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Monday
March 16, 2009

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U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) announces
the following:

You can now access the March 2009 Survey of Current Business
at http://www.bea.gov/scb/index.htm.

Public
Meeting to Address Agenda Items for the 25th Session of the Codex
Committee on General Principles

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:29:07 -0500

The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a public meeting
to provide information and receive comments on agenda items and
draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 25th Session
of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP).

HHS.gov
Image & Icon Library for Web for U.S. Dept. of Health &
Human Services

This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.

March 16, 2009 - DHS
Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, (PDF, 15 pages -
137 KB)

New
Attorney Vacancies for U.S. Department of Justice

This page has recently been updated with
the following new vacancies:

EXPERIENCED
ATTORNEYS, GS-13 to GS-15 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
NATIONAL SECURITY DIVISION OFFICE OF LAW AND POLICY Announcement
remains opened until positions are filled.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE U.S. TRUSTEE'S OFFICE --
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA TRIAL ATTORNEY
Applications must be postmarked by the closing date of and will
be accepted up to five calendar days after the closing date (April
6, 2009).

ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY UNITED STATES
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DISTRICT OF KANSAS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:
09-KS-AUSA-02 Application must
be received by March 20, 2009.

Treasury
International Capital (TIC) Data for January

Speeches
for FinCEN Updates

This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.

Prepared
Remarks of FinCEN Director James H. Freis, Jr. before the Mortgage
Bankers Association of America (03/16/2009)

Congressional
Appearances for U.S. Department of Homeland Security

This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.

OCC WORKSHOPS FOR NATIONAL COMMUNITY
BANK DIRECTORS

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend our popular workshop,
“A New Director’s Challenge: Mastering the Basics”
being held in Greenwich, CT at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich on
April 20-22, 2009. This two-day workshop is for directors of
national banks with less than 3 years of experience to equip
them to handle the challenges faced in today’s economic
times. Longer tenured directors who would like a review of the
basics may also attend. This workshop is available at the affordable
cost of $100. While staying at the conveniently located Hyatt
Regency Greenwich, you might enjoy visiting the historical art-deco
venues of the Greenwich Gallery or Bruce Museum of Arts and Science
the city has to offer.

The OCC also has space available in the
upcoming Compliance Risk Workshop being held in Greenville, SC
at the Hyatt Regency on May 5, 2009. This one-day workshop is
a great opportunity for national community bank directors to
gain further insight on compliance risks, regulations, and management
processes to protect their banks, and is taught by seasoned bank
examiners who regularly assess bank risk and risk management
systems. The workshop is available for the nominal fee of $65.
While staying at the Hyatt Regency, you can enjoy activities
such as the BMW Performance Center - located in nearby Greer,
or explore Greenville's history at the Greenville County Museum
of Art, the Greenville Cultural Exchange Center or the city's
Historic District.

Registered participants of each workshop will receive a pre-course
reading package, course materials, and complimentary CDs of an
OCC’s Web and telephone seminar. Complimentary breakfast
and lunch are provided. Workshops are limited to the first 50
registrants.

Registration is easy. There are three registration methods for
you to choose.

You may register
online, print the online registration form and fax it to
336-644-6205, or mail the completed form to CMP Meeting Services,
3505 Vernon Woods Drive, Summerfield, NC 27358.

If you are a national bank director and
would like to attend, or would like to invite a fellow board
member to attend, please forward this information. For questions
about these programs, please contact the registration center
at (336) 451-0557, or by e-mail at regcenter@cmpmeetings.com.
Additional information on OCC workshops is available at www.occ.treas.gov/conference.htm.

FEC
March Reporting Notes

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:47:03 -0500

Monthly filing committees are reminded that they have a report
due
Friday, March 20, covering the month of February (link to
it). On March 10, FECFile Version 6.3.1.1 became available for
download from the FEC Web site at http://www.fec.gov/elecfil/updatelist.html.
Any report filed after that date must be filed using the new
software. The new format corrects some technical issues and allows
for the amendments to Form 1 that are due by March 29 for lobbyist/registrant
and leadership PACs.

