WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Legal Sidebar white paper (No. IF12854) on Dec. 18, 2024, by American national government R. Eric Petersen: * * * Fourth Circuit Holds That Certain Medicaid and State-Funded Health Plans Discriminate by Refusing to Cover Treatments for Gender Dysphoria Several states have considered the extent to which transgender individuals should have access to certain medical treatments to address a discordance between  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- The Department of Education (DOE) is seeking applications from parent organizations for its Special Education Parent Information Centers (PTIs) program. This initiative aims to empower parents of children with disabilities by providing them with essential training and resources. Funding Available for Parent-Led Organizations The program prioritizes applications from parent organizations with diverse leadership encompassing parents of children with disabilities, special e  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (TNSres) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis issued the following Beige Book on Dec. 4, 2024: * * * Summary of Economic Activity The Ninth District economy saw slight growth since the previous report. Employment increased slightly but was mixed across the region, and labor demand softened. Prices increased slightly and wage growth was moderate. Growth was noted in energy, residential real estate, commercial construction, and tourism. Consumer spending and commercial  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service issued a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Dec. 13, 2024, entitled "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rayed Bean, Sheepnose, Snuffbox, and Spectaclecase Mussels". Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the rayed bean ( Villosa fabalis), sheepnose ( Plethobasus cy  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced her bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act passed the House and Senate as part of a larger legislative package to support veterans. Baldwin's legislation expands support for County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO), the community-based employees who work directly with veterans to inform them of eligibility for VA programs and services, f  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Tina Flint Smith, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Chair of the Senate Housing Subcommittee, and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) announced over $20 million in federal funding for the Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) to preserve affordable housing in manufactured housing communities and support Tribal communities across the Upper Midwest. This funding, awarded through the Preservation and Reinvestment In  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement in support of the American Relief Act of 2025: "It is a Christmas miracle that Congress finally did its job. First and foremost, Congress will not be receiving a pay raise. This bill serves the general American public and our farmers very well the government will remain open, our farmers will be able to farm, and disaster r  more