The Commissioner Tzitzikostas is set to present the much-anticipated proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
This, along the second package of sectoral proposals coming in September, will kick off lengthy and politically charged negotiations over the next years, all leading up to the new long-term EU budget taking effect in January 2028. The presentation will take place on Wednesday afternoon 16 July 2025 in room ANTALL 4Q2 from where it will be webstreamed.
On 13 May 2025 the Commission published ten In-Depth Reviews (IDRs) as a follow up to the Alert Mechanism Report (AMR) of 17 December 2024. However, decisions on the existence of imbalances were only made public on 4 June as part of the 2025 Spring Package of the European Semester. The present note discusses those reviews and how they interact with other surveillance mechanisms such as the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) and Post-Programme Surveillance (PPS) for Member States that have received Union financial assistance in the context of a macroeconomic adjustment programme.
Erasmus+ is the EU programme for education, training, youth and sports for the 2021-2027 period, established by a 2021 regulation of the European Parliament and the Council. It is a successor to the 2014-2020 programme. Erasmus+ is commonly known as a student learning mobility programme, but it actually consists of a wide array of other actions to bolster the potential of European youth. This paper looks specifically at youth policies within Erasmus+.
On 16 July 2025 the TRAN Committee will welcome the Danish Presidency: Mr Thomas Danielsen, Minister of Transport and Mr Morten Bødskov, Minister of Business, Industry and Financial Services. The ministers will present to the Members the priorities of the Danish Presidency in the field of transport and tourism.
The Danish Presidency aims to strengthen and future-proof Europe’s transport sector, with particular focus on boosting competitiveness, cutting administrative burdens, and driving the green transition. The presentation of debate will take place on Wednesday afternoon 16 July 2025 in room ANTALL 4Q2 from where it will be webstreamed..
The traceability of critical raw materials along the supply chain is pivotal in meeting wider public demands for corporate sustainability and complying with relevant regulations from the European Union that contain requirements for responsible sourcing and the transparency of supply chains. This paper serves as a technical and logistical primer on traceability mechanisms, focusing on upstream mining in Africa – the part of a mineral supply chain from extraction to transformation. It compares and classifies the industry’s existing approaches to traceability based on the minerals targeted, implementation mechanisms, the use of technology and validity. Emphasis is placed on functional mechanisms, benefits and challenges. Particular attention is paid to comparing industrial methods with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) approaches. ASM, which forms a significant proportion of the market of specific critical raw materials, is the most exposed to abuse but has high rates of livelihood dependence and developmental potential. This paper makes recommendations on: the complementarity, interoperability and integration of initiatives; the role of state and non-state actors for compliance and enforcement; and the potential for including ASM.
Priority question for written answer P-002802/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Michael McNamara (Renew)
Recent reporting by the Financial Times[1] revealed that staff from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change participated in a controversial post-war Gaza reconstruction plan, amounting to a proposal for the forced displacement of Palestinians, raising legitimate fears of ethnic cleansing, which is contrary to international law. The Tony Blair Institute has also issued invitations to a summer reception at the BELvue Museum in Brussels on Tuesday 15 July 2025, naming Commissioner McGrath as the Institute’s ‘special guest’, describing the event as an opportunity for policy dialogue in a rapidly changing world.
Can the Commission confirm whether Commissioner McGrath will attend this event and provide his reasons for so doing?
It is not for the Council to comment on media reports, or on business decisions of individual economic operators.
At the same time, the Council recalls that the European Council, at its meeting on 6 March 2025, stressed that Europe must become more sovereign, more responsible for its own defence and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats with a 360° approach.
In doing so, the Union will reinforce its overall defence readiness, reduce its strategic dependencies, address its critical capability gaps and strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base accordingly across the Union so that it is in a position to better supply equipment in the quantities and at the accelerated pace needed.
This will also contribute to boosting European industrial and technological competitiveness. The above is without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States, and takes into account the security and defence interests of all Member States, in accordance with the Treaties.
Question for written answer E-002748/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Nikos Pappas (The Left)
Recently, there have been an increasing number of reports from European countries relating to the existence of organised networks of fake youth organisations that are certified under the Erasmus+ programme and receive funding via the competent national agencies in the Member States[1].
