|
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Obama's
Ratings Remain High
Despite the theme that President Obama's honeymoon may be over,
Political Wire has learned that a new Pew Research poll will
be out shortly that shows President Obama's approval ratings
remain high despite some policy concerns.
|
Franken-Coleman
Ruling Imminent
Politics in Minnesota "has now heard from two sources on
different sides of the Minnesota U.S. Senate race recount scene"
that the final Minnesota Supreme Court ruling is expected to
arrive today between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
|
Specter
Holds Wide Lead Over Sestak
A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA)
leads Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) by 19 points, 51% to 32%, in an
early look at the 2010 Senate Democratic primary in Pennsylvania.
|
A
new DailyKos/Research 2000 poll in Virginia finds Bob McDonnell
(R) edging Creigh Deeds (D) in the gubernatorial race, 45% to
44%.
|
Three
Senate Races Firm Up for Democrats
The Cook Political Report changed its ratings on three U.S. Senate
races -- in North Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin -- moving
them all from Likely Democrat to Solid Democrat.
|
Obama
Biden Administration Approval Remains High
A new Pew Research survey finds a solid majority of Americans
(61%) continue to approve of President Obama's job performance,
"although they express mixed views of several of his policies."
|
Polls
indicate Republicans Hit All Time Lows
Even though President Obama's overall ratings remain high, some
in the national media interpreted two new polls as showing the
end of the president's honeymoon period.
|
German
chancellor to meet with Obama next week
Posted: 11:25 AM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel will
meet with President Barack Obama at the White House next week,
Obama's spokesman announced Thursday.
|
Senate
committee starts revising health care reform proposal
Posted: 11:58 AM ET
President Obama pitched his health care plan to the American
Medical Association on Monday and today, a Senate committee is
working on a massive health care bill.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A Senate committee began the arduous
work Thursday of debating and amending the first comprehensive
health care bill to come before Congress this year.
|
Senate
apologizes for slavery
Posted: 01:58 PM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a
resolution apologizing to African-Americans for the wrongs of
slavery and segregation.
|
|
Pelosi:
House will pass a bill that includes a government run health
care option to compete with private insurers
Posted: 03:10 PM ET
From Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday the House will pass
a bill that includes a government run health care option to compete
with private insurers.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed snags
in Senate health care reform negotiations and insisted Thursday
the House will pass a bill that includes a government run health
care option to compete with private insurers.
|
|
Polls:
Obama being judged for actions, not promises
Posted: 03:18 PM ET
From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul
Steinhauser
Three new polls are out about the president's job approval.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Three new national polls suggest that
President Barack Obama is more popular than his policies. And
two of those surveys, by NBC-Wall Street Journal and CBS-New
York Times, also indicate that concerns over the massive federal
deficit are growing.
|
|
Gates:
U.S. ready if North Korea sends missile toward Hawaii
Posted: 03:49 PM ET
From CNN Supervising Producer Adam Levine
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Defense Secretary
Robert Gates said Thursday the United States could defend itself
against a missile should the North Koreans launch one toward
Hawaii.
|
|
War
funding bill survives procedural vote… barely
Posted: 04:17 PM ET
From CNN Radio's Lisa Desjardins
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A $106 billion
war spending bill has narrowly survived a nail-biter of a vote
in the Senate. Democrats needed 60 votes to waive a budget rule
and allow them to attach $1 billion in funding for the so-called
"Cash For Clunkers" program, aimed at reviving the
auto industry.
|
|
Kerry
on Iran: Don't 'make this about America'
Posted: 04:27 PM ET
From CNN's Lauren Kornreich
Kerry defended President Obama on The Situation Room.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. John Kerry defended President Obama
Thursday for staying out of the controversy over the elections
in Iran, telling CNN this was an "Iranian moment" and
saying it would be an "enormous mistake" for the president
to get involved.
|
|
Health
care reform: What's at stake
Posted: 05:34 PM ET
From CNNMoney.com Senior Writer Jeanne
Sahadi
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Americans are
being told daily that health reform isn't just the right thing
to do — it will also help save the economy.
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|
adsense
|
|
Senate
approves war funds
Posted: 06:29 PM ET
From CNN's Lisa Desjardins
WASHINGTON (CNN) – The U.S. Senate
on Thursday passed a $106 billion spending bill that includes
about $80 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, sending
the bill to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature.
|
|
White
House remarks at Bush comments: 'We won'
Posted: 08:06 PM ET
From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
The White House responded Thursday to recent comments by former
President George W. Bush.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A day after former President George W.
Bush seemed to criticize the Obama administration for departing
from a number of his anti-terrorism policies, White House Press
Secretary Robert Gibbs fired back.
Asked about Bush's remarks during Thursday's
press briefing Gibbs had a simple response. "We won,"
Gibbs told reporters.
|
Mullen
says U.S. responsible for civilian deaths in Afghan battle
Posted: 07:11 PM ET
From Mike Mount
CNN Senior Pentagon Producer
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. military is responsible for
civilian deaths during a firefight with Taliban militia last
May in western Afghanistan, the nation’s highest ranking
military officer said Thursday.
|
|
Woman
fined $1.9 million for illegal downloads
Posted: 07:57 PM ET
By Elianne Friend
CNN
(CNN) — A federal jury Thursday found
a 32-year-old Minnesota woman guilty of illegally downloading
music from the Internet and fined her $80,000 each — a total
of $1.9 million — for 24 songs.
|
What
next in Iran: Eyes turn to supreme leader
Posted: 12:10 AM ET
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) — Scrutiny turns to Iran’s supreme
leader on Friday, when he will deliver a sermon to a nation that
has been swept up in several days of post-election protests.
|
|
Iranian
women see protests as avenue for greater change
Posted: 01:13 AM ET
By Moni Basu
CNN
Like thousands of other Iranian women,
Parisa took to Tehran’s streets this week, her heart brimming
with hope. “Change,” said the placards around her.
