WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living issued the following news: * * * ACL Announces 2025 Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Grant Awards * ACL is pleased to announce four recipients of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) grants totaling approximately $4.9 million in combined funding to implement evidence-based CDSME programs across four states. ACL's CDSME program provides education and tools to hel  more

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: * * * AETC medical groups second phase of AFMEDCOM transition By 1st Lt. Jonathan Day, Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Air Force moved all remaining Air Education and Training Command medical groups into the newly formed Air Force Medical Command as part of the second phase of the Air Force Medical Service's restructu  more

VICKSBURG, Mississippi, Dec. 15 -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center issued the following news story: * * * Autonomous barge kits improve logistical capabilities for joint forces By Carol C. Coleman, public affairs specialist The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has partnered with the U.S. Transportation Command to develop Scalable Autonomous Modular Propulsion kits for coastal and riverine Operational Logistics, or SAMPOL. Historically, U.S. Fo  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics issued the following news: * * * BTS Releases State-Level Transportation Public Finance Statistics data for the first time * Today, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released the 2023 State-Level Transportation Public Finance Statistics (TPFS) in addition to the 2023 Aggregate State data. TPFS provides information on transportation-related revenue and expenditures for all levels of go  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Mike Carey, R-Ohio, issued the following news release: * * * Carey Leads Colleagues in Letter to Acting IRS Commissioner Bessent Urging Fair Tax Treatment for Crypto * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio-15), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, led a group of 18 House lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary and Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Scott Bessent asking him to review and update guidance on the ta  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Castro, Ciscomani, Espaillat Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Hispanic-Serving * December 19, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and uplift their important work shapin  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Chairman Pfluger Reflects on a Lifetime of Service and Leadership on the Long Blue Leadership Podcast * WASHINGTON, DC Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors, USAFA '00 graduate, and a 20+ year fighter pilot and Colonel in the Reserve, joined the Long Blue Leadership Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, service, and life  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The Small Business Administration posted the following news release: * * * Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Sentenced for $65M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme * Click Here to Sign Up for SBA OIG Email Updates on Recent Investigative Cases, Audit Oversight Reports, and General News Link is external Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release Link is external A co-founder of a lender service provider wa  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: * * * Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Sentenced for $65M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme * A co-founder of a lender service provider was sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $65 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Escobar Expresses Further Concern on Camp East Montana Amidst Lack of Cooperation from DHS Secretary Noem and Acting ICE Director Lyons * Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Department of Homeland (DHS) Secretary Krisit Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons expressing her continued concerns regarding Camp East Montana  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Delivers Winter Wishes to Senior Citizens in Texas' Seventh Congressional District * Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and her team delivered holiday cards to senior citizens across Texas' Seventh Congressional District. Local students, teachers, and Seventh District constituents created and delivered more than 1,180 cards to Congresswoman Fletcher's Houston  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Calls for Thorough Review of Proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger * HOUSTON, T.X. - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) raising concerns about the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, urging the Board to conduct a robust, transparent review focused on community impacts, safety  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Passes Bill Out of Committee to Study Ways to Lower Housing Costs and Expand Homeownership * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) scored a win for housing affordability this week as a key provision she authored advanced out of the House Financial Services Committee as part of a broader housing package. The "Housing for the 21st Century Act" includes a p  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn Celebrates Trump Admin's Water Delivery Agreement with Mexico * AUSTIN - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today released the following statement celebrating the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) agreement with Mexico to meet their water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty and the arrival of Mexico's delivery to the U.S.: "After many months of pressure from the Trump administration an  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn, Kelly Bill to Boost Military Service Recruiting Signed into Law * AUSTIN - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statements after their bill to promote U.S. military recruiter access to secondary schools and attract the next generation of service members was signed into law by President Trump as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Yea  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Cornyn, Sheehy Introduce Bill to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of CAIR, Groups Bankrolling Terrorists * WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced legislation that would allow the U.S. Department of the Treasury to terminate the tax-exempt status of groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that provide material support, such as finances, services, or training,  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: * * * Crapo, Risch, Colleagues Call on President to Maintain Marijuana as Schedule I Drug * Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) joined 20 of their Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald Trump asking that marijuana remain a Schedule I drug. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug. "Reschedul  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued the following news release: * * * Criminal illegal alien passes away at University Hospital following medical emergency at Delaney Hall Detention Facility * NEWARK, N.J. Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old criminal illegal alien from Haiti who was detained at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, passed away, Dec. 12, from suspected natural causes. Brutus entered ICE cu  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * De La Cruz Leads Fair Wages for Farm Workers Act, Codifies Reforms to H-2A Program * WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) introduced the Fair Wages for Farmers Act (FWFA) to streamline and reform the H-2A program by codifying two recent Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security rulemakings. The Fair Wages for Farm Workers is supported by the Texas Farm Bureau, and   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * DHS Calls on Fairfax County Politicians to Honor ICE Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Previously Released Because of Their Sanctuary Policies Who Went on to Commit Murder the Next Day * In 2022, the Biden administration dismissed his immigration proceedings and marked him as a non-enforcement priority WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vehemently condemns Fairf  more