Federal Election Commission Resources
for Committee Treasurers Update

A new tip for treasurers has been posted
at http://www.fec.gov/info/TipsforTreasurers.shtml#tip20090316.

U.S.
Department of State Announces Winners of Global Online Video
Contest To Encourage Cross-Cultural Understanding and Community
Building

Bureau of Public Affairs

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

March 16, 2009

FDIC Appoints Paul M. Nash as Deputy
to the Chairman for External Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2009 Media Contact:

Andrew Gray (202) 898-7192

angray@fdic.gov

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) today announced the appointment of Paul M. Nash as Deputy
to the Chairman for External Affairs, a new senior position.
Mr. Nash will report directly to FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair and
will oversee the operations of the agency's Office of Legislative
Affairs and Office of the Ombudsman. As the executive manager
of these two offices, he will help shape the FDIC's legislative
initiatives and he will oversee the FDIC's problem resolution
services for bankers, their customers and the public at large.
In addition, Mr. Nash will assist the agency in community bank
outreach and will set up a special advisory committee to examine
issues unique to community banking.

In announcing the appointment, Chairman
Bair said, "Mr. Nash joins us at a critical time for the
FDIC, as we look at our broader role in helping the industry
and consumers take the steps needed to secure our nation's economic
recovery. The FDIC will be well served by his counsel and leadership."

Mr. Nash previously served as Executive Director and Counsel
at Verizon Wireless in Washington, DC, since 2001. He will be
primarily responsible for directing legislative affairs and the
agency's external ombudsman operations. Prior to joining Verizon
Wireless, Mr. Nash served as a legislative assistant to Senator
Tim Johnson (D-SD) from 1997 to 2001, specializing in banking,
health care, telecommunications and labor issues. He also worked
for the Congressional Research Service and practiced law in both
Washington, DC, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mr. Nash received a Bachelor of Arts degree
in International Relations and History from the University of
Pennsylvania and a law degree from Georgetown University.

# # #

New
Open Solicitations for Office of Justice Programs

This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.

Group
hotel bookings for meeting and destination planners

Health Information Technology Events

HIMSS 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibition

Chicago, IL

April 4-8, 2009

More>>

Sixth Annual World Health Care Congress

Washington D.C.

April 14-16, 2009

More>>

Issue Number: IR-2009-026

Inside This Issue

New Law Extends Net Operating Loss Carryback
for Small Businesses; IRS To Ensure Refunds Paid Timely

Washington – The Internal Revenue Service announced today
that small businesses with deductions exceeding their income
in 2008 can use a new net operating loss tax provision to get
a refund of taxes paid in prior years.

To accommodate the change in tax law, the IRS today updated the
instructions for two key forms – Forms 1045 and 1139 --
that small businesses can use to make use of the special carryback
provision for tax year 2008. These forms are used to accelerate
the payment of refunds.

The new provision, enacted as part of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enables small
businesses with a net operating loss (NOL) in 2008 to elect to
offset this loss against income earned in up to five prior years.
Typically, an NOL can be carried back for only two years. The
IRS released legal guidance today in Revenue Procedure 2009-19
outlining specific details. Some taxpayers must make the election
to use this special carryback by April 17, 2009.

“The new net operating loss provisions
could throw a lifeline to struggling businesses, providing them
with a quick infusion of cash,” said IRS Commissioner Doug
Shulman. “We want to make it as easy as possible for small
businesses to take advantage of these key tax benefits.”

With the economic downturn and the new law, the IRS expects record
numbers of small businesses to be eligible for the refunds. The
IRS is putting in special steps to ensure timely processing of
these refunds to help small businesses during this difficult
period.

Small businesses with large losses in 2008
may be able to benefit fully from those losses now, rather than
waiting until claiming them on future tax returns.

The normal two-year carryback remains available
if the small business does not elect the special carryback provision.
If the loss exceeds the income for the carryback period, the
taxpayer can continue to carry forward the remaining balance
of the NOL for up to 20 years.

For small businesses that use a fiscal
year, this special carryback may be used for an NOL in either
a tax year that ends in 2008 or a tax year that begins in 2008.
Once a taxpayer makes this election, it may not be changed.