|
GAO-09-370T,
Medical Devices: Shortcomings in FDA's Premarket Review, Postmarket
Surveillance, and Inspections of Device Manufacturing Establishments,
June 18, 2009
|
GAO-09-795T,
New Markets Tax Credit: Minority Entities Are Less Successful
in Obtaining Awards Than Non-Minority Entities, June 18, 2009
|
GAO-09-813T,
International Trade: Observations on U.S. Government Efforts
to Address Textile Transshipment, June 18, 2009
|
GAO-09-709,
Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking
to Mexico Face Planning and Coordination Challenges, June 18,
2009
|
|
GAO-09-395,
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs: Improved Oversight and
Controls Would Better Ensure Program Quality, May 20, 2009
from GAO Reports
The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) is responsible for ensuring workplace safety. OSHA has
established a number of programs, including the Voluntary Protection
Programs (VPP), that take a cooperative approach to obtaining
compliance with safety and health regulations and OSHA's standards.
OSHA established the VPP in 1982 to recognize worksites with
exemplary safety and health programs. GAO was ...
|
GAO-09-764R,
U.S. and Canadian Governments Have Established Mechanisms to
Monitor Compliance with the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement but
Face Operational Challenges, June 18, 2009
|
GAO-09-557R,
Military Pay: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service--Indianapolis
Could Improve Control Activities over Its Processing of Active
Duty Army Military Personnel Federal Payroll ...
|
|
VIDEO:
Senate HELP Cmte. Markup of Health Care Legislation
from C-SPAN Recent Video
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Cmte.
begins its week-long markup of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)'s health
care legislation. The bill looks to lower costs, provide more
public options for health care providers and create an inter-agency
council to develop a national health strategy.
Length:
Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Azar Nafisi, John Hopkins University-Foreign Policy Inst., Visiting
Scholar
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Azar Nafisi, who lived in Iran during the 1979 Revolution, discusses
the current reaction from the residents and leadership in Iran
over the results of the presidential election. She is joined
by phoner Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times, Middle East Correspondent,
who gives an update on the current situation in Iran.
Length: 1 hr. 1 min.
Published: Thursday at 7am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Financial Svcs. Subcmte. on Financial
Institutions, Chairman
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Rep. Gutierrez continues our discussion on President Obama's
plan for regulating financial markets, givin his perspective.
The Financial Services Committee today questions Treasury Secretary
Geithner about the plans.
Length: 19 min.
Published: Thursday at 8:30am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Weekly Legislative Briefing
from C-SPAN Recent Video
House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) conducts a weekly briefing
on legislative issues in the 111th Congress.
Length:
Published: Thursday at 10:45am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing with Philip Crowley
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Philip Crowley, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs
at the State Department, conducted the State Department daily
press briefing. Mr. Crowley provided an update on Secretary Clinton's
condition since fracturing her elbow, the situation in Iran,
and other issues.
Length: 43 min.
Published: Thursday at 11:30am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Series of Amendment Votes on the House Floor
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Votes on a series of amendments to a budget bill have led to
the postponement of scheduled hearings and press conferences
in the House. House Approps. Chair David Obey (D-WI) accused
his GOP collegues of attempting to slow down a bill funding the
Justice and Commerce departments and federal science projects.
Length:
Published: Today at 2pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing on Iraq
from C-SPAN Recent Video
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill briefed reporters at
the State Department on the current situation in Iraq.
Length: 26 min.
Published: Thursday at 1:45pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Defense Sec. Gates & JCS Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen Press
Briefing
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen conducted a press briefing from
the Pentagon.
Length: 36 min.
Published: Thursday at 2pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) Press Briefing on Health Care Reform
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) discusses the HELP Committee's consideration
of the Affordable Health Choices Act with reporters. The Committee
is currently in the process of marking-up the legislation.
Length: 10 min.
Published: Thursday at 2pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Bipartisan Press Conference on Health Care
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) was joined by some of his Blue Dog Democrat
colleagues along with moderate Republicans to discuss the need
for a bipartisan effort in drafting health care reform legislation.
Length: 8 min.
Published: Thursday at 3:30pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs conducts a daily briefing at the
White House.
Length: 44 min.
Published: Thursday at 2:15pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Senate Commerce Subcmte. Hearing on Aviation Safety and Air Carrier
Oversight
from C-SPAN Recent Video
The Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcmte. of Senate
Commerce, Science and Transportation Cmte. holds the second in
a series of hearings on aviation safety and the Federal Aviation
Administration's role in air carrier oversight. Members focus
on the role and responsibilities of commercial air carriers and
their employees.
Length: 2 hr. 1 min.
Published: Wednesday at 8pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
NASA Press Conference
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Norman Augustine, Chairman of the Review of U.S. Human Space
Flight Plans Cmte. and other members, speak to reporters following
the Cmte.'s first public meeting.
Length: 25 min.
Published: Wednesday at 9pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Leads Prayers in Tehran
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, leads Friday
morning prayers from Tehran University. He will be backed by
the Basij, the Islamic militia leading the crackdown against
protestors following last week’s controversial election.
A million demonstrators are expected to gather nearby to hear
the Ayatollah's comments on the vote.
Length:
Published: Thursday at 11pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Pres. Obama at Democratic fundraiser
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Thursday night, Pres. Obama spoke at a Democratic fundraiser.
The White House had banned any donations from lobbyists and political
action committees from the event.
Length: 17 min.
Published: Thursday at 7:30pm (ET)
|
Presidential
Nominations Sent to The Senate, 6-18-09
Edward M. Avalos, of New Mexico, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture
for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, vice Bruce I. Knight,
resigned.
|
President
Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 6-18-09
Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
the following individuals for key administration posts: David
J. Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
and Warren F. "Pete" Miller, Jr., Director, Office
of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Department of Energy.
|
Statement
by the Press Secretary on the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel
to the White House
President Obama looks forward to welcoming Chancellor Angela
Merkel of Germany to the White House on Friday, June 26.
|
Schedule
Of Judge Sotomayor's Capitol Hill Meetings, 6-18-09
Today, Judge Sotomayor will visit Capitol Hill to meet with the
following Senators:
|
Briefing
by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 6-18-09
|
Remarks
by the Joe Biden to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
|
Behind
the Scenes with Colbert
Posted by Jesse Lee
|
Health
Reform Stakeholder Meeting with Physicians
Posted by Jesse Lee
|
Follow-up
on Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States
Posted by Anne Waple
|
|
OVW
Home Page for U.S. Department of Justice
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
Attorney General Addresses National Summit on the Intersection
of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment
|
A
call to action for safer homes
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:01:00 -0500
They say home is where the heart is. But too often, home is where
the hurt is – health hazards that can lead to sickness,
injury and death. That’s why the Office of the Surgeon General
has issued a Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes.
|
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) has voted to revise its regulations to conform to changes
made by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, which would make
it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA
to establish that he or she has a disability.
This information has recently been updated, and can be read by
visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=35
|
VACANCY:
Emergency Management Program Specialist, GS-301-11/12 FEMA
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:42:50 -0500
MW-09-2C-0163-LDW1 (Closing Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT)
|
Director
Gambrell Testifies Before House Committees Regarding NMTC Program
June 18, 2009
Gambrell-2009-06
|
|
U.S.
Department of State: President Carter's Trip to Gaza
Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary, Office of the Spokesman
Bureau of Public Affairs
Washington, DC
|
|
U.S. Department of State OIG Releases
Office of Inspector General
June 18, 2009 |
Semiannual
Report to the Congress October 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009
Embassy
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (ISP-I-05-20A) (June 2005)
Embassy
Beirut, Lebanon (ISP-I-05-16A) (July 2005)
Bureau
of Consular Affairs Office of Policy Review and Interagency Liaison
(ISP-CA-05-62) (Sept 2005)
Embassy
Damascus, Syria (ISP-I-05-17A) (July 2005)
Summary
Evaluation of the Regional Information Management Centers (IT-I-05-05)
(Sept 2005)
Financial
Support and Training Office Paris, France (ISP-I-05-07) (Feb
2005)
The
International Broadcasting Bureau’s Delano, California,
Transmitting Station (IBO-I-05-05) (March 2005)
Summary
of FY 2004 Information Systems Security Issues (IT-I-05-01) (March
2005)
Bureau
of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (ISP-I-05-14)
(July 2005)
|
Energy
Bill Advances in Senate
Posted: 16 Jun 2009 05:00 PM PDT
By H. JOSEF HEBERT
WASHINGTON - Legislation that would require greater use of renewable
energy and make it easier to build power lines is advancing in
the Senate.
The Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 11-8 on Wednesday
to advance the bill although Democrats and Republicans - for
different reasons - said they had concerns about the bill and
hoped to make changes on the Senate floor.
|
Supreme
Court Has Key Decisions Pending
Posted: 16 Jun 2009 05:00 PM PDT
WASHINGTON _ The Supreme Court is heading into the final two
weeks of its term and, as usual, the justices have left some
of the hardest decisions for last.
The issues to be decided range widely, with some of the cases
involving politically charged movies, strip searches of students
and the rights of prisoners who say DNA will prove their innocence.
But the two cases likely to get the most attention concern civil
rights and the proper role of race in the law.
|
Delays,
Disputes Slow Progress of Health Care Bill
Posted: 17 Jun 2009 05:00 PM PDT
By ERICA WERNER
WASHINGTON - Delays and disputes bogged down a Senate panel considering
the details of remaking the nation's $2.5 trillion health care
system.
|
Democrats
to Push Through Banking Overhaul Quickly
Posted: 17 Jun 2009 05:00 PM PDT
By ANNE FLAHERTY
WASHINGTON - Democratic leaders have committed to enacting by
the end of the year the biggest regulatory revision to the U.S.
financial system since the 1930s - an undertaking so ambitious
it has some lawmakers worried about missteps.
|
|
San
Antonio Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
FEMA
Help Is A Telephone Call Away
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:11:10 -0500
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Dealing with disasters can be overwhelming
- and the application forms for disaster assistance can be confusing
and the process can be frustrating.
|
Attached is an PDF version of RIS 2009-06,
Importance of Giving NRC Advance Notice of Intent to Pursue License
Renewal, dated June 15, 2009, (ML090540789), that has been posted
to the NRR GCC Web, along with the URL for Web access to generic
communications files on the NRC Homepage: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/reg-issues/2009/.
|
|
Phoenix
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Albany
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Philadelphia
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available
|
|
Indianapolis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Detroit
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
United
States Department of Defense Image Gallery
|
New
Media Vlog June 16
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:03:02 -0500
In this edition, MC3 William Selby talks with Marines reenacting
part of the Battle of Belleau Wood for a new film Marine Corps
Museum exhibit.
|
|
Minneapolis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
U.S.
Department of State Background Notes : Liechtenstein (06/09)
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:21:54 -0500
|
|
Honolulu
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Iraq
Judiciary Opening
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:39:30 -0500
Officials are calling it another milestone in Iraq's transition
from violence to peace.
|
Consumer
Scams
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:36:11 -0500
There is more help for U.S. servicemembers and their families
who feel they've been the victims of consumer scams.
|
|
New
York Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Louisville
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Joint
Statement on the DEA-ICE Drug Trafficking Enforcement Agreement
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0500
Secretary Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder issed a
joint statement on the signing of a DEA-ICE drug trafficking
enforcement agreement on June 18, 2009.
|
|
Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
NORTHCOM
Hurricane Preps
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:24:56 -0500
Hurricane season is here and the commander of NORTHCOM says the
Department of Defense is ready to lend a hand.
|
VACANCY:
Deputy Director, Support Services, GS-0301-15 FEMA
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:26:27 -0500
KAT-09-LA-TRO-6087-KST (Closing Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00
EDT)
|
VACANCY:
Deputy Director, Programs, GS-0301-15 FEMA
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:23:38 -0500
KAT-09-LA-TRO-6086-KST (Closing Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00
EDT)
|
Obama Administration Delivers More than
$453 Million for Weatherization Programs in 15 States
Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs,
create jobs and weatherize more than 165,000 homes
COLUMBUS, OHIO – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven
Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing
more than $453 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization
assistance programs in 15 additional states. These funds, along
with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain
Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their
goal of weatherizing more than 165,000 homes, lowering energy
costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country. Secretary
Chu made today’s announcement while helping to weatherize
a local resident’s home in Columbus, Ohio with Governor
Ted Strickland.
The following states will receive 40 percent of their total weatherization
funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act today: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida,
Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada,
Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.
Under the Recovery Act, states may spend up to 20 percent of
funds to hire and train workers.
“These awards demonstrate the Obama Administration’s
strong commitment to moving quickly as part of the country’s
economic recovery -- creating jobs and doing important work for
the American people -- while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are
spent responsibly," said Secretary Chu. "Today’s
investments will save money for hard working families, reduce
pollution, strengthen local economies and help move America toward
a clean energy future.”
DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program will be available
to families making up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level
– or about $44,000 a year for a family of four. Weatherization
projects allow low-income families to save money by making their
homes more energy efficient, which results in average savings
of 32 percent for heating bills and savings of hundreds of dollars
per year on overall energy bills. States will spend approximately
$6,500 to weatherize each home.
The funding allocations for the Weatherization Assistance Program
follow a stage-gate process: on March 12, funding allocations
by state were announced and the initial 10 percent of total funding
was available to states and territories to support planning and
ramp-up activities; comprehensive state applications were due
on May 12th; following a DOE reviews for each state, 40 percent
allocations are awarded; and the remaining 50% of funds will
be released when states meet reporting, oversight, and accountability
milestones required by the Recovery Act.
This installment adds to the initial 10 percent of the states’
funding allocations that were awarded previously for training
and ramp-up activities. Following a review of their comprehensive
state plans, these 15 states have now received 50 percent of
their Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program funding.
Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi and Oregon previously received this
40 percent funding allocation.
The Recovery Act includes a strong commitment to oversight and
accountability, while emphasizing the necessity of rapidly awarding
funds to help create new jobs and stimulate local economies.
The 15 states receiving funds today submitted aggressive and
innovative plans to expand their weatherization programs:
California ($74,324,424 awarded today) will leverage a network
of over 50 non-profits, local governments, and community action
associations to perform weatherization services at over 50,000
homes. Prior to weatherizing a home, weatherization providers
will use national auditing tools to conduct home energy audits
that will help inform which weatherization activities should
occur in a particular home. In order to ensure quality, the state
will also mandate that a third party inspect all weatherized
properties, measuring performance based on the quality of work
and the speed in which it is implemented. Additionally, since
the program will greatly increase the demand for jobs in the
energy efficiency sector, the state will follow the recommendations
of the California Green Collar Jobs Council by employing members
of the California Conservation Corps, Youthbuild and other youth
employment groups. Outreach for the program will be conducted
through canvassing neighborhoods, local advertising, and by cooperating
with landlords and property managers.
After demonstrating successful implementation of their plan,
the state will receive more than $92 million in additional funding,
for a total of more than $185 million.
Delaware ($5,493,467 awarded today) will use its Recovery Act
funds to weatherize more than 1,500 homes over the next three
years. The Delaware Weatherization Assistance Program has set
an aggressive goal of 20% or greater improvement in energy performance
with parallel goals of 20% reductions in energy bills and greenhouse
gas emissions for weatherized homes. The Program also has undertaken
a number of innovative partnerships to maximize its Recovery
Act funding. Its partnership with the Delaware Energy Office
will enable both programs to create efficiencies by undertaking
joint actions, such as pre-certification of contractors and worker
training requirements. Further, the Delaware Weatherization Program
is partnering with a local union to immediately provide workforce
training, so that trained workers can carry out the program’s
mission to double the rate of weatherization.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $6 million, for a total of more
than $13 million.
· District of Columbia ($3,235,609 awarded today) will
use its Recovery Act funds to weatherize more than 750 homes,
with priority given to single-family homes especially those occupied
by the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with children.
The District Department of the Environment’s Energy Division
intends to leverage a portion of its funds with the District’s
Sustainable Energy Trust Fund, thereby increasing the homes that
are eligible for weatherization. It will contract for weatherization
services with several local non-profit agencies, including Barney
Neighborhood House, Greater Washington Urban League, United Planning
Organization and others still to be determined.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
District will receive an additional $4 million, for a total of
more than $8 million.
· Florida ($70,393,790 awarded today) will weatherize
more than 19,000 homes over the next three years with its Recovery
Act funds. The increase in funding through the Recovery Act provides
the state with a unique opportunity to weatherize multi-family
homes, which is not typically possible at traditional weatherization
funding levels. Priority for multi-family weatherization projects
will be given to assisting the elderly, people with disabilities,
and families with children under 12. In deciding to weatherize
specific multi-family dwellings, the state will also give strong
consideration to the greatest potential for energy savings. Weatherization
activities will include renewable energy systems such as solar
water heating where appropriate.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $87 million, for a total of
more than $175 million.
· Maryland ($24,576,698 awarded today) will use its Recovery
Act funding to weatherize more than 6,900 homes over the next
three years. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community
Development will be administering the program with more than
18 agencies and counties implementing the weatherization program.
Each local subgrantee will receive funding to hire and train
new employees or contractors. Five regional training centers
in community colleges will also be established to train the work-force.
Trainings, which will begin this month, will focus on increasing
energy savings and improving program management and accountability.
