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Chairman Mark Green of the Homeland Security Committee and other Committee leaders stated that the attempted breach of Marine Corps Base Quantico by Jordanian nationals who crossed illegally and are on the terrorist watch list demonstrates the "dire reality for the state of national security." Green and others questioned Secretary Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Austin of the Department of Defense, and Director Wray of the FBI on the incident in a letter dated May 23.

Three Rhode Island nail salons in Cumberland, East Greenwich, and North Providence, along with their owner, have agreed to pay employees $753,500 in back wages and damages. This agreement resolves violations of the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), as well as FLSA’s overtime requirements.

This week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), and Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) led a letter to Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning. The letter requests information on recent decisions that could delay the permitting process for new mines and limit public input.

Washington, D.C. — The Biden administration’s recent decision to increase tariffs on strategic goods imported from China underscores its commitment to maintaining American workers' leadership in the global transition to a cleaner future.

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $21.5 million in rebates for clean school buses across Connecticut, part of the Investing in America agenda. This funding is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition.

The PBS NOVA program "Secrets in Your Data" offers valuable insights into data privacy. Viewers are encouraged to explore the outreach toolkit for comprehensive information on protecting personal data.

A disbarred California attorney pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to operate a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded victims of more than $9.5 million.

Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation Ambassador Jessye Lapenn hosted a virtual meeting of senior representatives from 36 members of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation on May 23. Atlantic Partnership members received preliminary findings from the marine spatial planning working group, co-chaired by Angola, Morocco, and Spain. Members also welcomed the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance’s effort, via the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on ocean observation and modeling and a convening on sustainable aquaculture as a...

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® has launched its second original short film series, “The Human Component,” produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. The series features innovative technologies that support a more resilient planet, stronger societies, and healthier communities through compelling human-led films and immersive written content.

During the recent State Visit of President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto of the Republic of Kenya, the United States and Kenya announced new initiatives and public diplomacy programs aimed at elevating culture as a diplomatic platform. These initiatives are designed to bring people together, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen the economies of both countries.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued guidance urging mortgage servicers to implement a targeted moratorium on foreclosures for Veterans with VA-guaranteed loans through December 31, 2024. This measure aims to help Veterans and their families remain in their homes beyond the current foreclosure moratorium ending on May 31.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced today the recipients of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition, funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The rebates will assist selectees in purchasing 213 clean school buses across 21 school districts in Pennsylvania. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace older, diesel-fueled school buses linked to asthma and other health conditions.

The third High-Level Meeting of the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership took place on May 22, 2024, in Paris, France. The event was co-chaired by representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State, French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The Partnership aims to address energy policy, technology, and innovation to advance zero-emissions energy sources and systems while enhancing diplomatic efforts to accelerate energy transitions and achieve climate...

The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Colombia on the occasion of the XI High-Level Dialogue.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that Veterans will no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits each calendar year through 2027. This initiative aims to expand access to mental health services and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Veterans.

At the Mackinac Policy Conference today, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez met with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, and local leaders to emphasize the U.S. Department of State’s support for the newly announced “Michigan City and State Diplomacy Initiative,” hosted by the Michigan Municipal League and Foundation.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed the initiative’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.

On May 29, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the allocation of $12.1 million to support energy efficiency and clean energy projects in three states and 14 local governments. This funding is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

On May 29, 2024, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore, alongside Region 2 Administrator Lisa Garcia and Region 3 Administrator Adam Ortiz, joined Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and other partners to emphasize the significance of Great Lakes restoration in revitalizing communities along Lake Erie's shoreline.

Calli Schroeder, senior counsel and global privacy counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has raised concerns regarding AI programs that monitor user actions. "Constant screenshots of user actions for Recall and other AI programs is a form of surveillance," she stated. "Keeping the data on-device addresses some of the risks of that surveillance but doesn’t change the fact that user activities are being monitored and recorded in great detail and volume."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on protocols for a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main initiative under the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The information will be collected through a Request for Information and will inform a proposed rule to establish the program.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Government in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, challenging the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its beneficial ownership reporting requirements.

Ambassador Steve Lang, U.S. Coordinator for International Information and Communications Policy, and Special Envoy Eileen Donahoe, Coordinator for Digital Freedom, are in Geneva, Switzerland, leading a U.S. interagency delegation for the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event and AI for Good Global Summit from May 27-31.

WASHINGTON—The global transition to clean energy will hinge on developing and adopting new innovations that drive price and performance improvements in a diverse array of clean energy sources and uses. States and regions have important roles to play in that effort, bringing resources to bear through geographically concentrated networks of technology and service firms, research institutions, and nonprofit and public sector entities.

Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel C. Fick will travel to Helsinki, Finland, and Tallinn, Estonia from May 28 to 31, 2024.