In Greece, according to the last four Erasmus+ evaluations announced by the Greek national agency competent for the programme (INEDIVIM – EL-02), a number of approved applicants could be found neither physically nor online. They have no online or social media presence, they are not known to local communities and they are not actively involved in Greek youth civil society.
In view of the above, can the Commission say:
1.What measures will it take to tackle fake organisations that have a PIC number and submit applications using artificial intelligence?
2.How can it check whether the Greek national agency for Erasmus+ (INEDIVIM – EL-02) has approved or funded entities that do not exist?
3.Does it intend to request the assistance of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for an in-depth review of the use of European funds under the Erasmus+ programme?
The Council has not discussed the issue raised by the Honourable Member during the Polish Presidency.
As recently highlighted by the European Council, the EU faces a new geopolitical reality and increasingly complex challenges. Current challenges, the EU’s priorities and its strategic orientations are identified in the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 adopted by the European Council on 27 June 2024 and in recent European Council conclusions.
Question for written answer E-002728/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Céline Imart (PPE), Daniel Buda (PPE), Esther Herranz García (PPE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Jessika Van Leeuwen (PPE), Dolors Montserrat (PPE)
At a time when the European wine sector is experiencing an unprecedented crisis – marked by large-scale restructuring within its own vineyards, mass grubbing up, and growing distress among producers, including tragic cases of suicide – the South African wine sector has announced the release of a EUR 15 million EU subsidy to ‘promote diversity and inclusivity’ in farms across the country.
Beyond the legal considerations, the decision to release such an amount at the current time is a serious moral and political failure: how can financial support such as this for a non-EU country be justified when winegrowers in France and across Europe are on the brink of collapse, and essential funding is lacking?
Given the foregoing:
1.Where exactly do the funds for this subsidy come from?
2.Does the Commission intend to activate all possible political and legal levers to suspend or reverse this funding?
3.Will the Commission only react when tractors are rolling over the cobblestones of the Schuman roundabout?
The principle of subsidiarity requires decisions to be taken at the lowest practical level of government without, however, jeopardising mutually beneficial cooperation at the supranational level. Recent decades have seen efforts to strengthen the subsidiarity principle in EU law, including the introduction of the well-known early warning mechanism (EWM) for national parliaments. At the same time, the principle of subsidiarity remains a contested notion. This has important implications for the regulatory, political and judicial bodies monitoring compliance with the principle. In this context, commentators have called for a better (and shared) understanding of the principle and have formulated a number of suggestions as to how to monitor compliance with the principle more effectively.
Question for written answer E-002730/2025 to the Commission Rule 144 Ondřej Krutílek (ECR)
It has been nearly 10 years since the ambitious European Rail Traffic Management System project was introduced and, in particular, its integral component the European Train Control System (ETCS). From the outset, the project has had the praiseworthy vision of creating a single train signalling and control system in Europe. The expected benefits include smoother operation, fewer local specifics, a reduction in the number of signalling systems needed per unit (or locomotive) and increased track capacity. However, the implementation is facing significant challenges, including significantly higher than anticipated costs and a current lack of demonstrable benefits.
In the light of the above, can the Commission answer these questions:
1.What specific steps are being taken to ensure that the original vision materialises and delivers benefits to the railway sector, including both railway undertakings and infrastructure managers?
2.What measures are being taken to ensure that burdensome local specifics, such as an abundance of ETCS system compatibility tests per track, are avoided?
3.By which year will there be a sufficient set of complete and equipped international corridors that allow railway undertakings to reduce the national signalling systems on their units (or locomotives) and their associated cost?
While the full extent of the consequences of the Israeli legislation adopted on 28 October 2024 on UNRWA’s capacity to fulfil its mandate in the occupied Palestinian territory is not yet clear, the EU has recalled[1],[2] its deep concern in this regard, has repeatedly stressed[3],[4],[5] the essential role of UNRWA, which provides crucial support to the civilian population in both Gaza and the wider region, and has condemned any attempt to obstruct it. Continued implementation of the UNRWA Action Plan is key[6],[7],[8].
