WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Small Business Administration posted the following news release: * * * $8.39 Million Settlement With College Relating To Improper Receipt Of Paycheck Protection Program Loan * 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 Marymount Manhattan College Admits That It Was Ineligib  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living issued the following news: * * * ACL Awards to Prevent Falls Among Older Adults and People With Disabilities * ACL is pleased to announce the 2025 award recipients of its Falls Prevention Program. The five grantees include health care systems, public health departments, and a state-level nonprofit organization. They will receive approximately $6.25 million in combined funding to implem  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard issued the following news release: * * * America's Tall Ship, U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle, announces 2026 sail training schedule for Nation's 250th anniversary * PORTSMOUTH, Va. U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) announced its 2026 schedule of port calls Friday. The selected port calls include the five Sail250 ports of New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York City, and Boston. Sail250, a global gathering of  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 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news: * * * Building the Future of American Passenger Rail * Major Northeast Corridor infrastructure upgrades and new trains are driving a new era of American passenger rail, leading to more reliable service and a better traveler experience. From high-speed, American-built NextGen Acela trains now in service to new Airo trainsets arriving in 2026, Amtrak is modernizing how our country travels. Many maj  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * Case Announces Nominations To Nation's Service Academies For Incoming '26 Class * (Honolulu, HI) - U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today announced his 2026 nominations to four of our nation's service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point/Army); U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis/Navy); U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point). "I take m  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. 20 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * Chairmen Garbarino, Moolenaar, Crawford Lead Letter Asking Pentagon to List Deepseek, Gotion, Unitree, and Wuxi as Chinese Military Companies This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) joined House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), and House  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * CLARKE LEADS PUBLIC COMMENT LETTER TO DHS URGING AGAINST PROPOSAL THAT EXPANDS USE OF BIOMETRIC DATA COLLECTION IN IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION PROCESSES * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) led a public comment letter signed by 48 of her colleagues to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow urged them   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, D-New York, ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * Committee Report Finds Trump Immigration Crackdown Is Crippling Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Main Street Businesses Today, House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) released a staff report detailing how the Trump Administration's intensified immigration crackdown is harming immigrant entrepreneu  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Pat Ryan, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN DEMANDS FTC INVESTIGATION INTO COLLECTORS HOLDINGS' ATTEMPT TO MONOPOLIZE TRADING CARD GRADING * Congressman Pat Ryan Demands FTC Investigation into Collectors Holdings' Attempt to Monopolize Trading Card Grading Through acquisitions of PSA (2021), SGC (February 2024), and now Beckett (announced December 2025), Collectors has consolidated over 80% of grading volume, leaving only   more

ALBANY, New York, Dec. 19 -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the following news release: * * * DEC Encourages Anglers to Stay Vigilant This Ice Fishing Season * New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today reminded ice anglers to put safety first when venturing out this season. Outdoor enthusiasts considering ice fishing should always be aware of essential safety guidelines and ensure ice is thick enough bef  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: * * * El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrest 49 illegal aliens with commercial driver's licenses * INDIO, Calif. In recent weeks, El Centro Sector agents arrested 49 illegal aliens with commercial driver's licenses during vehicle stops at immigration checkpoints and in interagency operations. Between Nov. 23 and Dec. 12, Indio Station agents apprehended 42   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. RS20348) on Dec. 18, 2025, entitled "Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview" by James V. Saturno, Congress and legislative process specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY The Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. Sec.Sec.1341-1342, 1511-1519) generally bars the obligation of funds in the absence of appropriations. Exceptions are made under the act, including for activities involving "the safety   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release: * * * FTC Continues Enforcement Action Streak Against Anticompetitive No-Hire Agreements * Today, the Federal Trade Commission took its latest enforcement action to free American workers from labor practices that limit wage and job growth by ordering building services contractor Adamas Amenity Services LLC (Adamas) and its affiliated businesses to cease their enforcement of no-hire agreements. Adamas use  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand Introduces Legislation To Better Protect Consumers And Crack Down On Abusive Practices In The Buy Now, Pay Later Industry * Legislation follows record Buy Now, Pay Later spending during this year's Black Friday-to-Cyber Monday shopping period, which surpassed $1 billion This holiday season, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is leading the charge to protect consumers from abu  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Push To Increase Accessibility Of VA Technology * Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative David Valadao (R-CA-22) urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take swift action to make its technology accessible to people with  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand Reintroduces Two Bills To Stop PFAS Chemicals From Entering Our Waterways And To Help Significantly Exposed Victims * Legislation Would Combat Toxic Forever Chemicals At The Source And Provide A Federal Cause of Action For Victims to Seek Relief This week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reintroduced two bills to combat dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contami  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand Statement Welcoming New Archbishop To New York * Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement welcoming Bishop Ronald A. Hicks to New York: "I welcome Bishop Hicks to New York. I look forward to working with him as he begins his tenure, and I am confident he will continue to serve with great compassion and care. Bishop Hicks' appointment is a blessing,   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand, Hyde-Smith Applaud Senate Passage Of Their Bill To Support Victims Of Human Trafficking, Urge President Trump To Promptly Sign It Into Law * Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) lauded the Senate's unanimous passage of their Trafficking Survivors Relief Act, which would enable survivors of human trafficking to have nonviolent offenses that the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand, Merkley, Baldwin, Booker 40 Senators: No New Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Abortion Provisions In Must-Pass Government Funding Bills * U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and 40 other Democratic senators in urging Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to keep any new dangerous, hyper-partisan policy provisi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand, Schumer Highlight $31 Million Authorization For Fort Hamilton Child Development Center In Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Bill * Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced that secured a $31 million authorization for the Fort Hamilton Child Development Center in Brooklyn in the National Defense Autho  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Gillibrand, Schumer, Meng Lead Effort To Preserve New York's Ability To Use Broadband Infrastructure Funds To Support Broadband Adoption And Digital Inclusion Projects * Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer, along with Congresswoman Grace Meng, raised concerns about the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) potential reclamation of Broadban  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Introduces Bill to Block Sales of Advanced AI Chips to China * Washington, D.C. \- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led 13 House Democrats today in introducing the Restoring Export and Security Trade Restrictions for Integrated Circuit Technologies (RESTRICT) Act, legislation to protect U.S. nation  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Issues Statement on NDAA * Washington, D.C. \- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement following the signing of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law: "This NDAA package includes several priorities I have spent years working to enact, including the historic repe  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Fitzpatrick, Bipartisan Colleagues Advance New 'Peace Through Strength' Sanctions on Russia Toward January Floor Action * Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-5), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, led a broad bipartisan coalition   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, issued the following news release: * * * Joyce Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Federal Port Infrastructure Investments Nationwide * WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Randy Weber (TX-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Robin Kelly (IL-02) led the bipartisan introduction of the Securing  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: * * * Kaptur Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Federal Port Infrastructure Investments Nationwide * Washington DC - Today, Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Randy Weber (TX-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Robin Kelly (IL-02) led the bipartisan introduction of the Securing  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Nick LaLota, R-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LaLota & Small Business Administration Urge Local Businesses to Apply for National Small Business Week Awards by Monday, December 22 * Hauppauge, N.Y Congressman Nick LaLota, a Member of the House Committee on Small Business, is urging Suffolk County entrepreneurs and small business owners to submit their nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards before the fast-approaching Monday  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * Meeks Issues Statement on NDAA Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement following the signing of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law: "This NDAA package includes several priorities I have spent years working to enact, including the his  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-New York, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * Meeks Issues Statement on Trump Administration Exploitive Approach to Health Assistance in Zambia Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement on reports that the Trump administration is conditioning U.S. health assistance on access to Zambia's c  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

