WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (TNSrep) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12160) on Feb. 5, 2025, by Agricultural Policy specialist Renee Johnson. Here are excerpts: * * * Farm Bill Primer: Support for Tribal Food and Agriculture The 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; P.L. 115-334) expanded federal farm program support for tribal agricultural producers and communities. Congress further enhanced community and economic development for  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: * * * Durbin, Hayes Introduce Legislation To Expand Family Leave Protections February 05, 2025 WASHINGTON - On the 32 nd anniversary of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) today introduced bicameral legislation that would modernize FMLA for the 21 st Century. The Caring for All Families Act will guarantee   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * HYDE-SMITH, MERKLEY INTRODUCE BILL TO PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZE CDC OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH Senators Want Statutory Authorization to Keep Focus on Rural Health Needs WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced legislation to build on their efforts to bring a sharper focus on rural health needs by permanently authorizing the Office of Rural Health   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Murray, Pingree, and DeLauro: EPA Illegal Funding Cuts Harm Public Health, Environment, and Families Washington, D.C. - Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and House Appropriations   more

LONGMONT, Colorado, Feb. 7 -- The First Nations Development Institute issued the following news release: * * * Native Youth Nationwide to Benefit from Programs Focused on Strengthening Identity and Intergenerational Connections First Nations Development Institute awards nearly $2 million to Native nonprofits and Tribes leading innovative, youth-focused programs LONGMONT, Colo. (February 6, 2025) - First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) today announced the awarding of $1.925 mill  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Oregon, issued the following statement on Feb. 6, 2025: Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) announced that she has left the House's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus with the following statement: "My responsibility as a Representative is to be a good steward of my constituents' tax dollars, and I take that job seriously. I joined the DOGE Caucus to ensure there was a voice in the room for working people and to protect Americans' earn  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Salinas Reintroduces Legislation to Provide Free Mental Health Visits for Americans Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), who serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, introduced the Helping Out Patients for Emotional (HOPE) and Mental Wellbeing Act. This legislation would provide three free behavioral health visits per year for individuals who are insure  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement at a Jan. 29, 2025, confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be secretary of Health and Human Services: * * * The question before the Finance Committee this morning is whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should be trusted with the health and well-being of the American people. Committee staff have examined thousands of pages of statements, books, and podcast transc  more

SALEM, Oregon, Feb. 7 -- The Oregon School Boards Association issued the following news: * * * Timing adds urgency to OSBA's delegation to D.C. advocacy conference The Advocacy and Equity Institute put on by the National School Boards Association is a regular reminder of the federal government's connection to state and local policies. No reminder was needed this year, as a flurry of Trump administration actions have rocked the education world. "It was everywhere, and congressional members wa  more