A computerized monitoring system will assist in conducting energy
audits and supplying performance energy-savings data. Maryland
plans to leverage Recovery Act funding for weatherization with
the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Columbia Gas of Maryland,
The Maryland Energy Assistance Program, Washington Gas and Light,
and Maryland state funds.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $30 million, for a total of
more than $61 million.
Montana ($10,617,511 awarded today) will expand its existing
weatherization program that was originally founded in 1994 to
reach more than 2,400 news homes as a result of Recovery Act
funding. The program will focus on weatherizing a broad range
of low-income housing communities including the Kootenai and
Salish tribes, the elderly, and the disabled. Experienced community
action associations from 12 different districts will work in
partnership with the Montana Weatherization Action Program team
to administer the weatherization efforts for the eligible community
members. The implementers will use Montana’s recently upgraded
Computerized Energy Audit Program to perform the initial audits
before implementing the appropriate weatherization measures.
As part of the program’s commitment to accountability and
meeting its established goals, the state will maintain a computer
database containing annual fuel consumption information for the
available homes. This system will monitor and measure actual
reductions in household energy consumption as a result of weatherization
activities. Additionally, training programs spanning over three
years will help meet demand for weatherization-related jobs in
the state.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $13 million, for a total of
more than $26 million.
· Nebraska ($16,657,783 awarded today) will use its Recovery
Act funds to weatherize 4,000 homes over the next three years.
Nebraska will prioritize weatherization for homes occupied by
elderly disabled persons, followed by homes occupied by people
over 60 years old; younger disabled persons; Native Americans;
adults with children under 6 years of age; and other eligible
low-income families. The Recovery Act will enable the community
action agencies and other non-profits tasked with weatherization
activities to hire and train a number of additional workers to
handle the increased workload.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $20.8 million, for a total of
more than $41 million.
Nevada ($14,912,775 awarded today) will utilize funding from
the Recovery Act to perform weatherization services and also
implement job training programs for the energy efficiency industry.
The Nevada Housing Department will facilitate work at more than
5,500 low-income homes by partnering with community action associations
based in Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, Carson City, and Ely. The
Nevada Housing Division will also expand training to approximately
300 individuals to build a skilled workforce for completing the
weatherization work. The state intends for the training to provide
a tiered or career ladder approach that provides opportunities
for optional training that would go toward an associate degree
in renewable energy. The state also plans to emphasize homeowner
education by providing written explanations about the weatherization
measures taken and customer satisfaction surveys.
After demonstrating successful implementation of their plan,
the state will receive more than $18.6 million in additional
funding, for a total of more than $37 million.
North Carolina ($52,781,814 awarded today) will apply its funding
from the Recovery Act to weatherize more than 23,500 single-family
and multi-family homes across the state. An expansive network
of local government agencies, non-profits, and community action
agencies will implement the audits and weatherization services,
such as replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents, improving
insulation, installing more efficient appliances, and upgrading
homes with smart thermostats. The state will also allocate a
percentage of the funding for continuous provider training. All
contractors and subcontractors will be required to attend 5 energy
efficiency-related courses throughout the first year to ensure
high quality weatherization results.
After demonstrating successful implementation of their plan,
the state will receive more than $65 million in additional funding,
for a total of more than $131 million.
North Dakota ($10,106,532 awarded today) will use its Recovery
Act funding to deliver cost-saving efficiency measures to over
3,200 homes, including Native American households living on reservations.
The weatherization program will be administered by the Department
of Commerce’s Division of Community Service, who will partner
with more than 7 community action associations from around the
state. The state will also devote resources towards performance
monitoring, professional training, and consumer education activities.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $12 million, for a total of
more than $25 million.
· Ohio ($106,712,564 awarded today) will use its Recovery
Act funding to weatherize more than 32,000 homes over the next
three years. The OH Office of Community Services (OCS), part
of the Ohio Department of Development’s Community Development
Division, will work with 35 subgrantees to implement its program
across all of Ohio’s 88 counties. OCS will also work to
preserve and enhance the state’s long-term capacity to perform
weatherization activities. In order to support the program’s
economic recovery goals, as contractors are hired, disadvantaged
businesses will be offered opportunities to bid on and receive
weatherization work. The Ohio Home Weatherization Assistance
Program (HWAP) will ensure that green building technologies,
such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
and renewable energy technologies, are incorporated into weatherization
activities where possible. HWAP will also strive to leverage
weatherization activities with other housing rehabilitation and
neighborhood revitalization efforts, such as the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $133 million, for a total of
more than $266 million.
South Carolina ($23,557,108 awarded today) will use its Recovery
Act funding to implement comprehensive weatherization measures
for over 6,500 homes in the state, as well as contributing to
the creation of six regional energy efficiency job training centers.
South Carolina, which expects to have 75 percent of the homes
weatherized in two years, will focus on energy audits and weatherization
retrofits for single-family, multi-family, and mobile-home units.
The weatherization program will spur demand for energy efficiency
industry professionals, who will work with the more than 14 public-private
partnerships to weatherize homes for families across the state.
The state’s six professional training centers will help
prepare South Carolina citizens for careers in energy efficiency,
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and
the Home Energy Rating System.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $29 million, for a total of
more than $58 million.
South Dakota ($9,794,918 awarded today) will weatherize more
than 2,300 homes over the next three years with Recovery Act
funding. The Weatherization Program Assistants will work with
four local community action agencies in Madison, Sisseton, Lake
Andes, and Rapid City to execute these programs across the state.
State-appointed Program Assistants will facilitate training for
the agency staff members, while also ensuring consistency in
weatherization practices by standardizing program protocols.
The effort will also emphasize consumer education by developing
outreach materials such as brochures, posters, flyers, and public
service announcements. The outreach will showcase homes that
have undergone weatherization measures to demonstrate the cost
and environmental benefits of energy efficiency installations.
