News published on Federal Newswire in August 2024

News from August 2024


Heritage expert criticizes Biden's Title IX revision affecting women's protections

The Biden administration's revised Title IX rule, aimed at addressing sex discrimination in education, takes effect today in public and many private schools across 24 states. The new regulation has sparked significant controversy as it expands protections to include gender identity, leading to changes in women's private spaces, educational opportunities, and athletics.


Blinken discusses Middle East tensions with Saudi Foreign Minister

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken engaged in a discussion with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on August 1, 2024, concerning ongoing tensions and developments in the Middle East. The conversation was detailed in a readout provided by Spokesperson Matthew Miller.


Biden-Harris administration issues financial aid under DFAP

On Wednesday, July 31, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the issuance of payments to eligible applicants under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). This move was widely praised by leaders across the country as a significant step in advancing President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting equity in federal government programs.


U.S. secures release of Americans detained in Russia

Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva are now on their way back to the United States from Russia. Through the efforts of numerous individuals in the State Department and across the government, the United States was able to secure their freedom, as well as that of Vladimir Kara-Murza and twelve others held prisoner inside Russia.


Research suggests self-judgment on happiness may harm psychological well-being

Judging how happy one is could backfire and negatively impact life satisfaction and psychological well-being, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.


EPA awards over $2M grant to WVU under Inflation Reduction Act

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVU) to receive $2,486,224 in funding. This grant is part of a broader initiative under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act aimed at reducing climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials. WVU is among 38 selectees across the nation, with the announcement made on July 16, 2024, as part of a $160 million grant rollout.


Heritage Foundation releases new defense strategy focusing on US homeland security

The Heritage Foundation has released a report titled "The Prioritization Imperative: A Strategy to Defend America’s Interests in a More Dangerous World," outlining a defense strategy for the incoming U.S. administration in 2025. The report emphasizes prioritizing the defense of the U.S. homeland and countering China's ambitions, while empowering allies to handle lesser threats.


Civil monetary penalty imposed on American Medical Response for delayed patient record access

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced a civil monetary penalty of $115,200 against American Medical Response (AMR), a provider of emergency medical services across the United States. The penalty follows an investigation based on a complaint that AMR failed to provide a patient with timely access to their medical records.


FTC announces virtual open commission meeting for August 1

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 am ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission.


Jonathan Kanter outlines Antitrust Division's efforts at public strike force meeting

Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter addressed the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to holding corporations accountable for exploitative practices.


DOE announces $63M for battery recycling & smart manufacturing

In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the availability of up to $63 million to assist state and local governments in expanding battery recycling and modernizing American manufacturing through advanced technologies. Administered by DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), this funding aims to advance tools and resources necessary for achieving a net-zero economy by 2050, while also bolstering America's global leadership in manufacturing.


White House hosts multinational meeting on connected vehicle security

On July 31, the White House and Department of State hosted an inaugural meeting with key allies, partners, and industry leaders to address the national security risks associated with connected vehicles. This follows the launch of a U.S. regulatory process earlier this year.


United States commends Guinea on Stadium Massacre trial verdict

The United States has expressed commendation for the Guinean justice sector following the conclusion of the Stadium Massacre trial. The verdict, which includes the conviction of former junta President Moussa Dadis Camara and court-ordered reparations, is seen as providing a sense of justice for victims and survivors.


FTC and DOJ host first strike force meeting on unfair pricing

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) virtually cohosted the inaugural public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing to discuss enforcement actions aimed at reducing prices for Americans.


Biden-Harris administration allocates $2.6M for clean school buses in American Samoa

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of American Samoa’s Department of Education for a $2,555,000 Clean School Bus Program rebate. This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will facilitate the purchase of seven electric school buses for American Samoa.


Justice official unveils initiatives addressing domestic violence-firearm intersection

Director Rosemarie Hidalgo of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) met with representatives from 12 pilot sites across the country that receive funding and support through the Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP). During this meeting, she announced a comprehensive strategy to address the lethal intersection of domestic violence and firearms. Director Hidalgo emphasized the urgent need to enhance efforts to prevent and address this dangerous issue, which increases the likelihood of death for victims of domestic violence.


Netflix's Geeked Week returns with live event in Atlanta

Netflix has announced that its fourth annual Geeked Week celebration will occur the week of September 16, concluding with a live, in-person fan event in Atlanta on the evening of Thursday, September 19. This marks the first time Geeked Week will bring together fandoms from series, films, and games at a live fan event.


Court halts Mississippi professionals from selling fraudulent “tax plans

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi has issued permanent injunctions against Thomas Walt Dallas, Jason Todd Mardis, and Capital Preservation Services LLC. The court's decision bars them from making statements about tax benefits for compensation and includes other relief measures. The defendants consented to the entry of the injunctions.


EPA completes oversight of C6-Zero site cleanup in Marengo

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has concluded its oversight of removal operations at the C6-Zero Site in Marengo, Iowa. This follows an explosion and fire on December 8, 2022, which initiated a multi-agency investigation and cleanup effort.


AIA urges Senate support for reversal of harmful R&D tax policy

Arlington, Va. – Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Vice President of Legislative Affairs Nora Khalil today commended Majority Leader Schumer for taking action on H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, and urged Senators to support the legislation that will reverse a harmful tax amortization that disincentivizes American businesses from investing in research and development (R&D).