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U.S., Australia, Canada sanction Iranian officials over human rights violations

The United States has designated 12 individuals in connection with Iran's violent and coercive tactics, both within and outside the country. This move is coordinated with Australia and Canada, which are also implementing new sanctions against those responsible for human rights abuses in Iran this week.


Treasury releases international capital data for July showing significant inflows

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released the Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for July 2024. The next release, covering August 2024, is scheduled for October 17, 2024.


Blinken meets with Egyptian President El-Sisi on strategic dialogue

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi today in Cairo during the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue. According to Spokesperson Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken emphasized that the strategic dialogue aims to expand the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries. The discussions included Egypt’s growing water needs and the critical importance of the Nile River to its people.


NFIB presents Guardian of Small Business Award to House members

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, presented the prestigious Guardian of Small Business Award to Members of the United States House of Representatives.


Department of Labor honors nine unions with Century of Service induction

On September 17, 2024, Acting Secretary Julie Su and the U.S. Department of Labor honored nine labor unions by inducting them into the department’s Century of Service Honor Roll of American Labor Organizations. These unions collectively represent nearly three million members, retirees, and their families who have championed workers' rights for over a century.


Department of State launches online passport renewal system

The Department of State has launched a new online passport renewal system, now fully available to the public. This initiative aims to simplify the process for Americans seeking to renew their passports by allowing them to complete the procedure online instead of using paper applications and mailing checks.


Justice Department disrupts global botnet linked to Chinese state-sponsored hackers

The Justice Department announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet comprising over 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and globally. According to court documents unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the botnet was infected by People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers associated with Integrity Technology Group, a Beijing-based company known as “Flax Typhoon” in the private sector.


Justice Department files lawsuit over Francis Scott Key Bridge destruction

The Justice Department has filed a civil claim in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the container ship responsible for destroying the Francis Scott Key Bridge.


Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Smith introduce Homes Act addressing rental affordability

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Homes Act, a bill aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing for working families. Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued a statement in response.


Fraudulent PPP loan claims lead to legal action totaling over $138K

The United States has secured judgments in five civil fraud lawsuits involving fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.


Tom Cole advocates for continuing resolution amid national challenges

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) addressed the House floor today, advocating for H.R. 9494, the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025.


U.S., Canada & Australia impose new sanctions over human rights violations by Iranian officials

On September 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 12 individuals linked to the Iranian regime's violent repression of its people, both domestically and internationally. These designations target members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), officials from Iran’s Prisons Organization, and those responsible for lethal operations overseas. This action was coordinated with Canada and Australia, which have also announced new sanctions against those connected to human rights abuses in Iran.


United States extends best wishes to Chile on National Day

On behalf of the United States of America and the American people, I extend our best wishes to the people of Chile as they celebrate 214 years of independence.


Treasury releases guidance on clean vehicle infrastructure under Inflation Reduction Act

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and additional guidance on the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, as expanded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.


US Department of Labor files lawsuit against Dragon Kitchen over wage violations

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Dragon Kitchen of Jefferson City and its owner, Danny Cheng. The suit follows an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division, which found that servers were working for tips only and cooks were paid a fixed cash salary regardless of hours worked. These practices led to violations of minimum wage and overtime regulations.


EPA allocates over $156M for solar systems in low-income NM households

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $156,120,000 grant from the Solar for All (SFA) program to New Mexico. This funding will be managed by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and aims to install solar energy systems in low-income households. The grant is part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), established by the Inflation Reduction Act to address climate change, enhance economic competitiveness, and promote energy resilience.


Commerce and State Departments announce inaugural meeting for global AI safety network

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State have announced that they will co-host the inaugural convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes on November 20-21, 2024, in San Francisco, California. This follows Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s announcement of the launch of the Network during the AI Seoul Summit in May.


Justice officials visit El Paso to discuss civil rights issues

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte of the Justice Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs traveled to El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 16 to engage with stakeholders in underserved communities and reaffirm the department’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans. U.S. Attorney Jamie Esparza for the Western District of Texas joined them for the meetings.


EPA announces settlement with Atlantic City over Clean Water Act violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with the City of Atlantic City to address violations of stormwater management requirements under the Clean Water Act. The city has rectified these violations and will pay a $20,000 penalty. Additionally, Atlantic City has committed to a $60,000 project aimed at enhancing the resilience of its stormwater system against climate change impacts.


CAP urges extension of student loan repayment protections amid legal uncertainties

The Center for American Progress (CAP) has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging an extension of credit protections for student loan borrowers amidst ongoing legal uncertainties. The letter underscores the difficulties faced by the U.S. Department of Education and loan servicers in providing adequate support during this period.