The EU has deplored the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza, which has caused a large number of civilian casualties in recent air strikes. It has called for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement, and stressed the importance of unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza[9].
Since 7 October 2023, the EU and its Member States working as Team Europe have acted quickly to mobilise over EUR 1.16 billion in humanitarian assistance, which has been channelled through humanitarian partners on the ground (international and local humanitarian organisations).
In addition, the EU has been providing in-kind assistance by land, air and sea. As of 5 February 2025, over 4 000 metric tonnes of humanitarian cargo were supplied by humanitarian partners, EU-owned stockpile items, and donations from Member States[10].
Concerning the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the Council recalls its reply to Written Question E-001357/2024. The European Union and Israel held the thirteenth meeting of their Association Council on 24 February 2025 in Brussels.
The parties engaged in a political dialogue, focusing on the conflict in Gaza and Israeli-Palestinian relations, regional issues including Iran, and global issues.
The discussion also covered EU-Israel bilateral relations. The European Union presented its position[11], including that, pursuant to Article 2 of the Association Agreement, relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, are to be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guide their internal and international policy and are an essential element of the Association Agreement.
As for further engagement with the parties concerned, it may also be noted that the first ever High-level Dialogue meeting between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority took place on 14 April 2025.
The European Commission announced its proposal for a multiannual Comprehensive Support Programme worth up to EUR 1.6 billion, to foster Palestinian recovery and resilience.
This briefing analyses the implementation of the new economic governance framework in its first year of application. In particular, after discussing recent economic developments (Section 1), it assess results and roll-out of the new framework of fiscal coordination and surveillance as reported by the Commission in its 2025 Spring Package (Section 2). It also describes the current state of play on the implementation of the national escape clause for defence spending (Section 3) before focusing on the current excessive deficit procedures (Section 4).
Question for written answer E-002664/2025/rev.1 to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Rule 144 Krzysztof Brejza (PPE)
Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist and activist, has been imprisoned in Belarus since 2021 on politically motivated charges. He was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony for defending the rights of the Polish minority and free speech. He is reportedly being held in extremely harsh conditions, denied adequate medical care, and subjected to psychological pressure.
The EU has issued statements condemning his detention, but no visible progress has been made. In light of his deteriorating health and the broader repression in Belarus:
1.What concrete diplomatic actions has the Commission taken, together with the European External Action Service, to secure his release?
2.Has the EU engaged in or initiated any form of direct or indirect dialogue with the Belarusian authorities or third-party intermediaries?
3.Is the Commission considering any tangible incentives (e.g. humanitarian aid, sanctions adjustments, prisoner exchanges) to facilitate his release?
Declarations of concern are no longer enough. We expect precise, results-oriented action to protect European citizens and values abroad.
On 17 May 2023, the European Commission put forward proposals for the most comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968.
Since then, a multi-presidency negotiation of this complex reform package, which represents a complete shift in paradigm, has been on the agenda.
The Council refers the Honourable Member to the most recent progress report on the Customs Union reform package negotiations[1], which is publicly available on the Council website: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16192-2024-INIT/en/pdf.
With regard to the second question, the Honourable Member is invited to forward it to the Commission.
Council decision (CFSP) 2024/2880 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force in Mozambique covers the acquisition of non-lethal individual equipment for the Rwandan troops (RDF) deployed in Cabo Delgado and the costs of transporting staff, equipment and supplies between Rwanda and Mozambique.
The RDF was deployed at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and was instrumental in tackling the security crisis in Cabo Delgado.
Regardless of the assistance measure in question, the EU condemned Rwanda’s support for M23 and military presence on Congolese territory, and urged Rwanda to end its cooperation with M23 and withdraw its military forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In July 2024, the EU imposed restrictive measures on nine individuals and one entity responsible for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abuses in the DRC and for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the eastern DRC. Notably, it imposed restrictive measures against the Deputy Commander of the Special Force Command of the RDF.
Each assistance measure adopted within the framework of the European Peace Facility includes robust safeguards, which are duly implemented by the High Representative of the Union in the arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure the end users’ compliance with the requirements and conditions established by the Council.
