WASHINGTON, July 9 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF11672) on July 8, 2025, by naval affairs specialist Ronald O'Rourke. Here are excerpts: * * * Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Introduction The Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) program envisages procuring 30 replacements for the Coast Guard's 35 aging river buoy tenders (WLRs), inland construction tenders (WLI  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Columbia Housing Center Inc., Simpsonville, Maryland, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) expressing strong opposition to proposed changes that would rescind Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing (AFHM) regulations. This nonprofit organization, which focuses on fostering integrated neighborhoods in Columbia, Maryland, highlights that these rules are critical in promoting equitable access to housing within their region  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin in Washington Examiner: Celebrate American Independence by Advancing Energy Dominance * WASHINGTON - In the wake of July 4th, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin reflected on America's fight for independence nearly 250 years ago and recognized the push towards energy dominance to power the next 250 years. Under President Trump's leader  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on July 8, 2025: * * * Judiciary Democrats Demand AG Bondi Release Special Counsel Jack Smith's Report on Trump's Mishandling of Classified Documents, Epstein Files The Self-Proclaimed "Most Transparent" Administration in History is Withholding Information From the Public on Trump's Corrupt Actions * Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Ho  more

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, July 9 -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news on July 8, 2025: * * * Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Provides $29 Million for Ecological Restoration Projects The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is awarding $29 million from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to 27 ecological restoration projects encompassing 160 sites throughout the state for Fiscal Year 2026. These projects were selected ba  more

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Wittman, Elfreth Introduce Legislation to Protect Chesapeake Bay from Invasive Blue Catfish * WASHINGTON - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) joined Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) in introducing the Mitigation Action & Watermen Support (MAWS) Act, bipartisan legislation that will address invasive blue catfish and protect aquatic ecosystems throughout the Chesapeake Bay. Specifically, the MAWS  more