This Week's Federal Press Releases

December 8 - December 15, 2023

Author

US Government News
December 15, 2023

❝

All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.

- Immanuel Kant

Health Care

Readout of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Meeting with LGBTQI+ Leaders to Discuss Health Equity

Secretary Becerra reiterated HHS’ commitment to continued partnership with LGBTQI+ leaders

HHS Marks Major Milestone for Nationwide Health Data Exchange

ONC announced today that nationwide health data exchange governed by the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement

HHS Provides Critical Tools to Help Improve Access for Millions who Receive Medicaid Home and Community-based Services

New guidance outlines how states can establish important tools to connect individuals needing care with those qualified to provide it.

HHS Releases National Plan Update Marking Year of Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementias

Secretary Xavier Becerra today released HHS's National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease: 2023 Update

HHS Finalizes Rule to Advance Health IT Interoperability and Algorithm Transparency

ONC finalized its Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing ​(HTI-1) rule

New HHS Actions and Research Highlight How President Biden’s Administration is Lowering Prescription Drug Costs

An in-depth review of the 10 drugs selected for the first cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations under the IRA.

HHS Releases New Data Strategy to Enhance Data Capabilities and Accelerate Progress on Cancer Moonshot Goals

HHS Data Strategy seeks realize the Department’s mission by advancing its management and use of data to improve human health outcomes.

FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Voluntary Commitments from Leading Healthcare Companies to Harness the Potential and Manage the Risks Posed by AI

Voluntary commitments – underscoring safety, security, and trust – mark a critical step toward ensuring responsible AI in healthcare

Energy

DOE Launches New Office to Coordinate Critical and Emerging Technology

Office Will Align DOE’s World-Class Expertise on Technologies Like Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Quantum, and Semiconductors

BIRD Energy to Invest $9.75 Million in Cooperative U.S.-Israel Clean Energy Projects

U.S. investment will leverage an additional $27 million in private sector financing

Interagency Statement by the Agencies Participating in the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Lifecycle Analysis Working Group

The agencies participating in the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Lifecycle Analysis Interagency Working Group committed to a modified GREET model being available by March 1.

Agriculture & Rural Development

USDA Signs Agreement with Agriculture Future of America to Prepare Young People for Careers in Agriculture

Secretary Tom Vilsack has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agriculture Future of America (AFA)[…]

Congress Must Act to Fully Fund WIC in 2024, Or Risk Nutrition Security for Millions of Women, Infants and Children

For the past 25 years, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, has committed to fully funding WIC to serve every eligible pregnant woman, infant, mother, and child who applies.

Interior & Public Lands

Interior Department Proposes Offshore Wind Sale in the Central Atlantic

The Department of the Interior today announced the proposal of an offshore wind lease sale in the Central Atlantic.

Interior Department Announces New Actions in Support of Nature-Based Solutions

The Department of the Interior announced new steps to utilize nature-based solutions in its efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

Assistant Secretary Estenoz Affirms Interior Department’s Commitment to Tackling the Climate Crisis at COP28

President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Provides $16.5 Million to Support Tribes Impacted by Drought

$16.5 million is available through the Bureau of Reclamation to expand access to clean, reliable water supplies for Tribes.

Secretary Haaland Designates 18 New Sites of Natural, Historical Significance

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today designated 16 new National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) and two new National Natural Landmarks (NNLs).

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Several New Water Conservation Agreements in California to Protect the Colorado River System

Agreements with several California water agencies to conserve up to 643,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead through 2025.

Treasury & IRS

U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces New Federal Funds to Help Close the Digital Divide in Wisconsin Through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

To date, the Capital Projects Fund has awarded $9 billion for broadband, digital technology, and multi-purpose community center projects in all 50 states.

Financial Stability Oversight Council Releases 2023 Annual Report

The Financial Stability Oversight Council (Council) today unanimously approved its 2023 annual report.

Remarks by Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson at the U.S.-India Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Working Group

U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Guidance to Drive American Innovation, Cut Aviation Sector Emissions

Biden-Harris Administration Partners Announce Updated GREET Model to Measure Lifecycle Emissions from Sustainable Aviation Fuels to be Released in Early 2024

Transportation

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $645 million to Help Meet Rural Transportation and Mobility Needs

Second year of Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program funds 18 projects for safety, accessibility and connectivity in rural areas

Billions Committed in Historic Decade of Investment Aimed at Growing the Economy, Creating Jobs, and Enhancing Shipping on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces New Rural Autonomous Vehicle Research Program

The first-of-its-kind Rural Autonomous Vehicle (RAV) Research Program will lay a foundation for bringing the potential benefits of automated vehicles to rural and Tribal communities across the U.S.

Biden-Harris Administration Investing in Hundreds of American Communities to Improve Safety and Prevent Roadway Deaths

U.S. Department of Transportation announced $817 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 385 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants.

Justice & Labor

Former Special Agent in Charge of the New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Sentenced to 50 Months for Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions on Russia

A former Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI Counterintelligence Division in New York, was sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to commit money laundering in connection with his 2021 agreement to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch.

Man Charged for Torturing Prisoners

A Tennessee man was arraigned today on charges that he tortured prisoners during the armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s.

US Department of Labor announces proposed rulemaking to modernize Registered Apprenticeship regulations

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to enhance the National Apprenticeship System by modernizing regulations for Registered Apprenticeships.

Defense

DOD Awards $161 Million to Universities to Purchase Equipment Supporting Defense-Relevant

The Department of Defense announced awards totaling $161 million to 281 university researchers under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program.

DOD Releases 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

DOD has released the 2024 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, which will increase an average of 5.4% when the new rates take effect in 2024.

Commerce

Biden-Harris Administration and BAE Systems, Inc., Announce CHIPS Preliminary Terms to Support Critical U.S. National Security Project in Nashua, New Hampshire

U.S. Department of Commerce Outlines Potential Funding of Approximately $35 Million in Support of U.S. Defense Capabilities, Including F-35 Fighter Jet Program

Readout of Secretary Raimondo’s Meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Relations Mauro Vieira

Secretary Gina M. Raimondo met with Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations Mauro Vieira to discuss the importance of the U.S.-Brazil bilateral and commercial relationship during her first official visit to Brasilia, Brazil.

Homeland Security

G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Communiqué

Public & Affordable Housing

In 2023, HUD Helps More Than 424,000 Households Connect to Homeless Support Services, Exit or Avoid Homelessness

In 2023, HUD Helps More Than 424,000 Households Connect to Homeless Support Services, Exit or Avoid Homelessness.

Education

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the Recent Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Collection

The National Center for Education Statistics today released the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Reply

or to participate.