WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) celebrated the Senate passage of their bipartisan Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act. The bill now goes to the president to be signed into law. The bill would instruct the U.S. Mint to develop a commemorative coin series honoring the critical role working dogs play in our society, while providing financial s  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, which requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make its monthly reporting requirements for the Disaster Loan Account available to the public. As of 2015, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has followed this transparent reporting model for its Di  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) led a coalition of 18 U.S. Senators to send an oversight letter to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell demanding answers over recent reports that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump.   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Ted Budd (R-NC) wrote a letter with 16 of their Republican colleagues demanding answers from U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell regarding recent reports that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released the following public communication dated Nov. 12, 2024, from the National Rural Health Association: * * * To: The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Administrator Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 7500 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21244 RE: CMS-1808-IFC; Medicare Program; Changes to the Fiscal Year 2025 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS)   more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- East Carolina University issued a 25-page report in March 2024 entitled "Economic Impact of East Carolina University on the Local, Regional and Statewide Economies". The report was written by Meghan Millea and Vera Tabakova. Here are excerpts: * * * ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS OVERVIEW UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY-RELATED ACTIVITIES East Carolina University impacts the regional economies and the state of North Carolina in a variety of ways through expenditures, community eng  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the following public communication dated Nov. 4, 2024, from the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and Sierra Club. Here are excerpts: * * * To: Erin Lowde U.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Air Quality Policy Division C535-A Research Triangle Park North Carolina 27709 lowder.erin@epa.gov * Robert Lingard U.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Air Quality Policy D  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following news release: The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency." During the hearing, members emphasized FEMA's responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively. They questioned FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the agency's ongoing efforts to deliver assistance t  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, R-North Carolina, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: Today, the House Financial Services Committee, led by Chairman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), is holding a hearing to conduct oversight of President Biden's prudential banking regulators. Republicans are holding Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin Gruenberg accountable for his continued efforts to stonewall  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7653, the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield (VERY) Act, and H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act. "For those who have put their lives on the line for our nation, Congress must act to replace outdated language and ensure accessibility when seeking employment assistance because our words matter  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection issued the following news release: PEMBROKE PINES, Florida Jeffrey J. Dinise has been appointed as the new Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Miami Sector. Chief Dinise officially entered on duty in this capacity on November 17, 2024. Chief Dinise most recently served as Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Operations at USBP Headquarters in overseeing border security operations for 20 U  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 20 -- North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein issued the following news release: Attorney General Josh Stein today urged current and former North Carolina servicemembers who may have purchased items from Harris Jewelry and paid for a Lifetime Jewelry and Watch Protection Plan to submit their claims for refunds by Saturday, December 21, 2024. In July 2022, Attorney General Stein, along with other attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission, won a $34.2 mil  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 21 -- The North Carolina Department of Public Safety issued the following news release: N.C. Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr. today announced the appointment of Terry Green as the new chief of the State Capitol Police. Green, a veteran law enforcement professional with nearly 35 years of experience, has served as the department's deputy chief for the past five years. "Terry Green has earned the trust and respect of the department's pers  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina issued the following news release: U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., announced efforts to combat transnational money laundering, including the creation of the Eastern District of North Carolina's Illicit Finance Task Force (IFTF). The IFTF is a groundbreaking multiagency task force constituted to disrupt, dismantle, or render ineffective organizations involved in laundering crimina  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released the following public communication dated Nov. 14, 2024, from the American Home Furnishings Alliance, High Point, North Carolina: * * * To: The Honorable Douglas Parker Assistant Secretary of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210 RE: Extension Request Related to Comment Period on Notice o  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: On the heels of the deadly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) joined a