WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation advocating for crucial funding and support measures for the next surface transportation bill. The organization, which represents nearly 300 member firms involved in various engineering disciplines, emphasized the urgent need to address the nation's infrastructure challenges. In its letter, ACEC New York highlighted the importance of maintai  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Associated Medical Schools of New York has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education, expressing concerns and requests for clarification as the agency prepares to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees addressing regulations for the Federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. In its letter, AMSNY highlighted the necessity of maintaining the existing federal loan exemp  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following fact sheet (No. R48174) on Aug. 25, 2025, by Senior Knowledge Management Librarian Kelly M. Hoffman: * * * Constitution Day and Citizenship Day: Fact Sheet Contents Introduction ... 1 Background ... 1 Legislation ... 2 Related CRS ... 2 Selected Congressional Statements and Remarks ... 3 Selected Presidential Proclamations and Remarks ... 3 Government Resources ... 4 Contacts Author Inform  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture advocating for the adoption of the NOVA definition of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) as part of a Request for Information on the topic. The foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, emphasized the critical heal  more

ALBANY, New York, Aug. 31 -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the following news release: * * * DEC Directs Great Lakes Cheese Facility to Take Immediate Action to Address Ongoing Environmental Impacts to Ischua Creek * No Known Public Water Impacts; Environmental Impact Investigation Ongoing; Recreational Use Advisory Remains in Effect As a result of an ongoing investigation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today directed  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (TNSLrpt) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a report which analyzed 137,153 Bank Secrecy Act reports filed 2020-2024, totaling about $312 billion in suspicious activity potentially tied to Chinese money laundering networks, finding banks filed 85% of relevant reports and MSBs 9%. Core patterns include U.S.-based Chinese passport holders making large cash deposits of unclear origin, rapid layering with cashier's checks and wires, and cross border flows align  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The House Homeland Security Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-229) on the Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act (H.R. 1569), which aims to establish a pilot program to assess the use of technology to speed up and enhance the cargo inspection process at land ports of entry along the border. The report was advanced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, on Aug. 15, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 1569, the "Contraband Awa  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The House Homeland Security Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-222) on the Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act (H.R. 1608), which aims to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to produce a report on emerging threats and countermeasures related to vehicular terrorism. The report was advanced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, on Aug. 8, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE AND SUMMARY H.R. 1608, the "Department   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The House Homeland Security Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-230) on the Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act (H.R. 2659), which aims to ensure the security and integrity of U.S. critical infrastructure by establishing an interagency task force and requiring a comprehensive report on the targeting of U.S. critical infrastructure by China state-sponsored cyber actors. The report was advanced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, on Aug. 15  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The House Rules Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-208) on a resolution (H.Res. 590) relating to consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 4) to rescind a budget authority proposed to be rescinded in special messages transmitted to the Congress by the President on June 3, 2025, in accordance with Sec. 1012(a) of the Congressional Budget And Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The report was advanced by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, on July 17, 2025.   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-214) on the Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 4275), which aims to authorize appropriations for the U.S. Coast Guard and to establish the Secretary of the Coast Guard. The report was advanced by Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, on July 22, 2025. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose of Legislation The purpose of H.R. 4275, as amended, is to authorize and amend authorities, programs, and statutes  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- JPMorgan Chase & Co., New York, has issued a public comment letter to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency addressing proposed modifications to regulatory capital rules that affect Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs). The comments pertain to the proposed modifications to the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio (eSLR) calculation, as well as Total Loss-Absorbing C  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The National Organization on Disability, New York, has issued a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor expressing strong opposition to a proposed change to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. The organization argues that rescinding the 7% utilization goal for federal contractors and eliminating the self-identification requirement could undermine decades of progress in employment for individuals with disabilities. NOD, which has advocated for the rights o  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's draft guidance for the development of drug and biological products aimed at treating myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The company has a long-standing commitment to creating medicines that can make a significant impact on serious medical conditions. In the letter, Regeneron expressed broad support for the FDA's rec  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The UCLA Law Center for Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy and UCSF Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urging the agency to maintain its standards for mifepristone based on evidence and sound science. The letter highlights the concerns of 263 reproductive health researchers regarding pressures to reassess existing safety protocols for the medication. The researchers emphasize that dec  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- Triple-S Corp. has issued a public comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, expressing concern over the proposed rule updating the Medicare End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) prospective payment system for the 2026 calendar year. Through this outreach, the organization seeks to highlight the unique challenges faced by dialysis providers in Puerto Rico and urges the agency to adjust payment structures to better reflect the realities on the island. As the  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 -- The University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, has submitted a public comment letter to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding proposed changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program. In the letter, URMC expresses deep concern over HRSA's notice on the Application Process for the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, asserting that such a transition could severely compromise the ability of safety net providers to care for vulnerable populations. URM  more