To qualify for the new five-year carryback provision, a small
business must have no greater than an average of $15 million
in gross receipts over a three-year period ending with the tax
year of the NOL. Businesses with more than $15 million in gross
receipts still qualify to carry back their 2008 NOL for two years.

There are several methods that a small business uses to elect
the new provision as detailed in the Revenue Procedure.

If a small business previously elected
to waive the carryback of 2008 NOL but now wants to elect this
special carryback, the small business may revoke its previous
election to waive the carryback. The election revocation must
be made on or before April 17, 2009.

Generally small businesses that are not corporations (including
sole proprietorships filing schedule C with their Form 1040)
may accelerate a refund by using Form 1045, Application for Tentative
Refund.

Corporations with NOLs may also accelerate a refund by using
Form 1139, Corporation Application for Tentative Refund.

The IRS will be closely monitoring these
filings and will provide additional staff as needed to process
these forms. The IRS will work to issue refunds within 45 days
or even earlier to the degree possible.

In addition, Frequently Asked Questions have been posted on the
IRS.gov web site. Small businesses that file Form 1040 can also
call 1-800-829-1040 with NOL questions. Corporations can contact
1-800-829-4933 with NOL questions.

Form 1045 or Form 1139, whichever the taxpayer
uses, generally must be filed within one year after the end of
the tax year of the NOL. In addition, the current year’s
tax return must be filed by the date the Form 1045 or Form 1139
is filed. Form 1045 and Form 1139 are filed at the same place
the taxpayer’s return is filed, as listed on the return
instructions.

Accelerated refunds paid via Form 1045
or Form 1139 is described as “tentative” because the
applications for refunds are potentially subject to review at
a later date. Form 1045 Instructions and Form 1139 Instructions
on www.IRS.gov provide more
information on the accelerated refund option.

Related Items:

Revenue
Procedure 2009-19

Questions
and Answers for ARRA - Section 1211 5-year Net Operating Loss
Carryback Election for Small Businesses

Issue Number: IR-2009-025

Inside This Issue

IRS, Partners Mark Super Saturday March
21 to Help Taxpayers

Audio Files for Podcasts: English
Spanish

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue
Service and scores of its community partners will open their
doors on Saturday, March 21, to help people who need free tax
preparation, a question answered or a payment schedule arranged.

The IRS will open more than 250 local offices
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community partners will open approximately
1,000 sites on March 21. Tax return preparation is limited to
people who earn $42,000 or less. There is no income limitation
for people needing IRS assistance for other services at Taxpayer
Assistance Centers.

“Because of the economic downturn, many financially distressed
taxpayers may be in need of free services. Our Super Saturday
service will make it a little easier for people to get that help.
Although our Taxpayer Assistance Centers are not normally open
on Saturdays, we’re trying to go the extra mile in these
difficult times,” said Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner. “Our
Super Saturday service will help people get their refunds quickly.
Also, if you think you owe taxes and can’t pay, please come
in and talk to us about it. There are steps we can take to help.”

Locations and hours of operation of Super Saturday sites are
available at IRS.gov, keyword Super Saturday. People without
computer access can call 1-800-906-9887 to find a nearby IRS
or partner office. IRS customer service telephone lines, 1-800-829-1040,
also will be available on Super Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
to answer tax questions.

People who earn $42,000 or less can have
their tax return prepared by the IRS or a community volunteer
at participating locations. Filing a tax return may also be the
fastest way to get some extra money. More than 80 percent of
all taxpayers receive a refund. IRS employees and the community
volunteers can help people get all the tax credits and deductions
for which they are eligible. Taxpayers who electronically file
their tax returns and who use direct deposit can receive their
refunds in as few as 10 days.

Because of lost jobs or reduced income,
many people may be eligible for certain tax credits for the first
time. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit is for people
who work but who do not earn a lot of money. The EITC adds an
extra $2,000 benefit on average. It is the government’s
largest anti-poverty program. The additional child tax credit
and the first-time homebuyers’ credit are important benefits
also affected by a taxpayer’s income.

