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The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) funding bill yesterday. The bill includes significant funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and reinstates a key component of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act (MFFMA) that had been rescinded in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill.

On July 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army announced a joint project to sample and test private drinking water wells near Army installations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This initiative aims to inform remedial actions if PFAS is detected in drinking water, as contamination may affect nearby residents.

Brunswick, Maine, July 26, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced from the Brunswick Farmers Market today that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program. Today, USDA is investing $163 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance that will support 338 clean energy projects in 39 states and Guam. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s...

Washington, D.C. — On the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule to improve access to medical equipment for disabled individuals. In response, William Roberts, senior vice president for the Rights and Justice department at the Center for American Progress, issued a statement.

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the release of new guidance and software to enhance the safety, security, and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This announcement comes 270 days after President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development of AI.

Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) has commended the Senate Appropriations Committee’s unanimous endorsement of an amendment aimed at restricting U.S. visas for Chinese officials implicated in the unjust detention of Dr. Gulshan Abbas. This action, championed by Senator Dick Durbin, represents a critical move against those perpetrating arbitrary detentions of Uyghurs.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will virtually cohost the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The event aims to discuss enforcement actions taken to lower prices for Americans.

The Governments of the United States and the Philippines have jointly released a statement marking the successful conclusion of the Philippines-United States Cyber-Digital Policy Dialogue held in Washington, D.C., on July 15 and 16, 2024.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed the program’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.

Three individuals have been sentenced for participating in an international scheme involving the sale of tens of thousands of pirated business telephone system software licenses with a retail value of over $88 million.

On Friday, July 26, the United States, along with 40 fellow Member States of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), issued a joint statement on the UN Convention Against Cybercrime. In advance of the reconvened concluding session of the Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a UN cybercrime convention, the Coalition reaffirmed its commitment that human rights offline must also be protected online.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued a new Suspension Order to Vineyard Wind 1, detailing operational requirements and actions necessary before personnel can board any wind turbines. This order is part of the ongoing investigation into the turbine generator blade failure that occurred on July 13, 2024.

As technology becomes increasingly integral to modern life, ensuring it does not create new barriers for people with disabilities is crucial to upholding the promise of equal opportunity under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes technologies used by employers, state and local government services such as public schools, voting systems, public transit systems, and places of public accommodation like doctors' offices and private colleges. As the ADA marks its 34th anniversary this month, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Equal Employment...

On the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the ADA to improve access to medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) for people with disabilities. MDE includes equipment such as medical examination tables, weight scales, dental chairs, x-ray machines, and mammography machines. Accessible MDE is essential for people with disabilities to have equal access to medical care.

On July 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began overseeing the installation of barriers to reduce contamination concentrations in groundwater at the Franklin Power Products/Amphenol site in Franklin, Indiana. The EPA will hold an open house on Wednesday, August 7, to address residents' questions about the cleanup and construction work at the site, which is expected to take one to two months.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income New Mexico residents in parts of Rio Arriba and San Juan counties recovering from the impact of wildfires and flooding that began on June 17, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the Lopez Human Smuggling Organization (Lopez HSO), a transnational criminal organization based in Guatemala. This action, coordinated with partners from the U.S., Mexico, and Guatemala, aims to disrupt operations that threaten U.S. national security by smuggling migrants illegally.

The United States has filed a civil complaint under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) against National General Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, including National General Insurance Company, National General Lender Services Inc., and Newport Management Corporation. The lawsuit alleges that for over a decade, National General erroneously force-placed its Collateral Protection Insurance (CPI) product on vehicles financed through Wells Fargo, despite borrowers already having insurance through other carriers.

The United States Department of Commerce and the Nigerian Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy have released a joint statement to enhance collaboration in the digital economy. This initiative is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Nigeria’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, launching the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $19,760,488 in funding for the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association Inc. (MTERA). This initiative aims to assist disadvantaged communities in addressing environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, enhance community climate resilience, and build capacity. The funding is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and represents the largest single investment in environmental and climate justice to date.

Today, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan announced that an open meeting of the Commission will be held virtually on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The meeting will commence at 10 a.m. ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the initial selections from a $2 billion program under the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the largest single environmental justice investment in history. The MetroHealth System and The Trust for Public Land in Ohio will receive $17,191,775 and $3,000,000 respectively to assist disadvantaged communities in addressing environmental and climate justice challenges.

A Michigan mother has requested the Michigan Supreme Court to affirm her constitutional right to just compensation after Manistee County foreclosed on her home, sold it, and retained $102,636 beyond what she owed.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 25, 2024, that it will provide over $325 million in funding to support 21 selected applications aimed at addressing environmental and climate justice issues in impoverished communities. This funding is part of the Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which represents the largest single investment in environmental justice to date. The announcement marks the first tranche of nearly $2 billion from the Community Change Grants program, designed to distribute grants on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has announced that Carolina Botero, Connecting Humanity, and 404 Media will be the recipients of the 2024 EFF Awards. These awards are given in recognition of significant contributions to ensuring technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation.