners from accessing the care they need. The report recommends MARAD conduct research into different interventions and their impact on mariner health and well-being and assess current insurance coverage, employee assistance programs, and clinician licensing rules to ensure mariners have access to effective treatments and support programs.
State telemedicine laws can restrict medical providers in one state from providing care to mariners while on ships out of state. Congress is urged to consider legislation allowing medical professionals to provide care to mariners regardless of location.
The committee spoke to leaders of maritime education and training programs and identified challenges that they face with alcohol misuse and sexual misconduct on their campuses. To promote cultural changes and set high expectations for mariner behavior from the onset of their careers, MARAD should provide maritime academies and training institutes with guidance and training materials that address substance misuse and sexual misconduct. Adherence to the guidance should be evaluated for positive impact and included in the institutions' accreditation activities.
Data Collection
The committee noted that there is limited evidence on the true scope of substance misuse and its consequences in the maritime industry. The Coast Guard should initiate a data collection effort for the entire U.S. maritime industry, incorporating results from cadet surveys, alcohol and other substance testing, disciplinary actions for sexual misconduct, mariner surveys, and other relevant sources. The surveys should assess population-level prevalence of risky behaviors, trends over time, and the degree to which they are reported.
Undertaken by the Committee on Alcohol at Sea, the study was sponsored the U.S. Coast Guard.
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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/new-report-calls-for-increased-focus-on-mariner-health-and-well-being-prohibition-of-alcohol-for-crew-of-u-s-vessels
IDB Launches pound sterling1 Billion Fixed-Rate Benchmark Bond
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Launches pound sterling1 billion Fixed-Rate Benchmark Bond
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) completed a pound sterling1 billion fixed-rate benchmark bond issuance, its largest-ever transaction in sterling and its first benchmark issuance in the currency in 2026.
The bond reflects strong investor demand, with orders exceeding pound sterling2.2 billion, more than double the amount issued. This high level of interest underscores the Bank's solid credit and its long-standing presence
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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IDB Launches pound sterling1 billion Fixed-Rate Benchmark Bond
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) completed a pound sterling1 billion fixed-rate benchmark bond issuance, its largest-ever transaction in sterling and its first benchmark issuance in the currency in 2026.
The bond reflects strong investor demand, with orders exceeding pound sterling2.2 billion, more than double the amount issued. This high level of interest underscores the Bank's solid credit and its long-standing presencein the international capital markets. The bond, which matures in July 2031, offers a fixed annual interest rate of 4.000 % and was priced in line with prevailing market conditions.
"We are pleased with the strong response to our largest sterling transaction to date in the primary market," said Laura Fan, IDB Head of Funding. "The high-quality demand we received reflects investors' confidence in the IDB and their continued interest in supporting sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean."
"Congratulations to the IDB team on an exceptional start to 2026 with their largest sterling-denominated transaction to date, reinforcing the issuer's premier standing among supranational, sovereign, and agency (SSA) investors," said Alex Paterson, Managing Director and head of SSA DCM at Barclays. "The strength of demand is a clear testament to IDB's thoughtful execution strategy and ability to time the market effectively, capitalizing on early-year momentum in sterling primary activity. Barclays was delighted to support this landmark transaction."
"IDB has opened 2026 on a strong footing, printing its largest sterling transaction to date off the back of its largest orderbook in the currency," said James Taunton, Managing Director and Head of Public Sector Origination, Europe, at RBC Capital Markets. "The fact IDB was able to achieve this outcome at the tightest reoffer spread for a new July-2031 issuance thus far this year underlines its strong investor recognition within the GBP market. Many congratulations to the team involved."
"Congratulations to the IDB team on today's record-breaking sterling transaction. The deal attracted exceptional demand, resulting in issuer's biggest ever orderbook and syndication size for sterling trade, a testament to IDB's credit quality and strong investor following," said Kamini Sumra, Managing Director at BofA Securities. "An excellent outcome to kick-start the 2026 funding programme. BofA was delighted to be involved."
"This transaction marks a significant milestone for IDB, representing their largest sterling issuance to date, their largest and most granular orderbook, and the tightest spread to SONIA for a July 2031 maturity in the SSA space year to date," said Karen Manku, Director, SSA DCM, at NatWest. "These achievements underscore the issuer's longstanding commitment to the sterling market, and we are proud to have been involved at NatWest."
