WASHINGTON, July 17 -- A coalition of State Attorneys General from 15 states has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), challenging the agency's proposal to withdraw its determination that air cleaners are covered consumer products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). The coalition argues that eliminating the associated energy conservation standards and test procedures would negatively impact energy efficiency and increase consumer costs. The l  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, July 17 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on July 16, 2025: * * * Elections Division Investigation Clears False Allegations of Dual Voting AUGUSTA, MAINE - In a letter written to the Maine Republican Party, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows today announced that the Elections Division has concluded a full investigation of all Maine citizens accused by the Maine GOP of voting twice and found all accusations to be false. "Mainers can be reassured  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on July 16, 2025: * * * Murray Slams Republicans' Rescissions Package on Senate Floor ICYMI: Vought Refuses to Rule Out More Illegal End-Runs Around Congress & Refuses to Detail How Trump Will Execute Cuts If Rescissions Bill Passes * Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following rem  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on July 15, 2025: * * * Murray Urges Colleagues to Vote Down Rescissions Package in Its Entirety ICYMI: Vought Refuses to Rule Out More Illegal End-Runs Around Congress & Refuses to Detail How Trump Will Execute Cuts If Rescissions Bill Passes * Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the fo  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on July 16, 2025: * * * Pallone Stresses the Need for Additional Action on Recycling at Environment Hearing Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following opening remarks at today's Environment Subcommittee hearing titled, "Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovati  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The Passamaquoddy Tribe, a sovereign and federally recognized Indian tribe, submitted a public comment letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The Tribe expressed fundamental opposition to the development of the Gulf of Maine for oil and gas, considering it an existential threat to their identity, traditions, and livelihood. The correspondence addressed the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The Tribe conveyed its deep conce  more

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Collins, Smith, King Introduce Bill to Combat Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases * Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN) today introduced legislation to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, their landmark legislation to improve research, prevention, diagnostics, and treatment for tick-borne diseases, which became law in 2019. Senator Angus King (I-ME)  more

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Senators King, Collins, Smith Introduce Bill to Combat Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases * WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN) today introduced legislation to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, their landmark legislation to improve research, prevention, diagnostics, and treatment for tick-borne diseases, which became law in 2019. Senator Angus King (I-ME  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The coalition of State Attorneys General has formally submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opposing its proposal to withdraw the classification of portable air conditioners as covered consumer products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). The federal agency's recent announcement included plans to eliminate the relevant energy conservation standards for these appliances, raising concerns among the states and local governme  more

ORONO, Maine, July 16 -- The University of Maine System issued the following news release on July 15, 2025: * * * University of Maine System to lead state in accelerating adult degree completion with new applied 90-credit bachelor's programs UMS Trustees gave approval today for four of Maine's public universities to pilot 90-credit applied bachelor's degree programs that promote Mainers' economic mobility and address critical workforce needs in the state, including in public administration a  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California, ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release on July 16, 2025: * * * Where Do Groups Stand on Dangerous Republican-led Crypto Bills? Keep Reading. AFL-CIO (largest labor union in U.S.): So-called CLARITY and GENIUS Acts "pose risks to both retirement funds and to the overall financial stability of the U.S. economy." "We need to make sure that the financial system is stable instead of creat  more

WASHINGTON, July 17 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release on July 16, 2025: * * * Wyden, Bennet, Beyer Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Overhaul Unemployment Insurance Proposal would bring unemployment insurance into the 21st century by raising base benefits, minimizing disparities among states, creating permanent benefits for self-employed workers, and tying extended weeks of benefits to economic conditions on the ground   more