People who owe taxes but who cannot pay should contact the IRS
as soon as possible. Regardless of income, people who need payment
options can get help at an IRS office. The IRS can help set up
an installment payment plan or a deferred payment plan. It is
important that people contact the agency so they can avoid penalties
and interest that will make their tax bill even higher.

People who want their tax returns prepared
should bring the following information:

Valid driver’s license or photo identification (self &
spouse, if applicable)

Social Security cards for all persons listed on the return

Dates of birth for all persons listed on the return

All income statements: Forms W-2, 1099, Social Security, Unemployment,
or other benefits statements, self-employment records and any
documents showing taxes withheld

Dependent child care information: payee’s name, address
and Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number

Proof of account at financial institution for direct debit or
deposit (i.e. cancelled/voided check or bank statement)

Prior year tax return (if available)

Any other pertinent documents or papers

For those who don’t want to make a trip, the IRS also offers
other free services for tax preparation including the Free
File program on IRS.gov.

For people with computer access, the IRS web site remains the
best place to go for answers, access to forms and publications
and other free services. For example, taxpayers will find the
latest details on the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on the IRS.gov homepage.

People also can track their refunds through “Where’s
My Refund?” – another free service offered by the agency.
People without computer access can still use “Where’s
My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954. Taxpayers should
have their tax return handy to use the “Where’s
My Refund?” application.

Issue Number: TT-2009-51

Inside This Issue

Seven Important Points about Penalties

Taxpayers who do not file their return and pay their tax by the
due date may have to pay a penalty. Here are seven things you
should know about failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties.

The failure-to-file penalty is generally more than the failure-to-pay
penalty. So if you cannot pay all the taxes you owe, you should
still file your tax return and explore other payment options
in the meantime.

The penalty for filing late is usually 5 percent of the unpaid
taxes for each month of part of a month that a return is late.
This penalty will not exceed 25 percent of the taxpayer’s
unpaid taxes.

If you file your return more than 60 days after the due date
or extended due date, the minimum penalty is the smaller of $135
or 100 percent of the unpaid tax.

You will not have to pay a failure-to-file penalty if you can
show that you failed to file on time because of reasonable cause
and not because of willful neglect.

You will have to pay a failure-to-pay penalty of ½ of
1 percent of your unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month
after the due date that the taxes are not paid.

If you filed an extension and you paid at least 90 percent of
your actual tax liability by the due date, you will not be faced
with a failure-to-pay penalty.

If both the failure-to-file penalty and the failure-to-pay penalty
apply in any month, the 5 percent failure-to-file penalty is
reduced by the failure-to-pay penalty. However, if you file your
return more than 60 days after the due date or extended due date,
the minimum penalty is the smaller of $135 or 100% of the unpaid
tax.

Link:

Avoiding
Penalties and the Tax Gap

Reporting
Dates for the Federal Election Commission

The Commission has approved the filing
deadlines in connection with the Special General and possible
Special Runoff being held to fill the vacant seat in California's
32nd District vacated by Representative Hilda Solis. The Special
General Election will be held on May 19, 2009, and the Special
General Runoff, if necessary, on July 14, 2009.

Click here to access the updated page.

NRC
Issues Final Environmental Assessment and Draft Safety Evaluation
for Susquehanna Nuclear Plant License Renewal

NRC
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards to Meet April 2-4 In
Rockville, Md.

President Obama's Plan to Boost Small
Business Lending

Earlier today, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy
Geithner announced a plan to free up credit markets to help the
nation’s struggling small businesses.

The plan includes a release of $375 million for small business
lending provided in the economic stimulus plan, which will increase
the maximum SBA loan guarantee to 90 percent, and temporarily
waive fees paid by borrowers. Read
more...

Making Money Online

When Are You a Business?

Moneymaking opportunities are plentiful on the Internet –
from selling your old books on eBay to promoting products and
services for online merchants, or becoming an online merchant
yourself. But do you need to register yourself as a business?

The most recent article in the Business Law Advisor blog explores
a few common ways in which you can make money over the Internet
and the tax and regulatory obligations tied to each. Read
more...

