WASHINGTON, May 21 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11876) on May 20, 2025, by military ground forces specialist Andrew Feickert: * * * The Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Program Background The RCV is being developed as part of the Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) family of vehicles. As originally planned, the Army intended to develop three RCV variants: Light, Medium, and Heavy. The Army reportedly envisioned e  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Don Beyer, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Beyer Statement On The Passing Of Gerry Connolly Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on the passing of his longtime friend and colleague, Congressman Gerry Connolly: "Gerry Connolly was one of a kind, and I am heartbroken that he has passed. "Gerry will leave a towering legacy of accomplishment in Fairfax County, he was a forceful advocate for our region and the people   more

WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following report (No. USDL-25-0849) on May 21, 2025, entitled "State Employment and Unemployment - April 2025": * * * Unemployment rates were higher in April in 3 states and the District of Columbia, lower in 2 states, and stable in 45 states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-six states and the District had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 1 state had a decr  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Chairman Comer Statement on Passing of Ranking Member Connolly WASHINGTON--House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) issued the following statement on the passing of Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-Va.): "I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Ranking Member Gerry Connolly. He was a dedicated publi  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Robert Garcia Statement on Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) released the following statement after the passing of his colleague, Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11), a longtime public servant committed to serving the American people, who most recently served as the Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Accountability C  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Issues Statement on the Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly "I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly. Gerry was a colleague, a mentor, and above all, my friend. His humor, his toughness, and his love for his community and country made him one of the most effective members of Congress. In his decades of service to Fairfax County  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, D-Virginia, issued the following news: * * * Connolly Family Announces the Passing of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly The family of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly released the following statement today: "It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family. Gerry lived   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: * * * Contracts for May 21, 2025 ARMY Palantir USG Inc., Palo Alto, California, was awarded a $795,000,000 modification (P00005) to contract W911QX-24-D-0012 for Maven Smart System software licenses. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 28, 2029. Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded May  more

FORT BELVOIR, Virginia, May 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Contract Audit Agency issued the following news: * * * DCAA supports $1 million False Claims Act investigation DCAA Operations Investigative Support Division (OIS) auditors helped support a civil investigation resulting in a $1 million settlement to resolve False Claims Act allegations. Noble Sales Company (Noble) was the prime contractor, responsible for managing supply orders, and required to get competitive bids fr  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 09-197; GN Docket No. 24-286): * * * The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a petition for relinquishment of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designations in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214(e)(4), filed by United States Cellular Corporation (UScellular)./1 UScellular seeks r  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSFR) -- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced that the application for a new major license for the Reusens Hydroelectric Project is ready for environmental analysis, inviting public comments and recommendations. The project, operated by Eagle Creek Reusens Hydro, LLC (Reusens Hydro), is located on the James River in Bedford and Amherst Counties, Virginia. Eagle Creek Reusens Hydro, LLC, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, filed the application in February 2  more

