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Stimulus
creates 650,000 jobs
WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- The largest stimulus program in
the nation's history has created or saved at least 650,000 jobs,
according to a report released by the Obama administration on
Friday.
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Breakthrough
in Honduras
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State Islamabad, Pakistan
October 30, 2009
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NASA
to Release New Images and Findings from Third Mercury Flyby
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:00 -0500
NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday,
Nov. 3, to announce scientific findings and release new images
from the third and final flyby of Mercury by MESSENGER.
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President
Obama Signs Executive Order to Amend Executive Order 13462
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Presidential
nominations & withdrawal sent to the Senate, 10/29/09
The following nominations and a withdrawal were sent to the Senate.
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President
Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
the following individuals to key administration posts.
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Statement
from President Obama on the Affordable Health Care for America
Act
I congratulate the House of Representatives on the introduction
of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, another critical
milestone in the effort to reform our health care system.
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Statement
on GDP from CEA Chair Christina Romer
Data released today by the Commerce Department show that real
GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter
of the year.
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Remarks
by the President on Small Businessess and Health Insurance Reform
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On
Today's GDP Numbers
Posted by CEA Chair Christina Romer on October 29, 2009 at 9:30
AM EDT
Data released today by the Commerce Department
show that real GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the
third quarter of the year. This is in stark contrast to the decline
of 6.4 percent annual rate just two quarters ago. Indeed, the
two-quarter swing in the rate of growth of 9.9 percentage points
was the largest since 1980. Analysis by both the Council of Economic
Advisers and a wide range of private and public-sector forecasters
indicates that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 contributed between 3 and 4 percentage points to real GDP
growth in the third quarter. This suggests that in the absence
of the Recovery Act, real GDP would have risen little, if at
all, this past quarter.
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Pulling
Forward the Benefits of Healthcare IT
Posted by Aneesh Chopra on October 29, 2009 at 9:52 AM EDT
Today, the Health IT Standards Committee
within the Department of Health and Human Services will begin
an unprecedented effort to get the public’s view on how
our work might "pull forward" the benefits of healthcare
information technology (IT). Specifically, we’re interested
in uncovering new strategies to accelerate the adoption of health
IT standards. This effort began with the passage of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, calling for recommendations
on standards to promote safe, secure, healthcare information
exchange.
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GreenGov
Challenge: A Special Message from Joe Biden
Posted by Cammie Croft on October 29, 2009 at 10:10 AM EDT
In less than 72 hours, the GreenGov Challenge
will come to a close – so if you’re a federal employee
or one of our brave men and women in uniform, you don’t
have much time left to share your clean energy ideas and vote
for your favorites.
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Lower
Premiums, Stronger Businesses
Posted by Linda Douglass on October 29, 2009 at 11:39 AM EDT
The President and his team have discussed
this problem with small business owners from across the country
and we know they don’t want to stop providing coverage to
their employees. Small businesses are like families and small
business owners want to give their employees the coverage they
deserve. Unfortunately, the high cost of health care is making
it impossible for many small businesses to provide health benefits.
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Busy
Covering Car Sales on Mars, Edmunds.com Gets It Wrong (Again)
on Cash for Clunkers
Posted by Macon Phillips on October 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM EDT
On the same day that we found out that
motor vehicle output added 1.7% to economic growth in the third
quarter – the largest contribution to quarterly growth in
over a decade – Edmunds.com has released a faulty analysis
suggesting that the Cash for Clunkers program had no meaningful
impact on our economy or on overall auto sales. This is the latest
of several critical “analyses” of the Cash for Clunkers
program from Edmunds.com, which appear designed to grab headlines
and get coverage on cable TV. Like many of their previous attempts,
this latest claim doesn’t withstand even basic scrutiny.
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Reality
Check: AP Story Misleads on Recovery Act Job Reporting
Posted by Ed DeSeve on October 29, 2009 at 12:22 PM EDT
You may have seen a misleading Associated
Press story this morning on the accuracy of Recovery Act job
reports that were posted earlier this month on Recovery.gov.
On the same day that we learned that the economy has begun to
grow again for the first time in over year, the very critics
who opposed economic rescue from the beginning are now trying
use this misleading story to twist the truth about the early
success of the Recovery Act.
Here is what you should know:
Governors, mayors, county executives, private
businesses and community organizations across the country submit
reports to Recovery.gov so that you can get an unprecedented
look at how your taxpayer dollars are being spent creating jobs
and boosting the economy through the Recovery Act. These reports
are not from the federal government – but from the very
people putting Recovery funds to work.
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The
New Energy Frontier
Posted by Secretary Ken Salazar on October 29, 2009 at 12:45
PM EDT
On Tuesday President Obama announced the
largest single power-grid modernization investment in U.S. history.
Under the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy is funding 100
grants totaling $3.4 billion to help companies, utilities and
cities build a nation-wide smart grid.
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VA,
DoD Coming to Grips with the Mental Health Costs of War
Posted by Brandon Friedman on October 29, 2009 at 1:45 PM EDT
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The
GDP, Small Business and Health Insurance Reform
Posted by Jesse Lee on October 29, 2009 at 3:58 PM EDT
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Afghanistan:
Civilian Hiring in Afghanistan
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Afghanistan MiPAL has been updated with a
State Department briefing on civilian hiring in Afghanistan,
remarks by the Secretary of Defense concerning the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization's role in Afghanistan, a briefing by the
Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, a series
of Congressional hearings featuring testimony by LTG Barno of
the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies on U.S.
strategy in Afghanistan, examining counterterrorism within the
Afghanistan counterinsurgency, and analyzing the U.S. counternarcotics
strategy in Afghanistan, a Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace article profiling the Taliban, a United Nations report
assessing the transnational threat of Afghan opium, and reports
from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
calling for enhanced documentation of detention procedures within
Afghanistan's counter-narcotics justice center and highlighting
the need for increased visibility, monitoring, and planning for
the emergency response program in Afghanistan. Please see the
Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country
- the newest updates are in bold.
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India:
Human Costs of Delayed Economic Reform
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The India MiPAL has been updated with a CATO
Institute report analyzing the human costs of delayed economic
reform in India, an Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
article examining India's Afghanistan policy, a German Institute
for International and Security Affairs report evaluating the
promotion of democracy and foreign policy in India, and a series
of Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies reports analyzing
Indian and Pakistani perspectives on interactions across Kashmir's
Line of Control (LoC) and reviewing the history of confidence
building measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan. Please see
the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country
- the newest updates are in bold.
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Russia:
Russia's Demographic Challenges
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Russia MiPAL has been updated with a Defence
Academy of the United Kingdom report assessing negative trends
in the North Caucasus, a Human Rights Watch report analyzing
Russia's implementation of the European Court of Human Rights
judgments on Chechnya, reports from the German Institute for
International and Security Affairs evaluating President Medvedev
of Russia's proposals for an International Energy Accord and
the Energy Charter Treaty and examining the realities of Russia's
military capabilities, and articles from the Journal of International
and Security Affairs assessing the implications of Russia's demographic
challenges and analyzing Russia's relations in Europe. Please
see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
country - the newest updates are in bold.
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Syria:
Syria's Relations with Iraq
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Syria MiPAL has been updated with a White
House statement on the detention of a human rights lawyer by
Syrian security services, a Jamestown Foundation article analyzing
the potential role of Syrian terrorists in attacks against Iraq
and the implications for Syria's relations with Iraq, a Council
on Foreign Relations article examining Syria's evolving relations
with the U.S., Iraq, and Israel, and a Congressional Research
Service report providing an overview on Syria's relations with
the U.S. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for
the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
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Africa:
Militias and Insurgency in Somalia
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Africa Regional Policy Overview has been
updated with a Washington Institute for Near East Policy article
concerning militias and insurgency in Somalia, a Brookings Institution
article assessing the African Union leaders' action on internal
displacement in Africa, a statement by the White House Press
Secretary on the Economic Community of West African States Summit,
a Heritage Foundation article and a State Department briefing
detailing the Obama Administration's new policy on Sudan, an
Institute for Security Studies report analyzing the political
crisis in Madagascar, a Center for Global Development report
providing recommendations for Ghana's handling of its oil supplies,
a Congressional Research Service report examining the illegal
drug trade in Africa, a Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars report evaluating the effects of the global financial
crisis on African economies, and a South African Institute of
International Relations report assessing China's role in Botswana's
infrastructure development. Please see the Recently Added Documents
section for the latest on this region - the newest updates are
in bold.
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Europe
and Eurasia: Vice President Biden's Trip to the Region
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Europe and Eurasia Regional Policy Overview
has been updated with a series of remarks by the Vice President
during his trip to Europe, remarks by the Secretary of Defense
on European missile defense during a meeting of the NATO Defense
Ministers, a Heritage Foundation report analyzing Germany's participation
in U.S. security missions and assessing prospects for the future
of U.S.-Germany relations, a briefing by the Vice President's
National Security Advisor providing a preview of the Vice President's
visit to Europe, an Institute for Security and Development Policy
report evaluating the political crisis in Moldova, and a European
Union Institute for Security Studies report reviewing the past
ten years in European security and defense policy. Please see
the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this region
- the newest updates are in bold.
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International
Religious Freedom Report
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The U.S. State Department's International Religious
Freedom Report for 2009 has been added to the Recently Added
Documents sections of all the country MiPALs and Regional Policy
Overviews. Please visit the Military Policy Awareness Links (MiPALs)
page for a complete listing of all available MiPALs and Regional
Policy Overviews.
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Near
East and North Africa: Humanitarian Situation in Northern Yemen
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Near East and North Africa Regional Policy
Overview has been updated with a State Department statement expressing
concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Northern Yemen,
a Washington Institute for Near East Policy article previewing
the upcoming conference of Egypt's ruling National Democratic
Party (NDP), an Arab Reform Initiative article providing recommendations
for the development of an effective Palestinian national strategy,
a series of Congressional Research Service reports analyzing
regional perspectives and U.S. policy on Iraq, the status of
Israeli-Arab negotiations, and U.S. relations with Syria, a Belfer
Center for Science and International Security report making the
case for a new U.S. approach towards the Palestinian camps of
Lebanon, and a chapter of the Global Strategic Assessment 2009
by the Institute for National Strategic Studies (National Defense
University) concerning regional security threats facing the greater
Middle East. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold.
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South
and Central Asia: India's Policy in Afghanistan
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The South and Central Asia Regional Policy Overview
has been updated with a briefing by the U.S. Special Representative
for Afghanistan and Pakistan, an Institute for Defence Studies
and Analyses article examining India's policy on Afghanistan,
a Foreign Policy in Focus article detailing the Sri Lankan government's
human rights record, a Danish Institute for International Studies
report analyzing the intersection of state elites and the new
poverty agenda in Bangladesh, a chapter of the Global Strategic
Assessment 2009 by the Institute for National Strategic Studies
(National Defense University) concerning regional security and
strategic issues in South Asia, a NATO Defence College report
evaluating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's reaction
to the new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and a
German Development Institute report assessing the challenges
and opportunities facing the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold.
