DES MOINES, Iowa, May 8 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Air quality permits for review, published 05/08/2025 DES MOINES - The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans' health and the air where we live. DNR's permitting staff review the applications to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality standards. The public has the right and is encouraged to comment on dra  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: * * * Baldwin, Ernst Lead Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Coverage for Children Born with Congenital Anomalies or Birth Defects WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in re-introducing legislation to ensure health insurance covers needed treatment and procedures for individuals born with congenital anomalies or birth defects.  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 9 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on May 8, 2025, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Madison - May 2024": * * * Workers in the Madison, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $32.55 in May 2024, compared to the nationwide average of $32.66, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Acting Regional Commissioner Julie   more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on May 8, 2025: Budzinski Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Biofuels and Biobased Manufacturing Innovation WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act (Ag BIO Act), a bipartisan bill to support the biofuel economy in Illinois and across the country. The legislation updates the US  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Dunn Moves to Expand Health Coverage for Birth Defects WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), a bill that would require all group and individual health insurance plans to cover medically necessary services for anomalous birth defects that impact the appearance or function of the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This legisl  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Care and Coverage for those with Congenital Anomalies and Birth Defects WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA). Approximately 3% of children nationwide are born with congenital anomalies - such as cleft lip or palate - and birth defects that, if gone untreated, c  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44201) on May 7, 2025, entitled "DOT's Federal Pipeline Safety Program - Background and Issues for Congress:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Rulemaking Carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines are essential components of carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems, which are proposed to reduce atmospheric emissions of anthropogenic CO2, a greenhouse gas./119 Pipelines are needed to transp  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following news release on May 8, 2025: * * * Education Leaders Urge McMahon to Reject Waiver Requests for K-12 Education Funds That Allow States to Avoid Accountability WASHINGTON- Today, congressional Democrats urged Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to reject any efforts by states to undermine the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which specificall  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst Leads Fight to Confirm Key Trump Small Business Administration Nominee WASHINGTON - To ensure the Small Business Administration (SBA) is equipped to properly serve Iowa's job creators, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led the fight to break through a Democrat effort to block a key Trump nominee. During his nomination hearing, Chair Ernst detailed  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, posted the following news release on May 8, 2025: * * * Ernst Leads Fight to Confirm Key Trump Small Business Administration Nominee WASHINGTON - To ensure the Small Business Administration (SBA) is equipped to properly serve Iowa's job creators, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led the fight to break through a Democrat effort t  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst, Grassley to Host Service Academy Virtual Information Nights RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced their offices will hold two United States Service Academy Virtual Informational Nights on Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 13 from 6 - 8p.m. CT for Iowa students interested in applying to one of our nation's military academies. Every year, Ernst and Grassl  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48525) on May 6, 2025, entitled "Federal Preemption and State Authority to Deter the Presence of Unlawfully Present Aliens" by legislative attorney Alejandra Aramayo: * * * SUMMARY The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article VI, clause 2) states that the Constitution, treaties, and federal law "shall be the supreme Law of the land." In interpreting this clause, the Supreme Court has formulated  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48525) on May 6, 2025, entitled "Federal Preemption and State Authority to Deter the Presence of Unlawfully Present Aliens:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Kansas v. Garcia (2020) In 2017, the Kansas Supreme Court in three separate cases reversed the convictions of three unlawfully present aliens for state identity theft and false information. The state court held that a provision in IRCA expressly  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Feenstra Leads Legislation to Help Iowa Farmers Buy Precision Agriculture Equipment WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Precision Agriculture Loan Program Act, which would establish the first-ever federal precision agriculture loan program in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. "In 2022 and 2024, I attended the Farm P  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Feenstra Votes to End DHS Funding for American Universities that Host Confucius Institutes WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. This legislation would end funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to any U.S. university that hosts  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley Delivers 12 Veterans' Stories to Library of Congress as Part of Veterans History Project WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today delivered to the Library of Congress recorded interviews detailing 12 Iowa veterans' stories of service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Members of Grassley's staff and students from Kirkwood