Bond Summary Terms:
Issuer: ... Inter-American Development Bank (Ticker: IADB)
Issuer rating: ... Aaa / AAA (Stable / Stable)
Amount: ... GPB 1 billion
Settlement date: ... January 16, 2026
Coupon: ... 4.000%
Coupon payment dates: ... July 31 annually (short-first)
Maturity date: ... July 21, 2031
Issue price: ... 99.761%
Issue yield: ... 4.053% annual / 4.013% semi-annual
Reoffer spread (bps): ... SONIA MS+40bps / UKT 0 1/4 07/31/31 + 15.7bps
Listing: ... London Stock Exchange's Regulated Market
Clearing systems: ... Euroclear / Clearstream Luxemburg
Joint lead managers: ... Barclays, BofA Securities, NatWest, RBC Capital Markets
ISIN: ... XS3272092480
Distribution Summary:
By Geography ... % ... Investor Type ... %
UK ... 66% ... Banks ... 73%
Europe / Middle East / Africa (excl. UK) ... 24% ... Central Banks / Official Institutions ... 16%
Asia ... 10% ... Fund Manager / Insurance ... 11%
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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
Information on bonds for investors is available on the IDB website: https://www.iadb.org/investors
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*/ This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities of the Inter-American Development Bank. Any offering of IDB securities will be made only by means of a prospectus or other definitive offering document that contains important information about the securities, the offering and IDB. Offerings of securities will be made only in compliance with applicable laws.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-launches-ps1-billion-fixed-rate-benchmark-bond
Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities Portfolio Reached $2.88 Trillion in December
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Ginnie Mae issued the following news release:
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Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities Portfolio Reached $2.88 Trillion in December
Ginnie Mae's mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolio outstanding grew to $2.88 trillion as of December 2025. In addition, Ginnie Mae issued $52 billion in total MBS, resulting in net portfolio growth of $15.7 billion. Ginnie Mae facilitated the pooling and securitization of more than 715,000 loans for first-time homebuyers year to date.
Key highlights from the December issuance include:
* $49.2 billion in Ginnie Mae II MBS.
* $2.7
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Ginnie Mae issued the following news release:
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Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities Portfolio Reached $2.88 Trillion in December
Ginnie Mae's mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolio outstanding grew to $2.88 trillion as of December 2025. In addition, Ginnie Mae issued $52 billion in total MBS, resulting in net portfolio growth of $15.7 billion. Ginnie Mae facilitated the pooling and securitization of more than 715,000 loans for first-time homebuyers year to date.
Key highlights from the December issuance include:
* $49.2 billion in Ginnie Mae II MBS.
* $2.7billion in Ginnie Mae I MBS, including $2.6 billion for multifamily housing loans.
* The pooling and securitization of loans for more than 144,000 American households, including over 54,000 first-time homebuyers.
For detailed information on monthly MBS issuance, unpaid principal balance, Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) issuance, and a broader analysis of global market trends, visit Ginnie Mae Disclosure (https://www.ginniemae.gov/data_and_reports/reporting/Pages/monthly_issuance_reports.aspx).
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About Ginnie Mae
Ginnie Mae is a wholly government-owned corporation that attracts global capital into the housing finance system to support homeownership for veterans and millions of homeowners throughout the country. Ginnie Mae MBS programs directly support housing finance programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Public and Indian Housing, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service. Ginnie Mae is the only MBS to carry the explicit full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Additional information about Ginnie Mae is available at www.ginniemae.gov and on X, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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Original text here: https://www.ginniemae.gov/newsroom/Pages/PressReleaseDispPage.aspx?ParamID=370
Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Ask Administration to Sanction Russia's Shadow Fleet
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Ask Administration to Sanction Russia's Shadow Fleet
Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent asking that the
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following news release on Jan. 15, 2026:
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Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Ask Administration to Sanction Russia's Shadow Fleet
Today, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent asking that theUnited States impose further sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet of vessels used to ship sanctioned oil, damage critical infrastructure, and engage in other illicit activity. The recommended sanctions would reinforce European Union efforts to hold Russia accountable for its war on Ukraine and other illegal practices by sanctioning one hundred additional Russian-linked vessels and enabling organizations.
The letter reads:
Dear Secretaries Rubio and Bessent,
As Vladimir Putin continues Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, we urge you to impose further sanctions on Russia's "shadow fleet." The European Union recently expanded its sanctions to include an additional one hundred Russian-linked vessels and associated enabling organizations involved in this vast illicit network. We hope that, with your leadership, the United States will follow suit, acting in concert with our allies and ensuring that Russia can no longer evade accountability.
We commend the Rosneft and Lukoil sanctions, and we support your efforts to persuade our European allies to cease consumption of Russian petroleum products. Sanctioning Russia's shadow fleet would assist both efforts. The shadow fleet is a financial lifeline for Putin. Without it, Putin's ability to fund his war would be placed in question.