In order to monitor the progress of these efficiency efforts,
the Community Action Agencies will visit at least one site per
weatherized home.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $12 million, for a total of
more than $24 million.
Utah ($15,158,881 awarded today) will use its Recovery Act funding
to weatherize more than 4,400 homes, reducing energy use and
costs for thousands of families across the state while improving
living conditions in the home. Utah has climate extremes with
temperatures commonly ranging from less than -30 degrees Fahrenheit
to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Many of these extreme weather
conditions occur in areas less than 100 miles apart. Priority
will be given to the elderly, disabled, and households with preschool
age children who may spend a majority of their time inside the
home. The Utah Division of Housing and Community Development
is responsible for administering the Recovery Act weatherization
funds. The majority of the Recovery Act funds will be subgranted
for implementation to the following local weatherization agencies:
the Bear River Association of Governments, the Davis County Aging
Services, the Five County Association of Governments, the Housing
Authority of Utah County, the Salt Lake Community Action Program,
the Six County Association of Governments, the Southeastern Utah
Association of Local Governments, and the Uintah Basin Association
of Governments.
After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the
state will receive an additional $18 million, for a total of
more than $37 million.
West Virginia ($15,033,550 awarded today) will utilize funding
from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to implement
weatherization services at over 3,500 homes. The West Virginia
Weatherization Assistance Program will work with existing community
action associations around the state to target low-income communities
that have benefited from weatherization programs before as well
as reaching previously underserved communities. The program will
conduct initial energy audits by using activity priority lists
developed with audits of a representative sample of homes. The
state will monitor the program’s progress with monthly tracking
reports from implementation partners and by developing a tracking
database for every region participating in the program. The state
will also fund training for Energy Educators who will spend time
in the field educating customers about better energy consumption
behaviors.
After demonstrating successful implementation of their plan,
the state will receive more than $18 million in additional funding,
for a total of more than $37 million for the entire program.
###
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|
Advisories/Bulletins/Fact
Sheets for FinCEN Updates
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Los
Angeles Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Budget
Request Advances Privatization of Military Housing
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:47:00 -0500
|
eAPIS
Information
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:25:52 -0500
The Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) is
a user-friendly, web-based interface designed by U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP). This system is used by commercial
carriers and the private aviation community to provide required
information to CBP electronically. (more)
|
USBP
in the News
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:25:52 -0500
For archived news releases, please visit CBP News Releases located
under Newsroom.
|
|
Special
Representative for Global Partnerships Bagley's Swearing in Remarks:
Opening Our Doors to the Private Sector
Elizabeth Frawley Bagley
Special Representative
Global Partnership Initiative
Washington, DC
June 18, 2009
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SECRETARIES SHINSEKI AND DONOVAN HOST
FIRST MEETING OF THE U.S. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS
UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
Secretary Donovan Elected New Chair of the Council;
HUD and VA announce $75 million for HUD-VASH program
to provide rental housing and support for homeless veterans
WASHINGTON - The United States Interagency
Council on Homelessness (USICH) met today for the first time
under the Obama Administration. U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shinseki chaired the meeting, at which U.S. Housing and
Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan was elected rotating
Chair for the upcoming year and U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis
was elected Vice Chair. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius and Melody Barnes, Director of the White House
Domestic Policy Council, attended the meeting.
The mission of the USICH is to coordinate
the federal response to homelessness and to create a national
partnership with every level of government and the private sector
to address homelessness in the nation.
"It is simply unacceptable for individuals,
children, families, and our nation's veterans to be faced with
homelessness in this country," said President Obama. "I
am confident that the Interagency Council on Homelessness, under
Secretary Donovan's leadership, will have a renewed focus on
coordinating efforts across federal agencies and working closely
with our state, local, community-based, and faith-based partners
to address these serious issues."
"Ending the continuing tragedy of
homelessness demands thoughtful and focused leadership,"
said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "President Obama and I
are committed to working through the USICH, the agencies it represents
and our state, local and non-profit partners to build a thoughtful
and compassionate response to this crisis. The bottom line is
that through our combined efforts every man, woman and child
in this nation should have access to a safe, affordable place
to lay their head at night."
Secretaries Donovan and Shinseki also announced
the allocation of $75 million to local public housing authorities
across the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and
Guam to provide permanent supportive housing and dedicated VA
case managers for an estimated 10,000 homeless Veterans. This
innovative joint initiative is called Veterans
Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH). This funding
will provide local public housing agencies with approximately
10,000 rental assistance vouchers specifically targeted to assist
homeless Veterans in their area. Public housing authorities,
that administer HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program, work closely
with Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Centers to manage
the program. In addition to the rental assistance, VA Medical
Centers provide supportive services and case management to eligible
homeless Veterans.
"It is shameful that after serving
our nation so well, some of our Veterans leave their military
life only to fall into homelessness," said Donovan. "Working
closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs, we're able to
offer a permanent home, along with critically needed supportive
services, to the very people to whom we owe so much."
"No one, especially Veterans who have
faithfully served our country should become homeless," said
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. "This council's work is critical
to providing for those at risk and on the streets. This interagency
partnership allows us to leverage our resources, programs, talent
and experience to create viable solutions that will eliminate
homelessness."
"With new service members returning
home every day and the economy sputtering, we must step up our
efforts to provide all veterans with housing and the dignity
that comes with it," said Senator Murray, Chairman of the
Senate Housing Appropriations Subcommittee. "For too long
homeless veterans have been forgotten heroes. HUD-VASH grants
are making a real difference in ensuring that those who have
sacrificed for our nation are not coming home to sleep on our
streets."
Under HUD-VASH, HUD will provide housing
assistance through its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section
8) which allows Veterans to rent privately owned housing. The
VA will provide to eligible homeless Veterans clinical and supportive
services through its health care system across the 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. VA addresses
the needs of the more than 100,000 homeless Veterans who access
VA health care annually.