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Saudi
Arabia: Economic Development and Diversification
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Saudi Arabia MiPAL has been updated with
a Brookings Institution report analyzing economic development
and diversification in Saudi Arabia in response to the new global
economy and a Jamestown Foundation article examining Saudi Arabia's
potential strategic reactions to the attempted killing of a Saudi
royal by al-Qaeda. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
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Weapons
of Mass Destruction: America's Preparedness for Handling WMD
Threats
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Weapons of Mass Destruction MiPAL has been
updated with a progress report on America's preparedness for
handling WMD threats from the Commission on the Prevention of
Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, a statement
by the U.S. Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons Executive Council, a chapter of the Global
Strategic Assessment 2009 by the Institute for National Strategic
Studies (National Defense University) concerning the proliferation
of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and a United Nations Institute
for Disarmament Research report examining the negotiation of
the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the future prospects
for nuclear testing. Please see the Recently Added Documents
section for the latest on this topic - the newest updates are
in bold.
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Terrorism:
Analysis of the Treasury Department's Success in Combating Terrorist
Financing
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Terrorism MiPAL has been updated with a State
Department statement on the re-designation of Al-Qa'ida in the
Islamic Maghreb as a foreign terrorist organization, a Heritage
Foundation report providing details on what an analysis of Islamist
terrorist plots in Great Britain revealed about the nature of
the global terrorism network, remarks by the President to staff
members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, a Government Accountability
Office report assessing the effectiveness of the Treasury Department's
Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in combating terrorist
financing, a Portuguese Institute of International Relations
and Security report providing a Portuguese perspective on the
use of the Guantánamo Naval Base in Cuba for the detention
of terrorism suspects, a chapter of the Global Strategic Assessment
2009 by the Institute for National Strategic Studies (National
Defense University) concerning transnational movements and terrorism,
and a Journal of International Security Affairs article presenting
recommendations for the countering of terrorist media. Please
see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
topic - the newest updates are in bold.
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Iraq:
U.S. Strategy in Iraq and Challenges facing U.S. Military Redeployment
from Iraq
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Iraq MiPAL has been updated with a Department
of Defense briefing by the Commander of the Multinational Division-South
in Iraq and the Commander of the Iraqi Army's 14th Division,
statements by the President and the Secretary of State on recent
bombings in Baghdad, Congressional hearings concerning U.S. strategy
in Iraq and the challenges facing U.S. military redeployment
from Iraq, the President's remarks with the Prime Minister of
Iraq, the Secretary of State's remarks at the U.S.-Iraq Business
and Investment Conference, a Council on Foreign Relations article
analyzing complications in Iraq's political process, and a Congressional
Research Service report examining regional perspectives and U.S.
policy on Iraq. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
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China's
Capability to Conduct Cyber Warfare
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The China MiPAL has been updated with a Department
of Defense press release providing details on the Secretary of
Defense's meeting with the Vice Chairman of the People's Liberation
Army Central Military Commission, the Congressional-Executive
Commission on China's annual report for 2009, a U.S.-China Economic
and Security Review Commission report analyzing China's capability
to conduct cyber warfare and computer network exploitation, a
Center for Strategic and International Studies report examining
the internationalization of the Renminbi and its implications
for the U.S., a Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute
article evaluating China's global political and economic influence,
a South African Institute of International Relations report reviewing
China's role in Botswana's infrastructure development, an Institute
for Security and Development Policy report analyzing international
security cooperation efforts between China and the European Union,
an Institute for National Security Studies (Israel) report providing
details on the relationship between Israel and China, and a Journal
of International Security Affairs article assessing China's approach
to Central Asia. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
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National
Security Strategy: Equipping the Military for 21st Century Conflict
through Formal Education in Strategy
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The National Security Strategy MiPAL has been
updated with reports from the Strategic Studies Institute providing
recommendations for formal education in strategy to better equip
the military for 21st century conflict and analyzing the U.S.
Army's professional military ethic in an era of persistent conflict,
remarks by the President at the signing of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Congressional hearings
examining the Intelligence Community's policies and practices
concerning congressional notification of intelligence activities
and assessing the threats to global stability and U.S. national
security stemming from transnational drug enterprises, a series
of Congressional Research Service reports providing background
on the budget for the State Department and foreign operations,
the use of national security letters in foreign intelligence
investigations, and current paramilitary operations conducted
by the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the Central Intelligence
Agency, and articles evaluating U.S. public diplomacy efforts
by the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy
and by Middle East Policy. Please see the Recently Added Documents
section for the latest on this topic - the newest updates are
in bold.
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Pakistan:
Secretary of State Clinton's Visit
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network The Pakistan MiPAL has been updated with a series
of remarks by the Secretary of State during her visit to Pakistan,
a Council on Foreign Relations article analyzing Pakistan's new
generation of terrorists, a briefing by the Special Representative
for Afghanistan and Pakistan, an International Crisis Group report
assessing efforts to counter militancy in Pakistan's Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), a New America Foundation article
analyzing the use of drone strikes in Pakistan, an address by
the Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign
Affairs presenting recommendations for the future of U.S.-Pakistan
relations, and a report from the National Defense University's
Institute for National Strategic Studies evaluating the use of
Islamic radicalism by the Pakistani army and the Inter-Services
Intelligence Directorate as a means to address the conventional
military gap between Pakistan and India. Please see the Recently
Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the
newest updates are in bold.
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Loan
Repayment Rate Methods for All Eligible MAL Commodities, Except
Cotton, Peanuts, and Rice
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices LP-2134,
Loan Repayment Rate Methods for All Eligible MAL Commodities,
Except Cotton, Peanuts, and Rice(FOR State and County Offices
and CMA's) DATE POSTED: 2009-10-27 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2010-07-01
STATUS: CURRENT
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2009
Through 2012 Crop Year MAL and LDP Policy, Except Cotton
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices LP-2135,
2009 Through 2012 Crop Year MAL and LDP Policy, Except Cotton(FOR
State and County Offices, CMA?s, and DMA?s) DATE POSTED: 2009-10-28
DATE EFFECTIVE: 2010-07-01 STATUS: CURRENT
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LFP
Maps on the FSA Internet
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices LDAP-16,
LFP Maps on the FSA Internet(FOR State and County Offices) DATE
POSTED: 2009-10-26 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2010-05-01 STATUS: CURRENT
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2010
National Crop Table (NCT) Record Rollover
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices NAP-126,
2010 National Crop Table (NCT) Record Rollover(FOR State and
County Offices) DATE POSTED: 2009-10-26 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2009-12-01
STATUS: CURRENT
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2009
Federal Employees Benefits Open Season
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices PM-2742,
2009 Federal Employees Benefits Open Season(FOR FFAS Employees)
DATE POSTED: 2009-10-28 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2010-02-01 STATUS: CURRENT
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USDA
Monthly Milk Cost of Production
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
New Monthly milk cost of production estimates are available by
State from January 2003 to the previous month.
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Statement
on Introduction of Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
October 27, 2009
TG-332
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Treasury
Allocates $2.2 Billion in Bonds for Renewable Energy Development
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
October 27, 2009
TG-333
|
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Special
Master Feinberg Testimony before the House Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
October 28, 2009
TG-334
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|
Secretary
Timothy F. Geithner Written Testimony House Financial Services
Committee
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
October 29, 2009
TG-335
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Administration
Calls on Congress to Approve Key Housing Measures
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
October 29, 2009
TG-336
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Press
Conference with Deputy Director of National Intelligence for
Collection, Glenn A. Gaffney, on the Camp Williams (Utah) Data
Center
from ODNI | Most Recent News Deputy Director
of National Intelligence for Collection, Glenn A. Gaffney, holds
a press conference with Utah officials on the announcement of
a data center at Camp Williams, Utah. The event was held on October
23, 2009 at the Utah State Capitol.
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ODNI
Congressional Testimony: House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence Subcommittee Hearing
from ODNI | Most Recent News Statement
for the Record by Mr. Robert Litt, ODNI General Counsel - The
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee
on Oversight and Investigations and Subcommittee on Intelligence
Community Management holds a joint hearing regarding the Intelligence
Community's practices, policies and procedures as they relate
to congressional notification of intelligence activities.
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|
Comptroller
Dugan Testifies on Financial Reform
from OCC News Releases by Office of the
Comptroller of the CurrencyComptroller of the Currency John C.
Dugan testified today before the House Financial Services Committee
on proposed financial reform legislation.
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NTIA
Testimony on Oversight of the Broadband Stimulus Programs
from NTIA Testimony of Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, NTIA
on Oversight of the Broadband Stimulus Programs in the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act before the Committee on Commerce,
Science Transportation, United States Senate.
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NTIA
Testimony on the Recovery Act and Broadband
from NTIA Testimony of Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, NTIA,
before the Committee on Small Business, United States House of
Representatives.
|
GAO-10-196T,
Federal Electronics Management: Federal Agencies Could Improve
Participation in EPA's Initiatives for Environmentally Preferable
Electronic Products, October 27, 2009
|
GAO-10-194T,
Legal Services Corporation: Some Progress Made in Addressing
Governance and Accountability Weaknesses, But Challenges Remain,
October 27, 2009
|
GAO-09-941,
Voters with Disabilities: Additional Monitoring of Polling Places
Could Further Improve Accessibility, September 30, 2009
|
GAO-10-103R,
Military Training: DOD's Report on the Sustainability of Training
Ranges Addresses Most of the Congressional Reporting Requirements
and Continues to Improve with Each Annual Update, ...
|
GAO-10-192T,
Recovery Act: Preliminary Observations on the Implementation
of Broadband Programs, October 27, 2009
|
GAO-09-969,
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Current Cyber Sector-Specific
Planning Approach Needs Reassessment, September 24, 2009
|
GAO-10-102,
Human Capital: Monitoring of Safeguards and Addressing Employee
Perceptions Are Key to Implementing a Civilian Performance Management
System in DOD, October 28, 2009
|
GAO-10-33,
Higher Education and Disability: Education Needs a Coordinated
Approach to Improve Its Assistance to Schools in Supporting Students,
October 28, 2009
|
GAO-10-188T,
Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA Faces Challenges
in Responding to Task Force Recommendations, October 28, 2009
|
GAO-10-153T,
401(k) Plans: Several Factors Can Diminish Retirement Savings,
but Automatic Enrollment Shows Promise for Increasing Participation
and Savings, October 28, 2009
|
GAO-10-212T,
International Food Assistance: A U.S. Governmentwide Strategy
Could Accelerate Progress toward Global Food Security, October
29, 2009
|
GAO-10-186T,
Warfighter Support: Challenges Confronting DOD's Ability to Coordinate
and Oversee Its Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Efforts,
October 29, 2009
|
GAO-10-95,
Warfighter Support: Actions Needed to Improve Visibility and
Coordination of DOD's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Efforts,
October 29, 2009
|
GAO-10-181T,
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation: Workers and Retirees Experience
Delays and Uncertainty when Underfunded Plans Are Terminated,
October 29, 2009
|
GAO-10-210T,
Financial Management Systems: DHS Faces Challenges to Successfully
Consolidate Its Existing Disparate Systems, October 29, 2009
|
GAO-10-128,
Aviation Security: DHS and TSA Have Researched, Developed, and
Begun Deploying Passenger Checkpoint Screening Technologies,
but Continue to Face Challenges, October 7, 2009
|
GAO-10-32,
School Facilities: Physical Conditions in School Districts Receiving
Impact Aid for Students Residing on Indian Lands, October 29,
2009
|
GAO-10-19,
Public Transportation: Federal Project Approval Process Remains
a Barrier to Greater Private Sector Role and DOT Could Enhance
Efforts to Assist Project Sponsors, October 29, 2009
|
GAO-10-46,
Formerly Used Defense Sites: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Needs to Improve Its Process for Reviewing Completed Cleanup
Remedies to Ensure Continued Protection, October 29, 2009
|
GAO-10-29,
Federal Student Aid: Highlights of a Study Group on Simplifying
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, October 29, 2009
|
GAO-09-617,
Information Security: Concerted Effort Needed to Improve Federal
Performance Measures, September 14, 2009
|
|
GAO-10-159T,
Information Security: Concerted Effort Needed to Improve Federal
Performance Measures, October 29, 2009
from GAO Reports In Process
|
|
Federal
Reserve Board Testimony Tarullo, Regulatory reform
from FRB: Speeches and Testimony Testimony
before the Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
|
|
Training
& Events: US Standard General Ledger: Publications &
Guidance: Financial Management Service
from FMS Publications Updated 10/29/2009:
Training & Events. The following courses are offered by.