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 -- The New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 19, 2025: * * * MTA Unveils Renovated Valley Stream Long Island Rail Road Station Renovated Station Features Accessibility Upgrades and Better Wayfinding New LED Lighting Installed, Along with Upgraded Communication and Security Systems * The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced a newly renovated Valley Stream Long Island Rail Road station. The pr  more

WHITE PLAINS, New York, Dec. 19 -- The New York State Power Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 18, 2025: * * * Fast EV Chargers Open at Rochester Institute of Technology Inn & Conference Center in Henrietta New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll Joined Senator Jeremy Cooney to Announce Expansion of EVolve NY Additional Chargers Bring the Total Statewide to 282 at 66 Locations NYPA Plans to Complete 400-charger Network Over the Next Year * Four new e  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. 20 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 25-cv-10492; S.D.N.Y. filed Dec. 18, 2025) involving George John Drazenovic: * * * On December 18, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a settled action as to George John Drazenovic, a Canadian citizen and British Columbia-licensed chartered professional accountant, alleging that he recklessly furthered two penny stock rings' pump-and-dump frauds. Drazenovic consented to the  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:22-cv-10794, 1:23-cv-01691; S.D.N.Y. filed Dec. 21, 2022, S.D.N.Y. filed Feb. 28, 2023): * * * Securities and Exchange Commission v. Caroline Ellison and Zixiao "Gary" Wang, No. 1:22-cv-10794 (S.D.N.Y. filed Dec. 21, 2022) and Securities and Exchange Commission v. Nishad Singh, No. 1:23-cv-01691 (S.D.N.Y. filed Feb. 28, 2023) Today the SEC filed proposed final consent judgments in the   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * Sen. Ossoff Launches Inquiry After Reports That Trump Administration Rolled Back Child Protection Programs * Washington, D.C. The Trump Administration has reportedly rolled back child protection programs, and now U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is demanding answers. Following reports that the Trump Administration is aggressively rolling back This is an external link Federal anti-child trafficking programs,   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: * * * Ukrainian National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Nefilim Ransomware to Attack Companies in the United States and Other Countries * A Ukrainian national pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud for his role in a series of international ransomware attacks. According to court documents, Artem Aleksandrovych Stryzhak, 35, of Barcelona, Spain, conspired with others  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Pat Ryan, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * VICTORY ON THE HUDSON: CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN'S BILL TO PERMANENTLY BAN BARGES ON THE HUDSON RIVER SIGNED INTO LAW * Victory on the Hudson: Congressman Pat Ryan's Bill to Permanently Ban Barges on the Hudson River Signed into Law After years of relentless advocacy by Congressman Ryan, bipartisan lawmakers, and local advocates, the "Hudson River Protection Act" - which permanently bans harmful, pollutin  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. 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