###
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NASA
Returning to the Moon with First Lunar Launch in a Decade
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0500
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launched at 5:32 p.m. EDT
Thursday aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station in Florida.
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NASA
Reschedules Test of Max Launch Abort System to June 22
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0500
Because of weather concerns and launch site preparations, NASA
has rescheduled the test flight of the Max Launch Abort System,
or MLAS, to no earlier than June 22 at the agency's Wallops Flight
Facility on Wallops Island, Va.
|
Hot Topics in Fire Protection (P138) Pilot
Courses Scheduled
The United States Fire Administration (USFA), Department of Homeland
Security, is recruiting students and instructor candidates to
attend pilot classes for its new six-day on-campus course Hot
Topics in Fire Protection. The pilot will be offered October
18 to 23, 2009 at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg,
Maryland. Students will arrive Saturday October 17 and depart
Saturday, October 24.
Hot Topics in Fire Protection is intended to help students discover
what’s new in fire protection by exploring how current events,
products and trends apply to you and your jurisdiction.
Learn
How to “scan the environment” and conduct valid research
into new technologies, trends, laws and products.
How to read, interpret and apply fire protection research, human
behavior studies, fire dynamics research, fire protection law
and emerging issues.
How to identify emerging local, regional and state fire protection
challenges; and develop technically-based strategic solutions.
How technology develops and can be transferred to solve local
issues.
What significant changes are in the short- and long-term future
for fire protection systems and equipment.
How fire protection plays a part in all-hazards preparedness
and response.
Using modern research tools, and student-centric learning, attendees
will learn: how to evaluate technological and human behavior
topics that exist in fire protection, the wide variety of research
resources available, and how to collect and present that information
in a meaningful way that can effect change to reduce fire losses
or enhance understanding of new technologies.
Pilots are highly participatory among the instructors, course
developers and students.Attendees are expected to contribute
their ideas and expertise to improve course content and delivery.Attending
a pilot does not affect a student’s ability to obtain another
travel stipend within the fiscal year.
More information and application at: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/nfa-061809.shtm
|
WHO
Updates International H1N1 Situation: 39620 cases
|
|
Homeland
Security Leadership Journal for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
U.S.
Department of State Letter of Agreement Signed with Costa Rica
Bureau of Public Affairs
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 18, 2009
|
|
AT
Notice FAAO JO 7340.2 for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
6/18/2009
- Military Heart Smarts
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:00:00 -0500
|
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security has issued
the latest edition of its Political
Violence Against Americans.
|
|
U.S.
Department of State Current Status of U.S.-South African Relations
Johnnie Carson
Assistant Secretary of State
Bureau of African Affairs
Woodrow Wilson Center
Washington, DC
June 10, 2009
|
NE@Shuttle
IR Imaging
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0500
Far from point and shoot, HYTHIRM’s Cast Glance Crew have
turned shooting Infrared Images of the Shuttle into an art form.
|
DoD
Identifies Army Casualty
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:56:00 -0500
|
USCIS
response to CIS Ombudsman Recommendation 40 - Employment Creation
Immigration visa (EB-5) Program Recommendation (PDF, 4 pages - 56 KB) - New 6/15/2009
|
U.S.
Department of State: U.S.-India Counterterrorism Joint Working
Group
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:13:48 -0500
|
|
Knoxville
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Cotton-on-Call
for CFTC.gov.
The Cotton On-Call Report # 24 is now available.
See previous weeks in Historical
Cotton On-Call Reports.
|
|
Genomics
& Health Weekly Update for Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Kunar
and Korengal Fighting
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:20:00 -0500
The Korengal Valley in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar Province has
long been a stronghold of the Taliban.
|
Around
the Services
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:06:37 -0500
Military technology finds a life-saving home in the private industry.
Plus, we take a closer look at the new Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.
|
Search
Suspended
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:34:28 -0500
The Coast Guard is now suspending its search for a 50-year old
woman who went overboard about 75 miles off the coast of Pensacola,
Florida.
|
National
Intrepid Center
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:27:41 -0500
It's been about a year since ground was broken for the new National
Intrepid Center of Excellence.
|
|
U.S.
Department of State : Taken Question: 1718 Committee Designations
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:56:36 -0500
1718 Committee Designations
Bureau of Public Affairs
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
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|
Philadelphia
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Research
Events for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
U.S.
Department of State Former President Jimmy Carter's Diplomatic
Meeting with Hamas
Bureau of Public Affairs
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
|
|
NATIONAL ARCHIVES LAUNCHES YOUTUBE CHANNEL
US National Archives Channel to highlight upcoming events and
showcase film holdings
Washington, DC. . . On Friday, June 19,
the National Archives will formally launch a YouTube channel
to showcase popular archived films, inform the public about upcoming
events around the country, and bring National Archives exhibits
to the people. The launch will coincide with the National Archives
75th Anniversary. The URL is www.youtube.com/USNationalArchives.
Every week the National Archives will roll
out a new film on one or more of its YouTube channel playlists.
These include the following:
* From the Archives to the Moon: This video
playlist features footage from the start of the space race through
the landing of a man on the moon.
* Favorite Things - What's at Your Presidential
Libraries: Over a series of 14 videos, directors from 12 separate
presidential libraries discuss their 'favorite things' from their
respective Presidential Libraries including Air Force One and
the famous rooftop staircase from the embassy evacuation in Vietnam.
* Tracing World War II: Released in chronological
order, these War Department reels follow American progress through
World War II from the bombing at Pearl Harbor to Armistice.
* Touring 1930s America: Combining well-crafted,
first-hand accounts from the Great Depression and sweeping footage
from the Department of Interior taken in the 1930s, this playlist
guides viewers through Depression-era America.
To contact the National Archives, please
call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-86-NARA-NARA (TDD) 301-837-0482.