This was the case for the initial assistance measure as well as for the top-up adopted on 18 November 2024. Failure to comply with international law may result in the suspension or termination of the assistance measure.
The EPF assistance measure is duly circumscribed. It is not intended to support specific individuals or the RDF as a whole, but to sustain the RDF units deployed in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado, with the full support of the Mozambican authorities.
Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
ICYMI: Mullin tells Fox News: Trump Worked with Congress Every Single Day to Secure Our Borders in His OBBB
Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined a special edition of Fox News’ Hannity with guest host, Kellyanne Conway. The senator called out the outrageous silence from Democrats as attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have skyrocketed 690 percent since January. He also detailed how President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) is vital to deliver his promises on border security.
Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
On how the left’s rhetoric is inspiring attacks against ICE:
“It was a coordinated attack. They were in tactical gear. They had devices that would block the signal of cell phones so they couldn’t be tracked. When the police responded, they ambushed them, that’s a coordinated attack. Now, if this was any other situation, Democrats would be out there, at the very least, would be calling for gun control. They have said absolutely nothing. Why? Because they’re the ones that have fanned the flames for this to happen. They’re the ones that’s literally calling on blood. Axios put out that a Democrat politician is calling for those to ratchet up their activities and spill blood when it comes to defending against ICE…”
“It’s actually very disturbing, because this is their base, and this is where the Democrat Party has went. They have built their base off anger and fear.”
On the highlights of the OBBB’s border security measures:
“The wall that President Trump started building in 2017, as 45 [45 POTUS], it was done by executive orders. But what happened when [President] Biden came in is they immediately started tearing it down and selling the material for pennies on the dollar.”
“What we did on the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ is we made it into law, not an executive order, so the next president can’t simply stop. We funded it, fully funded $46 billion to finish a wall the entire southern border. Now that’s huge. We also funded 10,000 new ICE agents. Now it’s not just ICE, but it’s ICE and other agencies that are able to do the same thing. Border agents and ICE, they’re two separate different things, border patrols our border ICE can actually go into the interior and actually arrest people that are here illegally, but they have different entities that we worked closely with Secretary Noam to make sure we had it right. Then they increase the amount of judges we have to speed through these individuals that claimed asylum…”
“At the same time, we also we have to remember that the drugs and the trafficking isn’t just coming across land, it’s actually coming across the sea too. So we have to work with our Coast Guard. We put in $24 billion to upgrade the Coast Guard. Sometimes they are overlooked. They need new vessels, they need new aircraft, they need new infrastructure. So, President Trump put a heavy emphasis, and he worked with Congress every single day to make sure that we are secured on our southern and northern border.”
When aggressive ant species come in contact, deadly conflicts ensueG. Chomicki
In the middle of the South Pacific, a group of Fijian plants have solved a problem that has long puzzled scientists: How can an organism cooperate with multiple partners that are in turn competing for the same resources? The solution turns out to be simple – compartmentalization.
Imagine an apartment building where unfriendly neighbors might clash if they run into each other, but smart design keeps everyone peacefully separated. In our new research published in the journal Science, we show how certain plants build specialized structures that allow multiple aggressive ant species to live side by side inside them without ever meeting.
Ants and plants cooperate in Fijian rainforest
Squamellaria plants are epiphytes – meaning they don’t have roots attached to the ground, and instead grow on another plant for physical support. They live high up in the rainforest canopy, in the South Pacific.
Because they don’t have direct access to the soil’s nutrients, Squamellaria plants have evolved an original strategy to acquire what they need: In a mutually beneficial relationship, they grow structures that appeal to ants looking for a place to live. This kind of long-term relationship between species – whether helpful or harmful – is called symbiosis.
Here’s how it works in this case. The base of the Squamellaria plant stem forms a swollen, hollow structure called a domatium – a perfect place for ants to live. Domatia gradually enlarge to the size of a soccer ball, containing ever more plant-made houses ready for ants to move into. Each apartment can house a colony made up of thousands of ants.
