Thursday - November 21, 2024
*Texas Editor Tipoffs Newsletter for Wednesday November 20, 2024 ( 51 items )  

15 Military Hospitals Receive Leapfrog's Highest Safety Grade
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: The Defense Health Agency announced 15 military hospitals got an "A" rating in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade Fall 2024 assessment. This grade reflects the DHA's ongoing dedication to transparency and to providing high-quality, safe care to service members and their families. 81st Medical Group, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi 673d Medical Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska Alexander T. Augu  more

Air Force Civil Engineer Center commander visits RAF Mildenhall
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Miller, Air Force Civil Engineer Center commander, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, spoke to service members from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Nov. 14, 2024. RAF Mildenhall supported a base immersion where Miller met with Airmen and spoke to leaders. *** Original text  more

Air Force Installation & Mission Support Center Fields Installation Resilience Operations Command & Control Readiness Capability at Five More Bases
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: By Emily Mifsud, AFIMSC Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FLA - The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center is fielding the Installation Resilience Operations Command and Control platform at five more bases after three years of successful initial testing here. AFIMSC awarded a $20 million contract to Simplesense, Inc., Nov. 18 to provide the low-rate i  more

Air Force leaders discuss 'One Force Design' to enhance readiness in era of Great Power Competition
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Nov. 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, along with other senior leaders, shared details Nov. 13 about the service's new "One Force Design," including an overview of future operating concepts to generate increased lethality and effective combat power in contested environments. "Permissive environments have become the exception rather than the rule," Allvin said in his keynote at  more

Assistant A.G. Clarke Delivers Remarks on 15th Anniversary of Enactment of Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following opening remarks on Nov. 19, 2024, by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke at an event on the 15th anniversary of the Enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act: * * * As Prepared for Delivery Good afternoon. My name is Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department. I am honored and proud to be with you for this important comme  more

Bennet, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Support Colorado Children
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act to reauthorize and improve child welfare programs that promote family unity and the safety and well-being of children. "We have a responsibility to ensure that every kid in America grows up in a loving and supportive home," said Bennet. "That's why we are proposing le  more

BLS Issues Report on State Employment and Unemployment - October 2024
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following report (No. USDL-24-2362) on Nov. 19, 2024, entitled "State Employment and Unemployment - October 2024": * * * Unemployment rates were lower in October in 3 states, higher in 1 state, and stable in 46 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-four states and the District had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 6 states had   more

Brownsville CBP officers seize $768K worth of narcotics in two seizures
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: BROWNSVILLE, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $768,867. "Our CBP officers are relentless in their efforts to keep our borders secure, and their diligence led to these significant drug seizures," sa  more

Cassidy Offshore Revenue Sharing Bill Passes Senate Energy Committee
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Legislation to Send Louisiana Hundreds of Millions for Coastal Restoration The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to advance U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy's, M.D. (R-LA) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, which would increase funding from offshore energy revenue sharing that Louisiana uses for coastal restoration. The bill would also amend the Gulf of Mexic  more

Casten, Nearly 100 House Democrats Urge Ethics Committee To Release Gaetz Report
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Sean Casten, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL06) led 97 House Democrats in a letter to the House Ethics Committee requesting the immediate release of its report into allegations of serious misconduct by former Congressman Matt Gaetz. "Given the seriousness of the charges against Representative Gaetz, withholding the findings of your investigation may jeopardize the Senate's ability to provide fully inform  more

Casten, Nearly 100 House Democrats Urge Ethics Committee To Release Gaetz Report
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Don Beyer, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led 97 House Democrats in a letter to the House Ethics Committee requesting the immediate release of its report into allegations of serious misconduct by former Congressman Matt Gaetz. "Given the seriousness of the charges against Representative Gaetz, withholding the findings of your investigation may jeopardize the Senate's ability to provide fully informed, const  more

CBP officers seize $1.4M in cocaine, weapons, and ammunition in three separate incidents at Hidalgo Port of Entry
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: HIDALGO, Texas--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $1.4 million in alleged cocaine and 1,070 rounds of ammunition, six magazines, and 21 weapons components in three separate enforcement actions. "Our CBP officers don't skip a beat when it comes to keeping our country safe. These b  more

Connolly, Casten, Nearly 100 House Democrats Urge Ethics Committee To Release Gaetz Report
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, D-Virginia, issued the following news: Today, U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11) joined Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and 96 House Democrats in sending a letter to the House Ethics Committee requesting the immediate release of its report into allegations of serious misconduct by former Congressman Matt Gaetz. "Given the seriousness of the charges against Representative Gaetz, withholding the findings of your investigation may je  more