Community College interviewed Iowa veterans last November at the Veter  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Cruz Work to Safeguard Second Amendment Rights, Protect Communities from Gun Violence WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are introducing legislation to safeguard Americans' Second Amendment rights and prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands. The Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act would tak  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Cruz Work to Safeguard Second Amendment Rights, Protect Communities from Gun Violence WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are introducing legislation to safeguard Americans' Second Amendment rights and prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands. The Protecting Communities and P  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Hassan Lead Legislation to Aid Victims of Identity Theft Download broadcast quality video HERE WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), a fellow Finance Committee member, reintroduced the Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act to provide efficient help fo  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Hinson Helps Reintroduce Legislation to Support New & Expecting Moms Washington, D.C. - Leading up to Mother's Day this Sunday, Congresswoman Hinson (IA-02) helped introduced the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act alongside Rep. Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). The legislation provides critical support to new moms during and after their pregnancy to empower women to choose life and raise happy,  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Miller-Meeks, Grassley Reintroduce Bill to Equip Students with Full Loan Info Before Borrowing Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), alongside Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), has reintroduced the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2025, legislation that ensures students are fully informed before taking on federal student loans. The bill strength  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Capital Access for Iowa Businesses WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today joined Representative Janelle Bynum (OR-05) to introduced the Encouraging Local Emerging Ventures and Economic Growth Act (ELEVATE) Act, bipartisan legislation that would reduce bureaucratic red tape for small and mid-sized businesses seeking to raise capital investment thro  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 7 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Plan to Participate in the Air Quality Client Contact Meeting on May 22 Get the latest on current events and upcoming changes in DNR's air quality program at the Air Quality Client Contact Meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The open forum meeting will be a hybrid format, allowing for virtual attendance via Zoom or in-person attendance in the Lake Darling Conference Room at 6200 Par  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Q&A: National Nurses Week Q: What is National Nurses Week? A : Efforts to honor and celebrate nurses in the United States first got underway during the Eisenhower administration. In 1974, President Nixon issued a proclamation to honor the expanding role nurses were taking on in the health care system, such as nurse practitioners and those specializing in pediatric, cardiac, oncology and geriatric  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. W. Greg Steube, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Steube Introduces ELECT Act to End Taxpayer-Funded Presidential Campaigns WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today announced the introduction of the House companion to the Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2025, legislation originally introduced in the Senate by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The bill would permanently terminate the  more

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 8 -- The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship issued the following news: * * * Secretary Naig Encouraged by President Trump's Trade Announcement with the United Kingdom DES MOINES, Iowa (May 8, 2025) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement today after President Donald Trump and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer jointly announced the framework for a bilateral trade deal between the two countries: "A new trade deal  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on May 8, 2025: * * * Senate Passes Cruz-Led Measure to Scrap Illegal Biden FCC Rule over Child Online Safety Concerns Reckless FCC rule subverts parental authority, endangers the Universal Service Fund, and harms rural broadband expansion WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) celebrated the Senat  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Budd Introduces PELL Act to Advance American Competitiveness by Unlocking Workforce Potential Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act today, to expand Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs. The bill benefits individuals seeking to advance their careers without long-term debt while  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Delaware, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Coons, Curtis introduce bipartisan legislation to help small businesses bring new technologies to market WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) today introduced legislation that would help innovative small businesses commercialize their technologies. The Research Advancing to Market Production (RAMP) for Innovators Act updates the SBIR/STTR programs--oft  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: * * * St. Cloud Area Family YMCA to Pay $140,000 in EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Settles Federal Suit Charging Fitness Center Subjected Employees, Including Teenagers, to Hostile Work Environment, Causing an Employee to Quit MINNEAPOLIS - The St. Cloud Area Family YMCA will pay $140,000 and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportu  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden Joins Bipartisan Tax-Free Pell Grant Act to Help Make Higher Education More Accessible and Affordable Legislation would simplify access to higher education assistance and increase opportunities for students in Oregon and nationwide. Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today joined Senate colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that would simplify higher education assistance  more