U.S.
Department of Justice Makes Available $1 Billion in Recovery
Act Funds for COPS Program

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0500

This investment of Recovery Act funds will pump new resources
into our communities through a program with a proven track record,
said U.S. Attorney General Holder. We will not just create and
preserve jobs, but also increase community policing capacity
and crime-prevention efforts.

NIOSH
"What's New" list

This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.

Upcoming NIOSH Conferences Update

April 2009

April 28-30, 2009

Occupational
Hygiene 2009: Promoting a Healthy Working Environment

May 2009

May 4-7, 2009

American
Filtrations and Separation Society (AFS) 2009 Annual Conference
& Exposition

May 18-22, 2009

2009 International
Coalbed & Shale Gas Symposium

May 19-21, 2009

SAE 2009 Noise
and Vibration Conference & Exhibit

May 19-22, 2009

SINOROCK2009: International
Symposium on Rock Mechanics "Rock Characterization, Modelling
and Engineering Design Methods"

May 30-June 3, 2009

Institute of Industrial
Engineers (IIE) Annual Conference

Department
of Defense, 3/17/2009

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:13:00 -0500

Today's top Air Force stories include:

European Command commander discusses USAFE
role

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123139902

Former Thunderbirds pilot 'an inspiration'
for young girls

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123139895

Hickam Airmen serve Oahu community during
Jungle Day

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123139888

Gen. Schwartz to Airmen: 'We are a family'

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123139865

Multinational consortium celebrates milestone
of first C-17

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123139787

10/22/1999

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:44:00 -0500

Date: 10/22/1999

Subject: Lead Screening

Topics(s): Lead Screening

NASA
Awards Launch Services Contract for Four Missions

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:00:00 -0500

NASA has selected United Launch Alliance of Littleton, Colo.,
for the launch of two Science Mission Directorate and two Space
Operations Mission Directorate payloads under the NASA Launch
Services contract.

VACANCY:
Operations Specialist, GS-301-12 FEMA

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:22:02 -0500

MP-09-259-BPD2 (Closing Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT)

VACANCY:
Contract Specialist, GS-1102-9/11/12 FEMA

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:22:15 -0500

DE-09-258-SAW2 (Closing Date: Mon, 6 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT)

VACANCY:
Emergency Management Program Specialist, GS-0301-09/11/12 FEMA

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:10:21 -0500

AN219414 (Closing Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT)

Health Marketing Musings: NCHM Director's
Blog for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Click on "Go
With the Flow" to read about and link to a new video
from CDC-TV promoting water fluoridation.

C-SPAN Daily Alert

Programming Information for Mon. 3/16 - Tues. 3/17, 2009

**********************************************************************

C-SPAN Highlights

Tonight:

* Pres. Obama Meeting with Treasury Sec. Geithner & Small
Business Owners (9pm)

* News Conference with Business Owners and Community Lenders
(9:30pm)

* National League of Cities: Afternoon Session (9:40pm)

Tomorrow:

* U.S. House: In Session (10:30am) - LIVE

**********************************************************************

C-SPAN2 Highlights

Tonight:

* The Communicators: David Rehr, NAB, President (8pm)

* Federal Reserve Bank of NY Pres. William Dudley Speech on the
Economy (8:30pm)

* House Hearing on SEC Oversight with Chairman Mary Schapiro
(9:32pm)

Tomorrow:

* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE

**********************************************************************

C-SPAN3 Highlights

Tonight:

* Newsmakers: Stuart Bowen, Special Inspector General for Iraq
Reconstruction (10pm)

Tomorrow:

* Senate Finance Cmte. Hearing on Tax Issues Related to Ponzi
Schemes (10am) - LIVE

**********************************************************************

C-SPAN Radio Highlights

Tonight:

* LBJ White House Tapes (10pm)

Tomorrow:

* Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

* Senate Finance Cmte. Hearing on Tax Issues Related to Ponzi
Schemes (10am) - LIVE

**********************************************************************

Politics Highlights

* C-SPAN Political Programming - Sunday
on C-SPAN at 6:30pm ET

**********************************************************************

Washington Journal Highlights

* Newspaper Articles

* Viewer Calls

* Mark Danner, Univ. of CA Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism,
Professor

* National League of Cities Pres. Kathleen Novak (Mayor of Northglenn,
CO)