bipartisan group of representatives in a letter urging Congress to include $21.6 million for America's National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) task forces to replace aging and obsolete rescue equipment that could put future rescue efforts, the public, and first responders at risk. US&R task forces are always on c  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: Today, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. was elected to represent Region 5 on the House Republican Policy Steering Committee, an advisory committee tasked with driving the Conference's legislative policy agenda. "Washington is in desperate need of serious individuals focused on addressing the immense challenges the United States faces today," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Preside  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Rep. Don Davis, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced House Resolution 1564, a bipartisan resolution recognizing the need for a Social Security Promise to reaffirm support for maintaining Social Security and calling for bipartisan, bicameral solutions that ensure the health and financial well-being of seniors. The resolution outlines the challenges seniors living on a fixed income face  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news: Like its sister services, the Space Force has officer, enlisted and civilian members all called "guardians." But the Space Force is looking for new ways to recruit civilian employees, which right now make up about 50 percent of the service. On college campuses, the Space Force is part of a congressionally mandated pilot program, the Defense Civilian Training Corps, or DCTC, which has similarities to ROTC, but whic  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (Sen.) -- Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following news release: GlobalFoundries Will Expand Current Fab & Build New, State-Of-The-Art Second Manufacturing Facility In Malta, In Addition To Modernizing A Vermont Location, Investing $13+ Billion Over Next 10+ Years, Adding Thousands Of New, Good-Paying Manufacturing And Union Construction Jobs Finalized Commerce Award Will Ensure GlobalFoundries Can Tap CHIPS Funding In Coming Years As Long  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senators Thom Tillis, Ted Budd and 16 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing concern over recent reports that a FEMA employee advised disaster assistance teams in Florida responding to Hurricane Milton to avoid homes that had yard signs supporting President-Elect Donald Trump. The employ  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Committee on Small Business, introduced the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, which requires the Small Business Administration to make its monthly reporting requirements for the Disaster Loan Account available to the public. As of 2015, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has followed this transparent reporting model for its Disaster Relief Fund (D  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, co-chaired a full Committee hearing on the President's disaster relief supplemental funding request for communities affected by recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Today's hearing featured two panels of witnesses: U.S. Senators Thom Tilli  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Nov. 21 -- North Carolina State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell issued the following statement on Nov. 20, 2024, on Pilot Mountain's fiscal health and irregularities and the staff of the Local Government Commission: * * * In recent media interviews, Pilot Mountain Mayor Evan Cockerham has asserted that the Local Government Commission (LGC) "failed to alert us to financial discrepancies and, thus far, have offered only limited guidance." This statement is factually inaccurate  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Thom Tillis testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the need for immediate federal disaster relief funding for North Carolinians impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Watch Senator Tillis' remarks HERE. Tillis on the scope of Helene's devastation: "102 lives lost. 151,000 homes destroyed. 500,000 businesses affected in disaster-declared areas, 5,000 miles of  more

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. The 412th Theater Engineer Command (TEC), headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, held its November battle assembly at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center from November 14th to 17th. This four-day event, known as a "super battle assembly," maximized training opportunities by bringing together leaders, staff, and Soldiers to enhan  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Rep. Kathy Manning, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06) and Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Co-chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the passage of their bipartisan resolution supporting the global efforts to counter antisemitism through the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution calls on countries and internati  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte issued a 45-page report in September 2024 entitled "Northern Beltline Project." The report was written by Matthew Metzgar and Craig A. Depken II. Here are excerpts: * * * Table of Contents 1. Introduction ... 6 Study Authors ... 6 Background on the Northern Beltline Project ... 7 2. Population and Economic Growth Trends: Birmingham, Alabama ... 8 Birmingham Population Trends ... 9 Birmingham, Alabama MSA: Navigating Po  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture issued the following news release on Nov. 20, 2024: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced a $14 million investment to support food safety research, outreach and workforce training. The investment will fund research and efforts to strengthen the safety of our nation's food supply. "Ensuring that all Amer  more

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) spoke passionately on the Senate floor to honor the heroic individuals in Western North Carolina who helped others during Hurricane Helene. Senator Budd also renewed his call for Congress to act on the supplemental funding bill for long-term recovery for the region. WATCH: HIGHLIGHTS: "I am again calling on this body to quickly approve a supplemental bill to help fund lon  more