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U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and His Wife Charged with Bribery, Unlawful Foreign Influence, and Money Laundering Schemes
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Houston, TX - An indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Texas has charged U.S. Congressman Enrique Roberto “Henry” Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, with involvement in bribery, unlawful foreign influence, and money laundering schemes. The couple, residents of Laredo, Texas, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo in Houston.According to court documents, the Cuellars allegedly accepted about $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities, an oil and gas company owned by the Government of Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico City. These funds were...
Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at East Valley American Job Center in Mesa, Arizona
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen delivered a speech at the East Valley American Job Center in Mesa, Arizona, highlighting the economic progress made under the Biden Administration. Yellen emphasized the importance of equipping Americans with the necessary skills to secure good jobs and support growth in key industries.Yellen acknowledged the impact of the American Rescue Plan in aiding the economic recovery from the pandemic and emphasized the administration's commitment to supporting workers in the long term. She mentioned the importance of investing in new...
Opioid Manufacturer Endo Health Solutions Inc. Ordered to Pay $1.536B In Criminal Fines and Forfeiture for Distributing Misbranded Opioid Medication
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Endo Health Solutions Inc. (EHSI) faced a significant legal outcome today as they were ordered to pay $1.536 billion in criminal fines and forfeiture for their involvement in distributing misbranded opioid medication. This marks the second-largest set of criminal financial penalties ever imposed on a pharmaceutical company for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.EHSI pleaded guilty to introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce, acknowledging their deceptive marketing tactics related to the opioid medication Opana ER. The company marketed the...
Biden-Harris Administration Expands Health Coverage Access for DACA Recipients
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Biden-Harris Administration, has finalized a rule aimed at increasing access to health care for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The rule allows DACA recipients to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace, or for coverage through a Basic Health Program (BHP). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this change is expected to result in around 100,000 previously uninsured DACA recipients gaining health...
CFTC to Hold a Commission Open Meeting May 10
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Washington, D.C. — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnam has revealed that the Commission is scheduled to convene an open meeting on Friday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) at the CFTC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.The meeting, set to take place at the CFTC Headquarters Conference Center, located at Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20581, will focus on the consideration of the Proposed Rule regarding Event Contracts.Individuals interested in participating in the meeting have the option to attend in person, listen by...
ITI Testifies Before USTR on Strengthening Supply Chain Resiliency
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
In a testimony before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), ITI’s Director of Trade Policy Kyle Johnson emphasized the importance of utilizing trade policy to enhance U.S. supply chain resiliency efforts. Johnson urged the Biden Administration to prioritize trade policy as a key tool in advancing supply chain resilience.Johnson highlighted the significance of expanding robust, binding commitments on trade and enforcing existing international trade agreements with U.S. trading partners to improve the success of the U.S. government’s supply chain...
USDA Announces 28 Host Organizations to Train Future Conservation and Climate Leaders
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has chosen 28 organizations to host members of USDA’s Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) as part of President Biden’s American Climate Corps initiative. The aim is to train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders, providing technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people to deliver climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers.Deputy Secretary Torres Small emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “America’s rural communities are on the frontlines of climate change,...
White House Releases National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The White House has unveiled National Security Memorandum 22 (NSM-22) with the aim to fortify and improve the resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure from various threats for future generations. This initiative marks a crucial step towards bolstering and modernizing U.S. risk management practices, including engaging with international partners and allies.In a bid to safeguard the President's investments in U.S. infrastructure amidst challenges posed by adversaries, climate change, strategic competition, and supply chain disruptions, the White House has initiated a...
Pastor John Cao’s Final Journey
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Pastor John Cao, a Chinese Christian prisoner of conscience recently released, has shared his reflections and poetry in a series exclusively published by ChinaAid. In his writings, Pastor Cao delves into deep emotions and spiritual insights garnered during his time in prison.In one of his poignant pieces, Pastor Cao expresses gratitude for the support and love he received during his seven years of imprisonment, stating, "Everyone accompanied me through these seven years of imprisonment, showing deep love." He reflects on the connections he made and the encouragement he...
EPA Recognizes Small Business Champions at Administrator’s 34th Annual Small Business Programs Award Ceremony
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently hosted the Administrator’s 34th Annual Small Business Programs Award Ceremony to recognize outstanding small business champions from across the country. The event, held in celebration of National Small Business Week, highlighted the significant contributions of EPA programs, employees, and business partners.EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan commended the honorees, stating, “Celebrating EPA’s small business championship as part of National Small Business Week appropriately spotlights the exceptional contributions of the...