**********************************************************************

C-SPAN Capitol Spotlight

* President Obama announced Monday an initiative
designed to ease the credit crunch on the country’s small
business owners. Obama, joined by Treasury Secretary Timothy
F. Geithner...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/

* Which county in Ireland is designated
President John F. Kennedy's ancestral home? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/

U.S.
Department of State: Daily Press Briefing - March 16

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:38:16 -0500

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman

Daily Press Briefing

March 16, 2009

Secretary
Napolitano Signs Research Sharing Pact with Germany

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0500

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and German Minister of
Education and Research Annette Schaven signed an agreement March
16, 2009 that will facilitate science and technology research
collaboration in homeland/civil security matters between the
two nations.

Current
new vacancies at CFTC.gov.

The following job opening has been published.

09-107,
Auditor, CT-0511-9/11/12/13

Division of Clearing and Intermediary Oversight, New York, NY

Closes April 3, 2009

DoD
Contracts for March 16, 2009

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0500

Contact: Katie Grant

202-225-3130

March 16, 2009

Hoyer Statement on Credit for Small
Businesses, Outrageous AIG Bonuses

WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after
President Obama and Secretary Tim Geithner announced plans to
restore the flow of credit to entrepreneurs and small business
owners:

"Today's announcement by the Obama Administration is a positive
step to free up credit for small businesses. As the backbone
of our economy, small businesses need these loans to meet the
challenges in today's economy, grow and be successful. The action
taken today will ensure that small business owners can get the
credit they need as they play a key part in restoring the strength
of our nation's economy. This builds on steps already taken in
the Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help small businesses through
this recession.

"President Obama also addressed the outrageous bonuses being
paid to AIG executives. It is unacceptable for a company receiving
government assistance to pay exorbitant bonuses to its executives.
I'm glad to hear that the Administration will pursue every legal
option available to prevent the payment of these bonuses at a
time when AIG is living off of government aid. I am also pleased
that the Financial Services Committee is holding a subcommittee
hearing this week on AIG, and we will continue our efforts to
ensure that taxpayer money is spent as intended."

###

Attorney
General's Speeches for U.S. Department of Justice

This page has recently been updated with
the following:

Remarks
as Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder at the
National League of Cities Conference

Current
Press Releases for the U.S. Department of Justice

This page has recently been updated with
the following:

Remarks
with Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin After Their Meeting

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

March 16, 2009

EU
Peacekeeping Operation in Chad and the Central African Republic

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

March 16, 2009

U.S.
Welcomes Agreement on Gaza Weapons Smuggling

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman, Office of
the Spokesman

Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

March 16, 2009

U.S.-China
Climate Change Leaders Meet at the State Department

Bureau of Public Affairs

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

March 16, 2009

Geithner:
Finance gurus back aggressive action to restore growth

Posted: 12:30 PM ET

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner attended the G20 meeting Saturday
in Horsham, England.

HORSHAM, England (CNN) — "A strong consensus both for
recovery and reform" emerged from the G20 meeting of financial
leaders that ended Saturday near London, U.S. Treasury Secretary
Timothy Geithner said.

"This is a global crisis, and it requires

Obama
nominates Food and Drug chief

Posted: 01:03 PM ET

From CNN's Ed Hornick

President Obama announced Saturday his pick to lead the Food
and Drug Administration.

(CNN) – In his weekly address to the nation Saturday, President
Obama announced his choice of Dr. Margaret Hamburg to lead the
Food and Drug Administration.

Officials:
Obama to encourage loans to small businesses

Posted: 09:06 PM ET

By Suzanne Malveaux

CNN White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Barack
Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner on Monday will announce
administration plans to make lending to small businesses more
attractive, two senior administration officials confirmed.

Old
Energy Source Wood Be New Alternative

from Scientific American - Environment

[The following is an exact transcript of this podcast.]

On March 11th, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
called for a “moonshot for energy independence.” He’s
set up a task force to look into the large-scale production of
solar, wind and geothermal energies. But he didn’t say anything
about wood. That’s right: Wood. In the March 13th issue
of Science, researchers in the US and in Austria tout wood as
a neglected but potentially useful source of energy.