Del Rio CBP officers apprehend man wanted for sexual abuse of a child - lewd act upon a child
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: DEL RIO, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry encountered a man wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for a sex-related offense against a child. "This apprehension of a man with an outstanding felony warrant for an alleged sex crime involving a child demonstrates the resolve of our frontline officers to uphold our priorit  more

Don't let your holiday meal go up in smoke
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Cooking is the main cause of home fires any time of year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but they are especially common on Thanksgiving, often more than double the number for all other days of the year. Over half of reported Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occurred from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when many people are pr  more

El Paso CBP officers stop internal cavity drug smugglers
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: EL PASO, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing seized just under half-a-pound of fentanyl November 17. Two people were arrested in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. Fentanyl filled bundle seized by CBP officers. "Fentanyl interdiction remains an important element of the CBP enforc  more

FHLB Dallas Makes $250K Charitable Donation to Help Flooded New Mexico Region
DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 20 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release: ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO, November 19, 2024 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has provided a $250,000 charitable donation to Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to assist with recovery from flooding in Roswell, New Mexico. Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, will provide financia  more

Gov. Abbott: Texas Is America's Jobs Leader
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas leading the nation for jobs created over the last 12 months following the release of employment data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)(https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm). Texas added 274,600 nonfarm jobs from October 2023 to October 2024 -- far more than any other state. "Texas is where the future of America is building,"  more

House Passes Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare & Benefits Improvement Act
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, issued the following statement on Nov. 19, 2024: * * * Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) released a statement following the passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), which included his previously introduced legislation the Modernization of VA Disability Benefits Questionnaires Act. H.R. 8371 is a comprehensive legislative package that includes several bipartisan proposa  more

House Transportation Committee Members Larsen, Titus Issue Statements From Hearing on FEMA Disaster Response
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Washington, ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: The following are opening remarks from Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) during today's hearing titled, "In the Eye of the Storm: Over  more

I-WEPTAC teams propose solutions to most pressing DAF Great Power Competition needs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Airmen presented innovative solutions for the Air Force's most pressing Great Power Competition combat support needs during the second installment of the 2024 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conferences Nov. 15 at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Three Mission Focuse  more

I-WEPTAC Teams Propose Solutions to Most Pressing Department of the Air Force Great Power Competition Needs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: Airmen presented innovative solutions for the Air Force's most pressing Great Power Competition combat support needs during the second installment of the 2024 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conferences Nov. 15 at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. Three Mission Focused Working Groups, or MFWGs, presented their I-WEPTAC 2024.2  more

Joint Base San Antonio officers engage with ROTC cadets at UTSA Career Fair
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Officers from the 502nd Air Base Wing at Joint Base San Antonio attended the University of Texas at San Antonio career fair on Nov. 7 to provide optional career paths to the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. Participating officers offered tailored advice on leadership pathways, technical roles, and positions that align with cadets'   more

Joint Base San Antonio officers engage with ROTC cadets at UTSA Career Fair
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Officers from the 502nd Air Base Wing at Joint Base San Antonio attended the University of Texas at San Antonio career fair on Nov. 7 to provide optional career paths to the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets. Participating officers offered tailored advice on leadership pathways, technical roles, and positions that align with cadets' skills and aspirations. Attendees  more

Justice Dept.: Dell and Iron Bow Agree to Pay $4.3M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Submitting Non-Competitive Bids to the Army
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: Dell Technologies Inc. and Dell Federal Systems L.P. (collectively Dell), located in Austin, Texas, have agreed to pay $2,300,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting and causing the submission of non-competitive bids to the Army and thereby overcharging the Army under the Army Desktop and Mobile Computing 3 (ADMC-3) contract. Iron Bow Technologies LLC (Iron Bow), loc  more

Laredo Sector Border Patrol Announces November's Youth of the Month Honorees
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: LAREDO, Texas Laredo Sector Border Patrol holds the Laredo Sector Border Patrol Youth of the Month program for November. The program is designed to honor and promote academic excellence throughout the area high schools in Laredo. On Nov.19, the 11 honorees for November were announced during a ceremony at Martin High School. Border Patrol honored 11 recipients from   more