Treasury Agency Services. Professional Development Division:.
Standard General Ledger Courses. SGL: Basic SGL: Intermediate
SGL: Advanced. Credit Program Accounting and Reporting. Credit
Program Accounting and Reporting Concepts Direct Loan Programs
Loan
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|
Statement
of FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz
from (FTC) - Text of Press Releases On
passage of H.R. 3126, the Consumer Financial Protection Act of
2009 by the House Energy and Commerce Committee
|
|
Commission
Proposes New Light Bulb Labels, Seeks Public Comments
from (FTC) - Consumer Protection Press
Releases The FTC has proposed new labeling requirements for "lamps,"
commonly known as light bulbs, in response to a congressional
mandate.
|
|
Final
FTC Roundtable to Discuss Debt Collection Litigation; Continued
Call for Public Comments
from (FTC) - Consumer Protection Press
Releases The Federal Trade Commission will host a public event
on consumer protection issues arising when debt collectors sue
consumers to recover on a debt.
|
|
FTC
Calls for Improved Advertising and Billing Practices to Empower
Consumers and Facilitate Competition Among Telephone, Cable and
Other Communications Providers
from (FTC) - Consumer Protection Press
Releases In response to a request by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) for comment, the Federal Trade Commission has
urged adoption of policies to protect and empower consumers as
they buy and use communications services, including telephone,
cable, and Internet access services.
|
|
U.S.
Court of Appeals Enforces Subpoenas in FTC's Androgel Investigation;
In Separate Case, FTC Files Petition to Compel Enforcement of
Subpoena Issued to Boehringer Ingelheim
from (FTC) - Competition Press Releases
The Federal Trade Commission today announced two subpoena enforcement
actions challenging tactics that delay agency investigations.
|
|
FTC
Order Restores Competition Lost Through Schering-Plough’s
Acquisition of Merck
from (FTC) - Competition Press Releases
Companies Must Sell Significant Human and Animal Health Care
Assets
|
|
ODNI
Congressional Testimony: House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence Subcommittee Hearing
from DNI Statement for the Record by Mr.
Robert Litt, ODNI General Counsel - The House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
and Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management holds a
joint hearing regarding the Intelligence Community's practices,
policies and procedures as they relate to congressional notification
of intelligence activities.
|
|
Volume
53, Number 3 "Studies in Intelligence"
from CIA Library October 28, 2009 - The
newest issue of "Studies in Intelligence" from CIA's
Center for the Study of Intelligence.
|
|
World
Leaders - Updates for 22 - 28 October 2009
from CIA Library October 29 - Posted updated
Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments with
updated entries for Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Germany,
Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Portugal, South Africa, Taiwan--NDE,
Venezuela. Changes reflect updates in leadership, positions,
or the spelling of officials' names in the country listings during
the period 22 - 28 October 2009.
|
Working
Paper 2009-03: The CBO Infinite-Horizon Model with Idiosyncratic
Uncertainty and Borrowing Constraints
|
|
H.R.
3276, American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents Cost estimate
for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy
and Commerce on October 21, 2009
|
|
H.R.
1147, Local Community Radio Act of 2009
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents Cost estimate
for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy
and Commerce on October 15, 2009
|
|
H.R.
1168, Veterans Retraining Act of 2009
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents Cost estimate
for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs on October 28, 2009
|
|
H.R.
2647, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents Direct spending
and revenues effects estimate for the bill as cleared by the
Congress on October 22, 2009
|
|
Preliminary
Analysis of the Affordable Health Care for America Act
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents Letter to
the Honorable Charles B. Rangel
|
|
VIDEO:
Ray LaHood, Transportation Secretary
from C-SPAN Recent Video Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood talked about ways to combat and manage distracted
driving. The program began with a clip of his testimony the previous
day before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
hearing on distracted driving.
Length: 32 min.
Published: Thursday at 12am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
from C-SPAN Recent Video Senator Jeanne
Shaheen talked about her support of the Unemployment Compensation
Extension Act that would provide 14 additional weeks of unemployment
aid in all 50 states.
Length: 19 min.
Published: Thursday at 12am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Pres. Obama Remarks on Small Business
from C-SPAN Recent Video President Obama
said the latest economic growth numbers show the success of his
administration’s policies. He also praised the health care
bill introduced by House Democrats. Those comments came at a
gathering of small business owners in the Old Executive Office
Building.
Length: 25 min.
Published: Thursday at 11:50am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
House Speaker Pelosi Unveils Health Care Bill
from C-SPAN Recent Video After months of
negotiations, Hse. Spkr. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) unveiled the Democrats
health care legislation which includes a public option. House
Republicans held a briefing to respond to the announcement. The
bill is expected to be debated on the House floor the first week
of November.
Length:
Published: Thursday at 10am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing Thurs Oct 29
from C-SPAN Recent Video Spokesman Ian
Kelly conducts a daily briefing at the State Department.
Length: 19 min.
Published: Thursday at 1pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Defense Department Press Briefing Thurs Oct 29
from C-SPAN Recent Video Pentagon Spokesman
Geoff Morrell conducts a daily briefing at the Defense Department.
Length: 40 min.
Published: Thursday at 1pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Rep. George Miller (D-CA) Teleconference on Health Care
from C-SPAN Recent Video Chairman of the
House Education and Labor Cmte. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) held
a teleconference call on the recently released House health care
bill.
Length:
Published: Thursday at 12am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Senate Environment Cmte. Hearing on Climate Bill - Day 3
from C-SPAN Recent Video As Republicans
continue to object to climate change legislation as a "job-killer,"
Senate Environment Cmte. Chair Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) wrapped
up three days of hearings on the Clean Energy Jobs and American
Power Act. Witnesses in this final round of panels included technology,
environmental and transportation officials.
Length:
Published: Thursday at 9:30am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
House Financial Services Cmte. hearing on Financial Regulatory
Reform
from C-SPAN Recent Video During this Hse.
Financial Services Cmte. hearing on regulatory reform, Treasury
Sec. Geithner endorsed a bill to shift the costs of rescuing
large financial institutions from taxpayers to big banks and
hedge funds. Also, the release of the Gross Domestic Product
number (GDP) indicates a rise at an annual rate of of 3.5 percent
in the third quarter and was a topic of discussion at the hearing.
Length:
Published: Thursday at 9:30am (ET)
|
|
Trumka:
Bank Bailout Language in Proposed House Financial Services Committee
Bill Doesn’t Work
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Seth MichaelsToday,
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is delivering a message to Congress:
The United States needs financial reform that works, and key
elements of the proposed legislation covering bank bailouts fall
far short of that standard.
|
|
House
Health Reform Bill Would Cover Millions—Affordably
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Seth Michaels
Today, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
unveiled a comprehensive reform bill that would guarantee coverage
for 96 percent of the U.S. public.
|
|
Manufacturing
Crucial for Building New Economy
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks
Over the next decade, America is poised
to invest $2 trillion in infrastructure, health care and a greener
economy, but that money must be invested strategically to build
a new economy, not just retool the current model, which is not
working.
|
House
Democrats unveil $894 billion health care bill
Posted: October 29th, 2009 10:42 AM ET
|
|
Letter
from Obama hits Virginia mailboxes
Posted: October 29th, 2009 12:55 PM ET
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Obama's name is on a letter being sent out to Virginia voters.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – With their final mailing of the Virginia
governor's race, Democrats are hoping President Obama can motivate
his 2008 supporters to show up once again for Creigh Deeds next
Tuesday.
|
Obama:
small business remarks
Posted: October 29th, 2009 02:04 PM ET
|
Senate
leaders reach deal on extending homebuyers' tax credit
Posted: October 29th, 2009 05:19 PM ET
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Two U.S. senators on Thursday confirmed
a bipartisan deal intended to extend the first-time homebuyers'
tax credit that was originally passed earlier this year as part
of the economic stimulus bill.
|
|
DNC
asks supporters to take on Palin's 'lies'
Posted: October 29th, 2009 05:30 PM ET
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
The Democratic National Committee is taking fresh aim at Sarah
Palin.
(CNN) - The Democratic National Committee is taking fresh aim
at Sarah Palin, encouraging supporters to attack the former Alaska
governor on Facebook in order to "debunk her lies."
|
|
Industry
group blasted for 'fraudulent' information on energy bill
Posted: October 29th, 2009 05:50 PM ET
From CNN's Ed Hornick
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic Rep. Edward
Markey, chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence
and Global Warming, grilled witnesses Thursday on what he called
"fraudulent letters" sent to Congress on energy and
climate legislation before a crucial House vote on the issue.
|
|
White
House fights back on Cash for Clunkers
Posted: October 29th, 2009 06:08 PM ET
From CNNMoney.com Staff Writer David Goldman
White House fights back on Cash for Clunkers.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The Obama administration on Thursday
lashed out at a prominent critic of its Cash for Clunkers program,
arguing that the popular trade-in initiative helped give the
auto industry and the economy a much needed boost in the past
few months.
|
Obama
to meet prime minister of Turkey at White House
Posted: October 29th, 2009 06:38 PM ET
|
Judge
dismisses suit about Obama's eligibility to be president
Posted: October 29th, 2009 07:15 PM ET
Judge dismisses suit about Obama's eligibility to be president.
(CNN) - President Barack Obama may have one less problem to worry
about.
|
Pelosi
Introduces Health Care Bill
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) unveiled a health-care reform
bill "that includes a government insurance option and a
historic expansion of Medicaid, although sticking points in the
legislation involving abortion and immigration remain unresolved,"
the Washington Post reports.
|
Corzine
Leads by Five in New Jersey
The latest Democracy Corps poll in New Jersey finds Gov. Jon
Corzine (D) leading challenger Chris Christie (R) by five points,
43% to 38%, with independent Chris Daggett at 12%.
|
Confidential
Report Details Investigations
"House ethics investigators have scrutinized the activities
of more than 30 lawmakers and several aides in inquiries about
issues including defense lobbying and corporate influence peddling,
according to a confidential House ethics committee report prepared
in July," the Washington Post reports.
|
Bill
Allen and Richard Smith, Former Officers of VECO Corporation,
Sentenced for Roles in Alaska Public Corruption Scheme
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:36:30 -0500
|
Secretary
Timothy F. Geithner Written Testimony House Financial Services
Committee
October 29, 2009
TG-335
|
|
Anchorage
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Homeland
Security Leadership Journal for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN
TO VISIT MAINE
Will Deliver National Funding Announcement
Under 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative
WASHINGTON, October 29, 2009 - TOMORROW,
October 30, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will
travel to Portland, Maine, to announce funding to grantees across
the country that will address the critical organic agriculture
issues through the integration of research, education and extension
projects. The funding, including a Maine grant recipient, is
part of the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative,
administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA). Deputy Secretary Merrigan will be hosted by Borealis
Breads proprietor, Jim Amaral, a local businessman benefiting
from the USDA funded research. As part of her visit, Merrigan
will continue her national conversation on USDA's new 'Know Your
Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative - to help develop local and
regional food systems and spur economic opportunity.