To continue selling its oil and gas in violation of U.S. and international sanctions, Russia changes tankers' names, sails them under different national flags, and hides their locations. The vessels comprising this shadow fleet are frequently old, dilapidated, insufficiently insured, and helmed by inexperienced crew. The shadow fleet not only supplies Putin funding to prolong his war, but it also risks damaging critical infrastructure and environmental catastrophe.
The tanker operators, financiers, flag registries, foreign countries, and opaque shell companies that facilitate Russia's shadow fleet are complicit in sanctions evasion, enabling Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, threatening critical undersea pipelines and cables, and endangering global maritime security and the environment. Many of the same vessels have also shipped sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan oil.
Putin should know that we will punish his relentless attacks on Ukraine--and his targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure--with real consequences. We should also seek to close the loopholes by which he attempts to evade those consequences. Expanding the current shadow fleet sanctions to match those of our European partners is the next necessary step to cut off the resources Russia is using to fund its merciless attacks on Ukraine.
Sincerely,
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Original text here: https://www.csce.gov/press-releases/bipartisan-helsinki-commission-leadership-ask-administration-to-sanction-russias-shadow-fleet/
Amtrak Offers $250 USA Rail Passes for a Limited Time
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Offers $250 USA Rail Passes for a Limited Time
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Enjoy ten trip segments over 30 days across most destinations nationwide
WASHINGTON - Adventure awaits! Amtrak invites travelers to explore our country's culture and history on America's Railroad, journeying through the charming towns, iconic cities, and distinct landscapes that have shaped our nation for generations. To coincide with the celebration of America's 250 th birthday, the ' Adventure Awaits Sale ' unlocks coast-to-coast, multi-stop
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Offers $250 USA Rail Passes for a Limited Time
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Enjoy ten trip segments over 30 days across most destinations nationwide
WASHINGTON - Adventure awaits! Amtrak invites travelers to explore our country's culture and history on America's Railroad, journeying through the charming towns, iconic cities, and distinct landscapes that have shaped our nation for generations. To coincide with the celebration of America's 250 th birthday, the ' Adventure Awaits Sale ' unlocks coast-to-coast, multi-stopadventures, with access to more than 500 destinations nationwide for just $250.
Offer : Purchase the USA Rail Pass for just $250 (regularly $499)
When: Available for tickets booked from Wednesday, Jan. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
For Travel: 120 days from purchase; 30 days from first trip - for only $25 per trip
Type : Coach
Select Routes: Adirondack, Amtrak Virginia, Cascades, California Zephyr, Capitol Corridor, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian/Piedmont, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Downeaster, Empire Builder, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Heartland Flyer, Hiawatha, Illinois Services, Keystone Service, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf, Michigan Services, Missouri River Runner, Northeast Regional, Pacific Surfliner, Pennsylvanian, San Joaquins, Silver Service, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, and the Vermonter.
For route specific details, visit Amtrak.com/Train-Routes
Why Choose Rail? Amtrak's USA Rail Pass makes it easy to plan a getaway, visit loved ones, or take business trips, all while enjoying the convenience and comfort of rail travel. The USA Rail Pass is valid for 10 segments over 30 days of travel. From scenic long-distance journeys to short regional trips or anything in between, Amtrak offers a comfortable and convenient way to travel. USA Rail Pass holders can enjoy Amtrak's spacious Coach accommodations, which feature wide reclining seats, ample legroom, no middle seats, and picturesque windows to see some of the best views our country has to offer without being stuck in traffic.
As Heard Here : "With ten trip segments in 30 days, the USA Rail Pass offers travelers the freedom to discover our nation's historic destinations, scenic routes, and cultural hubs at their own pace, while avoiding the stress of flying or driving," said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch. "Our limited time 'Adventure Awaits Sale' encourages guests to take the multi-ride journey, which they've always dreamed of, at significant savings."
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 : USA Rail Pass is available for 10 rides (segments) in Coach and is valid for travel on most Amtrak routes with no blackout dates. Customers must travel with the pass within 120 days of purchase and within 30 days after travel of the first segment. Amtrak Guest Rewards members earn two points per dollar spent on each USA Rail Pass following travel on the first segment. For full terms and conditions on Amtrak's 'Adventure Awaits Sale' and to make a reservation, visit Amtrak.com/Tickets/Departure-Rail-Pass.html. Customers can also book using the Amtrak app.
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/01/amtrak-offers-250-usa-rail-passes-for-a-limited-time/