McCaul Votes to Support America's Veterans
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) issued the following statement praising the passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which ensures veterans have access to the highest quality of care the United States can provide. "As the son of a World War II B-17 bombardier, I was proud to sponsor this comprehensive legislation that guarantees America's h  more

Migrant in medical distress from environmental exposure dies after calling Border Patrol for assistance
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: On April 27, 2024, at approximately 8:45 p.m., the Border Patrol's Del Rio Sector Border Intelligence Center received a call from two male Mexican migrants wishing to surrender. The caller advised the other migrant was in medical distress and provided Border Patrol agents with their GPS coordinates. The Intelligence Center forwarded the coordinates to the Carrizo Sp  more

November Doctrine Paragon: Mission Command and Mission-Type Orders
RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The Lemay Center highlights Joint Task Force (JTF) Proven Force during Operation DESERT STORM, an exemplar of mission command and mission-type orders (MTO). On 2 Aug 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait. Almost immediately, the US assembled and led a coalition to remove Iraq from Kuwait. As part of the coalition's build up, JTF Proven Force was stood up in US European Command to open a  more

NTIA: Biden-Harris Administration Approves Texas' "Internet for All" Initial Proposal
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued the following news release: * * * Texas Requested Access to BEAD Funds Totaling Over $3.3 Billion; All 56 States and Territories Now Approved * * * The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Texas' Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Ha  more

Rep. Keith Self Calls for Oversight Regarding Expanded Use of ATACMS by Ukraine
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Keith Self sent a letter to President Joe Biden, condemning his authorization of Ukraine's use of long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to strike inside Russia. The United States Congress has not declared war against Russia nor passed an Authorization of Military Force against Russia. In addition, President Biden has authorized use of US weapons systems by a non-ally nation against one of  more

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher Leads Effort With Reps. Troy Carter, Sylvia Garcia To Ensure Texas Gulf Coast Hydrogen Industry Can Fully Benefit From Clean Energy Tax Credit
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led their colleagues in sending a letter urging the Biden administration to ensure the Texas Gulf Coast hydrogen industry can benefit fully from the clean energy tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The letter comes as the Biden administration is set to finalize rules for the 45V Tax C  more

Rep. Monica De La Cruz Applauds Governor Abbott Action to Secure Water for Rio Grande Valley
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) expressed her support of Governor Greg Abbott's directive to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to accept an offer of 120,000 acre-feet of San Juan River water from Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty. This critical step will help provide much-needed water to the communities, farmers, and businesses of the Rio Grande Valley, addressing the immediate  more

Rep. Roy demands Biden admin preserve records and evidence of 100K+ missing alien children
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued the following news release: On Tuesday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) demanded the Biden administration preserve all records and evidence related to the missing unaccompanied alien children who have been brought into the United States under the watch of their administration. "The Biden-Harris Administration's reckless, open-borders policies have led to record-breaking numbers of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) arriving at the southwes  more

Rep. Roy issues statement on H.R. 8371
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement: "I voted against H.R. 8371 because I believe that Congress should do better and that our veterans deserve more than what was put on the floor today. This was a de facto omnibus bill cobbled together from several individual bills which should have been considered on their own merits as single-subject legislation. Instead, these were all packed toget  more

Sen. Cornyn, Colleagues Bill to Increase Transparency of Federal Grant Application Process Passes House
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Thune (R-SD), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statements after their Grant Transparency Act, which would require government agencies to provide competitive grant applicants with more information about their selection criteria and evaluation process, passed the House: "Grant applicants often don't ha  more

Sen. Cornyn: Voters Chose 'New Chapter' With GOP Government
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news on Nov. 19, 2024: Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed turning the page on failed Democrat leadership and looking ahead to the second Trump administration and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn's remarks are below, and video can be found here (https://youtu.be/wl9J4KrGi4E). "The last four years under Democratic leadership has been marked by reckless spending,  more

Sens. Cornyn, Bennet Introduce Bill to Support Children in Foster Care
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news on Nov. 19, 2024: U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) yesterday introduced the Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act, which would reauthorize and improve a key child services program that promotes family unity and the safety and wellbeing of children in foster care: "Creating a safe, healthy, and supportive environment at home is the first step to helping Texas children thri  more

Sens. Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Safeguard U.S. Research Against Foreign Adversaries
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news on Nov. 19, 2024: U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) today introduced legislation to shield U.S. research from malign foreign influence by updating language in the CHIPS and Science Act: "In a world where competition turns into hostility all too often, we must do everything in our power to safeguard American ingenuity against bad actor nations," said Sen. Cornyn. "By clarifying language in existin  more