Launched in May, 2009, the 'Know Your Farmer,
Know Your Food' initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental
and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. 'Know
Your Farmer, Know Your Food' includes such major agricultural
topics as supporting local farmers and community food groups;
strengthening rural communities; enhancing direct marketing and
farmers' promotion programs; promoting healthy eating; protecting
natural resources; and helping schools connect with locally grown
foods. The effort builds on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides
for increases and flexibility for USDA programs in an effort
to promote local foods.
More information about USDA's 'Know Your
Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative is available at, www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer.
Who: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen
Merrigan
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Virginia Manuel, Maine State Director, USDA Rural Development
Todd Donovan, Maine State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency
Edward Ashworth, Dean, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry,
and
Agriculture
Ellen Mallory, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, University
of Maine
Jim Amaral, Proprietor, Borealis Bakery
What: 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food'
national funding announcement to address the critical organic
agriculture issues through the integration of research, education
and extension projects. The event will highlight an entity benefiting
from USDA funded research.
When: Friday, October 30, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Where: Borealis Breads Bakery and Bistro
182 Ocean Avenue
Portland, Maine
#
|
|
CDC's
Vaccine Price List
This message is to notify you that the
Vaccine Price List has been updated, and is now available.
|
|
NIOSH
"What's New" list
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
NRC
Schedules Enforcement Conference with Babcock and Wilcox Nuclear
Operations Group
|
|
Sacramento
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Contact: Katie Grant
202-225-3130For Immediate Release
October 29, 2009
Majority Leader Hoyer: GDP Encouraging,
More Work Ahead
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after
the announcement that GDP rose 3.5% in the third quarter of 2009:
“Today’s announcement that GDP grew by 3.5% in the
last quarter is encouraging news, adding another sign that our
economy is slowly recovering from the deepest recession in 75
years. This is a turnaround of nearly 10% in just two quarters,
when the economy contracted by 6.4% - the largest reversal of
GDP since 1980, and the first increase since last year. A wide
range of economists have stated that the Recovery Act added between
3 and 4 percentage points to the GDP, making it a key part of
bolstering economic growth.
“While today’s news is welcome, we still have a long
way to go as we continue working to create jobs and ease the
pain of the recession. Job losses have decreased dramatically
this year, but that is little comfort to Americans who remain
unemployed. Even though jobs are widely known to be the last
piece of an economic recovery, Democrats are looking at all options
to spur job growth and get Americans back to work.”
###
|
Statement
of Assistant Attorney General Tony West Before the Senate Judiciary
Committee Entitled "Effective Strategies for Preventing
Health Care Fraud"
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:07:34 -0500
|
BTS Releases North American Surface Trade
Numbers for August:
August 2009 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Fell 24.9 Percent
from August 2008
Trade using surface transportation between the United States
and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners
Canada and Mexico was 24.9 percent lower in August 2009 than
in August 2008, dropping to $54.3 billion, according to the Bureau
of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration,
reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade
with Canada and Mexico rose 5.3 percent in August 2009 from July
2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations
and other factors.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements
by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by
value with Canada and Mexico moves on land.
See BTS
Transborder Data Release for summary tables and additional
data. See North
American Transborder Freight Data for historic data.
###
|
|
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses (SDVOSB) Contract Opportunities for U.S. Department
of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
Kitchen
Hood Renovations
Solicitation Number: HSCGG1-10-B-PRV045
Place of Performance: USCG Station Shinnecock, Hampton Bays,
N.Y.
POC: Teresa L. Calabrese, teresa.l.calabrese@uscg.mil
Response Date: December 8, 2009
Replace #2 Fuel Oil Storage Tank
Solicitation Number: HSCGG1-10-Q-PRV022
Place of Performance: USCG Westhampton Beach, N.Y.
POC: Teresa L. Calabrese, teresa.l.calabrese@uscg.mil
Response Date: December 8, 2009
|
Senators
Agree to Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit
Posted: 28 Oct 2009 05:00 PM PDT
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
WASHINGTON - Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax
credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit
to some repeat buyers.
The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers
but is set to expire at the end of November. The Commerce Department
said Wednesday that new home sales fell 3.6 percent in September,
and some industry representatives blamed uncertainty about the
tax credit.
|
|
Tarrant
County TX Young Democrats Monthly Meeting
"Campaign Plans, Fun Stuff, Meet and Greet other YD's"
What: Club/Group Meeting
Start Time: Tuesday, November 3 at 6:30pm
End Time: Tuesday, November 3 at 8:00pm
Where: The Pour House
To see more details and RSVP
|
|
AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN
TO HOST 2ND 'KNOW YOUR FARMER, KNOW YOUR FOOD' FACEBOOK CHAT
ON NOV. 5
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2009 - Agriculture
Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan twill host her second Facebook
chat about the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative
on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m. The topic of this chat will be
farm to school, which involves getting and using fresh produce
and other farm products from local and regional farmers for use
in local schools. The effort not only supports increasing economic
opportunities for local farmers but also helps school children
make healthy food choices.
The 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food'
initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical
reconnection between producers and consumers. The effort builds
on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides for increases and flexibility
for USDA programs in an effort to promote local foods.
Merrigan hosted her first Facebook chat
on the initiative on Oct. 1. Questions were submitted from people
across the nation about beginning farmer and rancher programs,
interest in school nutrition, food safety and supporting local
and regional food systems. During the 30 minute session, more
than 115 questions and comments were submitted.
Details are available at www.usda.gov/live
and people can submit a question in advance of the chat or watch
the conversation on the USDA website.
The website, at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer,
features social media tools to help focus the public conversation
about farming and food, while engaging American agriculture and
linking producers to customers. The public will be able to send
their stories, ideas or videos to the 'Know Your Farmer, Know
Your Food' team at knowyourfarmer@usda.gov . The public can become
a fan of USDA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USDA.
#
|
Administration
Calls on Congress to Approve Key Housing Measures
October 29, 2009
TG-336
|
|
Omaha
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
New
Report Highlights How Health Insurance Reform Will Reduce Costs
for Small Businesses
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0500
|
Afghan
Police Learn to Engage Public
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:02:00 -0500
|
|
DHS 8(a) Competitive Program Opportunities
for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Provide
Uniform/Equipment Issue and Laundry Support Services
Solicitation Number: HSFLGL-09-R-00022
Place of Performance: Glynco (Brunswick), Ga.
POC: Sheryle Wood, sheryle.wood@dhs.gov, 912-267-3590
Response Date: November 25, 2009
|
|
Secretary
Clinton's Travel to the Middle East
Ian Kelly
Department SpokesmanWashington, DC
October 29, 2009
|
|
Kansas
City Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
What Do We Stand For: Insurance Companies
Or The People?
Click
here to view video.
Dear Friends,
On MSNBC,The Ed Shultz Show (October 28)
Congressman Kucinich stated: It's time to re-double our efforts
to insist on a robust public option, that is the least we can
do since the single-payer option has been taken out of the bill,
leaving negotiated rates, a trigger - capitulating to insurance
companies. Without a robust public option the poor will pay more,
the government will pay more, ending up in a larger bailout to
the insurance industry. Your
contribution will empower our efforts to fight for the single-payer,
not for profit health care bill, H.R. 676.
Congressman Kucinich continued: We can't
sway from our responsibilities as members of Congress who have
pledged to deliver health care to the American people and we
must ensure that it is health care and not insurance care. We
have to make sure the American people know that we want everyone
covered with the best possible plan. Frankly, we are selling
ourselves short by not going forward with a robust public option.
We must make sure the insurance companies are not going to raid
the American taxpayer's coffers.
Please contribute $25, $50, $100 to continue
support for single-payer health care. Please
contribute now.
Thank you.
Sincerely.
The Re-Elect Congressman Kucinich Committee
|
|
Boston
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Springfield
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
U.S.
Foreign Policy and the OSCE: Shared Core Values
Philip H. Gordon
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian AffairsStatement
before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Washington, DC
October 28, 2009
|
Transfer
of Federal Protective Service to National Protection and Programs
Directorate
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0500
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
today announced the transfer of the Federal Protective Service
(FPS) from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to
the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)—streamlining
decision-making and aligning the protection of federal buildings
with DHS’ broader critical infrastructure protection mission.
|
|
Special
Press Briefing by U.S. Delegation to Honduras
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 29, 2009
|
|
Milwaukee
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Statement
of FDIC Chairman Sheila C. Bair on Systemic Regulation, Prudential
Measures, Resolution Authority and Securitization before the
U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee
|
|
Fraudulent Work-at-Home Funds Transfer
Agent Schemes
Summary: Individuals are using deposit accounts to receive unauthorized
electronic funds transfers and forward funds overseas to criminals.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) is warning financial institutions of an increase in schemes
to recruit individuals to receive and transmit unauthorized electronic
funds transfers (EFTs) from deposit accounts to individuals overseas.
These funds transfer agents, often referred to as "money
mules," are typically solicited on the Internet by criminals
who have gained unauthorized access to the online deposit account
of a business or consumer. In a typical scenario, the criminal
will originate unauthorized EFTs from a victim's account to a
money mule's deposit account. The money mule is then instructed
to quickly withdraw the funds and wire them overseas after deducting
a "commission" (commonly eight to ten percent).
Criminals target online deposit accounts
at institutions where business customers can originate EFTs,
such as automated clearing house (ACH) and wire transfers, over
the Internet. Money mules, however, can be customers at any depository
institution where EFTs can be received and funds withdrawn. In
some cases, the money mule may be an unknowing accomplice in
a fraud scheme.
Because EFTs are often made immediately
available by the receiving institution, funds may be removed
and wire transferred overseas before the fraud is detected. Refer
to SA-147-2009 http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/specialalert/2009/sa09147.html
for more information on fraudulent EFT schemes.
Money mule schemes can take many different
forms, but most involve receiving unauthorized EFTs into a deposit
account and then withdrawing the funds or forwarding them on
to another party via another EFT. The following are common scenarios:
Online job posting Web sites are used by
criminals to locate individuals seeking employment with flexible
work hours that can be performed from home. These work-at-home
schemes often involve written employment contracts, job descriptions
and procedures to legitimize the scam.
Advance fee scams promising large monetary
rewards for acting as a financial intermediary can entice individuals
to participate in this activity.
Mystery shopping jobs may be used that
require the employee to assess the performance of money service
businesses by completing EFTs and then evaluating the service
using customer satisfaction forms.
Social networking sites may be used to
recruit individuals to act as money mules. Criminals conjure
up various imaginative stories to befriend and persuade individuals
to receive and forward stolen funds.
Some hesitant or skeptical money mules have been intimidated,
harassed and threatened by their criminal "employers"
to process the funds transfers quickly and with secrecy.
The personal identifiable information provided
by the money mule might later be used to commit identity theft
or account takeover.
The following are examples of events that
may indicate money mule account activity:
A deposit account opened with a minimal deposit soon followed
by large EFT deposits.
Deposit customers who suddenly begin receiving and sending EFTs
related to new employment, investments, business opportunities
or acquaintances (especially opportunities found on the Internet).
A newly opened deposit account with an unusual amount of activity,
such as account inquiries, or a large dollar amount or high number
of incoming EFTs.
