WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- Rep. Matthew Cartwright, D-Pa., has introduced legislation (H.R. 7902) to amend title 38, U.S. Code, "to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire psychiatrists." The bill was introduced on July 31 and was co-sponsored by Reps. Jim Himes, D-Conn., Scott Peters, D-Calif., Mark Amodei, R-Nev., David Loebsack, D-Iowa, Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Ga. It was referred to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. For more information,   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 -- Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, has introduced legislation (H.R. 7909) to "facilitate access to child care services safely and securely during the COVID-19 pandemic." The bill was introduced on July 31 and was co-sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky. It was referred to the House Education and Labor Committee. For more information, Rep. Abby Finkenauer, 124 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; 202/225-2911; or in district offices at 308 3rd St. S.E., Ste. 200  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has introduced legislation (S. 4379) to "extend the period of the temporary authority to extend contracts and leases under the Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Initiative." The bill was introduced on July 30. It was referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee. For more information, Sen. Joni Ernst, 730 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510; 202/224-3254; or in state at 733 Federal Bldg., 210 Walnut St., Des Moine  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has introduced legislation (S. 4491) to designate methamphetamine as an emerging threat. The bill was introduced on Aug. 6 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. It was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. For more information, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510; 202/224-3841; or in state at 1 Post St., Ste. 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; 415/393-0707; 11111 Santa Monica Blvd.,  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has introduced legislation (S. 4481) to "require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to update the modeling used for lifecycle greenhouse gas assessments for corn-based ethanol and biodiesel." The bill was introduced on Aug. 6 and was co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. It was referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. For more information, Sen. John Th  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan, D-N.H., has introduced legislation (S. 4494) to amend title VI of the Social Security Act "to extend the period with respect to which amounts under the Coronavirus Relief Fund may be expended." The bill was introduced on Aug. 6 and was co-sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. It was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. For more information, Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan, 324 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510; 202/224-3324; o  more