A multicompartment Squamellaria (S. tenuiflora) in its natural habitat: rainforests in Fiji. This large plant likely contains a dozen or more compartments. G. Chomicki
The relationship between the ants and the plants is mutualistic, meaning both parties benefit. The ants gain a nice sturdy and private nest space, while the plants gain essential nutrients. They obtain nitrogen and phosphorus from the ants’ feces and from detritus – including dead insects, plant bits and soil – that the ants bring inside the domatium.
However, tropical rainforest canopies are battlegrounds for survival. Ants compete fiercely for nesting space, taking over any hollow branch or space under tree bark. Any Squamellaria ant house would thus be at risk of being colonized and taken over by other incoming ants, disrupting the existing partnership.
Until now, it was unclear how the cooperative relationships between ants and plants remain stable in this competitive environment.
Walls keep the peace
Our first hint about what keeps the peace in the Squamellaria real estate came when we discovered several ant species living in the same plant domatium. This finding just didn’t make sense. How could aggressively competing ant species live together?
We investigated the structure of domatia using computed-tomography scanning, which revealed an interesting internal architecture. Each plant domatium is divided into distinct compartments, with thick walls isolating each unit. Independent entrances prevent direct contact between the inhabitants of different units. The walls safeguard the peace as they prevent encounters between different ant species.
A 3D model of a Squamellaria tenuiflora domatiium based on CT-scanning data reveals its compartmentalization. Each color-coded cavity is a distinct ‘ant apartment,’ isolated of the others, but connected to the outside. S. Renner & G. Chomicki
Back in the lab, when we removed the ant apartments’ walls, placing inhabitants in contact with their neighbors, deadly fights broke out between ant species. The compartmentalized architecture is thus critical in preventing symbiont “wars” and maintaining the stability of the plant’s partnership with all the ants that call it home. By minimizing deadly conflicts that could harm the ants it hosts, this strategy ensures that the plant retains access to sufficient nutrients provided by the ants.
This research reveals a new mechanism that solves a long-standing riddle – the stability of symbioses involving multiple unrelated partners. Scientists hadn’t previously discovered aggressive animal symbionts living together inside a single plant host. Our study reveals for the first time how simple compartmentalization is a highly effective way to reduce conflict, even in the most extreme cases. The ant colonies are living side by side, but not really together.
What’s next
The key to conflict-free living of multipartner symbioses discovered in these Fijian plants – compartmentalization – is likely important in other multispecies partnerships. However, it remains unknown whether compartmentalization is widespread in nature. Research on cooperation between species has long focused on pairwise interactions. Our new insights suggest a need to reinvestigate other multispecies mutualistic symbioses to see how they maintain stability.
Guillaume Chomicki receives funding from UKRI.
Susanne S. Renner received previous funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Measles is an extremely contagious virus that can cause severe disease and complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and even death. It can spread through air. People can pass the virus to others before they show symptoms, and the virus can stay suspended in the air in a room for several hours.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. Three to four days after the onset of fever, a rash develops. It generally begins on the face, then spreads rapidly to the rest of the body.
There has been a resurgence of measles activity in Canada in recent years, with several thousand confirmed cases reported nationally in 2025, after 146 cases were reported in 2024. Cases occur largely in people who were unimmunized or under-immunized (only received one dose). There is also significant measles transmission in other parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and Africa. This is usually the source of cases seen in Canada.
Measles vaccines have been part of B.C.’s immunization program since 1969, with a second dose (and a comprehensive catch-up campaign for children, youth, and young adults) added to the schedule in 1996.
In B.C., measles vaccine is provided as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for the first dose and is recommended for children beginning at their first birthday. A second dose, generally with measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV), is given at school entry (age 4-6 years).
How to check your immunization records:
Check immunization records for adults and children through the Health Gateway.
If the records are not in the Health Gateway:
Adults and children may have received a paper record at the time of immunization. For example, in B.C., immunizations may be recorded in the Child Health Passport.
If the immunization record is incomplete in Health Gateway and people have a paper record, they can submit the record.
If people don’t have a paper record, they can:
Contact the health-care provider that gave the vaccines.
Contact the community health nurse if the vaccines were given in a First Nations community.