FAIRFAX, Virginia, May 21 -- Fairfax County Economic Development Authority issued the following news on May 20, 2025: * * * Global Satellite Communications Leader Iridium Communications Inc. to Expand Headquarters in Fairfax County Fairfax County, Virginia -- Iridium Communications Inc., a global satellite communications company, will invest over $13 million to expand their headquarters into a 55,000-square-foot space in Fairfax County, Virginia. The project will support 117 new associates, e  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Griffith Chairs Hearing with EPA Administrator Zeldin Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, held a hearing titled "The Fiscal Year 2026 Environmental Protection Agency Budget." The hearing, which featured Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, focused on the agency's budget request for fiscal  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), a prominent advocate for the for-profit higher education sector in Arlington, Virginia, has submitted extensive comments to the U.S. Department of Education, urging a comprehensive overhaul of federal regulations impacting student financial assistance programs. The letter, dated May 8, 2025, addresses Secretary Linda McMahon and responds to the Department's call for public feedback ahead of new proposed regulations and nego  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Himes Statement on Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly Washington, DC -- Today, Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee Jim Himes released the following statement: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend and colleague Gerry Connolly. I met Gerry on my very first day in Congress, and have looked to him often for guidance and advice in the decades since. I was luck  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following news release on May 21, 2025: * * * Himes Statement on Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly Washington, DC -- Today, Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee Jim Himes released the following statement: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend and colleague Gerry Connolly. I met Gerry on my very first day in Congress  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Griffith Appears on Fox & Friends First to Discuss House GOP Efforts to Pass "Big, Beautiful Bill" The House Rules Committee started deliberations on House Republicans' reconciliation bill at 1 am on Wednesday, May 21. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), a member of the Rules Committee, appeared on Fox & Friends First to provide updates on Committee deliberations and the discussions on  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine & Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Help Workers Better Prepare for Retirement WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), the HELP Committee Chair, introduced the Auto Reenroll Act, legislation to help American workers take advantage of their available employer-sponso  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine Statement on Passing of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement regarding the passing of his friend U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly: "My friend Gerry Connolly was a one of a kind public servant who never shied away from fighting for Northern Virginia and our country. I will miss his voice on the many issues that were  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Kaine, Hyde-Smith, Gillibrand, and Hawley Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Costs of Childbirth WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act, bipartisan legislation to eliminate the out-of-pocket costs associated with childbirth. Specifically, the legislation  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Rep.) -- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF REP. GERRY CONNOLLY Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement: The Democratic Caucus, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country have lost a hardworking, humble and honorable public servant with the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly. For more than three decades, Gerry relentlessly defen  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF REP. GERRY CONNOLLY Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement: The Democratic Caucus, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country have lost a hardworking, humble and honorable public servant with the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly. For more than three decades, Gerry relentlessly defended our democracy on the O  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following news release on May 21, 2025: * * * Markup Wrap Up: Cutting Red Tape, Reining in Regulatory Overreach, Unleashing American Innovation WASHINGTON--The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a markup today and passed a series of bills to support the Trump Administration's efforts to cut red tape and rein in regulatory overreach by the adminis  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * McClellan Statement on the Passing of Gerry Connolly Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after news of Congressman Gerry Connolly's (VA-11) passing: "Today, Fairfax County, our Commonwealth, and our country lost a dedicated public servant who always put his community first and fought for pragmatic policies that would improve the li  more