An account that receives incoming EFTs
then shortly afterward originates outgoing wire transfers or
cash withdrawals approximately eight to ten percent less than
the incoming EFTs.
A foreign exchange student with a J-1 Visa
and fraudulent passport opening a student account with a high
volume of incoming/outgoing EFT activity.
Money mule activity is essentially electronic
money laundering addressed by the Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money
Laundering Regulations. Strong customer identification, customer
due diligence, and high-risk account monitoring procedures are
essential for detecting suspicious activity, including money
mule accounts. Financial institutions can find additional guidance
about customer identification, account monitoring, suspicious
activity reporting, and identity theft red flags below:
FDIC Risk Management Manual of Examination Policies - Bank Secrecy
Act
www.ffiec.gov/bsa_aml_infobase/documents/FDIC_DOCs/BSA_Manual.pdf;
FFIEC Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering
Examination Manual
www.ffiec.gov/bsa_aml_infobase/default.htm
and
FFIEC Identity Theft Red Flags – Interagency
Final Regulations and Guidelines
www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2007/fil07100.pdf
Financial institutions should act promptly
when they believe fraudulent or improper activities have occurred,
such as those of a money mule. Appropriate actions may include,
but are not limited to, filing a Suspicious Activity Report and/or
closing the deposit account in accordance with existing, board-approved
account closure policies and procedures.
Cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded
to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th
Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted
electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Questions related to federal
deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the
FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.
For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts
may be accessed from the FDIC's website at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/specialalert/2009/index.html.
Sandra L. Thompson
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial
and Savings)
Note: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through
the FDIC's Public Information Center, 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200.
|
Today
in the Department of Defense, 10/29/2009
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:17:00 -0500
|
United
States Department of Defense Image Gallery
|
|
Cincinnati
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Defense
Authorization Signing
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:36:02 -0500
President Obama signing the National Defense Authorization Act
at the White House.
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A lot of folks use Facebook to stay in
touch with friends and family. For Sarah Palin, it's a great
way to spread lies about health insurance reform.
A few months back, Palin took to Facebook
to declare that health reform would create "death panels,"
and drive private insurers out of business -- and nonpartisan
fact-check sites and the independent Congressional Budget Office
debunked those lies.
But that hasn't stopped Sarah Palin. She's
back with a new Facebook note claiming that reform will raise
costs on families and drive up deficits. Unfortunately for her,
even the conservative "Tax Foundation" says those claims
are false.
So we're calling out Sarah Palin, and taking
to Facebook to debunk her lies on the very same pages she's using
to spread them.
Call 'em out: Sarah Palin. Watch the video, make
a call, spread the word on Facebook.
We've put together a short Facebook note
cataloging just some of Sarah Palin's many distortions and the
facts that prove her wrong. But we need your help to "share"
the note and make sure she doesn't get away with her outrageous
lies.
If Sarah Palin wants to spread lies on
Facebook, we'll call her out in the very same place. And when
thousands of folks share our note and expose her lies, it will
be clear that those who lie about reform will be held accountable
-- no matter where they spread their misinformation.
The more we push back with the truth, the
more Sarah Palin and others like her will have to think twice
before they promote lies, and the less they'll be able to derail
progress.
Even if you don't have a Facebook account,
you can still help us call out Sarah Palin. Visit Call 'em Out:
Sarah Palin to watch our video detailing her lies and to call
Palin's political organization and say, "stop lying."
Rising health care costs are crushing American
families and squeezing small businesses. Reform will reign in
costs and cut the deficit in the long run -- that's why it's
so important, and why Sarah Palin's lies are so malicious.
We're not letting it stand. We're calling
Sarah Palin out:
http://www.democrats.org/CallOutPalin
Thanks for helping us set the record straight
about reform,
Jen
Jen O'Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee
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New
York Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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Comptroller
Dugan Testifies on Financial Reform
WASHINGTON — Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan testified
today before the House Financial Services Committee on proposed
financial reform legislation.
Related Links:
Oral Statement (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2009-127a.pdf)
Written Statement (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2009-127b.pdf)
Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan (http://www.occ.gov/dugan.htm)
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Contact: Stephanie Lundberg
202-225-3130For Immediate Release
October 29, 2009
Hoyer Statement on the Affordable Health
Care for America Act
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke at an event on the West Front Steps
of the Capitol today to introduce the Affordable Health Care
for America Act. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Today, we are one step further on
a long, hard road—the road to bringing quality, affordable
health care to every American. Health insurance reform will mean
greater stability and lower costs for Americans, including affordability
for the middle class and small businesses, and security for our
seniors.
“Our country has been on this road,
in one way or another, since the days of Teddy Roosevelt. But
in this Congress, we are here to introduce a new health insurance
reform bill thanks to the commitment to this cause shared by
every Member of our caucus. For Americans struggling with the
cost of health care, this is an urgently-needed bill. But befitting
the importance of this legislation, the process of putting it
together has been deliberative, transparent, and open—the
most deliberative, transparent, and open process I have seen
for any bill in my 29-year career.
“Democrats have held 100 hearings
on health care since 2007. This year alone, we held close to
3,000 health care events in our districts. Three committees have
spent 160 hours on hearings and markups of health care legislation.
Much of the legislation that is being announced today has been
available for review and comment for more than three months.
And we will keep our commitment to the integrity of this process
by making the bill's full text and manager’s amendment publically
available for 72 hours before Members are asked to vote, and
by ensuring a full floor debate.
“Health insurance reform has come
through all of that scrutiny and debate stronger, because this
is an idea whose time has truly come.”
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Seattle
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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Houston
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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Minneapolis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
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China Agrees to Improve Access for U.S.
Energy Companies, Reopen Market to U.S. Pork, Clamp Down on Internet
Piracy at the 20th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission
on Commerce and Trade
HANGZHOU, Oct. 29, 2009 - China agreed
today to reopen its market to U.S. pork and live swine, remove
barriers for American firms to China's growing clean energy market,
and clamp down on Internet piracy at the 20th session of the
U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Hangzhou,
China, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk along with Chinese Vice Premier
Wang Qishan. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack led the
discussions on key agricultural issues.
"The 20th JCCT gave us the chance
to see the great things our two countries have accomplished as
well as the significant challenges that lie ahead," Kirk
said. "Today, we made good progress on these challenges,
creating more economic opportunities to make trade work better
for American workers, families and businesses. China committed
to reenergize its efforts to open up its government procurement
process, worth billions of dollars a year. China also announced
a new campaign to clamp down on Internet piracy. This added protection
is good news for America's creative industries. Our work here
has built momentum for future successes, and our priority of
creating and saving American jobs."
"Two-way trade of agricultural, fish,
and forest products between the United States and China has grown
in recent years to over $21 billion per year, opening increasingly
important connections that can benefit farmers, ranchers and
consumers in both countries," said Vilsack. "China's
intent to remove its H1N1-related ban on U.S. pork marks an important
step forward in cooperation between the countries on agriculture
issues."
"We are pleased that China agreed
to remove local content requirements for foreign participation
in China's wind farm market, opening up China's energy market
to U.S. companies and creating jobs in America," Locke said.
"China's renewable energy market is expected to reach $100
billion by 2020, and wind energy is its fastest growing sector.
We hope this progress builds a solid foundation for President
Obama's visit in November," Locke said.
The U.S. and Chinese governments signed
nine agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding establishing
the U.S. China Energy Cooperation Program (ECP), and witnessed
two commercial signings. The ECP is an innovative new public-private
partnership administered by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency
that will leverage the expertise of U.S. companies to help develop
clean energy solutions in China. The two governments also agreed
to cooperate on initiatives in the areas of the environment,
transparency, global distribution services, and standards.
Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main
forum for addressing bilateral trade matters and promoting commercial
opportunities between the United States and China. The 2009 JCCT
marks the first time three Cabinet officials in the Obama Administration
have traveled together to a key economic summit abroad.
FACT SHEET
Release No. 0536.09
Contact: Office of Communications (202)
720-4623
U.S.-CHINA JOINT COMMISSION ON COMMERCE
AND TRADE
Fact Sheet - October 29, 2009
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, together with Chinese Vice
Premier Wang Qishan, co-chaired the 20th JCCT in Hangzhou, China,
on October 28-29, 2009. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
also participated. Other participants included U.S. Ambassador
to China Jon Huntsman, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA)
Acting Director Leocadia Zak, and representatives from the Treasury
and State Departments.
A full range of Ministers from China attended,
including Commerce Minister Chen Deming, Agriculture Minister
Sun Zhengcai, National Energy Bureau Director Zhang Guobao, National
Tourism Administration Chairman Shao Qiwei, and General Administration
of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) Administrator
Wang Yong. Vice Ministers from the following Chinese agencies
also were represented: Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP),
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry
of Health (MOH), Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC), the Ministry
of Transportation (MOT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST),
and the State Council Legislative Affairs Office (SCLAO).
Outlined below are outcomes of the topics
discussed.
Agriculture
China announced its intent to re-open the
Chinese market to U.S. pork products and live swine. The United
States awaits China's official announcement to ensure that the
measure is consistent with science-based, international standards.
Two-way trade of agricultural, fish, and
forest products between the United States and China has grown
in recent years to over $21 billion per year.
Clean Energy
China agreed to remove local content requirements
on wind turbines.
China's renewable energy market is expected
to reach $100 billion by 2020, and wind energy is the fastest
growing component.
Distribution Services
The United States welcomes news that China
is in the process of concluding its licensing procedures for
certain qualified direct selling services companies.
Government Procurement
China will require that products produced
in China by foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) are treated as
domestic products and will issue rules in this regard.
The United States and China will establish
a multi-agency working group to regularly conduct discussions
on issues involving government procurement and purchases by state-affiliated
enterprises and organizations and private parties that make purchases
in accordance with national strategic objectives.
China committed to submit a revised offer
as early as possible in 2010 to accede to the WTO Government
Procurement Agreement (GPA).
Information Security
China confirmed in working group discussions
that the April 29, 2009, announcement by AQSIQ, MOF and CNCA,
that China's Compulsory Certification (CCC) testing and certification
rules for 13 categories of information security products apply
only to products procured by Chinese government agencies.
China agreed to establish a dialogue with
the United States regarding global practices for trade in information
security products.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
China gave assurances that it will impose
maximum administrative penalties on Internet infringers and has
begun a four-month campaign to clamp down on Internet piracy.
China announced its public notice, published
yesterday, conveying to state-run libraries the importance of
strengthening protection of copyright-protected academic and
medical journals.
China agreed that it will work closely
with the United States to resolve U.S. concerns about a new Ministry
of Culture circular relating to online music distribution that
is creating serious problems for the U.S. music industry.
The Intellectual Property Working Group
identified next steps on key issues, including: China's further
promotion of software legalization of enterprises and exchanges
of information on measures for promoting software legalization;
China's establishment of a Broadcast Tariff Rate as soon as possible;
and opportunities for interested rights holders and government
experts to provide feedback on China's new Patent Law amendments
and new implementing regulations.
These outcomes will bring significant benefit
to U.S. rights holders, given the importance of intellectual
property rights to the U.S. economy and the dynamic growth of
the Internet in economies around the globe. The copyright industry
estimates losses in 2008 due to piracy reached approximately
$7 billion, of which over $500 million in revenues were lost
to Internet music piracy.
Medical Devices
China committed that product recall regulations
will not be duplicative or redundant and the Ministry of Health
and the State Food and Drug Administration will be the relevant
authorities for medical device recalls.