# # #
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|
C-SPAN Daily Alert
Programming Information for Thurs. 6/18 - Fri. 6/19, 2009
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Highlights
Tonight:
* State Dept. Briefing with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Chris Hill
(11pm)
* Defense Sec. Gates & JCS Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen Press
Briefing (11:30pm)
* House Bipartisan Press Conference on Health Care (12:10am)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. House: In Session (9am) - LIVE
* Radio & Television Correspondents' Association Dinner (Time
TBA) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN2 Highlights
Tonight:
* Defense Sec. Gates & JCS Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen Press
Briefing (8pm)
* House Bipartisan Press Conference on Health Care (8:35pm)
* Pres. Obama Remarks at DSCC/DCCC Fundraiser (9:05pm)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE Tentative
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN3 Highlights
Tonight:
* Highlights: Sec. Gates & Adm. Mullen, State Dept. on Iraq,
Health Care (7pm)
* Events: Remarks by Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago CEO Charles
Evans (7:50pm)
Tomorrow:
* Senate HELP Cmte. Mark Up of Health Reform Legislation (10:30am)
- LIVE
**********************************************************************
|
Air
Power to Protect Iraq Security Gains as Forces Withdraw from
Cities
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:13:00 -0500
|
Defense
Schools' Director Pleased With Year's Accomplishments
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:42:00 -0500
|
|
USCIRF Condemns Arrest of Human Rights
and Religious Freedom Lawyer Le Cong Dinh
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Saturday’s arrest
of Le Cong Dinh, a prominent lawyer who defended clients in high
profile human rights cases, including prominent religious freedom
defenders Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan.
“The arrest of Le Cong Dinh demonstrates
a disturbing but familiar pattern,” said Michael Cromartie,
USCIRF vice chair, who recently led a USCIRF delegation to Vietnam.
“Peaceful advocates for religious freedom and related human
rights are intimidated, harassed, and jailed. Le Cong Dinh’s
arrest demonstrates that no human rights, including the freedom
of religion, are secure in Vietnam.”
A USCIRF delegation visited Vietnam in
May, meeting with government officials, prominent religious leaders,
religious freedom advocates, and prisoners, including Fr. Nguyen
Van Ly and Nguyen Van Dai. The latter was defended by Le Cong
Dinh. The USCIRF delegation was able to confirm the conclusions
found in its May 1, 2009 Annual Report, including continued imprisonment
of individuals for peaceful religious activity or religious freedom
advocacy, systematic intimidation and discrimination targeting
new converts and independent religious activity, and harassment
of lawyers and individuals seeking to expand religious freedom.
Le Cong Dinh was arrested under Article
88 of the Vietnamese criminal code for “conducting propaganda”
against the state. He is one of a growing number of peaceful
human rights defenders who are challenging Vietnam’s vague
national security laws and other laws inconsistent with the Vietnamese
Constitution and international covenants and human right treaties
to which Vietnam is a signatory.
In its Annual Report, USCIRF recommended
that Vietnam be re-designated as a “Country of Particular
Concern” (CPC) for severe and egregious restrictions on
the freedom of religion. Recently, the House of Representatives
passed HR 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which
includes language urging the State Department to designate Vietnam
as a CPC. However, the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam recently reiterated
the State Department’s longstanding position that Vietnam
does not meet the criteria to be designated a CPC.
USCIRF’s annual report detailed the
imprisonment of Le Cong Dinh, Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan,
Fr. Nguyen Van Ly, the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do, and dozens
of other Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Catholic, and Montagnard Protestants
currently jailed in Vietnam. It urged the State Department and
the international community to press for their immediate and
unconditional release.
“The Commission has consistently found
that systematic and egregious abuses of religious freedom continue
in Vietnam,” said Felice Gaer, USCIRF chair. “The CPC
designation is an important and flexible diplomatic tool, used
previously to bring about some tangible results in Vietnam without
hindering other bilateral interests. We urge the Obama Administration
to establish clear policies and use all available diplomatic
tools to support the hopes and aspirations of the Vietnamese
people for both greater freedom and prosperity.”
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S.
federal government commission. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed
by the President and the leadership of both political parties
in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF’s
principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances
of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make
policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State
and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact
Tom Carter, Communications Director at tcarter@uscirf.gov or
(202) 523-3257.
|
|
Memphis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Boston
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Draft
Technology Assessment for review.
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:21:24 -0500
Date: 06/18/2009
Subject: Draft Technology Assessment for review.
Content: N/A
|
Gates,
Mullen Discuss Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:33:00 -0500
|
|
Atlanta
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
U.S.
Department of State Background Notes : Spain (06/09)
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:12:24 -0500
|
Federal
Election Commission Draft Advisory Opinion 2009-12, http://saos.nictusa.com/aodocs/1067213.pdf
|
Linfa
(Pacific)
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0500
|
Pacific
Tropical Depression 1 (Pacific Ocean)
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0500
|
Follow
Ocean Trends From Your Desktop With NASA's 'Sea Level Viewer'
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0500
|
|
Eligible
Foreign Establishments for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Eligible Foreign Establishment Lists
for Canada, Denmark, and Spain have been revised. This information
has recently been updated, and is now available.
|
|
Detroit
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
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Economic
Recovery Act of 2009 for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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HHS.gov
Homepage Updates for U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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DoD
Contracts for June 18, 2009
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:07:00 -0500
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Newark
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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Department
of Defense Media Schedule, 6/19/2009
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:19:00 -0500
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a new ticker page has been started 00:01 Eastern
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FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 19,
2009
House Meets At… Last Vote Predicted…
9:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Five “One Minutes” Per Side 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
***Members are advised that votes could
occur as early as 9:00 a.m.
H.R. 2918 - Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010 (Rep.
Wasserman Schultz – Appropriations) (Subject to a Rule)
H.Res. 520 – Impeaching Samuel B. Kent, judge of the United
States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, for
high crimes and misdemeanors (Rep. Conyers – Judiciary)
(Privileged Resolution)
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ticker timeline 00:01 Eastern Time Friday
June 19, 2009
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