Editor’s Notes:

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen sent a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) this week estimating the government will not be able to pay its debt obligations by June, possibly as early as June 1, if the debt ceiling is not raised.

Surgeon General: 50% of U.S. population reported measurable levels or loneliness. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. It is worth noting that this data was gathered before the pandemic.

Homeland Security is requesting 1,500 Department of Defense personnel to support the 2,500 already at the Southwest Border for 90 days as Title 42 ends, anticipating a surge of migrants attempting border crossings.

USDOT announced a proposed rule to improve pipeline leak detection and repair.

HHS awards funds to reduce Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Black or African American women.

USDA announces $420M for a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to strengthen the food supply chain.

USDOT partners with logistics companies to create supply chain data exchange

The USDA has announced nearly $130 million in assistance for farm loan program borrowers struggling to make payments on their farm loans.

[End of Editor’s Notes]

Health Care

New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States

Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. Surgeon General Murthy’s report states this is a public health crisis affecting mental, physical, and societal health. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity. Full Press Release, and Full Advisory: “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”

HHS Awards an Additional $8.2M to Expand Pilot Diaper Distribution Program

$8.2 million additional funding was announced for the Diaper Distribution Pilot program for a total investment of $16.2 million, now supporting twelve states and two tribes. According to HHS, diapers alone can cost 8% of a person’s total income if they are earning the federal minimum wage. Full Press Release

HHS Awards Phase 1 Winners of Competition to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals for Black Women

HHS awards 15 winners for Phase 1 of the EDC Innovator Award Competition, aimed at reducing endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure risk for women, particularly Black women. EDCs linked to developmental, reproductive, brain, immune, and other problems. Full Press Release

Fact Sheet: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

HHS fact sheet highlighting funding programs and actions at HHS for community mental health care, children and youth mental health, crisis supports, and mental health workforce, including:

• Launched 988, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Expanded mental health services in schools

• Advanced a center for excellence on social media and mental health

• Launched HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration

• Supported states in establishing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (24/7 care)

• Provided hundreds of millions in funding for Project AWARE, Mental Health Awareness Training, and National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative

Full Press Release

Energy

Secretary Granholm and Minister Lee Commit to Strengthening Clean Energy Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and ROK Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Lee Chang-Yang met to discuss strengthening clean energy cooperation. The meeting focused on bilateral collaboration across three pillars to support economy-wide decarbonization:

• policies and planning

• technologies and research

• commercialization and deployment

Full Press Release

Agriculture & Rural Development

USDA Announces Finalists for Twelve New USDA Regional Food Business Centers and $420 Million in Funding to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

USDA announces 12 new USDA Regional Food Business Centers. Centers provide technical assistance, coordination, and capacity building for farmers and food businesses. USDA also announced a $420 million Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to invest in processing and distribution capacity. Full Press Release

USDA is Providing $130 Million in Assistance to Help Farmers Facing Financial Risk

The USDA has announced nearly $130 million in additional financial assistance for qualifying farm loan program borrowers facing financial risk. In May, FSA will begin accepting and reviewing individual distressed borrower assistance requests from direct loan borrowers who missed a recent installment or are unable to make their next scheduled installment. Full Press Release

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $36M to Improve Roads, Trails, Water Quality as part of Investing in America Agenda

USDA announces investments of over $36 million in nearly 100 projects to improve national forests and grasslands infrastructure. Program aims to improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and transportation systems, while creating jobs in stream restoration, environmental design, and heavy equipment operations. Full Press Release

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $63M for Fuel Breaks to Protect Communities, Increase Firefighter Safety, as Part of Investing in America Agenda

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $63 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to expand wildfire barriers, known as fuel breaks, to protect communities and firefighters across the West. Projects in Colorado, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Full Press Release

Statement from Secretary Vilsack on Emergency Fuel Waivers for E15 Sales

“The Biden-Harris Administration has been the most supportive in our history for homegrown, renewable biofuels, which bolster American agriculture, expand people’s options for affordable fuel, strengthen our nation’s energy independence, and power the transportation sector that keeps our supply chains running.” Full Press Release

Fact Sheet: USDA Is Fighting for Fair, Competitive, and Transparent Markets

Factsheet highlights recent funding opportunities for food producers, farmers, and food businesses. Factsheet highlights new rulemakings aimed at protecting food system markets, supply chain bottlenecks, and transportation networks, as well as USDA grants and actions since July 2021 to address competition issues in agricultural markets. Full Press Release

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Tennessee Disaster Areas

USDA announced Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(D-SNAP) for low-income Tennessee residents in 10 counties affected by tornadoes and severe storms starting March 31, 2023. Approximately 1,020 households may qualify for D-SNAP if they meet disaster income limits and have qualifying disaster-related expenses. Full Press Release

USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Oklahoma Disaster Areas

USDA announces Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(D-SNAP) for low-income Oklahoma residents in two counties (McClain and Pottawatomie) affected by tornadoes and severe storms starting April 19, 2023. Approximately 900 households may qualify for D-SNAP if they meet disaster income limits and have qualifying disaster-related expenses. Full Press Release

Interior & Public Lands

Secretary Haaland Announces $12.6 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Desalination Research Facility in Southern New Mexico

DOI announced a $12.6 million investment for the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF) in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Funding comes from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA/BIL). The investment aims to enhance the resilience of the West to drought and climate change by focusing on brackish groundwater desalination, renewable energy integration, and water treatment for rural and Tribal communities. Full Press Release