China will adopt a risk-based approach
that will not automatically lead to clinical trials for medical
devices in a given class, and consider the use of results from
a clinical trial conducted outside of China to support a local
clinical trial exemption.
China will accept a prior approval document
of a medical device issued by a foreign country regardless of
its exporting origin, country of manufacture or legal manufacture
to satisfy any prior approval registration requirement.
China will consider an exemption of requiring
product samples to be tested in Chinese test labs prior to approval
if the manufacturer demonstrates compliance with international
standards and provides sound scientific evidence.
China will strive to implement regulations,
rules, and notices that are consistent with guidance documents
for medical devices issued by the Global Harmonization Task Force
and the Asia Harmonization Working Party.
According to industry, China's prior approval
requirement could have impacted over $350 million in U.S. products.
The clinical trials outcome will save U.S. companies hundreds
of millions of dollars.
Pharmaceuticals
China will continue to strengthen its oversight
and enforcement of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and
counterfeit pharmaceuticals by undertaking initiatives such as
the establishment of a Drug Master File system, enforcement of
record-keeping requirements for companies that manufacture and
sell APIs, and regulation of unregistered Chinese companies advertising
and marketing APIs at foreign trade shows and on the Internet.
China identified SFDA as its single point
of contact for the Interagency Coordination Conference for Fighting
the Production and Sales of Counterfeit Drugs.
China agrees to share information with
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the activities of the
Interagency Coordination Conference.
China and the United States agree to continue
the dialogue on pharmaceutical data protection.
The U.S. pharmaceutical industry loses billions of dollars of
annual revenues due to counterfeit medicines. The average reported
value of counterfeit medicines seized in 2008 was over $5 million.
Travel and Tourism
The United States and China agreed to implement
Phase II of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that opened
the market for the sale of packaged leisure travel from China
to the United States to include an additional 12 jurisdictions,
bringing the total to 21.
The United States and China have agreed
to hold a high-level meeting of the JCCT Tourism Working Group
in January 2010 to sign a program of work that will enhance travel
under the MOU.
The United States anticipates that inbound
travel from China will increase by 15 percent in 2010.
COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES
Agriculture: The U.S. Department of Agriculture
and China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced a Memorandum
of Understanding on Cooperation in Agriculture, which renews
the Joint Committee on Cooperation in Agriculture (JCCA) and
provides additional opportunities for MOA and USDA to engage
on cooperative agricultural issues.
In 2008, the United States exported over
$13 billion in agricultural products to China, of which the majority
were derived from biotechnology.
Anti-Monopoly Law: The United States and
China committed to continuing the Anti-Monopoly Law dialogue
under the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
Dietary Supplements: The United States
and China agreed to hold a government-to-government exchange
of information on dietary supplement regulation by March 31,
2010.
Energy Cooperation Program: The United
States and China supported the launch of the Energy Cooperation
Program (ECP), a public-private partnership focused on commercialization
of clean energy solutions. This effort reflects an ongoing partnership
among the Departments of Commerce and Energy, TDA, and U.S. industry
with respective Chinese counterparts.
Environmental Cooperation: The United States
and China agreed to hold the second U.S.-China Environmental
Industries Forum in October, 2010, and a second U.S.-China E-Scrap
Recycling Summit in May, 2010.
China's rapidly growing environmental market
is currently estimated at over $25 billion.
Global Distribution Services Forum: The
United States and China agreed to hold a forum addressing the
expansion of travel distribution services in China, including
computer reservation system technology.
Green Building Standards: The United States
and China agreed to hold a Green Building Standards Seminar by
March 2010.
Healthcare: TDA funded two grants in Sichuan
province to assist in the development of provincial healthcare
IT strategy and emergency response capabilities to enable quality
healthcare to reach rural communities.
Industries and Competitiveness Dialogue:
The United States and China launched a new Vice Minister-level
dialogue focused on innovation and industrial policy.
Intellectual Property Rights:
Intermediary Liability on the Internet:
China and the United States will jointly hold a program with
public and private participants to discuss the issue of intermediary
legal liability on the Internet.
Trademark Filing: China and the United
States will exchange information about handling bad faith trademark
registration practices through holding seminars or forming a
task force under the JCCT IPR Working Group.
Legal Exchange: China and the United States
agreed to hold the U.S.-China Legal Exchange next year.
Standards and Conformity Assessment: China
and the United States will convene a public-private meeting by
February 2010 on standards and conformity assessment procedures.
In addition, TDA intends to fund additional workshops on priority
standards issues over the next three years.
Transparency: The United States and China
agreed to continue cooperation on transparency and administrative
rulemaking and formulated a 2009-2010 work plan to enhance transparency
and predictability for market participants.
USDA News
oc.news@usda.gov
202 720-4623
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DoD
Identifies Army Casualty
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:20:00 -0500
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EPA Requests Comments on Survey for Stormwater
Rule
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing
a survey to help strengthen stormwater regulations and reduce
stormwater discharges from newly developed and redeveloped sites.
Stormwater discharges can harm water quality through increases
in stormwater volume and pollutant loadings into nearby waterways.
Generally, as sites are developed, less ground area is available
for rain to soak into, which increases stormwater volume. This
stormwater flows across roads, rooftops and other surfaces, picking
up pollutants that then flow into waterways. The draft survey
would require detailed information about stormwater management
and control practices, local regulations, and baseline financial
information.
EPA plans to propose a rule to control stormwater from newly
developed and redeveloped sites and to take final action no later
than November 2012. In support of this rulemaking, EPA is proposing
to require three different groups to complete questionnaires
about current stormwater management practices: 1) the owners,
operators, developers, and contractors of newly and redeveloped
sites; 2) the owners and operators of municipal separate storm
sewer systems; and 3) states and territories.
The proposed survey will be open for public comment for 60 days
following publication in the Federal Register.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/rulemaking
R316
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Guidance
to Financial Institutions Based on the Financial Action Task
Force Statement on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist
Financing Risks Posed by Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan,
and São Tomé and Príncipe
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Opportunity Finance Network’s 25th
Annual Conference
Charlotte, NC
CDFI Fund Director Donna J. Gambrell
Keynote
Introduction
Thank you, Mark, for that kind introduction. It is a pleasure
to be here today. And I am genuinely honored to have the opportunity
to join you in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Opportunity
Finance Network’s annual conference.
Over the past two decades, OFN and its more than 170 member organizations
have helped to transform a budding opportunity finance movement
into a thriving industry. On behalf of everyone at the CDFI Fund,
I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and commitment
to serving low-income people and communities across the nation.
And I offer our best wishes for your continued success over the
next 25 years.
At the CDFI Fund, we are celebrating an anniversary of our own
this year. Fifteen years ago, on September 23, 1994, Congress
created the CDFI Fund to promote economic revitalization and
community development in our nation’s underserved communities.
Since then, we have helped to build a nationwide network of more
than 800 CDFIs and have awarded over $1.2 billion to CDFIs, community
development organizations, and financial institutions through
our CDFI Program, Native Initiatives, and Bank Enterprise Award
Program. In addition we have now awarded $21 billion in allocation
authority through the New Markets Tax Credit Program. We share
with OFN and its members a vision of an America in which all
people have access to affordable credit, capital, and financial
services, and we look forward to continuing to work with you
to make that vision a reality.
New opportunity in the New Normal
The theme that OFN has chosen for this year’s conference
is The New Normal, and I must say, I admire the spirit behind
those three words.
As we all well know, the nation’s economic crisis has presented
extraordinary challenges over the past 12 months. We are indeed
living and working in a new environment.
But the fact that OFN and its members have chosen to accept this
environment as normal—as something not simply to endure
but to face head on, to understand, and to navigate as skillfully
and effectively as possible—speaks volumes about this industry’s
resilience, your commitment, and your creativity. You are setting
a wonderful example for everyone in the CDFI industry.
Today I would like to offer a few thoughts of my own on The New
Normal. I do not want to minimize the challenges confronting
the CDFI industry in the wake of the economic downturn, but I
am certain that there is another side to the story, a very positive
one. Indeed, I can assure you that, despite the very real challenges
it presents, the New Normal also offers very real opportunities
for CDFIs to expand their impact in the communities they serve.
Ironically, these new opportunities have been born from the economic
downturn itself. Over the past year and a half, there has been
a serious decline in lending originations within the mainstream
community. With traditional lenders unable to meet the demand,
CDFIs have stepped forward, offering their ideas and best practices,
and demonstrating that lending to low-income people can be good
for the community and for the bottom line.
The role of CDFIs was given an even greater boost by the arrival
of the new Administration in January. President Obama views the
CDFI industry as a key part of his strategy to address the economic
crisis, and Congress and the Administration have taken major
steps to expand our mission and impact.
The first of these steps was the passage of the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act on February 17, 2009. The Recovery Act provided
the CDFI Fund extra funding—$100 million beyond our annual
appropriation for fiscal year 2009—to enhance the lending
capacity of CDFIs. $90 million of this amount was designated
for our CDFI Program, $8 million for our Native Initiatives,
and the final $2 million for administrative expenses. The new
legislation also contained an additional $3 billion of New Markets
Tax Credit allocation authority that is being evenly divided
between the 2008 and 2009 rounds of the program.
In addition to providing extra funding, the Recovery Act also
waived the matching funds requirement for all applicants in 2009.
At the CDFI Fund, we realized that, as the philanthropic and
lending communities tightened their belts, many recipients of
our CDFI Program awards were finding it more difficult to meet
their matching requirements. By waiving those requirement for
awards made through the Recovery Act, Congress has enabled CDFIs
to put federal funds to work in their communities much more quickly.
On February 26, 2009, the new Administration took a second important
step to support CDFIs when it released President Obama’s
budget for the 2010 fiscal year. Entitled A New Era of Responsibility
– Renewing America's Promise, the new budget raises the
CDFI Fund’s current budget of $107 million for 2009 to $243.6
million for 2010—an increase of 127 percent.
The 2010 budget also provides $113.6 million—a 90 percent
increase—for the CDFI Program, and $80 million for the Capital
Magnet Fund, a new program to increase capital investment for
affordable housing for low-income families.
President Obama’s budget is also the first Administration
budget to specifically include funding—$10 million—for
the CDFI Fund’s Native Initiatives, which assist Native
American, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to
overcome certain barriers to financial services.
Finally, just last week, on October 21, the President took a
third important step, announcing a series of new initiatives
to help small businesses access credit and create jobs. The Administration
had already launched several initiatives to restore the flow
of credit to small businesses, and these have been quite effective.
Still, the Administration recognizes that much work remains to
be done, and so it has designed these new initiatives to provide
even more support for America’s small businesses. One initiative
in particular will provide lower-cost capital to CDFIs that lend
to small businesses in rural and urban areas hardest hit by the
recession. Capital will be available at a rate of 2 percent for
up to eight years, and CDFI banks, thrifts, credit unions will
be eligible to apply.
In addition, the Administration will actively explore ways to
increase access to liquidity for CDFI loan funds. I want to assure
you that Treasury is very committed to actively exploring all
ways in which CDFI loan funds might receive assistance in increasing
liquidity for their lending activities. The discussions are ongoing,
and I’m confident that we are making progress.
These three steps—the Recovery Act, the President’s
2010 budget, and the new small business lending initiatives—represent
an acknowledgment by Congress and the Obama Administration of
the CDFI industry’s role in promoting economic revitalization
in the most underserved communities across our nation. And they
are helping to create a new world of opportunity—both for
CDFIs and for the communities they serve.
I believe that’s a New Normal that we can all get used to.