OPEC
says no to cuts

from UAE News latest RSS headlines - Big
News Network.com

Mohammed Bin Dhaen, the Oil Minister of the UAE, weighs in at
the crucial OPEC summit in Vienna. The organisation is considering
cuts as oversupply looms.

Obama
to announce steps to aid small businesses

from Reuters: Top News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will announce
steps on Monday to make it easier for small business owners to
borrow money, using $730 million in stimulus funds to cut lending
fees, boost loan guarantees and expand other programs, officials
said.

Chief
Vatican envoy visits Nagasaki

from The Japan Times: All Stories

NAGASAKI (Kyodo) Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican's
foreign minister, laid flowers Sunday at the monument marking
ground zero of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
Mamberti visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum before laying
flowers at the monument in the Nagasaki Peace Park.

UK:
Majority 'want Iraq war inquiry'

from BBC News | UK | World Edition

Almost three quarters of the UK public believe there should be
a public inquiry into the invasion of Iraq, a BBC survey suggests.

Russia
jets welcome, but no Venezuela base

from Russia News latest RSS headlines -
Big News Network.com

CARACAS, Venezuela -- President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that
Russian bombers would be welcome in Venezuela, but the socialist
leader denied that his country would offer Moscow its territory
for a mil...

Saudi
Arabia urges Iran to stay out of Lebanon, Palestine

from Saudi Arabia News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com

Riyadh - Saudi Arabia's top diplomat on Sunday urged Iran to
stay out of internal Arab disputes, in particular in Lebanon
and among the Palestinians.

Nikkei
opens 1.54% higher

from Business

Tokyo stocks opened higher Monday with the key Nikkei index jumping
1.54 percent. At 9:15 a.m., the benchmark Nikkei 225 Average
advanced 116.43 points to 7,685.71. The broader Topix index gained
14.69 points to 738.99 points.

Hamas
and Fatah agree to hold elections by January 2010

from Palestinian News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com

CAIRO - Rival Palestinian groups agreed Sunday that general elections
in the West Bank and Gaza should be held by January 2010, but
remained at odds over the terms of a joint government, a negotiator
...

Obama
calls President Arroyo

from Philippines News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com

INS MANILA: US President Barack Obama made a surprise telephone
call to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Saturday to reaffirm
his country&#39s alliance with the Philippines and its commitment
to the ...

Red
Cross Described 'Torture' at CIA Jails

from washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights
by Joby Warrick, Peter Finn and Julie Tate

Secret report on Bush administration's treatment of al-Qaeda
captives strongly implies that the CIA's interrogation methods
violated international law.

NASA's
Shuttle Discovery Launches to Fully Power Space Station

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:00:00 -0500

Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew lifted off
from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:43 p.m. EDT Sunday to deliver
the final set of power-generating solar array wings and a new
crew member to the International Space Station.

Discovery
Launches on Mission STS-119

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Shuttle heads to the International Space Station.

Citizens
Urged to Buy Flood Insurance Now

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:36:08 -0500

Denver - As we enter the Spring snowmelt season there’s
always the potential for flooding in FEMA’s six-state Region
VIII, which includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Utah and Wyoming.

DisabilityInfo.gov Update: Participate
in a Regional Health Forum

Submit a question online or attend one
of these upcoming White House forums on health reform.

This information has recently been updated, and can be read by
visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=138.

Economic
Recovery updates for Federal Transit Administration

This information has recently been updated
with new Q & A's on ARRA, and is now available.

FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, MARCH 16,
2009

House Meets At… Last Vote Predicted…

12:30 p.m.: Morning Hour

2:00 p.m.: Legislative Business

Unlimited “One Minutes” Per Side 7:00 p.m.

Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (3 Bills)

1) H.R.
987 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as
the "John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office" (Rep. Altmire
- Oversight and Government Reform)

2) H.R.
1217 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri,
as the "Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building"
(Rep. Akin - Oversight and Government Reform)

3) H.R.
1284 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi,
as the "Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office" (Rep. Taylor
- Oversight and Government Reform)

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March 16, 2009

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