If people have moved to B.C. from another province or country, contact the immunization provider or local public health unit and ask to have the records sent to them.
Drivers who park illegally in Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (Halifax Infirmary and Victoria General sites) and IWK Health Centre parking lots can be fined $500 starting today, July 10.
“Free on-site parking at health facilities is for patients, visitors and authorized staff. We want to discourage drivers from parking at these sites without a valid reason and crowding out legitimate users,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “We hope this step will be a strong deterrent for anyone considering parking at a hospital or healthcare facility who is not seeking or providing care.”
The Province has created new regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act that allow parking enforcement officers to issue tickets to drivers of vehicles parked illegally in designated hospital parking lots in Halifax.
The Health Authority Parking Lots Pilot Project Regulations:
impose a fine of $500 for parking in specific hospital parking lots if not attending a Queen Elizabeth II or IWK facility
list authorized users, including patients, healthcare providers, health authority employees, visitors, volunteers and service providers
list documents that can be used to show the person is properly parking in the lot (e.g. a health authority exit pass, health authority ID, etc.).
Parking tickets will be issued by a peace officer or a special constable. Both health authorities – Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health – will have special constables authorized to issue parking tickets.
Quick Facts:
the ticket amount is $536.60, but will be reduced to $500 if it is paid during the first 60 days after it is issued, in accordance with the Summary Offence Tickets Regulations
the QEII Health Sciences Centre includes buildings on two sites in Halifax – the Halifax Infirmary site includes Camp Hill Veterans Memorial, Abbie J. Lane Memorial and the Halifax Infirmary; the Victoria General site includes the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre, the Centre for Clinical Research, and the Bethune, Mackenzie, Dickson, Victoria and Centennial buildings
Additional Resources:
Health Authority Parking Lots Pilot Project Regulations: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/2025-129.pdf
News release – Free Parking at Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/04/30/free-parking-hospitals-healthcare-facilities
Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)
Rep. Dina Titus Statement on Failure of Universal Consent Measure in Senate
Congresswoman Dina Titus released the following statement after the Senate declined to consider a measure to restore the gambling loss deduction to 100% from 90%:
“The failure of the Senate’s unanimous consent measure is not surprising. The Senate got us into this mess and it’s now time for both chambers to unite behind my bipartisan FAIR BET Act to ensure that average and high-stakes gamblers do not pay taxes on money they never won. If we do not do this, more gamblers will move to unregulated and untaxed offshore markets; more gamblers will not report winnings; and revenue and jobs will be lost, not just in Las Vegas, but across the nation. We will all be losers if the FAIR BET Act is not passed by Congress and signed by the President.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)
Rep. Dina Titus Statement on Failure of Universal Consent Measure in Senate
Congresswoman Dina Titus released the following statement after the Senate declined to consider a measure to restore the gambling loss deduction to 100% from 90%:
“The failure of the Senate’s unanimous consent measure is not surprising. The Senate got us into this mess and it’s now time for both chambers to unite behind my bipartisan FAIR BET Act to ensure that average and high-stakes gamblers do not pay taxes on money they never won. If we do not do this, more gamblers will move to unregulated and untaxed offshore markets; more gamblers will not report winnings; and revenue and jobs will be lost, not just in Las Vegas, but across the nation. We will all be losers if the FAIR BET Act is not passed by Congress and signed by the President.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
Griffith Announces $33,915 DOT Grant to Cumberlands Airport Commission
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Cumberlands Airport Commission, based in Wise County, Virginia, a $33,915 grant. The funding supports a tree removal project that helps bring the airport into conformity with current standards. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:
“Tree removal projects are essential in optimizing the safety of aircraft and passengers.
“This DOT grant for $33,915 helps Cumberlands Airport Commission identify and eliminate obstructions to the Lonesome Pine Airport.”
BACKGROUND
As part of the grant funding, the Cumberlands Airport Commission will conduct an environmental analysis.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
Griffith Announces $33,915 DOT Grant to Cumberlands Airport Commission
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Cumberlands Airport Commission, based in Wise County, Virginia, a $33,915 grant. The funding supports a tree removal project that helps bring the airport into conformity with current standards. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:
“Tree removal projects are essential in optimizing the safety of aircraft and passengers.