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: * * * F-16 Unveiling at Goodfellow Air Force Base By Airman 1st Class Maria Mota, 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - The 17th Training Wing conducted an unveiling ceremony for the arrival of a new U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft trainer at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 15, 2025. The F-16   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest: * * * Commission meetings and hearings No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week. * * * Public Disclosure On December 18, the Office of the Inspector General released its Semi-Annual Report to Congress, covering April 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025. * * * Election Dates The Commission has posted a list of preliminary 2026 Congressional Primary Dates. * * * Upcoming education  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Space Force issued the following news: * * * Hegseth, senior leaders honor military's top recruiters * ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other senior War Department officials honored the military's top recruiters Dec. 18, during the inaugural Recruitment Excellence Forum at the Pentagon. A byproduct of Hegseth's recently established Recruitment Task Force, the event aimed to recognize the hard work put in by 26 of the most successful   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (TNSFR) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a notice bypassing dozens of federal laws to speed up the construction of barriers and roads along the Texas border. The determination allows the agency to skip requirements from the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. These legal bypasses aim to accelerate the installation of fencing, lighting, cameras and sensors near the Rio Grande River. According to the n  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * ICE's Christmas Gift to Americans: The Arrests of Worst of Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Members of a Theft Gang, Bank Robbers, and Kidnappers * This holiday season, ICE is working around the clock to ensure silent nights and safer streets WASHINGTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of more worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from ac  more

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 20 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * LCRA awards $17,725 grant to Laguna Vista Fire-Rescue for updated emergency gear New equipment will provide firefighters with new specialized breathing equipment for use in hazardous environments * LAGUNA VISTA, Texas - The Laguna Vista Fire-Rescue soon will replace outdated air tanks and breathing gear with new units that meet national standards, thanks to a $17,725 grant   more

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 20 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * LCRA awards almost $1.1 million in community grants Projects include new life-saving equipment for first responders, upgrades to libraries, event centers and playgrounds, and much more in communities across LCRA's service area * The Lower Colorado River Authority recently awarded $1,096,247 in grants to support community projects across LCRA's wholesale electric, water and   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the following recall alert: * * * Maitre Saladier Inc. Recalls Lorraine Quiche Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection * WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 - Maitre Saladier Inc. in Quebec, Canada, is recalling approximately 6,000 pounds of Lorraine Quiche products containing pork that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agricultu  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * MEDCoE holds 2025 Best Medic Competition, names top team * JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence announced the winners and concluded the 2025 Best Medic Competition with an awards ceremony on Dec. 4, 2025, at Blesse Auditorium at Joint base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston..  The four-day competition was he  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: * * * Members of Dangerous Human Smuggling Organization Extradited from Colombia * Two Colombian nationals made their initial appearance in court in El Paso, Texas yesterday after being extradited from Colombia to face charges relating to their roles in a dangerous human smuggling conspiracy that left 40 aliens and two boat captains missing. In October 2024, a federal grand jury in the Western District  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: * * * Pres. Trump Signs Cornyn Bill to Advance Defense Innovation & Artificial Intelligence into Law * AUSTIN - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after his Growing University AI for Defense (GUARD) Act, which will codify a portion of President Trump's AI Action Plan and enable the Department of War (DoW) to establish and lead a National Security and Defense AI Institute to advance defe  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Nancy Mace Reintroduces Bill To Crack Down On Illegal Foreign Fishing And Protect American Fishermen * WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 19, 2025) Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) reintroduced the Protect American Fisheries Act of 2025 to strengthen protections for U.S. fisheries and coastal communities against foreign interference and illegal fishing. The bill modernizes the Magnuson-Stevens Act t  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Roy Leads Letter with 17 House Conservatives Pushing for a Vote on H.R. 2 * December 19, 2025 Press Release "Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, Chairman Jordan, Chairman Garbarino, and Chairman Mast, We respectfully request that the House of Representatives bring the Secure the Border Act, also known as "H.R. 2," in the 118th Congress, for a vote when we reconvene in January 2026 to perm  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * REPRESENTATIVES CLARKE, ESPAILLAT, AND SENATOR MARKEY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO LOWER HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS BY STOPPING EXPORTS OF NATURAL GAS ABROAD * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Lowering American Energy Costs Act. The bill directs the President to prohibit most U.S. exports of natu  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Linda T. Sanchez, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Sanchez, Espaillat, 48 Democrats condemn Trump's attacks on Brazil's democracy * WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), along with 48 of their colleagues, today condemned President Trump's unprecedented attacks on Brazil's democracy and his attempts to shield former Brazilian  more