CDFI Fund accomplishments
At the CDFI Fund, we have been mindful of both the tremendous
opportunity and the tremendous responsibility that we have been
given in the midst of the economic crisis, and we have been committed
to moving as quickly and effectively as possible to implement
the new Administration’s agenda.
Just four and a half months after the enactment of the Recovery
Act in February, we announced the financial assistance awards
through the Recovery Act to 59 CDFIs and to 10 Native CDFIs.
Just two months later—in record time—we disbursed all
$98 million to these CDFIs. Today, 100 percent of the funds awarded
to CDFIs through the Recovery Act has been disbursed, and the
money is hard at work, helping to generate capital for small
businesses, mortgage loans for homebuyers, and funding for affordable
housing projects and other community facilities.
In addition to disbursing the Recovery Act awards, we solicited
and reviewed more than 200 new applications submitted under supplemental
rounds of our CDFI and Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA)
programs. On September 28, we announced $4.4 million in financial
assistance awards to 10 CDFIs through the NACA Program. And on
October 2, we announced additional awards totaling $52.7 million
to 62 organizations through our CDFI Program. Award closings
and disbursements are already underway.
We also made awards under our Bank Enterprise Program. On August
20, the we announced awards totaling over $22 million for 55
depository institutions serving economically distressed communities.
Collectively these 55 awardees increased their loans and investments
in distressed communities by $214.2 million, their loans, deposits,
and technical assistance to CDFIs by $74.6 million, and their
provision of financial services in distressed communities by
$3.5 million.
We also re-opened the 2008 New Markets Tax Credit Program application
round to award an additional $1.5 billion of Recovery Act allocation
authority within 100 days of enactment, and closed all of the
award agreements within 30 days of the award announcement. We
will announce an additional $5 billion in New Markets Tax Credits
awards for the 2009 round tomorrow.
But awarding funds is not the only way we have been helping to
address the economic crisis. Last fall, as the crisis deepened,
I spoke with Bill Bynum, Chairman of the Community Development
Advisory Board, to explore how the CDFI Fund could respond. We
agreed to form a new Advisory Board Subcommittee to determine
the impact of the crisis on the institutions that the CDFI Fund
supports and to offer policy recommendations to increase that
support.
After gathering information from a broad spectrum of the CDFI
industry, the Subcommittee formulated a wide range of policy
recommendations and on March 5, 2009, presented them to the full
Advisory Board and the CDFI Fund.
I am pleased to report that the CDFI Fund has made significant
progress implementing the Subcommittee’s recommendations.
For example:
In July we created a new Office of Training and Outreach that
will focus on expanding training and outreach by coordinating
activities with government and non-governmental organizations
interested in improving conditions in low-income communities.
In August we launched a new Capacity-Building
Initiative that will make new, specialized technical assistance
and training available to CDFIs nationwide, enabling them to
expand their lending activities and to spur economic growth in
the communities they serve.
As I mentioned, we also succeeded in securing
direct funding—$80 million—for the Capital Magnet Fund
in the President’s 2010 budget. The Capital Magnet Fund
will provide grants to CDFIs and qualified nonprofit housing
organizations to finance affordable housing and related community
development projects, and we are now in the process of developing
the program, with plans to implement it in FY 2010.
These are just a few examples of some of the Subcommittee’s
recommendations that the CDFI Fund has already begun to implement.
You will find much more information about our progress on our
Web site..
There is one more recent initiatives that I would like to mention.On
October 13th, we launched a new Financial Education and Counseling
Pilot Program that will provides support for a wide range of
financial education and counseling services to prospective homebuyers,
and will address critical financial literacy needs in the wake
of the crisis in the housing market. Under this new program,
the CDFI Fund will make awards to organizations that provide
financial education and counseling to prospective homebuyers.
The deadline for applications is November 19.
We are very proud of the role that the CDFI Fund has been called
upon to play in helping to revitalize our nation’s economy.
And we are pleased that our efforts—in particular, our efforts
to implement the President’s Recovery Act agenda—have
not gone unnoticed. Upon release of our implementation plan,
Vice President Biden commented, “I commend Secretary Geithner
and the Treasury Department for moving quickly to implement these
innovative programs to help underserved communities. They are
exactly what the President and I had in mind when we put forth
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”
Going forward—together
Despite all the new opportunities that The New Normal has generated
for CDFIs, despite all the progress that the CDFI industry has
made, we must remember that many challenges still remain.
And while the CDFI Fund is committed to doing our part to advance
the economic recovery, we recognize that we can’t fulfill
every need. We recognize that, unfortunately, even with the increased
appropriations, we won’t be able to provide an award to
every highly qualified organization. But what we can do—and
will do—is to begin developing and implementing new strategies
that will include joining forces with our federal partners to
determine how we can revitalize entire regions, not just blocks,
and not just neighborhoods. It will not be easy—but doing
community and economic development work has never been easy.
The road to economic recovery will be long. But as I look down
that road, I find that there is one thing that gives me hope,
one thing that always inspires me, and that is your extraordinary
commitment to the communities you serve.
I have seen the impact of your commitment so many times in the
past few months as I have visited communities around the country.
I have seen it in New Orleans, where the Housing Resource Center
Network is helping the residents of Orleans Parish get back into
their homes.
I have seen it in Los Angeles, at the grand opening of the Ánimo
Watts Charter High School, an innovative college-preparatory
charter school located in a neighborhood where such signs of
hope are desperately needed.
And I have seen it on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and in Native
communities across the nation, where Native CDFIs are flourishing,
Native businesses are emerging, and Native people are becoming
stronger and more self-reliant every day.
I thank each of you for your commitment to the communities you
serve. I know that, by attending this conference, you have acquired
an abundance of knowledge and skill that will enable you to act
upon that commitment in new and innovative ways.
And, as you travel the road before you, I encourage you to remember
that the CDFI Fund is a partner that you can count on every step
of the way.
So let us travel this road together. Now more than ever, let
us work together to fulfill our shared mission.
Let us work together to ensure that opportunity and prosperity
are not the story of a select few but the provision of all Americans.
Thank you. Good luck and best wishes for 25 more years of exceptional
service.
|
FDA has issued final guidance on "Investigator
Responsibilities - Protecting the Rights, Safety, and Welfare
of Study Subjects." The guidance document is now available
from FDA's website using the following web link: http://wcms.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM187772.pdf.
|
|
Historically
Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) for U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES
Commsta & MSST Repairs Construction of Buildings
Solicitation Number: HSCG82-10-B-PMVA08
Place of Performance: Miami, Fla.
POC: Lesia K. Moyer, lesia.k.moyer@uscg.mil
Response Date: December 2, 2009
Dredge Boat Basin Channel
Solicitation Number: HSCG82-10-B-PMVA10
Place of Performance: Metairie, La. 70005
POC: Ada M. Hoggard, ada.m.hoggard@uscg.mil, 305-278-6724
Response Date: December 8, 2009
New Asphalt & Concrete Pavement
Solicitation Number: HSCG82-10-B-PMVA16
Place of Performance: Port Arthur, Texas 77642
POC: Lesia K. Moyer, lesia.k.moyer@uscg.mil, 305-278-6725
Response Date: December 15, 2009
|
FDA,
WebMD Expand Health Information Partnership
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:44:00 -0500
FDA and WebMD have expanded their partnership to provide increased
access to FDA’s consumer health information.
|
U.S.
Department of State Highlights: U.S. Foreign Policy and the OSCE
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0500
|
CDC
Genomics & Health Weekly Update
|
Secretary
Napolitano's Meeting With Leaders of Veterans Service Organizations
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0500
|
Department of Energy Awards $338 Million
to Accelerate Domestic Geothermal Energy
Innovative geothermal projects are funded in support of project
deployment, technology development, and data collection
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven
Chu today announced up to $338 million in Recovery Act funding
for the exploration and development of new geothermal fields
and research into advanced geothermal technologies. These grants
will support 123 projects in 39 states, with recipients including
private industry, academic institutions, tribal entities, local
governments, and DOE’s National Laboratories. The grants
will be matched more than one-for-one with an additional $353
million in private and non-Federal cost-share funds.
“The United States is blessed with vast geothermal energy
resources, which hold enormous potential to heat our homes and
power our economy,” said Secretary Chu. “These investments
in America's technological innovation will allow us to capture
more of this clean, carbon free energy at a lower cost than ever
before. We will create thousands of jobs, boost our economy and
help to jumpstart the geothermal industry across the United States.”
These grants are directed towards identifying and developing
new geothermal fields and reducing the upfront risk associated
with geothermal development through innovative exploration and
drilling projects and data development and collection. In addition,
the grants will support the deployment and creative financing
approaches for ground source heat pump demonstration projects
across the country.
Collectively, these projects will represent a dramatic expansion
of the U.S. geothermal industry and will create or save thousands
of jobs in drilling, exploration, construction, and operation
of geothermal power facilities and manufacturing of ground source
heat pump equipment.
The projects selected for negotiation of awards fall in six categories:
· Innovative Exploration and Drilling Projects (up to
$98.1 million): Twenty-four projects have been selected focusing
on the development of new geothermal fields using innovative
sensing, exploration, and well-drilling technologies.
· Coproduced, Geopressured, and Low Temperature Projects
(up to $20.7 million): Eleven projects have been selected for
the development of new low-temperature geothermal fields, a vast
but currently untapped set of geothermal resources. This includes
geothermal heat found in the hundreds of thousands of oil and
gas wells around the U.S., where up to ten barrels of hot water
are produced for every barrel of oil.
· Enhanced Geothermal Systems Demonstrations (up to $51.4
million): Three projects have been selected for the exploration,
drilling and development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS)
to validate power production from deep hot rock resources using
innovative technologies and approaches.
· Enhanced Geothermal Systems Components Research and
Development / Analysis (up to $81.5 million): Forty-five projects
have been selected to focus on research and development of new
technologies to find and drill into deep hot rock formations,
stimulate enhanced geothermal reservoirs, and convert the heat
to power.
· Geothermal Data Development, Collection and Maintenance
(up to $24.6 million): Three projects have been selected for
the population of a comprehensive nationwide geothermal resource
database to help identify and assess new fields.
· Ground Source Heat Pump Demonstrations (up to $61.9
million): Thirty-seven projects have been selected to demonstrate
the deployment of ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling
of a variety of buildings for a variety of customer types, including
academic institutions, local governments and commercial buildings.
View
the project selections announced today.
DOE’s Geothermal Technologies Program works in partnership
with U.S. industry to establish geothermal energy as an economically
competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply. Learn more
information about these awards on the Geothermal Technologies
Program website at http://geothermal.energy.gov.
This announcement covers projects selected for financial award.
The final details and funding level of each project are subject
to modification based on contract negotiations between the selected
entity and the Department of Energy.