“This DOT grant for $33,915 helps Cumberlands Airport Commission identify and eliminate obstructions to the Lonesome Pine Airport.”
BACKGROUND
As part of the grant funding, the Cumberlands Airport Commission will conduct an environmental analysis.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)
Headline: Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Designate Astria Toppenish as a Critical Access Hospital
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced legislation to allow Astria Toppenish to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital, which is currently ineligible for certain rural hospital support due to unique geographic and economic factors and the number of patients it serves.
“This legislation helps address the unique financial situation of Astria Toppenish by allowing them to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital. Certain rural hospitals like Astria Toppenish face unique challenges qualifying for adequate federal reimbursements as the demand for services continues to rise. While there is plenty of work to be done in addressing these challenges, this legislation is a strong first step in reforming the way we support rural hospitals providing critical health services to our communities.” said Rep. Newhouse.
This legislation would directly benefit Astria-Toppenish as it delivers critical healthcare services to the area but is not currently eligible for CAH status. This status would allow it to access financial benefits that allow other rural hospitals to continue providing care to the communities they serve.
“I’m proud of the collective work done to propel forward legislation for a Critical Access Hospital designation for Astria Toppenish Hospital. This rural facility serves a vital role in the Yakima Valley, especially for the residents of Toppenish and the Yakama Nation. Without this hospital, families would be left without access to timely, lifesaving care—and that’s simply unacceptable,”said Brian Gibbons, President and CEO of Astria Health.
Gibbons continued,“Astria Health has stretched resources as far as they can go, doing everything possible to keep the doors open. But no health system—especially one serving multiple underserved communities—can continue reallocating funds without consequences.”
Cathy Bambrick, Administrator for Astria Toppenish Hospital, added,“A Critical Access designation would allow Toppenish hospital to receive enhanced reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid patients—who make up the majority of those treated at our facility. It’s a commonsense, fiscally responsible solution that supports rural health, preserves access to care, and upholds our commitment to underserved populations.”
The CAH designation is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. To accomplish this goal, CAHs receive certain benefits, such as cost-based reimbursement for Medicare services.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)
Headline: Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Designate Astria Toppenish as a Critical Access Hospital
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced legislation to allow Astria Toppenish to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital, which is currently ineligible for certain rural hospital support due to unique geographic and economic factors and the number of patients it serves.
“This legislation helps address the unique financial situation of Astria Toppenish by allowing them to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital. Certain rural hospitals like Astria Toppenish face unique challenges qualifying for adequate federal reimbursements as the demand for services continues to rise. While there is plenty of work to be done in addressing these challenges, this legislation is a strong first step in reforming the way we support rural hospitals providing critical health services to our communities.” said Rep. Newhouse.
This legislation would directly benefit Astria-Toppenish as it delivers critical healthcare services to the area but is not currently eligible for CAH status. This status would allow it to access financial benefits that allow other rural hospitals to continue providing care to the communities they serve.
“I’m proud of the collective work done to propel forward legislation for a Critical Access Hospital designation for Astria Toppenish Hospital. This rural facility serves a vital role in the Yakima Valley, especially for the residents of Toppenish and the Yakama Nation. Without this hospital, families would be left without access to timely, lifesaving care—and that’s simply unacceptable,”said Brian Gibbons, President and CEO of Astria Health.
Gibbons continued,“Astria Health has stretched resources as far as they can go, doing everything possible to keep the doors open. But no health system—especially one serving multiple underserved communities—can continue reallocating funds without consequences.”
Cathy Bambrick, Administrator for Astria Toppenish Hospital, added,“A Critical Access designation would allow Toppenish hospital to receive enhanced reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid patients—who make up the majority of those treated at our facility. It’s a commonsense, fiscally responsible solution that supports rural health, preserves access to care, and upholds our commitment to underserved populations.”
The CAH designation is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. To accomplish this goal, CAHs receive certain benefits, such as cost-based reimbursement for Medicare services.
ith the halfway point of the income tax filing extension period approaching, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind taxpayers who haven’t yet filed their 2024 tax return to do so as soon as they can.