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: * * * Secretary of War Honors Top Recruiter's By Master Sgt. Erik Cardenas, Air Force Accessions Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOPLH, Texas -- Six Department of the Air Force (DAF) recruiting professionals were recognized for outstanding performance across the recruiting enterprise during fiscal year 2025 at a senior-level Department of War (DOW) event held at t  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * SHEF competition turns up the heat on Air Force culinary pros * SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Airmen from 11 Department of the Air Force dining facilities went head-to-head in the second annual Salute Hospitality Epicurean Faceoff culinary battle Dec. 3 at the San Antonio Culinary Institute of America.  The SHEF competition, sponsored by the Air Force Services Cent  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland issued the following news: * * * SHEF competition turns up the heat on Air Force culinary pros * SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Airmen from 11 Department of the Air Force dining facilities went head-to-head in the second annual Salute Hospitality Epicurean Faceoff culinary battle Dec. 3 at the San Antonio Culinary Institute of America. The SHEF competition, sponsored by the Air Force Services Cent  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * Tlaib Leads Letter Demanding HHS Inspector General and CMS Investigate Black Maternal Health Crisis * Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, led 31 of their colleagues in demanding the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) and t  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following news release: * * * Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Has Historic Year * WASHINGTON - Today, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) year-end accomplishments, celebrating one of the most consequential periods of action and reform in American history. Under the leadership of President Dona  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service posted the following news: * * * Update: Genetic Sequencing Results for Wisconsin Dairy Herd Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza * Contact: aphispress@usda.gov WASHINGTON, D.C., December 19, 2025 On December 14, 2025, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in Wisconsin. On  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Vindman, Higgins, Sessions, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Traffic Stops Safer for Individuals with Disabilities * Washington, D.C. U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07), Clay Higgins (R-La.-03), Pete Sessions (R-Texas-17), and Barry Moore (R-Ala.-01) introduced a bipartisan bill to make traffic stops safer and less stressful for individuals with autism, developmental, or  more

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 19 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis issued the following analysis: * * * What new data tell us about the growth of occupational licensure * Many of us are required to maintain licenses in order to practice our occupations legally. In recent years, 22 percent of the employed have reported holding a government-issued license, in professions ranging from physical therapy to cosmetology to public school teaching. Because occupational licenses can be costly   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * WTAS: Advocates Commend Senate Passage of ROTOR, Urge House Consideration Aviation groups and families of the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash praised the Senate's unanimous passage on Wednesday of the ROTOR Act, Chairman Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) aviation safety bill. The ROTOR Act, a bipartisan effort wit  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: * * * WTAS: HHS Acts to Bar Hospitals from Performing Sex-Rejecting Procedures on Children * On December 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a series of proposed regulatory actions to carry out President Trump's Executive Order directing HHS to end the practice of sex-rejecting procedures on children that expose young people to irreversible harm. T  more