PASADENA, California, May 21 (TNSres) -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued the following news: * * * NASA-French Satellite Spots Large-Scale River Waves for First Time In a first, researchers from NASA and Virginia Tech used satellite data to measure the height and speed of potentially hazardous flood waves traveling down U.S. rivers. The three waves they tracked were likely caused by extreme rainfall and by a loosened ice jam. While there is currently no database that compiles satellite   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Rep.) -- Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., issued the following news release: * * * Norton Statement on the Passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly, Friend and Ally to D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement upon learning of the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). As a member of Congress serving the National Capital Region and a member or ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where Norton also serves, d  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- The Naval Sea Systems Command issued the following news: * * * NUWC Division Newport hosts the commander of Submarine Group 7 for tours, briefings on May 2 NEWPORT, R.I. - The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport welcomed Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, Commander of Submarine Group 7 (CSG7) and Task Forces 54 and 74 based in Yokosuka, Japan, on May 2. "Our mission is peace through strength. To that end, we will sustain undersea warfighting readiness and  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: * * * Olszewski Issues Statement on Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly (Washington, DC) -- Congressman Johnny Olszewski today issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who served as the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and friend, Congressman Gerry Connolly. My thoughts and prayers are with   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Pelosi Statement on the Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly Washington, D.C. - Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly: "It is with profound sorrow that I mourn the passing of my colleague and dear friend, Congressman Gerry Connolly. For nearly four decades, Gerry has been a steadfast advocate for the people of Northern Virginia a  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Ted Lieu, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * REP LIEU STATEMENT ON PASSING OF RANKING MEMBER GERRY CONNOLLY WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA). "Congress and Virginia's 11 th District lost a legislative titan today with the passing of Gerry Connolly. I join his family, friends, colleagues, and constituents in mourning this monument  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, issued the following floor remarks on May 20, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. Speaker refers to the presiding officer of the House at the time of the speech): * * * Mr. Speaker, I was in the Virginia State Senate when Virginia finally expanded Medicaid. Today, as a result, over 600,000 Virginians now have health insurance who didn't before. By giving them insurance, we were able to keep our rural hospitals open. We were   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, issued the following floor remarks on May 20, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. Speaker refers to the presiding officer of the House at the time of the speech): * * * Mr. Speaker, Moody's, a credit rating firm, downgraded America's credit rating this past weekend. What does this mean? It is like when your credit score goes down. It will make it more expensive for a country to borrow money, and the interest rate on our $36 tri  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, issued the following floor remarks on May 20, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. Speaker refers to the presiding officer of the House at the time of the speech): * * * Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the more than 28,000 farms that engage in agritourism across the country, 1,500 of which are in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Agritourism, for those who don't know, is exactly what it sounds like. We are bringing tourists  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Virginia, issued the following floor remarks on May 20, 2025 (In this document, the reference to Mr. Speaker refers to the presiding officer of the House at the time of the speech): * * * Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the extreme cuts to Medicaid and SNAP being pushed by extreme Washington Republicans. Last month, I spoke with Shannon, a mother whose son relies on Medicaid for lifesaving care. I also spoke with Eugene, a fifth-generat  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Scott Statement on the Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Dean of the Virginia Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11): "It was with immense sadness that I learned of Gerry's passing. He was a relentless advocate for his constituents and a true public servant who loved  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- The U.S. Senate conducted 10 committee hearings on May 20, 2025: * * * APPROPRIATIONS: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Health and Human Services, after receiving testimony from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services. * * * AP  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Senate Intel Vice Chairman on Trump Administration Attempt to Politicize Intelligence WASHINGTON - Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement: "The recent revelations that Joe Kent, DNI Gabbard's chief of staff and the nominee to lead the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), sought to alter an intelligence assessment to align with  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Ashley Brooke Moody, R-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Ashley Moody Introduces Drone Espionage Act to Crack Down on Spying through Video Surveillance of Military Installations WASHINGTON, D.C.--Today, with the advent of drone technology and the rise in adversarial drones flying over military installations, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Drone Espionage Act which would make it a federal crime to take unauthorized videos of U.S. military  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Warner, Kaine, Bennet Secure DOD Fixes to Broken Military Moving System WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) issued the statement below after the Department of Defense (DoD) announced immediate modifications to the military's broken moving system, which handles servicemember relocations. These modifications follow close advocacy by   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Statement of Sen. Mark R. Warner on the Passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the below statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly: "I am heartbroken over the loss of my dear friend Gerry Connolly. "I've known Gerry for more than 35 years. To me, he exemplified the very best of public service. Just this past Sunday, I was honored to j  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Statement on the Passing of Representative Gerry Connolly May 21, 2025 # WASHINGTON, D.C. \-- Congressman Mark Takano released the following statement on the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly: "My heart breaks for Gerry's friends and family. "While he was a passionate advocate for his Virginia constituency, his childhood Massachusetts accent would shine through on the House floor as he exclai  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a final rule to remove obsolete regulations concerning the designation of tobacco auction markets. Effective July 21, 2025, Subpart D, titled "Orders of Designation of Tobacco Markets," will be rescinded from the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 29), marking the end of a long-inactive requirement for mandatory federal tobacco grading. This action stems from the Fair  more

NORFOLK, Virginia, May 22 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news story: * * * USS Charleston deploys to U.S. Northern Command Area of Responsibility The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) departed Naval Base San Diego to support U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) southern border operations, May 20. Charleston takes over duties previously carried out by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and will conduct similar operati  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner & Kaine Slam GOP Tax Bill for Raising Taxes on Working Families to Fund Windfalls for the Ultra-Wealthy WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement blasting the GOP's partisan tax bill that would raise taxes on the lowest-income Americans while handing six-figure windfalls to the wealthiest 0.1% of taxpayers: "At a time when wo  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner & Kaine Slam GOP Tax Bill for Raising Taxes on Working Families to Fund Windfalls for the Ultra-Wealthy WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) issued the following statement blasting the GOP's partisan tax bill that would raise taxes on the lowest-income Americans while handing six-figure windfalls to the wealthiest 0.1% of taxpayers: "At a time when working famili  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Kaine & Bennet Secure DoD Fixes to Broken Military Moving System WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) issued the statement below after the Department of Defense (DoD) announced immediate modifications to the military's broken moving system, which handles servicemember relocations. These modifications follow close advocacy by the senators, w  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Combat DOGE's Unsafe Retention of Personal Information WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Defending Our   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Wittman, Randall Introduce Bipartisan ANCHOR for Military Families Act WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Emily Randall (WA-06) introduced the bipartisan Assuring Navigation of Compact Help For Ongoing Relocation (ANCHOR) for Military Families Act, a bill that will ensure military families are informed of their educational rights, school enrollment support, and othe  more