“July 15 may be just the halfway point of the extension period, but for most people who haven’t yet filed their tax year 2024 return there’s no reason not to file now,” said Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld.
Some people may not have filed because they didn’t have money to pay what they owe, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Those who didn’t file and haven’t paid are only racking up additional late payment penalties and interest by waiting.
“Even if they can’t pay the full amount they owe, they should pay what they can as soon as they can to help lower penalties and interest,” the director said. “For those who can’t pay all they owe, filing a return offers them the opportunity to set up a payment plan with the state.”
Besides not being able to pay, people file for an extension for all kinds of reasons. Some are waiting on additional information or documents. Others are experiencing hardship in the days before the deadline and have to direct their attention elsewhere. Some people just put it off or forget.
“Whatever the reason, as soon as they have what they need, they should file,” Gerstenfeld said.
For some taxpayers, filing can mean receiving a refund.
Several free filing options and in-person tax assistance options remain available during the summer months.
One of those options is Direct File Oregon. More than 13,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns with Direct File Oregon this year. Nearly 4,700 of those filers connected to Direct File Oregon after first filing their federal returns through IRS Direct File, which is still available through the end of the filing season.
So far in 2025, the department has processed more than 2.05 million of an expected 2.2 million returns. That leaves approximately 150,000 Oregon taxpayers who still need to file their tax year 2024 returns.
“Some tax situations are complex and require extra time—even months—to prepare, but most aren’t,” he said. “Filing as soon as you can makes good sense. It can save money and provide some peace of mind.”
Taxpayers with questions can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), the department accepts all relay calls.
ith the halfway point of the income tax filing extension period approaching, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind taxpayers who haven’t yet filed their 2024 tax return to do so as soon as they can.
“July 15 may be just the halfway point of the extension period, but for most people who haven’t yet filed their tax year 2024 return there’s no reason not to file now,” said Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld.
Some people may not have filed because they didn’t have money to pay what they owe, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Those who didn’t file and haven’t paid are only racking up additional late payment penalties and interest by waiting.
“Even if they can’t pay the full amount they owe, they should pay what they can as soon as they can to help lower penalties and interest,” the director said. “For those who can’t pay all they owe, filing a return offers them the opportunity to set up a payment plan with the state.”
Besides not being able to pay, people file for an extension for all kinds of reasons. Some are waiting on additional information or documents. Others are experiencing hardship in the days before the deadline and have to direct their attention elsewhere. Some people just put it off or forget.
“Whatever the reason, as soon as they have what they need, they should file,” Gerstenfeld said.
For some taxpayers, filing can mean receiving a refund.
Several free filing options and in-person tax assistance options remain available during the summer months.
One of those options is Direct File Oregon. More than 13,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns with Direct File Oregon this year. Nearly 4,700 of those filers connected to Direct File Oregon after first filing their federal returns through IRS Direct File, which is still available through the end of the filing season.
So far in 2025, the department has processed more than 2.05 million of an expected 2.2 million returns. That leaves approximately 150,000 Oregon taxpayers who still need to file their tax year 2024 returns.
“Some tax situations are complex and require extra time—even months—to prepare, but most aren’t,” he said. “Filing as soon as you can makes good sense. It can save money and provide some peace of mind.”
Taxpayers with questions can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), the department accepts all relay calls.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into the State of Minnesota, including the Minnesota Department of Human Services, to determine whether it has engaged in race- and sex-based discrimination in its state employment hiring practices.
In a policy issued earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Human Services requires its hiring supervisors to provide a “hiring justification when seeking to hire a non-underrepresented candidate.” Hiring supervisors who do not comply with the policy “may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.” The policy seems to be part of a broader effort by the state to engage in race- and sex-based employment practices in its “affirmative action” objectives.
The Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section will investigate whether Minnesota is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, sex, and other protected characteristics, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
“Minnesotans deserve to have their state government employees hired based on merit, not based on illegal DEI,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
“Federal law has long prohibited employment policies that discriminate based on race or sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department refuses to tolerate such conduct, and states invite investigation when they engage in biased hiring practices tied to protected characteristics.”