Police Raid Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church’s Home Bible Study
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Chengdu, Sichuan Province – May 3, 2024: On the evening of April 24, 2024, a small group from Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church faced a disturbing incident as they were studying the Bible at a Christian’s home in Wuhou District. The peaceful gathering was interrupted when police from Jinyang Police Station raided the Bible study, demanding the registration of identity information from all present.Approximately twenty individuals, including police officers, auxiliary police, community workers, neighborhood committee members, and property management personnel, surrounded...
Department of Labor to Celebrate Youth Apprenticeships During Inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Week
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The Department of Labor will celebrate the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships during the first Youth Apprenticeship Week from May 5-11, with a series of events and proclamations scheduled across the U.S."Youth Apprenticeship Week recognizes the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to create employment opportunities for young adults and the critical role they play in our nation’s workforce infrastructure," said Acting Secretary Julie Su. "Youth apprenticeships are not just pathways to careers, they are bridges to futures filled with promise, opportunity and endless...
Justice Department Sues Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Religious Discrimination
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The Justice Department has taken legal action against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for religious discrimination. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, accuses TDCJ of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by denying an employee's religious accommodation request.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized, "Employers cannot require employees to forfeit their religious beliefs or improperly question the sincerity of those beliefs." She...
West Virginia Ambulance Services Business Owner Convicted of Tax Crimes
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
A federal jury in Beckley, West Virginia, convicted Christopher Jason Smyth for failing to pay taxes withheld from employees' wages at his ambulance service and for obstructing the IRS.According to evidence presented at trial, Smyth operated Stat EMS LLC in Pineville, West Virginia, from 2012 through part of 2017. Smyth caused Stat EMS to be founded in the name of a nominee owner but continued to operate the business in the same manner as before.Smyth was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes from employees' wages and paying them to the...
Attorney General Garland recognizes Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has acknowledged Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day by emphasizing the importance of addressing the crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Garland announced intensified efforts aimed at tackling the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP), human trafficking, and other significant public safety challenges.Garland highlighted the disproportionate impact of the fentanyl crisis on Native Americans, exacerbating levels of violence and addiction within already vulnerable communities....
Department of Commerce “Know Your AI Customer Rule” Must Protect Privacy
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
CDT filed comments on a “Know Your Customer” rule proposed by the Department of Commerce (DOC) earlier this week. The rule aims to help the federal government track, prevent, and prosecute malicious use of internet infrastructure in the United States. While supporting this goal, CDT emphasized the importance of privacy protections in the rule, particularly concerning the compelled disclosure provisions and record-keeping requirements.The proposed rule targets providers of "infrastructure as a service" (IaaS), which offer essential computing resources to consumers....
Over 10 Million People with Medicare Received Free Vaccines Due to Inflation Reduction Act
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released new data showing that over 10 million people with Medicare Part D received a free vaccine in 2023, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This marked a significant increase from just 3.4 million people receiving covered vaccines in 2021.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the positive impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, stating, “Free vaccines are life changing and lifesaving for millions of Americans’ health and their wallets. While the ongoing first-ever negotiations are making history, we will also...
Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) by stating, “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured.”FBI Director Christopher Wray affirmed the FBI's commitment to addressing the violence affecting Tribal communities, stating, “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the...
World Press Freedom Day Highlights the Importance of Journalism and Media Freedom
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
Each year on World Press Freedom Day, the world celebrates the importance of journalism and recognizes the integral role a vibrant, independent media plays in democratic societies. In their pursuit of truth, journalists face unprecedented danger just for doing their jobs. More journalists were killed in 2023 than in any year in recent memory. Authoritarian governments and non-state actors continue to use disinformation and propaganda to undermine social discourse and impede journalists’ efforts to inform the public, hold governments accountable, and bring the truth to...
HUD Announces Disaster Assistance for Oklahoma Survivors
By Federal Newswire | May 3, 2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced disaster assistance for Oklahoma survivors following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 25, 2024. President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the counties of Hughes, Love, and Murray.HUD's efforts include providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and offering mortgage insurance through programs like Section 203(h) for disaster victims. Homeowners affected by the disaster are...