Settlement of Estate
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The Commander regrets to announce the death of Air Force Staff Sgt. Wendy J. Valdez Mesa, assigned to the 93rd Intelligence Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, who passed away on Nov. 7, 2024. To settle the estate of the deceased, 1st Lt. Tyler Davis, also assigned to the 93rd Intelligence Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, has been ap  more

Space Force selects 39 in the chief master sergeant and senior master sergeant cycles; lists post Nov. 21
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Space Force officials selected 14 senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant out of 68 eligible for a selection rate of 20.59 percent in the 24S9 promotion cycle and 25 master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant out of 435 eligible for a selection rate of 5.75 percent in the 25S8 promotion cycle. Senior Raters and th  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Directs TCEQ To Accept Water Offer For Rio Grande Valley
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to accept an offer of San Juan River water from Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty and provide much-needed water to communities in the Rio Grande Valley. "Water is essential for Texans along the Rio Grande Valley to grow crops and support local communities and businesses," said Governor Abbott. "Mexico'  more

Texas Gov. Abbott Issues Executive Order Hardening State Government From The Chinese Communist Party
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 20 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Governor Greg Abbott today issued an executive order (https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-48_Hardening_State_Government_FINAL_11-19-2024.pdf) to protect the State of Texas from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) malicious espionage operations. The Governor directed all state agencies and public institutions of higher education to harden s  more

U.S. Attorneys for the Western District of Texas and Eastern District of Texas Announce Former Cartel Del Noreste Leader Pleads Guilty to 15 Counts and Faces Up to Life in Federal Prison
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024: Juan Gerardo Trevino-Chavez aka Huevo pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio today to 15 counts related to his involvement in drug trafficking throughout Mexico and the United States. Trevino-Chavez, 42, was identified as the leader of the Cartel del Noreste drug cartel (CDN), the successor cartel to Los Zetas Cartel. Trevino-Chavez was   more

U.S. Senator Katie Britt Calls for Bipartisan Action to Address America's Mental Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, issued the following news release: Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor alongside Senator George Helmy (D-N.J.) calling for bipartisanship to address America's mental health crisis and the catalytic role of social media. Senator Helmy, soon after being sworn in as a Senator, came to Senator Britt asking to work together on this effort. He has since signed onto the Stop the Scroll Act, which was introduced b  more

USCYBERCOM executes International Coordinated Cyber Security Activity 2024
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: This month, U.S. Cyber Command launched the second iteration of the International Coordinated Cyber Security Activity, or INCCA, a focused defensive cyberspace operation aimed at strengthening Department of Defense networks and enhancing global cybersecurity partnerships. INCCA is a key part of USCYBERCOM's mission to protect DOD information networks  more

USDA APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Areas in Texas
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued the following program update: On October 9, 2024, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) expanded the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens; Mexfly) quarantine in Donna, Hidalgo County, Texas. On October 11, APHIS and TDA reduced a portion of the Harlingen-Sebastian Mexfly quarantine area in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Countie  more

USDA Trade Mission to Expand Exports to Morocco and West Africa
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following news release: Representatives from nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture will travel to Casablanca, Morocco, Dec. 2-5, as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture trade mission to expand U.S. farm and food exports to Morocco and other West African markets. "This mission offers a crucial opportunity for U.S. agribusinesses to enter into M  more

USGS invests $3.4 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to map critical mineral resources in western Texas
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey issued the following news release: The data collection will be conducted through the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), a partnership between the USGS and state geological surveys that is revolutionizing our understanding of the nation's geology and critical mineral resources, which are vital to the U.S. economy, national security, and clean energy technology. "Earth MRI data provides a fulle  more

What They Are Saying: Pfluger Leads Congressional Delegation to COP29
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a congressional delegation to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (most commonly known as COP29) to showcase the innovation and impact of U.S. energy on the global stage. "I am proud to have led a congressional delegation to COP29 to show that the United States is leading the way in energy innovation and is open for business," said Congressman Pfluger. "E  more

Woman dies after being after being smuggled across the border without water
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: On May 31, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., two migrants approached a house in Sunland Park, New Mexico and requested help. A construction worker at the house called 911, and Sunland Park Fire Department and Police Department responded to the residence and requested an air ambulance. The fire department called the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station Tactical Operati  more