WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- A coalition of 21 state Attorneys General submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strongly opposing the proposed rescission of the agency's Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Regulations. The states asserted that these regulations are vital in eradicating discriminatory housing practices and segregation in the nation's housing market. As chief law enforcement officials, the attorneys general stated their vested interest in   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- Collins, a fifth-generation family-owned company operating sawmills and managing over 370,000 acres of forestland, has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expressing support for the agency's efforts to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance procedures. However, Collins also voiced critical concerns regarding certain provisions within the interim final rule. The company, which plays a significant role as an   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R44692) on July 17, 2025, entitled "Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief" by natural resources policy specialist Laura B. Comay. Here are excerpts: * * * Contents Leasing Program Status ... 1 Selected Issues for Congress ... 4 Number of Sales in the 2024-2029 Program ... 4 Timing Considerations for the Five-Year Program ... 5 Regional Leasing Decisions  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley Blasts Senate Republicans for Blocking His Bill to Release the Epstein Files * Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans again blocked consideration of his Epstein Files Transparency Act : "The American people want and deserve transparency--but Senate Republicans are once again blocking justice. The rich and powerful must   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Administration to Reinstate EPA Employees Retaliated Against for Exercising Free Speech Rights * Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) said today they have joined 15 Senate colleagues in pressing the federal Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate employees placed on administrative leave after signing a "Declaration of Dissent" exp  more