-DOE-
|
|
Upcoming
Meetings and Recently Posted Materials for Advisory Committees
of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
DOE Fossil Energy NEWSALERT
----------------------------
Increased understanding of methane's role
in the global climate cycle and the potential
of methane hydrate as a future energy resource
could result from a recent joint research
expedition off the coast of northeastern Alaska
involving the Office of Fossil Energy's National
Energy Technology Laboratory. For more details,
link to the Energy Department's Fossil Energy
Web site at:
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2009/09075-Beaufort_Sea_Expedition_Studies_Me.html
|
Glenn
and STS-95 Go to Space
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:00 -0500
The seven crew members in training for the STS-95 mission aboard
Discovery pose for photographers prior to participating in a
training session at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured, from
the left, are Pedro Duque, Curtis Brown, Chiaki Nauto-Mukai,
then-U.S. Sen. John H. Glenn Jr. (D.-Ohio), Stephen Robinson,
Steven Lindsey and Scott Parazynski. Sen. Glenn, the first American
in space, who served as a payload specialist for the mission,
launched with the Discovery crew on Oct. 29, 1999, ten years
ago today. Image Credit: NASA
|
Afghanistan
Election Update
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:54:35 -0500
An update on election preparation in Afghanistan.
|
Shanks
on Afghan Security
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:35:46 -0500
A military official in Afghanistan says the kind of violence
that's played out there this week, is not happening all
over the country.
|
DoD
Identifies Marine Casualty
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:37:00 -0500
|
NASA
to Release New Images and Findings from Third Mercury Flyby
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:00 -0500
NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday,
Nov. 3, to announce scientific findings and release new images
from the third and final flyby of Mercury by MESSENGER.
|
FEC Draft Advisory Opinion 2009-25, http://saos.nictusa.com/aodocs/1087578.pdf
|
Statement
of James L. Taylor, Deputy Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security Before the Committee on Homeland Security
Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, U.S.
House of Representatives (PDF,
9 pages - 107 KB)
|
|
Chicago
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.
|
Federal
Stimulus Grant Supports Crucial Study of Anti-Nicotine Vaccine
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:21:00 -0500
|
Public
Conference: Know Your FBI
|
|
Cleveland
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
DoD
Contracts for October 29, 2009
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02:00 -0500
|
VACANCY:
ATTORNEY-ADVISOR GS-905-14/15 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. OIG-2008-62 WASHINGTON, DC Closing date September 8, 2010
|
|
San
Francisco Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Compliance
Releases for Federal Election Commission
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.
|
|
Contact: Katie Grant
202-225-3130For Immediate Release
October 29, 2009
Majority Leader Hoyer: House to Take
Up Permanent SGR Fix
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after House
Democrats introduced a permanent fix for the Sustainable Growth
Rate:
“Today, Democrats are showing our commitment to our nation’s
doctors and seniors by introducing legislation that permanently
fixes the sustainable growth rate. This will ensure that doctors
are fairly compensated for seeing Medicare and TRICARE patients.
It will also put an end to the hasty patches done at the end
of each year that are ‘paid for’ by requiring even
deeper reduction in future year. A permanent fix will allow doctors
to accurately plan for the coming year and give seniors the peace
of mind that they will have access to their doctors and receive
quality care.
“At the same time we look to fix the SGR, we will also demonstrate
our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility. Earlier this
year, Speaker Pelosi and I made it very clear that a permanent
SGR fix must be paid for, or statutory PAYGO must be passed.
We stand firm to that pledge, and will send statutory PAYGO to
the Senate again with the SGR bill. I look forward to bringing
this bill to the House Floor for a vote very soon.”
###
|
FDA has issued final guidance on "Investigator
Responsibilities - Protecting the Rights, Safety, and Welfare
of Study Subjects." The guidance document is now available
from FDA's website using the following web link: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM187772.pdf.
It is also available as an embedded link on the Good Clinical
Practice's Guidance, Information Sheets and Notices web page:
http://www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/RunningClinicalTrials/GuidancesInformationSheetsandNotices/default.htm.
This guidance provides an overview of the responsibilities of
a person who conducts a clinical investigation of a drug, biological
product, or medical device (an investigator as defined in 21
CFR 312.3(b) and 21 CFR 812.3(i)). The goal of this guidance
is to help investigators better meet their responsibilities with
respect to protecting human subjects and ensuring the integrity
of the data from clinical investigations. This guidance is intended
to clarify for investigators and sponsors FDA’s expectations
concerning the investigator’s responsibility (1) to supervise
a clinical study in which some study tasks are delegated to employees
or colleagues of the investigator or other third parties and
(2) to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of study subjects.
|
|
Contact: Katie Grant
202-225-3130For Immediate Release
October 29, 2009
Hoyer Statement on the Small Business
Financing and Investment Act
WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the Small
Business Financing and Investment Act, which passed the House
today:
“Today, the House passed the Small Business Financing and
Investment Act of 2009, a measure to improve lending and access
to credit for small businesses. The bill will support $44 billion
in small business lending every year, helping to save or create
1.3 million jobs annually.
“Small businesses are responsible for nearly two-thirds
of the American jobs created over the past 15 years; but in the
recession, they have struggled to access the loans they need
to pay current employees and hire new ones. That is why this
bill is a significant contribution to the health of America’s
job-creators, and to our economy as a whole.
“Today’s news that the economy grew at a rate of 3.5
percent between July and September—the best growth in two
years—gives reason to believe that we are well on the road
to recovery. But the recovery will not be complete until millions
of Americans are back at work, which is what makes today’s
small business bill so important.”
###
|
|
U.S.
Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - October 29
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:19:38 -0500
Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
October 29, 2009
|
|
Roundtable
with Business Leaders Opening and Closing Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateGovernor's House
Lahore, , Pakistan
October 29, 2009
|
Today
in the Department of Defense, 10/30/2009
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:28:00 -0500
|
Former
VECO Officers Sentenced for Roles in Public Corruption Scheme
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:28:43 -0500
Bill J. Allen and Richard L. Smith were each sentenced in separate
hearings today for their participation in a corruption scheme
in which they provided approximately $395,000 in corrupt payments
to public officials from the state of Alaska.
|
DoD
News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:51:00 -0500
|
|
Today's top Air Force stories include:
'Total Fitness' seeks unit, troop effectiveness
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123175243
Improved protection for household goods
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123175241
Airmen sought for unique, joint program
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123175218
Air Force officials announce candidate
bases for joint strike fighter
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123175214
New perspective improves VA programs
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123175229
|
|
HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR OCTOBER 29,
2009
Considered and Passed:
H.R.
3854 - Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009
(Rep. Schrader – Small Business) (389-32)
Amendments – Passed (15):
Velázquez Manager’s Amendment
Schock Amendment #1
Schock Amendment #2
Bright Amendment
Flake Amendment
Kosmas Amendment
Gingrey Amendment
Kratovil Amendment
Paulsen Amendment
Massa Amendment
Kissell Amendment
Peters Amendment
Brown-Waite Amendment #1
Brown-Waite Amendment #2
Nye/Buchanan Amendment
Amendments – Withdrawn (1):
Foxx Amendment
Motion to Recommit - Passed:
Offered by Mr. Cantor (VA) (272-149)
Conference Report on H.R.
2996 - Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 and Continuing Resolution (Rep.
Dicks – Appropriations) (247-178)
Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (3):
S.Con.Res.
45 - A concurrent resolution encouraging the Government of
Iran to allow Joshua Fattal, Shane Bauer, and Sarah Shourd to
reunite with their families in the United States as soon as possible
(Sen. Specter - Foreign Affairs)
H.Res.
783 - Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating
the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans to the strength
and culture of the United States (Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart - Oversight
and Government Reform)
H.Res.
729 - Expressing support for designation of a "National
Firefighters Memorial Day" to honor and celebrate the firefighters
of the United States (Rep. Poe - Oversight and Government Reform)
|
United
States Department of Labor Newsletter - October 29, 2009
|
|
U.S.
Department of State Town Hall at Government College University
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateLahore, Pakistan
October 29, 2009
|
|
HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Senate
Confirmation of Dr. Regina Benjamin as U.S. Surgeon General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the United
States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin as the
nation’s Surgeon General.
"Dr. Benjamin will quickly become
America's doctor as our next Surgeon General. Her deep knowledge
and strong medical skills, her commitment to her patients, and
her ability to inspire the people she interacts with every day
will serve her well as Surgeon General," said Secretary
Sebelius. "She will be an integral part of our H1N1 response
effort, and America can expect to see her very soon communicating
important information about how to stay healthy and safe this
flu season. I commend the Senate for their unanimous vote, and
I look forward to working with Dr. Benjamin in the days ahead."
A brief biography of Dr. Benjamin is below:
Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, Surgeon General,
Department of Health and Human Services
Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, is Founder and CEO of the Bayou
La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. She
is the Immediate Past-Chair of the Federation of State Medical
Boards of the United States, and previously served as Associate
Dean for Rural Health at the University of South Alabama College
of Medicine. In 2002, she became President of the Medical Association
of the State of Alabama, making her the first African American
woman to be president of a State Medical Society in the United
States. Dr. Benjamin holds a BS in Chemistry from Xavier University,
New Orleans. She was in the 2nd class at Morehouse School of
Medicine and received her MD degree from the University of Alabama,
Birmingham, as well as an MBA from Tulane University. She completed
her residency in family medicine at the Medical Center of Central
Georgia. Dr. Benjamin received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health
and Human Rights in 1998, and was elected to the American Medical
Association Board of Trustees in 1995, making her the first physician
under age 40 and the first African-American woman to be elected.
Dr. Benjamin was previously named by Time Magazine as one of
the "Nation's 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under.”
She was also featured in a New York Times article, "Angel
in a White Coat", as "Person of the Week" on ABC's
World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, and as "Woman of
the Year" by CBS This Morning. She received the 2000 National
Caring Award which was inspired by Mother Teresa, as well as
the papal honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope Benedict
XVI. She is also a recent recipient of the MacArthur Genius Award.
###
|
Department
Takes Steps to Reduce Casualties
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:53:00 -0500
|
'Total
Fitness' Seeks Unit, Troop Effectiveness
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:12:00 -0500
|
|
Yesterday, Secretary Napolitano and Secretary
Sebelius updated the nation on the spread of the H1N1 virus and
current efforts underway to respond to this outbreak.
Federal, state, and local authorities continue
to aggressively coordinate assistance, increase preparedness,
and ensure resources are reaching impacted communities.
Over the weekend, President Obama enacted
national emergency authorities that will allow our health care
system to respond to H1N1. Putting these authorities in motion
will cut through red tape and make sure we are prepared in the
event of a sudden increase in illness.
We continue to monitor the spread of the
virus and work with the public health community and private sector
to make the H1N1 vaccine available. We know there has been some
confusion and frustration about the vaccine. Vaccine is reaching
high-priority populations. More is arriving every day and there
will be enough for everyone.
In the meantime, there are concrete steps
every parent can take to protect yourselves and your families
from the virus, including talking to your children about H1N1.
One of our best defenses remains practicing good flu hygiene:
covering your cough or sneeze, washing your hands frequently,
staying home if you’re sick or have a high fever.
These are all things we’ve recommended
over the past several months, people have acted on them, and
they’ve made a difference. You are still the best weapon
against the spread of this disease.
For more tips on preparing for and responding
to the H1N1 flu, visit www.flu.gov.
You can also view the new Sesame Street public service announcements
on H1N1 at http://www.flu.gov/psa/index.html#elmo.
|
DoD
Top News
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:10:32 -0500
The DOD reinforces counter IED personnel in Afghanistan.
|
Pentagon
Brief
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:41:01 -0500
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell speaks with reporters
at the Pentagon.
|
DownRange
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:01:10 -0500
The latest stories from Iraq and Afghanistan.
|
DoD
Identifies Army Casualties
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:56:00 -0500
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DoD
Identifies Army Casualties
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:53:00 -0500
|
Pentagon
Brief
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:14:35 -0500
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell speaks with reporters
at the Pentagon.
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a new ticker page has started for Friday
October 30.
Yesterday's ticker items are archived here
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ticker timeline 00:02 Eastern Time October
30, 2009
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adsense
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