Treasury & IRS

Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen Sends Letter to Congressional Leadership on the Debt Limit

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen sent a letter to Speaker McCarthy (R-CA) and Congressional leadership regarding the debt limit. Yellen estimates the government will be unable to satisfy all obligations by early June, possibly as early as June 1, if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit before then. Full Letter Here

Treasury Department Announces Approval of Federal Funds to Connect Hawaii Homes and Families to Affordable, High-Speed Internet as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

Hawaii is approved to receive $115.5 million to implement two broadband infrastructure programs that aim to provide reliable internet access to households across the state. The state will invest $101.7 million of their Capital Projects Fund award to the Hawaii Subsea Middle Mile Program designed to address the unique subsea cable infrastructure that’s needed to provide connectivity between the islands to ensure they have reliable, high-speed internet access. Full Press Release

Transportation

USDOT: Biden-Harris Administration Opens Applications for First Year of $400M Competitive Grant Program to Reduce Truck Air Pollution at America’s Ports

The FY2022-2023 funding for the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program totals $160 million. The funding will focus on projects that reduce emissions from idling trucks at our nation’s ports, which negatively impacts air quality for surrounding communities, including small children, truck drivers, and port workers. Full Press Release

USDOT Announces Funding for 27 Small Shipyards in 20 States to Help Increase Productivity and Create Jobs

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $20.8 million in grant awards to 27 small shipyards in 20 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace. Full Press Release

U.S. Department of Transportation Expands Investment in Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Grant Program

Build America Bureau will add $24 million in grants to the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) Program, bringing the total investment to $34 million to expedite delivery of transportation infrastructure projects at the local and regional levels. Full Press Release

USDOT Announces Bipartisan PIPES Act Proposal to Modernize Decades-Old Pipeline Leak Detection Rules, Invests in Critical American Infrastructure, Create Good-Paying Jobs, and Improve Safety

USDOT proposes a rule to improve gas pipeline leak detection and repair, with estimated benefits of up to $2.3 billion annually. The proposed rule aims to enhance public safety and lower methane emissions from over 2.7 million miles of pipelines and related facilities. Operators will be required to establish advanced leak detection programs, increase survey frequency, reduce gas release, and repair leaks in a timely manner. Full Press Release

FMCSA Forms New Task Force to Combat Predatory Leasing Practices

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the nine members of the Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF). TLTF was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA/BIL) and will evaluate lease agreements in the trucking industry and their potential safety and financial impacts on owner-operators. Full Press Release

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Loans of Up to $327 million for Improvements to the Sound Transit System in Washington State

The Build America Bureau provides $327 million in low-interest loans to Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) for transit system improvements. The loans will finance three projects: Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension, Elevated Light Rail Platform Along Lynnwood Link Extension, and Sounder Access Improvements. Full Press Release

USDOT, Supply Chain Companies Launch New Data Exchange to Strengthen Supply Chains

FLOW, launched in March 2022, is a first-of-its-kind effort by the Biden-Harris Administration and supply chain companies to develop shared data infrastructure for proactive supply chain challenge resolution. FLOW team has developed a data exchange to pool information on goods movement, including container volumes and available logistics equipment. Full Press Release

Commerce

U.S. Departments of Commerce, Labor, and Education Announce SelectTalentUSA, New Partnership to Increase Quality Jobs through FDI

Launch of SelectTalentUSA announced by Secretaries of Commerce, Education, and Acting Secretary of Labor. Aims to build skilled workforce for foreign multinationals in the U.S. Supports promotion of foreign direct investment (FDI) and job creation. The pilot program focusing on German, Swiss, and Austrian markets. Full Press Release

Justice & Labor

Department of Labor Announces $90m in Grants to Support Delivery of Training, Employment Services to Young People For High Demand Careers

Department of Labor announced the award of $90 million in grants to 68 organizations in 32 states to provide training and employment services. Ranging from $700,000 to $1.5 million each, the awards’ announcement follows the department announcement of the availability of YouthBuild grants in November 2022. Full Press Release

Homeland Security

DHS Statement on Request for Additional DoD Support on the Southwest Border

DHS requests additional 1,500 DoD personnel to support the 2,500 already at the Southwest Border for 90 days, focusing on non-law enforcement duties. While this request is for 90 days, DoD has supported DHS on the border every year since 2006. Full Press Release

DHS Conducts Dozens of Removal Flights Every Week

During the first half of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) increased removals and returns to 225,483, up from 170,896 over the same period in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. That number includes nearly 66,000 removals, 48,381 of which were conducted through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal flights. Full Press Release

DHS Statement on the Lifting of Title 19 Requirements

Beginning May 12, 2023, DHS will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request. Full Press Release

Trilateral statement on joint commitment to Latin America

United States, Spain, and Canada partner to deepen engagement in Latin America, establish specific goals. Joint initiative aims to promote safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration. Partnership to create economic and social opportunities and strengthen development in the region. Full Press Release

Public & Affordable Housing

HUD Allocates $382 Million to Help States Produce Affordable Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $382 million to the nation’s Housing Trust Fund. Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program aims to increase and preserve affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households. HTF funds are to be used for property acquisition, site improvements, development costs, and other eligible activities. Full Press Release

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